NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY 30 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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SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ELECTION TROUBLES

The Covington School Board has moved its regularly scheduled meeting to Latonia Elementary Thursday at 7:00PM instead of its usual location at the Board of Education on Seventh Street. The message came from Covington Independent Public Schools Wednesday afternoon:

"Due to unforeseen emergency circumstances and special needs accommodation requests, the August 30, 7:00PM Covington Board of Education meeting has been moved to Latonia Elementary School, located at 3901 Huntington, Covington, Kentucky 41015"

This will be the first meeting of the Covington School Board since the election filing deadline passed and the legal battle over the seat vacated by Denise Varney blew up. The River City News will have this meeting covered for you.
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COVINGTON PHILANTHROPIST WRITES MORE ON STATE OF SCHOOLS
From Oakley Farris:

If I may borrow your attention one more time and direct it to the plight of our school children. I would like to share some observations on the recent good news that Harvard University has had for us concerning the state of education in Kentucky. It seems that Harvard has taken test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress Test (NAEP) and has concluded that Kentucky has shown some impressive progress on the test since 1992. In fact Harvard concluded that Kentucky exceeded the national overall score in reading proficiency. Now I am only interested in what is best for the school kids, so I am encouraged by that news, perhaps our situation is not as grim as the recent ACT and IOWA test scores would seem to indicate. Because my concern is first for the students I like to look just a little closer to ensure that the results are genuine and not being distorted to fit an agenda.
My friends, I wish I could tell you that I was confident in the Harvard study’s conclusions. However I am in possession of an analysis of the Harvard study which was conducted by the Bluegrass Institute. The Bluegrass Institute study brings to light serious flaws in the Harvard study. Now I am not one to get in the middle of a fight between academics over whose study proves what to whom, that is not my concern. My concern is that the data may have been cherry picked in a way that leaves the most vulnerable students in Kentucky, students just like ours here in Covington, open to being overlooked.

Read more from Mr. Farris: Click Here 
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SCHOOL DISTRICT HOSTS DRUG-TESTING FOCUS GROUP
Covington Schools welcomed parents and other concerned citizens Wednesday evening to Holmes High School where the issue of drug-testing students involved in sports and extracurricular activites was explored. There are just two days left to participated in an online survey:

Friday will be the last day to take a survey on possible random drug testing for students in grades 6-12 who are involved in extra curricular activities. The Covington Board of Education is seeking the input of students, parents and community on whether the district should provide random drug testing for students. Wednesday night, 20 parents and community members participated in focus groups at Holmes High School to voice their opinions on random drug testing. The district is collecting information that will be reported to the Board of Education which will make a final decision on random drug testing.

To take the survey, click here.
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POLICE CHIEF TO ADDRESS CRIME ISSUES IN MAINSTRASSE

Residents of Mainstrasse Village are encouraged to attend a meeting Thursday at 6:00PM inside Zola on Main Street. Covington Police Chief Spike Jones will be on hand to discuss recent crime issues in the neighborhood.

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PEASELBURG RESIDENTS CONCERNS ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY PROJECT

A message on Facebook indicates that residents of Covington's Peaselburg neighborhood are concerned about plans by the Housing Authority of Covington, under the guise of its Neighborhood Investment Partners group, to turn potentially eleven properties on Emery Drive into public housing. The meeting is scheduled for 5:00PM at the Housing Authority of Covington office at 2300 Madison Avenue.

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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!

What's up with this sinkhole on Russell Street?; A meeting is set for next week to determine future food truck events in Covington; Plus, a man charged with kidnapping says he can't get along with his Covington-based attorney.

Full story: The RC News: Wednesday Evening Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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Coverage of Sen. Mitch McConnell's speech at Republican National Convention The Hill 

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Coverage of Sen. Rand Paul's speech at Republican National Convention Wall Street Journal 

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NKY tax preparer admits to falsifying tax returns Herald-Leader 

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Embattled Campbell Boys Lodge loses license to operate Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Former UK basketball player Michael Porter due in court on sex charges WKYT 

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State employees to get free flu shots WKYT 

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KY Arts Council offers workshop for teachers press release 

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KENTUCKIANS SUE DISTILLERIES OVER BLACK GUNK

You read that right. Kentuckians are suing the makers of whiskey:

In 2007, researchers published a scientific study about Baudoinia, a newly identified type of fungus. Naturally occurring, Baudoinia germinates on ethanol, the colorless alcohol that can evaporate during fermentation, making the area around whiskey-aging warehouses a prime breeding ground.
News of this whiskey fungus soon rippled across spirit-producing communities from Cognac to Canada — a mystery solved, and an opportunity found.
In June, home and business owners in and around Louisville, part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, filed class-action lawsuits in federal and circuit courts against five major distilleries, charging property damage and negligence. In September, with the help of lawyers in Britain, the plaintiffs’ Louisville lawyer, William F. McMurry, plans to bring a similar suit in Scotland, where the fungus is so rampant that it almost seems like part of the architecture.

