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From the 11/24/06 Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune: State striking up impact of Issue 5 By Zachary Petit, [email protected] The familiar question “Smoking or non?” soon is to be moot. With the passage of state Issue 5 — Smoke-Free Ohio — earlier this month, Ohio joins 14 states with similar laws to snub out smoking in local establishments and businesses. Read more: http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/articles.asp?articleID=5013 From the 11/24/06 Defiance Crescent-News: Following smokefree Ohio law, voluntary compliance seems to be the key so far November 24, 2006 By DARLENE PRINCE [email protected] Voluntary compliance seems to be the key so far to following the smokefree Ohio law, created by the passage of Issue 5 in the Nov. 7 general election, that will ban smoking in public places starting early next month. The amendment to state law was passed by a large majority of voters in the election, thus making the will of the public very clear that smoking will not be permitted in businesses, restaurants, factories, bars, bowling alleys and many other places. Read more: http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/390227

From the 11/23/06 Rocky Fork Enterprise: Gahanna studying Issue 5's effects on local smoking ban Thursday, November 23, 2006 By MIRIAM SEGALOFF Enterprise Staff Writer Gahanna officials are working to decipher just how a statewide smoking ban will affect enforcement of a similar city law in place since February. On Nov. 7, voters overwhelmingly passed State Issue 5, a ban on cigarette smoking in bars and restaurants. However, Gahanna legal officials said they are uncertain how the new state law matches the current city law, particularly in regards to enforcement. Gahanna City Attorney Tom Weber said he is working on a side-by-side analysis of the two laws. At first blush, however, they seem compatible, he said. Read more: http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=gahanna&story=sites/thisweeknews/112306/RockyFork/News/112306-News-264778.html

From the 11/22/06 (OSU) Lantern: Hookah bars in jeopardy Statewide smoking ban could extinguish popular hangouts Kara Hardy Issue date: 11/22/06 Section: Campus The Shisha Lounge on North High Street is a prized smoker's haven in smoke-free Columbus. Students gather to smoke flavored tobacco out of Middle-Eastern style water pipes, or smoke cigarettes while sipping coffee and munching on falafel sandwiches. Read more: http://www.thelantern.com/media/storage/paper333/news/2006/11/22/Campus/Hookah.Bars.In.Jeopardy-2506798.shtml?norewrite200612070014&sourcedomain=www.thelantern.com From the 11/22/06 Urbana Daily Citizen: Businesses brace for smoking ban Bowling alley, bar owners most concerned JULIETTE SWANK Citizen Correspondent During the November election voters approved an issue to outlaw smoking in public places, such as restaurants, bars and bowling alleys. The law will take effect statewide Dec. 7. Health departments will be responsible for enforcing the new law that can cause violators to be fined up to $100 and businesses to be fined up to $2,500. The Ohio Department of Health will make the rules and regulations under the law, which should be done by June 2007, according to Shelia Hiddleson, Champaign Health District commissioner. Read more: http://www.urbanacitizen.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=5&ArticleID=142285

From the 11/21/06 Pomeroy Daily Sentinel: Local health department to enforce smoking ban By Brian J. Reed Tuesday, November 21, 2006 5:27 PM EST POMEROY - The job of enforcing Ohio's stringent new restrictions on smoking in public will fall on the local health department, but there will be no real enforcement efforts for several months. In the general election earlier this month, Ohio voters approved a new state law that prohibits smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places. While some businesses, such as tobacco stores and specific areas in hotels are exempted, almost all workplaces will be smoke free under the new law. Read more: http://www.mydailysentinel.com/articles/2006/11/21/news/local_news/news00.txt

From the November 20, 2006 UD Flyer News (Vol 54, No 17): Non-smokers await smoking ban Nikki Miller Assistant News Editor Beginning Dec. 7, people going into a restaurant will not have to worry about sitting behind a puff of smoke. Ohio voters passed Issue 5 in the Nov. 7 election, a law that bans smoking in public places such as restaurants and bars. The law allows smoking in private homes, outdoor establishments and some family-owned and operated businesses. Read more: http://www.flyernews.com/article.php?section=News&volume=54&issue=17&artnum=01 From the 10/20/06 Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian: Smoking ban good, bad for business November 20, 2006 Dan Davis The Daily Jeffersonian "Smoking or non-smoking?" Those words may soon no longer be heard by patrons at restaurants throughout Ohio, as the choice may no longer be available to them. The passage of Issue 5 by voters Nov. 7 will, upon the law taking effect, eliminate smoking in not only restaurants but in all public offices and meeting rooms, sales floors, storage areas, production floors, restrooms and stairways, warehouses, garages and trucks or automobiles under direct or indirect control of an employer. Read more: ([email protected]) http://www.daily-jeff.com/news/article/389257

