THE BG NEWS Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Volume 105, Issue 60
Ohio State closes library, three labs in bomb scare
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Classes, activities cancelled as authorities investigate By Julie Carr Smyth The Associated Press
COLUMBUS (AP) — A bomb threat targeting Ohio State University was e-mailed to the FBI Tuesday morning, prompting the school to evacuate four academic buildings, including the main library. An initial search turned up nothing out of the ordinary, officials said. The threat was in a message received Tuesday at FBI headquarters in Washington, said Paul Bresson, an agency spokesman based there. Campus police said they were alerted at 8:19 a.m. Tuesday that the threats involved the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library and three laboratory buildings. “This is still in our assessment a threat, and there have been no suspicious package or devices found at this time,” University Police Chief Paul Denton said at a news conference. Authorities did not identify the
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source of the bomb threats at Ohio State, one of the nation’s largest universities, with more than 56,000 students at its main Columbus campus. The FBI’s Bresson declined to provide information about where the e-mail appeared to come from or whether the bureau believed the threat was real. University officials did not offer information on the nature of the threats and declined to speculate on why the four buildings were targeted. All were evacuated and closed as investigators went through them with bomb-sniffing dogs, and authorities also closed off three streets. “It’s a little worrisome. Maybe there won’t be a warning next time,” said Todd Elder, 21, a psychology major from Columbus. Staff members outside one of the labs had thought they were being
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University Dining Services works to bring new franchises to McDonald, Commons By Max Filby Reporter
As the newest dining halls open, new food options will be coming in. University Dining Services hopes to bring Dunkin’ Donuts and possibly Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt to the new McDonald Dining Center and Commons Dining Center, respectively. The new restaurants would open
See THREAT | Page 9
FALCON STATUE LANDS
when the dining halls open one year from now. Dining Services is also exploring the option of having Dunkin’ Donuts open 24 hours a day. “Dunkin’ Donuts recently expanded their menu,” said Mike Paulus, director of University Dining Services. “It really includes a nice mix of items.” Dining Services will open
the Dunkin’ Donuts location in the McDonald Dining Center in hopes that it will bring in some of the community. John Zachrich, Undergraduate Student Government chair of auxiliary affairs, has been collaborating with Dining Services to determine new food options.
Tarp, bags found in case of three missing in Ohio By Andrew Welsh-Huggins and Jeannie Nuss The Associated Press
LAUREN POFF | THE BG NEWS
SOARS: The Stroh Center features the world’s largest falcon statue, which was erected Tuesday afternoon. For a sneak peak of what’s going on inside the Stroh, see page 3.
Search presses on for two escaped federal prisoners Authorities believe Jones and Cross are still in the St. Louis metropolitan area By Jim Suhr The Associated Press
men got to St. Louis using a truck stolen from a gas station 7 miles from the jail and found abanST. LOUIS — Federal agents scour- doned Monday along eastbound ing for a second day for two jail Interstate 70 near the city, O’Connor escapees — one a suspect in a said. Bloodhounds led searchers possibly multimillion-dollar sum- from the truck to a home in nearby mer heist — expressed confidence Pine Lawn, but the fugitives were Tuesday the fugitives still were hid- nowhere to be found. “With the information we have, we ing out around St. Louis, some 60 miles from the lockup that couldn’t believe they’re still likely in the St. Louis metropolitan area. I can’t get hold them. John Wesley Jones, 36, and Corey into why we think that,” O’Connor Durand Cross, 31, are both from said Tuesday during the manhunt St. Louis. But Robert O’Connor, a that included help from the FBI and spokesman for the U.S. Marshals St. Louis police. Authorities have publicly warned Service, declined to detail why he believed they still were in the area, that the escapees could be armed a day after they bolted from the and dangerous given the men’s Lincoln County Jail after making backgrounds. At the time of their their way onto the lockup’s roof and jailbreak, both were being held on federal charges in separate weapdown a 30-foot wall. Investigators suspect the two ons-related cases. Cross also was
NATION Mother charged with murder A New York mother was sentenced to 57 years to life in prison for killing her disabled daughter after putting her through years of abuse | Page 2
See DINING | Page 9
awaiting a trial scheduled next month on felony counts of illegally having an SKS assault-style rifle during suspected drug-trafficking and possessing heroin with plans to deal it. Jones and Cross also each had been ordered jailed without bond pending trial, at the behest of federal prosecutors who claimed in court papers that both men were serious flight risks and threats to the community if allowed out on bail. The FBI has named Jones as a suspect, though federal prosecutors haven’t charged him yet, in a well-orchestrated, daylight holdup in August of an ATM Solutions site in St. Louis. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis said this week it’s unclear why no one has been charged directly in the heist.
FORUM Hollywood lacks ideas
According to columnist Drew Schneider, Hollywood has run out of originality and keeps rehashing old cliches in their recent entertainment products | Page 4
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — A sheriff in central Ohio said a tarp and trash bags were taken from the home of a 13-year-old girl who was found bound and gagged in the basement of a man’s home about 10 miles away. The girl had disappeared Wednesday along with her mother, brother and the mother’s friend. Authorities said she was found Sunday in the Mount Vernon home of Matthew J. Hoffman, who is being held on $1 million bond on a kidnapping charge. The other three remain missing. Knox County Sheriff David Barber said Tuesday that the items found in the girl’s home in Howard are significant to the investigation. He also said a WalMart receipt listing tarps and trash bags has been found, but would not say where or when. Barber said Hoffman is on suicide watch after giving certain “indications” to staff. Hoffman spent six years in a Colorado prison for setting a fire to cover up a burglary and had been released from parole only a month ago. The teenager’s mother and brother, along with a friend of her mother’s, remained missing Tuesday after authorities searched a lake and park near the suspect’s home. Authorities offered little hope that they would be found alive but planned to continue their search. Hoffman has been held at the Knox County jail since his Sunday arrest on a kidnapping charge. He appeared in Mount Vernon
SPORTS Falcon football returns to national TV
Following their last-second loss to Miami, which was broadcast on ESPN2 Nov. 10, the Falcons will be back on the network tonight as they take on their rival Toledo | Page 6
“I don’t think either one of the girls would have been really talking with him ...” Steve Thompson | Father
Municipal Court on Tuesday through a video link from the jail, where he was wearing a green sleeveless shirt that revealed muscular arms. He mostly stared straight ahead, and yawned at one point. He did not enter a plea. The judge set bond at $1 million and assigned a public defender to represent Hoffman. Authorities said more charges were expected. Police on Sunday rescued 13year-old Sarah Maynard from the basement of Hoffman’s home, then began a search of a nearby lake for Maynard’s mother, 32year-old Tina Herrmann; the woman’s 10-year-old son, Kody Maynard; and her 41-year-old friend, Stephanie Sprang. It wasn’t clear how well Hoffman, 30, knew the four, but county Sheriff David Barber suggested the defendant had been watching them. “They knew Hoffman or Hoffman made himself known to them; he acquainted himself with the family whether they knew he was acquainting himself with them or not,” Barber said Monday at a news conference at which he said it was possible “that these folks are dead.” Sprang’s father, Steve Thompson, said Tuesday morning that he’s staying optimistic.
See MISSING | Page 9
PEOPLE ON THE STREET What is your favorite thing to do when it’s raining outside? ANAN MUSTAFA Freshman, Criminal Justice
“Kiss girls in the rain.” | Page 4
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