360 Fireworks Party

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 27 JUNE

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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WHAT DID A CITY COMMISSIONER SAY AFTER LAST NIGHT'S MEETING
Chuck Eilerman, a candidate for Covington City Commission, published this charge to Facebook Wednesday afternoon: 
Last night I attended the Mayor's update on the state of his 10 point plan and the summary overview of the Management Partners study recommendations. Some thoughtful and provocative ideas, many of which seeem to have merit for further discussion. I do believe, though, that the only way we can maximize the effectiveness of these ideas is by dealing respectfully and collaboratively with all parties involved, including our employees and the leadership of related organizations. One Commissioner was overheard after the meeting threatening/promising to "F***" several of these folks. This behavior is not "passionate", it's disrespectful, insulting, dysfunctional, and unacceptable coming from an elected official. Just saying... 
Interesting.
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Lots of debate about Tuesday night's meeting is going on at The River City News Facebook page.
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In case you missed the coverage from last night's meeting...
Close two firehouses (and build a new one), brown out a fire truck; privatize ambulance services, eliminate code enforcement, and more -- all part of the 59 recommendations for the City of Covington to adopt in an effort to save $3.2 million. Full story at the link.
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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY MORNING'S NEWS
A large sinkhole swallows part of a Mainstrasse street; Thirty-four possible projects for city-owned properties; Mayor updates his 10-point plan and turns focus to economic development; How Covington will welcome visitors to World Choir Games; Plus, storytellers from across the nation are in Covington this week. Those stories and more at the link!
The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 
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MORE ON THE LARGE SINKHOLE IN MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE
Via WKRC

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WHOA! HOW MUCH DOES SEN. RAND PAUL HATE UNIONS?
This much: 
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Sen. Paul is also holding up flood insurance legislation for a life-begins-at-conception measure: 
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) won’t allow a measure extending the FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program for five years to move forward until he gets a vote on legislation declaring that human life begins at conception.
“Just trying to get a vote for the people who elected me,” Paul told TPM in the Capitol Tuesday evening. “If he’ll give me a free-standing vote, I’ll take a free-standing vote anytime. He hasn’t been really forthcoming with offering a free-standing vote on it.” 
Talking Points Memo
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KENTON CO TO VOTE ON $6 ADDITION TO ELECTRIC BILLS FOR DISPATCH
The Kenton County Fiscal Court is expected to vote next month on adding a $6 surcharge to electricity bills in order to pay for the anticipated consolidated emergency dispatch center: 
If enacted, the new fee would replace the monthly dispatch fee on telephone land lines, which have been steadily decreasing in recent years.
Tuesday, county officials had first reading of an ordinance calling for establishment of the fee. A final reading and vote is scheduled for July 10 when the Fiscal Court meets at the courthouse in Independence. 
Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder 
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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE: EXPECT TEMPS OVER 100 DEGREES THURSDAY
It's going to be a hot one Thursday. No, like, seriously hot. Take all necessary precautions. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning: 

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHENPOSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OREVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHENPOSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 911.
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The NWS has also issued a "red flag warning" in effect until 8:00PM Thursday: 

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONSARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OFSTRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

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Meanwhile, Gov. Steve Beshear has authorized drought assistance for 90 Kentucky counties: 
Gov. Steve Beshear today signed an executive order directing the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to expedite the transport of emergency supplies to Kentucky counties struggling with drought. Ninety counties – 75 percent of the state’s counties – are classified as suffering moderate to severe drought conditions.
The executive order directs the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to waive special registration and permit requirements for vehicles carrying relief supplies such as water, livestock forage and hay to stricken areas.
Under the order, the response vehicles do not have to pay permit fees for oversized/overweight vehicles. KYTC will also waive certain size and weight restrictions as they determine to be appropriate to meet the needs of the agricultural community. In order to ensure the safety of the traveling public and its infrastructure, the carrier must obtain all necessary permits for route verification.
“Having responded to a series of weather disasters as Governor, I know that quick and decisive action is absolutely critical to recovery efforts,” Gov. Beshear said. “Our farmers need all the help they can get to fight the affects of this drought, and we will continue to assist them in whatever way we can.”
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FINANCING EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE
Two companies interested in forming public-private partnerships believe the project could be under construction by 2014: 
A packed house of project boosters and consultants attended the meeting of Hamilton County’s lead transportation planning agency. Hamilton County Commissioner and TID Chair Todd Portune said the goal of the briefing was to educate local leaders and the public on financing options that can get the bridge project under construction by the end of 2014.
“If it is the priority that we all say it is then we all need to be adult about it and have a serious discussion on which of those methods make the most sense for us,” said Portune. 
Business Courier/Dan Monk 