From the 11/17/06 Toledo Blade: Port authority plans to aid manufacturer The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority will become the owner of a Port Clinton factory building so the manufacturer can avoid paying sales taxes on construction materials to build a 75,000 square-foot addition and expand its payroll. With a favorable environmental review of the property as a condition, the port authority's board of directors agreed yesterday to receive title to the existing land and building at the Fenner Dunlop Belting Worldwide plant, and it will be the owner of the factory addition. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061117/NEWS33/611170329/-1/NEWS

From the 12/6/06 Dispatch: Cause of man’s death still undetermined in Taser case Wednesday, December 06, 2006 A preliminary autopsy couldn’t determine how a man died shortly after struggling with Columbus police at a Downtown hotel last weekend, the Franklin County coroner said last night. Briant K. Parks, 39, died Sunday after police fired a Taser at him and wrestled with him inside the Columbus, a Renaissance Hotel. The Taser didn’t shock him because one of the probes missed and the other hit Parks’ coat, police said. But Parks went into cardiac arrest in the hotel lobby and later died at Grant Medical Center. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/06/20061206-B4-03.html

From the 12/4/06 Dispatch: TASER INCIDENT AT DOWNTOWN HOTEL Man dies after fighting with police Monday, December 04, 2006 A man died last night after police officers used a Taser on him and wrestled him inside a Downtown hotel. Columbus police were investigating the incident, which began at 9:24 p.m. inside the Columbus, a Renaissance Hotel, 50 N. 3rd St. The man, whose name wasn’t released, had assaulted a hotel security guard after refusing to leave Bar 41, a bar in the lobby that faces 3rd Street, police said. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/04/20061204-B3-03.html

From the 12/2/06 Dispatch: Police round up members of new Short North Posse Saturday, December 02, 2006 Kevin Mayhood THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH When gunshots were fired at Columbus police officers at several Short North locations this spring, police and federal agents began targeting the area. Undercover agents infiltrated and bought crack from the second generation of the Short North Posse, a violent, drug dealing street gang they had dismantled a decade ago, investigators said. Yesterday, about 30 officers and agents rounded up four gang members from homes and caught one when he was released from a hospital, authorities said. Indictments that were unsealed charged five others, three of whom are on the run and two who already were in custody. Most of the 10 charged yesterday could face up to life in prison if convicted of the drug and gun charges against them. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/02/20061202-C3-01.html

From the 12/1/06 Dispatch: Gangs taking over street, Hilltop residents complain Police at forum hear about violence Friday, December 01, 2006 Matthew Marx THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Gang members are becoming bolder and more violent on S. Ogden Avenue, concerned Hilltop homeowners and community leaders told Columbus police last night. Neighbors in the 600 block of S. Ogden reported seeing and hearing 20 to 28 gang members routinely sitting around, drinking beer and cursing loudly at 3 a.m. and later. "You call police. They break them up. They’re back out there the next night," resident Lonnie Wellman said. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/12/01/20061201-B5-01.html

From the 11/23/06 AP: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT STUDY Columbus among 18 cities chosen for crime research Thursday, November 23, 2006 ASSOCIATED PRESS The federal government selected Columbus and 17 other metropolitan areas yesterday to study for clues on why homicides and other violent crimes are on the rise nationally. The Justice Department study comes after FBI data in September showed violent criminal activity — including rape, murder, robbery and aggravated assault — rising by 2.2 percent from last year. That marked the first increase in violent crimes since 2001. Full story at http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/23/20061123-C8-05.html

