Heart and Hustle in Hamilton County

In a disaster, Nick Crossley says there's no such thing as 'no.' In Episode 9, the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency Director talks about the biggest challenge he faced during the early days of the local COVID-19 pandemic.
"If you ever call me, I'm saving your cell number," says Crossley who discusses how he gets around the word "no" in order to find a way. He also details the quick partnerships that formed overnight to protect the most vulnerable including seniors.
Crossley's agency administers emergency management and disaster preparedness functions for all of Hamilton County and its political subdivisions. This may be the ultimate episode- we can't think of a better department to spotlight on a COVID-19 podcast. Have a listen!

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day? What better way to honor our planet than nourishing its soil with your kitchen scraps! Just as gardening and cooking have gained new enthusiasts during this pandemic, so has composting.
We discuss tips and tricks with our local composting connoisseurs – Michelle Balz and Gage Bradford with Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste District. Michelle and Gage give us the latest on how you can buy discounted compost bins and take free virtual composting seminars. Plus, they convinced a ‘reluctant composter’ to stop procrastinating and start reducing household waste.

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Hamilton County Board of Elections' top officials, Sherry Poland and Sally Krisel, talk about changes made on the fly to conduct Hamilton County's 2020 elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With nonstop directives coming out of the State due to the Governor and the Courts arguing election postponement, Director Poland and Deputy Director Krisel reflect on their sleepless night before the March primary.
In the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, Poland and Krisel also talk candidly about efforts they took to combat misinformation, while preserving the integrity of our local elections.
Discover how the pandemic is impacting future elections. Give a listen on episode 7 of Heart and Hustle in Hamilton County.

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Hamilton County Environmental Services Director Brad Johnson discusses the rich history of environmental awareness in Cincinnati and Hamilton County that dates back to the 1800s- when Cincinnati was one of the largest cities in the country and one of the first to monitor air quality thanks to a women's organization.
With the pandemic, Environmental Services has seen its fair share of change including an emphasis on air quality, pollen and mold counting, and changes in recycling patterns including the shortage of cardboard being recycled.
Listen as Anna Kelly, Monitoring and Analysis Supervisor, answers the most common question she hears- "how can air quality be good when the pollen count is so high in Hamilton County?"

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

The Hamilton County Office of Reentry had to get creative fast when the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak ramped up locally in March of 2020. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office instituted measures to reduce the jail population while also increasing safety measures inside of the jail. Once inmates served their time and were released, reentry advocates hit the phones to ensure resources were available to keep formerly incarcerated individuals from reoffending and ending back up in jail. Reentry Director Trina Jackson discusses some of her favorite success stories thanks to the hard work of the Sheriff's Department, Cincinnati Police and other community partners.

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.