360 Fireworks Party

360 Fireworks Party
Showing posts with label Traffic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Traffic. Show all posts

Monday, August 27, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 27 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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L&L DRY CLEANERS BUILDING DEMOLISHED
Following Sunday's devastating fire, the L&L Dry Cleaners building where the Landrum family had operated its business since 1947, was demolished. Yesterday, code enforcement officials decided it would be best to take the building down since its structural integrity had been so badly compromised. Calling the building "unstable", acting Covington Fire Chief Dan Mathew said that any investigation would be difficult because of the severity of the damage. "It's not safe enough to truly discover where the fire started and it's not worth risking a life for," Mathew said. Though Covington Police were first on the scene responding to an intrusion alarm, Mathew believes that alarm sounded because the flames had cause windows to burst. Firefighters are still working on their individual reports about the fire.




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RELATED: Traffic is moving again on this stretch of Twelfth Street. Also, while taking these photos, I ran into WKRC reporter Joe Webb who was on the scene for a live shot and he told me that owner Paul "Butch" Landrum was able to salvage the business's sign and that if insurance allows for it he will reopen his business in a newly constructed building at this site. For Joe Webb's report: WKRC
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You can find links to the original story about the L&L Dry Cleaners fire as well as 100 photos from the several-hour fire battle in the Monday Morning Round-Up below.
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DON'T MISS MONDAY MORNING'S NEWS
Readers share their photos from Sunday's devastating fire at L&L Dry Cleaners; Sen. Paul says we could learn from Canada on how to get a new bridge faster; Plus, why the NKY tea party has turned its focus toward the Covington School Board.
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QUICKIES
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State Senator Damon Thayer (R) criticized by Democratic state representative for outburst from audience member that suggested President Obama was born in Kenya cn|2 
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Sen. Rand Paul implies that President Obama would rather support the South African Constitution LEO Weekly 
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Kentuckian will announce state delegate totals at Republican National Convention WFPL 
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Gov. Beshear is in Newport Monday night for State Rep. Dennis Keene fundraiser Facebook 
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Judge stops ex-Toyota worker from leaving country Herald-Leader 
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Gov. Beshear orders flags at state buildings at half staff for fallen Ft. Campbell soldier press release 
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Company to expand in Kenton County Business Courier 
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Restaurateur Jeff Ruby to announce reward in Stacy Peterson disappearance Cincinnati Enquirer   
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5 die on Kentucky roadways last week KSP 
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First Lady Jane Beshear, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer launch Ready, Set, Grow initiative press release 
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George Clooney aids President Obama with fundraiser in Geneva WKYT 
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NKY FAMILIES FEEL EFFECT OF HEROIN THROUGH LOSS OF LOVED ONES
Heroin is a drug that affects more than its users:
“He borrowed my car and left to go out with a friend,” Goetz said. “He said ‘I love you mom, I’ll be back later.’” But, Dietz never came back. The 30-year-old was found dead in a parking lot in his mother’s car a few days later after overdosing on heroin.
Bill Mark, director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, said that heroin accounts for 63 percent of arrests in Northern Kentucky, with the region leading the state in heroin-related arrests.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Amanda Joering 
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Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders weighed in on this very issue in Monday morning's mugshot round-up. 
Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders calls heroin a plague and says many other crimes in our area are caused by addicts looking for drug money. An interview with Sanders, as well as your weekly mugshot round-up -- at the link.
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CHARGES OF RACISM AT LOUISVILLE ATTRACTION SPARK DISCUSSION
Louisville's Fourth Street Live is one of that city's highlights, but allegations of discrimination there have led activists to plan a forum:
Community activist Theresa Boyd says residents need to address this long-standing issue locally now. “This issue of racial inequality or discrimination at Fourth Street is not a new issue. It’s an issue that’s always been there and seemingly continues to be there," said Boyd.
Boyd and her activist group Connected Voices organized Tuesday’s forum. She says the purpose is to give the community a chance to voice any frustrations minorities and others may have had with Fourth Street Live.
