Homicide charge filed in fatal crash

        A Northside man was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal crash that killed a New Jersey man Sunday.

        Cincinnati police said Michael Warren, 48, of the 4000 block of Hamilton Avenue, was arraigned Thursday in Hamilton County Municipal Court on one count of aggravated vehicular homicide and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault.

        Mr. Warren pleaded not guilty and was ordered held in lieu of a $75,000 bond. His case is scheduled to go before a grand jury Aug. 24.

        Police said Mr. Warren's car went left of center on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton, striking an eastbound vehicle.

        John Zimkus, 26, of Colonia, N.J., a passenger in the struck vehicle, died at University Hospital shortly after the accident. Two other passengers remain hospitalized.
       

Man shot in chest in restaurant lot

        A man was shot in the chest in a lot near Richie's Restaurant at Vine Street and Woolper Avenue in Clifton about 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

        The victim, whose name was not released Thursday, was taken to University Hospital in a private vehicle. He was in surgery late Thursday.

        Police said he had been arguing with another man.

        Dr. Barbara Twitty, who lives nearby, said there was a group of about 20 men in the restaurant parking lot and there was an argument. The last thing she heard before shots were fired, she said, was someone yelling, “Your're gonna go down.”

        Police marked off the lot and the only car remaining was a black BMW that was being searched for clues.

        Police but did not have a description of the shooter.
       

Hamilton to buy 1 Renaissance Center

        HAMILTON — By Oct. 31, the city will own One Renaissance Center.

        Hamilton will buy the seven-story building, which primarily houses city offices, for $18.3 million. The city has been paying owner Corporex Cos. $1.5 million a year in rent.

        The purchase agreement is part of a settlement of a lawsuit over rent between the city and Corporex. The city will make three payments totaling $722,256 to Corporex before buying the building.

Buzz talk radio host running for council

        Ken Anderson, a talk radio host on WDBZ, has filed petitions to run as an independent candidate for Cincinnati City Council.

        The 43-year-old Kennedy Heights resident, a vocal critic of the city's handling of the April riots and police-community relations in Cincinnati, is one of several African-American candidates expected to run for City Council without party backing.

        Laketa Cole, a former City Council aide, filed weeks ago to run as an independent. Nate Livingston, a former WDBZ talk show host, is expected to file by Thursday's deadline.

        Mr. Anderson ran two years ago with a Republican endorsement. He finished 16th out of 20 candidates, with 15,753 votes.

Back-to-School Fair helps kids get ready

        The Price Hill Back-to-School Fair will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Seton High School cafeteria, 3901 Glenway Ave. Activities include screenings for scoliosis, speech, hearing and vision. Entertainment and free haircuts and school supplies will be provided. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

        Donations of all types are welcome. Please send donations to The Women's Connection, 4042 Glenway Ave., Price Hill 45205. To volunteer, call Paula Backscheider, 471-4673.

Slain man's family sues killers, Taco Bell

        One year after his death, David Peet's survivors have filed a $2 million wrongful-death lawsuit against his killers and Taco Bell.

        The 19-year-old University of Cincinnati student was shot to death Aug. 14, 2000, after he was robbed and abducted from a Taco Bell parking lot on Galbraith Road.

        One of his killers, Michael Price, 20, of Winton Terrace was sentenced to life in prison without parole. His accomplice, David McGee, 17, of Finneytown, got 18 years to life.

        The suit blames Taco Bell for failing to provide adequate security.

College group picks new executive director

        Janet R. Piccirillo is the new executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities.

        Ms. Piccirillo, of Crestview Hills, has been registrar at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, acting and associate registrar at Northern Kentucky University, degree audit coordinator for NKU and director of student activities at Thomas More.

        The consortium promotes coordination and collaboration among its 14 seminaries, colleges and universities.

Hospital offers mammograms for $20

        WILMINGTON, Ohio — Clinton Memorial Hospital has begun offering mammograms to screen for breast cancer at a discounted price of $20 for those who pay without an insurance claim.

        The discount will run through Dec. 31. It is made possible through donations from the American Cancer Society and the CMH Foundation, and coincides with the hospital adding a mammography unit at its Sabina Health Center. For information, call (937) 382-9595.

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