The Summer Post – July 23, 2009

THE SUMMER EDITION

THE POST thepost.ohiou.edu

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Athens pulls brakes on Courtyard shuttle Amanda Baker For The Post ——— The city of Athens has suspended its shuttle bus service to University Courtyard, leaving questions about student transportation to and from the Ohio University campus. The contract between the city and Ambling Management Company, the corporation that owns University Courtyard, for a shuttle bus running every 20 minutes was not renewed this month, said Mayor Paul Wiehl. “There will be a bus service for students,” he said, speaking of a city bus that will still make hourly stops on the Richland Avenue. The 580-bed University Courtyard complex located on Richland Avenue is about a mile from Baker University Center, or a 17-minute walk, according to Google Maps. Tami Finan, regional vice president for Ambling Management Co., the corporation that owns the complex, cited problems with the buses as the reasoning behind the discontinuation. The shuttle route relied on buses larger than the regular Athens Transit vehicles. “It was a mutual decision based on the age and the mechanical issues with the buses,” she said, noting that the buses were purchased used. University Courtyard is currently in the process of contracting bus service for its residents, though no decisions have been made, Finan said. The complex’s website, http://www.ucourtyardathens.com, still advertised a shuttle bus to campus at press time. OU is currently hiring a CATS

shuttle bus driver to transport students between University Courtyard and Baker University Center, according to an online job listing. A representative for Transportation and Parking Services could not be reached for comment. The Summit at Coates Run, an apartment complex on Richland Avenue that opened earlier this year, has also not signed a contract with Athens Transit. The Summit will have internal shuttles running every 15-20 minutes, said Samantha Matta, assistant property manager. The shuttles will run until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m. on weekends. Additionally, budget concerns caused the city to consider raising bus fares for the first time in about eight years, Mayor Wiehl said, attributing a budget increase to higher salaries and the rising costs of oil and bus maintenance over the next five years Earlier this month, City Council passed a four-year financial plan to be sent to the Ohio Department of Transportation, which detailed the funds necessary to continue running the public transportation system in Athens. This prospective budget jumps from $98,000 in 2010 to $130,000-140,000 in 2013. “We have to look at the rates in terms of offsetting the costs,” he said. Current bus fare is $1 for rides within city limits; a definite price increase has not yet been set. Mayor Wiehl is optimistic about the public’s reaction to a rise in fares. “Most people don’t think a dollar is a lot,” he said. “Especially if it keeps the city from dipping further into general funds to pay for public transportation.” [email protected]

County fighting ‘battle’ against growing drug use Jesse Hathaway For The Post Matt Beddingfield For The Post ——— The signs that Athens County has a growing drug problem are starting to become hard to ignore. Last week, Athens City Police received a complaint from the Days Inn motel on Columbus Road that drug paraphernalia was found in a room. Two area men entered the room while police were waiting for a search warrant to be prepared, and officers gained entry into the room to prevent any destruction of evidence. Upon entry, officers collected what they believed to be heroin, drug syringes, and other paraphernalia. While this may seem shocking, data from the Ohio Department of Health reinforces the perception of a growing drug problem. From 2005 until 2007, Athens County had five drug-related deaths each year. In 2008, there was a 240% increase in drug-related deaths, with 12. So far, the county is on track to break this record this year. In a statement given June 30, Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly said, “we have a major problem here, no doubt. It’s a battle we are fighting.” Athens County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Bryan Cooper said that there may be a combination of factors that are contributing to Athens County’s growing drug problem. “It might be that we have two universities and the populations that those bring here, or it might be a result of the economic problems

We do not really know why we have this major problem.” — Lieutenant Bryan Cooper, Athens County Sheriff’s Department that are going on in the entire country, Lieutenant Bryan Cooper from the Athens County Sheriff’s Department said. “We do not really know why we have this major problem.” “Any time that people lose their jobs, people resort to other means of getting money. Sometimes, that means turning to drugs. When people sell drugs, they start using drugs. This means that drug sales go up, and drug abuse goes up.” Cooper noted that most of the drugs found in the county originate in Columbus, and are sold in the area by local drug dealers. Retired Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations agent Stephen Kane has seen widespread drug use in the county for decades. “In 1975, when I was an Athens City police officer, I saw cocaine, methamphetamine, and pharmaceutical drugs being abused, but heroin was not an issue,” he said. “Since then, Athens County has been inundated with opioids.” In 2005, then-Athens County Sheriff Vern Castle entered into a mutual aid agreement with the multi-county Major Crimes Task Forces, in response to seeing a growing narcotics problem. In 2008, Athens County’s last

See DRUGS, Page 4

Guests urged to ‘Carry Out’ trash from Ohio state parks

Greg Roberts | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER With trash cans being removed from local state parks, patrons are now responsible for their own trash disposal. Pictured here is left behind trash at a beach at Strouds Run State Park.

Amanda Baker For The Post ——— Five local state parks no longer provide visitors with trash cans to dispose of food and other garbage in a statewide attempt to promote environmentalism. Strouds Run, Hocking Hills, Lake Logan, Burr Oak and Forked Run State Parks are five of the 30 parks across Ohio that are leaving trash removal to their guests, through the “Carry In, Carry Out” policy. Initiated in 2008, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources discontinued trash pick-ups across the state to increase environmental awareness, said Sandy Caramonte, an employee with Ohio State Parks. “We’re encouraging them to take away their stuff, reducing the smell and the mess in the parks,” she said. Trash cans create problems for wildlife and visitors alike, according to the Ohio State Parks Web site. Not only can animals become dependent on trash for food, but insects and other pests are often attracted to garbage and create unsightly and dangerous situations for park guests. Dumpsters and trash cans have been removed on trailheads and picnic areas, but will remain in overnight areas such as campgrounds and cottage areas. Additionally, dumpsters will remain at beaches, launch ramps and hightraffic tourist attractions, such as Old Man’s Cave. Kristin Lusby, a junior studying marine biology, said she disagreed with the policy.

“I don’t see how you should be responsible for your trash when you’re coming to a public park,” she said, adding that she had not heard of the policy until now. Park staffs will still be responsible for collecting trash left behind by guests ignoring the policy, although the affected parks have reported no problems in the past year. In fact, the program has contributed to a cleaner environment around many of the parks. “We have seen pretty good results,” said Tim Archer, regional park manager for the Hocking Hills region. “The first year, I probably didn’t get one complaint. There have been a few people more recently, but I really didn’t get a lot of negative feedback.” Opponents of the policy claim that Ohio could have implemented a fee for day-use of parks, instead of removing trash cans, but Caramonte insists the policy was initiated by a need for environmental awareness and not the state budget. “We believe access to nature should never be limited by ability to pay,” she said. Even so, the state has seen about $53,000 in annual savings because of the policy. Visitors are encouraged to contact park rangers or managers to inquire about this and other programs at Ohio state parks. “We’re excited to promote the program to visitors,” Caramonte said.

