NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 16 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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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...

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY MORNING 23 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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HOT AND HUMID TODAY...SO HEAD DOWN TO PIECK'S AND GET AXILLA!

Last week at The River City News Facebook page this photo was shared:

Click to enlarge

Refreshing, delightful! It's awesome that they would disguise the deodorant in an unmarked bag so as not to cause embarrassment. At the bottom of the ad, you can see that this Axilla product is available at E.L. Pieck, 537 Main Street in Covington. So, who was E.L. Pieck? From Kentucky: A History of the State (1887):

E. L. PIECK was born in Covington, Ky., February 14, 1859, and is a son of E. L. and Wilhelmina (Gede) Pieck. E. L. Pieck, Sr., was born in Koenigsberg, near Berlin, Germany, October 26, 1822. He came to the United States about 1851, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, but was engaged in manufacturing furniture at the time of his death, which was in 1868. His wife was born in Griefswald, Germany. They had eight children, three of whom are now living: Paulina, who married a Mr. Hauser, and had three children: Frank, Edward and Charley; and Charles G., who was born May 20, 1861, was educated at the best schools in Covington, and graduated at the College of Pharmacy, Cincinnati, in 1883. He is now clerking in the drug store with his brother. E. L. Pieck received a good education, and in 1872 commenced to clerk in a drug store, where he remained until 1876. He then attended two full courses of lectures in pharmacy in Cincinnati, and in 1878 passed an examination before the State board of Louisville, Ky. At the time of this examination he was the youngest registered pharmacist in the State of Kentucky, being only eighteen years of age. He at once opened a drug and apothecary store, in which he as since been actively engaged. A representative house in the drug trade of Covington is that Mr. Pieck, who established himself in business in 1878, and moved to his new location in October, 1885. Mr. Pieck ranks high in his profession. He and his brother are very attentive and polite to their patrons, and are thoroughly equal to any emergency, both as to the pure and refined stock of drugs and medicines, and by their personal qualifications to prepare prescriptions, which they are ready to do at any hour, day or night, and at very reasonable prices. Mr. Pieck carries a full line of drugs, chemicals, family medicines, toilet articles, perfumery and cigars, and everything usually to be had at a first-class drug store. He has a large trade in the city and surrounding districts. He is a member of the Kentucky Pharmaceutical Association and also the American. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, and politically he is a Democrat.

Pieck operated his drugstore in the building that is now home to Dee Felice Cafe. To see what it looked like it Pieck's day, click here: NKY Views. For some interior photos of the establishment, click here: Kenton Co Library Faces & Places.

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COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO HELP REBUILD SCHOOL PLAY

Even the United States Navy is joining the effort to rebuild the playground at Covington's Sixth District School. For the full story (and lots of photos) on the effort to replace the scorched playground, click the link.

Full story: The River City News 

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THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF COVINGTON

Don't miss the week in review and the preview of the coming week... It's all inside The Sunday Edition, the most comprehensive look at the week that was and the week that will be in Covington.

The RC News: The Sunday (Evening) Edition 

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COVINGTON YOUTH COMMISSION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

From the Center for Great Neighborhoods:

The Covington Youth Commission is now accepting applications for 2012-2013!!

The CYC is a great way to build those resumes for college – at least six CYC youth have gotten community service scholarships to college!!

The application for the next Covington Youth Commission (CYC) is now available! The CYC is entering its sixth year and is looking for youth entering the 9th through 12th grades who are interested in giving backto their community. Youth can LIVE or GO TO SCHOOL in Covington. Youth Commission members serve two-year terms. A kick-off retreat will be held for accepted youth on July 31.

Sponsored by the City of Covington and the Center for Great Neighborhoods, members of the Covington Youth Commission:--plan and organize service projects and positive events for youth;--get regular input from youth about issues facing the community; and,--promote youth civic involvement, including administering a mini-grants program. Youth groups will be able to apply for small grants (up to $500) to implement projects they are interested in.

For more information, visit The Center for Great Neighborhoods or call Jenni Miller-Francis at 859.866.7522.

