The River City News

CHECK OUT THE NEW WEBSITE!

2012-09-01T08:17:00.000-04:00

OK, RCN wants to serve you and the community better so a new website was in order. Over the Labor Day weekend we will be busy tweaking and adding content but we want your help! Go to RCNky.com and check it out and email or comment on Facebook about what you think of it. Your opinion matters!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY 31 AUGUST

2012-08-31T10:02:00.001-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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FIRE DAMAGES TWO HOMES IN BOTANY HILLS

The Covington Fire Department was busy overnight battling flames on Lexington Avenue in West Covington where two houses burned.

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Fire called suspicious: WKRC 

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SEE ALSO: Cincinnati Enquirer & WCPO 

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FORECLOSURE IMMINENT ON PEASELBURG PROPERTY

Sign at the foot of the hill that
leads to Emery Drive Apts.

Neighborhood Investment Partners (NIP), established as a private property investment company whose president is also the executive director of the public Housing Authority of Covington (HAC) and whose board of directors includes three members of the Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners, is not related to the Housing Authority of Covington, said director Tony Milburn. A special meeting of NIP's board of directors was called Thursday evening to deal with the imminent foreclosure of the property known as Emery Drive Apartments in Covington's Peaselburg neighborhood. The meeting was held at the Housing Authority of Covington offices.

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NIP purchased the property five years ago and is now in need of refinancing the loan through the Cincinnati Development Fund to whom the mortgage is due September 1. Aaron Wolfe-Bertling, executive director of HAC and president of NIP, explained that $1.7 million is owed on the property and proposed that a letter be written to the Cincinnati Development Fund extend the due date of a $400,000 payment so that the mortgage can be saved. Wolfe-Bertling blamed the downturn in the economy for the decline in the property's value and the rental rates that have remained flat.

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He also explained that the National Development Center could help in assisting with other possible financing options. The goal is to pay the $400,000 due reducing the note to $1.3 million and then paying the balance on a cash-flow basis.

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The mortgage is not the only issue facing the NIP-owned property. More than a dozen Peaselburg residents attended the meeting to voice opposition to one proposal on the table: putting additional HAC subsidized units in the development. They complained of declining property values, increased crime rates, and the eyesore of a shut-down swimming pool on the property. With City Heights just up the hill, Peaselburg has more subsidized housing than any other Covington neighborhood, they said. 

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Emery Drive is made up of five buildings with twenty-three units. NIP is interested in having HAC fill 11 of those units with subsidized housing for seniors and the handicapped. NIP director John Spence, who is also on the board of commissioners at HAC, said that this option would free up more flexibility in the other four buildings for more market-rate rental opportunities. In order for that to happen, HAC would have to issue a request for proposals from interested property owners that would like to use the subsidized vouchers and NIP would have to apply. 

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Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper and City Manager Larry Klein were on hand and Scheper suggested that HAC/NIP examine what a group called Cornerstone has done in turning around properties in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. "I don't want to have a black eye that we've defaulted on these loans even though it's not our responsibility," Scheper said. 

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None of this will matter if the Cincinnati Development Fund rejects NIP's plan and forecloses on the property. The board of directors voted to send a letter to CDF with a request for a delay of 75 days as they work at establishing a plan of action to save Emery Drive.

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WAR OF WORDS ERUPT AT COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

"We're not going to stay silent any longer, this time we're going to speak back." A war of words erupted at Thursday night's Covington School Board meeting over the vacancy that followed a resignation, and why an election won't be on the ballot.

Full story: The River City News

OTHER NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING:

The School Board officially adopted the compensating tax rate on Covington properties, instead of taking the full 4% increase. This is the first time in several years that only the compensating rate will be added to property taxes by the Covington School Board.
Many of the staff members present at Thursday's meeting were there to be recognized for their work on a well-attended and well-received Ethics & Equity Conference at Holmes High School.
It was noted that enrollment is up at every school save for Latonia Elementary which is down slightly this year. 71 more students at John G Carlisle School resulted in the board approving the creation of a new Kindergarten teacher position and an instructor assistant position.
Covington Schools will continue to lease space from Gateway College to house its alternative school at a rate of $15 per square foot, which was the same price offered to Gateway when Covington Schools owned the building.
The district, along with its partners in Strive (Cincinnati Public and Newport Independent), will apply for a $40 million federal Race to the Top grant that would include the benefit of Kindles being placed in the hands of every student, allowing all text books to be accessed digitally.
According to the Facebook page of the Holmes High School Band, Superintendent Lynda Jackson was named among the administrators of the year by the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

QUICKIES

Deputy shoots man, then gives him CPR WBKO

KY State Police to increase patrols this holiday weekend WKYT

Gov. Beshear implements measures to increase integrity, safety of horse racing press release

After national attention, juvenile sex case is made public WDRB

It's not Auburn VS Alabama, but UK-UofL football rivalry has its own spice Herald-Leader

UK women's basketball coach buys Rick Pitino's old house Herald-Leader

Former UK basketball player becomes firefighter Herald-Leader

EDITORIAL: PRESUMPTION OF GUILT IN PILL ABUSE

From the State-Journal in Frankfort:

Politicians in Frankfort who still believe that government edicts can somehow or other deliver the commonwealth from the scourge of prescription drug abuse are once again approaching the issue with a butcher knife instead of a scalpel.

Full story: State-Journal

DOWNTOWN COVINGTON NIGHTSPOT CLOSES FOR GOOD

The Avenue Lounge and Patio is no more, celebrating its final night in operation Thursday. No reason was offered publicly, but Facebook lit up late last night as fans of the lounge expressed their sadness over its closing.

COVINGTON BUSINESS COUNCIL MAKES NEW HIRE

Congratulations to the CBC's Elizabeth Fricke who has been hired as the organization's administrative manager. She will also serve in that role for the Urban Partnership. Fricke is a graduate student at Northern Kentucky University in the Public Administration program and also serves as a Kenton Vale city council member. She is a graduate of Thomas More College.

Elizabeth Fricke

THIS WEEKEND IN COVINGTON!
NOTE: The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra concert scheduled for 7:30PM in Devou Park has been moved to the NKY Convention Center. Details on possible free parking are being finalized at City Hall.

A lot of fun is planned in and around the City this weekend. Covington Ombudsman Suzanne Gettys has put together a list with additional information you may need to know. Road closings for the fireworks? What's new at the Farmers Market? A concert at the Devou Park band shell and an exhibit at the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Click the link below for all the details.

Click Here

ALSO THIS WEEKEND:

This weekend the Covington Firefighters will be stationed throughout the city collecting for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 100% of the money collected will go to support research and those affected by muscular diseases. Please take a moment and watch this emotional video of Shaun Probert, a Shaker Heights Fireman, Local 516, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. He is the new MDA spokesperson, replacing Kelly Crush, an IAFF Firefighter from Wichita Falls, TX Local 432 who died in March from ALS. Help us help our "Brother" who is now "on the other side of the boot" in helping the children who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy.

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SEE ALSO: Wolf & Company, the Fifth Street lunch spot, gets a great review in Wine Me, Dine Me
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SMALL KENTUCKY TOWN IS CENTER FOR ECLIPSE CHASERS
Hopkinsville is chosen by the Heavens:

This southwestern Kentucky town has hit the astronomical jackpot. When a total eclipse of the sun darkens skies on Aug. 21, 2017, the show will last longer in a stretch of bucolic hill country near Hopkinsville than any place on the planet. It will last two minutes and 40 seconds, not much longer than the Kentucky Derby.

Full story: Huffington Post

DEBATE OVER SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY CONSUMES MEETING

2012-08-31T08:44:00.001-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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EXCLUSIVE
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"We're not going to stay silent any longer, this time we're going to speak back," said School Board chairperson Glenda Huff as public comments were set to begin during Thursday's meeting which was moved from the Board of Education to Latonia Elementary. Nearly every candidate seeking a seat on the Covington School Board in November was on hand with several present to criticize the board's attorney, Mary Ann Stewart, for what they claim was a mishandling of the proper way to fill the seat vacated by Denise Varney who submitted her resignation August 2. 
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State statute indicates that because Varney had more than a year left in her term, which expires in 2014, and because her resignation was submitted before the filing deadline of the next general election, that the seat should have been placed on November's ballot. Stewart contends that the errors were made in Frankfort by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Mary Ann Stewart address a citizen
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"The local school board does not have the legal authority to act on a member's resignation," Stewart said, addressing the crowd at the beginning of the meeting saying she wanted to address what she called misinformation floating around the community. She also addressed the implication that she deliberately blocked an election for Varney's seat. "I have not advocated for or against nor have I taken any action against anyone's candidacy," she said. "My duty to the best of my ability is to ensure that all members are serving in a legal capacity."

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The turmoil started on August 14, the filing deadline for candidates to appear on the ballot for November's school board election in which three of five seats are up for grabs. While ten candidates filed to run for those three seats, an eleventh candidate, Mark Young, attempted to file to run for Varney's unexpired seat. While initially rejected by the County Clerk's office, Young was added as the sole candidate for Varney's seat the following day. Over the course of the next week it was determined that Varney's seat was not officially vacant until August 21 when Kentucky Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday formally accepted the resignation, seven days after the filing deadline. Young is no longer on the ballot, though he is suing to have that decision reversed with the help of attorney Brandon Voelker who represents the Newport School Board and who has also been publicly critical of Stewart.
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"Frankly, his public and negative comments aimed at me have been surprising and disappointing," Stewart said during her prepared remarks. She added that the last time Covington went through a vacancy on its school board, Voelker also represented the man who wanted to serve. That was after the 2006 election when Paul Mullins was elected but was determined by the Kentucky Attorney General to be ineligible because Mullins worked as a bus driver in the district at the time of the election. Mullins was replaced by the appointment of Jerry Avery who still serves, but was absent Thursday. 
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Though Voelker was not present at Thursday's meeting, several candidates for school board were and shared their own thoughts about what should happen to Stewart. Calling it a "fiasco" and an "embarrassment", Mark Young requested that the school board terminate Stewart's contract. Candidate Tom Miller called the issue a failure on the part of legal counsel. "I urge you to terminate the contract with (Stewart's) firm (Adams, Stepner, Wolterman, and Dusing)," he said.

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Candidate Everett Dameron was critical of the amount of money set aside in the school district's budget for legal representation: more than $150,000. "The public needs to know how we spend more money for an attorney than any district in the state," Dameron said, saying that there is a $120,000 difference between Covington and similarly-sized districts. "That's money that could be used in the classroom to support the education of our children."

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The harshest criticism came from candidate Jo Rogers. "Mrs. (Superintendent Lynda) Jackson was wrong and the board attorney failed to correct her," Rogers said. At the school board's August 9 meeting Rogers asked how Varney's seat would be filled and was told about the appointment process, but the possibility of an election to fulfill the remainder of the term was not mentioned. The district contends that the Kentucky Department of Education indicated that an election would not apply in this case and moved forward with publicizing the vacancy in order to solicit applicants for the appointment. Rogers argued that it was because Stewart either did not know the law, did not understand the law, or did not want voters to have a say in who fills the vacancy. After Rogers's allotted time had expired, another member of the public slated to speak yielded her two minutes so that Rogers could continue.
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"We're sitting here talking about Kentucky revised statutes and we have children in this district who cannot read in the third grade, we have kids in fifth grade at John G. Carlisle who are not taking science class," Rogers said. "This district needs help and we're arguing about statutes."
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"It sounds like we accepted a resignation but we didn't inhale," said Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank who addressed the board to argue that the city is losing young people, a fact he at least partially blamed on the school district.
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Young, Dameron, Miller, and Rogers are all active members of an online community dubbed Fix Covington Schools where the school district and its employees are regularly criticized. Several other members of that online group were present at Thursday night's meeting, some breaking protocol and shouting criticism out of turn and loudly applauding at the end of various public statements. The online community has been active for several months and the frustration it has caused members of the school board and the district's administration was obvious Thursday night. As promised, Chairperson Glenda Huff spoke back, first by asking the school board candidates in the crowd to stand up, and then by making the same request to the district employees in attendance.

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"The staff members you just saw are people you are going to be working with, not for," said Huff, who is seeking reelection. "The comments made on social media hurt. The staff standing up work endless hours to take care of the students. If you like to criticize but you don't want answers, think of the people you are hurting. A child hears this garbage and will go to school the next day defeated. Please remember this, there is more to Covington Independent than test scores. Behind those test scores are children and behind those children are staff members who care about our children. So when you are typing your words, remember that there are faces behind those words."

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Board member Krista Powers, who is not seeking reelection, also expressed frustration. "This mess is a mess, and it's really, really sad and disappointing as a board member that this is what we're spending time on," she said. "You're not hearing the various viewpoints shared by the board attorney. Lynda (Jackson) went straight to the powers that be (in Frankfort) and we didn't get good guidance. I'm frustrated with KDE that this board and this superintendent have been accused of being involved in this election."

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Huff shot down any possibility of ending Stewart's contract. "This board is very comfortable with our legal counsel, very happy," she said. "We don't have any plans of changing that. There is more to sitting in (the attorney's) seat for one or two hours a month that you folks don't understand."

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"It seems we understand a lot more than you want us to," said Sandy Arnold, a former volunteer at Sixth District Elementary School who moved her kids out of Covington Schools this year. "I hope your constituents remember that when they go into the voting booth."
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UPDATE: Attorney Brandon Voelker responds click here 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 30 AUGUST

2012-08-30T16:28:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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DRIVER HITS 5 PARKED CARS AS CHASE ENDS AT DARI CREST
There was some excitement near an ice cream shop Wednesday night in Latonia. Via WKRC:

DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS

An increase in crime prompts the Covington Police Chief to speak to a neighborhood tonight; Another Covington neighborhood is concerned about possible plans for public housing nearby; Plus, a City Commissioner names the two winners of his $2,000 offer.

