NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 14 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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JUDGE ORDERS BENCH BILLBOARDS OUT OF COVINGTON

The benches that adorn many Covington corners and feature advertisements for a good divorce lawyer and other commodities have been ordered by a federal judge to be removed by August 12:

But that order may be put on hold because a lawyer for the firm says the business plans to appeal the order.
City Solicitor Frank Warnock called the Friday decision by Covington-based U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning a hard-won victory after years of battling the family-owned Bench Billboard Company, based in Columbia Township.
The city for several years has sought to clear items it deems unsightly, including the company’s benches that contain mini billboards that serve as the benches’ backrests, from its sidewalks. The city last decade used similar regulations to clear its sidewalks of unauthorized pay telephones and vending machines.

However, the bench billboard company's lawyer believes that the decision to allow them to remain lies with TANK, not the City. Check out the full story at the link.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge
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COVINGTON BUSINESS WEIGHS IN ON 911 FEE ON UTILITY BILL PROPOSAL
CORRECTION: In the original post, it was wrongly implied that the Covington Business Council opposes the 911 fee being collected on utility bills handled by Duke Energy. In fact, the Covington Business Council has not taken a position on the issue but was rather offering this statement as an educational tool on behalf of one of its members as the vote nears. The River City News regrets the misinterpretation of the statement.
As the Kenton County Fiscal Court prepares to vote on how to pay for a consolidated emergency dispatch center, the Covington Business Council offers this statement:

Later this month the Kenton County Fiscal Court is scheduled to vote on passage of an ordinance that seeks a service fee for enhanced 9-1-1 Dispatch Services. You may remember the Covington City Commission recently approved joining Kenton County in consolidating their dispatch centers.

This ordinance, if passed, would seek to levy a fee through Duke Energy Kentucky and Owen Electric Cooperative's Kenton County customers to pay for this service-an estimated annual increase of $72 per customer account. Additionally, this plan would require Duke and Owen to serve as the collection agent for the fee and then remit payment back to the Fiscal Court. The current method being used to fund 9-1-1 services is through a surcharge on land-based telephone lines with the monthly fee varying based upon the city where a person resides. With increased reliance on cellular telephone service, the land-based phone fee (which would be eliminated under the Court's plan) is a declining source of revenue to fund 9-1-1 services.

The Fiscal Court proposal is being strongly opposed by CBC-member Duke Energy Kentucky and by Owen Electric Cooperative. Both companies do not believe the Fiscal Court has the legal authority to impose a service fee upon their electric customers and then require them to serve as the collection agent for any such fee. The utilities have asked the county to seek an alterative funding and collection method. The Fiscal Court's position is that the utility service fee is the fairest way to spread the funding need to as many people as possible. Two other methods that have been discussed as possible options: 1. Increasing the ad valorem property tax to $48 per $100,000 assessed value; 2. Issuing a flat rate carfee on auto registration of $35 per car.

The CBC then encourages residents to contact the Kenton County Judge-Executive and the Kenton Co. Commissioners and to attend the July 24 meeting in Covington when the vote is expected to take place.
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REP. ARNOLD SIMPSON SPEAKS IN FRANKFORT ON LIQUOR SALES

State Representative Arnold Simpson (D-Covington) testified in Frankfort on Friday before the Joint Committee on Licensing and Occupations as part of his effort to overturn the ban on liquor sales on Election Day. Via cn|2:

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Full story: cn|2 

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MEANWHILE... GROUPS GET BEHIND SIMPSON'S EFFORTS

Simpson said several organizations are backing his legislation, including the Kentucky Association of Counties, Kentucky League of Cities, Kentucky Restaurant Association and Kentucky Retail Federation.
But the Kentucky League on Alcohol and Gambling Problems will fight the bill, its president, Don Cole, said in a telephone interview.
"This will create more problems than it helps," he said.
Cole said poll workers are not law-enforcement officials who are trained to handle alcoholics, and voters should feel safe when they go to the polls.

Full story: Herald-Leader/Jack Brammer 
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KY COUPLE ACCUSED OF TRADING PICKUP TRUCK FOR A BABY
Like something out of a bad country song, a couple in Laurel County stand accused of giving away their pick-up truck in exchange for a woman's baby. It wasn't even a new truck...

