Christian group posts anti-racism billboards

        The evangelical Christian group Answers in Genesis put up anti-racism billboards across Cincinnati on Friday.

        Officials from the Florence, Ky.-based ministry said they are trying to bring healing to a city that witnessed rioting last month after the shooting death of an unarmed black man by a police officer.

        The group, in cooperation with Morning Star Communications of Covington, placed 20 billboards — many located in primarily African-American neighborhoods — saying: “Racism? Get Answers.” Underneath the text is the Web address of a newly created site www.OneHumanRace.com.

        At the Web site, commentaries are posted about where races come from and about Jesus.

        Answers in Genesis promotes the truth and reliability of the Bible beginning from the first verse of Genesis.

Memorial Day parade will honor WWII vets

        TERRACE PARK- Veterans of World War II who live in the village are invited to participate in the Terrace Park Memorial Day Parade May 28, where they will be honored by residents.

FIELD DAY RAINED OUT: Rain couldn't stop the annual field day and cookout at Mount Healthy's Rex Ralph Elementary School. Principal Hazel Ross began grilling hot dogs for the students and staff about 10:45 a.m. Friday. By 1 p.m. the school's 370 pupils and teachers had eaten more than 400 hot dogs. But instead of eating them while sitting on the grass, the students and faculty made a picnic of their own on the cafeteria floor. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        The parade will be led by the Marine Corps Color Guard. U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, has donated a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol on April 18.

        “The flag was flown in honor of the service and sacrifice of The Greatest Generation World War II veterans,” said Ray Normile, chairman of the committee.

        The Kiwanis Club of Mariemont will contribute a floral wreath to be laid at the Memorial Day commemoration in remembrance of fallen service people.
       

Construction worker injured in explosion

        LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — A flash explosion at a construction site injured a Dayton, Ohio, man Friday morning.

        Noell Meredith, 30, was being evaluated late Friday at University Hospital.

        Just before 11 a.m. Friday, Mr. Meredith was laying underground drainage pipe at Bethany and Butler-Warren roads, where Four Bridges Apartments are under construction. A solvent he was using to prepare the pipe apparently caused fumes to accumulate, and the fumes exploded when a co-worker lit a cigarette, said Butler County Sheriff's Sgt. Doug Crawford.

        Several contractors had workers at the scene, and it was unclear which company employs Mr. Meredith, police said.

        Mr. Meredith suffered burns on his face and other parts, but remained conscious and alert, Sgt. Crawford said.

        A medical helicopter, unable to land at the construction site, flew to Lakota East High School's parking lot; a Liberty Township ambulance took Mr. Meredith there.
       

Web site offers peek at ball park

        Hamilton County's Web site (www.hamilton-co.org) now has a link to a camera focused on the Great American Ball Park construction site.

        The camera, mounted on the 19th floor balcony of the Atrium One Building, Fourth and Main streets, provides an elevated view of the worksite. Images are updated hourly during daylight hours.

Butler County inmate
makes a break

        HAMILTON — A Butler County Jail inmate escaped Friday afternoon as he was awaiting transport from the county's minimum-security correctional complex to the main jail.

        Joshua R. Harrison, 21, of Hamilton, fled around 3 p.m.

        Mr. Harrison is described as 5-feet-11, 160 pounds, with brown eyes and long brown hair.

        He was being held on charges of burglary and breaking and entering.

        Anyone with information is asked to contact the Butler County Sheriff's Office at 887-3010.
       

Porn trial jurors
released for weekend

        Jurors in the pandering obscenity trial of Pendleton store owner Elyse Metcalf were sent home Friday at about 1 p.m.

        They will resume deliberation Monday at 9 a.m., officials said.

        Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Norbert Nadel dismissed the jurors Friday in place of Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman.

        Judge Ruehlman was called away and could not oversee deliberations. He'll return Monday, officials said.

        Ms. Metcalf faces three pandering obscenity charges for selling three adult videos to undercover police officers last year.

        If convicted she could receive at least six months in prison.
       

High school students
share feelings on race

        Students from Sycamore and Taft high schools will participate in “Just Be There,” a symposium on race relations and civil unrest Sunday.

        The symposium, sponsored by the Cincinnati Historical Society, begins 2 p.m. at Cincinnati Museum Center.

        Students will discuss their commonalities and what they can learn from each other.

        Sycamore students recently volunteered in Over-the-Rhine and invited students from Taft High School to shadow them for a day. Taft and Sycamore students are helping plant flowers and beautify community gardens today in OTR and Pendleton.
       

Unidentified body found in cemetery

        MIDDLETOWN — The body of an unidentified white male in his late 50s or early 60s was discovered lying in the grass Friday afternoon at the Middletown Historical Pioneers Cemetery on First Avenue.

        The body was lying toward the rear of the cemetery, beyond the weathered headstones dating to 1827.

        Crews spent about four hours gathering evidence at the scene.

        Police didn't say who found the body or under what circumstances, but said the death “appears to be suspicious in nature.”

        City police detectives and the Butler County Coroner's Office are investigating, but released no further information Friday.

3-year-old's death ruled a homicide

        CLEVELAND — The shooting death of a 3-year-old girl by a 7-year-old cousin was ruled a homicide Friday by the Cuyahoga County coroner.

        Dr. Elizabeth K. Balraj said an autopsy showed Santrice Harris died Thursday of a gunshot wound to the head.

        Any decision on filing charges must await a review of the coroner's report by investigators, police said.

        Santrice's mother, Cornelia Harris, 19, said the boy who shot her daughter is her nephew, Frederick Zuber.

        The two children were jumping on a bed when a .22-caliber handgun that had been wedged between the mattress and headboard fell to the floor. The boy then picked up the gun and shot his cousin, police said.

        A police spokeswoman, Lt. Sharon MacKay, said Santrice's aunt, Lakinda Harris, 18, was watching seven children at the time.

        County social workers took custody of the other six children after the shooting.
       

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