A dozen people protesting the recent death of a man who suffocated while in police custody marched in front of Cincinnati City Manager John Shirey's house Thanksgiving afternoon.

        But Mr. Shirey wasn't home — and few of his Hyde Park neighbors came outside to see what the commotion was about.

        That left protesters from a group calling itself Special Forces - who also marched on City Hall on Wednesday - packing up about 30 minutes into a planned five-hour demonstration.

        One neighbor, Anthony Covatta, told protesters: “Shirey's not against you folks, he's not. He just hasn't gotten the support of an ineffective, totally ineffective, City Council.”

        The activists demand justice in the Nov. 7 asphyxiation death of Roger Owensby Jr. in Roselawn and in other perceived injustices toward African-Americans. They left a sign declaring, “No justice, no peace,” on Mr. Shirey's doorstep, and promised to picket the homes of other city officials and police.
       

Police investigate
pair of robberies

               Cincinnati police are investigating two aggravated robberies that occurred over the last two days.

        • A victim was robbed of a necklace and shot in the arm while walking near 1500 Summit Road in Roselawn at about 2:45 a.m. Thursday.

        The injury was not life-threatening, police said. No other details were available Thursday night.

        • Two people brandished a handgun and demanded money at about 6 p.m. Wednesday at Party Bazaar, 3430 Edwards Road, Hyde Park. They robbed the shop of about $250 and credit cards, then fled on foot, police said.

        Anyone with information about either incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513) 352-3040.
       

Powerball jackpot
tops $100 million

               There was no winner in the Wednesday night drawing for the $92 million Powerball multistate lottery.

        The jackpot now jumps to an estimated $105 million for the next drawing — at 11 p.m. Saturday. Powerball tickets can be purchased in Kentucky and Indiana, but not Ohio.

        For information: (502) 583-2000.
       

Cleves man faces
charges in fire

               CLEVES — An 18-year-old Cleves man has been arrested in connection with an Oct. 31 apartment building fire at 45 S. Miami Ave.

        Dion Day, who lived in the building, was charged with criminal endangerment and obstruction of official business.

        Mr. Day obstructed fire investigators by providing false and misleading information, Cleves police and fire depart ments said.

        Investigators said they later found that Mr. Day was inside his apartment shortly before the fire and had recklessly discarded hot ashes from a pipe of marijuana, which caused the blaze.

        The fire resulted in heavy property damage and injuries to firefighters. It also displaced four families who lived in the building and disrupted several days of business for Brossarts Pharmacy, on the first floor of the building.

        Investigating were the Village of Cleves Fire Department, Cleves Police Department and Southern County Arson Team.
       

Man seriously
injured in crash

              

        A 27-year-old man was seriously injured early Thursday when the car he was driving left the road and struck a utility pole in Green Township, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said.

        The man, whose name is being withheld until relatives could be told, was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton by Miami Valley Care Flight.

        The accident occurred at about 3:15 a.m. at 5753 Cheviot Road, south of Jessup Road. The man, who was alone in the car, was traveling southbound.

        The accident remains under investigation.
       

Donations sought
for needy families

               Moxy Trucks of America Inc. wants to fill a 30-ton dump truck with toys, nonperishable food, personal-care items and coats that it will deliver to organizations serving needy families in Greater Cincinnati.

        Representatives from the company will accept items beginning this morning through Dec. 16 at its business location: 1 Kovach Drive, just off Interstate 75 at Exit 12.

        Santa will be on hand this morning, and coffee and refreshments will be served. For information, call (513) 821-2000.
       

Teens lead police
on highway chase

              

        HAMILTON - Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers assisted Beavercreek police in apprehending three juvenile suspects after a chase that began at about 9 p.m. Wednesday in Beavercreek.

        The 16-year-old driver fled after being signaled to stop by a Beavercreek officer entering Interstate 675 south and continuing onto southbound Interstate 75.

        The teen's vehicle became partially disabled after striking stop sticks designed to deflate the vehicle's tires. He was arrested south of Interstate 275 after his car rear-ended a patrol car.

        One female passenger sustained minor injuries. She was treated at Children's Hospital Medical Center and released.

        The Beavercreek teens are not identified because they are juveniles.

        The suspect allegedly took the vehicle without the owner's consent, the Highway Patrol said. Charges are pending.

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