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Showing posts with label Housing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Housing. Show all posts

Monday, July 30, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 30 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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SEARCH FOR PAGE JOHNSON'S BODY TURNS UP EMPTY, BUT HOPE REMAINS
Via WKRC:

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For the original story from the Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Office announcing the search in Knox County, click the link below.
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KENTUCKY RECEIVES $19.2 MILLION IN NATIONAL MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT
From a news release (bold emphasis made by RCN):
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced today that his office will allocate the $19.2 million Kentucky received as part of the National Mortgage Settlement to agencies that create affordable housing, provide relief or legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure, redevelop foreclosed properties and reduce blight created by vacant properties. 
“I am proud to say that the money I secured on behalf of Kentucky will be going to help people and communities who were harmed by the mortgage foreclosure crisis,” General Conway said. “This settlement will provide second chances for people who’ve lost their homes, help revitalize properties that have been abandoned, and develop affordable housing in communities throughout our Commonwealth.” 
General Conway made the announcement today in Louisville. As Kentucky’s largest city, it suffered the most severe impact from the national mortgage foreclosure crisis. From 2008 through 2011, banks foreclosed on 66,997 properties in Kentucky – 16,403 of those properties are in Louisville.

“These dollars will make a real and significant impact in our distressed neighborhoods,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “We plan to use this money to strategically invest in programs with real results.” 
Breakdown of Settlement Allocations$1.5 million to the City of Louisville. $750,000 to the city’s Vacant Abandoned Property Initiative that targets properties in Louisville that have been abandoned by foreclosing on the city liens to return them to productive use and the property tax rolls. The money is eligible for a match by the Bloomberg Foundation. $500,000 to the Targeted Demolition Program that addresses the problem of blight by removing deteriorated structures that have been abandoned. $250,000 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which provides grants to organizations dedicated to creating or preserving affordable housing for low and moderate-income families. 
$7.5 million to the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC). $3 million to the NeighborWorks Alliance, which will leverage matching grants for an additional $7.5 million. Funds will be provided to federally-supported housing programs that cover all of Kentucky’s 120 counties to assist with purchase and rehabilitation of existing properties, purchase and rehabilitation of affordable rental properties, and purchase of mortgages to restructure payment in an effort to allow homeowners to retain properties. 
$3 million to establish a down payment pool and closing cost assistance pool for owners who want to purchase vacant or foreclosed properties. $1.5 million to the Homeownership Protection Center, which will fund 19 Kentucky Housing Corporation approved counseling agencies that provide foreclosure prevention and pre-purchase counseling. 
$250,000 to each of the four regional Legal Aid centers in Kentucky. Money will be used to assist homeowners who are going through the foreclosure process or seeking to avoid foreclosure. 
$4 million to update the Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting Program. Money will be used to enhance software to ensure compliance with House Bill 1, Kentucky’s newly enacted prescription drug abuse law. 
$5 million to the Office of the Attorney General to assist consumers and investigate mortgage and securities issues. This includes potential litigation regarding MERS involvement in wrongful foreclosures. 
$150,000 to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Funds will provide lead abatement through the Division of Public Health. 
“We appreciate General Conway allocating a significant portion for housing programs that will help stabilize communities, stimulate home purchases and assist Kentucky families at risk of foreclosure,” said KHC Chief Executive Officer Richard L. McQuady. 
In addition to providing guidance on how the funds should be spent, to ensure accountability, the organizations must report to the Office of the Attorney General every month on how the settlement dollars are actually being spent. “I am pleased our office identified agencies that can match our settlement dollars with other grants to maximize the potential assistance to our friends and neighbors,” said General Conway. “This settlement is going to help the people of Kentucky and our communities that have all been touched by this foreclosure crisis.” 
Mortgage Settlement History 
Forty nine state attorneys general reached the settlement with the nation’s five largest banks in March of 2012. In addition to the $19.2 million, Kentucky also received $38.7 million that will be allocated by the administrator of the settlement to consumers who qualify for refinancing, loan write downs, debt restructuring and/or payments of up to $2,000. 
The five banks included in the settlement are: Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi, and Ally/GMAC. In order for consumers to receive direct assistance from this portion of the settlement, they must have a mortgage that is or was held by one of these banks.

