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Showing posts with label NKY Chamber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NKY Chamber. Show all posts

Saturday, August 25, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 25 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HELENTOWN APARTMENT
A block on Scott Boulevard had to be shut down late Friday evening after flames broke out inside the first-floor apartment of a 3-unit building. The Covington Fire Department acted quickly to put out the fire. No one was inside the unit at the time and no one was injured. A cause and damage estimate have not been released to the public yet.
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QUICKIES
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Covington teen convicted of murder, robbery Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Kenton County suit against petitioning company dismissed Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Former daycare worker pleads guilty in duct tape incident WKRC 
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All Kentucky courts, including driver's license offices, will be closed as part of a furlough on Tuesday, September 4 press release 
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Rep. Yarmuth: Expanding Medicaid in Kentucky has benefits that outweigh the costs cn|2 
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Sen. McConnell: A GOP Senate could repeal Obamacare Cincinnati Enquirer 
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PHOTOS: NKY Chamber of Commerce welcomes Sen. McConnell in Covington Facebook 
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Kenton County delegates headed to national Party conventions Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Louisville man arrested for trapping, killing squirrels out of season Courier-Journal 
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Kentucky authorities search for possibly armed marijuana dealers State-Journal 
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White House puts signature beer recipe up for grabs The Hill 
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1972 Olympic Basketball Team to reunite in Kentucky WBKO 
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NEW HEADMASTER APPOINTED TO LEAD COVINGTON LATIN
Diocese of Covington Bishop Roger Foys has named Mo Woltering to lead Latin School:
"I am so pleased that Mr. Woltering has agreed to accept the position as Headmaster of our Covington Latin School. The Latin School, from its founding, has provided students with a high quality education that is thoroughly Catholic. Like every Catholic school, our primary purpose is to transmit our Catholic Faith. I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr. Woltering sees and believes this to be our goal at the Latin School. Mr. Woltering brings with him a deep love of the Faith and of the Church which will be a true blessing for the Latin School. I look forward to being more actively involved in Covington Latin School myself as was the intention of Bishop Howard when he established it."
Woltering, a Cincinnati native and a graduate of St. Xavier High School, is coming from northern Virginia, where he held several key positions in Catholic organizations including: Executive Director of the Cardinal Newman Society, Director of Public Policy for the American Life League and, most recently, Academic Dean and Director of Development for Holy Family Academy.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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ONLY 1 IN 4 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS ARE COLLEGE READY
More dreary news about the state of education in America from the folks at ACT:
Science was by far the worst tested subject (31% met the benchmark), followed by math (46%), reading (52%), and English (67%). Compared with previous scores, the results are nearly identical to those recorded over the last four years, with the composite score average holding steady at or near 21 since 2008.
Full story: Gawker 
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HOLMES HOLDS OFF SCOTT, HOLY CROSS IS THUMPED BY COOPER
It was a beautiful night for some high school football...














Holmes 21, Scott 15
Full story: WCPO 
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Cooper 49, Holy Cross 7
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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CHECK OUT THE HOMES THAT WON COVINGTON BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS
The Friends of Covington handed out its 2012 beautification awards on August 8 (The River City News was there and you can see the full list of winners by clicking here) and have no shared photos of all the houses:
See more: Friends of Covington Facebook 

Monday, June 4, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY AFTERNOON 4 JUNE

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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CITY EMPLOYEE PULLED FROM FLIPPED BACKHOE IN DEVOU PARK
A city employee is taken to the hospital after being inside a backhoe on the back of a transport truck that rolled and flipped over in Devou Park. More details and photos from the scene at the link. 


More photos and details: The River City News 
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BABYSITTER INDICTED IN DEATH OF 1-YEAR OLD COVINGTON BOY
Marquita Burch, 26, who caused a hundred emergency responders to flock to City Heights in search of a 1-year old boy that was already dead in Cincinnati, is now formally indicted in Hamilton County, Ohio, on one count of gross abuse of a corpse and one count of tampering with physical evidence: 
"These are the initial charges to hold the defendant," said Hamilton County prosecutor Joe Deters. "Charges involving the death of the child will be presented to a grand jury at a later time." 
WXIX 
Marquita Burch
NKY CHAMBER PRESIDENT: MERGE ALL 3 COUNTIES' DISPATCH CENTERS NOW
NKY Chamber of Commerce President Steve Stevens penned an op-ed for the Cincinnati Enquirer in which he calls for the merger of the dispatch centers in all three Northern Kentucky counties: 
A region-wide system is most desirable, but before moving forward toward that goal, a smaller step is needed. Merging the three centers currently operating in Covington, Erlanger and Kenton County appears to be the best first step to achieving success toward the goal.
Cincinnati Enquirer 

