Compiled from staff and wire reports

Need still great to donate type 'O' blood

Some progress has been made at reducing a low supply of type "O" blood in Greater Cincinnati - but not enough.

On Monday, volunteers provided 268 units - of all blood types - for use in Tristate hospitals, according to Hoxworth Blood Center. On Tuesday, Hoxworth collected 276 units.

But the goal is to collect 325 units a day. When the "critical appeal" for blood donors began Monday, Hoxworth was more than 400 units low on type "O" blood. Type "O" supplies remain down 356 units.

To give blood, call 451-0910 to schedule an appointment or stop by any of Hoxworth's neighborhood donor centers or community blood drives.

Neighborhood donor centers are open today in Anderson Township, Blue Ash, Corryville (near University Hospital), Downtown, Fort Thomas, , and Tri-County Mall. Hours vary.

Blood drives also are planned for today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Thomas More College and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Edgewood Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, 385 Dudley Road. On Friday, drives will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Medical Center North, Covington; from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Provident Bank, Hyde Park Plaza, and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Provident Bank, Cold Spring.

High bacteria prompt Ohio River warning

High counts of bacteria found in the Ohio River currently make the waterway unsafe for recreational use, Dr. Malcolm Adcock, commissioner of health for the Cincinnati Health Department said Wednesday.

Water samples taken Tuesday show high bacteria levels that increase the risk for infection and disease if people come into direct connect with the water from such things as swimming and water skiing.

The warning does not apply to the city's drinking water.

Adcock says that heavy rains expected today would likely mean higher bacterial counts because of sewer overflows.

Man pleads no contest in fatal car crash

HAMILTON - A Middletown man pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges related to a fatal crash involving alcohol use.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge H.J. Bressler on Wednesday found Matthew A. Garitson, 26, guilty of two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and a charge of driving under suspension, said Assistant Prosecutor David Kash.

The charges stemmed from a Feb. 9 crash on Nelbar Street, Middletown, in which his passenger, Steven Craig Weiss, 35, of Middletown, was killed.

Garitson is free on bond awaiting sentencing Sept. 5, although he is barred from drinking, using drugs or driving, Kash said.

Garitson faces three to 10 years in prison, plus a mandatory lifetime driver's license revocation and potential fines exceeding $20,000, Kash said.

West Nile mosquitoes found in Middletown

MIDDLETOWN - Mosquitoes trapped from two pools here tested positive for the West Nile virus, authorities reported Wednesday.

The city health district says it tested 47 mosquito pools throughout the city, with two testing positive. The samples came from traps placed at residences on Shawn Ray Drive and Wellington Road.

West Nile virus is a disease that can be transmitted from mosquitoes to people. But, risk of infection is low.

For more information, call the health department at (513) 425-1818.

Ex-deputy auditor indicted in sex charge

A federal grand jury in Cleveland has returned a three-count indictment against Thomas J. Burske, former deputy auditor for the city of Sharonville who is accused of trying to meet a 15-year-old boy for sex.

Burske, 49, was indicted Wednesday on charges of coercion, enticement and transfer of obscene materials to a minor. He allegedly tried to meet the New Philadelphia teen, with whom he had allegedly been communicating over the Internet for more than a year, at a restaurant in Bolivar, Ohio, on June 26. Burske was met at the restaurant by police.

Burske is free on a $100,000 bond. He has been fired from the Sharonville position.

Goshen kindergarten registration offered

GOSHEN - The Goshen Local School District is accepting registration for its tuition, all-day kindergarten.

Last year, the district conducted a pilot program of 15 students, selected by lottery, in all-day kindergarten. After positive parent response, the district chose to offer it as a tuition program for all students, said Superintendent Charlene Thomas.

Children must be 5 years old by Aug. 1 to register. The program tuition is $320 a month to cover the cost of the teacher. To register, call Marr/Cook Elementary at 722-2223.