Thursday, May 21, 1998
The westbound Fort Washington Way ramp to Interstate 75 north will be reduced to one lane from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. todaybecause of construction in the area of Fourth and Fifth streets.
If there are significant traffic backups between 4 and 6 p.m. however, construction crews will reopen the second lane.
In addition, the Fourth Street ramp to I-75 north will be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today. A detour will direct motorists to use Sixth Street.
Hamilton Co. passes zoning curbs for porn
Hamilton County commissioners approved an addition to the zoning code on Wednesday that will restrict adult businesses to two of the six townships the commission oversees.
Industrial portions of Miami and Harrison townships will be open to such businesses as adult video stores, bookstores and nude dance clubs.
Without the new rule, such businesses could locate in any retail area in the six townships, including Columbia, Sycamore and parts of Green and Springfield.
County commissioners said they will review the rule in six months to see whether it fits with case law that is being established around the nation, as community after community seeks to restrict adult businesses.
County to issue bonds for Music Hall fix-up
Hamilton County commissioners agreed on Wednesday to issue $1.8 million in bonds to finance renovations at Music Hall. Payments on the revenue bonds will be made by the Cincinnati Arts Association. Having commissioners issue them will allow the association to borrow at a lower rate because of the county's tax status.
Planned improvements to Music Hall include a new floor, ceiling, restrooms, box office, wall coverings, stages and bar area.
The Cincinnati Arts Association will pay a fee of $2,300 for the services of the Hamilton County Development Co., which is involved in setting up the bond sale.
Woman pleads guilty to stabbing death
A Pleasant Ridge woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of voluntary manslaughter in the stabbing death of her boyfriend in January.
Carol L. Carter entered her guilty plea before Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Ann Marie Tracey.
Ms. Carter will be sentenced June 29. She faces a prison term of three to 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
James Townes, 56, died after he was stabbed Jan. 2 in the Pleasant Ridge home he shared with Ms. Carter.
Church conference designed for men
Men's Extravaganza, a weekend of praise, preaching and teaching for men, will be held Friday through Sundayat James Temple Church of God in Christ in Walnut Hills.
The conference, sponsored by Latter Rain Ministries, is designed to bring unity and reconciliation among Christian men. Speakers include Bishop William Morgan James, pastor of James Temple; Dr. Sam Luke, pastor of Princeton Pike Church of God; Superintendent Derrick Hutchins, Pastor Nathan Simmons, Dr. Derrick Roberts, Elder Gary Chance and Elder Tyrone Sweeney. Prophetess J. Brittany Woods will hold a session for women, and there is a special session for boys and men ages 12-21.
The conference begins Friday with a 7 p.m. service, runs all day Saturday and closes with a Sunday service.
Registration is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information call 856-9465 or 956-8238.
Nurses plan protest of cost-cutting plans
COLUMBUS -- Nurses at the University Hospitals of Ohio State University plan a demonstration today to protest hiring a private consultant to design a hospitalwide cost-cutting effort.
Previous budget cuts haven't been occurring fast enough, said hospital spokeswoman Sue Jablonski.
So in March, the hospital hired the Los Angeles-based West Hudson consulting firm to develop a "labor cost-reduction initiative." The hospital would not say how many jobs, or what kinds of jobs, it plans to cut among its 5,100 employees. But the hospital's unionized nurses are worried.
"If we start cutting nurses, we'll have some major quality troubles," said Deborah Ault, a nurse and union officer.
