Monday, May 31, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
16,000 in N.Ky. asked to limit use of water
The Northern Kentucky Water Service District is asking about 16,000 customers in the Independence and Walton areas to not wash their cars, sprinkle their lawns or use their water in other non-essential manners through today.
The request is being made because the water tank that serves those regions has had a lower supply than usual the past three days, and General Manager Dennis Willaman said a decrease in water usage is needed to avoid low-water-pressure problems and boil-water orders.
District employees have been working to find out why the tank's water supply has slipped from this time last year. They are trying to discover whether there's a leak somewhere or whether customers are just using an abnormal amount of water.
Roller coaster leaves 26 riders stranded
LOUISVILLE — A popular roller coaster at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was closed for much of the Memorial Day weekend after it jammed, leaving riders suspended for hours high above the ground.
The Vampire roller coaster halted Saturday afternoon in nearly the same place where it came to a stop in early April.
Twenty-six riders were trapped Saturday, some hanging at steep angles, until firefighters brought them down with cherry pickers.
The first rider was brought down in about two hours, and some riders were stuck in the cars for up to 41/2 hours as the firefighters worked carefully to remove them.
Firefighters handed out bottles of water to the riders. No injuries were reported, but four riders were taken to Kosair Children's and Norton Audubon hospitals as a precaution.
FBI may end search for missing woman
SEVILLE, Ohio — The FBI has stopped excavation work at an apartment complex garage and is considering whether to call off the search there for a woman missing since 1974, an agent said.
“We haven't found anything yet, and that's why we're going to re-evaluate and talk things over to see what we're going to do,” said Special Agent Robert Hawk.
“We haven't given up,” Agent Hawk said Saturday. “There are very strong indications that someone is buried there. We may go back there tomorrow; we may go back in a month.”
A trained dog and underground radar have suggested they are looking in the right place, he said.
Agents from New York City and Cleveland are investigating the death of Janice Hartman, a Wayne County woman who disappeared in 1974. They speculate that her body may have been buried 20 years ago under the floor of the Breckenridge Apartments garage.
Ms. Hartman disappeared five days after her divorce from John D. Smith III, a Seville native. Mr. Smith married a second woman, Fran Gladden Smith, who disappeared from their New Jersey condominium in 1991. After Mrs. Smith's family learned of the disappearance of her husband's first wife, they alerted authorities.
Turnpike work runs late and over budget
TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio Turnpike construction that was supposed to be completed by the end of 2001 will not be done until 2004 and will cost more than expected, the Blade newspaper reported Sunday.
Delays in steel deliveries, a shortage of skilled subcontractors and a decision by the Ohio Turnpike Commission to be its own general contractor are to blame, said Executive Director Alan Plain.
“It's one of the most complicated projects we've ever worked on,” he said.
The 241-mile road is undergoing a $1.3 billion modernization which includes a third lane in each direction between Youngstown and Toledo, new interchanges and 16 plazas featuring food courts, restaurants, more parking and services.
The commission thought it would save money by becoming its own general contractor, but became bogged down and spent an undetermined amount more than expected, Mr. Plain said.
Toledo site would honor slain strikers
TOLEDO, Ohio — A city councilman hopes to see a memorial built at the site of a bitter labor dispute in the 1930s.
The city plans to demolish the former Electric Auto-Lite plant this summer, 65 years after two workers were killed and about 200 people were injured in clashes between union supporters and police outside the plant.
One year later, Congress approved the Wagner Act, legitimizing labor unions and granting collective bargaining rights nationwide.
Names of vets live on at memorial
Corryville shooting suspect in custody after standoff
Girl, grandmother escape
Principal imparts wisdom in book
Amusement parks safe, reports show
Good morning, Cincinnati
Need a map or directions? Internet offers drivers plenty of help
Trail of cookies leads to capital
War's hard at any age
West-side plan riddled with doubt
Wish list asks for $11.7M
New life for grand old hotel
Patriotic sculpture coming to Edgewood, its creator's home
Planes to soar, loop at air show
Standard on ozone left in air by ruling
Dogstar crowd comes to ogle Keanu Reeves
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