[email protected]

Local services face burden of recent state budget cuts Caitlin Bowling For The Post ——— Although circumstances are not as dire as expected, local services will still feel the strain of cuts in the $50.5 billion state biennium budget, which was signing into law last Friday. Several state-funded programs, including job and family services, mental health services and public libraries, sustained budget reductions. Other areas, including food banks and education, saw an increase in funding, but could face cuts in the future. FOOD BANKS The battle about the budget is not over, said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks (OASHF), encouraging Ohioans to continue contacting state officials with their budget concerns. Food banks will receive $12 million a year, an increase from last years funding, according to the budget. But, Hamler-Fugitt said it is not enough. Food banks asked the state for $17 million a year, which did not factor

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in rising food costs and unemployment. Demand at Ohio food pantries has increased by 29 percent this year, while 10 percent of food pantries have closed, according to the OASHF web site. “(Pantries) are rationing the food that they have, and when the food is gone, they are closing their doors,” she said. “This is the perfect storm — greater demand and fewer services.” The budget allocated a lot of money to education, but hungry kids can’t learn, Hamler-Fugitt said. EDUCATION The state budget gave $12 billion to education, initiated education reforms and changes to school funding, which has drawn praise from organizations such as the Ohio Education Association. “This summer will be remembered in history as the beginning of a transformation of public education in Ohio to meet the challenges of the 21st century and the state’s commitment to provide resources for a constitutional system of public school funding in Ohio,” said OEA President Patricia Frost-Brooks in a press release. Democratic Rep. Debbie Phillips also

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HOCKING RIVER

Reports show the river is safe, in good condition

TODAY

Our investment in education will be a key factor in improving Ohio’s economic recovery.” Debbie Phillips Democratic Rep.

applauded the reforms in a press release, saying, “Our investment in education will be a key factor in improving Ohio’s economic recovery.” Ohio colleges will also receive an increase in state funding next year. However, the state has cut funding for higher education by $170 million the following year. By holding off on funding cuts until the 2010-2011 school year, universities will have a year of increased tuition and time to prepare for the cuts, said Chancellor Eric Fingerhut in a statement last week. In preparation for the cut, Gov. Strickland lifted an in-state tuition freeze, allowing universities to increase tuition by 3.5 percent this year and next. Ohio University officials have said that tuition will not increase Fall Quarter but an increase is possible for Winter or Spring Quarter. Not everyone is happy with the allocations to education, voicing concerns about how Gov. Strickland’s education plan will be funded.

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2 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

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Opinion POSTLETTER

Bartender’s life lessons will be missed by alum There were a lot of great professors at Ohio University when I was a student. Math, philosophy, psychology, English, etc. They all contributed to my education. But one of the best was Manuel Gevas, my bartender at the Towne House Grille. Manuel passed away this week, and he will be missed by all of us who learned as much or more from him than any other instructor, coach or advisor we worked with in Athens. Academics are important but the lessons learned outside the classroom are far more important to the success and enjoyment of life than any course we were graded on. I met Manuel the first time I visited Ohio University in Athens. He was a role model of professionalism and a mentor to all who enrolled in his “classes.” He taught important lessons in management, sociology and business to all of us who regularly “attended” his classes at the Towne House. There were never any lectures, no homework assignments and no tests. But Manuel graded all of us at the Towne House. When we screwed up, we knew it. When we did well, he recognized it. But always we were learning about life and how to live with others. Manuel understood that life and living with others

was everybody’s “major” topic to study. The only tuition at the Towne House was the price of a beer or two. Once a student paid that price and became a regular at the Towne House, he was assured of individual attention by the “Professor” Manuel. Those of us fortunate enough to be enrolled in the Towne House for 4 years graduated Cum Laude. Some of us were lucky enough to do special independent study with Manuel and learn about real estate investment, conflict resolution, negotiation, and people management. It was a holistic curriculum from a complete teacher. Because of bartenders like Manuel the education an Ohio University student receives on Court and Union Streets is as valuable and important as anything learned on the greens or in the halls. For sure my bartender, Manuel Gevas was as important to me as any classroom professor I spent time with at Ohio University. It’s time to bring back 3.2 percent beer so that students can get four years of education from their bartender rather than four hours on the weekend when they are 21-year-old seniors at Ohio University. Tom Gosiorowski is a 1965 graduate of Ohio University.

POSTLETTER

Health care ‘propaganda’ is inaccurate, unwelcome I was disappointed to see insurance company propaganda printed as the political cartoon in Thursday, July 16th’s paper. The myth of long waits in government-run health care is a complete farce invented by opponents of single-payer health care systems, namely profit-driven HMOs and other organizations, which deny or drop coverage to millions of Americans. These companies are afraid that socialized health care would actually work and people would be happy with

it, leading to massive losses in their profits, so they invent these lies in hopes that their fear mongering will stifle social progress. Another lie propagated by opponents is that America has the best health care system in the world. This is painfully untrue as the United States is currently ranked 37th by the WHO, with France’s socialized, government-run system as No. 1.

POSTCOLUMN

Seeing ‘Harry Potter’ in New York more spellbinding than in Athens Expelliarmus! Lumos! Other spell! As you should know, Harry Potter and the HalfBlood Prince hit theaters recently. This new development could mean only one thing in the life of Jane Adams, Bo’s Clothing Shack employee and intern not-so-extraordinaire: She too must hit theaters. Anticipating the slightly elevated price of movie tickets in this city where every price is “slightly” elevated, I decided to go to a matinee. I am glad I did some online research first because a matinee in the city is a movie before noon. Before noon, people. Now this is the point where I simply have to put my foot down and say New Yorkers are crazy. Do you not love to sleep here? Because where I come from a matinee is anything before six. Despite the fact that I was slightly disturbed by this, I decided to suck it up and get thee from bed to make it to a 10:55 showing. All for the love of Harry Potter, of course, or more specifically my onscreen crush Ronald Weasley (Rupert Grint). I arrived at the theater to discover that a matinee was

