COMMISSION RECAP: 10 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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by Michael Monks 

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The Covington City Commission convened for its regular legislative meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Here is what went down"

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Facade grants for Lewisburg for when new bridge is built

The Commission unanimously approved authorizing the mayor to enter a memorandum of agreement between the City of Covington, the federal highway administration, and the Kentucky state historic preservation officers with concurrence by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the adverse effects expected to hit the Lewisburg neighborhood when the Brent Spence Bridge project begins construction. City Manager Larry Klein explained that $420,000 will be placed into a fund for facade grants to be used specifically in that neighborhood to counter the adverse effects, though it could be several years before construction on the new bridge begins. The agreement is good for ten years and has a clause that it can be revisited at the time of its expiration. Mitigating the effects to Lewisburg was one of Covington's top concerns as a final design for the new bridge is selected. "This helps strengthen the neighborhood by reinvesting in it," Klein said.

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Backhoe trailer involved in accident to be sold

The trailer that flipped over with a backhoe on it (and a city employee inside the backhoe) will be sold as surplus property. (SEE: Employee pulled from backhoe that flipped in Devou Park) "This is way to get some salvage out of the damaged piece of equipment," Klein explained.

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Two Covington Police officers retire

Dennis Wesseler and Dennis Sparks each started at the Covington Police Department in 1990 and now they leave together, each having his retirement approved by the city commission. Wesseler arrived in Covington from Cold Spring's police department. Chief Spike Jones said Wesseler was a "rock star" in South Covington. "He has a huge following out there," Jones said. 

Dennis Wesseler

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Sparks arrived in Covington fresh off the mission in Panama that helped bring down former dictator Manuel Noriega. He won two life-saving awards in Covington and was described by Chief Jones as the best administrative lieutenant the department has ever had. "I came here tonight to be honored but it's been my honor serving the citizens of Covington and this is very hard for me," Sparks said.

Dennis Sparks

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OTHER NOTES: 

• The City will purchase a new Caterpillar steer loader in the amount of $74,645 as the current one is four years past its shelf life according to city engineer Tom Logan. Half the cost will be paid for through the Devou Trust Fund, a fifth from the Drees Pavilion allocation for equipment, a tenth from the Devou Trust for tree removal, and a fifth from the City's capital improvements fund. Half the time, the new piece will be used in Devou Park where it will play a major role in combating invasive species, as it also will along the Licking River Greenway & Trails when being used by the Cuty for other purposes the other half of the time.
• The Covington Human Rights Commission presented a framed certificate to the City Commission thanking them for extending health care benefits to same-sex partners of City employees.
• The asset forfeiture fund at the Covington Police Department will pay for $85,500 worth of new laptops for the department
• The contract of Dr. Paul Spellman was renewed for services for the Covington Fire Department.
• Guidelines were approved for the City's home buyer assistance program. $139,000 is available in individual opportunities to have $5,000 put toward lender-required down payments.
• Eight firefighters, two EMS workers, and two police officers were given pay increases.
• Jennifer Stein of Kenton Hills was appointed to the Devou park advisory committee.

New mural for Latonia to be hung in school

Artist Tammy Stephens, well known for her work on the popular mural in Helentown, showed off a new mural for Latonia. Though much smaller in scale compared to the one in Helentown, it was created in the same spirit by bringing together local children to help. Much of the work was done during the Latonia children's festival. It will be displayed at Latonia Elementary.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 10 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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by Michael Monks 

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WELCOME TO YOUR NEW GOVERNMENT

A nice piece explaining how public-private partnerships are working in other cities, and worth reading as Covington moves toward the creation of something similar:

But what are the stakes of ceding public sector work to non-profits? Some argue that if private organizations like this one aren’t making sure trash is picked up and the neighborhood is promoted as a positive place to invest, the jobs won’t get done — and neighborhood will languish. On the other hand, communities cede a certain amount of accountability when private hands, whether a community development corporation like Midtown, Inc. or a for-profit company, take charge of public services.
Is there a risk when common-good public services are — at least some of the time — defined by neighborhood borders rather than city ones? De facto or otherwise, will cities be less likely to make high-quality services and innovation available to all its neighborhoods, or will some be left (perhaps all too literally) in the dark?
(snip)
The growing influence of today’s CDCs, particularly those in cities that are strapped for cash, speaks to larger trends of governments outsourcing what had once been their own jobs. There is some precedent for this: For years, non-profit conservancies have “adopted” city parks in Detroit in order to provide consistent maintenance and programming that City Hall could not, unintentionally resulting in a diffused system of authority for parks and recreation in the city.

