Drones shut Wright Patt airspace down for about four hours late Friday Wright-Patterson Air Force Baseâs airspace was closed by unidentified drones Friday night and early Saturday. ⢠What happened: Unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of the base late Friday. No property was damaged or residents harmed. ⢠What local officials are saying: âSo far, our leadership has determined that none of the incursions impacted any of our residents, facilities or assets,â said Robert Purtiman, a spokesman for Wright Patterson. âWeâre taking all of that appropriate measures to safeguard the installation and all of our residents.â ⢠New Jersey: Drones â or suspected drones â flying over military installations have been much in the news lately, mostly for supposed flights over New Jersey bases. ⢠What national officials are saying: So far, âwe have no intelligence or observations that would indicate that they were aligned with a foreign actor or that they had malicious intent,â said a spokesperson from the Joint Staff â senior military leaders who advise the president and the secretary of defense.
Lawmakers: No property tax relief coming this year Lawmakers say there will be no property tax relief coming this year. ⢠Out of time: The Ohio legislature had lofty goals of giving taxpayers relief from historically high property tax bills but they have likely run out of time in this General Assembly. ⢠Last ditch effort: House Bill 274 â that doubles the homestead exemption for qualified taxpayers to $50,000 for those who have lived in their homes 20 years or more â passed the Ohio House by a vote of 78 to 11. But there is no time for it to go through the normal hearing process in the Senate prior to the end of the 35th General Assembly. ⢠What lawmakers are saying: âNo Ohioan who has lived their entire life in their home should be at risk of losing it to taxation,â said bill co-sponsor Rep. Adam Mathews, R-Lebanon. ⢠Other proposed bills: There have been 23 stand-alone bills introduced over the past two years but only two measures have become law, namely indexing the homestead exemption to inflation and a small measure for surviving spouses of disabled veterans.
⢠One big takeaway: A little over a decade after the Air Force spent some $1.2 million to renovate the historic Charles Taylor House on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the home was demolished last month. ⢠Tip of the day: Hereâs how you can support older adults during the holidays. ⢠Person to know today: Brandie Brainerd. The owner of Brandie B Writes Songs, a music instruction and production business in Dayton, takes a holistic and purposeful approach to music instruction. ⢠Big move of the day: Montgomery County nonprofit, County Corp, received a $1.5 million federal grant for job skill development and career preparation for young people. ⢠Thing to do: The Rumpke Mountain Boys is bringing its unique take on bluegrass â the grittier, jammier grass â to Yellow Cab Tavern on Dec. 20. ⢠Photo of the day: The A Dickens of a Christmas St. Anneâs Hill Holiday Home Tour happened over the weekend. The biennial event featured guided walking tours by volunteers dressed in Victorian era costumes and homeowners educating attendees on the history of the six featured homes and the St. Anneâs Hill Historic District. Check out all the photos here. |