OHIO

OHIO

College student dies after severe beating

KENT — A student at Kent State University who was severely beaten last week has died at an Ohio hospital.

Kent police say 23-year-old Christopher Kernich, of Fairborn, died Saturday at Akron City Hospital. Police say three males in a car nearly drove into a group of students Nov. 15 and began assaulting them.

Two other students were assaulted, but Kernich was the only one seriously injured.

Police say Ronald Kelly, 20, and Adrian Barker, 21, have been charged with felonious assault, and a third suspect remains at large.

Kernich’s mother told the Daily Kent Stater newspaper that she was working in Iraq for a contractor that maintains the U.S. Embassy when she learned of her son’s injuries.

Kent Police Lt. John Altomare says detectives will meet with prosecutors today, and more charges are possible.

PENNSYLVANIA

NRC: Three Mile Island radiation not significant

MIDDLETOWN — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the small amount of radiation detected at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is not significant.

Specialist John White has told ABC News that there is no indication that radiation at the plant exceeded or even approached regulatory limits.

The commission sent investigators to the central Pennsylvania plant after a small amount of radiation was detected.

About 150 employees were sent home Saturday afternoon, but officials say there is no public health risk.

Exelon Nuclear spokeswoman Beth Archer says the radiation was quickly contained.

The unit has been shut for refueling and maintenance since Oct. 26. Workers are being tested for radiation exposure.

Officer halts parade in Pittsburgh to propose

PITTSBURGH — If an annual holiday parade in Pittsburgh was running a little late, it was all in the name of love.

A police officer leading the Oakmont Light-Up night parade on a motorcycle Saturday stopped the procession so he could propose to his girlfriend.

Trevor Okonak, 28, took off his helmet and got off his bike. He gave his girlfriend, Alice Marcus, 30, roses and asked her to marry him.

She said yes.

At first, the crowd couldn’t figure out what was going on when the parade stopped. But when it became clear, people broke out into applause.

The officer says he asked his chief for permission to stop the parade before popping the question.

Philadelphia jazz great Billy James dead at 73

PHILADELPHIA — Legendary jazz drummer Billy James has died in Philadelphia at age 73.

James died Friday night at Mercy Hospital after struggling with complications from asthma. That’s according to his longtime girlfriend, Danita Lyburn.

James was originally from Pittsburgh and played with jazz greats including Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Sonny Stitt and many others.

Man charged after police chase near DC

LANDOVER, Md. — A Pennsylvania man has been charged with numerous criminal offenses after leading police on a high-speed chase injuring two Maryland State Police troopers on the Capital Beltway.

Police say Christopher E. Murphy, 30, of Horsham, Pa., is charged with attempted murder, assault and traffic offenses.

State police say the troopers were pursuing an erratic driver Saturday in Prince George’s County when the suspect swerved into the side of a patrol car. That car hit another cruiser, and both patrol cars spun out of control. Another vehicle, driven by Ellen Sistare of Mitchellville, also was struck.

Authorities say troopers Michael O’Brien and Alphrin Norman have been hospitalized with injuries not deemed to be life-threatening. Sistare also was treated for minor injuries.

Associated Press

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