Compiled from staff and wire reports

Fort Thomas Reserve unit called up

FORT THOMAS - A 400-member Army Reserve engineer unit based in Fort Thomas has become the latest Tristate military unit to be called to active duty.

Sharonville rescue and city workers spread absorbent material Wednesday around a semi that drove off the raised highway on westbound Interstate 275, just west of the Mosteller Road entrance ramp to the highway. The vehicle overturned as it came down the hill, just before the bridge over Mosteller Road. No serious injuries were reported. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

The 478th Engineer Battalion will go on active-duty status Friday and ship out Monday for Fort Campbell, according to a spokesman for the 81st Regional Support Command in Birmingham, Ala., the command headquarters for all Army Reserve units in Kentucky.

It is not yet known if the 478th will be shipped overseas for duty in Operation Enduring Freedom or be given a stateside assignment related to homeland security.

Freedom Center gets $8M in gifts

Gifts totaling $2 million to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center were announced Wednesday night at Memorial Hall during a private screening of the documentary Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narrative, co-sponsored by the Freedom Center and Time Warner Cable.

Today in a presentation before supporters, congressman and historians at the National Press Club in Washington, the center was to announce two additional gifts totaling $6 million.

The center's executive director and CEO,Dr. Spencer Crew, announced at the screening Wednesday that Harry and Linda Fath had pledged $1 million. Other donors included Ed and Carole Rigaud,Harold McClure, Anne Garber, Wayne Carlisle, Joseph and Susan Pichler, Carl Lindner, Dick Farmer and Robert Castellini.

Madisonville man convicted of murder

A Hamilton County jury found Rodrick B. Reeves guilty Wednesday of killing a 19-year-old North Fairmount man last June.

Reeves, 19, of Madisonville was found guilty on charges of murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated murder. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Thomas Maddox.

Maddox was found on the sidewalk in front of his residence on Sutter Avenue. He died later at a hospital.

Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 23 before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Richard A. Niehaus.

Reeves could face up to life in prison.

A second man, Demecus Hughes, 19, was also indicted on charges of murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated murder in connection with the death of Maddox.

He has not yet gone to trial, according to court records.

Hughes remains in the Hamilton County Justice Center in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Teacher may plead to sex charges

BATAVIA - Eric Fouss, a 27-year-old algebra teacher accused of having sex with a student, may plead guilty next month, court officials said.

A Clermont County grand jury indicted Fouss last week on four counts of sexual battery on charges of engaging in sex with a then-17 year-old female student during the 1998-99 school year.

Fouss, who has been suspended from his job at Amelia High School, is free on his own recognizance.

He is scheduled to appear before Clermont County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ringland March 5, officials said.

Taft won't pardon student's killer

COLUMBUS - Gov. Bob Taft refused to grant clemency Wednesday for a northwest Ohio man sentenced to die next week for kidnapping, strangling and stabbing a college student after luring her to a phony job interview 14 years ago.

Richard E. Fox, 47, is to die by injection Wednesday. He has no appeals pending, and his attorneys said they will file no more because there are no legal issues that courts have not already reviewed.

Hamilton issues water advisory

HAMILTON - A water-boil advisory was issued by the city of Hamilton on Wednesday after a water main break on Hamilton-Cleves Road.

The advisory was issued for residents on Hamilton-Cleves Road (Ohio128) between New London and Smith roads.

The advisory affects the Sharon Park subdivision and the Southern Hills subdivision from Carriage Hill Drive south.

Customers should boil all water for at least one minute, and use bottled water for drinking and cooking.

The advisory remains in effect until an all-clear is issued, possibly as early as tonight.

Information: 868-5933.