Smitherman wants threats checked

DOWNTOWN - Cincinnati Councilman Christopher Smitherman has asked the city manager to investigate "invasive and threatening" phone calls and e-mails he's gotten at his home and office. Smitherman said the phone calls came after Hamilton County Prosecutor Michael K. Allen called Smitherman a "smart-mouthed little punk" on Bill Cunningham's show on WLW last Friday. Allen was addressing comments Smitherman allegedly made about Elder High School. Smitherman denies making the remark.

School selling naming rights

PENDLETON - Boosters for the new School for Creative and Performing Arts on Wednesday described their latest strategy for tapping big-ticket donors - sell naming rights and sponsorships at the K-12 school. The new, $52 million performing arts school is slated to open in fall 2007 next to Music Hall. But first, private donors must come up with half of the cost - $26 million - by June 15, or the school's construction may be put on hold. Cincinnati Public Schools has committed the remaining $26 million. So far, private donations total $8.275 million, said John Zurick, a partner of ZQI Inc., a fund-raising firm handling the school. But if things go according to plan, donors may opt to pay for their names on key areas of the performing arts school and campus, or for $10 million, a donor can name the entire complex.

TRAFFIC WATCH

Harrison Avenue will be closed between South Washington Boulevard and South Gersam Avenue in Hamilton at 7 a.m. Monday and remain closed until 4 p.m. Jan. 30.