A Corbin couple is accused of trading a woman a 1999 Dodge Dakota pickup truck for her infant child, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said.
Officers with the department arrested Jeremy and Jamiee Brown on Thursday on charges of human trafficking, according to a release from Root's office. The couple had the baby, now 6 months old. The baby was placed in the care of state child-welfare workers, the release said.
The Browns allegedly made the trade soon after the baby was born. Root's office started investigating based on information from a confidential source, and officers were able to find the pickup truck.

The baby's mama originally fled Florida because she was wanted on meth charges. Sad, sad story all around.
Herald-Leader/Bill Estep
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But wait...
The mother has been located in the plains:

“I know she don’t care and she thinks it is their baby. She feels she gave it to them. The way they went about it was wrong,” Richard Haas said.
Kaminskey told Haas she’s in Kansas.
“She told me that she has already talked to the detective and that they can come and get me. This is where I’m at,” Haas said.

WKYT
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QUICKIES
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Pregnant woman killed on I-471 was not wearing a seatbelt WKRC
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PHOTO: SUV crashes on top of car in Covington parking garage WXIX
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More channels may soon be dropped by Insight Cable, including FOX News, the Food Network and several others Courier-Journal
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New KY law aims to curb scrap metal thefts Cincinnati Enquirer
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Personnel Board votes to open investigation into former Commissioner of Agriculture/UK basketball star Richie Farmer Bluegrass Politics
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Coal operators are being watched from above State-Journal
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13 reasons why this is the worst Congress ever Washington Post
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450,000 email passwords have been breached (Yahoo, Gmail affected) Business Courier
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Drought is affecting fish in KY streams press release
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Weekly newsletter from the Kenton Co Library click here 
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Anthony Davis joins the US Olympics Team Courier-Journal 
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UK will play no games in Louisville's Freedom Hall next season, and apparently very few people  are upset about that Herald-Leader 
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Miss Kentucky Pageant is stressful with a purpose Herald-Leader 
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VIDEO: Miss KY Pageant preparations Herald-Leader 
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FRANKFORT PAPER TAKES AMBIVALENT STANCE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA
The State-Journal takes on the medical marijuana legislation proposed by a state senator from Louisville in a meandering, ambivalent editorial:

However, perceptions of harmlessness can be misleading. When the so-called “Miami Cannibal” allegedly attacked a man and literally chewed off his face in May, some suspected the assailant was under the influence of “bath salts,” a synthetic drug, or some hard narcotic. But the Huffington Post reported tests found no such substance in his system. Instead they detected traces of marijuana. The suspect had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia, believed to be aggravated by pot use.

If medicinal marijuana is ever approved in Kentucky, there will need to be tight restrictions to ensure users don’t exploit the law for recreational purposes, as drinkers did during the Prohibition era with prescriptions written to purchase booze from drug stores.

Smoking, the delivery method by which the typical marijuana user absorbs the leaf’s purported benefits, is problematic. Frankfort, Franklin County and many other communities in this tobacco-growing state decided after long deliberation that smoking should be prohibited in public buildings. Marijuana smoke contains some of the same compounds as tobacco smoke.

So, Kentucky's marijuana crop should remain illegal in all ways because... people's faces will get chewed off? Wow. Click on the link not for the full editorial, which is awful, but for the amazing comments.
State-Journal 

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SHOPPING MALL TURNS 60, RETIRES

The first indoor shopping mall in America was first envisioned sixty years ago, but did you know that there has not been construction on a new one anywhere since 2006?

Gruen’s idea transformed American consumption patterns and much of the environment around us. At age 60, however, the enclosed regional shopping mall also appears to be an idea that has run its course (OK, maybe not in China, but among Gruen’s original clientele). He opened the first prototype in Edina, Minnesota, in 1956, and the concept spread from there (this also means the earliest examples of the archetypal American mall are now of age for historic designation, if anyone wants to make that argument).
At the mall’s peak popularity, in 1990, America opened 19 of them. But we haven’t cut the ribbon on a new one since 2006, for reasons that go beyond the recession. As we imagine ways to repurpose these aging monoliths and what the next generation of retail should look like, it’s worth recalling Gruen’s odd legacy. He hated suburbia. He thought his ideas would revitalize cities. He wanted to bring urban density to the suburbs. And he envisioned shopping malls as our best chance at containing sprawl.
"He said great quotes on suburbia being 'soulless' and 'in search of a heart,'" says Jeff Hardwick, who wrote the Gruen biography Mall Maker. "He just goes on and on with these critiques. And they occur really early in his writing as well. So it’s not as if he ends up bemoaning suburbia later. He’s critiquing suburbia pretty much from the get-go, and of course the remedy he offers is the shopping mall."