SEE ALSO: There is still time to take the online survey by Kenton County to offer input on how you would like to pay for a consolidated dispatch center once Covington is "out of the dispatch business" this fall Click Here 
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QUICKIES
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Another crash Monday on the Brent Spence Bridge Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Tri-Ed hires assistant director for Covington's E-Zone Business Courier 
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Newport's top cop is not a desk guy Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Kroger urges pork suppliers to remove gestation crates Business Courier 
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Sen. McConnell: Republicans are not rooting for demise of economy The Hill 
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Secular group to open chapter in Kentucky WFPL 
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Horse betting was down in May Courier-Journal 
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Former UK basketball player's sodomy/sex crime case waived to grand jury Herald-Leader 
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Kentucky prosecutors to attend vehicular homicide training press release 
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Unlikely that prescription drug abuse monitoring will move to state Attorney General's office cn|2 
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102-year old Kentucky veteran is oldest member of DAV Herald-Leader 
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DID YOU MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS?
Last day for public input on the reconstruction of an important Covington road; NKY majority says no tolls for Brent Spence; Plus, another report from outside the region says Cincinnati is hip and trendy again. Click it.
The RC News: Tuesday Morning Round-Up 
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CITY COMMISSIONER STEVE FRANK IN PANCAKE EATING CONTEST
Who wants to watch a Pancake Eating Contest?? Library supporters like U.S. Bank President Dan Groneck, Steve Frank with the City of Covington, Ms. Elizabeth Hardin from the Library and many others will participate in a Pancake Eating Contest on Tuesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. at First Watch in Covington. This is all an effort to support the Library's 5K on Saturday, which is sponsored by First Watch and benefits early childhood literacy. Hope to see you tomorrow! 
Might be a long walk across RiverCenter Boulevard after the
pancake eating contest at First Watch!
MAN WHO SURVIVED SKYDIVING ACCIDENT NOW FACES CHARGES
He had a bit of a rough landing and nearly died after skydiving but now a Kentucky skydiving instructor faces charges of stealing $20,000 worth of parachutes -- and that's not all: 
Lexington Police also say Hammons was making counterfeit credit cards. Police say they found a credit card code encoder at a home that they believe Hammons was using to make those fraudulent cards. Police say Hammons was using fraudulent credit cards he made on his computer to make purchases at local stores.
In addition to burglary and receiving stolen property, Hammons is also wanted as a fugitive out of Ohio. 
WKYT 

MAN FOUND ALIVE AFTER TEN DAYS IN KENTUCKY CORNFIELD
Somebody call James Franco and tell him his next movie role has arrived: 
27-year old Tony Aldrich had gone on a walk and broke his leg when the creek bank gave way. He spent days crawling through the field, trying to get help. A farmer heard his cries Sunday afternoon. 
84 WHAS   
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THE TRIUMPH OF CINCINNATI'S CENTER CITY PLAN
In 2002, Cincinnati launched a center city plan just as Covington did late last year (the results of which were revealed last month). Now Cincinnati is reaping the rewards of its efforts: 
The Center City Plan as conceived in 2002 by consultants as a report to the city’s Economic Development Task Force. What the plan did is lay out a vision and way forward for the city to begin restoring the vitality of its largest economic center.
“The Economic Development Taskforce was a public-private partnership that looked at how the city could thrive,” City Spokesperson, Meg Olberding, explained. “The task force laid out a structure whereby the public and private sectors each have their role, but must work together.”
The task force made 23 recommendations, in total, including the creation of a one-stop permit shop, establishment of the Port Authority as an economic development agency, and the formation of the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC).
City officials and 3CDC were tasked with making the goals laid out in the Center City Plan a reality. In particular, the plan detailed four initiatives aimed at restoring vitality. 
Read more at the link. 
UrbanCincy 

SEE ALSO: Cincinnati, Augusta among 11 best riverfront towns in America MSNBC 
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HOW MANY CAN YOU NAME?
Mental Floss has a fun quiz. Can you name the top thirteen best-selling candies in America (in under three minutes)? Click Here 

