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Showing posts with label Steve Frank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Steve Frank. Show all posts

Thursday, August 30, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY 30 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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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...

Monday, August 20, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY 20 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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MEET SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TONIGHT
The City Heights public housing community will host candidates at a roundtable forum Monday evening at 5:30PM. A public effort has been made to attract school board candidates to the event, but it is unclear right now whether candidates for other offices will be there.
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WHAT WILL THE NEW POPEYE'S CHICKEN IN MAINSTRASSE LOOK LIKE?
We'll soon know what the plans look like for the Popeye's Chicken that will be opening at the gateway to Mainstrasse Village in a location that has been lethal for every fast food joint that tried to open there. The consistent failures have been an anomaly as the corner of Fifth & Main Streets is one of the busiest in the region. The operators of the planned Popeye's will go before the Urban Design Review Board Monday afternoon. 
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REMEMBER: The space that Popeye's will likely soon fill was the target of an hilarious joke when someone manipulated the sign to read: Coming Soon - Aunt Norma's Bakery & Gunshop - We'll Clean Your Guns While You Eat. Read that story at the link below. 
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DON'T MISS COVINGTON'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE WEEK IN (P)REVIEW
A look back at the busy week that was and a look ahead to the week that will be (including a very busy City Commission meeting) -- all inside The Sunday Edition.
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CITY COMMISSIONER LAUNCHES $2,000 CONTEST FOR IDEAS
Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank has followed through on his plans to award a constituent $2,000 for an idea that could save the city money. He wrote online Sunday:
 I have received many great ideas for my $2,000 for the best idea (s) to save money for Covington that I've decided to keep it open until Friday. Friday evening, voting will begin which I close down Monday Night and announce the winner on Tuesday.
Frank has compiled a list of suggestions from around fifteen people that include suggestions like selling ad space on city vehicles. Check out the full list here.
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QUICKIES
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Kentuckians recall life in fraternity house with Paul Ryan Herald-Leader 
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Sen. McConnell's appearance is a symbol of tea party clout Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Solid South is no longer rigidly Republican or Democratic AP 
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Five federal indictments uncover plan to funnel pills to Eastern Kentucky Herald-Leader 
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KY State Police shoot and kill Frankfort man Herald-Leader 
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UK to study effects of military suicides on those left behind Herald-Leader 
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Lettuce shipped to Kentucky recalled Courier-Journal 
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Great story: Cane was a gift to former slave Herald-Leader 
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"Hug me, Jesus" statue nears completion Courier-Journal  
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Editorial: Monkeying with science education? Courier-Journal 
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Ugly lamps take top prize at state fair Courier-Journal 
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KY CAN KEEP CREDITING GOD FOR HOMELAND SECURITY
The Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to the wording of a law that thanks Almighty God for Kentucky's homeland security:
At issue were two related laws passed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The first was a 2002 “legislative finding” saying the “safety and security of the commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God.”
The second was a 2006 act creating the state’s Office of Homeland Security and requiring its executive director to publicize “dependence on Almighty God” in agency training and educational materials and through a plaque at the entrance to its emergency operations center. The office has done so in years since.
Full story: Courier-Journal 
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MUGSHOT ROUND-UP
The full story on how a local youth leader was busted for a sexual relationship with a 13-year old boy; Plus, who else is going to prison, who got probation, and who's still on the run? Check out the mugshot round-up from a busy week in Kenton Co Court.
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NAVY SEABEES HELP REBUILD SIXTH DISTRICT PLAYGROUND
Over the weekend, the Sixth District School's playground, which was partially destroyed by arson, got some help from the United States Navy...



See a TV news report of the rebuilding here: WLWT 
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SUPERINTENDENT'S MONDAY MORNING MESSAGE
Lynda Jackson, superintendent of Covington Independent Public Schools, has resumed publication of her Monday Morning Message now that school is about to start this week:
KUDOS to all who assisted with our successful first Back to School Kick-off. Special thanks to Kay McConnell, Betty Brefeld and the MANY Student Support Services staff that put together the bags and paperwork for the day. Special thanks also to Susan Durstock and her team for having the campus look excellent and for restocking water and cleaning up throughout the day. All school tables looked great and provided excellent information for our families.
More at the link: Lynda Jackson 
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MORE QUICKIES
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Why cities should subsidize marathons, not sports stadiums Alex Abound 
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Did Cincinnati blow its shot at marketing itself during the televised portion of its big tennis tournament? Urban Cincy 
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President to states (including Kentucky): Use your transportation dollars or lose them Click Here 
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KY gets $17 million for roads projects WKYT 
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LET'S CHECK OUT TAYLOR MILL ROAD CONSTRUCTION
South Covington/Taylor Mill traffic must be a mess these days. These pics were snapped on Saturday:







New stop light at Taylor Mill & Old Taylor Mill Rds.

