Man shot to death near Avondale store

AVONDALE - A 25-year-old man was shot to death Sunday afternoon in a car parked outside the Vine Street Cold & Quick market.

Cincinnati Police said Carlos Manuel of Irwin Place got into an argument about 2 p.m. with two men. They shot him several times when he tried to flee by jumping into an unsuspecting customer's car.

The customer had a small child in the car, but neither was injured.

Police said witnesses described the shooters as black, in their early 20s and about 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-9 inches tall.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 513-352-3040. Callers can remain anonymous.

Ramp opens as work near viaduct goes on

SOUTH FAIRMOUNT - Work crews will reopen Harrison Avenue to the Western Hills Viaduct today in the next phase of Cincinnati's reconstruction of the Beekman Street/Queen City Avenue curve.

Northbound Harrison Avenue from the viaduct to Queen City Avenue will remain closed, according to the Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering.

The work is part of a $2.2 million neighborhood improvement project in South Fairmount.

After push for donors, blood supply critical

After almost a week of appealing to blood donors, the local blood supply is still extremely low.

Hoxworth Blood Center, which supplies blood to 24 area hospitals, needs to collect 325 units a day just to maintain its inventory. On Friday, just 291 units were collected.

"We are still looking for all blood types," said Michael Anderson, Hoxworth spokesman.

Last week, Hoxworth realized it had about a shortfall of about 400 units and would need to collect about 425 units a day for the next several days to recover.

After an emergency appeal last Tuesday, Hoxworth collected 370 units on Wednesday - 175 units more than the previous day.

For blood drive locations and times call, 451-0910.

Mount Healthy UDF robbed; no injuries

MOUNT HEALTHY - Mount Healthy Police are investigating a robbery that occurred early Sunday at the United Dairy Farmers, 7900 Hamilton Ave.

At 12:41 a.m., a man entered the store and demanded money from the clerk at gunpoint, police said. He left with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported.

This week, buses to have police escorts

BATAVIA - Troopers from the Batavia Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will observe National School Bus Safety Week through Friday by following school buses to ensure motorists are complying with the law.

"The goal is not to write tickets for the law, but to raise awareness of the law and ultimately keep the students safe," said Lt. Paul Hermes, commander of the Batavia Post.

Safety reminders:

• The speed limit in school zones is 20 mph.

•  If a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off children, a motorist must stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus. Do not resume driving until the bus has departed.

•  If a bus is stopped on a street or road that has fewer than four lanes, all traffic in either direction must stop. If a bus is stopped on a street or road with four or more lanes, only traffic in the same direction as the bus must stop.

Suspect named in double homicide

MILLVALE - Cincinnati Police are looking for a suspect in the shooting deaths of two men on Beekman Street last week.

Marvin French, also known as Darnell McKinney, is wanted in connection with the double homicide. The 30-year-old man is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and 170 pounds, with and a scar on his chest.

French's last known address is 1621 Powers St., Cumminsville.

He has prior arrests for weapons charges, burglary and resisting arrest. French is considered armed and dangerous, police said.

Alberto Hamilton, 29, of Hamilton, and Jermico Clifford, 26, of Cincinnati, were shot to death Thursday night. Their bodies were found on the floor of a garage at 3217 Beekman St.

Milford to dedicate new school buildings

MILFORD - Milford Exempted Village School District will dedicate its two new elementary school buildings this week and next.

Mulberry and McCormick elementaries are home to more than 600 students each. Each school offers a computer lab, art room, music room, combination auditorium-cafeteria, full-sized gymnasium and specialty rooms for special education, gifted education, guidance counseling and tutoring.

In a May 2001 bond issue, the community approved the construction of four new K-6 elementary neighborhood schools at a cost of $43.5 million.