Category Archives: Greene County

Greene County Traffic Fatalities Update

The Greene County Safe Communities program reports that as of September 30, 2011, there have been a total of 9 traffic fatalities. This compares with a total of nine (9) traffic deaths for the entire year of 2010.

The top five (5) causes for the majority of these crashes that have resulted in death and/or injury in Greene County are following too closely, failure to yield, failure to control, improper lane change and running red lights. These deaths, while tragic, and injuries sustained were all preventable. Please…slow down, drive sober and obey all traffic signs and signals.

The safety of our Greene County residents while they are traveling on the roads is our biggest concern. As we head jump into the fall and winter months, Safe Communities would like to remind all drivers to buckle up, park your phone and drive responsibly or secure a designated driver. Your life is worth saving!

The Safe Communities program was developed to help communities decrease traffic injuries and deaths, increase safety awareness, decrease the amount of money spent on traffic-related injuries, and increase the number of people involved in keeping communities safe.

The next meeting of the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition is Wednesday, November 16, 9 a.m. at the Greene County Combined Health District in Xenia. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Laurie Fox at 937-374-5669 or email lfox@gcchd.org.

Greene Health Foundation, Buckminn’s Harley-Davidson & Xenia H.O.G. Team Up For The 20th Rusty’s Ride Raffle

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The fundraising raffle to win the 2010 Harley-Davidson XL1200X48 Sportster, purchased and donated by Buckminn’s D&D Harley-Davidson’s own David Coterel Jr., will come to an end on Saturday, September 10th at the 20th annual Rusty’s Ride charity motorcycle ride in Xenia.

There’s still time to get tickets! They will be available for purchase until September 10th at both Buckminn’s D&D Harley-Davidson and the Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) located at 360 Wilson Drive in Xenia during regular business hours. Tickets are just $5.00 each and you do not need to be present to win. Tickets are also available for the Rusty’s Ride Harley-Davidson Quilt, handmade by the Ladies of Harley to be raffled off at the event. Tickets for the quilt are just $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00 and can be purchased at both Buckminn’s and GCCHD.

Rusty’s Ride, presented by the Xenia H.O.G. Chapter #2703, supports the Greene Community Health Foundation’s ‘Holiday Project’ which provides Christmas gifts to children of families in need in Greene County. The ride will begin and end at Buckminn’s on Saturday, September 10th with registration beginning at 11 a.m. and the last bike out at 12:30 p.m. The cost for the ride is $20 per rider and $10 per passenger. Free Rusty’s Ride bandanas will be given to the first 200 registered riders. Lots of great music, door prizes and a hog will be featured after the ride beginning at 2 p.m. New to the event this year is the opportunity to have a professional photo taken of you with your bike for just a $5 donation. All makes of motorcycles are welcome!

It is the mission of the Greene Community Health Foundation to improve the health and wellness of Greene County residents. By raising funds and participating in community outreach opportunities, the Foundation can touch the lives of those that need assistance or services. The Foundation serves as a valuable resource to Greene County residents and continues to touch the lives of many children and adults. With generous support from the community, the Foundation can continue to make a difference every day. It was conceived as a way to address client needs that could not be covered by grant money or Greene County Combined Health District funds. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $600,000 in cash, and more than one million in gift-in-kind contributions. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated caring for those in need.

For complete details and raffle rules and regulations, please visit www.gcchd.org. If you have questions or need further information, please call 937-374-5658.

Beavercreek Chiropractic Physician Celebrates 30-Year Milestone

Amidst stories of faltering markets and gloomy economic forecasts, one Greene County business is celebrating simultaneous milestones of success. Throughout the month of September, Beavercreek Chiropractic Clinic, located at 1654 Mardon Drive, celebrates 28 years of continuous patient care.

Beavercreek Chiropractic Clinic was opened in August of 1983 by Dr. Greg Palkowski, the facility director. “My staff and I are very proud to be part of the Beavercreek community,” he says. “It’s hard to believe that nearly three decades have gone by and we appreciate everyone who has supported our practice over the years.”

Alongside the success of his practice, Palkowski is celebrating 30 years as a chiropractor. He graduated in 1981, Magna Cum Laude, from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa after completing his undergraduate studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

Palkowski works hard to help maintain the integrity of his profession through his involvement with professional trade organizations governing chiropractic in Ohio. Often serving in advanced leadership positions, he has sat on the boards of directors of the Miami Valley Chiropractic Society and the Ohio State Chiropractic Association.

From 1992 through 1995, he served as Ohio State Chiropractic Association delegate to the National Chiropractic Centennial Committee. In 1998, Palkowski was named the Ohio Chiropractor of the Year and in 2010 accepted an appointment by former Governor Ted Strickland to the Ohio State Chiropractic Board.

“My goal has always been to create an environment of healing and education for our patients aside from the current medical model of drugs and surgery,” says Palkowski. In addition to complete physical care, the clinic staff does everything possible to make patients feel at ease during their visit.

According to Palkowski there are many mistaken ideas about chiropractic treatment, especially regarding the “doctor” title. “One of the greatest misconceptions is that a chiropractor is not a real doctor,” he explains. “A chiropractor earns a doctorate degree in chiropractic, much like a dentist or lawyer get doctorates in their field.”

