LOCAL

LOCAL
Kaulen fifthat marathon
AUSTINTOWN -- Former YSU runner Laura (Thomas) Kaulen of Austintown finished fifth overall in the women's division with a time of 3:06.39 in Sunday's Cleveland Marathon.
Kaulen, 26, finished third among Ohioans, winning $300.
MUC signings
ALLIANCE -- Mount Union College quarterback Rob Adamson and running back Dan Pugh have signed NFL free agent contracts.
Adamson, from Akron Manchester, signed with the San Diego Chargers.
Pugh, from Norwalk St. Paul, signed with the Chicago Bears.
Corrections
* Mike Fitzpatrick hit a home run in Howland High's baseball victory over Girard last week. His was incorrectly identified as Mike Fitzgerald. The Vindicator apologizes for this error.
* Jessica Kausits, Cierra Bennett, Tiffany Walsh and Tiffany Miller were members of Ursuline's winning distance medley at the East Palestine Relays Friday. The names were incorrect in Saturday's edition.
Valley Stingwins 14U tourney
CANFIELD -- The Valley Sting Purple 14U softball team won last weekend's Ohio Stars NSA qualifier and earned a berth in the NSA World Series.
The Sting defeated Ohio Invasion, 15-1, in the title game. Among the local players making contributions to the team's four wins were: Caitlyn Youngs of Fowler; Markie Pozzuto of Mecca; Ashley Conger and Allie Patton of Poland; Amy Downs of Cortland; Kari Thompson and Colleen Courtney of Boardman.
REGION
Germaine waived
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals on Monday waived backup quarterback Joe Germaine, leaving the team with three quarterbacks on the roster.
The remaining quarterbacks are Jon Kitna, the holdover starter; backup Akili Smith, and Carson Palmer, whom the Bengals signed last week and picked No. 1 overall in the draft.
Man convicted for dropping explosive
CLEVELAND -- A man was convicted Monday of charges he threw an explosive device akin to a firecracker at a Cleveland Indians game last summer.
Andrew Mendez, who shook his head as the judge gave his ruling, was found guilty of aggravated arson, assault and three counts of negligent assault.
Browns up offerto Jamal White
BEREA -- The Cleveland Browns increased their contract offer Monday to running back Jamel White, hoping he will sign a long-term deal to remain with the club.
Last week, the Browns offered White a four-year package with an unspecified signing bonus.
Chargers sign Kentbasketball player
KENT -- A Kent State basketball standout who hasn't played football since high school signed a two-year contract Monday with the San Diego Chargers.
Antonio Gates is projected as a tight end, and he has demonstrated some of the skills essential to the position on the basketball court.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound forward was a physical rebounder and agile ball-handler who also showed a deft shooting touch for the Golden Flashes, averaging 20.6 points and 7.7 rebounds last season.
Aeros lose 12-11
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- The New Britain Rock Cats allowed nine runs to Akron in the top of the ninth inning but managed to hold off the Aeros 12-11 Monday night in the Eastern League.
NATION
Shorter resigns
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter resigned as chairman of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and said he wants to focus on business ventures.
WORLD
Cuba to bidon Olympics
HAVANA -- Cuba will bid for the 2012 Olympics, hoping to land the showcase event by drawing on its tradition of strong amateur sports.
Vindicator staff/wire reports