$6, a price that is well worth to my theater. the extra hour or two of sleep The entire facility was I lost. I missed that sleep even divided into three floors with less when I saw normal admis- some theaters in the basesion was $12.50. Ouch. ment and some on the sec Mo s t p e o p l e p ro b a b l y ond level. That is one thing I wouldn’t have purchased con- have noticed about New York. cessions, being that it was While in Ohio we have plenty 10:30 in the morning, but I of space to spread out, New am not most people. Since I Yorkers have to spread up. I hadn’t been don’t think this to a movie is necessarily a in ages I bad thing, but it I LOVE NEW YORK ... I THINK wanted the does make for a f u l l m ov i e whole lot more experience stairs. — greasy I have popcorn and to admit that all. despite the I bought stairs the theater a popcor n, was nice. The which was chairs were soft $5 and ridicand comfortable ulously small and everything for that price l o o k e d n e w, (at least from something that the perspecis lacking in the Jane Adams tive of an theaters of less Ohioan) and famous cities a $4 small, like our beloved white-cherry Icee ( I love those Athens. Still, this theater was things). Like the movie theater without some of the things in Athens I buttered my own that I enjoy when I go see a popcorn, which is something I movie at The Athena Grand. like as it is hard for concession Instead of the nice time workers to know how much before the movie starts when butter you want, and I headed you get to sit in the quiet the-

ater and chat with whomever you came with, this movie theater showed “Sneak Peeks.” These sneak peeks are basically just more advertisements for how Cartoon Network now has shows with real people in them, how we should all be like actors and donate our money to charity and how people who leave their cell phones on are destined for hell. After all that wonderful knowledge I was practically overjoyed when the movie finally started. I leaned back into my chair in eager anticipation, stuffed a handful of popcorn in my mouth, took a sip of my Icee and prepared myself for the two hours I was about to spend with my favorite British wizards. Conclusion: Ticket $6, concessions $9, crying like an inconsolable child when Dumbledore died and having the urge to raise my imaginary wand to the heavens in his honor — priceless. I love the movies — I mean, New York. Jane Adams is a junior studying journalism. You can send her angry letters about how she gave away the end of the movie at [email protected].

Andrew Franz is a senior studying chemistry.

GUESTCOLUMN Volume 98 Issue 150

THE POST

1 Park Place, Room 325 E-mail | [email protected] Phone | 740.593.4010 Fax | 740.593.0561 www.thepost.ohiou.edu The Post is an independent, student-run newspaper in Athens, Ohio. It publishes Monday through Friday during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters at Ohio University. It is distributed free of charge in Athens. Mail subscriptions are $25 a quarter and $65 a year. Advertising rates are available upon request.

Editor in Chief Jessica Holbrook Managing Editor J.W. Johnson Jr. Assistant Managing Editor Rob Mixer Design Editor Jacqueline Cantu Chief Photographer Greg Roberts Copy Chief Amanda Lucci Web Editor Dave Hendricks Business Manager Jim Rodgers Advertising Director Robert Sumney Weather Scalia Lab

Editorial page material represents the opinions of the editors, columnists and letter writers. Opinions expressed are independent of the Ohio University administration and the printer.

THIS ISSUE Copy Editors: Amanda Lucci Designers: Jacqueline Cantu, Alexander Helbach, Chelsea Blocker, Lu Tang Photo Editor: Greg Roberts

Obama, Congress need to find ‘new frontier’ Walter Cronkite died Friday evening. He was 92. I think it’s fitting that the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moonwalk Monday is so close to Cronkite’s death. Out of all the clips of Cronkite’s broadcasts shown over the past few days, the veteran journalist seems least inhibited during the now famed broadcast of the lunar landing. Cronkite had even remarked that the Apollo 11 landing was the high point in his career because he was certain it would be the most important event of his lifetime. Unfortunately, it seems he was correct. Before I go any further, I should mention that I am one of those jerks in every restaurant who mutters aloud, “We can put a man on the moon; you’d think they could make my chicken salad faster.” It’s true; I am an unrelenting Apollo program nut. I’ve always been enthralled by the whole romanticism of a nation’s leader setting an ambitious goal and then

actually starting the process of meeting the goal. There had to have been something comforting about knowing hundreds of thousands of people were working on a collective objective to not only better their country but humanity as a whole. I’m not that naïve, though, and am aware that our reasons for going to the moon had more to do with beating the Soviets than inspiring a nation. Still, we went to the moon! And we walked on it, too! We won the race to the moon, and in doing so we gained a more complete knowledge of the totality of our existence. I don’t think we’ve accomplished anything close to what we did since then. We certainly haven’t had a president since who’s challenged the nation the way President John F. Kennedy did with his bold promise. Kennedy offered us a new frontier, and for too long we haven’t searched the horizon for the

next one. Even now, when history has offered us yet another bold and young president, the chance to meet the line that divides a mediocre generation from a visionary generation is missed. Take for instance President Barack Obama’s and the now Super Majority Democratic Congress’ plan for combating global warming. Presently, a typical and hackneyed response has been thought up to fight what could very well be the most important threat of a generation. Essentially, we’ve brought a knife to a gunfight. The knife? Cap and Trade policies, which according to the Copenhagen Consensus Center are promised to reduce 0.3 to 0.5 degrees by the year 2100 of what many believe will be a temperature increase from anywhere from 1 to 11.5 degrees. We’ve reveled in the mundane yet again and have failed to reach for a new frontier.

I am convinced, much as many of you are, that we desperately need another Apollo-like program to solve not just global warming but our dwindling energy supplies and broken health and education systems as well. So far, nothing proposed out of Washington could have ever made Cronkite speechless, much the same way man’s journey into heaven’s orbit more than 40 years ago did. Visionary thinking is missing. Even when bold policy is announced, such as Obama’s health care and global warming directives, eventual legislation is watered down with tax cuts and pork barrel spending. Maybe history will judge the moonwalk as an easier task than asking Congress to forget about running for re-election and pass meaningful legislation for once. Matthew Christ writes for the University of Flordia’s Independent Florida Alligator.

LETTERSPOLICY Your opinion is welcome. Letters should be brief (fewer than 500 words). Longer submissions will be considered as guest commentaries, but space is limited. All letters must be signed by at lease one individual; anonymous letters will not be accepted. The Post does not accept form letters or letters soliciting donations. Please include your year and major. Letters can be submitted online at www.thepost.ohiou.edu, by e-mail at [email protected] or The Post’s front desk in the media wing on the third floor of Baker Center.

