West Nile virus found in two birds

        Two blue jays, one in Warren County and the other in Butler County, tested positive for West Nile virus, an infection that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.

        One of the blue jays was collected in West Chester Township by the Butler County Combined Health District, and the other was collected in Washington Township by the Warren County Combined Health District.

        Both health districts are members of the South West Area Regional Mosquito Task Force, a coalition of 14 agencies that is monitoring the area for West Nile virus.

        The virus has not been detected in mosquitoes so far. But when an infected bird is bitten by a mosquito, the disease can be transmitted.

        For most adults, the virus produces mild, flu-like symptoms. But those with weak immune systems may develop more serious symptoms that can lead to encephalitis or meningitis.

        Residents who spot a dead blue jay or crow are encouraged to contact their local health departments so the birds can be tested.
       

Lawyer says officers doing bust were drunk

        LEBANON — The lawyer for a dancer who was arrested in a raid at Bristol's Show Club & Revue said that undercover agents were intoxicated during their investigation of the club.

        The head of the Warren County Drug Task Force denied that claim.

        “The officers were not intoxicated at all. These people were monitored...I would not have tolerated any kind of intoxication,” said John Burke, who commands the drug unit.

        The allegation surfaced Friday after Warren County prosecutors dropped a cocaine trafficking charge against Jana Ullman in exchange for her guilty plea to a second felony charge of drug trafficking.

        Ms. Ullman, 22, of Fairfield, is accused of trying to sell the illegal stimulant ecstasy to undercover agents.

        “They (the agents) were very intoxicated and she was just stringing them along,” said her attoney, John Quinn.

        Ms. Ullman was among 26 dancers, managers and others who were arrested on charges of bootlegging, prostitution or trafficking as a result of the March 5 police raid on the adult club in Monroe.
       

Cable channel to air museum ceremony

        Video from the June 17 National Underground Railroad Freedom Center groundbreaking ceremony will be televised several times next week on Time Warner Cable.

        City Cable (Channel 23) will broadcast the video Monday at 7 p.m., Tuesday at noon and midnight, Wednesday at 8 a.m., and Thursday 4 p.m. and midnight.

        City Cable serves communities within Cincinnati city limits.

        Metro access channel 24 will show the ceremony at 8 p.m. Wednesday. WCPO TV (Channel 9) also has streaming video of the ceremony on its Web site at www.wcpo.com.
       

Police teams snare hookers, customers

       HAMILTON — Police snared dozens of people in separate prostitution and curfew-violation sweeps late Thursday and early Friday.

        “It was a busy night,” said Officer Don Taylor, Hamilton police spokesman.

        In response to complaints about prostitution in the 800-900 block of East Avenue, about eight police officers targeted “johns” and alleged prostitutes, Officer Taylor said.

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS: From an elevated platform, Vincent Jackson, 14, of Maryland, sends his race car zooming around the new scale auto raceway at Joyce Park in Hamilton. The ROAR 2002 Fuel On Road Sedan Nationals are being held here through Sunday. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        Police arrested 23 suspects on charges of soliciting or loitering to engage in prostitution during a sweep conducted from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.

        Three other people were arrested for obstructing official business. They shouted “Cop!” in attempts to alert would-be customers that a female officer was posing as a prostitute, Officer Taylor said.

        Throughout the city, police looked for curfew violators from 10 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday. Officers stopped 34 juveniles, 25 of whom were counseled and released. Nine were cited to Butler County Juvenile Court and taken home.
       

Dogs featured at fund raiser today

&        A non-profit agency that trains dogs for people with disabilities, 4 Paws For Ability, Inc., will hold its first 4 Paws Walk and Roll from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., today at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Carthage.

nbsp;       The agency hopes to make it an annual event.

        Admission to the fund raiser is free, with donations accepted. Events will include raffles and contests, face painting and demonstrations by rescue and search dogs. Dog walks will be held on the hour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

        Proceeds will go to the purchase of a seizure response dog for Tricia Weber, 27, of Covedale. The dog, Roxie, is in training. The family hopes to raise enough money to purchase the dog this fall. Ms. Weber has suffered from seizures since age 6. When trained, Roxie will be able to recognize when Ms. Weber has a seizure, and will paw a special phone link to 911.
       

Madeira to apply for fix-up funds

        MADEIRA — The city will apply for a $98,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant to rebuild the Fellman Park tennis courts.

        The project will cost $130,000, requiring the city to contribute $32,000.

        City Manager Tom Moeller said the pavement is sliding and cracked. He expects to hear from the ODNR later this year.
       

Passenger who told of knife pleads guilty

        COLUMBUS, Ohio — A passenger who told a radio talk show audience that he made it through airport security with a 5-inch knife pleaded guilty on Friday to knowingly violating aircraft and airport security.

        Robert Hedrick, 38, of Delaware, entered the plea to the misdemeanor charge before U.S. District Judge Algenon Marbley. He faces up to one year in jail and a $100,000 fine. A sentencing date was not scheduled.

        Mr. Hedrick was arrested Jan. 23 at Port Columbus International Airport.

        He said he cleared the security checkpoint in Greensboro, N.C., earlier with a belt buckle that was actually a sheath holding a knife with a 3-inch blade, authorities said.

        After arriving in Pittsburgh on the US Airways Express flight, Mr. Hedrick called radio station WTVN talk show host John Corby and told him he was surprised he got through the checkpoint Mr. Hedrick was arrested when he arrived in Columbus.
       

Apartment fire leaves two dead

        WAUSEON, Ohio — Fire destroyed a historic downtown apartment building early Friday, killing two residents.

        The fire started about 4:15 a.m. when a man cooking tacos tried to put out a kitchen grease fire by throwing water on it, which led to more flames, Fire Chief Jim Gamber said.

        The man escaped. Killed were Glen Rice, 81, and Cindy Weber-Cox, 45. Both bodies were found on the second floor.

        The Arcade building was constructed in 1904. It had 20 apartments, offices and stores.

       

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