Full story: The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up

QUICKIES

Where's the best place to watch the Riverfest fireworks this weekend? Cincinnati Enquirer

Attorney General Jack Conway announces settlement in e-book price fixing scam press release

Sen. Rand Paul and Trey Grayson together at last? cn|2

Kentucky Republicans share photos from national convention Herald-Leader

KY officials monitor Tropical Storm Isaac press release

California's I-Herb could bring 600 jobs to NKY Business Courier

NKY Chamber to honors former US Rep. Geoff Davis and the World Choir Games Lane Report

Geocaching increasing in popularity along Hatfield & McCoy sites Herald-Leader

CINCINNATI'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO BRING CITY BACK TO URBAN ROOTS

Via Urban Cincy:

The tone for the city’s new vision is set early and often throughout the document stating, “The vision for the future of Cincinnati is focused on an unapologetic drive to create and sustain a thriving inclusive urban community, where engaged people and memorable places are paramount, where creativity and innovation thrive, and where local pride and confidence are contagious.”
The focus on a comprehensive urban approach is a bold diversion from Mayor Charlie Luken’s (D) administration which ultimately left the city without a Planning Department after a heated debate over whether to allowVandercar Holdings to build a suburban-style development at what is now the Center of Cincinnati big-box development.

Full story: Urban Cincy
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NKU SENIORS UNLOCK HISTORY OF CINCINNATI STAIRCASES
Very cool. From an NKU press release:

When Andrew Boehringer and Shane Winslow get to talking about their latest academic endeavor – writing a book that explores the history and cultural significance of the hundreds of stairways connecting the City of Cincinnati – it doesn’t take long to see their passion.

The two Northern Kentucky University seniors collectively spend about 80 hours per week reviewing and archiving centuries-old blueprints; working with the city’s transportation and engineering staff to fully understand the process of developing, building and maintaining the city’s stairways; and walking the beautiful, sometimes crumbling but always interesting stairs themselves. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’re kind of off the beaten path of normal students,” Winslow says. “A lot of times people block themselves in. They say, ‘That’d be a good idea.’ But then they never do it.” At this, Boehringer jumps in to complete Winslow’s thought – “We’re just crazy enough to do it.”

Boehringer and Winslow finish each other’s sentences a lot. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you’d assume they are lifelong friends. They share similar passions for history and anthropology, both double-majoring in those areas. And their personalities are perfect complements – Shane the outgoing, energetic one who focuses on the big picture; Andrew the quiet, reserved one who keeps track of the thousand little details that come with this type of project. Shane pulls Andrew out of his shell; Andrew reminds Shane to fold the maps correctly.

They only met earlier this year in a class called “world history in a dozen meals.” Boehringer was driving to work one day in April – he works 24-hour weekends at Christ Hospital – when he spotted a public staircase along the Western Hills Viaduct. It sparked his curiosity; there aren’t any staircases in the suburbs where he grew up.

He and Winslow met to discuss Cincinnati history in a single meal. As they ate their Dixie Chili they decided to explore the city’s stairways – their history and their influence on the quality of life, culture, economy, religion, education and mobility within the communities they serve. They thought it might make a nice article. It quickly become more.

“The study of history is great,” Winslow says, “but you kind of want to create something from it.” Their initial research revealed that no one had done what they wanted to do. “We kind of hit gold a little bit,” Winslow says. There was a book that highlighted stairways in Cincinnati, but it was basically a walking tour guide.

Their vision was much grander. They would tell the story of Cincinnati’s stairways. They would show how these critical pieces of often-ignored infrastructure brought people together, connected communities and helped the city expand from its early days as a relatively flat downtown into the seven hills for which it is now known. Their book is tentatively titled Descent: A History of the Cincinnati Steps.

With GPS in hand, they started walking. Everywhere. They trekked through Price Hill, Mount Auburn, Mount Adams. They set out to explore every staircase they could find. “We wanted to feel what it would have felt like,” Boehringer says. “We can’t go back in time, but we can retrace their steps, figuratively. Stairways aren’t just about stairs – they are a lens for looking at a city and how it changed over time.”

The two camped out in research rooms and rare books archives at local libraries, spending hours poring over documents such as public works meeting minutes from as early as 1850. They learned that early staircases were made of wood because it was cheaper. As the population grew and Cincinnati began annexing surrounding cities, it shifted to concrete and began keeping more detailed records. “It’s cool to look through those older records,” Boehringer says. “I really don’t think anyone has ever opened them before.”

Boehringer and Winslow spent hours in the city’s database of nearly 500 staircases – many public, some private and others the city isn’t sure who is responsible for. They studied countless blueprints.

It became a game – the search for what they call “secret keys” that unlock layers of history. “It’s fun,” Boehringer says. “It’s a discovery.”

Winslow says one of his favorite parts of their research is “when you find that small element, that clue that was completely untraceable until that moment.” They spent weeks trying to figure out the notation “RN” written on blueprints from the early 20th century. “I mean, what is that?” Winslow says. “Restricted neutrality? We had no idea and it was driving us crazy.” Satisfaction registers on both of their faces when they reveal that “RN” was inexplicable 1930s shorthand for an Ohio structural engineer named Armin.

Their project has been noticed by the city. They’ve been given work space in its Transportation and Engineering Structure Section and exclusive access to documents and software. With their camera and scanner, the two have created a digital archive of thousands of previously scattered city records.
They’re working to set up a formal internship so they’ll earn academic credit for their work. They are also developing a prospectus to present to publishers.

The two say they hope to serve as an example to other students. “If you work hard enough, you can do something out of the ordinary,” Boehringer says. “Find your own place.”

Winslow adds: “We’re defining ourselves and making ourselves unique and different. We’re not just writing about somebody else’s book.”

Both expect to graduate in 2013 – Winslow in June and Boehringer in December. Winslow says he will study nautical archeology in graduate school; Boehringer will study “history through an economic lens.”

For now, they’re happy directing their passion toward what Boehringer calls “the overlooked artifacts of history.”

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#LOUISVILLEHATEDAY
If you are a Twitter user, you may have noticed #LouisvilleHateDay trending worldwide. You can thank UK fans for that:

Good Morning Everyone! Happy #LouisvilleHateDay. For the fifth consecutive year, we kick off the Thursday before UK-UL with #LouisvilleHateDay. It is a tradition unlike any other and I am here to deliver KSR’s version of Jim Nantz’s “Hello Friends.” For those of us at KSR, #LouisvilleHateDay epitomizes how we believe Kentucky sports are best covered…as fans, doing fan things and enjoy the fun aspects of college sports. And there is very little more fun than hating your rival, especially when it is Louisville. No fan base has more delusional, absurdist elements than Cardinal Nation and no group gives more material ripe for the picking than the marketing geniuses behind the phenomenon #L1C4.

More with photos: Kentucky Sports Radio
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SEE ALSO: UK's sill self-reported hoops violation ESPN

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY 30 AUGUST

2012-08-30T08:34:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ELECTION TROUBLES

The Covington School Board has moved its regularly scheduled meeting to Latonia Elementary Thursday at 7:00PM instead of its usual location at the Board of Education on Seventh Street. The message came from Covington Independent Public Schools Wednesday afternoon:

"Due to unforeseen emergency circumstances and special needs accommodation requests, the August 30, 7:00PM Covington Board of Education meeting has been moved to Latonia Elementary School, located at 3901 Huntington, Covington, Kentucky 41015"

This will be the first meeting of the Covington School Board since the election filing deadline passed and the legal battle over the seat vacated by Denise Varney blew up. The River City News will have this meeting covered for you.
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COVINGTON PHILANTHROPIST WRITES MORE ON STATE OF SCHOOLS
From Oakley Farris:

If I may borrow your attention one more time and direct it to the plight of our school children. I would like to share some observations on the recent good news that Harvard University has had for us concerning the state of education in Kentucky. It seems that Harvard has taken test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress Test (NAEP) and has concluded that Kentucky has shown some impressive progress on the test since 1992. In fact Harvard concluded that Kentucky exceeded the national overall score in reading proficiency. Now I am only interested in what is best for the school kids, so I am encouraged by that news, perhaps our situation is not as grim as the recent ACT and IOWA test scores would seem to indicate. Because my concern is first for the students I like to look just a little closer to ensure that the results are genuine and not being distorted to fit an agenda.
My friends, I wish I could tell you that I was confident in the Harvard study’s conclusions. However I am in possession of an analysis of the Harvard study which was conducted by the Bluegrass Institute. The Bluegrass Institute study brings to light serious flaws in the Harvard study. Now I am not one to get in the middle of a fight between academics over whose study proves what to whom, that is not my concern. My concern is that the data may have been cherry picked in a way that leaves the most vulnerable students in Kentucky, students just like ours here in Covington, open to being overlooked.

Read more from Mr. Farris: Click Here
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SCHOOL DISTRICT HOSTS DRUG-TESTING FOCUS GROUP
Covington Schools welcomed parents and other concerned citizens Wednesday evening to Holmes High School where the issue of drug-testing students involved in sports and extracurricular activites was explored. There are just two days left to participated in an online survey:

Friday will be the last day to take a survey on possible random drug testing for students in grades 6-12 who are involved in extra curricular activities. The Covington Board of Education is seeking the input of students, parents and community on whether the district should provide random drug testing for students. Wednesday night, 20 parents and community members participated in focus groups at Holmes High School to voice their opinions on random drug testing. The district is collecting information that will be reported to the Board of Education which will make a final decision on random drug testing.

To take the survey, click here.
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POLICE CHIEF TO ADDRESS CRIME ISSUES IN MAINSTRASSE

Residents of Mainstrasse Village are encouraged to attend a meeting Thursday at 6:00PM inside Zola on Main Street. Covington Police Chief Spike Jones will be on hand to discuss recent crime issues in the neighborhood.

PEASELBURG RESIDENTS CONCERNS ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY PROJECT

A message on Facebook indicates that residents of Covington's Peaselburg neighborhood are concerned about plans by the Housing Authority of Covington, under the guise of its Neighborhood Investment Partners group, to turn potentially eleven properties on Emery Drive into public housing. The meeting is scheduled for 5:00PM at the Housing Authority of Covington office at 2300 Madison Avenue.

DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!

What's up with this sinkhole on Russell Street?; A meeting is set for next week to determine future food truck events in Covington; Plus, a man charged with kidnapping says he can't get along with his Covington-based attorney.

Full story: The RC News: Wednesday Evening Round-Up

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QUICKIES

Coverage of Sen. Mitch McConnell's speech at Republican National Convention The Hill

Coverage of Sen. Rand Paul's speech at Republican National Convention Wall Street Journal

NKY tax preparer admits to falsifying tax returns Herald-Leader

Embattled Campbell Boys Lodge loses license to operate Cincinnati Enquirer

Former UK basketball player Michael Porter due in court on sex charges WKYT

State employees to get free flu shots WKYT

KY Arts Council offers workshop for teachers press release

KENTUCKIANS SUE DISTILLERIES OVER BLACK GUNK

You read that right. Kentuckians are suing the makers of whiskey:

In 2007, researchers published a scientific study about Baudoinia, a newly identified type of fungus. Naturally occurring, Baudoinia germinates on ethanol, the colorless alcohol that can evaporate during fermentation, making the area around whiskey-aging warehouses a prime breeding ground.
News of this whiskey fungus soon rippled across spirit-producing communities from Cognac to Canada — a mystery solved, and an opportunity found.
In June, home and business owners in and around Louisville, part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, filed class-action lawsuits in federal and circuit courts against five major distilleries, charging property damage and negligence. In September, with the help of lawyers in Britain, the plaintiffs’ Louisville lawyer, William F. McMurry, plans to bring a similar suit in Scotland, where the fungus is so rampant that it almost seems like part of the architecture.

Full story: The New York Times
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CITY COMMISSIONER NAMES WINNERS OF HIS $2,000 PRIZES
Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank has revealed the winners of his contest in which he asked citizens to come up with ways to save the City or make the City some money. From the Commissioner:

Here are your winners of the best idea to Save Covington Money and i know 1 if not both are from our Fire Department.Mike Clendenen and Matt Chastain both win $2,000 for their idea of getting more revenue for our EMS runs. Thank you! The city has made some progress in this area, but we will double and triple up our efforts. Recently Mayor Scheper and I have deepened our relations with Mayor Gray in Lexington and Mayor Fisher in Louisville to help form a Bluegrass Triangle to represent urban interests better in Frankfort. Because the overuse of Ambulance EMS services and high amount of Medicaid Ems runs occur in urban environments, I am certain that they are suffering from low reimbursement rates that do not cover costs. We will ask our fellow urban centers to help lobby Frankfort for higher rates. We will also compare third party billing agencies to see if someone is more effective in getting higher pay outs from insured patients than our present methods. The third thing we can do is unilaterally raise rates on those who can pay for services and charge higher for rescues and the like. All in all we received over 50reasonable suggestions. I'll take the next few days and go over all of them and chart what we are doing to implement them or if already worked on, where we are in the process. Thank you all for participating. The whole community of Covington is the real winner in this!

FIREFIGHTERS TO COLLECT CASH THIS WEEKEND FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
From the Covington Fire Department:

This weekend the Covington Firefighters will be stationed throughout the city collecting for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 100% of the money collected will go to support research and those affected by muscular diseases. Please take a moment and watch this emotional video of Shaun Probert, a Shaker Heights Fireman, Local 516, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. He is the new MDA spokesperson, replacing Kelly Crush, an IAFF Firefighter from Wichita Falls, TX Local 432 who died in March from ALS. Help us help our "Brother" who is now "on the other side of the boot" in helping the children who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy.

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MAINSTRASSE LOOKING FOR CHALK ARTISTS
The chalk art contest will be back on Main Street for this year's Oktoberfest which is a little over a week away. Click the image for details on how to enter...

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 29 AUGUST

2012-08-29T19:40:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

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ERLANGER SCOFFS AT MERGED DISPATCH CENTER

The City of Erlanger is not anxious to join the City of Covington and other in the new consolidated Kenton County 911 emergency dispatch center:

“The bottom line is this, this is Erlanger’s position on dispatch. Erlanger will continue to dispatch its emergency services, and those who are partner cities that choose to remain for as long as it is economically possible,” (Erlanger Mayor Tom) Rouse said. “If and when the new system becomes as good as our system and as efficient with the money, we will consider joining. And that’s been our position all along.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Libby Cunningham
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WHAT'S UP WITH THIS SINKHOLE ON RUSSELL STREET?
A reader emailed The River City News and said that this apparent sinkhole has just been all sinkin' and holin' on Russell Street between Fifth & Sixth since March:

Anyone know why this hasn't been attended to?

