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ABORTIONS-OHIO

Ohio lawmakers discuss, question new abortion bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio lawmakers have been presented with a new Republican-backed legislative measure aimed at curbing abortions.

The proposal discussed Wednesday at a House committee hearing requires women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound. It does not specify which type of ultrasound.

Doctors would have to describe to pregnant women "all relevant features" of the fetus.

Rep. Ron Hood is the bill's sponsor. The Ashville Republican says the ultrasound a woman chooses to submit to must be capable of showing the fetus.

Critics of the measure say the bill's mandate would force some women in early pregnancy stages to undergo an invasive type of ultrasound.

The bill also would require doctors to tell women that the procedure increases the risk of breast cancer.

MISSING WOMEN FOUND

Aug. trial set for Ohio man in kidnapping of women

CLEVELAND (AP) - A judge is aiming for a late summer proceeding to meet the speedy trial rights of an Ohio man accused of kidnapping three women and holding them in his home for about a decade.

Judge Michael Russo in Cleveland says he's aiming for an Aug. 4 trial for 52-year-old Ariel Castro, who was arrested May 6. The 90-day speedy trial requirement could be waived to allow more preparation time.

As in previous court appearances, Castro kept his chin tucked in his chest during a hearing Wednesday. He answered "yes" and "no" to the judge's questions about his understanding of the proceedings.

The judge mentioned plea deal discussions raised by the defense last week. He asked that any plea deal that emerges be submitted by attorneys in writing.

Castro faces another pretrial hearing June 26.

CLEVELAND-BODIES FOUND

Court to hear fee debate in Cleveland killings

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court has ordered a lower court to decide a debate over fees paid to attorneys of a Cleveland man who killed 11 women.

Attorney John Parker is challenging a decision by a Cuyahoga County judge to cap attorney's fees in the case of serial killer Anthony Sowell. Parker says it resulted in an hourly rate of only $18.50 for a 10-week trial.

Parker argues lawyers must be fairly compensated, especially in capital cases, and also says the fees issue could be used by Sowell for an ineffective counsel claim.

Prosecutors say because the cap was imposed after trial, no such claim could be brought.

The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a Cleveland appeals court should decide.

Sowell killed 11 women between June 2007 and July 2009.

RAPE SECURITY

Stepped-up patrols at OH complex after rape report

FAIRBORN, Ohio (AP) - Southwest Ohio authorities are stepping up security in the area of an apartment complex with student residents, following a reported rape.

A Greene County sheriff's official says extra patrols are running in the area of Province Apartments in Bath Township. A 20-year-old New Carlisle (CAHR'-ly-uhl) woman says she was raped by two men early Sunday after leaving a party at the complex.

The Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/1bTH3ST) reports that authorities say the apartment managers are cooperating, although surveillance video hasn't helped at this point. Ohio investigators are studying physical evidence.

The large complex has students from different schools. Authorities aren't sure whether those involved in the reported rape are students.

It is near Wright State University, which sent alerts to students to make sure they're aware of the assault report.

CANAL DROWNING

Crews recover body of teen in Ohio canal

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) - Emergency crews have found the body of a 15-year-old boy who went missing while swimming in a southwest Ohio canal.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones says the body of William Allen, of Hamilton, was recovered just before midnight Tuesday.

Crews responded to the canal in Hamilton several hours earlier on a report of people in the water.

When they arrived, they found a 15-year-old girl clinging to a tree limb in the water. A paramedic was able to bring the girl safely back to shore.

Authorities say Allen was also swimming in the canal when he started to struggle. They say another boy who had made it to shore went back to try to rescue Allen but was unable to save him.

GRIFFIN SHIPWRECK

Wooden beam could be detached part of shipwreck

FAIRPORT, Mich. (AP) - Archaeologists say a wooden beam found embedded in the floor of Lake Michigan wasn't attached to a larger vessel, but that it could be a detached piece of wreckage from a ship that disappeared while exploring the Great Lakes in the 17th Century.

The discovery of the more than 10-foot-long section of the beam led to an expedition that began last week to determine whether it's part of the Griffin. The ship was commanded by the French explorer La Salle and disappeared in 1679.

Crews have been digging beside the timber for signs of the Griffin in mud below. Expedition leaders say the beam worked loose Tuesday, so a diver eased it to the lake floor.

A French archaeologist says it still appears the beam came from a ship.

HISTORICAL PAPERS-AUCTION

Ky. museum to bid on historical papers

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) - A western Kentucky museum is raising money in an effort to purchase the personal papers of 2 community pioneers that have a link to a famous novel.

The main interest in the papers of Amos Riley and his son, Camden Riley, is that Josiah Henson was a slave on the Riley plantation in Daviess County from 1825 to 1830. Henson went on to become an abolitionist in Canada, and the title character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was modeled after him.

Owensboro Museum of Science and History Director Kathy Olson told the Messenger-Inquirer (http://bit.ly/142bWBo) that the facility plans to bid on the items when they go up for auction Friday in Cincinnati.

Cowan's Auctions Inc. estimates that the papers are worth between $10,000 and $15,000.

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