Home / Newsletters / Ohio / Preble County / October 9, 2025

💻 Digital resurrection

Preble County • October 9, 2025

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Good morning, Preble County. After two months in digital darkness, Middletown is finally emerging from its cyberattack nightmare. The city has restored phone lines and Wi-Fi, fast-tracking nearly $300,000 in network upgrades originally planned for 2026. While staff gradually chip away at service backlogs using backup systems, residents can once again make utility payments and access court services—though patience remains the password of choice as recovery continues.

Just in time for spooky season, the award-winning "Bizarre Butler County" podcast returns with amateur ghost hunters investigating local haunts from the Historical Society to the mysterious Maud Hughes Road. Meanwhile, university professors are raising alarms about AI's growing role in academics, warning that technological shortcuts may be replacing the critical thinking skills that calculators never could—a ghostly prospect perhaps more frightening than any Halloween tale.

🌤 Sky Skoop

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

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🖥️ Middletown recovers from cyberattack after two months offline. City Building phone lines and Wi-Fi have been restored, with some staff email accounts now functioning again. Officials purchased nearly $300,000 in new network hardware and computers—upgrades originally planned for 2026 but accelerated by the attack. While the investigation continues into whether employee data was compromised, essential city services are gradually resuming with modified operations. Residents can now make utility payments and access court services, though officials request patience as staff work through backlogs with backup systems.

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👻 "Bizarre Butler County" podcast returns with spookier ghost stories. The award-winning series features amateur ghost investigators Sarah Kennel and Taylor Powers exploring haunted locations throughout Butler County. This season will investigate the Butler County Historical Society, DeWitt Cabin, a former nuclear production center, and Maud Hughes Road, plus revisit the mysterious Ron Tammen case with expert Jennifer Wenger. New episodes air weekly throughout October, with viewers encouraged to submit questions for the season finale through a Q&A form.

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🤖 AI has become students' shortcut to academic success. University professors are concerned about the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for completing coursework and even earning degrees. The article argues that students have adapted to an education system where getting the right answer matters more than developing critical thinking skills. Research shows that dependence on AI correlates with decreased cognitive abilities, as it replaces "habits of mind" rather than serving as a tool like calculators. The author challenges readers to embrace diligence and curiosity despite the temptation of technological shortcuts.

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🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Real estate listing image Fixer With Promising Potential: Brick fixer-upper priced at $94,900 boasts three bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a fenced yard for your renovation dreams, along with a large laundry room and storage space.
Foreclosure bargain online auction opportunity: This foreclosure property is available on Auction.com, potentially below market value. Auction.com is the largest online real estate auction marketplace, with alerts available for auction dates and status changes.
Real estate listing image Modern pool home priced right: This updated home near the pool features 3 beds, 2 baths for $249,900. Recent improvements include new windows and sliding door (2022), furnace (2018), A/C (2024), and roof (2016).

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎵 Oct. 10 - Benny Bodine Live: Sip and sway with Benny Bodine at Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery on October 10! Enjoy live music among the vines at this charming Eaton venue, perfect for a mid-week escape.
🎸 Oct. 10 - Matt Osborne Live: Sip your favorite brew while Matt Osborne fills The Cedar Coffee & Wine with live melodies on October 10. Stop by 550 S Washington St in New Paris for this cozy musical evening.
🕊️ Oct. 11 - Quaker Heritage Journey: Trace the Quakers' historic journey at the Fall Gathering & Genealogy Fair on Oct 11 at Preble County Historical Society. Uncover rich heritage while connecting with local history enthusiasts at this community celebration.
🍻 Oct. 11 - Annual Oktoberfest Celebration: Raise your steins at Peace Park's annual Oktoberfest! Join the community for a day of authentic food, lively music, crafts and games, kicking off with a festive parade at 9:30am on October 11.
🎭 Oct. 11 - Hayley Keffer Entertainment Show: Sip and sway with Hayley Keffer at Olde Schoolhouse Vineyard & Winery on October 11, 2025. Enjoy live entertainment among the vines at this charming Eaton venue—perfect for a fall Saturday outing.
🏃 Oct. 11 - SWBL Conference Meet: Runners take your mark at the SWBL Conference Meet! Cheer on high school athletes as they race for glory at Fort Saint Clair Park in Eaton on Saturday, October 11th.
🤠 Oct. 11 - Buckeye Bankroll Roping Classic: Saddle up for the 2nd Annual Buckeye Bankroll Roping on October 11! Cowboys compete at 722 S Franklin St in Eaton, with books opening at 8am and roping at 9am. Food and Western vendors on site.
🌳 Oct. 12 - Autumn Invasive Plant Workshop: Battle autumn invasives at the Woodland Workshop! Join local land stewards on Oct 12 at 1708 Camden College Corner Rd to learn effective fall strategies for healthier forests. Perfect timing to reclaim your woodland.
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