Full story: The New York Times 
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CITY COMMISSIONER NAMES WINNERS OF HIS $2,000 PRIZES
Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank has revealed the winners of his contest in which he asked citizens to come up with ways to save the City or make the City some money. From the Commissioner:

Here are your winners of the best idea to Save Covington Money and i know 1 if not both are from our Fire Department.Mike Clendenen and Matt Chastain both win $2,000 for their idea of getting more revenue for our EMS runs. Thank you! The city has made some progress in this area, but we will double and triple up our efforts. Recently Mayor Scheper and I have deepened our relations with Mayor Gray in Lexington and Mayor Fisher in Louisville to help form a Bluegrass Triangle to represent urban interests better in Frankfort. Because the overuse of Ambulance EMS services and high amount of Medicaid Ems runs occur in urban environments, I am certain that they are suffering from low reimbursement rates that do not cover costs. We will ask our fellow urban centers to help lobby Frankfort for higher rates. We will also compare third party billing agencies to see if someone is more effective in getting higher pay outs from insured patients than our present methods. The third thing we can do is unilaterally raise rates on those who can pay for services and charge higher for rescues and the like. All in all we received over 50reasonable suggestions. I'll take the next few days and go over all of them and chart what we are doing to implement them or if already worked on, where we are in the process. Thank you all for participating. The whole community of Covington is the real winner in this!

FIREFIGHTERS TO COLLECT CASH THIS WEEKEND FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
From the Covington Fire Department:

This weekend the Covington Firefighters will be stationed throughout the city collecting for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 100% of the money collected will go to support research and those affected by muscular diseases. Please take a moment and watch this emotional video of Shaun Probert, a Shaker Heights Fireman, Local 516, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010. He is the new MDA spokesperson, replacing Kelly Crush, an IAFF Firefighter from Wichita Falls, TX Local 432 who died in March from ALS. Help us help our "Brother" who is now "on the other side of the boot" in helping the children who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy.

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MAINSTRASSE LOOKING FOR CHALK ARTISTS
The chalk art contest will be back on Main Street for this year's Oktoberfest which is a little over a week away. Click the image for details on how to enter...

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 22 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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CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART ONE

"The commission is not authorized to consider this." A reporter from the Cincinnati Enquirer took exception to an item on Tuesday night's city commission agenda and took his case to the podium. One commissioner threatened to have him removed from the meeting. What went down, and what the agenda item was about, at the link.

Full story: The River City News 

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CITY COMMISSION RECAP: PART TWO

Twelve Covington dispatchers will be offered employment in the new consolidated dispatch center; The community development department will lose its second top manager in the past two months; All the dollars set aside for rehabbing upper floors of Downtown buildings are claimed; Your full Covington Commission recap -- at the link.

Full story: The River City News 

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GOVERNING BODY OF NEW DISPATCH CENTER HOLDS FIRST MEETING

More on the consolidated dispatch center that will soon begin covering Covington:

“When we’re bringing two different cultures together, two different environments, obviously we’ve got to learn to work together and just get to know each other,” said Ed Butler, who’ll direct the Kenton County Emergency Communications Center. “But from a public safety standpoint, the public shouldn’t notice any differences.”
Butler made his comments after the initial meeting of the Kenton County Emergency Communications Board, which will serve as the governing body for the new dispatch entity.
The switch to the new consolidated dispatch center is planned for Sept. 30, Butler said. Initially, the new entity will dispatch police, fire and emergency medical services for unincorporated Kenton county and the cities of Covington, Taylor Mill, Independence, Ryland Heights, Fairview and Kenton Vale.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder

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PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROTEST FUNDING FOR DISPATCH CENTER

Local attorney and radio personality Eric Deters shared this note from a woman named Denise Moore via Facebook:

I found out Friday August 17, 2012 this ordinance was passed on August 14, 2012. I am going to the Fiscal Court meeting on August 28, 2012 at 303 Court Street, Old Courthouse, Covington, at 7 PM on the third floor to speak out against the fee “tax.” If you get on kentoncounty.org and click on 911 fee, you can read the entire ordinance.
What this means is that if you have more than one parcel of property, even a vacant lot, you will pay for each one, each year, $85.00. If you own a condo and a garage separate, you will pay $85.00 each year for each of them. However, if you own a rental complex, no matter how many renters in a building and if there are several buildings on one parcel, the owner only pays the $85.00 one time each year.
Only Property Owners are paying the $85.00 fee tax. No one who rents has to pay the fee “tax.”
I want to make it clear that I am not against paying a fee for the 911 service. I just feel that everyone in Kenton County should have to pay and not just the property owners.

Please come to the Fiscal Court meeting on August 28, 2012 as I will be speaking out against this tax that only the property owners have to pay. Otherwise, you will get the bill for the “fee” sent to you on your October property tax bill.

Read the full note: Facebook 

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WHAT IS THE NEW D-TEAM IN THE COVINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT?

Part of the reorganization plan within the Covington Police Department as presented Tuesday night by Chief Spike Jones is the creation of something called the D-Team. What is it? The D-Team will consist of: 2 federal task force officers (DEA and FBI) that work with federal law enforcement agencies during large scale investigations in the local area; 2 officers assigned to the Housing Authority of Covington who will work during peak hours of activity around Covington housing projects like City Heights; 3 officers assigned as street corner officers, dressed in plain clothes; 2 officers assigned as narcotics/vice investigators; and 2 officers assigned as fusion officers who will serve as a bridge between the patrol shifts, neighborhood associations, block watches, and code enforcement ensuring communication and assisting with quality of life issues.