Full story: WFPL 
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DANGEROUS INTERSECTION COULD BE IMPROVED SOON
More roadwork coming to the South Covington/Taylor Mill/Independence area:
Improvements may be coming soon to the intersection of Fowler Creek and Senour Road. According to Nancy Wood, spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6, which oversees state roadways, an upcoming meeting between local and state transportation employees could result in funding for improvements.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Amy Scalf 
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PRINCE OF PEACE SCHOOLS SWITCHES TO ALL-MONTESSORI
The Catholic School on Pike Street is going all-in with its Montessori education efforts:
Prince of Peace began as a traditional school for grades 1-8 in 1986. It added its first Montessori classroom for children ages 6-9 in 1999, and had Montessori at all grade levels by 2005. Due to budget constraints and the success of the Montessori program, the school started to phase out the traditional side a couple of years ago.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle
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HOLMES BAND PUBLISHES YOUTUBE "WEBISODE"
Check it out:

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RENAISSANCE COVINGTON HONORS LONGTIME PRESIDENT
Last Thursday August 23, 2012, proclaimed Barney Stengle Day in the City of Covington, the Board of Renaissance Covington said thank you to Barney as he termed out after 3 years as President and 6 years on the Board. Barney has been a terrific leader and will be greatly missed!
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 16 AUGUST


THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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IRAQIS IN KENTUCKY LINKED TO ATTACK ZONE
An Iraqi refugee living in Kentucky may have supplied materials for roadside bombs used to kill American soldiers in Iraq:
Mohanad Shareef Hammadi, 24, is scheduled for trial Aug. 28, but not in connection with the battlefield deaths of six Pennsylvania National Guardsmen seven years ago. Instead, Hammadi and another Iraqi refugee living in Kentucky, 30-year-old Waad Ramadan Alwan, were charged with trying to send weapons and cash back to al-Qaida in Iraq after they came to the U.S. Alwan has pleaded guilty.
Full story: Associated Press
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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
An awful KY man breaks a kitten's legs with a golf club (but you can help the kitty); A Covington Police Officer wins an "Officer of the Year" honor; Plus, a Covington real estate agent's unique approach to selling homes has him writing songs about the listings and posting them to YouTube.The RC News: Wednesday Evening Round-Up 
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QUICKIES
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India contract a big deal but won't save Appalachian coal WFPL 
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First seasonal flu cases are found in Kentucky WKYT 
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One of Kentucky's top chefs is indicted for drug trafficking Courier-Journal 
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Kentucky doctors say pill bill is hurting legitimate patients Bluegrass Politics 
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Gov. Beshear pays respects to Chief of Staff Herald-Leader 
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A new proposal is on the table to reopen Kentucky Kingdom amusement park Courier-Journal 
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Video shows Pulaski County Sheriff's depunty's close call with bear WKYT:
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STRONG GROWTH IN KENTUCKY'S PRODUCE MARKET
A new study from the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture finds strong growth in the Commonwealth's produce sector:
...which are likely to exceed a record-breaking $33 million in 2012.

“In terms of some of the production and marketing activity, produce seemed to take a little bit of a backseat (for awhile), but now it seems to be going through a renaissance,” said Tim Woods, agricultural economics extension professor and the principal investigator on the “2012 Kentucky Produce Planting and Marketing Intensions Grower Survey and Outlook.”
Full story: Kentucky Forward 
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THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
There is one:
The size of the creative class is "positively and significantly associated with the total of establishment growth in a region, the number of new opened establishments and the expansion of existing establishments," they find. Furthermore, they write that “regions of all sizes primarily experience growth through the creation of new establishments, and that growth is always, significantly, and positively associated with regional creative employment.”
Second, it finds that certain occupations are more important than others when it comes to entrepreneurship. Two in particular are closely related to entrepreneurship at the regional level — management and arts, design, media and entertainment. Indeed, they find that arts, design, media and entertainment occupations are “pretty consistently and strongly related to regional entrepreneurship levels.” Rather than being a product of economic development, as some contend, the study finds that arts, design, media and entertainment function “can be a driver of creativity and entrepreneurship across a region."
