WHITE OAK — A White Oak man was charged Sunday with assaulting a police officer, vandalism, disorderly conduct with intoxication and resisting arrest.

        Police said Joseph Ashcraft,32, of the 6000 block of Lagrange Lane, became uncooperative with officers while they were asking him about a hit and run accident.

        Police said they asked Mr. Ashcraft, for his driver's license. As he was getting into his vehicle, police asked him whether he had weapons in the vehicle and Mr. Ashcraft said he did, according to the report.

        Mr. Ashcraft then began to fight officers and had to be restrained, police said. Once inside the squad car, Mr. Ashcraft reportedly kicked out a window, injuring an officer's eye, police said.
       

Parents begin line
for magnet sign-up

               More than 20 people were camped out at North Avondale Montessori Sunday night to try to assure their child a place at the magnet school next year.

        Registration for Cincinnati Public Schools' 28 magnet schools begins today. Some signups begin in the early morning, and some in the afternoon.

        This is a change from previous years when sign-up locations were kept secret until the Super Saturday race to enroll.

        The change requires individual schools to market themselves and their programs. Registration continues until the places are filled.

        “This is the first year we've done it this way,” district spokeswoman Christine Wolff said Sunday. “We didn't know what to expect. We thought there might be crowds at some schools.”

        This year the decision was left to the individual magnet school principals on how they would handle the registration and what time they would be held, Ms. Wolff said.
       

Group recognizes
local authors

               Several Cincinnatians, including some Enquirer staffers, received the 2000 Ohioana Library Award Sunday at the Main Library downtown.

        Among this year's recipients were artist and illustrator Will Hillenbrand; poet Alvin Greenberg; children's author Pat Mora; and poets Laisha Duman and Amber Brady, both Purcell Marian High School juniors.

        Enquirer award recipients included political cartoonist Jim Borgman and Metro columnist Cliff Radel, as well as former staffer Sue MacDonald.
       

Robbery threat
with shotgun alleged

               A Pleasant Ridge man was charged Sunday with aggravated robbery for threatening to rob a man with a shotgun, Cincinnati police said.

        Police said Mark A. Taylor, 18, of the 5800 block of Montgomery Road, demanded money from a man in his apartment building. Mr. Taylor wielded a sawed-off shotgun and told the man he would shoot him if the man did not give him money, police said.

        Officers said they located the weapon in Mr. Taylor's apartment after he gave them permission to search it.
       

Young volunteers
can be nominated

               Lighthouse Youth Services is accepting nominations for its annual Vision Awards, which recognize outstanding 13- to 18-year old community volunteers.

        Youths can be nominated in four categories: service to adults or senior citizens, service to youth, service to the community, and youth groups serving others. Winners receive cash awards.

        Lighthouse services include foster care and housing for homeless teens.

        The deadline for nominating youths is Friday. Call (513) 221-3350 for information.
       

Argument escalated
into attack, police say

               An Evanston man was charged Saturday with felonious assault for striking another man with a bat, brick and then a machete, Cincinnati police said.

        Rickey Jones Jr., of the 1500 block of Dixmont Avenue, is accused of striking the man in the left arm with a small bat during an argument near his home.

        Mr. Jones then threw a brick at the man, hitting him in the left elbow and ran back in his house for a machete, according to police. Mr. Jones struck the other man in the back with the machete, cutting him. The identity and condition of the victim were not immediately available.
       

Police dogs get
free visit to vet

               COLLEGE HILL — Police dogs will get check-ups free next Sunday thanks to local veterinarians. The Canine Corps Health Fair allows departments have their K-9 dogs examined without charge.

        Members of the Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association provide the service.

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