Court-affiliated psychologist Paul Deardorf reported Friday that the two youngsters accused of killing 8-year-old Takeya Bryant of Northside are competent to stand trial.

Takeya

        Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Sylvia Sieve Hendon said the boys could be re-evaluated by defense psychologist Kathleen Hart and she wants her report by Sept. 6.

        Takeya was killed Aug. 15 while the 13-year-old was baby-sitting for her and other siblings. Her brother, 11, is also charged.

        Both boys are charged with her killing; her cousin also is charged with rape.

        The Enquirer is not naming the boys because of their ages.
       

Man, girlfriend charged in standoff

        CHEVIOT — A Cheviot man and his girlfriend are facing charges in connection with an nine-hour standoff with police.

        Christopher Thomas, 27, was charged with a felony firearm violation after holding police at bay Thursday. There were no injuries.

VEHICLE FIRE: A cloud of black smoke rises from a vehicle that caught fire Friday on the entrance ramp to the Brent Spence Bridge above Third Street. The fire combined with another accident on the bridge to stifle traffic traveling south on Interstate 75 and on some downtown streets as drivers were forced to find alternative routes. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Police say they were called to Mr. Thomas' apartment at Harrison and Bridgetown roads in Cheviot just before 4:30 a.m. Thursday after Mr. Thomas threatened suicide.

        Officers with the Hamilton County Police Association Special Weapons and Tactics team negotiated with Mr. Thomas until just before 2 p.m. Mr. Thomas, armed with .357-caliber Magnum, surrendered at his front door. Mr. Thomas' girlfriend, Branda Kessler, 26, was charged with misconduct at an emergency, a misdemeanor. Police say Ms. Kessler ran past police barricades and tried to enter the building.

        That forced SWAT officers, in stopping Ms. Kessler, to place themselves in the line of fire from Mr. Thomas.
       

Parents group offers school supplies

        The Cincinnati Parents for Public Schools will hold an open house and school supplies giveaway 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the organization's new office in Corryville.

        CPS parents are invited to visit and share ideas for parental involvement in the schools. About 2,000 bags of school supplies will be given out. Refreshments will be served.

        The new office is at 400 Oak St., on the Burnet Avenue side of the Vernon Manor Hotel.

        Parents for Public Schools is part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and strengthening public schools.

        CPS classes start Monday.
       

Slaying suspect returned to jail

        Tony Ringer, accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend, returned to jail Friday morning after losing his $1 million bond.

Ringer

        Part of it had been guaranteed by James Washington, owner of Washington Limousine Service, of Walnut Hills. Mr. Washington put up property worth $250,000, according to Mr. Ringer's attorney, Kenneth Lawson, but on Friday, he backed out of the deal.

        “Mr. Washington needed to free up his property to make sure he meets his obligations,” Mr. Lawson said. Mr. Washington could not be reached for comment.

        Mr. Ringer, 31, owner of a downtown barbershop, is accused of shooting Cassandra Betts, 25, of Fairfield, Dec. 20 in a Woodlawn parking lot. He says Ms. Betts died when he struggled to take a gun from her.

        Mr. Ringer faces two counts of aggravated murder because Ms. Betts was pregnant. Bond was set at $500,000 on each charge.
       

Norwood ballot case bumped to Columbus

        NORWOOD — Ohio's secretary of state will have to decide if Marian Hochbein can run for City Council in Norwood's 4th Ward.

        The Hamilton County Board of Elections was split 2-2 along party lines about whether to allow her candidacy.

        John Fenton, a Democrat, argued that Ms. Hochbein, a Republican, should not be allowed to run because she replaced Charles Marshall, a Republican, who dropped out before the May 7 primary.
       

Sobriety checkpoint planned in Warren Co.

        LEBANON — A sobriety checkpoint will be set up today in Warren County to check drivers for alcohol and drug impairment.

        The exact time and location will be announced this morning. The checkpoint will be conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in conjunction with the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

Man with gun robs bank in Roselawn

        Police are searching for a man who robbed the Key Bank at 7825 Reading Road in Roselawn on Friday morning.

        There were no injuries.

        Police say a man armed with a handgun and carrying a bag, walked into the bank around 10:30 a.m. and demanded money. He escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash.

        The robber is described as a white man, 18-23 years old, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 130 pounds. He wore a black hooded sweat shirt, dark pants and a silver scarf around his face.
       

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