Old Taylor Mill blocked off
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COVINGTON GETS LENGTHY PROFILE IN LOUISVILLE PAPER
The Courier-Journal had a lengthy feature about Kentucky's newly designated Cultural Districts (Covington was named one of the five back in February) and our city got quite a mention, though it does focus on some of the failures of the efforts at establishing an Arts District:
But instead of unifying the group, Bowers said, she saw these meetings usually digress into “a who-is-funding-who discussion.” She also realized that funding that the city had thought would come to support the project dried up as the economy declined.
It seemed as though Florida’s ideas, which many pundits and economists have since widely criticized, had failed in Covington, as had the model the city was using, which Bowers described as a “top-down” approach.
But the city’s project didn’t die, in large part, Bowers said, because it became involved in a Kentucky Arts Council program that’s still in its infancy and designed help communities build arts districts that unify cultural organizations and help boost local economies. Bowers said the program has given arts and cultural groups a “common purpose” and strong motivation not only to keep its meetings focused but also to look at collaborating on a host of efforts to put the city’s arts and culture on strong footing as an economic driver in the city.
Full story: Courier-Journal/Elizabeth Kramer 
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RELATED: The Covington City Commission will have a first reading of an ordinance to rid the City of its arts district zoning at Tuesday's meeting. 
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BUT ART LIVES ON IN COVINGTON! Art Off Pike returns in September...
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SPORTS
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Holy Cross Football assistant coach jumps from plane.
From the video's description:
Holy Cross football Coach Ryan Ware jumps out of a perfectly good plane as part of the lead up to the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown
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Check out video from the Indians' victory Friday night over Dayton here 
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Who's to blame for UK Football's recent woes? The recruiting class of 2009... Kentucky Sports Radio 
| If Joker Phillips gets fired from UK Football, would the school hire disgraced Bobby Petrino? Clarion Ledger 
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5 key games for UK Basketball next season Bleacher Report 
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UPDATE: The kitten that was abused by some jerk with a golf club continues to recover WKYT 
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COVINGTON RESIDENT HELPS NURSE BABY SQUIRRELS
Lisa Placke, of South Covington, shared these photos that she and her friends took while in Perry Park, KY over the weekend. Placke reports that three baby squirrels fell thirty feet from a tree with one of them dying on impact. The other two are being nursed with baby formula and will taken home to recover before being released back in the wild in Perry Park.
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                       HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 15 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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ATTORNEY REACTS TO SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL ELECTION DEMAND
First, check out Tuesday's exclusive coverage of this story: Crowded Field to Seek 3 Seats on Covington School Board 
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Brandon Voleker, the attorney representing Mark Young in his quest to put a special election on November's ballot to fill the vacant seat on the Covington School Board, had this to say about the events:
Mr. Young has retained me to have the Clerk accept his nominating petition for the unexpired term of Denise Varney, who resigned August 2, 2012, mandating a special election this year. I have called County Attorney Garry Edmondson and advised of the clerk's refusal to accept the petition, but Mr. Young did file nonetheless, leaving his petition and filing fee with the clerk. I am unsure why Covington did not advise of the special election for the unexpired term, other than to not allow the electorate to have a vote.
School Board candidate Everett Dameron, who is running in the regularly scheduled election for one of three open seats, also weighed in with a similar charge that the district misled the public:
This entire matter that Mr. Young has brought up is very interesting. I made an inquiry about a special election for the seat vacated by Mrs.Varney by phone to the Kentucky Department of Education legal department and in person at the Kenton County Clerk's office on Thursday August 9th and I was told by both that there would not be a special election. At the school board meeting held that evening, in response to a question regarding the vacant seat by a member of the public (Superintendent) Mrs. (Lynda) Jackson said that the position would be filled by appointment by the Commissioner of Education and there would be a legal ad in the paper on the next day. That ad was run as stated in the Kentucky Enquirer, giving notice that the appointment would be made by the Commissioner of Education and that applications would be accepted until August 24, 2012. Thus I and others were misinformed and denied the opportunity to file for the special election for the vacant seat.
A request for comment from the Covington School Board's attorney, Mary Ann Stewart, has been made.
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CURRENT COMMISSIONER IN ONLINE SCUFFLE WITH FORMER COMMISSIONER

