Former Fair Finance owner convicted
A federal jury has convicted an Indianapolis businessman accused of looting an Akron-based finance company after buying it and bilking about 5,000 mostly elderly investors out of more than $200 million. Jurors have found Tim Durham guilty on all the wire fraud, securities fraud and conspiracy charges he faced. He could be sentenced to decades in prison. Prosecutors said Durham and his partners pillaged Fair Finance to enrich themselves and their friends, and to help Durham's other struggling businesses. Two of his business partners, James Cochran of Indianapolis and Robert Snow of Akron also were convicted.

NRC set to approve reason for Davis Besse cracks 
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission reportedly is set to accept Akron-based FirstEnergy’s explanation for cracks in its Davis-Besse plant’s outer shell. The Toledo Blade says the NRC has OK’s First Energy’s report filed in February. It said the root cause of cracks discovered in the concrete shield last year was a lack of weatherproofing and a blizzard 33 years ago and that the plant is safe. Critics, including Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich say the blizzard doesn’t account for the extent of the damage and that the cracks should be reason for the NRC to reject the company’s 20-year license extension for Davis Besse.  

Panhandlers could get a break in Summit townships
Panhandlers will face fewer restrictions in Summit County townships than in some cities within the county. The Beacon Journal reports Summit County has scrapped an effort to require panhandlers to obtain licenses and wear safety vests while soliciting money. A new proposal places restrictions on aggressive soliciting and limits what times they can stand on street corners. It’s modeled after a similar policy in Cincinnati. Akron and Fairlawn require panhandlers to obtain a license and restricts where they can stand. 

5-3 vote against clemency for Eley
A divided Ohio Parole Board has rejected mercy for the condemned killer of a Youngstown store owner scheduled to die next month. The parole board voted 5-3 Wednesday against recommending clemency for 63-year-old John Eley. Eley has the support of both the former prosecutor who charged him and one of the judges who sentenced him to death more than 20 years ago, saying that many similar convenience store robbers who committed more serious crimes escaped death sentences. Gov. John Kasich has the final say.

Poll: Young voters support Obama
A new poll from Hiram College finds young voters prefer Barack Obama to Mitt Romney. The college’s Garfield Institute for Public Leadership asked 600 people ages 18-to-29 about their political preferences and 50% backed the President while 37% supported Romney in the presidential race. But four years ago Mr. Obama enjoyed a much larger lead over John McCain among the under 30 voters. They felt by far the Democrat Party would be more likely to ensure that Social Security would still be available for them and to create jobs for young people. The young voters felt Republicans were more likely to cut the budget deficit and help American compete with other countries. 

Calabrese corruption trial postponed
The federal corruption trial of Cleveland lawyer Anthony Calabrese III has been postponed for five months and will now start in February. Judge Sara Lioi in Akron approved the request after defense lawyers had asked for more time to deal with new racketeering charges. Prosecutors say Calabrese used bribes to steer Cuyahoga County Commissioners to purchase the former Ameritrust Building, which now sits vacant.  

Former charter school treasuer in court on embezzling charges
A former Ohio charter school treasurer is preparing to make his first court appearance on a charge he embezzled about a half million dollars in federal education funds from four schools over six years. Carl Shye, Jr. of New Albany worked for more than a dozen charter schools in Youngstown, Columbus and Dayton. Shye faces up to 10 years in prison.

Chardon shooting suspect remains in youth detention
A teenager charged in the deadly Chardon High School shooting is staying at a youth detention facility instead of being moved to a county jail as he waits to be tried as an adult. Seventeen-year-old T.J. Lane’s trial has pleaded not guilty to fatally shooting three students and wounding three more in February. Lane was expected to be moved this week from juvenile detention to a jail that holds adults. A judge ruled Lane can remain at the youth center but would have to pay the daily cost, which is about $120. Someone is paying those costs on Lane's behalf, but it's not clear who that is. His trial is set for August.