Full story: The Atlantic Cities 
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IS YOUR PHONE HELPING GOOGLE MAP TRAFFIC CONDITIONS?
Probably:
This collection and sharing of locational information is the basis behind the traffic-tracking layer on Google Maps. By combining all those devices' location points and detecting the speeds at which they're moving, Google is able to infer how quickly traffic is moving on major streets and highways. Originally launched in 2008, it can be a really useful layer of urban information, representing real-time conditions.
Full story: The Atlantic Cities 
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RANKING THE STATES
Kentucky scores some mixed marks on several new national surveys. Take a look at this map:
All of those states highlighted are among the most... "boring" in America. At the link, find surveys that rate Kentucky among the most obese but also among the cheapest places to live. Oh, and look at this one:
In spite of all our flaws, we still manage to be included among those with the highest amount of "state pride".
Full story: No Upside 
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LOOK AT THESE DARLING ANIMALS AVAILABLE AT THE KENTON CO SHELTER

SEE MORE: The Kenton Co Animal Shelter 
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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN COVINGTON!
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Thursday through Sunday...
The US 25 Yard Sale. For details, click here.
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Friday
The Sweett Biscut Comedy Extravaganza (at Newport Syndicate)
For more info, click here.
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Yes You Can at the Covington Farmers Market Saturday
Learn how to do "canning" at the Covington Farmers Market.
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Saturday - Keep Covington Beautiful event
Learn about storm drain marking...
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Thursday, July 19, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 19 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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(NOTE: Some troubling formatting errors have reemerged Thursday night, so apologies for some clunkiness in the way some of this post is laid out. It is being looked at now.)
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COVINGTON'S RENOVATED HOMES TO OPEN FOR TOUR
From a City of Covington news release:
The City of Covington along with its partners, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Huff Realty, Sibcy Cline, Coldwell Banker West Shell and Century 21, proudly invite you to tour 5 of its newly renovated and constructed homes in the 900 block of Banklick Street and Berry Street in Covington. An Open House tour will be hosted by the Realtor Partners on Thursday, July 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. These 5 homes are near completion and are ready for purchase.

As part of a grant from the Kentucky Department for Local Government for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), the City of Covington was able to take 14 home sites, restore them, and offer them for sale to qualifying buyers. Three of the sites are new construction while the remaining 11 are full restorations. To date, one home has been sold and two more are under contract.

The NSP program offers potential homebuyers financial incentives that include paid closing costs, sizable grants, and half of the down payment. Buyers must meet income guidelines to qualify for the program. Information on the program can be found at www.makecovingtonhome.com or by calling the City of Covington Community Development Department at 859-292-2147.

Please join us for this Open House event to experience these exciting new homes and discover the quality construction, convenient location and positive impact this project has given the City of Covington. Refreshments will be provided.
Homes on the tour include 304 Berry ($145,000), 908 Banklick ($122,000/Pending), 912 Banklick ($174,000), 914 Banklick ($174,000), 916 Banklick ($175,000), and 902 Banklick ($210,000/Under Contract). 
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The River City News produced this video for the realtors to help promote the NSP homes for sale. Check out the great deals!
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NOW FOR THE NEWS...
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HOMELESS MAN ARRESTED FOR STABBING OTHER HOMELESS MAN
A fight between homeless men led to the stabbing early Thursday morning at Covington Landing. Police have arrested Nicholas Howard, 33, and charged him with first degree assault and tampering with evidence. The stabbing victim, David Abrams 49, is recovering at University Hospital in Cincinnati and is expected to survive. 
Nicholas Howard
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Another tragedy involves a homeless man...
The body found in Banklick Creek has been identified:
On Thursday, Fort Wright police say they'd learned the man was Paul Sloan. He was homeless and police say they believe he died of natural causes.
