The U.S. Supreme Court has turned away a Hyde Park lawyer's argument that the federal government's observance of Christmas as a legal holiday violates the Constitution.

        The court this week declined to hear Richard Ganulin's lawsuit. Two other federal courts had ruled against him. The Supreme Court's action lets stand a ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejecting Mr. Ganulin's argument.

        He said Wednesday the court missed an opportunity by declining to accept the case for review. He said the government, by making a Christian occasion a mandatory holiday, is forcing Christianity on all people.

        Mr. Ganulin, who is Jewish, sued in 1998, arguing that Congress violated the separation of church and state by embracing the Christian holiday more than a century ago.

FIRE WELL FOUGHT: Cincinnati firefighters Don Miles (left) and Doug Hoover take a break Wednesday after extinguishing a fire on Dreman Avenue in Millville. The residents of the house were able to escape. (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        Lawyers for the government and a private organization, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, responded that the Christmas federal holiday is constitutional because celebrating it is not mandatory.
       

Police officer gets two years probation

        A suspended Cincinnati police officer was sentenced Wednesday to two years probation for tapping into a police computer for information he then gave to a friend.

        Officer Matthew Moning was convicted this month of unauthorized use of property.

        Officer Moning, who is assigned to the police impound lot, accessed a police computer Sept. 3 and obtained a friend's criminal record.

        Under the law, officers are not allowed to use the computer database for anything other than official business.
       

Horse drags woman to death

        HILLSBORO — A 38-year-old Hillsboro woman died Wednesday after she was dragged several hundred feet across a field by a horse.

        Debbie Moore, died at Miami Valley Hospital, where she had been flown by helicopter from Highland District Hospital.

        According to the Highland County Sheriff's Office, Ms. Moore was training horses on property on Franklin Road in New Market Township and was leading a horse to a field. The horse bolted, and Ms. Moore had apparently wrapped the lead rope around her hand and was unable to work free.

        Witnesses told deputies the woman was dragged several hundred feet before the rope finally broke. Ms. Moore's body was sent to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office for an autopsy.

Cops wait tables for Special Olympics

        COLERAIN TWP. — Police from at least four agencies in Butler and Hamilton counties are participating in a Special Olympics fund-raiser tonight at the Red Lobster Restaurant, 3564 Springdale Road.

        In an event called “Cops and Lobsters,” officers from Hamilton, Blue Ash, Oxford and the Butler County Sheriff's Office will wait on tables 6-8 p.m. Their tips will go to the charity.

        Information: Call Sgt. Ed Buns at 868-5811, Ext. 1395.
       

No necktie at funeral suits deceased just fine

        ADA, Ohio — Ralph Wright hated wearing neckties at work. So he certainly didn't want anyone wearing a tie at his funeral.

        Mr. Wright will be buried here today, in a suit without a tie, and those attending the service will be told ties aren't needed. His obituary in the newspaper included the request.

        “If you show up in a tie, it's your fault,” said his son, Al Wright.

        Mr. Wright was required to wear a tie when he worked at the post office in Ada. After he retired in 1978, he'd wear one only at a funeral.
       

Interim president for Cleveland State

        CLEVELAND — The Cleveland State University board of trustees Wednesday approved the appointment of a former Kent State University president as the school's interim president.

        Michael Schwartz will serve until a permanent successor is found to replace CSU President Claire Van Ummersen, who is leaving in June to work for a Washington, D.C., council.
       

Execution upheld for police officer's killer

        COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the death sentence of a man who killed an Ashtabula police officer in 1997.

        Voting 7-0, the justices rejected all 15 reasons Odraye G. Jones gave for why he should not be put to death. Mr. Jones was convicted of aggravated murder in the death of William D. Glover Jr.

Teen injured by smoke bomb

        NORWALK, Ohio — A teen-ager making a smoke bomb with a friend was burned on his hands and face when a chemical mixture exploded, authorities said.

        The two boys were mixing the chemicals in a kitchen Tuesday when the mixture exploded, authorities said.

        The boys' names were not released.

        The injured boy, 17, was released from a hospital after treatment.

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