WCPO

Governors Andy Beshear and Mike DeWine announced Thursday afternoon the companies that will be at the helm of the Brent Spence Bridge redesign will be Kokosing and The Walsh Group. WEB Ventures, a Cincinnati-based management and consulting firm with a specialty in diversity, equity and inclusion solutions, will also consult on the project, according to Beshear. What specific kind of design the Brent Spence Bridge's planned companion bridge will embody is not yet known. Jack Marchbanks, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, said seven submissions were received, with the Kokosing/Walsh team winning the bid. "Our goal is to have this contract legally executed in the next 30 days," said Marchbanks.

At least 30 dead dogs and 86 living dogs were discovered and seized at an animal shelter in Madison Township called Helping Hands for Furry Paws, according to the Butler County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office said adult dogs and puppies were being kept in different structures on two different properties in the township. After a search of both properties, sheriff's deputies and dog warden investigators found the dogs being kept in "the most horrible conditions they have ever seen," reads a press release from the sheriff's office. https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/butler-county/madison-township/sheriff-90-living-and-30-dead-dogs-found-at-animal-rescue-in-madison-township

TQL Stadium hosted a sell-out crowd for Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup semifinal match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami. Despite leading 2-1 in stoppage time, the Orange and Blue fell to Lionel Messi-led Miami in a penalty shootout.

Robin Kramer, the mother of an 11-year-old girl beaten at a high school football game in Clermont County, said the 15-year-old who could be seen hitting and kicking her had bullied and threatened her for months.

The Pilkingtons said their pet bobcat, Bane, was potty-trained on their toilet and ate a nontraditional diet because he didn't like raw meat. But according to state statute, it's illegal to possess a bobcat unless at a zoo, wildlife rehab center or sanctuary.

One of the most popular attractions at Kings Island's Soak City water park is closed for good. General Manager Mike Koontz has confirmed that "Pipeline Paradise" will not open for the 2023 season, and will soon be dismantled. Read more: https://bit.ly/3AAdMB8

Looking for something different for Mother's Day? While everyone loves flowers, consider a wellness gift from a salon.

Body camera footage shows Officer Ethan Livingood using his taser on a man who ran toward him and appeared to swing. At one point, the officer yelled, "He's got my gun!" Multiple gunshots could be heard as Livingood separated himself from the man, firing at him. Garren Patty was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

The values of some Barbie dolls are spiking with the release of the new Barbie movie. But some dolls are becoming much more valuable than others.

The remaining structure of the old Consolidated Grain & Barge Company was demolished Saturday morning. The site was a fire and safety hazard. Late last year, the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority got grant money from the state to get rid of blighted and abandoned structures and this project is one of the top priorities. The silos were constructed in 1925 to house grain, but the company went bankrupt in 1986. It had three different owners in less than 20 years, and was originally slated for demolition in 2008. But asbestos was discovered, which made the demolition dangerous and expensive. The silos sat partially demolished ever since, until the port got the money to finish the job.

At least one person is in the hospital after a hit-and-run crash involving a bicycle rider. Read the full story here: https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/forest-park/pd-bicyclist-struck-during-hit-and-run-in-forest-park

During this month’s “Let’s Grant Wishes" fundraiser at The Learning Experience in West Chester, preschoolers as young as 3 are learning about Make-A-Wish, helping others, and raising money to grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses. With the help of their teachers and a pair of educational characters named “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua,” the preschool children are creating art for art auctions, participating in penny wars, and engaging in classroom activities designed to teach them that it doesn’t matter how big or small you are, it’s the size of your heart that matters.

The remaining structure of the old Consolidated Grain & Barge Company was demolished Saturday morning. The site was a fire and safety hazard. Late last year, the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority got grant money from the state to get rid of blighted and abandoned structures and this project is one of the top priorities. The silos were constructed in 1925 to house grain, but the company went bankrupt in 1986. It had three different owners in less than 20 years, and was originally slated for demolition in 2008. But asbestos was discovered, which made the demolition dangerous and expensive . The silos sat partially demolished ever since, until the port got the money to finish the job.

Dozens release balloons for Nia Booker, the pregnant mother shot and killed in Avondale

One man is dead and another is in police custody following an late night shooting in Westwood, Cincinnati police said. Around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday a man in his 30s was shot in the parking lot of Westwood Super Laundry at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and McHenry Avenue. Investigators said the victim fled across the street and died near the Shell station. CPD said they have a suspect in custody.

Popular Hamilton Township restaurant The Monkey Bar and Grille is closed for an undetermined amount of time after a fire caused heavy damage. Crews responded to the report of a fire in the 7800 block of Old 3C Highway around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. When the arrived, they were met with heavy flames coming from the kitchen, investigators said. Fire crews said it took around 30 minutes to get the fire under control. The kitchen has "significant damage" and the rest of the building has smoke and water damage, firefighters said. No customers were in the business at the time of the fire. There were some employees working when the fire started. Everyone was able to evacuate the building and no injures were reported.

Newly obtained court documents give the details surrounding the arrest of a former Highland Heights council member who was recently indicted on drug dealing charges. Edward Fessler, who began his first term on city council in January 2023, was arrested on drug possession and trafficking charges in February. Read more: https://bit.ly/44sn6Vp

Dispatchers said a person driving a pickup truck hit the tented patio outside the restaurant before fleeing the scene. Three people were taken to Bethesda North — all of whom are expected to be OK.

A man is in custody after an overnight SWAT standoff in Whitewater Township, investigators said. Officers from multiple police departments — including some in heavy-armored SWAT response vehicles — were seen going in and out of the Westbrook Village Mobile Home Park off of S.R. 128 Tuesday night.

Kelly Craft said Kentucky "will not have transgenders in our school system" if she is elected governor just days before the Republican primary.

More than a dozen witnesses took the stand over three days of testimony including Johnson's family, investigators, the man who found her remains and a retired FBI cell phone data expert. The jury will reconvene Monday morning.

Damar Hamlin back in Cincinnati pushing CPR, AED training

While Burrow has been spotted at practice since he was carted off the field with a calf injury on July 27, he hasn't been seen participating in any drills. His throwing session Friday afternoon appears to be the first bit of action he's had since the injury.

A Hamilton County judge decided Wednesday some of the prior witness testimony would be excluded from Elwood Jones' new trial for the 1994 murder of Rhoda Nathan.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost wants Evans Landscaping owner Doug Evans jailed for 30 days for violating a court order that requires him to clean up three landscaping and gravel facilities near Newtown and in Anderson Township. State prosecutors filed a contempt motion on Monday, asking Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers to send Evans to jail and fine him up to $1,000 per day for past violations.