INCENTIVE GROWS FOR SAFETY MEMBERS: Come October 2005, about 60 members of the Ross County Safety Council will receive checks rewarding their membership and their commitment to the safety of their employees. Come October 2006, that check could be twice as large. The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has announced the incentive for joining and participating in safety council activities is jumping to 4 percent of a firm's annual premium, up from this past year's 2 percent. The incentive is on top of any other discount a company receives, such as belonging to a group rating program. More details about the program and how to join the council will be announced in the next couple months. And don't forget about the next monthly luncheon on Thursday, May 12. Safety Council registration

IT'S NEWPAGE COME MONDAY: All indications that the divestiture of our local paper plant to a private equity firm from MeadWestvaco will be official by Monday. Cerberus Capital will be the new owner of the mill that's been in town for more than 110 years. NewPage will be the name of the company that will include Chillicothe and three other mills and will be based in Dayton, the headquarters for the former Mead Paper. No immediate big changes are expected.

KENWORTH POSTS GOOD NUMBERS: First-quarter numbers for Paccar, the parent company of our Kenworth Truck Co., showed a 32.9 percent increase in sales from a year ago and a 50 percent rise in earnings. Sales of the heavy-duty trucks in North America are expected to increase 15 percent this year from 2004. Employment at the local plant is nearing 1,700.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'LL BE TIME-WARNER: It will take up to a year to make the transition, but it very much appears Chillicothe and Ross County customers of Adelphia Communications will become part of the Time-Warner stable of cable TV and internet users. The purchase of Adelphia assets was announced last week with Time-Warner and Comcast dividing the territories. Time-Warner stands to gain 800,000 customers in Ohio, including 200,000 in central Ohio. Regulators and the bankruptcy court must approve the sale, but no opposition is expected.

TECHNOLOGY ON THE MENU: Wednesday's Networking Luncheon will feature a chance for every business to introduce themselves and talk about their products and services for 30 seconds. Then it will be time for Garry Little to talk about the latest trends in technology, new technology companies and the like. He's the director of the Information Technology Alliance of Appalachian Ohio, based in Athens. Lunch starts at 11:30 at the Chillicothe Country Club. Make sure to register in advance: Networking Luncheon registration.

NEWEST MEMBERS: Here's who's joined the chamber recently:

• Preston's Auto Detailing, 1999 Western Ave., by Jerry and Blaine Preston, doing auto detailing, wireless communications and satellite radio installations, 775-5299.
• J.L.S. Building Services, 760 Madison Ave., by Jon Soummers, 740-253-1862.

DON'T BE SHY: It seems more and more companies are letting their employees know how an election or issues might affect their business, and thus the employees themselves. The companies are setting up websites and letting employees know how to get in touch with their lawmakers. It's the same type of political activity done by unions for years. Information on how to set up websites is available from the Business Industry Political Action Committee at www.bipac.org.

DELAY ON SALES TAX CHANGE: It looks as though the date for businesses to convert to the destination-based sales tax rate is being moved to Jan. 1, 2008. It had been set for July 1 this year. The change, which includes several states in addition to Ohio, would have merchants charge sales tax based on the rate at the destination of the items rather than the rate where the items are purchased. More information is available from William Fitzgibbon at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce at wfitzgibbon@ohiochamber.com.

PARDON OUR MISTAKE: In last week's newsletter and in the photo from the Globe Furniture Business After Business, we misidentified one of the winners of the gift certificates. The winner was Lorinda Wisecup with the City of Chillicothe. Sorry, Lorinda. And make sure to check out all the photos from the BAB: Globe BAB

VA GETS CERTIFICATION: The Vocational Rehabilitation Veterans Industries program of the Chillicothe VA Medical Center received its second consecutive three-year accreditation from CARF, the organization that sets standards for sheltered workshops and rehab facilities.

WORKSHOP PLANNED ON COLLEGE FINANCES: Halm Financial is presenting a College Financial Planning Night Tuesday, May 10 at Horizon Technology at 7 p.m. The focus will be on high school juniors and seniors and will include completing the FAFSA financial aid form as well as other programs. Admission is free, but you'll need to register in advance as seating is limited: 773-5301 or collegefunding@horizonview.net.

VENDORS LICENSES: Here's who's received licenses recently from the Ross County Auditor:

• First Capital Storage, 1901 Western Ave., by J&D Investments.
• Capone Cycles, 176 Stauffer Lane.
• Lost Valley Jeep, 4696 Jester Hill Road, by Mike West.
• Kingston Marathon, 10238 Ohio 159.