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

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Alleged rapist called, texted Hocking River in ‘fairly good health,’ victim after reported assault safe for recreational use in Athens area Frank Thomas For The Post ———

that he still wanted to be friends. Nguyen sent his final text message to the alleged victim on May 27, according to phone records. The two talked often in the months leading up to Nguyen’s visit, according to phone records. In some instances they talked several times each day — with numerous conversations lasting over an hour. In others, Nguyen would call up to seven or eight times over as many minutes with each connection lasting less than one minute. Out of 550 calls he made and received between March 28 and April 28, 212 were between he and the victim, according to phone records. Nguyen called the victim 110 times between the two dates with her calling him 79 times. He also talked to his alleged victim 54 times in May before he came to Athens. Each call listed on the bill is equal to one connection. Even if Nguyen did not actually speak with the woman or leave a message, the bill would round the charge up to one minute. Prosecutors indicted Charles Nguyen, 31, of Philadelphia, on rape, kidnapping, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence charges in May. Police arrested him in New York, where he was reportedly studying medicine, in June. Rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary are all firstdegree felonies that carry maximum sentences of 10 years in prison. Tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony with a five-year maximum sentence. Nguyen could spend 35 years in prison if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 1.

A Philadelphia man accused of raping an Athens woman he met over the Internet continued calling the alleged victim after the alleged assault, according to phone records. Prosecutors say Charles Nguyen, 31, traveled to Athens and raped a local woman, using duct tape to restrain her during the attack. The alleged victim also filed stalking charges against Nguyen after reporting the rape, according to court records. The order was granted. Nguyen met her over the Internet in February, and they talked over the phone for months before Nguyen came to meet her and her family in Athens on May 9, according to her request. Nguyen stayed in Athens until May 17 when the woman drove him to the Columbus airport for his flight home, she wrote in her request, adding that she had broken off the relationship. He returned two days later and raped her, she said in her complaint. She reported the rape that same day after Nguyen had left. Police and prosecutors have said the alleged rape took place at 9 a.m., but Nguyen called the alleged victim at 9:52 a.m. from Portsmouth, Ohio and they talked for about 12 minutes, according to phone records made public as part of a search warrant. He then called a little after midnight the next day — less than 17 hours after the alleged rape. Had they talked, it was for less than a minute, according to phone records. He also sent her two text messages just before 7 p.m. that day and once later that night — hours after the alleged incident. [email protected] He sent his final text message to the woman on May 25. Records — Amanda Baker, Jesse are not available to determine Hathaway and Amanda Lucci whether he called or text mescontributed to this report. saged her again after that. The woman fast facts reported in her petiThere were 531 total phone calls tion that, after Nguybetween Nguyen and the woman. en returned to Athens 212 of these calls were placed between and allegedly raped March 28 and April 28. her, he continued The woman called Nguyen 79 times sending text messagbetween these dates, and he called her es, asking for her fora total of 110 times. giveness and saying

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One of the biggest stories that this report tells is the success of the river’s improving health.” —Gregg Sablak, environmental specialist, Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water Jesse Hathaway For The Post ——— The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency released a draft report stating that the Hocking River was in fairly good health, although some parts of the river remain unhealthy. According to the Hocking River Watershed Draft Total Maximum Daily Load Report, or TMDL, 70 percent of sites surveyed in the river and its tributaries met all of the water quality standards. The remaining 20 percent of the sites tested met some of the standards, and 10 percent met none of the standards. The Hocking River watershed, which spans 940 square miles, covers six counties in Southeast Ohio. In Athens County, sites tested include points adjacent to the Athens Mall, the Athens City Waste Water Treatment plant on East State Street and the portion of the river that runs under the East Stimson Avenue bridge. “One of the biggest stories that this report tells is the success of the river’s improving health,” said Gregg Sablak, environmental specialist for the Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water. “The Hocking River has gone from being very degraded in the 1980s to showing a tremendous improvement today.” Some areas of concern for the river’s

Greg Roberts | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER A bird waits patiently for a fish off the shallow band on the Hocking River. New reports show the river is safe to use recreationally in Athens.

health were identified, but none of them were in the Athens area. Most of the troubled areas were in the Rush Creek watershed in Fairfield County. The part of the Hocking River that flows through the city of Athens is safe for recreational use, according to the report. The draft report has two designations for recreational use, primary contact recreation and secondary contact recreation. Primary contact recreation is defined in the Ohio Administrative Code as “waters suitable for full-body contact such as swimming and canoeing.” Secondary contact recreation is defined as “waters suitable for partial-body contact such as wading.” All of the Hocking River watershed is rated for primary contact recreation, except

an unnamed tributary in Fairfield County, which suffers from “extreme acid mine pollution.” “Based on our criteria, the Hocking River itself is fully meeting all of the criteria for safe recreational use,” Sablak said. “There is a low probability of getting sick from exposure to the water. I don’t want to say the river is ‘pristine’ — that’s a strong word — but it’s in good quality.” The draft report is currently undergoing a public review period, which ends August 3. After August 3, public comments on the report’s findings will be considered, and the final report will be submitted to the EPA for review and approval. [email protected]

Student accused of barricading RA changes plea to guilty Frank Thomas For The Post ——— The first of four students accused of barricading an Ohio University residential assistant in his room has changed his plea to guilty as part of a deal with city prosecutors. Judge William Grim sentenced 20-year-old Michael Detweiler, of Hartville, to 120 days in jail and fined him $750 for unlawful restraint and criminal mischief, but suspended the entire jail term and $450 of the fine, placing him on one-year probation and ordering him to complete 50 hours community service within 90 days, as part of the agreement. Detweiler will not have to serve jail time or pay the suspended portion of his fine unless he violates the terms of his probation by breaking the law in the next year or failing to fulfill his community service requirement. Prosecutors say Detweiler helped three others barricade Perkins Hall RA Tele Gallagher, of Akron, in his room on the

second of two incidents Spring Quarter. They allegedly used rope to block the door on their first attempt on May 15, and chains on their second attempt on May 29, according to court documents. Detweiler reportedly participated in the second incident, but not the first. Police charged Detweiler, who was a freshman at the time, but is now a sophomore, with criminal mischief and unlawful restraint as first and third degree misdemeanors, respectively. Prosecutors have filed additional restraint and mischief charges against the other three — 19-yearolds Thomas Grasso, Andrew Upperman and Daniel Rambacher. Detweiler admitted to the charges Thursday after originally pleading not guilty. He will likely be called as a witness if the other three cases go to trial, City Law Director Pat Lang said, adding that he made the agreement with Detweiler in exchange for his cooperation, because he was only involved in the second

incident and is arguably the least involved. Criminal mischief is often a third-degree misdemeanor, but prosecutors have charged the four with first-degree offenses, saying they put Gallagher in danger. Had he gone to trial, Detweiler could have been sentenced to eight months in jail and forced to pay $1,500 in fines if convicted. Prosecutors will likely demand more severe sentences for the other three in any plea agreement, because they were involved with in both incidents and are charged with more severe offenses, Lang said. The others have maintained their respective not guilty

pleas, and their pre-trials are scheduled for August. Each could spend up to 18 months in prison and pay thousanddollar fines if convicted of all charges. In addition to criminal sentences, the students could be suspended or expelled from OU if convicted by student judiciaries, university officials have said. Detweiler’s attorney had contacted Lang about making a deal prior to Thursday, he said, adding that though he has talked with lawyers for the other three students, they have not made any agreement. Detweiler could not be reached for comment. [email protected]