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QUICKIES

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Omnicare's departure from Covington helps put a bite in Cincinnati's office vacancies Business Courier

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Files provide unprecedented look at child abuse in Kentucky Herald-Leader 

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Inmate says he had to escape to get medical care Herald-Leader 

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New CVG CEO "making her connection" Cincinnati Enquirer 

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New distillery in Newport will bring Bourbon Trail to Northern Kentucky Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Man electrocuted while trying to steal copper from Big Lots in Cumberland WKYT 

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Employees locked in Lexington Burger King freezer during robbery WKYT 

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FLYNTS: PORN BUSINESS IS NOW A FAMILY FEUD

Pornography magnates and Kentucky natives Larry & Jimmy Flynt still don't get along, don't speak, and are still entangled in legal disputes according to this latest interview in the Cincinnati Enquirer:

Jimmy Flynt and his sons have so far lost at every turn, with Larry successfully arguing they can’t use the family name or the Hustler brand to sell adult products. Jimmy also lost a bid for a share of the Hustler company, but he’s appealing that ruling. Jimmy, 64, of Florence, now owns two stores of his own, “Jimmy Flynt Sexy Gifts” in Florence and downtown Cincinnati.

Full interview: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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HERE'S SOMETHING COOL: NOSTALGIC ROAD SIGNS
The City of Hamilton, Ohio (about halfway between Cincinnati & Dayton and very similar to Covington in a lot of ways) has a cool idea as it designates Ohio State Route 4 as an "Iconic Signage District":

As part of the City of Hamilton’s commitment of creating a “Sense of Place” in the community, the Route 4 Corridor has been designated as an “Iconic Signage District.” The “Iconic Signage District” designation allows for more flexibility and incentives to encourage businesses to use 1950s style retro, and neon lights.

The intent of this designation is to recognize the auto orientation of the corridor and to allow businesses leeway in how they can get their message out to potential consumers. By allowing iconic or “retro” signage throughout this district there will be numerous benefits, several of which include:

• Differentiation – this type of program will set Hamilton’s Route 4 apart from other corridors in the area;
• Forward Thinking – by looking back and allowing business owners to hearken back to signs or messaging from days gone by;
• Investment – reinvestment back into the Route 4 corridor – one of the major north south corridors throughout the region;
• Cohesiveness – allows for bringing the district together without imposing an artificial sense of unity;
• Perception – Hamilton is “Open for Business”.

Wade Swormstedt, the 4th-generation publisher/editor of Cincinnati-based Signs of the Times magazine, emphasizes the above points. “So many city officials seem to believe that the on-premise sign (which is positioned with the business it identifies), does nothing more than identify the tenant. The enlightened City of Hamilton understands that the on-premise sign does so much more. It creates an identity; it serves as branding that creates critical first impressions; it’s the most cost-effective form of advertising. And on a heavily traveled road like State Route 4, this is critical because of the constant ‘impulse’ purchases that occur, which means the motorist didn’t get in the vehicle specifically to make such a purchase, but decided to do so after having seen the sign. For businesses such as restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores and entertainment venues, impulse buys can represent as much as 50% of all sales.”

Gayle Underwood of Richards Pizza, who recently relocated their restaurant along the Route 4 Corridor, is excited about the program. She says, “Anything that we can do to portray the Route 4 Corridor as a unique destination and drive business at the same time is a win-win for the community.”

Check out the brochure: Click Here (PDF)
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POSTCARD FROM ARIZONA IS FULL OF COINCIDENCE IN KENTUCKY
From our friends at The Kaintuckeean, who got a letter from a man in Arizona:

I sure hope this letter brightens your day.
I was at an antique store here and found this old circa 1939 picture of your beautiful courthouse. How the card got to Arizona we'll never know.
It's an old time classic, for sure. I thought to myself, by golly, I'd send it home where it can be appreciated. Our heritage is valuable to all of us. Lots of changes over the years, I'm sure. Enlarged it will make quite a display.
Well, I gave 6.00 for it so if you want it for 7.00 or 8.00 or so why that's sure o.k. Throw in a little postage if you want, too.
And my wife says if I hear from you I'll have to take her to lunch. I am eighty-four years old and still going strong.
I like to call my littly hobby, "A re-distribution of happiness." Our world sure needs it.

