Good morning, Dayton.

A report from Five Rivers MetroParks said that park attendance in the Dayton region increased nearly 7% last year with nearly 2.2 million visits lasting 10 minutes or more recorded, and Eastwood MetroPark on Harshman Road led the count with nearly 568,000 visits—Englewood and RiverScape MetroParks reported 534,601 and 447,772 visits respectively. The system also recorded more than 183,000 program attendees last year, up from 167,182 in 2023.

An inspection is underway after high winds caused a downtown building at 34 N.

Main Street to partially collapse on March 15th with no injuries reported—city crews have kept parts of N. Main Street closed while a structural engineer assesses the damage and the Montgomery County Land Bank Board will meet today at 8:30 p.m. to decide next steps.

Launch Dayton’s Startup Weekend (a 54-hour bootcamp) will take place from March 28 to March 30 at the Arcade (downtown), where teams will pitch ideas, build companies, and work with local mentors for guidance.

Participants will compete for prizes and gain hands-on experience to launch new businesses.

Dayton police responded to a shooting on March 16th at 11:30 p.m. on the 4300 block of City View Terrace in Eastern Hills and found a 38-year-old woman dead—detectives are investigating the case as a homicide.

Nathaniel Schmidt, a man from West Milton, pleaded guilty Monday to killing a toddler he was babysitting in Dayton on December 12, 2022 after he called the boy's father to report the child was not breathing, and the toddler died on December 17, 2022 at Dayton Children’s Hospital—his plea ends his earlier claim of not being guilty and his right to a jury trial.

A man accused of shooting Dayton woman Leslie Ross five times in a Miamisburg home was charged with murder and a misdemeanor assault after a 13-hour manhunt ended with his arrest in West Carrollton—police also recovered suspected methamphetamine on him.

The family of Colby Ross filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Monday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court against Sheriff Rob Streck, three deputies—Bryan Statzer, Justin O’Brien, and Tori Renner—and a MetroParks ranger, claiming that a police chase on May 20th, 2024 broke pursuit policies and led to his death without immediate help provided.

On Friday, Five Rivers MetroParks’ three commissioners voted to support the Buckeye Trail Association’s plan to pursue a feasibility study through the National Park Service to designate the Buckeye Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

The trail, established in 1959, spans 1,454 miles and is within 90 minutes of every Ohioan.

Zachary Armstrong Art Exhibition Opening

The Contemporary Dayton presents a new project by artist Zachary Armstrong, exploring themes of memory and innovation through intricate and intimate artworks reminiscent of rural Midwest Americana.

Tavern Dinner: End of Winter Feast at Carillon Historical Park

Experience a hands-on historical dining event featuring 19th-century cooking demonstrations and a candlelit multi-course meal.

Shamrock Tenors Concert

Experience the soaring harmonies of Ireland's newest music sensation, Shamrock Tenors, performing beloved Irish classics at the Schuster Center.

hOm Sound Bath Experience in Dayton, OH

The hOm Sound Bath offers a unique 60+ minute immersive experience that combines modern sound therapy, traditional sound healing, and musical composition to promote relaxation and personal connection.

Zachary Armstrong Art Exhibition

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. | The Contemporary Dayton | Free entry | Explore intricate and intimate works that reveal ritualistic symbols and motifs by Zachary Armstrong.

Special Needs Family LEGO Build Night

6-8 p.m. — Dayton Brick Shop — Free entry — Build LEGO masterpieces while enhancing social skills in a supportive environment.

Zachary Armstrong Art Reveal

11 AM - 6 PM | The Contemporary Dayton | Free entry | Discover the heartfelt artistry of Zachary Armstrong, exploring childhood memories and rural Americana.

Dining in the Dark Experience

6-10 p.m. | Cosmo Joe's Atomic Lounge | Ticket required | Experience dining blindfolded while supporting art for the visually impaired community.

On-Site Tour at Shiloh Villas

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Shiloh Villas | Free entry | Discover top-notch amenities and activities at this award-winning senior living community.

Marvel Themed Trivia Night

6:30-9 p.m. — Wandering Griffin Brewery & Restaurant — Free entry — Test your Marvel knowledge with friends over food and prizes.