Full story: The Atlantic Cities
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DOWNTOWN COVINGTON BINGO IS THRIVING
Out of curiosity, I went with my mama to Pike Place Bingo on Pike Street Friday night... and had an awesome time! The place was packed and probably is most nights that it is open. 

Check it out some time.

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COVINGTON ARTS GROUPS AWARDED GRANTS FROM KENTUCKY

From a press release:

The Kentucky Arts Council has awarded more than $1.7 million in operational support funding to 104 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations for fiscal year 2013, through the Kentucky Arts Partnership (KAP) grant, the agency announced today.
The KAP grant provides support to nonprofit organizations offering year-round arts services and programs directly for the benefit of the public. The competitive grant process funds applicants based on operating revenues, a panel review of applications, and funds available for the program.

Local groups awarded funds:

•  Kentucky Symphony Orchestra ($19,623)
• The Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center ($30,697)
• Behringer-Crawford Museum ($18,328)
• My Nose Turns Red Circus Theater ($3,954)

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DYING KENTUCKY MAN'S WISH FULFILLED THROUGH LARGE TIP
From the clip description:

My brother passed away July 7, 2012. His final wish in his will, if he left enough money, was that we have pizza and give the waiter or waitress a $500 tip. Aaron never had much money , and he didn't have enough to make this happen, so I started a website and took donations. On July 10 we were able to make his wish come true for the first time.

We think he just wanted to provide a random act of kindness and generosity for someone he thought was under appreciated; the kind of thing that would make a lasting impact they would never forget. If you want to keep his legacy going, please feel free to donate. So far we have collected over $1000 so we will definitely be doing this again, for another random waiter or waitress, very soon! Each time we have $500 we will do it again, even if that means going out to eat multiple times a day.

Watch this:

If you want to give to the website's fund to keep passing out random acts of kindness, click here.

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COME GET A PET TODAY IN MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE

Click to enlarge

| WHOA! THAT'S A LOT OF SUNFLOWER!

This was submitted by reader David Klein who lives in Peaselburg.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/13/2257480/groups-pushing-for-removal-of.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 9 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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COVINGTON SHOWS BEST SIDES FOR WORLD CHOIR GAMES

Cincinnati's landing of the 2012 World Choir Games has been beneficial to Covington, too. The city hosted four friendship concerts associated with the games over the weekend, each one in a setting perfect to introduce Covington to an international audience. Devou Park, Mainstrasse Village, and Mother of God Church are certainly highlights for any visitor, with beauty to match the quality of the international choirs visiting the region. The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption also hosted a paid concert last week as the Games were first starting. It doesn't get any better than singing there. 

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PHOTOS from Friendship Concert in Mainstrasse Village: 

This concert featured choirs from Colombia (Crescendo Arte Children's Choir), Germany (Sangerkreis Hildburghausen), and the US (Kolping Sangerchor).

PHOTOS from concert at Mother of God Church:

This concert was so crowded that people were turned away -- including Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper, City Commissioner Steve Casper, and several parents of the performers. The show featured four choirs representing Australia (Bendigo Youth Choir), Czech Republic (Zvonky Prhaha), USA (Kings Korale), and Venezuela (Coro Polifonico Rafel Suarez).

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CHECK OUT PHOTOS FROM THE CONCERTS IN DEVOU PARK: Click Here 

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Here's a great video of the first week of the World Choir Games:

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COVINGTON STATE REP SEEKS TO REPEAL BAN OF ELECTION DAY LIQUOR

Kentucky and South Carolina are the only states in the Union that still ban the sales of alcohol on election days until after the polls close. State Rep. Arnold Simpson, a Democrat from Covington's Old Seminary Square neighborhood, wants that to change:

Simpson plans on introducing the bill in the 2013 session. It will include a local option for counties and cities to outlaw local liquor sales if they choose. Otherwise, the bill would repeal the election day alcohol ban in all wet counties. Simpson will speak before the Interim Joint Committee on Licensing and Occupations at 10 a.m. Friday in the state Capitol. The bill has died in committee each of the previous four sessions. Simpson said he thinks the state shouldn’t ignore the issue. “The statute does not serve a legitimate state interest,” Simpson said. “It is not the most important thing in Frankfort by any means, but it is something we can do to remove hurdles for businesses to prosper, particularly in Northern Kentucky.”

