Friday, September 08, 2000
Tristate A.M. Report
Federal grant helps coalition aid uninsured
A coalition of southern Ohio health clinics, hospitals, and social service agencies has won a nearly $900,000 federal grant intended to transform how uninsured people get medical care.
The Southern Ohio Community Access Program became one of 23 programs nationwide to receive $22 million Thursday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More than 200 programs applied.
Within the next year, the grant will pay to launch a centralized computer system to check whether people qualify for state, federal and local health-care support programs. The program also seeks to simplify communications among clinics, specialists and labs serving the uninsured and foster more organized care for low-income people with diabetes, asthma, depression and hypertension.
At first, the program will affect more than 110,000 uninsured people in Hamilton, Butler and Clermont counties. If it is successful, sponsors hope to expand the program to other Tristate counties.
Roselawn man indicted in standoff
A Roselawn man will face up to three years in prison if he is convicted of threatening to blow up his house during an 11-hour standoff with police last month.
Stephen Lott, 24, was indicted Thursday on charges of inducing panic and disrupting public service. He is accused of barricading himself in his home on Brookcrest Drive on Aug. 29.
Prosecutors say Mr. Lott threatened to blow up his house and kill police officers if he was not paid $5 million. Police eventually flushed him from the house with tear gas.
Mr. Lott is being held in jail on a $300,000 bond.
Groundbreaking for hospital expansion
WILMINGTON — Clinton Memorial Hospital officials plan to break ground Sept. 16 on a $35 million renovation and expansion project.
The project includes a new patient tower and other facilities to reflect years of rapid growth in and around Wilmington. The event also kicks off a year of celebrations leading up to the hospital's 50th anniversary in September 2001.
Enrollments exceed projections at 2 schools
Two Cincinnati neighborhood schools are enrolling more than the number of expected students this year, a trend the superintendent attributes to parents making a switch from private and charter options.
The schools offer new educational programs on the city's west side.
The new K-8 Carson School expected 200 students to enroll. There are 350 children attending classes in the school, which is housed this year on the second floor of Dater Junior High.
Quebec Heights, also a K-8 school, expected 600 students and enrolled 750.
Overall, the district's enrollment is expected to decline this year because of a low birth rate and charter schools.
Substitute teachers and classes with more than 25 students will be common at Carson and Quebec Heights until the district makes adjustments in staffing, spokeswoman Jan Leslie said.
Some schools, have fewer students than expected. More comprehensive enrollment figures should be available next week.
West Chester holds
FunFest this weekend
West Chester Township's annual community celebration will be Saturday and Sunday at McGinnis Park and will feature fireworks, floats and family fun.
West Chester officials said this year's FunFest will be the largest ever, and will kick off with the traditional community parade leaving Keehner Park at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The parade will travel down Cox Road to the festival grounds at McGinnis Park. Festivities will continue Saturday until 11 p.m., with a fireworks show by Rozzi Fireworks at 10 p.m.
FunFest Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. Food, amusement rides, live music, crafts displays and a classic car show will be featured.
Admission to festival grounds is free.
UC fund-raiser joins Mount St. Joseph
John Plante, who helped the University of Cincinnati Foundation exceed its $300 million goal in its current campaign, is the new chief fund-raiser for the College of Mount St. Joseph.
Mr. Plante, 39, left UC to become the Mount's vice president of institutional advancement, in charge of fund-raising and alumni and public relations.
At UC, he directed the foundation's national staff and volunteers seeking advance gifts. He also directed development and college relations at the UC College of Engineering.
Mr. Plante came to UC from California where he did similar work for two Catholic college prep schools.
He succeeds Mark G. Pavlovich, who left the Mount to be a vice president at West Chester, Pa., University.
Seminars scheduled on electoral process
Seminars on the electoral process will present journalists and political leaders at the Union Institute, 440 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills.
Topics will include voters, campaign costs, media images and messages, and questions of election reform.
The free, public programs will be 10 a.m. to noon on Sept. 16, 23 and 30 and Oct. 7. Information, 861-6400.
36 people charged in morning drug raids
TOLEDO — Early morning raids Thursday in Ohio and Michigan led to 36 people being charged in a drug ring that allegedly moved large amounts of cocaine, crack and marijuana from Texas and Chicago to northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Wilson said the defendants were charged with 44 counts, including possession of and conspiring to possess the drugs with intent to distribute them. Approximately 500 kilograms — about 1,100 pounds — of cocaine, 10 kilograms — about 22 pounds — of crack, and 2,000 pounds of marijuana were involved, Mr. Wilson said.
Prosecutors said the drugs were imported from Mexico beginning in 1987 and continuing through Tuesday — the day the indictment was filed in federal court. Mr. Wilson said a related indictment was filed against 17 of the defendants in Hancock County.
He said all but a few of the defendants have been jailed. Eighteen of them appeared Thursday in U.S. District Court in Toledo. Mr. Wilson said bond hearings for all 18 were continued until next week, so none has entered a plea.
Bill would give tribe recognition by state
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A southern Ohio Indian tribe would receive state recognition under a resolution introduced by a House lawmaker.
Members of the Saponi Nation of Ohio need the recognition to participate in a variety of Indian-sponsored activities and to receive certain federal funding, said Vicky Haithcock, a tribal council member in Frankfort in southern Ohio.
Final farewells to Office Kevin Crayon, Courtney Mathis
Excerpts from Officer Kevin Crayon's funeral
Bush vows to boost military morale
Fire chief harasser, some say
Plan: Expand Ohio dental care
Goals outlined in 'state of schools' address
New magnet schools sign-up plan
United Way's goal a record $59.6 million
'Hump' crews tell of awe, fear
Accused killer of daughter, 2, faces rape trial
Board plans to keep pursuing dentist
Boone Co. regroups on anti-mine stance
College taught him one thing: It's up to you
26 complaints made about Rosedale
Concealed gun law 'unfair'
Draud agrees to spar
Fire rips Reading plant
Ask a Stupid Question
Lunken critics blast deal
Manhunt ends when husband turns self in
Monroe City Fest expanding along with area
Oktoberfest OKs beer in street
Olympics haven't won city over
President of UD will leave post he has held since 1979
Second act saves 'Merry Wives'
Sheriff's donation fund to be audited
Speed takes him to Sydney
Suspect in prank calls: no contest
Turfway partner may sell share
West Side loves a parade
Get to it
Kentucky News Briefs
Pig Parade: Newpig Aquarium
Tristate A.M. Report