FULL STORY: Next American City/Anna Clark 
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COVINGTON CITY COMMISSION TO MEET TONIGHT

Two Covington Police officers will have their requests for retirement accepted at Tuesday night's Covington City Commission meeting. Captain Dennis Sparks is set to leave the department August 1 while Officer Dennis Wesseler's retirement officially took place July 1. Other items of note on the agenda for Tuesday night:

• The City is to renew its contract with Dr. Paul Spellman for services for the Covington Fire Department
• For consideration, the approval of a "state bid" proposal from Ohio Caterpillar for the purchase of a new 299D XHP skid steer loader in the amount of $74,645 (50% payable from Devou Park Trust Fund, 19.3% payable from Drees allocation for equipment, 9.3% payable from Devou Trust tree removal allotment, and 21,4% from City capital improvement funds

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New piece of equipment will look similar to this

• Consideration for approval of $85,500 for new Panasonic toughbook computers, payable from asset forfeiture fund
• Promotions for several employees in the police and fire departments
• A presentation on the Latonia Banner

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TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: The Covington Human Rights Commission will honor the City Commission for its move to offer health insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of city employees.
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NOTE: The Kenton County Fiscal Court meets Tuesday (today) morning at 9:00AM. The merged 911 dispatch center is part of one item on the agenda. To see the full agenda, click here (PDF)
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COLLEGE GRADUATION GAP WIDENS FOR LOW-INCOME KENTUCKIANS
While more Kentuckians are earning degrees, the gap between graduation rates of middle to high income students has widened eight percentage points over low income students:

In those two years, the graduation rate of low-income Kentucky students fell from 46 percent to 35 percent, according to an annual accountability report from the Council on Postsecondary Education. In comparison, the graduation rate of moderate- to high-income students dropped four percentage points, from 57 percent to 53 percent.
The gap between graduation rates for rich and poor students increased from 10 percentage points to 18.
The gap is connected to a bad economy, higher tuition rates and less state aid, and it's a big problem, according to one expert on the economy and higher education.

FULL STORY: Herald-Leader/Linda B. Blackford 
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MEANWHILE: Kentucky shows gains in degrees and credentials press release 
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PREVIOUSLY AT THE RIVER CITY NEWS:
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CITY RESPONDS TO RACIST FLYERS POSTED AT CITY HEIGHTS
"In order for the white race to survive, race mixing must be stopped!" Racist fliers posted around Covington's City Heights public housing community triggered a meeting there Monday with neighbors, the Covington Human Rights Commission, and the Chief of Police. Full story at the link.

City Responds to Racist Flyers in City Heights 

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HELP IDENTIFY TROUBLESOME INTERSECTIONS IN COVINGTON

Ever been stuck on Greenup Street waiting for that annoyingly long green light on Eastbound 20th Street to change? And then when it does, Greenup's green light is less than 10 seconds long! Help The River City News select Covington's most annoying, dangerous, ridiculous, and/or most troublesome intersections. Check out the link and then weigh in!

Help Identify Troublesome Intersections in Covington 

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MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES

Our City shows off its best traits for the international stage; State Rep. Simpson (D-Cov) fights for alcohol sales on election day; Kenton Co tweets more about beer than church, but Boone is the opposite (chart); Plus, two Covington places will now be serving gourmet hot dogs. Click the link!

The RC News: Monday Morning Round-Up 

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MAN SOUGHT ON PAROLE VIOLATION MAY BE IN COVINGTON

Keep an eye out for the fellow:

Kevin Meade

Kevin Meade is wanted by the Parole Authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for absconding (fleeing) parole. He is believed to have been hanging out on the 700 block of Madison Avenue in Covington. He is about 5'7" and 165 pounds. If you see him, call Police (911) or Crime Stoppers at 513.352.3040. Meade was convicted of possession of a forged instrument, receiving stolen property, theft, and bailjumping.