Full story: WKRC 
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MAYOR, CITY MANAGER REACT TO FIRE CHIEF'S RETIREMENT
"I am sorry to see him leave," said Mayor Chuck Scheper. City leaders react to the announced retirement of Covington's Fire Chief. Details at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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In case you missed, only The River City News spoke with Chief Chuck Norris about his impending retirement. For that story, click the link below.
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SEE ALSO: New Facebook group created to support keeping the Covington Fire Department and EMS in tact Facebook
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS
The fire chief isn't the only high-ranking official in town to announce his planned retirement this week; Kroger may soon charge you more if you use a credit card; A KY teen is badly beaten in possible anti-gay attack; Plus, Groundbreaking on a micro-brewery in Newport today. Go on and click it.
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REPOST: PHOTOS OF STORM DAMAGE IN COVINGTON NEIGHBORHOODS
Wind & lightning wreak tree havoc in Covington damaging homes, cars, and Linden Grove Cemetery. Tons of pics at the link. Click the link below. 
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SEE ALSO: A Kentucky weather siren is repaired after it was zapped by lightning WKYT 
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QUICKIES
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Insurance agent wanted in Kenton Co, accused of stealing $500,000 WKRC 
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Woman pulled from Ohio River alive six hours after jumping from bridge Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Mountaintop removal coal is mostly exported WFPL 
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Mitt Romney will send representative to Kentucky's Fancy Farm WFPL 
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Suspect arrested after overdosing on bath salts and falling through hospital ceiling without pants on WKYT 
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POLITICS
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CHARGE OF ANARCHY EMERGES IN NKY CONGRESSIONAL RACE
Dramatic developments in the race for Kentucky's Fourth Congressional District seat. First, the Kentucky-based executive director of a Texas-based Super PAC that bolstered Republican nominiee Thomas Massie past his GOP rivals, faced a DUI charge this week:
Preston Bates, 23, the executive director of Liberty for All, refused to give a corrections officer any personal information other than his name and then said that he was an “anarchist” when he was arrested last July near the University of Louisville. According to the arrest report, Bates pulled up to a residence on Bellamy Place at 3 a.m. July 3, 2011, but when he couldn’t get into the residence, Bates backed his car into an iron fence.
| Meanwhile, the founder of the Super PAC says he stands by Bates:
“Preston made a mistake and has taken full responsibility for his actions. I believe now, as I did when I hired him, that Preston is dedicated to our organization’s efforts to advance the economic and personal freedoms that have made our country the greatest nation on earth,” Ramsey said in the statement. “One might say, after all, that the greatest benefit of a society built on freedom is the ability to learn from the things we wish we’d done differently.”
Full story: cn|2 
| Massie's Democratic rival, Williamstown attorney Bill Adkins has jumped on the issue:
“I call upon Tom Massie to disavow the Ron Paul/Texas Liberty for All SuperPAC Tell them to leave Kentucky and stay out of this race for Congress,” says Bill Adkins. The Texas SuperPAC is currently operating out of a storefront in Bellevue, Kentucky. “Liberty for All and its leaders are far out of touch with the values of Kentuckians in the 4th District. Their executive director is a confirmed anarchist. Anarchists do not believe in any authority, anarchists have no respect for government and anarchists often use violent means to achieve their goals. Their positions are un-American.”
Full statement: Bill Adkins 
| SEE ALSO: Because Thomas Massie quit his job as Lewis County Judge-Executive after less than two years in order to focus on his race for Congress, Governor Beshear appointed a new J-E today press release  | KY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDS STEADY AT 8.2% From a state news release:
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate in June 2012 held at 8.2 percent for the second straight month, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The preliminary June 2012 jobless rate was 1.4 percentage points below the 9.6 percent rate recorded for the state in June 2011. The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate also remained at 8.2 percent from May 2012 to June 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. In June 2012, Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,068,524, an increase of 2,622 individuals compared to the previous month. “We continue to be on a growth path,” said economist Manoj Shanker of the OET. “We have added more than 4,000 jobs for two months in a row. Job growth continues to outstrip the number of people entering the job market, helping to keep down the unemployment rate.”
