NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY AFTERNOON 2 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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THIS ROOF NEEDS UP TO $110,000 IN REPAIRS

The Covington City Commission unanimously approved Thursday night the allocation of up to $109,956 to construct a new roof for this property at 118-120 East Fifteenth Street. The bid was awarded to Woeste Builders with the funds coming from Covington's share of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a 2008 endeavor to buy and rehab vacant or foreclosed homes which expires at the end of this year. The price tag attached to the roof's construction raised some eyebrows after The River City News reported on it, but the situation was described as complicated at City Hall.
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On June 12, the City Commission voted to rescind the original contract awarded to Heitzman Construction after that company was unable to secure the necessary insurance and expressed uncertainty at whether they would be able to complete the job. "The roof is complicated," said City Commissioner Sherry Carran. "It's on an historic building and a lot of people probably didn't want to bid on it. If you could see it, you would understand why it's so high."
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MORE PHOTOS: 

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BURNED PORTION OF SIXTH DISTRICT PLAYGROUND TORN DOWN

The scorched remains of the playground at Sixth District School, which burned a week and a half ago, have been removed: 

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Before: 

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After:

For more photos from the aftermath of the fire, click the link below.

Fire Destroys Playground at Covington School

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BABYSITTER NOW FACES MURDER CHARGE

The woman who triggered a massive search in City Heights and a panic across Covington now faces a murder charge in the death of the 1-year old boy left in her care:

Marquita Burch, 26, was indicted on charges of endangering children, murder, involuntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. She was previously charged with tampering and abuse. Prosecutor Joe Deters said in a news release that Burch was friends with William Cunningham's mother and had been babysitting for him for several weeks in her home.

Full story: WLWT
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The murder indictment follows an effort in Kenton County to collect restitution for the cost of the search, an estimated $10,000. Read about that with comments from Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders in The River City News report linked below.
Babysitter Faces More Charges in Kenton County
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DON'T MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS
Can empty Downtown buildings help save a City from bankruptcy?; A Covington-based fireworks dealer's federal case has cost the government more than $8 million; Plus, photos from Covington's gay pride celebration. Those stories and more at the link!

The RC News: Monday Morning Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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With Olympics around the corner, WLWT has not reached a new agreement with Time Warner/Insight Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky create two more home ownership opportunities in Ludlow Building Cincinnati 

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HomeFest returns to Northern Kentucky Business Courier 

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Gov. Beshear touts traffic control at Kentucky Speedway Bluegrass Politics 

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Beshear signs bill encouraging investment in auto industry press release 

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Kentucky's state property tax will remain the same Bluegrass Politics 

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Check out this photo of Friday's storm as it rolled across CVG Airport Facebook 

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Former state tourism commissioner is guilty of ethics violation Herald-Leader
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Kentucky Military History Museum to close until March for renovations press release 

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Guys & Dolls in Cold Spring closes Cincinnati Enquirer 

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River Downs applies for permission to have slot machines Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Panera Bread to open in Downtown Cincinnati Business Courier 
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Grater's Ice Cream to be featured on The View Tuesday Cincinnati Enquirer 
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    AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DEBATE RAGES ON

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Governor Beshear moves forward on health care exhange

Via cn|2:

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Meanwhile, NKY's Republican Congressman blasts the ruling Geoff Davis 

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Louisville's Democratic Congressman went into the lion's den to defend the Affordable Care Act on Fox & Friends:

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CBS News reports that Chief Justice John Roberts initially sided with the Court's conservative justices, but changed his mind to uphold the law CBS News 

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Top 5 lies about Obamacare Politifact 

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Obamacare is the largest tax increase in history (if you ignore history) The Incidental Economist 

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SHIRTLESS MAN THREATENS TO "TEAR UP NEWPORT"

Via Crimestoppers:

Newport Detectives are attempting to identify this shirtless white male who is shown here in surveillance pictures from May 29th in the Bellevue McDonald’s. Detectives say that he reportedly made comments in the McDonald’s about “tearing up Newport”. On the same date, from Monmouth St in Newport to the city of Bellevue, multiple potted stone urns containing flowers were knocked over and damaged on every street corner. Each pot costs approximately $600 each. Detectives would like to speak to this unidentified white male regarding the incident.

