Compiled from staff and wire reports

Middletown hospital to be built near I-75

MIDDLETOWN - Hospital officials announced Thursday the pending purchase of land near the Interstate 75 and Ohio 122 interchange for the new location of Middletown Regional Hospital.

In December, Middletown City Council approved an agreement that would keep the hospital, which is the city's second -largest employer, within city limits. The city will invest up to $30 million over the next decade to aid the hospital's move to the eastern side of Middletown.

Hospital officials said they have contracted to purchase "a significant portion of the property required to build a campus to accommodate a replacement hospital and other health and technology partners" north of Ohio 122 and Commerce Drive just east of I-75. No further details were provided.

The new hospital and campus is expected to cost from $150 million to $250 million to build by 2008.

Pan of oil caused fire that killed firefighter

The Bond Hill fire that killed a Cincinnati firefighter last month started when a pan of oil on a stove caught fire. The burner was inadvertently turned on, fire investigators said Thursday. The oil caught fire, and flames spread to cabinets above the stove, then to the rest of the kitchen and throughout the 1131 Laidlaw Ave. residence.

Firefighter Oscar Armstrong III was killed March 21 when the fire flashed over.

Two teens killed in Butler County crash

LIBERTY TWP. - Two 17-year-old boys were killed Thursday in a single-vehicle crash on Millikin Road in Butler County.

The crash occurred about 2:20 p.m. in the 8000 block of Millikin Road when an eastbound SUV went off the right side of the road, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said. After an apparent overcorrection by the driver, the vehicle crossed the road and went off the left side of the road into a small wooded area, where it struck several trees.

The two teens were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names were being withheld late Thursday pending notification of relatives. Millikin Road was closed to traffic for more than two hours after the crash, which remains under investigation by the sheriff's office and Butler County Coroner's Office.

1-year-old dies; caretaker jailed

A 1-year-old Cincinnati child has died from injuries suffered when a caretaker apparently shook him last week.

Esbin Ramirez Reynoso died Wednesday afternoon at Children's Hospital. He had been there since April 3, taken by ambulance from Price Hill after someone called 911 to say the child was sick.

Police initially charged a caregiver, Oscar Rodriguez, 22, of Price Hill, with felony child endangering. They since learned his real name is Aureliano Ramirez. Police did not say if they upgraded the charge yet or not.

Investigators said the man caused bleeding in the child's brain, retinal tearing and bruises on his torso. Ramirez remained in the Hamilton County Justice Center in lieu of posting $1 million bond. A grand jury will hear the case Monday.

Junk-vehicle laws changing May 5

Cincinnati is giving owners of junk cars an "April amnesty" to remove the cars from their properties before new, stricter laws kick in May 5. Until then, car owners can have junk cars removed free by calling the city's Public Services Department at 591-6000.

After May 5, junk-vehicle owners will be cited and fined $100 if the cars aren't removed in seven days. The new ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Pat DeWine, defines a junk vehicle as a car or truck more than 3 years old, which is inoperable or heavily damaged, parked in the same place for 72 hours or more, and worth less than $1,500. The law declares junk vehicles a "public nuisance" and applies to junk vehicles located in both residential and commercial areas.

New attractions ready for Saturday opening

MASON - All three new attractions will be open Saturday when Paramount's Kings Island kicks off its 2003 season.

"SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D," a movie ride based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon, was originally slated to open in May but was finished ahead of time. Gates open at 9 a.m., and rides start at 10 a.m.

The park's other new rides - Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle and Delirium - were open for a preview day Thursday.

Season pass holders get a sneak peak at the park tonight from 5 to 10 p.m.