More comments from Simpson, and the owner of Chez Nora, at the link.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman

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PLAYGROUND FIRE TO BE DISCUSSED IN AUSTINBURG NEIGHBORHOOD

The fire that destroyed a playground at Sixth District Elementary School will be discussed Monday evening during the Austinburg Neighborhood Association. Catch the meeting at the Oakland Avenue Baptist Church at 6:30PM.

Click here for more photos of the playground after the fire.

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STUDY: PLANNERS MISCALCULATE BENEFITS OF NEW ROADS

The in-progress expansion of Taylor Mill Road (KY-16) may fall into this trap. A study out of Denmark shows that traffic congestion often actually increases when a road is expanded because drivers that had previously avoided the road because of congestion will now flock to it:

According to the study, completed by researchers at the Institute of Transport Economics and a Danish university, this leads to skewed cost-benefit analyses that call for new highways and road widenings of dubious benefit to the public. Researchers reported that perceived time savings make up the largest portion — sometimes 85 percent — of the economic benefits assigned to prospective highway projects. But an unanticipated boost in traffic volume can turn many projects that would theoretically pass analytical muster into economic losers. Unless transportation agencies are carefully accounting for these effects, however, many of these projects get built anyway.

Streetsblog 

Read the full study here 

via The Atlantic Cities 

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COVINGTON POLICE HOST BLOOD DRIVE MONDAY

From the Police:

Covington Police Department, in cooperation with Hoxworth Blood Center, is sponsoring their annual summer blood drive on Monday, July 9, 2012. The Donor Bus will be at Police Headquarters from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on 7/9/2012. During the summer months, there tends to be a shortage of blood donations and a higher amount of usage. Covington Police is once again partnering with Hoxworth in the hope of helping them achieve their goal of increasing the amount of blood donated during the summer months. Hoxworth’s blood donations are given to local area hospitals to save lives. And this year, as a special thank you to our donors: Every person who donates will receive a Hoxworth summer t-shirt! To schedule an appointment to donate, please contact Michelle Robinson-Wilson at 859-292-2241. Requirements to donate:1. Bring a photo ID.2. Eat a good meal and drink plenty of fluids before and after donating.3. You must be 17 years of age (16 with signed parental consent).4. You must weigh at least 110 pounds.5. To check additional eligibility guidelines (medical, RX, travel, piercing/tattoo restrictions), please call Hoxworth at 513-558-1304.

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FAST & FURIOUS CASE IN DC GETS LOCAL FLAVOR FROM RICK ROBINSON 

Local author Rick Robinson (have you bought his new book yet? Do it! It's awesome with lots of scenes in Covington/NKY. Click Here) writes a regular column for the conservative blog The Daily Caller. This time he focuses on the "Fast & Furious" case being discussed in Congress and involving the Attorney General, but before delving into that shares an interesting story about a local artist:

In the winter of 1972-73, Larry Womack hated his job as an insurance salesman so badly that he spent most of his evenings teaching himself sculpture. Womack, then a 29-year-old honorably discharged veteran, was very politically aware. He knew that President Richard Nixon, who had just won a second term in office, was facing the potential of a Senate investigation into his administration’s involvement in a second-rate break-in at the Democratic Party’s Watergate headquarters in Washington, D.C. As a teaching tool for his art, Womack began sculpting a chess set of caricatures that pitted the Nixon White House against the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (a.k.a. the Watergate Committee). The likenesses were brilliant. On the White House side of the board, a defiant king, Richard Nixon, was joined by Attorney General John Mitchell, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman (complete with buzz cut and his ever-present briefcase) and John Ehrlichman. As the Watergate hearings progressed, Womack sculpted John Dean as the rook because the piece could move from side to side as well as forward and backward. The pawns for the White House were reel-to-reel tape recorders. Senator and frumpy country-lawyer Sam Ervin (D-NC) was the king of the Senate pieces, and copies of the United States Constitution were the pawns. Committee members and fellow senators Howard Baker (R-TN), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Herman Talmadge (D-GA) and Lowell Weicker Jr. (R-CT) joined Senator Erwin’s team.

