by Michael Monks
Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook
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COVINGTON REP. SIMPSON'S ANGEL INVESTOR BILL PASSES COMMITTEE
This piece of legislation was listed as a priority of the NKY Chamber of Commerce:
The bill is seen as way to attract investors in small businesses — those with fewer than 100 employees — that have more than 50 percent of its assets, operations, and employees located in the commonwealth.
More on this story including another video of Rep. Arnold Simpson commenting on the bill at the link.
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COVINGTON'S PROPOSED 'BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT' EXPLAINED
Should Covington's commercial property owners levy an additional tax on themselves in an effort to boost economic development in the urban core? The proposed Business Improvement District was explained in depth this week, but there's still more to learn. Click the link for a story you'll only find here. |
COVINGTON AMONG 5 CHOSEN AS CERTIFIED CULTURAL DISTRICT
What a great honor for our City!
An independent panel of reviewers deemed these five communities ready for certification from a pool of 26 applicants. The Kentucky Arts Council will continue working with communities seeking certification, offering technical and planning assistance throughout the year.Covington joined Berea, Danville, Horse Cave, and Paducah on the list. Click the link for more on this story!
The River City News
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| KY First Lady Jane Beshear announces the five certified cultural districts at the State Capitol. (Photo courtesy of City Commissioner Steve Frank who is in Frankfort today) |
NKU STUDENTS FIGHT FOR MORE FUNDING IN FRANKFORT
It may prove fruitless, but students at NKU expressed their displeasure with proposed cuts to higher education:
They traveled to meet and collaborate with college students from around the state in a collective effort to proclaim in one unified voice that the legislators of Kentucky, their legislators, should invest in the state’s educational future, instead of reducing funding year after year.The Northerner/Zachary Rogers
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STATE SEN. THAYER RELEASES CLIENT LIST
Sen. Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), whose district includes South Covington, has released a list of his clients that may stand to benefit from expanded gambling, a measure which the senator hopes to help the Governor pass.
“I am offended that my integrity was called into question but am happy to put any questions to rest in the interest of moving this issue forward,” he said. “I believe a vast majority of Kentuckians see it the way I do — that a public referendum is the right way to lay this issue to rest.”Courier-Journal/Gregory A. Hall
He said his clients gave him permission to release their names. Besides the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, which he already had said is his biggest client, there are three breeding farms — Millennium Farms in Lexington; Wintergreen Stallion Station in Midway and Whispering Oaks Farm in Louisiana.
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Thayer’s clients became an issue after a Frankfort-based pastor raised questions about whether Thayer might personally benefit if his firm represented horse industry clients that could directly gain if Kentucky approves expanded gambling, as the Herald-Leader first reported. . That prompted Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear to rush to his defense.cn|2/Ryan Alessi
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Thayer released a statement earlier today:
“The implication that a legislator who wants to allow the people to decide an issue is somehow engaging in a conflict of interest is ludicrous. This is why more and more people don’t want to participate in politics these days. Personally destroying someone’s reputation is somehow more acceptable than just debating the issues and letting the best ideas rise to the top. I am offended that my integrity was called into question but am happy to put any questions to rest in the interest of moving this issue forward. I believe a vast majority of Kentuckians see it the way I do – that a public referendum is the right way to lay this issue to rest.”Read the entire statement at the link.
Damon Thayer @ Facebook
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TRAFFIC DEATHS ON THE RISE IN KENTUCKY
Already, 64 people have died on the state's roadways, five more than at the same time last year:
“Although it is still early, we want to be proactive in addressing this increase in highway deaths on Kentucky roadways,” said KSP Spokesperson Lt. David Jude.Press Release
Of the 64 people killed so far this year, 31 were not wearing seat belts and nine died in crashes involving alcohol.
“With the decent winter weather, more people have been traveling our roadways, which might explain the fatality increase,” said Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS) Director Bill Bell. “However, it does not explain why people are not making safe decisions when they get behind the wheel.”
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KENTUCKY WILL GET NEARLY $59 MILLION FROM FORECLOSURE SETTLEMENT
Good news from bad news?