Welcome

Jason Reed, DO

Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedic Surgeon Jason A. Reed, DO, has recently joined O’Bleness Memorial Hospital’s active medical staff. He received his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. His experience includes: • Joint reconstruction of the shoulder, knee, hip and elbow. • Arthroscopic surgery of the knee, shoulder and ankle to include ACL reconstruction; rotator cuff repair; labral repairs (SLAP) of the shoulder; and instability repair of the ankle. • Orthopedic trauma fracture care. • Pediatric orthopedic care to include fractures, musculoskeletal infections and general pediatric conditions. • Training and experience in computer-assisted surgery for total joint replacement of the knees and hips.

EM

Dr. Reed is affiliated with the O’Bleness Health System through the multi-specialty group Athens Medical Associates, Inc. He is accepting new patients at his practice — Orthopedics of Southeast Ohio — located in the Castrop Center Suite 380 in the O’Bleness Medical Park. To schedule an appointment, call (740) 566-4640.

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4 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009 STATE BUDGET Continued from Page 1

“I think first and foremost that Gov. Strickland’s school funding plan will result in a state funding cut,” said Republican Sen. Jimmy Stewart, adding that schools will also be required to meet unfunded mandates such as smaller class sizes. “(The state budget) only benefits the folks at the horse race track, the people who will sell the slot machines,” Stewart said, referencing a recent state battle over having slot machines at racetracks. “It will benefit the elected officials and political parties that are taking money from the race track industry.” SOCIAL SERVICES Some local agencies such as Athens County Jobs and Family Services do not yet know how funding cuts will affect them. Jobs and Family Service has already laid-off 20 people and cut more than 30 jobs; as well as cutting some healthcare programs because of the economic downturn, according to a press release from the agency. “The number of people who need our help is increasing every day, but we have fewer people and resources to help those in need,” the release said. “We are deeply saddened by the governor’s and General Assembly’s continued lack of compassion shown for our less-fortunate citizens.” Similarly, it is too early to say how the state budget will affect Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (317) Board, said Earl Cecil, executive director of the board. Budget woes could force the board to cut or scale back programs. Budget cuts over the past year have already lead to the closing of the Southern Consortium for Children, a non-profit that offered mental health, substance abuse and behavioral health services in cities across Southeast Ohio. “These are very grave budget times,” said Ellen Martin, chief operations officer at Health Recovery Services, a private non-profit organization that serves people with mental illness and addictions. Details about how the budget will affect HRS remain unknown but the organization has already downsized, Martin said. “In the last year, we have had to at times look at having people on waiting lists,” she said. “We have less treatment slots so people have had to wait longer for services.” LIBRARIES Public libraries will incur a $227.3 million, or 30 percent, funding cut over the next two years. Funding for Athens County Public Library will decrease by about 11 percent, said Lauren Miller, director of the library. The library has recently cutback on its hours in an effort to save money, but cuts could also lead to staff reductions, branch closings and a decrease in programs, according to the library’s web site. Although Ohio University’s Alden Library is not subject to cuts in public library funding, line item budget cuts will affect OhioLink, a statewide interlibrary book-sharing program. “OhioLink did receive a cut, but it is not nearly as much as we feared,” said Jan Maxwell, assistant dean of OU libraries, adding that she is unaware of how much funding OhioLink would lose. The average undergraduate student will not be affected by the cuts despite a likely decrease in books and searchable databases, she said. OhioLink will now receive $6.44 million a year in state funding. [email protected]

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Circle K rocks out at Boogie on the Bricks

Greg Roberts | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER The band Circle K performed during Boogie on the Bricks last Saturday afternoon. Pictured here is Joe (left) and Corliss.

Court to decide where murder suspects will be tried Frank Thomas For The Post ——— The Court of Common Pleas will decide today if two Columbus juveniles, accused of committing aggravated robbery and felony murder in Athens County, will face trial in Franklin County. Prosecutors say Mohat Osman and Abdifatah Abdi accompanied Phillip Boler and Hamda Jama on an armed raid of Billy Osborne’s New Marshfield trailer in February. The raid, which was reportedly orchestrated to collect $13,000 Osborne owe d t h e m f o r c o c a i n e, turned into a shootout that killed Donnie Putnam. Attor neys for 17-yearolds Osman and Abdi filed the motion to change the venue two weeks ago. Judge Michael Ward agreed to hear arguments about changing Osman’s trial to Franklin County, but said he would not consider Abdi’s motion until after the completion of Osman’s trial, which is

scheduled to begin first on August 3. Abdi’s trial is scheduled to begin August 24. Larry Thomas, who represents Osman, said in his motion that pretrial media coverage of the incident will keep his client from getting a fair trial and “make it presumptively impossible to seat an impartial jury in this county.” “The local media immediately took interest in this case and reported every event daily,” Thomas wrote in his motion. “The overwhelming majority of the media’s coverage of this case has been negative for the defendant.” He also attached 16 pages of news stories following the investigation and promised during the initial hearing to provide more. Boler also requested to move his trial to Franklin County, but was unsuccessful. He was tried and convicted of aggravated robbery and felony murder in June and was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison. He has since

appealed his conviction. Jama’s trial is scheduled for September. Should Ward move the proceedings, the county will have to pay to transport prosecutors, witnesses and Ward himself to Franklin County for the trial. Thomas argued during the initial hearing on the motion that circumstances have changed since Boler’s motion, because the media has already covered one trial related to his client’s. Abdi’s attorney, Isabelle Thomas said that her client would face even more dire circumstance, because by the time of his trial, two defendants will have already been tried. Defendants have a right to be “fairly tried in a public tribunal free of prejudice, passion, excitement and tyrannical power” Thomas wrote in the motion, citing case law where convictions had been overturned because of media coverage. Thomas added later in his motion that though the

defendant must prove the need for changing venue, the judge may order a switch when “community hostility may be established by inflammatory publicity,” adding that prejudice is presumed when media coverage is so inflammatory that “it pervades the community where the trial is to be held.” Abdi and Osman are both charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and felony murder. All of these charges are first-degree felonies and they could each spend 38 years to life in prison if convicted if all charges. Two witnesses for the prosecution in this case also appeared in court Tuesday. Billy Osborne, whose trailer was allegedly raided in February, may have reached a plea agreement on unrelated drug charges, and John Perry II scheduled his jury trial for tampering with evidence and perjury charges related to the shootout. [email protected]

