Thursday, July 22, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Cinergy Field's cable to cost $1,193 a month
So you think your cable bill is high?
Hamilton County commissioners entered into an agreement with Time Warner Cable Wednesday that will provide service to Cinergy Field until Dec. 21, 2003.
The monthly bill: $1,193.
The contract calls for Time Warner to install “Lifeline” and “Standard” cable service to 30 outlets at Cinergy Field. But the county did catch one break — free installation.
Unattended candle causes dorm fire
CLEVELAND — A fire caused by an unattended candle led to $20,000 in damage to a Cleveland State University dormitory, a school official said.
No one was injured in the fire, which started about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Viking Hall, said spokeswoman Barbara Chudzik.
Most of the damage was to a fifth-floor room, although the fourth floor had some water damage. The tenant of the room was not affiliated with the university, she said.
Bond set for man in attack on officer
Bond was set Wednesday at $45,000 for a 21-year-old Silverton man on charges that included kicking a police officer in the throat as he was being arrested for menacing.
Brian Conway, 21, also is charged with criminal damaging for allegedly kicking out the window of a Silverton police cruiser. Bond was set during his arraignment. The case will be presented to a grand jury July 30.
Teen BB gun shooting suspect has bond set
A Price Hill teen received a $50,000 cash bond during an arraignment Wednesday in connection with the shooting of a man in the stomach with a BB gun the day before.
Brian Bray, 18, is charged with felonious assault. The case will go to a grand jury July 30 for a possible indictment. Cincinnati police say Mr. Bray shot a man with a BB gun from a window in the 600 block of Neave Street as the man worked on a ladder.
The victim was treated at University Hospital Medical Center.
Jail employee pleads guilty to robbery
CLEVELAND — A jail employee faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbing six banks, a U.S. attorney said.
William Koson II, 43, of suburban North Olmsted, pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court to robbing six banks in Cleveland, North Olmsted, Parma and Westlake between June 2, 1998, and June 23, 1999, said U.S. Attorney Emily Sweeney.
Sentencing was set for Sept. 27. Mr. Koson also faces a $250,000 fine.
Mr. Koson worked for 21 years at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Department, according to the FBI. He was arrested June 23 after a holdup at a Charter One branch in Cleveland.
Shooting suspect was feared at workplace
FREMONT, Ohio — Residents at a senior citizens center had complained to police about alleged harassment by a former security guard accused of shooting and wounding two employees, authorities said.
One of the two workers had said she feared the man might retaliate because of the complaints, according to a letter her bosses received the day of the shootings.
Rafael Roca, 60, lived and worked at the center, Fort Stephenson House. He was charged Wednesday with two counts of attempted murder and was ordered held on $200,000 bond.
Residents say Mr. Roca frightened them and was combative. Some organized a petition drive to have him fired. He resigned last week but continued to live at the center.
Mr. Roca was meeting with two of the center's directors about the complaints Tuesday when he allegedly shot them. He was arrested in a hallway near the center's office.
Yvonne Price, 41, of Fremont, director of Fort Stephenson House, was in serious condition Wednesday at the Medical College of Ohio Hospital in Toledo. Robin Kocher, 48, of Fremont, the Sandusky County Housing Authority's director, was in fair condition at Toledo's St. Vincent Medical Center.
Ms. Kocher last week wrote to the Sandusky County commissioners, saying that one resident, who uses a wheelchair, said Mr. Roca threatened him. The resident reported the alleged threat to the police.
“The situation at the Fort has become serious enough that I am fearful things may come to a head very shortly,” Ms. Kocher wrote to police. “I feel very certain that Ray will not take kindly to being reported to the police, and he may retaliate,” she added.
Police Chief Monte Huss said four police reports were filed against Mr. Roca about his arguments with residents, but Mr. Huss said the arguments “weren't really serious.”
Former deputy receives suspended sentence
LIMA, Ohio — A former sheriff's deputy convicted of holding a handcuffed suspect while another officer hit the man was given a suspended sentence.
Former deputy John Butler pleaded no contest to attempted dereliction of duty and received a suspended 10-day jail sentence.
Mr. Butler should have stopped the beating, Allen County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Reed said Tuesday.
“I think you owe an apology to your fellow officers from embarrassing every person who carried a badge,” Judge Reed said.
Mr. Butler admitted holding the suspect while Sgt. Zane Ditto punched the man three times during an arrest in October 1998. Sgt. Ditto was sentenced in May to three days jail after pleading no contest to misdemeanor assault.
Jason Warnement said the officers knocked out his teeth. He has filed a lawsuit against the Allen County sheriff's office, alleging that his civil rights were violated.
Canadian conservation group to bid for island
A Canadian conservation group said Wednesday it has raised enough money to try to buy Middle Island, the country's southernmost point, from its American owners in an auction next week.
The Nature Conservancy of Canada said it has the $585,000 minimum needed to bid on the tiny island in Lake Erie, currently owned by Cincinnati businessman Jake Sweeney Jr.
The uninhabited island, about 300 yards north of the Canada-U.S. border in the lake's southwest end, will be auctioned off Wednesday in Cleveland.
But the group, which wants to turn the land into a natural preserve, cautioned its chances of reclaiming the island are not secure.
“We're going to need more funding to top up what we've raised so far in order to compete,” said James Duncan, the group's Ontario land director.
So far, the group has received support from Ontario Parks, Parks Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
It expects at least 20 parties will bid on the ecologically significant property.
Blame Kevin if you are laughing less
Rape conviction haunts family
Flynt won't leave without a fight
Share your feelings about JFK Jr.
Woodstock at 30
Bush in town for fund-raiser
State examiners look at Children Services Board
Time's up for Hyde Park house
13-year-old pleads guilty to raping a fellow inmate
Adoption process going high-tech with videos
Daughter wanted in homicide
Heat will stick around
Home's residents will not relocate
Judge allegedly bomb target
Man wins in Jenny Craig discrimination suit
Pastor 'stable' after malignancy is removed
WCPO-TV reliving its 50 years
Young women face unique heart risks
Three women, a van and the power of performance poetry
Pianist combines concert career with love of wolves
Cheerleaders smile while muscles scream
GET TO IT
Bogus bomb threat was big lesson
City schools consider teaming with Great Oaks
Deerfield Twp. embraces Costco
Dowlin asks about portable cell-phone towers
Expansion beginning at Clermont College
Financial firm builds at Mason office park
Florence names fire chief, public services director
Initial $3M is sought for Fernald job fund
Robbery trio denied leniency
School to buy land for new building site
Schools boss plans to be active
Speaker: Teach kids discipline
State aid, larger tax base may help Fairfield schools avoid levy
Tour offered at new school
TRISTATE DIGEST
Youths earn, learn at fair
