A potentially dangerous industrial fire at Morris Bean involving burning magnesium metal was quickly contained by Miami Township Fire-Rescue and other area fire and rescue agencies early last week.

Via email, Fire-Rescue Chief James Cannell said crews were dispatched shortly after 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, to the Hyde Road facility. When first responders arrived, “smoke was visible from the roof, and employees were actively evacuating the building,” Cannell said. Morris Bean personnel directed firefighters to the rear of the building, where they reported that multiple fire extinguishers had failed to stop the blaze.

Cannell said the fire involved magnesium metal burning on an upper-level mezzanine and had spread to the underside of the roof. He added that the blaze was caused by “an abnormal chemical reaction within an industrial furnace designed to break down aluminum and magnesium.”

Township firefighters pulled a hose from their engine and advanced it about 50 feet into the building from the loading dock, then saturated the burning material with water.

“The primary concern was the potential extension of fire into the roof material, which would have been challenging to control,” Cannell said.

Mutual-aid crews from Xenia Township, Xenia, Fairborn, Cedarville, Spring Valley and Hustead also responded. Additional tankers from Pitchin-Green Township and Bethel Township in Clark County were later canceled after the fire was brought under control.

“Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated tactics of MTFR and our mutual aid partners, a volatile fire was contained before it could cause significant damage to one of our industrial complexes,” Cannell said, adding thanks to Community Paramedic Steffinie Brewer for her “flexibility on the medical call, which enabled [the] engine to respond to the fire,” and to firefighter/EMTs Cassady and Casey Brewer for “coming in off-duty to assist with the fire response.”

See next week’s issue for a report on the most recent Township Trustees meeting, which was held Monday, April 20.

Yellow Springs Community Foundation staffers and local stakeholders are pushing ahead with plans to facilitate the transition of Tom’s Market into a community-owned, cooperatively-run downtown grocery store.

Should those plans be actualized, village and area residents could one day buy shares in the store, have a say in how it operates and, as co-op proponents and organizers have suggested, help to ensure that Yellow Springs retains a viable downtown grocery store for years to come.

“Our number one goal is to keep a thriving grocery open for many more generations,” YS Community Foundation staffer Chloe Manor said at a town hall discussion Wednesday, April 15. “It’s of the utmost importance to the vibrancy for our community — it supports the people who live here, our local economy and our sense of community as well.”

A fully-formed co-op is a ways away, Manor and others said at the town hall — at least two years.

In the meantime, the foundation must finalize its purchase of the store from the Gray family, hire a general — and possibly an interim — store manager, create a steering committee, conduct feasibility studies, solicit community investment and, in time, sell the store to its member-owners.

Should everything go according to the foundation’s plans and there’s ample local buy-in, Tom’s Market will become the Yellow Springs Community Market.

“We’re in a great place in our timeline right now,” Interim Project Manager Kumar Jensen said at Wednesday’s town hall, noting that many of the next steps are already being taken concurrently.

The foundation is currently conducting a national search to hire a general manager of the eventual co-op, with applications due Monday, May 4. As Jensen explained, the ideal candidate will be able to lead the grocery store’s staff and respond to the dictates of an eventual board of elected store member-owners. Already, Jensen said, the foundation has gotten “strong applications,” mostly from local and regional residents.

Once hired, the general manager will assume a lot of the duties being relinquished by outgoing store owner Jeff Gray  who took reins from his father — the store’s namesake — in 2022.

As Jensen stated at the town hall, the foundation is poised to finalize the purchase of Tom’s Market in mid-June. Foundation staffers and Gray declined to disclose the sale price.

“YSCF is funding the purchase of Tom’s through its local impact investing strategy which allows the foundation to use existing funds to invest in priority local projects, such as ensuring there is a grocery in downtown Yellow Springs, without having to incur debt,” Jensen wrote in an email to the News.

Once the Grays sell the store to the foundation, the proposed two-year timeline towards a co-op kicks off.

“We are essentially giving the community these two years — perhaps longer — to allow for a community-ownership organizing process to take place, and for the community to garner the resources it will need to purchase [the store] from the foundation,” Jensen said.

