Tuesday, June 9, 1998
Several ramps and lanes will be closed this week as crews continue to work on a new downtown Cincinnati ramp that connects northbound Interstate 75 to Fifth Street:
The ramp from Fort Washington Way westbound to U.S. 50 westbound will be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. today and Wednesday.
Fort Washington Way's westbound ramp to I-75 north will be reduced to one lane between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Friday. Construction will be in the vicinity of Fourth and Fifth streets on the west side of downtown.
The Fourth Street ramp to I-75 north will be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesdaythrough Friday; signed detours will direct motorists to use the Sixth Street ramp as a detour to I-75 north during the closure.
Sentence hearing for Hughbanks
The sentencing hearing for convicted killer Gary Lee Hughbanks will begin this morning in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. Mr. Hughbanks, 31, faces a possible death sentence for the 1987 murders of William and Juanita Leeman, who were brutally slashed in their Springfield Township home.
The same jury that convicted Mr. Hughbanks last week of two counts of aggravated murder will recommend the sentence. Options range from death to a lengthy prison term. Judge Melba Marsh will make the final decision.
Blood emergency over -- for now
More than 2,500 Tristate residents have rolled up their sleeves in response to an emergency appeal for blood donations from the Hoxworth Blood Center.
The donations were enough to end the emergency appeal, which was declared last week after supplies of type O blood dwindled below projected need.
While thanking those who gave, Hoxworth spokeswoman Marsha Terry said a bigger, consistent flow of blood donors is needed to avoid future emergency appeals.
"The Greater Cincinnati area is exceptional in coming together to meet a crisis," she said. "However, at least 300 volunteer donors a day are needed to supply our area."
For information about blood donation, call 451-0910.
Woman charged in traffic injury
MIDDLETOWN -- A 19-year-old woman has been charged with aggravated vehicular assault in a May 27 crash that seriously hurt an elderly pedestrian. Sarah Ann Colville of Kiester Road, Madison Township, is to appear on the charge July 6 in Middletown Municipal Court. She also was cited for a red-light violation, said police Maj. Greg Schwarber. The injured pedestrian, Amelia Diefenbach, 79, of Middletown, was listed Monday in stable condition at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
Ms. Colville's vehicle was in a second accident with a sports utility vehicle, but no one else was injured, police said.
Death of man, 18, under investigation
HAMILTON -- Police and coroner's investigators are probing the death of an 18-year-old man.
Jeffrey C. Vasquez, who lived in the 300 block of Hampshire Drive, was found dead in his apartment over the weekend.
Friends reported finding Mr. Vasquez, who was pronounced dead at the scene around 12:25 p.m. Sunday, the Butler County coroner's office said.
There was no obvious sign of trauma to the body, officials said. An autopsy was to be performed Monday.