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UNION NEGOTIATOR HOPES TO BRING KY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOGETHER

One of the Commonwealth's new state representatives that will take office next year is a former union negotiator who hopes to smooth over the notoriously dysfunctional General Assembly. Via cn|2:

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QUICKIES

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Housing Authority of Covington seeks HOPE VI appraisers Building-Cincinnati 

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New gambling venues net Ohio $23.5 million Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Raising the minimum wage: help or harm? WFPL 

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Rep. Geoff Davis: Poor reports indicate need for new jobs bill Geoff Davis 

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Why is Sen. Mitch McConnell so nervous? The New York Times 

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CVG offers upgraded terminals Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Wiseguy Henry Hill (of Goodfellas film fame) hid out in Independence, KY Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Energy efficiency grants for local KY governments announced press release 

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NEW KENTUCKY LAWS GO INTO EFFECT THURSDAY

Want to see all the new laws that go in effect on Thursday after being passed this year by the General Assembly? Click Here 

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1,000 BABY CHICKENS DIE FROM HEAT AT LOUISVILLE MAIL CENTER

One fifth of the 5,000 chicks mailed from Iowa through Kentucky died from what postal officials as heat exposure:

Shipping live animals via mail is common, Walton said. Chicks are usually shipped in cardboard boxes with breathing holes cut out.
The shipment was carried by truck, Walton said.
When the chicks arrived Saturday in Louisville, workers at the USPS processing plant on Gardner Lane noticed that the chirping common from the boxes was absent in some, Walton said.

Courier-Journal 
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COVINGTON POLICE HOST BLOOD DRIVE
On Monday, the Covington Police Department welcomed the Hoxworth Blood Center to its headquarters to collect blood:

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CHECK OUT THE COMPLETED DEVOU PARK CONCESSIONS STAND

The new concessions/restroom facility debuted in Devou Park Saturday night during the World Choir Games concert at the Bandshell:

MORE QUICKIES

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Got 4 hours to spare during a layover at CVG? What would you do? Here's a take from some outsiders who passed through YSNP 

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John Calipari's future with Dominican Republic team up in the air ESPN 

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Interesting: 5 UK players drafted in the NBA in the last few years were signed by former UK coach Billy Gillespie SRSLY Herald-Leader 

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LOL: Photos: 1990s problems

More 1990s problems: Huffington Post 

CITY RESPONDS TO RACIST FLYERS POSTED AT CITY HEIGHTS

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 

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(DISCLOSURE: The writer is a member of the Covington Human Rights Commission, appointed by the Covington City Commission.)

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Some time in the middle of the night back in May, someone or some people posted flyers on telephone poles and on the walls of a store at City Heights, one of Covington's public housing communities. Though the identities of the people responsible for hanging the flyers remains a mystery a month and a half later, the words are attributed to the Trinity White Knights which purports to be part of the Ku Klux Klan.

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"The Only Reason You Are White! Today Is Because Your Ancestors Practiced & Believed In Segregation YESTERDAY!"

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The shoddily produced flyer with the above headline features Klan insignia and images with the following message, plagued by grammatical errors:

The above statement is very True!!!, Not just for White People, but Black People as well... In order for the White Race to survive, (Race Mixing) must be STOPPED!!! Why should any White Man or Black Man wish to see His or Her Heritage & Culture DESTROYED???.We of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a WHITE RIGHTS GROUP, AND NOT THE HATERS that so many people think we are, but we are LOVERS of our Race & Nation. We wish to see the preservation of our Race, As we think all Black People wish to save there own. So that our Children can enjoy their Heritage & Culture, that they all so Richly deserve. Do Not Destroy Overnight, what has taken GENERATIONS TO PRESERVE.