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GOVERNOR ORDERS ASSISTANCE TO COUNTIES AFFECTED BY POWER OUTAGES
From a press release: 

Governor Steve Beshear directed the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to issue a state of emergency and suspend registration requirements for out-of-state utility vehicles traveling through or arriving in Kentucky to restore power in areas affected by widespread outages over the weekend.
A series of storms since Friday knocked out electricity for more than 60,000 homes and businesses in Kentucky. Since last night’s round of thunderstorms, more than 43,000 Kentucky households remain without power. Outages have also disrupted water services in some areas, leaving some citizens with no water at all or boil water advisories.
“With this week’s soaring temperatures, this is a terrible time for anyone to be without electricity. That’s why we are acting quickly to provide any relief we can so supplies and services may be delivered to these areas without delay,” said Gov. Beshear. “I have also directed Kentucky Emergency Management and the Department of Local Government to work closely with local officials to assist with any needs we can.”
Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock issued the emergency declaration today, which allows utility repair vehicles traveling from other states to bypass weigh stations and exempts them from standard hours of service restrictions. These emergency steps will allow utility vehicles traveling from surrounding states to restore power more quickly. The declaration also assists utility vehicles traveling through Kentucky en route to nearby states that also need power restoration.
The largest outages are in eastern Kentucky, primarily with Kentucky Power. That company reports about 41,000 customers remain without power as of 2 p.m. Monday, and power may not be restored to all customers until late this week.

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FIREWORKS, CIGARETTES POSE DANGER IN DRY WEATHER
So don't smoke and light fireworks this week! Cincinnati Enquirer 
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THE ONLY FORECAST YOU WILL EVER REALLY NEED
How hot is it? So hot that Godzilla is in the forecast.

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ROAD CHANGE COMING TO DEVOU PARK

From the City of Covington:

The City of Covington, with support from the Devou Properties, Inc. Board and Devou Park Advisory Committee, is proud to implement another recommendation of the Devou Park Master Plan with changes to Rotary Lane.

The Master Plan recommended the majority of Rotary Lane be transformed into a hiking and biking trail, while offering additional parking opportunities as part of an overall Concert Bowl and Rotary Grove Improvements. Phased efforts are going toward implementing the plans. To date, we have made repairs and improvements to the Bandshell and constructed the new restroom/concessions facility.

Next efforts will be to convert Rotary Lane into a cul-de-sac. Doing so will increase parking opportunities and allow safe passage for hikers and bikers linking to the Lewisburg Connector Trail. Implementation for these changes is planned for the end of July, as the paving schedule will allow.

Therefore, after changes are in place, there will be no through access from Rotary Lane to Montague, Haven-Gillespie or Devou Drive. We hope these changes will allow opportunities for safer pedestrian traffic through the park.

The City of Covington is very proud of the improvements happening in Devou Park and we hope you continue your patronage.

Construction of the new restroom/concessions facility
in Devou Park in early June

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NEW SANDWICH SHOP CLOSE TO OPENING IN MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE

DJ's Sandwich Shop, on Main Street, will open on July 10:

 It’s done. We had our final two inspection completed today. And we PASSED both of them!!!!! So officially we could be open today. But the Date is still July 10, 2012. I want to thank everyone who help me get this done so expeditiously. Thank you and see you soon…

Mainstrasse Village Association added:

Mark your calendar - DJ's Sandwich Shop opens in MainStrasse Village on July 10th at 627 Main Street. In addition to sandwiches (and gourmet hot dogs), they will carry 24 flavors of soft serve ice cream! Help us welcome them to the Village by "liking" their Facebook page.

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SHILITO'S ELVES MAY BE DISPLAYED AT THE LEVEE THIS YEAR
Via WKRC:

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But will they be able to top the ambitious display at Covington's Sims Furniture?

See more photos from Sims Furniture's impressive display last Christmas by clicking here.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 16 APR

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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RESTORING RIVERS COULD HELP COOL CITIES

Covington is already "cool", but this article talks about temperature: 

Besides the recreational possibilities, urban rivers could provide another benefit to cities: cooling. But while city dwellers flock to the riverbank on a hot summer day, there’s been little research on how rivers' cooling effect works and what could be done to maximize its impact. But a new, multi-year study from the University of Sheffield in England shows that rivers help cool cities when they need it most, during the hottest hours of the warmer months. 

