360 Fireworks Party

Thursday, February 16, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 16 FEB

by Michael Monks 
|   
COVINGTON COMMISSIONERS & NKY CHAMBER LOBBY IN FRANKFORT TODAY
Commissioners Steve Frank and Sherry Carran are in Frankfort today to press lawmakers to fund Covington's desired urban campus for Gateway College as well as for State Rep. Arnold Simpson (D-Old Seminary Square)'s angel investor tax credit bill. The NKY Chamber is also in Frankfort today according to a tweet from President Steve Stevens. Expect an update later.
|
PARKING TO CHANGE ON PIKE; METERS POSSIBLE FOR MAINSTRASSE
Loading zones will be removed from Pike & 7th Streets to make way for more metered parking. Additionally, a larger parking plan for Covington may include adding meters to Mainstrasse's commercial blocks. Click the link for that story.
|
GAMBLING AMENDMENT CLOSE TO PASSING SENATE COMMITTEE
The NKY riverfront is excluded because of its proximity to Turfway Park:
“I am open to any changes, but I suggest that any people ... who have concerns about the language and where the proposed locations could go should speak with the governor,” Thayer said. “And if the governor wants to change the language, I would be happy to offer a committee (substitute), but I’m not going to get in the middle of negotiations on that.”
One of the concerns is a provision that Beshear inserted in the legislation to protect existing tracks from competition by Kentucky casinos. It would prevent a nonracetrack casino from being within 60 miles of a track. 
Courier-Journal/Gregory Hall 
|
JUST HOW BAD OFF IS KENTUCKY'S HORSE RACING INDUSTRY?
A popular jockey is bolting for New York's racing circuit:
Leparoux has made Louisville his hometown since his first full season of riding in 2006, fashioning a circuit of Churchill, Keeneland, Saratoga in New York in the summer and Gulfstream Park in Florida in the winter.
But New York’s purses have substantially increased since Aqueduct’s slots operation launched last year. And Churchill, plagued by short fields, has markedly cut back its racing days, going to a four-day race week in the spring several years ago and ending earlier this year. The track’s spring meet ends July 1. Churchill had been running through July 4, or through the weekend including July 4, in recent years.
Courier-Journal/Jennie Rees 
|
MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL PUSHED IN FRANKFORT
And it's named for the late Gatewood Galbraith:
Called the Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Act, Clark’s bill would legalize the sale of up to five ounces of marijuana a month to individuals who are prescribed the drug to ease pain.
Galbraith, who died last month, advocated for the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. He also argued during his five runs for governor over the last 20 years that the drug should be decriminalized but regulated and taxed. 
Anyone else hoping that it passes... and that you suddenly find yourself "in pain"? Video at the link.
cn|2/Nick Storm  
|
MEANWHILE, AN NKY RAPPER IS BUSTED FOR MARIJUANA TRAFFICKING
G-Money Greene, 19, was arrested in Maysville:
Greene recently gained notoriety in the local community when a video entitled "Smoke Smoke" was posted on YouTube. The video shows areas of Maysville, including the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge at night.
Officials said 35 bags of marijuana, packaged in different weights were seized, along with a .25-caliber handgun and ammunition, two sizes of sandwich baggies typically used for marijuana sales, and digital scales. 
Greene was already in jail on burglary and kidnapping charges. 
Ledger-Independent/Marla Toncray  
|
Here's his video "Smoke Smoke" which features Maysville prominently:
 
|
DEFENSE SECRETARY TO VISIT KENTUCKY
Leon Panetta is coming to Louisville March 1:
McConnell Center Director Gary L. Gregg says given international conflicts with countries such as Iran and the end of the two major wars, this address could be a defining speech for U.S. defense.
“This will be our first secretary of defense so we’re very excited about that and particularly at this time in American history when the defense department is coming under such pressure financially and we’re winding down these two important wars overseas. It’s just a really fabulous time for us here in the Louisville community to hear from our secretary of defense,” he says. 
WFPL/Phillip M. Bailey  
|
KENTUCKY TO AUCTION OFF VEHICLES
155 cars used by the Commonwealth including SUVs and pickup trucks are hitting the auction block.
WKYT 
|
WORKSHOP TO EXPLORE CLIMATE CHANGE AND FARMING IN KY
Monday:
Scientists and experts are scheduled to discuss subjects such as an analysis of Kentucky's climate, how climate change impacts wheat and small grains, and how other states have dealt with the issue. 
WKYT
|
CINCINNATI PASSES NATION'S STRICTEST SCRAP METAL LAW
Covington should follow suit:
Council passed the ordinance after a discussion, which requires people to buy a license. Selling metal up to the amount of $10,000 will require you to buy a license for $25. Selling between $10-25,000 worth of scrap will require a license for $100, and selling more than $25,000 in scrap metal will require a license which costs $400. 
Local 12  
|
EXPECT MORE COMPETITION FROM LOUISVILLE'S AIRPORT

