Compiled from staff and wire reports

United Way donations coming up short so far

With eight working days left in the annual local United Way campaign, organizers say they are worried about a shortfall.

On Tuesday, United Way of Greater Cincinnati reported raising $42,853,695, about 71 percent of its $60.5 million goal.

But projections of anticipated donations show the agency falling short by 1 percent.

"We are asking the community to dig deep for that last one percent," said Michael Fisher, United Way campaign co-chair and Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce president.

To close the gap, Fisher said companies should review campaign results to make sure every employee has been contacted. He said companies that have not participated in past drives are being asked to contribute.

Last year, the campaign fell $1.8 million short of a $62 million goal, resulting in cuts to several programs.

Wastewater disposal to be discussed

MIAMIVILLE - Residents in this Miami Township village and Clermont County officials will get together Thursday for a town hall meeting to discuss wastewater treatment.

Earlier this month, during a meeting of the Clermont County commissioners, officials agreed to discuss with residents the county's permit request to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to discharge treated wastewater into the Little Miami River.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Miami Boat Club, 6091 Second St. in Miamiville.

Members of the Miamiville Civic Association are concerned that the permit request is the first step in a plan to build a wastewater treatment plant at Ohio 126 and Wards Corner Road, near the Little Miami Scenic Trail.

County officials say there are no immediate plans to build a new facility, although some of the treatment facilities in the area are reaching life expectancy.

FearFest tickets offered blood donors

The first 1,000 people to give blood by Saturday will get free tickets to Paramount's Kings Island's FearFest.

Hoxworth Blood Center, which supplies blood to 24 area hospitals, issued an emergency appeal for blood donors last week.

The tickets, worth $42.99 each, include all-day admission to the park and FearFest activities. The tickets are valid only Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2.

For information on blood donation, call (513) 451-0910.

Chabot visiting Iraq to observe progress

Rep. Steve Chabot left Tuesday night for Iraq, the fifth member of the Tristate's congressional delegation to visit since Saddam Hussein fell.

The Cincinnati Republican is traveling as part of a nine-member delegation, scheduled to return next Wednesday.

A member of the House International Relations Committee, Chabot wants to check the progress of Iraq's reconstruction and the military efforts at subduing resistance.

Members of the Greater Cincinnati delegation who have visited Iraq recently are Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, and Rep. Baron Hill, D-Seymour.

U.S. bishops award $157,000 locally

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is awarding 13 social justice projects in Cincinnati an estimated $157,000 in grants.

The grants are part of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and fund programs that help community members become self-sufficient.

Among the top local grant recipients:

 The Amos Project: $30,000 to develop a regional voice for justice. Amos is a faith-based coalition that addresses social justice issues.

 The Contact Center: $30,000 for a mobilization program. The center is a multidiocesan project that trains welfare-rights groups.

 WIN Action Organizing Project: $30,000 for a local predatory lending and intervention project.

Other grants will train low-income residents as janitors, help low-income teenagers build leadership skills and support neighborhood programs in Over-the Rhine.

NAACP lists who voted in their favor

The Cincinnati NAACP says seven of nine city council members agree with the NAACP on key civil rights and economic issues at least half the time.

The NAACP released its voter empowerment report card this week.

While the civil rights organization can take positions on issues, it is not allowed to endorse political candidates.

Vice Mayor Alicia Reece voted with the NAACP's positions 85 percent of the time, the most of any council member. Councilman David Crowley was next with 80 percent.

He was followed by Minette Cooper (79 percent), John Cranley (75 percent), Laketa Cole (70 percent), Jim Tarbell (67 percent) and David Pepper (60 percent).

The lowest marks were for council members Pat DeWine (38 percent) and Chris Monzel (31 percent)..

The NAACP evaluated council members based on 16 political issues, ranging from settling 16 civil rights lawsuits against the city and police officers to passage of a living wage ordinance.