Former treasurer accused of stealing

        A 37-year-old Groesbeck woman was indicted Thursday on two counts of theft and one count of unauthorized use of property for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from a Price Hill youth athletic group.

        Angela Miller faces up to 4 1/2 years in prison if convicted.

        She is accused of taking at least $13,000 from the treasury of Price Hill Athletic Inc.

        A onetime treasurer of the group, Mrs. Miller is accused of using the money for groceries, pet supplies, dance lessons and tuition for her daughter's private school.

        “The money came from registration fees paid by parents of young football and baseball players and some corporate donations to fund five or six football and baseball teams each year, as well as cheerleaders and concession operations,” said Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen.

        The thefts were believed to have taken place between November 1999 and October 2001.

        Discrepancies were uncovered after a football coach, who wanted money for a preseason pep rally, was allegedly told by Mrs. Miller that there was not enough money for such an activity.

        The athletic group has an operating fund of $30,000 annually.

        Mrs. Miller could face fines up to $15,000 if she is convicted.
       

Officer faces charges of menacing woman

        A Hamilton County corrections officer has been accused of stalking a woman.

        Stephen Falck, 39, of Price Hill, was charged with menacing by stalking for allegedly contacting the 34-year-old woman at her job and home and leaving messages between April 25 and May 1.

        Mr. Falck has worked in the sheriff's corrections department for 17 years. He was suspended without pay after the arrest Wednesday.

Mental health levy planned for next year

       HAMILTON — The Butler County Mental Health Board plans to place a levy on the ballot in May 2003.

        The board had considered placing a 2-mill levy on this year's November general election ballot. But the presence of the county sales tax increase and other money issues on the ballot caused the board to delay its levy, said John Staup, executive director.

        The board might reduce its levy proposal to 1.5 mills, he said.
       

Monroe votes to add 2 acres to city park

       MONROE — This city's Community Park will expand by more than two acres after Monroe City Council members voted this week to buy three adjacent parcels of land for $90,000.

        The purchase, which was approved Tuesday in a 5-0 vote by city council with two members absent, adds 2.3 acres to the park located at 500 South Main St. in the city's southern section.

        Monroe City Manager Donald Whitman said there are no plans yet for the new park space, but that the additional land could mean the park's main entrance could be relocated to Mason Avenue.

        Council also authorized Mr. Whitman to apply for state conservation funding that could cover up to 75 percent, or $67,500, of the $90,000 land purchase price.
       

Teacher sentenced for sex with student

        BATAVIA — A teacher at the Christian Life Center in Mount Carmel has been sentenced to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual battery involving a 17-year-old student at the school.

        William Wise, 28, of Anderson Township, had sexual relations with the girl in different locations in Clermont County, Anderson Township and at his home. He described the relations as consensual.

        Clermont County Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Breyer said all the sexual encounters involved the same girl. Mr. Wise pleaded guilty to the charge April 1.

        Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ringland sentenced Mr. Wise and classified him a habitual sexual offender.
       

Shooting victim's family offers reward for tips

        Family and friends of a 19-year-old man killed in Madisonville in March have collected $10,000 for a reward for information about what happened to him.

        Nolan T. Moi was found shot to death in his Erie Avenue apartment the morning of March 11. His roommates found him on the stairs.

        Cincinnati police have said little about what they think happened.

        The reward is available through Crime Stoppers, which also offers up to $1,000 for tips: 352-3040. Callers can be anonymous.
       

Anti-war group to join Kent State memorial

        KENT, Ohio — A group opposed to the U.S. war on terrorism is planning a protest at Kent State University on Saturday shortly after a commemoration of shootings that occurred there May 4, 1970 during an anti-war protest.

        Some students would prefer the protesters stay away.

        May 4 has come to symbolize “repression of dissent,” said Kent State student Anders Brooks, an organizer of the anti-war on terrorism rally.

        He pointed out that the Kent State shootings occurred during a protest against the Vietnam War, and that he believes criticism of the U.S. military action in Afghanistan has been limited.

        The group will benefit from the exposure that the May 4 commemoration will get.

        “We wanted this event to reach as many people as it could,” he said.

        The May 4 Task Force, the student group that for years has organized a candlelight vigil, speeches and programs to honor the memory of the four slain students in 1970, doesn't like the timing of the rally.

        “I would say that some of us are upset” that the protest has been scheduled for the same day, said Adria Crannell, a member of the task force. “But as a whole, the group (May 4 Task Force) is OK with them.”
       

Thursday storms hit trees, power lines

        Strong storms that moved through central Ohio early Thursday knocked down power lines and uprooted trees.

        About 1,900 customers lost power in Franklin and Licking counties. About 200 of the 400 customers that lost power in Columbus remained without power Thursday afternoon, said Terri Flora, a spokeswoman for American Electric Power.

        In Franklin, Fairfield and Madison counties, the storms uprooted trees and telephone poles and lines were downed. A barn was destroyed in Groveport.

        Some areas between Dayton and Columbus received as much as 2 inches of rain and nickel-sized hail, said Myron Padgett, a National Weather Service meteorologist

        The National Weather Service did issue a tornado warning for the area, but no tornadoes were confirmed, Mr. Padgett said.

Clermont director of utilities named

        BATAVIA — The county board of commissioners has named Tom Yeager to the new position of director of utilities, overseeing both the Clermont County Water and Sewer District and the Sanitary Engineering Department.

        Mr. Yeager, 48, had been operations administrator for the water and sewer district, and is a 29-year employee of the county. As the new director of utilities he will earn $91,000 a year.

        He will still be responsible for the water and sewer district, and the sanitary engineering department will be retained. Carl Hartman, county sanitary engineer, will report to Mr. Yeager.
       

University Hospital to train AF personnel

       Teams of up to a dozen Air Force medical specialists will begin trauma care training this fall at University Hospital as part of an agreement formally signed on Monday.

        Plans for establishing the Cincinnati Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) were announced last year. University Hospital becomes the third facility nationwide to join the Air Force training program.

        The program calls for Air Force physicians, nurses and medical technicians to spend 14 days rotating through one of two C-STARS courses at the hospital.

Lenders add up Erpenbeck exposure
Builder lays off most of its staff
In-your-face art sparks talk
Covington Catholic grieves for 2001 alum
Gays in ministry issue ignites fight in Presbyterian churches
Roach put back on streets
New report affirms police findings on Roach
Mental health levy gets big push
Premature births among blacks targeted
Reds prepare to show off park
Street closings given for Sunday's Flying Pig
Tristate A.M. Report
Volunteers repaid for helping out
BRONSON: Burnet Avenue
HOWARD: Some Good News
SMITH AMOS: HIV as weapon
WELLS: Freedom of the press
Butler judges push for security
Court reporters needed for Butler Co.
Fenwick High site in dispute again
Leave park be, citizens tell planners
The Elms hotel to open by July
Special session collapses
UK in top 50 in spending on research