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MAYORS: ECONOMY IS GROWING BUT WE WANT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE
According to the Washington Post article, the economies of the nation's cities are on the rebound but the state and federal governments must start paying more attention to infrastructure in order for the fragile growth to continue:
The report, prepared by HIS Global Insight, forecasts that 300 of the country’s 363 metropolitan areas will experience real economic growth by the end of the year. The total gross metropolitan product grew by 1.7 percent last year and expanded in 267 metropolitan areas; this year, the report predicts, the average growth of all 363 areas will be just below 1.8 percent. (snip) But mayors attending the conference’s summer meeting in Philadelphia pleaded with federal and state governments, as well as both presidential candidates, to increase the amount of funding for infrastructure — including roads, bridges, water and sewer systems and other transportation investments. Public spending on infrastructure in the United States has fallen to 2.4 percent of the gross domestic product, the group said, something that needs to be increased in order for growth to continue.
Full story: Washington Post 
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WHERE STATE TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS GO:
From the Atlantic Cities:
Transportation funding is complex. Literally trillions of dollars are constantly at work or on the boards for one thing or another. The type of spending ranges from building overpasses to laying light rail tracks to painting those white-line bicycle riders on the asphalt in bike lanes. And so much more. Trying to define exactly where every transportation dollar in the U.S. goes is probably more effort than it's worth. Understanding generally where that money goes, however, is both doable and informative. A new report has tracked the spending priorities of each state, as laid out in their state transportation improvement programs (STIP).
Full analysis: The Atlantic Cities 
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SEE ALSO: The percentage of Americans who thinkt he country is headed in the right direction is now the highest that it has been in two years Politico 
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KY SPENT $1.29 BILLION ON BUSINESS INCENTIVES FROM 2001-10
The state spent more than $1.2 billion on economic development incentives with no real measure for their effectiveness:
The 577 companies that took incentives reported creating 55,173 jobs in the state from 2001 to 2010, more than two-thirds of them in the manufacturing sector. The gross cost per job was $23,385, according to the report by Anderson Economic Group of Chicago. (snip) Testifying Thursday, senior consultant Caroline Sallee said her firm's findings had gaps. It's impossible to know how many jobs would have been created anyway if the state hadn't offered incentives, she said. And it's hard to say, when considering the total cost of incentives, what the state simultaneously gained from those jobs through taxes it collected from workers and the money they spent in their communities, she said.
The full story indicates that Kentucky still lags its neighbors in business development but there are some bright spots. Click it. Herald-Leader/John Cheves 
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TASK FORCE TO REVIEW STATE'S ALCOHOL LAWS
Covington's state representative, Arnold Simpson was in the news recently for his push to allow liquor sales while polls are open on election day, and now the Governor has ordered a review of Kentucky's alcohol laws:
“Many groups, including licensees, state regulators, law enforcement and private citizens have called for statutory reform of our alcoholic beverage laws. They agree that Kentucky’s current laws do not adequately account for a 21st-century economy and standard of law,” Beshear said in a statement. “A task force that includes members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and professions is best suited to identify the problems, debate policy and make recommendations for improvements.” Beshear noted that Kentucky has more than 13,000 licenses issued to manufacturers, distributors and retailers for alcoholic beverages. There are more than 70 different license types to regulate those operations, he said, adding that these businesses not only generate millions of dollars for the Kentucky economy every year but also attract tourists.
Herald-Leader 
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MORE QUICKIES
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NKY Health Dept says there were 11 new cases of whooping cough reported this week, and calls it an outbreak Twitter 
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NKAPC looks for new land management software Building Cincinnati 
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Editorial: Cincinnati, don't apologize! Cincinnati Enquirer 
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For 3CDC the work is never done in Downtown Cincinnati Business Courier 
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TRAFFIC ALERT: 
From the City of Taylor Mill:
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet contacted us today and indicated that the Old Taylor Mill Road and Taylor Creek Subdivision Closures originally planned for 9:30 am on Friday morning will now not occur until 10:00 am on Saturday morning. Please note all road closures are anticipated to last through October 31, 2012.
