E25 - "OHH SHEETZ"

Ohio News Ticket Sales Reform (HB 563): Ohio lawmakers are considering a bill to regulate platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Key provisions include "all-in pricing" (upfront disclosure of total costs), banning "speculative" selling of tickets the seller doesn’t possess, and prohibiting lookalike sites that mimic official venues. Violations could result in $15,000 daily fines. Mail-in Ballot Deadline (SB 293): A bill eliminating the four-day grace period for mail-in ballots passed the House committee on Nov. 18. If enacted, ballots must be received by county boards by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted. Dayton News Water Rates Rising: Montgomery County commissioners approved a 5% annual increase for water and sewer rates over the next five years. The hike funds $248 million in upgrades to aging infrastructure and covers rising wholesale costs from the City of Dayton. Speed Limit Reductions: Dayton adopted a policy to evaluate lowering speed limits from 35-45 mph to 25 mph in business districts like Wayne Ave, Salem Ave, and downtown to improve pedestrian safety. Mercy Health & Humana Deal: A contract agreement was reached, ensuring Humana Medicare Advantage and Managed Medicaid patients maintain in-network access to Mercy Health facilities effective Dec. 1. Downtown Hotels: The Convention Facilities Authority unveiled a $120 million plan for two new hotels near the Convention Center: a new $77M "HQ Hotel" and a redevelopment of the Fidelity Building into a 130-room hotel. New Library Café: The owners of The Ugly Duckling are opening The Book Worm Café inside the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch. Free Meals: Local businesses are offering free meals to combat food insecurity: Get Air (Huber Heights): Hot meals/desserts Nov. 23 (2pm-4pm). The Fairborn Phoenix: Turkey dinners (drive-thru) Nov. 26 (12pm-2pm). The Root Beer Stande: Free kids meals for SNAP cardholders through the weekend. Centerville Sheetz Approved: The Second District Court of Appeals upheld a ruling requiring the city to accept the planning commission’s approval for a Sheetz at the current Elsa’s location on Far Hills Ave. Ditto Bar: Now open at 68 W. Franklin St. (formerly Crabshire’s Tavern), featuring a "Cheers"-like vibe and outdoor patios. Fairborn WSU Lawsuit: Wright State is prepared to spend over $2.2 million in legal fees in its suit against former research arm Parallax. Trial is set for January; WSU seeks $9.5 million+ in damages. Kettering School Levy: The School Board voted to place a 5.93-mill bond issue on the May 5 ballot. The $222 million generated would fund a new middle school and a rebuild of the Fairmont HS academic wing. Piqua Mall Revitalization: The former Miami Valley Centre Mall food court has reopened as The Social at Piqua Center, featuring six food vendors, a bar, an arcade, and an adventure park. Springboro Mail Theft Sentencing: A man was sentenced to 180 days in jail for using sticky mouse traps to fish mail out of USPS collection boxes. He pleaded guilty to felony tampering and theft.