Bill Rinehart

President Donald Trump came to Lebanon Friday night to tell an enthusiastic crowd in a Warren County Fairgrounds building that the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court was more than just a victory for himself and Senate Republicans.

County Commissioner Todd Portune says the plan is still to have a music venue open at The Banks by the end of 2019. He admits that it won't be easy, but says the county is still pushing.

There are two finalists in the running to be the next Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County leader. Library trustees have a choice between two candidates with local familiarity.

There are few surprises in the proposed 2019 Hamilton County budget. Commissioners knew for months there was a nearly $29 million deficit, and Administrator Jeff Aluotto warned repeatedly that without a new revenue source, balancing the budget would come down to cuts.

So, Monday's unveiling of Aluotto's proposed budget wasn't a huge shock to anyone. It includes roughly $21 million in cuts and $8 million in new revenue in the form of fee hikes.

Cradle Cincinnati is trying to reach a new audience with its message of safe sleep for babies. Dads are the target of a new campaign to teach that infants should sleep alone, on their backs and in a crib. Men are three times more likely to think a baby is safer sleeping in a bed with parents than women are, according to a Cradle Cincinnati telephone survey.

Hamilton County commissioners are opposed to a change in river quality standards.

The board said so in a resolution as the Ohio River Sanitation Commission considers an update to standards for the Ohio River. The update would bring ORSANCO's standards in line with EPA Clean Water Act.

Plans for an expanded elephant exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo are taking shape, and are at the same time shapeless. Zoo Director Thane Maynard tried out virtual reality goggles Thursday morning to see a three-dimensional rendering of what will be a new five-acre Asian elephant exhibit at the zoo.

One of the region's largest healthcare networks is trying something new to attract and retain nurses. Mercy Health Systems is offering to repay some student loans for nurses in critical areas.

Hamilton County commissioners are expected to vote on spending hotel tax revenues on facilities expansion. The Sharonville Convention Center is asking for $225,000 for phases one and two of planning. The next two planning phases would cost $575,000, and construction is estimated to be $10.5 million.

Three townships in northwest Hamilton County could lose sheriff patrols. Hamilton County could go without preventive maintenance for 190 outdoor warning sirens. And the county's 911 emergency center could increase the fees it charges communities for answering calls.

Hamilton County's prosecutor says the four Cincinnati Police officers involved in a Fountain Square bank shooting did nothing wrong. Joe Deters says the officers acted heroically and saved lives when they shot and killed 29-year-old Omar Enrique Santa-Perez last week.

Ohio's report cards for schools now assign each one an overall grade. And the reports use the A-to-F scale on particular areas, including achievement on state tests and graduation rates. None of Cincinnati Public Schools received an A, and 14 were given an F.

Hamilton County's coroner has released some technical details about last Thursday's deadly shooting at the Fifth Third Center in Downtown Cincinnati. But Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco says there still isn't an answer as to why Omar Enrique Santa-Perez started shooting.

Clermont County's Port Authority has approved issuing $30 million worth of revenue bonds to finance building a soccer training facility and youth academy. The Port Authority will own the land in Milford and lease it to FC Cincinnati.

Bird scooters landed in Cincinnati in July and not everybody is happy about it.

Hamilton County has gone to court over a plan to raise water rates in unincorporated communities. Commissioners asked for a temporary restraining order to block Cincinnati Water Works from raising rates until a task force can finish a study.

Hamilton County may have a place for Maslow's Army to set up. The group has been handing out food and supplies to the homeless on Fountain Square, but have been told they can't stay -- Sunday was the nonprofit's last day at that location. County Administrator Jeff Aluotto recommends using the plaza outside the Justice Center.

The Ferris wheel that will be at The Banks this autumn could attract a new business or two -- at least that's the hope of a developer. The SkyStar will be on the grassy area directly in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The lot next door, to the west, is still vacant.