Worker misses hearing on threats

DOWNTOWN - A Cincinnati employee accused of making racist threats on a police radio frequency did not show up for his disciplinary hearing Wednesday, but asked city officials to keep him on the payroll until the resolution of his criminal case. William Westerkamp, 32, is charged with disrupting public service and unauthorized use of property Feb. 22. Westerkamp, a city radio technician, is accused of making white supremacist statements on emergency channels. Wednesday, Cincinnati City Council voted 8-0 to approve a resolution saying it had no tolerance for "racially insensitive behavior."

Powder in mail not biological agent

HAMILTON CO. - Preliminary test results on the mysterious white powder found Tuesday in the Hamilton County Courthouse were negative for any biological agents, authorities said Wednesday. Tests on the powder, discovered in an envelope addressed to Judge William Mallory, were conducted by the Ohio Health Department laboratory in Columbus and reported to local authorities Wednesday. The results of some lab cultures are still pending, and health officials have asked that the second floor of the courthouse - where the envelope was opened by a court bailiff - remain sealed until the lab completes its work, said Dr. Malcolm Adcock, Cincinnati health commissioner.

Office building named landmark

DOWNTOWN - One of Cincinnati's oldest office buildings, at 814 Plum St. - once home to one of the nations' oldest continuing chapters of the Ancient Order of Hibernians - will be dedicated as an Ancient Order of Hibernian historical landmark Friday. The dedication will take place from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., followed by a reception until 7:30 p.m. that will feature a fish fry. The building, which opened in 1873, served as the starting point for 19th century St. Patrick's Day parades. It now houses Freedman, Gibson & White, a marketing communication agency.

TRAFFIC WATCH

• The right lane of the Fifth Street Bridge and the left lane of eastbound Fort Washington Way/U.S. 50 will be closed from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and Friday.

• Watch for lane closures on westbound Interstate 275 between interstate 71 and Reed Hartman Highway from 8 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. Friday.