Covering the City of Oxford, Ohio

Oxford Observer
Covering the City of Oxford, Ohio

Oxford Observer
Covering the City of Oxford, Ohio

Oxford Observer

Taj Simmons, Reporter

Taj Simmons is a junior at Miami University, majoring in journalism and history.

All content by Taj Simmons
Photo of the Scott/Harrison house taken in 1931.

Historical marker to honor Oxford-born first lady

By Taj Simmons
July 22, 2022

City seeks local art for municipal building lobby

By Taj Simmons
July 21, 2022
Cody Harper, left and Sarah Carruthers, right, are running for the Republican Party nomination for the Ohio House 47th District.

Republican House candidates face off in August special election

By Taj Simmons
July 15, 2022

Local leaders advocate for more childcare options

By Taj Simmons
July 8, 2022
Visiting Cincinnati Public Schools students conduct an experiment with Alka Seltzer and salt.

Miami gives Cincinnati students a taste of the college experience

By Taj Simmons
June 23, 2022
Trent Vogelhuber, a Miami hockey alum, will lead the Cleveland Monsters as its head coach.

Cleveland Monsters names Miami hockey alum its head coach

By Taj Simmons
June 23, 2022
Reena Murphy

Oxford unveils summer sustainability challenge

By Taj Simmons
June 9, 2022
The Oxford Aquatic Center, 701 Kay Rench Drive, operates throughout the summer, as seen in this 2021 photo.

Local pools struggle with shortage of lifeguards

By Taj Simmons
June 9, 2022
When the DORA designation is in effect, adults may carry their alcoholic beverages around Uptown in specially marked cups like this one.

City extends outdoor drinking program

By Taj Simmons
June 2, 2022
Talawanda valedictorian Michelle Miao gives a speech at Talawanda High School’s 2022 graduation ceremony.

Talawanda High School graduates 238 back in Millett

By Taj Simmons
May 27, 2022
Amy Machechko wins a national award. She is posing here with Dave Kullman.

Health and wellness coordinator wins national award

By Taj Simmons
May 26, 2022
Oxford Resident Emily Douglas was one of several members of the public to speak on the issue of a mask mandate during Tuesday’s council meeting. Douglas was strongly in favor of enacting a mandate, saying it would help protect her children who are too young to be vaccinated. With two members absent, there were not enough votes to pass the measure as an emergency ordinance, which would have gone into effect immediately.

Oxford debates mask mandate; Talawanda votes to require masks

By Taj Simmons
August 20, 2021
Miami reports on the number of community members who have taken the COVID-19 vaccines.

Oxford, Miami incentivize COVID-19 vaccines for community

By Taj Simmons
August 13, 2021
housands of Miami students will be returning to Oxford in the coming days. Some will be vaccinated and some will not. All will be required to wear masks inside campus buildings.

Community reacts to Miami students returning to campus

By Taj Simmons
August 12, 2021
Oxford City Councillor Chantel Raghu (right with dog) and Ross Olson, marketing co-coordinator for the Farmers Market and the TOPSS mobile food pantry, and other volunteers, at the van’s set-up spot at the Park View Arms apartments on Oxford’s west side.

Food pantry begins mobile van service at Parkview Arms apartments

By Taj Simmons
August 6, 2021
This fall, customers lined up outside the popular Brick Street Bar in Oxford will have to show proof of vaccination as well as proof of age to get into the tavern.

Brick Street Bar & Grill announces stricter COVID-19 guidelines

By Taj Simmons
August 5, 2021
Oxford Police Chief John Jones pins the badge on Brooke Hartwig, newest officer on the city police force, at the June 15 meeting of city council.

OPD swears in IU graduate as newest officer

By Taj Simmons
June 24, 2021
President Joe Biden signed the bill Thursday, declaring Juneteenth, June 19, to be a new federal holiday.

Juneteenth officially becomes national holiday

By Taj Simmons
June 18, 2021
Rick Parker brought the concept of credit unions to Oxford.

Oxford honors retiring community members

By Taj Simmons
June 18, 2021
StoryWalk stations dot the trail in Oxford Community Park, 6801 Fairfield Rd.

Oxford’s StoryWalk provides educational fun for children

By Taj Simmons
June 10, 2021
SOLAR photo #1 -- An image of a solar panel included in a presentation Oxford City Councilman David Prytherch made to council in April. The city has asked for proposals to construct an array of such panels on a 20-acre site.

Oxford plans solar energy development

By Taj Simmons
June 10, 2021
Dumpsters are being filled with the remains of the old Marshall Elementary School this summer. The new, almost finished school that will replace it, can be seen in the background.

Demolition on Marshall building almost complete

By Taj Simmons
June 3, 2021
The Vax-a-Million program helped prompt a 28% increase in vaccinations the weekend after it began.

Oxford divided on Ohio’s vaccine lottery

By Taj Simmons
May 21, 2021
Oxford City Council votes to set up mobile vaccine clinics and offer gift card incentives to get more local residents vaccinated.

City council approves vaccine incentives and clinics

By Taj Simmons
May 20, 2021
As of this week, fewer than 44% of Butler County residents eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations have gotten the shots.

Miami nursing students administer Miami’s COVID-19 vaccines

By Taj Simmons
May 6, 2021
An artist’s rendition of what the Wayne Embry statue will look like when it is unveiled in front of Millett Hall.

Miami plans statue of former basketball star Wayne Embry

By Taj Simmons
January 22, 2021
The opening shot of the “Good Trouble” video hosted by the Oxford NAACP chapter in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 18.

Miami and Oxford partner to celebrate MLK Day

By Taj Simmons
January 22, 2021
This Little Free Library sits near the front door of the Oxford Community Arts Center

Little libraries bring joy to Oxford community

By Taj Simmons
January 15, 2021
Miami graduate Vinay Reddy will be chief speech writer in the Biden White House.

Biden names Miami grad White House director of speechwriting

By Taj Simmons
January 15, 2021
Payments for eligible people may be directly deposited in bank accounts, come by check or be mailed in the form of prepaid debit cards like these, according to the IRS.

Americans receive second stimulus payments to combat pandemic struggles

By Taj Simmons
January 8, 2021
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