The American Cancer Society chapter of Hamilton County reported a 35 percent increase in donations in its most recent fiscal year -- a big step in reversing concerns that the group wasn't raising enough money in an area known for high cancer rates.
A year ago, David Myers, vice president of the society's Southwest Ohio Region, said the Hamilton County chapter should be raising more than $2 million a year. This year, it topped the $1 million mark.
Income for fiscal 1998, ended Aug. 31, was $1,067,929, up from $792,000 the previous year. Among the big new sources of funds: $160,000 from joining the United Way, $38,900 from the first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk-a-thon (which divided $150,000 in proceeds among several regional cancer society chapters), a sold-out spring gala, two bigger golf tournaments and a new Coaches vs. Cancer program involving Xavier basketball coach Skip Prosser.
Meanwhile, the Northern Kentucky chapter reported collecting $360,829, an 8 percent increase. The 17-county Southwest Ohio region raised $2.6 million, up 20 percent, thanks largely to the increase in Hamilton County.
Mother indicted on endangering charge
A West End mother was charged Thursday with leaving eight of her children home alone in "substandard conditions."
A grand jury indicted Victoria Williams on eight counts of child endangering for a July 7 incident at her home. Police said they found the children after a neighbor became concerned about conditions at the house.
If convicted, Ms. Williams faces six to 18 months on each count and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Husband indicted in woman's slaying
A 25-year-old Price Hill man was indicted on a murder charge Thursday in the death of his estranged wife.
A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Timothy Rueve of the 4000 block of West Liberty Street, stating that he "purposely caused the death" of Robin Rueve, 29, of the 700 block of Neeb Road, Delhi Township.
Her body was discovered Oct. 9 in her estranged husband's residence. Police said she died as a result of "homicidal violence." The couple had been separated for several months, friends and neighbors said.
Adults, juvenile charged in sex crimes
The Cincinnati Police Division's personal crimes unit has made several arrests in recent sexual assaults involving children: James Lampton, 32, of Roselawn faces a rape charge involving the Oct. 5 assault of a 6-year-old girl.
James Harrod, 35, of Elmwood Place, faces a charge of gross sexual imposition in the Oct. 9 assault of an 8-year-old girl.
A juvenile faces a charge of gross sexual imposition in a Sept. 17 brawl outside Bond Hill Academy. There were six victims and seven suspects in the after-school fight. Police say the fight involved improper touching.
Police are continuing to investigate a report that a 14-year-old male baby sitter raped a 5-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy Oct. 9 in Winton Hills.
Delhi police look for driver in hit-and-run
DELHI TOWNSHIP -- Police are looking for the car that struck a 12-year-old boy at Anderson Ferry and Foley roads early Wednesday.
Jeremy Miller, son of Cindy Miller of Anders Court, was crossing Anderson Ferry Road on his bicycle en route to Delhi Junior High School at 7:01 a.m. when he was struck by a white four-door, mid-sized car, possibly a Dodge Shadow, Officer Jeff Braun said.
The boy was treated at Children's Hospital Medical Center for minor arm and leg abrasions and released, Officer Braun said. Anyone with information about the accident should call Delhi Township Police at 922-0060.
Author will speak at adoption forum
The Adoption Awareness Alliance will have a one-day conference on adoption on Nov. 7.
The event will feature Holly van Gulden, author of Real Parents, Real Children: Parenting the Adopted Child. The workshop is available to adoptive parents, birth parents and professionals.
The event runs from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at White Oak Christian Church, 3675 Blue Rock Road. For more information, call 771-3515.
Forger reconsiders abortion decision
CLEVELAND -- A forger who claims a judge imprisoned her to block her from having an abortion said Thursday she has now decided to give birth.
Yuriko Kawaguchi, 21, a Japanese citizen living as a resident alien in the United States, said she still thinks Judge Patricia Cleary of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court violated her rights by sentencing her to prison.
But Ms. Kawaguchi is now 22 to 24 weeks into her pregnancy and said Ohio hospitals and clinics will not perform an abortion on her for fear of being past the legal limit. Abortion is allowed after 22 weeks in Ohio only if the fetus is not viable or there is a serious threat to the mother's health.
"It's a little bit hard, because for the last five months, I wanted the exact opposite," Ms. Kawaguchi said at a news conference. "But because I will be carrying this baby to term, I will be trying to the best of my powers to give the child everything that it needs."
Ms. Kawaguchi, who took part in a credit card scheme, was released from jail Tuesday after spending 4 1/2 months behind bars.
Bomb threats traced to inmate in jail
MARIETTA, Ohio -- An inmate used a jail telephone to make several bomb threats, forcing the evacuations of four schools, authorities said Thursday.
No bombs were found, but classes were canceled for the rest of the day.
Chester Allen Mason, 18, of Belpre, made the collect calls Tuesday to Belpre High School and Wednesday to Waterford High School, the Washington County Sheriff's Department said. Mr. Mason is serving a six-month sentence for receiving stolen property.
Mr. Mason indicated he made the calls as a prank, Sheriff Robert Schlicher Jr. said. The telephone company traced the calls to the jail.
No charges had been filed. The case will be presented to a county grand jury, the sheriff's office said.
