Cincinnati police on Friday investigated their 54th bank robbery of the year.

        The man who robbed the Provident Bank in Walnut Hills about 9:15 a.m. was believed to be armed, though he did not show a weapon. He handed the teller a note, police said, and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

        Witnesses described the man as black, late 20s to early 30s, 5-foot-7, 150 to 170 pounds with a medium build.

        Police ask anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 352-3040.
       

Diabetic indicted in car crash injury

               LEBANON — A diabetic whose blurred vision apparently caused him to lose control of his car and crash last July was indicted on a charge of vehicular assault Friday.

        Warren County authorities allege that Daniel Pfaff, 26, of Lebanon, knew about his medical condition and should not have been driving when he crashed July 8 into a vehicle driven by Betty Dearth, 61, of Middletown on Ohio 123.

        Ms. Dearth's injuries required the amputation of a leg, authorities said.

        Mr. Pfaff reportedly told a trooper that his vision suddenly became blurred before the crash — a symptom that he said he sometimes experiences because of high blood sugar.

        Mr. Pfaff told the trooper that he had recently seen a doctor for the problem, the report said.

        “If he can make that statement about his own condition, he knows he has the condition,” said Lt. Michael Sanders, commander of the Ohio State Highway Patrol post in Lebanon. “It doesn't appear that he took the proper steps to maintain his physical well-being.”

        If convicted of the felony charge, Mr. Pfaff faces six to 18 months in prison.
       

Resident, dogs safe as fire destroys home

               EVENDALE — Fire destroyed a house here Friday morning.

        Neither Tim Bond, 46, nor his two dogs were at home when the house on Otterbein Drive went up in flames about 6:45 a.m.

        There were no injuries, and a damage estimate was not set.

        “They pulled up with flames through the roof,” Evendale Fire Chief John Vail said. “I would say the residence is a total loss.”

        The fire was called in by a neighbor, Chief Vail said. The investigation was continuing, and officials had not determined a cause.

        Fire officials spent the morning attempting to locate Mr. Bond, who officials say works as a sign maker, and his dogs.
       

Seven accused of liquor sales to teens

               WEST CHESTER TWP. — Police on Friday reported unusually high underage alcohol sales in the department's latest undercover sting operation.

        A pair of 19-year-olds took turns attempting to buy alcohol last week. During nine tries, the teens succeeded seven times, said Sgt. Matt Brillhart.

        According to police reports, seven store employees were cited on first-degree misdemeanor charges of alcohol sales to underage buyers.

        The stores where they worked:

        • Speedway in the 9700 block of Princeton-Glendale Road.

        • United Dairy Farmers in the 9500 block of Cincinnati-Columbus Road.

        • Speedway in the 7300 block of Tylersville Road.

        • Marathon Oil in the 7400 block of Tylersville Road.

        • Beverage Barn in the 9300 block of Cincinnati-Columbus Road.

        • Kwik and Kold Drive-Thru in the 7900 block of Cincinnati-Dayton Road.

        • J.R.'s Drive-Thru on Princeton-Glendale Road.

        The businesses face fines from the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, Sgt. Brillhart said.

Butler coroner home after stroke

               HAMILTON — The Butler County coroner has been released from the hospital and is recuperating at home after a stroke, his office said Friday.

        Dr. Richard P. Burkhardt, 63, the coroner for more than 20 years, was admitted to University Hospital on Wednesday. He was released Friday.

        A spokeswoman did not know when he would return to work.
       

Police seize drugs at home of parolee

               MIDDLETOWN — Police seized cocaine, marijuana and weapons from a Middletown residence and arrested a man Thursday night.

        Ronald Lee Wofford, 35, of the 700 block of 16th Avenue, faces charges of drug abuse (crack cocaine), having weapons while prohibited, drug abuse (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

        The Ohio Adult Parole Authority charged him with a parole violation.

        Middletown police who executed a search warrant at Mr. Wofford's home seized 80 grams of crack cocaine, 40 grams of marijuana and a handgun. Police said the street value of the drugs was $8,400. The drugs were found in two hidden compartments of a garage wall, police said.
       

Plane lands on belly at Blue Ash Airport

               BLUE ASH — A light twin-engine plane landed on its belly Friday evening at Blue Ash Airport.

        None of the four passengers was injured when the plane landed at 7:45 p.m., airport spokesman Kevin Shelton said.

        He said the plane landed with its gear up. He said the pilot did not radio an emergency.

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