MISSING SINCE '97; COPS BELIEVE ANNA ZIRKLE SLAIN

COPS in Ohio searched a rural property for the body of a Columbus mother who vanished in 1997. Anna Zirkle disappeared Feb. 1 of that year and was 22 when she was last seen. Columbus cops were tipped off recently that her body may be buried on a property in Orwell.  Sadly, no remains were found but the search has triggered new interest in the troubling case.
Published reports say the funny, popular woman lived with Darren Williams, her two young sons and her boyfriend's cousin, Troy Austin. She allegedly told Austin she was "tired of everything" and "had to get away." She left her little boys with Austin. Williams was out of town at the time but the mystery of Anna Zirkle is hazy. She reportedly gave
the cousin money to take her sons north to be with Williams on the bus. But it was a neighbor who reported her missing on Feb. 6, 1997. People who knew the pretty brunette said she would have never left her children.

Detectives would not indicate what info led them to the property but they believe Zirkle was murdered.
If you have any information, call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS or cold case squad Det. Kathie Justice at 614-645-4860.

BANANA ATTACKS MAN IN GORILLA MASCOT COSTUME

IT WAS a battle for the ages in Strongville, Ohio. Someone in a banana costume attacked wireless company's gorilla mascot! The banana remains at large. Manager Brad Parham said: "I noticed a kid in the bushes. Then he just emerged, dressed up as a banana, and sprinted as fast as he could at our gorilla. The kid just speared our gorilla." REVENGE OF THE BANANA

REP. ROBERT MECKLENBORG IN OHIO BOOZE-A-RAMMA

OH DEAR. Going on a booze-a-ramma hopped up on Viagra and the warm glow of a 26-year-old woman sounds terrific. Just one thing: don't get in your car, like uh, Ohio Republican Rep. Robert 'Bobby' Mecklenborg who was busted for drunk-driving way back in April--and it's all on at tape released Friday.

HIV+ LENNY LOVE JR. RAPED 6 MTH. OLD BABY: COPS

MEET the most evil man in America: Lenny Love Jr. Love, 29, told cops he was HIV positive when he allegedly raped a 6-month-old baby. Now, people from around the world are furious the sick monster is only be charged with rape and are calling the Silverton, Ohio PD to protest.
One caller from Mississippi said he wanted to kill Lenny Love: "Yes. Ya'll should charge dude with murder. Ya'll should kill his ---. I'll kill him if I ever see him."
Another added: "I'm disgusted as a parent and as a teacher. These kids come to us. They survive and they're just messed up from the very beginning."
According to cops, Love marched into the police station Saturday and
confessed to the crime.

Police say Love walked into the police station after someone encouraged him to do so.
Investigators say he confessed to the crime Saturday night. He's being held on a $200,000 bond.
The baby is receiving medical treatment.