NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 1 AUGUST

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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SHOW SOME LOVE FOR WEST PIKE STREET BUSINESSES

After the successful Food Truck Invasion and the debate that followed (SEE: Food Fight: Shut The Truck Up), it was determined that similar foodie events should be organized for the "bricks-&-mortar" establishments. What started as an event for this coming Saturday to encourage people to spend some cash at Bred & Spice, a new bakery/cafe, has developed into a week-long effort to patronize three news businesses in that area. In addition to Bread & Spice, that includes Charley Maxwell's malt shop/lunch spot and the Pike Street Lounge:

Our new businesses on West Pike have a challenge - they are located on the far west edge of Downtown and the far east edge of Main Strasse Village.
Make West Pike a destination for lunch, coffee, cocktail hour, a trip to find great baked goods.

Check out the event on Facebook for more information by clicking here.

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WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT GEOFF DAVIS HAS RESIGNED?

WKRC reporter Joe Webb went to find out:

Davis's resignation was effective yesterday. A Kentucky special election to replace him could be held as early as September 4, but past precedent leads the experts to speculate there will be two elections on November 6. Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe says, "You could have the special at the same time you have the general. Which would mean the names of both candidates would appear twice on the ballot. There would be a section for the special election. Whoever won that would fill out the term to January 1."

That's presuming Massie and Adkins would be the names on the special election ballot, too. Adkins says that's not a given. "No, it's not. I think the parties have to, that would be a logical conclusion, but I think the parties would have to meet to nominate, and I would anticipate they would simplify it and make it that type of nomination circumstance."

Full story: WKRC
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MEANTIME: Surprised allies react to Davis's sudden resignation cn|2 
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SEE ALSO: Sens. McConnell & Paul team up for Thomas Massie fundraiser WBKO 
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LOCAL AUTHOR RICK ROBINSON WEIGHS IN ON #VEEPSTAKES
Rick Robinson's latest column for the conservative website The Daily Caller explains "why Brian Williams and the left are afraid of Rob Portman":

But for some reason, silly season is starting early this cycle. It was kicked off last week with Brian Williams’ London interview of Mitt Romney. Sounding more like President Obama’s press secretary than an NBC reporter, Williams asked Romney if he is going to choose “an incredibly boring white guy” as his vice-presidential nominee.
Showing humor he does not often display, Romney replied: “You told me you were not available.”
The initial coverage of the exchange focused on Williams’ biased question and Romney’s uncharacteristically witty retort. However, the coverage of Williams’ characterization of Romney’s short list of VP choices misses an important underlying point: The left is scared of the competence and experience of those on the list.
Case in point: Rob Portman.

Full story: The Daily Caller
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KENTUCKY INTRODUCES "TAMPER PROOF" DRIVER'S LICENSES
From a news release:

Kentucky in August begins a transition to a new driver’s license that, while similar in appearance to current licenses, contains security features for greater protection of privacy and resistance to tampering. 

“The new licenses are the manifestation of Kentucky’s efforts to improve the level of service provided to our customers, in addition to securing a credential Kentuckians use each day,” Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Department of Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Tom Zawacki said. 

“It was already time to replace the cameras and computer equipment – most of it more than 10 years old – that our circuit court clerks use in issuing driver’s licenses,” Zawacki said. “That made it an ideal time to also make this transition to a new license.” 

The new license has multiple layers of security features, all linked to each other, so counterfeiters must compromise multiple technologies – not just one. 

The licenses’ new features include:• Digital watermark imperceptible to the human eye• Bank note-level fine line printing• Improved dual-side lamination for greater tamper resistance and durability• Hologram with single-color, ultraviolet “ghost” image 

Kentucky last updated driver’s licenses in 2001, with the introduction of digital licenses. The new format offered improved security. Kentucky was the first state to put the driver’s image in the bar code on the back of the license. With the next stage of Kentucky’s driver’s license, those security measures will be tightened to provide even greater resistance to fraud. 

Installation of new cameras and computer equipment will require a one-day suspension of driver’s license processing at each circuit court clerk’s office. Installations are scheduled to begin in August and be completed by October. The first installation of equipment will be in McLean County Aug. 7. The new licenses should be available there the next day. 

Starting in the fall, new licenses will also feature veteran and organ donor designations. 

