Cincinnati Symphony names general manager

        Janell B. Weinstock, artistic administrator for the Utah Symphony since 1988, has been named general manager of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, effective March 19.

        Her duties will include working with the CSO's almost 100 musicians on artistic and contractual matters.

        She also was previously executive director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
       

Man pleads not guilty to posing as officer

        LEBANON — A Knoxville, Tenn., man entered a plea of not guilty Friday to allegations that he posed as a police officer and pulled over a young woman in Springboro in an attempt at coercing sex from her.

Shoppers fill the aisles at the fifth annual Friends of the Public Library Warehouse Sale Friday at the library warehouse, 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston. The sale of more than 100,000 used books, cassettes and CDs continues from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Mark Mixner, a 37-year-old married father of two young daughters, stood silently alongside his lawyer as he appeared for arraignment in Warren County Pleas Court on charges of kidnapping, personating an officer and possession of criminal tools.

        Friday was Mr. Mixner's first court appearance since being indicted on the charges Jan. 9. He remained free on a $10,000 cash bond.

        Springboro police said Mr. Mixner used flashing red and blue lights to pull over a 19-year-old woman late Dec. 6 on Ohio 741 in West Carrollton, near Dayton.

        The woman said Mr. Mixner told her he was working with an undercover police detail looking for drunken drivers.
       

Mt. Airy man accused in triple killing

        A Mount Airy man will face a possible life sentence if he is convicted of killing three men on New Year's Day.

        Jerome Carter, 19, was indicted Friday on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. Mr. Carter is accused of killing Miko Carter, 22; Clarence Julian, 19; and Gabriel Beckham, 16.

        The three men died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head just before 10 p.m. Jan. 1 inside a Bonneville Lane house in Springfield Township.

        Police continue to search for two other suspects.
       

Two are indicted in Avondale killing

        Two Cincinnati men were indicted Friday in the shooting death of Harry Simonton last month in Avondale.

        The two men, Darrell Stenson and Chaz Israel, are charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. They could face up to life in prison if they are convicted.

        They are accused of killing Mr. Simonton, 23, during a Dec. 1 robbery. Mr. Simonton was shot as he sat in his car in the 900 block of Burton Avenue.
       

City wins appeal in police-dog care case

        A federal appeals court Friday ruled for the city in a dispute over how much to pay police officers for their off-duty care of police dogs assigned to them.

        The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati reversed a lower court's decision rejecting the city's proposal to pay the officers the equivalent of about two hours a week — 17 minutes a day — for caring for the dogs at home while off duty.

        The officers said the city violated the Fair Labor Standards Act by failing to give them overtime pay.

        In 1998, U.S. District Judge Herman Weber rejected the city's plan, calling it unreasonable.

        But appeals judges Danny Boggs, Richard Suhrheinrich and John Gibson ruled Friday that the pay agreement was reasonable and that federal labor law permits such agreements.

Mike Beatty of Xenia stands next to the 39-point buck he shot in November. The record-setting kill is on display at the hunting and fishing show, going on until Sunday at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Officers volunteer for the dog-handling assignments and undergo training.

        The officers said they devote at least one hour daily, and sometimes much more than that, to dog care while off duty.
       

Group plans march against abortion ruling

        To mark the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the 17th Greater Cincinnati annual anti-abortion rosary procession will begin at 2 p.m. today at Cincinnati City Hall.

        The procession will be followed by a political rally at Fountain Square about 2:45 p.m.
       

Evanston task force to meet on development

        The first meeting of the Evanston Community Task Force regarding development at Montgomery Road and Dana Avenue will be at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Evanston Recreation Center, 3204 Woodburn Ave.

        The task force will provide opinions about on a proposed development. Information: 352-4988.

Bowl contest win benefits charity

        LEBANON — A child mentoring group received a $10,000 windfall Thursday because of a Lebanon man's trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

        During a halftime contest Jan. 2 sponsored by Nokia, Tim Miller won $60,000. In addition, Nokia offered to give a local charity $10,000, and Mr. Miller chose Big Brothers and Sisters of Warren and Clinton Counties.
       

State joblessness holds below 4 percent

        COLUMBUS — The unemployment rate in Ohio was 3.9 percent in December, holding steady from November.

        The national rate also remained the same, at 4 percent.

        In Ohio, Vinton County had the highest rate, at 12.6 percent, and Delaware County the lowest, 1.6 percent, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Friday.

        The statewide jobless rate was down from 4.1 percent in December 1999.

        Hamilton County's rate was 2.9 percent. Other area counties were: Butler, 2.6 percent; Clermont, 3.1 percent; and Warren, 2.6 percent. Cincinnati's rate was 4.1 percent, and the city of Hamilton's rate was 3.9 percent.

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