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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY MORNING'S NEWS!

Should Covington Schools drug-test its students? A public meeting tonight discusses the issue; Whoa... how much did you pay for gas this morning?; Plus, a fall fashion show tonight in Downtown Covington. Those stories and much more at the link.

Full story: The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up

QUICKIES

KY homeowners are benefiting from foreclosure settlement Jack Conway

Tropical storm Isaac could affect Kentucky agriculture, livestock Lane Report

KY electrical line workers head to Gulf Coast to help out WKYT

81-year old KY man charged in shooting death AP

Sec. of State Grimes makes Nov. 6 official date for special election to fill Geoff Davis's Congressional seat press release
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Sen. McConnell downplays Ron Paul rift in GOP WFPL

Anti-tax pundit Grover Norquist previews what a US Senate would like with Sen. McConnell as majority leader WFPL

Gov. Beshear names a new chief of staff Bluegrass Politics

Governor creates task force to tackle substance abuse, mental health issues among veterans press release

White House puts Hardin County in drug initiative Herald-Leader

Kenton Co. Library creates scary video Cincinnati Enquirer

Assistant attorney general urges students to fight bullying WKYT

Cincinnati Port Authority begins landbanking effort Cincinnati Enquirer

Grant will help NKU retain STEM students NKU

KY State Fair attendance down slightly State-Journal

Thoroughbred leaders: KY drug rules being held hostage Herald-Leader

State taking orders for fifty kinds of trees Herald-Leader

MAN CHARGED IN KIDNAPPING WANTS TO DUMP COVINGTON LAWYER

A guy accused of abducting a shopper at the Crestview Hills Town Center last year says he can't get along with his attorney:

Joseph Weir interrupted his own competency hearing Tuesday in federal court by raising his left hand, showing off a blue-colored cast decorated with a UK logo, and asked that lawyer F. Dennis Alerding be removed.
“Trying to have a conversation with Mr. Alerding just doesn’t seem possible,” Weir said. “I don’t feel like I’m being represented in a serious manner.”
Weir gave U.S. Magistrate Judge Candace Smith a list of grievances that included allegations Alerding cursed and told him, “If you don’t like me, why don’t you just fire me.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah
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MEETING SET FOR NEXT WEEK ABOUT FUTURE FOOD TRUCK EVENTS
Via C'est Cheese mobile food truck:

...the plan is to do them monthly. The team that puts them on and the participating trucks are supposed to be meeting next week to discuss future logistics. I'll be sure to publicize dates as soon as they're set!

WORK ON MAINSTRASSE POPEYE'S MOVING ALONG

The folks opening the new Popeye's at Fifth & Main Streets are wasting no time in getting the former Skyline Chili location in order...

HISTORICAL MARKER TO HONOR BLACK SETTLEMENT OF STONETOWN

A new historical marker will go up in Scott County:

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a historical marker to honor the African-American settlement of Stonetown at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at 176 Stonetown Road in Stamping Ground.

In the 1780s, slaves were brought to Scott County with their white owners as part of the “traveling church,” a Baptist exodus from Virginia. After the Civil War, they purchased land and settled in Stonetown. The community had a school and two churches, one of which, the First Baptist Church, is still open today. In 1877, many former slaves moved farther west to newly formed Nicodemus, Kan.

This marker dedication is part of a weekend-long celebration of the 135th anniversary of that migration from Kentucky to Kansas. Descendants of those early settlers; Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society; and Kent Whitworth, executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society, will be in attendance.

Via press release.
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HOT DOG! CINCINNATI IS NUMBER ONE!
Eat it, Chicago!

Crain’s Chicago Business and Food Genius, a Chicago-based food data analytics company, paired up to see where Chicago ranked in terms of hot dog availability. Chicago ranked as the 28th Top Hot Dog City, with only 1.2 percent of menus containing hot dog items, according to Food Genius’s database of restaurant menus. The Queen City, and we should all be proud of this, ranked No. 1. Nearly 7.3 percent of our restaurant menus contain hot dog items.

Full story: Business Courier/Tom Demeropolis

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 29 AUGUST

2012-08-29T08:59:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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SCHOOLS HOST FOCUS GROUP ON DRUG TESTING STUDENTS WEDNESDAY

If you wish to weigh in on the current debate at Covington Independent Public Schools, consider attending this focus group about the possibility of drug-testing the district's students:

Many schools have random student drug testing programs in place. These programs randomly test students who participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, as well as students who drive to school. Court decisions have upheld the test of these categories of students. The purpose of the program is to serve as a detterent. The Covington Board of Education is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a program for students in grades 6-12. The district also is hosting a focus group meeting from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, to hear from students, parents and the community regarding a student drug testing program. The meeting will be in the Holmes High School Cafe'. We value your opinion. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. Thank you for your participation.

There is an online survey to take at the link: Click Here
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GOVERNOR REORGANIZES TECH, CAREER SCHOOLS
Governor Steve Beshear signed an executive order Tuesday that would move technical and career education under the same umbrella at the middle and high school level:

Currently, local high schools can operate career and technical programs using local and state funds. Those programs report to the Kentucky Department of Education. The state also has 53 technical centers for 123 school districts that are paid for with state funds. That career and technical program reports to the Department for Workforce Investment. The executive order moves both systems to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Full story: Herald-Leader/Beth Musgrave
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IF SCHOOLS KILL CREATIVITY, CAN TOYS BRING IT BACK TO LIFE?
Computers save the day:

In an education world obsessed with curriculum standards and high-stakes testing, students are funneled onto particular tracks, rather than being allowed to choose their own adventures and explore their passions (a phenomenon that education expert Sir Ken Robinson says is killing creativity) But if the contemporary education model discourages kids' curiosity and creativity, a new generation of companies are finding ways to emulate Lego and encourage those traits through play.

Full story: GOOD
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JOHN G. CARLISLE SCHOOL PTA HOSTS GRILL-OUT
From Covington Independent Public Schools:

Nearly 100 parents, students, staff and community members attended John G. Carlisle's Cubs Council PTA kickoff on Tuesday. Organizers were thrilled with the turnout. But its not too late to become a member of the PTA. Cubs Council meetings will be held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m., usually in the school cafeteria.

The officers include President, Sande Shepherd; Secretary/Treasurer, Kerry McHugh; Vice President/Organization and Communications, Kerry Holleran; Vice President/Membership,Francisco Pabon; Vice President/Activities, Shana Lack; Vice President/Fundraising, Christi Blair.

More photos: Facebook
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
Lawsuit hopes to force election for vacant Covington School Board seat; Workers inside an historic Kentucky building discover the remnants of an old sex club; Plus, it's time for another installment of "What is Covington Selling on Craigslist?"

Full story: The RC News: Tuesday Evening Round-Up |
QUICKIES
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Democratic state senate candidate Jim Noll says he has been endorsed by former Congressman Ken Lucas Facebook
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State Police: Human remains belong to woman who was scalped WBKO
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KY Court weights $24 million gas royalty verdict CBS
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Speaking of gas... how much did you pay this morning?

$3.95 at Liberty Tobacco & Beer on Fifth Street

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KY Appeals Court to decide immigration case AP
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Man flies from England to KY to meet underage girl WKYT
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Cincinnati threatens Duke Energy over streetcar costs Cincinnati Enquirer
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Former Republican US Senator from Kentucky disappointed with GOP's shift to the right cn|2
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Sons tell KY delegation about growing up Romney cn|2
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Lexington city council poised to ban aerial fireworks Herald-Leader
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A BUSY NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN COVINGTON
Rapper Machine Gun Kelly drew a big crowd to the Madison Theater in Covington...

PROGRESS CONTINUES ON COVINGTON LIBRARY EXPANSION

DONNA SALYERS FABULOUS FURS FALL FASHION PREVIEW TONIGHT

A fashion show tonight in Downtown Covington...

More details: Click Here

GLBT MAGAZINE FEATURES MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE'S PAWRADE

Check out this great photo from the publishers of CNKY Scene:

LEADING THE WAY ON A 21ST CENTURY WATERFRONT

Something to learn from for Covington?

"Most of all, there’s a growing awareness that the great waterfronts are the ones where there’s a lot of activity in the water itself," says Stan Eckstut, EE&K's senior principal. He points to Baltimore and Sydney, where revitalization schemes didn’t end at land but extended into the water and its uses, making for busier ports with more services and more amenities.

Waterfronts attached to urban cities have evolved too far from their historic character, Eckstut says. As a result of new ideas about zoning as well as trends specific to the maritime industry, such as containerization, some urban waterfronts have fallen into disuse. But not all waterfronts need to be harbors to be successful. And certainly not all waterfronts need to be parks.

Full story with lots of great photos: The Atlantic Cities

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY EVENING 28 AUGUST

2012-08-28T18:31:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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MORE MAINSTREAM MEDIA COVERAGE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY

The twists and turns that followed the August 2 resignation of Covington School Board member Denise Varney (which up to this week were only covered here at RCN here, here, here, and here) are now getting their second dose of coverage in the mainstream media. WKRC, following an earlier report in the Cincinnati Enquirer, has a video report Tuesday afternoon with one piece of new information being that the Kentucky Department of Education is reviewing its vacation policy since a part-time employee's 30-day vacation is being blamed for the delay in accepting Varney's resignation and preventing would-be candidate Mark Young from seeking election to her seat. Instead, it still appears that there will be an appointment to fulfill Varney's seat, which is not up for reelection till 2014. Young and his attorney intend to sue to have his name placed on the ballot again.

Full story: WKRC  

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DON'T MISS TUESDAY MORNING'S NEWS!

"The rally is meant to be a way in which white citizens can gather and express their discontent with the problem of black-on-white crime." NKY white supremacists are headed to Ohio; Plus, ground is moving at Covington's huge residential development. Those stories and much more at the link.

Full story: The RC News: Tuesday Morning Round-Up

QUICKIES

Republican state senate candidate Chris McDaniel is endorsed by NKY Association of Realtors Facebook

KY Republicans share Convention experience on Twitter Herald-Leader

KY Sec. of State gets order to protect military votes press release

Man pleads guilty to stealing from KY, OH tornado victims WLWT

Gov. Beshear proclaims September "Preparedness Month" press release

Man found asleep on couch charged with burglary Courier-Journal

"Lazy, slovenly" college students are gold mine to entrepreneurs Courier-Journal

NKU campus urged to eat more fruit, veggies KY Forward

The late Neil Armstrong wants you to contribute to Children's Hospital Cincinnati Children's

Holy Cross football hopes to rebound after lopsided loss last Friday Cincinnati Enquirer

New Mainstrasse cafe gets write-up Business Courier

FORECLOSURES IN KY NUMBER 20,000 ANNUALLY

Stats from this article: 20,000 foreclosures in KY every year, 1 in 4 homeowners are "upside down" (owing more than the home is worth), and one in ten is more than thirty days behind on a mortgage payment:

Yet Kentucky has fared better than the nation and most of the surrounding states. According to the RealtyTrac website, on average there is one foreclosure for every 2,826 households in Kentucky compared with one in 686 nationally.
That was some of the data presented Monday to a state House task force looking at the foreclosure “crisis” in Kentucky, a task force that isn’t entirely sure what it can do to address the problem.

Full story: Richmond Register/Ronnie Ellis
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HOW LONG WILL YOU NEED TO SAVE FOR A DOWN PAYMENT?
Using Census data, The Atlantic Cities calculated how long one has to work in order to save for a down payment on a home in the 100 largest metro areas:

We assumed that people saving for a down payment set aside 10 percent of their pre-tax earnings – even though of course that depends on your earnings and how much you want to put away – and will earn an annual return of 1.5 percent on those savings. We also assumed a 20 percent down payment, the traditional norm, though many mortgages (including FHA-insured mortgages) require less than a 20 percent down payment (see note at end).

For Cincinnati/NKY, the average weekly wage is $891, the median price per square foot is $80, creating a total of 6.6 years worth of saving.
Full story: The Atlantic Cities
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SOMEONE PUT TACKS ON LOUISVILLE'S IRON MAN COURSE - TWICE!
Mean:

Somebody took it upon themselves to spread roofing nails along the race route on US 42 between Bluegrass Parkway and Highway 524 East. And not only did they do it, they did it TWICE between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Oldham County police tried to track down the idiots perpetrators with unmarked units. Several bicycles and an EMS unit suffered flat tires as a result of the action.

Full story: WDRB
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UNDERGROUND SEX CLUB FOUND INSIDE WHISKEY ROW
Interesting:

Workers preparing historic Whiskey Row buildings for interior demolition have discovered what appears to be the remnants of a sado-masochistic swingers club, abandoned for decades. "This is the weirdest I've ever found," said Greg Harris, the superintendent of the project for Sullivan-Cozart. Two floors below Main Street, a large black and white logo displays the word "LATEX," presumably the name of the club, painted on the century old wall.

Full story with video: WHAS
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CREEPY MANNEQUIN HEAD APPEARS IN MAINSTRASSE TREE
So, this?

Creepy.

IT'S TIME TO PLAY WHAT IS COVINGTON SELLING CRAIGSLIST?!

This evening we have three lovely items up for sale from Covington on Craigslist... Let's take a look:
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ITEM #1

This is something called an Ab Do-er II, but don't ask the owner what it's for:

I have an exercise machine called an ab do-er II which sits in the basement and never gets used. Wanting it gone since no one uses it. Not even sure what you do or how to use it. Selling for $15.

Full details: Click Here
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ITEM #2

Hook this baby up to your car and you too can be delivering pizzas all over town:

Pizza car rooftop sign / light. Works great! Just needs to be cleaned off.
Used price ($98) is reasonable, as these cost $150 new

Full details: Click Here
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ITEM #3

Relive your youth or, gasp, a time before you were born:

Vintage Atari 2600 with 11 games , 2 controllers and all necessary hardware. Still works great! Retro!

