Car crash injures police officer slightly

        A Cincinnati police officer suffered minor injuries Friday night when his police cruiser collided with a car in Avondale.

        The accident occurred shortly before 11 p.m. at Reading Road and Ridgeway Avenue.

        District 4 Police Officer Excell Walker Jr., 46, was driving north on Reading when a northbound car made a left turn in front of him onto Ridgeway, according to Cincinnati Police Traffic Unit Sgt. Mike Zwick.

        The two cars collided. Officer Walker was treated at University Hospital and released.

        The driver of the car, Leon Tompson, 20, of Lincoln Heights, was not injured.

        Mr. Tompson was cited for making an improper left turn and for driving on a suspended license. He was also wanted for a misdemeanor warrant by Lincoln Heights police and was turned over to them, officials said.
       

College Hill crash kills woman, 89

        An 89-year-old woman was killed Saturday when the car she was riding in crashed in College Hill.

        Helen Delmonaco, of North College Hill, was riding in a car driven by her son, James Delmonaco, 56, of Colerain Township, shortly after 11 a.m.

        They were heading north on Argus Road. Near the intersection of Loiska Lane, a southbound car turned into their path.

        The driver of that car was Samuel Holmond, 60, of Avondale.

        Officials say neither Mr. Holmond nor Mr. Delmonaco was injured in the crash.

        Mrs. Delmonaco was transported to Mercy Franciscan-Mount Airy, then by helicopter to University Hospital, where she died.

        No charges have been filed, and the investigation continues, police said.
       

Fire damages empty building; none hurt

        A fire at a vacant building in Cumminsville caused $30,000 worth of damage late Friday night. No one was injured in the fire in the 4200 block of Fergus Street at 10:17 p.m. Friday.

        Cincinnati District 2 Fire Chief Dave Collini said fire companies arriving on the scene found heavy fire coming from the windows of the first and second floors on the east side of the building.

        The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The owner of the building is unknown.
       

Car runs into building, injuring man, 33

        A 77-year-old Green Township man was cited for failing to control his vehicle Saturday after he ran his car into a storefront and injured one man.

        Thomas Beal, 33, of Colerain Township was treated and released from University Hospital, a hospital spokeswoman said Saturday night.

        Shortly before 11:30 a.m., Mr. Beal was sitting inside Bauer's International Martial Arts Academy in the 5800 block of Cheviot Road, when a car driven by John Lies came through the front wall and pinned Mr. Beal underneath.

        Police said Mr. Lies was stopped in front of the business, attempting to shut the passenger door of his 1995 Lincoln Town Car when his foot came off the brake and hit the accelerator.

        No one else was injured.
       

Mason city buildings taking holiday gifts

        MASON — The city of Mason is accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys, nonperishable food and gift certificates from retailers as part of its “Hope for the Holidays” program.

        Gift boxes will be delivered to less fortunate families in Mason on Dec. 24 and 25. To arrange for special assistance in making your donation, call 573-3350. If you know someone who needs assistance this holiday season, call 459-7164 with the name, age and gender.

        Donations, which will be accepted through Dec. 19, can be placed in boxes at the following locations:

        • Mason Fire Station 51, 135 Mason-Montgomery Rd.

        • Mason Fire Station 52, 5500 Cedar Village Dr.

        • Mason Municipal Building, 202 W. Main St.

        • City of Mason Engineering and Building Department, 214 W. Main St.

        • City of Mason Public Works Garage, 4211 Ohio 741.

        • Mason Water Reclamation Facility, 3920 U.S. 42 (Reading Rd.).

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