Two major projects have been completed, and more are in the works around the Rose Music Center in Huber Heights.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we hear from city leaders and give an update on the projects still moving forward. We also tell you about Robert Prevost, the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church.

If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at Greg.Lynch@coxinc.com.

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The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 12 seconds to read.

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Huber Heights: Projects near Rose still a go despite lack of movement

The area around Rose Music Center on Executive Boulevard in Huber Heights has long been a main focus for ongoing development in the city.

• Proposed projects: In the past three years, at least six major projects have been proposed for the section of Executive Boulevard that spans from the intersection of Brandt Pike west toward the industrial-commercial district just northeast of I-70.

• Completed projects: Two of these projects have come to fruition: A Sheetz gas station opened last summer on the corner of Brandt and Executive, and a new Warped Wing restaurant/brewery location opened a year prior, just west of the Rose.

• Housing developments: Plans for two large housing developments were announced in 2022 and 2023, and these projects have yet to break ground.

• Indoor music venue: Last August, Mayor Jeff Gore announced early plans for an indoor music venue. The city is completing “due diligence” for the music venue along with partner Music and Event Management Inc.

• Dublin Pub: Gore also announced plans for a Dublin Pub locationon Executive Boulevard, and the city is finalizing a contract agreement for the project.

• More info coming: Gore said a more detailed update about the various Executive Boulevard projects will be shared during his “State of the City” address on Monday, June 9.

Robert Prevost, first pope from US in history of the Catholic Church, takes the name Leo XIV

Robert Prevost, who spent his career ministering in Peru and took over the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, was elected the first pope from the United States in the history of the Catholic Church.

• White smoke: The crowd in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers when white smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel on the second day of the conclave, marking the election of a new pope. Waving flags from around the world, tens of thousands of people waited to learn who had won.

• Name: Prevost took the name Leo XIV. The last pope to take the name Leo was Leo XIII, an Italian who led the church from 1878 to 1903.

• First American Pope: The Chicago-born missionary graduated from the Augustinian Villanova University, in suburban Philadelphia.

• First words: In his first words as Pope Francis’ successor, uttered from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo said, “Peace be with you,” and emphasized a message of peace, dialogue and missionary evangelization. He spoke to the crowd in Italian and Spanish, but not English.

• Trump’s reaction: U.S. President Donald Trump said it was “such an honor for our country” for the new pope to be American. “What greater honor can there be,” he said. The president added that “we’re a little bit surprised and we’re happy.”

What to know today

• One big takeaway: Dayton native Luke Grimes will reprise his role as Kayce Dutton on the “Yellowstone” spinoff “Y: Marshals” on CBS in 2026.

• Watch: We hosted a Community Conversation about DEI and Senate Bill 1 on Thursday between a Dayton activist and a state lawmaker

• Best of Dayton 2025: Vote for your favorites here.

• Person to know today: Mike Bogan. He joined the City of Xenia as a firefighter and paramedic in 1999 and has now been recently named the next Chief of Xenia’s Fire & EMS Division.

• WPAFB: Members of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Regional Council of Governments agreed Thursday to explore how best to help enforce a new state law that penalizes unauthorized drone flights near military bases.

• Big move of the day: Killer Brownie, a well-known Dayton brand, has relaunched with a new look and spirit.

• Dayton Food & Dining: Dutch Bros Coffee is expanding into Ohio with plans to open a location in Butler Twp.

• Quote of the day: “No single shelter can accommodate the vast number of lost and stray dogs in Montgomery County, where approximately 140,000 dogs reside. Expanding shelter capacity is not the solution,” said Montgomery County Animal Resource Center director and dog warden Amy Bohardt about the problem of loose dogs and vicious attacks.

• Community Gem: Lois Wiggin. At 81, the prescription assistance specialist at the Health Partners Free Clinic in Troy still finds her job rewarding.

• Thing to do: This weekend, there will be many events taking place across the Dayton area including concerts, wrestling shows and festivals.

• Photo of the day: The historic Weldy House, at 19 Linden Ave., is a place of learning and healing. For more, you can read the full story and find more photos here.