Lifestyles

Navy sailors deployed before holidays say tearful goodbyes to loved ones

by Ryan Nelson, ActionNewsJax.com

Families waved goodbye to their loved ones serving in the Navy on Wednesday morning when about 400 sailors were deployed from Florida's Naval Station Mayport just 13 days before Christmas. “It’s a hard time,” sailor Brandon Sanderson told Jacksonville's ActionNewsJax, pausing as he was overcome with emotion. “Sorry. Seven months though, seven months. We’ll be back...

Scam alert: Fake Amazon email targets online shoppers

by Ken Tyndall, WFTV.com

The holiday season is a busy time of year for everybody, including scammers. There is an email scam going around with a new twist that targets online shoppers. This latest scam specifically goes after people who use Amazon. While online shopping may be more convenient, it can also be riskier. In the latest scam, an email that appears to be from Amazon says a user's password needs to be reset...

Should text messages be taxed to help the poor? One state is considering it

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

If you live in California, you may soon have to pay a tax for your text messages. According to the Mercury News and KGO, the state's Public Utilities Commission will vote Jan. 10 on the tax, which "likely would be billed as a flat surcharge per customer ... not a fee per text." Officials have not said how much that charge would be. >> Read more trending news  The money would...

Freezing? Oakwood woman launches new athletic pants that let you cover up and keep your shoes on

by Amelia Robinson

Patty Vanderburgh had three bad options when she was running off to her boot camp exercise class on cold January days five or so years ago: 1. freezing her tail off as she ran between her car and the  gym in her shorts in 5 degree weather 2. pulling basic sweatpants on over her shoes and shorts  3. buttoning up a pair of old-school tear-away pants “There had to be a better way,&rdquo...

Local drug recovery group gets national attention, plans to grow

by Katie Wedell, Staff Writer

A growing recovery support group in Dayton has hired its first executive director and has big plans for 2019. Families of Addicts was founded five years ago by Lori Erion and has since expanded to seven counties and served more than 7,000 families — connecting them with resources, providing Narcan training and other education and working to de-stigmatize addiction. Now the nonprofit has hired...

Nearly 100 Amazon packages dumped on side of road in Georgia

by Lauren Pozen, WSBTV.com

Almost 100 Amazon packages were dumped on the side of the road Tuesday night in Georgia. WSB-TV's Lauren Pozen was in Peachtree Hills, a neighborhood in Atlanta's Buckhead, where dozens of Amazon boxes and bags were left in a cul-de-sac on Highland Drive. Pozen talked to a man and his wife who said they saw something off the side of the road that they initially thought was just trash...

Advocates: Warren County widow’s case a big win for Ohio seniors

by Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer

An 81-year-old Warren County widow’s win in the Ohio Supreme Court will have far-reaching implications for other surviving spouses facing bills for the care of loved ones who die, advocates for seniors said. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Wednesday in favor of Cora Bell in a lawsuit filed in June 2015 against her in Franklin Municipal Court about an unpaid $1,678 nursing home bill for her husband&rsquo...

The Christmas gift that gives back: tummy rubs for dogs

by Karin Spicer, Contributing Writer

Many dogs love tummy rubs. Teddy, our 4-year-old Lab, is no exception. Just walk by him, and if you connect with his gaze, he’s got you. Big, round eyes with tail thumping — how could any softy resist? I can’t. My husband, Ed, and daughter, Jordan, can’t either. Dr. Peter Brown on petmd.com says tummy rubbing are soothing. “It’s an opportunity for bonding and part...

U.S. priest charged with sexually abusing 10 boys in Philippines

by Crystal Bonvillian, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

An American Catholic priest has been charged with soliciting sex with underage boys while in the Philippines, according to federal prosecutors.  Rev. Kenneth Bernard Hendricks, 77, of Cincinnati, is charged with engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of Ohio. Hendricks was arrested Dec. 5 in the Philippines...

Colorado police recover couple's puppy, stolen vehicle

by Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

A puppy inside a stolen vehicle was found safe Wednesday morning in Colorado, and two suspects were arrested, KDVR reported. >> Read more trending news  Ciri, a 10-month-old puppy, was found and returned to its owners by Westminster police. The animal was inside the vehicle at 5 a.m. Sunday when it was stolen, KDVR reported.  Cheliesa Anderson said her family was moving from...

School where 13-year-old with autism died after being restrained violated state rules

by Crystal Bonvillian, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

As a grieving California couple shares photos of their 13-year-old son with autism, who died last month after being restrained by teachers, other parents have begun pulling their children from the inclusive private K-12 school where it took place.  The parents of Max Benson, a student at Guiding Hands School in El Dorado Hills, shared photos of their son with Fox 40 in Sacramento to show...