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COVINGTON SCHOOLS SEEK DRUG TESTING SURVEY PARTICIPATION

From Covington Independent Public Schools:

Many schools have random student drug testing programs in place. These programs randomly test students who participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, as well as students who drive to school. Court decisions have upheld the test of these categories of students. The purpose of the program is to serve as a detterent. The Covington Board of Education is currently exploring the possibility of implementing a program for students in grades 6-12. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. Thank you for your participation.

To take the survey, click here.

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DUKE ENERGY FOUNDATION APPLAUDS COVINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

"We applaud Covington. This is why you keep getting checks from us, you have such great projects going on," said Rhonda Whitaker, executive director of the Duke Energy Foundation. The organization presented a $10,000 check to the Covington Business Council for its Clean & Safe program at Tuesday night's city commission meeting. "Covington is really stepping out to improve economic development in the region."

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"We appreciate it and look forward to bigger checks in the future," Mayor Chuck Scheper quipped.

Pat Frew of the CBC and Rhonda Whitaker

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IN GLOBAL ECONOMY, ALL JOB CREATION IS LOCAL

Interesting:

About half of the jobs created between 1990 and 2008 (before our current downturn) were created in education, health care, and government. What do those sectors have in common? They're all local. You can't send them to Korea. As Michael Spence has explained, corporations have gotten so good at "creating and managing global supply chains" that large companies no longer grow much in the United States. They expand abroad. As a result, the vast majority (more than 97 percent, Spence says!) of job creation now happens in so-called non-tradable sectors -- those that exist outside of the global supply chain -- that are often low-profit-margin businesses, like a hospital, or else not even businesses at all, like a school or mayor's office.

Full story: The Atlantic Cities 
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FUTURE PLANS FOR THE MIKE FINK MAY BE PRESENTED TONIGHT
At tonight's meeting of the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association, Jimmy Bernstein will discuss the Mike Fink floating restaurant which has long been dormant on the City's Ohio River shoreline. The meeting starts at 7:00PM and The River City News will have it covered for you.
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SECOND FOOD TRUCK INVASION SLATED FOR THURSDAY

The food trucks will return to Covington Thursday (tomorrow) from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, this time at Covington Landing. Mobile food vendors, as they are more formally known, recently won approval for operation in Covington from the city commission. A previous event in July was met with great enthusiasm from attendees and some reservations from local restaurant owners. Thursday's event promises to host even more vendors, not all of which are food trucks, including Covington-based Gomez Salsa, as well as Street Pops, Cafe de Wheels, C'est Cheese, PizzaBomba, EAT! Mobile Dining, and New Orleans To Go. 

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QUICKIES

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Man gets life in prison for killing Ohio woman and dumping parts of her body in Covington WLWT 

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Iraqi men plead guilty in Kentucky terrorism case AP 

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Sens. Paul, McConnell join forces to assail health care reform cn|2 

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At tea party rally, Sen. McConnell viewed with mixed results Bluegrass Politics 

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Sen. Paul promises to repeal Obamacare, but also promises health care for everyone WFPL 

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Lawmakers look for action on Kentucky's pension problems WKYT 

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KY employers, workers groups differ on pension issue Courier-Journal 

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Kentucky Chamber of Commerce offers advice to tax reform commission Chamber 

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Democrat Bill Adkins endorsed by Kentucky Hemp Initiative in race to represent NKY in Congress click here 

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Fifth Third Bank faces class action suit over payday loans Business Courier 

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Why counting every horse in Kentucky is important Herald-Leader 

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Get your whooping cough vaccine! NKY Health Dept 

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Film explores life of Kentucky civil rights leader AP 

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Kentucky cloggers represent USA in Ireland Herald-Leader 

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Anthony Davis's unibrow artwork is for sale KSR 

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THIS WEEKEND, CASH MOB IN COVINGTON!

Cash Mob NKY won't say where yet, but a posting on Facebook indicates an effort to flood a local business or endeavor with money:

It has come to my attention that our post outlining the Cash Mob for this Saturday may not have gone out to everyone. For those that did not receive it, please note that we are planning on meeting in Covington at 10:45 am for an 11:00 mobbing. More info to follow as to the specific meeting location. Once there we will share our beneficiary and walk to the location. Please remember to bring at least $20 in cash to spend. Also bring along family and friends who wish to support local businesses and make a difference in this economy. Please comment on this post if you plan to attend and how many others you will bring along. We will be visiting a locally owned eatery afterward for lunch. I can't wait to meet you all.

Will let you know when more is known, or follow NKY Cash Mob on Facebook. 

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DONNA SALYERS: "WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A FAUX FUR REVOLUTION!"

Donna Salyers, owner of Fabulous Furs and Fabulous Bridal in Downtown Covington (among other things), is profiled in Cincy Chic:

"We're in the midst of a faux fur revolution" says Donna Salyers, founder of Donna Salyers' Fabulous-Furs. As queen of the faux fur fashion industry, Salyers is ready to meet that revolution head on and en vogue.

