Bacteria found in seniors' meals

Meals provided by a catering company to about 3,000 senior citizens this week tested positive for listeria bacteria, the Cincinnati Health Department said Friday. But no one has been reported ill. The meals - Salisbury steak with broccoli and mashed potatoes - were prepared by Valley Services, a catering company on Seymour Avenue. The company delivered the meals on Monday to the Senior Council on Aging, which distributed them to 41 sites in Hamilton, Clinton, Clermont and Butler counties. Some of the meals were also distributed to homes via a Meals-on-Wheels program. A routine lab test discovered the presence of listeria bacteria, said Dr. Judith Daniels, Health Department medical director. The health department is sending out letters to all seniors who may have received the meals.

Training academy director to retire

The director of Cincinnati's police academy who fought last month to keep his position civilian is now retiring - again. Ted Schoch, a 35-year veteran of the force before retiring five years ago to take the academy job, expects his last day to be about May 21. During his tenure, the academy lifted the age limit, now allowing recruits even 50 and older. And the department, which used to give one recruit exam a year, increased the number of tests last year to seven. City Manager Valerie Lemmie considered cutting Schoch's position to save money. But civil-rights activists pushed against that, reminding the city that having a civilian in charge of police training was a key reform recommended by the U.S. Justice Department in 1998.

Teens with cancer can share online

Teens with cancer can share experiences and friendship with other teens with cancer through a national Web site launched by the Blue Ash-based Wellness Community. The "Group Loop" service - www.grouploop.org - offers online support groups and information unique to the challenges teens face when dealing with cancer.

TRAFFIC WATCH

On Monday, crews will begin resurfacing Ohio 4 between the intersection of Bypass 4 and Ross Road and the Fairfield corporation limit. Watch for lane closures during weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. through July.