Womack's work is often on display at the new Village Wine Gallery.

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DON'T MISS COVINGTON'S BEST WEEK IN REVIEW

A comprehensive review of the previous week in Covington and a look ahead to the next one. It's all inside The Sunday Edition -- at the link!

The RC News: The Sunday Edition 

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QUICKIES

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Drought endangers food crops, could raise food prices WFPL 

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Kentucky, Ohio among states fighting "tourists" trafficking drugs Herald-Leader 

| State pension system fights exits of mental health boards Herald-Leader 

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Sen. McConnell: No regrets on Chief Justice confirmation The Hill 

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Hamilton County could be key to Obama victory WVXU |

Historic building burns in McCreary County WKYT 

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West Liberty doughboy statue in repairs after tornado damage Herald-Leader 

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Cincinnati's decades-long population loss may be stabilizing Urban Cincy 

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Kentucky town vies for best small town in America Herald-Leader 

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Kentucky sees payback from Hatfields & McCoys miniseries Herald-Leader 

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Anthony Davis in legal battle to trademark his uni-brow WXIX 

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INDEPENDENCE FIREWORKS PHOTOS

Some great photos from the Independence Fourt of July celebration, including this one that appears to show a happy couple agreeing to marry:

More photos at the link from the City of Independence.

Click Here 

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WHERE PEOPLE "TWEET" ABOUT BEER MORE THAN CHURCH

Some new data indicates that folks in Kenton and Campbell Counties spend more time on Twitter talking about beer than they do talking about church. Much more. Boone County and Cincinnati's Hamilton County tweet more about church. Check it out:

You can either click on that image to enlarge it, or fine on at this link that appears to be the largest available: Click Here 

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Full story: The Guardian 

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CREATION MUSEUM'S ARK ENCOUNTER A BIG FRAUD?

One columnist in Louisville thinks so:

Yahoo! News visited the Creation “Museum” this summer to behold the glory of a 600-year-old man riding vegan dragons onto a giant boat a few thousand years ago. In their report — besides the obvious gawking at the freak show — they give us the latest update on the “groundbreaking” for Ark Encounter, Gov. Steve Beshear’s answer to unemployment and dignity in Grant County. As we began suspecting last year — due to horrid fundraising, groundbreakings pushed back over and over again, and the lack of a refund policy on their website — “Ark Encounter” might never actually be built, or at least nothing resembling their original $175 million plan, while Ken Ham & Co. take what they’ve raised and invest it in their Creation Museum.

LEO Weekly/Joe Sonka

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FORMER STATE TREASURER WINS BIG AT POKER TOURNAMENT

Jonathan Miller, who was once the Treasurer of this great Commonwealth, went to Vegas and scored, finishing eighth overall in the World Series of Poker:

"The idea I would ever be at the final table was preposterous," Miller said Sunday. Playing in the World Series of Poker was a goal he said he deferred while in public office. "When you're a politician in Kentucky, it is not a real good public relations move going to a gambling tournament in Las Vegas," Miller said. Miller was guaranteed at least $53,846 in winnings by making it into the final nine. He said that he planned to give part of his prize money to his temple and that a good portion of the rest probably would go into his daughters' college funds. 

Herald-Leader/Karla Ward  

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/07/2251651/former-state-treasurer-jonathan.html#storylink=cpy

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FANCY HOT DOGS COME TO COVINGTON -- AT TWO LOCATIONS!

Somebody must have sent out the memo that Covington was in dire need of adding fancy hot dogs to its expansive list of culinary choices, because now we have two!

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Kelly's Pub (at the Radisson Riverfront)

Check out Kelly's new hot dog menu:

DJ's Sandwich Shop opens Tuesday, features hot dogs

But only Wednesdays, which will be known as "Weiner Wednesdays". Check out the menu here.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 29 JUNE

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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COMMISSION APPROVES NONSPECIFIC BUDGET; LOSES ON 2 SETTLEMENTS

"I feel sorry for the people in a state of limbo because it's a time of uncertainty." The City Commission passes a budget for next year that is short on specifics, but there is a promise that more details are on the way after they hear from you. Plus, the City finds itself on the losing end of two settlements: $600,000 to be paid to retired & active firefighters and $150,000 to be paid to the operators of a methadone clinic. Also, why one Commissioner did not approve the exit agreement for the departing community development director. Your Commission recap is at the link.