Salyers didn't just wake up one day at the top of the industry, but fashion has always been a part of her life. "Fashion is in my DNA," Salyers says. "Even at the age of seven, I was compelled to sew clothes that my mother actually let me wear in public." Growing up, she learned the technical side of sewing from a grandmother who worked in alterations in Cincinnati's finest stores. "She taught me a great deal, and at the age of about 29, I wrote a letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer editor advising even I could write a sewing column superior to what they published each week."

Full story: Cincy Chic/Amanda Stout 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 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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PUBLIC WEIGHS IN ON PROPOSED CUTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY

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 

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SEE ALSO: The next public discussion about proposed cuts at City Hall is set for Thursday, August 9 at 6:00PM inside the Commission Chambers. The topics will be code enforcement and community/economic development.

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COUNTIES STRUGGLE WITH 911 FEES AS LANDLINES DWINDLE

One of the reasons Covington wanted to "get out of the dispatch business" is because the revenue coming in from 911 fees on landline phones was shrinking:

During the past decade, the number of telephone landlines – a primary funding source for 911 dispatch service in Kentucky – have shrunk from 2.2 million to 1.8 million. Those numbers continue to drop, as telephone landlines are dropped in favor of cell phones, which provide a lesser amount of funding for dispatch centers.
“I haven’t seen any pre-filed bills addressing 911 funding yet, but it’s an issue that comes up in the (state) legislature every year,” said Shellie Hampton, director of governmental relations for the Kentucky Association of Counties. “We’re watching any county that has an innovative way to collect that money because land line fees on phones (a primary funding source for dispatch centers) are decreasing every month.”

The report goes on to suggest that the $6 fee proposed to be charged to utility bills which was defeated at the Kenton County Fiscal Court last week, will likely be reconsidered.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder 
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US REP. GEOFF DAVIS RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS
Geoff Davis (R-Hebron), first elected to Congress in 2004, submitted his resignation Tuesday evening and released the following statement:

“I thank the people of Kentucky’s Fourth District for the honor of serving as their Congressman over the last eight years.

“When I was a Cadet at West Point, I internalized the words of the U.S. Military Academy’s motto, ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ Next, I learned that success was based on honoring God, Family, and Work, in that order. In December 2011, I decided that in order to honor those values, I needed to retire from Congressional service so I could more effectively serve my family as a husband and father. 

“Those priorities continue to guide my decisions. Recently, a family health issue has developed that will demand significantly more of my time to assist. As a result, I cannot continue to effectively fulfill my obligations to both my office and my family. Family must and will come first.

“Therefore, I am resigning from the U.S. House of Representatives effective at close of business on July 31, 2012. 

“I have served with great men and women in the Congress in both parties, and leave knowing that the House is filled with people who love this country and are working to make our future better. I am grateful to have been blessed by being a part of this great institution.” 

Congressman Davis submitted his resignation today to Governor Steve Beshear and Speaker of the House John Boehner.

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Senator Mitch McConnell had this to say:

“Congressman Geoff Davis has been an outstanding representative for the people of Kentucky’s Fourth District and has served his constituents with distinction since 2005. He has accomplished much and has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Kentucky during his tenure. I wish him and his family well as he embarks on his new endeavor.”

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More coverage via cn|2:

Kevin Sell, the 4th congressional district Republican Party chairman and a close friend of Davis, said he wasn’t aware of the family health issue to which Davis’ statement referred.
Sell said Davis mentioned the possibility of leaving during a conversation in June. At the time, Davis had said he was eager to return to Northern Kentucky to spend more time with his wife, Pat, his children and grandchildren and wasn’t looking forward to going through the motions in Congress over the next six months, Sell said.
“When you look at the fact that they start to push them out in the fall and there’s usually just procedural votes and they’re not replacing staff, he had just decided that it was time to go,” Sell said.
Sell said he didn’t try to talk Davis out of resigning early but he did provide some counterpoints, such as continuing the representation of 4th district constituents. However, Davis’ staff will remain in place through the end of the year, so constituents will have congressional contacts.

Full story: cn|2
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Former Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson explained via Twitter the process to replace Davis:

KY Gov sets date for special election. Both parties nominate via to party rules. No primary. Election must be at least 5 weeks in future.

I predict Kentucky Gov will call special election for November election date due to cost of special election and proximity to November.

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More coverage of Davis's departure: Politico 
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MAINSTRASSE SEXUAL ASSAULT SUSPECT WAHEED RAHMAN IN COURT TODAY
The man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 17-year old girl in Mainstrasse is expected to be in court Wednesday afternoon. Last Tuesday, Police arrested Waheed Abdul Rahman, 22, and charged him with first degree sex abuse and kidnapping a minor. At the time of the arrest, Covington Police Chief Spike Jones told The River City News, "The suspect was known to the victim but not well known, more like an acquaintance than anything, and the victim was en route to somewhere and just happened to run into this person."