One of the most entertaining websites in all the land is the Facebook page of Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank who enjoys a lengthy comment thread from time to time. Over the weekend, Frank stirred up some heated debate by posting a photo of the fire department's response to a small fire in Wallace Woods. "8 pieces of apparatus, big emergency?," Frank wrote as the caption. Then Covington firefighters and Commissioner Frank engaged in another one of their online back-and-forths, but things took a fresher turn when Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, a former Covington City Commissioner, weighed in:
Before making judgements about the response, you have to know how the call was dispatched. What it turned out to be is really beside the point. If it was dispatched as a house fire, you need that many trucks to get enough firefighters to the scene since Cov only staffs 1-3 firefighters per truck. Did it turn out to be overkill? Maybe, but the dispatchers control it, not the firefighters. The expenses are in the trucks, which are already purchased, and the firefighters, who are paid by the hour, not per run. Argue budgets all you want but give CFD some credit for being professionals. They were still protecting the rest of the city. I'm sure if another emergency arose all but one truck would leave this call and go to the next. Do we really need them to hurry back to the station to wait for the next call?! If they did that everyone would just complain that they don't do any work and spend all day in the recliners.
Now, the thread continues, four days after it originally started. Frank charged at Sanders:
Rob, we are simply talking past one another. If you had done your job properly while on city Commission, we wouldn't be facing the problems we have. Now the adults have to clean up the mess. Frankly, I do learn by asking pointed questions.Sometimes I even change my mind. Right now, what i am gathering from this and other interactions is that one department in the City can't handle any criticism and resists rather than embraces any change. Well i can tell you that its not just me. Right now its 5-0 for change on the commission.
Sanders replied:
So now you resort to insulting my service on Commission. Not surprised. I'm not the least bit ashamed of my service. Did we fix the whole city? Obviously not. I served one term. How many have you served? Is the city fixed yet?! Obviously not. I guess you're just as big of a failure as I was. So much for "the adults cleaning up the mess."
You can read the whole thread by clicking here.
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
"Until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington." City officials react to Brent Spence bridge changes; Plus, KY legislators want creationism taught alongside evolution in public schools. Those stories and more at the link!
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ANYBODY UP FOR THIS JOB?
Window washers spotted Tuesday at the RiverCenter Towers.
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QUICKIES
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Missing Kentucky woman possibly found buried in backyard freezer NY Daily News 
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Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati to start hiring WKRC 
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Sen. Rand Paul introduces amendment to abolish the TSA press release 
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Sen. Rand Paul believes the government is preparing for civil unrest LEO Weekly 

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State officials teach proper treatment of HIV/AIDS WKYT 

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Kentucky firefighters on way to Idaho to help WKYT 
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NKU grad students help at-risk teens NKU 
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Richmond City Council hears from others on its proposed fairness ordinance Herald-Leader 
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Anti-bullying program begins in Harlan Schools WKYT 

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Pat Barry returns to WLWT, at least temporarily Cincinnati Enquirer 
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LEXINGTON BOY WITH RARE AGING DISEASE TO START KINDERGARTEN

A 5-year old in Lexington afflicted by the rare rapid-aging disease progeria is slated to start school:
When Zach removes his hat, one student looks at him, puzzled. "What is that on his head?" he asks, looking at the prominent network of veins. But since heads vary on most people anyway, he quickly forgets the matter and runs off to play. The first weeks of school, Martin said, will include lessons on how each student is special.
Full story with photos and video at the link: Herald-Leader 
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WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL KENTON COUNTY STUDENTS!
A special welcome back to the kids at Taylor Mill Elementary, Woodland Middle School, and Scott High School who are all back in the classroom today.
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AND IT LOOKS LIKE THESE KIDS WILL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LUNCH:

Via WKRC:


Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/14/2299020/lexington-child-with-rare-aging.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cp

