Journal News SECTION Thursday May 5, 2005 www.journal-news.com OCAL Preliminary work begins on emergency communication system REGION C3 Local Briefing FROM STAFF REPORTS COURT Man convicted in robbery case HAMILTON A Cincinnati man caught on video surveillance robbing a Fairfield business was convicted as charged Wednesday. A jury took about 40 minutes to find William C. Runyon, 46, of 115 Elm guilty of kidnapping and aggravated robbery with a gun specification and a repeat violent offender specification. He faces a maximum of 33 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 8.
According to the Butler County Office, Runyon and his nephew, William D. Runyon, were caught on surveillance video robbing the drive-through at Winton and Mack roads on Nov. 24, 2004. The clerk was bound with duct tape and struck on the head with the butt end of a gun during the robbery, according to the prosecution. The nephew is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25.
Assistant Prosecutor Craig Hedric said William C. Runyon was convicted of beating a man in Madison County Ky. in 1994. is the exact person that the repeat violent offender specification is geared Hedric said. SCHOOLS Fairfield sharing FAIRFIELD Fairfield school board members will consider fee increases, new hires and the results of meeting with community members during their work session at 5 p.m.
today. A week ago, school officials met with seven community members for the community advisory committee meeting to get feedback on the reading intervention programs, homework policy, and suggestions for improving the school communication with the public. The will be shared with board members today, Superintendent Robert Farrell said. The board will be asked to approve the hiring of two replacement assistant principals at the high school, two replacements at the middle school, and some fee increases for particular classes, Farrell said. The Fairfield City School District Board of Education meets at 5 p.m.
today in the Fairfield Operations Building, 211 Donald Drive. COMMUNITY Frimerman guest of Audubon OXFORD Audubon Miami Valley presents Larry Frimerman of the Three Valley Conservation Trust at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Lebanon Citizens National Bank. Established in 1993 to conserve natural environments and cultural heritages of area watersheds, the trust now holds more than 4,000 acres in conservation easem*nts and is a leading force in preservation of habitat for birds and other wildlife in southwestern Ohio. Luncheon slated at area church FAIRFIELD The Fairfield Women Club luncheon will be held May 12 at Covenant Community Church on Mack Road.
Installation of new officers and board members and distribution of fundraising proceeds is planned. The Fairfield High School Choraliers Show Choir will entertain. Reservations are required by Sunday by calling Barb Nash at 829-6042. Baby-sitting will be provided for a nominal fee. Teenager withdraws plea in gang case By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau HAMILTON A Hamilton teenager has withdrawn his plea to charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a city gang.
In the meantime, four more defendants have been convicted of charges stemming from their involvement with the Gordon Lee Kaiser 16, of the 300 block of S. 11th pleaded guilty last month to attempted participation in criminal gang activity, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. However, his attorney, Carl Lewis, later filed a motion to withdraw the plea which Butler County Common Pleas Judge Michael Sage granted on Wednesday. Now the original charge of participation in a criminal gang will be re-filed and a trial date set, according to the court. While legal activity swirls around Kaiser, four other defendants are awaiting sentencing and a fifth has already been sentenced, according to the court.
Robert Barnett, 16, of the 500 block of 12th John Croom, 19, of the 500 block of East Christopher Freeman, 18, of the 900 block of S. 11th and De Shawn Long, 20, of the 500 block of S. 11th all pleaded guilty last week to attempted participation in a criminal gang. Four more men convicted of gang activity in city State senate passes Law By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau HAMILTON A proposed state law named after a woman who survived three attempts on her life cleared a major hurdle Wednesday as it was unanimously passed by the Ohio Senate. It was one of the last stops must make before being signed into law by Gov.
Bob Taft. The law, which modifies bond requirements in domestic violence cases, is expected to be on the books by summer. ecstatic, especially since no one voted against Rezos said. been a great The 36-year-old mother of two was on the telephone with her brother, listening as he watched the hearing live on the Internet. State Sen.
Gary Cates, R-West Chester Township, shared survival story with the legislators. was heart wrenching, just hearing what (Cates) Rezos said. Last summer, estranged husband, Christopher Rezos, was arrested after he beat his wife unconscious with a flashlight on July 2. He posted bail almost immediately, and was released, only to attack his wife again 24 days later, shooting her in the head, according to authorities. In January, authorities thwarted a third murder plot by the Middletown man who had tried to hire a hit man to murder his wife and her family.
