Jess Mador

Nearly six months after the Memorial Day tornadoes, hundreds of people who sought federal disaster assistance continue to wait for final word on their applications. 

Crowds are likely at the upcoming memorial service for slain Dayton Police Detective Jorge Del Rio Tuesday. The 55-year-old law enforcement veteran died in the line of duty last week from shooting-related injuries he sustained during a DEA Task Force operation.

The service is set for Tuesday, November 12, 2019, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the University of Dayton Arena. Parking will be available beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Gate D parking lot. Doors open at 10 a.m. for the service.

In Tuesday’s election, Yellow Springs voters rejected Village Charter Amendment 13, a proposal that would have allowed residents as young as 16 years old to vote in village races.

The measure failed with 52.4 percent of voters rejecting the ballot issue, and 47.6 percent voting in favor.  

The all-or-nothing issue amending the village charter would also have extended the village mayor’s term from two years to four years beginning in 2021, and it would have allowed immigrants with green cards or other legal United States residency to vote on village issues.

The race to fill three seats on the Dayton School Board has so far elected candidates with close ties to the district. 

Community activist Will Smith won a third of the 30,368 ballots cast, with 9,104 votes. Smith is a DPS graduate whose own child attends school in the district.

Gabriela Pickett came in second place, winning 28 percent of the votes at 8,509. The education researcher's children graduated from DPS.

The third place is too close to call with unofficial results showing Joe Lacey with 6,383 votes, to Dion Sampson Sr.'s 6,372.

Results for the Yellow Springs Village Council election are not expected to be released for another 11 days.

Greene County Board of Elections officials say the village is among four county jurisdictions with write-in candidates on yesterday’s ballot, and the county plans to use until the official-count date of Nov. 19, 2019 to review all ballots containing write-in votes.

Dayton voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved Issue 15. The charter amendment clears the way for city firefighters to volunteer in other communities, something the city charter had barred. 

The ballot measure was proposed by Dayton City Commissioners Matt Joseph and Chris Shaw. Shaw says the rule change is needed to allow the city to compete for federal firefighting grants.

Voting is underway in communities across the Miami Valley this Election Day. In Greene County, elections officials reported light turnout and no major issues with the county’s new voting machines.

Llyn McCoy, director of the Greene County Board of Elections, said precinct officials ironed out some minor issues with the new voting equipment, which combine paper and computer voting and finish by printing each voter's completed ballot. 

Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day. Among the races on the ballot in Greene County is a crowded slate for Yellow Springs Village Council, with five candidates vying for three open seats. 

The election for Yellow Springs Mayor is also on the ballot but the race this year is not competitive. 

Under Yellow Springs Village Council elections rules, the two candidates who receive the most votes are elected to four-year terms, and the candidate who receives the third-highest vote total wins a two-year term.

Among the issues on the Nov. 5 ballot is a proposal to lower the voting age in Yellow Springs. Under Yellow Springs Issue 13, residents as young as 16 would be eligible to participate in local elections.

The all-or-nothing ballot issue amending the village charter would also extend the village mayor’s term from two years to four years beginning in 2021, doubling the term mayors can remain in office, and allow immigrants with green cards or other legal United States residency to vote on village issues. 

Election Day is next week and this year Dayton voters will consider a measure allowing city firefighters to volunteer in other communities.

The city charter currently bars city employees from working for other jurisdictions.

Issue 15 was proposed by Dayton City Commissioners Matt Joseph and Chris Shaw.

Shaw says the rule change is needed to allow the city to compete for federal firefighting grants.