From the 12/1/06 PD: Tape prompts new probe into shooting Friday, December 01, 2006 Donna J. Miller Plain Dealer Reporter Two Cleveland police detectives shot and killed Brandon McCloud 15 months ago, but the controversy surrounding his death continues. Police Chief Michael McGrath has ordered a review of a tape-recorded conversation between a dispatcher and an officer that occurred several hours before police shot the 15-year-old robbery suspect 10 times in his bedroom. ... To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4852 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1164969147171500.xml&coll=2

From the 12/6/06 Fremont News-Messenger: Fremont Hampton Inn opens By LESLIE BIXLER Staff writer After one year and seven months of delays, the Fremont Hampton Inn & Suites at 540 E. County Road 89 officially opened Monday. The hotel is furnished with a modern-style decor and has plenty to offer its guests in its 55,000 square feet. In the three-story hotel, there are 82 rooms, 25 of which are suites that include a pull-out sofa, wet bar and flat-screen TV. Five rooms have whirlpool spas. There are also five handicap-accessible rooms. Each room includes a microwave, refrigerator, blow dryer and a coffee pot. More at http://www.thenews-messenger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060303/1002/rss01

Pretty much what you all just said, from the 11/16/06 Tri-County Press: Tri-County Mall renovation begins in Springdale SPRINGDALE - Crews recently began demolition on the old JC Penney store in Tri-County Mall, starting the renovation project that was anticipated to be completed before the holiday season. Several issues factored in to the late start, said Springdale Administrator Cecil Osborn. Thor Group, the company that bought the mall last year, now has a lesser ownership position, and is primarily responsible for leasing spaces in the mall. Coventry Real Estate Advisors is now 90 percent owner. Osborn said it was the change in ownership that stalled the renovation. "I would hope by this time next year we will see a great bulk of the work finished," he said. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/611160371/1089/Local

From the 11/16/06 Enquirer: Styrene leak blamed for death Man with chronic lung problem died three weeks after leak BY DAN HORN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The family of an East End man blames his death on a chemical leak that forced the evacuation of East Side neighborhoods last year. Relatives of George Dameron claimed in a lawsuit Wednesday that exposure to the chemical styrene aggravated existing health problems and contributed to his death three weeks after he breathed contaminated air. The suit in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court is the first wrongful-death claim against companies linked to the chemical leak, which occurred when a railroad car began leaking styrene in August 2005. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/611160376/1077/COL02

From the 11/16/06 Dispatch: Ohio ranks last in laws ensuring equality for gays Thursday, November 16, 2006 Kevin Kidder THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH This is a state where gay marriage is illegal. In fact, the constitution states that anything that even approximates it is illegal. That’s one reason why Lynne Bowman, executive director of Equality Ohio, branded the state dead last in laws that promote equality for the gay community. More below [email protected] http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/16/20061116-D13-02.html

From the 11/16/06 Sun Star: New stores coming to mall Thursday, November 16, 2006 By R. David Heileman The Sun Star STRONGSVILLE Construction of a $60 million addition to the Westfield SouthPark mall is scheduled for completion next spring, with a grand opening for 17 new retail outlets and a 14-screen Cinemark theater set for May 10. Mall officials on Monday presided at the opening of the shopping center's main entrance. Stores and restaurants that will open next spring include Banana Republic, H&M, Houlihan's, Coldwater Creek, Chico's, Joseph A. Bank, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Forever 21, Ticknors, Ann Taylor Loft, Shi by Journeys, New York & Co., Charley's Steakery, Cinnabon, Ruby Thai's Kitchen, Journey Kidz and The Buckle. ... More at: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/sunstar/index.ssf?/base/features-0/116369995099140.xml&coll=3

From the 11/16/06 Toledo Blade: SYLVANIA Harroun ordinance may need revision Lathrop friends protest wording By JANET ROMAKER BLADE STAFF WRITER Sylvania City Council could wind up revising an ordinance related to engineering design services for the retention pond and the Lathrop House ramp in Harroun Community Park. Revisions were requested by Sue McHugh, a Sylvania resident and president of Friends of Lathrop House, who contended that parts of the ordinance are inaccurate and misleading. According to the ordinance that was approved in October, the retention pond was installed to accommodate runoff and drainage issues after the Lathrop House, said to be a station on the Underground Railroad, was moved to the park and after a new education building was constructed on the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church property. MORE: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEIGHBORS05/611150340