The study is part of a larger project looking at urban river corridors and sustainability and a broader trend of considering how water and water management can help create low-energy cities. Because cities are full of hard surfaces that absorb heat and slough off water into drainage systems, they retain heat and are significantly warmer than the rural areas that surround them. More heat means more energy is needed to cool them down. 

GOOD 
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  SPECIAL SESSION CALLED TO FRANKFORT TODAY
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PLENTY OF BLAME TO GO AROUND ON LEGISLATIVE FAILINGS

Senate President David Williams assembled weary reporters in his Capitol office to tell them it was Gov. Steve Beshear who had caused the 2012 legislative session to fall apart in the last hours and that the House leadership was untrustworthy, too, because it refused to override vetoes.
About a half-hour later, the governor had the same reporters come to his office to assure them it was, in fact, the Senate president’s fault that we would all be back for a special session today, and that he had, in fact, “whooped” Williams last November. 

Courier-Journal/Joseph Gerth 
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BESHEAR, WILLIAMS RIVALRY MAY SPILL INTO NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

Half of the Senate’s thirty-eight seats are up for election this fall. And Beshear says he thinks Williams’ polarizing presence could become an issue in those races.
“You know this November, I’m sure he’ll be a political issue. He’ll probably be a political issue for both Democrats and Republicans. If I were a Republican right now I think I’d be running against him, just like a Democrat would be,” he says. 

WFPL/Kenny Colston 
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One key issue today in Frankfort is the roads bill and Covington is depending on a lot of money from it. Check out the full text of it here.
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NKU MAY NAME NEW PRESIDENT EARLY THIS WEEK
An announcement could come at any moment on who will be the next leader of Northern Kentucky University. One of three finalists pulled his name from consideration late last week, leaving two possibilities: 

David Eisler, president of Ferris State University in Michigan, told media outlets there Saturday that he had withdrawn from NKU's search.
That leaves Jonathan Gibralter, president of Frostburg State University in Maryland, and Geoffrey Mearns, provost of Cleveland State University, in the running to replace the retiring Jim Votruba. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Cliff Peale  
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JOB AVAILABLE AT VISION 2015
The organization charged with executing a ten-year strategic plan for NKY is looking for a new strategic initiatives manager: 

The successful employee will be responsible for the overall direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of specific projects/initiatives. This person will develop strategies for reaching key community goals, convene stakeholders, and lead volunteer teams in the execution and implementation. Leadership and coordination of programs and initiatives will be focused around the community goals identified in the 2005 Shaping Our Future Report which can be downloaded atwww.vision2015.org. 

Full details at the link. 
Vision 2015 
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DON'T MISS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF COVINGTON -- IT'S ALL INSIDE THE SUNDAY EDITION
"The week that was and the week that will be in Covington" 
        The River City News -- The Sunday Edition 
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QUICKIES
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Arnie's on the Levee goes smoke-free Facebook 
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Over-the-Rhine's transformation is far from over Cincinnati Enquirer 
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UK basketball senior Eloy Vargas takes high school student to her prom WBKO 
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West Latonia Neighborhood Association meets tonight Click Here 
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TALENTED HOLMES STUDENTS WIN BIG HONORS AT SKILLS USA COMPETITION
From Covington Independent Public Schools: 

Students in SkillsUSA at Holmes High School are finishing another successful year, placing high in the state contest and qualifying for the national competition.
Three students from the Chapman Career and Technical Education Center on the Holmes campus placed in the state SkillsUSA competition held in Louisville earlier this month. The winners from Holmes include: 1st place, Autumn Martin, Customer Service; 2nd place Zach Mardis, Telecommunications Cabling; 3rd Place, Ashley Daniel and Christina Fukano, Promotional Bulletin Board. Receiving the Kentucky Statesmen award include: Mrs. Shawn Wood, Zach Mardis, Kyle Poe, Katelyn Watson, Robert Hughes-Carr, Nicole Lang, Christina Fukano, and Gentry Fryler.

More than 500 students tested their skills in the state competition. The first place winners qualify for the national SkillsUSA competition that will be held in Kansas City, Mo. 

David Schaefer, regional district director for the North Central Regional District, and technology teacher at Holmes, said he is proud of his students. “The students were awesome. They represented themselves, Holmes High School and Chapman very well,’’ Schaefer said.

