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Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts

Saturday, January 14, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 14 JAN

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael
Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook
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2 BOYS AGED 15 & 16 CHARGED IN MURDER OF COVINGTON TEEN
Covington Police confirmed late Friday afternoon that a second arrest was made in the December 20 shooting death of Brett Thornberry, 18, on Greenup Street. Each suspect is a younger teen. For the full story, click the link.
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CREDIT CARD STOLEN IN FLORENCE MAKES ROUNDS IN COVINGTON
A woman's car was broken into in Florence and less than a half hour later her credit card was being used at Covington gas stations. Take a look at the suspect from a surveillance camera at the Speedway:
Do you know that guy? Call Covington Police at 859.292.2222 or CrimeStoppers at 513.352.3040.
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COVINGTON'S LIFE SCIENCES FOCUS GOES REGION WIDE
Now that Covington is pushing to land more companies like bioLOGIC which will be adding more employees and possibly developing a life science cluster on Pike Street, the effort is being promoted by a regional entity. Here's what TriEd says:
Northern Kentucky's Interest in Life Science Benefits Your Company!

COMMITMENT: Region-wide life science's initiative to establish centers of excellence in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and scientific research.
SUCCESS: bioLOGIC, a dynamic, global life science accelerator, ViaCord, PPD Global and others have substantial presence in Northern Kentucky, resulting in the attraction of multiple Life Science companies.
SUPPORT: Surrounded by a willing, growing business and educational environment in Northern Kentucky that supports life science efforts.
INCENTIVES: Talent at competitive wage rates ready to meet your workforce needs and backed by exceptional educational institutions.
OUTSTANDING: Dedication from the Commonwealth of Kentucky and local Northern Kentucky communities to provide ease-of-business and offer innovative and flexible incentive packages for eligible companies.
REAL ESTATE: Aggressive Northern Kentucky real estate options for life science and office space.
Tri-Ed is the regional business organization representing Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties. 
TriEd 
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YIKES: FOUR BUSINESSES BAILING ON CRESTVIEW TOWNE CENTER
Even newer storefronts are having a hard time finding occupants:
Tala’s Distant Treasures closed Sunday, Hoggy’s restaurant closed Monday, and the Talbots and Famous Footwear stores at the shopping center are featuring going out of business sales. However, The Limited has signed a lease for the soon-to-be-vacant Talbots space, said Christine Wesselkamper, the town center’s property manager.
Potential business owners and budding entrepreneurs should consider Downtown Covington, the original outdoor shopping mall.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder  
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YOU KNOW THE ECONOMY IS BAD WHEN...

...people aren't even dying fast enough:
The Batesville Casket Company is cutting 100 jobs, its entire second shift, starting in March. FOX19 spoke with two employees facing pink slips who wanted to remain anonymous but say they were expecting the move. "We all knew this day was coming we just didn't think it was coming this soon," says a 13-year veteran utility worker.
"I still got to go through the process of finding out where I'm at in seniority and whether I'll be there or not. It's still heartbreaking that I'm gonna lose all the people I've worked with," he says. The company explained the cuts, "As part of our continuous process of maximizing production capabilities to meet the needs of our customers."
More with video at the link.
FOX 19  
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MIKE FINK: DEAD IN THE WATER
The Enquirer's Mike Rutledge had this nice report yesterday about a topic that has been explored multiple times here at The River City News: what to do with the Mike Fink.
Three years and five months later, the 76-year-old sternwheeler is getting cold stares from some Covington residents, especially those living nearby in the historic Licking Riverside neighborhood. They’re weary of watching nothing happen on the National Register of Historic Places vessel, which from 1968 to 2008 was the popular Mike Fink Restaurant. It’s docked on Covington’s riverfront, still awaiting renovation above the waterline and gathering river debris around it. They want it shaped up or shipped elsewhere.
The Bernstein Family, which owns the Fink and BB Riverboats, did not comment for the report. 
Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge  
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politics