From ThisWeek Worthington, 11/16/06: Council seeks details of I-270/Rt. 23 plans Thursday, November 16, 2006 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Staff Writer Reconstruction of the interchange at I-270 and North High Street will not start for five years, but state and city officials on Monday night began looking at some of the aesthetic details. Worthington City Council members said they want to see drawings of the new exit from I-270 eastbound to High Street before signing off on documents needed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Specifically, council would like to see a drawing of the retaining wall and how it will fit into the landscaping on the south side of the exit, near Worthington Square. The exit must be widened there to provide five lanes -- three for northbound traffic, two for southbound. The state must take some right-of-way along with land owned by the Conservatory of Piano, 60 Old W. Wilson Bridge Road, said Zoltan Szabo, ODOT design engineer. More at http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=worthington&story=sites/thisweeknews/111606/Worthington/News/111606-News-262745.html

From ThisWeek Worthington, 11/16/06: Civic group urges city to take hard line in approving CVS plans Thursday, November 16, 2006 By CANDY BROOKS ThisWeek Staff Writer The city must take a hard line in to protect the historic integrity of Old Worthington as it reviews plans for the new CVS proposed for the old Jubilee site. That is the advice of the Old Worthington Association (OWA), a civic group made up of residents and supporters of Old Worthington, which last week sent a letter and resolution to the city's Architectural Review Board. The ARB last month saw, and roundly criticized, plans for the pharmacy and two separate retail building proposed for the old Jubilee site. The grocery, which closed its doors on Labor Day, is to be demolished. The ARB is scheduled to review revised plans at its Dec. 14 meeting. http://www.thisweeknews.com/index.php?sec=worthington&story=sites/thisweeknews/111606/Worthington/News/111606-News-262769.html

From the 12/6/06 Enquirer: $750K to rehab VOA's building Grant will fund stopgap repairs BY JENNIFER BAKER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER WEST CHESTER TWP. - Efforts to renovate the crumbling Voice of America building will get a $750,000 boost from a state grant that township officials announced late Tuesday. Money from Ohio's capital budget - expected to be approved in the next week - will go to West Chester Township, to be combined with $275,000 in township funds already set aside to launch a $1.2 million repair project. The goal: to stop the deterioration long enough to pursue a $12 million project to convert it into a full-blown museum. "We are very fortunate that we were able to get this through," trustees President George Lang said. "This means the building - which right now is at the mercy of the weather elements - will be in great shape within the next six to nine months." ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061206/NEWS01/612060354/1056/COL02

From the 11/16/06 Enquirer: VOA Park may become much-needed soccer fields Tournament site envisioned BY JENNIFER BAKER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER WEST CHESTER TWP. - Most of the township's 330-acre Voice of America Park likely will be turned over to MetroParks of Butler County next month for development into soccer and other fields. Residents can sound off on the plan at a Dec. 5 joint meeting between West Chester trustees and the MetroParks board. If the deal receives approval from the National Park Service, Butler County's park system would start construction on some of the fields next year. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061116/NEWS01/611160377/1056/COL02

