Staff/Wire reports

Officials at St. Gertrude Parish and six neighboring families have settled their differences over a proposed new school on the church grounds at Shawnee Run Road and Miami Avenue.

In an agreement filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court this month, the church promised to restrict and buffer noise from the school's rooftop air conditioning system, to add landscaping and some fencing, and to pay residents $30,000. Requirements also were placed on lighting.

The church's plan to replace its Depression-era school hit a snag last August when neighbors on Shawnee Run Road objected to a city zoning variance that allowed the school to be built 20 feet from their property lines, instead of 50 feet. The settlement allows the 20-foot setback, and requires residents to drop legal action against the city, the planning commission and St. Gertrude. The Rev. Ken Letoile, pastor of St. Gertrude, said construction could begin in September.

Health leader to fight smoking

Hamilton County Health Commissioner Tim Ingram will play a bigger role in getting Ohioans to stop using tobacco products. Ingram has been elected chairman of the board of trustees for the Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation. The foundation, formed out of the national settlement agreement with the tobacco industry, funds anti-tobacco programs in all of Ohio's 88 counties, including "Stand," a counter-marketing campaign aimed at reducing tobacco use among kids ages 11-15.

Traffic watch

Edwards Road in Hyde Park will be closed between Erie and Observatory avenues for repaving from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Follow posted detours.