Compiled from staff and wire reports

Psychologist gives up license

HAMILTON - Dr. Roger Fisher, a forensic psychologist, has voluntarily surrendered his license following an investigation by the Ohio Board of Psychology into complaints that he submitted psychological evaluations in four Butler County Domestic Relations Court cases without interviewing the subjects.

In the consent agreement, the state board said evidence showed that Dr. Fisher committed "multiple" violations of state law and the state administrative code.

The board said Dr. Fisher, whose written and oral court testimony affected judges' child custody and visitation decisions, violated rules concerning negligence and competence.

"The board was prepared to bring charges relative to four complaints," said Ronald Ross, the board's executive director.

As a result of the agreement, the board will not pursue any more disciplinary measures. After Dr. Fisher surrendered his license and agreed to retire, the board revoked it permanently.

"He can never practice as a psychologist," Mr. Ross said.

Butler County Commissioner Mike Fox urged Domestic Relations Court to send letters to subjects in active cases that Dr. Fisher was involved in. The letters should inform them of the reasons Dr. Fisher surrendered his license and ask if they believe he provided false testimony in their cases, he said.

Former school official faces sex trial

Another former Amelia High School worker accused of having sex with a student will have to go to trial, a Clermont County judge decided Tuesday.

Common Pleas Judge Robert Ringland denied a motion to dismiss the sexual battery charge against former administrative assistant Robert Cann Jr., 33.

Mr. Cann had argued that the charge should be dismissed because of a change in the statute of limitations on sexual battery. Mr. Cann was indicted in July for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl in 1996.

At the time of the alleged offense, the statute of limitations required prosecution within six years.

But in 1999, legislators increased the statute to 20 years. Mr. Cann argued that the change in statute violated the Ohio Constitution.

On Tuesday, Judge Ringland determined that "since Mr. Cann was only three years into the six-year statute of limitations period (at the time of the change) ... his right to be free from prosecution had not vested."

Two former Amelia High School teachers pleaded guilty this month to charges of sexual battery for having sex with students.

Man indicted on drug, theft charges

LEBANON - An Alabama man who allegedly was caught stealing anhydrous ammonia from a Pleasant Plain farm supply store to make methamphetamine was indicted this week on drug and theft charges.

The Warren-Clinton Drug and Strategic Operations Task Force arrested Bradley K. Smith in a November stakeout at Southwest Landmark, where about 20 anhydrous thefts had occurred in two months.

Mr. Smith, 30, of Valley, Ala., siphoned the liquid fertilizer from the tank into a bowl and had an over-the-counter decongestant when he was arrested, task force commander John Burke said.

"His intent was to make methamphetamine right there at Southwest Landmark," Mr. Burke said. Three men who were with Mr. Smith ran off and could not be found.

Investigators did not know if Mr. Smith or the others were involved in the earlier thefts. Mr. Smith told police that he had arrived in town recently to visit friends, Mr. Burke said.

Mr. Smith faces up to six years in prison if convicted on charges of illegal possession or assembly of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, aggravated possession of drugs and theft.

City objects to workers' union

The city of Cincinnati is objecting to a proposed union of 1,200 professional and technical workers - some of whom it plans to eliminate in budgetary cost-cutting.

In a recent filing with the State Employment Relations Board, assistant city solicitor Roshani D. Hardin said the proposed union would cause the "over-fragmentization" of employees and "cause inefficiency in the management of city employees."

The head of the proposed union is Diana Frey, whose position as public information officer for the Department of Public Services will be eliminated effective March 1.

City threatens to cut bus funding

An ultimatum arrived at the Hamilton County Commission office Tuesday: appoint Tom Luken to the board overseeing the Metro bus system by 2 p.m. today, or Cincinnati City Council will cut $35 million in city funding.

Mayor Charlie Luken appointed his father, the former mayor and congressman, to the Southwestern Ohio Regional Transit Authority in October. But commissioners have refused to seat the new commissioner until they get a legal opinion about whether they're required to confirm the city's appointments.

Councilman John Cranley wrote the letter.