Driver charged in fatal accident

        A Cleves man was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide Friday in connection with a Dec. 20 van crash in Green Township that killed his passenger.

        Sean P. Smart, 25, was driving a van south on Cheviot Road when it left the right side of the road and struck a tree, killing Gerald W. Cox, 28, of Monfort Heights.

        Hamilton County Chief Deputy Sean Donovan said alcohol was a factor in the crash. The felony charge carries a prison term of to eight years on conviction.

        Mr. Smart was taken to the Hamilton County Justice Center pending arraignment today.
       

Man hospitalized after collision

        MASON — One person was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton after a two-car crash Friday afternoon in the 1000 block of Reading Road.

        The man's condition was unknown and his name is being withheld pending notification of relatives, Mason police said. The man, who was alone, was ejected from his station wagon.

TRUCK OVERTURNS Northbound Interstate 71 was closed briefly Friday when a tractor-trailer loaded with 37,000 pounds of paper bags overturned near the Lytle Tunnel just before 3 p.m. No one was hurt in the accident. (Enquirer photo) | ZOOM |

        Police say preliminary investigation shows the man appeared to pull out of a retail center onto Reading Road and his station wagon was struck by a vehicle traveling south on Reading Road. The lone occupant of the other car was uninjured, police said.

        Emergency crews were called to the crash at 3:12 p.m.
       

Slain man's brother among three indicted

        HAMILTON — A Hamilton man was among three people indicted in connection with the November shooting of his brother.

        Marchelo Garrett and Bradley Bowling, both 20-year-old Hamilton residents, were indicted Thursday on murder, kidnapping and aggravated burglary charges, all felonies. They were indicted by a Butler County grand jury in connection with the Nov. 27 killing of Michael Wayne Garrett, 22, of Hamilton. Hamilton police arrested them Thursday afternoon.

        A third suspect, Joshua James Hibbard of Fair Avenue, was also indicted on murder with a gun specification and felonious assault charges.

        The three suspects are being held in the Butler County Jail. Marchelo Garrett and Mr. Bowling are being held on $250,000 bonds and Mr. Hibbard is being held on a $1 million bond.

        Officials have said Michael Garrett was shot in the back with a .357 Magnum revolver. He died of bleeding in his right lung.

        Police didn't discuss motive Friday.
       

130 spaces added for park-and-ride

        ANDERSON TWP. — Metro has added 130 new park-and-ride spaces for Anderson Township and nearby residents who commute to work downtown by bus.

        The new spaces bring the number of spaces in the area to 370. The new ones are on the southeast corner of what was formerly the Office Depot parking lot on Beechmont Avenue, next to the Administration Building, 7954 Beechmont Ave.
       

New Year's event to swear in officials

        COLUMBIA TWP. — Residents are encouraged to attend a special meeting of the township trustees at 1 p.m. Tuesday, New Year's Day, at the Township Building, 5686 Kenwood Road.

        Newly elected trustees, incumbent Susan Hughes and newcomer Jane Pirman, will be sworn in. County Commissioner John Dowlin will be the guest speaker.

        A brief business meeting will follow the ceremonies. Information: 271-1129.

Police find guns, drugs in apartment

        A drug investigation led the Cincinnati Police SWAT team Thursday night to a Mount Auburn apartment.

        Inside at 2442 Highland Ave., they found three weapons. One was a Bushmaster AR-15, which police described as an assault rifle. They also found a .22-caliber pistol and 9 mm Hi-Point.

        Police arrested Omar Jones, 20, who lived at the apartment. He was charged with possession of drugs, drug trafficking and three counts of tampering with evidence. Police said they also found 40 grams of crack, 165 grams of pot and $2,002.
       

Dayton couple was stabbed to death

        DAYTON, Ohio — A couple found dead in their home on the city's east side had multiple stab wounds, the Montgomery County coroner said Friday.

        The bodies of Arlie Fugate, 68, and Mae Fugate, 69, were found Thursday night.

        Montgomery County Coroner Ken Betz said Ms. Fugate had wounds on her back, and Mr. Fugate wounds on his chest.

        Both deaths were listed as homicides, Dr. Betz said.

        The Fugates were found by their son, James Cornett, who said he last saw his parents Wednesday. He returned to salt their icy sidewalk about 10 a.m. Thursday and noticed that the kitchen light was off and the front door was slightly open.

        When he went inside, he found the couple dead.

        Sgt. Tom Flanders said police were investigating whether those deaths were related to another homicide in the same neighborhood.

        Thomas King, 61, was found dead in his home Wednesday night with multiple stab wounds,Sgt. Flanders said.
       

New Year's Day closings

Postal service ....... No delivery
Library ....... Closed
Banks ....... *Closed
Trash collection
• Cincinnati:One day delay.
• Rumpke: One day delay.
• CSI: One day delay.
Metro ....... Holiday schedule and fares
Parking meters ....... No coins required (Cincinnati)
Courts ....... Closed
Government offices
• Federal ....... Closed • City and county ....... Closed
• State ....... Closed
Stock markets ....... Closed
Ohio E-Check ....... Closed
   *The Fifth Third Banking Center at the airport is open.
       
       

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