Compiled from staff and wire reports

Autopsy suggests SUV driver drowned

WEST CHESTER TWP. - The Mason man found dead in his SUV early Wednesday in a pond at a gated Wetherington condominium subdivision had drowned, authorities say.

An autopsy performed Thursday on Marion Jackie Roe, 48, determined his death was consistent with drowning, said Andy Willis, a coroner's investigator.

There were no signs of foul play. Preliminary toxicology reports are due back late today or Friday.

It is estimated that Roe died sometime between 10:45 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Tuesday, Willis said.

With strike likely, Miami hires temps

OXFORD - Miami University has begun hiring at least 100 temporary workers to replace unionized maintenance, grounds and food service employees who plan to walk off their jobs Thursday.

The temporary employees will start work on Monday at an $8.14-per-hour salary and on a week-to-week basis, university spokeswoman Holly Wissing said Thursday.

Last week, union members rejected Miami's latest contract proposal that offered 4.25 percent wage increases for the first year and 3 percent each of the last two years. Miami officials called it the school's last and best offer.

Higher bond set for suspect in bus crash

OXFORD - A judge on Thursday increased the bond for a man accused of ramming his Corvette into a school bus, and sent the case to a Butler County grand jury.

Area I Court Judge Rob Lyons set bond at $400,000 for Jonathan J. Burnett, 41, of Madison Township. Burnett's bond had been $309,000.

Burnett is accused of his third driving-under-the-influence charge after running a stop sign and hitting a Talawanda High School bus carrying 30 passengers in Wayne Township Sept. 12. He also faces 30 counts of aggravated vehicular assault, as well as charges of reckless operation, driving without a license and driving under suspension.

Case of ox statue theft sent to grand jury

OXFORD - A Butler County grand jury will consider whether to indict Jared Parseghian, a Miami University football place-kicker, for allegedly stealing an ox statue from a city park.

Parseghian, 21, appeared in Butler County Area I Court on Thursday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Judge Rob Lyons then sent the case to the grand jury.

The ox statue, valued at $2,100, disappeared from the city's Uptown Park on Sept. 1. City police, acting on a tip, searched his residence and found it three days later.

Parseghian declined to comment. Earlier this month, university officials suspended him from the football team, and said he also could face academic disciplinary action.

Man charged with attempted arson

BATAVIA - A 52-year-old Bethel man has been indicted on charges of attempted aggravated arson and domestic violence, accused of trying to set his house on fire during an argument with his live-in girlfriend.

Earl Wayne Mofford is charged with two counts of attempted aggravated arson and one count of domestic violence.

On Aug. 24 in the midst of an argument, officials say, Mofford walked outside and poured a trail of gasoline that led from his front door around the perimeter of his house.

Prosecutors said Mofford attempted to flick his lighter, but was hindered because he was intoxicated. His girlfriend was able to knock the lighter out of his hand, officials said.

OU's 19th president to retire next year

ATHENS - Ohio University President Robert Glidden, 66, announced Thursday his plans to retire in his annual state of the university address.

Named the 19th president of OU in 1994, Glidden will step aside effective June 30.

During Glidden's tenure, he wired the campus to bring it in line with 21st-century use of technology, brought in prominent speakers and supported economic development in Southeast Ohio, colleagues said.

School officials will begin the search for his successor immediately.

Homicide suspect to be moved from Fla.

HAMILTON - A man accused in a double homicide is expected to be brought from a Florida jail to face charges in Butler County next week, Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Craig Hedric said Thursday.

Jason S. Campbell, 22, on Wednesdaywaived his right to an extradition hearing, Hedric said. Campbell is accused of killing Helen Riley, 55, and her husband, Donald, 44, in their Harmon Avenue home in February.

Authorities said Campbell had escaped from a Warren County lockup and within hours had made his way to Hamilton.

A tip that Middletown police received in July led authorities to Campbell last month. He had been held in Duval County, Fla., on a stolen vehicle charge.