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Monday, February 6, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 6 FEB

by Michael Monks 
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OMNICARE EXEC GETS $1 MILLION SEVERANCE IN DEPARTURE
And yet, this is a company that cannot afford to pay its rent without your tax money:
The separation agreement provides Leo Finn with aggregate cash severance of $320,000, payable in 12 monthly installments, according to a filing that Covington-based Omnicare made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additionally, Finn will receive $502,609 in lieu of forfeited restricted stock, and $240,000 in lieu of his 2011 annual bonus.  
Wow. I hope he can make it!
Business Courier/James Ritchie 
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COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM AT HOLMES HIGHLIGHTED BY STATE GROUP
The Kentucky School Board Association puts the spotlight on efforts at Holmes to better prepare students for post-secondary education:
“What we discovered was that a great number of our students didn’t believe they could be successful in a postsecondary program,” said Dennis Maines, principal of Covington’s Holmes High School. He said most students come from families where no one has ever attended college. “A lot of these kids will be the first ever to finish high school,” he said.
Full story at the link.
The River City News 
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DOWNTOWN COVINGTON BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT ARRESTED
Nearly two months later, the guy whom police believe robbed the Huntington Bank on Madison Avenue is finally behind bars.
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KY JUDGE MAY RULE MIDWEEK ON REDISTRICTING
And then maybe some work could get done?
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd listened to more than four hours of arguments in a hearing Monday. Shepherd had issued a temporary restraining order last week that pushed the filing deadline to the close of business on Tuesday. He said he may extend that restraining order if necessary.
AP via Ledger-Independent (Facebook)
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SEE ALSO: You know it's strange days in Frankfort when the state senate's most liberal member joins Republicans in the state house fighting the issue of redistricting. Lexington's long-serving Senator Kathy Stein saw her district moved to northeastern Kentucky, leaving her without a seat -- and that has left many Lexington voters angry:
He appeared to take seriously the disenfranchisement of Fayette County voters who would have to wait six years to vote on their Senate representative, which of course is two years longer than the Constitution says we should. On top of that there’s the House Republicans who argue that Stumbo’s maps unnecessarily split counties and thus disenfranchise voters.
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SEE ALSO: Congressional filing deadline will likely be moved again. WFPL 
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SEN. RAND PAUL TO SPEAK TO NKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Check out the adoring invitation:
Senator Rand Paul, elected in November 2010 to his first term in the U. S. Senate, is the son of presidential hopeful U. S. Representative Ron Paul (R-Texas). Before being elected to the Senate, Paul was working as an ophthalmologist in Bowling Green, KY. However, when longtime Senator Jim Bunning retired, Paul felt compelled to run for elected office. His dedication to the cause of limited government not only resonated with the voters of Kentucky but catapulted him onto the national stage. 
The event is February 24. Click the link for details.
NKY Chamber of Commerce  
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KY AUDITOR WANTS TO SEE MEDICARE CLAIMS OF 3 FIRMS
Kentucky's new Auditor of Public Accounts, Adam Edelen, wants to know how well the state's Medicare claims are being paid and processed by the three firms hired to handle those tasks:
“Our office has received a flood of phone calls from patients who are concerned about slow or denied claims as well as from providers,” said Edelen spokeswoman Stephenie Steitzer.
Courier-Journal/Deborah Yetter 
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KENTUCKY CONTINUES UNIFIED FIGHT AGAINST PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE
Governor Beshear & Attorney General Conway were flanked by legislators from both houses and parties today in Frankfort:
The leaders emphasized that in spite of a heavy legislative agenda, the issue of prescription drug abuse is a high priority. Gov. Beshear explained that the many efforts underway to fight the abuse of controlled substances should not be overlooked in this session. "Battling the scourge of prescription drug abuse requires dynamic, nimble policies and coordination of efforts, from law enforcement to recovery centers, from computer assisted investigations to citizen tipsters," said Gov. Beshear. "The legislation under consideration in the General Assembly will allow us to better coordinate our efforts for a safer Kentucky." 
Office of the Attorney General  
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SEE ALSO: Conway announces multi-state settlement with NCO Financial Systems over debt collection practices Press Release 
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KENTUCKY'S SIGNATURE PRODUCT GETS BOOST FROM OVERSEAS
The international community is really enjoying some bourbon:
Spirits exports grew 16.5% last year, reaching a record $1.34 billion -- outpacing wine's $1.14 billion and dwarfing beer's $334 million, according to new data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, a liquor trade group. Whiskey, including bourbon, accounts for 69% of spirits exports. The growth is fueled by lower tariffs, a weaker dollar that makes exports less expensive and growing middle classes in developing markets, according to the trade group. 
Ad Age  
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Congressman John Yarmuth on the bourbon boom:
Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3), founder of the Congressional Bourbon Caucus, praised the economic contributions of Kentucky’s bourbon industry on Monday, after a new study revealed that the signature industry is in the midst of a worldwide resurgence that is centered in the Commonwealth.
The distilled spirits industry in Kentucky – which produces 95 percent of the world’s bourbon – has expanded more during the past three years than at any time since, according to the University of Louisville study. Bourbon contributes $1.8 billion a year to the state’s economy and employs nearly 9,000 people, directly and indirectly, with a total annual payroll of $413 million, the study revealed.
The industry has also created 4 percent new job growth since 2008.
“I’ve always been proud to support the bourbon industry, and this reaffirms the vital role that bourbon plays in our state,” Yarmuth said. “Far more than a drink of choice for those with discerning taste, bourbon is an economic driver and job-creator.” 
In other news, there's a Congressional Bourbon Caucus?
Press Release 
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BOAT MOVED FROM BRIDGE COLLAPSE
Maybe that will shrink the lookie-loos flocking to the scene of the accident in Western Kentucky:

A ship is no longer sitting near the western Kentucky bridge that it crashed into. The Delta Mariner was freed this morning and moved to a safe harbor down river. Underwater debris had been holding it in place near the Eggner's Ferry Bridge.
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in case you missed...
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MONDAY AFTERNOON'S NEWS
Another small business makes a big investment in Covington; Congressman Davis seeks to close the 'strip club loophole'; Plus, how grocery stores are ripping off girl scout cookies. Those stories and more at the link!
The River City News 
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TWO COVINGTON ATHLETES UP FOR HONOR FROM WLWT NEWS 5
Channel 5's Beacon Orthopedics Primetime Performer honors the week's most outstanding athletes at the high school level. Voting ended today at noon, and we'll find out who the winner is during Channel 5's 11:00PM news tomorrow. There's a 40% chance the winner will be a Covington athlete. Jake Burger of Holy Cross was nominated for his 29-point/6 steals performance while Dontel Rice, of Holmes, was recognized for his 25-point throwdown. 
WLWT
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COVINGTON'S VIEW OF THE CINCINNATI SKYLINE TO IMPROVE?
Sounds like Dunnhumby is going to forgo The Banks and build a new headquarters in Downtown Cincinnati at 5th & Race Streets:

The market research firm is working toward formal agreements with the city of Cincinnati, the state of Ohio and 3CDC to build its new headquarters at the site, owned by the city of Cincinnati, according to a statement. The land is currently being used as a public parking lot and will be redeveloped by 3CDC to include the office building for DunnhumbyUSA, a parking garage, and additional commercial space and retail.
Business Courier/Tom Demeropolis  
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CINCINNATI WAS ABUZZ WITH NATALIE PORTMAN SIGHTINGS
Then it was confirmed that the actress was in fact in town, as demonstrated by this photo from Orienal Wok, where Portman ate. Also, from the Enquirer:
Our best guess is that Portman was here to visit her grandmother, Bernice Stevens. Stevens, whom Portman mentioned during her best actress acceptance speech during the 2011 Golden Globes, lives in Hyde Park and is the widow of Art Stevens, the founder of Champion Windows.
And then this tweet from Busken Bakery:


 Busken Bakery 

Natalie Portman was spotted at Busken Bakery last night. What sweet treat do you think she devoured?

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See, America? Cincinnati goes gaga for stars other than George Clooney, too!
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COVINGTON POLICE AT THE POLAR PLUNGE
They raised over $2,500 for the Special Olympics according to the department's Facebook page. Photos at the link.
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LOOKS LIKE IT WAS ANOTHER FUN NIGHT AT BANGARANG'S!
So happy that these guys are rockin' it on Scott Boulevard. Click the link for photos from the most recent good time.

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