Ky. man accused of PlayStation scheme

        SPRINGDALE — Police have charged a Kentucky man with felony theft, saying he accepted more than $500 for a Sony PlayStation 2 that he never delivered.

        Michael Knight, 43, was being held Saturday and is wanted in Kentucky on a fugitive warrant on unspecified charges.

        According to Springdale police, Mr. Knight accepted a $526.10 money order Dec. 2 for the electronic game, one of the hottest-selling toys of the holiday season.

        But police say Mr. Knight never came up with the goods, instead providing investigating officers with several aliases and Social Security numbers.

        According to several stores, including Toys “R” Us in Kenwood and Electronics Boutique at Tri-County Mall, the Sony video game retails for $299. Both stores said they were sold out, and didn't expect delivery until next week.
       

Anderson residents asked about noise walls

        The Ohio Department of Transportation has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday on possible noise walls along Interstate 275 in Anderson Township.

        Residents who attend will vote on whether they want the walls, which would be built along a planned widening of I-275 between U.S. 50 and Five Mile Road. Residents will also have the option of vegetative screens.

        “The decision to build the noise barriers is up to the residents,” said Hans Jindal, planning and environmental engineer for ODOT's District 8 office. “If the residents do not want the walls, they will not be built.”

        Those voting in favor of noise barriers also will have the option of selecting textures and colors for the concrete walls.

        The I-275 project is scheduled to begin in 2002.

        The meeting will be held from 4-8 p.m. at Anderson High School, 7560 Forest Road. For further information, call Kim Patton with ODOT at (800) 831-2142, Ext. 279.
       

Man jailed on charge of trafficking Valium

        EATON — A Hamilton pharmacist and lawyer is being held in the Preble County Jail on charges of trafficking Valium pills.

        Richard E. Hart was arrested Friday by Preble County sheriff's officers and charged with two counts of aggravated drug trafficking.

        Hamilton police, who aided the investigation, say Mr. Hart twice transported and delivered an undisclosed amount of pills in Preble County.

        Police said Mr. Hart obtained the pills while working part time as a pharmacist at several area drugstores.

        In addition, the Ohio State Pharmacy Board has been notified and is investigating.
       

Suspect arrested in store robbery

        MIDDLETOWN — Middletown police have arrested a 41-year-old man in connection with the Dec. 7 robbery of the Roosevelt Boulevard Family Dollar Store.

        Jeffrey Williams, of the 800 block of 10th Avenue in Middletown, was captured by police about 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Serenity House on First Avenue. Mr. Williams has been charged with aggravated robbery and obstructing official police business.

        Mr. Williams is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Middletown Municipal Court. He is being held without bond at the Middletown City Jail.
       

Roger Bacon holiday
show moved to campus

        Because of a scheduling conflict, the Roger Bacon Spartan Band Christmas Concert has been moved to 7:30 p.m. today at the Roger Bacon High School Auditorium.

        The concert was originally scheduled for Greaves Hall on the campus of Northern Kentucky University.

        For more information: 652-6993.
       

Woman was killed by blow to head

        RICHWOOD — A sharp blow to the head killed a 43-year-old woman in her home Friday, according to the Boone County coroner.

        Coroner Doug Stith released a statement on Saturday saying the primary cause of death for Bari Lynn Doyle was “a blunt force injury to the head.” Boone County and Kenton County police are investigating the woman's death as a homicide.

        Boone County police received a 911 call at 10:59 a.m. Friday from the woman's mother and another relative, who said they had visited because they hadn't heard from her in a few days.

        When they let themselves into her home, on Travis Road on the Boone-Kenton county line, they found her body.

        Boone County Lt. Jack Banks would not say where in the home the body was found.

        Police have no motives, suspects, weapon or witnesses, Lt. Banks said.

        Police are urging anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious to call Boone County's Criminal Investigation unit, (859) 334-2120.
       

Zoo curator resigns after mammal's death

        TOLEDO — A Toledo Zoo supervisor has resigned after his decision to not give a pregnant endangered sloth bear food and water contributed to the animal's death.

        Tim French, the zoo's curator of large mammals, notified zoo officials of his decision Friday.

        Zoo officials said they plan to accept the resignation.

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