The city of Cincinnati has agreed to pay $2.6 million to buy the Batsakes building downtown to make room for a new Contemporary Arts Center.

        The agreement filed Thursday in Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas calls for Batsakes Hat Shop, a dentist and a record store to vacate the Sixth and Walnut building by Jan. 31. The city will pay $2.6 million to Firstar Bank, trustee of property owners Helen and Peter Batsakes.

        The city used eminent domain to acquire the property to create space for the $33.9 million Contemporary Arts Center, which will move from another downtown location. The city will bulldoze the building and clean up any environmental contaminants.

TRUCK CRASH STOPS TRAFFIC: This overturned tractor-trailer shut down traffic on Fort Washington Way for much of Thursday. The accident occurred shortly after 6 a.m. on the southbound Interstate 71 entrance to the downtown freeway. Police cited driver Francis Creech of Dallas, Ga., for failure to control. Mr. Creech and passenger Bryce Ellis of Morning Sun, Iowa, were treated and released for minor injuries. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The city also will give Batsakes Hat Shop owner Gus Miller a low-interest, $175,000 loan so he can move his shop a block away. Tenants Metro Records and dentist Dr. J. Michael Fuchs were each awarded $15,000 stipends for the forced move.
       

Officer accused of illegal use of database

        A Cincinnati police officer was accused Thursday of illegally tapping into a police computer for information that he then gave to a friend.

        The officer, Matthew Moning, is charged with unauthorized use of property and faces up to one year in jail if convicted. Hamilton County prosecutors say Officer Moning, who is assigned to the police impound lot, accessed a police computer on Sept. 3 and obtained a friend's criminal record.

        Prosecutors say the officer then gave the record to the friend. Under the law, officers are not allowed to use the computer database for anything but official business.
       

Warren commissioners approve $45M budget

        LEBANON — Warren County commissioners approved a $45 million general fund budget Thursday — a 9 percent increase over their 2000 budget.

        It includes money for 3 percent raises for most county employees.

        Funding for two areas, however — elderly services and the county Humane Association — is tentative and will be revisited in the next two weeks, commissioners said.

        The budget adds 23 employees, including three deputies for Deerfield Township.
       

Police: Woman's death appears to be suicide

        MIAMI TOWNSHIP — The 40-year-old woman whose body was found in a car in a local business parking lot appears to have committed suicide, township police said Thursday.

        Authorities in this Clermont County community said there is no indication of foul play in the death of the Miamiville woman. Police were called to Hill Top Laboratories in Miamiville at 1:55 p.m. Wednesday but were not immediately able to determine the cause of death.

        There was no apparent connection between the woman and the business. The Enquirer is not publishing her name because her death is a possible suicide.
       

Free Christmas tree recycling offered

        The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services is sponsoring a Christmas tree recycling program to make the holiday season a little easier on the environment.

        Residents can drop off their trees for free recycling between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 13 at the following locations:

        • East: Evans Landscaping, 3700 Round Bottom Road in Newtown.

        • West: Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road in Green Township.

        • North: Rumpke Sanitary Landfill, Struble Road and Colerain Avenue in Colerain Township.

        All ornamentation, tinsel and lights must be removed before trees are dropped off.

Northwest art exhibit on display at mall

        The Northwest PTA Cultural Arts Exhibit is on display through Sunday at the Northgate Mall, 9502 Colerain Ave., during regular mall hours.

        The 650 entries are selected from works of visual art, music, literature and photography by elementary, middle and high school students from the 14 schools of the Northwest District.

        The exhibit is the first leg of the National PTA Reflections Program, an arts competition of schools from across the United States sponsored by the National PTA.

Memorial fund honors teen shooting victim

        A memorial fund has been established in honor of Gabriel Beckham, the 16-year-old boy who was among three young men killed Monday in a shooting in Springfield Township.

        Those interested in contributing can send checks to the “Gabriel Beckham Memorial Fund” c/o Diane Wainscott, Provident Bank, 8054 Reading Road, Cincinnati 45237.
       

Boil-water advisory issued after main break

        MILFORD — A water main break Thursday has prompted city health officials to issue a boil-water advisory as a precautionary measure.

        The break near the intersection of Brooklyn Avenue and Ohio 28 occurred at noon, said Pam Lee of the city's utility department.

        Water service to about 75 businesses and residences — many east of Crestview Drive — was affected.

        But in accordance with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency rules, all people whose water is off or affected by low pressure are asked to boil their water for one to three minutes before consuming it or using it in cooking.

        The advisory is in effect for 24 hours after the break.
       

Seminar for those returning to college

        Individuals thinking of starting or returning to college should consider a free upcoming seminar hosted by The Union Institute called Getting Ahead By Going Back.

        The institute, located at 440 E. McMillan, will have presentations concerning such issues as selecting the right school, securing financing to attend college, education for personal and professional development and more.

        A round-table discussion will address overcoming obstacles of returning to college.

        The seminar is Jan. 17 from 6:30-9 p.m.

        For more information or registration, contact Jean McKiernan, 487-1211; e-mailjmckiernan@tui.edu; or visit the Web site at www.tui.edu.
       

Auto parts plant to cut 300 jobs

        DAYTON, Ohio — About 10 percent of the 3,000 workers at an auto parts plant in suburban Moraine will be laid off because of a downturn in sales, the company said Thursday.

        Nearly 300 workers at Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems will be laid off Monday, said spokesman Lindsey Williams.

        “This is going to be a permanent layoff,” Mr. Williams said. “This is due to declining customer volume. Auto sales are down. We're just adjusting the staffing to actually match demand.”

        The plant makes compressors used in vehicle heating and cooling systems. Its biggest customer is General Motors Corp.

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