Monday, April 05, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Off-road vehicle death investigated
Why a 30-year-old Price Hill man fell about 90 feet to his death remains under investigation, Boone County Sheriff Mike Helmig said Sunday.
Stephen W. Hildreth of Considine Avenue was riding his dirt bike Saturday afternoon atop an embankment above Interstate 275, between Hebron and Petersburg, when it plunged out of control.
Mr. Hildreth fell to the shale and died, Sheriff Helmig said. The dirt bike crashed onto the highway below.
Mr. Hildreth's companions also had a four-wheeler with them.
Others have been known to ride dirt bikes and four-wheelers near the cliff, but Sheriff Helmig did not remember any other fatalities.
Anti-abortion activist to speak
A national speaker on abortion issues will be the featured guest at an April 15 benefit for the Pregnancy Center East.
Helen M. Alvare, director of planning and information for anti-abortion activities at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, will speak at the annual Banquet for Life.
The benefit will be at the Omni Netherland Plaza Hotel downtown beginning with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and are available by calling the center at 321-3100.
Wildflower workshop offered by nature site
HILLSBORO, Ohio — Highlands Nature Sanctuary is offering a spring wildflower workshop April 18 along the Rocky Fork Creek gorge.
The $47 fee includes a vegetarian lunch prepared by sanctuary co-founder Nancy Henry, who also runs Benevolence Cafe and Mill Creek Farm bakery in Columbus.
Details: (937) 365-1363.
Guides for the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. walking lecture will include her husband, Larry, former chief naturalist for the Ohio state parks.
Others are to be Guy Denny, chief of natural areas and preserves for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Jane Forsyth, professor emerita of geology at Bowling Green State University, and Barry Wakeman, former director of education at Cincinnati Zoo.
6 drums of gasoline in Covington home
COVINGTON — Fire officials removed six 30-gallon drums of gasoline from a Western Avenue home Sunday after fire officials determined the fuel created a hazard to the neighborhood.
Assistant Police Chief Lt. Col. Bill Dorsey said officers responded to the house in the 900 block of Western Avenue about 3:30 p.m. after receiving calls from residents about gasoline fumes.
When authorities arrived at the house, Carlos M. Valdez, 34, invited them inside. That's when the containers of gasoline were discovered on the first floor of the home, Lt. Col Dorsey said.
Covington firefighters and the Cincinnati bomb disposal unit were called to the scene, and the gasoline was removed.
Mr. Valdez, 34, was arrested and charged with making a false identification to a police officer, Lt. Col Dorsey said.
Lt. Col Dorsey said the Cincinnati bomb unit was called because other items — which he did not identify Sunday night — were found in the home.
An investigation that involves the Covington police, the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms continues, he said.
Robbery at Roselawn restaurant probed
Cincinnati police continue to investigate an aggravated robbery Saturday at a Ponderosa restaurant in Roselawn.
The man who robbed the restaurant in the 7700 block of Reading Road was described as black, 5-feet-9 to 5-feet-10, wearing a black mask, a black pullover and black jeans. No other details were available.
Police identify man killed in West End
Cincinnati police Sunday identified a man killed in the West End during a dispute early Saturday in which the suspect also was shot.
The man killed was Jason Brown, 25, of the 1200 block of Ryland Avenue in Bond Hill. He was shot once in the chest at 1618 John St. at 5:45 a.m.
The man accused in his death, Raymond Issac, 60, of the 2500 block of Warsaw Avenue in Price Hill, was treated at University Hospital and released to police custody. He is charged with voluntary manslaughter.
Prisoner walked away from farm detail
LANCASTER, Ohio — A prisoner from the Southeastern Correctional Institution walked away from his job site and enjoyed freedom for a little more than two hours before he was captured.
Ray Collins, 24, of Wellsville, Ohio, had been working as part of a detail near the cattle barn on the prison property early Saturday when he walked into the woods.
A prison guard spotted Mr. Collins near the cattle barn 21/2 hours later and he was captured, said Walt Dillard, a prison spokesman.
Mr. Collins was serving a 21/2-year sentence for theft and breaking and entering in Jefferson and Columbiana counties.
Indiana man arrested in trooper's killing
DECATUR, Ind. — Indiana State Police arrested a Decatur man Sunday described as the prime suspect in Saturday night's fatal shooting of a rookie state trooper during a routine traffic stop.
Mark L. Lichtenberger, 38, was arrested at his parents' home in Decatur about 1:50 p.m. Sunday. He is to be formally charged today.
Mr. Lichtenberger's pickup was the key to his arrest in the slaying of Trooper Cory Elson, 26, who was shot after pulling over a motorist along U.S. 27 in Decatur for not having taillights.
State Police Sgt. Rod Russell said authorities tracked down Mr. Lichtenberger by checking computerized files for Dodge Dakotas.
Adams County Coroner Leslie Cook said Trooper Elson died from multiple wounds. Police found at least 30 spent rounds fired from a rifle in the parking lot of a Decatur auto parts store where his body was found next to his police cruiser.
Blackwell: Kasich may be on ballot twice
COLUMBUS — U.S. Rep. John Kasich may not have to make the choice between running for president or re-election to Congress.
Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell says Mr. Kasich might be able to do both.
“Ohio law is at best gray and — in the words of my most senior election lawyer — neutral on the issue,” Mr. Blackwell told the Columbus Dispatch. “My eyebrows have been raised to find out that there is no definite prohibition against (Kasich) running for both offices.”
Mr. Kasich's presidential bid is in the preliminary stages. Mr. Blackwell looked at Mr. Kasich's options after receiving an inquiry from a Washington publication.
These guys know the score
Baseball pitches to kids
Opening Day drivers will leave early to avoid gridlock
Report Card: 4 area districts in Ohio's top tier
Report card stakes high for Cincinnati
War worries congregation
Kidnapping, rape suspect surrenders
Know when to stop for a school bus
Parents struggle with decisions on kindergarten
Tory Koch's mom returns good will
Easter observers up early
Flashy antics dazzle young 'NSync fans
Stones keep rolling at Columbus show
Springer casting suggestions don't add up
Author probes city's German roots in book
Black Film Festival at CAM
City may shuffle codes
Connector could ease Florence Mall traffic
Kenton to give felons a way out
Lakota forums solicit opinions
Oak Hills High School sprouts new space
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren Co. still luring new jobs
Warren seeks better court security
