Shooting suspects surrender meekly

        DAYTON, Ohio — Two suspects wanted in Lima on charges that they opening fire in a crowded apartment during an apparent robbery, killing two girls and wounding six others, surrendered Saturday at a Motel 6 after police surrounded it.

        “They walked out of the hotel room and got down on the ground without any struggle,” said Sgt. Ken Greco, of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office.

        Jeronique Cunningham, 29, and Cleveland Jackson, 21, both of Lima, were taken into custody about 6:30 p.m., about 45 minutes after Butler Township police received a tip from Lima police that the suspects were in the area, Sgt. Greco said.
       

Middletown woman remains in hospital

        MIDDLETOWN — Theresa Mayabb, 45, shot at her home late Thursday, remained in critical condition Saturday evening at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, according to a nursing supervisor.

        Mrs. Mayabb suffered a gunshot to the head after accidentally being shot by her husband, according to Middletown police.

        Her husband, Mike, has been charged with felonious assault, negligent assault and aggravated menacing. He is being held at the Middletown jail with a bond set at $115,000.
       

Father charged after 3-year-old found alone

        Cincinnati Police charged Gregory Howard, 46, of Cumminsville, on Saturday with child endangerment after his 3-year-old daughter was found wandering alone in Mount Airy Forest on Friday evening.

        The toddler, Shanice Howard, was found by Cincinnati Park Police at the corner of Oak Ridge and Trail Ridge drives about 5:30 p.m. She was wearing a coat and boots and was several miles from her home.

        On Saturday, Shanice was placed in the custody of the county Department of Job and Family Services, police said.
       

County mails property tax bills, due Jan. 31

        Hamilton County property tax bills will arrive in the mail soon.

        Treasurer Robert Goering said the bills for homeowners and commercial properties were mailed Saturday. The deadline for payment without a penalty is midnight Jan. 31.

        Anyone with questions about the tax bills can call the treasurer's office at 946-4800 or 946-4820. Questions or comments also can be sent by e-mail to county.treasurer
       @treasurer.hamilton-co.org.

        Property owners can arrange credit card payment of their bills online at www.hamilton-co.org/treasurer/.
       

Attorney takes helm at anti-tobacco panel

        COLUMBUS — A state panel has selected a new executive director to oversee Ohio's $50 million campaign against smoking.

        The Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation on Friday offered the job to Michael Renner, chief counsel to Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery.

        The foundation is one of seven trust funds created after a 1998 national settlement with the tobacco industry, in which Ohio was promised as much as $10 billion over 26 years.

        Mr. Renner, 54, of Pickerington, was lead attorney in the state's litigation against tobacco companies and was a negotiator in the settlement talks. The post pays between $90,000 and $115,000 a year.

13-year-old convicted of carrying gun on bus

        CANTON, Ohio — A 13-year-old boy has been convicted of carrying a loaded gun on a Greyhound bus.

        Stark County Family Court Judge Jim James convicted the boy Friday on a felony charge of carrying a concealed weapon and a misdemeanor count of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

        He sentenced the boy, whose name was withheld because he is a juvenile, to an indefinite term in juvenile detention.

        Police arrested the boy Dec. 18 after getting a tip he might be carrying a weapon. Officers were on hand when the bus made a stop in Canton.

        The boy and his mother were returning to Canton from a visit to Alabama. Police said the gun was found in his jacket pocket.

        During a two-day trial, the boy and his attorney claimed the gun was for protection because of threats made by his mother's boyfriend.
       

Antioch College picks first woman president

        YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — Antioch College will have its first woman president beginning Feb. 1.

        Trustees of the Antioch University system announced Friday that Joan Straumanis, a 1957 graduate of Antioch College, has been selected as president of her alma mater.

        Ms. Straumanis is now program officer at the Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education in Washington.

        Ms. Straumanis said she hopes to help Antioch build on its strengths and its tradition of innovation.

Cleveland mayor may overhaul health dept.

        CLEVELAND — The city's new mayor may face an early decision on whether to revamp Cleveland's health department.

        A panel appointed by Mayor-elect Jane Campbell, who takes office Monday from Mayor Michael R. White, has warned that the health department suffers from inexperienced leaders and high staff turnover.

        Ms. Campbell said she wants more advice before deciding what course to take.

Jones leaving federal bench
Q&A with Judge Jones
Centerville remembers soldier killed in war
Death prompts internal scrutiny
Arts school holds open house
GOP picks 3 for judges
Group trains teens in technology skills
Pepper suggests rules for conduct of council meetings
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Meet John Doe
CROWLEY: Kentucky Politics
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Mystery sport
Sales tax opponents pick up pace
Ohio puts off redraw of election districts
Frame going up for museum
Gambling opponents gathering
Keeneland supports gaming
Kid-porn figure admits guilt
Ky. activist ending career
School took 25 years to get home
Kentucky News Briefs