Saturday, February 06, 1999
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Berry defenders take case to federal court
Ohio public defenders asked a federal appeals court Friday to delay the Feb. 19 execution of condemned killer Wilford Berry, nicknamed “The Volunteer” because he has asked to waive his appeals and be executed.
Public defenders, representing Mr. Berry's mother and sister, argue that he is not mentally competent to decide to die because he suffered brain injuries during a 1997 uprising on death row at the Mansfield prison.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit took no immediate action Friday on the request, which the state attorney general's office says it will fight.
Mr. Berry was convicted of murdering Cleveland baker Charles J. Mitroff Jr., his former boss, on Dec. 1, 1989.
Police say boys, 12, beat child unconscious
An 11-year-old Schwab Middle School boy refused to share his chips at lunch with two 12-year-olds Thursday.
That led to an after-school beating that left the boy unconscious, a Cincinnati police report says.
The two 12-year-olds beat the boy with their fists, a hammer, a fan and a stick about 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Winneste Avenue in Winton Terrace, police said. They also are accused of stealing the boy's cap with a Dallas Cowboys logo. The boy was treated for a concussion at Children's Hospital and released.
The 12-year-olds face juvenile charges of aggravated robbery and felonious assault.
Weapons expulsions way up in schools
The number of Ohio students expelled for taking guns and knives to school has increased dramatically, leaving experts wondering whether there are more weapons in schools or simply more students being caught.
According to the Ohio Department of Education, 1,062 students were expelled for weapons-related reasons — use, possession or sale — in the 1997-98 school year. That's up 38 percent from the 769 students expelled in 1996-97 and about twice the number in each of the previous two years.
School districts submit the figures to the department. State law requires a one-year expulsion for any student who takes a firearm to school, though superintendents are allowed to reduce the length of the expulsion.
Ben Kirby, director of security for Dayton public schools, said Friday that he thinks the numbers increased because of greater detection by school officials. A number of recent school-related shootings around the nation has raised awareness about the problem.
“I think the consciousness level of school administrators and employees is at an all-time high,” Mr. Kirby said.
Vote to end benefits won't close the issue
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A pend ing decision to withdraw health benefits from unmarried, live-in partners of city workers does not necessarily mean the controversy has ended, both sides said.
The city council is expected to vote Monday to rescind the benefits it granted unanimously less than two months ago.
Opponents had gathered enough signatures to put the issue on the May ballot. It became a growing controversy that was expected to affect the mayor's race, and some questioned whether it would cause violence against gays.
“I think we need to pull back and have a discussion with the community on some health-care issues and probably even some diversity issues within the city of Columbus,” said Councilman Matt Habash. He sponsored the legislation and asked on Thursday for next week's vote.
City Council approved the benefits in late December, making Columbus the first Ohio city to give health-care coverage to the unmarried domestic partners of its employees.
School levy decision might come Monday
Cincinnati Board of Education members will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at district headquarters, 2651 Burnet Ave., Corryville.
Board members may vote to recommend a tax increase to place before voters in May. They are considering raising taxes of $24.4 million to $92 million to keep up with inflation, erase per-pupil spending inequities and fix crumbling buildings.
Board members also plan to discuss fire-safety needs.
Piketon plant's fire handling said adequate
PIKETON, Ohio — Local authorities were not told fast enough about a fire at a uranium enrichment plant that injured four people, but proper safety precautions were taken, regulators said Friday.
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant's response to the Dec. 9 fire was “adequate,” the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said in a preliminary report. A formal report was expected in about a month.
Problems cited did not contribute to the injuries, said NRC spokeswoman Angela Greenman. Two workers suffered smoke inhalation and two plant firefighters slipped on leaking oil.
The U.S. Enrichment Corp., which runs the plant, does not disagree with the report and is using it to make improvements, said spokeswoman Elizabeth Stuckle.
“When you experience something like this fire, there are lessons to be learned,” she said. “These lessons can be helpful to us.”
The findings were released to residents Friday in this town about 75 miles east of Cincinnati.
Rubber products plant destroyed by blaze
AKRON, Ohio — A three-alarm fire destroyed a rubber products plant and caused a thick black smoke that could be seen for miles.
No one was hurt in the fire Friday at the Engineered Rubber Products plant, just west of the city's downtown and a couple of blocks from Interstate 77, said Akron Fire Department Deputy Chief Larry Bunner.
“The flames are probably 500, 600 feet in the air,” said Steve Brechbill, who works one mile away.
About 45 firefighters battled the fire, which broke out about 2:40 p.m., Deputy Chief Bunner said. The building's roof and walls caved in. He did not have a damage estimate or know where or how the fire started.
“The smoke was very thick and could be seen for miles,” Deputy Chief Bunner said. “One of the bigger problems was people on I-77 rubbernecking.”
Over-the-Rhine residents: What about us?
Sentence reversed because judge cited Bible
Woman accused of baby-stealing try
Witness comes forward in 1992 beating death of boy
New inn on Fifth endorsed
Hand transplant raises hope for others
Mardi Gras parade features colorful creations
Mom ordered to stay away from abandoned baby
15-year-old admits role in fire at Wilson Jr. High
Ex-school official's case baffles neighbors
Lead-paint grants: Study, yes; clean up, no
Murder suspect's aunt says he admitted killing uncle
Rumpke permits take years
$13.6 million asked for road, water projects
Boehner gets on board in fight against train whistles
Court hears details of bank heist
Fairfield TV network is group's goal
Home could become stranded
Lebanon trooper tops in the state
Mason annexation still sought
Search fails to recover body from river
Self-defense class booked in Springdale
Settlement offered for chief's resignation
Stadium contracts monitored
Taft picks Democrat for unemployment post
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