The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 12

FN THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER METRO B2 MONDAY, OCTOBER 1,2001 Tristate All, Report Compiled from staff and wire reports Rescuers snatch 4 children from smoke-filled apartment bj 8 yWI 'We could hear the kids in the back room crying. Tim Buchanan The Cincinnati EnquirerJEFF SWINGER Man killed in crash Cincinnati police officers stand at the scene of a two-car crash Sunday on the westbound lane of the Western Hills Viaduct. One man was killed when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck a truck. See story below. leased, officials said.

The children's mother had left them in the care of Richard Ti-merding, 25, of Crown Avenue in Norwood. Mr. Timerding left the apartment about midnight to get something to eat and had not returned when the fire started, police said. There were candles burning in the apartment when Mr. Timerding left, police said.

Officer Buchanan said there was no hesitation on the part of the rescuers about entering the smoke-filled apartment once they knew children were inside. "I don't think there was any decision to make but to go in there and get them." lie By William A. Weathers The Cincinnati Enquirer NORWOOD Four children left home alone were rescued from a smoke-filled apartment early Sunday by three police officers and two firefighters. "Without a doubt, if these five brave men had not acted quickly and without regard for their safety, these four young children would not be with us today," Norwood Fire Lt. Bruce Bischer said.

A baby-sitter who had left the children alone while he went out to eat was charged with child endangerment, police said. When police officers arrived at the building in the 1800 block of Bus shelter gets arty l0 ml. -wj. A i v-4k in 0 Officer Maple Avenue just after 1 a.m. the apartment was engulfed in smoke, police said.

Officer Tim Buchanan kicked in the door, allowing Officers Chuck Bell and Matt Boettcher to enter to find the children, ages 18 months to 4 years. "We could hear the kids in the back room crying," Officer Buchanan said. "The smoke was real thick. You couldn't see the wall on the other side of the room." Some of the smoke was coming To donate Local chapters of the Salvation Army and the Red Crosscontinue to accept monetary donations. Those interested can send checks to Salvation Army, Attention; Vanessa Nicely, 1 14 E.

Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45210, or American Red Cross, Cincinnati Area Chapter, 720 Sycamore Cincinnati, OH 45202-2115 nessa Nicely, Salvation Army's divisional development director. The agency's warehouse has gathered so much clothing, batteries, flashlights, bottled water and other items that it's "just popping at the seams," she said. The agency also has raised about $400,000 for New Yorkers. But, this week, their manpower was requested. A 12-member team from both Cincinnati and Columbus left Thursday.

They will remain there until Saturday, when about 20 more Cincinnati and Columbus members will depart. The American Red Cross chapter originally sent 11 volunteers to New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. All but the ones in New York have returned. The agency has assembled a list of volunteers who are eager to relieve the ones stationed in New York. from a couch on fire in the living room, he said.

It took three attempts braving the smoke before the officers were able to locate the children in back bedrooms. Officers Bell and Boettcher found two of them and carried them to safety. Fire Lt. Tony Humble and Firefighter Rich Glisson rescued the other two. The children were treated for smoke inhalation at Children's Hospital Medical Center and re The Cincinnati EnquirerJEFF SWINGER "We expect to be in New York City and Washington, D.C., and other cities affected by this for a good three years.

We'll probably be at ground zero for at least another six months. (In time), we'll get a little more involved in the family side of it," said Bob Armstrong, the Red Cross' disaster specialist. The chapter has raised $2 million for families affected by Sept. 11. Because so many New York families lost their main providers, monetary donations could soon go toward their mortgage payments, Mr.

Armstrong said. So far, the money mainly has been for immediate relief and vouchers that families have used to purchase food, clothing and other items, he said. "It's not only easier for.us but it helps the local economies up there," he said. Mr. Armstrong said that grief counseling will be needed for a long time.

When a tornado ripped through Montgomery Woods in 1999, many Red Cross volunteers counseled children because of their fears that another tornado lurked in the skies. Likewise, they now must address children's fears that another plane will crash into a skyscraper. "The list is just unlimited as to what we can do. We'll do our best to help," he said. meet deadline I for the search dogs, flashlights, batteries, dusk masks and bottled water.

The donations headed for New York City firefighters came from residents of Lebanon in an effort spearheaded by the fire and police departments. "We started this about a week after the disaster in New York," Fire Capt. Ron Conger said Sunday. Booths were set up around the city to accept donations. "The people of Lebanon have been great in giving," Capt.

