Dupps chosen in Independence

INDEPENDENCE - This fast-growing city's newest city council member is a familiar face.

Independence City Council unanimously chose Eric Dupps Wednesday to fill a council vacancy. Dupps, who was one of three finalists, previously served two terms on council. He left office last December.

Dupps will fill the remaining year of Otis Ketron's term. Ketron, a first-term council member, resigned last month before pleading no contest to importuning, or solicitation. Authorities said Ketron used his work computer to solicit sex from what he thought was a 15-year-old girl. The "teen" was actually a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy.

Man, 18, arrested in sex-abuse case

FLORENCE - An Independence man accused of grabbing a woman's breast after asking directions faces a charge of first-degree sexual abuse.

Florence Police arrested Matthew J. Acres, 18, after a woman claimed she was accosted by him while walking on Rogers Lane in Florence Sept. 17. The woman said she was walking her 3-year-old when the suspect stopped his vehicle and asked directions. After getting the directions, he drove away, then turned around as if to ask another question, police said. He then reached out the window and grabbed the woman's breast, police said.

In the same area Aug. 26, a man approached another woman, made some inappropriate comments, then fled, authorities said.

Anyone who's experienced a similar incident should contact Detective Roger Allen at (859) 647-5420.