A website has been established to provide consumers with information about the settlement at www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com . Banks will also be directly contacting consumers who qualify for payments or assistance. If consumers have questions, they may call: 
Bank of America 1-877-488-7814 JP Morgan Chase 1-866-372-6901 Wells Fargo 1-800-288-3212 Citi 1-866-272-4749 Ally/GMAC 1-800-766-4622
The Office of the Attorney General set up a web page with information and answers to frequently asked questions about the settlementwww.ag.ky.gov/mortgagesettlement .
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QUICKIES
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More Kentucky college students facing debt WYMT 
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Statewide smoking ban advocates take message on 5-day tour WFPL 
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Prosecutor wants gag order in ex-Bengal cheerleader/teacher-student sex case Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Some surprised by their health care refunds WLWT 
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100 days before Presidential election, Gallup has race tied Gallup 
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Kentucky Lottery marks record year in sales Herald-Leader 
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Second KY campground shuts down over bear sightings WYMT 
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Man's dying wish for $500 tip to waitress inspires charity Herald-Leader 
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NKU music preparatory program selected chosen as part of national string project consortium KY Forward 
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Car thief may have left behind his own truck WKYT 
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DON'T MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS!
The food truck discussion here at RCN inspires an event to patronize a local bakery; Is KY law too lenient toward thieves?; Plus, a Downtown Covington business is going to paint its corner building and wants your suggestions. Click it.
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LOUISVILLE COUPLE FILES AS CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT, VP
Awesome:
Dr. Louis Todd House, an anesthesiology doctor with the Dupont Surgical Center, has filed as the presidential candidate. His wife, Suzanne, has filed for the vice presidential slot. Both are running as write-in candidates.
Full story: WFPL 
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CONSERVATIVE GROUP CRITICIZES UofL OVER CHICK-FIL-A DECISION
The University of Louisville's president and provost have both vowed not to eat the campus Chick-fil-A following remarks by that company's CEO against marriage equality for gays. The Family Foundation is not amused by the academics' decision:

"If James Ramsey and U of L have no use for a private business that supports traditional marriage, then they have no business asking for funds from taxpayers in a state whose voters approved by a 75 percent margin a 2004 constitutional amendment saying virtually the same thing," said Martin Cothran, a senior policy analyst for the Family Foundation. 
Trying to remove the restaurant because of Cathy's stance on traditional marriage is "simply Orwellian," said Cothran, referring to George Orwell's novel 1984.
"It's 2012 almost everywhere else," Cothran said, "but at U of L it seems to be 1984."
Full story: Herald-Leader 
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IT'S TIME TO PLAY WHAT IS COVINGTON SELLING ON CRAIGSLIST?!
This evening we have three lovely items up for sale from Covington on Craigslist... Let's take a look:
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ITEM #1
Want to get your paws on some second-hand tanning bed lotion? Check out this deal:
any one in to the tanning bed thing? i got these lotions.there is like 15 of them they sell for anywhere between $17 and $4 each. i let them all go for $25 
Full details: Click Here 
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ITEM #2
How about a real-live (well, not live) bearskin rug to walk on?
Up for sale here is a Black Bearskin Rug. He is 57" from Nose tip to tail tip. 61" from claw end to claw end. He is in great condition and professionally taxidermied a with an amish made backing. He can be used as a wall hanging or as a rug. He has a nice face. He is missing one claw. He looks really great on the wall. Price is $550. Call Larry.
What are you waiting for?! Call Larry!
Full details: Click Here
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ITEM #3
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No photo for #3, but it is totally the grand prize today. You can buy your very own coffee shop!
Coffee shop for sale. Great location in the heart of the Village. Turn key opportunity. Loyal clientele and visitor traffic. Strong lease with extra commercial space.You've wanted to start your own coffeehouse. Save yourself the headache, risk and expense of a new start up by owning this established local coffee house. Only 15 months new and has more room to grow. Add your ideas and passion to what we've started. It's a great opportunity for the right person(s).
Business comes with all the equipment, furnishings and training for a seamless transition.
Purchase the coffee house business and take advantage of an amazing lease with an optional building purchase. Serious inquiries by email only. $35,000 or best offer
Full details: Click Here 
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That's it for this week's edition of What's Covington Selling on Craigslist! Have a great Monday night!