Conger said. Mount Healthy begins street projects MOUNT HEALTHY -Two road construction projects are under way in Mount Healthy. Construction has begun on about one-half mile of Bernard Avenue, from Compton Road heading south. The major street improvement project estimated to cost $500,000 will include street widening, installing new curbs, and improvements to storm water and sewer systems. State and local dollars, including money from the city of Cincinnati, will fund 80 percent of the project, with the remainder funded by Mount Healthy, said Jim Koshmider, the city's safety service director.

A smaller project has also begun on the west end of Kennedy Avenue. This includes road reconstruction and repaving. The cost of about $40,000 is funded by the city, Mr. Koshmider said. State probing whether veterans' info released COLUMBUS The state inspector general is investigating whether confidential information from records of Ohio veterans was sent to a data-processing company in India, leaving the veterans open to identity theft, a newspaper reported Saturday.

Inspector General Thomas P. Charles said a vendor that competed with Prithvi Information Solutions for the state data-processing contract made the allegation in mid-July. News that some of the terrorists involved in the Sept. 11 attacks used stolen identities prompted the investigation. The $393,000 state contract, which was competitively bid, involves more than 1 million Ohio veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

However, only the records of about 380,000 Vietnam veterans include Social Security numbers, which are often the key to stealing another person's identity. Records from wars earlier than Vietnam contained names and service numbers only, according to the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs. Madhavi Vuppalapati, president of Prithvi Information Solutions, said all of the records were processed in the United States -as she was instructed and no veteran's privacy was breached. Ocean projects are topic of MU program Miami University presents "An Evening with Jean-Michel Cousteau" tonight at 8 in Hall Auditorium. The program will highlight Mr.

Cousteau's concern for water and conservation through the Ocean Futures Society, of which he is president. The event is free but tickets are required. Tickets may be obtained at the Hall Auditorium box office today. For information: Call Lana Kay Rosenberg at (513) 529-2730 or or visit 36-year-old dies in crash that shuts viaduct A 36-year-old Queensgate man was killed Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on the Western Hills viaduct that closed the road for four hours. Timothy Jackson of the 800 block of Clark Street lost control of his 1997 Chrysler Concord at 4:35 p.m.

in the eastbound lane. He struck a westbound Ford Ranger pickup, driven by Darek Ball of the 2300 block of Victor Street in Clifton Heights. Mr. Ball and his two passengers were taken to hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Ohio man accused of flying while drunk COLUMBUS A man was jailed early Sunday on charges of flying while intoxicated.

Thoughts of the recent terrorist attacks crossed the minds of Columbus police as they watched an unidentified helicopter flying erratically over the city, Sgt. David Howson said. The helicopter landed just before 1 a.m. in a grassy field near a north side strip mall, Sgt. How-son said.

The pilot, Russell Johnston, 31, of Columbus faces two misdemeanor counts: reckless operation of an aircraft and operating an aircraft while under the influence. Mr. Johnston refused breath and blood alcohol tests, police said. He was in the Franklin County jail Sunday, and his helicopter was in the city's impound lot. Sgt.

Howson said Mr. Johnston had what looked like pilot's credentials. Fountain Square rally to support NYC efforts The Cincinnati Concerned Citizens Association is sponsoring a spiritual rally Tuesday to support relief efforts in New York City. The rally will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, downtown.

National and local dignitaries, along with sports figures and entertainers, city officials and ministers of local churches, have been invited to show their support for this national cause. Those attending are asked to donate a balloon to be released in the air at the end of the rally. Hillsboro driver dies after failing to stop HIGHLAND COUNTY Lou G. Fennell, 55, of Hillsboro died Friday evening in a two-vehicle crash at Ohio 73 and Pros pect Road. Mr.

Fennell was traveling east on Prospect Road when he failed to stop at the highway intersection shortly after 6 p.m. His vehicle crashed into a southbound vehicle driven by Donald O. Dixon, 18, of Seamon, said Lt. Todd E. Lee of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Wilmington post.

Mr. Fennell was transported by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Dixon was treated for minor injuries and released from Highland District Hospital. Lebanon sends $25K in donations to NYC LEBANON A trailer filled with $25,000 worth of merchandise and cash donations for the disaster relief effort in New York is scheduled to leave here early this morning.

The 25-foot trailer is packed with T-shirts, socks, gloves, medical supplies, hard hats, food Carly Marten of Dayton, Ohio, rests in a bus shelter in Eden Park shortly after the unveiling of a mosaic tile floor made by apprentice artists working for Artworks. The mosaic depicts the park, the Playhouse in the Park, Mirror Lake and Krohn Conservatory. Bfu; -'iuii -ho it. JO New help reaches city Local volunteers continue to assist in recovery It's not as bad, but tests still stressful Fourth-graders have more chances to pass By Jennifer Mrozowski The Cincinnati Enquirer Teachers and students can rest somewhat easier about the results of this week's fourth-grade state reading test. That's because students will have more chances to take the test than in past years and are less likely to be held back for not passing.