Customers are not required to obtain new licenses until their current licenses expire. The process for obtaining or renewing a driver license will not change. The cost of $20 will also remain the same. 

More information and answers to some frequently asked questions can be found on KYTC’s website: http://transportation.ky.gov/pages/digital-drivers-license.aspx. 

MorphoTrust USA, which provides driver’s license issuance solutions for 41 states and the District of Columbia, is partnering with the state to implement the new work stations and camera systems, including new security features in the driver’s license.

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GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS ABOUT KY'S HEALTH CARE FUTURE
A new study issued by the University of Kentucky’s Community Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky finds:

“Since the (U.S.) Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, there likely will be 400,000 Kentuckians that now have access to health care who did not before,” said Alison Davis, the initiative’s director and author of the study. “This report is timely, because it provides a comprehensive overview of the current access to health care across the commonwealth and projects where expected shortages might occur.”

Read this: Kentucky Forward
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QUICKIES
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SAD: 1,194 workers will lose their jobs when Comair ceases operations Business Courier 
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Attorney: KY death row inmate missing part of brain WBKO 
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Group urges kids to be vaccinated for meningitis WKYT 
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University of Louisville considers Chick fil A controversy over 84 WHAS 
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KY has 3rd highest car insurance rates in nation WKYT 
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KY sales tax is 16th highest in nation Business First 
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Court documents: Mom tried to hide phones of ex-Ben-Gal cheerleader/teacher accused of sex with student WLWT 
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RELATED: Attorney Eric Deters issues this release on the case Facebook 
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Most Kentucky Democrats won't speak at Fancy Farm WFPL 
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Fort Thomas brothers show off their political memorabilia Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Dog may have stopped bear attack WKYT 
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Dalai Lama to visit Louisville in May WBKO 
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US digital infrastructure is also bad American City 
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SPORTS: New offers rolling in for Holy Cross senior basketball player Cincinnati Enquirer
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IN CASE YOU MISSED...
PUBLIC WEIGHS IN ON PROPOSED CUTS TO COVINGTON POLICE, FIRE
What cuts are to come to the police and fire departments? What is the City Commission's position on de-annexing South Covington? Should the G in C+V=G stand for greatness? A full recap of last night's meeting on proposed cuts to public safety -- at the link.

Full story: The River City News |
DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY MORNING'S NEWS!
Man accused of kidnapping, sexual assault of teen in Mainstrasse expected to appear in court; The mother of a teen missing from Covington weighs in on new search in the RCN comments; Plus, Kentucky marks the beginning of "breastfeeding week". Those stories and more at the link.

The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up |
URBAN VIBES, VIBRANCY RENEW HAMILTON'S DOWNTOWN
"Studios, lofts, coffee houses make new city." You know, whenever consultants come to town and present all these ideas and examples of other cities, I wonder why places like Hamilton, Ohio aren't included since it is far more comparable to Covington. Check out what's going on up there in the city between Cincinnati and Dayton:

Dilapidated buildings, some 200 years old, are being transformed into swank loft apartments, new retail space, studios where artists can live and work, a ballet center and other uses. The city plans to spruce up its east entryway on High Street in a $10 million project.
The local school district also is proof that change is happening in Hamilton. While other urban districts are losing students, 135 new students enrolled in Hamilton City Schools in the recent school year, Superintendent Janet Baker said.
The district has undergone a makeover of its own in recent years to stay in line with the city’s plans to attract economic development. Hamilton’s 11 schools have been rebuilt or renovated, also adding the latest in technology, to the tune of $250 million.

Small cities can be cool, too.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Sheila McLaughlin 
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SANITATION DISTRICT'S PUBLIC SERVICE PARK SHOWCASED ONLINE
So, this is happening:

Caption: "A 7,000-gallon cistern made from reinforced concrete pipe collects runoff from the adjacent garage. A roof solar panel was intended to feed a pump for recirculating the stored water. The cistern water is used for demonstrations throughout the Stormwater Garden. The fountain in the Stormwater Garden is carved from Indiana limestone. Water recirculates via a small, self-contained pump and basin."

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Check out the full article: Landscape Online 

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#NOM NOM NOM ALERT!

Graeter's revealed its new flavor today:

From Graeter's:

Our new Mystery Flavor is... Black Cherry Chocolate Chip!! All natural black cherry flavored ice cream loaded with black cherries and our signature dark chocolate chunks. Available at all Graeter's locations, while supplies last!

