CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19)- Six people were indicted in a heroin trafficking conspiracy, including four Middletown residents.

Authorities say the following have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin:

• Starling Groves Jr, 43, Dayton
• Darnell Jack South III, aka "Jack Black", 38, Middletown
• Eric Redding, aka "Eric Page", 41, Middletown
• Cheltzy Redding, 28, Middletown
• Adam Gardner, 27, Middletown
• Thomas Payne, aka "Tommy", 49, Lebanon

An investigation began in August 2012 when Middletown Police contacted the FBI after noticing a significant increase in heroin-related criminal activity in and around Middletown.

Groves, South and Eric
Redding were charged with distributing more than 100 grams of heroin, a crime punishable by
at least five years and up to 40 years in prison.

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19)- Hamilton firefighters responded to two structure
fires overnight.

The first fire was at 9:18 p.m. in the 900 block of S. 12th Street at a two-story vacant home. First in crew found smoke coming from structure. Crew gained entry
through unlocked front door and quickly extinguished the fire.

Crews were on
the scene less than one hour. No injuries were reported to firefighters or
civilians. 

At 2:15 a.m., crews responded to a fully involved structure
fire in the 200 block of East Ave. on the city's East side. This fire was extinguished from the outside. Crews were on scene for three ours, no injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported. Damage is estimated at $40,000 and the structure is being called a total loss.

Both fires are being investigated by the City of Hamilton
Fire Marshal.

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HAMILTON, OH (FOX19)- Six Hamilton firefighters learned they will lose their jobs, expected to take effect on June 5.

The notification came Wednesday that Hamilton City Council voted for the layoffs during an executive session on May 8.

According to a release sent by Hamilton
Firefighters IAFF Local 20, the announcement
came just days after Hamilton City Council and Local 20 both rejected a fact-finders
report over a new collective bargaining agreement. 

Local 20 President Eric Abney said the union anticipated to return to 'amicable' negotiations, but instead, the layoff decision was made without Local 20's consent.

Hamilton city officials began fire station brownouts in January, in an effort to offset a more than $3 million budget deficit.