Brothers hospitalized after jump off bridge

        NEWPORT — Two brothers remained hospitalized Saturday after one leaped from the Fourth Street Bridge in a suicide attempt Friday and the other jumped off trying to save him.

        Newport police said they received a call at 3:25 p.m. Friday that James Abrams, 39, of Independence had jumped into the Licking River from the bridge connecting Newport and Covington. His brother, John Abrams, 42, then jumped off the Newport side of the bridge to save his brother but misjudged the distance and landed on concrete.

        Covington police pulled James Abrams from the river. He is in critical condition at University Hospital, a nursing supervisor said. John Abrams is in serious condition.
       

Lightning destroys police officer's home

        HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Lightning struck the roof of a Fairfield police officer's home about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, igniting flames that destroyed the residence, said Capt. Andrew Wyatt of the Butler County township's volunteer fire department.

        Officer Doug Day said he heard a pop and called 911 before escaping from the Hogue Road home with his family. They are staying with relatives in Hamilton.

        Capt. Wyatt said flames were shooting from the back of the tri-level, in the 2700 block of Hogue, by the time they arrived. The blaze spread quickly because of about 100 rounds of ammunition that Officer Day kept in his bedroom, Capt. Wyatt said.
       

Woman indicted in fatal car crash

        A Covington woman will face more than 20 years in prison if she is convicted of causing a fatal car crash on March 1.

        April Loveless, 32, was indicted Friday in Hamilton County on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, trafficking in cocaine and possession of cocaine.

        Police have said Ms. Loveless was northbound on Central Parkway in Clifton Heights when she “failed to control” her car. The car crossed lanes and crashed into a car driven by Thomas Mercer, 65, of College Hill.

        Mr. Mercer was pronounced dead at the scene. Ms. Loveless was treated for minor injuries and released from University Hospital.
       

Portman speaks at anti-drug rally

        U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, told about 4,000 young people attending the PRIDE World Youth Conference Saturday that the war on drugs can't be won without their help.

        “You guys know what is going on. You're in the trenches. You know more than a lot of adults do,” he said, speaking at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center, downtown.

        “Even though there are almost 4,000 of us here, there are millions who need to hear the message,” he said. “Go back and tell them, "You don't need to sell yourselves short.'”

        Saturday was the last day of the four-day anti-drug conference for students from around the country and 10 foreign countries.

        The annual event is sponsored by the Atlanta-based Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education, an anti-drug organization that promotes leadership.
       

Norwood bank robber remains at large
        A Provident Bank in Norwood was robbed Saturday morning by a man claiming to have a gun.

        Norwood police said the man indicated to a bank teller that he had a gun and demanded cash. They said he was given an undisclosed amount of money.

        The robbery occurred at 11:55 a.m. at the Provident Bank on Smith Road. Police gave no description of the suspect, other than that he was a white male.

How the church hid the sins of Father Cooley
Cooley regrets turning victims 'against God'
Abuse robbed family of faith
Priest scandals expand nationwide
A lesson of horror and healing
Black United Front: Racial profiling remains an issue
Freedom Center to hold rally today
Tristate family steer canoes to Costa Rica
Free museum day draws thousands
Gun reports keep Springfield cops busy
Soccer team gets new home
Train kills pedestrian in Woodlawn
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Speak up
CROWLEY: Ky. Politics
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: John Pepper
SMITH AMOS: Division of races
School district to redraw lines
Bride accused of poisoning husband to get insurance
Board may end family planning
Preparation made fun for CATS tests
Sheriff shot dead at rally
Sign up for tuition-savings plan
Tax break key to Levee
UK study looks at toll on cancer-patient caregivers
Wood stove fire spreads to trailer