5 Christmas traditions that aren't as traditional as you think

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Your Christmas traditions may feel like they've been around for a long time, but many aren't as traditional as you might think.  They may have origins that go back for years, but, in many cases, they've evolved quite a bit. Otherwise, the popular image of Santa Claus might still be "Rough Nicholas" instead of the jolly figure we know today. Romans gave each other gifts during the Saturnalia...

5 area outlet stores with discounted gifts for the holidays

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Local outlet malls are increasing store hours as Christmas approaches, giving last-minute shoppers looking for a deal a few extra hours to shop. Discount stores became popular during the recession and have remained attractive to shoppers. Local outlet stores provide name-brand products at deep discounts. The following outlet malls and individual outlet stores are within driving distance of Dayton...

Florida tourist gets 'disgusting' delivery from Uber Eats driver

by Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

An Uber Eats customer in South Florida who ordered Japanese food Sunday said he was mortified to receive dirty underwear with his dinner, WPLG reported. >> Read more trending news  Leo, who said he only wanted to be identified by his first name, was visiting Miami Beach for its annual Art Basel show. At 10 p.m. Sunday he ordered Japanese food through his Uber Eats app. What he...

More marijuana doctors approved for region. Who are they? 

by Chris Stewart, Staff Writer

Since June, another 18 doctors in the region have received certificates to recommend marijuana including seven in Dayton, two in Beavercreek, and one each in Bellbrook, Brookville, Enon, Fairborn, Kettering, New Carlisle, Washington Twp., Waynesville and Yellow Springs.  The number of physicians now certified in Ohio grew to 336 through November. More than 2,000 Ohioans entered into the state&rsquo...

Mexican street food, ‘crazy flavors’ and nearly everything else served at new Huber Heights restaurant 

by Amelia Robinson

One of the Dayton area’s newest restaurants offers flavors for your taste buds and your eyeballs.  Bright and boldly decorated in a rainbow of colors, Pepe’s Mexican Flavors has a menu packed with everything from Doriliocos (a bag of Doritos served with pickled skin pork, cucumber, jicama, pico de gallo, lemon, peanuts and Valentina brand sauce), empanadas and ...

Teen rescues dog from burning car in Massachusetts parking lot

by Boston25News.com

Alex Gabriel of Massachusetts was grocery shopping at the Market Basket in Haverhill when a car in the parking lot burst into flames. The 17-year-old's adrenaline kicked in when he saw a dog trapped inside. "As the smoke started to get thicker, was when I thought, 'This isn’t right,'" he said Tuesday. Flames started shooting right into the front seats. Alex sprang into action...

Local mom in recovery: Jail ‘best thing that ever happened to me’

by Katie Wedell, Staff Writer

Jennifer Clay managed for more than nine years to fool herself and others into thinking her drug use wasn’t a major problem. Starting with pain medication prescribed after a car accident when she was 18, she quickly developed a habit and moved to illicit pills and eventually heroin. “Almost the entire time I worked at a hospital,” the Springfield native, now 31, said. “I really...

Area stores to stay open 83 nonstop hours leading up to Christmas

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Kohl’s won’t close its doors for 83 straight hours leading up to Christmas, giving even the night owls a chance to shop at the stores. Once Kohl’s stores open at 7 a.m. Dec. 21, it won’t close again until 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, an annual shopping marathon. »BIZ BEAT: Online holiday shopping expected to logjam delivery: Important deadlines to know Consumers can also shop...

Officials: 15 Disney guests treated after bus crash at Epcot auto plaza

by Kelly Healey, WFTV.com

Fifteen Walt Disney World guests were taken to the hospital Tuesday after a bus crash in the Epcot auto plaza at the Florida amusement park, the Reedy Creek Fire Department said.  >> Read more trending news  The Florida Highway Patrol said there were 51 people on the bus at the time of the crash at about 10 a.m.  A Disney spokesman said nothing is more important than the safety...

Still need gifts? These 7 local stores have more toys this holiday

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Shoppers looking for holiday toys will find no shortage in the Miami Valley, even without bankrupt Toys “R” Us stores. Many shoppers have turned to Amazon for their toy needs after the company released a toy catalog and heavily advertised the larger-than ever selection on its website. But for brick-and-mortar shoppers, retailers in the area have also bolstered their toy, game and baby...

Florida woman put puppies in backpack, swung them around bar, police say

by Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

A South Florida woman is accused of putting a Chihuahua and its four 4-week-old puppies into a backpack and swinging it around a bar, the Sun-Sentinel reported. >> Read more trending news  Teresa Gardner, 27, was arrested at 3:12 a.m. Sunday by Broward County sheriff’s deputies after the incident at the Briny Irish Pub in Pompano Beach, the newspaper reported. She was charged...

Meghan Markle shows off baby bump, stuns crowd at British Fashion Awards

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

The British Fashion Awards got the royal treatment Monday when the Duchess of Sussex, formerly known as Megan Markle, made a surprise appearance. Markle, who married Britain's Prince Harry in May and announced her pregnancy in October, wore a black Givenchy gown to the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London, "Today" reported. Markle presented Givenchy artistic director Clare Waight...

Historic Dayton area theater has 16,093 reasons to celebrate  

by Amelia Robinson

The folks behind one of the Dayton area’s oldest movie theaters have 16,093 new feathers for their cap.  The historic Plaza Theatre, 33 S. Main St. in downtown Miamisburg, has hit the attendance goal it established before reopening in 2015, according to a note from board member Doug Sorrell. >> PHOTOS: Look inside Miamisburg’s historic Plaza Theatre “Thank you...

CDC warns against eating raw cookie dough, cake mix

by Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Christmas parties, work potlucks and family get-togethers mean a lot of baking in the coming weeks. If you’re tempted to lick the bowl after mixing cake batter or dig into that raw cookie dough, however, you need to resist. Consuming unbaked food that is supposed to be cooked can make you sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kids also can get sick from handling...

Online holiday shopping expected to logjam delivery: Important deadlines to know

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Delivery companies are warning shoppers to send holiday gifts and make online purchases within the next 10 days as a record number of packages are expected to be delivered. The United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx have taken extra steps to ensure timely delivery of billions of packages this holiday season, including adding staff, infrastructure and pop-up locations. &ldquo...

Skip Hop convertible high chairs recalled over fall, injury risks

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Parents of small children, take note. Skip Hop announced last week that it is recalling more than 32,000 of its Tuo convertible high chairs over potential fall and injury risks. According to the recall notice, "the legs on the high chair can detach from the seat."  The company said it has received 17 reports of the chairs' legs detaching, but "no injuries have been reported...

New retailer opening near Dayton Mall

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Appliance Factory and Mattress Kingdom is coming to Miami Twp. The new store will open soon at 8350 Springboro Pike in Miamisburg during the first quarter of 2019, said Sean Sullivan, vice president of field operations for Town Center Company. The store sells discounted appliances up to 60 percent off and discounted sleep products, according to is website. »BIZ BEAT: Two area cities want to...

Beavercreek Sears closing today: What to know

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

The Sears store at the Mall at Fairfield Commons will shut its doors for good when it closes at 6 p.m. today. The long-time anchor of several local malls filed for bankruptcy in October. The Dayton Mall store has already closed and the Piqua store will close in February. »RELATED: Sears chairman’s hedge fund put in bid to buy remaining stores, including Springfield location Shoppers at...

This everyday task can help you avoid high blood pressure, study says

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A healthy diet and consistent workout routine can help you avoid high blood pressure. But there’s a simple task that can also lower your risk, according to a new report.  Researchers from the University at Buffalo recently conducted a study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, to determine the link between dental hygiene and hypertension, which can lead to...

'Baby, It's Cold Outside' writer's daughter says song isn't about date rape

by Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

The daughter of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" writer Frank Loesser is firing back against critics who are giving the holiday classic a frosty reception this year. Susan Loesser, 74, spoke to NBC News last week, defending the 1944 song against claims that it normalizes date rape. "Bill Cosby ruined it for everybody," she said Thursday. "Way before #MeToo, I would hear...

More blood pressure medication recalled due to possible cancer risk

by Najja Parker, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Yet another blood pressure medication has been added to the list of recalled hypertension drugs.  Mylan Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily expanded its recall for its valsartan-containing products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced. The affected pills include valsartan, amlodipine/valsartan and valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets and were distributed in the United...

Ohio’s overall infant mortality drops as black rate jumps

by Max Filby, Staff Writer

Ohio’s infant mortality rate in 2017 reached its second lowest point in nearly 80 years but the improvement has mostly benefited the parents of white babies. There were 982 Ohio infants who died before their first birthday last year, down 42 from 1,024 infant deaths in 2016, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The 2017 number marks the second time infant deaths have dipped below 1,000...

Man crawls through doggy door to break into home

by Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

This is not the proper use of a doggy door. >> Read more trending news  A California woman was startled Tuesday when she saw a man squeezing through the doggy door in the front of her house, KGTV reported. Lexie Linberg of Encinitas was in her upstairs bedroom around 2 a.m. when she got an alert from her Ring doorbell camera, the television station reported. A few moments later she...

Watch: Adorable baby giraffe romps through Tulsa Zoo yard for first time

by Fox23.com

The Tulsa Zoo's baby giraffe is running loose in his new home. >> Read more trending news  In a video posted to the zoo's Facebook page, Ohe can be seen running through the giraffes' main yard for the first time. Ohe was born in late July.

Michigan couple renovates bus for cross-country adventure

by Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

A Michigan couple sold their possessions and are riding off to look for America.  >> Read more trending news  Their adventure sounds like an old Simon and Garfunkel song, but Caleb and Stephanie Rutkowski are ready for some traveling on a renovated school bus they bought five months ago, WXMI reported. The couple, who were married in July 2017, will be leaving home during the...

Top dogs: Max, Bella are most popular canine names of 2018

by WPXI.com

Is your dog's name on the "most popular" list? >> Read more trending news  Rover.com looked at its recent database of more than 1 million dog names and found the most popular for 2018. Max comes in at number one for for male dogs, followed by Charlie, Cooper and Buddy. For female dogs, the most popular name is Bella, followed by Lucy, Luna and Daisy. The name Cardi was 50...

Ohio infant deaths reach second lowest level in nearly 80 years

by Max Filby, Staff Writer

Ohio’s rate of infant mortality appears to have slightly improved from 2017 to 2016, newly released data shows. There were 982 Ohio infants who died before their first birthday last year, down 42 from 1,024 infant deaths in 2016, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The 2017 number marks the second time infant deaths have dipped below 1,000 since 1939 which was the first year the state...

Cincinnati Bengals: What L.A. Chargers coach said about Sunday’s game

by Laurel Pfahler, Contributing Writer

The Los Angeles Chargers are still settling in at their temporary home on the campus of California State University following a move from San Diego last season, but they’ve given the new fan base something to latch onto in Year 2. »RELATED: Bengals center talks Urban Meyer The Chargers (9-3) have already matched their win total from last year (9-7), and coach Anthony Lynn said he likes...

First Wayfair store in region to open for limited time

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

A Wayfair outlet store in Northern Kentucky is open now, but only for a limited time. Traditionally online retailers like Wayfair have been making plans to expand into brick-and-mortar. The first 20,000-square-foot brick-and-mortar store in Florence, Kentucky, won’t open until early next year, but the company is letting shoppers in for a soft opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday...

Walgreens launches next-day delivery in area

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Walgreens will roll out next-day prescription delivery nationwide in effort to compete with Amazon’s rising power in the medical industry. In a partnership with FedEx, local Walgreens customers can now opt to have their prescription delivered to straight to their doors for a $4.99 fee. Same-day delivery is also available in some markets and will expand throughout 2019, according to a company...

Kroger tops expectations despite drop in profits

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Kroger’s income dropped last quarter as the largest regional grocery provider continued investing in technology and third parties. The grocer’s net earnings in quarter three dropped to $317 million or 39 cents per diluted share from $397 million or 44 cents per diluted share during the same period last year. Rising transportation costs, growth of the specialty pharmacy business and timing...

6 things you may not know about Christmas 

by Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

Christmas has many traditions that are so entrenched you probably don't give them much thought. But when you consider why things are done the way they are, you'll find that just about every element of Christmas has an interesting, evolving story behind it. Here are six things you may not know about Christmas: Dec. 25 probably wasn't the day when Jesus was born, according to History.com. Since...

Tracking Santa: Where's Santa now and when will he be at your home?

by By Mary Caldwell, For the AJC

It's the question at the top of every child's mind on Christmas eve: where is Santa now and when will he get to my house? Fortunately, there are several ways to track St. Nick so you can see when he's scheduled to arrive in various parts of the world. Whether you prefer a website, an app, social media or even an old-school phone call, it's easy to track Santa's progress and see where he's headed next...

Sears chairman’s hedge fund put in bid to buy remaining stores, including Springfield location

by Holly Shively, Staff Writer

Sears’ chairman and former CEO Eddie Lampert has submitted a bid to buy the remaining Sears locations, including one in Springfield. The $4.6 billion proposal submitted Thursday by Lampert’s hedge fund ESL Investments could save 505 stores Sears Holdings leadership said it hoped a bidder would keep open. The Upper Valley Mall store is the only store in the region expected to remain open...

3 local ties to today’s nominations for the Golden Globe Awards 

by Lisa Powell, Staff Writer

The Dayton region was well represented today during the announcement of nominations for the 76th Golden Globe Awards.  “A Star is Born,” the blockbuster film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, is up for five awards. The movie features Cooper’s real-life pal and Yellow Springs resident Dave Chappelle.  Cooper, and his film, were nominated for Best Motion Picture -Drama...

New podcast takes on cold-blooded murders in Pike County

by Amelia Robinson

  When the smoked cleared, the only witnesses left alive were dogs and babies. “What Had Happened Was” host Amelia Robinson sat down with Will Garbe, an investigative reporter for the Dayton Daily News and WHIO-TV, for an unusual episode of the podcast.  Garbe has been reporting on the Pike County murders for two years.  He and Amelia discuss what is known and what investigators...