Marijuana affecting the Mount Pleasant Society
By Jasmine Smith
Marijuana is referred to as dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States (SAMHSA, 2014). Its use is widespread among young people. There has recently been a man in the Mount Pleasant Township area named Steven D. Smith who was growing marijuana in his backyard. A next door neighbor reported her findings because she stated that she saw something growing in his backyard that look like marijuana and the findings were true. It was in fact marijuana. The police searched his backyard and found a distinct path leading to the largest marijuana plant, measuring up to seven feet, two inches. There were two main marijuana plants as well as several other little marijuana plants scattered throughout the garden that only measured a few inches, according to the report. There were also other plants in the garden, such as tomatoes and peppers. Smith then stated that they were growing wildly in his backyard because police knew that was false because that kind of plant is not grown wildly in that area. This is affecting the Mount Pleasant area because this will give the children an idea that it is ok for them to deal with marijuana because it is being dealt with near them in the area. Also it is affecting the area because the parents will start to have problems with the township because of the fact that someone is growing marijuana and he could possibly sell it to the children and then it could cause problems of the kids doing drugs and then he has started a bigger problem than the problem of him just containing it to himself.
Improvements in Springfield Township Hike up Home Owners Taxes
by issac boateng
The recent city improvements in Springfield Township help to make the city look better, but it comes at the expenses of the citizens. Things such as employee benefits, utility expenses, contractors, and improvements to school buildings have all caused a recent increase in taxes for homeowners living in Springfield. The Springfield Township Board of Commissioners, Robert Gillies, submitted a proposed 2015 budget of $18,015,053, which includes increasing the real estate tax rate from 3.467 mills to 3.676 mills this would increase the tax rate by 6%. The increase in taxes goes toward school buildings and other things that are thought to be improved. If the tax increase goes through the average taxpayer with a $175,400 property assessment would now pay $644.77 in real estate taxes also every house will be expected to pay an average of $7.64 in order to help clean out the sewer system. Robert Gillies during a recent meeting made motions toward ways that could possibly decrease the tax increase, but with a 1-6 decision his idea was declined. Some parts of the tax increase would go toward schools in the Springfield Township. The May budget presentation materials also contained a pie chart showing that $24.61 million, or 48 percent of total spending, would go for salaries, and $12.44 million, or 24 percent of the total, would be for benefits. A different table indicated that, in the 2014-15 budget, salaries had been projected at $23.58 million, or 47.3 percent of total spending, and benefits were anticipated to be $11.35 million, or 22.8 percent of the total. One of the comments made by a civilian that lives in Springfield said, “One of the most excellent school districts in the 'burbs, with a huge percentage of graduates giving back to the community, the commonwealth, and globally.” The tax increases in Springfield take place in 2015 and might decrease in 2016 if all the projects are completed.
Bank Robber on the Loose
by: ravyn Ramsey
On October 7th, 2015, Police began searching for a man that was accused of robbing a bank at 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Police say that the robbery happened at the Fifth Third Bank in the 100 block of W. Kemper Road. The man was armed and was seen wearing a mask and all black clothing, but quickly removed the mask as he was running away. Detectives found the gun that the suspect was using, and the stolen money in the getaway car that he was using. The suspect fled the scene on foot but later ran to a nearby green BMW that was parked nearby and later ended up leaving the car after stop sticks were used and continued to travel on foot leaving the police to basically go on a wild goose chase trying to find him. The intersection of W. Kemper and Sharon Road was held up by police so that they could try to find the suspect after he got away on foot. Unfortunately, he was too quick and the police just couldn’t find him in time. The man was described as a black man in his 20s or 30s and about 5 feet 8 inches. He has still not been found, but the police have not stopped looking for him so he can be brought to justice and face the consequences that he will receive for committing a crime such as this. Authorities have said that Springdale, Forest Park, Greenhills, and Campbell County police have all been contacted to be on the lookout just in case they are contacted about the suspect will reappear. This is an issue because of the fact that people are thinking that this a crime that is okay to do and that the Police are not on their job as much as they could be so that problems like this could be avoided from happening. This is also an issue because it causes some people in this community and society overall to not feel safe because they would never expect something like this to happen, but it does so it causes them to think about their safety, along with family members and their safety. If you have any information about this suspect and his whereabouts, then you are asked to call Crime Stoppers and report the information that you might have.