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COVINGTON INDEPENDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL NEXT WEDNESDAY...
Via CIPS Facebook page:
The first day of school for Covington Independent Public Schools is Wednesday, August 22. For school supply lists, dress codes, school lunch menus, transportation schedules and forms for transportation and lunch, click here.
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MEET THE TEACHERS TONIGHT AT SIXTH DISTRICT & LATONIA
According to the Sixth District Facebook page the event is from 4:30PM - 6:30PM:
Come by and sign up for our school's wonderfully active PTA, register your child for the district's after-school Fitness Rocks program, and then visit with your child's teacher in their classroom. We're inviting students with last names A-M from 4:30pm-5:30pm, and students with last names N-Z from 5:30pm-6:30pm. However, if those times are not convenient for you, then you may come anytime between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
The CIPS website also indicates that Latonia Elementary's open house is today, also from 4:30PM - 6:30PM.
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SEE ALSO: Kentucky spending little to none on textbooks WLEX 
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TWO SURVEYS FOR FOLKS IN LATONIA

First, the West Latonia Neighborhood Association:
It has been 5 years since the West Latonia Neighborhood Association (WLNA) was established and at that time attendees to the meetings were asked to complete two (2) questionnaires describing what they felt were 1) Issues and/or Problems in the neighborhood; and 2) list Goals or Positive Ideas/Items for or about the neighborhood. This was done to help guide the initial activities of the association in order to be effective and represent the concerns of the residents. At this 5-year point, we felt that it would be appropriate to ask our neighbors to complete this process again to make sure that we were proceeding the way that West Latonia residents felt would best serve their needs and interests.
The Executive Committee of the West Latonia Neighborhood Association would appreciate it if you would consider taking a few minutes to either complete this process for the first time or repeat it if you were among those who helped us get started 5 years ago. Some additional questions are asked in this survey in order that we may try to be more purposeful in our efforts.
For the survey, click here.
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The Latonia Business Association also has some questions:
Please complete this survey to help us know your favorite places in Latonia! The top winner in each of the three categories will receive a prize. The survey will be open through September 7. Winners will be chosen after the close of the survey and announced at the September 19th Latonia Business Association meeting.
For that survey, click here.
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ENJOYING THE FALL-LIKE WEATHER? WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?
With autumn mercifully approaching, let's check in with Jerod Theobald, owner of flow - a shop for men on Scott Boulevard, to see what's hot as the temperatures cool:
Bright and bold colors are in this season. Brick red, steel blue, and deep plum are the heavy hitters this fall and should be paired accordingly with classic shades of camel, brown, charcoal, and black. For those of you not brave enough to wear a patterned sweater or solid chinos in a bold color, follow the trend by adding a pocket square or polka dot tie in a bright shade. Still too much? Throw on a pair of patterned or striped socks from Richer Poorer and flash some color only when you feel the urge to do so.
Read more from Jerod and then get down to his shop to get your autumn look: Cincinnati Profile 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY EVENING 14 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
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COVINGTON OFFICIALS RESPOND TO BRENT SPENCE CHANGES
The City of Covington raised its voice and was heard in regards to desired changes for the Brent Spence Bridge project which originally intended to remove northbound I-75 access to the City's Fifth Street access among other concerns whenever the new bridge should be built. News arrived this week that a new design was adopted with Covington's changes in place. "Covington keeps its Fourth and Fifth Street exit from Ohio as well as new direct access to Main Street/Mainstrasse via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge hooked on the interstate," City Commissioner Steve Frank wrote at The River City News Facebook page, calling the news a "shameless victory". "This will bring more business to Mainstrasse and allow us to put the IRS in a tower and redevelop our large riverfront. We needed the Clay Wade Bailey to enable this extra traffic. That is what the fight with Cincinnati was about over bringing their streetcar to Covington via the Clay Wade Bailey. We could have a streetcar or keep our existing Southbank Shuttle and begin plans on an exciting new riverfront."
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"Additionally, until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington. Now there should begin to be progress on the economic front, economy willing."
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City Manager Larry Klein agreed. "I think it certainly bodes well for existing businesses and for any new business in the future, especially along the riverfront and RiverCenter," Klein said Tuesday. "For existing businesses, it didn't matter if that bridge is built in two or ten years, it means there will be a northbound exit so they don't start making decisions to move."
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Klein credits the city-wide effort to urge transportation officials on both sides of the river to consider Covington's needs. In addition to city leaders, members of Congress and the US Senate, Frankfort legislators, leaders from surrounding cities and counties, civic and neighborhood groups, the people of Covington joined in the fight. "I think that's what won the day," Klein said. 
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A celebrating City Commissioner Shawn Masters also posted on RCN's Facebook. "We are the C-O-V," he said. "It's high time we leave the negativity behind and let's start selling the hell out of this City. Onward and upward!"
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Meanwhile... The Facebook page called Build Our New Bridge Now sent out this photo today to remind folks of the congestion and the need for a new bridge NOW:

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DECISION REACHED ON HOW TO PAY FOR CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH
The Kenton County Fiscal Court deadlicked again on Tuesday morning on paying for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center through a $6 fee on all Duke Energy bills. Following the 2-2 vote, the second time a tie locked up the fiscal court on this issue, the Judge-Executive and County Commissioners voted to assess the charge to property owners:
Property tax bills in Kenton County will go up by $85 per year to pay for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch system, replacing the 911 fee on telephone landlines. Kenton County Fiscal Court voted Tuesday to impose the new fee in January, to replace the monthly dispatch service fee on telephone landlines, which an average of 3 to 4 percent of users have been phasing out each year.
Covington's dispatch center is slated to close around the end of this month or early September.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder  
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EXCLUSIVE
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SPECIAL ELECTION MAY BE NECESSARY TO FILL SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
A bizarre turn of events shaped the filing deadline for candidates intending to run for the Covington School Board. With three of five seats up for grabs in November, ten candidates have filed for the race. However, an eleventh candidate showed up to file but not to compete against the ten. Mark Young believes that the Denise Varney's seat, which is now open because of her resignation earlier this month but was not slated for election again until 2014, has to be filled through a special election and not an appointment as originally planned. Read the full story at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for school boards across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for city offices across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY MORNING'S NEWS

Downtown Covington bank robbed, suspect flees, jumps from bridge to his death; Covington's outrage over Fifth Street exit scored a big change in Brent Spence plans!; Plus, on a list of bets places to live in the future, how does KY fare?
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KY REPUBLICANS QUESTION THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION
The debate over evolution versus creationism in Kentucky classrooms has arrived:
"I would hope that creationism is presented as a theory in the classroom, in a science classroom, alongside evolution," Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, said Tuesday in an interview.
The new requirements — college-readiness testing, end-of-course exams and more national norms — are part of Senate Bill 1, a 2009 bill developed and pushed by Senate Republicans to marry Kentucky's testing program to national standards for better comparisons of student success.
"Republicans did want the end-of-course tests tied to national norms, now they're upset because when ACT surveyed biology professors across the nation, they said students have to have a thorough knowledge of evolution to do well in college biology courses," said Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, chairman of the House Education Committee.
Full story: Herald-Leader/Linda Blackford 
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QUICKIES
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Police ID suspected Covington bank robber that jumped to his death from Clay Wade Bailey Bridge WKRC 
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Out-of-state anti-abortion activists file to run in KY elections, including the 4th Congressional race here in NKY WLWT 
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Federal judge: KY's liquor laws are unfair to grocery stores Business First 
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Gov. Beshear makes appointments to alcohol law task force, including State Rep. Dennis Keene Bluegrass Politics 
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Republican state senator expresses support for medical marijuana in Kentucky cn|2 
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Police find 150 marijuana plants in Jessamine Co WKYT 

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9 die on KY roadways last week KSP 
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KY State Police looking for teen drivers for program KSP 
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CVG adds candy store to Concourse B Business Courier 
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More reaction to the death of the Governor's Chief of Staff, including from State Senator Damon Thayer cn|2 
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Survey finds fewer affordable homes available WLWT 
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Dish Network could cut WSTR/Star 64 from your line-up; Hear from both sides: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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GM recalls big vans WPSD 
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NY harness track to buy interest in Ellis Park Herald-Leader 
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American Idol auditions to come to Bowling Green Friday WBKO 
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Tubby Smith's contract at Minnesota on par with nation's best because of his time at Kentucky FOX Sports 
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KENTUCKY HEADLINE OF THE DAY...
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Man arrested on tractor for DUI WPSD 

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