Kroger expansion on hold in Westwood

WESTWOOD - City officials have put plans to expand and relocate the Glenway Avenue Kroger on hold until January.

At a zoning hearing Thursday, William Langevin, director of buildings and inspections, postponed action that would allow construction of a 76,640-square-foot Kroger store, fuel center and outbuildings on 12.5 acres in the 6100 block of Glenway Avenue. The site includes the Western Village shopping center.

Langevin, with whom the zoning decision rests, put the plan back in the hands of the Westwood Civic Association for further review, saying Kroger and the association need to talk further.

The association on Tuesday turned thumbs down on the plan, citing lack of information, the impact it would have on abutting residential property - Western Village tenants, the Western Hills Plaza - and environmental and traffic concerns.

Association President Mike Brestel said the board also was displeased that tenants and neighboring residents have been kept in the dark.

Colerain favors levy wording change

COLERAIN TWP. - Changing the wording on real estate tax bills - from "parks levy" to "Hamilton County parks levy" - may not sound like a big deal.

But Colerain Township Trustee Diana Rielage believes it should be clear to residents of Ohio's largest township that their park tax is for the county, not the township - just in case the township decides to pursue its own tax levy in the future.

"I'm sure most people think (the park levy on real estate tax bills) goes toward Colerain Township, but it goes to Hamilton County," Rielage said.

The township trustees voted 3-0 this week to request the county change the wording on real estate bills in the township.

Bethel celebrates Christmas Saturday

BETHEL - The village will present a "Down Home Christmas Walk" Saturday that kicks off with a 7:30 a.m. pancake breakfast with Santa at Bethel-Tate High School, 3420 Ohio 125.

Following breakfast will be a student art exhibit at 9 a.m. at Ebon C. Hill, 649 W. Plane St.

And, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a crafts show at the Bethel Community Building on North Union Street.

At 10 a.m., there will be story time with Mrs. Santa at the Bethel Branch Library.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., activities are scheduled in Bethel's Burke Park, including photos with Santa, free crafts and games, food, a live nativity scene and carolers.

Information: 724-2243.

Fairfield-to-Hamilton bike trail readied

FAIRFIELD - Biking from Fairfield to Hamilton will be easier next year on a new 2.1-mile extension of the Great Miami River bike path.

The path will connect Water Works Park on Groh Lane with Hamilton's Joyce Park. Fairfield City Council has approved spending $234,344 on the $724,200 project.

When completed next year, bike riders will be able to pedal 5.6 miles from Fairfield's baseball fields to the Fitton Center in downtown Hamilton. It will have taken five years to construct the Fairfield portion since the city received a grant for the project from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Eventually the bike path is to stretch 59 miles along the Great Miami River corridor from Fairfield to Dayton. A total of 34 miles has been completed.