As the cold, wet weather of winter settles into the area, a winter rite-of-passage is available again, and in good supply. Flu shots are once again the buzzword of the day, and are more readily available this year than has been the case in the recent past, said Clermont County Health District Head of Nursing Deena Elliott.

An infant was removed from a residence and placed with Clermont County Children’s Protective Services by the county as a result of a recent drug search executed in Union Township. The Clermont County Special Response Team led the search of a residence on Mercury Drive that resulted in the arrest of one man and the removal of the child last week.

Clermont County Safe Communities and Mercy Hospital Clermont celebrated the third annual “Mocktails” event at the hospital Nov. 16. “Mocktails are non-alcoholic cocktails or beverages,” said Safe Communities director Martha Enriquez.

Amelia police officer and Marine Corps MP Matt Braden, 26, is being deployed to Iraq for a one-year tour of duty. In honor of his willingness to serve the United States in this time of war, Lance Corporal Braden was honored by Amelia Mayor Mike Scharf and the Amelia council at the village’s regular meeting Nov. 19.

The Union Township Fire Department promoted or hired a number of men and women last week, adding four to their roster of lieutenants. The public servants and their families filled the township meeting room for the promotion ceremony, which took place during the November board of trustees meeting.

Members of the River Valley Longbeards, Clermont County’s National Wild Turkey Federation chapter, were full of cheer and enthusiasm at the YWCA last week. Members of the outdoors club were on-hand for their third annual donation of turkeys to the YWCA’s food pantry for families in need of a Thanksgiving meal.

In Williamsburg, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The Trains of Williamsburg Christmas event chugs and rolls into the village the weekend of Dec. 7-8. The annual holiday family event, which has been a 20-year tradition in the village, is a community walk and a weekend of festive activities designed to bring attention to the businesses in the village and also a way for residents to enjoy the holiday.

Like Nick’s life, it will be remembered. The third annual Nick Erdy Foundation benefit dinner, dance, and auction was held at the Norlyn Manor in Batavia Nov. 17. The fund-raiser, which attracted more than 400 people, was an enormous success, said Nick’s mother Jane Erdy.

The Clermont County Crisis Hotline, (513) 528-SAVE (7283), has been awarded accreditation for another three years by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). This recent accreditation announcement marks the second consecutive time that the Clermont Hotline has received the award from the Washington D.C.-based AAS organization.

New Richmond, Bethel-Tate, and Batavia achieved the best conclusions for Clermont County varsity boys soccer teams as the regular season came to an end. The Lions and the Bulldogs impressive season finishes included championships earned in their respective division of the Southern Buckeye Conference (SBC).