AKRON, Ohio - City officials are hoping local ministers can get parishioners to set aside their fear of police and help solve several murders.

Thirteen of Akron's 32 homicides over the past two years remain unsolved. Police said residents near where killings occurred either don't trust police or fear becoming victims themselves if they talk.

Mayor Don Plusquellic sent about 70 letters asking religious leaders to urge church members not to cover for the killers.

"Ministers have a great way of talking to a larger group of people," Plusquellic said. "If you're living in this community ... it just seems like you'd want to get those folks off the street before they do something again."

County commissioners push for arts tax

CLEVELAND - Cuyahoga County leaders will keep campaigning for an arts and economic development tax despite early poll results indicating 30 percent support among voters, a commissioner said.

A series of public meetings in January will promote the 0.7-mill levy, which is on the March 2 ballot.

"As a community, we are going to have to say, for the first time, that we are going to help subsidize our quality of life," Commissioner Tim McCormack said.

The tax would raise more than $20 million a year for five years, with half going to a loan fund for businesses to create and keep jobs, expand or pursue research. The rest would support the arts. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $22.41 a year.

Kentucky man shot in police confrontation

ADOLPHUS, Ky. - A man wanted on an arrest warrant was fatally shot by a Kentucky State Police trooper on Saturday after the suspect raised a weapon toward officers, state police said.

James E. Snyder Jr., 37, of Bowling Green, was shot once after he ignored repeated orders to drop his weapon, police said.

Snyder was pronounced dead at the scene by the Allen County coroner.

Lawmaker on board for school fitness

INDIANAPOLIS - A leading state lawmaker wants schools to push healthier foods and lifestyles on students, and the Indiana Department of Education plans to back his legislation targeting childhood obesity.

The proposal by Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, would require schools to adopt policies and lesson plans emphasizing nutrition and provide daily physical activity for students.

The policies must help students control excessive weight and develop healthy eating habits.