West Nile detected in two more counties

        Tests results announced Wednesday from three dead blue jays have confirmed that West Nile virus has reached Hamilton and Clermont counties.

        The reports by the Hamilton County General Health District and the Clermont County General Health District follow similar reports from Butler and Warren counties.

        In Hamilton County, the birds were found in Delhi Township and Golf Manor. In Clermont County, the infected bird was found in Wayne Township.

        So far, no Ohio people have been detected with the virus.
       

Man convicted of sex crimes with minor

        HAMILTON — A Butler County jury convicted a 30-year-old man of all seven charges he faced in his sexual relationship with his girlfriend's sister, who bore his child when she was 13.

        A jury of 10 women and two men deliberated about four hours Wednesday morning in the case of Kirk D. Waters.

        The jury found him guilty of three counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of sexual battery and two counts of interference with custody.

        The charges carry potential prison time of 26 1/2 years.

        Sentencing is set for Aug. 22.

        Mr. Waters also faces 20 charges in Clermont County involving the same girl.
       

State charges bar with violations

        Uncle Milt's, the Avondale bar where a bartender was busted last month on charges of dealing cocaine, has been cited by the state with 10 liquor license violations.

        The Burnet Avenue bar was cited on charges involving:

        • Four incidents of allowing beer to be taken out of the bar.

        • Five counts of allowing improper conduct, in this case having employees who sell and possess drugs in the bar.

        • Selling alcohol to someone under 21.

        A hearing on the charges, announced Wednesday, has not been set by the Ohio attorney general's liquor unit staff.

        A separate hearing July 19 at City Hall will deal with the bar's request to renew its liquor license.

Woman, teen face felony charges

        SPRINGDALE — A Mount Airy 19-year-old and a 16-year-old girl face a string of felony charges after police say the pair stole clothing from a Tri-County Mall store before leading officers on a vehicle chase Wednesday afternoon into West Chester Township.

        Anidra Lindsey, 19, of High Forest Lane and the juvenile were charged with felony fleeing and eluding, assault on a police officer and aggravated robbery.

        Police said the suspects rammed the pursuing police car at the end of the chase, but there were no injuries.

        The shoplifting at Abercrombie & Fitch was reported just before noon. A Springdale police officer spotted the suspect's car in the mall lot.

        Police chased the car north on Ohio 747 to Muhlhauser Road and then to Allen Road. The suspects slowed and the officer pulled his vehicle in front of them. They then rammed the police cruiser from behind, police said. They were arrested on Allen Road.
       

Forest Park bank robber gets away

        FOREST PARK — Police are searching for a man who robbed the PNC Bank at 699 Northland Blvd. about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

        The robber brandished a handgun. The man fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

        The man is described as black with a dark complexion, about 5-feet-6, with a slender build. He was wearing a green shirt with a logo on the back, khaki pants and a floppy hat. He was also carrying a backpack.
       

Independence Day closings

    Postal service ....... No delivery.
   Library ....... Closed.
   Banks ....... *Closed.
   Trash collection
       • Cincinnati: One day delay.
       • Rumpke: Regular collection.
       • CSI: Regular collection.
   Metro ....... Holiday schedule and fares.
   Parking meters ....... No coins required. (Cincinnati)
   Courts ....... Closed.
   Government offices
       • Federal ....... Closed.        • City and county ....... Closed.
       • State ....... Closed.
   Stock markets ....... Closed.
   Ohio E-Check ....... Closed
   *In-store branches of U.S. Bank (formerly Firstar) will be open. The Fifth Third Banking Center at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport will be open.
       

Man in custody after bank robbery

        A 31-year-old man was in federal custody Wednesday after his arrest in connection with the May 13 holdup of a Firstar Bank bank branch in Hyde Park.

        Jason A. Costello, whose address was unavailable, is charged with robbery in the heist at thebank at 3424 Edwards Road. He is being held pending a court appearance Monday, said Tracey Heinlein, special agent with the FBI's Cincinnati office.

        No other details about the robbery or Mr. Costello's alleged role were released Wednesday. He was picked up Wednesday morning in the parking lot of an Eastern Avenue business, authorities said.

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