Today is the last day to receive Christmas help at the FreeStore/FoodBank. The center at 112 E. Liberty, which helps needy families, will be closed Monday and Tuesday. The doors open at 8 a.m. today and close at 4 p.m.

Woman dies after vehicle hits pole
        Angela Engler, 30, of North College Hill, died Friday evening after her vehicle crashed into a telephone utility pole in the 6200 block of Este Avenue in Winton Place.

        Ms. Engler was pronounced dead at the scene. She was southbound on Este before she lost control of her vehicle at about 6:30 p.m., Cincinnati Police Sgt. Mike Zwick said.

        An investigation continues.

Boy, 14, charged with robbing store

        GREEN TOWNSHIP — A 14-year-old Springfield Township boy has been arrested for allegedly using a silver pellet gun to rob a Hollywood Video store just before midnight on Friday.

        He is at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center, where he faces an aggravated robbery charge.

        According to Hamilton County Sheriff's deputies, he entered the store, 2170 Anderson Ferry Road, brandishing the silver handgun and demanding money. A store employee was able to hide and phone police.

        The call meant police on patrol were able to spot the boy running away, officials said. The money was recovered.

Calif. company gets $32.5M bus contract

        A minority-owned company in California won a $32.5 million contract to provide Access transportation services in Cincinnati.

        Metro awarded a five-year contract to MV Transportation, based in Fairfield, Calif., to provide curb-to-curb transport for people whose disabilities prevent them from riding Metro's standard buses.

        Access is a nonprofit arm of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. It provides up to 1,000 rides a day, or more than 250,000 a year. Its ridership has grown 10 percent in the past three years, Metro officials said.

        MV Transportation is a 26-year-old company with contracts throughout the Midwest and West. It serves Seattle, Phoenix and Denver, as well as cities in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and California.

        MV will handle Access reservations, scheduling and dispatching, drivers and vehicle maintenance.

Federal lawmakers OK $1M for new SCPA

        The planned new School for Creative and Performing Arts is set to receive $1 million under federal legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.

        President Bush must still sign the legislation.

        The money will be used for design and research of community outreach programs, such as adult arts enrichment courses, for the K-12 performing arts school expected to be built next to Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine.

        The school will combine the current School for Creative and Performing Arts, which serves students in grades 4-12, and Schiel Primary School for Arts Enrichment, a K-3 school in Clifton. The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education last year pledged $26 million for the project if a private group raising money for the school can raise the same amount.

        The group, Cincinnati Arts School Inc., has raised more than $5 million. It is unclear if the $1 million federal contribution will count toward the money needed to be raised by the private group, said the group's spokesman, Paul Bernish.

State patrol post names trooper of year

        HAMILTON — The Hamilton post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has selected its trooper and dispatcher of the year.

        Trooper David Ledford, a 22-year veteran, was selected 2001 Trooper of the Year in recognition of outstanding service.

        A native of Reading and a graduate of Reading High School, Trooper Ledford of Fairfield joined the patrol in 1979 and has served at the Hamilton post his entire career.

        Anita Burtosky-Mays of Indian Springs, who has been a dispatcher at the post four years, was selected 2001 Dispatcher of the Year.

Mayor dies week after taking office

        ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — One week after being sworn in for his fifth term in this Cleveland suburb, Mayor Don Umerley has died. He was 68.

        Mr. Umerley died in his sleep of natural causes Friday morning, said his daughter, Susan Ginley.

        City Council President William Knoble will succeed Mr. Umerley for a maximum of 60 days, as designated in the city charter.

        City Council can meet in that time to appoint a successor.

Use of force increased as violent crime dropped
Officer used force 57 times in 4 years
Flynts may open Hustler's club
Shirey in running for Springfield job
Charter schools gain enrollment
Charter schools Q&A
Varied people create classes
Bill promotes charter schools
BRONSON: Christmas in a bottle
PULFER: Spirit of Christmas in August
Quick thinking saves stroke victim
Residents OK with sale of Bethesda
Two families lose home in fire
Christmas closings
Good News: Students deliver gifts
IRS worker dies from Sept. 11 injuries
Local Digest
Love of bowling her legacy
Popular game has Ohio State roots
CROWLEY: Checking off twice on year in politics
Northern Ky. Christmas closings
Bars to close earlier
Bethlehem's holiday stamp a ritual
Kentucky rakes in federal roads funds
Patton: Increase teacher pay
Sergeant keeps airport watch
Union miners ratify deal