The settlement, with five of the nation’s largest banks, will provide relief to consumers who were foreclosed upon, principal write-downs and refinancing to homeowners who hold mortgages that exceed the current value of their homes, and payments to states for ongoing consumer protection programs, according to a news release.Louisville Business First
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The money is part of a national settlement:
In the largest deal to date aimed at addressing the housing meltdown, federal and state officials on Thursday announced a $26 billion foreclosure settlement with five of the largest home lenders.CNN Money
(snip)
"We are using this opportunity to fix a broken system," said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder at the news conference announcing the settlement.
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Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway held a press conference this afternoon in Frankfort:
"Our efforts made a difference, and I will use a significant portion of the money that Kentucky receives from the banks to continue going after them on behalf of Kentucky homeowners," General Conway said. "In fact, today I subpoenaed MERS (Mortgage Electronic Registration System Inc.), which I believe may have circumvented Kentucky law by failing to properly record mortgage assignments and pay filing fees with county clerks throughout the Commonwealth."
- Of the $25 billion settlement, Kentucky will receive $58.8 million. $12 million available in direct relief to homeowners, which includes loan-term modifications and principal write-downs.
More details at the link.
- $10.8 million in direct payments from the banks to consumers who were foreclosed upon using "robo-signed" documents from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011. Each borrower would be eligible for up to a $2,000 direct payment from the banks. The amount of the payment will depend upon how many borrowers participate. "Robo-signing" is a practice where banks did not properly review and prepare foreclosure paperwork and applied automatic or electronic signatures to court documents. Borrowers will not have to release any legal claims they may have in order to participate.
- $15.9 million in refinancing for borrowers who are current on their mortgage payments, but hold mortgages that exceed the value of their homes.
- $20 million in a direct payment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for consumer protection programs.
Press Release
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CLERMONT POLITICIAN TO TURN SELF IN AFTER SEX CRIME IN KENTON CO
Good to know that our fine county is where politicians from across the river still bring their prostitutes:
Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson says he has spoken with Archie Wilson's attorney and Wilson plans on turning himself in soon. Wilson is being represented by Robert Lotz in Covington.
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The lurid backstory:
The case began last spring when a female inmate at the Clermont jail, Amanda Lay, saw Wilson’s photo in a newspaper and asked to speak to a detective. According to a Clermont sheriff’s report dated June 22, she told investigators that Wilson, over a period of several weeks, had paid to have sex with her in Kenton County motels and that he had provided her with cocaine and pills.Cincinnati Enquirer/John Johnston
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URGENT CARE CENTER PLANS TO OPEN LOCATION IN LATONIA
Hometown Urgent Care has opened an office in Hebron and plans to open a second location in Latonia.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Shauna Steigerwald
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SEE ALSO: Kangaroo Care Training aims to boost breastfeeding rate in Kentucky Press Release
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SEN. MCCONNELL: OBAMA DEMEANS THE PRESIDENCY
From the department of assholery:
“The White House and its lieutenants have made an art form out of the orchestrated attack,” he said. “They’ve shown they’ll go after anybody or any organization they think is standing in their way.It's like he doesn't even hear himself when he speaks.
“These things demean the office of president. They corrode our democracy and they need to stop.”
The Hill
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AND WHAT IS OUR OTHER US SENATOR UP TO?
Rand Paul is speaking out on the fake War on Religion 84 WHAS
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And calling for an end to all US aid to Egypt:
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GOV. BESHEAR APPOINTS TAX COMMISSION MEMBERS, INCLUDING NKY MAN
The new members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform were announced today by Governor Beshear:
The Commission, to be led by Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson, will work over the coming months to develop recommendations to make the state’s tax code more responsive to the ups and downs of the economy, as well as to make taxes more equitable for Kentuckians. The revisions should allow for tax revenues that are adequate to address the needs of the state’s citizens and businesses.Press Release
“In order to better prepare our state for the future, we must study how we can better align our tax code with the principles of fairness, business competitiveness and a 21st Century economy,” said Gov. Beshear. “An improved tax code will not only create a more welcoming business environment, but will also allow the state to invest in the services and priorities that best position our citizens for success.”