Developing a Yellow Springs-specific community ownership model will occur over several phases, Jensen explained, which are already in motion: a critical first step has been laying the groundwork for a steering committee.

Cherrelle Gardner, executive director of Co-op Dayton — a regional nonprofit the foundation hired to lead phase one efforts — sketched out what that steering committee will look like.

“This group will take the lead on gathering community interest and voices,” Gardner said at the town hall. “So, through community conversations, it will ask folks: ‘What do we want this new market to look like? How can it feasibly change? Should it stay the same? What new revenue streams should it pursue? Are new ideas — maybe like delivery services, as an example — feasible?”

According to an infographic circulated at the town hall, the foundation has three “community conversations” planned between April and July, as well as some “one-on-one conversations” with Gardner and Co-op Dayton staffers — all with the intention of populating a steering committee that will eventually be charged with drumming up local support for the co-op proposal.

Once a steering committee is established, then comes phase two: the drafting of a long-term strategy, work plan and membership goal, as well as beginning initial recruitment efforts.

Phase three drills down on feasibility. The steering committee and co-op stakeholders will conduct professional market studies, determine capital needs and draft a pro forma — or preliminary financial analysis — budget for the store.

At this point, the main off-ramp appears — if a co-op model is deemed unfeasible or unwanted, then the YS Community Market will find a different route.

“We’re considering all possibilities and alternatives if it’s a no go,” Jensen said. “We’re certainly investing a lot in this process and hope that a co-op works out, but there are other options.”

In a follow-up email, he wrote: “In the unlikely event that a co-op is unable to purchase the business after two years, YSCF is committed to ensuring the market remains stable until the right community ownership model is established.”

Should the village wish to continue pursuing and building a co-op model, then come the final phases: incorporating the business as a co-op, drafting bylaws, electing a board, launching a membership drive, hosting volunteer days, holding regular member meetings, raising any additional capital, entering into negotiations with the foundation and, ultimately, transferring ownership — this time from YSCF to the market’s members.

According to Jensen, the final form of the YS Community Market won’t look that different than the Tom’s Market of today.

“The goal of the YSCM is to remain a full-service grocery store,” he told town hall attendees. “It’s not going to suddenly turn into some niche market that only serves a particular kind of food. Our goal is to continue to have the quality and type of food and options of products available that we have now.”

Per past News reporting, the wheels began turning toward a co-op last fall, when the YS Community Foundation stepped in to ensure that the village would retain its longtime grocery, following Gray’s anticipated retirement.

Those plans were buoyed by local support vocalized at a January town hall on the co-op prospect, as well as through a public survey that gauged community interest in a co-op transition. Of the 280 unique responses to the survey, 269 people responded favorably to Tom’s going the co-op route; 11 responded negatively.

Around 90% of those responders stated that “simply having a grocery store” in Yellow Springs was a top priority. Other priorities that followed included affordable product pricing, local ownership, quality and variety of products, and staff retention and fair wages.

All of those features are possible under a community ownership model, Gardner told town hall attendees last week.

“The work of the board is not to say what brand of toilet paper to sell, but rather to oversee the manager through a set of policies determined by community priorities,” she said. “Boards build adequate systems for customer feedback and staff training … and even create programs to potentially subsidize food for needy community members.”

She added: “Membership determines the personality of the co-op. The model is designed to be flexible and to give people a say in operating the store.”

To stay updated on the progress of Tom’s Market’s transition into the YS Community Market co-op, go to http://www.yscommunitymarket.com or email communitymarket@yscf.org

ED. NOTE: The deadline to apply for the general manager position at the YS Community Market has been expanded to Monday, May 4. The story has been updated from the printed version to reflect this extension. 

Little Art Theatre recently announced a series of films from its current artists-in-residence for May, with Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Steven Bognar and artist-filmmaker Anna Chiaretta Lavatelli.

Each Thursday evening throughout May, Bognar and Lavatelli will host a series of documentaries geared towards political activism, kicking off with a screening of “9to5: The Story of a Movement,” to celebrate May Day on Friday, May 1, at 5 p.m. This will be the first public screening of the film — co-directed by Steven Bognar and the late Julia Reichert — in Yellow Springs.

