Blood emergency prompts special drives

The Community Blood Center, a Dayton-based blood bank, is making an appeal for donors this week, including people from Hamilton County.

The center is classifying its blood shortage as a full emergency. Special blood drives are taking place Thursday, including some in Fairfield and in Hamilton.

The center's inventory, which provides blood to 25 area hospitals, is 686 pints - or 27 percent - below ideal levels.

Normally, the blood centers needs to collect 325 points of blood a day to meet the needs of area patients.

Reasons for the shortage: drops in donations during the holiday season, poor weather and an increase in would-be donors becoming ill with seasonal illnesses, making them ineligible to give.

On Thursday, there will be a blood drive in Hamilton from 3:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Van Gordon School, 6475 LeSourdsville-West Chester Road, and in Fairfield from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fairfield Firehouse, 375 Niles Road. Hamilton will host another one Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Government Services, 315 High St.

Hoxworth Blood Center, which provides blood to hospitals in Greater Cincinnati, has a shortage, too, said spokesman Michael Anderson. But it has not declared its situation an emergency.

Hoxworth blood drives are scheduled for Friday at various locations. Call 451-0910 for more information.

Loveland to help pay skate park shortfall

LOVELAND - A pitch for a skate park is rolling along.

Council passed a resolution on Tuesday promising the city would pay for part of the construction.

The agreement was needed as part of a grant application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks program. The application deadline is Feb. 1.

Council members agreed last month to help with construction of the park after private fund raising by volunteers fell short. City officials estimated the park's cost at $100,000 to $150,000.

Council has agreed to contribute $20,000 to $30,000 toward the venture in order to secure the grant.

About $112,000 is available this year for Hamilton County projects.

Natural resources officials said they expect heavy competition among communities for the money allocated for community parks and recreation projects.

Pat South to chair Warren commission

LEBANON - Warren County Commissioner Pat South will preside over the three-person board for 2004.

South, who is unopposed in the March 2 primary, had served as vice president last year.

Fellow Commissioner Mike Kilburn will serve as vice president in 2004.

Meanwhile, in Deerfield Township, Randy Kuvin was chosen to lead the board of trustees. Trustee Barbara Wilkens-Reed will serve as vice president.

Monroe Council to screen 16 for vacancy

MONROE - Candidates will get their chance today to make their pitches for a City Council seat left vacant by Robert Youtsler.

Council will interview the 16 candidates for the position at 5:30 p.m. in executive session.

Each candidate will receive 15 to 20 minutes with council members.

Acting City Manager William Brock said if there is a consensus, someone could be appointed to the position tonight.

"They're hoping to do it by the end of the week at the latest," Brock said.

Youtsler resigned after winning re-election in November and being sworn in Jan. 1.

Council agreed Tuesday at its regular meeting to accept the annexation of 140 acres east of Interstate 75 and north of Ohio 63.

The property is owned by Berns Development Group.

A public hearing will be held on the zoning at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at 233 South Main Street.