Lachey wants to be mayor - later

Nick Lachey, boy-band heartthrob-turned-reality-show husband, is contemplating a new title: Cincinnati mayor. In an interview in the March issue of GQ, the former College Hill resident said he's concerned about the city's economic and racial problems. He wants to run for mayor when his recording career is over, he said. "I see my hometown going through a bunch of (stuff), and it makes you want to make a difference, you know?" he told GQ. "I care about Cincinnati. It's a town that's asleep and nobody cares - they just want to get by. It's starting to get a little bit of a bad rap." Incumbent Mayor Charlie Luken declined to comment.

Union Terminal hosts Free Friday

QUEENSGATE - The Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal again is opening the doors to all three museums for free from 4-8 p.m. Friday. The special Free Friday includes the Cincinnati History Museum, the Children's Museum and the Museum of Natural History & Science. Special exhibits and the Omnimax films are not part of the complimentary offer. This is the fourth year for the Free Friday program at the Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave.

Driver reported false shooting

COLUMBUS - The reported shooting of a minivan Wednesday in an area where 24 highway shootings are under investigation was determined to be a hoax, authorities said. The driver of the van, Richard A. Adams of Circleville, admitted to authorities that he shot his own van Wednesday and told investigators the gunfire occurred while he was driving, the task force investigating the highway shootings said in a release. Charges are pending against Adams.

TRAFFIC WATCH

East Miami River Road will be closed just west of the Old Colerain bridge over the Great Miami River in Colerain Township from March 1-25. Detours will be posted.