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The Trinity White Knights even provided their mailing address (PO Box 122863, Covington KY 41014), their email address (Imperialwizardtwk@yahoo.com), and a "24-hour hotline" (513.237.6332). But whether or not anyone would get a response from any of those outlets has yet to be realized. Covington Police Chief Spike Jones said Monday that no contact has been made in spite of the department's efforts. 
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"They did this to evoke a reaction up here and did not get the reaction they wanted," Jones said, calling the group, "terrorists". "We didn't have TV crews show up."
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The Covington Human Rights Commission held its monthly meeting at City Heights inside the community room to address the issue of the flyers with residents. Jones and City Solicitor Frank Warnock joined the commission as did City Commissioners Sherry Carran and Steve Casper and Housing Authority of Covington executive director Aaron Wolfe-Bertling. Many of the residents present agreed that the fliers were a cause for concern, mainly for the safety of their children, but differed on how to react, or whether to react at all. 
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"You all must be together," said Rev. Charles Fann, chairman of the Covington Human Rights Commission. "Whether you are black or white, it doesn't matter. When you band together, no one can defeat you. They're trying to come up here and divide you but it's not going to work." 
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However, members of the residents council at City Heights and the community's block watch organization have not seen eye-to-eye recently, making difficult the ability to cooperate in monitoring and responding to activities like the posting of fliers and other issues. "The block watch and residents council can be a good relationship. Trust has to start somewhere," said Jerome Bowles, president of the Northern Kentucky chapter of the NAACP, who also attended the meeting. "You got people rallying here for hate and you have to counter that with an anti-hate rally. Create a positive, inclusive flyer and post it where they posted these other things."

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City Heights is a racially mixed, low-income housing community separated from most of the city by a steep hill called Benton Road in Peaselburg. Colloquially, the community is referred to simply as "The Hill". However, surrounding the homes there are trails through the woods that lead down to Latonia and that is how many in City Heights believe the people who posted the flyers got to their neighborhood. In fact, there were lots of rumors circulating over the six or so weeks since the flyers first appeared, most of them easily proven false at Monday night's meeting.
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One fact is clear, however: the flyers were posted and the neighbors and the Covington Police want answers. "We'd like to introduce ourselves to the people handing them out," Jones said. "It makes our community look negative. We're going to find out who they are."
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Four years ago a similar set of flyers emerged in Latonia Terrace, another Covington Housing project, but Jones was unsure whether the events discussed Monday night were related to that previous incident. In the 1980s, according to a resident at Monday night's meeting, a group of skinheads marched around City Heights. "There might be gunfire today," the resident said, "but in the eighties the black and white residents would march them away."
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Other residents assured each other that they are capable of coming together in times of stress, as recently evidenced by the community-wide search for a 1-year old boy who was reportedly missing in City Heights. In the meantime, Chief Jones promises more officers on the streets, not just in City Heights, but around Covington as he reorganizes the department he took over officially ten days ago.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 12 MAY

Report: tolls on the Brent Spence get mixed reaction; Covington school bus drivers honored; Wheel of Fortune is in Kentucky this weekend looking for contestants.

FROM THE COVINGTON CAMPAIGN TRAIL...

City Commissioner Steve Frank took his reelection campaign to small businesses in Mainstrasse Friday afternoon, passing out stamped envelopes with a blank letter inside for constituents to write to the state highway department to express support for Covington's proposed changes to the Brent Spence Bridge project design. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is accepting public comments on the issue through May 25. 

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COVINGTON FINDS SUPPORT FOR BRIDGE FROM U.S. SENATOR, NEIGHBORS

Our city's desired changes to the Brent Spence Bridge project is now supported by Senator Rand Paul, two neighboring cities, and several local organizations. Details at the link. 

The River City News 

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BRENT SPENCE TOLL IDEA GETS MIXED REACTIONS

From WXIX: 

Tim MacDonald of Cincinnati says, "I think its a bad idea....I think people will avoid it. I mean they put it in and don't want to pay for repairs to it so why stick it to the people."
Robin Hensley of Northern Kentucky says, "It probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Its probably a good way of getting some revenue."
Dawn Smith says, "Why should we the citizens pay of a toll on that bridge that they say they can't afford." 

WXIX 

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in case you missed...

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FRIDAY'S COVINGTON NEWS

More layoffs are likely at Covington City Hall; The River City News speaks with seven candidates for Covington City Commission; A new coffeehouse opens in Latonia but admits that it is struggling to survive; Photos: A TV commercial shoot this morning in Mainstrasse; Plus, take a look at the new flyer style that will promote the Downtown Covington incentives package for small businesses. More Covington News Than Any Other Source - at the link!

The RC News: Friday Round-Up 

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COVINGTON-BASED OMNICARE SETTLES ANOTHER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

This time it cost the company $50 million: 

Pharmacy operator Omnicare Inc said it will pay $50 million to settle an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) concerning errors in the company's distribution of controlled substances. 