From the 11/30/06 Pulse-Journal: Convenience drives area's RETAIL SUCCESS By Michael D. Pitman and Eric Schwartzberg Staff Writers Thursday, November 30, 2006 Black Friday catapulted the holiday shopping season. But retailers have long known that moving to Butler County is a way to chase the dollar all year long. Building the destination With the recent population growth of West Chester, Liberty and Fairfield townships, developers turned their eyes north, building new shopping meccas like the Streets of West Chester, Voice of America Centre and Bridgewater Falls. They packed each plaza with the big-name retailers, then encircled them with restaurants, making them destinations. Since July 2003, 56 new businesses have moved into the VOA Centre on Cox Road. Joe Hinson, West Chester Chamber Alliance president, said being located off Interstate 75 and in an area with residents with high disposable income, it was expected to see the VOA Centre and UCB succeed and recruit high-profile tenants. "They're new and surrounded by new development," he said. "In a three-mile radius, you have the largest household income, and that's including Indian Hill. You have money in this area." Hinson said Bridgewater Falls has the same formula as VOA and Union Centre Boulevard. Ohio 129 provides a convenient access to the development, and it is near growing communities with families with disposable income. "If you wanted to go eat or go shop, you had to go elsewhere," Hinson said. "Now residents of this area can stay to shop, eat and be entertained." That convenience is what drives retail success, said Scott Saddlemire, vice president of Brandt Retail Group, which helped land anchor stores for Bridgewater Falls. The 66-acre shopping center, which draws West Chester and Liberty township residents, has opened 25 stores and two restaurants since 2004. Six new businesses already have signed leases for the center, including Panera Bread, Sally Beauty, Ulta, Huntington Bank, Game Stop and DreamDinners, said Sue Walkenhorst, the center's general manager. Tri-County Mall was the place to shop when Saddlemire was growing up. "But now you have all the growth in the northern suburbs and additional retail demand out there. Developers are popping up to meet those demands," he said. Moving to opportunity Barnes & Noble moved from the Tri-County area within Cincinnati's Interstate 275 loop and moved to West Chester Twp.'s Union Centre area in March 2004. "We moved because the new location gave us the opportunity to locate into a project with numerous restaurants and also a movie theater, which we did not have at our old location," wrote Anne Griffey, Barnes & Noble real estate director in an e-mail interview. "The primary benefit for us has been to have the store located in a project with good co-tenants and to take advantage of the growth that is occurring in Butler County." TJ Maxx moved from Colerain Avenue to Bridgewater Falls in October 2005. Spokeswoman Laura McDowell said by relocating to Fairfield Twp., TJ Maxx was able to reach a demographic crucial to its business: 25-year-old to 54-year-old women shopping for themselves, their families and their homes. "We're very happy in our new location and we expect to only increase and improve over the coming years," McDowell said. 'Sea of rooftops' Retailers dictate where the developments will be, said John Griesmer, commercial real estate agent for Re/Max Acclaimed. "(Retailers) say, 'We need a store in this general area,' " Griesmer said. "They look for rooftops." The explosive population growth of Butler County is what's been selling retail development, Griesmer said. About 90 percent of the county's growth stems from West Chester, Liberty and Fairfield townships and the city of Fairfield, he said. According to the United States Census Bureau, between 1990 and 2000, the population in Liberty Twp. more than doubled to 22,000, and West Chester Twp. grew by nearly 15,000. Kimmy Mauney of ABC Early Childhood Learning Center said she and her husband decided to open a Fairfield Twp. location after visiting the area and seeing "a sea of rooftops." "I think this is going to be the future for a lot of young lives around here," Mauney said. Hinson said the retail growth potential is still unlimited and believes Bridgewater Falls, Union Centre Boulevard and VOA will continue to thrive. "I don't think we've reached the tip of the iceberg," he said. "I think in the next 25 to 50 years, this will become the economic hub between the Cincinnati and Dayton markets." http://www.pulsejournal.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/11/29/pjw113006shopshift.html From the 11/29/06 Enquirer: Fairfield Echo: Project may require tax hike (11/16/06) Hamilton JournalNews: Transportation officials talk taxes to fund bypass widening (11/14/06) Fairfield moves on bypass widening BY SUE KIESEWETTER | ENQUIRER CONTRIBUTOR FAIRFIELD - Design work on a $7 million to $8 million project to widen the city's portion of the Ohio 4 Bypass is expected to begin early next year. That means construction could begin within two years, said City Manager Art Pizzano. Proposals to widen the road, which travels through Fairfield, Hamilton and Fairfield Township, have been discussed since early 2001. In Fairfield, the talk is shifting into action. "We're proceeding independently of the Butler County Transportation Improvement District," Pizzano said. Last June the city decided not to wait for the county agency once it was learned that construction funding was at least six or more years away, said Dave Bock, public works director. "That road carries a tremendous amount of traffic every day," Bock said. "We wanted to move forward." Plans call for the road to be widened from the current two lanes to four between Symmes Road on the north and the southern intersection of the bypass with Ohio 4, near Ross Road, Pizzano said. Turn lanes will be added at key intersections. On Monday, City Council approved contracts for LJB Inc. to do engineering design work and Fuller, Mossbarger, Scott & May Inc. to do other, technical work on the project. Bock said it should take about a year for the design work to be done. Construction after that would be contingent on how quickly the city acquires needed rights of way for the widening. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/611290374/1056/COL02 From the 11/29/06 Enquirer: Tylersville Road farm to be developed BY JENNIFER BAKER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The last remains of the Dudley Farm, sandwiched between businesses along Tylersville Road, will be commercially developed next year into retail stores and eateries, a developer confirmed Wednesday. Midland Atlantic Development Corp. of Kenwood is under contract to purchase the nine-acre Dudley Farm just east of Interstate 75, said Jonathan Silverman, the company’s managing principal. Midland Atlantic is the developer of most of the new businesses near the former dairy farm, which once consisted of several hundred acres. The fate of the farm had been up in the air since the death last year of owner James Dudley, who lived in the late-1800s home. The last of the family’s estate - all the belongings and salvage rights to the buildings - were sold in an August auction. The land is expected to fetch big money for commercial development. Silverman declined Wednesday to discuss the sale price. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061129/NEWS01/311290018/1056/COL02

