Thursday, March 25, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
p8 Public forum tonight on transport plan
Residents tonight can voice concerns or show support for a plan to improve traffic in Greater Cincinnati's eastern corridor.
The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments is holding the public hearing at 7 p.m. at 801-B West Eighth St., its office in Queensgate.
New interstate interchanges, diesel-powered commuter rail and a new parkway are all part of a plan that covers the area from downtown to Batavia, and from Interstate 471 in Northern Kentucky to Milford.
Third and Butler closed to traffic
Starting today, the intersection at Third and Butler streets will be closed for about one week during Fort Washington Way reconstruction.
Third Street traffic will be directed to use Pete Rose Way west to Roadway, then north to Fifth Street and east to Pike Street. Culvert Street will stay open for local access.
Third Street traffic headed for the L&N bridge will be directed to Eggleston Avenue south to Pete Rose Way west to the L&N bridge ramp. Northbound traffic from the L&N bridge to Third Street can exit at Pete Rose Way and use Eggleston Avenue to get to Third Street.
Commissioners award contract to Messer
The Hamilton County Commission ignored a staff recommendation Wednesday and voted unanimously to award an estimated $100 million contract for the construction of parking garages to Frank Messer and Sons Construction.
The garages are to be built along the Cincinnati riverfront, between the new football and baseball stadiums.
County Administrator David Krings, who recommended the contract go to Dugan & Meyers Construction Co. and Megen Construction, said it was a close call and that he understands why the commissioners voted in favor of Messer and Sons.“The commissioners just felt comfortable with the level of work Messer has already done for the county,” he said.
The fees have yet to be negotiated, so the exact cost of the project is still unknown.
Chief Executive Officer Fran Dugan, whose firm issued a statement Tuesday saying it was “outraged” at losing the contract, said his company has no recourse to Wednesday's decision.
Peers give county budget staff an award
Hamilton County commissioners' staff was presented with an award Wednesday for preparing an outstanding 1999 budget.
It was the sixth time Hamilton County has won the award, which is presented by the Government and Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.
Since the inception of the award in 1984, only 650 jurisdictions out of more than 80,000 considered in the United States and Canada have won the award.
Wade Steem, the Ohio representative for GFOA, said budgets from around the country are reviewed in four areas: as a policy tool, a financial plan, a guide for operations and a communications medium.
Child slightly hurt in bus-car crash
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — A student was slightly injured when a Lakota school bus was hit early Wednesday morning while pulling out from Tarragon Court onto Hamilton-Mason Road in heavy fog.
Allen Price, 8, of Liberty Township, was treated at the scene for minor injuries, said Butler County Sheriff's Deputy Kim Peters. Bus driver Debra Donovan and the other two children on the bus were not injured, Deputy Peters said.
No charges have been filed in the 7 a.m. accident, which caused minor damage to the school bus. A car driven by Jason Susshine, of Loveland, was not driveable after hitting the bus, police said. The accident remains under investigation.
Lakota spokesman Jon Weidlich said the bus crossed into the path of Mr. Susshine's car, which didn't have lights on. A second bus was dispatched to finish the route, which takes children to St. Joseph's School in Hamilton.
Ms. Donovan has been a driver for Lakota for five years and has an excellent driving record, Mr. Weidlich said.
Lawyer says crime was just a fantasy
An Elsmere, Ky., man is in jail accused of arranging to pay for sex with two girls — ages 9 and 12.
But the man, who, according to court records, “believes Satan is in his head,” made up the story, his attorney says.
David Thomas, 28, faces a felony charge of compelling prostitution and is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center in lieu of $50,000 bond. A condition of his release is that he stay away from children under age 18.
But William Flax, his attorney, told Municipal Court Judge Cheryl Grant that there are no victims and that Mr. Thomas created the story in a fantasy conversation he had with the officer.
Hamilton County officials say the offense is real. Mr. Thomas has been convicted of sex crimes in Clermont County.
A grand jury is scheduled to hear his new case within 10 days to decide whether to indict him.
Feds flunk light-rail plan
Clinton cancels Cincinnati visit
Clinton's address on airstrikes
Former residents react to bombing
House vote lends moral support
Farmer Gore's adventures in the heartland
Police: Car dragged officer before shooting
I-71 in Warren will be bottleneck
Wide-vehicle drivers face mandatory court appearance
School defended for suspending 6th grade in pot case
On the prom dress prowl
Tips for picking out prom dresses
Tristate's political parochialism stifles progress, planner says
UC cancer center's new chief thinks big
Carlisle's top cop charged with DUI
Fire kills Clermont Co. leader
First trip to state makes Madeira 'a little crazy'
Nurses group says hospital refused ideas of task force
Officer convicted of animal cruelty
Pops' swing sizzles in Ellington tribute
Premieres big in Ensemble's plans
Union leaders like Taft's remarks on law, labor role
Draud hits, gets hit like a candidate
Thrill writer scares himself
Why drag out adoption fight sure to be lost?
Birds clutter skies
Cold Spring chief fired 2nd time
Former reporters summoned to court
Franklin pursues vets' home
Grants to help kids read
Lakota has 2 redistricting meetings
Mason needs ideas on schools
More at-risk kids stay at home
Morrow man escapes from rehab center
Ohio lawmakers look at pay raise
Old Ky. home makes its mark
Party endorses Butler Co. judge
TRISTATE DIGEST
