Friday, Dec. 19: Power Standards + Tax Credits + Prosecution Fight
Friday, Dec. 19
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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OTR outages fuel anger as Duke seeks easier standards.
Over-the-Rhine residents are voicing frustration over recurring power outages and aging infrastructure, even as Duke Energy seeks to ease Ohio’s reliability standards. The utility passed the state’s service interruption benchmarks in 2024 for the first time in three years, but has proposed raising those thresholds. Critics, including the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, argue this would make outages more acceptable. OTR resident Matt Jacob says his area is frequently overlooked in Duke’s reliability investments, with no upgrades through 2025.
Historic tax credits fund OTR, downtown housing and hotel projects.
Ten Cincinnati-area redevelopment projects have been awarded a combined $15.7 million in Ohio’s latest round of historic preservation tax credits. The funding will support the transformation of aging buildings—mostly in Over-the-Rhine and downtown—into new housing, hospitality, and retail spaces. Notable projects include the George F. Otte Carpet Company building’s conversion into a 44-room boutique hotel, and the Cincinnati Club’s renovation into 99 apartments with event space. Model Group’s $38 million Reid Flats project will add 90 mixed-income units across ten historic buildings. The U.S. Hotel in Middletown was denied funding.
Pillich drops Elwood Jones charges; Deters calls it “sickening”.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich has dismissed charges against Elwood Jones, ending a 30-year-old murder case that once sent Jones to death row. Former prosecutor—and now Ohio Supreme Court Justice—Joe Deters strongly condemned the decision, calling it “sickening” and a betrayal of victim Rhoda Nathan’s family. Pillich cited withheld evidence, a lack of forensic links, and modern medical testing that allegedly excludes Jones. Deters disputed those claims, asserting the original conviction was sound and warning the county could face civil liability. The case will remain open for police investigation.
Stord invests $41M, adding 539 jobs in Hebron.
A global logistics technology firm is doubling down on its presence in Northern Kentucky. Atlanta-based Stord is investing $41 million to expand operations in Hebron’s Park West International industrial park. The company will lease a 525,000-square-foot building adjacent to its current fulfillment center—already the largest in its network—to create up to 539 new full-time jobs over the next decade. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved $2.3 million in performance-based tax incentives. New positions will span from entry-level to senior leadership, with average salaries topping $67,000.
Arrive Alive offers $25 Uber vouchers; register online.
A local law firm is stepping in to help prevent impaired driving this New Year’s Eve. Lawrence & Associates is offering $25 Uber vouchers to residents in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky through its “Arrive Alive” campaign. The initiative, now in its second year, aims to reduce alcohol-related crashes by encouraging safe rides home during the holiday. Vouchers are available to adults 21 and older, one per household, and valid from 9 p.m. Dec. 31 to 4 a.m. Jan. 1. Residents can register at getlawyeredupnow.com/arrivealive.
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