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KY-4: MASSIE COURTS TEA PARTY SUPPORT
Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie wants to represent Covington and the rest of the 4th District in Congress. He is already a darling of the Tea Party:
"For me, the government was one of those entities that was putting land mines in the field that I had to navigate when we started the company," Massie said. "The tax code, you had to navigate the tax code. The regulations, you had to navigate the regulations. When you located your building, you had to find the right zoning areas, get the right zoning permit. More often than not the government was in the way and not helping me start this company."
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LOCAL AUTHOR'S NATIONAL COLUMN ON CUBA & IRAN
Rick Robinson, whose Strange Bedfellows I am currently reading, takes aim at the Castros and Ahm -... Akmah...- Um, that Iranian guy:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent his Latin American “solidarity” tour to Havana this week shortly after the United States toughened sanctions on his government. It was a whirlwind stop for the president. He dropped by the University of Havana and, after giving a speech denouncing capitalism and America, received an honorary doctorate.
Following his rousing address, “Dr.” Ahmadinejad visited with Fidel Castro for several hours and reportedly said, “It was a great motive of joy for me to find [Castro] sane and healthy” — a statement that makes you wonder who Ahmadinejad hangs out with back home in Tehran.
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WOULD YOU LOSE COVERAGE IF HEALTH CARE REFORM WAS REPEALED?
17 million young Americans would according to a lawsuit filed Thursday:
Some 20 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 currently don't have insurance, the group argues. When the full benefits of the law kick in in 2014, about 8 million young adults will qualify for Medicaid and another 9 million will become eligible for federal subsidies to buy private insurance on new state health insurance exchanges. The group's amicus brief argues that the requirement that everyone have insurance — the crux of the legal challenges against the law — "does not impose a significant burden on young adults."
The Hill 
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COMMISSIONER STEVE CASPER CAPTURES MOMENT WITH SAMUEL L JACKSON
And Angela Bassett too! Casper is in Manhattan on business but got to see The Mountaintop, a new play about MLK's last night on Earth. After the performance Casper got to meet Jackson and Bassett and shared some photos with The River City News:
Samuel L Jackson signs autographs

Casper says Bassett stole the show
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COVINGTON STUDENTS' ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT THE ASCENT
The windows are tinted and it's not a pedestrian friendly block, but do make an effort to check out the pieces created by students from Covington Independent Schools grades K-12 on the windows of the empty retail space at the Ascent. The schools want you to vote on which one's the best and the winner gets $500 for art supplies:

There are four ways to vote:
•     Email votes to Trisha.brundage@covington.kyschools.us
•     Call in votes to 859-392-3162
•     Visit www.covschools.us and, to vote, click on the poll link located on the home page
•     “Like” your favorite on Covington Independent Public School’s Facebook page




More art from Covington students will be on display next month:
Fifth grade students at Ninth District Elementary School will be selling their artwork to help an international charity with its hunger relief effort. The artwork will be on display and available for purchase in the Nordheim Gallery, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 9. Proceeds from the art sales will benefit Food for the Poor. Money donated to the organization can buy more than food. It can buy solutions to hunger. For example, $25 will buy 20 chicks for a family, or $50 buys a family a goat. Through this service learning project, students are making meaningful connections through art, social studies, math and language arts. The Nordheim Gallery is operated by Covington Independent Public Schools for students' Fine Arts enrichment and as an outreach to the community. It is located in the Senior Building at Holmes High School.
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THE ART OF AIR OPENS SUNDAY AT THE CARNEGIE
From the performing arts center:
The Art of Hair, presented by Wella Professionals, is The Carnegie’s exciting new exhibition celebrating the high-profile world of hair. The show will feature artwork both made from, and inspired by, our lovely locks. See unique, avant-garde styles on the catwalk during the opening reception, which will feature original artistic hair designs by stylists from some of the areas top salons.
The Carnegie has been keeping note of the progress  on Twitter:
The runway
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The Carnegie's technical director is in the spirit
Click here for more details
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PANTIES ON THE PURPLE PEOPLE BRIDGE!

