Anybody lose a hamster?

By Lauren Pack | Friday, July 31, 2009, 01:18 PM

Linda Rub and her son were delivering the Journal-News early this morning, July 31, in the area of Lesourdsville-West Chester Road when a wayward hamster caught her eye.

The poor little guy was trying to navigate his hamster ball through high grass in a ditch line.

Rub thought someone would retrieve little plastic encased rodent, but returned after completing route to find him dangerously close to big puddle.

“When I back. He was still there. He hadn’t moved too far,” Rub said.

After knocking on doors without success to find owners, Rub took the tired brown and white hamster to her daughters’ house for safekeeping.

“He was hungry. But he’s pretty fat so it’s someone’s pet,” she said. “I feel so bad for the little guy.”

Anyone with info about the runaway hamster can call Linda at 513-571-6057

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$52,100 for an old car?

By Lauren Pack | Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 01:06 PM

HAMILTON — A week after Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones showed off classic cars for sale to residents that were seized from two men convicted of drug charges, bids are impressive especially on the flashiest of the bunch.

Someone out there has $52,100 to spend on a 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. True it’s more than cool — candy apple red, chromed out and fully restored. But that’s a lot of money for an old car.

I received several calls last week after writing about the red muscle car well as a canary yellow 1969 Chevrolet Camaro; a 1970 Chevette SS, black with white racing stripes; and a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado truck seized from Hamilton-area convicted drug dealer Mark Henson.

Also up for bid on www.govdeals.com (search OAL855) is a 2004 Cadillac Escalade given up by convicted former University of Cincinnati and NBA basketball star Corie Blount in May when he was sentenced to a year in prison.

Several of the men who called wanted to see the vehicles in person and were anxious to know I viewed them up close and personal.

When I didn’t squeal with the same enthusiasm, several potential bidders chuckled and said “you aren’t a car collector.”

One man was a bit offended that I referred to the Camaro as old and without a hood. I guess I don’t fully understand the “muscle car” thing.

While the sheriff’s office chose to sell these cars and use the cash to fund more under cover operations for the newly formed drug task force, other seized vehicles have gone from the hands of criminals to become the ride of law enforcement officers.

Deputy Chief Tony Dwyer drives Lincoln Navigator that was seized from a criminal. Other seized vehicles, including a D.A.R.E. truck and undercover cars, are also a part of the fleet.

Jones jumped in the right red Chevelle last week and revved the engine for TV cameras.

But he said the car was not his speed.

“I need something I am not going to have to work on,” Jones said.

Bet it will get the attention of a deputy or state trooper with a radar gun!

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Have a good day, Judge

By Lauren Pack | Thursday, June 18, 2009, 04:31 PM

Municipal courts are often filled with sad stories about human conflict both huge and trivial, but most days the court docket will also bring at least one or two chuckles.

Wednesday morning, June 17, while waiting for specific cases in Middletown Municipal Court, I had to fight back a rolling laugh when a man tried to explain his disorderly conduct charge.

According police, they received a call Tuesday about an intoxicated man. They found their suspect in the middle of the street on all fours with two 40-ounce beer bottles in front of him.

When Middletown Municipal Court Judge Mark W. Wall asked the man, calling him by his first name because he is likely a “frequent flyer” in court, if he had anything to say, the man piped up to defend himself.

“The grass was wet your honor. I fell, but it wasn’t because I was drunk,” the man said.

A defense attorney sitting beside me whispered, “these statements are rarely helpful.”

Wall gave the man a $100 fine and sentenced him to one day in jail, which he had already served.

As the man left the courtroom to go back to the hold cell, he shook his hand and said, “Have a good day, Judge

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Too stinky for Jail

By Lauren Pack | Thursday, June 18, 2009, 03:47 PM

By Lauren Pack A Middletown teen was charged with burglary and a curfew violation early Monday morning, June 8, for allegedly breaking into an old supermarket. But 16-year-old was spared at least one night behind bars thanks to a skunk.

The boy and his 18-year-old cousin were spotted up to some mischief shortly after midnight walking in the alley behind Texas Avenue.

An area resident said the boys pried open boards in back of the old McGee’s market and were able to get in.

The 16-year-old went into the building, while his older cousin stood lookout on the railroad tracks, according to a witness and the Middletown police report.

Officers stopped the boys and arrested the 18 year-old for complicity to burglary and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

After he was charged, the 16-year-old was released to his parents because he has been sprayed by a skunk.

Crime doesn’t pay but a skunk will likely keep you out of jail for a while.

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