Unidentified man slain in Westwood

        An unidentified man was shot to death just before 8 p.m. Saturday at 2824 West Knoll Lane, Westwood. Cincinnati Police were investigating the death as a homicide.

        Other details of the shooting were unavailable late Saturday.

        This brings the number of homicides in Cincinnati to 62 this year, the highest since 1987, when 66 people were slain.

        Still, Cincinnati's 2001 homicide numbers remained behind Ohio's other two biggest cities. Cleveland recorded 77 this year, while Columbus had 76. Nationally, the number of homicides rose slightly in the first six months of this year, according to the FBI.

        Last year, 40 people were killed in Cincinnati.
       

Madison Pike collision hurts Falmouth man

        COVINGTON — A Falmouth man was hospitalized Saturday morning after a two-vehicle crash on Madison Pike.

        Jimmy Hunley, 35, was in stable condition at University Hospital after the 11:30 a.m. accident on Madison Pike, according to Covington Police. Three unidentified passengers in Mr. Hunley's car, a woman and two children, were treated at the scene.

        Covington Police said Mr. Hunley attempted to drive his Toyota Corolla across Madison Pike at Old Ky. 17 when it was hit by a pickup traveling north.

        Covington Police said the driver of the truck, who was not identified, had the right of way. He was not injured. No charges were filed.

        It was the second collision in less than 24 hours on Madison Pike.

        About 2:30 p.m. Friday, John Kenneth Kidwell, 17, of Covington, a student at Scott High School in Taylor Mill, died at the scene after his car struck a Ford driven by April Smith, 22, of Covington.

        Ms. Smith was in stable condition Saturday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Three passengers in Ms. Smith's car were treated and released Friday.

        Spc. George Russell said Mr. Kidwell swerved into oncoming traffic on Ky. 17, causing his car to collide with Ms. Smith's.

        The crash remains under investigation.
       

Cruiser, car collide; officer, 3 others hurt

        MIDDLETOWN — A local police officer was involved in a car accident Friday night that sent him and three others to the hospital.

        Officer Thomas Shures was responding to a call for assistance, driving west on Central Avenue with lights and siren blaring, when he struck a car driving north on Ohio 4.

        The cruiser then hit a tree at the intersection, and the other vehicle hit a light pole.

        Passengers in the car hit by the cruiser — Minam Morris, Kisun Morris and Yeojung Yoon, all of Middletown — were treated and released from Middletown Regional Hospital, as was Officer Shures. The accident is under investigation.
       

Car dumped in lake sets off rescue try

        COVINGTON — Thieves dumping a stolen car into Prisoners Lake in Devou Park caused a scare among local rescue officials late Friday.

        Panicked residents called Covington Police after seeing what they thought was a sport utility vehicle floating in the lake shortly after 10 p.m. The vehicle sank before police could see whether anyone was inside, so Boone County water rescue divers were called to search.

        When a Ford Focus was fished from the lake early Saturday, police determined no one was inside the car.

        The Focus, owned by a diagnostics company based in Ohio, was stolen Thursday while parked in front of a health clinic in Covington.

        Police believe the thieves mistakenly thought the car, which has its company's name painted on the doors, contained prescription drugs.
       

Citizens police school applications open

        Residents interested in learning more about Cincinnati police can apply online for the department's latest Citizen Police Academy.

        The classes will be held on eight consecutive Wednesdays starting Jan. 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Officials teach a list of subjects, from procedures and drug enforcement to gangs and community oriented policing.

        The program started in 1995. Apply online at www.Cincinnatipolice.org.
       

New Year's revelers can reserve free ride

        HAMILTON — Those celebrating New Year's Eve in Butler County can reserve free bus rides from 8 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m., New Year's Day.

        Reservations can be made by calling (800) 373-3743. Rides must begin and end in Butler County.

        The service is sponsored by the Butler County Regional Transit Authority and by Miller Brewery.
       

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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