Although the film screened at festivals before its national PBS release, due to the 2020 pandemic shutdown it was not screened beyond those few festivals.

The May series will continue on Thursdays with films that “deepen the conversation around organizing, sharing recent films that dive into the inner workings of key events of the past and recent present in an effort to bring together a multifaceted look at organizing, protest and resistance,” according to a press release.

The month’s successive films include “WTO/99,” “Yanuni,” “Deaf President Now!” and “The Infiltrators.”

Each screening will feature a post-film conversation with audience participation, offering an intimate look into the craft, impact and social resonance of each film. Bognar and Lavatelli have curated a selection of documentary films that “excite us cinematically but also give us hope and strategy in the fight for a more fair, just and caring world,” the release stated.

Looking ahead, Little Art Theatre will expand its residency offerings with a new student-in-residence program throughout the rest of 2026. This initiative will provide emerging filmmakers with access to the theater’s historic space as a site for experimentation, learning and public engagement.

Tickets and full program details will be announced on http://www.littleart.com and through the theater’s newsletter.

During its April 8 regular meeting, the school board approved a second reading of a slate of updated district policies, including a new artificial intelligence policy.

The policy frames AI as a tool to “enhance human interaction and instruction, not replace it,” while requiring human oversight of any AI-driven decisions. It also outlines expectations for student and staff use, including protections around data privacy, limits on unapproved tools and requirements that AI not be used as a substitute for student learning.

The policy also requires that student use of AI be clearly disclosed and not replace original work, and states that unauthorized use may be treated as a form of plagiarism. It prohibits entering student or staff data into unapproved AI tools and calls for the creation of an AI workgroup — including educators, students and community members — to guide implementation.

“The Board directs the administration to responsibly integrate AI by building AI literacy for all students and educators, including integration of AI into relevant curriculum, professional learning opportunities and safe and responsible usage,” the policy reads.

Superintendent Terri Holden called the policy “step zero” in the district’s goal of deciding how to incorporate the technology into local classrooms.

“We have to figure out how we are going to use AI,” she said.

Prior to the policy’s second reading, Holden reported on a recent trip she, Principal Jack Hatert and Mills Lawn Principal Becca Huber took to Seattle for the League of Innovative Schools spring convening, where district leaders joined peers from across the country for professional development.

Holden said artificial intelligence was a central topic at the convening, as districts nationwide discuss balancing using new tools with concerns about privacy and overreliance on technology.

“As educators, it is our responsibility to provide students with the tools that they need,” Holden said. “And we all know how embedded AI is in our lives — whether it’s right or wrong, it is the current condition.”

To read the policy draft in full, go to http://www.bit.ly/AIPolicyYSSchools

Facilities update

In her monthly report, Holden said construction continues across district buildings as part of the ongoing facilities upgrade project.

At Mills Lawn, recent updates include installation of call buttons in classrooms, exterior lighting at the Walnut Street entrance and grading work near the main entrance. The school’s mosaic sign has been removed for refurbishment, with the district seeking community artists to assist in its restoration.

Holden noted ongoing investigation into stormwater and plumbing systems across campus, following a recent issue with sink piping and concerns about drainage capacity.

“We’re fixing issues,” she said, adding that the district is working to determine whether additional underlying problems exist.

Holden also addressed community concerns about new exterior lighting at Mills Lawn, stating the district plans to prioritize safety while continuing discussions with Village officials about brightness levels.

The district expects full occupancy of Mills Lawn no later than Oct. 15.

At YS Middle and High School, the new gym floor sealing process has begun, with bleachers and video scoreboards expected later this month. Holden reported that the construction team is aiming for gym occupancy by May 19 — in time for graduation — and full-building completion by Aug. 14.

No school Friday, April 17

There will be no school for YS Schools students Friday, April 17, as staff undertake a professional development day.

Kindergarten registration open

Kindergarten registration for the 2026–27 school year is now open for YS Schools.

Children who will be 5 years old by Aug. 20, 2026, are eligible to enroll. Families can begin the registration process by creating an account through FinalForms at http://www.yellowsprings-oh.finalforms.com

Additional information is available at ysschools.org/enroll or by contacting the district at 937-767-7381.

