Tuesday, June 16, 1998
The Cincinnati Fire Division has determined that a propane torch was the cause of the May 20 five-alarm fire that damaged the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's $4 million manatee house.
Wood ignited by the propane torch smoldered for hours, then caught fire, fire investigators said.
The Tropical Rivers - Manatee Springs exhibit was scheduled to open in mid-July.
"We can now begin the task of rebuilding the exhibit," zoo spokeswoman Donna Oehler said.
The cause of the fire was ruled accidental. Zoo officials will be granted access to the exhibit site. A damage estimate will be complete after a structural examination.
Suspect in '89 slaying enters not guilty plea
A man accused of fatally shooting a Bond Hill man nine years ago is back in Hamilton County, charged with aggravated murder.
Dale Causey, 40, is being held without bond at the Hamilton County Justice Center. He pleaded not guilty Monday before Common Pleas Court Judge Melba Marsh.
He was brought back to Cincinnati on Friday from Columbus, where he was raising Rottweilers.
He was indicted on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in October 1989 -- a month after 26-year-old Anthony Scott's body was found in a parking lot in Avondale.
Mr. Causey, who was 32 at the time of the shooting, remained at large until last week, when authorities in Cleveland received a tip that he was living in Columbus.
Credit cards stolen from locker rooms
The Cincinnati Police Division is investigating incidents where credit cards are stolen from locker rooms at downtown fitness centers. Police say a man has been going to fitness centers, getting a one-day pass that gives him access to locker rooms, and breaking into lockers to take credit cards. The suspect cuts the locks off and replaces them with new locks.
Police say the suspect uses the credit cards immediately to buy computers and computer equipment.
Authorities are looking for victims of similar thefts or anyone who has any information about the crime. Callers may remain anonymous at the Crime Stoppers hot line: 352-3040.
"Most Wanted' suspect held in Campbell Co.
Another "Tristate's Most Wanted" suspect has been arrested, bringing the total to 456 arrests out of the 796 suspects featured in The Cincinnati Enquirer.
John McDermott, 20, of Oakley, who was wanted in Cincinnati on a charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle, is being held on other charges at the Campbell County Jail.
The Enquirer publishes "Tristate's Most Wanted" each Monday. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Callers to 352-3040 can remain anonymous.
Reputed gang leader gets 1 year in prison
The leader of a Cincinnati gang pleaded guilty Monday to a charge of aggravated assault for attacking a man with a pole in April.
Toby Palmer, 22, of Fay Apartments, also pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a weapon under disability, meaning it was illegal for him to carry a weapon because of previous convictions.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker sentenced Mr. Palmer to one year in prison.
Mr. Palmer has the name of his gang -- "TRE Lord" -- tattooed on his back. Police say the gang is centered in the Winton Hills area and is known for drug trafficking and crimes of violence.
In the April attack in Winton Terrace, Mr. Palmer robbed and assaulted a man.
Neighbors to be notified of farm expansion plans
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has promised to tip off the public to the expansion plans of large-scale livestock operators.
"There are concerns around Ohio about the potential environmental impacts of very large farms," EPA Director Donald Schregardus said Monday in a news release.
Neighbors of the Buckeye Egg Farm in Licking County appealed the agency's decision to allow that farm to expand.
