Today's number: 380,000

Complaints about identity theft in 2002, almost double from 2001 and at the top of the government's list of consumer frauds for a third consecutive year, the Federal Trade Commission said.

The Associated Press

Today's mover

Dennis Gabbard has been named vice president, regional manager, branch administration at The Bank of Kentucky. Gabbard joined the bank in 2000. He was assistant vice president - relationship manager for KeyBank of Harrison. He has more than 24 years of banking and management experience.

Shirley Dees

Today's money tip

You can minimize the tax hit on your investments by offsetting capital gains against losses. The IRS lets you deduct up to $3,000 a year in losses against ordinary income. If you've got losses that exceed $3,000, you can use them to trim your tax bill in 2003 and beyond.

Amy Higgins

Today's career tip

Look for the rainbow in the gloomy news that more and more companies are laying off or right-sizing, Paul and Sarah Edwards advise in their book Finding Your Perfect Work: The New Career Guide to Making a Living, Creating a Life. "As distressing as these announcements are for some, for those who want more autonomy, more flexibility and more opportunity to set up their lives on their own terms, these announcements have silver linings," the authors insist. "Every layoff means more work will be contracted out to individuals and small businesses."

John Eckberg

Today's Company: Messer Construction

Shaping The Skyline: In 1932, Frank Messer started his construction company which soon was tackling ambitious projects throughout Cincinnati. Several of Messer's many projects are the Wright Aeronautical Plant (now GE Aircraft Engines) in 1940, the Procter & Gamble headquarters in 1957, Miami University's Millet Hall in 1968, Mercy Hospital Anderson in 1984, Union Terminal restoration in 1990 and the Argosy Casino in 1997. Recent projects include Newport on the Levee, Children's Hospital Building A and UC Main Street.

Employee Buy-In: In 1990, employees purchased the company from the Messer family. The company employs about 700 workers at its headquarters, regional offices and project sites. The firm does general contracting, construction management and design/building.

Large Scale: Messer Construction completed about $393 million worth of projects in 2002 and is considered the largest locally-based commercial building contractor.

Recognition: May 2, 2002 was declared Messer Construction Day by Mayor Charlie Luken. His proclamation cited the firm's size, achievements, community service and local investment. The date coincided with dedication of the company's new headquarters in Bond Hill.

Jenny Callison