As a service to residents, Butler Township Trustees began contracting last year for a program called One Call Now.  This automated calling program allows the township to contact every resident when, for example, there is a snow emergency.  If necessary, it would also allow a narrow cast to make calls to a single street or neighborhood.  No lists are every shared or sold.

The program has recently been modified for residents convenience.  If you have an unlisted number or want emergency messages sent to your cell phone, you may contact Pam at the Butler Township Government Center at 898-6735.  If you are traveling and want to suspend your cell phone alert, that can be done as well.

A seven year veteran of the Butler Township Police Department, Chris Guthrie, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in March.  The promotion comes after the retirement of Sergeant Frank Shapiro late last year.

Sergeant Guthrie joined the department in 2003 as a full-time police officer.  He has prior experience with the Union Police Department and Five Rivers Metro Parks law enforcement.  His father is a retired Police Lieutenant with the City of Englewood.

Sergeant Guthrie, one of three officers to take the written Sergeant’s examination, finished first in the examination process.

He is currently assigned as the first watch Supervisor.

When an Electronic device is  popular with consumers, you can count on it being popular and thieves as well.  So it’s no surprise that the latest “hot” item with area crooks is the GPS unit.

Most of the reported thefts occur when someone leaves a car parked with the GPS unit mounted on the windshield or in plain sight on the seat.

“We urge citizens to help remove the temptation from the thieves who look for easy targets,” said Police Chief Danny Hobbs.

When parking your car, remove the GPS unit, the mount and power cord from sight.  Place them under the seat or in the trunk of the car.

If you have a GPS unit, please keep a record of  its brand name, model and serial number.  If the unit would be stolen, this information will help in its recovery and the possible prosecution of the thief.

Wast Management will “test drive” a recycling program in the Turtle Creek neighborhood of Butler Township.  The program has been introduced in response to calls from many residents who want to do their part for the environment by recycling, but don’t want the hassle of multiple bins and recyclable wastes that blow around the neighborhood on windy days.

Through the new program, Waste Management provides a 96 gallon recycling cart in which designated recyclables can be deposited.  This cart has a yellow lid to distinguish it from the receptacle used for regular trash.  It is being picked up on an every other week schedule on the regular collection day.

The major change is that is will allow residents is the test area to recycle more and with greater ease while reducing the amount of blowing litter, truck traffic and emissions.

The program is strictly voluntary.  Turtle Creek residents who do not wish to participate should call Waste Management at 1-800-343-6047, and their cart will be removed.

Waste Management and Butler Township officials anticipate that residents will respond favorably to this user-friendly recycling program.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact John Minear at Waste Management at 937-414-0180.

On April 14, 2010 the Butler Township Police Department demonstrated seatbelt safety to the third graders of Murlin Heights Elementary.  The children were told the importance of wearing their seatbelt, locking their car door, children under 12 years of age sitting in the back seat, and that the law requires everyone to wear a seatbelt.  Officer Sink demonstrated the proper way to wear a seatbelt and the booster seat requirements for children 4 years of age until age 8 and under 40 pounds or taller than 4’9”.  The recent change in the law requires children that do not meet these requirements to sit in a booster seat.

Officer Sink demonstrates children ride in the back and to buckle up for safety.

Officer Sink demonstrates the importance of locking the doors and the proper way to sit in your seat while riding in the car.