COVINGTON — A public open house to discuss Greater Cincinnati's proposed light rail system will be held 6 to 8 p.m. today at the site of a potential stop in Covington.

        Officials will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be several displays.

        The initial route would run from Covington through downtown Cincinnati and along Interstate 71, ending in Blue Ash.

        The second phase would run a line from Covington through Northern Kentucky to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

        The meeting will be at the Northern Kentucky Community Center, 824 Greenup St. A free TANK shuttle bus is available. It will leave from TANK's Covington Transit Center.

Arrested man flees
from county jail

               A man being admitted to the Justice Center escaped Monday afternoon, and was still at large Monday night.

        Trashon R. McCray, 25, whose last known address was the 7800 block of Greenland Avenue, Roselawn, escaped about 2:30 p.m. through a door that had been opened to admit an employee.

        Mr. McCray had been charged by Cincinnati police with obstructing justice and drug abuse, the sheriff's office said. He was also wanted in Dayton, Ohio, on robbery and parole violation charges.

        He is African-American, 5-foot-10, 155 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, and wore a nylon jacket, black sweat shirt and blue jeans.

        Anyone with information is asked to call the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office at 825-1500.
       

Van driver dies in
collision with truck

               NORTH BEND — A 42-year-old Miami Township, Hamilton County, man was killed Monday afternoon when his van collided with a dump truck on U.S. 50.

        Steven A. Rohrer, of the 3000 block of Shady Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 2:50 p.m. crash, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office said.

        He failed to yield as he attempted to turn onto Shady Lane, said the sheriff's office. The dump truck was driven by Gregory A. Huntington, 32, of Batesville, Ind.

        The collision caused the dump truck to roll on its side and go off the right side of the road, where it struck a street sign, fire hydrant and utility pole.

        Mr. Huntington was treated at Mercy Franciscan Hospital- Western Hills, and released.

East-side highway
plans up for review

               The Eastern Corridor project, a proposed renovation and expansion of the highway system in eastern Hamilton and western Clermont counties, is the subject of a public feedback session Wednesday.

        The session will be 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Place Elementary School, 5051 Madison Place, Madisonville.

        The project could include the expansion of Interstate 275 and the creation of an Ohio 32 bypass around Newtown along the Little Miami River.

        Planners are seeking comment on land use around the suggested roadways.

        For further information, contact the Hamilton County Transportation Improvement District at 946-8902.
       

Dinner raises funds
for cancer treatment

               A benefit is being held todayfor a woman who will be treated for a rare form of ovarian cancer in early March.

        Michelle Nymberg, 30, of Green Township, is a mother of three whose health insurance will not cover the surgery and chemotherapy being performed by a Johns Hopkins Medical Institute physician.

        The benefit — called “Mardi Gras for Michelle” — is 4 to 9 p.m. at Pepper Roni's restaurant, 6331 Glenway Ave. in Green Township. Admission is $7 for adults, and $5 for children 3 to 12. A buffet dinner will be served. All proceeds will be used for the medical treatment.
       

Schools report on
drug-free efforts

               Cincinnati Public Schools' safe and drug-free schools program is operating in all schools this year, Superintendent Steven Adamowski said.

        On Monday, he updated Board of Education members on the program, which was overhauled this year.

        There are nine prevention specialists with offices in seven schools: Hughes Center, Rockdale Academy, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Western Hills High, Winton Place, Woodward High and Withrow High. These nine people provide services to the district's 75 school buildings.

        Each school receives grant money to address issues of violence, alcohol abuse, tobacco abuse and other drug issues.
       

Woman dies, 3 hurt
in single-car crash

               MADISON TWP. — A 19-year-old Clermont County woman died early Monday in a one-car crash that injured three others. Heather Morgan of Milford was pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton about two hours after the accident in the 2000 block of Wayne-Madison Road near the Miller Brewing Co.

        Ms. Morgan was a front-seat passenger in a car driven by Sarah Nelson, 19, of Middletown. Ms. Nelson was treated at Middletown Regional Hospital and released.

        Two back-seat passengers, Jessica Manning, 21, of Middletown, and Jason Blankenship, 20, of Milford also were injured. Ms. Manning was in good condition Monday at Mercy Hospital Hamilton, where Mr. Blankenship had been treated and released.

        Ms. Nelson's Pontiac Sunfirewent off the road and struck a utility pole about 3:20 a.m., said Butler County Sheriff's Lt. Steve Roach.

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