OREGONIA - Fort Ancient State Park has received a $255,000 federal grant to repair failing drainage systems and erosion damage to its earthworks.

The National Historic Landmark east of Lebanon has been hit by state funding cuts to Ohio Historic sites. Fort Ancient gets 70 percent of its funding from the state.

The park has only one groundskeeper to mow 93 acres and maintain 18,000 feet of the earthen wall. The park also been forced to have its small full-time staff double up on duties throughout the park to save money. Volunteer work also helps the park stay on its feet for the 30,000 visitors each year.

Fort Ancient is one of 60 national projects and the only site in Ohio to receive a portion of the $14.5 million in federal grants recently announced as part of the Save America's Treasures program of the National Park Service.

New construction will channel runoff water through catch basins and drain tiles. Earthworks that have already been damaged by erosion will also be restored. Erosion for the earthworks is no new problem. The prehistoric Hopewell culture that built the structures 2,000 years ago also had to battle natural deterioration.

Clermont board accredited today

OWENSVILLE - A state official will present the Clermont County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities with a four-year accreditation today.

Don Bashaw, assistant deputy director of the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, will present the accreditation at the county MRDD board meeting, at the Wildey Center, 2040 U.S. 50 in Owensville.

The accreditation process reviews the board in four areas: health and safety, rights of people with developmental disabilities, service planning and delivery, and administration.

Butler Co. deadlock falls to Blackwell

HAMILTON - Secretary of State . Ken Blackwell will respond "as quickly as possible" to a Butler County deadlock on Republican precinct challengers for election day.

In an emergency meeting Monday night, the Butler County Board of Elections tied 2-2 on accepting a list of 61 Republican election monitors at the county's 289 precincts. By law, the Ohio secretary of state must cast the deciding vote, or ask the board to vote again, said Carlo LoParo, Blackwell's spokesman.

Two Democrats on the elections board, Dan Gattermeyer and John Holcomb, rejected the list because it was certified by George Lang, acting party chairman, and not Carlos Todd, party chairman. The board accepted a list of 13 Democrat challengers Monday.

Minutes of the meeting and board members' position statements were faxed to Blackwell's office Tuesday.

Water boil advisory issued for Cahall Dr.

WAYNESVILLE - The Warren County Water and Sewer Department is doing water sampling and has issued a water boil advisory for Cahall Drive, in the Ridgeland Acres subdivision, effective 9 a.m. today until further notice. During the advisory, customers should boil their water for at least two minutes. Bottled water should be used for drinking and cooking.

The advisory will remain in effect until the results of samples are obtained. The department says the advisory is a precautionary measure, and contamination is considered highly unlikely. Information: (513) 695-1377.

Contributors: Kristen Muthig, Maggie Downs, Sheila McLaughlin, Reid Forgrave, John Kiesewetter and Janinne Thompson