Panel to study ban in workplaces

A community panel that will study a smoking ban for Cincinnati workplaces, including bars and restaurants, will meet for the first time Aug. 25. Vice Mayor Alicia Reece called for creation of an advisory panel in response to a national movement that seeks to protect workers and patrons from health problems linked to secondhand smoke. The meeting, open to the public, begins at 1:30 p.m. at the American Cancer Society, 2808 Reading Road, Avondale. The panel has 13 members consisting of average citizens, business representatives and public health advocates. They are people who responded to invitations from the Cincinnati Health Department. Some invitations have not been returned, so the list could grow.

GOP endorsees Weber in contest

Assistant Hamilton County Public Defender Terry Weber, a Cheviot resident, is the Republicans' pick to run against Democratic state Rep. Steve Driehaus of Price Hill in November. The county GOP's Executive Committee endorsed Weber to replace Pete Witte as the party's candidate Tuesday, Chairman Mike Barrett said. Witte was the sole GOP candidate in the primary for the 31st House District but withdrew from the race in May, saying he needed to devote more time to his business. He hasn't formally notified the county Board of Elections of his withdrawal, however, and today's the deadline for him to do so and for the party to then submit Weber as his replacement. "He's got a strong West Side name," Barrett said of Weber. However, he faces a tough battle against Driehaus, who also comes from a longtime West Side family and won 65 percent of the vote in his last race two years ago.

Dinosaur exhibit remains popular

Dinosaurs aren't extinct yet at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Zoo officials say 220,000 people have visited its summer attraction, Dino Zone, since its opening in June. That popularity has led them to keep the exhibit open until Oct. 31. It was originally scheduled to close Sept. 6. Dino Zone allows visitors to walk through a prehistoric world, which features more than 20 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, including a 43-foot-long, 18-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus rex. There's also the Dino Dig, where kids can unearth dinosaur bones and teeth.

CORRECTION: Starting dates for area schools

The Three Rivers Local Schools will resume classes on Monday, and the Reading City Schools will resume Aug. 25. Incorrect dates were given in a chart in Tuesday's Back to School section.

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