Teachers and students involved with SkillsUSA were honored at the Covington Board of Education meeting on Thursday night. Kyle Poe, president of the Holmes chapter, thanked the board for supporting the program and his teachers for investing their time to work with students and taking them to the competition. Kyle, a senior, believes he is more than prepared for college, thanks to the classes and hands-on experience he has received at Holmes. He will attend Western Kentucky University, where he will major in broadcasting. 

With 300 students, Holmes has the largest SkillsUSA Chapter in the state, Schaefer said. SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. The motto for Skills USA is “preparing students for the world of work.’’ 

Besides Schaefer, teachers Shawn Wood and Bill Wagner worked with the students at the state competition this year. Holmes offers a variety of classes through career clusters that prepares students for the world of work, including: 

Automotive Tech/ Repair: Auto Body Repair, Automotive TechnologyBusiness and Marketing: Marketing, ManagementCreative and Performing Arts: Instrumental Music, Theatre, Visual Art, Vocal MusicEducation: Early Childhood Education, Teaching and TrainingHealth Services: Allied Health, Biomedical, Pre‐MedInformation Technologies: Networking (Computer Maintenance and Repair), Radio and TV Technology, Visual CommunicationsManufacturing and Construction: Carpentry, Electricity, WeldingPublic Service: Leadership Education (MCJROTC) Law Enforcement, Pre‐Law
Students are also required to complete a professional development program that teaches them how to work with in teams to learn the art of collaboration.
When students complete the courses at Chapman, they are definitely ready for college and careers, Schaefer said. 

“On top of just getting actual career training, the students also get the leadership skills that go hand- and- hand with job skills,’’ Schaefer said. “They are also being exposed to different contractors and future employers. At state and national competitions, I have seen students get offered jobs right on the spot. The employers know these students are well-rounded and have an understanding of the work.’’

Way to go, kids (and teachers)!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 20 FEB

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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HOLMES 8TH GRADE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Yet another state title comes to Covington. This time, the 8th grade boys basketball team at Holmes claimed the Kentucky Basketball Academy's state championship. Way to go, guys!

This is Covington's third state title of the 2011-12 academic year. The other two belong to Holy Cross, which won the state football championship and the 'All A' basketball title. More on local basketball's postseason, below.

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JEROME SIMPSON BACK IN COVINGTON COURTROOM TODAY

Let's hope the rising Bengals star is able to learn from this experience and let's hope that someday people don't have to send marijuana through the mail and can instead buy it legally in their neighborhood.

FOX 19

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KENTUCKY'S LAST CHANCE FOR EXPANDED GAMBLING?

Last chance or not, supporters believe it's their best chance:

But, (Stumbo) said, “I don’t think you can say something that’s been around for 20 years is going to die overnight.
“... This issue’s not going to go away until we address it or solve it or put an end to it. The manner in which the issue is addressed may change, but I don’t think the issue would go away.”

Courier-Journal via Enquirer/Gregory A. Hall 
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SEE ALSO: Gambling bill gets flak from all around Courier-Journal 
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CANDIDATES AWAIT COURT RULING BEFORE MOVING FORWARD
Yes, this hot mess is still going on:

The uncertainty over which state legislative districts will be used in this year’s election has some candidates rethinking their plans, while others may need to file suit to have ineligible candidates removed from the ballot.

Courier-Journal/Joseph Gerth 
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SOUTH COVINGTON RESIDENTS CLEAN UP HANDS PIKE
Over the weekend, the South Covington Community Action Association hit Hands Pike for a day of cleaning. "We removed logs and other debris from the culvert," said Bill Wells, President of the SCCAA. "A few dozen bags (of trash) were removed and the hill once again looks presentable." Wells also thanked the two Covington Police officers that managed traffic on the curvy road.

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KENTUCKY HOSTS FORUM ON NEW EDUCATION STANDARDS

Next week:

Hundreds of educators from 17 states are headed to Kentucky to learn how the state is using a new set of nationwide standards in its public schools to get students ready for college. 

AP via WKYT  
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GQ NAMES LOUISVILLE THE MANLIEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES
Wow:

In the March issue of GQ there is a full page article explaining why Louisville is so manly. The reasons include Bourbon, baseball, and horse racing, among others.
The article also compliments Louisville on its “courtly southern swagger,” saying the gentlemen in town know how to compliment a woman and often do so. 

