LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. — An 8-year-old Dearborn County boy was in serious condition at Children's Hospital Medical Center after being struck by a garbage truck driven by his father Friday morning on Dutch Hollow Road west of Aurora.

        Dearborn County Police Sgt. Scott Follis said Kenneth Brabent, 29, of Vevay, Ind., an independent trash collector, was operating his route with his son, Caleb Ludwick, in the cab.

        Mr. Brabent stopped to make a garbage pickup. While he was outside the truck, Caleb went out the passenger side door.

        When Mr. Brabent hopped in the driver's seat, he drove forward. The rear of the truck is wider than the cab and it struck Caleb.

        Caleb suffered a broken arm and broken leg.

Men in police custody walk out of hospital

               About four hours before a man charged with assaulting two Springfield Township officers walked away from University Hospital, another man under police custody disappeared while being treated at the hospital.

        Roger Richardson walked away from the hospital at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The 35-year-old was charged with resisting arrest after District 4 police picked him up Thursday evening on outstanding warrants. Cincinnati police didn't release any more information.

        About 12:30 a.m. Friday Anthony P. Wilcox, 22, of President Drive, was on a police hold when he disappeared from the hospital after being charged with assaulting two Springfield Township officers. University Hospital spokeswoman Pat Samson said a police guard had not arrived when Mr. Wilcox left, wearing only a hospital gown.

        Nursing Supervisor Sandy Clark said police decide whether prisoners should be guarded, not the hospital. Hospital officials said Mr. Wilcox was supposed to be guarded, but Ms. Clark didn't know whether Mr. Richardson was.

Middletown Red Cross seeks volunteers

               The Middletown Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking disaster services volunteers to serve in Butler and Warren counties. For information, call 423-9233.
       

Campground to build water treatment plant

               WAYNESVILLE — Spring Valley Frontier Campground has agreed to build a wastewater treatment plant and make other changes in response to concerns by state environmental officials.

        “We absolutely will remain open,” co-owner Nancy Lineen said Friday. “We have no water problems.”

        The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said it found unacceptable levels of coliform bacteria and nitrate in the campground's drinking water before 2000. However, since the owners drilled a new well last year, the water has been found to be clean.
       

Spirit of Women nominations accepted

               Nominations for the annual Spirit of Women Awards will be accepted through Tuesday to recognize women who have made outstanding contributions to communities, school, workplace or family.

        The awards, sponsored locally by the TriHealth hospital group, will be given Sept. 19.

        Nominations can be made in two categories: youth (ages 14-21) and community (ages 22 and up). For information, call 475-4500.
       

Clinton Memorial changes hours

               WILMINGTON — Starting today, Clinton Memorial Hospital will change the hours of its “AfterHours” evening and weekend urgent care center.

        The new Saturday and Sunday hours will be 11 a.m.-9 p.m. to accommodate patients who wanted an earlier opening time.
       

Bill grants immunity to gun makers

               COLUMBUS — Gov. Bob Taft signed a bill Friday that grants gun makers immunity from lawsuits.

        The bill prohibits legal action against manufacturers as a result of injuries or damage caused by users of their products. Gunmakers will be held responsible for damage or injuries caused by defective weapons.

        It goes into effect in 90 days.

        Supporters of the bill argue that the law is needed because officials who aren't addressing gun violence through legislation are hiring attorneys to fight the issue through the courts instead.

        Opponents argued that the bill won't stop lawsuits that are forcing gun makers to make guns safer.

        A clause in the bill makes it retroactive.

        The bill's sponsor, Jamie Callender, R-Willowick, said the retroactive provision was aimed at municipalities that might file suits related to past gun violence.

        He said it was not meant to stop current cases. Cleveland and Cincinnati have pending lawsuits against gun makers.
       

Judge stops Toledo indoor smoking ban

               TOLEDO — A federal judge on Friday put a temporary stop to a countywide smoking ban.

        The smoking ban, the strictest in the state, would have outlawed smoking in all indoor public places, including bars and restaurants. It was set to go into effect Sunday.

        But U.S. District Judge David Katz issued a preliminary injunction that will give opponents of the ban more time to prepare for a court challenge.
       

Jury upholds death sentence for Tibbetts

               COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence imposed on a Cincinnati man convicted of stabbing and beating to death his wife and landlord.

        The court on Thursday rejected Raymond Tibbetts' arguments that his lawyers at trial did a poor job of defending him.

        Mr. Tibbetts, 44, can appeal in the federal courts. His execution date has been postponed indefinitely while his conviction is being appealed.

        In 1997, Judith Sue Crawford, 42, his new wife, was beaten and stabbed to death. Fred Hicks, 67, who owned the house, had been stabbed 12 times.

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