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KENTUCKY #SWAG

Don't you love that? Me too. Want to buy it? Click here 

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Hat tip to those kick-ass Kentuckians at Kentucky for Kentucky 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 17 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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EASTSIDE ORGANIZES TO GET BLACK MEN INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS

"It's squarely on our shoulders and we are not stepping up to the plate," said Jerry Avery, an Eastside resident and member of the Covington School Board of the lack of involvement of black men in the lives of the City's youth and spending at least an hour a week in the schools. "As men in this neighborhood it is our responsibility and we're not there." Avery and neighborhood leader Clint Jackson organized a meeting Monday night at OASIS, Inc on Greenup Street to brainstorm ideas on how to get more men involved, but even the meeting was evidence of how that involvement is lacking. "We got four men from this neighborhood (at the meeting). It's unacceptable."

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Joining the four men at the meeting were Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank and Reverend Richard Fowler. Frank commented that there are not enough black members of the police department, fire department, or even the city government. "We're committed to trying to do something as we reorganize to fix a lot of these problems," Frank said. The visibility of black men in the schools and the community was a constant theme throughout the meeting.
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"It's our fault," Avery said. "We are not blaming the City. We're blaming ourselves. Children believe what they see and they don't see us there." Avery and Jackson are at Holmes High School frequently and see the difference that can be made when members of the community take an active role in helping to keep order in the school so that teachers can focus solely on teaching. "(Teachers) only got forty-five minutes to teach the whole class but if they're spending ten minutes with this knucklehead and ten with that one, they only got twenty-five minutes. But if we're there, they get the whole forty-five minutes."

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Jackson was disappointed in the low turnout saying that he had verbal commitments from many more men who said they would attend. "We all know this community and the black males are stubborn and hard-headed," Jackson said. "We have black males still festering over things that happened (between them) twenty to twenty-five years ago. But we're going to get through this. It's too important."

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"We got to go with what we got," Avery said. "Look at where we're starting. This is not where we're going to end." 

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VOCAL CRITICS APPOINTED TO SANITATION DISTRICT BOARD

Described as "two of the most ardent critics" of Sanitation District One, the new appointees to SD1's board of directors are expected to continue their scrutiny of the organization's finances:

A majority of Kenton County Fiscal Court has agreed with Judge-executive Steve Arlinghaus’ recent decision to name local developer Rick Wessels and Northern Kentucky Tea Party activist Garth Kuhnhein to the board. The two have questioned the organization’s spending practices and argued that there was a lack of sufficient financial oversight under former General Manager Jeff Eger.
Both plan to continue their watchdog role. “I don’t know that I want to criticize the existing board or anyone that’s leaving, but I plan to be hands-on and try to keep my eyes on what’s going on down there,” Wessels said.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder & Mike Rutledge 
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HEAT ADVISORY ISSUED FOR AREA TILL 8:00PM
Another hot one... Heat index could topple one hundred degrees. Drink lots of water and avoid strenuous outdoor activity!

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DON'T MISS MONDAY'S NEWS!
Licking Riverside gets statewide exposure in Kentucky blog; the President and the Governor discuss the Brent Spence Bridge; A 5-day old baby escapes injury in bad crash on Madison Pike; Plus, a Kentucky man's final wish goes viral. Click it.

The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up 

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QUICKIES
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President of Kentucky District Judge Association collapses at church, dies Herald-Leader 
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US Rep. Ben Chandler: Obama is still best candidate, not attending national convention is not a snub cn|2
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Agriculture Commissioner James Comer warns against drought stricken silage WKYT 
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LESBIAN COUPLE KICKED OUT OF KY PARK TO APPEAR AT RALLY
The City of Richmond, Kentucky has yet to consider an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes protections for gay citizens, but a rally Wednesday hopes to change that. A lesbian couple recently kicked out of a park after being seen kissing for a maternity photo will appear at the rally:

William Sharp, staff attorney for the ACLU of Kentucky, said the park, based on available facts, would be considered a public accommodation subject to anti-discrimination protections, according to the news release.
"In the same way a restaurant is privately owned and operated but open to anyone in the public to visit, the privately funded side of E.C. Million Park would likely be considered a public accommodation since it is open to the public to enjoy," Sharp said in the news release. "Were there a local or statewide anti-discrimination fairness law in place, the young couple would be protected by that law."

