MIDDLETOWN - Ray Agee, 61, remembers summer days before Dicks Creek became a blackened stream, polluted with waste, runoff and cancer-causing chemicals.

        Growing up in Middletown, he learned to swim in the 6-mile ravine that runs through this community of 55,000 residents.

        But by the time his four children could tread water, it was considered dangerous to get into the mucky stream.

        Today, his 11 grandchildren aren't allowed to visit for fear that the stream could harm them. Community and corporate leaders acknowledge that dangerous pollutants exist along portions of the waterway.

        “I'm worried about everyone living in Middletown, especially the kids and the elderly,” Mr. Agee said, surrounded by 20 environmental activists and Middletown residents Saturday. Armed with giant yellow boots, chemical-resistant gloves and measuring equipment, a handful of Ohio Sierra Club members set out for the creek to collect pitchers of water for testing.

        But before taking to the water, the gatherers were quick to point a guilty finger at AK Steel, a steel manufacturer headquartered in Middletown, with more than 11,000 employees. The company, has produced steel along the waterway for the past hundred years.

        Al McCoy, a spokesman for AK Steel, said the company hasn't done anything wrong.

        “AK Steel has, we believe, the best environmental record in not only the state of Ohio, but the U.S. steel industry by a wide margin,” Mr. McCoy said. “And we are continuing to vigorously defend against allegations made by the agencies.”

        He added said there are numerous businesses that could have polluted the creek.

        Saturday's activities were in response to what Sierra Club members and local residents characterize as a sluggish response from federal and state environmental protection agencies, both of which are in litigation with AK Steel for environmental violations.

        “We've made it pretty clear that we are not going to litigate in the press,” said Kara Allison, a spokesperson for Ohio EPA.

        Members of the Sierra Club say it is necessary to pursue polluters in order to get the financial support for the cleanup bills.

        “The accountability issue is a big one,” said mission organizer Susan Knight before heading into the creek. “Who pays for these mistakes?”

        Particular dangers persist near Amanda Elementary School off Oxford State Road. Schoolchildren play on football and baseball fields just yards from the stream. One nearby sign notifies children of the dangers of approaching the stream.

        “There should be something put up so the kids can't get down there,” said James Cottle, 60, who has lived with his wife in Middletown for 28 years.

        “They will run toward the woods and get there quickly with no problem.”

        Middletown resident Rob Erhart, 36, and his daughter, Tara, 7, were among those taking samples of the water.

        Tara said she hoped to find fish — and her father added, “we hope.”

150-mile oil pipeline carries worries to lush central Ohio
Tennis worker recalls terrifying trip
Enduring sculpture finds second home
Area residents urged to conserve water
Obituary: Museum's curator Sterling Cook Jr. 'extraordinary'
Officials: Dockside best bet for bucks
Tristate A.M. Report
Unity fest gathering meant to heal
BRONSON: Racial paranoia
CROWLEY: Kentucky politics
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Federal research
Activists test creek for waste
Democrats make strides into GOP-held ground
Turtlecreek targets building site
Common genetic abnormality often undetected
Ex-officer's wife had multiple stab wounds
Rail tower closes after nearly century
Recent grads enter 'real world'
State fair's haunted house spooks some firefighters
Students dig into archaeology class
Additional child molestation charges filed against Howell
Boone Co. fair kicks off fun
Fighting a river of trash
Man charged in roommate's death