Professor shows ‘passion’ for peace group Lu Tang For The Post ——— One may encounter Chuck Overby in his favorite place on the Ohio University campus, Alden Library. He often wears a “Veterans for Peace” ( VFP) cap or his ancestral Norwegian fisherman’s hat — each with an origami peace crane attached. He walks with a cane and likes to talk about Japan’s warrenouncing Article 9 and related warand global-warming-prevention ideas from an engineering perspective. “He is a critic, but I’m deeply impressed by his passion for peace,” said Jung Lee, an OU student who often converses with Overby. Overby, 83, is an OU

emeritus engineering professor as well as a veteran of World War II and Korea. In 1991, Overby founded a peace group called the Article 9 Society. This idea, with the help of former Chubu University Vice President Dr. Hiroshi Katsumori, jumped across the Pacific in the summer of 1991 to later expand into many Article 9 Society groups scattered across Japan. Article 9, in part, says “… the Japanese people forever renounced war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.” Overby views Article 9 as most all humanity’s cry, rising like a phoenix out of Hiroshima’s and Nagasaki’s radioactive ashes, and the awful slaughter and destruction and that was World War II. “The U.S. government helped to place Article 9 in Japan’s constitution after World War II, but now the Japanese and U.S. governments seek to destroy this

wonderful bit of species wisdom,” said Overby. “The Article 9 Society is an organization dedicated to the preservation of the Japanese Constitution’s war-renouncing Article 9 and to the ultimate adoption of Article 9’s principles by all nations in the world.” Overby was recently able to get VFP to allow him to send his proposal for an Article 9 type of an amendment to the United States Constitution, as an official VFP request, to all 535 members of the U.S. Congress. Though he has yet to hear any response, his message is supported by many people at OU. “What he does is amazing,” said Syed Jamal, a graduate student from India studying mass communication and international development. “He is so energetic and enthusiastic, and he spends much time and effort on it. [email protected]

Rape case from 1998 to go before grand jury Frank Thomas For The Post ——— The case of a Lancaster man accused of raping two Athens minors in 1998 while baby-sitting them will go before a grand jury Monday. The Athens County Sheriff’s office arrested Nathaniel Sturgill, 27, last Thursday. Police began investigating the rape earlier this month after the two alleged victims recently told their parents about the incident and called the police. The alleged victims told police that Sturgill performed “oral sex” on both the boy and girl when he baby-sat them. The woman, who is now 21, told police that this took place three times, and that he also performed “digital penetration” on her, according to court records. The woman told police that she had seen child pornography on Sturgill’s computer in the past, according to records. He pleaded not guilty to both charges during his arraignment and was held on $50,000 bond, $25,000 for each charge. Though he was 16 when he allegedly raped the minors, Sturgill will be tried as an adult, because he was not arrested until he was after 21, said Assistant County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn. Since 1998, the penalty for rape of a minor has changed from three to 10 years in prison to 10 years to life in prison, Blackburn said. [email protected]

DRUGS

Continued from Page 1 year as a member of the Task Force, there were arrests made in Washington, Morgan, and Athens County involving drug violations. Seventy cases involved opiates, 45 involved cocaine, and one case involved methamphetamines. [email protected] [email protected]

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THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

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Though anti-climactic, newest Fallon still funny ‘Potter’ film’s darkness a plus as late-night host Anna Hartenbach For The Post ——— Harry Potter flew back on screen just after midnight on July 15 to hundreds of packed theaters across the country for the sixth movie installment of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince picks up as Harry enters his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry amidst darkened skies and destruction due to the reunion of the Death Eaters. As can be expected, Harry is greeted by his mentor and professor, Albus Dumbledore (Gambon), with a mission. Once again, Harry returns to Dumbledore’s memories to unearth the past of Voldemort, otherwise known as Tom Riddle. Dumbledore uses Harry as a ploy to bring retired potions professor, Horace Slughorn ( Jim Broadbent), back to Hogwarts in hopes that he will reveal the truth about his past relationship with Tom Riddle and fill in a memory missing from Dumbledore’s collection. Harry’s discovery of a potions book that was once property of the Half-Blood Prince gives him an advantage in his potions class and helps him to stand out to Professor Slughorn. Meanwhile, Harry’s enemy, Draco Malfoy ( Tom Felton), has found a new mentor of his own and a dangerous mission to complete. Lord Voldemor t’s (Ralph Fiennes) plan for Malfoy causes the welldisguised Death Eater Severus Snape to take on the role of protector for Malfoy after he makes the Unbreakable Vow with Malreview foy’s mother. The vow Harry Potter and the ensures that if Malfoy Half-Blood Prince cannot complete his duties, Snape will proStarring: tect and complete the Daniel Radcliffe, task for him. Michael Gambon, This sequel of the Rupert Grint, J . K . Row l i n g f ra n Emma Watson chise conveys a more Rated: PG romantic comedy plot Run time: 153 min than previous films and relays the coming of age of the movie’s [ ]

Evening broadcast televi- Fallon as he broke character sion has been in reruns all during much of his nine years summer, save for reality pro- on the show. grams like The Bachelorette While on SNL, Fallon and America’s Got Talent. played major parts in sevWhile I have eral recurring been watchsketches like DOWN IN FRONT ing to see who the Boston Jillian is going teens, Jarrett’s to end up with Room and on the former Wakeup Wake(she already field. A skilled sent my favorimpressionist, ite candidate, he created a Reid, home to solid cannon Philly) or who of celebrity will be Amerispoofs, includca’s answer to ing Adam Susan Boyle Sandler, Dave on the latter, Matthews and I always turn Jo h n Ma ye r. Katie Labovitz to my DVR for Fa l l o n a l s o my nightly fix c o - a n c h o re d of Late Night the Weekend with Jimmy Fallon. Update segment with Tina Earlier this year, Fallon Fey, a good precursor for his took over the 12:35 a.m. time now nightly monologues. slot as Conan O’Brien left Late While Fallon didn’t bring Night for The Tonight Show his characters with him to his (Jay Leno’s former program). late-night show, he has creThis epic shift in late night ated a new batch of recurring hosts doesn’t happen very bits for his viewers to laugh often and becomes a monu- at. Some shows, three lucky mental moment in television audience members get to play history. “Lick it for $10,” where they I , f o r o n e, w a s c o m- each lick some random object pletely on board when it was (for instance, a tastefully announced last year that Jim- painted upright piano) and my Fallon was to become the receive a $10 bill. Sometimes latest late-night host. A long- he’ll have his house band, time fan of Saturday Night The Roots(!), make up songs Live, I laughed right alongside about audience members

PROVIDED PHOTO Radcliffe plays Harry Potter in Half-Blood Prince.

young actors. However, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince also shows a more surreal, much darker screen appearance than the previous movies. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as with all of Rowling’s lengthy books, does miss pivotal points in its transfer from book to film. First of all, the movie doesn’t clearly convey Harry’s obsession with the changes in Malfoy. Furthermore, it skips the battle of Hogwarts and misses an important part of the ending. Not to mention that the final showdown of the movie is a little less than climatic. On the other hand, it does give insight to a young Tom Riddle (Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Frank Dillane), of which the real-life nephew of Fiennes plays the 11-year-old Riddle. Over all, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince provided much-needed humor and more of a playful romantic plot than past installments while preparing viewers for the last two movies and an ending to a franchise.