Reuters  
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CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP
Who's going to prison, who got probation, and who's still on the loose? Your mugshot round-up from a busy week at Kenton County Circuit Court, courtesy of Prosecutor Rob Sanders, is at the link. 

Convicted: Mugshot Round-Up 

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FROM THE 4TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE: 

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GOP candidates will be on Comment on Kentucky Monday night (KET) Bluegrass Politics 

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Former Kentucky Congressman Ron Lewis endorses Boone County Judge-Exec Gary Moore Associated Press 

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Wurtz goes online in run for Congress Cincinnati Enquirer 

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QUICKIES

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Governor Beshear heads to Asia WKYT 

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Kentucky approves tax incentives for expanding companies Herald-Leader 

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Governments belatedly put pensions on their books: 

Pensions in Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana and Kentucky may have less than 30 percent of the assets needed to cover promised benefits under the measure, according to data from the Boston College Center for Retirement Research. The changes, which take effect starting in June 2013, will alter how liabilities are calculated and how assets are reported on financial statements. 

Bloomberg  

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KY Transportation chief: urban and rural areas have same problems with potholes cn|2 

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Attorney General Conway announces $1.75 million settlement with pharmaceutical company press release 

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Frankfort reporter is back on the beat The Daily Independent 

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Kroger CEO gets 66% raise Business First 

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Flagging Churchill Downs profits could lead to boutique spring meets Courier-Journal 

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Louisville's Whiskey Row to cost three times more than projection Business First 

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Cincinnati earns national honor for bike program Queen City Bike 

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Preservationists: Owners of a Newport home remove siding and find "beautiful" clapboards and shingles Facebook  

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Entire shipment of books by Kentucky author stolen Courier-Journal 

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UPDATE: The book thief may be a former employee of the truck company that was transporting the shipment The Daily Herald  

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COVINGTON INDEPENDENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUS DRIVERS HONORED

From the District: 

Three bus drivers for Covington Independent Public Schools were honored by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Thursday night for their outstanding customer service during the “Get on the Bus” tour last month. John C.K. Fisher, Northern Kentucky field supervisor for the Human Rights Commission, presented drivers Phyllis Dees, Vickie Rogers and Matt Walden with the “Unbridled Spirit for Justice’’ awards during the Board of Education meeting. Fisher had nothing but praise for the drivers, who drove buses for the tour in celebration of Fair Housing Month.Fisher said the drivers were excellent in their routes, were always professional, patient and were kind enough to make slight changes in the routes when needed. The drivers, along with other transportation staff, Karen Eads, secretary and Ray Finke, compliance director, also received the awards. In addition, the Covington Board of Education recognized the transportation staff members as “Employees of the Month.” Congratulations. 

For more photos, click here. 

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WHEEL OF FORTUNE AUDITIONS IN LOUISVILLE TODAY AND TOMORROW

Details: WKYT 

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WHAT TO DO IN COVINGTON TODAY:

ROMAFest, a party for Mainstrasse residents

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Circus Mojo spring circus and summer camp in Ludlow

Details: click here 

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FROM MICHAEL: COME SEE THIS PLAY AT THE ARTISAN ENTERPRISE CENTER

I am appearing alongside some really talented local actors under the guidance of a terrific director for a two-weekend production of Fuddy Meers at the Artisan Enterprise Center. Here are some details: 

The Artisan Enterprise of Covington (AEC) proudly presents Fuddy Meers, a play by David Lindsay-Abaire. The play is part of the gallery exhibition “Funny Mirrors” and will be presented June 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 p.m. at the AEC located at 25 W. 7th Street in Covington, KY. Fuddy Meers is a poignant and brutal comedy that traces one woman’s attempt to regain her memory while surrounded by a curio-cabinet of alarmingly bizarre characters. The show features local actors Torie Pate, Ron Burrage, Donnie McGovern, Marypat Carletti, Michael Monks, Adrianne Underhill, and Vincent Cline. The show is directed by Dan Doerger.The art exhibit “Funny Mirrors” features artwork by Jeff Casto, Helena Cline, and Billy Simms. Their artwork is integrated into the performance and serves as the inspiration for the play. The opening night reception for the gallery show is June 1. The gallery show runs the month of June and admission to the art show is free. The play will be performed June 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $10. Tickets to the play can be purchased at the door the evenings of the show or reserved by calling 513.313.8484.  

