Monday, April 17, 2000
Tristate digest
Man steals pharmacy drugs at knifepoint
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — A man armed with a knife robbed a Walgreen's pharmacy of a small amount of narcotics Sunday afternoon and remained at large, the Hamilton County sheriff's department said.
The man entered the store, at 7135 Beechmont Ave., at 12:01 p.m. and walked to the pharmacy.
He demanded drugs and fled on foot, police said.
He is described as white, 5-feet-9-inches tall with a thin build. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.
Vietnam Memorial replica coming to town
A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. will be at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College July 8-14.
It's called the Moving Wall because it is carried around the country.
The display, with the names of more than 58,000 American servicemen and women who died in Vietnam, will be open 24 hours a day.
Volunteers are being sought to provide refreshment, emotional support and first aid for visitors. Details: Marian Wilson, 569-1414.
Clinics to study emphysema treatment
The Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State University are among 19 medical centers participating in a national study of lung volume reduction surgery as a way to treat emphysema.
An estimated 2 million Americans have emphysema, a type of lung damage that makes it difficult for patients to breathe. The disease is most commonly caused by smoking.
Smoking rates in Greater Cincinnati continue to exceed national averages.
Lung reduction surgery was first attempted in the 1950s but abandoned in favor of medications, oxygen support, breathing technique training and other services.
With more advanced medical technology, researchers are again exploring the value of the lung surgery.
For information, call (800)314-2597 or check the study's web site at www.EmphysemaStudy.org
Summerfair accepting contest applications
Summerfair Inc. is taking applications from sophomores and juniors for the 2000 High School Scholarship Competition. Two local students will be selected to attend the 2000 summer Portfolio Preparation Class, tuition free, at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Students are asked to fill out an application and submit a sample of their best work (11-by-13-inch maximum size), not matted, and an essay describing why they want to pursue a career in art.
A committee composed of artists and art educators will select winners, who will be announced the week of May 8.
To obtain an application, contact the Summerfair office at 531-0050, or e-mail summerfair@fuse.net. Entries must be received by April 29.
Avondale man charged with robbery
An Avondale resident was charged with robbery Saturday after an incident at a neighborhood store, Cincinnati police said.
Police said Johnny Lewis, 32, of the 400 block of Rockdale Avenue, stole $12 worth of goods, then injured store employees during a confrontation at J&W Parkview, 3515 Burnet Ave.
Mr. Lewis was arrested at 4:27 p.m., five minutes after the incident.
Price Hill man charged with assault
A Price Hill resident was charged with felonious assault and misdemeanor assault after a Saturday night incident at his home, Cincinnati police said.
Richard Bristow, 39, of the 3700 block of Westmont Drive, was arrested at 10:26 p.m., six minutes after the assault occurred, police said.
Officers said he punched and choked Karen Hutchinson, then cut her son, Charmundo, with a knife when the boy tried to intervene.
Finan to speak at XU graduation
Ohio Senate President Richard Finan will deliver the commencement address on May 13 to Xavier University graduates.
Mr. Finan, an Evendale Republican, became president of the senate in 1997.
He was elected to the House in 1973 and to the senate in 1978. Mr. Finan began his political career in 1963 as an Evendale councilman.
Commencement begins at 8:45 a.m. at the Firstar Center. Xavier will award about 1,650 graduate and undergraduate diplomas.
About 900 students are expected to take part in the graduation ceremony.
3 arrested in clash near Ohio State
COLUMBUS — Three people were arrested and three police officers were injured in a disturbance early Sunday near the Ohio State University campus, police said.
Police were called on a report of a rape about 1 a.m. and found an out-of-control party of college-aged people when they arrived, police Sgt. Earl Smith said.
Three officers suffered minor injuries, he said.
Officers used tear gas to disperse 500 to 600 people who threw bottles and rocks at police, Sgt. Kenny Marcum said.
Six or seven police cruisers were spray-painted and at least three had windshields knocked out, Sgt. Marcum said.
“The thing that's particularly outrageous is that we had to pull a lot of cruisers from the streets of Columbus to go baby-sit,” Sgt. Smith said. “We just don't have that luxury.”
Cleveland could raise water rates
CLEVELAND — The city wants to raise water rates by 6 percent annually for the next five years to finance equipment upgrades in a system serving 1.5 million customers in a five-county region.
Mayor Michael R. White's administration asked City Council to approve the higher rates to pay for $587 million in improvements to three of four filtration plants.
The plants need new pipes, building renovations and computers to replace mechanical gauges installed as early as 1917.
City Council plans to begin reviewing the request this week.
For the average home in Cleveland, the annual water bill would rise to about $203 in 2005 compared with about $152 now.
The Cleveland Water Division serves 69 communities in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.
Julius Ciaccia Jr., water commissioner, said the system spends about $50 million on maintenance, but most goes to the pipeline system, not the filtration plants. The city recently spent $135 million for upgrades at one plant, in suburban Westlake.
Associate director named to drug board
Francine Lopomo has been named associate director for program operations at the Hamilton County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board.
Ms. Lopomo comes to the board with more than 15 years of experience in behavioral health care.
She most recently was vice president of new operations for Magellan Behavioral Health.
The board plans, funds and evaluates public alcohol and drug treatment, prevention and education services for Hamilton County.
It was established in 1989.
Diabetes drug may fight infertility
Fighting for right to raise money
People who need PEEPS
Results of our e-mail poll
Concert deal could turn up volume in radio wars
Athletes outpace old age
Atop his sweeper, he turns mean streets into clean streets
Exotic languages heard in court
Mental care for veterans expands
Retreat's focus: kids in Butler
Independents have leanings
Kentucky clinic to serve veterans
Library looks for more parking
Multicultural fest likely to grow
Project to relieve road backups - eventually
Church members march in Palm Sunday procession
City bans noisy car stereos, trucks
Culture festival likely to grow
Franklin Baptist Church services held at nearby school after fire
NKS concert has elemental charisma
Principal will be missed
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Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
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