Covington joins Louisville and Lexington as the only Kentucky cities to extend such protections to gays.
Full story: Herald-Leader 
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THE GEOGRAPHY OF TOLERANCE
Via The Atlantic Cities:

The map above shows how metros across the U.S. score on the Tolerance Index, as updated for The Rise of the Creative Class, Revisited. The chart below shows the top 20 metros. Developed by my Martin Prosperity Institute colleague Kevin Stolarick, it ranks U.S. metros according to three key variables—the share of immigrants or foreign-born residents, the Gay Index (the concentration of gays and lesbians), and the Integration Index, which tracks the level of segregation between ethnic and racial groups.

You can see a larger version of the map at the link below. Cincinnati/NKY does not score the worst possible rating, but shows room for improvement. We also rank behind Louisville and Lexington. 
Full story with map: The Atlantic Cities 
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SPORTS
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Scott HS names a new football coach and a Holy Cross baseball player is invited to a prestigious event Cincinnati Enquirer 
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ALL OF BOB ROSS'S PAINTINGS?

From Mental Floss:

We have only a vague idea. Some Ross actually sold. Before becoming a TV star, Ross was an Air Force Master-Sergeant in Alaska. There, he painted and sold gold pans. Later on, Ross taught lessons year-round, and he regularly gave free paintings to his students. Sometimes Ross kept his paintings, eventually donating them to charity. A couple of his pieces even found their way onto the black market: during Joy of Painting’s second season, a burglar stole 13 reference paintings from Ross’ van.

There's more to the story: Mental Floss 
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Let's relax and paint a quiet pond and some happy little trees...

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 27 JUNE

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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CONSULTANTS: CITY SHOULD ELIMINATE POSITIONS, CONSOLIDATE SERVICES

Close two firehouses (and build a new one), brown out a fire truck; privatize ambulance services, eliminate code enforcement, and more -- all part of the 59 recommendations for the City of Covington to adopt in an effort to save $3.2 million. Full story at the link.

The River City News 

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MAYOR SCHEPER CHECKS ITEMS OFF 10-POINT PLAN, LOOKS TO OTHERS

Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper also took the stage at the Madison Event Center Tuesday evening to offer an update on his 10-point plan. In fact, he took the stage twice: first to reiterate what he has dubbed the "brutal facts" Covington faces in terms of finances and services, and second for an encore presentation of his ambitious plan originally set forth in January. "A lot of work has been accomplished in the last eight months," Scheper said. "Some of it is very visible, a lot of it, not so much."

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Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper

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Before Tuesday evening's meeting, Mayor Scheper sat down with The River City News in his office at City Hall where he expressed optimism on what he hopes to accomplish once the budget is settled. "I don't want to be just a caretaker mayor, I want to lead the changes that will lead to a much brighter future for the City," Scheper said in his office. "Now the focus has to be, how do we grow the pie? How do we stimulate economic development?"
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At the Madison, Scheper hinted that the pie may be growing sooner rather than later. "There are thirty-four possible projects (involving vacant city-owned properties) that I can't talk about publicly yet, but I think the direction and focus needs to be, let's get the systemic challenges resolved and let's start focusing on how to grow this city," the mayor said. "I have six months left in my term and hopefully in the coming months we'll be able to talk more about those opportunities. There is a lot going on behind the scenes to move these initiatives forward."

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The projects he mentioned are being explored with the Center for Great Neighborhoods who may look into turning some of the troubled properties into pocket parks, dog parks, or off-street parking and is part of one point of his ten-point plan: to get optimum value of city-owned property to help fund infrastructure. "We asked (the Center) to come back to us with ideas on what to do with that property. We want to put power to the people and we'll be working with the Center for Great Neighborhoods to develop that."

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Scheper proceeded to rattle off points from the plan that have been accomplished. Conduct independent reviews of each department within City Hall, check. Think regionally, specifically in terms of 911 emergency dispatch services, check. Reduce payroll tax rate from 2.5% to 2.45%, check. Enhance incentives to fill empty storefronts, check. Settle contracts with the City's public employee unions, check. 

