Woman dies, husband hurt in apartment fire

A woman was killed in a Sunday morning fire in a Mount Washington apartment.

Cincinnati firefighters responded at about 3:20 a.m. to 1614 Beacon Ave. They said it took about 10 minutes to put out the fire, which was contained to the living room.

They found Roberta Oliger, 55, unconscious and took her to Mercy Hospital Anderson, where she was pronounced dead. Wayne Oliger escaped through a bedroom window. He was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation.

The fire caused $30,000 damage to the two-story brick building. The investigation continues.

Robbery suspect subdued after chase

Cincinnati police early Sunday arrested a man suspected of robbing a United Dairy Farmers store in Avondale, but not before a chase, a struggle and an officer's calls for help.

Employees of the Burnet Avenue store thought the man had a gun. That's what they told Officer Angie Smallwood, who was by herself when an employee flagged her down just before 3 a.m. and said the store had been robbed.

Officer Smallwood saw the man, who ran, then chased him and called for other officers to help her when the man started to fight. Still thinking he had a gun, according to the arrest report, officers forced him to the ground.

They arrested Othel Jackson, 55, who listed his address as the Drop-Inn Center in Over-the-Rhine. The weapon turned out to be a knife rather than a gun.

Mr. Jackson was charged with aggravated robbery and resisting arrest.

Warrant issued for murder suspect

Cincinnati police are looking for a second suspect in the city's most recent homicide.

Detectives signed a murder warrant Saturday for Eric Brundage, 19, whom they described as armed and dangerous. He's wanted in the killing of Larry Thomas, 33, who was found bleeding Nov. 23 on Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine after a dispute with two men. One of them picked him up and slammed his head onto the sidewalk, police said. He died three days later.

Mr. Thomas was the city's 61st homicide victim.Another man, Mitchell Johnson, 19, has been arrested and charged in the death.

Mr. Brundage is described as 6-foot-3 and weighing 300 pounds.Police ask anyone with information about Mr. Brundage to call Crime Stoppers, 352-3040. Tipsters stay anonymous and can receive up to $1,000.

Teen leads police to drug suspects

A helpful teenage suspected drug dealer who'd run out of crack cocaine to sell led Cincinnati police on Saturday night to two other drug arrests in a Sycamore Township hotel.

An undercover officer tried to buy crack cocaine from a 16-year-oldboy standing along a street in Roselawn. The teenager told Officer Don Meece he was all out, but that he was headed to the Royal Crown hotel on Reading Road to get more.

The officer, followed by other colleagues in plain clothes, went along.

At the hotel, formerly a Ramada Inn, the teen called up to a room and asked for the drugs. That led police to two adults, Crystal Elliott Buttsand Michael Ruff, who police say sold the officers $30 worth of crack. All three were charged with drug trafficking.

Ms. Butts, 24, also was charged with permitting drug abuse for allegedly allowing her hotel room to be used for felony drug trafficking. Mr. Ruff, 19, of Roselawn, was on probation for a previous cocaine-selling arrest by District 4 officers a year ago, police said.

Blue Ash invites comment on plans

BLUE ASH - Residents are invited to speak today about two documents that will help shape development in Blue Ash next year.

The city planning commission will review the 2003 comprehensive plan and a 2003 planning and zoning ordinance at 7 p.m. today at the Municipal & Safety Center, 4343 Cooper Road.

For information, call (513) 745-8520.

Wrong-way driver stopped by police car

A Cincinnati man was arrested early Sunday after driving the wrong way on Interstate 71 near Lebanon and crashing into a police cruiser.

John Jostworth was caught about 1:45 a.m. after Ohio State Highway Patrol officers stopped southbound traffic on the highway and parked a police car in the roadway. Mr. Jostworth smashed into it, police said.

No one was hurt. Mr. Jostworth was charged with driving under the influence and driving the wrong way.

Police said he had been flashing his lights at oncoming traffic to try to get them to move out of his way.

Cleveland airport to open new runway

CLEVELAND - Cleveland Hopkins International Airport's first major expansion of its airfield since 1948 opens Thursday at slightly under its $129 million budget.

The airport has a new 1.3-mile runway.

Within two years there will be a new radar system and a 2,000-foot addition to the new runway.

Bill would limit lawmakers' job jump

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana lawmakers considering switching to the more lucrative ranks of lobbyists could be forced to slow their transition under a bill to be considered next month.

At least 17 former lawmakers are now lobbyists. There is no mandated time moratorium.

Under the bill, Indiana lawmakers would not be able to lobby the General Assembly until one year after their term should have expired.