Saturday, July 17, 1999
TRISTATE DIGEST
Rogers sentenced to death 2nd time
LOS ANGELES — Twice-convicted killer Glen Rogers, already on Florida's death row, was sentenced Friday to die for the rape and strangulation of a woman whose body was set on fire in her pickup truck.
Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Connor followed a July 6 jury recommendation and ordered death for the Hamilton, Ohio, native, convicted of killing Sandra Gallagher after they left a bar Sept. 28, 1995.
“He's an animal. He's about the evilest thing I think I've ever imagined. And I pray that he gets death himself so our nightmares can stop,” Mrs. Gallagher's sister Jerri Vallicella told the judge.
191-year-old church to be rededicated
The historic Hopewell Church in Hueston Woods will hold a rededication service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday to celebrate its restoration.
The church was first built of logs in 1808 by Scottish-Irish settlers of reformed Presbyterian faith arriving in Butler County. They named the church after Hopewell, S.C., which they left because they opposed the slavery there.
The church is on its original property, but was rebuilt in Scottish architectural style in the 1820s. The Fairhaven Community Church of Camden volunteered most of the labor to restore the church using donated materials, said Fairhaven's pastor, the Rev. John Crutchfield. Most of the restoration, including a new floor and ceiling, was finished in May.
The public is invited to attend the service. To reach the church from Oxford, take Ohio 732 (Morning Sun Road) north to Ohio 177. Go north through Morning Sun, and turn left on Camden-College Corner Road. Go left at the fork in the road.
Information: (513) 796-2571.
Pro golfers to play to help beat cancer
The Golf Center at Kings Island will host a “Pink Ribbon Pro-Am” Oct. 17 featuring as many as 25 LPGA — Ladies Professional Golf Association — tour players and other celebrities to raise money for breast cancer research.
The event, sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., also will include a golf clinic and exhibition, as well as a health fair. Proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
For information, call Douglas Habgood of Executive Sports International, (800) 423-9870.
Health fair screening will include syphilis
INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time, health officials are screening for syphilis at the Black and Minority Health Fair.
Rising syphilis cases in the Marion County area encouraged the State Department of Health to add free syphilis screenings to the health fair, which runs through Sunday.
It's part of the “One Stop, One Stick” program that offers free testing for nine diseases. The health fair offers $500 worth of other screenings for free.
Syphilis has grown to epidemic proportions in Marion County, especially within the black communi ty. Indianapolis ranks 19th among cities with the highest rates.
Mud-bog accident vehicle inspected
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Investigators returned Friday to the scene of an accident in which a vehicle in a mud-bog race crashed into a group of spectators, killing one teen-age girl and badly injuring two others.
The accident happened at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds just after 9 p.m. Thursday.
Witnesses said Kevin Smith, 25, of Columbus appeared to lose control of his vehicle after its throttle or accelerator became stuck. The vehicle became airborne, struck a tree and crashed through an 8-foot wooden fence that surrounds the fairgrounds track.
Amanda Monday, 13, of Columbus was pronounced dead on arrival at Columbus Regional Hospital, a spokeswoman said.
Four plead guilty in frat hazing case
WOOSTER, Ohio — Four former fraternity members at the College of Wooster have pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct charges that stemmed from hazing allegations.
Brian Claypool, Jeff Gostlin, Bryan Kinney and Andrew Yanchunas were found guilty Thursday in Wooster Municipal Court. Each was ordered to pay a $100 fine and perform 40 hours of community service.
They were originally charged with hazing, but entered no contest pleas under an agreement with the Wooster prosecutor.
Former College of Wooster student Christopher Babis, 19, told police in January that he was
kicked, punched and urinated on as part of the Kappa Chi fraternity's pledging process.
Woman found guilty of aiding prison escape
LONDON, Ohio — A jury Friday convicted a woman of helping her boyfriend escape from a state prison and flee to Nevada.
Becky Wolfe, 48, faces up to eight years in prison on a charge of complicity to escape when she's sentenced next month in Madison County Common Pleas Court.
Ms. Wolfe testified that she would consider running away with Ransom Staley if he was able to escape from the minimum-security Madison Correctional Institution, but wanted nothing to do with his escape.
Mr. Staley, 51, walked away from the prison Jan. 5. He was convicted of the escape in May. Mr. Staley testified that Ms. Wolfe did not help him walk away from the minimum-security prison 30 miles west of Columbus, but did meet him the next day at a truck stop near Abilene, Texas.
Buckeye Lake dam in danger, officials say
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 500-foot section of the largest earthen dam in the nation is in danger of washing away, putting lives and property in jeopardy, say state officials planning emergency repairs.
Water from the man-made Buckeye Lake could threaten areas as far downstream as Newark, about 10 miles northeast, said Gary Harsanye, an engineer with the Department of Natural Resources and manager of the repair project.
Young people need to show a little respect
Armstrong hopes man will return to moon
Astronauts bask in glories past
FBI stalks 'Average Joe'
Mason growth shows no sign of slowing
Zoo gorilla expecting
Former reporter given probation
Former Russian general has new mission
Hospitals, surgeon offer to help boy
State tax cuts will be less for '99
Racist tag rejected in Anderson
Restrictions target illegal bingo
Balloonist shares his perspective at 300 feet
Drought keeps sprinklers in demand
Ex-officer's appeal says sentence racist
Fire kills disabled woman
Futuristic Sky Loop transit would complement light rail
Report: Ky. access to Internet among lowest
Residents aid river testing
GET TO IT
Pops concert unmasks 2 musical 'Phantoms'
Bids for new courthouse steps too high
Bush gains in Ohio GOP delegation
Child pornographer, 79, receives 10-year sentence
Court may pay for study of sewage plant
Edgewood clock could hail 2000
Gateways get spiffy thanks to $200 gifts
Glendale called to aid family
Grants make transportation easier
Man's death linked to cocaine abuse
More pools to be open in next heat emergency
Retirement center looking certain
School plan redone, awaits board's OK
TRISTATE DIGEST
Zoning goes to Supreme Court
