A Mount Auburn man was charged with felonious assault after he allegedly punched a woman and pushed her from his moving car after an argument early Saturday.
Mark E. Straughn, 35, of the 500 block of Ringgold Street, was arrested at his home about 45 minutes after the 3:05 a.m. incident in the 500 block of McGregor Avenue, Mount Auburn, Cincinnati police said.
He is accused of punching Stephanie Bush, 33, address unavailable, in the face and stomach and pushing her out of his car. Ms. Bush suffered head, teeth and stomach injuries, police said. She was treated at University Hospital and released.
Two die in fiery crash in Bethel
BETHEL -- Two men died late Friday after their car careened into a tree and exploded.
Dale J. Hunt, 43, of the 3000 block of Ohio 133, and Darryl W. Vanover, 23, address unavailable, were declared dead at the scene after the 10 p.m. accident in front of Mr. Hunt's home.
Clermont County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a field fire near Legion and Macedonia lanes and discovered a 1968 Chevrolet Nova burning in a nearby gravel driveway.
Two people were trapped inside, and another had escaped. Michael C. Yockey, 24, of the 400 block of Cavalcade Drive, Harrison, was treated and released from Clermont Mercy Hospital.
Investigators believe the car was traveling at "a high rate of speed," spun out of control, hit a tree and exploded. It was unclear who drove the car.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol also is investigating.
Westwood woman arrested in stabbing
A Westwood woman was charged with felonious assault, accused of stabbing a man in the arm with a knife early Saturday after an argument. Willa M. Booth, 42, of the 2400 block of Westwood-Northern Boulevard, was arrested shortly after the 3:08 a.m. assault near her home. Police said the victim was a friend of the woman charged.
The condition and identification of the victim were unavailable Saturday.
Taxpayer group likes local ballot proposal
The non-partisan National Taxpayers Union (NTU), America's largest and oldest taxpayer organization, has praised a Cincinnati ballot proposal that would cap the city's admissions tax at 3 percent and require voter approval in order to increase the tax.
"Voter consent laws for higher taxes are a tried and true way to let those who foot the bill for government decide how much more they can afford," NTU President John Berthoud said Thursday. "Cincinnatians can become part of this nationwide movement to demand more accountability from elected officials," he said.
Traffic redirected for Bengals game
Northbound Broadway at Pete Rose Way will be closed at 3 p.m. today to accommodate traffic for the Bengals game against the Green Bay Packers.
Traffic will be directed east to Eggleston Avenue.
Some downtown streets closed for Oktoberfest
Some downtown streets will remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday, and others will accommodate two-way traffic during Oktoberfest. Closed streets:
• Fifth Street between Race and Pike streets.
• Vine Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. Access to parking garages remains.
• Walnut Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. Access to parking garages remains.
• Main Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. Access to parking garages remains.
• Sycamore Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. Access to parking garages remains.
• Broadway between Fourth and Sixth streets.
One-way traffic changed to two-way traffic:
• Vine Street between Fourth and Fifth streets.
• Vine Street between Fifth and Sixth streets.
No parking will be allowed on any of the closed streets or streets where two-way traffic is being allowed.
Organization to hold anniversary open house
Open Door, a Walnut Hills organization that helps the poor and mentally disabled, will hold an open house Sept. 22 to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The open house will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Church of the Advent, 2366 Kemper Lane. For more information, call 961-2259.
Cinergy gives grant to FreeStore - FoodBank
The Cinergy Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to the FreeStore - FoodBank to provide 25 people with air conditioners.
The money will be used only for low-income people. So far this year, the FreeStore has provided air conditioners to 54 people, but the waiting list still has more than 50 names on it.
The agency has also given away 301 fans.
State youth counselor indicted on sex charges
CLEVELAND -- A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted a social worker at a state detention center on charges of having sex with a teen-ager she was counseling.
Suzanne Smithers, 46, of Swanton Township, near Toledo, was charged Friday with seven counts of corrupting a minor. She was arrested Sept. 6.
Ms. Smithers, a counselor at Maumee Youth Center in Henry County, met the 15-year-old boy from suburban Maple Heights when he was serving a six-month sentence at the state-operated drug rehabilitation center.
Her arraignment in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court is set for Oct. 1.
Ms. Smithers, who faces up to 18 months in jail for each count, couldn't be reached for comment.
Ms. Smithers is on administrative leave from the center, pending the outcome of the charges.