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Other goals are still in the works. This budget cycle, the mayor hoped to conduct a zero-based budgeting strategy that required financial justification of every line item. "It was sort of a modified approach this year, given the timing, but we continue to challenge the status quo and ask if there is a different way to do it." As for another point on the plan, to make it easier to do business with the city, the Mayor lauded the creation of a barrier-removal team. "We'll continue to focus on that and move some of those recommendations forward, and you will probably hear more about that in the coming weeks," the mayor said. Gateway College also approached City Hall about creating a customer service program that would help employees and citizens become better ambassadors for the City.

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Forming a marketing committee was also a top priority for the mayor and the newly formed group held its first meeting Tuesday morning. Currently, the committee is developing banners to welcome visitors to Cincinnati's World Choir Games, to Covington. "What a wonderful opportunity to welcome a couple hundred thousand people who will be visiting Cincinnati," Scheper said. "We want them to feel welcome. As a City we can send a strong message that we are very welcoming."

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JACKSON KINNEY RESIGNS

The River City News learned that Jackson Kinney, the City of Covington's community development director, informed his staff Tuesday morning that he will be stepping down from his position. City leaders were mum on the issue Tuesday evening but said to expect more information at Thursday night's special city commission meeting at City Hall. Kinney has been with the City of Covington since June of 2010 after spending more than two decades in a similar role in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 

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SINKHOLE IN MAINSTRASSE SHUTS DOWN STREET

Around 5:30AM Wednesday, emergency crews were called to West Seventh Street between Bakewell and Philadelphia in Mainstrasse Village after the road partially collapsed. A crew member from the NKY Water District was unsure this morning whether the sinkhole was caused by the sewage pipe underneath and whether that pipe would need to be replaced. This story will be updated.

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INTERIM POLICE CHIEF SPIKE JONES TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM

For the first time in his new role as acting Chief of Police, Spike Jones will host the monthly community forum at Police Headquarters (20th & Madison) tonight at 7:00PM. All are welcome.

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QUICKIES

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How high are the stakes for municipalities these days? Stockton, California becomes the largest city in America to file for bankruptcy Reuters 

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Smog alert issued for Wednesday Cincinnati Enquirer 

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KY state representative among those laid off at UofL WFPL 

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Frantic co-worker calls 911 after finding child locked in hot car WKYT 

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Holy Cross senior offered athletic scholarships from NKU, Ohio U Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Terrence Jones helps bring joy to UK fan Stone Cold Willow Herald-Leader 

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LEARN SELF DEFENSE IN TAYLOR MILL'S PRIDE PARK

From the City of Taylor Mill: 

There is still time to register for our Self Defense Seminar at Pride Park on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Please call 859.581.3234 for more information. 

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CITY PRIDE: PADUCAH LAUNCHES 'CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE' CAMPAIGN
Having the right attitude can go a long way for a city: 

After earning awards in categories valuable to any community, Paducah, Kentucky announces its Celebrating Excellence campaign for 2012.
“Receiving awards in so many important, yet diverse areas shows just how talented and dedicated our citizens are to achieving excellence,” says Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton.
Paxton adds, “The various awards reflect areas of excellence that the community will use toward achieving its economic development goals.”

West Kentucky Star
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NATIONAL STORYTELLING CONFERENCE IN COVINGTON TODAY
The National Storytelling Network will hold its 2012 National Storytelling Conference today through Sunday at the RiverCenter Marriott. Storytellers from all over the country and there are opportunities for the public to come and watch a few. Click the link below for full details. 

StoryNet.Org  

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COVINGTON KIDS CELEBRATE FIELD DAY AT SUMMER PROGRAM

From Covington Independent Public Schools: 

