Covington man dies after crashing into bus

        SEDAMSVILLE — A Covington man died at University Hospital Saturday from injuries he suffered after crashing his 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix into a Metro bus.

        Gregory Thompson, 23, of the 1100 block of Pike Street, was westbound on River Road at 8:30 a.m. when he hit the curb, crossed the double yellow line and struck the bus.

        The bus driver was not hurt, but three of the dozen passengers on board were treated at Mercy Franciscan Hospital West for minor injuries.

        The accident shut down River Road for four hours.

Suspect in death kills self in Clinton field

        WILMINGTON — A man suspected in a slaying in Florida earlier this year killed himself as authorities closed in on him.

        Clinton County sheriff's deputies said Cassidy Stapleton, 29, shot himself in the head Friday afternoon in a field here.

        Police in DeLand, Fla., near Orlando, issued a warrant in January for Mr. Stapleton's arrest in the slaying of James Perrotti, who was killed during a fight at his home Jan. 12 or 13.

        Clinton County Sheriff's Col. Ralph Fizer said Mr. Stapleton and a relative were drinking and talking Friday when Mr. Stapleton said he was wanted for murder in Florida and arson in Texas.

        The information frightened the relative, who called 911 and reported a fight.

        When deputies arrived, the relative directed them to where Mr. Stapleton was hiding in tall grass. Deputies ordered him out, and moments later, heard a gunshot.

        A police dog found Mr. Stapleton's body. His death was ruled a suicide.

        The relative said he lied about the fight to summon help.

        Investigators believed Mr. Stapleton was living in Florida and making trips to Ohio because he had roots in Miami Township, near Dayton.

Driver wrecks car after fleeing police

        COLERAIN TOWNSHIP — A Hamilton man was hospitalized in critical condition Saturday after he lost control of his car while fleeing a Hamilton County Sheriff's deputy during an early-morning traffic stop.

        Investigators say Jay K. Swart, 44, of the 300 block of Corwin Ave., was stopped by a sheriff's deputy on Interstate 275 for speeding.

        After the deputy took Mr. Swart's license and starting walking back to his cruiser, the driver fled.

        Officers say Mr. Swart attempted to exit I-275 onto U.S. 27 but was ejected from his 1997 black Mustang after it struck a guardrail.

        Investigators say Mr. Swart was not wearing a seat belt and that alcohol was a factor.

N.Ky. task force finds marijuana on farm

        ALEXANDRIA — The Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force this week completed a monthlong investigation into marijuana cultivation in Campbell County.

        Agents served a search warrant Friday on a 98-acre farm on Four and Twelve Mile Road in Alexandria and recovered 43 plants ranging from three to 12 feet high. Officers also recovered 20 rifles and handguns, and $25,000 cash.

        Alfred J. Painter, 69, the property owner, was charged with marijuana cultivation. He was released on his own recognizance Friday from the Campbell County Jail.

Mauled man owes support payments

        HAMILTON — A grizzly bear stopped a former Middletown man who was wanted by Butler County prosecutors on charges that he failed to pay child support.

        Prosecutors said they tracked Jeffrey Scheu, 38, who had changed his name and was using an alias, to a Montana group that monitors buffalo. When police went to get him, they found it was the same man who had been mauled by a grizzly bear in late August while walking in the Yellowstone National Park area.

        Mr. Scheu, who authorities say changed his name to Yoga Allukya in 1998 and used the alias Jesshua Amun, is in custody in Idaho.

        He will be extradited to Ohio, said Aaron Aldridge, a Butler County assistant prosecuting attorney for the child support division.

        Mr. Scheu was indicted in July for six counts of nonsupport of dependents. He is accused of not paying $23,000 in child support since 1997 for his 12-year-old son, who lives in Liberty Township, Mr. Aldridge said. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to six years in prison.

        The prosecutor's office discovered that Mr. Scheu had lived near Akron and in Arizona, then joined the Buffalo Field Campaign in Montana. They contacted the West Yellowstone police Aug. 26.

        Later that day, police there told prosecutors here that Mr. Scheu had been attacked the day before.

Deputy remains in critical condition

        A Hamilton County sheriff's deputy remained in critical condition Saturday from injuries he sustained in a car crash earlier in the week.

        Paul J. Reinert, 29, of Harrison Township lost control of his cruiser during a high-speed chase of a red Pontiac Firebird Tuesday on I-275 near Colerain Township.

        Officials said Deputy Reinert lost control of his cruiser near the Pippin Road overpass just west of the Hamilton Avenue exit, went across the median and hit a westbound tractor-trailer. The cruiser then spun and was clipped by an orange van.

        Investigators are still looking for the Firebird and its driver. Anyone with information is asked to call 825-1500.

— Compiled from staff and wire reports

Frailey braces for move to CPS
Frailey's arrival eagerly awaited
Crime falls, jitters intensify in airport vigilance
Cries of anguish, hymns of hope
Church builds 'A Tower of Hope'
Special services focus on healing, hope - and even on forgiveness
Tristate events mark Sept. 11
Three wrecks, two deaths
Carroll: Cash in on casinos
For a few days, all are German
Obituary: Dr. Robert Kalthoff built data tracker
Test exposes leaders' types
Tristate A.M. Report
BRONSON: Men only
CROWLEY: Mudslinging
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: A special empathy
SMITH AMOS: Twitty case
Bristol's dancer guilty of prostitution
Prepaid tuition plan finds itself in the red
Chapman hid knife in his shoe