There was a twist of irony in the receiving of this letter, however. Read about it here: The Kaintuckeean 
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JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS
The Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center is hiring for 3 part-time positions: a sales associate, and instructors of performing arts Click Here 
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Riverside Korean is also hiring servers. Call 859.291.1484 and ask for Mark.
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COVINGTON FOOD PANTRY COULD USE A BOOST
The food pantry on Madison Avenue at the Senior Services of Northern Kentucky could use your help:

Food Pantry Alert!  Thank you to all for your generous donations of food, your help is feeding more seniors than ever in NKY. We are now in need of health and hygiene products.SSNK needs:Body WashDeoderantToothbrushesMens Disposable RazorsMouthwashToothpasteCanned ChickenPeanut ButterPlease bring items to SSNK's main office at 1032 Madison Ave. Covington, KY 41011 or call 859.291.0522 for more information!

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NKU STUDENTS SHOW HUMOR WITH NEW FACEBOOK PAGE
The internet "meme" has caught on at Northern Kentucky University. Here are a couple:

For more, follow the students on Facebook: NKU Memes 

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HEY LADIES, WANT TO BE IN A PRODUCTION OF THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES?

Here's your chance, as directed by Fort Thomas resident Donna Hoffman:

• 7 actresses and 7 female musicians are needed
• Age range is from 18 to 90 years old
• All races, vocal ranges, shapes and sizes
• 1 needs lots of hair, 1 with believable southern accent, 1 with believable New York accent
• Go to the First Unitarian Church, 536 Linton Street, in Cincinnati on July 26 starting at 7:00PM
• Rehearsals would start August 1 with performances on Sept 21 & 22 at the church
• Call Donna Hoffman at 859.441.6882 for more info

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AWW... GO GET YERSELF ONE!

Available right now at the Kenton County Animal Shelter. See more: Click Here 

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 20 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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WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR CITY? CHECK ITS VITALS

"Want to change the nation? Start with your city. Want to change your city? Check your city vitals." Former Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fischer, President of CEOs for Cities, co-writes this op-ed:

Mayors and urban leaders across the country are asking, "What will it take for my city to prosper in this new economy?" CEOs for Cities, a national organization of cross-sector, cross-generational urban leaders, surveyed the landscape and concluded that the future belongs to those cities and regions who are able to frame their opportunities and challenges by first assessing their vital signs -- critical information that benchmarks their economic performance. Just as the medical profession looks at four vital signs to assess a human's health, so too must we identify and assess the key vitals that determine the economic health and vitality of cities.
(snip)In our new report, City Vitals 2.0, we have developed a four part formula to help city leaders benchmark their economic performance. Using more than two dozen different indicators, we show how cities need to focus on four vital signs: building connections, increasing innovation, improving talent, and capitalizing on your city's distinctiveness. C-I-T-Y: Connections, Innovation, Talent, Your Distinctiveness spells out the genetic code for formulating city economic success in the new economy.

Read it all, even though it kind of turns into an ad for their City Vitals report: Huffington Post
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COME TOGETHER AND HELP REBUILD SIXTH DISTRICT PLAYGROUND
The community needs you Saturday as Sixth District School and its partners (such as Gateway College) begin the work of rebuilding its playground that was scorched on June 24. Everyone can give something: time, ideas, resources, and money. To raise some cash, there will be an event at the school (1901 Maryland Ave in Austinburg) on Saturday from 11:00AM - 2:00PM. Some ways money will be raised: City Commissioner Steve Casper and Covington Independent Public Schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson will be in a dunking booth and for two bucks you can take a few shots at them. You can adopt a plant for $2, $5, or $10. Volunteers from Seven Hills Church will be there to help sand the area around what is left of the playground equipment. By the way, Lowe's will match what is raised up to $5,000. Get down there and help out!

(Original story with photos: Fire destroys playground at Covington School)

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CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP
Who's not going to have a good weekend? The people at the link. Check out who's going to prison, who got probation, and who's on the loose in this week's mugshot round-up from Kenton Co Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, at the link.

