Cincy State gets teacher-training funds

        Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has received a $50,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to train 60 middle- and high school science teachers this summer.

        The Science Education for Public Understanding grant comes from the agency's environmental education fund. It will be supplemented by $35,000 from Procter & Gamble and the U.S. Department of Energy at the Fernald former uranium-processing site.

        The money will cover one week of training in Cincinnati and other cities in southwestern Ohio.

Over-the-Rhine man is shot and killed

VISITING ROYALTY: Miss Ohio Natalie Witwer hugs Colerain High School junior Nick Fox after crowning him “king.” Ms. Witwer spoke to students at the school Wednesday about making good choices in life and performed for them on the piano. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Cincinnati's 22nd homicide of the year happened early Wednesday in the West End.

        Thomas Baskin, 24, of Over-the-Rhine, was pronounced dead at the scene near the Queen Anne Bar on Central Avenue after District 1 officers responded at about 2 a.m. He had been shot.

        Another man, also shot, was taken to University Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition, police said. That man had not been identified, and hospital officials were searching for relatives.

        The 22nd killing compares with 14 homicides as of this time last year, which ended with 61 killings, the highest in 14 years.
       

Clermont Co. erects tornado shelter signs

        BATAVIA — Tornado shelter signs are going up around Clermont County, alerting residents to secure places to seek shelter in the event of tornadoes or severe weather.

        About 10 of 50 signs have gone up, including buildings at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville, University of Cincinnati-Clermont College campus and various churches.

        For more information, call the Clermont County Department of Public Safety Services at 732-7661.
       

Man robs credit union in Oakley

        A man armed with a weapon robbed the Milacru Federal Credit Union in Oakley on Wednesday afternoon.

        The robber entered the credit union at 3240 Forrer St. at about 12:55 p.m., brandished the weapon and demanded money from a teller, police said. The man fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and was last seen running south on Madison Road toward Taylor Avenue.

        The robber is described as a black man in his 20s, about 6 feet, 180 to 200 pounds, wearing a blue bandana, dark, long-sleeve shirt with a design in white on the back, dark sweat pants and dark shoes.

        It was the 13th robbery of a financial institution in Cincinnati this year.

        Anyone with information is asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department criminal investigations section at 352-3542, or Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Anderson residents sought for cleanup

       ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — The township is encouraging residents to join in the Great American Cleanup in the township from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

        Volunteers are asked to meet behind the Anderson Township Government Center, 7954 Beechmont Ave., before 9 a.m. that day to register and pick up bags for collecting trash along streets and in areas of the township.

A bolt of lightning stretches across downtown Cincinnati during heavy thunderstorms that moved thru the area Wednesday night (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Lunch will be provided.

        For more information, call 956-7219.
       

Dealer sues Deerfield
over rezoning denial

       LEBANON — A car dealer is suing Deerfield Township for the right to build a lot on 36 acres along Mason-Montgomery Road.

        The township trustees voted against a rezoning request by CarMax Auto Superstores on March 19, following the recommendations of Warren County and Deerfield Township zoning groups.

        But the lawsuit, filed Monday, says no evidence was presented that surrounding property owners would suffer if CarMax got a conditional-use permit for the land, now zoned light manufacturing with a planned-unit overlay.

        The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, which owns the land, is also a party to the lawsuit. Jewish Hospital has a facility next door and had once planned to build a hospital on the site.

        The suit asks Warren County Common Pleas Court to overturn the trustees' decision and make the township pay plaintiffs' legal fees.

        Deerfield officials had no comment on the lawsuit Wednesday.
       

Fairfield sets up drug, vice hot line

        FAIRFIELD — The Police Department started a new anonymous tip line Wednesday for drug and vice activity.

        The 24-hour hot line feeds into a voice mail that investigators will access. They will follow up on every tip, said Lt. Ken Colburn of the department's community relations division. The number is 896-8200.

        For more information, call Lt. Colburn at 896-8254.
       

Avondale health fair will be Saturday

        A health fair Saturday will provide information about physical and financial health, as well as safety information for children.

        “African American Total Wellness — Health, Financial & Safety: A Family Affair” will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Peace Baptist Church, 652 Rockdale Ave., Avondale.

        Sessions will cover dieting, HIV, nutrition, money management, investments, estate planning and burn prevention, as well as seat belt, bicycle helmet, pedestrian and home and gun safety.

        Sponsors are the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati's African American Leadership Development Program — Class 9; the African American Youth Injury Prevention Program; and Peace Baptist Church.
       

Hamilton bank is hit by robbery

        HAMILTON — The First National Bank at Peck Boulevard and Williams Avenue was robbed Wednesday at about 2:20 p.m., police said.

        The amount of money taken was not disclosed, and Hamilton police refused to release further details Wednesday.
       

Native Cincinnatian is new college chief

        Cincinnati native Brian M. Barefoot has been named the 11th president of Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

        A former executive with more than three decades of experience at PaineWebber Inc. and Merrill Lynch & Co., Mr. Barefoot is the first graduate of the school selected to sit at its helm.

        Babson College is recognized internationally as a leader in entrepreneurial management education.

Clemont Co. erects tornado shelter signs

        BATAVIA — Tornado shelter signs are going up around Clermont County, alerting residents to secure places to seek shelter in the event of tornadoes or severe weather.

        About 10 of 50 signs have gone up, including buildings at the Clermont County Fairgrounds in Owensville, University of Cincinnati-Clermont College campus and various churches.

        The signs are part of the county's participation in Project Impact, afederal and state initiative to promote disaster-resistant communities.

        The signs are intended to be displayed on concrete public buildings that can be used as shelters.

        For more information, call the Clermont County Department of Public Safety Services at 732-7661.
       

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