Compiled from staff and wire reports

GLENDALE - The investigation continued Sunday in the village's first homicide in 40 years. So far, no arrests have been made.

Thirty-year-old Michael R. Combs was fatally wounded late Friday when he was shot outside his Church Avenue home about 11 p.m. His girlfriend said Combs was outside with his three dogs when he was approached by three men before a gunshot rang out, police said.

Combs was shot once in the arm, but the bullet traveled into his chest, police said. He was taken to University Hospital, where he died several hours later.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is assisting the Glendale Police Department with the investigation.

Salvation Army seeks volunteer bell ringers

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteer bell ringers from across Greater Cincinnati for its annual Red Kettle Campaign. This year's campaign runs Nov. 10 to Dec. 24 with a fund-raising goal of $500,000.

Funds will be used to assist needy families at Christmas and throughout the year at six local Salvation Army Community Centers in Greater Cincinnati.

For information, call 762-8605.

Cyclist hospitalized after crash into car

WESTWOOD - A 44-year-old Price Hill man remained hospitalized Sunday after his motorcycle collided with a car at Glenmore and Montana avenues.

Edward McNamara III was taken to University Hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition following the crash at 7:45 p.m. Saturday, Cincinnati police said.

William Atkinson, 60, of Montana Avenue, was headed south on Glenmore Avenue when he turned his 1993 Mercury Tracer left into the path of McNamara's motorcycle, police said.

No charges have been filed while the crash remains under investigation.

Man charged with stalking, menacing

SPRINGFIELD TWP. - David L. Newsome, 73, had a vision from New York about the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, authorities said.

The problem was, she didn't know him.

The Poughkeepsie man's uninvited trips to Ohio over three years to visit the 78-year-old woman landed Newsome in jail.

Newsome remained at the Hamilton County Justice Center Sunday after showing up for a third time Saturday at a home on Ramble View Drive, arrest records show.

He is charged with misdemeanor menacing by stalking, and held on a $1,000 bond.

Township police filed charges against Mr. Newsome last January saying he had been warned to stay away from the woman but refused. "The victim and the suspect do not know each other at all, and have never had any type of relationship," Detective Patrick J. Kemper said in an affidavit filed In Hamilton County Municipal Court. "The suspect, David Newsome, had a vision that the victim is the person who (he) was meant to spend the rest of his life with. He picked her because he saw it in a vision."

UC, Health Alliance get $2M in grants

The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded $2 million to the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine and the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati to improve physicians' geriatrics training.

The college will develop a new geriatric curriculum, including a new enrichment program, clinical experiences, elective courses and extracurricular seminars.

More than 240 hospital residents at Christ Hospital, University Hospital and the Jewish Hospital will participate in the residency portion of the grant.

The foundation is a national philanthropic organization that awarded $19.8 million to 10 academic health centers nationwide.

Military families ship holiday packages

WILMINGTON - Sandy Boyette stitches together colorful, floral-print Christmas stockings, a jumbled pile slowly growing on her dining room table.

Red and blue stars will be added and the 160 stockings filled with sunglasses, compact discs, shampoo and candy before they're shipped to her 24-year-old son's Army reserve unit in Iraq.

Crossword puzzles, news about the Boston Red Sox in the baseball playoffs, lemonade mix, disposable cameras and other treats are being gathered around the country for soldier care packages that relatives and friends say are especially critical this holiday season.

Military wives, mothers and organizations are working toward a Nov. 13 mailing deadline the Postal Service recommends to ensure parcel-post packages reach Iraq before Dec. 25.

Arts panel forms in Nashville, Ind.

NASHVILLE, Ind. - An arts commission hopes to advance culture in Brown County.

The commission aims to help arts organizations collaborate to better promote the county's artistic significance as well as pursue major arts initiatives.

By spring, the commission plans to open a centralized arts information center in downtown Nashville, about 60 miles south of Indianapolis.