Woman is charged in Walnut Hills death

        A 22-year-old Evanston woman was charged with voluntary manslaughter Tuesday in the death of a man in Walnut Hills.

        The victim, who was pronounced dead at University Hospital, was identified by police as Donnie Campbell, 49, of East Walnut Hills.

        Officers found the victim when they responded to a report of an assault in the 2300 block of Kemper Lane at about 4:15 p.m.

        The cause of death is pending a final ruling by the Hamilton County Coroner's Office, police said.

        Patricia Vandergriff was arrested in connection with the homicide and charged with voluntary manslaughter, police said.

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

Police arrest four in drug investigation

        Police arrested four people and confiscated small amounts of crack cocaine and marijuana when they executed a search warrant at an East Price Hill home over the weekend.

        The arrests followed a four-week undercover investigation prompted by complaints from neighbors, police said. The search warrant was issued after undercover officers made purchases of crack cocaine at a residence in the 900 block of Wells Street and in the area of Warsaw Avenue and Wells Street, authorities said.

HOME BURNS IN SILVERTON: Lt. Jeff McDonough of Deer Park-Silverton Joint Fire District battles a blaze in the 5600 block of Euclid Road in Silverton Tuesday. One firefighter received minor injuries. The house fire, which caused $50,000 damage, remains under investigation. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Arrested were Tyrone Roberson, 18, who was charged with drug trafficking; Joseph Baxter, 18, two counts of drug trafficking; a 16-year-old boy, four counts of drug trafficking and one count of felony drug possession; and a 14-year-old boy, two counts of drug trafficking and one count of misdemeanor drug possession.

        Items recovered included 0.42 gram of crack cocaine, 0.15 gram of marijuana and a digital scale with cocaine residue.

        More warrants have been issued, and the investigation continues.
       

Protection order against chief denied

        HAMILTON — A Butler County judge has refused to issue a protection order against New Miami Police Chief Duane Pelfrey.

        Judge Patricia Oney on Tuesday denied the request by Mary L. Smith.

        Ms. Smith alleged that Chief Pelfrey threatened to kill her family members, including a juvenile who was arrested in an alleged conspiracy to kill the chief. Charges in the alleged plot were dropped last week.

        Meanwhile, another New Miami family filed a protection order petition Tuesday, saying the chief has been driving past their house and that he lied about the conspiracy. Their 16-year-old son was one of five teens originally accused of conspiring to kill Chief Pelfrey.

        That family's petition makes no allegations of threats from the chief. The case has been assigned to Judge Michael J. Sage.
       

Judge says newspaper boxes potential threat

        A federal judge has asked the city of Cincinnati to remove newspaper boxes from around the federal courthouse because of “the potential danger that terrorists might deposit explosives” in them. “Their relatively sturdy construction and ample size would allow for a large package or multiple packages of explosives to be left by any anonymous passerby,” wrote U.S. District Judge Sandra S. Beckwith, chairwoman of the court's security committee. “Even a relatively small bomb could convert those newspaper boxes into deadly shrapnel.”

        Pat DeWine, the chairman of City Council's Law and Public Safety Committee, said he doesn't know how the city would handle the judge's May 29 request.

        The U.S. Postal Service has removed mailboxes from around the courthouse.
       

Youths with character wanted for awards

        The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is accepting nominations for its Sixth Annual Character Awards.

        Nominees should demonstrate the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in their homes, neighborhoods and communities.

        They must be between 12 and 18 and enrolled in a Greater Cincinnati school. Forty selected nominees will be honored Oct. 3 at the YMCA Character Awards Gala.

        To request a nomination form, call any local YMCA or the metro office at 651-2100.
       

U.S. investigators focus on ex-mayor

        The former mayor of Ashland, Ky., who unexpectedly resigned last week, is being investigated by federal officials who allege he bought child pornography and extorted money from a business associate.

        U.S. postal inspectors entered Paul Reeves' home May 29 and found him viewing a child pornography videotape, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Lexington.

        Mr. Reeves resigned abruptly and without explanation Friday. Some city commissioners said during the weekend that they had learned Mr. Reeves was under investigation.

        A five-page affidavit, filed last week in federal court in Lexington by FBI agent David R. Goodson, said a search of Mr. Reeves' home turned up “four or five” envelopes stuffed with cash.

        As of Tuesday, no charges had been filed against Mr. Reeves, and federal officials declined to comment on the investigation.

        Mr. Reeves could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

        Neither FBI nor U.S. postal inspection officials would comment on the investigation. Roberta Bottoms, a spokeswoman for the postal inspector's office in Lexington, said her office won't comment until formal charges were filed or an indictment was issued.

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