UC gets complaints about garage plan

        The University of Cincinnati is rethinking its advocacy of a 950-car parking garage proposed for Clifton Avenue, spokesman Greg Hand confirmed this week.

        Developer David Hummel was to build it and UC was to manage it, but neighbors objected to the size of the projected structure and its impact on the residential area.

        UC would like additional parking across from the main campus if community objections can be resolved.

        That might include recommending a smaller facility, Mr. Hand said.

        At this point, however, UC has no contract with Mr. Hummel and Mr. Hand said any decision to build is up to Mr. Hummel; it's his land and money.

        Meanwhile, there is such a demand for additional parking that UC is planning to build a garage about a quarter-mile away on Calhoun Street.
       

Father sentenced for baby's death

        A West End man was sentenced Friday to 23 years to life in prison after being convicted of murdering his 12-week-old son.

Hughes

        Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Mark Schweikert combined murder and felonious assault convictions and sentenced Kenneth Hughes to 15 years to life.

        Because of comments the 27-year-old made during his murder trial about striking his son a previous time, he was sentenced to another eight years to be served consecutively for an additional felonious assault charge.

        Court records show Mr. Hughes punched his son, Joshua, in the head while giving him a bath in September 1999. He eventually admitted to police that he inflicted the fatal blow because the child would not stop crying.

        Prosecutors say an autopsy found evidence of older injuries, including a fractured skull.
       

Killer, 22, must serve 23 years

        A Bond Hill man was sentenced Friday to 23 years to life for aggravated murder.

        Judge Arthur Ney sentenced Christopher Roley, 22, Friday and ordered him to pay $6,000 in restitution to the family for funeral expenses.

        Mr. Roley was convicted in the shooting death of landlord James E. Hillman Jr. Mr. Hillman, 33, was killed behind a building he owned on Burnet Avenue in March.
       

Hyde Park School gets Rosie cash

        Hyde Park School received $2,000 Friday from the Rosie O'Donnell show.

        The award was part of “Rosie's Book Bonanza,” in which schools receive money to purchase books for their libraries.

        Ms. O'Donnell announced the award on her show and encouraged others to make donations to the school on Edwards Road in Hyde Park.
       

24 lbs. of cocaine seized; 3 arrested

        An arrest in Sharonville Thursday night yielded the largest batch of cocaine seized in the Greater Cincinnati area this year.

        Twenty-four pounds of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $3 million, was seized. Three people were arrested in a parking lot near the intersection of Interstate 75 and Sharon Road, said Assistant U.S. Attorney William Hunt.

        Arrested were: Juan Ortiz, 21, of the 11300 block of Lippelman Avenue, Sharonville; and Juan Camacho, 26; and Vincente Escareno, 22, both of Chicago.

        They were charged with pos session of cocaine with intent to distribute.

        The men appeared before U.S. Magistrate Jack Sherman in an initial hearing Friday afternoon. They will appear for a bond hearing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati.

        “This didn't involve a lengthy investigation. It came up pretty quick,” Mr. Hunt said.

        He said investigators believe the cocaine came from a source in Chicago.
       

CTC grads can continue online

        Students who earn two-year degrees at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College can complete four-year degrees largely online through Franklin University.

        Six online bachelors degrees are offered by Franklin, an accredited school in Columbus: business administration, computer science, management information systems, technical management, public safety management and health care management.

        Franklin spokeswoman Jennifer Ward said that Cincinnati State grads will take courses at the Clifton campus to ease them into the four-year program, then finish with 40 Franklin credits online.

        Cincinnati Tech is part of Franklin's Community College Alliance Program.

        Details, alliance@franklin.edu or (888) 341-6237, Ext. 6288.
       

Tour police, fire units in Cheviot

        CHEVIOT — A Community Safety Day will be hosted by the fire and police departments 11 a.m.-3 p.m. today at Cheviot City Hall, 3814 Harrison Ave.

        Both the fire and police departments and their Explorer posts will give tours of the fire and police stations. Children may also tour the Green Township fire safety house.

        A light lunch will be provided for those who attend.

        Information: 661-2958.
       

Toledo-area arena won't be finished

        TOLEDO — Plans for a 12,000-seat arena in suburban Toledo have been abandoned because its developers can't secure money to build it.

        Officials in Rossford said Thursday they will focus on getting the stalled amphitheater open by next summer and repaying the project's creditors.

        City leaders in February 1999 announced plans to build a $45.6 million hockey arena and concert amphitheater. At the time, the arena was to open in November of this year and be home to the Detroit Red Wings' top farm team.

        Construction, though, was halted a year ago with only 20 percent of the project complete because of financing problems.

        Rossford Mayor Mark Zuchowski said the decision to scrap the arena was made because banks view arenas as financial liabilities, and that everything must be done to secure financing for the amphitheater.

        Rossford officials are not using tax dollars to build the project.

        Ken Holland, the Red Wings' general manager, said he is disappointed but not surprised that the arena will not be built.
       

Single-car crash kills driver, 34

        A Golf Manor man died early Friday when his car ran off Langdon Farm Road in Pleasant Ridge and struck a utility pole.

        The Cincinnati police traffic unit is investigating the death of Mark L. Carmichael, 34.

        Mr. Carmichael was driving south on Langdon Farm about 2:30 a.m. Friday when he went left of center and struck a utility pole on the left side of the road. His car then struck a fence and a tree before rolling over on the driver's side.

        Mr. Carmichael was ejected from his car as the vehicle rolled. He was taken to University Hospital Medical Center, where he died.

Halloween festival helps Oakley

        The Oakley Boogily-Boo Halloween Festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. today at Hyde Park Plaza on Paxton Avenue.

        There will be carnival games and activities and live music featuring Eddie Cunningham & the New Radio Cowboys. The Oakley Community Food Pantry will accept donations of canned goods. For information, call 533-9998.

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