Games are:
Space Invaders/Jungle Hunt/Defender/Vanguard/Battlezone/Moon patrol/Kangaroo/Squeeze box/Missile command/Taz/Air sea battle
$45 for everything

Full details: Click Here
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Of course, if you are feeling really ambitious, Mainstrasse's Groove Coffee House is also for sale on Craigslist Click Here

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 28 AUGUST

2012-08-28T09:01:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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GROUND IS MOVING AT DEVELOPMENT IN COVINGTON'S EASTSIDE

Work continues in the early stages of the River's Edge at Eastside Pointe mixed-income housing development. The first tenants are expected to move in next spring.

DON'T MISS MONDAY EVENING'S NEWS!

Photos of the remnants of a longtime Covington business destroyed by fire Sunday; Plus, why investigating the fire's cause would have been extremely difficult. That story and much more including a new online video series for the Holmes Band, at the link.

Full story: The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up

QUICKIES

CVG Airport runway paved with potential Cincinnati Enquirer

Covington lawyer loses claim to class action fees from the Diocese of Covington sex abuse scandal Cincinnati Enquirer

Former Commonwealth's Attorney Harry Rankin has died Facebook & Obit

Kentuckians to address the Republican National Convention Tuesday & Wednesday Herald-Leader

Police: KY women used kids to shoplift WKYT

Highland Heights hopes for economic boost from NKU's NCAA Division I status Cincinnati Enquirer

It's gonna be a long year for UK football if these predictions hold up Herald-Leader

Book: a year in the life of Kentucky's minor league baseball teams, including the Florence Freedom WFPL

WHITE SUPREMACISTS FROM NKY TO RALLY IN OHIO

Ugh:

The brutal beating of a man by a group of young teenagers who said they did it because they were bored has shaken the Cincinnati suburb of North College Hill and stirred some to question why police aren't investigating the attack as a hate crime.
Now nearly two weeks after the beating, the small working-class city is bracing for two opposing rallies Friday, one organized by a self-described white separatist who says he wants to draw attention to "hate-crime hypocrisy."
"The rally is meant to be a way in which white citizens can gather and express their discontent with the problem of black-on-white crime, as well as the censorship and downplaying of these crimes by the media and police/government officials," wrote Robert Ransdell, of Florence, Ky.

Full story: AP/Amanda Lee Myers
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AMOUNT OF FOOD WASTED AFFECTS HUNGRY KENTUCKIANS
A new study shows that Americans throw away 40% of their food:

The research from the National Resources Defense Council also suggests the average family of four wastes more than $2,200 worth of food annually.
"Well, its a shame," said Rev. Michael Barnette of Hazard's New Hope Church, which has a food bank. "Of course a lot of that food, there's no way to get it in the hands of the people that need it."
And with the recent drought causing food prices to tick upward, fewer and fewer people can afford to waste any part of a meal.

Full story with video: WKYT
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SEE ALSO: Why don't Americans recycle? GOOD
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PTA HOSTS COOKOUT AT JOHN G. CARLISLE ELEMENTARY
Via Covington Independent Public Schools:

WHACKBURGER WANTS PHOTOS OF YOUR FAVORITE BURGER!

The trendy new burger place on Madison Avenue (5 stars, by the way!) is holding a contest. Check out the photo for details:

Click to enlarge

Check out Whackburger on Facebook

SEE ALSO: Here's a great deal -- 50% off Totter's Otterville click here

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHORTENING "NEIGHBORHOOD"

Is it the 'hood or is it the... nabe?

Real-estate blogs like Curbed rely heavily on "nabe." The Chicago Tribune has used the word, as has the Dallas Morning News and the Salt Lake Tribune. Generally, these publications do so "unglossed": without placing nabe in quotation marks or defining it in running text, indicating its general acceptance. There’s a national website for house-hunters called NabeWise.
It turns out nabe is not, as I had cynically hypothesized, a word invented by the incoming urbanites of the ‘90s and the real estate brokers who found them apartments. Nabe was not, at least initially, intended as a deracialized alternative to our more common shortening of neighborhood: "hood." So where did nabe come from, and why do we use it? Is there a difference between the way we use nabe and hood? Should there be?

Full story: The Atlantic Cities

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 27 AUGUST

2012-08-27T18:01:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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L&L DRY CLEANERS BUILDING DEMOLISHED

Following Sunday's devastating fire, the L&L Dry Cleaners building where the Landrum family had operated its business since 1947, was demolished. Yesterday, code enforcement officials decided it would be best to take the building down since its structural integrity had been so badly compromised. Calling the building "unstable", acting Covington Fire Chief Dan Mathew said that any investigation would be difficult because of the severity of the damage. "It's not safe enough to truly discover where the fire started and it's not worth risking a life for," Mathew said. Though Covington Police were first on the scene responding to an intrusion alarm, Mathew believes that alarm sounded because the flames had cause windows to burst. Firefighters are still working on their individual reports about the fire.

RELATED: Traffic is moving again on this stretch of Twelfth Street. Also, while taking these photos, I ran into WKRC reporter Joe Webb who was on the scene for a live shot and he told me that owner Paul "Butch" Landrum was able to salvage the business's sign and that if insurance allows for it he will reopen his business in a newly constructed building at this site. For Joe Webb's report: WKRC

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You can find links to the original story about the L&L Dry Cleaners fire as well as 100 photos from the several-hour fire battle in the Monday Morning Round-Up below.

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DON'T MISS MONDAY MORNING'S NEWS

Readers share their photos from Sunday's devastating fire at L&L Dry Cleaners; Sen. Paul says we could learn from Canada on how to get a new bridge faster; Plus, why the NKY tea party has turned its focus toward the Covington School Board.

The RC News: Monday Morning Round-Up

QUICKIES

State Senator Damon Thayer (R) criticized by Democratic state representative for outburst from audience member that suggested President Obama was born in Kenya cn|2

Sen. Rand Paul implies that President Obama would rather support the South African Constitution LEO Weekly

Kentuckian will announce state delegate totals at Republican National Convention WFPL

Gov. Beshear is in Newport Monday night for State Rep. Dennis Keene fundraiser Facebook

Judge stops ex-Toyota worker from leaving country Herald-Leader

Gov. Beshear orders flags at state buildings at half staff for fallen Ft. Campbell soldier press release

Company to expand in Kenton County Business Courier

Restaurateur Jeff Ruby to announce reward in Stacy Peterson disappearance Cincinnati Enquirer

5 die on Kentucky roadways last week KSP

First Lady Jane Beshear, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer launch Ready, Set, Grow initiative press release

George Clooney aids President Obama with fundraiser in Geneva WKYT

NKY FAMILIES FEEL EFFECT OF HEROIN THROUGH LOSS OF LOVED ONES

Heroin is a drug that affects more than its users:

“He borrowed my car and left to go out with a friend,” Goetz said. “He said ‘I love you mom, I’ll be back later.’” But, Dietz never came back. The 30-year-old was found dead in a parking lot in his mother’s car a few days later after overdosing on heroin.
Bill Mark, director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, said that heroin accounts for 63 percent of arrests in Northern Kentucky, with the region leading the state in heroin-related arrests.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Amanda Joering
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Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders weighed in on this very issue in Monday morning's mugshot round-up.
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders calls heroin a plague and says many other crimes in our area are caused by addicts looking for drug money. An interview with Sanders, as well as your weekly mugshot round-up -- at the link.

Full story: Convicted: Mugshot Round-Up

CHARGES OF RACISM AT LOUISVILLE ATTRACTION SPARK DISCUSSION

Louisville's Fourth Street Live is one of that city's highlights, but allegations of discrimination there have led activists to plan a forum:

Community activist Theresa Boyd says residents need to address this long-standing issue locally now. “This issue of racial inequality or discrimination at Fourth Street is not a new issue. It’s an issue that’s always been there and seemingly continues to be there," said Boyd.
Boyd and her activist group Connected Voices organized Tuesday’s forum. She says the purpose is to give the community a chance to voice any frustrations minorities and others may have had with Fourth Street Live.

Full story: WFPL
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DANGEROUS INTERSECTION COULD BE IMPROVED SOON
More roadwork coming to the South Covington/Taylor Mill/Independence area:

Improvements may be coming soon to the intersection of Fowler Creek and Senour Road. According to Nancy Wood, spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6, which oversees state roadways, an upcoming meeting between local and state transportation employees could result in funding for improvements.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Amy Scalf
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PRINCE OF PEACE SCHOOLS SWITCHES TO ALL-MONTESSORI
The Catholic School on Pike Street is going all-in with its Montessori education efforts:

Prince of Peace began as a traditional school for grades 1-8 in 1986. It added its first Montessori classroom for children ages 6-9 in 1999, and had Montessori at all grade levels by 2005. Due to budget constraints and the success of the Montessori program, the school started to phase out the traditional side a couple of years ago.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle
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HOLMES BAND PUBLISHES YOUTUBE "WEBISODE"
Check it out:

RENAISSANCE COVINGTON HONORS LONGTIME PRESIDENT

From Renaissance Covington:

Last Thursday August 23, 2012, proclaimed Barney Stengle Day in the City of Covington, the Board of Renaissance Covington said thank you to Barney as he termed out after 3 years as President and 6 years on the Board. Barney has been a terrific leader and will be greatly missed!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 27 AUGUST

2012-08-27T09:22:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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READERS SHARE PHOTOS FROM SUNDAY'S FIRE AT L&L DRY CLEANERS

The fire that raged Sunday morning, destroying a business that operated on Covington's Twelfth Street since 1947, cast a thick gray plume of smoke that was visible all across Downtown Covington and Downtown Cincinnati. Here are some photos submitted by readers of The River City News:

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From Rob Sanders (Kenton Co. Commonwealth's Attorney, though he credits the photo as one being shared around on Facebook):

Sanders adds: "Big thanks to Covington Fire Dept. for a valiant effort today. Takes a big set to go after a fire like this with an interior attack. Ultimately went defensive from the looks of what left but this could have taken out 1/2 a city block if they didn't stop the spread. What might not be apparent from this photo is the fact they were actually fighting 2 fires at once because it spread to my building next door and burnt the back of the 3rd floor off. The painful irony is I may be the very first victim of Pumper1 being browned out but I'll save that argument for another day. Right now, I'm just glad no one from CFD was hurt. Say a prayer for the owners of L&L cleaners. It's a father-son business thats served many in Covington, including myself, for years.
p.s. Also thanks to the firefighters from Newport Firefighters, Ft. Mitchell, Taylor Mill, and Ludlow who moved up to cover the entire City of Covington. Some folks don't seem to understand how much mutual aid Covington receives, but I do!"

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From Katie Woodring:

From a reader in Helenton:

From Michael Grabiel in Mainstrasse:

A blogger in Cincinnati also captured a shot of the heavy smoke that was visible from Smale Park: Cincinnati Blog

Jennifer Landrum, daughter of L&L Dry Cleaners owner Paul "Butch" Landrum, weighed in at The River City News Facebook page:

My father owned L&L Dry Cleaners. I want to thank the covington Fire Department, as well as the fire fighters from neighboring areas that showed up to help today. My dad said that everyone was so nice, not just there and treating it as any regular job. I appreciate how well you treated my family and the situation. You truly are everyday heroes.

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DID YOU MISS ANY OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF THE L&L DRY CLEANERS FIRE? Check out the links below.
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Hear from L&L's third generation owner and the acting fire chief

"Every morning since I graduated high school I got up at 7 o'clock in the morning and I came to work and now, 7 o'clock in the morning I come and sit by work I guess. I don't know. I just don't know." A huge Fire destroys a long-running Covington business Sunday.
Full story: The River City News
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100 photos from the scene of the fire: The River City News 

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COVINGTON'S WEEK IN REVIEW

What a week... From a contentious meeting at City Hall, a park disappearing from a city neighborhood, news that the Mike Fink aims to reopen in the spring, to the devastating fire Sunday morning, no one covers Covington like The River City News. The proof is at the link in your week in review, The Sunday Edition!
Full story: The Sunday Edition
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COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY GETS MORE ATTENTION
After several weeks of only The River City News shedding light on the lengthy list of developments that followed the resignation of Denise Varney from the Covington School Board, the Cincinnati Enquirer began to offer coverage Monday morning:

Denise Varney resigned three weeks ago from her board of education seat with Covington Independent Public Schools because she was moving out of the district.
She never imagined it would lead to the turmoil that has erupted.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle

The Northern Kentucky tea party has also weighed in:

It appears that Kenton Clerk Gabe Summe and County Attorney Gary Edmondson who are embroiled in several lawsuits over a petition to allow voters to decide the fate of the Northern Kentucky Area Planning are again standing in the way of allowing voters to select a replacement for an open seat on the Covington School Board. The Clerk, who has the sole responsibility to approve the petition to put the NKAPC on the ballot also has the sole responsibility to place the open school board seat on the ballot. A practicing attorney herself, the Clerk appears to be deferring, in both cases, to the County Attorney and an outside law firm for the actual decisions. The following information is provided from Mr. Mark Young, who is apparently the only resident of Covington interested enough in the open school board seat to take the initiative to get involved. Read Mr. Young's description of what the established power brokers are doing to shut him and the voting, taxpaying residents of Covington out to allow them to maintain the status quo.

More: NKY Tea Party
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YOUR WEEKLY MUGSHOT ROUND-UP FROM KENTON CO. CIRCUIT COURT
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders calls heroin a plague and says many other crimes in our area are caused by addicts looking for drug money. An interview with Sanders, as well as your weekly mugshot round-up -- at the link.

Full story: The River City News

QUICKIES

NKY leadership focuses on 25 years of growth Tri-Ed

Another "creationism attraction" hopes for a home in NKY Cincinnati Enquirer

Kentucky civilians working normal jobs in war zones AP

US Rep. Brett Guthrie (R) does not rule out a run for KY Governor in 2015 cn|2

US Rep. John Yarmuth (D) won't challenge Sen. McConnell in 2014 cn|2

Vehicle overturns near Suspension Bridge over the weekend WKRC

Man stabbed in Newport park Cincinnati Enquirer

Farmers: Local cantaloupe is safe WBKO

Though Kenton's was down 19%, county fairs report increased attendance Cincinnati Enquirer

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For Sale signs pop up at Muhammad Ali's boyhood home Courier-Journal
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New Mammoth Cave superintendent excited to return to Kentucky WFPL
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Louisville native wins hot air balloon competition Courier-Journal

SEN. PAUL, GOV. BESHEAR DISCUSS NEW BRIDGE FOR NKY

Could we learn from Canada? Via cn|2:

More: cn|2

MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE FROM COVINGTON SCHOOLS LEADER

Covington Independent Public Schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson:

It's a phrase often used to describe individuals that have committed their lives to education - unsung heroes.

