Teen's attorney will seek new judge

        The attorney for a 13-year-old boy accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old Northside relative in August returned to court Wednesday and gave the judge notice that he intends to ask that she be removed from the case.

        Opposing sides on Wednesday asked Hamilton County Juvenile Judge Sylvia Sieve Hendon for a continuance.

        Assistant Hamilton County Public Defender Terry Weber, the boy's defense attorney, told the judge that he intends to file a motion asking for a new judge.

        The case returns to court Jan. 9.

        The teen, who is not being named because his case is staying in Juvenile Court, had initially been declared incompetent to stand trial. However, during a Dec. 11 hearing before Judge Hendon the teen was deemed competent.

        Takeya Bryant was sexually assaulted and beaten to death Aug. 15. She and three siblings were being cared for by her 13-year-old cousin inside their Northside apartment while her mother worked.
       

English teacher carried the torch

        Lists provided of people who carried the Olympic torch in the Tristate this week were not complete. The following torchbearer was omitted.

        Matt Alander, 29, of College Hill is an English teacher at Winton Woods Middle School. The past two years he has run marathons with Team in Training, which raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. “The Olympics are about human potential. We should try to carry that potential to other areas of our lives.”

        To read about other torchbearers, go to Cincinnati.Com, Keyword: Torch.
       

Two banks robbed; total 53 for year

        Two Cincinnati banks were robbed Wednesday in Avondale and Hyde Park. Neither bandit was caught.

        The city's robberies so far this year stand at 53.

        In 2000, there were 24 robberies in the city limits.

        Firstar Bank at 2730 Madison Road was robbed at 3:21 p.m. by a gunman who demanded cash, then ran down Michigan Avenue. Police described him as a black male, 25-to-30 years old and 5 feet 8 inches tall. He wore a blue bandana, black skull cap and dark clothing.

        Earlier Wednesday, the Bank One at 4375 Reading Road was robbed after a man handed a teller a note demanding money shortly after 9 a.m. He fled with $700 to $800, a police report shows. No weapon was seen.

        That man is described by police as black, 6 feet 2 inches tall, with unkempt hair and wearing a black jacket. He was last seen running on Reading Road.

        Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Home inspection fees, sales tax may go up

        Hamilton County commissioners appear willing to increase the property transfer tax — a levy paid by everyone who sells a home — and inspection fees paid by those who build new homes or repair existing properties.

        County officials heard testimony Wednesday at public hearings on both issues. The hearings will continue Dec. 26 at 1:30 p.m. before commissioners decide the matter.

        The property transfer tax is being reinstated at 1.5 mills this year. A mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

        The proposal would double the tax to 3 mills. If raised to 3 mills, a person selling a $160,000 home would pay an additional $640. The doubling of the tax would raise nearly $4 million for the county this year.

        There is also a proposal to increase building inspection fees in the county by 40 percent. Those fees have not been increased since 1993, and would cost someone building a $225,000 home about $95.
       

Universities win education grant

        A new federal grant will create a joint effort by Northern Kentucky University and the University of Louisville to improve science and math education.

        The $1.5 million was obtained by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., for the 2002-03 school year.

        NKU will use its half for undergrad research, teacher education and K-12 outreach through its Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics.

        Louisville will use its share for graduate and post-graduate education and teacher development.
       

Ambulance runs will cost more

        The cost of an ambulance run in Cincinnati will go up next year.

        Acting City Manager Tim Riordan told City Council on Monday that the city would increase the base charge for an advanced life support run from $425 to $433, and for basic life support from $180 to $252.

        In addition, the city will begin charging $5 per mile.

        The changes, which go into effect Jan. 1, will raise an additional $385,000 a year for the city.
       

Police suspect man in burglary string

        HAMILTON — A man who police said could be linked to 71 burglaries in three counties was arrested in Middletown on Wednesday.

        Fallon Atkins, 22, was arrested and jailed in Middletown on charges of burglary and breaking and entering.

        Ten police agencies in Butler, Warren and Montgomery counties conducted a meeting Wednesday to discuss “cat burglaries” with similar characteristics, such as forcing open a rear door with a doorknob gripping device, Butler County Sheriff Harold Don Gabbard said.

        One burglary was interrupted by a neighbor. The burglar fled in a red Ford Taurus. Shortly after that, a search warrant was executed in West Carrollton, where driver's licenses, jewelry, criminal tools and credit cards were recovered.

        Police said charges from other jurisdictions are pending.
       

Gunfire exchanged at Cleveland bank

        CLEVELAND — A suspected robber and a bank guard exchanged gunfire in a KeyBank branch and both remained hospitalized Wednesday, police said.

        Damien Sample, 25, entered the bank Tuesday morning and fired shots at bank guard Paul Viancourt, said police spokeswoman Lt. Sharon MacKay.

        Mr. Viancourt fired back and shouted at patrons to get down, Lt. MacKay said.

        Both men were seriously wounded.

        None of the bank patrons was injured.

Symmes Township tree disposal

        SYMMES TOWNSHIP — Residents can dispose of their Christmas trees for free behind the Township Administration Building, 9323 Union Cemetery Road, Dec. 26 to Jan. 13.

        Remove all ornaments, tinsel and plastic wrapping. The trees will be mulched.

        For more information, call the township office, 683-6641.

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