Passersby may be forced to clutch their pearls once they feast their eyes upon this:
The panties, found hanging around the intersection of Crawfis and Savage Hill roads in August in one of Fairfield County's most bizarre moments of 2011, will have a new home to hang from this summer -- on a bridge spanning the Ohio River from Cincinnati and Kentucky as part of a cancer awareness event.
"This is so great," said Stacy Holbert, of Blanchester. "Last year, we were able to put up about 4,000 panties on the bridge. This year we will have a lot more with this."
It was August when Berne Township Trustee Jim Carmichael and Fairfield County Litter Control Deputy Gary Hummel discovered around 3,000 panties hanging from the trees in Fairfield County.
The panties were taken down and collected as evidence. Hummel said authorities came up with a couple of viable leads but nothing more.
Coshocton Tribune 
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SEE ALSO: Recycle your pantyhose! Click Here 
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SEASHELLS TRANSFORM SUBURBAN BATHROOM INTO TROPICAL HIDEAWAY

LOL:
‎"I can't believe the difference adding those seashells made," said Paula Watson, who had somehow been transported from a beige, run-of-the-mill bathroom to an unforgettable island paradise thousands of miles from the Greater Cleveland area. "Every time I walk in here now it's like, 'Wow, where am I? CancĂșn?'"
The Onion 

