Compiled from staff and wire reports

Eye Institute leaves Humana/ChoiceCare

Another high-profile medical group has informed patients that it is pulling out of a major insurer's health network.

Effective June 1, Cincinnati Eye Institute - the largest eye specialty group in the Tristate and one of the biggest nationwide - has terminated its contract with Humana/ChoiceCare.

That means the group's 38 ophthalmologists and seven optometrists will be available to Humana members only if they have out-of-network benefits.

"We just couldn't come to terms on reimbursement. Humana was our lowest payer and then on Jan. 1 they cut our fees without any negotiation," Group President Rod Roser said.

Neither the eye institute nor Humana officials would discuss contract details.

"We feel it's unfortunate that Cincinnati Eye Institute has chosen to leave Humana's network," said Humana spokesman Jeff Blunt. "However, Humana still offers members more than 100 ophthalmologists and more than 200 optometrists - so our eye care network still represents the vast majority of eye care providers in this area."

In the past several weeks, three other physician groups have pulled out of United Healthcare networks over contract disputes.

Extradition from Ky. waived in slaying

COVINGTON - A Kentucky man charged in the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend in Ohio waived extradition in Kenton District Court here Thursday.

As a result, Anthony Darnell Mason, 43, of Erlanger, is expected to soon be transferred from the Kenton County Detention Center to Butler County to face a murder charge, authorities said.

Mason was arrested Tuesday in Covington shortly after his ex-girlfriend, Angela Lynn Turley, 27, died after being shot in the head in the Hamilton apartment she shared with her mother.

Visitation for Turley is set for 6-8 p.m. today at the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave., Hamilton. A service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 3949 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45224.

Boy burned lighting vapors from cologne

SOUTH LEBANON - A 14-year-old boy who apparently was lighting vapors on fire from a cologne bottle remained hospitalized in Dayton Thursday with second- and third-degree burns.

Fire officials said the boy, who they refused to identify because he is a juvenile, was burned on his hands, arms and torso after his shirt caught fire about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in front of his Parkview Avenue residence. The injuries were not life-threatening, said Capt. Don Fugate.

He was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital.

Man pleads guilty to church break-in

BATAVIA TWP. - A Batavia Township man who told authorities he was upset with his girlfriend has admitted to breaking into a small Pentecostal church and causing more than $40,000 in damage.

Benjamin Runyan has pleaded guilty to felony counts of vandalism and breaking and entering. The Batavia Township Church of God on Straight Street was ransacked and damaged in early March.

Luken wants football cash for other events

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken wants to take $95,000 the city won't be spending on the River Front Classic & Jamboree and use it for other special events.

The annual football classic pitted teams from historically black colleges at Paul Brown Stadium, but organizers had to cancel the event because of a scheduling conflict with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Luken proposed Wednesday that the city spend $25,000 to fund the Queen City Blues and Gospel Festival; $17,000 on the Mobile Skatepark Series; $15,000 to the Midpoint Music Festival; and $8,000 for an event honoring King Records.

The remainder won't be appropriated until the River Front Classic returns about $43,000 advanced by the city for the football game.

Cincinnati gets $8M for anti-terrorism

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded the city of Cincinnati nearly $8 million for terrorism preparedness. .

The grant to the city - part of $700 million to cities that makes up the first federal funding since the terrorist attacks of 2001 - will be used to help train first responders, buy communication equipment, and reimburse the city for police overtime during heightened alert levels earlier this year.

The city will share the money with the county and neighboring cities with which it has mutual aid agreements.