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MOTHER OF TEEN MISSING FROM COVINGTON WEIGHS IN AT RCN

The comment section of the post regarding the search for Paige Johnson in Knox County last week has deteriorated into personal accusations. Johnson's mother posted the following:

I am Paige's mother. I was just wondering if you knew that Jacob Bumpass spent time in a jail in Pineville, Ky, before he knew my daughter. Pineville is very close to the area they are searching. During his incarceration, he was allowed to roam the grounds and fish. Monday through Friday he was able to leave the facility to do work release on local farms and forestry work. His mother wrote all about it on her CNN blog. It seems to be a huge coincidence that he knew the area and now they are searching there. He would have thought it would be a good place to take her for nobody would look there. This is what I truly believe. I spoke with Jacob shortly after Paige went missing and he wouldn't even look me in the eye. He also seemed nervous and he rushed me off. Does that sound like someone that was supposed to be a friend to Paige? His cell phone proves that he lied since he was never in Covington. This is why I can't look past Jacob.

To read the full comment thread, click the link below and scroll to the bottom.
Search for Teen Missing from Covington Resumes in Knox Co 
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QUICKIES
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NKY foreclosures on the rise WLWT 
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Anti-gay, anti-abortion billboard removed by owner in Lexington KY Equality Federation 
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Sanitation workers in Lexington vote to form union Herald-Leader 
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Gov. Beshear statement on court ruling against EPA regulation of water and coal companies press release 
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Fans of The Who redeem tickets to Cincinnati concert 33 years later WLWT 
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KY Commissioner of Education: Student engagement is key to success KY Forward 
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS
When a Covington woman's email is hacked, a TV news reporter responds to the hacker; Covington businesses named among the best in NKY; Plus, 10 ways to research the history of your house. Those stories and more at the link!
The RC News: Tuesday Evening Round-Up 
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KENTON CO LIBRARY BRANCH IN COVINGTON COMING ALONG NICELY
Check out the progress at the Covington library expansion:

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TODAY MARKS BEGINNING OF BREASTFEEDING WEEK IN KENTUCKY, WORLD

From a news release:

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week Aug. 1-7, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is working to emphasize the importance of providing support for breastfeeding families. This message extends to fathers, family members, friends, employers and other key individuals who can play a role in the effort to build a supportive network for breastfeeding mothers.

“We encourage mothers to breastfeed to ensure that infants are getting the nutrition they need to grow and thrive,” said Health and Family Services Cabinet Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “Even the most committed mothers can struggle to successfully breastfeed when they don’t have the kind of support system they need at home, at the workplace and in the community. If we want to send the message that breastfeeding is important and improve our breastfeeding rates, we need to support mothers who choose to breastfeed.”

Medical and professional organizations worldwide emphasize breastfeeding and the importance of support for new mothers. Similarly, public health has participated in programs, such as the Business Case for Breastfeeding, that have assisted businesses with the implementation of breastfeeding-friendly policies.

“Families and friends can play a role by offering encouragement and assistance at home,” said Fran Hawkins, director of the Kentucky Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program. “Even with that support at home, continuing breastfeeding after returning to work is a tremendous challenge.”

Four steps are encouraged to make work environments more conducive to breastfeeding: support from managers and coworkers; , flexible time to express milk (around 10 to 15 minutes three times per day); , education for employees about how to combine breastfeeding and work; , and a designated space to breastfeed or express milk in privacy.

Public health officials stress that continuing breastfeeding after returning to work is often necessary to meet the recommendations for optimal infant nutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and other medical organizations recommend that babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and continue to be breastfed, along with other food sources, for at least a year.

The World Breastfeeding Week 2012 slogan “The Road to Lifelong Health Begins with Breastfeeding” focuses on the lifelong health benefits that breastfeeding provides to both mothers and babies. 

The health and nutritional status of mothers and infants are directly linked, making appropriate infant feeding a critical first step in preventing these and a variety of other medical conditions.
Families, health professionals, governments, employers and communities must support breastfeeding mothers for the mother to have a successful breastfeeding experience.

“When breastfeeding mothers have little support, they are more likely to stop breastfeeding before they reach their goals,” said Marlene Goodlett, breastfeeding promotion coordinator for Kentucky public health.

The Kentucky Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program provides support and information for prenatal and breastfeeding mothers to help ensure good health for Kentucky’s babies. The program operates through local health departments and provides one-on-one counseling, information and round-the-clock guidance for mothers new to breastfeeding.
“The peer counseling service is a wonderful program for breastfeeding mothers,” said Goodlett. “We’ve had a great deal of success helping mothers learn to breastfeed and remain committed to their breastfeeding goals.”

Kentucky law protects women who wish to breastfeed their babies in public. This law permits a mother to breastfeed her baby or express breast milk in any public or private location. This law also requires that breastfeeding not be considered an act of public indecency or indecent exposure.

Welcome to August! Have a great day!

SEARCH FOR MISSING COVINGTON TEEN RESUMES SUDDENLY IN KNOX CO

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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Paige Johnson

It has been nearly two years since Covington teenager Paige Johnson disappeared, but even now signs with her picture on them still pop up in windows across town as some hold on to hope that she may still be found. On Thursday evening this week, however, what had seemed like a cold case reemerged with the urgency as when the case was new. The Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Office tells the story:

Late Thursday evening, Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders was contacted by a prosecutor from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio about information obtained by Ohio law enforcement resulting in a possible new lead in the investigation into the disappearance of 17 year old Paige Johnson of Florence. The phone call resulted in an early morning meeting between Sanders, Covington Police Detective Bryan Frodge, and representatives from the US Attorneys Office, Hamilton County Prosecutors Office, Norwood (OH) Police, and the US Secret Service. By lunchtime, three prosecutors, three detectives, and four Secret Service Agents were departing on a three hour drive to a farm just outside of Barbourville in Knox County, Kentucky, in hopes of finding Paige.