We know that working in education is not for the faint of heart. The hours can be long and the challenges numerous. Still, the personal fulfillment and satisfaction that come with the job can make it the most satisfying of careers.

As I travel around the district, I continue to be constantly pleased at the work and dedication of all staff. I have been in classrooms everyday this past week and have witnessed the outstanding, caring adults throughout the district who are developing positive relationships with our students. I have watched the bus drivers giving high fives as students get off the bus in the morning, the cafeteria personnel greeting our students and asking about their day, the custodians who are talking to students as they walk down the hall, and the teachers and support staff who are focusing on establishing relationships of respect and care as the necessary foundation for intellectual as well as social development.

Success and fulfillment are often based on the educator's passion for his or her work, along with high expectations for students and a desire to help them succeed.We all know that it will not be standards, technology, curriculum or new programs for schools that will get at the root of the problem, UNLESS they are also accompanied by relationships between adults and students. Thanks for your hard work!

See the list of weekly honors and the upcoming week's schedule here.
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SEE ALSO: Weekly message from Scott High School principal click here
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RUNNIN' ON THE RIVER!
The new Licking River Greenway & Trails got some action on Saturday as Holmes High School hosted the Licking River Run cross country meet:

Lots more photos: Facebook

SPORTS QUICKIES

Businesses hope for boost from NKU's move to NCAA Division I AP

NCAA visited a friend of UK basketball top recruit Nerlens Noel Herald-Leader

Terrance Jones may be the most underrated player from the NBA draft Bleacher Report

What years did UK basketball (and other traditional powerhouses) truly suck? KSR

NBA debate resumes in the Bluegrass Wildcat Blue Nation

Sen. McConnell is against bringing the NBA to Louisville KSR

1972 US Olympics basketball team(which still refuses to accept its silver medal) reunites in Kentucky WDRB

College football: Comparing expectations for the UK/UofL rivalry game Herald-Leader

THE GROWING MOVEMENT TO BUILD HOUSES OUT OF HEMP

Mix together hemp, lime, and water and you got yourself some "hempcrete":

Hemp makes a good building material because it's extremely energy-efficient, non-toxic, and resistant to mold, insects, and fire. Plus, it absorbs carbon dioxide, making it good for the environment. Hemp Technologies, a North Carolina-based construction company working on the California project, already has built homes out of hemp in Hawaii, Texas, North Carolina, and Idaho. The North Carolina project, known as "NauHaus," received LEED platinum status.

Full story: GOOD

CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP 27 AUGUST

2012-08-27T07:54:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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In this week's edition of the Mugshot Round-Up, The River City News spoke with the author of This Week in Kenton County Court, Kenton Co. Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. He will now offer more elaborate explanation about some of the issues presented in his weekly newsletter and you can read his answers right here at RCN. 

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RCN: Every week there are multiple convictions related to heroin. Is this drug growing in use in the county? What does that mean for the community?

SANDERS: Heroin is a plague. It has taken over the drug scene in just a couple years and the problem is still growing. What many folks don't realize is almost every Burglary, Forged Instrument, Theft, and Receiving Stolen Property case is the newsletter is a heroin addict trying to get money for drugs. It all starts with pain pills which are easy to get (legally or illegally) but expensive. Heroin is very cheap. When pill addicts run out of cash, they start shooting or snorting heroin. I could go on for hours about heroin but, in short, there's only 2 ways off heroin: death or prison.

RCN: These folks who are listed under the "Failure to Appear" header, what kind of extra trouble are they going to be in?

SANDERS: If the defendant had notice of their court date and failed to appear, they can be charged with Bailjumping which is a D felony carrying an additional 1-5 years.

RCN: What's up with the mugshots of a brick wall?

SANDERS: We use the brick wall when there is no photo of the defendant. We get our mugshots off http://www.jailtracker.com/kncdc/kenton_inmatelist.html but some defendants are not on there either because they were never booked into the jail, or just a computer glitch. Originally I used a cartoon inmate with "No Photo Available" printed over it but then came across an empty photo of the brick wall one day and found it more amusing. This is easily the most common question about the newsletter.

And now, let's take a look at who's going to prison, who got probation, and who's on the loose...
The following is part of a long list of individuals convicted this week in Kenton County Circuit Court for crimes ranging from burglaries and robberies to drugs and child pornography and more.

More mugshots with an explanation of the crime and length of recommended sentence is available at the link below, courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders. Some have been sent away, some are awaiting sentencing, and others will get probation. Whatever they end up with, let's hope as a community that they return healthy and rehabilitated, otherwise the cycle continues. Click the link.

More: This Week in Kenton Circuit Court 

THE SUNDAY (EVENING) EDITION 26 AUGUST 2012

2012-08-26T18:37:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWSMORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE... ...EACH AND EVERY DAY
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This week's Edition is brought to you by:

KW Mechanical

Residential and commercial build and repair. Whether you are right here in Covington, or anywhere in Northern Kentucky or Cincinnati, Ohio, KW Mechanical can take care of all your HVAC, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical needs.

Visit www.KWMechanical.com

____________________________________________________________

the week that was...

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SUNDAY

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FIRE DESTROYS L&L DRY CLEANERS

A devastating scene unfolded early Sunday morning as a longtime Covington business went up in flames. The River City News was first to report from the scene and has full coverage of the events below.

Hear from L&L's third generation owner and the acting fire chief

100 photos from the scene of the fire: The River City News

SATURDAY

CASH MOB COMES TO COVINGTON

The Covington Farmers Market is "cash mobbed". Pics at the link.

Full story: The River City News

SATURDAY HEADLINES

Check out the photos of all the houses that won beautification awards from the Friends of Covington; A KY man is jailed for trapping and killing squirrels; Plus, photos from a perfect Friday night for high school football.

Full story: The RC News: Saturday Round-Up

CITY COMMISSIONER PROMISES CASH FOR MONEY-SAVING IDEAS

Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank has promised a $2,000 cash prize to the best idea that saves or earns the City of Covington money. The suggestions have been given and now a poll has been created online to collect the votes. Click the link below where you can vote for more than idea.

Click Here

FRIDAY

FIRE BREAKS OUT INSIDE HELENTOWN APARTMENT

The River City News was the only media on the scene as fire ripped through a first-floor apartment in Helentown. Photos at the link.

Full story: The River City News

FRIDAY HEADLINES

Radio's Truckin' Bozo has passed away; Covington's Children's Inc announces a merger; Plus, a Kentucky man launches a write-in campaign for President -- but wants President Obama's name yanked from the ballot. Those stories and more at the link...

Full story: The RC News: Friday Round-Up

THURSDAY

THURSDAY EVENING HEADLINES

A conviction in the murder of a Covington teenager; Jeff Ruby talks about being kicked out of an Illinois courtroom; An abandoned home in Latonia is causing problems; Plus, has your dog made you mad? Shame him on the internet! Shame him!

Full story: The RC News: Thursday Evening Round-Up

COVINGTON LANDING COMES BACK TO LIFE FOR FOOD TRUCK EVENT

Life returned to Covington Landing Thursday afternoon as the food trucks came back to Covington... and all of them sold out. Pics of the event -- at the link!

Full story: The River City News

THURSDAY MORNING HEADLINES

The heart-wrenching story of a KY man killed in a logging accident, who made one last call to his mom as he lay dying; The drought forces a KY farmer to feed his cattle candy; Plus, the Cash Mob crew is coming to Covington...

Full story: The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up

WEDNESDAY

MIKE FINK FLOATING RESTAURANT AIMS TO REOPEN IN SPRING

As The River City News was first to report, the Mike Fink floating restaurant may be back in business by next spring. "We just want to serve great food. We want to be your neighborhood restaurant." Full story at the link!

Full story: The River City News

HOLMES LAGS BEHIND IN ACT SCORES, RANKS NEAR BOTTOM IN STATE

The results of last year's ACT scores place Holmes High School near the very bottom, though there was a modest increase over 2011's results. Holmes ranked 225 out of 230 schools in overall composite ACT scores. The results, along with those of surrounding schools, at the link.

Full story: The River City News

WEDNESDAY HEADLINES

What is the Covington Police Department's new D-Team?; Plus, "Covington is really stepping out to improve economic development in the region." Those stories and tons more at the link!

Full story: The RC News: Wednesday Round-Up

TUESDAY

CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART ONE

"The commission is not authorized to consider this." A reporter from the Cincinnati Enquirer took exception to an item on Tuesday night's city commission agenda and took his case to the podium. One commissioner threatened to have him removed from the meeting. What went down, and what the agenda item was about, at the link.

Full story: The River City News

CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART TWO

The community development department will lose its second top manager in the past two months; All the dollars set aside for rehabbing upper floors of Downtown buildings are claimed; Your full Covington Commission recap -- at the link.

Full story: The River City News

TUESDAY HEADLINES

Lewisburg neighbors react to dismantling of their park. "Something doesn't smell right. ...I think there's more to the story."; Plus, where does Covington fall nationally in a new study on charitable giving? Those stories and more at the link.

Full story: The River City News

MONDAY

MONDAY EVENING HEADLINES

Why a Covington park is completely removed from a neighborhood; City Commissioner: energy efficient equipment has saved Covington more than $500,000; Plus, why the guy who owns the new Mainstrasse Popeye's thinks his business will work at a corner location where so many others have failed.

Full story: Monday Evening Round-Up

MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES

City Commissioner follows through on promise of contest to award $2,000 to anyone with ideas to save the city money; Arts District failure in Covington explained to Louisville paper; Plus, why KY will continue to officially thank "Almighty God" for its security.

Full story: The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up

WEEKLY MUGSHOT ROUND-UP

The full story on how a local youth leader was busted for a sexual relationship with a 13-year old boy; Plus, who else is going to prison, who got probation, and who's still on the run? Check out the mugshot round-up from a busy week in Kenton Co Court.

Full story: The River City News

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the week that will be...

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WEDNESDAY 8.29

Donna Salyers' Fabulous Furs Fall Fashion Preview

From the Downtown Covington retailer:

Join us in the showroom for our Fall Fashion Preview!
Enjoy champagne & chocolates and a fabulous fashion show!RSVP to dcarrico@fabulousfurs.com or (859) 331-3877Our showroom is located at 20 W. 11th Street, Covington, KY 41011.

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THURSDAY 8.30
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Covington School Board to meet
For the first time since the election filing fiasco that followed the resignation of Board Member Denise Varney, the Covington School Board will meet. So, if you are keeping score, here is how it has all played out (so far): Varney resigned, the public was told that the Kentucky Commissioner of Education would make an appointment, advertisements promoting the vacancy ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer as mandated by law, on the day of the filing deadline to run for three other school board seats (but not Varney's because she had two years left in her term) Mark Young attempted to file to run for Varney's seat but the County Clerk's office was unaware of any vacancy and so his request was denied, Young had an attorney threaten to sue the Clerk's office after citing a state statute that indicated an election to fill Varney's seat was likely necessary, the County Clerk added Young to the ballot as the sole candidate running for Varney's seat, a complaint was filed against Young's candidacy in Frankfort, Young's name was removed from the ballot on the grounds that the Commissioner of Education had not accepted Varney's resignation, Varney wants her seat back. Got it?
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SATURDAY 9.1
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Kentucky Symphony Orchestra to play final summer concert
Don't miss the final concert of the season by the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra at the Devou Park bandshell. The show starts at 7:30PM and has a theme of Do The Time Warp and promises to feature the KSO Boogie Band serving up a battle of the decades as the 70s and 80s vie for top pop.
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            HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

And remember... if it happens in Covington, you'll see it here at The River City News!

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

PHOTOS: FIRE DESTROYS BUSINESS IN COVINGTON'S EASTSIDE

2012-08-26T14:00:00.002-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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This is a large collection of photos taken from the scene during the Sunday morning fire that destroyed L&L Dry Cleaners on Twelfth Street. For the full story, including comments from the devastated owner, click here.
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PHOTOS: (Due to a technical glitch, you will have to scroll past the first five photos to get to the fire scene photos)

FIRE DESTROYS L&L DRY CLEANERS IN COVINGTON

2012-08-26T12:19:00.001-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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L&L Dry Cleaners opened on Covington's Twelfth Street in 1947, was handed down to a second generation in 1977 and then a third generation in 2007 before passing into history Sunday morning as flames engulfed the building around 8:00AM, fully destroying a sixty-five year old business in less than two hours. Covington Police originally responded to the business after hearing of an intrusion alarm but upon arrival saw flames inside. An off-duty Covington firefighter was also among the first to report the flames. At its peak, forty-three firefighters were on the scene dousing the stubborn flames from the front and the back with Covington's department receiving assistance from Newport, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, and Ludlow. Those back-up crews were also on call to respond to any other possible fires in Covington.

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Two generations of the Landrum family watched from the sidewalk as the L&L's roof collapsed into the building. "I was starting to brag to people that I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, things were starting to look a little better and business is picking up and I got some new customers and everything was going great," said Paul A. Landrum, choking back tears. "Lo and behold, it ain't now."

Paul A. Landrum watches his business burn

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Landrum rushed from his Bromley home to the scene after initially hearing of the possible break-in. "I got a call this morning about 7:30 and I was wetting my hair down 'cause we were gonna go to breakfast," he said. "I went in and pushed the answering machine and it said the burglar alarm dropped, I'm used to that, it happens down here quite often, used to happen a lot more than it does now. I said, 'OK', told 'em I'd be right back, put my pants on and grabbed my keys and headed down. I got about half way through Ludlow, maybe into West Covington and got a phone call from the burglar alarm company and they said the fire department wanted to know if anyone lived upstairs and I said, No, why? And they said, well we have a working fire and so I started speeing up and and as I looked up I seen black smoke in the sky and I though there's no way that's from there and then the closer I got the more I realized, yeah it was."

