FORT THOMAS — An investigation by police and school officials Tuesday failed to turn up the author of a cryptic letter that was interpreted as a death threat against four Highlands High School football players.

        One side of the note had “hit list” written in block letters with a pencil.

        The letter was written on a piece of paper ripped from a spiral notebook and found Thursday near a trash can in a boys' bathroom.

        The words “I am to kill” appeared on the other side of the letter. It identified four students by first name and last initial.

        “It seemed fairly clear the threat was intended toward four people who all happen to be football players,” said Fort Thomas Police spokesman Lt. Mark Dill, who is also a Highlands football team assistant coach. “Two are juniors, and two are seniors.”

        School officials and police declined to identify the students. Lt. Dill said the common tie between the students was that they play football.

        Lt. Dill said there are no suspects. The school tried to do a handwriting analysis of the letter and match it with a current student. The analysis was inconclusive because the letter was written in block letters that appeared to have been formed by using a straight edge.

        The author of the letter could be charged with terroristic threatening, a misdemeanor.

        Police were also investigating an incident in which the phase, “You'r' dead,” was scraped into a football locker at Highlands. Lt. Dill said it isn't clear if the incidents are connected.

        Highlands Principal Elgin Emmons said the school has taken the incidents seriously, and he is walking the school perimeters more often looking for trouble.

        “I have been in communication with the Kentucky Center for School Safety in Richmond (at Eastern Kentucky University) to make sure we followed the proper protocol,” he said.

        Mr. Emmons said the school is monitored by a digital camera system and electronic monitoring system operated out of the principal's office. Highlands does not have a school resource officer, but Mr. Emmons said many police officers, such as Lt. Dill, volunteer at the school.

        Highlands football coach/athletic director Dale Mueller declined comment.

        The school of 800 students is renowned for its football team, which holds the most state championships — 15 — in Class AAA competition.

        “Schools have to take all threats seriously,” said Jon Akers, director of the KCSS.

        “That means they have to be investigated. Then you get the principal parties involved — school, students, parents, police — and start a threat assessment process.

        “You try to find out such things as, 'Is someone mad at you?' ”

        Mr. Emmons said he talked to Mr. Akers, a former principal at the 2,000-plus-student Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington.

        KCSS, well known for its law-enforcement program, is one of several organizations around the country that offer safety advice to schools.

        After school shootings in Paducah and Columbine High School in Colorado left students dead, officials take such threats seriously.

Urban housing choices broaden
Briefly on national stage, Patton now diminished
City labs will have role in biotesting
First tickets draw 30-day suspension
Anderson skating may get a boost
Input sought on school construction
Jorg not to blame for death, says examiner
Obituary: Vernon Watson, man of integrity
Ohio EPA hears opposition to expansion of Rumpke landfill
Suit seeks $25,000 in I-275 wrong-way collision
Tristate A.M. Report
UC welcomes pioneers from West High
BRONSON: Religious freedom
SMITH-AMOS: Campaign finance
GUTIERREZ: Paul Patton
KORTE: City Hall
Ex-deputy gets 4-year sentence for rape
Prosecutor eludes debate on trustees
Reappraisal won't help Lakota much
Sixth-graders learn the basics
Suspect kept job after $16K missed
Affrilachian poets shine this weekend
Editorial writers address Patton affair
Hours extended for tax amnesty
Kentucky News Briefs
Newport bond rate improves
No suspect in Highlands threat
Patton reducing political activities
Some blame mine as Harlan stream runs dry
Two Louisville police officers charged with stealing cash