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DAD DENIES DAUGHTER'S MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION TRIP TO DISNEY
A 4-year old Kentucky girl who has completed leukemia treatments will not get to go to Disney World because her father thinks other kids should:
The Sentinel-Tribune in Bowling Green reports McKenna May of Haskins completed treatment for leukemia but couldn't go to Disney because both parents had to agree. William May of Toledo says he thinks trips should go to sick children in more dire circumstances than his daughter. A Make-A-Wish official says the girl's treatment struggles qualified her for a wish.
Full story: WKYT
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THE POINT/ARC IN COVINGTON OPENS SCREEN PRINTING BUSINESS
The new business will help fund the agency:
The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky serves area residents who are developmentally disabled. Brian Harper, of Covington, along with John Foppe of Alexandria, have known each other for years through the Special Olympics. They decided to ask The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky to join in on this business venture.
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SPORTS
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UK Football coach Joker Phillips talks about being on the hot seat Herald-Leader 
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Zippy Chippy, the "losingest" race horse, makes friends in retirement Herald-Leader
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MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH AUCTIONING OFF ITEMS
From the Mother of God:
Check out the Everything But The House website. There are several items from Mother of God Church up for auction. A large number of those items can be found under the category "religious" at the following link. Bidding ends Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 at 4:00PM ET.
So what are some of the items up for grabs? Take a look:
$60-65
Lot of priest's liturgical garments, including three modern amice vestments (one in white linen [Christmas, Easter, Feast Day use], one violet linen [Advent and Lenten use], and one red synthetic fiber [with a Pentecostal motif]), as well as six various stoles, all in synthetic fibers, most with cross designs, one with a Eucharistic wheat and grapevine motif. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky.Condition: Good, some general wear, a few light stains, etc.   |
Currently $18-20
Pair of simple vintage, 1960's or 70's light natural oak finish Prie Dieux, or kneelers, with veneer arm rests and vinyl covered keen rests. Simple in design, with a shelf for prayer books, simple tapered lines. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky. Condition: Good, have some age and use consistent wear, a few nicks and chips, etc. |
Right now: $10-12
Lot of three Eucharistic patens, as well as a chalice cover, in silver plate and brass tone metal. Includes an oval paten and two round pieces, each with pierced metal handles. Two of the handles have the "IHS" motif. The chalice coveris in gold tone metal with a stylized heart and cross motif , with a corss finial. From the collections of Mother of God Church, in Covington, Kentucky. Condition: Good, general wear from use.
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Check out all the items at the link below:
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NEW STUDY FINDS AMERICANS NEED 6 HOURS OF SLEEP AT WORK
LOL:
"Millions of people are staying up way too late at work," said endocrinologist Hannah Presnall, adding that in order for the body to function properly, workers should arrive at their job, check and send e-mails for two to three hours, and be asleep by 11:30 a.m. at the latest.
Full story: The Onion (Satire)
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 18 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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by Michael Monks 
Email Michael
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COVINGTON FIRE CHIEF CHUCK NORRIS TO RETIRE AT END OF JULY
The River City News has been informed by multiple sources that Covington Fire Chief Chuck Norris will retire at the end of July, a move that will likely be voted upon at next Tuesday meeting of the City Commission. More details to come.
Norris was named chief on a permanent basis last July.
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TAKE A TOUR OF COVINGTON'S MUTUAL INSURANCE BUILDING
Want a take a look inside one of Covington's most prominent buildings? It's mostly vacant now but the Mutual Building once housed a bank, a Jewelry store, two diners, and of course, the Mutual Insurance Company. What will it house in its next phase of life? Click the link for photos and some historical tidbits.