^ It's about time. I didn't think those were ever going to happen. From the 11/30/06 Enquirer: Eyesore to be gone by year's end Royal Crown center has become a royal pain BY FEOSHIA HENDERSON | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER SYCAMORE TWP. - An old hotel and convention complex that for years has been the scene of criminal activity will be history by year's end, Sycamore Township officials said. Tennessee-based Citizens Bank owns the Royal Crown Hotel and Convention Center, on Reading Road near Roselawn. The complex was in foreclosure, and the bank plans to start tearing down the building early next week, Sycamore Township Fire Chief B.J. Jetter said. "The timeline is to have it done by Christmas," Jetter said. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS01/611300365/1056/COL02 From the Enquirer, 11/30/06: Seton High School Dedicates New Building Contributed By Shauna Steigerwald | The Enquirer The completion of Seton High School’s two-year, $13.5 M building and renovation project will be celebrated and dedicated at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 10. Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will preside over the Dedication Mass in the school’s new gymnasium. During the liturgy, a statue of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will be blessed and dedicated in honor of the Sisters of Charity and their commitment to Seton High School. Seton commissioned the statue from Sister Margaret Beaurdette, SC, of New York City. MORE: http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100172&sid=105006 From the 11/29/06 Enquirer: PHOTO The Enquirer / Carrie Cochran Photo: Sign of growth THE ENQUIRER Work is progressing on a $100 million expansion of Cincinnati Financial Corp.'s headquarters in Fairfield. The company, which operates six different insurance firms, is adding about 500,000 square feet of space to its existing building on Gilmore Road. The company already has 800,000 square feet of space for about 2,700 employees. Cincinnati Financial plans to add about 200 workers annually over six years once the addition is completed. The addition includes seven stories of office space and a three-story garage. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061129/BIZ01/611290339/

All from the 12/3/06 Enquirer: Multimedia * Chart: Backlash ahead? (PDF) PHOTO: Chris Terry smokes in one of the designated smoking areas at University Hospital. On Thursday, smoking will be banned in all businesses, forcing smokers to leave before they light up. If they don't, they could face fines. The Enquirer / Ernest Coleman PHOTO: Mark Calahan of Amelia smokes as he plays pool at Suburban Bowl in Batavia Township. Smoking inside all public establishments in Ohio ends Thursday as a statewide ban goes into effect. THE ENQUIRER / CARRIE COCHRAN PHOTO: Mary Bowles, a nurse at University Hospital, sits inside one of the hospital's designated smoking areas to smoke a cigarette. Many area hospitals are already smoke-free. THE ENQUIRER / ERNEST COLEMAN Ban has smokers fuming Law leaving many shops in a haze over following the rules BY JAMES MCNAIR | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER When you walk into a bar, a bowling center or bingo hall on Thursday and smell nothing, you'll know Ohio's statewide ban on virtually all indoor smoking has begun. Then again, give them a day or two to flush out the fumes. The ban takes effect Thursday, and some establishments intend to go out in a cloud of glory the night before... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061203/BIZ01/612030353/1001/BIZ How do you enforce the ban? BY JAMES MCNAIR | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER It's late at night, the Ohio smoking ban is in force and a customer of the mostly deserted XYZ Bar on a sleepy Cincinnati corner breaks out a Saratoga Menthol 120 and puts a match to it under a cupped palm. Who's gonna know? Who's gonna tell? http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061203/BIZ01/612030354/1076/BIZ