Friday, September 03, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Boyfriend charged with killing 4-year-old
PIQUA, Ohio — After a woman left home to go to work, her boyfriend killed her 4-year-old son and set fire to the house where they lived, police said Thursday.
Police charged Elijah J. Massie, 19, with murder and aggravated arson. A judge set a $5 million bond Thursday on each of the charges.
Police Chief Philip Potter said it appeared the boy, John James Sandison, had been smothered and died before the house was set afire Wednesday. He had been crying when his mother, Susan Sandison, went to work and continued crying after he remained at home with Mr. Massie, witnesses told police.
“That's when the smothering of the child occurred, we believe,” Chief Potter said.
Police think Mr. Massie tried unsuccessfully to stop the boy's crying and to put him to bed before the child was killed, Chief Potter said. Investigators think the fire was started with a cigarette lighter or something similar, he said.
Bengals, Reds fans get peek at riverfront future
For Bengals fans who need something to watch besides the team, there's a one-minute video playing at every home game to celebrate the redevelopment of Cincinnati's central riverfront.
It shows a computer-generated vision of the riverfront after completion of the Bengals' $404 million Paul Brown Stadium complex, the $299 million Reds ballpark and a $71 million riverfront park.
“It's important for the fans and for the citizens of Hamilton County because, really, the sales tax for the stadium and the ballpark has sparked the rebirth of the whole riverfront,” said Brooke Hill, Hamilton County's stadium project spokeswoman.
A similar video with a baseball focus has been playing at Reds home games the past several weeks. The county paid for the production, which cost about $1,500, Ms. Hill said.
Accused Amtrak stabber enters not guilty plea
CLEVELAND — A man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he stabbed three people on an Amtrak train outside Cleveland.
Aaron Hall, 41, of Ontario, Calif., was arraigned on one count of attempted murder and three of felonious assault in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.
Mr. Hall asked that an attorney be appointed. Judge Chris Boyko set bond at $500,000.
Mr. Hall is accused of stabbing two Amtrak conductors and a passenger in the early morning hours of Aug. 26 in Olmsted Township, about 15 miles west of Cleveland.
New director at immigration office
Mark B. Hansen, 39, was promoted this week to director of the Cleveland office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. He has been acting director since Robert Brown retired in January.
His staff of 128 — including about 35 in Cincinnati — serves all of Ohio.
Legionnaires discover decoration has fuse
NEWPORT — Members of the American Legion Post 11 in Newport, Ky., were ready to hang an old World War II bomb over their new karaoke stage Thursday when they discovered it was still fused.
“We've had it here for probably 35 to 40 years,” said Larry Hart of Alexandria, a commander of the post. “It was in the closet.”
The group was taking it apart to hang it when they discovered the detonator was active. The Cincinnati Fire Department's bomb squad disarmed it without incident.
“The detonator was active, but the bomb was not ticking,” said dispatcher David Martin of the Newport Police Department.
City very 'politically incorrect'
Sheriff defends legal work
Leis withdraws suit that fueled controversy
City's development director leaving
Officers' taped statements about shooting released
Art Museum should 'reach out'
Swimmer heads 100 miles down the Ohio to help orphans
Clermont slaying a mystery
DeWine gives endorsement to McCain
DOE tests new ways to ship soil
FOP spreads out backing for council
Home rule sounds good to officials in Anderson
Legion's souvenir bomb still fused
p8 Smog alert issued for today and Saturday
Clooney moves to WSAI
Sorry, kids: 'NSync is an 'NSipid rip-off
Darts get the story
Dryness' effect on leaf colors still up in the air
GET TO IT
14-year-old arrested in beating death
Accused robber agrees to cooperate
Cable project likely at its end
Columbus looks into police officers' sex with prostitutes
County proposes sharing airport costs
Ex-administrator seeks to join board that fired her
Family barn canvas for logo
Five state reps oppose area code change
Franklin Jr. High getting new boss
Grenades found along Ohio River bank
Man gets prison for benefits theft
Mason, Deerfield in court yet again
Police seek five suspects in jewelry store robbery
Schools told to protect records
St. Antoninus rebuilds school
Thriftway store may take over school site
TRISTATE DIGEST
Willie Nelson draws for Ky. candidate
Woman sues over bond going to child support
