The Press Gazette from Hillsboro, Ohio • Page 1

THE PRESS-GAZETTE Published Tuesdays and at 209 8. High ONE OF OHIO'S OLDEST NEWSPAPERS ESTABLISHED IN 1818 HILLSBORO, OHIO 45133, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1969 152nd Volume--No. 95 For Fast Moving Classified Ads Phone 393-3456 32 PAGES SINGLE COPY 10 CENTS $5 a Year In Ohio Local Man Held In Shooting Of Ex-Wife Woman Gunned Down In Parking Lot of Shopping Center A Highland County native is being held in connection with the slaying of a woman at the Cherry Grove Shopping Center in Clermont County. Identified as the alleged killer is Robert Bingaman, said by law enforcement officers to be a former Buford resident. Brown County Sheriff William Utter said Bingaman's age is 49, and his home is in Sabina.

Dead is Bingaman's estranged wife, Mrs. Virginia Bingaman, 47, Batavia Rt. 2 (Bantam). The Hamilton County Coroner's Office said she was shot twice in the head and killed at about 7:30 P. M.

Tuesday, in front of "the K-Mart store where she works. Authorities said she was apparently changing a tire on her car, when she was shot. Bingaman was taken into custody at a roadb'ock near the western border of Highland County, Sheriff Utter said, on SR 286, just west of SR 134. Utter said his deputy, Charles "Bud" Ernst, and a former deputy, Bobby Reeves, were chasing Bingaman's car, when the accused slayer was forced to stop at the roadblock. The time was about 10 P.

M. BINGAMAN tried to escape into a nearby cornfield, Utter said, but didn't make it. Bingaman was not armed, but the sheriff said Hamilton County officers have the gun believed used in the slaying, allegedly given to them by relatives of Bingaman. When apprehended, Bingaman was reportedly trying to reach the Buford area. Utter said Bingaman apparently wasn't sure when captured that his wife had died.

Highland County Deputies Carl Ayres and Beryl Cooper helped in the apprehension, along with seven patrolmen from the Georgetown post of the Ohio State Patrol. The state patrol said Deputy Ernst made the actual arrest. Bingaman was initially taken to the Brown County Jail in Georgetown, but Utter said early Wednesday he had been turned over to Hamilton County authorities. State patrol officials at Georgetown said they were notified by the Cincinnati patrol post that Bingaman was wanted in connection with the slaying, and said they notified Highland County authorities. Home Looted In Daylight Neighbors See Two Men But They Escape Neighbors of a Highland County woman apparently witnessed the burglary of her home Tuesday afternoon, and watched helplessly as the thieves escaped, Sheriff Wai-! ter Reffitt said today.

Victim of the theft was Eileen Barrington, who lives with her 17- year-old daughter, Kim, at Lynchburg Rt. 1. Missing is a color television and a rifle. Reffitt said the home is located i southwest of Dodsonville, just U. S.

Rt. 50 on Quallen Road. I Two elderly nenghbors noticed a strange car at their neighbors" home at about 2:55 P. Reffitl! said. Mrs.

Barrington is presently con- fined at Bethesda Hospital. Cincm- nati, and her daughter, a senior a Lynchburg-Clay High School, had not returned home. i The neighbors realized Ihe car was not owned by the Harringtons. They became suspicious. When they saw a man ran from the rear of the home toward the front.

Reffitt said, Ihe husband decided to investigate. The couple also saw a second man. ONE OF Hillsboro's best letter carriers, according to postal officials here, is Jack W. Reno, posing here at left with Assistant Postmaster Donald Naylor. Naylor recommended Reno for a special pay raise through the department's "quality step increase" program.

Mail Carrier One of Best; Gets Merit Program Raise Hillsboro postal authorities think Jack W. Reno is one of their best mailmen, and they are backing up their opinion with a special pay raise. Postmaster Harold Hottle said today Reno, a city mail carrier, is receiving an increase of $196 per year, in recognition of "prompt and efficient" service. Recommendation for the pay boost came from Reno's immediate supervisor. Assistant Postmaster Donald Naylor.

