NEWPORT — Former Fort Thomas resident Jill Ott had her bid to be released from prison on shock probation rejected Friday by Campbell Circuit Court Judge William Wehr.

        Ms. Ott, 33, pleaded guilty June 6 to second-degree manslaughter in the Dec. 26 traffic death of schoolteacher Sue Schlarman. Originally charged with murder, Ms. Ott was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the plea-bargained charge.

        Campbell Commonwealth Attorney Jack Porter said Ms. Ott, whose blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when she was arrested, filed her own motion for shock probation because she said she could not afford an attorney.

        Judge Wehr dismissed the motion without a hearing. The denial of the motion is not open to review or appeal.
       

Review sought
of university president

               FRANKFORT — The chairman of the Kentucky State University board of regents said Friday he wants an impartial review into an allegation about President George Reid's published work by a onetime colleague at the University of Cincinnati.

        UC Professor L.J. Andrew Villalon has alleged that Dr. Reid's resume did not accurately reflect his publication record. Dr. Reid's attorney said Friday an internal investigation in 1995 showed the allegation to be unfounded and that Dr. Reid was the object of a “witch hunt.”

        The regents chairman, William Wilson of Lexington, said he has asked officials at the Council on Postsecondary Education to recommend someone to carry out an impartial review.

        “Just a precautionary thing,” Mr. Wilson said in an interview. About the allegation, Mr. Wilson said, “I don't think there's anything there.”

        Mr. Wilson said he made the request on his own, and it was not an action of the full board.

        Mr. Villalon accused Dr. Reid of misrepresenting items in his resume May 1995, three months after Dr. Reid had declined to recommend Mr. Villalon for promotion and early tenure. Dr. Reid was dean of UC's University College at the time.
       

Student hackers
get suspended

               LEXINGTON — Four students from Lexington's Lafayette High School are on 10-day suspensions after hacking into the school's computer system three times and shutting down computers one by one, until the entire network went down.

        Two of the 10th-graders may face expulsion because they hacked into teacher workstations, which contain grades and other confidential information.

        “People used to think it was funny when kids hacked into a system, but now it's much more serious because so much of a school's organization is done through a computer,” said David Couch, the state's technology chief.
       

Current, former
governors campaign

               FRANKLIN — Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield and Democrat Brian Roy enlisted the help of two of their parties' key campaigners Friday in the battle for the 1st District.

        Democratic Gov. Paul Patton stumped with Mr. Roy, a former Marshall County sheriff and U.S. marshal, who is trying to unseat Mr. Whitfield. Former Republican Gov. Louie Nunn campaigned with Mr. Whitfield, the three-term incumbent.

        Mr. Patton dismissed Mr. Whitfield's allegations that Mr. Roy mishandled taxpayer money when he was sheriff, saying Mr. Roy could never have never become a marshal if there was any wrongdoing. Mr. Roy has said Mr. Whitfield exaggerated a state audit report.

        Mr. Patton said Mr. Roy, who opposes abortion and new gun control initiatives, would best represent the 1st District.

        But Mr. Whitfield, who kicked off a bus tour in Franklin, said western Kentucky voters should think twice about electing Mr. Roy because of the razor-thin majority Republicans now hold in Congress.

        “It's important that we control the Congress,” Mr. Whitfield said of Republicans. Democrats need just seven seats to take control of the House.
       

Church to collect
for world's children

               ALEXANDRIA — Main Street Baptist Church is collecting shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, candy and clothing for Operation Christmas Child, an international Christian relief project.

        Between Nov. 13 and 20, the church is accepting shoe boxes from individuals and other churches. They are for children living in troubled nations worldwide.

        Collection times will be noon to 8 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

        Toy guns, knives, perishables, liquids, medicine and breakable items are not recommended.

        For more information, call (859) 635-5725. For directions, visit www.mainstreetbaptist.org.

Recreation area
sold at auction

              

        OWENSBORO, Ky. — Diamond Lake Resort, a 145-acre private recreational area, was sold at auction for $520,000 to a retired pawn shop owner.

        Jim Yeckering said he had no plans to buy the land at Thursday's auction but, “it was a steal.”

        The resort near West Louisville, about 10 miles southwest of Owensboro, was developed by oilman Delbert Glenn in 1968. Mr. Glenn sold the recreational complex and 334 adjoining acres in August 1996. Mr. Yeckering said he has no immediate plans for the resort.

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