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS
The City schedules public input sessions to discuss plans for reorganization at City Hall and possible budget cuts; "Lively learning" at Holmes Middle School applauded by state; Governor creates Kentucky's health exchange as part of federal health care reform; Plus, adorable video of the new baby cheetah at the Cincinnati Zoo (why it had to be raised by hand, and not by its mother). Those stories and more at the link!
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PLANNING FOR AN AGING POPULATION IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY
The Northern Kentucky Forum hosts a discussion tonight about the region's readiness to deal with an aging population:
Is our community ready for the Baby Boomers as they leave behind their youth and become senior citizens? The Northern Kentucky Forum will examine that question at our next public dialogue, Planning for an Aging Population, on Wednesday, July 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Edgewood Senior Center, 550 Freedom Park Drive, Edgewood, Ky. The Forum is free and we invite to come and bring a friend, young or old, to join the conversation on the important questions associated with this topic: Is our medical system ready? Our nursing homes? Our public infrastructure? Our support systems? We also invite you take our poll in (take it now, before the event) at www.nkyforum.org. It will just take five minutes or less. Ask your neighbors, family and co-workers to take it as well.
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More details: Click Here 
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TRAFFIC ALERT: TAYLOR MILL ROAD
From the City of Taylor Mill:
Please be advised that Old Taylor Mill Road will be closed from Millstream Road to the vicinity of Sandmann Drive to all thru traffic in order to allow for the Taylor Mill Road Reconstruction Project to move forward beginning at 9:30 am on this FRIDAY, JULY 20th. Traffic entering and departing from the Taylor Creek Subdivision will be diverted thru a set of temporary roads that have been constructed with ingress and egress beginning at the intersection of Sandmann Drive and Old Taylor Mill Road. Please be on the look out for changes in traffic patterns that will be noted by a variety of signs posted throughout the community indicating routes of Detour. These closures will be in effective until on or about October 31, 2012.  For more information please sign up to receive our electronic newsletter at www.taylormillky.gov or contact the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at 859.341.2700. Thank you.
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KENTUCKY DEBATES TAX OVERHAUL -- AGAIN
The Pew Center paints a pessimistic picture for the Commonwealth as it attempts to reform its tax system:
Most of the focus in Kentucky for the last decade has been on one major problem: The state’s tax revenue hasn’t been keeping up with growth in the economy. Many observers expect the trend to continue in the years ahead, leaving the state with a structural deficit that will make it impossible to afford the services it has offered in the past. 
Kentucky’s situation is noteworthy not because it is unusual, but instead because it is typical. Like many states, Kentucky’s tax code is poorly positioned to keep up with today’s economic and demographic trends, such as the shift to more consumer spending on services instead of tangible goods. 
Even when lawmakers agree on the basic contours of the problem, they rarely act. Recommendations of tax reform commissions in Vermont and South Carolina leading into the 2011 legislative sessions, for example — much the like the commission in Kentucky — haven't resulted in changes. 
In Kentucky and elsewhere, the biggest obstacle is politics. Since 2000, the Kentucky Senate has been controlled by Republicans, while the House of Representatives has been controlled by Democrats. No one has come up with a proposal yet that could win approval in both houses. Finding such a proposal is the most difficult job the new commission faces.
Full story: Pew Center  

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KY CHAMBER PUSHES FOR "RIGHT TO WORK", EXPANDED GAMBLING
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce released a 36-page "Ready for Jobs" report that takes aim at tax reform and labor unions, urging change in the structure of some business taxes, approving caps on medical malpractice lawsuits, increasing the health care contributions paid by state workers, and approving an anti-union "right to work" law. Also:
The report goes on to say that more widespread employment is the answer.
“Along with a paycheck that will increase income and improve living conditions, a good job includes insurance coverage that can improve health. a good job also reduces reliance on state programs such as Medicaid, which is growing almost three times faster than the overall state budget,” it concludes.
And the report says “quality education is the key to a good job and a stronger future for individual Kentuckians and the state as a whole.”
