Woman, two children die in trailer fire

SPARTA, Ky. - A mother and her two young children were killed Wednesday afternoon in a fire at their house trailer in Gallatin County north of Sparta, authorities said

Kentucky State Police confirmed that three family members died after a fire ripped through the trailer in the 3000 block of Knox Lillard Road.

A neighbor said the family rented the trailer from a farmer for whom the children's father worked. He was stripping tobacco, and the mother and their children, a 21/2-old girl and a 2-month-old boy, were at the trailer.

Gallatin County emergency workers were called about 1:30 p.m. The blaze, which was confined to the living room, was out when they arrived.

Names of the victims had not been released Wednesday night.

State police arson investigators were at the scene.

Rumpke worker hit, critically injured

FAIRFIELD TWP. - A trash-collection worker was critically injured after a sport-utility vehicle struck him Wednesday morning.

A medical helicopter flew Michael Dewey, 35, of Reading to University Hospital. Fairfield Police Capt. Alan Laney said Dewey was in critical condition Wednesday afternoon.

Dewey, a Rumpke employee, was struck about 7:25 a.m. on Princeton Road just west of Springmeadow Drive.

Laney said Clifford Reed, 43, of Fairfield Township was driving a Ford Expedition over the crest of a hill when he spotted the Rumpke truck. Reed attempted to swerve, but his vehicle hit Dewey and a telephone pole, Laney said.

The crash occurred before sunrise, but road conditions were dry, Laney said.

Mutilated body found along road

MILFORD TWP - A dismembered body was discovered Wednesday afternoon along Ohio 177 in Butler County near the Preble County line.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office said the body, discovered about 4:30 p.m., apparently had been dumped along Ohio 177, north of the village of Darrtown.

Authorities did not release further details.