"The public image he (Reno) gives the postal service is exceptionally good, for he gets along extremely well with the public," Nay- Make Plans For Charity Ball Event Moved Up To Saturday, Dec. 20 The annual Elks Charity Ball will be held at the Hillsboro Armory this year and a new date, varying from the traditional Christmas night affair, will be observed. The ball, which will be the 50th anniversary event, has been set for December 20, five days in advance of the usual date. Dancing, however, will be from 9 P. M.

until 1 A. M. as usual and music will be furnished by Chet Wilson and his band from Blanchester, the same group that played at the Elks Thanksgiving dance. This is the first time that the ball has been moved from Christmas night and this is in response to many comments from those who say they will attend the ball if not on a week night and not on Christmas night. The committee reports that some special decorations are being planned to mark the half-century point.

The ball will be semi-formal as usual, with the usual sprinkling of formal and informal attire. Tickets can be obtained from the committee in charge or from Elks members. Tickets for members have been sent out. They are priced at $2.50 each. Those wishing table reservations should phone Frances Cole, 3933365.

All proceeds of the affair will go for the charity program of the lodge, which includes a Christmas party and dinner for needy youngsters. The committee includes John Wharton. Ronald Jandes, Herbert Holtle. Robert Hottle, Fred Roush and Frank Dickey. The charity committee is comprised of James Achor and Clarence Larkin.

lor said, "going out of his way to accommodate people in any way possible." "He shows special consideration for older people and shut-ins on his route, picking up mail from their boxes even though he doesn't have any mail for them. His personal conduct on and off the job is such that it is a credit to the postal service." Reno has served with the Hillsboro Post Office since employment as a substitute letter carrier in 1954. He received his appointment as a career worker in 1957, Hottle said. "He (Reno) is always ready to assist other carriers when the need arises, and is of great assistance to substitute carriers on other routes," Naylor said. "He delivers the mail.

with very little deviation from his schedule, and asks for very little auxiliary assistance, even on heavy days. "Although he suffered a rather severe heart attack three years ago, he came back to work as soon as his doctor would allow, and has carried his route since that time, asking no special favors or consideration." Hottle explained that Reno's increase in salary is made possible under the "quality step increase" program, a method of recognizing merit of employees. In effect, he said, Reno is getting an advancement to the next "step" under Civil Service regulations on pay--a step he would not normally receive until September, 1971. Reno and his wife, Betty, live on East Main Street in Hillsboro. They have three daughters, Pam, Jacquelyn and Valerie.

$12 Missing In School Burglary Cash totaling $12 is missing from the Webster School in Hillsboro following an apparent burglary there during the night of Dec. 8-9. City police said Principal J. Har, old Lyle said the cash is all that appears to be missing, and. al- though the thief ransacked some rooms, no property was damaged.

He reported the theft to police at 8:15 A. M. Tuesday. It apparently occurred after 8 P. M.

the previous night, he said. County Judge Asks For Salary Boost A county court judge has asked commissioviers here for a $1,572.08 per year raise. Judge Ada Stultz, of the Madison Township County Court at Greenfield, requested the boost in pay in a letter at Monday's board of commissioners meeting. Commissioners also worked on details of abandonment of Lynchburg's covered bridge. Details of New Lottery Plan Are Lacking Local Board Hit With Queries; Await State Clarification Officials of the Highland County Selective Service Board have been swamped with inquiries about the new lottery system for draft calls but like a lot of other folks, they haven't gotten many answers as yet.

They report that instructions and directions are slowly coming out of Columbus on the new plan, launched last week, but not to the point where they can really give definite replies. "It will probably be another two weeks before the air clears and we can get down to brass tacks," an official said. "The young folks want to know right now, of course, and you can't blame them for that." Clerks from 15 area counties in Southwestern Ohio will gather here Thursday for an initial training session on some of the new regulations, conducted by Mrs. Myrtle Henderson, area supervisor. Mrs.

Henderson spent two days in Columbus last week going over some of the details of the new plan. The local board expects to get its draft quota for January about the middle of the month and start to figure who they will call for the first bid under the new system. Meanwhile, two men were sent for induction Monday of this week under the old system. They were Marion D. Whitley and James F.

Harte. Actually, Harte was transferred to the Louisville, board just before answering the call. The board also recently sent 13 other young men for pre-induction physicals to keep registrants' files up to date. Going for physicals Dec. 4 were James F.

Burkett. Ralph E. Daniel Pyle, Dennis Stewart, Terry Surber, William Doan, Robert, Whitley, Michael Lengefeld, How-i ard Hawk, James Rhoads, Ralph Sharp, Fairley Smith, James Jon Short, Albert Cox, Michael Weaver, Kenneth Roler and Jerry Meddock. "As you know I am probably receiving the smallest salary as njunty court judge in the state of Ohio," Judge Stultz said in her letter, "although I have been and still am devoting full time to the office." She said her present annual salary is $3,427.92. She requested a raise to $5,000, retroactive to June 10, 1968.

