Tuesday, May 11, 1999
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Police event expected to draw 1,000 kids
Police Memorial Week activities at Cincinnati's District 3 in Price Hill will feature a Community Day on Wednesday that is expected to attract 1,000 children.
The district, along with the community group Fighting Against Crack Trafficking (FACT), will sponsor Police Community Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 3201 Warsaw Ave.
Schoolchildren will tour the station, and the public is invited. Displays include a SWAT van, mounted patrol, the river rescue and dive team, the canine unit, motorcycle patrol, patrol cars, a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) “Super Car,” mountain bike patrol and fingerprinting.
Wal-Mart is donating 10 prizes of $25 gift certificates for an essay and coloring contest. Winners will be announced May 26.
Additional parking by the station will be available at the Price Hill IGA, 3410 Warsaw Ave., with shuttle buses that will take visitors to the station.
A flag ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the district. It is the biggest open house this week among the city's five districts. District 3 covers neighborhoods on Cincinnati's west side.
Dorm fire damage may be up to $20,000
OXFORD, Ohio — A Miami University dormitory fire that was intentionally set and forced about 50 students to evacuate caused smoke damage that could cost the state school $20,000, a spokeswoman said Monday.
Officials estimate it will cost the university $10,000 to $20,000 for cleaning and painting the damaged area in Hahne Hall, spokeswoman Holly Wissing said. No one was injured, and no arrests have been made in Saturday's fire.
The damage estimate does not include damage caused to students' property as a result of the 2:30 a.m. fire, Ms. Wissing said. There was no structural damage to the three-story building, she said.
The state fire marshal's office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
The dormitory has a capacity of 350, but the building was not full because classes had ended. Graduation ceremonies were Sunday.
The graduating seniors and other students who were displaced were housed in an adjacent residence hall.
10-month-old severely burned by coffee
A 10-month-old West End boy was being treated at Shriners Burns Institute on Monday after an apparent accident left him scalded by hot coffee, Cincinnati police said.
The boy's mother told police he crawled next to a coffee maker at the home in the 800 block of Clark Street, got caught in the cord and was burned by the coffee, said Lt. Steve Luebbe, commander of the personal crimes unit.
The baby, Alan Pernell, was transferred from Children's Hospital to Shriners with severe burns Monday morning. By the afternoon, he was listed in fair condition.
It appears to be accidental and no charges have been filed, Lt. Luebbe said.
Y2K worries postpone OSU quarter by 2 days
COLUMBUS — Ohio State University will start winter quarter classes two days later next year out of concerns about computer problems related to the year 2000.
Classes will begin Wednesday, Jan. 5, instead of Monday, Jan. 3, as originally scheduled. University officials said Monday that the concern was not with campus computers but with problems beyond their control that would affect students trying to move in or return to dormitories on the weekend of Saturday, Jan. 1.
Administrators decided the extra two days would not hurt, and might help.
“While the probability of major problems is now very low, there will continue to be a risk of glitches that will need to be addressed,” said James Davis, the campus technology chief.
The university staff would be in place before the 48,000 students arrive to address any unexpected problems with such essentials as electricity, heat, transportation and communications.
Holcomb files to seek prosecutor re-election
HAMILTON — Butler County Prosecutor John Holcomb, who has said in recent weeks he will run for re-election in 2000, has made it official.
Mr. Holcomb, the only Democratic countywide officeholder in Butler County, has filed petitions with the county elections board to seek another term. He is the first candidate to file for the 2000 election.
Mr. Holcomb, 62, has been county prosecutor since 1972. He was an assistant prosecutor from 1965 to 1972.
He has recovered from severe heart problems in recent years.
Stadium lighting firm bid $39K under budget
Hamilton County commissioners are expected to approve a contract Wednesday with an Indianapolis company to provide lighting for the plaza at Paul Brown Stadium, along with the practice fields and parking lots outside.
The $514,900 contract, which will be awarded to Ermco Inc. United Electric, Indianapolis, comes in more than $39,000 under budget.
Monroe seeks resident for zoning board MONROE — The city of Monroe is seeking a resident to serve on the board of zoning appeals.
The volunteer position requires four to six meetings annually on an as-needed basis. No specific zoning experience is required.
Apply by calling the municipal building, 539-7374, or stop by City Hall, 105 Old St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Clean-air shuttle going to Parky's Farm
Metro has designated Sunday as “Clean Air Family Fun Day” with free shuttle service to Parky's Farm in Winton Woods.
Families who plan on using the service should meet at the park-and-ride lot at Fields Ertel Road to catch the “clean air” bus. The bus will depart at 12:30 p.m. and return at 3:30 p.m.
Kids under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
The festivities include a bicycle giveaway, a petting zoo, face painting, and food and drinks.
In case of inclement weather, call 621-SMOG for information on rain dates. For bus-riding information, call 621-4455, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or visit Metro's Web site at www.sorta.com.
3 bishops opposed to concealed-gun bills
COLUMBUS — Three religious leaders have added their opposition to proposed legislation that would allow Ohioans to carry concealed weapons.
“Ohio needs to pursue public policies that minimize the availability and use of handguns, and maximize the supports families need to live in solidarity with one another and to resolve conflicts peaceably,” said a joint statement released Monday by Bishop Anthony M. Pilla of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Clark Grew II of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio and Bishop Marcus J. Miller of the northeast Ohio Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
The bishops said the legislation sends “a false message that carrying a concealed weapon is essential to one's safety. It can only increase the proclivity to use deadly force.”
The two bills — sponsored by Coshocton Republican Joy Padgett and Canfield Republican Ron Hood — are also opposed by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and other law enforcement groups.
Gov. Bob Taft has promised to veto any concealed weapon legislation approved in the legislature without the backing of police groups.
Pool questioned on sex practices
Reasons unclear in skydiver deaths
Tallest wooden coaster coming
Kehoe sentence is life term
Two names added to list at memorial
Unlikely hero for city's first big marathon
Y2K may put a cork in high-priced bubbly
Counselors visit Westwood school
Ex-cop guilty of soliciting sex for silence
High-protein, high risk?
Newport to reorganize departments
Proposed tax increase to benefit parks
Jail cleared in inmate's death
Upscale site near speedway
A house of volunteers
Audit finds funds missing
Butler looks for money to operate jail
Family joins adoption lawsuit
Kindergarten gets creative
Mayor admits snubbing councilwoman
New manager to oversee Kings projects
Planners get an earful about light rail
Reading toughens its blight law
Residents like plan for police
Suspended township cop resigns
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