Slaying suspect won't face traffic charges

        At the request of Cincinnati city prosecutors Thursday, traffic charges against Tony Ringer, 30, of Westwood were dismissed.

Ringer

        Mr. Ringer, a downtown Cincinnati barber accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, was accused of fleeing police after a traffic stop. His lawyer said the driver was not Mr. Ringer and that the car involved did not belong to his client.

        “After reviewing the evidence from the (police) officers as well as that presented at the bond hearing, the city determined that it was not in the state's best interest to proceed with these charges,” said Assistant City Prosecutor Frances Sheard.

        Mr. Ringer posted bond after being charged with aggravated murder in the Dec. 20 shooting death of Cassandra Betts and her fetus. The 25-year-old Fairfield woman was four to six weeks pregnant, officials said.
       

Police seek man in assault of woman

        HAMILTON — Police said they are investigating the attempted rape Thursday of a woman in an alley northeast of C and Jackson streets.

        The woman told police she was walking south in the alley at about 11:20 a.m. when she was approached by a man who punched her in the stomach and struck her on the back of the head, knocking her to the ground.

        The woman told police the man grabbed her around the neck and tried to drag her through the alley. He took away Mace he woman was carrying and sprayed her in the face before loosening her belt buckle, police said.

        The man fled south on foot, according to police.

        The suspect was identified as 6-feet-1, 170 pounds, with dark hair and dark eyes. He had a full dark goatee and was wearing a black knit cap, officials said.

        Police are asking anyone with information to call Detective David Collins at 868-5811, Ext. 1214, or the public affairs section at Ext. 2007.
       

75 firms attending Virtual Career Fair

        The University of Cincinnati will hold a Virtual Career Fair Feb. 12-16, allowing students and alumni to connect with employers nationwide on the Web.

        This year's fair includes more than 75 firms.

        Local employers can participate in the fair for $100. Participation is free for students and alumni.

        For more information or to register, go to www.uc.edu/career/employers.htm.
       

So far, so good for pregnant rhino

        The doctor's newest report on Emi, Cincinnati's pregnant Sumatran rhino, has zoo officials glowing.

        The 11-year-old rhino has completed her eighth month of pregnancy — 250 days out of an estimated 480 days — and is doing well.

        This is the first of Emi's six pregnancies to progress past the third month.

        “We're guessing it's a 16-month gestation,” said Dr. Terri Roth, director of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's Center for Research of Endangered Wildlife. “We'll be ready as early as July but, realistically, I'm thinking September.”

        Dr. Roth has Emi on daily doses of progesterone, a hormone that increases her chances of carrying the baby rhino to term.

        The Sumatran is the most endangered rhino species. There are about 300 left, thanks to shrinking habitat and poachers.

        The only successful captive Sumatran breeding and birth was 112 years ago in Calcutta, India.

        There are three Sumatran rhinos in the United States, all in Cincinnati, on loan from the government of Indonesia.
       

2 accidents leave 2 dead in Hamilton

        HAMILTON — Two people died in separate traffic-related accidents Thursday.

        About 7 a.m., a 42-year-old Trenton man died when his car went off a driveway and ended up in a backyard.

        Richard Shackleford was driving a 1992 Ford Mustang behind the Town and Country Shopping Center, 1204 Main St., when his car went off the left side, down an embankment, across Two Mile Creek and up the embankment.

        The car landed in a backyard in the 100 block of Thomas Boulevard.

        Another accident occurred about 2:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Walnut Street. An 83-year-old unidentified woman was on Walnut Street turning onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when she was struck by a southbound vehicle, police said.

        The woman was taken to Mercy Hospital of Hamilton where she died, officials said. The Butler County coroner's office is expected to conduct an autopsy.

        The Hamilton police traffic division is investigating both accidents.
       

Corryville man accused of spying

        A Corryville man was charged Thursday with secretly videotaping a female friend and two children in the bathroom of his home.

        Daniel Phillipi, 36, was indicted on charges of voyeurism, possession of criminal tools and use of a minor in nudity-oriented materials. If convicted, he could face up to 17 years in jail.

        Hamilton County prosecutors say Mr. Phillipi set up a hidden camera in his bathroom before the woman visited in October. They say the tape showed the woman and two children using the bathroom.

        Police say they were notified after the woman discovered the videotape.
       

Ex-attorney pushing for race role to speak

        Paul Butler, who argues that black jurors can and sometimes should acquit guilty defendants, will speak on Feb. 12 in Room 114 of the University of Cincinnati law school.

        His talk, at 12:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.

        Mr. Butler is professor of law at George Washington University and a former trial attorney.

        He wrote in an edition of the Yale Law Journal that “The decision as to what kind of conduct by African-Americans ought to be punished is better made by African-Americans themselves, based on the costs and benefits to their community, than by the traditional criminal justice process, which is controlled by white lawmakers and white law enforcers.”

        His talk is part of Black History Month and sponsored by the Black Law Student Association.
       

Father charged with smothering baby

        MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio — A man accused of smothering his infant son when he fell asleep in a chair on top of him was indicted this week on charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering children and reckless homicide.

        Randel Tyler, 18, of Cardington could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison if convicted in the Jan. 5 incident.

Carrie's relatives win $3.75M award
Delta was dismal in December
Gen X politicians push for change
Tip led police to house where wanted man died
Corryville fighting negative image
RADEL: Police shooting
Workers suspended in abuse case
Hamilton cleans up its act
Third area school in shutdown; too many out sick
Bill aimed at telemarketing loopholes
CG&E bills add details this month
Chili cooks all fired up
County tax increase advised
Embezzler's husband indicted on new charges
Fairfield operating levy on ballot
Fired Villa Hills workers not getting unemployment aid
Hearing on light rail along I-71 corridor finds support
Judge OKs settlement over corneas removed at morgue
Kentucky's Medicaid budget said to be in critical condition
Lebanon may buy land atop aquifer
Lebanon ponders project
Mason judge to step down after 5 terms
Now, 'A' is for all-year schooling
Parents' godsend closes
Professor hospitalized after rescue from cave
Senator armed for 2002 challenge
Study trumpets benefits of light rail
Tristaters hurrying to aid quake victims
UK business school looking at new location
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report