Compiled from staff and wire reports

Blood donations can earn bonuses

The Hoxworth Blood Center has lined up several blood drives to support patients at area hospitals.

This week, supplies of O-positive blood were running about 35 percent below normal levels, said Hoxworth spokesman Michael Anderson.

Blood drives include:

• Today at six Hoxworth neighborhood donor centers. Donors get free lunch and a chance to win tickets to see Harry Connick Jr.

• Today at the Rookwood Commons shopping center in Norwood. The Hoxworth Bloodmobile will be parked near Bed, Bath & Beyond from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Wild Oats grocery will match every blood donation with a one-pound food donation to the FreeStore/FoodBank.

• Friday at Eastgate Mall. The Hoxworth Bloodmobile will be parked outside the west entrance between Sears and Kohl's from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All donors will receive two tickets to any upcoming Mighty Ducks hockey game.

• Saturday at the Playhouse in the Park, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Donors get a "buy one, get one free" coupon to select performances of A Christmas Carol or Going Gone.

Information: 451-0910.

Land purchased next to senior center

GREEN TOWNSHIP - The township is purchasing a small parcel next to its senior center, allowing future expansion.

At Monday's meeting, trustees voted to pay $85,000 for an acre from longtime resident Raymond Kern as a life estate, which means the township pays for the land now but Kern, in his 80s, may stay at his home as long as he'd like.

Green Township Administrator Kevin Celarek said the township would likely use the land, at 3666 Epley Lane, to expand the parking lot or build walking trails.

Mason to help pay for bus to downtown

MASON - This Warren County city will continue to help fund Metro bus service from Paramount's Kings Island to downtown.

In front of a small crowd of bus riders Monday night, City Council approved spending nearly $25,000 to continue the route in 2004. Transportation officials had voted to discontinue the route Jan. 1 unless the city, Deerfield Township and Warren County commissioners agreed to continue funding.

Officials expect the township and county to approve the issue as well.

Husband charged with murdering wife

A Green Township man who initially told authorities that an intruder killed his wife was charged in her slaying Tuesday.

A Hamilton County grand jury indicted Jeffrey Bruce, 45, on a murder charge that would allow prosecutors to seek a life sentence.

Bruce was charged in the beating and strangulation death of his wife, Kathryn, in their home on Nov. 15.

Initially, Bruce said an intruder was to blame, said Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen. But police said he later admitted to killing his wife of 10 years.

Girl, 14, pleads guilty to Corryville crimes

A 14-year-old girl who police say terrorized Corryville residents for months, assaulting people and hurling racial slurs at passersby, pleaded guilty in Hamilton County Juvenile Court to misdemeanor assault charges, court officials said.

She pleaded guilty Tuesday to the misdemeanor assaults and obstruction of official business in exchange for the prosecution dropping charges of felonious assault and ethnic intimidation, according to court officials.

An aggravated menacing charge was dropped because a witness failed to cooperate. The teen will be sentenced Dec. 9.

Thanksgiving closings

Postal Service: No delivery

Library: Closed

Banks*: Closed

Trash collection

Cincinnati: One day delay

Rumpke: Regular schedule

CSI: Regular schedule

Metro: Holiday fares and schedule

Parking meters: No coins required

Courts: Closed

Government offices

Federal: Closed

City and county: Closed

State: Closed

Stock markets: Closed

Ohio E-Check: Closed

* The Fifth Third Banking Center at Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport will be open.