Friday, June 1, 2012

"UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT" FOR COVINGTON'S DESIRED CHANGES ON BRIDGE PROJECT

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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The City of Covington expressed its gratitude Friday for the outpouring of support from surrounding communities, elected officials, and various civic organizations as it hopes to see changes implemented to the preferred design of the Brent Spence Bridge project. That design, noted as "Alternative I", currently inhibits access to Downtown Covington and several other key areas within the city, a proposal so serious that "the death of Covington" was predicted at multiple public forums. However, Covington's rallying cry has been heard and answered. 
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“The citizens and businesses of Covington are most appreciative of the unprecedented level of support from a broad range of political, business, civic and other community leaders from the region for the City’s concerns and requests related to the proposed Alternative I plan for the Brent Spence Bridge project," Covington City Manager Larry Klein said in a news release. "It 
seems nearly unanimous that good access to our City for current and future residents, businesses and visitors is recognized as critical to the success of our City.” 
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet accepted public input on the matter through last Friday, May 25. The City had hosted multiple public forums to express concerns that the current preferred design of the long-awaited Brent Spence Bridge project does not offer direct access to Covington's Fifth Street exit when traveling northbound on Interstate 75, an important access route Covington's Downtown, riverfront, and Mainstrasse entertainment district. The plan, as it stands now, would require drivers to the Twelfth Street exit and then travel a new, one-way, local road through several traffic lights to reach those areas. 
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Additionally, while access to Fifth Street (and Ninth Street) would be available for southbound drivers on Interstate 75, the decision point to make that exit would be located one mile north of the river near the Cincinnati Museum Center. If a driver were to miss that opportunity, the only chance to come to Covington would require exiting at Kyles Lane in Fort Wright. There would be no opportunity to exit into the City when it becomes visible to drivers. 
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Also of concern was the elimination of access to Devou Park at Lewis Street and the effect the project may have on Goebel Park in Mainstrasse. Joining the Covington City Commission in publicly voicing support for the city's hoped-for changes in this bridge battle were United States Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, United States Congressman Geoff Davis, the Kenton County fiscal court, the City of Newport, the City of Ludlow, Taylor Mill Mayor Dan Bell, the City of Bellevue, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-Ed), Vision 2015, the Covington Business Council, the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau, Corporex, the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, the Behringer-Crawford Museum, the Kenton County Public Library, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Drees Pavillion in Devou Park.
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SEE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTERS AND OFFICIAL RESOLUTIONS BELOW

Friday, May 11, 2012

DESIRED BRIDGE CHANGES FOR COVINGTON BACKED BY SENATOR, CITIES, ORGANIZATIONS

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
by Michael Monks 
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Covington's demands that modifications be made to the preferred design option for the Brent Spence Bridge project is now backed by Senator Rand Paul and the Cities of Newport and Bellevue. In a press release issued by the City of Covington Friday morning a growing list of formal supporters of the changes was detailed: 
City of Covington Board of Commissioners, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce,  Kenton County Fiscal Court, Northern Kentucky Tri County Economic Development Corporation, Covington Business Council, Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau, Corporex Companies, Marriott Hotel, Kenton County Public Library, Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, The Drees Pavilion, Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Senator Rand Paul, Northern Kentucky Convention Center, City of Newport, City of Bellevue, Behringer-Crawford Museum in Devou Park. 
City Manager Larry Klein said, “The outpouring of community support across all business, political, civic and other boundaries is overwhelming and speaks volumes to the recognition by stakeholders and residents and businesses of Covington to the critical importance of good access to our City.” 

(SEE ALSO: Covington Raises Voice in Bridge Battle)
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Read the full press release below: 

