Nothing sinister on river, investigators say

        COVINGTON — Authorities concluded after searching about 25 miles of the Ohio River and a tributary that there was no basis for reports that six armed men dressed in camouflage had stopped boats.

        After the all-day search Wednesday of the Ohio River and the Licking River, the FBI and emergency and water rescue personnel found nothing to verify the report, said Ed Burk of the Kenton County Emergency Management Agency.

        Investigators concluded the report was a rumor passed among boaters via marine radio channels, Mr. Burk said Thursday.

        Cincinnati radio dispatchers first heard the report from a boater at 1 a.m. Wednesday, Mr. Burk said. Investigators have not found that boater.

A PEACEFUL MOMENT: Bicyclists enjoy a morning ride Thursday on the path at Lunken Airport. The popular bike trail, which also accommodates runners, walkers and in-line skaters, winds through a golf course and along the airport perimeter. (Dick Swaim photo) | ZOOM |

        Two commercial towboat pilots relayed the radio reports, but told investigators later they had not seen anything that verified the story, Mr. Burk said.

        Personnel from Ohio and three northern Kentucky counties worked with the FBI in the search, he said.

        All the search turned up was a black duffel bag found Wednesday afternoon on the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, which spans the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Newport. The bag was empty, police said.

Rep. wants to make RU-486 hard to get

        COLUMBUS — Women would have to get the approval of a psychiatrist before they receive the federally approved abortion pill RU-486 under legislation introduced in the Ohio House.

        Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Cincinnati, wants to make it so difficult to obtain the pill that it would effectively prohibit its use. Women would have to show a doctor a letter from a psychiatrist confirming their need for the medication.

        Exceptions would be made if a woman's life was in danger.

        A physician convicted of dispensing the abortion pill without a psychiatrist's approval could face up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, under the legislation.

        The National Abortion Rights Action League has called Mr. Brinkman's idea condescending to women.

Butler OKs financing for medical group

       HAMILTON — Butler County commissioners approved Thursday the issuance of $19.5 million in bonds for the construction of a medical diagnostic center and offices for specialists on Cox Road in West Chester Township.

        The county assumes no obligations for these bonds. Its action allows UC Physicians, a group of 450 doctors affiliated with the University of Cincinnati, to qualify for tax-exempt financing.

        This project will be the first piece of a $100 million-plus medical and commercial development along Cox and Interstate 75.

County gears up to spend $23M on sewers

        Hamilton County commissioners have signed off on the first step in a $23 million investment in new equipment that will allow the Metropolitan Sewer District to burn more sludge more efficiently.

        The initial investment is only about $1 million, but commissioners wanted to make sure the new equipment is necessary.

        MSD Director Pat Karney said the old sludge incinerators require constant maintenance. Also, he said, more sludge will be generated as more sewers come on line.

        In addition to the $23 million in equipment, MSD will likely need $5 million in computers and programs to run the equipment.

UC Arts & Sciences' new dean honored

        A public reception on Oct. 2 will honor Karen L. Gould, the new and first female dean of the University of Cincinnati McMicken College of Arts and Sciences.

        It will be at 5:30 p.m. at 8880 Old Indian Hill Road, Indian Hill. Reservations are required by Sept. 28 at 561-4545.

        The program also will welcome Anne Sisson Runyan, the new director of the UC Center for Women's Studies.

        The reception is sponsored by the UC Friends of Women's Studies.        

Social Security hearing is downtown next week

        The President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security, established to recommend ways to “preserve Social Security for seniors while building wealth for younger Americans,” is planning a hearing Sept. 21 at the Westin, downtown.

        The hearing is 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. One of the panels will feature testimony from the public.

        Those interested in testifying should submit a short biography and an outline of proposed testimony. The commission will contact those invited to testify.

        The commission can be contacted by e-mail at comments@csss.gov or by regular mail at 734 Jackson Place, NW, Washington, DC 20503.        

Deadline near for gifted kids' classes

        Saturday is the deadline to register for the fall Super Saturday Program, which serves the needs of gifted children in Greater Cincinnati. For more information, call the program's message center at 786-6826 or visit www.supersaturday.org.

        Super Saturday is presented by the Parents Association for Gifted Education Inc., a nonprofit Ohio corporation. Students attend six, two-hour classes, which are offered in the morning and afternoon Saturdays at the University of Cincinnati's College of Applied Science campus, 2220 Victory Parkway.

        Topics include space science, music appreciation, inventions, press conference, scrapbook creations and foreign language.
       

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