The “Ready for Jobs?” report notes that K-12 education funding has increased 33 percent over the last 14 years and public colleges and universities have increased by 6.7 percent — far less than the rate of increase of the state’s general fund overall (nearly 50 percent) and the corrections department (65.5 percent), Medicaid he alth coverage for the poor and disabled (123 percent) and public employee health insurance (202 percent).
Read this: cn|2/Ryan Alessi 
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KENTUCKY PRIVATE SECTOR WORKING GROUP: GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS
From a news release:
Embracing the "Getting Business Back in Business" concept, Kentucky's Private Sector Working Group (PSWG) concluded a two-day workshop recently held in Somerset, July 9-10. 
Led by Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), the meeting drew dozens of representatives from private sector organizations and associations from across the state and local communities. The meeting was held at The Center for Rural Development and Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Preparedness -Technology, Analysis and Coordination Center (P-TAC). The discussion at the meeting centered on mutual aid, resource management, recovery, emerging technologies and the concept of the Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center (VBEOC). (VBEOC is a virtual system concept integrating the private sector into response efforts during an emergency.) 
KYEM Director John Heltzel told the workshop attendees, "Government recognizes the crucial role the private sector plays in emergency response and recovery. Kentucky Emergency Management continues to build from lessons learned from past disasters, and shared exercises, and have utilized our private sector partners many times, as recent as the March 2, tornado outbreak."

He concluded by saying, "Having you as partners with the State is invaluable, having the PSWG sitting in the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center during a disaster makes for a much faster and better coordinated effort!"
Kentucky's PSWG has been recognized as a model project and has been invited to present at a variety of conferences across the country to include; the National Emergency Management Association National Conference in Austin, TX where the model was identified as a national best-practice, National BEOC Conference in Bentonville, AK, Kentucky Hospital Association Leadership Meeting, Kentucky Association of Energy Coops Meeting, Southern Agriculture and Animal Disaster Response Alliance Conference in Atlanta, GA, National Private Sector Summit in Daytona, FL, and FEMA's Region 4 Strategic National Stockpile Summit. 
Mike Dossett, KYEM Private Sector Program Coordinator, said, "In order to strengthen disaster and emergency response and recovery capabilities, KYEM highly encourages all communities to engage and embrace their private sector partners. It is a proven fact when a disaster occurs, the sooner the private sector is up and operating the sooner a community returns to normal. Thus our motto: 'Getting Business Back in Business!' "
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QUICKIES
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Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire stirs sobering memories for comic Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Churchill Downs applies for Nevada poker license Herald-Leader 
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KY environmentalists' report targets power plants Herald-Leader 
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Popular Democrat and former state auditor Crit Luallen says she will not challenge Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2014 WFPL 
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National pundits Bill Kristol and Paul Begala talk Presidential politics at Kentucky Chamber event WFPL 
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TLC orders Pete Rose reality series Cincinnati Enquirer 
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HAPPY FOURTH BIRTHDAY TO BARD'S BURGERS
The popular Latonia burger joint turns four years old and starting today, they've added deep fried pickles and Oreo milkshakes to its already decadent and guilt-ridden menu which also features this behemoth:
Find Bard's Burgers at 3620 Decoursey Avenue in Latonia.
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MORE PARENTS OPTING TO HAVE THEIR KIDS "SCHOOL-HOMED"
LOL:
According to a report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Education, an increasing number of American parents are choosing to have their children raised at school rather than at home. 
Deputy Education Secretary Anthony W. Miller said that many parents who school-home find U.S. households to be frightening, overwhelming environments for their children, and feel that they are just not conducive to producing well-rounded members of society. 
Thousands of mothers and fathers polled in the study also believe that those running American homes cannot be trusted to keep their kids safe. 
"Every year more parents are finding that their homes are not equipped to instill the right values in their children," Miller said. "When it comes to important life skills such as proper nutrition, safe sex, and even basic socialization, a growing number of mothers and fathers think it's better to rely on educators to guide and nurture their kids."
Have a laugh and read the rest: The Onion 
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