Monday, May 7, 2012

CHAMBERS: BUILD OUR BRIDGE NOW

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
by Michael Monks 
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"We simply cannot wait eleven years for a new bridge," said Julie Janson, President of Duke Energy of Ohio and Kentucky at Monday afternoon's joint meeting of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. The two business advocacy groups joined forces to put heat on legislators from both of their states to build a new bridge next to the Brent Spence Bridge now. Incidentally, the heat was on the chamber members present at the Christian Moerlein Lager House at the Banks in Cincinnati where the air conditioning unit was busted, but even that setback did not deter the chambers' presentation of nine steps that could be taken to pick up the pace in building this important piece of interstate infrastructure. 
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"There is a bit of a lack of understanding of the urgency and the lack of funding options (for a new bridge)," Janson said. Replacing the bridge is expected to cost an estimated $2.5 billion and because of inflation, the cost increases $8 million for each month that construction of the bridge is delayed, the chambers said in an information packet. Increasing the sense of urgency, Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson, the luncheon's keynote speaker, said the Commonwealth's General Assembly will stop any funding of the bridge project at the end of 2013 if there is not a financing plan in place. 
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"Your timing is running out," Abramson said, noting that $118 million was put in the two-year state budget for the bridge project but that $90 million of it was pulled out as part of legislators' concerns over a lack of a financing plan signed off on by the federal government. 
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"Nothing in this community ever gets done without the support of the business community," said Cincinnati attorney Tom Gabelman while highlighting the significance and importance of public-private partnerships in the pursuit of new developments and infrastructure. Gabelman was a key player in the financial deals that led to the very Banks project at which the luncheon was taking place. The new focus on public-private partnerships is just part of the nine steps presented Monday by the chambers. The steps, in order, are: 
  • Call to Action Business leaders are urged to take the lead in advocating public and political support
  • CEO Outreach/Fundraising A small advisory group will be created consisting of CEOs and business leaders to assist Janson in raising $1 million for communication, public education, and grassroots legislative advocacy
  • A coalition to support bridge effort After the CEO outreach a broad-based coalition will be created as a 501(c)(4) organization making it tax exempt but allowing it to lobby for legislation and to participate in political campaigns and elections. It will be dubbed The Coalition to Build Our New Bridge Now, or BN2 (B-N squared)
  • Create Communications, public education, and grassroots advocacy campaign A website will be created to help in the efforts to inform the public on the necessity and urgency of a new bridge and will include blog posts, talking points, and a virtual fact book
  • Lobby Ohio and Kentucky leaders to move quickly on a joint agreement and to approve necessary legislation The chambers say that work has already begun with each state's transportation departments to push for an early agreement between Kentucky and Ohio on how to proceed.
  • Future steps Following the implementation of the first five steps, the next four include an Ohio-Kentucky bi-state agreement; a recommendation on project scope, finance plans, sources of funds, and project delivery method; infrastructure recommendations adopted by both states; and then construction
The chambers' joint plan aims to speed up the public timeline of construction on a new bridge set to begin in 2016 and be completed in 2023. The chambers believe that through their plan construction could begin in 2015 and could take five years off the completion date, saving $500 million on the project costs. 
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Kentucky Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson
Gabelman pointed to the 2007 deadly bridge collapse in Minneapolis, first as a reminder of the importance of new infrastructure, and also for the speediness in which the bridge was replaced: 339 days. Abramson also shared a story about new bridges, but closer to home. Following decades of debate, a bridge connecting Louisville and southern Indiana will be constructed early next year. The Lieutenant Governor credits the joint efforts of the business community on both sides of their portion of the Ohio River. That Louisville bridge will be funded mostly by tolls, something few people supported but was inevitable if the bridge were ever to come to be. "We had a reality check," Abramson said. "If you wanted a bridge it was going to take tolls. In Louisville, without tolls, there would be no bridge."
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In a joint release from the chambers, Covington business owner Brent Cooper (Chairman of the NKY Chamber) weighed in. "To the business community, the geographical boundary created by the Ohio River is irrelevant," Cooper said. "Our company (C-Forward) does business on both sides of the river, as do many other businesses in our region, and construction of a new bridge is a project that will literally bring our two communities together, which is critical for our collective success."
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BRENT SPENCE FACTS: 
-Opened in November 1963
-Was designed to carry 80,000 vehicles per day but currently carries double that
-It originally had three lanes and two emergency lanes, but the emergency lanes were removed to accommodate the increase in traffic
-The annual value of freight crossing the bridge exceeds $400 billion
-The bridge is described as functionally obsolete by federal transportation inspectors 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 7 MAY

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
by Michael Monks 
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BRENT SPENCE: LT. GOV. & BUSINESS LEADERS TO SHOW PATH FORWARD
At a joint board meeting of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce today, business leaders will announce necessary steps the region will take to fund and build a new bridge to augment the Brent Spence Bridge. Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson will speak alongside the business leaders, including Brent Cooper, owner of Covington-based C-Forward. The event is noon at the new Christian Moerlein Lager House at the Banks in Cincinnati.  
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DEATH AT CHURCHILL DOWNS INVESTIGATED AS A HOMICIDE
Less than twelve hours after I'll Have Another's surprise win at the Derby, a man was found dead at the track's backside: 
The man was identified as 48-year-old Adan Fabian Perez, a native of Guatemala. He was discovered in barn No. 8 by a track security officer shortly before 5 a.m., said Alicia Smiley, a Louisville Metro Police spokeswoman. 
Police believe the man was murdered but no details on how have been released. 
Courier-Journal   
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SURVIVING CO-PILOT OF COMAIR CRASH SPEAKS IN NEW DOCUMENTARY
The only person to survive the 2006 crash of Comair flight 5191 on the runway at Lexington's airport will finally speak publicly in a new documentary: 

