A master plan for use of the former Fernald uranium processing plant will be released today for public review and comment.

        Of the 1,050-acre-site near Ross, Ohio, about 800 acres will be restored grassland and forest, including public trails and a proposed American Indian reburial site; 120 acres will be a permanent waste disposal site; and 23 acres are earmarked for potential development, including an education and history center.

        The plan was developed after a series of meetings with concerned neighbors and officials that started in 1999. No industrial, office or residential uses are envisioned.

        A public hearing on the plan will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28, at the Alpha Building, 10967 Hamilton-Cleves Highway, Harrison.

        A 30-day comment period will end March 15. Copies of the document will be available in the Fernald Public Environmental Information Center, 10995 Hamilton-Cleves Highway, and on the Fernald Web site at www.fernald.gov.

Mother killed, man and tot hurt in crash

               ST. CLAIR TOWNSHIP — A 24-year-old Butler County woman was killed Monday in a head-on collision that also injured her young son and another motorist.

        The crash occurred around 7 a.m. on Riverside Drive, just south of Morganthaler Road, in the township's northeast section.

        Alicia Miles, 24, a Hamilton-area resident, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 3-year-old son, whom officials declined to name, was in a safety seat in the rear of the car. He was treated at Fort Hamilton Hospital, then was released to a relative.

        The other driver, Michael Farmer, 51, of Reily Township was taken by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He was in serious condition Monday.

        Mr. Farmer is coordinator of state and federal programs for Middletown City Schools, a position he has held since 1999. School officials think he may have been on his way to work when the crash occurred, said Brenda Long, human services director for the schools.

        Mr. Farmer previously was principal at Van Buren Elementary School in Hamilton.

        A preliminary investigation showed that Ms. Miles was attempting to pass another vehicle, and her car went into the path of Mr. Farmer's, said Detective Monte Mayer, Butler Sheriff's spokesman.

Health board leader honored with a "day'

               Hamilton County Commissioners declared today Dr. William M. Kuhlmann Day.

        The veterinarian, president of the Hamilton County Board of Health, will retire this month after 11 years of service.

        A resident of Harrison, Dr. Kuhlmann is the third member of his family to serve on the Board of Health. His father, Earl William Kuhlmann, served in 1940-45; his grandfather, William H. Kuhlmann, D.D.S., in 1930-40.

        He previously served a four-year term on the Board of Education for the Southwest School District and was president for one year.

Toddler hit by car in family's driveway

               HAMILTON TWP. — An 18-month-old boy was listed in serious condition at Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati on Monday after being run over in his family's driveway.

        Officer Jeff Braley said Seth Irwin was accidentally struck about 11:25 p.m. after he darted out of the house in the 800 block of E. U.S. 22 as his mother, Carmon, backed up the car.

        “She left him at the front glass storm door where he could watch her back out the car. He somehow darted behind the car without her seeing him,” Officer Braley said.

        The boy was transported by helicopter to Children's, where hospital officials said the toddler's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

        Officer Braley said no charges will be filed.

Fire victims remain "critical' in hospitals

               The owner of a Northside adult bookstore remained in critical condition Monday at University Hospital from burns she suffered in a Carthage house fire.

        Elyse Metcalf, 42, suffered second- and third-degree burns on herface, arms and hands.

        She was found by a firefighter operating a thermal-imaging camera.

        A 6-year-old girl, Taylor Brogan, also was hurt in the Seymour Avenue blaze. She was listed Monday in critical condition at Children's Hospital Medical Center. Neighbors said Ms. Metcalf had called her a stepdaughter.

        The fire's cause remained under investigation.

        Damage was estimated at $125,000.

        Ms. Metcalf owns Elyse's Passion, which sells sexually oriented videos, toys, books and other items.

        She was acquitted of obscenity charges last year.

Evendale art exhibit soliciting entries
EVENDALE — The village is inviting Tristate artists to submit work to be included in the Evendale Fine Arts Exhibit Spring 2002.
               The exhibit will be April 19-21 at the Evendale Recreation Center.

        All artists must live within a 25-mile radius of Evendale. Original paintings in oil, acrylic or watercolor, as well as pastels, sketchings, etchings and sculptures will be accepted. Each artist may submit up to three pieces. All works must either be framed or wired for presentation.

        Submitted works may be placed in the show for sale or exhibition purposes.

        To obtain more information or an application form, contact the Evendale Fine Arts Committee through Martha Carmody at 563-6351 or Pat Haslit at 733-8064.

Judge dismisses Traficant complaint
CLEVELAND — A federal judge on Monday dismissed a complaint by U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. that she shouldn't have released to the media juror questionnaires in his bribery trial.
               Mr. Traficant had said personal information such as the salaries of potential jurors should not have been given to the media.

        “Oh come on congressman, let's get on with the jurors and not delay,” U.S. District Judge Lesley Wells said Monday while issuing her ruling.

        When Mr. Traficant continued to protest, Judge Wells ordered him to sit down and told him in a stern voice “now it's time to go forward to select a jury in this case. Thank you.”

        Mr. Traficant, 60, is defending himself in his bribery trial even though he is not an attorney. He has been accused of accepting gifts and favors in exchange for using his political influence, forcing his staff to make cash kickbacks or do favors for him, tax falsification and racketeering.

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