Area animal shelters struggling with dog adoptions August was Clear the Shelters month, a campaign spearheaded by local animal shelters to get dogs and cats adopted. However, the effort has been a struggle for shelters across the country and this region. ⢠Pandemic puppy boom: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people took in animals they either no longer want or can afford to care for. ⢠Maxing out space: Montgomery, Greene, Clark and Butler county shelters are often at or over capacity. ⢠What they are saying: âThis has become a national epidemic,â said Greene County Animal Control Director Julie Holmes-Taylor. âItâs not just us. Itâs private shelters, itâs public shelters, itâs government shelters, itâs private rescues. Everybody is full.â ⢠Ways to help: According to Montgomery County spokeswoman Kara Hamby there are many ways to help: âAdopt, foster or rescue your next pet and encourage family and friends to do the same. If someone is not able to adopt or foster, they can always volunteer at the shelter or donate.â
Ohio Secretary of State wants to ban drop boxes, require proof of citizenship to register to vote Ohioans would be required to provide documents proving they are U.S. citizens when they sign up to vote, a practice that is not permitted by current Ohio law, under a proposal made by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. ⢠Documents needed: Ohioans registering to vote already must provide a driverâs license or state identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. LaRoseâs proposal doesnât specify what documents people would have to provide to prove citizenship. Nor does it say if people would be expected to give copies of those documents to the person registering them or if they would be kept on file with the state or county boards of election. ⢠Drop boxes: Currently, each county can have one secure ballot box at or outside the county board of elections that people can use to deliver their ballots. LaRose is asking that these drop boxes be banned. ⢠What LaRose is saying: âTo ensure the ongoing integrity of Ohioâs elections, I suggest urgent legislative attention to each of them,â LaRose, a Republican, said in the letter. âWhile it may be unrealistic to accomplish these reforms before the upcoming election, they are nonetheless changes that should be considered as soon as possible.â ⢠What opponents are saying: âI would like the Secretary of State to focus on inviting voters in and getting ready for election 2024 rather than thinking of additional obstacles or to cause Ohioans to question the integrity of our elections,â said Catherine Turcer, executive director of Common Cause Ohio. âHeâs feeding into some of the worst myths surrounding our elections.â
⢠One big takeaway: A Trotwood man charged with murder in connection to what police called an âambush-styleâ shooting in May 2022 in a Dayton parking has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison. ⢠Tip of the day: What to know about this yearâs Oktoberfest at the Dayton Art Institute. ⢠Person to know today: Darren Hertz. The new Wittenberg menâs basketball coach spent seven seasons on Anthony Grantâs staff with the Dayton Flyers. ⢠Big move of the day: Just in time for football season, TJ Chumps in Miamisburg has revamped its patio. ⢠Stat of the day: The number of passengers since January for Warren Countyâs new transit provider, Valley Transport, has increased between 32% and 70% per month. ⢠Things to do: First Friday events this week include the opening of a peace exhibit, a comedy improv show and more. ⢠Photo of the day: Photographer Bill Lackey was on hand for the recent Call to Duty Ceremony for the Ohio Army National Guard 1137th Tactical Installation Networking Enhanced Signal Company. See all of the photos here. | 