The "fourth-grade guarantee" an effort passed in 1997 to ensure all children are reading on grade level by the end of fourth grade was altered in June by Senate Bill 1. But the stress for some hasn't diminished. "I personally feel like more options make (students) more nervous," said Rob Dunn, fourth-grade teacher at Milford South Elementary. Six of his 21 students passed a pre-run test last year in third grade and don't have to retake it. Students who have to take the exam this week are confused about why others don't, he said.

"I don't feel the pressure has changed," he said. "It's big business. It's published and your district is ranked on it. You want to make sure your students pass." Some students aren't fazed. "I study and I know all my reading stuff," said Destiny Griffith, 9, a fourth-grader at the Academy of World Languages in Evanston.

Her mother, Theodosia Griffith of Walnut Hills, says she has been trying to build up her daughter's confidence for the test. Under the old guarantee, fourth-grade students who didn't pass the reading portion of the state's proficiency tests were to be held back in fourth grade. The exceptions: A reading teacher and the principal agreed to promote the child as academically ready. A child could be exempt if a disability prohibited the child from taking the test. Under the new bill, students can be retained for not reaching the proficient level, can be moved up to fifth grade if the principal and reading teacher agree the child is academically ready or promoted to fifth grade with the promise the child receives intensive intervention.

In the past, the exam was administered only in March. This year, the test is given this week, in March and again in July. Fourth-grade teacher Leslie Harper of Harlan-Butlerville Elementary in Harlan Township said she's stressed because the first test this year is in October. "That only gives me one month to prepare them," she said. Other schools are plowing ahead with rigorous preparation.

Cincinnati Public Schools for two years has had its own reading guarantee. CPS students take proficiency tests in second and third grade, called "off-grade proficiency tests." They are not part of the fourth-, sixth-, ninth- and 12th-grade tests, which all have counted toward a district's academic ranking by the state. If students in CPS do not pass the second- or third-grade reading proficiency tests, they have to attend summer school. Students who don't pass the third-grade reading test will not be promoted to fourth grade. The test is administered several times during third grade.

By Susan Vela The Cincinnati Enquirer Steve Griebling of Montgomery was at work in Sharonville when he learned New York City needed him. The next day, Friday, the Salvation Army volunteer was at Ground Zero where the World Trade Center once stood. He was ready to give rescue workers new socks and gloves, cots and tents, and anything else that they might need. "There's not a metaphor that can describe this. This is pretty much beyond our language in words," said Mr.

Griebling, 47, who normally works at Life Way Christian Counseling Center in Sharonville. "But mostly what is impressive are the people," he said. "They are doing their job, doing their work. They get real tired. They get emotional.

They want to laugh. Sometimes, they'll break down." It was the first time that Salvation Army's Cincinnati chapter was called to help. Their volunteers relieved Salvation Army members who have been there since Sept. 11. Greater Cincinnati is adapting to New York's changing needs.

They know that their help will be needed for quite some time. "It's changing literally day-by-day and hour-by-hour," said Va- Indiana assessors scramble to Lottery roundup Ohio Wednesday's Super Lotto Plus jackpot will be $6 million. Information: (800) 589-6446. Kentucky (Drawings: Sept. 30) Pick 3:727 Pick 4: 1518 Wednesday's Lotto South jackpot will be $8 million.

Info: (502) 583-2000, a toll call. Indiana (Drawings: Sept. 30) Daily 3: 2 9 5 Daily 5 9 1 7 Lucky 5: 357 1227 Wednesday's Lotto jackpot: $15.5 million. Info: (900) 420-2274. Call is 50 cents a minute.

Powerball Wednesday's jackpot will be an estimated $12 million. Saturday's numbers: 2, 15, 21, 29 and 47; Powerball: 12. Power Play: 4. Information: (502) 583-2000, a tyU call. The Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS A looming statewide property tax reassessment has left county assessors rushing to collect and record details about property that will determine values for taxation in 2003.

Judy Sharp, president of the Indiana Association of County Assessors, said last week that only a few counties are likely to com- "That's why our association is lobbying to have it extended a year," Ms. Makowsky said. Lawmakers, who already have delayed the reassessment from its original schedule, are expected to discuss the issue when they return to the Statehouse in January. But Republicans and Democrats so far have been unable to agree on a delay. I' plete the work by the March 1 deadline set by state law and the Indiana Tax Court.

Even some assessors who expect to meet the deadline say the result will be a rush job. "I think every county will be hard-pressed to finish by next year," Clark County Assessor Carolyn Makowsky told The Courier-Journal of Louisville for a story published Sunday..