Friday, February 11, 2000
TRISTATE DIGEST
Accused rapist awaits extradition
MIDDLETOWN — A Middletown man has been arrested and charged with the rape of a 13-year-old boy, , Middletown police said Thursday. Gary Lee Cooper Jr., 39, of 2989 Carmody Blvd. was arrested Wednesday in Wayne County, Ind., after Middletown detectives tracked him.
Mr. Cooper is being held in Richmond, Ind., pending extradition hearings.
13-year-old held in bomb threat
The Clermont County Sheriff's Department arrested a 13-year-old student on a charge of inducing panic Thursday. He allegedly made a bomb threat at Amelia Middle School.
The sheriff's office was called about 3 p.m. after writing was discovered on a bathroom wall. The message stated a bomb in the school was going to go off. No bomb was found.
The student, who is from Amelia, was taken to Clermont Mercy Hospital for mental health observation, Sheriff A.J. “Tim” Rodenberg said. The student is expected to be processed in juvenile court.
The boy said he made the bomb threat because “he was tired of other children in the school picking on him,” the sheriff said.
Killer accused of domestic violence
GREEN TOWNSHIP — A man who spent 16 years in prison for killing a police officer was arrested this week on charges of domestic violence.
Prosecutors say James B. Turpin, 44, was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly struck his girlfriend at his home on North Bend Road.
They say Mr. Turpin was paroled in 1992 after serving a prison sentence for killing Ohio State Highway Patrolman Michael Fulton in Sandusky County, Ohio. Mr. Fulton was stabbed to death in 1975.
Victim acts to delay rapist's release
GRAFTON, Ohio — The prison release of a rapist who has served 20 years of a 15- to 75-year sentence has been delayed because the victim has asked to make a personal appeal against parole.
Gary B. Reece, 40, of North Ridgeville, was told last fall he would be released Wednesday. Instead, he must await another hearing in several months after the victim makes her appeal.
Deadlock clears lawmaker of charge
COLUMBUS — A lawmaker accused of violating Ohio elections law by sending campaign solicitations to state employees was cleared Thursday of wrongdoing.
The Ohio Elections Commission deadlocked 3-3 Thursday on whether Rep. Lynn Olman, R-Maumee, violated the law in mid-December by mailing contribution letters to state employees who also are registered lobbyists.
Commission action requires a majority vote, so a deadlock is equivalent to a ruling in Mr. Olman's favor, said Phillip Richter, the commission's director.
Accused man happy he was to be father
TOLEDO — A man accused of killing his girlfriend and their unborn son because he did not want to pay child support was happy he was about to become a father again, his defense attorney said Thursday.
Prosecutors contend that Terrance Davis shot the woman and the baby she was close to giving birth to because he was already paying more than $900 a month for two other children.
Jurors began deliberating Thursday night on the three aggravated murder charges against Mr. Davis, 27.
Fairfield Co. sheriff pleads not guilty
LANCASTER, Ohio — The Fairfield County sheriff pleaded not guilty Thursday to 323 charges that include theft in office and money laundering.
Sheriff Gary DeMastry is charged along with his wife, Penny, a fiscal officer in the sheriff's department, and three officers in an investigation that started with a state audit that accused the sheriff's office of misspending $287,275 from 1994 to 1997.
Sharpton sees bias in punishment
CLEVELAND — Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton of New York intervened Thursday in a suburban high school's sex scandal, alleging that the superintendent singled out black students for punishment.
The Rev. Mr. Sharpton, with Cleveland NAACP President George Forbes, walked onto the grounds of Euclid High School and was stopped by the school's security officers.
They were asked to leave but refused.
Mason Chorale seeks singers
MASON — The Mason Chorale invites all persons who enjoy singing to join the ensemble. Rehearsals are at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Mason United Methodist Church. For information call 398-5405 or 932-2842.
Cincinnati cops pass drug testing
In a random drug test administered this month, all 36 Cincinnati police officers tested passed.
The Cincinnati Police Division has tested about 1,506 officers and recruits through the program since April 1997.
Housing group made deals with insiders, relatives
Genesis established to give West End residents a voice
Police work to stem rise in auto thefts
Victims push for more clout in court
Insurer deaf to ear device
OKI looks at plan for new bridge
Hamilton man charged in girl's death years after shaking injury
Hat sellers battle city's ouster order
Hospitals improve performance
Hotel tax hike finds a local foe
Jail staff addresses needs of next Kenton facility
MRDD overpaid for two houses, county says
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
BockFest poster gets an artful goat
CSO youngsters shine
For love, she gave up her life in Mexico
GET TO IT
100+ years in business: These firms do it right
8 violations in wall collapse, injuries
Blackwell champions census
Hamilton Co. park district to hold jobs fair
Kids help raise renovation cash
Nuclear parts stored at plant
Ohio near pact on tobacco windfall
Safety week focus: car seats
Suspicious ballots topic of hearing
TRISTATE DIGEST
Vote on sewer bill delayed
