COLUMBUS — For the first time, the state plans a midyear increase in the cost of Tuition Trust fund units that Ohioans buy to pay for a child's future college education.

        The reason is that most of Ohio's public universities have raised their prices for a second time this year.

        The cost of a unit is determined by the average price of tuition at Ohio's public universities. It takes about 400 units to pay for four years of college at a public university.

        Effective Jan. 15, the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority is raising the price of a unit from $56 to $59.50.
       

Man indicted in Madisonville slaying

               A 29-year-old North Fairmount man has been indicted in connection with the July 25 shooting death of Mark Napier in Madisonville.

        A Hamilton County grand jury this week indicted Rodney Dawan Pennington, whose last known address was Williamsburg Drive in the Fay Apartments, on a murder charge.

        Police said Mr. Pennington is at large and considered armed and dangerous.

        About 3:15 a.m. July 25, Mr. Napier, 33, of Bethel, was found dead, slumped over the wheel of a van at the corner of Ward and Cornish streets, police said. He had been shot.

        Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of Mr. Pennington is asked to call 352-3542 or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.

        Callers can remain anonymous and may receive compensation for their information.
       

Springdale employees to get 3.5% raises

               SPRINGDALE — City council members have agreed to give all full-time Springdale employees, excluding the police department, a one-year, 3.5-percent raise. They also approved a three-year contract with the International Association of Fire Fighters. The firefighters will receive a retroactive, 5 percent raise this year. They will receive a 3.5 percent raise in 2002 and 2003.

        Springdale's 27 police officers are negotiating with city administrators.
       

Mt. Healthy fretting over budget shortfall

               MOUNT HEALTHY — Revenue shortfalls here have officials re-evaluating the city's 2002 budget.

        “We're having to scale down,” safety service director Jim Koshmider said of a recent council decision to postpone adopting 2002 appropriations until finances could be re-evaluated.

        The greatest shortage, he said, stems from a decrease in inheritance taxes. The city, he said, collected about $187,000 in inheritance taxes in 2000 and about $65,000 in 2001.

        At a special Jan. 1 meeting at 11 a.m., council will consider an ordinance to continue business into 2002 and swear in new council members. City finances will again come under discussion at a special meeting Jan. 8 and at a regular meeting Jan. 15. All meetings are at City Hall, 7700 Perry St.

        Appropriations must be passed by the end of March.
       

Hamilton County Courthouse recognized

               The Hamilton County Courthouse has been named a top government facility by the local chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association.

        Awards are based on standards such as community impact, energy management, safety, and accessibility.

        The courthouse will now move into regional competition.
       

Police: Student put pellets in coffee pot filter

               MIDDLETOWN — A 15-year-old Garfield Alternative School student remained Thursday in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center and will appear in court today after allegedly putting silicone pellets in a coffee pot filter in the home economics classroom.

        The girl, whom the Enquirer is not naming because she is a juvenile, is charged as a juvenile with contaminating a substance for human consumption, a first-degree felony, and with unruly conduct, a misdemeanor.

        Middletown Police Maj. Mark Hoffman said the girl found a silicone pack at school Wednesday morning. She opened the packet, threw some pellets in the garbage and put some in the coffee filter while the pot was brewing. Another girl who saw what happened alerted school officials, who called police.

        “As far as we can determine, no one drank any coffee from the pot,” Maj. Hoffman said. “We contacted the poison control center and they said it's not harmful.” The matter is under investigation by the school. A hearing date will be set soon for discipline. The girl has been removed from school until a hearing can be held.
       

Car crash kills 1, leaves 1 in fair condition

               GREEN TOWNSHIP — A single-vehicle crash in the 5700 block of Cheviot Road early Thursday killed a Cincinnati man and sent a Cleves man to University Hospital.

        Gerald W. Cox, 28, a passenger in the 1996 Chevrolet Astro van, was pronounced dead at the scene. The van's driver, Sean P. Smart, 25, of Cleves was in fair condition.

        Police say Mr. Smart was driving the van south just after 2:30 a.m. when he went off the right side and struck a tree. Both men had to be cut from the wreckage by firefighters.

        The accident remains under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

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