Saturday, May 20, 2000
Cancer report led to probe
Key events in the investigation into contamination:
• June 1997: The Ohio Department of Health investigates a report of unusually high cancer rates among River Valley High School graduates and students.
• July 1997: Health officials determine that leukemia rates among graduates and students are almost three times higher than expected in that population.
• Aug. 25, 1997: An environmental sampling reveals a small radioactive source in the schoolyard and undetermined quantities of cancer-causing chemicals in the soil of the practice football field. The Army Corps of Engineers begins investigating.
• Oct. 15, 1997: A study of leukemia deaths shows that mortality rates increased 122 percent in the city of Marion from 1966 to 1995.
• Feb. 3, 1998: Five athletic fields are cordoned off after more contamination is found.
• April 7, 1998: The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tells school officials not to mow grass on roped-off areas after chemicals linked to leukemia are detected on the athletic fields. School buildings are deemed safe.
• June 22, 1998: The Ohio EPA conducts tests at six dump sites in the city of Marion.
• Aug. 19, 1998: Health officials determine that leukemia incidence rates in Marion County are 46 percent higher than expected — mostly due to higher rates among older women.
• Sept. 24, 1998: Radiation is ruled out as a problem on the school grounds.
• October 1998: Contractor with Corps of Engineers says tests detected cancer-causing chemicals on the surface of the high school's football practice field.
• December 1999: School officials restrict two back doors at the middle school to emergency use only. A chemical had been found in a soil sample nearby that registered nearly two times higher than acceptable standards.
• January: Ohio EPA says Army Corps investigation must include full review of historical photographs of the site.
• May 19: A preliminary agreement is announced to rebuild the high school and middle school at another site.
Colon cancer vaccine ready to test
Student graduates in hospital
Again: A fatal crash and a stricken school
Taft signs ban on some late-term abortions
'Average Joe' robs Clermont bank
Fairfield official indicted on fraud
Findlay project gets $250,000 gift
Petition dispute a lesson in civics
RAMSEY: School funding is one hot potato
Slain police officers honored at memorial service
'Son of Beast' closed for third weekend
TV ads called loophole
Ky. to see Bush, Gore often
N.Ky. primary is one-office race
Other candidates on ballot, like it or not
Appeal rejected in Officer Partin's death
Newport looks at race book
Schools look for new chief
Schools to move off tainted site
Cancer report led to probe
Get to it
May Festival gets off to glorious start
Pig Parade: Sow's It Goin' . . . Cincinnati!
Suspect in fatal DUI returns to Mexico
Teen faces weapons charge
Teen held on suspicion of poisoning drinks
Tristate Digest
Around the Commonwealth
Covington teachers get raises
Dozens charged after wild party
Fairfield schools hire new athletic director
Girl, 14, suspended for threatening letter
Man guilty of raping girl, 11
Middletown will survey residents about parks
Mission: To bring Hamilton business
Orchestra listens to critics of new name
OSU strike appears ended
Phys ed shunted aside in curriculum changes
S. Lebanon man pleads guilty in Jan. shooting
School digs up the past
Senate hopeful wants divorce of religion, politics
Sibling bus drivers retiring
Slaying still juvenile case, Wehrung lawyers say
Software maker heads to Deerfield