Christopher Rezos, 35, is serving a 30-year prison sentence. Law was brought to legislators by brother, Kevin Jones. It was co-sponsored by Cates and state Rep. Jim Raussen, R-Springdale, and passed the House unanimously on April 27. Modifies bond rules in domestic violence cases; could be on books by summer Amy Rezos City police arrest 11 in prostitution sting By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau HAMILTON A total of 11 women are facing solicitation charges after a three-day prostitution sting by the Hamilton Police Department and Butler County Office.
The sting was spurred by complaints of prostitution and drug activity in the neighborhood of East Avenue and Dixie Highway in Hamilton, said Trent Chenoweth, vice section supervisor for the Hamilton Police Department. At least four of the women were arrested in the middle of the afternoon after undercover detectives posing as approached them, according to authorities. The arrests occurred Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Office Detective Carrie Schultheiss said the number of complaints had been increasing as the weather began to get warmer. She said the sting should signal to and prostitutes that these acts of solicitation and will not be tolerated.
The following females were arrested on soliciting and other misdemeanor charges, according to police: Caroline Dawson Connie Rutledge Debbie Agee Elizabeth Randolph Eva Shepherd Karen Woods Lisa Griffin Mary Gabbard Rachael Ortiz Sandra Hubbard Tammie Bowlin Contact Jessica Brown at (513) 820-2189, or e-mail her at Official: Complaints have increased as weather warms up Mentally ill finding solace in social, friendship organization By Benjamin Poston Cox News Service WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP Ron Williston had a dream of creating a social organization in Butler County to give those living with mental illnesses the chance to meet in a supportive setting. A year later, more than 60 members have joined the friendship group and idea has come to fruition. Suffering from obsessive- compulsive disorder, attention de cit disorder and mild bipolar disorder, Williston, 39, of West Chester Township, is a humble guy with an infectious spirit. think the term is used too flippantly today in Williston said. want for people not to view us as dangerous, drug-addicted felons, but as regular members of society who contribute a meaningful experience to the he said.
want people to view us as good Last spring, Williston approached the Hamilton YMCA, the Butler County Mental Health Association and nine other county agencies with his idea for the group. Man dreamed of creating group for socializing BENJAMIN NEWS SERVICE Friendship group members Barbara Steele, left, and Jean Webb discuss mental health issues during an outing at Chipotle last week. The group was the dream of a West Chester Township man who suffers from mental illness. Senator favors seventh judge on county Common Pleas Court By Jessica Brown Butler County Bureau HAMILTON Ohio Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Township, testified in Columbus Wednesday in favor of a bill that would add a seventh judge to the Butler County Common Pleas general division.
At a hearing of the Committee on Civil Justice, Cates highlighted the rising population and growing case load as reasons the judge is needed. The committee must now vote on the proposed legislation Senate Bill 128 and then send it to the full Senate for a vote. It must undergo a similar process in the Ohio House of Representatives before it could be signed into law by Gov. Bob Taft. If the law passes, judgeship names would appear on the ballot in November 2006, and the new judgeship would be effective in 2007.
According to Cates, in 2001 there were 5,071 cases filed which translates to 1,014 for each of the five judges. In 2002, a sixth judge was added to the general division. Awards banquet all about safety By Carmen M. Henderson JournalNews HAMILTON Companies throughout Butler County received awards Wednesday night for best records in safety prevention. The 62nd annual Safety Awards Banquet was held at the Hamiltonian Hotel.
The Greater Hamilton Safety Council, the Industrial Division of the Greater Hamilton Safety Council, and the Ohio Bureau of Compensation, division of safety and hygiene, co-sponsored the event. Of cials distributed plaques to individuals and businesses continuing good safety practices. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer and announcer Joe Nuxhall was on hand as the guest speaker. very important to recognize said Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan. reflects how we do our Other officials, including Butler County Commissioner Greg Jolivette, congratulated those honored during the banquet.
Highlights from the 2004 safety council awards included: The Shepherd Color Company and Ferguson Metals were presented with the business and organization award representing outstanding dedication, contributions and support of the safety council. Guest speaker is Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer GREG Featured speaker Joe Nuxhall and Mike Clark, master of ceremonies for the 62nd annual Safety Awards Banquet, share a laugh during event at the Hamiltonian Hotel in Hamilton. Please see LAW C2Please see SENATOR C2 Please see GANG C2 Please see SOCIAL C3 Please see SAFETY C3.
