CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Dozens of homeowners in the area around the old Whirlpool plant were panicked recently by an anonymous flyer that warned their property was going to be taken over by the city and the homes demolished.

"Make them explain why they think youir home(s) should be demolished," the flyer stated.

The City Council today asked the Cleveland Police Department and the district attorney general's office to investigate whether any laws have been broken and try to identify the nameless author.

"It is a cruel hoax on the citizens in our community," Mayor Tom Rowland said.

But the panicked phone calls allowed city officials to speak directly with community residents about plans being made to redevelop the area in the future.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.