The RC News: City Commission Recap 28 June 

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SPIKE JONES TO BE NAMED POLICE CHIEF FRIDAY MORNING

The Covington City Commission will convene for the third time this week at 11:00AM to name Spike Jones Chief of Police, removing the "interim" from his title. 

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DRUG SWEEP NETS MORE THAN 30 SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS

PHOTOS: Wondering why those helicopters were hovering over our city Thursday afternoon? A city-wide drug sweep was and is underway with many arrests expected -- and The River City News got to tag along for part of it. Click the link below for details and lots of photos -- including several arrests as they happened!

The RC News: Drug Sweep Leads to Arrests All Over Covington 

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KENTUCKY POLITICIANS REACT TO HEALTH CARE REFORM RULING

The United States Supreme Court has upheld what is lovingly referred to as Obamacare as constitutional. Immediately afterwards, several of Kentucky's elected leaders caught a case of the vapors: 

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Sen. Mitch McConnell

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Sen. Rand Paul

"Just because a couple people on the Supreme Court declare something to be 'constitutional' does not make it so. The whole thing remains unconstitutional. While the court may have erroneously come to the conclusion that the law is allowable, it certainly does nothing to make this mandate or government takeover of our health care right," Sen. Paul said.
"Obamacare is wrong for Americans. It will destroy our health care system. This now means we fight every hour, every day until November to elect a new President and a new Senate to repeal Obamacare," he continued. 

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Rep. Geoff Davis

“We cannot mistake the Court’s ruling for an evaluation of effective, commonsense policy. While the Supreme Court judged the health care law’s constitutionality, the American people and actuarial experts have already judged its quality — that it is a disaster for patients, small businesses and future generations of Americans.
“Congress must redouble its efforts to repeal the health care law so we can start anew on reforms that will increase patient access and quality of care while reducing costs.”

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Kentucky Democrats on the other hand see value in the Court's decision...
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Rep. John Yarmuth: 

“The law lowers costs, strengthens care, and – once fully implemented – will guarantee all Americans access to quality, affordable coverage while creating nearly 6 million new jobs in the health care sector. It is already saving seniors hundreds of dollars in prescription drug costs while offering free preventive services such as cancer screenings and routine vaccinations."
“Children can no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition – a protection that will be extended to all Americans in 2014. More than 3 million young people have been able to obtain insurance through their parents’ plan. And hundreds of thousands of small businesses have used tax credits provided under the law to offer coverage for 2 million workers."
“During my time in Congress, an overwhelming majority of Louisvillians have told me they want guaranteed access to health care, lower premium costs, and more choice in the insurance market. The Affordable Care Act accomplishes each of these goals. Casting my vote in favor of the law was my proudest moment in Congress, and today I join millions of Americans to celebrate again.” 

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Bill Adkins, Democratic candidate for NKY's seat in Congress

“The winners today are those without insurance because now they have a chance at affordable healthcare when all the reforms are in place in 2014,” says Bill Adkins. “The cost of health care in America continues to be double that of other industrialized nations. The Affordable Care Act will take steps to reduce those costs, but most likely more will have to be done.”
“My opponent has repeatedly stated that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional,” says Bill Adkins. ”This decision today with the conservative Chief Justice Roberts writing the opinion ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and that Tom Massie is wrong,” says Adkins. 

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Covington's State Rep. Arnold Simpson

“One of my greatest regrets is that we have so many people without insurance, and if this act is going to create a pathway to afford Americans with insurance coverage, then I think it’s good.” Simpson said.It will also ensure everyone pays their fair share, Simpson said.
“What we’ve had historically is cost shifting,” Simpson said. “We’ve been paying for the uninsured. When they go to the emergency rooms, they are provided care. The people with insurance are who are paying. They shift the cost. Finally, we have a system where we’re going to have a blanket of coverage.” 