Apply for open enrollment

Yellow Springs Schools has opened its open enrollment application process for the 2027–28 school year for students in grades K–12. More information is available at http://www.ysschools.org/enroll or by calling 937-767-7381.

By El Mele

Yellow Springs writer and artist Judy James released her second book, “Echoes,” on March 10, a collection that reflects more than a decade of personal writing and spiritual exploration.

The book gathers more than 100 pieces, organized into sections that trace a progression — from searching for direction to exploring truth and, ultimately, finding a sense of peace. A fourth section, “Random Musings,” includes lighter, short-form pieces from her writing group.

“I’ve been on a spiritual path for several years, so when I go back and I look at my poetry … I can see where I’ve been and how far I’ve come,” James said.

That journey is central to “Echoes,” which builds on her first book, “Whispers.” While the earlier collection captured the beginnings of her creative practice, “Echoes” reflects what she described as a deepening process — both creatively and personally.

“When I was thinking about a second book title, I was thinking about how strong those whispers have become,” she said. “They started out quietly … and then they became echoes.”

James said her path to writing was not a conventional one: After a 30-year career in the Air Force — first as a paralegal, then as a commissioned officer working in acquisitions and contracts — she retired with a lot of experience in technical writing. She later taught as an adjunct instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and volunteered in education.

In 2014, a friend persuaded her to attend a creative writing workshop. Reluctant at first, James said she had never considered herself a creative writer.

“I protested … ‘I am not a creative writer,’” she said. “I’ve never had any creative writing training nor interest. … I never liked reading or writing poetry when I was in school; I remember my Monday morning English class in college and trying to make sense of dead poets through a raging hangover. ”

But in a short in-class exercise during the workshop, she was instructed to write a poem in 10 minutes. She wrote that poem — and kept going.

“From that class on, words just kept coming out of me,” she said.

Her first book, “Whispers,” grew out of those early years of writing, encouraged by friends — particularly in her yoga community — who wanted a way to keep her poems in one place. The title reflected what she describes as her creative process: ideas that arrive quietly and unexpectedly.

“I feel as though my soul speaks to me … and I’m getting answers to questions that I don’t even know I’m asking,” she said.

James said she rarely forces her writing. Instead, she captures words or phrases as they come — often while walking — and builds from there.

“I don’t push anything,” she said. “I wait for the words to come to me.”

With “Echoes,” she said, those moments feel more persistent. The title reflects ideas that repeat and linger until they are written down.

“When I get a thought or word and it sticks in my head, that to me is an echo,” she said. “It’s telling me it won’t go away until I write about it.”

In addition to writing, James works in visual art, creating abstract mixed-media pieces and handmade items such as cards and bookmarks, many of which are sold locally at Tesseract Books. Her work often incorporates natural materials collected during walks — bark, stones and feathers — and, like her writing, follows an intuitive process.

“I am untrained in all aspects of art, so I do abstract art, and I love it,” she said.

Sharing that work publicly has required adjustment. James said she initially struggled with the vulnerability of having her writing read by others.

“You really are putting a piece of you out there,” she said. “You’re laying bare your soul.”

Over time, she said, the connection with readers has made that vulnerability worthwhile.

“It’s not for everybody,” she said. “But if other people find joy in reading my work, I’m happy. … The person will find the words when they’re meant to.”

James moved to Yellow Springs after retiring and spending several years in Florida. Having previously been stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, she was familiar with the village and said she felt drawn to return. She’s now lived in Yellow Springs for more than seven years and credits the community’s creative environment as a source of inspiration.

“There’s so much artistic inspiration here,” she said. “Writers, artists, musicians — it’s great for creative people.”

Looking back, James said she would not have predicted her current path.

“If you would have told me years ago that I’d have two books published … I would have said, ‘You’re crazy,’” she said.

She now encourages others — particularly those entering retirement — to try something new.

“Once you retire, try things you’ve never thought you would do,” she said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

“Echoes” is available for purchase at Tesseract Books.

*El Mele is an Antioch College student and a freelance writer for the News.

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