Local authorities and the FBI have ruled out the possibility an envelope sent to the Mercer office of District Justice Ruth M. French contained anthrax, according to Mercer police Chief Frank Detelich.

District court secretary Judy Hinkson said this morning that "powdery stuff flew out of the envelope" when she opened it Friday afternoon.

"I immediately put the envelope down and rushed to the bathroom to wash my hands," Ms. Hinkson said.

Ms. Hinkson said the envelope had a New Jersey return address and postmark. Several letters containing anthrax in past months originated in New Jersey.

While Ms. Hinkson was washing her hands, another staffer called 911. Mercer borough police and the Mercer County Emergency Management Agency responded to the scare and a police officer removed the envelope, according to Mrs. French, who was in court when the letter was opened.

Authorities did not order the building to be evacuated or tell those in the building to get tested, according to Mrs. French.

"They told us, 'If you get sick, go to the hospital,'" Ms. Hinkson said. No one in the office has been tested for anthrax, staffers said today.

Detelich said no residue was found at Mrs. French's office. He said the letter was sent by a New Jersey woman paying a speeding fine. The envelope contained the woman's return address, her speeding citation and a check. Anyone spreading anthrax likely would not leave a trail to their door, Detelich said.

Detelich said he spoke with the woman, who denied stuffing powder in the envelope.

Detelich also said he notified the FBI, which ruled out the threat.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Tom Fontaine at

tfontaine@sharon-herald.com