Home builder to revise zoning request tonight

AMBERLEY VILLAGE - Hal Homes Inc. will be presenting revised plans tonight to the Amberley Village Planning Commission for its proposed housing development for the former Crest Hills Country Club.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Rockdale Temple, 8501 Ridge Road.

The Planning Commission recently rejected Hal Homes' request for the creation of a planned unit development zone that would have permitted the construction of 137 homes on 133 acres at Ridge and Galbraith roads. Hal Homes now is requesting a zoning change for the property from park to residential.

The revised plan calls for fewer houses and more green space, said Hal Silverman, president of Hal Homes.

The planning commission will hold another hearing on this issue next month.

Free cholesterol check for blood donors

People who donate blood also can get a free cholesterol check through a new service announced by Hoxworth Blood Center.

The free screening test is available at all eight Hoxworth neighborhood donor centers and through its Bloodmobile visits to employers, churches and other organizations.

Results will be given by phone three days after the blood donation. For information, call 451-0910.

Cops, fire lieutenants to receive 4% raises

BLUE ASH - Police will get 4 percent raises for the next three years as part of the new Fraternal Order of Police contract.

Much of the rest of the benefits remained the same, City Manager Marvin Thompson said, adding that the increase keeps wages in the upper scale of Hamilton County municipalities. The contract covers about 25 patrol officers.

"We try to stay in the upper group so we can be very competitive," he said.

Under the new contract, pay scales range from $48,758 for a rookie to $56,524 for a veteran officer.

Council also approved 4 percent raises for the next two years for fire lieutenants in a contract with the International Association of Firefighters.

GOP's Todd wants to head party again

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Former Butler County Republican Party Cairman Carlos Todd says he wants his old job back to unite the party.

Todd, who retired as party chairman in 2001 after 10 years, says he is dismayed by feuds among Republican officeholders and the unprecedented challenge of more than 100 party central committee members by Mike Fox and his supporters in the March 2 primary.

"A great deal of disarray over the past several months ... came from personal agendas and the spoils of success, not necessarily from leadership," said Todd, a developer, in a statement released Monday. "We all have to begin working together again ... and stop fighting among ourselves."

Party Chairman Joe Schwarz has announced he will not seek another term.

Delhi offers citizens police academy

DELHI TWP. - The 13-week Citizens Police Academy will begin the first Wednesday in March.

The previous seven years of the police academy have included visits to the Hamilton County Communications Center and the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center as well as training at a firing range.

Anyone interesting in signing up for the academy should call the Delhi Township Police Department at 922-0060 or visit www.delhi.oh.us.