Sunday, March 26, 2000
TRISTATE DIGEST
Springfield Twp. cop probably suicide
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police think a local officer killed himself with a gunshot to the head early Saturday in the 1100 block of Compton Road.
Officer Greg Anderson, who had been on the force for three years, was found dead in his car about 1:15 a.m. Saturday. Police said he suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound to the head.
Mr. Anderson had recently been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into alleged professional misconduct. Springfield Township officials would not discuss the nature of the alleged misconduct.
Florence man charged after three-car wreck
COVINGTON — A Florence man has been charged with first-degree assault after being involved in a three-car accident Friday night on Interstate 275.
William Montgomery, 30, was treated for injuries at St. Elizabeth Hospital and transported to the Kenton County Jail.
Officers from Covington Police and Fire Departments along with the Taylor Mill Police Department responded to the accident around midnight Friday. They found a 1994 Geo Tracker on its side and Mr. Montgomery's 1987 Ford pickup in a grassy area off I-275.
A 1997 Pontiac also involved in the accident was on the highway. Traffic was stalled for several hours as police cleared the wreckage.
The driver of the Pontiac, Billy Kinder, 61, no address given, was not injured.
The Geo driver, Raymond Combs, 26, of Fort Thomas, was flown to University Hospital, where he was in serious condition Saturday.
Covington police said the vehicles were traveling westbound on I-275. The crash is under investigation.
Beautification group needs volunteers
FOREST PARK — The Beautification Commission is seeking community volunteers. Commission members are committed to maintaining the beauty of Forest Park by conducting the annual Yard Contest, Industrial Beautification Contest and Holiday Decoration Contest.
Contact the Municipal Building at 595-5200 to request an application for membership.
Cop killer to give commencement speech
YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — Antioch College's commencement speaker will not be able to deliver the keynote address in person: He's on death row.
The graduating seniors at the college with a tradition of student activism chose Mumia Abu-Jamal to speak by prerecorded audiotape at the April 29 graduation, Antioch officials said Friday. The Pennsylvania death row inmate was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981.
Officials at the private college about 15 miles east of Dayton have accepted the selection and are making the arrangements, Antioch officials said.
Mr. Abu-Jamal, 45, a radio journalist and former Black Panther activist, was convicted of fatally shooting Officer Daniel Faulkner after the officer stopped Mr. Abu-Jamal's brother for driving the wrong way down a city street.
Mr. Abu-Jamal, who has an appeal pending in federal court in Philadelphia, says he is not guilty. His cause has drawn international support, in part because of his 1995 book, Live From Death Row, focuses on race and the justice system.
Antioch College senior Teishan Latner, a member of the college's commencement committee, said graduating seniors voted for Mr. Abu-Jamal over nine other suggested speakers after they learned he made a similar address last June at Evergreen State College in Washington state.
“The issue is not to get a controversial speaker,” Ms. Latner said. “The issue is to raise greater public awareness for his cause.”
The Antioch students asked Mr. Abu-Jamal to speak on one of two topics: How one individual can affect the world, or the true meaning of revolution.
Kidney Foundation offers $5,000 raffle
It's raffle time again, and for the 12th year, the Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati will offer a grand prize of $5,000 to the person holding the last ticket drawn at a reception, May 18, at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. The raffle benefits kidney patients in the 15 counties served by the foundation.
Tickets may be purchased for $50 each by calling the Kidney Foundation at 961-8105, or by sending a check with name, address, and phone number to: Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, 2200 Victory Parkway, Suite 510, Cincinnati 45206. A preliminary drawing May 1 will determine which 50 ticket holders will attend the final drawing and reception with their guests. Ticket sales end April 28.
Cause of fatal fire listed as undetermined
DAYTON, Ohio — The cause of a house fire that killed a woman and her three small children last month remains a mystery and has been listed as undetermined, a fire investigator said.
The bodies of Kandace Leigh, 19, and her three children — Jamelle, 2, Jaysean, 1, and Kayla, 1 month — were found by firefighters in the shell of the house on Feb. 28.
“Based upon the information we have available to us now, we are unable to say exactly how that fire started,” Dayton fire investigator Bruce Van Dorpe said Friday.
He said authorities can find no physical evidence that accelerants were used.
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Decorative arts lectures focus on treasures
From homeless to hopeful
GET TO IT
'Lord of the Dance' mostly flat without Flatley
Mysterious man's paintings emerge for extraordinary exhibit
Performers make most of 'Dead-Eye'
UC student thrilled with 'Making the Band'
Best job can be worst job
CCM music class showcases talent
Builder wants Dayton to get a bigger share
'Death Row Dogs' enrich prisoners' lives
Flat telcom tax stirs up fight
Former congressman referees on gene splicing
Fugitive found in Fla. secret room
Liberty Twp. trustees boost fire staffing
Miami event celebrates diversity
New therapy holds hope for girl, 7
Public quizzes Portman on issues
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Race fans check their luck
TRISTATE DIGEST
