Friday, May 25, 2001
Tristate A.M. Report
Symbolic event intended as healing
Greater Cincinnatians are asked to observe three minutes of silence next week as a public expression of grief over racial tensions arising from April's riots.
Charlene Ventura, executive director of the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati, said Thursday churches are asked to ring their bells for three minutes beginning at noon Wednesday and to leave their doors open at that time so people can gather.
The symbolic silence is designed to promote community-police and racial healing.
![[photo]](/editions/2001/05/25/kyhighwater150x259.jpg)
RISING RIVER: Canada geese swim past steps that now descend from Riverside Drive in Covington to the Ohio River. Predictions are that the river will rise from Thursday's 42.9 feet to 45.7 feet today. Flood stage is 52 feet.
(Patrick Reddy photo)
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"As women and as a community, we feel a need to express and acknowledge our sadness at what has happened so that we can move forward with understanding and compassion into the next critical phases of problem-solving and healing,” said Ms. Ventura.
Ms. Ventura also said YWCA officials would distribute black and white ribbons at this weekend's Taste of Cincinnati event to raise awareness of the need to mend racial tensions.
For information: 241-7090.
Two sentenced for Avondale killing
Two Avondale teens pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated murder for causing the death of a man they were attempting to rob.
Chaz Israel, 18, and Darrell Stenson, 17, pled guilty for their parts in the Dec. 1 shooting of Harry Simonton, 23, as he sat in a car in the 900 block of Burton Avenue. He died the next day.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Mark Schweikert sentenced Mr. Israel to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 23 years and Mr. Stenson to 18 years.
Inmate's freedom lasted five days
HAMILTON — Butler County sheriff's deputies have recaptured an inmate who escaped last Friday while awaiting transport to jail.
Joshua Harrison, 21, was arrested in the 200 block of Highland Avenue in the village New Miami late Wednesday.
The Hamilton man had been jailed for burglary and breaking and entering.
He now faces charges of escape and vandalism, Brad Kraemer, spokesman for the sheriff's office, said Thursday.
“To facilitate his escape, he destroyed or ripped some wires” in a holding area, Mr. Kraemer said, “and that enabled him to get the door open.”
Accused officer asks for new trial date
Cincinnati Police Officer Patrick Caton, accused of assault in the Nov. 7 death of Roger Owensby Jr. in Roselawn, has asked that his trial date be changed.
A hearing on his request will be today before Municipal Court Judge Guy Guckenberger.
Officer Robert Jorg, who faces a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in the same death, had his trial date changed from May to October because of the riots that followed the shooting death of an unarmed man by a different Cincinnati policeman.
Officer Caton, who faces a misdemeanor assault charge, is requesting that his trial be moved from its July date for the same reasons.
New commission gets $250K grant
The KnowledgeWorks Foundation Thursday announced grants totaling $750,000.
The foundation, which funds education initiatives in Ohio, has committed $250,000 to Cincinnati Community Action Now, the mayor-appointed commission seeking to address racial tensions and inequalities. The donation is Cincinnati CAN's second-largest; last week, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation pledged $350,000.
KnowledgeWorks also committed $500,000 to be used to engage the public in planning community-centered schools in Cincinnati.
The Rev. Damon Lynch III, a Cincinnati CAN co-chairman, thanked KnowledgeWorks for the gift, saying "this money is going to help Cincinnati CAN get through its early formation stage, as well as get it started with the planning and implementation stages.”
Chad P. Wick, president and CEO of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation, said a portion of the money will pay special counsel Sylvester Murray's $1,400-a-day salary. The rest will be used for Cincinnati CAN's initiatives and action plans.
HUC to ordain 15 in Reform ceremony
Fifteen students from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion will be ordained June 2 as rabbis in the Reform tradition.
The service begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Plum Street Temple, Eighth and Plum streets.
Colerain Speedway station is held up
COLERAIN TOWNSHIP — Hamilton County sheriff's deputies are investigating a robbery at the Speedway gas station in the 6400 block of Colerain Avenue late Wednesday.
There were no injuries.
A man entered the station just before 11 p.m. and demanded money, sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett said. The man, who indicated he had a weapon but didn't show one, obtained an undetermined amount of cash and fled on foot.
County agency head sets retirement date
Don Thomas, director of Hamilton County's Department of Human Services, will retire June 30.
Mr. Thomas announced his retirement earlier this year, but not the date.
DHS administers welfare reform and most programs for the poor.
County Administrator Dave Krings said Barbara Manuel, assistant director in charge of DHS' Children's Services, will become interim director.
Socialville-Foster closure is extended
DEERFIELD TWP. — Socialville-Foster Road — closed last week after a retaining wall collapsed — will not reopen for at least two months, Warren County Engineer Neil Tunison said.
County commissioners approved an emergency agreement Thursday to begin repairs. The project is expected to cost about $45,000, Mr. Tunison said.
Motorists heading from the Little Miami River toward Interstate 71 can take the Old 3C Highway to U.S. 22/Ohio 3 to Landen Drive.
Memorial Day closings
![[photo]](/editions/2001/05/25/kyhighwater.jpg)
Tristate A.M. Report
