Staff/Wire reports

It could be up to two weeks before Hamilton County voters know what machine they'll be using to cast ballots in future elections.

The Ohio Secretary of State's Office said Friday that it's waiting for more information from the four county Board of Elections members on their opinions. The board deadlocked Thursday over whether to select Hart InterCivic. Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell picked competing Diebold for Clinton and Highland counties. That leaves Hamilton the only county operating with old punch-card or lever systems that doesn't yet know what its new system will be.

Contractors split Sabin Center work

Two plumbing contractors have settled a lawsuit over who should have been awarded a city contract for work at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center.

City Solicitor J. Rita McNeil told City Council members Friday that the settlement was between Thomas J. Dyer Co. of Linwood and the Nelson Stark Co. of Sycamore Twp. The city had awarded the contract to Nelson Stark - despite a bid by Dyer that was $332,398 lower - because Nelson Stark used more small- business subcontractors. McNeil said the city would not have to pay for the settlement. Dyer and Stark have agreed to work out a business relationship that would split work on the $145 million expansion.

UC jumps aboard Xavier bandwagon

An unlikely cross-town rival joined the congratulations line after the Xavier University Musketeers made the NCAA tournament's elite eight.

In a show of support, University of Cincinnati President Nancy Zimpher and board chairman George A. Schaefer Jr. signed a full-page advertisement in this week's installment of Xavier's student newspaper, Newswire. "We were all Muskie fans on Sunday," the ad reads. "Thanks for a great game from the University of Cincinnati" UC officials said the idea came from Randy Ulses, associate director of student financial aid.

TRAFFIC WATCH

• Rapid Run Road will be closed 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. between Martini and Hillside roads in Delhi Township beginning Monday and ending Friday. Detours will be posted.

• Westbound Ohio 28 will be closed Monday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. between Branch Hill- Guinea Pike and Deerfield Road in Clermont County. Flag persons will direct traffic from both directions through the eastbound lane.