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It is a sad road bump in a career that started in dry cleaning when Landrum was a child. His father, Paul K. Landrum took over the business from his own father in 1977, and also watched as a family's lifetime of work went up in smoke. Paul K. Landrum explained that his father started the business in 1977 with a man named Lloyd, so the L&L stood for Landrum & Lloyd, but his father bought the man out leaving the Landrums as the sole owners. The youngest Landrum, who raced from Bromley to the scene, explained how he had kept the business alive in a very tough time.

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Business went in the trash when Twelfth Street was widened, he explained, but emphasizing the delivery service helped keep the dry cleaners afloat. He said that before the widening, the business was divided up as seventy-five percent walk-in and twenty-five percent delivery. Now those numbers are reversed. "My customers are the greatest customers around, I mean, I've got some of the nicest people, or I should say, I had some of the nicest people," Landrum said. "I hate not knowing what I'm gonna do."

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Acting Covington Fire Chief Dan Mathew also responded to the scene admitting that he even had one of his dress uniform shirts inside and that he could see the smoke all the way from the Cut-in-the-Hill on Interstate 75 as he made his way to Twelfth Street. "Fortunately for us, the fire occurred right around our shift change time, so we had firefighters coming on shift and coming off shift to fight the fire," Mathew said. In all, five buildings were affected with the dry cleaners receiving the most damage. Flames spread from there to both neighboring structures causing interior damage to the second and third floors of a vacant apartment building and causing exterior damage to another. A couple other buildings were slightly damaged by firefighting activities.  No one was hurt.

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Mathew said that once the roof collapsed into the building fire crews were pulled back and code enforcement officers were headed to the scene to assess the structural integrity of L&L. "The building has the potential to collapse," Mathew said. Traffic was shut down in the immediate on three of the city's busiest streets: Twelfth, Scott Boulevard, and Greenup Street.

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It was in the middle of Twelfth Street, as the flames started to go out, that Paul A. Landrum sat alone in the middle of the road, suffering a nose bleed. He was treated at the scene for what he suspected was his rising blood pressure. He had plans to have the roof painted next week and was at the early stages of redeveloping the building's second floor to turn it into an apartment for his daughter. "I just don't know what I'm gonna do," he said. "Every morning since I graduated high school I got up at 7 o'clock in the morning and I came to work and now, 7 o'clock in the morning I come and sit by work I guess. I don't know. I just don't know."

CASH MOB COMES TO COVINGTON FARMERS MARKET

2012-08-25T18:15:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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Cash Mob NKY launched its first effort Saturday morning with the Covington Farmers Market as the target. The goal of a cash mob is to attract an inordinate number of people to a struggling business or endeavor and to give them a cash infusion and to introduce them to new customers. Click here to follow the group on Facebook so that you know when the next event is scheduled. It is very important to shop local!
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The Cash Mob attracted about twenty new people to the Farmers Market today and the organizer says he hopes to grow from there.

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PHOTOS:
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NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 25 AUGUST

2012-08-25T09:12:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HELENTOWN APARTMENT

A block on Scott Boulevard had to be shut down late Friday evening after flames broke out inside the first-floor apartment of a 3-unit building. The Covington Fire Department acted quickly to put out the fire. No one was inside the unit at the time and no one was injured. A cause and damage estimate have not been released to the public yet.

PHOTOS: Firefighters put out flames in Helentown

QUICKIES

Covington teen convicted of murder, robbery Cincinnati Enquirer

Kenton County suit against petitioning company dismissed Cincinnati Enquirer

Former daycare worker pleads guilty in duct tape incident WKRC

All Kentucky courts, including driver's license offices, will be closed as part of a furlough on Tuesday, September 4 press release

Rep. Yarmuth: Expanding Medicaid in Kentucky has benefits that outweigh the costs cn|2

Sen. McConnell: A GOP Senate could repeal Obamacare Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTOS: NKY Chamber of Commerce welcomes Sen. McConnell in Covington Facebook

Kenton County delegates headed to national Party conventions Cincinnati Enquirer

Louisville man arrested for trapping, killing squirrels out of season Courier-Journal

Kentucky authorities search for possibly armed marijuana dealers State-Journal

White House puts signature beer recipe up for grabs The Hill

1972 Olympic Basketball Team to reunite in Kentucky WBKO

NEW HEADMASTER APPOINTED TO LEAD COVINGTON LATIN

Diocese of Covington Bishop Roger Foys has named Mo Woltering to lead Latin School:

"I am so pleased that Mr. Woltering has agreed to accept the position as Headmaster of our Covington Latin School. The Latin School, from its founding, has provided students with a high quality education that is thoroughly Catholic. Like every Catholic school, our primary purpose is to transmit our Catholic Faith. I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr. Woltering sees and believes this to be our goal at the Latin School. Mr. Woltering brings with him a deep love of the Faith and of the Church which will be a true blessing for the Latin School. I look forward to being more actively involved in Covington Latin School myself as was the intention of Bishop Howard when he established it."
Woltering, a Cincinnati native and a graduate of St. Xavier High School, is coming from northern Virginia, where he held several key positions in Catholic organizations including: Executive Director of the Cardinal Newman Society, Director of Public Policy for the American Life League and, most recently, Academic Dean and Director of Development for Holy Family Academy.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer
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ONLY 1 IN 4 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS ARE COLLEGE READY
More dreary news about the state of education in America from the folks at ACT:

Science was by far the worst tested subject (31% met the benchmark), followed by math (46%), reading (52%), and English (67%). Compared with previous scores, the results are nearly identical to those recorded over the last four years, with the composite score average holding steady at or near 21 since 2008.

Full story: Gawker
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HOLMES HOLDS OFF SCOTT, HOLY CROSS IS THUMPED BY COOPER
It was a beautiful night for some high school football...

Holmes 21, Scott 15

Full story: WCPO

Cooper 49, Holy Cross 7

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer

CHECK OUT THE HOMES THAT WON COVINGTON BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS

The Friends of Covington handed out its 2012 beautification awards on August 8 (The River City News was there and you can see the full list of winners by clicking here) and have no shared photos of all the houses:

See more: Friends of Covington Facebook

PHOTOS: FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT FLAMES IN HELENTOWN

2012-08-24T21:50:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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The 1500 block of Scott Boulevard was shut down late Friday evening after fire broke out inside an apartment on the corner of 16th & Scott. No one was home inside the first-floor unit at the time the fire broke out but tenants on the third floor of the multi-family building called for emergency assistance. No one was injured and no cause was immediately available for this report. This story will be updated ASAP.
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PHOTOS:
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NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY 24 AUGUST

2012-08-24T09:37:00.001-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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COVINGTON PHILANTHROPIST OAKLEY FARRIS WEIGHS IN ON SCHOOLS

Oakley Farris, whose contributions to the people of Covington are well documented by several city monuments, posted this message to The River City News Facebook page:

To whom it may concern,I would like to share some more information regarding our education system. We are all now aware that Covington faces difficult challenges when it comes to education. The statistics on poverty and performance speak for themselves on this challenge. Recently we have had some good news as the ACT scores show a small increase in our average composite score to 15.7. Also Harvard University has had some wonderful things to say about the improvements that Kentucky has seen in Public education over the last ten years. I will save the Harvard report for a later date. For now I would like to share my perspective on the good ACT news, because as I have learned in this life, good news can sometimes come with a sales pitch.Our performance on the ACT determines how bright our student’s future is. We have been told that the scores can be poor indicators of student performance because some students are simply not motivated to attend college. But I feel that we should not so easily dismiss those students, for they deserve a chance to succeed on a level playing field. We must not consign them to permanent second class status as a way of explaining a poor showing on the ACT. We cannot allow a good sales pitch for poor performance to confuse the issue.Now our recent improvement to 15.7 is encouraging, but we cannot forget the students behind it. Around three hundred students appear to have entered Holmes High School as freshmen, but only 181 took the test in grade 11 last year. So, already 120 students have fallen out of the system somehow. Those 181 who took the test scored an average of 15.6 last year. However 20 more students dropped out of the class between taking that test and graduation. The 161 who graduated bear the stigma of that 15.6 score even if their individual scores were higher. Do we really want to accept that among those 161 students, who stuck with the system for 12 years, that there were enough who were so uninterested in college that they intentionally did poorly on the test? Or will we admit that there is a possibility they were doing the best they could? We know that 45% of their classmates dropped out in some form since entering high school; presumably they were the least motivated and lowest performing. The 55% who are left must represent the most motivated and best students in Covington. Yet those few students who are left…..just 161 out of a district population of 4000 are still scoring poorly on the ACT….the test which most determines whether they have a future in higher education. Can this really be the result of low motivation?So the question before us is a difficult one. Do we accept, as we are told, that these low scores are the result of low motivation? To do so would mean that we are admitting that we are failing some portion of our students every year. That we have spent 13 years and about $180,000 on each of them without managing to instill in them the most basic of human desires the desire to succeed. Or will we make it our goal to find in each of them the person who wants to succeed who wants the tools they need to go forward in life as a well-rounded individual. And that begs the question, how can it be that they give us 13 years to educate them and in return we give them the lowest average ACT scores in the state as a graduation gift?
Sincerely,Oakley Farris

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DON'T MISS THURSDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
There is yet another update involving the vacant seat on the Covington School Board as the member who originally resigned now wants her seat back; A conviction in the murder of a Covington teenager; Jeff Ruby talks about being kicked out of an Illinois courtroom; An abandoned home in Latonia is causing problems; Plus, has your dog made you mad? Shame him on the internet! Shame him!
Full story: The River City News
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LOCAL AUTHOR RICK ROBINSON DISCUSSES POLITICAL GAFFES
Rick Robinson, the independent author whose latest book is Writ of Mandamus(which you should buy immediately!) penned a new column this week that touches on the recent "legitimate rape" comment made by a US Senate candidate in Missoure. Robinson compares Rep. Todd Akin (R)'s gaffe to some of the bigger gaffes in history:

But Akin is not the only person to open his political pie-hole and insert his foot. His gaffe, however, does rank as one of the biggest career-ending utterances in modern American political history. Before last Sunday, what were the top 10?

10.) Edwin Muskie’s snowflake tears: An emotional outburst on a cold and snowy morning ended the presidential bid of Edwin Muskie. The Maine senator was the Democratic front-runner when a New Hampshire newspaper ran two scurrilous editorials, one accusing Muskie’s wife of hard drinking and off-color humor. Muskie held an impromptu press conference on the steps in front of the newspaper’s offices, offering an emotional rebuttal to the attacks. The press said he cried. Muskie’s aides said it was melted snowflakes. Whatever it was, Muskie was done and Sen. George McGovern won the right to face President Richard Nixon in 1972.

9.) McGovern: “I am 1,000% for Tom Eagleton”: Speaking of George McGovern and the 1972 presidential campaign, when a story broke that his running mate, Sen. Tom Eagleton, had been hospitalized for depression and treated with electro-shock therapy, McGovern said he stood “1,000% for Tom Eagleton.” Eagleton was dumped from the ticket after 18 days and replaced by Sargent Shriver. It was all downhill from there.

8.) McCain/Palin: It’s hard to imagine that a gaffe-free campaign could have stopped the Obama juggernaut, but the 2008 GOP ticket still had plenty to offer. McCain made the mistake of saying in the middle of the financial collapse that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” And Palin looked like a moose-in-the-headlights in her initial television interviews. Her responses regarding the “Bush Doctrine” and reading anything other than the Wasilla Gazette gave way to “Saturday Night Live” skits that, fairly or unfairly, forged her image in the eyes of many voters.

See the rest of the top 10: The Daily Caller
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SEE ALSO: Robinson had a terrific radio interview on WGN
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TRUCKIN' BOZO DALE SOMMERS HAS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 68

Pat Barry, the local TV and radio personality, reported on Facebook that Bruce Dale Sommers, better known to radio listeners as The Truckin' Bozo, passed away this morning. He was 68. You can share your condolences in a Facebook group and learn how to give to charity in his name at the Truckin' Bozo website.

QUICKIES
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A Kentucky man who has launched a write-in campaign for President wants to see President Obama removed from the ballot here because he claims Obama is not an American WFPL
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The geography of homes whose mortgages are underwater The Atlantic Cities
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Gov. Beshear announces expansion, rebranding of state innovation network (there is an office in Covington) press release
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NKY Community Action Commission rekindles micro-enterprise development Soapbox Cincinnati
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NKU announces its Six at Six lecture series NKU
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CHILDREN, INC ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH UNITED WAY AGENCY
From Rick Hulefeld, founder and executive director of Children, Inc:

There are exciting things happening at Children, Inc. The board of Visions Community Services, a United Way agency located in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati, has voted to become part of Children, Inc. This merger will take effect on January 1st of 2013. It is important to know that in this merger, no one will lose their job and the program of Visions will continue as it has for the foreseeable future. We are excited about this opportunity because the unique strengths of Visions will allow Children, Inc. to explore some new and expanded services for the children and families we currently serve.

This is a union of two respected and collaborative agencies that have the best interests of young children at their core. Our partnership will allow for a broader, deeper impact across our community. The outstanding services that Visions has provided for the past 22 years complement the work of Children, Inc. Together we will provide comprehensive high-quality services for children and families in Greater Cincinnati.

Both agencies share a common history serving inner city children and families as well as teen moms. We are excited to welcome the Visions staff, teachers and administration into the Children, Inc. family and will keep you informed over the coming months as both agencies continue along this path.

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LOUISVILLE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE WINS TOP HONORS
The official website of the City of Louisville won first place at the Center for Digital Government's annual Best of the Web competition:

The Best of the Web awards recognize outstanding government portals and websites based on innovation, functionality and efficiency. Louisville’s website took the top prize for its focus on making city services and government widely available online.
In its 15th year, the Best of the Web awards recognize outstanding government portals and websites based on their innovations, functionality and efficiencies. Louisville has been entered in the awards since 2006. This is the city’s highest finish to date. The website finished 3rd in 2009.

Full story: Louisville.com
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So what makes Louisville's website so great? See for yourself by clicking here.
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Covington, on the other hand, is in dire need of a new city website. Have you ever played on the Internet Way Back Machine? Click the link below and there will be some calendar dates that you can click on to see how little Covington's website has changed in the past EIGHT years. Plus, it's fun to look at what any website used to look like in the late nineties. Click Here
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A new website is supposed to be on the way for Covington. There have been hints that a new city website will be forthcoming as part of a new marketing and rebranding effort. Let's hope!
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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
The Holmes Bulldogs welcome the Scott Eagles to campus tonight at 7:00. It's the first game of the season for Holmes while Scott is coming off an easy win over Lewis County.
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Holy Cross travels to Cooper for an 8:00PM game.
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What are te top 10 NKY high school football games to see this year? NKY Fan
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15 WELL-KNOWN COMPANIES THAT USED TO SELL SOMETHING ELSE
Famous brands weren't always known for what they're known for now:

1. AvonDavid H. McConnell started Avon in 1886 without really meaning to. McConnell sold books door-to-door, but to lure in female customers he offered little gifts of perfume. Before long, the perfume McConnell was giving away had become more popular than the books he was selling, so he shifted focus and founded the California Perfume Company, which later became Avon.(snip)
15. Abercrombie & FitchWhen David Abercrombie founded the clothing store in 1892 in New York City, he wasn’t dreaming of clothing high school and college students everywhere. The store was originally a sporting goods shop and outfitter; Abercrombie even outfitted Charles Lindbergh for his famous flight across the Atlantic. The version Abercrombie & Fitch you see in your local mall started to come about after Limited Brands bought the company in 1988.

Read more: Mental Floss

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE COMING AT 9:30AM

2012-08-24T08:39:00.002-04:00

See you then!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 23 AUGUST

2012-08-23T19:28:00.000-04:00

un-Ti

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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"I HEREBY WITHDRAW MY RESIGNATION" SAYS EX-SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
EXCLUSIVE
Her resignation from the Covington School Board on August 2 set in motion a chain of legal and electoral events like no other in recent memory in this town and now Denise Varney has thrown another wrench into the effort to replace her by saying that she wants to replace herself. Varney sent this email message to the school board, the superintendent, the board attorney, and the Kentucky Commissioner of Education:
Please accept this correspondence as my announcement that I am withdrawing my resignation as a Covington Independent School Board member effective immediately. It has come to my attention that legal counsel for the Covington school board did not advise the Superintendent of the school district that my resignation must be voted on and accepted by my fellow board members. I hereby withdraw my resignation.So, if you are keeping score, here is how it has all played out (so far): Varney resigned, the public was told that the Kentucky Commissioner of Education would make an appointment, advertisements promoting the vacancy ran in the Cincinnati Enquirer as mandated by law, on the day of the filing deadline to run for three other school board seats (but not Varney's because she had two years left in her term) Mark Young attempted to file to run for Varney's seat but the County Clerk's office was unaware of any vacancy and so his request was denied, Young had an attorney threaten to sue the Clerk's office after citing a state statute that indicated an election to fill Varney's seat was likely necessary, the County Clerk added Young to the ballot as the sole candidate running for Varney's seat, a complaint was filed against Young's candidacy in Frankfort, Young's name was removed from the ballot on the grounds that the Commissioner of Education had not accepted Varney's resignation, Varney wants her seat back. Got it?
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CONVICTION ACHIEVED IN CASE OF MURDERED COVINGTON TEEN

The body of 16-year old Dre'Shawn Hammon was found in a wooded area behind City Heights in June of last year and today, fourteen months after Covington Police made the tragic discovery, one of his killers is headed to prison. Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders reports via Twitter:

GUILTY! 1st Asst Comm Atty Jim Redwine just convicted Mikel Crumes of Murder in killing of DreShawn Hammond! ... Wow! Big win in a very difficult case! So proud of Jim Redwine! ... Jury sentences Mikel Crumes to 30 years for Murder of DreShawn Hammond. Great work by 1st Asst Comm Atty Jim Redwine!

Crumes was one of two teens arrested in the murder case, but the second one, Tromonte Rice, pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Crumes.

Image via

WATERFRONT OWNER JEFF RUBY BOOTED FROM ILLINOIS COURTROOM

Ever the showman, local restaurateur Jeff Ruby, who has taken a great personal interest in the murder trial of suspected wife-killer Drew Peterson, was booted from the Joliet, Illinois courtroom today:

“There’s been something I’ve been meaning to tell him for seven years,” Ruby said, standing outside his luxury bus, parked across the street from the courthouse, with a cigar. “So I did this,” and mouthed the words “F--- you.”
A sheriff’s department spokesman said Ruby is banned from the rest of the trial.
The confrontation happened after Ruby said Peterson started staring at him during the break. Ruby said he started to stare back. When Peterson wouldn’t break eye contact, Ruby sent his message. Peterson immediately turned to his attorney, Joel Brodsky, and told him what happened. Brodsky asked a bailiff to throw Ruby out.

Full story: Chicago Sun-Times
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VIDEO:

ABANDONED COVINGTON HOME CAUSING PROBLEMS

Trouble started with this Latonia home when its owner died last December:

The city of Covington describes the house as being in legal limbo. One owner died and a co-owner abandoned the place. It's in foreclosure but still in that co-owner's name. He won't transfer the title to the bank. So while it sits and rots no one can do much but sit back and watch. A skim coat to seal the top part of the chimney had fallen off. The damage to Ted Polonczyk's cars looks minor but the estimates to fix total more than two-thousand dollars.

More, including a video report, here: WKRC
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ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FOOD TRUCK EVENT IN COVINGTON
Life returned to Covington Landing Thursday afternoon as the food trucks came back to Covington... and all of them sold out. Pics of the event -- at the link!

More photos: The River City News

SHOULD CITIES REGULATE WHERE AND WHEN FOOD TRUCKS OPERATE?

Interesting timing that this debate column would cross Twitter today. It offers two varying viewpoints on a debate familiar to Covingtonians recently:

Pia Lopez: Yes, within reason

And just as conventional restaurants can't open just anywhere, cities should be able to license food trucks and set some limits on the time and place of mobile food sales – as cities do in limiting liquor licenses or keeping chemical plants zoned away from schools.
That said, many cities have regulations on food trucks that are far too restrictive.
In Sacramento, for example, outdated ordinances ban food trucks from parking longer than 30 minutes in any place. They have to close at 6 p.m. in winter and 8 p.m. in summer. In Elk Grove, it's worse – food trucks can't stay in one place longer than 15 minutes or sell past 2 p.m.

Ben Boychuk: Yes, but as little as possible

Flagrant restraint of trade may be illegal, but regulators have a vast toolbox at the ready.
The City of Angels came back with an ordinance the City Council drafted in consultation with the county health department. The new law, which took effect in January 2011, imposed an A-B-C grading system similar to the one restaurants have operated under for years.
The law also requires that trucks have access to a restroom within 200 feet of their location, and mandates health inspections twice yearly.
Sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it? Food truck owners actually welcomed the rules.
In practice, however, city and county regulators have enforced the law with draconian zeal. Instead of two health-and-safety reviews a year, truck owners complain it's not uncommon for health inspectors to show up twice a month. Tiny violations – such as parking 201 feet from a restroom – beget hefty fines and low grades. It's absurd.

Read more from both: Sacramento Bee
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS!
The heart-wrenching story of a KY man killed in a logging accident, who made one last call to his mom as he lay dying; The drought forces a KY farmer to feed his cattle candy; Plus, the Cash Mob crew is coming to Covington...

Full story: The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up |
QUICKIES
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Attorney from Kenton Co disbarred for "appalling conduct" WXIX
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Unemployment rate falls in 97 Kentucky counties State-Journal
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Benefits fair planned for 2,000 laid off workers in eastern Kentucky Herald-Leader
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KY's tobacco crop withstands worst of drought Herald-Leader
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Gov. Beshear calls on Congress to pass farm bill cn|2
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Kentucky officials ramp up support for legalized industrial hemp Herald-Leader & cn|2
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Beshear to name new chief of staff soon WFPL
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GOP unity appears to be strained State-Journal
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FOX News is negative towards President Obama, MSNBC is negative toward Mitt Romney Poynter
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Children's Home of NKY interviewed on WKRC
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Newport citizens raise funds for dog park Soapbox Cincinnati
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UK Basketball: Nerlens Noel is not Anthony Davis and he is okay with that Coach Cal
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"WHY I MOVED BACK TO THE SUBURBS"
A writer shares his story from London:

Still, I don’t regret moving on from my old hip, up-and-coming inner London neighborhood one bit. I’m not glad to have moved on because I need space for my kids (I don’t have any) or because I need to save money (though I do). I’m pleased to be gone because, despite all the hype about their supposed edginess and creative ferment, I find fashionable inner city neighborhoods increasingly as banal, antisocial and plain dull as any suburb. For all their reputation as hives of individuality, neighborhoods like my own city’s Broadway Market offer almost identical businesses to those you’d find in currently hip city neighborhoods anywhere. While the base materials (streets and houses) may be different in, say, NYC’s Greenpoint, Berlin’s Neukölln, or Madrid’s Malasaña, the trappings of gentrification – expensive coffee and bike shops, junk sold at a premium as “vintage” and, soon after, bitterly resented chain outlets – make these places seem increasingly homogenous.

Full story: The Atlantic Cities
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THE CARNEGIE'S PRODUCTION OF XANADU IS A HIT!
Check out this review:

As Clio/Kira, Margaret-Ellen Jeffreys is perfect. She exudes an effervescent cuteness and has some wonderfully theatrical facial expressions. Ms. Jeffreys' signing is excellent and her acting is natural and nuanced. CCM junior Blaine Krauss does a great job of conveying Sonny's deadpan cluelessness and shows off a splendid singing voice on several numbers. Rick Kramer is known to Cincinnati audiences as a leading actor in many community theater productions over the years. For Xanadu, he plays both Danny Maguire and Zeus. He sings well and has just the right balance of humor and pathos for the roles. Eileen Earnest and Miranda McGee get plenty of laughs as the evil sisters plotting to destroy Clio. The remaining ensemble members each display multi-faceted talents: Blair Bowman, Aubrey Ireland, McKynleigh Abraham (who theatergoers might remember from season one of "The Glee Project"), and Brian Wylie.

There is one more weekend left! Full review: Talkin' Broadway
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AREA MAN REGRETS INVESTING IN FACEBOOK
LOL. "Area man"...

Saying that he thought it was a “safe bet” at first, local man Mark Zuckerberg, 28, told reporters Tuesday that—after going what he called “all in” on the business—he now regrets staking so much of his financial future on the Internet company Facebook. “It seemed like a slam dunk—popular company, kids love it, and my financial advisors were telling me this stock was going to be a monster,” said Zuckerberg, who works in computers, and has lost nearly $600 million since Facebook went public in May.

Full story: The Onion (satire)
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DOG MAKE YOU ANGRY? SHAME HIM!
Here's how I wasted about seven hours today:

Many, many, many more here: Dog Shaming

COVINGTON LANDING COMES BACK TO LIFE DURING FOOD TRUCK EVENT

2012-08-23T14:46:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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Covington Landing sprung back to life Thursday afternoon as several mobile food vendors and street food stand operators encircled the mostly dormant spot on the Ohio River. The street eats event, sponsored by Renaissance Covington and the BLDG, was very well attended and all the vendors sold out. Food trucks won approval from the City Commission earlier this month to operate on privately owned property during lunchtime hours, though this particular event was held with special permission. Lots of workers from nearby buildings, particularly the IRS, seemed to enjoy eating outside along the river, taking in the view of Cincinnati and the Ohio River murals. It was a great time! Nice to see some life on the Landing - what a terrific location.
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NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 23 AUGUST

2012-08-23T09:21:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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THE MIKE FINK MAY OPEN BY OPENING DAY NEXT SPRING

A partnership that once led to the opening of the old TGI Fridays at Covington Landing is together again, this time to reopen the Mike Fink floating restaurant. "We just want to serve great food. We want to be your neighborhood restaurant."

Full story: The River City News

SPEAKING OF COVINGTON LANDING...

Today at the Landing, come down and enjoy the food trucks and street food for lunch. It's a beautiful day for it!

TALL STACKS TO RETURN TO THE RIVERFRONT IN 2014

It was supposed to be next year, but it will be welcomed whenever it does come back:

“We’re 12-plus months away. And, we’re only one-quarter of the way along with our fund-raising,” Craig said. “So, rather than risk losing money or putting on an event that is not up to meeting the expectations of the community, we’ll shoot instead for 2014.” The 2014 edition will be the seventh installment of the Tall Stacks Music, Arts & Heritage Festival. First held in 1988 to celebrate Cincinnati’s bicentennial, Tall Stacks honors the city’s historic links with steamboats and music. During the 19th century, Cincinnati was the steamboat-building capital of the world. All forms of American music traveled on those boats and passed through this inland, Midwestern port.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cliff Radel
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HOLMES LAGS WAY BEHIND IN JUST RELEASED ACT SCORES
The results of last year's ACT scores place Holmes High School near the very bottom, though there was a modest increase over 2011's results. Holmes ranked 225 out of 230 schools in overall composite ACT scores. The results, along with those of surrounding schools, at the link.

Full story: The River City News

SEE ALSO: Teach For America teacher assigned to Holmes Middle School Cincinnati Enquirer

SEE ALSO: Photos from the first day of school Wednesday for Covington Independent Public Schools Facebook

SEE ALSO: Does America have too many college graduates? The Atlantic

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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY'S JAM-PACKED NEWS DAY...

CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART ONE

Full story: The River City News

CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART TWO

Full story: The River City News

WEDNESDAY HEADLINES

A second food truck invasion is scheduled for Thursday; What is the Covington Police Department's new D-Team?; Plus, "Covington is really stepping out to improve economic development in the region." Those stories and tons more at the link!
Full story: The River City News
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KY MAN KILLED WHILE LOGGING, MAKES FINAL CALL TO MOTHER
Oh my God, this story. A man working on a logging project in Rowan County was killed, one month before his wedding:

It's being called a freak accident, "As he was cutting the timber, the tree that he cut fell against another tree, caught the top of that tree and basically lifted the bottom of that tree up. It pushed him over and caught him between the dozer blade and the tree, itself," described Sgt. Jim Bowling of the Kentucky State Police.