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UK recruit Nerlens Noel speaks on the NCAA inquiry reported by The New York Times this week Kentucky Sports Radio 

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Calipari to coach Dominican Republic national team again Coach Cal 

GET ON THE BUS: A TOUR THROUGH COVINGTON, NKY'S BLACK HISTORY

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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Three buses loaded with people departed Covington City Hall Wednesday afternoon for a tour of black history through Covington, Newport, Elsmere, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Downtown Cincinnati. The event was created in honor of April's designation as Fair Housing Month and in conjunction with the 44th anniversary of the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. The Get on the Bus tour was sponsored by the Lexington Fair Housing Council which also provided lunch catered by T's in Covington's Eastside. 

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From the tour's brochure:

The ethnic and racial makeup of the East End of Covington included Irish and German immigrants and African Americans. In 1880, small numbers of African Americans began to concentrate in the area around Washington Street and the railroad and in homes along the alleys between Fifth and Sixth Streets east of Madison Avenue. Between 1880 and 1910, there was a population surge among the African Americans, and larger groups of blacks began living between 8th & 11th Streets near Greenup Street. In 1880, the streets in this area were only partially completed, and the inhabitants were a mixture of African Americans, whites, and German and Irish immigrants. In 1890, African Americans began to cluster on Washington Street and also settled in large numbers between 5th and 6th Streets near Scott Boulevard and Madison Avenue in the Central Business District. The Civil Rights era of the 1950s through the 1970s brought a change of focus in the neighborhood. The East End came to be known as the Eastside, and streets and homes once banned from African American occupancy became available to them. In the early 1970s, the City of Covington passed an open-housing law finally permitting African Americans to live anywhere in the city. Immigration in the 19th century filled up the city's West Side, bringing European architecture, shops, and crafts. Houses sat on narrow lots and high population density made walking a convenience. The German and Irish immigrants of the West Side supported a host of saloons, stores, and institutions. West Side German culture became a victim of the anti-German hysteria of World War I. In th 1960s, urban renewal took its toll on the West Side.

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SEE THE FULL BROCHURE WITH PHOTOS AND DETAILS FROM OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES: Click Here (PDF)

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Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper applauded the tour in a press release Wednesday morning. "The city of Covington is pleased to be hosting this celebratory, informative and educational program. Covington is a unique city that exhibits a tremendous history of the progress which has been made from segregation to our Human Rights Ordinance. We have made great strides and believe that no one should be discriminated against - in any capacity for any reason. We celebrate our diversity and embrace the members of our community." Scheper said. "This tour is a unique experience for attendees to hear the sometimes less-known history behind many of our special and historic structures, as presented by tour guides who share their personal experiences of living through changing times over past decades. Covington is honored to have been chosen as a site for this year's celebration of Fair Housing Month and the Fair Housing Act of 1968."
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Each of the three buses featured a guest narrators and tour guides including local historian Ted Harris, Elsmere Mayor Billy Bradford, retired Covington businessman/entertainer Fred Hollis, Eastside neighborhood leader Bennie Doggett, Newport pastor W.L. Taylor, retired Elsmere police officer Allen Thomas, Covington pastor Richard Fowler, Newport community activist Patricia Headen, Covington school board member Jerry Avery, and former Newport newspaper publisher Patricia Fann, and John CK Fischer of the Kentucky Human Rights Commission.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY 25 APR

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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       RECOMMENDED BRIDGE PLAN IS 

        DETRIMENTAL TO COVINGTON

DO YOU WANT TO SEE COVINGTON LOSE ITS 5TH STREET EXIT?

DO YOU THINK DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO COME TO COVINGTON WAY BACK AT EZZARD CHARLES ON INTERSTATE 71? IF A DRIVER WERE TO MISS THAT DECISION POINT, THE NEXT OPTION TO COME TO COVINGTON WOULD BE AT KYLES LANE.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE GOEBEL PARK'S POOL BECOME UNUSABLE? 

DO YOU WANT TO SEE ACCESS TO DEVOU PARK BECOME MORE LIMITED?

Your City is important and so is your voice, so bring it to tonight's Brent Spence Bridge project public meeting at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center from 5:00 - 8:00PM and tell transportation officials that Covington matters. Don't let the new bridge rip apart access to our city. 

