Middletown Haunted House Voted One of the Best in the Country

With fall officially here and October just around the corner, people are already starting to make their Halloween plans and what better way to scare yourself silly than attending one of the best Haunted Houses in the nation? According to Hauntworld Magazine, Middletown's own "Land of Illusion" is one of the top 100 Best Haunted Attractions in the United States. Land of Illusion came in at number 31. Cincinnati's "Dent Schoolhouse" also made the list whose top honor went to "13th Gate Haunted House" in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

This is not your average haunted house! Attractions include the Middletown Haunted Trail, "one mile of night terror;" the Temple of Terror a "winding catacomb of suspense;" Dr. Psycho's Haunted Estate, "a demented dwelling of madness;" 3-D Killer Klowns, a "maze of madness" and much, much more! Every Saturday, from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM, you also can experience live music and entertainment.

Land of Illusion is located at 8762 Thomas Road in Middletown and is open until November 1, 2009. Hours are dark until 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday, and dark until 11:30 PM on Sunday, rain or shine. Visit their website to learn more about ticket prices and the various attractions they have to offer: Land of Illusion Haunted House

Local Area High School Football

Summer is coming to an end and the fall is creeping in. The leaves are starting to fall, the weather is cooling down and football season is starting up. All the local teams are gearing up for their seasons and each one is hoping to come out on top. Most teams are already two games into the season and some are doing pretty good.

Middletown is off to a good start this season. The defensive play for the local team has held strong leading them to two consecutive victories over Aiken High School (48-6) and an out of state team, East St. Louis Senior from Illinois (27-16). The Middies are away at Lima senior this Friday night with kickoff commencing at 7:30 pm.

Middletown Christian, who is playing as a club team this year, struggled with their first game against visiting Clark Montessori ending in an Eagle loss (6-37). But the Eagles stepped up the intensity in their second game against the Landmark Christian Eagles, also a club team. Middletown Christian played hard and had a terrific all around game ending in the Eagles' first victory of the season (34-10). The Eagles have their third game at Franklin's Atrium Field this Saturday night with a 7:30 pm kickoff.

Monroe's Hornets started the season off on fire cleaning out Meadowdale High School (41-0). However, the Hornets were unable to keep their momentum going for their second game against the Falcons if Fenwick High School ending in a loss (30-42). The Hornets play again this Friday night at home against Valley View with kickoff at 7:30 pm.

Madison High School's Mohawks started the season off rocky playing against Heath ending in a loss for Madison (14-41). But the Mohawks came into their next game hitting hard against Troy Christian. Their drive and determination lead the Mohawks to their first win of the season (42-13). Madison is away this Friday night at Finneytown with kickoff at 7:30 pm.

Franklin has also had a rough start going 1-1 in their first two games. The Wildcats fell to the the Indians of Carlisle in their first game (7-20) but followed up strong the next week with an impressive win over Ross (34-18). The wildcats are at home this Friday night hosting Greenville High School with kickoff at 7:30 pm.

Lebanon High School is yet another undefeated team in the area. The Warriors have two consecutive victories against Kings High School their first week (45-17) and then taking down Loveland in week two (28-14). The Warriors play host to visiting Trotwood High School this Friday night with kickoff at 7:30 pm.

The football season has already started off strong in the area and will only continue to get bigger. So go out and support your local high school's football team this season. With the way most of these teams are playing the season is shaping up to be a good one. Congratulations to all the teams that won last week and good luck to all the teams this coming week.

Fenwick has started off strong this season going undefeated through two games. The Falcons downed their first opponent Mariemont (54-13) and then pulled a close victory against Monroe High School the following week (42-30). The Falcons play at home this Friday night against Talawanda High School with a 7:30 pm kickoff.

Bill Becker: Deerfield Township's New Interim Administrator

Bill Becker, a Middletown City Councilman, former police chief, and city manager, was appointed as Deerfield Township's new interim administrator on Wednesday. After being chosen from three potential candidates, trustees approved a contract that will start on September 1, 2009 and end on January 31, 2010. Becker will continue to serve the Middletown City Council.

Becker, who told the Middletown Journal that he was "looking forward to an exciting challenge," says his main focus will be controlling the growth in the Interstate 71 corridor. Trustees President Dan Corey says he believes Becker will provide leadership needed over the next five months. Dan Evers, the Township's previous administrator resigned on July 10, 2009.

Becker served in the United States Army in the Military Police Unit and has devoted his life to public service ever since. He went on to become a police officer and took on a number of roles in that capacity. He was a member of the SWAT team, Water Rescue Unit, Recruit School Instructor, a detective, and eventually became Chief of the Middletown Police Department, where he was responsible for 93 officers, 49 employees, and a $10 million budget. Eventually, he would become the Middletown City Manger. In 2007, he was elected to the Middletown City Council to serve a four-year term.

A Middletown resident, Becker has been involved with Fenwick High School boys and girls basketball, has served as a youth sports coach, served on the TV Middletown Board, the Butler Behavior Health Services Board, and the Warren County Municipal League Executive Committee. He is a graduate of Hamilton Badin High School and the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Administration. He is also a member of several law enforcement and civil service-related associations.