Schiavone fired from Mason court job

MASON - The city's municipal court is expected to release more information today on the dismissal of Middletown City Councilman David Schiavone from his job in Mason's probation department.

Schiavone, whom the court hired in June just days after he resigned amid controversy from his Butler County probation department job, said he was fired Monday after court officials questioned him about job absences last week.

Schiavone said he left work early on Dec. 29 because he was having back problems, then he went to an important Middletown City Council budget session that evening and went directly home afterward.

When he returned to work the next day, court officials questioned his sincerity and sent him to a doctor. Schiavone said the doctor told him not to work for three days.

However, when he returned to work Monday, he was fired.

Schiavone says he thought things were going well and he is very disappointed.

Lebanon Divas sing for community theatre

LEBANON - The Lebanon Divas, 10 women involved with the Lebanon Theatre Company, will sing on stage at the Top of the Shoe Theatre, 120 E. South St., Jan. 9 and 10, as part of a fund-raiser for the community theatre group.

The Divas will perform several genres of music individually and as a group.

Food and drinks will be available beginning at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m.

At intermission coffee and desserts will be served and raffle prizes will be awarded. The grand prize is a dinner for eight at Hardy's Floraville Bed and Breakfast , 212 Wright Ave.

Tickets for the evening are $50. However, $40 is tax-deductible.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call (513) 228-0932.

Butler elections board extends hours

HAMILTON - The Butler County Board of Elections will have extended office hours to help those who want to register to vote in the March 2 election.

Starting Jan. 12, offices at 315 High St. on the 10th floor, will be open from 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Thursdays through the month. On Saturday, Jan. 31, the office will be open from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

On the deadline for voter registration, Feb. 2, the offices will be open 8:30 a.m.- 9 p.m.

The office's normal hours are 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 887-3700.

Work begins on site of new Butler morgue

HAMILTON - Renovation has begun on a building that will house a new Butler County morgue.

The county coroner, Dr. Richard P. Burkhardt, "drove the ceremonial first nail in the wall and started the construction" Wednesday, said Investigator Andy Willis.

The empty one-story brick building at 1910 Fairgrove Ave. is expected to be ready to house a morgue within about two months, Willis said.

Located for decades at Mercy Hospital Hamilton, the morgue's future had been uncertain since the hospital closed in April 2001. The morgue will continue operating there until the renovation is complete.

The move will keep death investigation costs low and maintain convenience for police, funeral directors and family members, officials said.

Contracting with an out-of-town agency to handle the county's 200 or so autopsies each year would have cost about $100 more apiece, plus additional transportation costs.

The new location offers 3,900 square feet, about triple the size of the current morgue.