J. Michael Best of Fairfield faxed a letter to the Ohio Elections Commission hours before commission members were to consider the issue Wednesday afternoon.

Best filed a complaint Friday against Fox for saying he was "Republican endorsed" for re-election. Fox had been endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party but not the Butler County Republican Party.

Fox supporter Stacey A. Carpenter of Fairfield had filed a complaint against Best because he labeled himself "Republican," even though he was running as an independent. The state commission found probable cause last Thursday that Best may have violated state law. A commission hearing will be held later this year or early next year in Columbus, said Philip Richter, commission executive director.

Fox won the three-way commission race with 54 percent of the vote to 32 percent for West Chester Township Democrat Catherine Stoker and 14 percent for Best.

Buses continue run between Clermont, city

BATAVIA - Clermont County will keep getting Metro bus services into and out of Cincinnati.

The Clermont County commissioners recently approved a service continuation with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, providing Cincinnati Metro bus service through September 2005.

The agreement shifts $560,000 in funds from Clermont County to Metro.

Contributors: John Kiesewetter, Reid Forgrave