UC neurosurgery chairman appointed

        The University of Cincinnati has named a new chairman of its department of neurosurgery.

        Raj Narayan, director of neurosurgery at Temple University and chairman of the American Brain Injury Consortium, a nationwide group of head-injury research centers, will take the post in July.

        He will replace longtime chairman and noted brain surgeon Dr. John Tew, who plans to continue his roles as a professor of neurosurgery and as head of the Neuroscience Institute, a joint venture among UC, the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and a group of neurology specialists.

        “Dr. Narayan will be a great asset to the department of neurosurgery,” said Dr. John Hutton, dean of the UC College of Medicine. “He has had an exceptional career, received numerous awards and contributed greatly to the neurosurgical literature while maintaining a busy clinical practice.”
       

New journey begins for fast-moving cow

        Cincinnati's cavorting cow, who captured national attention in February when she escaped from a Camp Washington slaughterhouse, is traveling today to her new home at a New York farm.

OIL-SLICKED ROAD: Colerain Township police shut down part of the Galbraith-Blue Rock intersection early Wednesday because an oil spill made the hill too slick. The intersection was reopened later. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        ""Cinci Freedom,” as she was named by her new owners, is scheduled to arrive at Farm Sanctuary's Watkins Glen, N.Y., shelter about 5 p.m., where she will be greeted by media, sanctuary staff and volunteers.

        About 50 other cows live at the refuge, where they can romp in a spacious, straw-filled barn and have hundreds of acres of green pastures to roam in. The shelter provides long-term care to more than 1,500 animals rescued from slaughterhouses, stockyards and factory farms.

        After roaming free for 10 days in Mount Storm Park in Clifton, the brown and white Charolais was collared Feb. 25 and has been staying at a Whitewater Township farm.
       

Grants support care of HIV, AIDS patients

        Ohio will receive $14.6 million in federal grants this year to provide medications and other services to poor and uninsured people with AIDS and HIV infections, officials announced Wednesday.

        The grants, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, include nearly $9 million for a state-run AIDS drug assistance program and $5 million in general treatment funds.

        This year's award is nearly a 9 percent increase in funding from last year, when Ohio received $13.4 million.

Man found dead in apartment fire

        A Westwood man was found dead Wednesday morning in a Boudinot Avenue apartment after firefighters responded about 5:40 a.m. to a fire at the residence, Cincinnati fire officials said.

        Late Wednesday, Cincinnati police identified the man as Michael J. Morefield, 56, and said they are investigating the death as a homicide.

        He was found in the living room of his apartment in a four-family building in the 2400 block of Boudinot Avenue, said District Chief Ron Davis.

        The apartment had a smoke detector, but officials did not yet know late Wednesday whether it had been working.

        The fire caused $10,000 damage; other tenants were not displaced. Investigators had not ruled on a cause Wednesday night.
       

Public meetings today on street work in city

        Cincinnati is holding two public meetings today about the planned street rehabilitation in the central business district.

        The meetings are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the lower level of the Christ Church Cathedral at 318 E. Fourth St.

        The city is planning to resurface several streets downtown in the coming months, including: Sixth Street from Vine Street to Elm Street; Eighth Street from Broadway to Vine; Ninth Street from Eggleston Avenue to Vine; Court Street from Vine to Central Avenue; East Cheapside Street from Eighth to Ninth Street; Sycamore Street from Fifth Street to Central Parkway; the ramp to U.S. 50 eastbound along the Third Street Viaduct; Vine from Third to Central Parkway; West Cheapside from Eighth to Ninth; and Walnut Street from Seventh to Central Parkway.

        For further information, call Dick Cline at 352-6235 or Chris Ertel at 352-3295.
       

Neuroscientists' conference here

        Top neuroscientists will gather in Cincinnati Friday and Saturday to talk about brains during the University of Cincinnati's annual “Neurofest” conference.

        This year, speakers include Dr. Zach Hall, former director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dr. Anders Bjorklund, an expert on stem cell transplants. For information, call 558-1703.
       

Photo competition held in Montgomery

        MONTGOMERY — Student, amateur and professional photographers have until May 3 to submit their best shots for the city's 15th annual photo competition.

        Sponsored by the Arts Commission, the event features cash prizes and an exhibit for contest winners. Participants need not be Montgomery residents.

        To receive a brochure, pick one up at City Hall, call city offices at 891-2424 or visit www.MontgomeryOhio.org. Universalist Church will hold an exhibit of the works on May 18.
       

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