The RC News: Mugshot Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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GOP tax plan would cost $29 billion more than the Democrats' plan The Hill 

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College Republican doubles-down on his Super PAC that plans to influence the NKY Congressional race Sunlight Foundation 

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WLWT/Channel 5 is back on cable as Time Warner/Insight reaches a deal with Hearst Broadcasting press release 

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This is now the worst drought in the Midwest in 50 years MSNBC 

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PHOTOS: The drought of 2012 Washington Post 

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Bank of Kentucky reports profits jump Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Editorial: State Government puts high priority on child welfare State-Journal 

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Editorial: Joining expanded Medicaid would be beneficial to Kentucky State-Journal 

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LET'S CLEAR UP SOME MYTHS ABOUT CANNABIS

After last week's terrbily misleading editorial in the State-Journal, Frankfort's newspaper, the director of Kentucky Veterans for Medical Marijuana responds:

Aside from the American family, the one big loser in the prohibition of cannabis has been the truth. The fact that cannabis is illegal and the ramifications of even admitting you smoke it could jeopardize your employment, your standing in the community, your entire life. All of this, while the agents of misinformation spread their lies. 

As a young airman I smoked cannabis while serving in Thailand. I found it to be something other than what I had thought it would be but nothing as harmful as I had heard. Back then there was so much misinformation. Over the years I have smoked off and on but it wasn’t until I met Gatewood Galbraith back in 1990 that I realized just how much I had been lied to.

The problem over those years is no one could speak up. No one dared to, except a handful of activists and over a period of 18 months things changed. The genie was out of the bottle and all the establishment could say is, “It’s a gateway drug.” By then that argument didn’t hold water and since then no one has been able to come up with a good enough reason for the prohibition. It’s as if they have been afraid of the debate, running from it from the president on down.

Read it all: State-Journal 

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DON'T MISS THURSDAY EVENING'S NEWS

If you've ever wanted to own your own priestly wardrobe, altar, or Eucharist plate, now's your chance, thanks to Mother of God; A KY girl's "Make A Wish" trip to Disney is denied by her own father; Plus, six new homes, part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, hit the Covington market -- and you can check them out. Those stories and more at the link!

The RC News: Thursday Evening Round-Up 

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WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND IN AND AROUND COVINGTON

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Friday

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Friday Night Flick in Taylor Mill's Pride Park:

Santa Claus will be here on Friday evening at Pride Park to celebrate Christmas in July between the hours of 7 pm and 9 pm. Please stay after your visit and enjoy our Friday Night Flick - Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, rated G - and a family dinner from our tasty grilled concessions menu.

More info: Click Here
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The Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center hosts the 20th annual Colored Pencil International Exhibition:  

More than 100 color pencil works will fill The Carnegie's galleries as part of the Colored Pencil Society of America's (CPSA) 20th Annual International Exhibition.
This exhibition features work from dozens of artists that explores the myriad expressive aspects of color pencil, highlighting its versatility and multifaceted uses.
CPSA sponsors the International Exhibition in a different US city each year in conjunction with a four-day convention with workshops, an awards banquet and artists' reception. This year's Meet the Artists Reception will be held Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, from 4 to 6 p.m.

More details: Click Here 

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Saint Benedict's Festival in Austinburg features fish dinners on Friday and chicken dinners on Saturday, plus a kiddie arcade and lots of games and raffles (338 East 17th Street).

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Saturday

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What's going on this week at the Madison Theater? Click Here 

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Beast Bash: A celebration of pets and their people

Get over to Pioneer Park (3950 Madison Pike) for this event from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. It features a dogs pool party, an animal communicator, pet contests, and much more. 