WHAS 11 

SEE ALSO: The article is yet online, but you can read more about on the Facebook page of the Louisville Voice-Tribune

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REDS PITCHERS & CATCHERS REPORT

Some great photos by the Cincinnati Enquirer's Michael Keating.

Cincinnati Enquirer 

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MEANWHILE... MANAGER DUSTY BAKER SAYS HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT  CONTRACT:

“What kind of factor can it be?” he said. “Like I said before, how many people have one-year contracts period? You know how many times I’ve been in this situation? I’ve been in this situation four, five, six times. Hey man, you’ve just got to keep proving yourself. Some people do. Some people don’t. It seems like I have to." 

Cincinnati Enquirer/John Fay 

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ENGAGEMENT PROPOSAL AT TURFWAY PARK

Awww:

The Florence track describes the event on its Facebook page:

Race fan Eric Hammer proposed to Michelle Weir in the winner's circle yesterday. She said yes!

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KENTUCKY KINGDOM MAY BE KNOWN AS BLUEGRASS BOARDWALK

That's if the Louisville amusement park is able to reopen:

Kentucky Kingdom has been closed since it was in essence abandoned by Six Flags amid a bankruptcy filing two years ago. The park has been called Kentucky Kingdom since it first operated in the late 1980s.  

Courier-Journal/Sheldon S. Shaffer
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in case you missed...
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THE SUNDAY EDITION
Lots of great stuff including the week that was and the week that will be in Covington. Check it out at the link!
The RC News: The Sunday Edition 
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CITYBEAT SCREWS UP COVINGTON REFERENCES IN 'BEST OF' SURVEY
Our City is well-represented in CityBeat's Best of Cincinnati poll. Unfortunately, that publication is roughly three to five years behind on what's happening here. They think Butch Callery is still mayor, that David Henley still coaches Holmes, and that the Ascent is an apartment community. Click it. 

The River City News 

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ASSESSING COVINGTON'S PARKING SITUATION

What to do about the parking situation Downtown along Madison and Pike? The City issued some general recommendations last week. For that story, click the link! 

The River City News 

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FORT THOMAS MATTERS PRESENTS: MARK VERSUS FOOD

This time, the feature takes place at Tom & Chee at Newport on the Levee.

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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL POSTSEASON BEGINS THIS WEEK

Holy Cross and Holmes are in the same district and look to move into the regional tournament together. Great podcast at the link detailing what to look for all over Covington, including a tough test the Indians face that may prevent them from even making it to regionals. 

Cincinnati Hoops Talk 

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Also, stay tuned to NKY Sports Blog for all the details on the games. Rich Broering does an awesome job with his coverage. His final top 10 of the regular season puts Holy Cross at #2, Holmes at #4, and Scott at #8. That's some quality basketball in Covington!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 14 DEC

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

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SHOP LOCAL ARGUMENT TAKES HOLD NATIONALLY

This is how communities like Covington rebuild themselves:

So what are the roots, the origins of this New American Localism? Perhaps you can trace it to earlier demonstrations, such as the 1999 anti-globalization protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle. Or maybe you can look further back to small-town values migrating into larger urban centers. Or you can argue that Americans have always been more community-minded and, in many ways, more neighborly than nationally or internationally inclined. Regardless, the resurgent instinct just might provide another new slogan for a bumper sticker: "Think Locally, Act Locally."

NPR 
Hat tip: James Heller-Jackson
SEE ALSO: Louisville's Farm to Table program aims to expand WFPL
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SEE ALSO:
While you're out shopping local, Renaissance Covington has put together this helpful map to lead you to the businesses that participated in the holiday storefront decorating contest. Downtown, Pike Street, and Mainstrasse all look beautiful thanks to these businesses that deserve your patronage:

Click to enlarge

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'THE PROTESTER' IS TIME'S PERSON OF THE YEAR
The honor is bestowed upon the government-changing crowds in the Middle East & North Africa as well as to those "dirty hippies" of Occupy Wall Street. 
TIME
SEE ALSO: 10 times that TIME's person of the year was not a person Mental Floss
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FUNNY: Stephen Colbert via Twitter: "The latest challenge for members of the Occupy movement? Keeping their parents from finding out what they mean by 'working on Wall Street'."
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CRASH CLOSES ROEBLING BRIDGE OVERNIGHT
And the Brent Spence was all like, 'now what you gonna say, Roebling?'
Cincinnati Enquirer
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TIME FOR KENTON COUNTY POLICE TO MERGE WITH SHERIFF?
The topic is a hot one again thanks to the Chief's retirement:

As Butler announced his retirement, Kenton County Commissioner Jon Draud said that now is the time to consider whether to study merging the county’s police department with the sheriff’s office and/or other local police departments in the county. During last year’s campaign for county office, Draud said that he had pledged to look into a possible merger - as Boone County previously did - to improve efficiency and save tax dollars.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder 
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BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS FROM GOV. BESHEAR'S SECOND INAUGURATION
To see the First Lady's ball gown is worth the click.
Kentucky Press 
SEE ALSO: Beshear sees charter schools on discussion table too WBKO
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HOLMES STUDENTS CREATE ORNAMENTS, SMALL BUSINESS
This story was covered in the Enquirer earlier in the week, and now Channel 9 takes a crack with video:

The students from Holmes High School Chapman Career and Technical Education Center wanted to buy T-shirts for students in the welding program, but didn't have the funds. Their teacher came up with the idea to make and then sell Christmas ornaments. "We have a four-and-half to five foot angel and it's $30. It's wrapped in all white lights and the halo is in gold. We have the four-and-half foot stars that come in white lights or multiple lights and they're $25," said Welding teacher Terry Buckler.
The word started getting out to the community about the project and the orders started pouring in.

WCPO via "The Kentucky Post" 

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DALTON STREET POST OFFICE PROCESSING CENTER CLOSURE DELAYED
At least five months:

Closing the Cincinnati center would put nearly 400 people out of work. More than 100,000 jobs would be lost across the country.

Local 12 
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CLOONEY'S FILM SHOT IN COVINGTON/CINCINNATI SNUBBED BY SAG AWARDS
Not a single nomination for "Ides of March", though Clooney's "The Descendants" did get a few nods:

Clooney was nominated as best actor in “The Descendants,” and in the ”Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture” category, SAG’s equivalent of best picture. Six times in the last 10 years, SAG’s best movie also won the Academy Award for best picture.

Cincinnati Enquirer/John Kiesewetter 
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BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND AT NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE
Always a beautiful place to be during the holidays. Click the link for all the details.
Levee press release via FOX 19
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COVINGTON'S BOUQUET RESTAURANT GETS NICE WRITE-UP IN METROMIX
If you have not yet been to this wonderful addition to Mainstrasse, make it a point. Bouquet and Otto's have helped raise the bar in the Village.

When we arrived to the full bar, we were joyfully greeted by my friend’s co-worker and he bought us our first drink – score! After some small talk and a short wait we snagged to seats at the bar and camped out. The look: Bouquet reminds me of a restaurant in New York City – an old rowhome transformed into a unique space. It is quaint with teeny-tiny-two-top-tables, a 10-seat bar and a patio when the weather permits. It is perfect for date night, to entertain a client or dine with good friends.

Metromix 
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DID YOU MISS LAST NIGHT'S LATE EDITION OF THE RIVER CITY NEWS?
After weeks of construction that reduced it to one lane, a Covington street will CLOSE completely this weekend; One bill, two KY Congressman - which to believe?; A Kentucky family in town for their daughter's bone marrow transplant find out their home is burglarized; Those stories, plus beautiful photos of Covington - and links to all the news from throughout the day - at the link!

News Round-Up -- Tuesday Evening

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|HOLMES, HOLY CROSS POST BIG WINS ON THE HARDWOOD
The Bulldogs put up more than a hundred points in a rout of poor Newport. Cincinnati Enquirer
Meanwhile, my beloved Scott Eagles got the smackdown at the hands of Holy Cross. Cincinnati Enquirer
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CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT BRAWL 'LEAST VIOLENT DAY OF 2011 IN NORWOOD'
LOL:

“A couple dozen punches and a little blood,” laughed Jonathon Frye of the Norwood Public Safety Department. “We usually see ten times that much violence before the sun comes up. In fact, if there isn’t at least a knife involved, we’re reluctant to even call it violence.”

