A 20-year-old Winton Hills mother was charged with murder Sunday in the death of her 2-month-old son.
Police charged April Parson of the 4800 block of Winneste Avenue after officers responded to her home about 2 p.m. to investigate an infant who was not responsive.
Homicide officers were called, and charged Ms. Parson following an investigation.
The victim was one of twin boys.
Anyone with information on the infant's death is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040, or the homicide unit at 352-3542.
Nature Center tops $7M fund goalL
Donations topping $7 million to a fund-raising campaign for the Cincinnati Nature Center passed the campaign's goal by $1.3 million, center officials have announced.
The campaign, called "A Natural Investment," attracted 2,700 donors who contributed $7,052,451.
The money will be used for capital improvements, operating expenses and to increase endowment funds.
The center's Gorman Heritage Farm -- a 100-acre, 160-year-old family farm in Evendale -- already has benefited from the campaign with improvements to the farmyard. Work includes renovation of historical buildings, development of educational exhibits and the creation of a teaching garden.
Other uses for the money include maintenance, restoration and expansion of the trail system, creation of an intern program and updating farm equipment.
Long Branch Farm -- a 535-acre farm near Goshen Township -- will get a visitor center and will be open to the public on weekends.
The center's sites also include Rowe Woods -- a 790-acre nature preserve in Union Township, Clermont County.
The sites attract about 12,000 schoolchildren annually. More than 20,000 people annually participate in the center's programs and activities, including weekend hikes, regional and international trips and art exhibits.
Central State's week includes inauguration
WILBERFORCE, Ohio -- Central State University will celebrate homecoming today through Sundaywith concerts, speakers, dinners, parties, a symposium on urban education -- and the inauguration of a new president.
President John W. Garland will be inaugurated at 1 p.m. Friday in the school's Robeson Center for the Performing Arts.
Mr. Garland is a Marine combat veteran who earned a high-school equivalency diploma recuperating from wounds received in Vietnam. He graduated from Central State in 1971 and took over CSU's leadership in September 1997 in the wake of state leaders' threats to close the struggling school if finances did not recover.
Homecoming activities also include a gospel concert today; the Inaugural Symposium on Urban Education on Wednesday; homecoming queen coronation ceremonies Friday; and a concert Saturday.
Police-horse van in crash on I-74
A man was charged with driving under the influence and failure to control his vehicle after it crashed into a police unit towing two police horses.
Two Cincinnati officers, John Boyle and Blair Baker, were treated at Good Samaritan Hospital and released following the accident in the westbound lane of Interstate 74 near I-75 at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, police said.
The horses were uninjured. The trailer in which they were being transported had minor damage.
Charged was 26-year-old Daniel McAninch.
Man arrested at home after 5 1/2-hour standoff
NORWOOD -- A 32-year-old Norwood man was taken into custody without incident Sunday following a 5 1/2-hour standoff with police.
Gregory Koenig of the 3900 block of South Madison Avenue faces charges of disorderly conduct and inducing panic after members of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office Special Response Team entered his home and arrested him about 5:10 p.m.
Police said Mr. Koenig, who appeared to be intoxicated, had an argument with his girlfriend and threatened to harm himself. They said he fired one shot inside the residence; no one was injured.
Dead goats a ritual or just a grudge?
THOMPSON, Ohio -- Some Geauga County residents are expressing concern that the mutilation of two dead goats may be an indication of cult activity. But a law enforcement official said he needs more evidence. "Until somebody can prove that this is satanic stuff, it's not satanic stuff," Thompson Township Police Chief Robert Fowler said.
One goat was found dead on the side of a road at the end of July. The animal's horn was cleanly cut off and a small square of skin was cut from its neck.
"They were straight, surgical cuts," said the goat's owner, Sandra Jordan.
Ms. Jordan bought another goat and that animal was found dead in early September with its head cut off. Virtually no blood was found at the scene.
Chief Fowler said he thinks the first goat may have been hit by a car. He also said it's more likely someone who has a dispute with Ms. Jordan killed the goats than that they were killed by a cult. Ms. Jordan and county Humane Officer Sarah Westman insist the goats were killed by devil worshipers. They even enlisted a self-proclaimed animal communicator who claims to have spoken with the dead goats and some of Ms. Jordan's other animals.
Gang initiation lands Ind. teen in hospital
NASHVILLE, Ind. -- Two Brown County High School students face gang-related charges after a classmate was beaten during an initiation ritual in the school gym, police said.
The two boys, ages 16 and 17, were charged Friday in juvenile petitions with criminal gang activity and released to their parents, Nashville Chief Deputy Jim Robinson said.
Police plan to interview at least four other students and their parents this week, and more arrests are possible.
Columbus sees more serving on juries
COLUMBUS -- More people are responding for jury duty when summoned, Franklin County court officials said.
Figures show the percentage of registered voters who appear when summoned has increased to 68.7 percent this year, compared with 48.1 percent last year and 22.6 percent in 1985.
Part of the reason is that the state does not accept as many excuses to get out of jury duty as it did in the past.
