LOVELAND - City officials are trying to give the boot to a used-car dealer that opened about a month ago on Loveland-Madeira Road.

They issued orders last week for M.R. Truck Sales to quit doing business in the building and small parking lot it shares with a convenience store on Main Street.

"It's a violation of the zoning code. ... You can't have a straight-out used-car lot," said Gerry Stoker, who heads the city's building and zoning department.

He said the owner, Michael Rubin, has 30 days to appeal the city's order or shut down.

Rubin, of Loveland, said he's not sure what he's going to do. He said he recently moved the lot from Goshen, and questioned why Stoker issued him a temporary permit for a sign for the business if it was outlawed.

Stoker said city officials discovered the lot was out of compliance after researching the zoning code further. Rubin said he got the notice after a dispute with the owner of a Loveland auto repair shop who bought one of his cars.

Mason offers recycling for Christmas trees

MASON - Residents can recycle their cut Christmas trees through the city's brush chipping program.

Trees, with all ornaments, lights and decorations removed, can be put on the curb during the regular brush collection day. No yard waste sticker is needed.

This service will run from Dec. 26 through Jan. 9. Anyone needing tree removal after Jan. 9 should call the city's public works department at 229-8580.

Seniors program asks for cash to fix furnace

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Senior Citizens Inc. programs moved into the Lakota Schools' former Wokini storefront offices next to the senior center, 9090 Cox Road, because of a furnace failure Thursday.

The agency also is asking for donations to cover the $3,500 repair. "This is like getting a lump of coal at this time of year, being the holidays and the end of our fiscal year," said Steve Schnabl, executive director.

Checks payable to "SCI-Furnace" may be sent to Steve Schnabl, Senior Citizens Inc., 140 Ross Ave., Hamilton, OH 45013.

Programs should resume in the center's building here on Wednesday, Christmas Eve, he said.

Columbia Twp. OKs Golf Manor fire deal

COLUMBIA TWP. - Township trustees have approved a four-year contract with the Golf Manor Fire Department to cover a portion of the township that includes the Ridgewood subdivision and the area around Ridge Road and Highland Avenue.

The new contract calls for Columbia Township to pay Golf Manor $246,000 a year for the fire protection. That's a $111,000 increase over the annual cost of the old contract.

Township voters in the Ridge Fire District passed a 1.77-mill levy in November to cover the increased cost of fire protection. The levy requires the owner of a $100,000 home to pay $27 more a year in taxes.