“Chiropractic physicians are highly specialized in the treatment of injuries and disorders related to the musculoskeletal system,” Palkowski says. “Many people associate the chiropractor with back injuries, but a Doctor of Chiropractic also treats muscle strain, injuries of the extremities as well as arthritis and sinus and allergy and other visceral conditions.”

As a special thank you for nearly 30 years of patronage, from September 15th through October 15th new referrals from current patients can take advantage of a complete evaluation at the discounted rate of $30. The offer includes a thorough spinal and nervous system exam, x-rays and other components necessary to properly detect spinal problems and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Appointments may be limited during the special anniversary offer period. To reserve an appointment time, contact the Beavercreek Chiropractic Clinic by calling (937) 426-9265. For more information and regular operating hours, visit www.beavercreekchiro.com.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over This Labor Day

The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition has joined nearly 10,000 other law enforcement agencies nationwide in support of an intensive crackdown on impaired driving August 19–September 5, known as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The problem of impaired driving is a serious one. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the number of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in America fell from 2008 to 2009, but the numbers are still too high.

In 2009 alone, 10,839 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes was the 21-to-24 age group.

“All too often, innocent, law-abiding people suffer tragic consequences and the loss of loved ones due to this careless disregard for human life. Because we’re committed to ending the carnage, we’re in full support of our local law enforcement agencies that are intensifying enforcement during the crackdown. Since twice as many alcohol-impaired accidents occur over the weekend and four times as many occur at night, our local law enforcement agencies will be especially vigilant during these high-risk times when impaired drivers are most likely to be on our roads,” said Laurie Fox, Safe Communities Coordinator.

Across the country, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. According to the latest data, nearly a third of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a BAC above the legal limit – an average of one fatality every 48 minutes.

The crackdown will include law enforcement officers in every state, Washington, D.C., and many U.S. cities and towns.

The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition applauds our local officers, troopers and deputies for aggressively looking for all impaired drivers during the crackdown and arresting anyone they find driving while impaired — regardless of age, vehicle type or time of day.

“Their message is simple and unwavering: if they find you driving impaired, they will arrest you. No exceptions,” said Fox. “Even if you beat the odds and manage to walk away from an impaired-driving crash alive, the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can still destroy your life.”

According to the Ohio State Patrol, violators often face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, or being sentenced to use ignition interlocks. Their insurance rates go up. Other financial hits include attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job or job prospects. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators can also face tremendous personal embarrassment and humiliation.

“Driving impaired is simply not worth all the consequences. So don’t take the chance. Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” said Fox.

For more information, visit the High-Visibility Enforcement Campaign Headquarters at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

Going Places, Regional Initiative for Sustainable Growth

Going Places is a Miami Valley Regional Planning land use initiative. The three phase project began in 2007 bringing together community leaders, business leaders, developers, and citizens from every city, town and village. The goal has been to create a consensus vision for land use and development that will benefit all citizens in the future. During the first phase, an inventory of current land use, developable land, current and potential issues like traffic flow, future employment, trends in industrial, commercial, and residential development, and the like. Phase I was completed in 2009. (To see the report of Phase I, go here.)

Phase II began a little later in 2009. During this phase, surveys and workshops were conducted to obtain input from citizens, business and community leaders throughout the Miami Valley. Their views and ideas were compiled into seven best future land use scenarios believed beneficial to all people of the region. Following the workshops, public open houses were held to present the results. Phase II was completed in May of 2011. (To read the report of the Phase II, go here.)

Phase III has now begun. As it was for previous phases, workshops and open houses have been conducted during which a preferred future land use scenario was selected. The selection process included opportunities to vote at local open houses, on-line open houses, telephone and mail surveys. The results have been compiled and are now available for public viewing. (To see the report on the results, go here.)

Now, citizens are asked to come out and see the results at one the scheduled open houses in their local community. All are invited and refreshments will be available as well. The time and place of scheduled open houses are listed below.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Troy Rec’s ground floor gym
11 N. Market St., Troy, Ohio 45373

Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Friendship Village
(Please enter at the Friendship Coffee House)
5790 Denlinger Rd., Trotwood, Ohio 45426

Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Centerville Police Department
155 W. Spring Valley Pike, Centerville, Ohio 45458

Thursday, August 18, 2011
Center for Regional Cooperation
1100 W. Third St., Dayton, Ohio 45402

Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Greene County Jobs and Family Services building
541 Ledbetter Rd., Xenia, Ohio 45385

All open houses are from 4 PM to 6 PM. Sorry no beer or wine but coffee and pop will be served.

Freedom Index, Which Congressional Representative Protects Your Freedom

On August 8, The New American published its Freedom Index. In it, researchers scored the votes of members of both he U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate based on ten bills of Constitutional significance. The ten bills included (1) H.R. 2 “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act”, (2) H.R. 4 called “1099 Reporting Requirement Repeal” that was also part of Obamacare, and (3) H.C.R. 35 was a resolution to defund Obamacare.

The House passed all three bills but the Senate only approved because of its direct negative impact on business.

