Tuesday, December 21, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Union workers back fact-finder's report
The staff union membership of the Hamilton County Head Start program voted Monday to approve a fact-finder's recommendation on a new contract.
Deborah Schneider, president of Service Employees International Union, District 25, said the union by a 98 percent vote approved the report that recommended employees receive a $1,300 salary increase (about 80 cents an hour) retroactive to Nov. 1.
About two-thirds of Head Start's 160 staff members voted, she said.
The membership also voted unanimously to authorize a strike if Head Start officials reject the neutral fact-finder's contract recommendations, Ms. Schneider said.
Contract negotiations have been going on since June.
Head Start is a preschool program funded by state and federal governments.
UC grads lead Ohio in passing bar exam
Graduates of the University of Cincinnati College of Law led Ohio schools in bar exam results for the sixth straight year, Dean Joseph Tomain reported.
Ninety-three percent of UC's first-time takers passed the exam given in July, compared with 85 percent for the next-best schools (Akron and Case Western) and statewide average of 75 percent, Mr. Tomain said.
UC topped its state-leading 88 percent passing rate from last year.
Police: Couple robbed Anderson Twp. man
A downtown man and woman were charged Monday with the armed robbery of an Anderson Township man at his home, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said.
Elaine Johnson, 38, was charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony, and Michael Moore, 49, was charged with receiving stolen property, police said. Both are of the 600 block of Main Street. They were arrested there.
Ms. Johnson is accused of entering a home in the 6200 block of Autumnleaf Drive at 10:30 p.m. Sunday. The victim's face was covered with a black mask and his hands were tied up, according to Ms. Johnson's arrest report.
The victim was forced at gunpoint to open a safe, from which $1,900 was stolen, police said.
When she was apprehended at 1 a.m. Sunday at the Fort Washington Hotel, downtown, Ms. Johnson had in her possession a credit card belonging to the victim, police said.
Both suspects are to be arraigned today.
Fifth Third branch in Westwood robbed
The FBI and the Cincinnati police homicide unit are investigating an armed bank robbery Monday at a Fifth Third Bank branch in Westwood, Cincinnati police said.
A man described as a thin white male, 30 to 40 years old, about 5-feet-8-inches tall and 150 pounds entered the bank area of the Kroger store at 6150 Glenway Ave. at 2 p.m., police said.
He showed a semiautomatic postol of unknown caliber and fled out the front door of the store with an undetermined amount of cash, police said.
The man was wearing a light-gray knit cap, a green waist-length coat and a light-colored dress-type shirt. He had a pale complexion, a mustache and a three- to four-day growth of reddish facial hair, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 352-3040 or the homicide unit at 352-3542.
Metro offers hot line for winter bus detours
Metro bus riders can call a 24-hour Winter Weather hot line at 632-7538 for detours caused by snow, ice and cold.
The recorded message is updated continuously on severe winter weather days to give current bus detour information.
Man shot in both legs in Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati District 1 police are investigating a shooting in which the bullet struck the victim in both legs.
Police said the shooting occurred at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at an apartment in the 1800 block of Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine. The suspects are believed to have been driving a rented, maroon 1999 Ford Taurus with the Ohio license plate BGN-1574.
No information on the condition of the victim was available.
Newport man fatally stabbed in bar fight
NEWPORT — A Covington man was charged with murder after a Newport man was stabbed to death Sunday night in a bar fight.
Lawrence Haubner, 55, was arrested by Newport police and taken to the Campbell County Jail. He is accused of jabbing a knife into the neck of Joseph Poyntner, 27, after the two got into a fight in Barb Z's. Mr. Poynter was taken to University Hospital, where he died.
Police, whose headquarters are across the street from the Monmouth Street bar, were called to Barb Z's about 11:45 p.m., spokesman Lt. Phil Liles said.
He did not know what started the fight.
Mr. Haubner was scheduled to appear in Campbell District Court this morning.
Lawsuit filed over collect calls from jail
DAYTON, Ohio — A group of lawyers, bail bondsmen and friends of jail inmates filed a federal lawsuit Monday that says requiring inmates to make collect calls is unconstitutional.
“Inmates have an absolute right to contact family members and friends by telephone,” said attorney Jon Paul Rion, who filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
Todd Boyer, a spokesman for the Ohio Attorney General's Office, declined to comment.
The lawsuit against the state, sheriff's offices and several telephone companies alleges that the state and counties benefit financially from the collect calls because of commissions they receive.
Mayor: Policies to be reviewed
Vouchers unconstitutional, judge rules
Blues singer tracked down on 30-year-old murder charge
Judge refuses to bar statement
No snow, but cold enough
Traffic not hustling with Pete Rose Way closed
Airport 25-year plan set
Avondale vows to reclaim streets
Hamilton Co. sewer bills may rise 9.5%
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Teachers: Smaller class No. 1 priority
'Fantasia 2000' soundtrack fantastic achievement
Add a local touch to collection with these classical music CDs
GET TO IT
Richey's solos save jinxed WNKU benefit
Book signings bring out crazies
3 schools to be renovated
Addicted ex-dentist sentenced
Arson hits string instrument shop
Campbell GOP elects Barb Haas as chairwoman
Charity will be year-round
Dearborn committee establishes unity theme
Deerfield sues Mason over site for water tower
Indian lifestyle studied
IRS expansion planned at new building in Covington
Lebanon decides not to seize land
Living organ donations soar
Man gets 15 years in Covington bank heist
Mason district loses treasurer
Monroe tries to fill in blanks
Ohio cashes 1st tobacco settlement check
Ohio school chief asks for opinions
Sales tax proposed with jail
TRISTATE DIGEST
