Tuesday, April 06, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Fernald billed disallowed items
Fluor Daniel, the firm cleaning up the former nuclear plant at Fernald, has been running up credit card charges unallowable under the terms of its government contract, an inspector general's report contends.
The Energy Department inspector general's office found Fluor Daniel put $42,000 worth of unallowable charges on government credit cards in fiscal year 1998, charges that were subsequently billed to taxpayers.
“This occurred because credit card holders were not provided adequate guidance on items considered unallowable and managers were not consistently monitoring purchases,” the report said.
For the most part, the report said, the unallowable items related to employee morale and recognition items, such as $14,000 in award pins to recognize years of service.
The report said another $11,900 in credit card charges related to safety incentives but gave no further detail.
Fluor Daniel officials said they are reviewing credit-card procedures to maintain tighter controls.
“Our accounting people have looked it over, and we agreed that a little over $8,000 is unallowable and non-reimbursable. The other $34,000 we feel is allowable. We are working with (the Energy Department) on the numbers,” said Jeff Wagner, company spokesman.
Metro overhauls map for bus riders
Figuring out Metro's bus system just got a little easier.
Metro has overhauled its bus system map for the first time in two decades. It includes:
• Routes over an actual street grid.
• A map drawn to scale, so it's easier to use.
• Locations of the park-and-ride lots in Butler, Clermont and Warren counties.
• More information, including how to transfer to another route, how to read a bus schedule and the price for weekday and weekend cards.
New maps are available at the Bus Stop sales office in the Mercantile Arcade on Fourth Street downtown and at Metro bus schedule racks throughout Greater Cincinnati. To get a copy through the mail, call MetroCenter at 621-4455 between 6:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays or between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Later this spring, the map will be available on Metro's Web site, www.sorta.com.
Pete Rose Way lanes restricted
Pete Rose Way just east of Mehring Way will be down to one lane in each direction between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the next 30 days.
The restrictions start today so construction crews can replace the overpass bridge connecting Third Street and the One Lytle Place building.
New number for non-emergencies
CLEVELAND — The State Highway Patrol wants motorists to have an alternative to calling 911, but not everyone is happy about it.
In an effort to better manage both distress calls and tips from motorists, the patrol is putting up 153 signs with the words: “Need Help? Call 1-877-7-PATROL.”
The signs cost $65,000 and should all be erected by Memorial Day weekend.
Robert A. Cornwell, executive director of the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association, is worried the signs will confuse motorists.
“The 911 is the standard for emergency calls, and now we are giving them another number to call,” he said.
But patrol officials say they have been inundated with 911 calls, many of them not for emergency purposes.
Patrol Lt. John Born said 70 percent to 80 percent of the 911 cellular calls received by the Columbus communications center are non-emergency.
Riverfront forums tonight, Thursday
The Cincinnati Riverfront Advisory Commission will hold public forums tonightand Thursday on riverfront development.
Tonight's forum will start at 6:30 at the Urban League Building, 3458 Reading Road.
The meeting seeks ideas from residents of Avondale, Corryville, Mount Auburn, Bond Hill, Walnut Hills, Evanston and nearby neighborhoods.
Thursday's forum will start at 6:30 p.m. at Union Township Hall in Clermont County, 4132 Glen Este-Withamsville Road.
That forum is designed to get ideas from residents of Anderson Township and Clermont County.
The advisory commission is charged with recommending what types of businesses should be built on top of parking garages between new stadiums for the Reds and Bengals.
Grant birthplace open for season
POINT PLEASANT — The birthplace of President and Civil War Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, added last fall to the National Register of Historic Places, opened its 1999 season last weekend, Curator Loretta Fuhrman said.
The birthplace — on 3.75 acres in the Clermont County village on U.S. 52 east of New Richmond — will be open weekly, 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays through October. Admission: $1 for adults; 50 cents for children, 75 cents for seniors. School groups: $10 per bus.
Three new wardens at Ohio prisons
COLUMBUS — New wardens have been appointed at three prisons.
The appointments were announced Monday by Reginald Wilkinson, director of Ohio's Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Chris Yanai, 40, will take over the Oakwood Correctional Facility in Lima, a prison for inmates who require intensive psychiatric care. He replaces Kay Northrup, who will become deputy director of the Office of Correctional Health Care.
Michael Randle, 32, will become warden at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution, a medium-security prison. He replaces Gary Mohr, who has been appointed deputy director of administration for the state prison system.
Don DeWitt, 51, will oversee Ross Correctional.
Going, gone, gone! Pigeons make fast stadium exit
Marge's last Opening Day as bosslady
Billboards from God arrive in Tristate
Boy burned as home explodes
Future zoo levies to be limited
Cincinnati schools cite gain despite low ranking
Former reporter identifies confidential Chiquita source
Damon's uncle accused of murder in nephew's death
Feds accuse man in gas drum stash
Flynt asks if police had work permit for youth in porn sting
Radiation suit 1 step away from its end
Rec centers after-school 'home'
Stealing base easier than parking car
Work begins on I-71 project
Auditors seek to be watchdogs
Ohio turns over probe to FBI
Titles help pay for Arctic trip
29 retailers cited in undercover tobacco check
Apartments must pick up trash charges
Butler County caisson to carry fallen heroes, officers
Changes in zoning plan questioned
Defection hurts Democrats
Diabetes control goal of center
Florence video store shut
Icon of early Clermont history restored
Lucas: Growers should get share of tobacco deal
Middletown wants teens' input
Study: Dust control doesn't affect lead exposure
TRISTATE DIGEST
Winton Woods volunteer group goes Full Circle