Front Desk Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, Closed Saturday & Sunday 1 Park Place, Baker University Center, Room 325, Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-4010 Cost: 10 words: $3 students, $3.75 businesses, $.10 each additional word. Free lost and found daily, space permitting The Post will not print advertisements that violate local, state or federal laws. All advertisements must display good taste. The Post reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. If questions arise, the editor will make the final decision. The Post will not run real estate or employment advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation or national origin. All advertisements are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act. Phone numbers will not be printed in the Personals section. If errors are found in a classified, please notify The Post by 4 p.m. on the day the ad runs. While The Post cannot be responsible for errors, a corrected ad will run free of charge on the next publication date. Cash refunds will not be given. Notify The Post by 4 p.m. of cancellations for the following day. Ads cannot be taken over the telephone. Ads are not accepted after 4 p.m. The Post reception office is located on the third floor of Baker

HELP WANTED Bartending! $300/day potential. No experience necessary. Training provided. 800-965-6520 ext. 201 The Summit Apartments is seeking an experienced and energetic Maintenance Supervisor for a 239-student community in Athens Ohio. Responsibilities include: Perform service requests; provide superior service to residents; create and maintain a turn schedule for make-ready apartments; train and mentor staff; provide a clean, well maintained community with superior curb appeal. Requirements: Two years experience as a Supervisor, Must have HVAC and CPO certifications; Experience with new construction a plus; Must be willing to be on call nights and weekends; must have reliable transportation; high school diploma or equivalent is required; some college preferred, Criminal and credit references checked prior to employment. Competitive compensation and excellent benefits package included. Please apply online at www.hhhunt.com send resume to [email protected] or bring resume to 5 North Court Street, Athens Oh 45701 The Post is hiring front desk positions for the 2009-2010 school year. Come to Baker Center Room 325 and pick up an application today!

—Katie Labovitz

[email protected]

Got a burning question about sex or love? Ask Post columnist Mallory Long at ml743806@ ohiou.edu.

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HOUSING Rooms available in a house on High Street. Rent by the room, pay by the quarter per person. 594-2026 3-4-5 bedroom apartments available immediately. W/D, dishwasher, central air, heat, total electric. 1 black from Court Street. 594-2026 2009-2010 School Year Three and Four Bedroom Apartments available on Court Street One 1-Bedroom and one efficiency apartment available on Union Street near Court Street One 3-Bedroom and one 4-Bedroom house available on West Union Street One 3-Bedroom house available on Shafer Street. Please call 740-593-7778 Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM for more information.

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— Katie Labovitz is a graduate student studying journalism. Send her an e-mail at kl811202@ohiou. edu.

I, for one, was completely on board when it was announced last year that Jimmy Fallon was to become the latest late-night host. A longtime fan of Saturday Night Live, I laughed right alongside Fallon as he broke character during much of his nine years on the show.”

CLASSIFIEDS POLICIES

performed in different genres of music. Every Monday during the summer, we are treated to the latest installment of 7th Floor West, a faux reality show that documents the rivalry of Jimmy and Miles, his head writer. The opening credits alone make me laugh out loud, with its serious voice over exposition (“Previously, on 7th Floor West…”) and cliché-riddled theme song. The best part about Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is Fallon himself. You can tell the man is just excited to be there, interviewing his guests and geeking out about the latest electronics he gets to debut on his show (hands-free X-Box games, the newest iPhone, etc.). Fallon also interacts with his guests unlike his predecessors — he’s been hypnotized by the Amazing Kreskin, had a dance-off with Cameron Diaz and even played beer pong with Betty White. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airs nightly during weekdays on NBC, or you can watch it online at http://www. latenightwithjimmyfallon. com.

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6 THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009

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Sports

SPORTS COLUMN

NOTEBOOK

Indians should hold on to Lee, maybe Martinez The 2009 Major League Baseball trade deadline is much like it was a year ago for the Cleveland Indians, but that doesn’t mean they need to take the same direction. Last season, C.C. Sabathia indicated to general manager Mark Shapiro that he wanted to hold off on contract negotiations until after the season to avoid any distractions in the clubhouse — but he knew he wasn’t going to be an Indian after the deadline. Shapiro dealt Sabathia away for an impressive package from the Milwaukee Brewers, one worthy of returning a Cy Young Award winner. But the Indians knew what they had in Cliff Lee, and a year ago, his spectacular ride to the Cy Young made the Sabathia trade a little easier to swallow. Lee is now the ace, “the guy,” the top-of-the-rotation Darren Calabrese | AP PHOTO game-breaker that the Tribe Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during needs to move forward with the first inning of their game in Toronto on Tuesday. and build around. He’s not going anywhere. Shapiro and his staff will most of this season; Shapiro for Martinez? Maybe, but the undoubtedly listen to offers could conceivably turn him Indians are in the market for for Lee, and unless they are into some immediate pitching young pitching (namely proscompletely unearthed by an help and maybe a bat for the pects) should they choose to offer, it will be a relatively future. complete any deal prior to the short conversation. Internet reports suggest deadline. Simply put: the Indians that the Red Sox would be inThose who read the Intercannot afford to deal away an terested — someone proposed net may have read the comace in two consecutive sea- a Clay Buchholz for Martinez ments of numerous Dodgers sons if they hope to return to trade — but after Boston ac- fans who want to acquire Marcompetitive form next year. quired Adam LaRoche from tinez for Juan Pierre and James What rethe Pirates yester- Loney. mains to be seen, day, they would While the prospect of getthough, are the seem to be out of ting Loney is attractive, the InMIXIN’ IT UP contract demands the Martinez pic- dians need to find someone to Lee puts before ture. take on Ryan Garko. the Indians. Could the Red As for Pierre…come on, It would seem Sox still use some that kind of stuff only happens unlikely that he help behind the in video games. wants Sabathiaplate? Sure, but Unlike last year when the type money, and platooning Mar- heat was on to get something he seems like the tinez and Jason in return for Sabathia, Shakind of guy that Varitek would be piro’s hands are not tied this embraces being a costly predica- year. His team is not contendROB MIXER a member of the ment. ing, he doesn’t have to trade Indians organizaThe Los Ange- away his ace or his best hitter, tion. les Dodgers, base- but he’s in a position to listen But he will come at a hefty ball’s best team, could come to offers that will make his price tag, one that the Indians calling if Manny Ramirez miss- team better. hope will be less than $15 mil- es any time or if their offense That’s called the ideal posilion annually. starts to turn sour. tion for a baseball executive. An avenue they should After fleecing Dodgers pursue to make room for a GM Ned Colletti in the Casey — Rob Mixer is a senior Lee extension would be deal- Blake deal (getting blue-chip studying journalism and ing Victor Martinez, one of the catching prospect Carlos SanThe Summer Post’s assistant best hitters in the American tana), would Shapiro go back managing editor. Any Indians League. to Chavez Ravine for Martinez fan that wants to see Cliff and Martinez has hovered deal? “VMart” stick around for the around the top of the AL’s batWould the Dodgers conhaul should send him an e-mail ting average leader board for sider dealing Chad Billingsley at [email protected].