Full story: WKYT via WKRC
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Just before he passed away, a friend was able to call the victim's mother so that she could speak to her son one last time:

"My cell phone rang and I didn't recognize the number. Normally I wouldn't pick it up, but I think the Lord just said 'You need to answer that phone'," she said.
The mother and son talked one last time for several minutes.
"He told me he loved me and his Nanny, that's my mom, and that he loved Tiphanie and he wanted me to call and tell her that.I said 'Hang in there son, Mommy loves you. Pray...fight...help is on the way'," said Tackitt.

More with video: WKYT
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QUICKIES
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One of the attackers of a Louisville teen says the victim ruined his life by tweeting out his identity Courier-Journal
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The victim, Savannah Dietrich, meanwhile, says she will not be silenced KPHO
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Louisville Slugger to pay $14.5 million for boy's brain injury Herald-Leader
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Attorney General Jack Conway says he won't run for Senator in 2014 but Auditor Adam Edelen won't rule it out WFPL
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Senators McConnell & Paul like some parts of Obamacare, if you can imagine! WFPL
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Centre College in Danville prepares for Vice Presidential debate WDRB
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Does this huge coal deal between Kentucky and India make sense? WFPL
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Free speech fight costs KY Bar Association $191,000 Courier-Journal
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What is behind the Kentucky Kingdom stalemate? WDRB
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RECALL: Smoked salmon sold in Kentucky WBKO
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KY parents accused of selling pot to their teenage son WKYT
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Uh Oh: Is there trouble with UK's top basketball recruit Nerlens Noel? Sports Illustrated
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MUST SEE: Angry Kentucky bird takes on biker, neighbor WLWT
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SEIZED FIREWORKS RETURNING TO COVINGTON
This has been a great story to follow:

A federal judge has demanded the ATF return legal fireworks it seized from a Northern Kentucky dealer and said the only reason he wasn’t fining the agency was because they are protected by their status as a government body.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives “engaged in bad-faith conduct,” U.S. District Judge David Bunning wrote in an order issued Tuesday. He first ordered the agency to return the items three years and five months ago.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah
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ATTORNEY ERIC DETERS RESIGNS FROM TALK SHOW
He posted to Facebook this morning:

I begin thinking about a back up for me for Court trials (begin before nine) and a much needed vacation. In that process, Rob Williams ignored a series of emails I sent him. I recommended Dr. Kurtzman or Rick Robinson. The next thing I knew, Rob told me who would be my back up: Dean Mucchio. Didn’t know him. Never heard of him. Never discussed. No input from me. I was angry. When I stood up to this, the station said OK, you report to Bob Herrion, not Rob Williams. I was also asked to help sell advertising. I agreed to give leads and I did, but man, I was already doing enough! Sales calls? No way. The Bulldog is a talk show host and lawyer, not a radio salesman.
Yesterday, after my show I had to get to Boone County for Court. Bob asked me if I had a minute going out the door. I said no I had to get to Court. Later I called and texted. Bob texted me he wanted me to know going forward I would take direction from Rob Williams. I refused. I resigned. I hoped the station would reconsider and I would withdraw my resignation. They didn’t. I didn’t. As of ten minutes ago, after hearing Dean, I asked Jon if he was sure about his decision. So my run at Realtalk 1160 is over only because I resigned rather than take direction from Rob Williams a person who professionally I do not believe knows “good radio” more than me, who learned it from Willie. Sorry. That’s how I feel. After listening to the person he chose as my back up I’m proven right.
In complete candor, also after doing the show for over a year on a small station, I believe I took it as far as I could go. I have a great law practice with great clients. I expect a television deal very soon. By the way, my resignation has nothing to do with this. I can’t say more except a contract is being written by “them.” It’s a real big deal.
Remember when I left WLW over a year ago? I said I’d finish a couple books I was writing. Days later I was back on the radio. One station already has called me. I have a meeting Friday. We will see. I love radio superbity.

Full post: Facebook
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BECAUSE OF CORN SHORTAGE, KY FARMER FEEDS CANDY TO CATTLE
I'd graze with these cattle:

The worst drought in decades has destroyed more than half the U.S. corn crop, pushing prices to record levels and squeezing livestock owners as they struggle to feed their herds.
To cope, one Kentucky cattle farmer has turned to a child-tested way to fatten his 1,400 cows: candy.
"It's so hard to make any money when corn is eight or nine dollars a bushel," said Nick Smith, co-owner of United Livestock Commodities in Mayfield, Ky.
The chocolate and other sweet stuff was rejected by retailers. It makes up 5% to 8% of the cattle's feed ration, Smith said. The rest includes roughage and distillers grain, an ethanol byproduct.

Full story: The Los Angeles Times
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN AND AROUND COVINGTON...
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NKY CASH MOB IS COMING TO COVINGTON ON SATURDAY... BUT FOR WHO?
Cash Mob likes to keep its beneficiary a secret, but here are some updated details that may limit the scope:

Hello Cash Mobbers! Our meetup location is now set! We will be meeting in the parking lot at 3rd and Greenup just East of the "Ascent" Building. It is just a few steps North of Third on the West side of the street. Please be there by 10:45. We will be walking to our location at 11 am sharp.
As there are some new additions to our group and expect more interest as we get closer to the weekend, I want to share the concept of a Cash Mob briefly.
Cash Mob offers community members a way to have a positive impact on the local economy through consumerism. We know that money spent at locally owned shops impacts the local economy far greater than money spent at the big box stores. In fact 15% more of the money spent locally, stays local. Participating in mobs is great in that gives the local shop a quick infusion of money and introduces this location to people who may just drive by. It also helps reinforce the "Buy Local" mentality that will hopefully impact your consumerism as a general rule and not just once a month at the Mobs.

Sounds like the Covington Farmers Market may be in for some added traffic this weekend...
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Speaking of the Farmers Market... Did you know that it is one of the NKY markets that accept WIC? NKY Health Dept
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HOLMES HIGH SCHOOLS HOSTS CROSS COUNTRY MEET
This is going to be really awesome to see a bunch of high school kids competing in an urban area, so come down and support the Bulldogs or your favorite school. The course includes the Licking River Greenway & Trails which is cool. Also, the team is looking for volunteers, so if you can help out, go to the Holmes Cross Country Facebook page.
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DEMOCRATS HOST PICNIC SUNDAY
From the Kenton County Democratic Club:

Announcing the Guest Speakers this year at The Kenton County Democrat Club Picnic ! Our first speaker will be Lisa Wells, a Covington Attorney and On Air Host and The Only Democrat on WLW RADIO, followed by Colmon Eldridge the National President of The Young Democrats of America! The Picnic will be August 26th from Noon to 4pm with the speakers along with Bill Adkins our Candidate for Congress and Jim Noll our Candidate for Senate. The speakers will start at 1:45. The Fireman's Hall at 23rd and Howell in covington is the location of the Picnic. Plenty of parking is available. Admission is $20. Please make your reservations NOW!!! Call me at 859-750-8883 or Linda Hornsby at 261-3045. The time is NOW to step up and support your Democrats! Our Regular meeting in September will also be our annual visit at The Atwood Hill Winery just south of Independence. See you there!!

State Representative Arnold Simpson has donated a pair of UK basketball tickets for the event -- so go down and get your chance to win them.

BERNSTEIN FAMILY PLANS TO REOPEN THE MIKE FINK

2012-08-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News
@theRCnews on Twitter  
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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Jimmy Bernstein
More than twenty years ago, the Conway family of Cincinnati had just sold off its manufacturing business and was looking for a new enterprise to jump into. They decided upon a TGI Friday's franchise at the newly built Covington Landing but the restaurant chain had a stipulation for new franchisees that someone with restaurant experience be involved. The Conways tapped the Bernsteins, operators of BB Riverboats and the Mike Fink floating restaurant, to come aboard and help with their entry into food service. Now, Bob Conway says his family has the second-largest collection of TGI Friday franchises in the country in addition to Newport's Hofbrahaus, Karlo's Bistro in Florence, and multiple McAllister's Delis but as he sets out on yet another new endeavor, Conway is once again collaborating with his old friends, the Bernsteins, only this time it's that family in need of a partner.
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After thirty-five years the Mike Fink served its last meals on Valentine's Day 2008 and since then has mostly remained at its once thriving spot on the shoreline of the Ohio River in the front yard of Covington's Historic Licking Riverside neighborhood. The steady deterioration has drawn the ire of many residents in this posh part of the city dominated by its blocks of antebellum mansions and towering condo developments. Jimmy Bernstein and Bob Conway visited the neighborhood association during its monthly meeting Wednesday night and shared some welcome news: the Mike Fink is on pace to reopen in time for the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day next spring.
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"When we closed, we couldn't compete because the boat was run down and we didn't have the capital to invest," Bernstein said. "But I've matured greatly over the last few years." Closing the Fink was not originally on Bernstein's menu. In fact, in the summer of 2007, six months before the closure, Bernstein had applied for and received approval for plans to renovate the boat once operated by his parents. But the hull of the boat which was built in 1930 was quickly deteriorating and though Bernstein contends that it was never in any danger of sinking a surveyor recommended that the Fink be closed, especially after developing multiple pin leaks.
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The hull was replaced during a trip to Portsmouth, Ohio and should be good for another eighty years, Bernstein told his longtime residential neighbors. Now, the goal is to have some business going on inside it. "In order to compete today you have to keep your eye out, know what's new, appeal to all ages, and have a great product," Bernstein said after acknowledging and empathizing with the neighborhood's concerns. "We just want to serve great food. We want to be your neighborhood restaurant. We want to give Licking Riverside preferential treatment and always have a table for you."
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If there were any bad feelings from the neighbors toward the Mike Fink Wednesday night they were hard to notice as most of Bernstein's remarks were met with enthusiastic applause. But before those tables are available to neighbors or anyone else, financing has to be achieved and that has yet to happen, though Conway is optimistic that their estimated $1.5 - $2.5 million investment will be backed by a bank. Conway is already turning some of his assets into cash so that painting on the Mike Fink's exterior can begin right away.

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"We need to get moving on restoring the outside immediately," Conway said. The color scheme will be the familiar black and white, the traditional colors of an old-fashioned steamboat. On the inside, "there will be lots of character to it," Conway promised. "We want people to come in and discover different areas of the boat and its unique characteristics."
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There are some external issues still facing the boat's reopening in addition to the pursuit of financing, the most pressing of which are in the hands of nature. Bernstein explained that the Ohio River fluctuates from twenty-six to fifty feet about three times a year and that debris dumped from Licking River goes right into the Ohio with its first stop being the Fink. He is working with the City of Covington on developing drift deflectors, though current drawings place them at the Roebling Suspension Bridge, too far west to be of any help to the restaurant. In any case, a crew from BB Riverboats will be on regular patrol to maintain any debris that accumulates. Trash on the land is also an issue and neither Conway nor Bernstein is sure yet where to place the necessary dumpsters. 
Brad Bernstein
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Back on the inside of the boat when the kitchen is cooking again, a third generation member of the Bernstein riverboat family will be serving up its new menu. Brad Bernstein, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who studied in New York and Napa Valley, will be the Mike Fink's chef. He cut his teeth in the boat's kitchen before earning his formal education, though his time on the floating restaurant allowed him to skip many classes at the exclusive school. Brad was inspired in California by the farm-to-table movement and hopes to incorporate that into the relaunched Mike Fink. In its first incarnation the Fink ordered a lot of wholesale products, but this time will be different. 
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"We'll be getting our product locally, taking it in its raw form and creating wonderful meals from it," Brad said, promising slow-cooked entrees over wood fire. He also looks forward to dockside service, a feature that will bring other boats on the Ohio River back to their long-dormant friend, the Mike Fink, ready to breath and serve once again.

HOLMES LAGS WAY BEHIND IN STATE ACT SCORES, RANKS NEAR BOTTOM

2012-08-22T12:58:00.000-04:00

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 
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The results from the 2012 administration of the ACT to Kentucky juniors and seniors are in and across the Commonwealth there are improvements to report. Locally, however, Holmes continues to languish behind the rest of the state. Covington's lone public high school earned a composite score of 15.8, well below the state average of 19.0 (from a possible high score of 36). Out of 230 public high schools with results from 2012, Holmes ranks in a three-way tie for 225. 
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The school's score is a modest increase from its 15.6 composite score in 2011, its first increase since its five-year of 16.4 in 2008. When broken down by subject area, Holmes juniors (who are seniors this year) scored an average of 14.9 in English (up from 14.2 in 2011), 15.9 in math (up from 15.7 in 2011), 15.7 in reading (down from 15.9 in 2011), and 16.3 in science (down from 16.4 in 2011). The percentage of Holmes juniors meeting the state's college readiness benchmarks on last years test were as follows: 28.7% for English (up from 20.1% in 2011), 10.7% for math (up from 9.8% in 2011), and 18.5% in reading (up from 16.5% in 2011).
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At Scott High School in Taylor Mill, which serves South Covington students, the overall composite score was just above the state average at 19.1 (18.1 English, 19.5 math, 19.1 reading, and 19.0 science). Schools in all the other NKY river cities showed an increase in 2012 as well. Bellevue High School's average composite score was 18.1 (up from 17.6 in 2011), Dayton High School scored 18.0 (up from 16.5 in 2011), Newport High School average a 17.6 (up from 17.2 in 2011), while Ludlow High School averaged a 20.4 (up from 18.9 in 2011). 
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Local academic standard bearers Highlands and Beechwood also showed gains on already impressive averages. Highlands students scored an average of 23.8 (up from 22.2 in 2011) while Beechwood had one of the state's highest composite scores of 25.6 (up from 24.3 in 2011).
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Holmes's struggles place it in a three-way tie with Fairdale High School (in Louisville) and Monticello High School at 15.8, ahead of only Fulton County High School (15.6), Western High School in Louisville (15.5), Valley High School in Louisville (15.2), The Academy at Shawnee in Louisville (15.0), and the lowest scoring school, Iroquois High School in Louisville (14.7). The Louisville's Jefferson County Schools racked up some of the lowest performing schools, the large district's average was 18.6.
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At the most recent Covington School Board meeting, plans were presented to address the ACT struggles at Holmes and you can read about them at the link below.
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