The Enquirer

Cincinnati is the 12th most tornado-prone city in the country, according to VorTek, a Huntsville, Ala.-based company that creates tornado hazard reduction products and services.

Using its Site Assessment of Tornado Threat software, VorTek looked at U.S. cities with populations of more than 100,000. Rankings were based on National Weather Service data for tornadic activity from 1950 through 2003.

The top five cities: Oklahoma City; Huntsville, Ala.; Topeka, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; and Shreveport, La. Greater Cincinnati residents remember April 9, 1999, when a tornado killed four people and caused more than $25 million in damage.

Young drivers can learn more skills

A New Driver Car Control Clinic, which takes young drivers a step further than basic driver's education, will be held today through Thursday at Cincinnati Mills, formerly the Forest Fair Mall, in Forest Park. Students and parents are required to attend a class 6:30-8 p.m. today. Then, they will bring their own vehicle to a four-hour, behind-the-wheel session on Wednesday or Thursday. The Cincinnati Teen Drivers Fund and Hamilton County Safe Communities Coalition have underwritten two-thirds of the cost of the course for area families, making it $50 per family. To participate, students must have at least a learner's permit. To register, visit www.CarControl.com or call (800) 862-3277.

Cheney to speak about terrorism

The Bush-Cheney campaign returns to Ohio on Thursday, with Vice President Dick Cheney giving a speech in Dayton. His address on the war on terrorism is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Dayton Convention Center. This marks the third visit in two weeks by either President Bush or Cheney.

Cheney was last in Ohio on July 19, when he gave a speech on health care in Toledo.

TRAFFIC WATCH

• Northbound Central Avenue is closed between Fifth and Sixth streets for construction of a sewer main until Aug. 20. Follow posted detours.

• Mason-Morrow-Millgrove Road in Union Township. is closed between Columbia and Turtlecreek roads until mid-September. Follow posted detours.

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