It’s Awesome!

...and you’re invited

Grand Opening Party Summit Community Center 363 Richland Ave. July 31, 5:00 pm You are invited to attend our Grand Opening Party. The Social Room and Movie Theatre will be available for use to everyone who attends as well as a chance to win door prizes! This is a great time to invite friends and show them how awesome The Summit is.

Lots of food will be provided. [email protected] • 1-888-387-9250 ALL-INCLUSIVE UTILITIES AND INDIVIDUAL LEASES

Basketball adds transfer, golf boasts standout GPA Rob Mixer Assistant Managing Editor ——— ­ Ohio coach Semeka Randall added a Columbus native to her roster this week. Forward Alesia Howard has transferred from Massachusetts (UMass) to Ohio and will begin class in the fall. Howard will play for the Bobcats beginning in 2010-11, as NCAA transfer guidelines require transfer student-athletes to sit out one year. She will be a sophomore during her first season under Randall. She joins Tenishia Benson, a transfer from the University of Cincinnati, as the Bobcats’ two newest members in 2009. “(Howard) is the type of

player that you want to have in your program,” Randall said in a release. “She has great passion for the game and it translates into her play. She is a very versatile player that can penetrate and score or hit the mid-range shot.” Howard made appearances in 29 of her team’s 30 games in 2008, averaging 2.1 points and 0.9 rebounds. WOMEN’S GOLF POSTS NO. 5 GPA The Ohio women’s golf team announced this week that it has posted the fifth-best gradepoint average in the country. The National Golf Coaches Association released its annual rankings on July 20, and Ohio’s 3.74 average fell just short of the nation’s best mark, held by the University of Idaho (3.78)

Four Bobcats were named All-American scholars by the coaches’ association: Colleen Lienesch, Lindsey Bergman, Erin Cahill and Megan Weaver. WRIGHT TO JOIN UFL Former Ohio star cornerback T.J. Wright, released by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2007, was drafted by the Orlando franchise in the United Football League in last month’s “Premiere” draft. Wright was a member of the MAC Championship runner-up team in 2006, when the Bobcats made their last bowl appearance — the 2007 GMAC Bowl. The Orlando franchise is coached by former NFL head coach Jim Haslett. [email protected]

No investigation planned in Roethlisberger assault case Scott Sonner The Associated Press ­­———— RENO, Nevada (AP) — Law enforcement officials in Nevada have no intention of opening a criminal investigation into allegations Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger raped a woman at a Lake Tahoe hotel-casino a year ago, the sheriff’s department said on yesterday. Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Teresa Duffy said the accuser would have to file a criminal complaint to trigger an investigation into the incident the woman says occurred during a celebrity golf tournament last July while she was working as an executive VIP casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. “The victim is the only one who can do that,” Duffy told The Associated Press. “Unless there was a third party that actually witnessed the incident, which according to the civil case, was not the case here.” The 31-year-old Nevada woman has filed a lawsuit saying the Super Bowl-winning quarterback raped her in a hotel penthouse across the street from the golf course, a claim his lawyer vehemently denies. She also accuses Harrah’s officials, including the casino’s chief of security, of orchestrating a cover-up of the incident she says she reported to him the next day. The lawsuit alleges Harrah’s officials worked to silence her and undermine her credibility rather than investigate her claims. The woman, a Canadian who had worked at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe hotel-casino since 2003, never went to outside authorities with her story, and it’s unclear why she decided to file the lawsuit seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars a year after the alleged incident. Her lawsuit says she didn’t file a criminal complaint because she feared Harrah’s would side with Roethlisberger — a friend of the hotelcasino’s regional president John Koster — and she would be fired. She said the security chief, Guy Hyder, told her she was “overreacting,” that “most girls would feel lucky to get to have sex with someone like Ben Roethlisberger” and that “Koster would love you even more if he knew about this.” The lawsuit said she was treated between last August and December at five different hospitals for depression and anxiety stemming from the alleged assault, and returned to work each time after treatment. She sought legal counsel in March after Harrah’s officials told her Roethlisberger was invited to play in the 2009 celebrity golf tourna-

Tony Dejak | AP PHOTO Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger spectates at Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Cleveland. He has been accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit, his lawyer said, denying the claim.

ment and ordered her to take a paid two-week leave during the event, the lawsuit said, “to accommodate her assailant.” The tournament took place last week. Cal Dunlap, the Reno lawyer who filed her lawsuit in Washoe County District Court on Friday, said neither he nor the woman will comment. He refused to discuss the woman’s whereabouts. Yesterday, she was not at the property where she has been living in rural Douglas County. Roethlisberger lawyer David Cornwell said in a statement earlier this week that the quarterback has “never sexually assaulted anyone.” He said timing of the lawsuit and absence of a criminal complaint proves his innocence. Harrah’s officials said they do not comment on pending legal matters. The lawsuit seeks a minimum of $440,000 in damages from the quarterback, at least $50,000 in damages from eight Harrah’s officials and an unspecified amount of punitive damages “sufficient to deter” Roethlisberger and the others “from engaging in such conduct in the future.” — AP writer Dan Nephin in Pittsburgh and Sandra Chereb in Carson City contributed to this report.