Compiled from staff and wire reports

Two county officeholders are opposing Community Compass, a 2-year-old effort to map out Hamilton County's future.

Commissioner Phil Heimlich and County Auditor Dusty Rhodes sent a letter to local officials Friday urging them to oppose Community Compass.

"We believe that this plan, if approved, will take policy responsibility away from elected officials like you and us, and turn it over to a group of unelected activists," the letter says.

Public meetings were held to develop dozens of goals.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Community Compass at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Drake Center in Hartwell.

Condo-garage developers chosen

OVER-THE-RHINE - Cincinnati City Manager Valerie Lemmie has selected Al Neyer Inc. and R.M. Kimbler Interests Inc. as the lead developers of a $12 million parking garage and condominium complex at Central Parkway and Vine Street.

City Council approved the development in September as a way to keep the Kroger Co. downtown.

Montgomery to make do with less

MONTGOMERY - Next year's city budget will be a tad smaller, but residents won't feel any pinch in services, officials said this week.

The 2004 budget, headed for passage in early December, totals $13.2 million, about $300,000 less than less year, said Finance Director Wayne Davis. He said the city plans five years out.

Loveland spends for officer training

LOVELAND - Police officers will be able to sharpen decision-making skills on when to pull the trigger under a program offered by the Center for Local Government.

Council has agreed to buy into the $40,000 Judgmental Use of Force Firearms Training System being shared by several communities.

The initial cost is $4,400, with an annual $1,200 maintenance fee.

Coach pleads to sex-with-minor counts

LEBANON - A girls' softball coach on Monday pleaded no contest to 10 felony counts of unlawful sex with a minor, a 13-year-old girl who was on his team.

Barry Ramsay, 40, avoided a trial by pleading to the charges. He faces up to five years in prison on each count, although a lesser sentence is likely, said Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel.Murder count filed in sibling shooting

NORTHSIDE - What led a man to kill his younger sister Saturday with a shotgun remained unclear Monday.

Sean Wright's family said he couldn't have shot Nicole, a 17-year-old high school senior from Morrow, on purpose. In his call to 911 about 11:30 p.m., Wright said he didn't mean to kill her. Their mother, Kelly Wright of Morrow, said she thinks it was an accident.

But one police report said Nicole told her brother she wanted to die and he grabbed the 12-gauge, telling her he would help. Police - after consulting with Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen's office - filed the charge of murder, which can mean they think Wright intended to shoot.

Wright, 18, appeared in court Monday morning. His bond was set at $100,000. .

Husband jailed on murder charge

GREEN TWP. - Investigators say a husband has admitted to killing his wife, who was found strangled.

Jeffrey Bruce, 45, remained in jail Monday under $100,000 bond. He was charged with the murder of his wife of 10 years, Kathryn, 50, on Sunday - a day after deputies went to their Sidney Road house and found her dead in a bedroom.

The Hamilton County Coroner's Office said the cause was blunt trauma and strangulation.

Traffic watch

For 24-hour traffic information call ARTIMIS at 333-3333 or 511 from Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky.

Interstate 275

Eastbound will be down to two lanes near Three Mile Road in Highland Heights from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Interstate 471

Northbound will be down to one lane just north of Interstate 275 near Highland Heights from 9 p.m. today to 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Green Township

Rybolt Road will be closed from the Interstate 74 west exit ramp just south of Harrison Road to Wesselman Road until Saturday. Follow posted detours.

Hamilton

Laurel Avenue will be closed between Ohio 4 and Pleasant Avenue until Friday.