Images captured on a security camera enabled fire officials to make an arrest Wednesday in the Oct. 1 arson at Bramble Developmental Academy in Madisonville.
Jamie Denson, 18, of the 4800 block of Stewart Road, Madisonville, was charged with aggravated arson to a person and aggravated arson to property by the Cincinnati Fire Division's fire investigation unit.
"There was a videotape by the school security camera, and someone recognized him and turned him in," Fire Capt. Lacy Calloway said Wednesday. "He admitted to his participation" in setting the fire.
A second suspect, a juvenile, has also been identified and is being sought, Capt. Calloway said.
The school was closed Oct. 2, while fire officials investigated the blaze, which caused about $15,000 damage to the walls and ceiling of one classroom.
A school official said the arsonists entered through an open window, roamed the hallways and several classrooms, and took several small items.
Snowden seeks job as probation chief
Cincinnati Police Chief Michael Snowden has applied to become Hamilton County's chief probation officer after he leaves office. Mr. Snowden, 50, recently announced that he would retire by the end of January. He has been chief for six years and a police officer for 32.
Andy Hitz, chief probation officer with the county since 1988, resigned in June after complaints that he had sexually harassed a female subordinate. Michael Walton, administrator of Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, has handled the job since then.
Common pleas judges are responsible for hiring someone to replace Mr. Hitz.
Mr. Walton said about a dozen people have applied for the job, and the application process is open for two more weeks. He did not know when a decision would be made.
Five escape injury in school bus collision
MONROE TOWNSHIP -- Five people escaped injury in an accident Wednesday afternoon on rain-slicked Bethel-New Richmond Road, after a school bus struck a van from behind, state police said.
The southbound bus was returning to New Richmond High School with the driver and two students, and was about 2 miles from the school when the accident occurred around 3 p.m. The van in front of them was carrying two people. All declined medical treatment at the scene, police said.
The names were not immediately available. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
Miami U. police look into alleged rape
OXFORD -- Miami University police are investigating an alleged rape from about 7 p.m. Sunday in Swing Hall.
A 20-year-old Oxford woman, who is not a Miami student, told police she met the alleged assailant in an area convenience store and left with him for the residence hall. He is also not a Miami student, said Holly Wissing, a Miami spokeswoman.
It is not clear how the two entered Swing Hall.
The woman provided a detailed description of the man, Ms. Wissing said, and he has been interviewed by police.
On Sunday, Miami police were called to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, where the woman went after the alleged incident.
"It's an unfortunate situation but one that we felt obliged to alert students about," Ms. Wissing said.
East End residents get update on flood buyout
It has been 19 months since the Flood of 1997 damaged the homes of a group of East End residents. They may have to wait several more before they get buyout money for their property.
About 20 frustrated East End residents gathered Wednesday for an update on the buyout program started after their homes were damaged by the devastating flood. In all, about 38 homeowners were to be compensated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency program. "Eighteen months ago, we heard pretty much what we are hearing now," said Phyllis Masur. Her home was condemned and bulldozed shortly after the flood.
The residents will get letters in two weeks detailing how to participate in the buyout program and what to expect, said Donald Mercer, the city's assistant director of buildings and inspections. He hopes the entire process would be finished within six months.