Friday, July 27, 2012

PHOTOS: NEWLY RENOVATED HOMES HIT MARKET IN COVINGTON

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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One block of Banklick Street once lined with dilapidated, boarded-up houses is now full of market-rate, newly renovated or newly built homes for sale. The work is so good that of the five homes on the market, two are already under contract. The City of Covington, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, and the Covington Realtor Roundtable opened up the homes for tours Thursday afternoon. 
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For more information on the homes and the attractive program to help you buy one, click here.
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Take a look:
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Tons of photos below, just click the link!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 26 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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OPEN HOUSE TODAY FOR RENOVATED COVINGTON HOMES
You can check out five newly renovated homes in Covington today from 5:00-700PM as the City of Covington and its partners at Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell, and Century 21 show off their latest effort to increase home ownership:
The City of Covington along with its partners, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell and Century 21, proudly invite you to tour 5 of its newly renovated and constructed homes in the 900 block of Banklick Street and Berry Street in Covington. An Open House tour will be hosted by the Realtor Partners on Thursday, July 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. These 5 homes are near completion and are ready for purchase.

As part of a grant from the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the City of Covington was able to take 14 home sites, restore them, and offer them for sale to qualifying buyers. Three of the sites are new construction while the remaining 11 are full restorations. To date, one home has been sold and two more are under contract.

The NSP program offers potential homebuyers financial incentives that include paid closing costs, sizable grants, and half of the down payment. Buyers must meet income guidelines to qualify for the program. Information on the program can be found at www.makecovingtonhome.com or by calling the City of Covington Community Development Department at 859-292-2147.

Please join us for this Open House event to experience these exciting new homes and discover the quality construction, convenient location and positive impact this project has given the City of Covington. Refreshments will be provided.
More details: Click Here
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1 MILLION IN KENTUCKY TO GET INSURANCE BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE
A new report predicts that one million people in Kentucky who were previously unable to attain health insurance will be covered when part of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) goes into effect in 2014:
“I think this brings peace of mind to those families who have been denied coverage for so long because of pre-existing conditions," said Mitchell. "I think when we speak to a lot of Kentucky families there’s not really anyone I have spoken to that has not been affected by pre-existing conditions,” she says.
The clause will allow those who’ve had illnesses like cancer, diabetes or other sickness to get insurance coverage, Mitchell says.
WFPL 

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COVINGTON FIREFIGHTERS MEET VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
Vice President Joe Biden addressed the International Association of Firefighters convention in Philadelphia Wednesday:
In an emotional speech to a quiet room here in Philadelphia, Biden declared to the International Association of Fire Fighters that the GOP views them as "the community's problem," and quoted Romney's pledges to cut spending deeply.
"This new Republican Party looks at you as both the reason for and the solution to this godawful recession we inherited," Biden said. "They look at your ranks and they see an easy place to cut budgets to accommodate their priorities — not just you, but cops, public workers generally. Don’t take my word for it. Just listen to what Gov. Romney — who by the way, is a good family man, a guy who means well, I think part of the problem is, I don’t think he just gets you."
Biden repeatedly argued that Romney is out of touch with the values of firefighters and other middle-class voters, telling his audience that the GOP's intent to focus on slashing budgets and keeping upper-income taxes low would hurt their communities.
"He said, I quote, guaranteeing the government will keep its fire, police and teachers intact is not an effective way to get the economy rolling again. Tell that to the store owner who, without you, may lose everything they own," Biden continued. "He further said — referring to Gov. Romney — my own view is that right to work is the right way to go, and I’d like to see it on the national level as well. Did you think that we’d be fighting these fights again in 2012?"
Full story: Politico 
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The executive board of Covington's firefighters union, IAFF Local 38, shared this photo on their Facebook page:
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NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS WANT TAX REFORM TO BOOST EDUCATION
More from this week's public meeting on tax reform in the Commonwealth at Northern Kentucky University. Via cn|2:
Brent Cooper, owner of a small tech company in Covington and chairman of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said he had concerns about the lack of tax credit for angel investors in start up businesses. The General Assembly failed to enact legislation this year to allow such tax credits other states have.
Cooper told the commission, “imagine you are a new startup and someone comes to you and says I’ll give you $200,000 for your idea, but you’ve got to move four miles north, because I get a 25 percent tax credit in Ohio and we don’t get that in Kentucky. That is not just made up. That is happening. Tax policy in Kentucky is costing us jobs.”
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Hear from outgoing NKU President James Votruba and the university's student government president about the importance of solving the tuition and higher education funding problems at the link: cn|2 
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SEE ALSO: Governor Beshear makes appointments to higher education board, including the President of EW Scripps to the NKU Board of Regents press release 
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QUICKIES
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Banking scandal could be hurting Kentucky's pensions WFPL 
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Tax increases, program cuts could help boost pensions cn|2 
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Pension reform is still troublesome Daily Independent 
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Governor Beshear to promote Kentucky on trip to Europe press release 
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Kentucky Secretary of State heads to Afghanistan to help troops vote press release 
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Drug money funds voter fraud in Kentucky FOX News 
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US Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) named best in Congress for working people press release 
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US Rep. Geoff Davis passes off his signature cause, the REINS Act, to a colleague since Davis won't be around to see it passed WFPL 
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Good news for wine lovers: the grape harvest is ahead of schedule WPSD 
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Governor Beshear orders flags at half staff in honor of victims of Colorado movie theater shooting press release 
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Bengals say "no" to new TV blackout rule Business Courier 
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Kentucky low on list of creative class population The Atlantic Cities 
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COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD MEETS TONIGHT
The Covington School Board will meet Thursday at 7:00PM inside the Board of Education. No agenda has been made public yet, but it is expected to include discussion of the three bids sought to reconstruct the playground at Sixth District Elementary School that was partially destroyed by fire in June. Also, board member Mike Fitzgerald returns after missing a couple meetings due to an illness that kept him in the hospital for an extended period of time. The River City News will have it covered for you.
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FEMALE TEACHERS & MALE STUDENTS SEX SCANDALS IN THE AREA
Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati have had their share of teacher-student sex scandals:
Fox19 Legal Analyst and former Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen added that society's double standard also makes it tougher to prosecute offenders.
"If the male teacher is the defendant and there's a female student, that person is probably going to prison," said Allen. "If on the other hand, it's a female teacher and a male student, you're not seeing that many stiff sentences."
See the video report here: WXIX 
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COVINGTON CITY ARBORIST EXPLAINS DANGERS OF EMERALD ASH BORER
Jason Roberts, the City of Covington's urban forester, certified arborist, and municipal specialist discusses the fight against the emerald ash borer in Devou Park through this video produced by NKU:

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A HEROIN ADDICT'S STORY
Heroin is a growing problem in our City and region:
Once the scourge of the 40's, 50's and 60's, heroin is back. And though it has an inner-city reputation, experts say it's gone suburban, even rural, perhaps next door to you. Cooking up in a spoon: It's what many heroin addicts do, what they live for, dream about. The god they worship. 
(snip)
Some people don't think that could happen to people they know, but pay attention to the addresses that recovery expert Jeff Duell of the Awareness and Recovery Group has seen at his recovery center. "It's Ft. Thomas, Newport, Covington, Ft. Mitchell, Villa Hills," Duell said.
Full story with video report: WCPO 
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SEE ALSO: As pain pills change, abusers move on to new drugs WFPL 
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KY MAN ACCUSED IN ANTI-GAY ATTACK CHALLENGES FED HATE CRIMES LAW
After he and an accomplice were charged with beating up a man in Eastern Kentucky because the man is gay, Anthony Ray Jenkins, 20, and his cousin became the the first ever charged under a new federal hate crimes law:

Part of the hate-crimes law is unconstitutional because it impermissibly creates special protection for a class of people based on the sexual orientation of victims, Anthony Jenkins' attorney, Willis G. Coffey, argued in the motion filed Wednesday.
There is no compelling interest in providing more protection for gay crime victims than for others, and the Constitution bars doing so, the motion said.
The federal hate-crimes law once included protection based only on race, color, religion and national origin.
Full story: Herald-Leader/Bill Estep 
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MORE QUICKIES
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What Penn State football can learn from Kentucky basketball after scandal The New York Times 
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Whooping cough cases on the rise and could get worse here WLWT 
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Man finally charged for causing a violent scene at a Salvation Army Christmas Dinner in Louisville WDRB 
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KENTUCKY MAN INDICTED FOR STEALING FROM BODY AT FUNERAL HOME
Ugh:
William Mitchell, 33, has been indicted in Grayson County. Police say he took a ring off the woman's finger at the funeral home in Caneyville, then broke into a car sitting outside.
A few more details: WKYT 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 19 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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(NOTE: Some troubling formatting errors have reemerged Thursday night, so apologies for some clunkiness in the way some of this post is laid out. It is being looked at now.)
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COVINGTON'S RENOVATED HOMES TO OPEN FOR TOUR
From a City of Covington news release:
The City of Covington along with its partners, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell and Century 21, proudly invite you to tour 5 of its newly renovated and constructed homes in the 900 block of Banklick Street and Berry Street in Covington. An Open House tour will be hosted by the Realtor Partners on Thursday, July 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. These 5 homes are near completion and are ready for purchase.

