NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING

by Michael Monks 

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BREAKING: Covington Schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson just learned today that John G. Carlisle lost their two main contributors for the Christmas gift program. The schools have money to cover about a third of the students at this moment but still needs roughly $3,000 to cover the rest. "John G." is the poorest school in the district and is among the poorest in the entire state with a high percentage of homeless students. Help make the season bright for these less fortunate kids so that they know that there is good in the world. Every little bit helps, right? Checks should be made out to John G. Carlisle school and mailed or dropped off to the district office: 25 East 7th Street, Covington, KY, 41011. For more info, email janice.wilkerson@covington.kyschools.us.

Thank you to Bob Sanders and Candace Witte for bringing this issue to the attention of the community (and for their generous donations to the cause).

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ISN'T THIS A SIGN OF THE TIMES...?

We hear a lot about how the federal government has placed bigger and bigger financial burdens on the states and local governments. Now there's proof. Merry Christmas:

Official Office of the Speaker
Photo by Bryant Avondoglio

Yes, that picture is of the Capitol's official Christmas tree, as tweeted by Speaker John Boehner. But wait, there's more:

The Capitol Christmas Tree will be decorated with approximately 3,000 ornaments reflecting this year’s theme: “California Shines.”

3,000 ornaments! Wow. Sounds pricey. The Speaker, however, did make a glaring error in regards to the California Shines theme:

The ornaments have been designed by artists and crafters of all ages, and reflect the rich cultural and natural diversity of the Sunshine State.

 Yeah... Florida is the Sunshine State. California's official motto is the Golden State. Understandable for a man whose preferred form of sun is the artificial kind. But that's not why this is news. It's news because of this:

Kentucky will avoid the minimal cost of hauling in an official Christmas tree, opting instead to decorate an evergreen growing on the Capitol's front lawn. Finance Cabinet spokeswoman Cindy Landham said Monday that Gov. Steve Beshear's administration had opted not to follow the traditional route of issuing a public request for a donated tree that state workers load aboard a truck to be hauled to Frankfort.

Kentucky can't even afford to a put up a donated tree! But, then again:

The move is drawing kudos from environmentalists, including leaders of the forest protection group Heartwood who said they're pleased Kentucky has opted to decorate an existing tree rather than kill one.

WKYT 
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BUT COVINGTON WILL HAVE TWO TREES!
Tonight at 6:30, the City lights up the tree at 34th & Decoursey in Latonia and tomorrow night in Mainstrasse, the City lights up the official tree on 6th Street (that event includes hot chocolate and a petting zoo for the kids!).
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DIRECTION 2030 ASKS YOU TO ATTEND MEETING ON KENTON CO'S FUTURE
And this time, they're coming to Covington:

One of a series of public meetings scheduled for members of the public – including residents, builders, developers, business owners and operators, and others – to offer input on the Comprehensive Plan, a policy and planning document that is designed to guide the development and growth in Kenton County over the next 20 years.

Meeting is at Calvary Baptist Church, 3711 Tibbatts Road in Latonia at 5:30PM.
Direction 2030
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SAD LOSS AT SCOTT HIGH SCHOOL
SHS Class of '99 and Covington native Tracy (Hurley) Deaton passed away. She was the school's Youth Service Center Coordinator. From the school:

She went above and beyond the call of duty to support the students of SHS and our community - she was a living example of the power of giving. We know she fought a brave fight and she is irreplaceable. Please keep Tracy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Personal note: Tracy and I sat next to each other in French class for three years in addition to sharing time in the drama club. What an awesome, hilarious person, and what a sad, tragic loss for the Scott community.
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NKY CHAMBER TO SET PRIORITIES FOR FRANKFORT
Our region's legislators will be present at this event as the NKY Chamber establishes its wish list for the next general assembly.
NKY Chamber
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COVINGTON POLICE JOIN TWITTER
First Facebook, now Twitter. Guess it's better to follow the Covington Police than to have them follow you!
SEE ALSO: The River City News @ Facebook and Twitter.
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UK IS RANKED NUMBER ONE IN BOTH MAJOR POLLS
I was looking forward to UK knocking off a number-one team when UNC rolls into Lexington Saturday, but then I realized that it's way more awesome just to be the number-one team. 
GO CATS!
UK Athletics
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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL STARTS THIS WEEK
Holy Cross is still playing football (and the whole city is excited about that!) but basketball is about to get underway. First up is a match between the city center and the south end: Holmes versus Scott tomorrow night! Holy Cross tips off Saturday at Lloyd.

GO SCOTT!
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DAD OF "SHIT MY DAD SAYS" FAME IS IN CINCINNATI?
The official Twitter account today would indicate that, yes. Here's the shit that dad said this time:

"I'm in Cincinnati at a waffle house that's across from 2 waffle houses. Everyone's fat. This city is f***ing hall of fame of Diabetes."

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HEY, DID YOU MISS TODAY'S NEWS?
NKAPC would have prevented Thanksgiving from ever happening, says NKY Tea party; Did you know that Covington is the only NKY River City without a state football title (Holy Cross may change that!); a man is stabbed this morning in Austinburg; and is the UK-UL basketball rivalry on the chopping block? Those stories and more at the link!
News Round-Up -- Monday Morning
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Commission meeting cancelled, retreat to go as planned; Covington's Randy Michaels settles with Tribune; Library wins grant; and the history of the bendy straw (you want to know, right?). Those stories and more at the link!
News Round-Up -- Monday Afternoon