Chamber of Commerce awards dinner today

MASON - The Mason Landen Kings Chamber of Commerce will announce its citizen and business of the year and give the rising star award today at the annual chamber dinner.

More than 300 people have purchased tickets for the event, which will feature Paramount's Kings Island executive vice president and general manager Craig Ross as keynote speaker.

A magician will be on hand to entertain the crowd and "Survivor" Lillian Morris of Deerfield Township will be available for photos with guests.

Clermont sirens to sound in tornado drill

BATAVIA - In recognition of Ohio Severe Weather Awareness week, March 21-27, Clermont County will sound warning sirens as part of a statewide tornado drill at 9:50 a.m. March 24. The drill is designed to encourage schools, businesses and families to practice their tornado safety plans.

On the first Wednesday of each month the outdoor sirens are tested at noon. A constant, wailing tone heard for three minutes at any other time signifies that the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Clermont County. People are asked not to call 9-1-1 to ask why the sirens are sounding because excessive calls can delay responses to emergencies.

Each year, some 16 tornadoes occur in Ohio. Peak tornado season for Ohio is from April through mid-July, with most coming between 2 and 10 p.m.

For more information about Ohio Severe Weather Week call the Ohio Emergency Management Agency at 732-7661.

Warren County ends enterprise zone pact

LEBANON - Warren County commissioners have ended a rural enterprise zone agreement for a Deerfield Township business.

The deal with Spotlight Solutions was approved in 2000 for up to $1.8 million in property. But Massachusetts-based Profitlogic recently bought the company and does not plan to have a significant presence in Ohio. County commissioners canceled the agreement March 16.

Commissioner checking legality

DOWNTOWN - Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin has asked the prosecutor's office to check whether commissioners can hire attorney Stanley Chesley. Chesley was chosen last week to represent the county in a lawsuit against the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL over construction of Paul Brown Stadium. Dowlin was not present for the vote. State law says commissioners can spend up to the prosecutor's salary ($109,000 in this case) on lawyers not approved by the prosecutor. Chesley and attorney Robert Furnier were hired on contingency, which means they earn a percent of what they win for their clients.

Student's death investigated

CLIFTON HTS. - Investigators are trying to figure out what killed a Western Hills High School senior who collapsed Tuesday night while playing basketball. Van Avant, 19, collapsed about 8:45 p.m. at the Friars Club athletic facility in Clifton Heights. An employee there called 911, saying someone on the court was having a seizure. Cincinnati Public Schools mobilized its crisis team of counselors to talk to students Wednesday, said Janet Walsh, a schools spokeswoman. An autopsy had not yet been performed Wednesday.

Site a resource for families

Families struggling to find help for children with serious behavioral problems and mental illnesses will soon be able to tap into a Web site that lists a variety of useful resources. The Web site - www.mindpeacecincinnati.org - will be launched April 1. It is an outgrowth of the MindPeace Project, the five-year, top-priority volunteer effort of the Junior League of Cincinnati.

Festival Park has full agenda

NEWPORT - An improved Newport Festival Park, between the Taylor-Southgate Bridge and the Purple People Bridge, will be busy this summer. It will host Newport Italianfest June 10-13, followed June 25-27 by Irish Heritage Celebration. America's Celebration, July 2-4, will feature the Newport Motorcycle Rally with live music and a custom bike show. Newport Arts and Music Festival, July 24-25, will feature work and performances by local artists and musicians, and a hands-on area for kids. The Great Inland Seafood Festival will span both sides of the river Aug. 12-15, and Newport will host the Kentucky State Chili Cook-Off and Car Show Aug. 29. Riverfest will close out the season Sept. 5.

TRAFFIC WATCH

A half-mile temporary detour will be opened Friday on Red Bank Road immediately north of the intersection with Colbank Road. Traffic will be routed over the detour for the rest of the year.