It's about to undergo $140.5 million in capital improvements:
Another large expense, $15 million, is expected to be spent on modifications to the airport needed to accommodate the next, larger generation of jet aircraft that will be using the airport.
Business First/Kevin Eigelbach 
|
100 DOGS SAVED FROM 'HORRIBLE' KENTUCKY RESCUE
And several of the dogs are expected to give birth, increasing the number:
“Dead dogs lying around, dog parts on the ground, very emaciated dogs, severe matting, severe neglect,” he said. “It was horrible quite honestly.” 
The Tennesseean via Courier-Journal 
|
REMEMBER THE BIG PIG GIG?
Streets on both sides of the river were lined with elaborately designed pigs... and now the event is coming back. Tonight, ArtWorks is hosting an artist/sponsor match. 
ArtWorks 
|
HAUNTED HOUSE COLLAPSES, CLOSES KENTUCKY ROAD
The popular Hustonville Haunted Castle promised big changes for 2012, according to its website, but maybe did not expect this: 
The Sheriff says there's now a 10' by 10' hole in the side of the building, and as a precaution, Old Liberty Road has been shut down in that area. WKYT is told no one has been hurt. Inspectors are still trying to figure out if the rest of the building is safe. 
WKYT 
|
BUT WHAT'S SCARIER THAN THAT?
The fact that Mars will no longer be making King size Snickers!
Mars Inc, the maker of Snickers and Twix candy bars, will stop selling chocolate products with more than 250 calories in them by the end of next year, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
(snip)
The new calorie limit target means fans of the 540-calorie king-size Snickers bar might want to enjoy the big bar while they can. Come 2014, it's going to be gone, part of what Mars says is a broader push for responsible snacking. 
Start hoarding now, people. Just awful news! 
Reuters  
|
BLACK HISTORY LECTURE TODAY AT NKU
It starts at 10:30AM:
Northern Kentucky University African American Student Affairs and the Black Faculty Staff Association announced today they will present a free public lecture by Dr. Pamela "Safisha" Hill on the national Black History Month theme of "Black Women in American Culture and History" on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 10:30 a.m. in Student Union 104.
NKU 
|
NEARBY HAMILTON, OHIO IS AMONG BEST IN NATION FOR PROPOSALS?
If you want to get engaged, head up I-75 to Hamilton:
Hamilton is #5 on the list, comprised by social travel company Uptake. The ranking is based on the status updates ofFacebook members.
Atlanta, Georgia is #1, San Francisco is #2, followed by Los Angeles, Washington DC, and then Hamilton-the smallest city on the list.

Uptake says "if you don't know where Hamilton is, then you don't know where love is." A high number of Facebook users are getting engaged in Hamilton. Uptake points out that Hamilton is the "city of sculpture" and that anyone "getting down on one knee should keep an eye out for statue-bombing pigeons. That would truly ruin the moment." 
Local 12  
|
DICK VITALE IS COMING TO KY BUT NOT FOR UK OR UofL
This time the popular ESPN basketball commentator is heading to tiny Murray State where the Racers have been one of the best stories in college basketball this year:
"It's a real honor to have Dick Vitale coming to Murray," MSU Director of Athletics Allen Ward said. "When it comes to college basketball, it doesn't get any bigger than Dickie V. The game's already sold out, so we're primed and ready to put on a good show for him and the national television audience. What a great opportunity to showcase Racer basketball." 
Murray takes on Saint Mary's in a "Bracketbusters" match-up on Saturday at 6:00PM. Go Racers!

No comments:

Post a Comment