The judge explained that a constitutional amendment which became effective on that date has now been interpreted to include county court judges. The maximum salary allowable under the statute is $8,000 per year, she told commissioners. "County court judges in adjoining counties have been receiving salaries of $6,500, and are now asking that their salaries be raised to S8.000, and made retroactive 10 June 10, 1968," Judge Stultz said. LOCAL COMMISSIONERS con ferred with commissioners from Clinton County on the problem of what to do with Lynchburg's old covered bridge. The two counties split cost of a new structure spanning the East Fork of the Little Miami.

The bridge was opened last summer. Since the covered structure has historical value, commissioners offered to turn it over to any approved historical society which would promise to assume responsibility for it. Commissioners explained Monday their present concern is solely over legal responsibility and maintenance of the old bridge. If details can be worked out satisfactorily, the bridge will go to a county society which has expressed interest, they said. Treasurer Herschel Creed received permission to re-invest $100,000 of county money in U.

S. securities, for a 90-day period. Mrs. Donald Phillips, Greenfield, has been appointed to the Child Services a commissioners said. SUPPORT CHARGE Donald Ewing.

30. Xcnia, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of non-support filed by his ex-wife, Christina Ewing, Greenfield, in Madison Township" County Court. I She claimed he failed to support three minor children from Jan-1 uary, 1969. to December, 1959. Ewing was held for grand jury ac-, tion and committed to the county jail in Hillsboro after failing to provide $1.000 bond.

Teachers Courses Being Offered Two courses for teachers-in-service will be offered early in 1970 at the Tri-County Academic Center, Macon, according to Richard M. Pulliam, director. One is entitled general supervision (graduate credit) and will be offered on Wednesdays. 7 to 9:30 P. in Room 9.

The other is art for elementary teachers and will be offered Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7 P. M. in Room 11 at Macon. Cost will be $17 per quarter hour credit. Classes will start Jan.

6. Pulliam pointed out that the center offers other courses teachers might need such as speech, American History-, English, psychology, introduction to education and others. Still Need Donations For Kids Hillsboro Jaycees met in regular session Tuesday night at the Beery building and went over details of upcoming events during a business session conducted by James Ferrell, president. The window-painting contest will begin just as soon as paint supplies arrive. Judges have been picked, windows lined up and prizes set up.

Cash awards of $10, 87 and $5 will be given to the three top places, in that order. High school art students will compete for prizes. The Jaycees' Christmas tree sale is continuing on the lot next to the Beery building. A good supply of trees is still available. The annual Christmas social for Jaycees and Jaycee-Ettes will be held at Washington C.

H. on Saturday, Dec. 13. A bosses' night will be held by the club in January but no specific date has been set. Donations are still needed for the Christmas party for underprivileged children, scheduled for Dec.

20. The Jaycees can use money, toys or clothing. They may contact Dave McCunc at the hospital or Larry Lucas at Sherwin Willaims Store. About 450 to 500 youngsters are expected to attend the affair. Reservations have already been made for more lhan -300.

Several worthwhile donations have been rccciv- and McCunc. general chairman, expressed the club's appreciation hut added that others are needed to make the party a success. Hospital Board Okays Funds Christmas Seal Drive in Progress 3SL: THEY'RE SMALL, but there's no limit to the ways you can use them, and the work that Christmas Seals support knows no season. Robert Hodson, heading the drive for the Clinton-Highland Tuberculosis Health Association, poses with a Christmas Seal display in the Hillsboro Bank Savings Co. Purchase of the seals fights emphysema, TB and air pollution, Hodson said.

He urged the public to answer their Christmas Seal letters today. "If your letter hasn't reached you," Hodson said, "phone New Vienna 987-2440, or write your Christmas Seal Association, P. O. Box 67. New Vienna, and find out why." Equipment Delivery Slows Completion of New Library Unfortunate delays in delivery of interior equipment has put a crimp in plans of the Highland County District Library board to move into its new building this year.

The latest word is that virtually all the interior equipment lv 'll not be delivered until early in January and even that is not a firm date. The board had hoped to get moved into the library this month. Hillsboro Native Injured Dec. 1 In Georgia Mishap The son of a Hillsboro couple was injured Dec. 1 in a Georgia auto accident.

