You would never suspect that the mild-mannered Locust Corner Elementary School teacher was a renowned bodybuilding and powerlifting champion. That is until you look at him. Todd Jackson’s prowess in these two fields of athletic endeavor were nationally honored and recognized in the November/December issue of the magazine “Jeff Everson’s Planet M.”

The 2006 class of the Bethel-Tate High School Sports Hall of Fame has been selected. Seven new members have been added.

The first class of the Williamsburg High School Sports Hall of Fame has been chosen. The first class of 18 includes all of the 13 Wildcats who are members of the Clermont County Sports Hall of Fame.

Milford’s varsity boys water polo team has won the Ohio state championship tournament. “This was a very senior dominated team. Most of this group were in the program all four years of high school,” said a very proud Gary Tameris, the head coach of the Eagles.

Milford’s varsity girls water polo team achieved the status of finishing fourth in the Ohio state girls water polo tournament. The state final four showdown took place at Mason High School.

On February 19, 1945, the big guns of U.S. Navy battleships signaled the beginning of one of World War II’s bloodiest battles. Recently memorialized in the movie “Flags of Our Fathers,” the Battle of Iwo Jima, known as Operation Detachment, was one of the final major conflicts of the second world war, and later found to be one of the most controversial.

Safe Communities is hoping that a little fun may prevent a lot of sorrow this holiday season. Coming back for a second helping, a “mocktail” party has been scheduled for Dec. 7 at Mercy Hospital Clermont, where the theme is having fun and getting home safe afterwards.

The New Richmond Village Council has suspended the police department’s furlough program. The council unanimously adopted the ordinance suspending the furlough schedule for the police department at its regular Nov. 14 meeting.

Vernon Elmer Rouster, 89, of Batavia, died Nov. 17, 2006. He was a WWII veteran. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise (nee Farson) Rouster.

Lillian (nee Kilby) Trabka, of Batavia, died Nov. 16, 2006. Memorials may be made to the Batavia Nursing Home and Convalescent Inn.