oddly enough

oddly enough

Runners beat a path up to McKinley’s tomb in Ohio

CANTON

A man who was president long before there was a President’s Council on Fitness is motivating people to keep in shape in Ohio.

The 96 steps leading up to the tomb of President William McKinley in Canton have become a popular workout spot. McKinley National Memorial director Joyce Yut calls the steps the “world’s largest StairMaster.”

The Repository newspaper reports that it’s rare for a daylight hour to go by without someone exercising their way to the top.

Barbara Abbott of Canton has run up the steps 16 times a week since the spring. She says making the ascent with the monument in front of her is inspiring.

McKinley was born in Niles and served as president from 1897 until he was assassinated in 1901.

Ohio kids say teens robbed their lemonade stand

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio

Children selling lemonade in the Cleveland suburbs have told police they were robbed by teenagers who pulled up in a rusty old car and threatened to beat them up.

Eleven-year-old Omar Schpeb says he and his friends got scared and handed over their money.

But he tells WJW-TV he chased the car as it drove away, and the teens tossed back some of the cash.

The kids estimate they lost at least $13.50 to the thieves, described as two guys wearing blue hoodies and skinny jeans; three teenage girls also were in the car.

Parents of the children say a kind person donated $20 at the police station in Strongsville to make up for the theft.

Police are asking for tips to track down the teens.

Philly judge has robe stolen while in men’s room

PHILADELPHIA

Keep an eye out for a sticky-fingered person wandering the streets of Philadelphia in a flowing judicial robe.

A municipal judge said Wednesday he had his official garb taken from the robing room at the city courthouse while he stepped out to the men’s room. Judge Joseph C. Waters Jr. said he had left the door of the room unlocked.

The Philadelphia Daily News reports an email was sent out to judges and courthouse staff around 1 p.m., asking people to keep an eye out for the missing garment.

Waters is a former police captain who was appointed to finish out another judge’s term in 2009. He won election later that year.

Associated Press