Derf Magazine 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY LUNCH

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

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TAYLOR MILL ROAD'S NEXT WIDENING CONSTRUCTION TO GET UNDERWAY

Expect some more traffic trouble in South Covington. This time, construction crews will be working on the busy north-end of Taylor Mill Road. The 1.2 mile area's widening will cost $9.2 million dollars.

“This road construction project is the next segment for providing a new and improved Taylor Mill Road.  When the entire project for reconstruction of KY 16 is completed, drivers along the corridor will see improved traffic flow,” said Rob Hans, Chief District Engineer for Department of Highways District 6, in Covington.

Lawrence Construction & Leasing of Walton was awarded the contract. Work should be completed by Summer of 2012.
Commonwealth of Kentucky press release
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AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION: STOP EXECUTIONS IN KENTUCKY
Turns out that when a high rate of convictions are being overturned with few protections for the mentally disabled, people start questioning the death penalty.

In Kentucky, executions are already on hold pending the outcome of a case in Franklin Circuit Court. "In the meantime, we will carefully review and study the 400-plus page report provided by the ABA assessment team," Gov. Steve Beshear said.In Kentucky's report, the team found that of the 50 people sentenced to death since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, 78 have had convictions or sentences overturned by state or federal courts - an error rate of about 64 percent.

An error rate of 64%. Wow.
Herald-Leader 
SEE ALSO: Governor Beshear in Campbell County today FOX 19
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TODAY IS REP. GEOFF DAVIS'S BIG DAY IN CONGRESS
The one (and I do mean, the ONE) and only issue he devotes time and energy too (never mentioning NKY in any of his social media or press releases) is going to the House Floor for a vote. It's something called the REINS Act. He and Sen. Rand Paul wrote a joint column on the issue this week:

Since the New Deal, every Congress has delegated more of its constitutional lawmaking authority to unelected bureaucrats in administrative agencies through vaguely written laws.
In the past few years, we have seen examples of administrative agencies going beyond their original grants of power to implement policies not approved by Congress. In several cases, such as net neutrality rules and the regulation of carbon emissions, agencies are pursuing regulations after Congress has explicitly rejected the concept.

Roll Call
At some point, Davis should probably explain his own job creation record, but that might make him uncomfortable. Here's another, less flaterring perspective on Davis's pet project:

REINS would turn a regulatory process currently driven by scientific expertise, industry input, and careful cost-benefit analysis into a political circus. While agencies are not immune from political influence, they must have legal justifications for the rules they promulgate, and those justifications must stand up in a court of law when challenged. But under REINS, either chamber of Congress—or even a single senator—could effectively overturn a law by refusing to approve critical rules of implementation for entirely political reasons.

Rep. Davis motivated by political reasons? No way!
Americans For Progress 
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Always the prolific tweeter, Davis sent out this pic to his Twitter feed. All this tweeting about REINS finally got him on stage with the big boys at a press conference.

He's to the right of Eric Cantor at the podium (and no one wants to be to the right of Eric Cantor).
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            The River City News
Covington's home for informed, first-hand reporting on the issues that matter to you
FROM EARLIER:
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The daytime curfew passes unanimously. For comments from the Commissioners, a school board member, and concerned citizens, click the link.
The RC News: Covington Approves Daytime Curfew for Minors
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You will not find complete coverage of Covington City Hall anywhere else online or in print. Tuesday night's meeting was 3.5 hours long and covered many important issues. An issue-by-issue recap with comments and photos - at the link.
The RC News: Covington City Commission Recap
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Cov Latin School celebrates expansion today; How Amazon is working aggressivle to curb your plans to shop local (they actually want you to walk in local stores, and then...); Bellevue condos damaged by hillside and heavy rains; They're good on the football field, but check out this dunk by Holy Cross on the hardwood; Those stories and more at the link!
News Round-Up -- Wednesday Morning
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HOW ABOUT A CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH NOTHING BUT TUBAS?
Sounds... good? 

TUBACHRISTMAS Cincinnati is part of a national series of free holiday concerts performed entirely on instruments in the tuba family.  All tuba, baritone, and euphonium players are invited to play in the tubachoir as we present a free public concert of Christmas carols.  It's a celebration of music and the holiday season at TUBACHRISTMAS Cincinnati!

Newport-on-the-Levee 
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5 BRANDS LIKELY TO BE GONE BY 2015
Netflix... check.
Post office... check.
Kodak... check.
FOX 19