HAMILTON — A citizens group that fell 22 signatures short in its petition drive for a ballot initiative to halt the proposed extension of Washington Boulevard through Millikin Woods has gathered more signatures, still in hopes of placing it on the November ballot.

        The Millikin Woods Preservation Association has obtained about 80 signatures in its supplemental petition, said Maureen Gallardo, the group's president.

        With a Sept. 7 deadline, the group had submitted 1,272 signatures to the Butler County Board of Elections last week. But the board validated 1,044 signatures, 22 short of the required number.

        The group immediately began collecting signatures on supplemental petitions. Ms. Gallardo said it wasn't difficult to obtain more names.

        Hamilton City Council fell one vote short last Wednesday of passing an emergency ordinance that would have rejected the petition submitted to the village clerk.

        The citizens group says the project would harm wildlife, create safety problems and destroy trees. City officials say the project would cause no problems and would allow more people to enjoy Millikin Woods.

        The citizens group has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. It claims the city violated the U.S. Constitution when it voted last year to extend Washington Boulevard.

At work, blacks still sense limits
Cop wants manslaughter trial moved
Lost innocence: kid-on-kid sex crimes
Protecting children from sexual abuse
School geared to brightest children
City school reforms began with Buenger
Education summit for students, adults
GED students race deadline
How GED test has evolved
Politics abound at picnic
Luken addresses crime in TV spot
12-year-old rams car into house
Flower giveaway aims to promote good will
Log house defenders fight government
Man shot dead outside city motel
UC medical school adds Web application
Woodlawn requests analysis
Congrats
In the schools
Local Digest
Road-project foes press ballot drive
Democrat likely to take on Murgatroyd
Festivals part of Hispanic heritage month
Ft. Wright throwing birthday party
Artificial hearts compared
Kentucky Digest
Sewer system brings growth
Soldiers' families hope bodies can come home