Upon arriving in Knox County, the contingent of local authorities were met by Knox County Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele, Barbourville Police, Knox County Sheriff's Dept, and KY State Police. Investigators pinpointed the exact location provided in the new lead and found it was actually in a wooded area just off of KY229, near the farm. An evidence collection team of Troopers from KSP Post 10 in Harlan led the search as investigators looked for anything that might resemble a shallow grave. Law enforcement officers cleared a very large area of brush and overgrowth. After sifting through bucket after bucket of dirt turned up nothing, a backhoe was called in to slowly unearth the entire area. Before the search ended, shortly after midnight, investigators had dug 6 to 8 feet deep in an area about the size of an Olympic swimming pool with no luck in finding any sign of Paige.

Sanders called the search "frustrating in its' lack of fruition, but impressive in scope, cooperation, and effort." Sanders said the information received was obviously not accurate in its exact location but he would not rule out the possibility Paige Johnson's body is in Knox County. "Paige could still be close by but I assure you she's not where we were lead to believe," said Sanders. "About thirty prosecutors, police officers, sheriff's deputies, state troopers, and Secret Service agents, along with the Knox County Coroner and his brother, gave up their Friday nights to dig up that land without hesitation. We even had KSP troopers who lived nearby stop and pitch in on their own time," said Sanders.

Covington Police Chief Spike Jones said: "I want to sincerely thank every agency and their personnel who contributed to this effort. A great many resources were devoted to this search but they were not wasted. As we approach the two year anniversary of Paige's disappearance, it's important for the public and Paige's family to know we have not given up! Most importantly, the person or persons out there who know where Paige is need to realize we will not give up till we bring Paige home!" Sanders and Jones both emphasized that anyone with information about Paige's whereabouts would be much better off coming forward now to assist authorities, rather than waiting to be caught.

Paige Johnson went missing September 23, 2010. Anyone with information should call Covington Police at (859) 292-2222 or contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 

***Note: The specific information received by Ohio law enforcement is part of an on-going, unrelated investigation that could be compromised by further comment. As such, no additional details on the nature and/or source of the information will be released.***

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 19 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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LIGHTNING & WIND CAUSE DAMAGE TO HOME, CARS, CEMETERY

Wednesday's strong thunderstorm that rolled through the region caused severe damage to trees in a few Covington neighborhoods which in turn harmed homes and cars, and even Linden Grove Cemetery's fence. Some of the trees were clearly struck by lighting while others were uprooted by the abnormally strong winds. Tons of photos of the damage are at the link below.

Wind & Lightning Wreak Havoc in Parts of Covington 

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AN INTERVIEW WITH RETIRING FIRE CHIEF CHUCK NORRIS

He was just 16-years old when he was part of the crews that responded to the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire in 1977. Shortly after, Chuck Norris knew he wanted to be a firefighter for the rest of his professional life. Now, he'll retire this month as Chief of the Covington Fire Department. Interview at the link.

Chuck Norris Talks About His Retirement from Covington FD 

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HOUSING AUTHORITY DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES HIS IMPENDING RETIREMENT

Aaron Wolfe-Bertling, executive director of the Housing Authority of Covington, plans to step down in the spring of 2014. At Wednesday's meeting of the HAC Board of Commissioners, it was decided that a subcommittee should be formed to establish the criteria for selecting Wolfe-Bertling's replace and to decide whether that candidate should be hired before his retirement or brought on in a lesser role in the meantime for transitional purposes. The subcommittee will include members of the HAC Board, HAC staff, and a representative from the City, likely assistant city manager Larisa Sims. HAC's assistant director, Tom Schmitz will be retiring at the end of the year.

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Other notes from the HAC Board meeting:

• A resolution will be drafted by HAC's attorney to be approved by the City attorney to formally privatize the streets of City Heights. One issue that could arise would be if the church and store located in the public housing development refuse to agree, at which point the boundaries of the private streets would have to be adjusted
• Covington Police Chief Spike Jones was also present at the meeting and informed the public that changes in the command structure at the police department will go into effect on Sunday. That also includes the dissolution of the department's community relations team, but Jones said not to worry. "It's not going anywhere, it's just getting bigger," Jones said. "It's the responsibility of all of us to do that, to be involved in the community."

Aaron Wolfe-Berling (File photo)

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Update on River's Edge at Eastside Point set for August 1

From the Housing Authority: 

There will be a Rivers Edge at Eastside Pointe Community Update Meeting held on August 1, 2012 at 5:00 pm in the lower level conference room of 2300 Madison Avenue, Covington, Kentucky. Everyone is invited to attend.

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Housing Authority Put Teens to Work Over Summer
From a news release:

The Housing Authority of Covington’s Teen Summer Work Program provided a unique employment opportunity this summer to fifteen young adults living in Covington public housing.