Via Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman
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Meanwhile, Governor Beshear is moving forward with creating Kentucky's health care exchange: 

“This Supreme Court decision removes much of the uncertainty about the Affordable Care Act. Kentucky has been systematically preparing to meet the implementation deadlines set forth in the bill as a precautionary matter, and now we will move ahead to establish a state-operated Health Benefit Exchange. I will soon issue an Executive Order to create the state health insurance exchange so Kentucky will be prepared to operate it by the date the law requires. We continue to review the Supreme Court’s opinion, particularly on the Medicaid portion of the Affordable Care Act to determine what our options may be. “ 

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L'OREAL POSSIBLY TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN KENTON COUNTY

Some great economic news involving a $42 million expansion in Kenton County: 

The finance authority board on Thursday gave preliminary approval for L’Oreal to get $5 million in payroll tax incentives and $800,000 in tax incentives to be recovered from construction costs.
L’Oreal has proposed the expansion on property the company purchased in 2010 adjacent to its current facility on New Buffington Road in Kenton County along the border with Boone County, the finance authority report states.

211 jobs could be created. Governor Beshear will be in Erlanger today for the announcement. More details at the link.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman
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 BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ANOTHER SCORCHER IS BEAMING DOWN UPON US.

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Kentucky officials urge caution as temps rise press release 

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NKU moves to conserve energy on these hot days: 

Duke Energy has again requested that we curtail electrical consumption as much as we can to help them meet area demand. The curtailment event will start at noon and end at 8 p.m. today, June 28. This action is necessary because of extended high energy demand due to the current heat wave. It is anticipated that the electrical system in our area will be taxed which could result in localized outages, “brown outs” and high energy prices. To help us do our share we are asking that you turn off lighting that you do not absolutely need and shut down or unplug any electrical or electronic equipment that is not absolutely necessary or will not be in use for an hour or more. We appreciate your support in helping us reduce consumption during this critical period. If you have questions or concerns please contact Facilities Management at X-1927. If your concern involves IT or AV equipment please contact IT at X-6911.

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Officials urge caution when using fireworks this year press release
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QUICKIES
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US Rep. Steve Chabot attempts to thwart federal funding for Cincinnati streetcar Cincinnati Enquirer & WKRC 
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Frankfort: Stumbo, Williams sign off on payments for redistricting lawsuits Bluegrass Politics 
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Frankfort: Ethics commission urges disclosure on funds spent on legislative ads cn|2 
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Fancy Farm organizers send out picnics (DO NOT MISS THIS UNIQUELY KENTUCKY EVENT!) Herald-Leader 
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Multi-state drunk driving crackdown coming Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear offers summer reading list press release 
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COVINGTON?
In addition to all the usual hot spots around town, there are several fun events...
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FRIDAY
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90s Tribute Show at the Avenue Lounge
There will be thirty bands rocking two stages on Madison Avenue tonight starting at 8:00PM. Admission is FREE! For details, click here.
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SATURDAY
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Volunteer at the Licking River Greenway & Trails

Click to enlarge

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Take a paddleboat tour of the Licking River

From a release: 

The tour, called "Rediscovering the Licking River," is a tour to help educate the public on the importance of two local initiatives. The Licking River Watershed is an organization that works to protect, improve and restore the waters for the Licking River basin by promoting water quality monitoring, public education and citizen action. The Licking River Greenway is an effort to create an urban greenway from the mouth of the Licking River to the I-275 loop.

Tickets are $20. For details, click here.
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SUNDAY
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NKY's Gay Pride Festival

Click to enlarge

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SHOULD THE ASCENT BE DEMOLISHED?

A group of architects were asked by California Home & Design to identify 25 buildings that should be demolished right now, and one of them suggested Covington's own architectural masterpiece -- The Ascent!

The Ascent's curving crescent form was designed to maximize views while the blue and white blotchy grid pattern theoretically reflects the sky and river, but Architect Neal Schwartz is less than impressed. "Just when I thought Daniel Libeskind's crass recycling of his single and dubious architectural idea had reached its apotheosis, I come across this 'gem,'" he says. Likewise, the interior of the building with its laser-like stripes of lights and mirrors on the ceiling and floor is just as lovely. 

See the rest of the list at the link.
California Home & Design
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Hey, how about those Wildcats? Another superb class of UK basketball stars are headed to the NBA.

UK press release on the draft announcement Click here 

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Column: John Calipari is in his element on draft night WDRB 

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Presented without comment...

This photo was submitted by a reader from Covington who went down to Clay County this week.