North Dayton

**North Dayton** (**nawrth day-tuhn**) is a city in and the county seat of Blackwood County, Atlantica, Federal Republic of Terranova. A small part of the city extends into Stanley County. As of the 2029 census, the city proper had a population of 1,473,693, making it the fourth-most populous city in Atlantica and the 18th most populous city in Terranova. North Dayton is located within Atlantica's Eastern Region, 130 miles (209 kilometers) northeast of the capital city, Clayton Heights, and 70 miles (113 km) west of Valencester Beach. It is the principal city of the Dayton-Blackwater-James-Auland metropolitan area, which has a combined population of over 3.8 million residents.

The North Dayton City Council is composed of the Mayor of North Dayton, the President of North Dayton City Council, the City Attorney of North Dayton, the City Clerk of North Dayton, the City Treasurer of North Dayton, and the City Controller of North Dayton. Each city council member is elected by the residents of North Dayton to serve a four-year term. The mayor, who is also elected by the residents, serves as the head of the city council and represents North Dayton in regional and state matters. All policy items are decided by the city council, which is empowered by the City Charter to pass ordinances and resolutions, adopt regulations, and make decisions on behalf of the residents of North Dayton. The City Attorney provides legal advice to the council and ensures that all actions taken are within the bounds of the law. The City Clerk maintains official records and documents, while the City Treasurer manages the city's finances and investments. The City Controller oversees financial reporting and audits to ensure transparency and accountability. North Dayton was the first large Terranovan city to implement a comprehensive recycling program, which has since been adopted by many other cities in the region.

The current mayor of North Dayton is Anya E. Brock since January 10, 2024; the current President of North Dayton City Council is Julie R. Ayers since December 1, 2024; the current City Attorney of North Dayton is Jessie A. Hinton since July 6, 2023; the current City Clerk of North Dayton is Makai S. Mcclain since January 21, 2027; the current City Treasurer of North Dayton is Bailey D. Proctor since March 18, 2022; and the current City Controller of North Dayton is Brandon T. Logan since February 11, 2029. These officials have been instrumental in implementing various policies and initiatives aimed at improving the city's infrastructure and promoting economic growth. Under their leadership, North Dayton has seen significant advancements in transportation systems, urban development projects, and job creation efforts.

North Dayton was founded in 1906 and named after the explorer and cartographer, Dayton North, who also owned a significant amount of land in the area with plans for development. It grew in the 19th century as a result of the booming coal mining industry in the region and was home to many coal miners and their families, most notably the Flemings and the Malones, who developed the first coal mines in the area. It later developed an industrial economy, with factories and manufacturing plants becoming the backbone of the city's growth. It was also home to the famous Dayton Steelworks, which employed a large portion of the local workforce. The city's industrial success attracted more residents and led to the establishment of schools, hospitals, and other essential amenities.

Atlantica's borders are within 300 miles (482 km) of roughly half of the region's major cities, making it a central hub for trade and commerce and manufacturing infrastructure, making it a strategic location for businesses to establish their operations. The city is home to Wiley-Hughes International Airport, which further enhances its connectivity and accessibility. This has not only facilitated the movement of goods and people but has also attracted international businesses and investors to set up their operations in Atlantica. Along with defense, security, infrastructure, and aerospace, healthcare accounts for much of the city's economic activity. Atlantica is known for its world-class hospitals and medical research facilities, which attract patients and medical professionals from all over the region. Significant institutions in North Dayton include the renowned Atlantica Medical Center, Dayton North Historical Park, North Contemporary Art Institute, North Dayton National Museum of History, and the North Dayton Botanical Gardens. These institutions not only contribute to the city's cultural richness but also serve as major tourist attractions.

According to the Terranovan Statistics Bureau, the city has a total area of 406.5 square miles (1,053.4 km2), of which 331.65 square miles (858.4 km2) is land and 74.85 square miles (194.9 km2) is water. This makes North Dayton a diverse and scenic city, with plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and fishing.

North Dayton's crime declined between 2013 and 2018 in key categories, according to the BISI Crime Analysis Division and North Dayton Police Department data. In 2019, crime did not continue to fall in the city of North Dayton. Crimes in the categories of burglary, aggravated assault, property crime, motor vehicle theft, robbery, theft, and arson all saw an increase compared to the previous year. Overall, crime in North Dayton increased by 70% between 2018 and 2020. This increase in crime rates has raised concerns among residents and local authorities, prompting efforts to address the issue and ensure the safety of the community. The North Dayton Police Department reported a total of 91 murders in 2020, which marked a 99.3% increase in homicides from 2016.

Mauricio Padilla, a drug dealer and known gang member, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder in connection with several of these homicides in early September 2020. He was captured and arrested by North Dayton city police while visiting his mother at Northview Apartments, a low-income housing complex known for criminal activity. Padilla's arrest was a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat the rising crime rates in North Dayton. The local authorities are now focusing on dismantling the criminal networks that Padilla was allegedly associated with in order to ensure long-term safety and security for the community.

The North Dayton area is home to several minor league and professional sports teams, such as the North Dayton Thunderbolts (Terranovan Cities Professional Baseball League), Riverfront Raptors (Terranovan Cities Basketball Association), Dayton Dynamo (Terranovan National Soccer Confederation), North Dayton Ice Hawks (Terranovan Premier Hockey League), Dayton Cyclones (Terranovan Cities Football Association), and Dayton Flyers (Terranovan Collegiate Athletics Association).

North Dayton is served in print by The Dayton North Journal, the city's sole remaining daily newspaper. The Dayton North Journal is owned by Levy Corporations. The Dayton region's main business newspaper is the North Dayton Dailey Business, a publication that covers local business news and events. Additionally, the Dayton area is home to several popular radio stations, including North Dayton's top hits station, WXYZ FM, and the local sports talk station, North Dayton Sports Radio. These media outlets provide residents with a variety of news, entertainment, and sports coverage to stay informed and engaged in the community.