Killer of shopkeeper given life sentence

        AKRON — A judge on Tuesday sentenced the killer of an Arab-American shopkeeper to life in prison without chance of parole.

        Michael Roper, 25, of Akron, was convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and weapons counts at his fourth trial last week. His three earlier trials ended in hung juries.

        Mr. Roper was convicted in the April 2000 shooting death of 49-year-old Taleb “Tom” Husein, of Akron.

        Mr. Husein's family had raised concerns before the trial that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, a jury may be less sympathetic to the death of an Arab-American.

        Mr. Roper, 25, spoke during his sentencing in Summit County Common Pleas and maintained his innocence. His attorney, Timothy Ivey, said he thought he had raised reasonable doubt about Mr. Roper's guilt and planned to appeal the conviction.
       

Firefighters to hold memorial service

        Greater Cincinnati firefighters will march through downtown today in their annual memorial service.

        The program will begin at noon on Fountain Square, after which firefighters and their friends and families will walk to Fire Fighters Memorial Park at Sixth Street and Central Avenue.

        Anderson Township Fire Chief Dan Esslinger will speak about Bill Ellison, one of his firefighters, who died in March. The firefighter's widow, Victoria, will receive a proclamation honoring her husband and all other firefighters.

Robbers injure two store employees

        COLERAIN TOWNSHIP — An armed robbery of a convenience store early Tuesday sent two store employees to the hospital with head injuries and left police searching for two male robbers.

        The employees, Christina Monroe, 22, and Jason France, 23, were treated at Mercy Franciscan-Western Hills Campus.

        Hamilton County sheriff's deputies say two men entered the Dairy Mart at 2510 W. Galbraith Road shortly after 2 a.m. and pistol-whipped Ms. Monroe.

        The robbers then tried to open the register, and after hitting Ms. Monroe again, got access to the cash. Mr. France was whipped while he was sitting in the store office.

        The men obtained an undisclosed amount of cash and left the store in an unknown direction, Hamilton County sheriff's spokesman Steve Barnett said.

        The suspects are described as black, about 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 with slender builds. Both were wearing dark clothing, yellow gloves and white tennis shoes. Both men had bandannas across their faces. One of the robbers was armed with a dark handgun, possibly a semiautomatic.
       

Commission offers lifeguard classes

        The Cincinnati's Recreation Commission has begun recruiting for summer jobs next year.

        The commission is already seeking potential lifeguards to enroll in free weekend classes that begin Nov. 3. Call 357-7665 (357-POOL) for more information.

        The commission will need lifeguards at all 46 of its community pools next summer. It provides free American Red Cross instruction and voluntary two-week swim stroke clinics. It also provides paid on-the-job training. The fee is $25. You must be 15 or older; adults are welcome.
       

Wilmington to add master's in education

        Wilmington College will begin courses for a master of education degree in 2002.

        Students can begin taking classes toward the master's degree the spring semester. Wilmington's program features 33 semester hours of course work focused on the professional development of practicing classroom teachers, with concentrations available in reading and and special education.

President resigns at Antioch College

        YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — The president of Antioch College has stepped down, citing health and personal reasons.

        Robert Devine, 57, said he will continue to be a professor and will help raise money for the college's endowment fund. He has been president of the Southwest Ohio college since 1996.

        Mr. Devine was diagnosed with cancer in 1995 and said in June the disease is in remission.

        University Chancellor James Hall will serve as acting president until an interim president is appointed, school officials said.

Robber kidnaps bank employee

        MOUNT HEALTHY — Authorities are searching for the man who kidnapped a Mount Healthy bank employee Friday, held her overnight, then used her to enter the bank Saturday morning before he robbed it.

        The Cincinnati FBI office said Tuesday the ordeal began when an employee of Peoples Community Bank at 7522 Hamilton Ave. was accosted as she returned home by a ski-masked man armed with a gun. She was forced into her vehicle and driven around before being returned to her residence,

        There, the employee and her boyfriend were bound and blindfolded and held at gunpoint overnight, the FBI said.

        Before 9 a.m. Saturday the employee was taken to the bank and instructed to approach the rear entrance, the FBI said. The robber, carry a small blue steel revolver, entered the bank after an employee inside opened the door for her co-worker.

        Once inside, the robber forced all employees to the rear of the bank before he obtained an undisclosed amount of cash. The robber left the area with another individual who was in a vehicle parked nearby.

        The robber who kidnapped the bank employee is described as 5-foot-11, with a medium build, broad shoulders, wearing knit cap with eye holes cut out, a dark blue jacket with white strips on the sleeves and black Nike sneakers. There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the robbery suspects. Call the FBI at 421-4310.
       

Motorcyclist killed in practice for parade
       

        MINTON, Ohio — A Shriner preparing for a parade was killed when he crashed his motorcycle into a steel cable used for parking control.

        Thomas F. Murdock, 65, of Anderson, Ind., died shortly after noon Sunday as he was about to join an Octoberfest parade in Minster, police said.

        Emergency workers took Mr. Murdock to the Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Mary's, Ohio, where he was pronounced dead.
       

Seminar to discuss personal safety

        DEERFIELD TWP. — Personal safety expert Debbie Gardner will present a self-defense seminar, “Survive,” at Kings High School on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the auditorium, 5500 Columbia Road.

        The free program is sponsored by the Warren County Sheriff's Office to thank residents for their outpouring of support to the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

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