Students at John G. Carlisle Elementary School brought home the gold at the first annual Olympic Field Day at Holmes High School.The field day was sponsored by the Covington Summer Program, which focuses on academic enrichment with a twist. The program is mixing learning and fun. In the spirit of the summer Olympics, each elementary school in the summer program has selected a country to represent their school. The Olympic Field Day was the culminating event for the first week of the program. “It was awesome,’’ said Stacie Strotman who oversees the summer program.Students mocked the summer Olympic Games in their own way. As the Olympic theme song played, students paraded around the track waving flags and carrying banners from the countries they represented. Students also competed in six Olympic events such as cornhole, tug of war, dizzy bats, obstacle course and hula hoop relays.Latonia Elementary School came in second and Ninth District Elementary took third place. More than 300 students participated, along with youth workers, teachers and fitness coaches.Students can still enroll in the summer program. Each Covington elementary school, in partnership with the City of Covington Recreation Department, is hosting the summer program. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. – 12: 30 p.m., Monday – Friday, June 18 - July 27 (closed the first week of July). The schools provide breakfast and lunch for students.Students participate in reading and math activities, but also can join in on Fitness Rocks, take arts and crafts classes, go on field trips and take drum and piano lessons. Students can also check out library books on site.The Holmes Campus will host its summer program from 10 a.m., - 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, July 9 - August 2. Transportation will be provided. For more information, contact Stacie Strotman, 392-3179. 

See lots more photos of the kids in action: CIPS @ Facebook 

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AROLDIS CHAPMAN'S FUN ENDING TUESDAY NIGHT AS REDS BEAT BREWERS

After scoring the save in the Reds 4-3 victory over the Brewers at Great American Ballpark last night, this happened (and was the talk of Twitter for several hours): 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 17 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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COMMISSION TO APPROVE UNION CONTRACTS TODAY

Covington's three public employees unions have offered concessions on health care benefits from the City saving approximately $10 million over the next five years. At Tuesday night's City Commission meeting, agreements with the fire and police unions are expected to be accepted unanimously while AFSCME, which represents dispatchers, public improvements workers, and clerical employees, will vote on their contract today. Also on the agenda: 

• The commission will likely pass a resolution demonstrating support for a revised Brent Spence Bridge project plan that would protect Covington's 5th Street exit among other concerns of the city in regards to the massive project
• The City of Covington will likely accept ownership of the forthcoming wayfinding kiosk in the Mainstrasse Village. The Mainstrasse Village Association offers ownership to the city as a non-cash contribution.
• The commission will likely approve a contract to reconstruct the Caroline Street underpass in Latonia at a cost of $18,500 with $11,100 of that payable from community development block grant funds and the remainder payable by Sanitation District 1

As always, The River City News will be at City Hall and will have comprehensive reports following the meeting. 

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MAN ACCUSED IN COVINGTON MURDER BELIEVES VICTIM IS ALIVE

The homeless man killed near the Covington riverbank is still alive according the man suspected in the murder: 

Why the doubt? Haun thinks the dead man has since visited him in jail.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah 

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NKU TO NAME CLEVELAND STATE PROVOST AS PRESIDENT TODAY

Geoffrey Mearns will be the next leader of Northern Kentucky University: 

“I think it’s very important for the president to be visible and accessible to students,” Mearns said April 10 during a visit to NKU. “I realize the bar is set pretty high here.”
Mearns, 52, will have his chance, starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. when NKU’s governing regents are expected to elect him as NKU’s fifth president.
The provost at Cleveland State University is expected to be on NKU’s campus here for the event. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Cliff Peale 
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SEE ALSO: Votruba expresses support for new president Cincinnati Enquirer

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COVINGTON STREETS SLATED FOR WORK BY SANITATION DISTRICT, CITY

The following Covington streets will see work being done by Sanitation District 1 over the next four to five weeks: Center, Court, Donaldson, Heidel, Herman, Latonia, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, Robbins, Rosina, Southern, Victory, and Wright. From a press release: 

Each of these projects should only take 2-3 days to complete and will be done between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Prior to the work starting, SD1 staff will hang information packets on the doors of the residents that will be impacted by the project to notify them of the dates the work is planned and a summary of what work is actually being done. The streets will remain open at all times. However, there is a chance that street parking may be temporarily impacted and 1 lane of traffic may be closed in order to facilitate the work.

