Compiled from staff and wire reports

Good bond ratings may mean less taxes

Cincinnati Public Schools officials say residents might pay less in taxes than originally forecast thanks to favorable bond ratings by investors' services firms.

Three national firms have rated the district among Ohio's best-managed school systems heading into the district's sale of $480 million in school-construction bonds for its $1 billion school construction plan, said district Treasurer Michael Geoghegan.

The ratings allow the district to take advantage of historically low interest rates and could translate to less millage, he said.

Geoghegan said, using a conservative estimate, the district could save up to $10 million thanks to the good ratings.

Cincinnati Public Schools will sell the bonds on Oct. 15. The bond issue, approved by voters in May, will help fund renovations and construction of 66 schools.

Anderson residents invited to a cleanup

ANDERSON TWP. - Residents in this eastern Hamilton County township are invited to spruce up their community during the annual nationwide "Make A Difference Day" event.

Volunteers will clean up the township's roadways and government-owned properties. It'll take place 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 25.

Volunteers will meet at the Anderson Township Government Center, 7954 Beechmont Ave., to get their assignments. Bags, supplies and refreshments will be provided.

Both organizations and individuals are invited.

For more information contact Paul Drury, assistant director of Development Services, at 474-5123.

Two appointed to transit agency board

An ardent opponent of light rail and the president of an Ohio think tank were appointed to the board of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority on Wednesday.

Hamilton County commissioners voted 3-0 to appoint Stephan Louis, who was found guilty of an election violation in last fall's anti-light rail campaign.

Daniel Peters was approved 2-1, with Commissioner Todd Portune against appointing Peters to help oversee the regional transportation agency.

Peters is chairman of the board of the conservative Buckeye Institute as well as president of the Ruth and Lovett Peters Foundation, which focuses on improving elementary and secondary education.

DeWitt appointed to intelligence board

WASHINGTON - President Bush announced Wednesday he plans to appoint Cincinnati investor William O. DeWitt Jr. to the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

DeWitt is a longtime friend and fund-raiser for the president, as well as a business partner for the president's chief fund-raiser, Mercer Reynolds.

The 16-member board advises the president about the quality of the government's intelligence collection and whether the government's intelligence organizations are meeting the nation's needs.

Police raid suspected Clermont meth lab

UNION TWP. - Clermont County narcotics units and law enforcement agencies raided a possible methamphetamine lab Wednesday afternoon.

Local and county police searched a residence in the 4300 block of Aicholtz Road looking for any evidence dealing with the sale and production of the illegal drug. No one has been charged.

County officials said no additional information would be available until after the investigation.

Clermont County leads the state in the number of meth-making labs uncovered by authorities, according to recent state figures.

Rep. Mike Turner leaves for tour of Iraq

WASHINGTON - Rep. Mike Turner, who represents northern Warren County, left Wednesday for a weeklong trip to Iraq.

The Centerville Republican is traveling with four other members of the House Armed Services Committee.

Turner said he wanted to meet with Iraqi leaders and military leaders and see the conditions U.S. troops are facing firsthand.