Because the Freedom Index is based on the founding legal view that freedom is protected by the strict limitation of Constitutional precept to all other federal law making, a vote for each of the three bills received a For Freedom score and a vote against each of them were given Against Freedom score.

So, how do Greene County, Ohio representatives measure up to protecting our freedoms?

Steve Austria scored 100% on the three bills and 70% on all ten bills.
Rob Portman also scored 100% on the three pro-Constitutional healthcare bills.

The scores of other notable Ohio politicians include:

Mike Turner (R-Dayton) who voted for all 3 bills (100%).
Dennis Kuninich (D) who received a score of 0 and only 1 out of the ten (Libya Troop Withdrawl bill)
Sherrod Brown (D) did vote for HR 4 “1099 Reporting Requirement Repeal” and the only other bill voted for was the Ethanol Subsides Repeal bill.

It is also worthy of mention that only the above republicans voted for legislation to end taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood’s abortion business.

To read the entire Freedom Index report, go to The New American website www.thenewamerican.com.

Greene County Traffic Fatalities Update

The Greene County Safe Communities program reports that since May 25, 2011, there have been three (3) additional traffic fatalities, bringing Greene County to a total of six (6) for the year. This compares with seven (7) traffic deaths for the same period in 2010.

The top three (3) leading causes for these last few crashes that have resulted in death and injury in Greene County are improper speed, impaired driving and failure to yield. These deaths, while tragic, were all preventable. Please…slow down, drive sober and obey all traffic signs and signals.

The safety of our Greene County residents while they are traveling on the roads is our biggest concern. As we head down the “back 40” of the summer season, Safe Communities would like to remind all drivers to buckle up, park your phone and drive responsibly or secure a designated driver. Your life is worth saving!

The Ohio Department of Public Safety introduced the Safe Communities program to help communities decrease traffic injuries and deaths, increase safety awareness, decrease the amount of money spent on traffic-related injuries, and increase the number of people involved in keeping communities safe.

The next meeting of the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition is September 21, 9 a.m. at the Greene County Combined Health District in Xenia. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Laurie Fox at 937-374-5669 or email lfox@gcchd.org.

Greene County Combined Health District Announces Summer Well Child Tot ‘N Teen Clinic Schedule

(XENIA, OH) The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) has announced that it will hold Well Child Tot ‘N Teen Clinics every Monday during the months of July, August and September. Clinics are held from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and are designed to help children and teens get ready for school and sports.

Well Child Clinics provide comprehensive wellness care for children ages birth – 18 years old from a dedicated team of health care professionals. Routine well baby/child check-ups include vision, hearing and speech screenings, immunizations, screenings and tests for lead and a visit with the dietitian if needed. Physicals for school, sports, work, camp, Head Start and Kindergarten are also offered.

Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling the Greene County Combined Health District at (937) 374-5655 of toll-free at 1-866-858-3588.

Payment options include Medicaid, CareSource, Amerigroup, Molina, private insurance, private pay, and by sliding fee scale.

Greene County Healthy Lifestyles Coalition To Hold 8th Annual Family Fitness Challenge

(Xenia, OH) The Greene County Healthy Lifestyles Coalition is hosting its 8th Annual Family Fitness Challenge on Thursday, July 21st at Shawnee Park in Xenia 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event is FREE and open to the public. Families and groups are encouraged to attend.

The Fitness Challenge is designed to motivate youth and families to adopt healthier lifestyles—specifically in the areas of fitness and nutrition. Participants can visit fitness stations (including an inflatable bounce house) and health information booths, complete a fitness passport and receive a free prize (while supplies last). Healthy snacks will be available.

Partners for the Challenge include the Greene County Combined Health District; the Xenia YMCA and OSU Extension, Greene County.

For more information, call Shauna VanWinkle at 937-374-5661.

Annual “Pull for the Kids” Truck & Tractor Pull scheduled for June 25 at the Greene County Fairgrounds

(XENIA, OH) The Greene County Combined Health District (GCCHD) is holding its annual “Pull for the Kids” Truck and Tractor Pull on Saturday, June 25th at the Greene County Fairgrounds. This event is a fundraiser for the Greene Community Health Foundation. The philanthropic arm of GCCHD, the Greene Community Health Foundation raises and manages gifts on behalf of the Health District. The generosity of our donors allows GCCHD to continue the commitment to offer quality healthcare to Greene County residents in need regardless of their ability to pay.

An antique tractor pull will begin at 10 a.m., a kiddie tractor pull at 3 p.m., and the big modified tractors and trucks begin at 5 p.m. For those interested in entering a truck or tractor, entry fees range from $1 to $20, depending on the entry. Cash prizes will be awarded for the winners in each division. General admission is only $5.00 per adult and children ages 10 and younger are free. Lots of family fun, food and drinks are on tap for all ages.

This event is sponsored in part by the Old Timers Club, Greene County FFA Alumni, Barker’s Towing, Greene County Dailies, Farm Bureau of Greene County and NAPA Auto Parts. For more information, please contact Carol Sue Knox, Development Assistant at 937-374-5658 or by email at cknox@gcchd.org.

Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 90 years.