Meanwhile, several Covington streets will be resurfaced (this list may include streets that are already completed): 

  Street        From        To

Bluffside Dr	Crystal Lake	North End
Greenhill	cul de sac only
Crystal Lake Dr	Bluffside	SW End
Hideaway Dr	Tando	South End
Idlewood Dr	Bluffside	West End
Juarez Cir	Crystal Lake	NW End
Tripoli Ln	Hands	End
Vantage View Cir	Bluffside	South End
Vista View Cir	Bluffside	North End
Sugar Camp Rd	Fowler Creek	Greenhill
Tando Way	Juarez	Hideaway
Wheeler St	Pleasant	Byrd
Byrd St	Garrard	Maryland
Martin St	Madison	Greenup
14th St West	Neave	Madison
Neave	14th W	15th W
Oliver Street	Oakland	Wheeler
Patton St	Garrard	Nancy
19th St East	Scott	Greenup
Police Memorial	Madison	Donaldson
Donaldson	Police Memorial	24th W
24th St West	Madison	West End
Augustine	19th	21st W
23rd St West	Busse	Herman
Warren St	23rd W	Bend
Dakota	Madison	28th St
Rosina Ave	Southern	Madison
Herman	23rd W	Megerle
25th	Herman	Warren
Megerle Court	Warren	Herman
Muse	West End	East End
Phelps	Welsh	Benton
Todd	Muse	Welsh
Welsh	Todd	Cul-de-Sac

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I-75 NORTHBOUND EXIT AT 5TH STREET TO BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY

The City of Covington offers this reminder: 

Wednesday, April 18 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, the exit ramp to 5th Street will be closed for a maintenance project. Traffic should take 12th/MLK Blvd exit and take Main Street as a detour. 

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MAYOR SCHEPER TO ADDRESS LATONIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY

Fresh off headlines from two important achievements on his ten-point plan, Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper will address the Latonia Business Association Wednesday afternoon. Last Friday, Scheper announced that agreements were reached between the City of Covington and its three public employees unions which followed news from a week before that Covington was eliminating its 911 emergency dispatch services and that the County would be taking over. 

The LBA luncheon is Wednesday from 11:30AM-1:00PM at Twin Oaks golf course. The buffet lunch is $11. 

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HELP SUPPORT COVINGTON'S GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN-UP EFFORTS

Keep Covington Beautiful has scheduled some significant clean-up efforts for Saturday as part of the Great American Clean-Up. However, the group is roughly $2,000 shy of the funds it needs to accomplish all of its goals. Wednesday at Pike Street Lounge, a "cash mob" is scheduled where 20% of all sales will go towards filling the gap. Stop down and have a few drinks (coffee or cocktails) and help support this important cause. 

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EIGHT FROM COVINGTON ELECTED TO KENTON CO DEMOCRAT LEADERSHIP

The Kenton County Democrats elected its new executive board at its county convention last weekend. From Covington: Kerry Holleran (Secretary), Terry Poindexter (Treasurer), Chas Brannen, Linda Cobbs-Banks, Linda Hornsby, Katie Meyer, Michelle Williams, and Paul Witte. 

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For the full list and other details, click here.

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QUICKIES

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Deadline for filing taxes is today Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Bromley sewer solution sought Cincinnati Enquirer 

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In Frankfort, lawmakers join blame game at return for special session WAVE 

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Keeneland reduces stake in Turfway Park Courier-Journal 

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DERBY & OAKS CONTENDERS ARRIVE AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

Bodemeister, winner of the Arkansas Derby

SEE MORE: Kentucky Derby @ Facebook 

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SEE ALSO: Union Rags replaces Hansen as Derby favorite Mercury News 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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MONDAY EVENING HEADLINES

Woman convicted of Covington murder up for parole; NKU to announce new President Tuesday; Plus, "He's not a beekeeper, he's a bee supply salesman!" -- How even the hiring of a state apiarist is full of drama in Kentucky. Click it. 

The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up 

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GLARING TYPOS ON PLAQUE HONORING UK'S BASKETBALL TITLE

An embarrassment in Pikeville: 

An excited rush to present Kentucky Coach John Calipari with a ceremonial key to the city Thursday led Pikeville officials to unwittingly give him a plaque that contained two typographical errors. These mistakes gave detractors a chance to use ugly stereotypes of Kentuckians in reactions posted on the Internet.
Pikeville city manager Donovan Blackburn said Monday that the obviousness of the mistakes showed their innocent nature.
"To misspell the word 'the' is not done out of a sense of ignorance," he said. "It's done out of a sense of a mistake." 

Herald-Leader/Jerry Tipton 
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SEE ALSO: First UK basketball player to have his jersey retired, dies at 93 Herald-Leader

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/16/2153635/rush-led-to-typos-on-uk-basketball.html#storylink=rss?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#storylink=cpy