Morning Briefing | Xenia implements 60-day moratorium on emergency room

Xenia city council is placing a temporary moratorium on standalone emergency rooms.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we look at what Xenia is trying to accomplish with the 60-day ban and what Kettering Health did to prompt it. We also look at the highlights from the Democratic National Convention.

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The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 26 seconds to read.

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Xenia implements 60-day moratorium on emergency room facilities amid spat with Kettering Health

Xenia City Council enacted a 60-day moratorium on standalone emergency room facilities in the city, weeks after Kettering Health announced plans to close the former Greene Memorial Hospital and construct a separate emergency room at a different location in the city.

• What it means: The city is buying time to update its regulations “in the midst of a rapidly changing environment.”

• What prompted the move? Kettering Health announced it would be constructing a new $44 million medical center called Kettering Health Xenia.

• What the city is saying: “To be clear, it’s not that we are intending to block these types of facilities,” City Manager Brent Merriman said during the Xenia City Council meeting Thursday night, referring to freestanding emergency rooms. “But that their location and conditions associated with where they would develop would be evaluated and potentially have some conditions established.”

• Open letter to the community: The city has indicated that they do not agree with the direction Kettering Health is taking, saying the proposed Kettering Health Xenia is not a hospital by legal definition, “nor will it provide comprehensive care as one might expect.”

• Taxpayer money: Merriman said that having to transport patients further away from Xenia puts greater strain on Xenia Fire and EMS, which ultimately will cost taxpayers more money.

• Kettering Health’s response: “Kettering Health is committed to serving the healthcare needs of the citizens of Xenia and Greene County – now and in the future,” Kettering Health said in a statement.

• Timeline: The Kettering Health Xenia project is expected to take 24 months to complete. The existing campus, Kettering Health Greene Memorial, will continue to remain open during that time.

Highlights from the Democratic National Convention

Credit: AP

The Democratic National Convention culminating with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s nomination for president. Here are some of the highlights from the convention.

• What Harris said: “Our nation with this election has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism, and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a new way forward. Not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.”

• Tim Walz’s son: An unexpected highlight on night three was an outburst of pride from the son of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. Gus wept through much of his speech, then wrapped his dad in a tight bear hug.

• The new generation: Rising democratic celebrities like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland’s Democratic nominee for an open Senate seat, and 34-year-old New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — all spoke.

• Gay rights: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel brought down the house with her address earlier in the week when she warned Republicans and the U.S. Supreme Court, “You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand!”

• The Obamas: Barack Obama and Michelle Obama returned to the city they once called home to take the stage in support of Harris’ nomination.

• Pink: Singing artist Pink dueted with her 12-year-old daughter Willow Sage Hart on her protest song “What About Us.”

• But no Beyoncé: Speculation about a potential surprise appearance by the music superstar spread like wildfire ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech but never materialized.

• Photos: A visual look at the 2024 Democratic National Convention

What to know today

• One big takeaway: The father of a 12-year-old Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy student said he’s in shock after his daughter was shot and killed while sleeping early Friday morning.

• Tip of the day: The Combined Agency OVI Task Force and Dayton police will operate a sobriety checkpoint midnight Saturday.

• Person to know today: Byron Branch. The Dayton police officer will represent the United States, the Dayton community, its police force and others when he competes as a fencer at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

• Quote of the day: “We’ve seen record job commitments from new and existing companies in the last three years. Dayton’s affordability, amenities, and job opportunities mean young professionals can build more than a meaningful career in the Dayton Region. They can enjoy world-class recreation, arts, and restaurants, and root for the home team in a variety of sports.” - Julie Sullivan, Dayton Development Coalition, on Dayton being ranked 4th best city for young professionals.

• Big move of the day: A local doctor and a founding member of the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine left the school a gift of $1.7 million as part of his estate.

• Thing to do: 10 things to do in the Dayton region this weekend.

• Photo of the day: Hundreds of Hulkamaniacs lined up to meet Hulk Hogan who was promoting his Real American Beer at the Kroger in Liberty Twp. See all the photos from photographer Nick Graham right here, brother.

Credit: Nick Graham