Compiled from staff and wire reports

2-year-olds found wandering street

A Walnut Hills mother with a history of endangering her children was arrested Thursday after police found her twin 2-year-olds wandering Gage Street late Tuesday night and spent hours trying to identify them.

Susan Heritz, 38, was charged with two counts of endangering children. Court documents say she admitted driving a vehicle with the boys inside while under the influence of prescription medication, and leaving the boys without supervision.

The boys were identified after their pictures were disseminated and someone recognized them.

Heritz was found guilty in 2002 of endangering children after police said the boys were left alone for at least 70 minutes. The twins were 4 months old then.

Port gets OK to lend for Forest Fair Mall

A developer's plan to borrow money through the Port of Greater Cincinnati Authority to renovate Forest Fair Mall has the go-ahead from both Cincinnati and Hamilton County officials.

"It's a significant project in the county," County Commissioner Todd Portune said Wednesday before a 2-1 vote in favor. Commissioner John Dowlin voted no.

City Council voted 8-0 to approve the mall's financing arrangement.

The Mills Corp. bought Forest Fair in September for almost $70 million and expects to spend another $70 million fixing it up, company attorney Monica Donath Kohnen said.

State loans to help remodel OTR housing

Model Management promises to use $3.1 million in state loans to renovate 94 low-income apartments scattered across Over-the-Rhine.

The $11 million overhaul of 19 buildings - including three with lead paint - will include fancy and modern touches such as hardwood floors, air conditioning and updated kitchens and bathrooms.

"Our housing will be as good or better than any market-rate housing in the neighborhood," said Stephen Smith, vice president of Model Management.

The state's Ohio Housing Finance Agency said Thursday it approved three loans for the renovation totaling about $3.1 million. Historic and low-income tax credits will provide $7.7 million.

Construction of the apartments, which will range from three to five bedrooms, will start in September and last 18 months.

City may borrow to pay settlement

Cincinnati would issue debt to pay off a $4.5 million settlement to victims of alleged police brutality, under a proposal from City Manager Valerie Lemmie.

Councilman Pat DeWine said the administration's financing plan would allow Democrats to delay tough decisions about how to pay for the settlement - approved by City Council May 21 after just minutes of deliberation - until after Election Day. "I don't think that's the way we should do business. I think we should tell people now how we're going to pay for it," DeWine said.

That brought this response from Mayor Charlie Luken: "Mr. DeWine, I'm sure you can raise it on the campaign trail. I'm sure you will, and Godspeed to you."

The settlement with 16 separate plaintiffs resolved lawsuits ranging from racial profiling in traffic stops to the 2000 death-in-custody case of Roger Owensby Jr. Also settled was the lawsuit by the mother of Timothy D. Thomas, whose shooting by a police officer in Over-the-Rhine sparked the April 2001 riots.

Teen admits guilt in death of toddler

A 17-year-old girl who ran over and killed a toddler in St. Bernard May 31 admitted guilt Thursday to a charge of vehicular homicide in juvenile court.

Hamilton County Juvenile Court Magistrate William Melvin then found her guilty.

Tyaisha Hall, 2, of North Avondale, died when the girl, who was driving without a license, veered out of control and jumped a curb.

Four others, including the girl's 10-month-old brother, were hurt.

The Enquirer is not naming the driver because of her age.

She will be sentenced June 27. She could be placed in a Department of Youth Services correctional facility until she turns 21.

Driver faces charges after chase in streets

COLUMBIA TWP. - A 27-year-old Madisonville man is facing numerous charges after police say he led them on a chase early Thursday.

James Harvey is charged with running a red light, fleeing and eluding police, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The incident began shortly before 1 a.m. when a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy stopped Harvey's minivan for allegedly running a red light at Ridge Avenue and Interstate 71.

A female passenger got out, but Harvey drove off, deputies say.

Police said they chased the van through Columbia Township into Hyde Park, where it ran into a row of bushes at Shaw and Victoria avenues.

Harvey ran, but was quickly caught, police said.

Damage was minor and there were no reported injuries. Speeds reached 70 mph on main streets and 50 mph in the residential area, deputies said.