Teens in stolen car lead chase

        Two 14-year-olds in a stolen car led Cincinnati Police on a chase Friday, reaching speeds up to 50 mph along crowded Short Vine Street in Corryville.

        Police said the two Avondale teens were spotted in a stolen car by officers at 1:04 p.m. on Jefferson Avenue. Two cruisers gave chase and the teens ran stop signs and lights along Short Vine. Minutes later they wrecked the car at 18 E. Rochelle St. and ran.

        A police dog was called in to track the two and they were found inside a nearby garage. They were charged with auto theft, speeding, reckless operation and fleeing officers. The two remain in custody.

ROVING ROLLER: Master cigar maker Alejandro “Alex” Martinez draws a crowd to the Walnut Street window of the Straus Tobacconist downtown. Mr. Martinez travels the country demonstrating the art of making cigars. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The two are not being identified because they are juvenniles. Officer John Mendoza said one of the teens admitted he stole the Plymouth Acclaim.
       

Light-rail session focuses on downtown

        The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments will hold a light-rail informational open house Wednesday for downtown residents and businesses.

        The meeting is 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. at the Westin Hotel Atrium, 21 East Fifth St.

        Area transportation officials are considering the project, which would run from Blue Ash along I-71 to downtown, ending in Covington, but have yet to secure funding or approval.

        For further information, call OKI at 621-6300.
       

Access to I-471, I-71 to be limited

        Two ramps to and from Interstates 471 and 71 will be closing over the next several days as construction on the connection between the two expressways continues.

        On Monday, the ramp from Reading Road/Liberty Street to southbound I-471 will close for 30 days. One detour from northbound Reading Road is to turn right on Elsinore, right on Gilbert, left on Sycamore, and then left on Fifth Street to southbound I-471.

        From southbound Reading, turn left on Sycamore, and then left on Fifth to I-471 southbound.

        The ramp from southbound I-471 to Eggleston Avenue will close on July 23 for 10 days. One detour is to take southbound I-71 to the Reading Road/Gilbert Avenue exit. Head south on Gilbert to Eggleston.
       

Fire academy is just for children

        SPRINGFIELD TWP. — The township fire department will begin a "Kid's Fire Academy' Monday.

        All week, through Friday, children will learn about the activities of a firefighter, basic first aid and fire escape plans, and participate in demonstrations in the Fire Safe House and a mini combat challenge.

        The free program is open to children ages 8-12 who are Springfield Township residents. Classes are from 10 a.m. to noon. Information & registration: 521-4213 Ext. 5437.
       

Pedestrian shot; gunman was in van

        An East Price Hill man was wounded in the leg by a gunshot Thursday evening while walking in College Hill.

        Cincinnati Police said Walter Mooney, 21, of the 3000 block of Westmont Drive, was shot once in the thigh while walking on Lantana Avenue at 9:54 p.m. Thursday.

        Mr. Mooney told police a blue minivan turned onto the 5700 block of Lantana and that a man, whom he could not identify, got out of the van and shot him.

        Mr. Mooney was not seriously injured. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Firstar Bank's Clifton branch robbed

        Cincinnati Police are looking for a man who robbed the Firstar Bank in Clifton and drove away in a van.

        The branch at 425 Ludlow Ave. was robbed at 10:05 a.m. Friday by a man who told a teller he had a gun.

        The man was described by police as black, in his early 20s, wearing a blue baseball cap and a lighter blue T-shirt with black jeans. He was wearing black aviator sunglasses.

TRAFFIC JAM: Officials look over a car Friday that hit a gasoline tanker on Interstate 75 south at Harrison Avenue. All southbound lanes of I-75 were closed until about 3:45 p.m. because of fears the tanker would explode. Traffic backed up on I-75 and alternate routes. There were no major injuries. The tanker was safely towed. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

        Police said two vans may have been involved in his escape. The first is a maroon, 15-passenger van and the second was a smaller, two-tone gray van.

        Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Dead man's parents settle with coroner

        ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — The parents of a University of Cincinnati medical student found dead more than three years ago have settled a lawsuit against the former county coroner who initially determined the death was a suicide.

        The lawsuit filed by Carmen and Maryann Proviano of suburban Pittsburgh against Dr. Manuel Villaverde was dismissed this week in Belmont County Common Pleas Court.

        The Provianos accepted an undisclosed amount in settlement.

        The body of their son Anthony, 29, was found behind a hotel near this eastern Ohio town.

        Dr. Villaverde initially ruled Mr. Proviano's death was a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

        The Provianos claimed that his ruling hindered the criminal investigation.

        At the family's request, Dr. Cyril Wecht, the Allegheny County, Pa., coroner, performed an autopsy. He concluded the death was suspicious, but couldn't determine whether it was a suicide or homicide.
       

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