Evanston man gets prison in fatal beating

        An Evanston man was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison Friday for beating his girlfriend to death with a hammer.

        Stanley Waller, 50, was convicted this month of robbing and killing Marilyn Kendricks. The 45-year-old woman's body was found July 2 at her home on Evanston Avenue.

        Mr. Waller was arrested a day later in Pinellas County, Fla., after his gray Cadillac was spotted outside a convenience store, officials said.

        Judge Arthur Ney imposed the maximum sentence Friday in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. The judge ordered Mr. Waller to serve at least 20 years for murder and 10 years for robbery before he is eligible for parole.
       

Teen charged with murder in girl's death

        A Northside teen-ager faces up to life in prison after his indictment Friday on charges of beating to death 13-year-old Mary Hall.

        Dwayne Henry, 16, is charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping in Mary's death. He is accused of punching, kicking and hitting her in the head with a board on Jan. 27.

        The girl's body was found in the basement of an abandoned building in Northside. Police have said the 16-year-old gave a taped statement describing the slaying.

        According to the statement, police say, Dwayne Henry accused the girl of being “a tease.” Police say the two argued until the older teen punched the girl and struck her with the board.
       

Park district offers nature programs

        The Hamilton County Park District will hold nature programs at several parks this weekend. A valid Hamilton County Park District motor vehicle permit is required to enter the parks: daily, $1; annual, $3. Information: 521-7275.

        • Winter scavenger hunt, 9 a.m. today, Winton Woods, 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Participants will search for wildlife along Kingfisher Trail.

        • Salamanders, 10 a.m. Sunday, Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Salamanders are known as the harbingers of spring. Visitors will join the naturalist at the Gorge Trail parking lot to search for salamander activity.

        • Birds for the family, 2 p.m. Sunday in the Visitor Center at Miami Whitewater Forest, 8801 Mount Hope Road, Harrison. The naturalist will discuss the characteristics of birds and how they are adapted for flight.

        • Herbal Folklore, 2 p.m. Sunday Winton Centre Auditorium at Winton Woods.

        Programs are free.
       

Man accused of attacking prosecutor

        A Cincinnati man faces up to five years in jail if convicted of attacking a prosecutor outside a Hamilton County courtroom this month.

        Ghallab Shahid, 31, was indicted Friday on a felony charge of retaliation. He is accused of accosting assistant prosecutor Ryan Nelson in a hallway after Mr. Nelson helped convict Mr. Shahid's girlfriend.

        Prosecutors say Mr. Shahid threatened Mr. Nelson and then knocked the assistant prosecutor into a wall.
       

House burns while couple on vacation

        A vacationing couple will return to a North Fairmount house damaged by fire.

        Firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in the basement of the house in the 1700 block of Fairmount Avenue when they responded about 3:45 a.m., said District Chief Paul Weber. The fire was discovered when a son came to check on the house for his parents, who were out of town, officials said.

        Damage was estimated at $80,000. The fire's cause remained under investigation.

        A firefighter, Lawrence Taylor, was injured when he fell. He was taken to University Hospital, officials said.
       

Downtown highway, exit close for repairs

        Westbound Fort Washington Way (Interstate 71 south) will be closed Sunday morning at the Lytle Tunnel from 7-10 a.m. to allow workers to repair damage from a recent truck accident.

        Drivers will be directed to the Third Street exit, where they can drive west to an entrance ramp to I-71/75 south, or connect with I-75 north from Third Street by turning right on Central Avenue and left onto the highway at the Fourth Street entrance ramp.

        Those traveling west on U.S. 50 can exit on Third Street, turn right on Central Avenue and turn left on Sixth Street to use the Sixth Street Viaduct.

        The Third Street exit from I-71 south will also be closed 7 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. On Monday through Friday, the exit will be closed 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Those closings are also to repair damage from the truck accident.

        Alternatives include the Eggleston Avenue, Gilbert Avenue or Reading Road exits.
       

Cincinnati police promote officers

        Retirements and promotions prompted eight moves among the top ranks of the Cincinnati Police Division. effective March 4:

        • Capt. Cindy Johns takes over police communications, with former District 1 Capt. Vince Demasi moving into her former job as head of the division's Criminal Investigations Section.

        • Capt. Greg Snider moves to District 1 from internal investigations, a job to be taken by Capt. Kenneth Jones, who will leave District 2.

        • Capt. Michael Cureton, currently night chief, will take over District 2. New Lt. Paul Humphries, who scored highest on a December promotional exam, will become night chief.

        • Capt. Andrew Raabe leaves patrol administration for District 3. New Lt. James Whalen, second-highest scorer, will take over patrol administration.

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