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SEE MORE: The City of Covington's concerns and recommendations for a new bridge Click Here 

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SEE ALSO: The first public meeting on the new bridge plans was held last night in Cincinnati and some of Covington's concerns were raised WCPO 

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GET ON THE BUS: 

A TOUR OF NKY'S SEGREGATED HISTORY 

Don't miss today's trip through another time in Covington. As part of April's Fair Housing Month, state housing advocates have put together a bus tour of Covington, Newport, Elsemere, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center from 11:30AM - 3:30PM. Meet at City Hall for this FREE event. 

Register: Lexington Fair Housing or call 866-438-8617 

Lincoln Grant School. Covington's former school for
black students is part of the tour

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DESTINATION: GRADUATION

A profile of another soon-to-be-graduate of Holmes High School

From the Covington Independent Public Schools: 

“In front of an audience I feel exhilarated and I have fun,” Elijah said. “I especially like to entertain children while I am in character because they believe I am the person I am playing.”
His ambition has been fueled at Holmes. Elijah has performed in seven musicals and plays including title roles in “Seussical the Musical” and “Willy Wonka.” His final high school role will be playing the Beast in Holmes’ upcoming production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.”
Elijah considers his involvement in the shows at Holmes as his greatest high school memory. “My favorite role was playing Horton the Elephant,” Elijah said. “The line, ‘a person’s a person no matter how small,’ helped me realize you don’t have to be somebody else to be important.”

He credits teacher Rex Sholar with teaching him to sing, act, and to stretch beyond his comfort zone.

Read more at CIPS Facebook page. 

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QUICKIES

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Flu season in NKY seems to have peaked, with just 9 new cases last week NKY Health Dept 

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In honor of tonight's Brent Spence meeting, here's a piece on how to turn town hall meetings into a game The Atlantic Cities 

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Absentee voting for Kentucky's May primary is now open press release 

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NEW DOCUMENTS SHED LIGHT ON 4TH DISTRICT SUPER PAC

Lots of movement this week in NKY's Congressional primary between seven Republican candidates: 

Knock is also a key supporter of AmeriGOP, a super PAC that backs Massie. Knock’s business Miss KC LLC donated $10,000 to the group, which has $30,000 in the bank. Federal Election Commission documents also credit Knock with a more than $500 in-kind donation for hosting the very first AmeriGOP event at his house. Further, Knock penned a letter soliciting donations for the group and saying AmeriGOP supports Massie.

But super PAC officials say Knock does not have any authority with the group. 

WFPL  
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KENTUCKY COLLEGE STUDENTS DEBATE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
From cn|2: 

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EX-EMPLOYEES AT KY T-SHIRT COMPANY SURPRISED BY GAY CONTROVERSY

Hands On Originals, a Lexington t-shirt company that refused to print shirts for a gay pride festival basing its decision on its Christian roots, is getting pushback from former employees who say the company printed plenty of controversial shirts in the past: 

She specifically described a shirt that Hands On Originals produced for a bar. The shirt showed a silhouette of a large-breasted woman bending over. The T-shirt boasted a phrase that contained sexual innuendo.
Bryan Beauman of Paris, an attorney for the company, did not dispute that Cavanaugh worked at Hands On Originals. He also acknowledged that the company produced the T-shirt but said that was before Blaine Adamson became managing owner of the company in 2008. 

Herald-Leader/Scott Sloan  
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ARE YOU FOLLOWING THE COVINGTON HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON FACEBOOK?

Click Here 

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GOOD LUCK TO THE HOLY CROSS INDIANS BASEBALL TEAM AS THEY HEAD TO DANVILLE TODAY FOR SECTIONAL PLAY IN THE KENTUCKY ALL-A TOURNAMENT.

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GLEE CHARACTER WELCOMED TO UofL CHEERLEADING TEAM

From the University of Louisville: 

Last week Sue Sylvester announced she had hooked Santana up with a scholarship to “the Nations top cheerleading program,” the University of Louisville (unfortunately we do not actually have Cheer scholarships, sorry). 

The UofL cheerleaders made this video to welcome Santana to campus: 

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HEY, EVEN MEN LIKE TO WEAR HATS TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY!

So, which hats are the best for this year's Run for the Roses? Click Here 

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/24/2163038/hands-on-originals-ex-workers.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy