Tuesday, March 14, 2000
TRISTATE DIGEST
Delhi man charged in Mount Airy rape
A 33-year-old Delhi man was arrested Monday and charged with the rape of a woman in a Mount Airy home on Sunday.
Ronald Hamilton, of the 4300 block of Copperfield Lane, was arrested about 4:30 a.m. by Cincinnati police. Delhi police picked Mr. Hamilton up at his residence and turned him over to a Cincinnati officer.
Cincinnati police said the woman and suspect knew each other.
Warren sheriff, deputies sued over '99 arrest
LEBANON — A prison guard has sued Warren County Sheriff Tom Ariss and two deputies for more than $25,000, claiming he was arrested last year in a case of mistaken identity.
The lawsuit, filed by James Powell, of Morrow, stems from a traffic stop on March 12, 1999.
When deputies Brian Tinch and Traci Wilson-Crank checked Mr. Powell's identification in the crime computer, they came up with a man who was wanted for not paying $170 in court fines in Middletown, said Mr. Powell's lawyer, Timothy Tepe.
The Social Security numbers matched, but descriptions and birth dates of Mr. Powell and the true suspect were different, he said.
Despite arguments that the deputies had the wrong man, the deputies took Mr. Powell, who was on his way home from work at Lebanon Correctional Institution, to jail. He sat handcuffed for three hours until the error was confirmed, Mr. Tepe said.
The lawsuit contends that the deputies were reckless in failing to confirm the information immediately, and that training by the sheriff's office was inferior.
The affair caused Mr. Powell “extreme embarrassment, humiliation and severe emotional distress,” the complaint alleges.
Sheriff Ariss could not be reached Monday.
Steel beam breaks road worker's feet
A construction worker on the Fort Washington Way project broke bones in both of his feet Monday morning after a steel beam rolled on top of them, said Don Gindling, Cincinnati's Fort Washington Way construction manager.
Crews were preparing to lift the beam when it rolled onto the worker's foot, Mr. Gindling said. The man, whose identity was not available Monday, was undergoing surgery at University Hospital.
Murder warrant issued in Avondale shooting
A murder warrant was issued Monday for a suspect in the Wednesday shooting death of James E. Hillman Jr. in Avondale.
Cincinnati homicide investigators signed a murder warrant for Christopher Roley, 21, whose last known address is in the 5300 block of Laconia Avenue, Bond Hill.
Just before noon, police found Mr. Hillman, 33, of Evanston, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound behind a building he owned in the 5300 block of Burnet Avenue in Avondale. He was pronounced dead at hospital at 12:31 p.m.
The suspect — who is described by police as black male, 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and a light complexion — is known to drive a white Audi, four-door, with unknown temporary Ohio license plates and a gray four-door hatchback with unknown license plates.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040 or the Cincinnati Police Division's homicide unit at 352-3542. Callers may remain anonymous and may be compensated for their information.
Motorist fleeing police hits car, kills driver
COLUMBUS — A motorist chased by police at speeds of up to 80 mph crashed his car into another car Monday, killing the driver of the second car, authorities said.
The chase started about 2 a.m. in the suburb of Powell. An officer tried to pull over Kim Coates, 39, for driving 60 mph in a 25-mph zone, Powell Police Chief Gary Vest said.
It ended about 15 miles later when Mr. Coates, with police in pursuit, crashed into the other car at a downtown Columbus intersection, Vest said.
The driver of the second car, Queen Alahzar, 34, of Columbus, was killed.
Mr. Coates was in fair condition at Grant Medical Center. He was charged with drunken driving.
The Powell officer involved in the chase, Shannon Leary, has been placed on administrative leave pending investigations into the crash and chase, Chief Vest said.
Columbus and Powell officers planned to review videotapes from a camera in Officer Leary's cruiser and recordings of police radio transmissions, he said.
Chief Vest said Powell's policy calls for chases to be discontinued when the risk of the chase outweighs the benefits of catching the suspect. That policy takes into account such things as time of day, the driver's actions and the amount of traffic or pedestrians.
The chase went through suburban Worthington and the north side of Columbus, including the Ohio State University campus.
Chemical fertilizer use under review
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Metroparks officials are considering cutting back on using chemical fertilizers and weed killers because of their impact on the environment.
About 95 percent of the chemicals are used on the six public golf courses in the 20,000-acre park district.
Over the last three years, the district has been slowly introducing natural fertilizers, such as turkey manure, as a supplement to synthetic nitrogen, said Sean McHugh, the district's chief superintendent of golf turf.
Next month, the district will start a seasonlong experiment on a golf course to evaluate how a seaweed-based fertilizer works on the putting greens. Park staff will continue to use chemical-based lawn products and synthetic fertilizers on part of the course.
Laurel Hopwood of Cleveland Heights, head of the Northeast Ohio Sierra Club's Human Health and Environment Committee, welcomed the Metroparks' attempt to use more environment-friendly products.
“It sounds like they are going in a good direction,” she said.
No leads on body of man found in burned home
WEST ALEXANDRIA, Ohio — Authorities investigating the slaying of a man whose body was found inside his burned-out home said Monday that they do not know why the man was killed and have no suspects.
Preble County Sheriff Tom Hayes said investigators were trying to determine who last saw the victim alive.
The body of Paul Edward Hays, 24, was found Friday inside his home about 3 miles north of this rural, western Ohio community. Mr. Hays was shot four times and his home was set on fire.
Christ Nursing School to hold open house
The Christ Hospital School of Nursing will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 6.
Information about financial aid, prerequisites and the nursing program will be available. To make reservations call 585-2401.
Mason High seeks Career Day speakers MASON — Speakers are needed for a Career Day at Mason High School, planned for 7:30-9 a.m., May 19.
Volunteers are needed to make three presentations, each lasting 20-25 minutes. Included should be a description of what the job entails and job requirements, including education and skills needed.
Those interested can call Shelley Marshall at 398-2798, Ext. 1303, no later than Friday.
Bengals balk at bids for stadium contract
March brings out pool madness
Villages at odds over Shepherd Lane
Buchanan: Nation needs a 3rd party
Drought likely to get worse, U.S. says
Judge drops some charges in molestation
Man gets life for 2 Butler murders
Man shot by police in Norwood
UC students prepare to head south
Veteran pleads guilty to lying
'Bridget Jones' author knows her subject v. well
For 50 years, it's been leaving its imprint on our lives
Hamilton worried company may move
Horse throws Warren County official
Parole denied for cop's killer
Store reaches end of an era
Suspect in cigarette theft kills himself
Family of diabetic who died in Kenton jail wins settlement
Fumes force evacuation of second school
McConnell sees Senate approve tax wipe-out for college savings
More oversight asked for MainStrasse events
Program aims to strengthen ties between students, police
School board says to expect cuts
Blue Ash adopts sister city in Germany
Boone delays land use guide
Future Covington festivals will be monitored
If you have any Silly ideas, you could win a lot of Putty
Jemison held onto dreams and reached dazzling heights
Newport explores buying library at 4th and Monmouth
Official: Church trustee a pimp
Opponents of adult club to renew picketing efforts
GET TO IT
TRISTATE DIGEST
