SYMMES TWP. - With 2,200 worshippers every weekend, Montgomery Community Baptist Church plans to expand its sanctuary to add 500 more seats.

Church officials have asked the township to approve zoning to allow a 6,300-square-foot expansion and increase parking at 11251 Montgomery Road.

The project would increase seating capacity to 1,375, church spokeswoman Paula Bussard said.

A public hearing before the board of zoning appeals is 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the township administration building, 9323 Union Cemetery Road.

Construction would require a conditional use permit because the property is in a residential district. The township zoning consultant has recommended approval.

Deal to add 102 acres to Winton Woods park

SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Hamilton County parks officials plan to spend $3.6 million to add 102 acres to Winton Woods by the end of the year.

Ross Hamre, planning director, said Thursday that the park district expects to close on the deal Dec. 29.

The park district plans to buy the Allen Paul property, which borders the 2,465-acre Winton Woods, from a trust established after the former township trustee and Hamilton County commissioner died last year.

The wooded farmland on Lake Ridge Drive and McKelvey Road contains a stream that feeds into Winton Woods Lake, Hamre said.

Deerfield Twp. to help widen Montgomery Rd.

DEERFIELD TWP. - Township trustees have agreed to invest $1.64 million toward widening Montgomery Road.

Plans call for the thoroughfare, also known as U.S. 22/Ohio 3, to be widened in both Hamilton and Warren counties.

The total project is expected to cost more than $50 million, though the state is picking up most of that.Because a 20 percent local match is needed to secure state funding, Symmes Township and Warren and Hamilton counties are also participating. Construction is to start in 2006.

Clermont child support deputy gets top award

BATAVIA - The deputy director of child support enforcement in Clermont County was recently given a statewide award recognizing her as the top in her field.

Brenda Gilreath, of the Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services, was named child support director of the year by her peers in the Ohio Child Support Directors Association.

Children's opens clinic for sports concussions

AVONDALE - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has opened a concussion clinic at its Oak Street campus for student athletes who suffer head injuries.

For information, contact the Sports Medicine Biodynamic Center at (513) 636-4366 or sportsmed@cchmc.org.

Contributors: Sheila McLaughlin, Liz Oakes, Erica Solvig, Tim Bonfield