The six week program was designed to offer young workers job training, paid employment, and community involvement throughout the city of Covington. The fifteen Covington youth –ages 16 to 20 years – worked at several non-profit agencies in Covington, Ky. The program started June 11 and ended on July 27, 2012.

Participating employers included the Housing Authority of Covington, Covington Independent Public Schools, Boys & Girls Club, and the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission. 

Job duties included office/clerical work, summer recreational program support, and facilities maintenance. We are grateful to our partners for employing our teen residents and supporting our program this year. “Our goal wasn’t to just place individuals in any jobs. It was to strategically place each resident in a working environment that would teach them transferable skills to equip them for future endeavors.” Jon Adkins, Education Coordinator for the Housing Authority of Covington, said.

In addition to working 20 hours per week at the aforementioned sites, each youth worker participated in a two-day, 10 hour orientation/training program. Each youth was trained on workplace etiquette and employer expectations. In addition, teens received instruction on “soft skills” in the workplace, money management, the importance of secondary education, goal setting, time management & organizational skills.

Thanks to the Housing Authority of Covington’s Teen Summer Work Program, many young adults will take away the knowledge and work skills necessary for continued success.

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COUNTY NEEDS TO KNOW WHICH CITIES ARE JOINING NEW DISPATCH CTR
The Kenton County Fiscal Court wants to know by August 1 which cities will be joining Covington in the new consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center:

“To add three or four other cities we wouldn’t need more dispatchers than we (did when we) added Covington,” said Kenton County Judge-executive Steve Arlinghaus. “The true savings of merging into one dispatch center does not really come about until every city is on board.” More dispatchers will need to be hired and the dispatch building will need to expand if the cities under Erlanger’s 911 center join the county.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Libby Cunningham 
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MAN STABBED AT COVINGTON LANDING OVERNIGHT
Story: WKRC & WCPO 
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GROUND TO BE BROKEN TODAY ON "WORLD CLASS MICRO-BREWERY"
From State Representative Dennis Keene:

Nth Degree Distilling, LLC has announced a groundbreaking ceremony on July 19 at 11:00 AM for a “world class” bourbon micro-distillery that will be located on The Party Source campus. The multi-million dollar construction project will also include an expansion of The Party Source itself, increasing the store’s size by one-third.
The distillery is expected to be a popular tourist attraction, featuring on-site tours and educational programs. Current plans also call for a community space that will serve meetings and private gatherings, including an indoor/oudoor multi-purpose roof garden that can accommodate 150 guests. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2013. 

Nth Degree Distilling Owner/President, Mollie Lewis, sees the distillery as a way to connect to the time-honored traditions that bourbon represents across the state of Kentucky. “The new distillery will allow us to celebrate in our state’s heritage, while producing a world-class product and visitor experience that will only enhance the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region as a travel destination. We’ve done everything possible to ensure that our distillery will be top-notch, from the hiring of Glaserworks as the architects of the distillery, to the securing of industry veteran Larry Ebersold as our master distiller.” 

Ebersold, who previously managed distillery operations at the Pernod Ricard USA distillery Lawrenceburg, is equally as enthused about the potential that Nth Degree Distilling represents to the region. “I’ve been fortunate to have had experience with many world-renown spirit brands, but I’m most excited and honored by the opportunity to bring to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky a new bourbon and distillery that will stand equal to all others in the industry.” 

The distillery construction follows the recently-completed first phase of the project, which involved the removal of the earthen levee on the west side of the store’s parking lot. In its place a more space-efficient concrete flood wall was erected, allowing land to be reclaimed for both construction projects. While the current store is located in Bellevue, all of the new development, including the distillery, will actually sit on the Newport side of the city boundary that borders the store. 

“This Party Source project is going to be a great addition to our city,” said Newport City Manager Thomas Fromme at the start of the levee’s removal last December. “It’s going to generate investment and jobs by reclaiming land that was otherwise unusable. For a city that doesn’t have a lot of undeveloped land available, this is a special opportunity to not only take full advantage of a limited resource, but to also be a part of an exciting project that will enhance our community.” 

The Party Source’s expansion will make it one of the largest off-premise beverage alcohol retail stores in the country, Party Source President Ken Lewis reports. “The additional space will provide much needed room for dramatically expanding our artisan distilled spirits selection, particularly bourbon and rye, as well as craft beer. The expanded store will house a micro-brewery and craft beer bar with 40 taps, as well as a “library bar” of 400+ bourbons and ryes to educate the public.”

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QUICKIES
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Kentucky and federal law enforcement are looking for an "armed & dangerous" ex-Army ranger who fled his rape trial The Los Angeles Times 
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Convicted Kentucky killer who faked death an re-emerged on YouTube is caught in Indiana WKRC 
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Memorial fund for pregnant woman killed in I-471 crash is dried up due to bank error Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Instant racing case goes to Kentucky Supreme Court WFPL 
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Local teacher accused of sex with student speaks out on the Today Show WLWT 
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Report: Region ranks high in metro areas for economic output Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Indiana smokers could be fined $10,000 for flinging cigarettes out of their cars WKRC 
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Field of marijuana found, burned in Logan Co WKYT 
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Did the landlord force a long-time Ft. Thomas jeweler to move his shop to another city? Fort Thomas Matters 
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Electronic medical records education comes to NKU 
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Kentucky rain helps soybeans, but too late for corn Courier-Journal 
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KROGER MAY CHARGE CUSTOMERS MORE FOR USING CREDIT CARDS
Via WKRC:

It could save you money to have cash in your pocket when you go grocery shopping. The New York Times reports Kroger is considering charging you a lower price when you pay with cash or a check, and a higher one if you use a credit card.