As part of a grant from the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the City of Covington was able to take 14 home sites, restore them, and offer them for sale to qualifying buyers. Three of the sites are new construction while the remaining 11 are full restorations. To date, one home has been sold and two more are under contract.

The NSP program offers potential homebuyers financial incentives that include paid closing costs, sizable grants, and half of the down payment. Buyers must meet income guidelines to qualify for the program. Information on the program can be found at www.makecovingtonhome.com or by calling the City of Covington Community Development Department at 859-292-2147.

Please join us for this Open House event to experience these exciting new homes and discover the quality construction, convenient location and positive impact this project has given the City of Covington. Refreshments will be provided.
Homes on the tour include 304 Berry ($145,000), 908 Banklick ($122,000/Pending), 912 Banklick ($174,000), 914 Banklick ($174,000), 916 Banklick ($175,000), and 902 Banklick ($210,000/Under Contract). 
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The River City News produced this video for the realtors to help promote the NSP homes for sale. Check out the great deals!
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NOW FOR THE NEWS...
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HOMELESS MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING OTHER HOMELESS MAN
A fight between homeless men led to the stabbing early Thursday morning at Covington Landing. Police have arrested Nicholas Howard, 33, and charged him with first degree assault and tampering with evidence. The stabbing victim, David Abrams 49, is recovering at University Hospital in Cincinnati and is expected to survive. 
Nicholas Howard
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Another tragedy involves a homeless man...
The body found in Banklick Creek has been identified:
On Thursday, Fort Wright police say they'd learned the man was Paul Sloan. He was homeless and police say they believe he died of natural causes.
Full story: WKRC 
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MAYOR, CITY MANAGER REACT TO FIRE CHIEF'S RETIREMENT
"I am sorry to see him leave," said Mayor Chuck Scheper. City leaders react to the announced retirement of Covington's Fire Chief. Details at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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In case you missed, only The River City News spoke with Chief Chuck Norris about his impending retirement. For that story, click the link below.
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SEE ALSO: New Facebook group created to support keeping the Covington Fire Department and EMS in tact Facebook
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS
The fire chief isn't the only high-ranking official in town to announce his planned retirement this week; Kroger may soon charge you more if you use a credit card; A KY teen is badly beaten in possible anti-gay attack; Plus, Groundbreaking on a micro-brewery in Newport today. Go on and click it.
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REPOST: PHOTOS OF STORM DAMAGE IN COVINGTON NEIGHBORHOODS
Wind & lightning wreak tree havoc in Covington damaging homes, cars, and Linden Grove Cemetery. Tons of pics at the link. Click the link below. 
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SEE ALSO: A Kentucky weather siren is repaired after it was zapped by lightning WKYT 
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QUICKIES
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Insurance agent wanted in Kenton Co, accused of stealing $500,000 WKRC 
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Woman pulled from Ohio River alive six hours after jumping from bridge Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Mountaintop removal coal is mostly exported WFPL 
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Mitt Romney will send representative to Kentucky's Fancy Farm WFPL 
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Suspect arrested after overdosing on bath salts and falling through hospital ceiling without pants on WKYT 
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POLITICS
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CHARGE OF ANARCHY EMERGES IN NKY CONGRESSIONAL RACE
Dramatic developments in the race for Kentucky's Fourth Congressional District seat. First, the Kentucky-based executive director of a Texas-based Super PAC that bolstered Republican nominiee Thomas Massie past his GOP rivals, faced a DUI charge this week:
Preston Bates, 23, the executive director of Liberty for All, refused to give a corrections officer any personal information other than his name and then said that he was an “anarchist” when he was arrested last July near the University of Louisville. According to the arrest report, Bates pulled up to a residence on Bellamy Place at 3 a.m. July 3, 2011, but when he couldn’t get into the residence, Bates backed his car into an iron fence.
| Meanwhile, the founder of the Super PAC says he stands by Bates:
“Preston made a mistake and has taken full responsibility for his actions. I believe now, as I did when I hired him, that Preston is dedicated to our organization’s efforts to advance the economic and personal freedoms that have made our country the greatest nation on earth,” Ramsey said in the statement. “One might say, after all, that the greatest benefit of a society built on freedom is the ability to learn from the things we wish we’d done differently.”