In the film, Polehinke discusses his recovery and his hazy memories from the moments before the plane went down, as well as his guilt about being at the helm of the plane during a crash the National Transportation Safety Board ruled as being caused by pilot error.
Polehinke kept a newspaper article, detailing the names and destinations of all the passengers who were killed, under his wheelchair.
"The accident again is as fresh as it was yesterday," Polehinke said in footage from the film provided to WKYT. 
The documentary, Sole Survivor, profiles multiple survivors of commuter plane crashes. 
Herald-Leader/Josh Kegley   
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PAYCHECKS FOR STATE WORKERS DELAYED TO BALANCE BUDGET
Employees of the Commonwealth of Kentucky who would typically receive a paycheck on June 29, will have to wait till July 2, or the start of the new fiscal year so that the state's budget will be balanced: 
“They live from paycheck to paycheck, so it will be a hardship for them,” said David Warrick, executive director of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 62. The union represents about 8,500 workers in Kentucky government.
“Our hopes are that the governor and the state realize that the state employees have been cooperative and willing to tighten their belts and work with them on budget constraints,” Warrick said. “They are doing their part.” 
Courier-Journal/Mike Wynn  

NKY GOP CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY ECLIPSES ALL THE OTHERS
The most interesting race in Kentucky during the May primary is the one that has seven Republicans seeking the party's nomination to replace Geoff Davis in Congress: 

So far the race has been civil. During a forum in Burlington last week, the candidates exchanged no verbal jabs. In their remarks, they espoused similar stands on many issues, including whether farmers should be allowed to grow industrial hemp. Moore and Massie think federal restrictions should be lifted on hemp. Webb-Edgington, while not an ardent supporter, said she would be open to the notion as long as the law enforcement community approved.
The candidates spoke Wednesday to members of the Kentucky Farm Bureau, criticizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for enforcing regulations that are complicating agricultural production. 
Associated Press/Roger Alford  
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SEE ALSO: Gary Moore picks up second "pro-life" endorsement WFPL 
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THE "OBAMACARE" BATTLE IS COMING TO KENTUCKY TODAY
Governor Steve Beshear announced last week that he would enact a key part of the historic Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act if the law is upheld by the Supreme Court: 
Gov. Steve Beshear said he plans to issue an executive order establishing a Kentucky health benefit exchange — a program allowing individuals and small businesses to shop for health plans online and compare coverage, provider networks and costs. 
Courier-Journal/Laura Ungar   
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Those that oppose the health care law are rallying in Frankfort today:
The Beshear Administration is hosting an "Open Meeting" for public discussion about setting up ObamaCare in Kentucky through a state-run health insurance exchange.
Please come if you can and voice your opposition. Even if you can't make it, please invite others who might. Let's do the job our legislators wouldn't. Beshear should send back every dime of federal money Obama sent to seduce us into this mess.  
Facebook Event  
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QUICKIES
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Relief is coming for I-471 congestion Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale success even surprises owner Herald-Leader 
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A Kentucky city will turn into a real-life version of Mayberry Herald-Leader 
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RELATED: The guy who played Goober on Andy Griffith died Huffington Post 
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Churchill Downs cleanup crews get cash for trash Courier-Journal 
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THE SUNDAY EDITION
Did you miss the most comprehensive collection of news stories from Covington? Get caught up on the week that was and the week that will be... it's all inside The Sunday Edition. 
The RC News: The Sunday Edition 
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NEWS FROM SUPERINTENDENT LYNDA JACKSON
From Jackson's Monday Morning Message: 
KUDOS to Lori Eifert, homeless coordinator, for recieving approximately $135,000 to support our homeless students. The district has been awarded the McKinney Vento Homeless grant through the Kentucky Department of Education. Way to go Lori! 
More at the link, including a list of students that participated in the Flying Pig Marathon over the weekend. 
Lynda Jackson's Monday Morning Message  
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SEE ALSO: Winner of women's division of Flying Pig is a school teacher and a coach at NKU WLWT 
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THE FLYING PIG RUNS THROUGH COVINGTON
Part of the race and walking events include portions of Covington, down 4th Street and across the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge: 






 
Covington native, NKU grad scores first Major Leage Baseball victory MLB 
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/06/2178389/republican-primary-in-4th-district.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy