Bill Rinehart

Hamilton County's administrator is proposing a new sales tax to pay for operations. Jeff Aluotto says without new revenue, Hamilton County faces a $28 million deficit for 2019.

"I, for one, am glad it's snowing," Elena Villalon told a cheering crowd in front of Cincinnati's City Hall Saturday morning. The University of Cincinnati junior continued, "Because I see a lot of snowflakes, and together we make up a snow storm."

A spring snowstorm is expected to hit the region this weekend. A forecaster at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wilmington says no matter how much snow falls, it won't stick around long.

Cincinnati Public School board members have approved a resolution calling on the state and federal governments to prioritize school safety. The measure comes after several high-profile school shootings this year.

Updated 4:25 p.m.

Cincinnati Public School board members voted Wednesday to approve a stadium deal with FC Cincinnati in the West End. The vote comes despite the team saying last week it is no longer interested. A team spokeswoman said Wednesday afternoon that statement was still good.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is dedicating a pod for veterans at the Justice Center in memory of the woman who pushed for it. Sister Kateri Koverman died last October.

A quick response team will soon be operating across Hamilton County. The Heroin Coalition's Tom Fallon says the teams will contact people who've overdosed and try to get them into treatment.

Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) board members will vote on a proposal to swap a stadium for land to build a new one. The plan would allow FC Cincinnati to build a new soccer facility where Stargel Stadium currently stands in the West End. The team would then build a new stadium for the school district on land along nearby Ezzard Charles Drive.

Updated: 6:33 p.m.

FC Cincinnati doubled its offer to Cincinnati Public Schools in a proposed land swap to build a new soccer stadium, but the deal may just have fallen through. 

Cincinnati Public Schools has rejected a soccer stadium offer from FC Cincinnati. In a letter Monday evening after a school board meeting, the district's attorney, Daniel Hoying, said the club's proposal doesn't meet the board of education's "legitimate expectations for an agreement."

Cincinnati Public Schools is considering changing the start of class times for high school students.  District spokeswoman Lauren Worley says there's no specific proposal yet.

Hamilton County may have enough flood damage to qualify for federal and state disaster aid. Emergency Management Director Nick Crossley says one building was destroyed, 59 had major damage, and more than 350 had minor damage.

The parade that precedes the first Cincinnati Reds game of 2018 will be different in two ways this year.

Hamilton County commissioners are looking to change how the Metropolitan Sewer District charges customers. The idea is to include a charge based on how much rainwater and snow melt come off a property.

Time is running out to report flood damage in Hamilton County. Ryan McEwan with Emergency Management said the agency wants reports in by Wednesday so they can turn them over to the state by Friday.

Updated 5:10, Mar 1.

The Hamilton County prosecutor has 30 days to tell commissioners what they can and cannot do to address gun violence. Commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday asking for a report on ways to prevent access to firearms that can kill lots of people.

Board President Todd Portune said he also wants county government to encourage innovative ways to protect soft targets.

Updated 5:10 p.m.

Hamilton County disaster officials are still trying to get a handle on the scope of flood damage this week. The Ohio River was still above 59 feet, Monday afternoon, which puts it in moderate flood stage.

There isn't a flood damage estimate for Hamilton County yet. Emergency Management Agency officials haven't been able to start counting the number of properties affected by high water, or the cost of repairing properties and infrastructure. The water is still too high.

Update from the National Weather Service 8:21 a.m. Feb. 25:

Latest forecast for the Ohio River at Cincinnati has a crest occurring this afternoon at approximately 60.6 ft. Current stage is nearing 60 ft. After the crest this afternoon, levels should begin going back down.

Updated at 12:52 p.m., Friday

Cincinnati Public School Board members say they are not close to making a decision after hearing more testimony in favor and against an FC Cincinnati stadium proposal. The club proposed building a new stadium for the district on land it would buy in the West End along Ezzard Charles. In exchange, the team would build its own soccer facility where Stargel Stadium currently stands.

Updated at 2:37 p.m.

The Ohio River continues to rise. The National Weather Service says as of midday Tuesday, it was at 55.2 feet and expected to rise to 55.5 feet before cresting in the evening.  Earlier forecasts put the crest at 56.1 feet coming early Wednesday morning.

The Ohio River is rising.  Scott Hickman with the National Weather Service blames heavy rain.

Four men who were born in southwest Ohio went on to serve as President of the United States. They're remembered each Presidents' Day.

Hamilton County's sheriff has proposed reopening the Queensgate facility to alleviate jail overcrowding. Jim Neill says the Justice Center is currently housing about twice as many prisoners than it was designed for.

Public Defender Ray Faller is instead calling for bail reform for non-violent, non-sexual misdemeanor charges.

A sales tax increase is on the table as Hamilton County leaders warn of a $20-30 million budget deficit for 2019. County Administrator Jeff Aluotto says it will be the worst deficit since the great recession.

If FC Cincinnati gets a Major League Soccer expansion team, and if everything can be worked out with neighbors, the team could build its new home where Stargel Stadium currently sits in the West End. The team would, in exchange, build Cincinnati Public Schools a new stadium.

Hamilton County voters will have a levy request from the Cincinnati Zoo on the May ballot, but it's not what the zoo had hoped. County commissioners approved a renewal of the current levy. The zoo requested an increase.