Joseph A. Pichler, retired chairman and CEO of Kroger Co., was appointed chairman of the Xavier University Board of Trustees Friday. He replaces Michael J. Conaton. Pichler joined the board in 1993. He became chairman and CEO of Kroger in 1990 and retired in July. Pichler earned a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and taught for 15 years at the University of Kansas School of Business.

Campaign reaches 40% of goal

The United Way of Greater Cincinnati reported this week it has raised $24.5 million, or 40 percent, of the $61.1 million goal for its 2004 campaign. Results from three regional areas that are part of the overall campaign include Northern Kentucky, $1.7 million (44.5 percent); Middletown Area, $674,327 (43.5 percent); and Eastern Area, $472,088 (24.8 percent). The campaign began Sept. 2 and ends Oct. 28. The United Way funds about a dozen strategic initiatives and more than 326 programs at 159 agencies throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Support for troops makes town hero

Ohio Magazine has selected Batavia as one of six "Ohio Heroes" honorees. It is the only community to receive the designation.

The Clermont County town was chosen because of its yellow ribbon campaign in support of Spc. Matt Maupin, a Union Township soldier captured in Iraq, and the Maupin family, along with its overall support of U.S. troops.

The Village Association of Batavia asks county residents to come to the steps of the county courthouse on Main Street at 11 a.m. today to pose for a magazine photographer. The "Ohio Heroes" story will be published in November.

Construction delayed on runway project

Construction of the extension to the east-west runway at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is taking longer than anticipated. As a result, noise patterns will continue to be disrupted until the end of October.

Airport officials say that the east-west runway is now only 7,600 feet long and is being used strictly for departures. That means larger jets will continue to be shifted to the two north-south runways.

Lunken manager agrees to resign

Lunken Airport Manager Dan Dickten will resign under a settlement with Cincinnati that would continue to pay his $84,915 salary through Oct. 23. Dickten, airport manager since 1998, agreed not to sue the city.

Dickten was put on leave with pay in May amid allegations that he violated the city's e-mail policy.

He wrote in an April 19 e-mail that he was going to "kick (the) ass" of Councilman John Cranley.