A former federal probation officer from Anderson Township is expected to become Hamilton County's new chief probation officer today.

        Edward Jay Heitz was recommended for the job this week by a committee of judges and county officials. The committee needs only a few more judges to accept its recommendation to make the hiring official.

        Mr. Heitz, 54, will take over a department that has been wracked by personality clashes, political disputes and mismanagement for most of the past year.

        Common Pleas Judge Thomas Nurre, a member of the judges' committee, said Mr. Heitz's experience as a federal probation officer will help him get the department on the right track.

        “I think he'll relate well to the problems,” Judge Nurre said. “He's been there. He's got some good ideas.”

        Mr. Heitz declined comment Wednesday, saying he wanted to wait until a final decision had been made.

        According to his resume, he began his career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Virginia. He then spent 20 years as a federal probation officer based in Covington.

        Mr. Heitz, an Army veter an who served in Vietnam, retired in 1996 to spend more time with his wife and children. He sold insurance part time and also has done some teaching at the University of Cincinnati. He now is a job coach at the county's Department of Human Serv ices.

        His next job will likely be one of the biggest challenges of his career. The probation department has been the center of controversy since summer.

        Former Chief Probation Officer Michael Snowden resigned in July after a dispute with his officers — and some judges — over changes he was making in the depart ment.

        Weeks later, internal audits revealed that probation officers had failed to conduct hundreds of court-ordered drug tests on convicted criminals.

        After a monthslong investigation, 14 officers and supervisors were disciplined for failing to follow court orders.

2 levies won't be on spring ballot
Marijuana easy to get, teens say
New probation chief likely today
Bearded suspect says he can't be clean-shaven robber
Man gets prison for girl's death
3 of 4 plead guilty in taped sexual assault
CPS plans to increase diversity of its suppliers
Board accepts Wiley's resignation
Seniors, college students click in computer class
White privilege remains strong, speaker insists
Woman who made report is indicted
City likely to ease home building permits
Congressmen rap Eminem
Developer, council member argue over city funding practices, request
Fire unit lays off third of force
Former P&G worker accused of stealing data
Four districts seek levies in May
Gallatin creating plan for growth
Heart patients sought for national study
Income vs. spending: lifestyle lesson
Kids may need consent for piercing
Ky. business, Canada official extol trade
McConnell to visit N. Ky., raise money for Kenton Co. GOP, self
Middleton to fight slander suit
Ohio local officials seek money to fix bridges
Schools chief makes levy last goal
Suspect pointed gun, witness says
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report