Ramon Fenner, Atlanta, Ga son of Walter K. and Nell Fenner. North High Street, Hillsboro, was injured at Jonesboro, about 10 miles south of Atlanta, when a car crossed the median strip of a divided highway and struck his Volkswagen camper. Fenner's parents said his leg was broken in two places, and he suffered minor bruises and lacerations. The woman driving the other car escaped injury, and was later given a traffic citation by law officers, they said.

Fenner. a pilot for Southern Airways, is now confined at Room 241. Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta. Ga. Even after delivery, it will take about a month to get everything in place for moving out of the i Scott building and that means about 20.000 volumes, plus many other items.

1 In the expected January delivery will be shelving, tables, chairs, stands, office equipment and related items. Otherwise, the building itself is virtually ready. There are i a few interior details of some lighting, trim, and the like to be concluded but the basic construction is done, inside and out. The outside has been landscaped and the parking lot blacktopped. The contractors, board representatives and the architect are to meet Dec.

to go over the final checklist and make an inspection prior to release of the building to the owners. A furnace has been installed and the building now has heat. Mrs. Helen Satterficld. librarian, says "we won't even think about an open house until are in the building and situated." The board has been disappointed, of course, that the delay occurred but there was little they could dn about it.

the librarian added. I Mrs. Saticrfield also announced that the Hillsboro Woman's Club has donated a carrel or indnidual 1 study tab'e to the new hbran. for which the bMrd is appreciative. Rainfall, Snowfall Decrease, Updated Weather Summary Says I HOWEVER, before Ihc neighbor, could act, the Ihieves left the burg-, larizcd home, passing the neigh-1 bors" house as they made a speedy get away.

Descriptions of the car conflict, Roffilt said, although both witness- i cs agree it was an older The wife thought it was a weathered, faded blue. The husband said green. Reffilt was on the seme within fifteen minutes of the burglars" escape, and units throughout area were alerted 1o watch for the auto, but nothing was found. (Continued on Page 2) I An updated wcaJher summary for the Hillsboro area has been completed by Marvin E. Miller, U.S.

Weather Bureau. Columbus, and released to Tom Knott, official weather observer for this area. Besides a general summation of yearly conditions. Miller has issued a compilation of precipitation, average temperatures, daily extremes and daily mean temperatures from 1894 up to current limes. Miller also lists the men who served the Hillsboro station through the years, as follows: J.

N. Hogsett, 1892 to 1901: J. A. Williams, 3901 to 1908: H. Rouch, 1908 1o W.

E. 10 months in 1914: F. Bavhan, 1914 to 1917: C. Duckwall. 1917-1919: Ruth a a 1919 to 1920: Frank F.

Brouse. 1920 to 195fl: Tom Knott, 19-59 to present. Knott said his available records date back only to 1920--those of Frank Brouse's. in fact. The averages van" to some degree.

The new summary shows 1he average rainfall at -32 45 inches and erage snowfall at 22.1 inches. Previous 25-year average was about 44 and 26 inches, rei-pcctnely. The rainfall for a mojjihly period was 14 72 inches in January, 1937, ard the in one day was July 23, 19fi5, when 720 inches were recorded. The monthly snowfall was 27 inches in 1S1P. and the hea-viesl in one day was Jan.

fi. 1910, 12 inches fell. The one everybody remembers is the 11 inches that fell on Nov. 29, 1958. MILLER'S narrative a 11 1 nolt? that and Mcinil lies just of the unglaciatcd region -which much of southeast Ohio.

Terrain within the county is gently rolling west of Hillsboro and mostly nigged and hilly to the east. Within the county ihe elevation of the earth's sur- lacc above mean sea level varies from 775 to 1290 feet. Valley areas to the east of Hillsboro are prone to entended periods of atmospheric stagnation. During such periods, the ability of the atmosphere to transport and riilfuse pol- luiants in the air is reduced. The climate of Highland County is marked by large annual, daily and dav day ranges of temperature.

Miller notes. Such a climate is characteristic of interior areas fi North Amerira and is classified as continental Summers are mod- warm and humid i several das when temperatures climb into the nineties Winters are reasonably and cloudy but davs i temperatures ar" rare. In this connection, the record temperature was degrees Hi Sept 20. 1895. and on July 4.

