A judge has ordered a psychological examination of a paraplegic accused of driving a vehicle that struck six pedestrians, killing one, before a Cincinnati Bengals game in November.

        Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert S. Kraft authorized up to $3,000 for an independent psychologist to help prepare Darrin Stafford's defense.

        Mr. Stafford, 30, of Evansville faces up to 21 years in prison for the death of 15-year-old Scott Asbrock of Mason.

        Scott, the son of an Ohio state trooper, was struck Nov. 18 on Second Street while walking to Paul Brown Stadium for a game between the Bengals and Tennessee Titans.

        Mr. Stafford is being held on a $45,000 bond on a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide and three counts of aggravated vehicular assault.

        Mr. Stafford's driver's license restricted him to operating vehicles with manual controls.

        Prosecutors say he was driving the vehicle, which was not equipped with manual controls, because the vehicle's owner, Frederick Shipman, 43, of Birmingham, Ala., was too drunk to drive.
       

Man arrested after high school fight

               MONROE — An after-game fight between high school basketball players at Monroe High School Friday led to an arrest of a West Carrollton man who police said came out of the stands to join the brawl.

        Monroe Police arrested Michael D. Wright Jr.,19, of the 100 block of Tonywood Circle, Police said he tried to join in a fight that broke out between Monroe and West Carrollton players as they lined up to shake hands after a close game won by West Carrollton 54-50.

        Police said a West Carrollton player struck a Monroe player, triggering an on-court brawl.

        Mr. Wright, a brother of one of the West Carrollton players, was charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and disturbing the public.

        No one was injured in the fight.
       

HUD official to address meeting

               Roy Bernardi, a high-ranking federal housing and development official, will headline the Cincinnati Empowerment Corp.'s third annual meeting Thursday..

        Mr. Bernardi, HUD assistant secretary for Community Planning and Development, was appointed in May.He oversees the administration of various HUD grant programs including community development block grants, empowerment zones and homeless programs. Before joining the Bush Administration, he was mayor of Syracuse, N.Y. for eight years.

        The meeting will be 6-9 p.m. at Children's Hospital-Sabin Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Avondale. The meeting is free and open to the public.
       

Legislator to keep Enron money for now

               COLUMBUS — Ohio Senate President Richard Finan said campaign contributions that he and his Republican caucus received from Enron Corp. will not be returned because the money would not go to the workers who lost their jobs and retirement funds.

        The Houston-based energy trader filed for bankruptcy late last year after investors and workers lost fortunes in company stocks. President Bush has approved a Justice Department criminal investigation into the company's actions.

        Campaign finance reports filed with Ohio's secretary of state, Kenneth Blackwell, showed that Enron's political action committee contributed at least $13,500 to Mr. Finan and other GOP Senate candidates from 1997 through 2000. The committee also gave at least $3,450 to Democratic Senate candidates.

        The contributions came as the Legislature was writing the electric restructuring bill. Enron was one of the electric power suppliers that stood to benefit from the competitive market the bill was intended to create. It took effect in January 2000.

        Direct campaign contributions, if they are not spent, can only be given to a nonprofit charity and none is set up for Enron workers, Mr. Finan said in a news release.
       

Commission may OK landscape plan

               ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — The township's zoning commission will consider adopting the proposed Beechmont landscape plan at a public meeting 7 p.m. Monday at the Government Center, 7954 Beechmont Ave.

        The Beechmont Landscape Committee held public meetings through the fall inviting comments from residents on improving the image and appearence of the Beechmont Avenue corridor.

        The committee and its consultant, Eric Doepke Associates, have put together a plan for the four-mile corridor that includes planting trees, shrubs and developing green areas along the street.

Beanbag shooting still unresolved
Few officers prosecuted
Flashing case revives call for castration
$100 million Powerball jackpot won
Crash kills Talawanda teacher
One year after fire, block of Main Street still empty
PULFER: What will Lemmie deliver for $193,000?
BRONSON: 'The right to life. . . '
Winter takes a break
Future Sister of the Poor takes first step
Schools promote role of parents
Woodward plan offers two paths
Bank robberies mount
Former Elder High principal dies
Local Digest
Political Notebook
St. Patrick's Parade to honor all Americans
Superintendent outlines goals
Black children victims of terror
Congrats
Good News: Church donates clothes to Afghan refugees
Lebanon scandal expensive
Hoxworth seeks blood
Stumbo offers gambling plan
Kentucky Digest
Ky. students in on Winter Games
Patton urges 'smart growth'