Licking River crests short of flood stage

The Licking River at Falmouth, Ky., crested Saturday night about 3 feet short of flood stage and has been going down since.

As of 7 p.m. Saturday, the river hit 22.9 feet, short of the 28-foot flood stage, according to the National Weather Service. But by Sunday morning, the level was down to 23 feet.

During the fatal flood in Falmouth in 1997, the river crested at 50.8 feet.

Fire marshal endorses Ind. fireworks sale bill

INDIANAPOLIS - After years of battling the fireworks trade, the state fire marshal says he will support a bill to legalize the consumer sale of fireworks in Indiana.

"If I had my druthers I'd like to see fireworks outlawed, but that is not going to happen," State Fire Marshal Tracy Boatwright said. "After 16 years I have given up."

The state Supreme Court declared in 1992 that a 1985 law legalizing wholesale distribution of fireworks in Indiana did not allow wholesalers to sell to the general public.

The industry responded by exploiting an exemption in the law that allowed public displays at shooters clubs.

A series of lawsuits and court decisions since then have left the fire marshal with authority to enforce the law, but without the standing to ask courts to clarify it.

Awards handed out for best tasting water

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Where do you find the world's best water? For starters, try Hot Springs, Ark., and Montpelier, Ohio.

Judges at the 13th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Taste handed out awards Saturday night to cities and water companies from as far away as Bosnia.

Eight countries, 23 states and the District of Columbia were represented.

Advanced degree grads likely to leave

CLEVELAND - Graduates who earn advanced degrees at 23 of Ohio's public and private colleges and universities are more likely to leave the state and pursue careers elsewhere than those with bachelor's degrees, the Plain Dealer reported Sunday.

. The study included all 13 of Ohio's public universities along with 10 private colleges and universities in the Cleveland area.

Those with master's degrees are roughly 30 percent more likely to leave than those with bachelor's degrees. Those with doctorates are more than twice as likely to go.

Sexual assault force issues draft report

An Ohio Department of Health task force that examined how sexual assault cases are handled in the state should release its final report soon. Recommendations contained in a draft report include the following:

• Adequately fund prevention programs and sexual-assault services.

• Educate Ohioans that sexual assault can be prevented.

• Train professionals who deal with sexual-assault cases.

• Make available appropriate hot lines and intervention, legal and medical specialists to every Ohioan.

• Improve criminal justice, medical and social services in all communities, regardless of size or location.

• Make available child-focused services.

• Establish local procedures and victim services in every county.

• Create tougher penalties for violent sex crimes.

• Establish an oversight board to ensure that victims receive appropriate care and treatment.

- Compiled from staff and wire reports