Saturday, October 23, 1999
TRISTATE MARKET SPOTLIGHT
Money expected soon for studies of light rail
Preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies for a proposed light rail system from Covington to Blue Ash could get back under way Nov. 1, Jim Duane, the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments' (OKI) executive director,. said Friday.
The studies were stopped this month because OKI didn't have the local money to pay for the studies.
In the next few weeks, the group expects to get $325,000 pledged by the Ohio Department of Transportation and about $178,000 from the state of Kentucky, Mr. Duane told members of the Interstate 71 corridor committee, who are studying the best ways to ease traffic congestion in the I-71 corridor.
Meeting to discuss personal transit system
The group proposing a “personal rapid transit system” connecting the downtown and riverfront areas in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport will share their ideas at 1 p.m. today at the Gregory Centre, 601 E. Pete Rose Way.
The system, being called the Sky Loop, would use electric-powered cars on an elevated rail to carry up to three people directly to their destination. Riders would tell a computer where they want to go by swiping a card, according to Forward Quest, a nonprofit Northern Kentucky Development with the idea. They will present it at the Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati's October forum meeting.
The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments earlier this month gave the go-ahead for the idea to be looked at as part of a major investment study for the loop area. A light rail spur from downtown Cincinnati to Newport will also be looked at in that study.
Parents charged after son took gun to school
Two Forest Park parents face charges of child endangerment for allowing access in their home to guns — one of which their fourth-grader took to school.
The couple was charged Wednesday after Forest Park police found ammunition and eight guns on a shelf in the couple's linen closet. Five of the guns were loaded, with one stored holding a bullet in the chamber with the hammer cocked, Forest Park police said.
Four of the guns had trigger locks, police said.
Last week, the couple's 10-year-old son took a .22-caliber derringer to Cameron Park Elementary School and showed it to friends, said Chief Ken Hughes. The gun was not loaded, and the child had no bullets with him, Chief Hughes said.
The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
2 sought in IGA robbery in Oakley
Cincinnati Police are looking for two men who robbed the Oakley IGA of an undetermined amount of cash Thursday evening.
One of the men was armed, said victims in the store who were forced at gunpoint to lie on the floor. Police said the pair entered the store, at 3088 Madison Road, at about 11 p.m., and during the robbery sprayed two employees in the face with an unknown substance. The two men then ran from the store.
Police said one of the men was described as a black man, wearing a black hat and mask, flannel shirt, black pants, white socks, black shoes and gloves. The other is a man of undetermined race who was wearing a black hat and mask, black sweat shirt, white socks, black shoes and gloves. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 352-3040.
Space heater blamed for Hartwell fire
A space heater ignited bedding in a Hartwell home early Friday, but the family escaped without injury, said Cincinnati fire officials. The fire, which began at about 1:20 a.m. at 5110 Williamsburg Road Northwest, started on a second-floor bedroom. The fire caused about $20,000 in smoke and water damage, fire officials said.
Peters' sentencing for harassment delayed
FRANKLIN — Judge Mark Bogen in Franklin Municipal Court on Friday postponed sentencing of Ron Peters, Pete Rose's former bookie, until a pre-sentencing investigation report is complete.
Mr. Peters, who gained notoriety during Major League Baseball's investigation of Mr. Rose a decade ago, is charged with violating a temporary protection order and telephone harassment.
The former Franklin restaurant owner was a key figure in Baseball's investigation that led to Mr. Rose's banishment from the game. Mr. Rose, who played for the Reds from 1963 to 1978 and returned as player-manager in 1984, agreed to a lifetime ban from Baseball in August 1989 after an investigation of his gambling activity.
Miami Valley study says automotive jobs at risk
DAYTON, Ohio — The region could lose 10,000 of its estimated 73,000 automotive jobs in the next few years if corrective steps are not taken, a study said.
The Miami Valley Economic Development Coalition has been studying the issue for 10 months and plans to release results next week. The Dayton Daily News reported about the study Friday.
Ron Wine, president of the coalition, said he expects the study to identify specific projects to help keep manufacturing and provide expansion opportunities.
The area has lost nearly 20,000 automotive jobs in the past two decades, but officials optimistically point to some reversals in that trend.
AM General, based in South Bend, Ind., plans to build an engine plant in Franklin, taking over production of a GM engine now made in Moraine. And Celina Aluminum Precision Tooling in Mercer County has announced a $13.4 million expansion that will add nearly 100 jobs.
Cleveland firefighter denies stalking charges
CLEVELAND — A city firefighter denied charges that he stalked a woman and broke into her home.
Thomas McCarthy, 43, of suburban Fairview Park, was ordered held without bond Friday after pleading innocent to aggravated burglary, assault, kidnapping, possession of criminal tools and menacing by stalking.
If convicted, Mr. McCarthy faces up to 291/2 years in prison.
Police have been contacting 1,266 women whose names were found on a list that they say Mr. McCarthy collected. Police also found gloves, nylon stockings, ropes and condoms during a search of his possessions.
“We consider him to be a danger to the community,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor William Mason. “There's evidence that he committed those violent crimes.”
Look past campaigns for school leaders
Kenwood hospital will close birth unit
Bishops to Taft: Don't fund cloning
Army of volunteers eager to make a difference
Reagan Hwy. work heads east on Monday
Norwood chief retires under cloud
'Son of Beast' coaster aims to set records
Capture lucky for shark, aquarium
Elsmere sues over decision for jail
Lawyers favor Crigler for judge
How attorney rated the judges
Conductor Eddins wows CSO crowd
GET TO IT
'Glass Menagerie' off to strong start
'Spooky Tales' is uneven, not very scary
Apartments catch Lebanon unaware
Bosnians to meet in Dayton
Church will fight for teen home
Columbus race racks up funds
Land being cleared for retail
Magazine shop called sexually oriented
Man accused of stealing Beanie Babies collection
Man gets life in prison for murdering his wife
Music evokes Ky.'s past
Officials study cable model system
Princeton schools race heats up
Rallies follow police lawsuit
Schools reduce bus time
Township helps boy's quest for lungs
TRISTATE MARKET SPOTLIGHT
