The Yellow Springs News • An Independent source of community news in Yellow Springs, Ohio since 1880

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YS Police Chief Burge breaks down 2024 stats

The yearly state-of-the-department presentation included aspirational three-year goals for the local police force, data on last year’s 911 calls, department awards, funding initiatives, community survey results and general incident statistics.

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Web Features

Mayor Pam hanging up the hat

After nearly eight years of being the village’s mayor, Conine — who often goes by “Mayor Pam” — is hanging up her top hat. Conine announced earlier this month that she won’t seek reelection this year.
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‘Women’s Voices Out Loud’ event set

“Women’s Voices Out Loud,” an annual community event uplifting women’s stories through spoken word, visual art and musical performances, will be Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day.
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News from the Past: February 2025

Contributing writer Don Hollister dove into the YS News archives to uncover past articles and more in his most recent installment of his News from the Past column.
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Arts (archives)

Local musicians to bring experimental ‘In C’ to the Emporium
The Emporium will host “Neutrals and Friends” — a dozen or so musicians from in and around the village — for a performance of renowned minimalist composer Terry Riley’s ever-changing work “In C,” as well as other compositions, during the weekly wine tasting Friday, Feb. 28, beginning at 7 p.m.
Creating Space | Dayton Poetry Slam welcomes all
This is the first in a profile and interview series from the perspective of News columnist Iden Crockett that aims to highlight people who work in the arts in the Miami Valley, with a focus on those who create space for women, BIPOC and queer creatives.
Chamber Music in Yellow Springs to present Aizuri Quartet
The Aizuri Quartet, formed in 2012 by graduates of the Juilliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music, will perform Sunday, Feb. 23, as part of the Chamber Music in Yellow Springs, or CMYS, 2024–25 season.

Village Schools (archives)

School board approves second censure against Magnus
The school board held a brief special meeting Friday, Feb. 7, with the only two agenda items being the rescission and replacement of a censure the board approved in January and the approval of a second censure.
District breaks ground on facilities upgrade projects
The $55 million project includes renovation at the Mills Lawn campus and a combination of renovation, demolition and new construction at the East Enon Road campus of McKinney Middle and YS High schools.
YS Schools join statewide voucher lawsuit
Yellow Springs Schools is one of the districts that has joined the growing coalition as it works to bring a lawsuit against the state — a lawsuit that questions the wisdom, and the fairness, of using public dollars to pay for private school tuition.

Economy (archives)

Woda Cooper proposes 71 low-income units for LIHTC project
Woda Cooper Companies aims to develop a three-story, low-income housing complex in Yellow Springs comprised of 71 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Monthly rents, excluding utilities, would range from $345 to $1,150.
Home, Inc. set to award $500K home-repair grants
Most grants will be up to $16,500 for projects starting in February, including accessibility upgrades, health and safety repairs and weatherization.
Local business aims for sustainable garden design
Though “design” is often considered in the aesthetic sense, local resident Molly Finch has a broader perspective on the term. That perspective is shaped by her new business, Goldfinch Garden Design.

Village Life (archives)

‘Village Voices’ event series at Senior Center open to all
Max Mullin will present “Demystifying AI” as part of the monthly “Village Voices” series Thursday, Feb 20, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Yellow Springs group focuses on immigrant rights
Yellow Springs Community Coalition for Immigrant Support began meeting in late December, and is set to host a teach-in event Saturday, Feb. 22, at the library. The event aims to educate local residents on immigrant rights and how to help neighbors who may be at risk.
News from the Past: January 2025
Contributing writer Don Hollister dove into the YS News archives to uncover past articles and more in his most recent installment of his News from the Past column.

Government (archives)

Board of Zoning Appeals approves LIHTC density, parking variances
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Village Board of Zoning Appeals granted Columbus-based Woda Cooper Companies — the Village’s selected developer for the LIHTC project — approval for its variance application to exceed the housing density limit, and reduce the parking space requirement for a proposed 71-unit affordable housing development.
Fire chief placed on administrative leave
Following a special meeting of the Miami Township Trustees on Tuesday, Jan. 28, Fire Chief Dennis Powell has been placed on paid administrative leave due to an internal complaint.
Village receives $176k grant to continue water line replacement
The Village of Yellow Springs announced earlier this month that it received $176,246 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to continue the yearslong work of replacing aging water lines throughout the village.

Obituaries (archives)

Gary O. Pierson
On February 3, 2025, Gary O. Pierson died peacefully under the care of Hospice of Dayton, with his partner of over 57 years, Mary Frost-Pierson, by his side.
Frederick L. Peterson Jr.
In loving memory of Frederick L. Peterson Jr., age 68, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, who passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.
Carl H. Cordell Jr.
Carl Hershel Cordell Jr., 82, of Yellow Springs, passed away peacefully at Miami Valley Hospital on Feb. 11, 2025, surrounded by family.
Monty Cox
A public Celebration of Life for Monty Cox, who died Dec. 28, 2024, will be held Saturday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m., in the Dining Room of Friends Care Community, 150 E. Herman St., Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Juliet Hennessy
Juliet “Judy” W. (Liddle) Hennessy died Jan. 10, 2025, at home in Yellow Springs. She was 97 years old.

Higher Education (archives)

Summit at Antioch College to envision ‘Another World’
An upcoming four-day summit hosted by Antioch College’s Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom aims to inspire students, artists, researchers, activists, organizers, educators and scholars not only to envision, but also to help create — as author Toni Morrison once told a group of collegiate graduates — “the world as it ought to be.”
Higher Learning Commission alerts Antioch College to ‘financial distress’
The News spoke this week with Antioch College President Jane Fernandes, who said of the designation: “It’s information that we have some financial work to do — that our financials are not just flowing, and now we have to make them work.”
Emerge Springs | Addiction recovery services, housing at Antioch College
Emerge offers addiction recovery services, housing and job training. It was founded by three area business owners who work in the skilled trades, and who themselves are in long-term recovery.

Sports (archives)

Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Feb. 21, 2025
After a winning season with only one loss on their record — a conference record of 7–1 and an overall record of 16–1 — the Bulldogs boys bowling team emerged Saturday, Feb. 8 as Metro Buckeye Conference champions.
Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Feb. 14, 2025
The Varsity Bulldogs head toward the end of the season in seventh place in the Metro Buckeye Conference following a win and a loss over the last week.
Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Feb. 7, 2025
The Varsity Bulldogs moved up into fourth place in the Metro Buckeye Conference following a 47–44 win against conference rivals Middletown Christian Thursday, Jan. 23.