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Meanwhile... tolls were also part of the discussion: 
Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear favor tolling as a means to fast-track the $2.4 billion Brent Spence Bridge project. The Ohio Department of Transportation currently is in the process of hiring a consultant to explore a P3 for the project. Build Our New Bridge Now — a coalition of business leaders in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky — also has said tolling may be the only way to fast-track the project. Count Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune in the club, too. 
Cincinnati Enquirer/Jason Williams 
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QUICKIES
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Covington man leads Ohio troopers in high speed pursuit, crashes, is ejected from vehicle that catches fire WXIX 
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Grant will make health care more affordable in Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth 
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Kentucky Horse Council aims to help victims in Colorado wild fires KHC 
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KY Attorney General Jack Conway takes for-profit college fight to Washington, DC WFPL 
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Conway announces $2.5 million settlement against GIBill.com press release 

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Borrowing for college skyrocketing in Kentucky WKYT 
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Cincinnati Enquirer/Fort Thomas battle headed to KY Supreme Court Business Courier 
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State wants Christian ministry held in contempt WKYT 
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Traffic stop in KY leads to discovery of $143,000 inside a piece of luggage WKYT 
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Shop opens in Over-the-Rhine that will allow yours dogs to dine-in WKRC 
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HOW ABOUT A LITTLE COVINGTON PRIDE?
The Awesome Collective of Covington has released its "ten core values":
1. Embrace and celebrate Covington’s awesomeness2. Create fun and a little weirdness3. Nurture Covington’s limitless potential4. Design "with" not "for"5. Risk-taking and Failure are ok!6. Break down barriers with out of the box thinking and kindness7. Use creativity to seek opportunities and solve problems
8. Make good ideas work through partnerships and inclusiveness9. Create and/or adopt innovative ideas and best practices from around the country
10. Be thankful, Be positive, Be awesome
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COVINGTON PARTNERS ENCOURAGES YOU TO MENTOR A CIPS STUDENT
"Mentor one child, change two lives" is a common phrase around these parts as the Covington Independent Public Schools attempts to increase the number of community mentors in the schools. Covington Partners in Prevention has issued this call:  
We know that if you mentor one student, you can change two lives and the Mentoring Collaborative has great news to report! During the 2011-2012 school year, over 150 mentors served as positive adult models for students in grades 3-12. They met weekly to talk about school, family and life. We now know 51% of students with mentors had better school attendance than last year and 84% of students with mentors had the same number, or fewer, disciplinary referrals this year compared to last year.
If you would like to become a mentor please contact Renee Fisk at 859-392-3188 or renee.fisk@covington.kyschools.us.
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METROMIX REVIEWS COVINGTON'S NEW BURGER SPOT: WHACKBURGER
Check it out:
Covington’s new gourmet burger joint wants to sucker punch you with their array of burger styles and graphic novel motifs. Located in the Wedding District across the street from the Madison Theater, this hip eatery deserves a visit whether or not it’s a show night.
The mood: Keeping with the comic book theme, blue, yellow and red graced three walls with a yellow lightning bolt cutting down the middle of the azure wall. One wall was plastered with comic panels featuring sounds like “choom kroom doom” and “wham.” For dining in, there’s four tables and a long counter facing a mirrored wall plus two outdoor tables.
More at the link, including "the verdict".
Metromix/Garin Pirnia
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DID YOU KNOW THAT MAINSTRASSE'S NEW PIZZERIA ALSO HAS A BAR?
Goodfellas Pizzeria is now open for business on Main Street in Mainstrasse Village and they want you to know that there is also a bar upstairs, the Wiseguy Lounge.
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CINCI/NKY TAXI DRIVERS TO COLLABORATE DURING WORLD CHOIR GAMES
The City Managers of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport have all signed the agreement...
...to allow licensed taxicabs to freely commute and transport passengers across city lines from July 1-15. This differs from normal taxi law, in which a Covington driver who picked up passengers in Covington and transported them to Cincinnati, for example, would be barred from picking up another group of passengers within Cincinnati limits, instead required to go back to Covington to seek business. 
CityBeat/Hannah McCartney 
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CINCINNATI SEES INFLUX OF HOOKERS BEFORE WORLD CHOIR GAMES
LOL: 
“They’ve been coming in by the van load,” said Cincinnati Visitors Bureau community liaison William Rowland. “Although our official stance is that prostitution is illegal, immoral, and a vile scourge on society, we would also like to point out that having this many hookers in town all at once finally shows that we are a real big league city. Take that Columbus!” 
Derf Magazine (Satire)
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SPORTS
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Anthony Davis's shot blocks provide lesson in physics Herald-Leader 
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WOW: Indiana, Louisville, and Kentucky are the top three favorites to win the NCAA basketball title next season USA Today 
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UK basketball team nominated for four ESPY awards Coach Cal 
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