If you have thoughts or feedback on this newsletter or other news tips, please let me know at Greg.Lynch@coxinc.com.
Want to read the digital version of the newspaper? Click here for our daily ePaper.
The newsletter should take about 3 minutes, 48 seconds to read.
***
No end in sight to soaring egg prices amid bird flu
The Trump administration says it is planning a new strategy of vaccinations and biosecurity instead of killing off millions of chickens when bird flu hits a flock.
• Sticker shock: The average price of a dozen Grade A eggs in the U.S. reached $4.95 in January. This surpassed the $4.82 record set two years ago and is more than double the low of $2.04 recorded in August 2023.
• Local prices: A dozen eggs had a sale price of $5.19 at Kroger and closer to $6 or $7 at Walmart and Dot’s Market. A dozen Grade A eggs are selling for $8.49 at Dorothy Lane, and there were reports of a dozen eggs priced as high as $11 at Drexel Foodtown.
• The outlook: The U.S. Department of Agriculture last month predicted that egg prices likely would go up an additional 20% this year.
• Businesses respond: Many grocers are limiting the number of cartons consumers can buy, and some restaurants have egg surcharges to help offset the higher prices.
• What consumers are saying: “You do what you got to do. I love my eggs and if I’ve got to spend a little bit more right now, I do it,” said Constance Schaedler outside Dot’s Market.
Voters approve recreational marijuana, so why so many bans?
Nearly 60% of Ohio voters in November 2023 legalized adult-use, recreational marijuana and businesses that cultivate, process and sell it, but most communities are limiting those businesses.
• State law: Customers 21 and older can buy up to 2.5 ounces of recreational cannabis at licensed dispensaries or home-grow up to six plants per person, with a maximum of 12 plants for a two-adult household for personal use.
• Dispensaries: In the Dayton region there are more than a dozen dispensaries licensed to sell recreational cannabis.
• Municipal bans: In Ohio, 118 municipalities have either permanently or temporarily banned the commercial cultivation, processing and dispensing of adult-use recreational cannabis.
• Higher taxes: Republican state lawmakers are proposing higher excise taxes and changes to the program.
• What they are saying: “From a development perspective, licensed marijuana businesses have been an economic success story. They have invested millions of dollars in revitalizing underutilized buildings and created approximately 250 new jobs in Dayton alone,” said Keith Klein, senior economic development specialist for the city of Dayton.
What to know today
• One big takeaway: Dayton Public Schools board of education renewed superintendent David Lawrence’s contract for two years and increased his base salary.
• Tip of the day: Ideas for setting up a home theater for style and comfort.
• Person to know today: Brandie Brainerd. This music instructor and owner of Brandie B Writes Songs builds confidence in her students.
• Big move of the day: The village of New Lebanon will soon have a new permanent village manager, an appointment that comes one year after the sudden removal of former manager Glena Madden.
• Dayton Food & Dining: Mack’s Tavern in Washington Twp. opened as a neighborhood dive bar with beer, food and service 10 years ago, and since then, nothing has changed — something that brings the owner pride.
• On stage: 10 local shows to see in March.
• Stat of the day: Ohio has fallen below 2,000 pharmacies for first time in more than a decade. Nearly 200 pharmacies closed in Ohio last year.
• Thing to do: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend.
• Photo of the day: TechFest was held at Sinclair Community College this past weekend. The event featured more than 90 exhibitors and presenters. Check here for a look at highlights.