From The New York Times:

Under the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, banks had to reduce “swipe fees” that they collect from merchants each time a customer makes a purchase with a debit card. Under the credit-card settlement on Friday, worked out over months of negotiations, merchants can charge higher prices to consumers who decide to pay for their purchases with credit cards.
A customer, for example, who buys a $100 item with a credit card might be charged an additional $2.50. A judge still needs to approve the settlement.
Until now, the card companies banned merchants from adding such a surcharge, although gas stations and other retailers sometimes offered a discount for customers who paid in cash.

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WILL SECRETS AT DUKE ENERGY UNDERCUT EXPECTED CUSTOMER SAVINGS?

That's what a utility regulator in North Carolina wants to know

North Carolina utilities regulators are shedding a rare light on whether secret decisions at Duke Energy might undercut expected consumer savings from its takeover of Progress Energy. The North Carolina Utilities Commission holds a hearing Thursday featuring the Duke Energy CEO ousted within hours of becoming the top executive of the country's largest electric company.

AP via Herald-Leader 
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KENTUCKY TEEN BEAT UP IN WHAT FAMILY CALLS A HATE CRIME
A possible anti-gay attack on a teenage girl in Louisville:

A teen girl is recovering at home after being injured in an attack by a group of adults.  Her family said after talking with police, they believe she's a victim of a hate crime.
It happened early Tuesday morning on Taylor Boulevard near Wyandotte Park.
The girl, who suffered several injuries including a broken jaw was with two younger boys when the attack happened. They said the adults yelled anti-gay slurs at the girl before she was beaten.
"Her jaw is broken in several places and she has to have a plate put in her jaw," said family friend Brenda Hickerson. "She continued describing the 17-year old girl's injuries, "She has teeth knocked out of her mouth and she has scrapes and bruises."

Photos of her injuries as well as a video report are at the link.
WAVE  
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SEE ALSO: More than 100 rally in support of fairness ordinance in Richmond, KY Herald-Leader 

More photos from the event: The Fairness Campaign 

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POSITIVE & NEGATIVE REPORTS ON EDUCATION IN KENTUCKY

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First, the bad news:

Kentucky received an F in one area of higher education on a national report card to the surprise and disappointment of some state education leaders who questioned the results of the analysis. A member of the United States Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday presented its “Leaders and Laggards” report, a state-by-state analysis of the best and worst performers in postsecondary education. The report doled out grades in areas including: student access and success, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, meeting labor market demand and transparency and accountability. Kentucky’s four-year universities scored on the low end of all the categories while its grades for two-year colleges were around the national average.

Full story: cn|2 
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And now the good news:

The improvement of Kentucky students in assessments of reading, math and science in the past 20 years has placed the state in a tie for fifth place in a report from Harvard University.

Full story: WKYT 
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NEW PRINCIPAL NAMED AT NINTH DISTRICT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Scott Shepherd

From Covington Independent Public Schools:

Scott Shepherd has been named principal at Ninth District Elementary School. He comes to Covington from Newport schools where he served as assistant principal at the Intermediate School.

Shepherd also worked in Covington schools at the alternative program. “Covington is an ideal place to come back to,” Mr. Shepherd said. “I wanted to come back to Covington Schools because of the community, the students and the staff.”

Two community events to welcome the new principal will take place on July 24, City Heights, from 5 to 7 p.m., and July 31, Latonia Terrace (Barb Cook Park), 5 to 7 p.m. Residents will not only have the opportunity to meet Shepherd, but they will also learn about opportunities for children, families and residents at Ninth District for the upcoming school year.

“My goal is to get Ninth District back to the top,” Shepherd said. “I plan to establish a culture of universal achievement where all students find success in the classroom and in life.”

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GOODFELLAS PIZZERIA PROFILED IN METROMIX
The new pizza place in Mainstrasse Village gets some buzz:

Huge pizza pies bubbled from behind their glass case and movie stills stared at us from the burnt umber walls while someone from behind the counter took our order.
They have three sizes of pizza, but be forewarned – they’re huge. We ordered a “small” 12-inch pizza for two people, but it was more like a medium. I’m guessing the 22-inch large could’ve fed Marlon Brando alone.
The seven specialty pizzas have cute, gangster names like The Boss, Fuhgetaboutit (with everything on it) and The Immigrant, but you can also do a build-your-own pizza and get pizza by the slice.

Metromix 

Goodfellas Pizzeria (RCN file photo)

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LOL: CVG FOR SALE FOR SAME PRICE AS ONE-WAY TICKET TO NEWARK

Have a laugh:

The Greater Cincinnati International Airport is reportedly for sale, and the price is rumored to be approximately the same as the cost of a one-way ticket from CVG to Newark, NJ. Although the asking price is firm, officials the airport can be purchased for one third of the asking price by simply driving to Louisville.

Read it all at the link: Derf Magazine (Satire)