National drug czar John Walters is expected in Cincinnati today to announce that six Southwest Ohio counties have been declared "high intensity drug-trafficking areas," making them eligible for thousands of dollars in federal aid. The region now is among about 30 areas around the country to receive the designation. Law-enforcement agencies in the six counties, including Hamilton and Warren counties, will be able to apply for grants to fund anti-drug activities. More than $600,000 in federal funds will be available each year. U.S. Attorney Greg Lockhart and Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine lobbied to get the region into the program for the past two years.

Correction: ODOT spokesman is Ron Mosby

Ron Mosby is a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation. His name was incorrect in an article in Wednesday's Local News section.