More than 300 people attended a Fifth Third Bank job fair Saturday, and at least 60 people were invited to work at the bank's new operations center in Madisonville.

        They will earn salaries that start at $16,000 for fielding telephone calls, to as much as $40,000 for entry-level management positions, bank spokeswoman Lee McGinley said.

        Jobs are also available in the bank's mortgage, lease and loan, and other administrative departments.

        All candidates must pass background checks and drug-screening tests before attaining employment at the new facility, scheduled to open next month.

        Fifth Third is expanding the former U.S. Shoe building adjacent to Interstate 71 to ultimately house 2,200 jobs. For now, it is looking for 250 people to join its staff.

        More job fairs are expected within coming months but no dates have been set.
       

Madisonville man injured in crash

               Marty J. Dotson, 32, of Madisonville, was listed in serious condition at University Hospital on Saturday after losing control of his vehicle Friday night and striking a tree.

        Police said Mr. Dotson was southbound in the 4100 block of Reading Road in Avondale when his vehicle struck the curb, crossed the center line, left the road and struck a tree shortly before midnight.

        An investigation continues.
       

Education project appoints president

               Christina Milano has been named president and chief executive officer of the Ohio College Access Network, the nation's first statewide effort to help more students pursue postsecondary education.

        Based in Delaware, Ohio, the group was founded in 1999 by Cincinnati's KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents and Ohio Department of Education.

        In addition to coordinating various college access programs, OCAN provides financial aid counseling, scholarships, career guidance and other services.

        Ms. Milano has been executive director of Cleveland Scholarship Programs Inc., described as the nation's oldest college access program, for 14 years.
       

Task force to study antique-engine rules

              

        CLEVELAND — Ohio Gov. Bob Taft has appointed a task force to study whether the state should inspect antique steam engines following an explosion at the Medina County Fair that killed five and injured nearly 50.

        Mr. Taft has asked the Ohio departments of commerce and agriculture to examine steam engine regulations in other states.

        Ohio does not require inspections for the machines, which are restored by hobbyists who often display them at fairs and other gatherings.

        Dennis Ginty, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Commerce, said he does not know when the task force will complete its review and submit its recommendations to the governor.

        Investigators suspect a combination of mechanical failure and operator error led to the explosion July 29 at the Medina County Fairgrounds. A final report may be available next week.
       

Monroe schools likely to add 186-acre site

               MONROE — The Monroe Board of Education is expected to approve on Monday the $1.8 million purchase of 124 acres at Ohio 63 and Yankee Road.

        The Matson family, which owns the property, has offered to donate an additional 62 acres at the site to the school district.

        The 186-acre property will give the growing school district room for more schools, recreation and parking.
       

Man charged in beating death

               Fairfield Township police say a homeless man beat his girlfriend to death at the couple's camp in a wooded area behind Hamilton Plaza Shopping Center.

        Michael Glenn Young, 44, is at the Butler County Jail on murder charges. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday morning in a Butler County court.

        The discovery was made Friday morning, when the body of Pamela Stacey, 46, was found near an abandoned rail line on an overgrown hillside.

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