A 55-year-old Indian Land man died Thursday after his motorcycle crashed into a stopped school bus on U.S. 521, officials say. His name was not immediately released.

None of the 68 children on the Indian Land Elementary School bus were injured, a school official said, but they probably witnessed the fatality and will be offered counseling. -- Fort Mill Times

Meck briefs

The League of Women Voters Charlotte-Mecklenburg will host a free forum on health care reform legislation 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 1510 E. Seventh St.

Speakers will be Ann Newman, associate professor at UNC Charlotte School of Nursing, and Martha Ann McConnell, vice president for government relations at Carolinas HealthCare System. Karen Garloch, medical reporter at The Charlotte Observer, will be the moderator. Details: www.goleaguego.org. -- Staff reports

Ted Arrington, a political scientist at UNC Charlotte, will speak Wednesday at a League of Women Voters lunch.

The event, open to the public, is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Villa Antonio, 4707 South Blvd. A lunch buffet is $15. Arrington will discuss "The Current Political Campaigns and National Politics." RSVP by Sunday evening to Jean Reed at jean.reed@gmail.com or 704-588-8507. -- Jim Morrill

Regional briefs

Gaston Memorial Hospital is joining Carolinas HealthCare System and Novant Health in restricting visits by children as a way of preventing the spread of the flu to patients and health care workers.

Effective today, children under 18 will be prohibited from visiting the hospital unless they are seeking medical treatment. -- Karen Garloch

Police digest

A car that slammed into a house near UNC Charlotte on Wednesday had faulty brakes, according to a police report.

No serious injuries were reported. -- Steve Lyttle

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