New research findings for two drugs developed by local companies have emerged at a national conference on bone health.

        Actonel, an anti-osteoporosis drug developed by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals and marketed in cooperation with Aventis Pharmaceuticals, appears to help prevent spinal fractures as quickly as six months after beginning treatment, according to Dr. Nelson Watts, an osteoporosis researcher at the University of Cincinnati. Previous studies focused on benefits after taking the drug for a year.

        Meanwhile, low doses of Cenestin, an estrogen replacement drug made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals to ease the symptoms of menopause, appears to help prevent osteoporosis bone damage in tests involving rats.

        Both studies were expected to be presented today in Phoenix at the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
       

Police ask for help in search for rapist

               Cincinnati police again Friday asked for the public's help in finding the man who raped a 15-year-old Mount Washington girl Wednesday.

        They released a new composite drawing of the suspect after asking the victim to help the police artist draw a better likeness. She described the man as white, in his 40s, with a pockmarked face. He was wearing a gray, long-sleeve T-shirt, black jeans and a Nike cap.

        Investigators are now leaning away from the theory that this man was the same one who raped five women and children in Mason, Montgomery and Colerain Township in 1998 and 1999, Capt. Vince Demasi said Friday.

        Capt. Demasi said detectives were desperate for tips and asked anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Brown Co. deputy shoots man to death

               HAMERSVILLE, Ohio — A man who pointed an assault rifle at two deputies was shot and killed by one of the deputies.

        Joseph David Izod, 33, was shot in the chest at a home in Hamersville on Thursday night and died at the scene, Brown County Sheriff Dwayne Wenninger said. The owner of the home was not identified.

        The deputies were trying to serve Mr. Izod with a felony child endangerment warrant around midnight, Sheriff Wenninger said.

        The deputy who shot Mr. Izod was not identified. He was placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation.

Campaign shortfall worries United Way

               The leaders of the 2001 United Way fund-raising campaign announced Friday that the effort could be about $2 million shy of its $60 million goal when it ends on Oct. 26.

        The economic downturn is hurting the campaign, the leaders said, as are fund-raising efforts to benefit the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

        The last time a local United Way campaign missed its goal was in 1992, when recession gripped the U.S. economy.

        So far, the umbrella agency has raised $35.5 million, said campaign chairman John F. Barrett, president and chief executive of Western-Southern Life. That is about 59 percent of the goal.

        Donations to United Way's annual campaign benefit more than 160 nonprofits in eight counties that provide one in three Cincinnatians with health or social service care.
       

Cocaine found in restaurant, police say

               HAMILTON — Because of alleged drug violations, a Mexican restaurant was closed at least temporarily and one of its employees was arrested in Fairfield Township, police said Friday.

        Authorities “found cocaine residue throughout” El Arrierro restaurant, 747 High St., in a search Thursday, said Sgt. Thomas E. Kilgour, Hamilton police spokesman.

        Investigators think that drugs were being sold from the restaurant and another location also raided Thursday night: 620 Heaton St., said Sgt. Carl Sigmon, Hamilton vice unit supervisor.

        Police also raided an alleged “stash house” at 2410 Imlay Ave., Fairfield Township, where they arrested Manuel Angel Amarillas, 24. He was charged with drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. Mr. Amarillas, a restaurant employee, was released awaiting court action, officials said.

        The restaurant was closed Friday while the city health department investigated. It was unclear whether the restaurant would reopen, Sgt. Sigmon said.

        Authorities confiscated a kilo of cocaine with a street value of about $35,000, two semiautomatic handguns, a Ford Crown Victoria and $750 in cash.
       

Parkinson's research at UC gets $1M gift

               A Columbus department store magnate has donated $1 million to the University of Cincinnati to expand research into Parkinson's disease.

        Saul Schottenstein, director of Schottenstein Stores Corp., president of Value City Stores and director of American Eagle Outfitters Inc., made the gift in honor of his sister. A dinner to honor Mr. Schottenstein is scheduled for Tuesday at the Queen City Club.

        The lab will be named the Selma Schottenstein Harris Lab for Research in Parkinson's.
       

Judge rules against city's sign ordinance

               A federal judge ruled Friday that Cincinnati's ordinance regulating political signs probably violates the First Amendment and barred the city from enforcing it.

        U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott signed a temporary restraining order against city ordinances that regulate the size of political signs (no more than 32 feet square) and the duration they may be posted (no more than 90 days before an election).

        The lawsuit was brought Sept. 28 by the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes, a group founded by state Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr., R-Mount Lookout.

        The coalition said it wanted to erect signs unrelated to the 2001 ballot, such as “Repeal the city earnings tax.”
       

Police seek man who ran from slaying

               Cincinnati police are looking for a man witnesses saw running away from a shooting that left two people dead early Friday in Price Hill.

        Officers responding to the 1200 block of Quebec Avenue about 3 a.m. found a man and woman lying on a porch. Both had been shot.

        Frank Drees, 27, who lived at the house, was killed. Vicki Waters, 42, whose last known address was Warsaw Avenue in Price Hill, was taken to University Hospital, where she later died.

        This brings the number of homicides in Cincinnati this year to 49.

        Police are looking for a man witnesses said they saw running toward Glenway Avenue after the shooting. Investigators do not know whether he was involved. Anyone with information is urged to call them at 352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.

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