Police pick up 32 in truancy sweep

        The Cincinnati Police Division's District 2 officers picked up 32 youths, mainly from Evanston, East Hyde Park and East Walnut Hills, during a truancy sweep Thursday afternoon.

        The youths were in violation of Cincinnati municipal code requiring school-aged youths to be in school during school hours, said Lt. Dick Newsom.

        Four of the youths were arrested — three for repeat truancy and the fourth on a warrant, Lt. Newsom said. For the rest, the violation is kept on record and if they are picked up again, they can be jailed, he said.

        Parents and the schools were notified, and some of the youths were returned to school. Many were from Withrow High School, Lt. Newsom said.

        The district picked up 38 youths during a truancy sweep Jan. 21, he said.
       

Man seeks an end to jail pay-to-stay

        A Bond Hill man asked for a court order Friday that would force Hamilton County officials to stop seizing money from suspects as they enter jail.

        Anthony Allen sued the county last year in federal court to end the seizures, which are part of a “pay-to-stay” program at the county's jails. Suspects are charged a fee — usually about $9 — when they are booked at the jail.

        Mr. Allen's lawyers attacked the pay-to-stay program again Friday when they asked the federal court to intervene immediately with a preliminary injunction. An injunction would require the county to stop making the seizures until the lawsuit is resolved.

        The lawsuit claims the pay-to-stay program violates the U.S. Constitution because it confiscates money from those who have not been convicted of a crime.

        Mr. Allen has said he was detained in jail for 12 hours last year because a computer mistakenly reported there was a warrant for his arrest. He said he was charged $30 when he was booked and never got the money back.
       

Teens fail to show in ethnic intimidation case

        HAMILTON — Warrants were issued Friday for the arrest of two Hamilton teens accused of ethnic intimidation and criminal damaging, after they failed to show up for a Butler County Juvenile Court hearing, said Hamilton Police Sgt. Jim Malone.

        The white boys, ages 16 and 17, were accused of making racist graffiti and vandalizing property of Hispanics in the area of Heaton and Sixth streets.

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN BUILDING AT UC: Cincinnati firefighters confer at the scene of an electrical fire Friday at Carl H. Lindner Hall at the University of Cincinnati. More than 300 people were directed out of the building and power was shut off in three buildings and a parking garage. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        They were arrested Monday, but released to their parents, after a monthlong investigation involving the FBI.

Feast ending Muslim hajj will be Monday

        Muslims in the Tristate and around the world will celebrate on Monday Eid al-Adha, a feast that commemorates the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son at God's command.

        The feast marks the end of the hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that millions of Muslims make each year. Up to 2,500 people are expected to attend the services at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, 8092 Plantation Drive in West Chester Township.
       

Clifton branch library expands its hours

        The Clifton branch library, 351 Ludlow Ave., will expand its hours starting Sunday.

        An open house and reception will be at the branch from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.,Sunday to celebrate the expanded hours.

        Sunday hours will be from noon to 4 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday hours from noon to 9 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

        Circulation has increased by 60 percent the past 10 years. Last year, the branch circulated 185,567 items, a 7 percent increase over 1999.

        Jennifer Gomien, branch manager, said the branch has added a full-time reference librarian to the staff, along with new tables, chairs and wall units to display books and other items.
       

Grand jury accuses pair in dog-fighting

        Two men accused of running a dog-fighting ring will each face up to two years in prison if they are convicted of dog fighting and cruelty to animals.

        Raymond Isome, 24, of Silverton, and Robert Williams, 54, of Woodlawn, were indicted on the charges Friday by a Hamilton County grand jury. They were arrested Feb. 18 after police raided Mr. Isome's home on Stewart Road.

        Five pit bulls, some of them injured, were taken from the home by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Prosecutors say several spectators were gathered at the home to watch the dogs fight.
       

Va. attorney general to lead anti-drug force

        Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley announced Friday that he will head a National Association of Attorneys General task force to research and coordinate efforts to curb prescription drug use.

        The task force is a result of a multistate meeting Thursday with OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma and law enforcement officials from several states including Ohio and Kentucky.

        This task force will be sponsored by the NAGG's criminal law committee, which is chaired by Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher.

        “This is a serious issue that deserves national attention and NAGG's attempt to address this growing problem,” said Carla Stovall, NAGG president and the Kansas attorney general.

        “We look forward to learning as much as possible about what can be done to stop the illegal use of prescription drugs.”

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