The record low was mmus-30 Feh 10. 1899. a humidity out parent at 1 and 7 5S rct-nt at 1 and 70 percent 7 (loudim is a in and in Tin-. in cloudmt-s I a liberated by tiv T- Jt 1 "1 winch 1 in -Inly and 35 P'T- nib'T i daily a i i i 1 i ,11 im i 41 9 I'. m- 1 1 52 7 i.T' i id.

i "i I liY.e i r- i into the on Page 2) Seek Aid For Hunger Victims For half the people in the wor hunger is a way of life. Some 1 000 people a day, seven perso every minute, die of starvalum order to help alleviate the 3iung of the world's population to attack the root of Church World toij ih- annual i Combat World Hunger i em her To fiat" (ontribntinr- 1 1 land County Campaign to c'Tib world hunger ard ihr bulk of 1i ir S1V7 12 offr-rinc 'i i boro cummin it 1 1 rv it is ihai in 1l lfi county will to Jlif i i iivu'-r. and 1 to i i i a Farmer- a i HilKboro LOST i 1 iilni, 4 1" i 1 i Jp! il'ii t. i V.v-na-i 2. ported tne t.

sheriff Tuesday. DAMAGE MAILBOX Mrs. Robert McGrew. Hillsboro R1. 5.

reported Monday to Ihe county sb.r-nif that someone her mailbox to Approve Federal Fund Grant The Ohio Department of Urban Affairs has confirmed in writing the allocation of Appalachian Regional Commission funds for the third floor project at Highland District Hospital. This was one of the reports submitted to the board of governors of Highland District Hospital as it met in regular monthly session night. In one major action, the board accepted a recommendation of its finance committee to take initial steps in re-investing some permanently-held stock in government securities. The Appalachian funds total $172,435. Earlier, the hospital had been assigned $212,000 in Hill-Burton funds for the third floor.

Steve Uihlein, hospital administrator, said a pre-construction meeting was held recently, involving the architect, board of governors, and all contractors. One contractor has moved some equipment to the site but the base contractor, Dawson- Evans, has not. Uihlein quoted Cecil Dillahunt, Division of Hospital and Medical I Facilities, Ohio Department of Health, as saying that the first actual release of federal funds will not be made until 25 percent of the project is completed. There will 1 be anotner release of funds when 75 percent of the project is pleted, again at 95 percent, with 5 i percent withheld for final inspec- tion. THE BOARD authorized the finance committee to proceed with the first step in re-investing 1.000 shares of Procter Gamble stock from the Mitchell estate in government securities.

The matter has to be cleared with the board of township trustees of the hospital district, the prosecutor and possibly both the common pleas and probate courts. The purpose of the move is to try and increase the income from the investment. The hospital was willed 1.962 shares of P-G stock under the will of Thomas Mitchell so the re-investment would involve a little more than half of the shares. The administrator said one firm had submitted an estimate of cost of equipment for the new third floor and that another firm would submit a similar estimate soon. Both are major supply houses for hospitals.

Uilhein said he had been advised by Dillahunt that the board does not have to seek competitive bids on hospital equipment. The first estimate ran $30,000 and upward. Uihlein submitted a plan to enlarge laboratory space and an initial estimate of cost. The board oral approval to the plan but some additional cost and installa tion estimates are to be obtained. The administrator said the hospital is in need of additional lab space.

Routine bills totaling $22.684 were approved and a monthly statistical report was presented. Total admissions for November ran 128. Emergency treatment was given to 159 persons. Percent of occupancy on the medical and surgical floor was 93. About $60.000 in general operating funds have been invested in short-term notes for income-producing purposes, it was reported.

Collection for November ran 340 but ran $57.176. McCreight Presides for Last Time Over State Association A-initor Credit p-e I i A V-" OhiO i V.I i i i A 1 i-t i -i 1 i 'i' -i r- -1 i 4 r. i presort presented Me- CruJ-' 4 vptu-d award "in 01 iht outstanding ser- ,31 t'lmphshmcnts. of t're County Au- nf Ohio (Continued on Page 2) Community Resource Expert Is Speaker ea i- nt 'C'o'i -nfc He" A 3 tr-f i i- 1 I i 1 'j i 1 P. a.flr.or, -AIJV urer.

7 I.JT-'S^ i-i i-orTrnniiy ro- Mr RarHen i 'i '-'ml- i K-i'k on the i recent I i )' ihr 2. and irtas 10 improve bulr. and old communities..