Full story: cn|2 
| Massie's Democratic rival, Williamstown attorney Bill Adkins has jumped on the issue:
“I call upon Tom Massie to disavow the Ron Paul/Texas Liberty for All SuperPAC Tell them to leave Kentucky and stay out of this race for Congress,” says Bill Adkins. The Texas SuperPAC is currently operating out of a storefront in Bellevue, Kentucky. “Liberty for All and its leaders are far out of touch with the values of Kentuckians in the 4th District. Their executive director is a confirmed anarchist. Anarchists do not believe in any authority, anarchists have no respect for government and anarchists often use violent means to achieve their goals. Their positions are un-American.”
Full statement: Bill Adkins 
| SEE ALSO: Because Thomas Massie quit his job as Lewis County Judge-Executive after less than two years in order to focus on his race for Congress, Governor Beshear appointed a new J-E today press release  | KY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDS STEADY AT 8.2% From a state news release:
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate in June 2012 held at 8.2 percent for the second straight month, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The preliminary June 2012 jobless rate was 1.4 percentage points below the 9.6 percent rate recorded for the state in June 2011. The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate also remained at 8.2 percent from May 2012 to June 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. In June 2012, Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,068,524, an increase of 2,622 individuals compared to the previous month. “We continue to be on a growth path,” said economist Manoj Shanker of the OET. “We have added more than 4,000 jobs for two months in a row. Job growth continues to outstrip the number of people entering the job market, helping to keep down the unemployment rate.”
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MAYORS: ECONOMY IS GROWING BUT WE WANT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE
According to the Washington Post article, the economies of the nation's cities are on the rebound but the state and federal governments must start paying more attention to infrastructure in order for the fragile growth to continue:
The report, prepared by HIS Global Insight, forecasts that 300 of the country’s 363 metropolitan areas will experience real economic growth by the end of the year. The total gross metropolitan product grew by 1.7 percent last year and expanded in 267 metropolitan areas; this year, the report predicts, the average growth of all 363 areas will be just below 1.8 percent. (snip) But mayors attending the conference’s summer meeting in Philadelphia pleaded with federal and state governments, as well as both presidential candidates, to increase the amount of funding for infrastructure — including roads, bridges, water and sewer systems and other transportation investments. Public spending on infrastructure in the United States has fallen to 2.4 percent of the gross domestic product, the group said, something that needs to be increased in order for growth to continue.
Full story: Washington Post 
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WHERE STATE TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS GO:
From the Atlantic Cities:
Transportation funding is complex. Literally trillions of dollars are constantly at work or on the boards for one thing or another. The type of spending ranges from building overpasses to laying light rail tracks to painting those white-line bicycle riders on the asphalt in bike lanes. And so much more. Trying to define exactly where every transportation dollar in the U.S. goes is probably more effort than it's worth. Understanding generally where that money goes, however, is both doable and informative. A new report has tracked the spending priorities of each state, as laid out in their state transportation improvement programs (STIP).
Full analysis: The Atlantic Cities 
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SEE ALSO: The percentage of Americans who thinkt he country is headed in the right direction is now the highest that it has been in two years Politico 
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KY SPENT $1.29 BILLION ON BUSINESS INCENTIVES FROM 2001-10
The state spent more than $1.2 billion on economic development incentives with no real measure for their effectiveness:
The 577 companies that took incentives reported creating 55,173 jobs in the state from 2001 to 2010, more than two-thirds of them in the manufacturing sector. The gross cost per job was $23,385, according to the report by Anderson Economic Group of Chicago. (snip) Testifying Thursday, senior consultant Caroline Sallee said her firm's findings had gaps. It's impossible to know how many jobs would have been created anyway if the state hadn't offered incentives, she said. And it's hard to say, when considering the total cost of incentives, what the state simultaneously gained from those jobs through taxes it collected from workers and the money they spent in their communities, she said.
The full story indicates that Kentucky still lags its neighbors in business development but there are some bright spots. Click it. Herald-Leader/John Cheves 
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TASK FORCE TO REVIEW STATE'S ALCOHOL LAWS
Covington's state representative, Arnold Simpson was in the news recently for his push to allow liquor sales while polls are open on election day, and now the Governor has ordered a review of Kentucky's alcohol laws:
“Many groups, including licensees, state regulators, law enforcement and private citizens have called for statutory reform of our alcoholic beverage laws. They agree that Kentucky’s current laws do not adequately account for a 21st-century economy and standard of law,” Beshear said in a statement. “A task force that includes members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and professions is best suited to identify the problems, debate policy and make recommendations for improvements.” Beshear noted that Kentucky has more than 13,000 licenses issued to manufacturers, distributors and retailers for alcoholic beverages. There are more than 70 different license types to regulate those operations, he said, adding that these businesses not only generate millions of dollars for the Kentucky economy every year but also attract tourists.
Herald-Leader 
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MORE QUICKIES
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NKY Health Dept says there were 11 new cases of whooping cough reported this week, and calls it an outbreak Twitter 
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NKAPC looks for new land management software Building Cincinnati 
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Editorial: Cincinnati, don't apologize! Cincinnati Enquirer 
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For 3CDC the work is never done in Downtown Cincinnati Business Courier 
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TRAFFIC ALERT: 
From the City of Taylor Mill:
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet contacted us today and indicated that the Old Taylor Mill Road and Taylor Creek Subdivision Closures originally planned for 9:30 am on Friday morning will now not occur until 10:00 am on Saturday morning. Please note all road closures are anticipated to last through October 31, 2012.
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DAD DENIES DAUGHTER'S MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION TRIP TO DISNEY
A 4-year old Kentucky girl who has completed leukemia treatments will not get to go to Disney World because her father thinks other kids should:
The Sentinel-Tribune in Bowling Green reports McKenna May of Haskins completed treatment for leukemia but couldn't go to Disney because both parents had to agree. William May of Toledo says he thinks trips should go to sick children in more dire circumstances than his daughter. A Make-A-Wish official says the girl's treatment struggles qualified her for a wish.
Full story: WKYT
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THE POINT/ARC IN COVINGTON OPENS SCREEN PRINTING BUSINESS
The new business will help fund the agency:
The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky serves area residents who are developmentally disabled. Brian Harper, of Covington, along with John Foppe of Alexandria, have known each other for years through the Special Olympics. They decided to ask The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky to join in on this business venture.
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SPORTS
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UK Football coach Joker Phillips talks about being on the hot seat Herald-Leader 
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Zippy Chippy, the "losingest" race horse, makes friends in retirement Herald-Leader
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MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH AUCTIONING OFF ITEMS
From the Mother of God:
Check out the Everything But The House website. There are several items from Mother of God Church up for auction. A large number of those items can be found under the category "religious" at the following link. Bidding ends Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 at 4:00PM ET.
So what are some of the items up for grabs? Take a look:
$60-65
Lot of priest's liturgical garments, including three modern amice vestments (one in white linen [Christmas, Easter, Feast Day use], one violet linen [Advent and Lenten use], and one red synthetic fiber [with a Pentecostal motif]), as well as six various stoles, all in synthetic fibers, most with cross designs, one with a Eucharistic wheat and grapevine motif. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky.Condition: Good, some general wear, a few light stains, etc.   |
Currently $18-20
Pair of simple vintage, 1960's or 70's light natural oak finish Prie Dieux, or kneelers, with veneer arm rests and vinyl covered keen rests. Simple in design, with a shelf for prayer books, simple tapered lines. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky. Condition: Good, have some age and use consistent wear, a few nicks and chips, etc. |
Right now: $10-12
Lot of three Eucharistic patens, as well as a chalice cover, in silver plate and brass tone metal. Includes an oval paten and two round pieces, each with pierced metal handles. Two of the handles have the "IHS" motif. The chalice coveris in gold tone metal with a stylized heart and cross motif , with a corss finial. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky. Condition: Good, general wear from use.
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Check out all the items at the link below:
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NEW STUDY FINDS AMERICANS NEED 6 HOURS OF SLEEP AT WORK
LOL:
"Millions of people are staying up way too late at work," said endocrinologist Hannah Presnall, adding that in order for the body to function properly, workers should arrive at their job, check and send e-mails for two to three hours, and be asleep by 11:30 a.m. at the latest.
Full story: The Onion (Satire)