Monday, January 2, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 2 JAN

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael
Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook
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ARNOLD SIMPSON OPPOSES CHANGES TO COVINGTON STATE HOUSE DISTRICT
And he says it's not because he has held the seat since the 1994 election. The Democrat from Old Seminary Square argues that ceding any portion of Covington's Licking Riverside & Eastside neighborhoods could potentially disenfranchise voters and potential candidates down the road if their representative in Frankfort is from Campbell County. The state legislature reconvenes Tuesday and redistricting of state house and senate seats in addition to Congressional Districts will be a top priority. For Simpson's full remarks, click the link.
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SEE ALSO: As the redistricting of Covington continues to unfold, The River City News has brought you many sides to the story. The Covington City Commission intends to pass a resolution in opposition to the proposed change at its next meeting on Tuesday. Also, Rep. Dennis Keene (D-Wilder), who would take over representation of multiple Covington precincts, says he would be honored to be a voice for the city in Frankfort. For remarks from Keene and Covington City Commissioners, click the link.
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Kentucky State Capitol
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TOP PRIORITIES FOR KENTUCKY DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION
One never knows how many of the pressing issues facing our state will be addressed when these folks get together for a couple months starting tomorrow. For example, in spite of the economic situation the state faces (like the rest of the country), some lawmakers would like to wage class warfare by wasting time debating on whether we should drug-test welfare recipients. Click the link for the top issues that will be considered this session -- it is your duty to know what is going on in the state legislature. It is a very powerful political body that not enough people pay attention to.
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AT LEAST WE CAN COUNT ON INDIANA TO CONSIDER DUMBER LAWS
Some nationalist right-wing idiot state senator in the Hoosier State wants to waste taxpayer money by forcing Indiana's state legislature to consider a bill that would require performers of the national anthem to sing it only in ways deemed "appropriate". It's a damn shame when lawmakers do shit like this and take jobs away from writers at The Onion because unfortunately this is no joke:
Becker said she would expect the guidelines to require that the national anthem be sung with the usual lyrics to the traditional melody -- "the way that we normally have it sung or heard throughout most of our state and our country." Becker said she authored the bill after a constituent called her last spring upset about a school program in which the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" were substituted or parodied in a way the caller found disrespectful. The senator said she herself had heard parody versions of the national anthem on television programs. "Sometimes it's just done in a joking manner," she said, "but I don't think the national anthem is something we ought to be joking around with."
Read the whole thing to see just how out-of-touch with reality some elected "leaders" are. How embarrassing. How pathetic.
Indianapolis Star  
SEE ALSO:  Remember when a school district in Indiana had to apologize to a black student after this performance of the national anthem was criticized for being too... well, you know (but racists opponents argued that it was anti-soldier, SRSLY):
The school later apologized for asking the student not to sing that way once national media called them out:
"They just let everyone know it's OK the way I sing it and that they were wrong, and they apologized for it," Warfield-Cross said. "Everything is resolved now. We got our apology, and before I sing the national anthem again, our principal ... he's going to introduce me to the school."
WRTV via Raw Story 
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DRUG TESTS FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS AND LAWS ABOUT HOW WE ARE ALLOWED TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. MEANWHILE, HOW MANY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE OUT OF WORK?
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SEN RAND PAUL EXPLAINS HIS FATHER'S POTENTIAL PATH TO WHITE HOUSE
The younger Paul believes his father, Rep. Ron Paul, could win because of the excitement he creates:
“I think his path to victory lies in getting independents to vote. In Iowa, an independent can show up on that day and vote in the Republican primary. And a lot of them do,” said Paul, in the interview recorded Dec. 16 in his Washington office.
Video at the link.
cn|2  
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KENTUCKY ATTY GEN, SOS, TREASURER, AG COM, AUDITOR TAKE OFFICE
It's official: This morning, Kentucky's Constitutional office holders took office. Jack Conway is again Attorney General, Todd Hollenbach is again the Treasurer, while newcomers James Comer is Agriculture Commissioner, Adam Edelen is Auditor, and Alison Lundergan Grimes is Secretary of State, as demonstrated in this photo that she sent out this morning:
Image via
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NKY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU'S NEW CHIEF TAKES OVER
Eric Summe is the new President/CEO after ten years on the organization's board:
First on his to-do list is working to expand the size of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center facility in Covington, he said. Currently, the center is comprised of an exhibition center, main lobby and conference level, which offer a combined 110,000 square feet of space for up to 3,000 people. “We’ve outgrown the current size of the facility, so that’s our number one priority right now,” said Summe, who now resides in Sycamore Township. Keys – and main challenges – to the expansion will be obtaining state funding for the project, he said, as well as finding the necessary, additional space for expansion at the current site.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Sarah Hardee  
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IN THE NEW ECONOMY, PEOPLE MAKE LESS MONEY
A trip to Louisville's GE plant is the focus of a story by The New York Times:
But for a new generation of blue-collar workers, even those protected by unions, the price of employment is likely to be lower wages stretching to retirement.(snip)
"Some companies want to keep work here or bring it back from Asia," Pavy said, "but in order to do that they have to be competitive in the final prices of their products, and one way to be competitive is to lower the compensation of their American workers."The shrunken pay scale for newcomers — $12 to $19 an hour versus $21 to $32 an hour for longtime workers — threatens to undo the middle-class status of even the best-paid blue-collar jobs still left in manufacturing. A similar contract limits the wages of new hires at a nearby Ford Motor Co. stamping plant, but GE's 2,000 hourly workers, Ford's 2,900, their unions or Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer have not objected.
Herald-Leader via The New York Times  
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PITINO IS PAUPER IN CALIPARI'S KINGDON
Yikes, what a headline by the Herald-Leader following Kentucky's ugly win over its in-state rival, Louisville on Saturday:
When did we arrive at the point where Rick Pitino, the coach who championed the fast-break loving, three-point shooting approach to the game, resorted to a slow-it-down, muck-it-up blueprint in hopes of slaying a team of superior talent?When did Rick Pitino start praising his team's "effort" after a game in which it trailed by 13 points with under a minute to go?When was it conceivable that Rick Pitino could lose six of eight games to his most important rival?Perhaps it was the time that John Calipari signed on as the Kentucky coach.
Read it.
Herald-Leader/John Clay  
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SEE ALSO: Lots of former Cats in the NBA are making headlines:
Demarcus Cousins Demands to Be Traded
Tayshaun Prince Plays Through Knee Injury
Josh 'Jorts' Harrellson Steps Up for Knicks 
SEE ALSO: The Kentucky women are ranked #6 in the country and won again on Sunday. Herald-Leader 
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UNDEFEATED NKU NORSE GO FOR 700TH ALL-TIME WIN THIS WEEK
I hope you have all started stockpiling NKU gear because this season has been thrilling -- and next season will be even more so as the Norse jum u to play with the big boys in Division I. On Thursday, the 10-0 Norse go for all-time win number-700.
NKU Norse 
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WILL THE NEW COST OF POWERBALL KEEP YOU FROM PLAYING?
Seems that a return-on-investment of two bucks for a winning Powerball ticket is worth the change from one buck. If not, Megamillions will still only cost a buck.
Local 12 
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SNOW IS FALLING IN COVINGTON THIS MORNING... NICE.