Staff reports

Infinity to make special offering

Infinity Property and Casualty Corp. plans to offer 12.4 million shares of its stock to the public at $21 to $24 a share, the company said Wednesday in an amendment to a previous Securities and Exchange Commission filing. At the maximum price, the public offering could raise as much as $297 million.

Infinity is a unit of American Financial Group Inc., the Cincinnati insurance and financial holding company for the interests of Reds owner Carl Lindner. It would hold the auto-insurance for high-risk drivers and other personal insurance businesses of American Financial.

Sara Lee names new president

Blue Ash-based Sara Lee Foods has formally named Robert S. Kopriva as its president and chief executive. Mr. Kopriva, 51, succeeds William A. Geoppinger, 63, executive vice president and CEO of the foods business, who retired.

Former workers can seek benefits

To be certified for benefits under the federal Trade Readjustment Act, former employees of Cincinnati Gear Co. and Cincinnati Steel Treating., who lost their jobs after May 1, 2001, should contact the unemployment office in the county where they live.

Former employees of the company, which shut suddenly last year, are eligible for retraining and other assistance.

Group helps compare gas rates

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel , the state's residential utility advocate, has introduced an interactive calculator on its Web site to help consumers compare natural gas rates from alternative suppliers. The calculator is available at www.pickocc.org.