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A Northern Kentucky man is part of the commission:
Rick Jordan of Walton, who is vice president and general manager of LSI Industries and has spent 30 years in manufacturing. He has been active with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and served on Gateway Community and Technical College’s board during the terms of Democratic Gov. Paul Patton and Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher.cn|2
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SEE ALSO: Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramsom lays out goals for tax commission cn|2
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SEE ALSO: Does Abramson plan to run for Governor in 2015? cn|2
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RICHIE FARMER RETURNS RIFLES TO AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
Only in Kentucky:
When former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer returned missing state computer equipment to his old office last month, he also delivered a bit of a surprise — seven rifles. The weapons were among those specially ordered to be given as gifts to visiting agriculture officials at the 2008 convention of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, which Farmer’s agency held in Lexington.Courier-Journal/Tom Loftus
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3 MORE GREAT BLACK KENTUCKIANS NAMED TO GALLERY
From a release:
The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights was proud to announce today three inductees into its Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians. The inductees are Kentucky State Senator Gerald Neal, the late Arthur Walters and the late William Blakey.Read more at the link.
Press Release
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in case you missed...
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Covington has two Great Black Kentuckians included in the gallery and The River City News had their stories on Wednesday. Click the link to check it out!
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SEE ALSO: Online resources to explore the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky Click Here
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SO KNOTT COUNTY, KENTUCKY WANTS TO PARTY?
It's hard to believe that some counties in Kentucky still outlaw the sale of alcohol (and harder to believe that they still benefit from the taxes collected on such sales in other counties), but Knott County is thinking about joining the 1930s:
Knott County has joined the growing list of counties or cities where voters will decide this year if they want to allow alcohol sales. Judge Executive Randy Thompson said a petition had more than the 675 signatures needed to put this issue on the ballot but voters will have to wait until April to make their choice.WKYT
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In the meantime, Knott County is busy getting high on life... and meth:
On February 5, 2012 Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard along with DESI East and the Knott County Sheriff's Department responded to a complaint at 313 Hickory Withe Road in the Fisty community of Knott County in reference to a possible meth lab.
Seven were arrested in the small Knott County town of Fisty.
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NKU TO HONOR FIRST BASKETBALL TEAM TONIGHT
As the NKU Norse men and women take on Indianapolis at the Bank of Kentucky Center tonight, the crowd will pause to pay homage to the school's first basketball team:
NKU will recognize the 1971-72 men's basketball squad, which was the first varsity team in school history. On Nov. 12, 1971, then-Northern Kentucky State College tipped off competition in a high school gym. Inside Newport High School's 'Cats Den, Northern Kentucky State met Calvary College, and the Norsemen, coached by Mote Hils, posted a 109-65 win in their inaugural game.
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SEE ALSO: NKU announces its first recruiting class for women's soccer as a division 1 school NKU Norse
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LOUISVILLE RESTAURANT SCORES FIVE DIAMONDS FROM AAA
It's the fifteenth consecutive year that the Oakroom inside the Seelbach Hotel has scored the acclaim:
“We are extremely honored to once again be the recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award,” Jon McFarland, general manager of the Seelbach Hilton, said in the news release. “The Oakroom has long been known as the premier dining destination in Kentucky and this recognition from AAA affirms our reputation of culinary and service excellence. We certainly appreciate the significance and prestige of this award.”Business First
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in case you missed...
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THIS MORNING'S NEWS
Hot mess alert in Frankfort ("Lawmakers generally don’t like to act on controversial issues until they know who their opponents will be."); A joke about President Obama divides KY gay community; Plus, two young Covington athletes get region-wide acclaim. Those stories and much more at the link!
The River City News
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GUY WHO PAINTED MURALS FOR FACEBOOK GETS $500 MILLION PAYDAY
Wow, what a gamble and what a payoff. This artist was commissioned to spray paint murals inside the original Facebook offices. Facebook offered to pay him $60,000 for the work... or stock options. The artist chose stock options:
Today, he said, the stock he took instead could be worth more than $500 million.Full story at the link.
Yes, that’s what he says: half a billion dollars to paint the murals.
The New York Times/Nick Bilton
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