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TV star Meredith Baxter talks to The River City News publisher

The first-ever CNKY Scene GLBT Film Festival kicks is this weekend in Cincinnati with several great films lined up for presentation. The special guest is Mereditch Baxter who you may remember as the mom on TV's Family Ties and who narrates a documentary being shown at the festival about a raid on a gay bar in Fort Worth, Texas. On Saturday, Baxter will be at the festival for a question and answer session following the film and I am thrilled to have been asked to moderate the discussion. Catch us at Know Theatre on Jackson Street on Over-the-Rhine starting at 7:00PM. -Michael Monks

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 22 JUNE

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROPOSALS COULD CALL FOR FASTER COMPLETION

On the other side of the river, multiple companies will make presentations to the Hamilton County Commission: 

Next Wednesday, foreign and domestic bridge-building companies will make presentations to Hamilton Co. Commissioner Todd Portune and the Transportation Improvement District that will describe how to pay for a new bridge and how they can get it done more quickly.
"Theoretically, we could get the project started with all things in place as early as 2014," Portune said.
To Covington's city manager, that time reference has a nice ring to it.
Larry Klein said that in a few weeks, he believes the ramp access concerns his city has will be settled favorably by Kentucky transportation leaders.
"We welcome anything as a region that gets that bridge project done sooner than later," Klein said. 

Full story: WLWT
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At The River City News Facebook page Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank offered an optimistic note about Covington's desired changes to the Brent Spence project: 

There seems to be good news on that front. It seems likely that we will keep our fourth and fifth street exits, have a direct exit to fifth street coming from the South and have the Clay Wade Bailey exit. Still in play is the second chance exit. 

UPDATE: Frank adds at 9:41AM: 

Meeting coming up in mid July. Early buzz sounds good for most of our desires. Still some finer points need to be ironed out along with at least one major contention.

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IMAGINE... HIGH SPEED RAIL FROM KENTUCKY TO GEORGIA

It's apparently possible. From the Florida Times-Union:

Running high-speed, passenger rail lines between Atlanta and Jacksonville, Louisville and Birmingham is economically feasible, according to a consultant's study presented Wednesday to the State Transportation Board.
The Jacksonville line should be built in two phases, first to Savannah, and then to the Northeast Florida city, consultant HNTB recommended in its study. Possible stations along the route would include Griffin, Macon, Savannah and Brunswick. The feasibility study was the first of many long steps in setting the final course of the train routes and securing funding.

Via WFPL 

Check out the full Powerpoint presentation by clicking here (PDF)

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In other traffic news...

The City of Taylor Mill reminds commuters: 

The KY 16 NB entrance ramp to I-275 EB is currently closed for reconstruction. KY 16 is also reduced to one lane in each direction between the I-275 overpass and Old Taylor Mill Road. Traffic is being detoured to I-275 WB to Exit 80 (KY 17) and back onto I-275 EB. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has advised that this ramp is scheduled to reopen on Monday, June 25th. Please travel safely. 

 

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SEE ALSO: Kentucky Speedway confident in new traffic plan Cincinnati Enquirer 

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BRANDING COVINGTON AND MAKING IT GREENER

"Covington never had grand green space Downtown". How our city can (and must) catch up with its neighbors in terms of green space and branding -- at the link. 

The Greening & Branding of Covington Explored at Luncheon 

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HOW COMMUNITY COLLEGES STIR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Why is the Gateway College urban campus such a priority for Covington? Because it can be an important catalyst for further growth Downtown. In other news... A KY couple's home is burglarized while they are away at their murdered son's funeral; Plus, why 134,000 Kentucky families will split $15.3 million. Click the link for those stories and more in Thursday evening's round-up. 

The RC News: Thursday Evening Round-Up 

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WHAT TO DO IN COVINGTON THIS WEEKEND?

Another great Covington weekend is shaping up. RoeblingFest, Covington Quest, a big yard sale, and much more. For all the details, click the link below and scroll to the bottom of the post!

The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up/Weekend Preview 

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QUICKIES

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Kentucky cracking down on drinking & boating this weekend WKYT 

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Kentucky State Rep to push for charter schools again in 2013 cn|2 

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Newspaper rips KY legislature for approving too many ceremonial resolutions without accomplishing much of anything significant: 

But let’s not dwell on the past. Looking ahead to future sessions, how about this for a resolution both the House and Senate could approve?“Whereas, as Kentucky is a cash-starved state, one with insufficient tax receipts coming through an obsolete tax system and whereas, continuing budget cuts for the past five years have not solved the problem and in fact have eroded basic services government should provide, and whereas, the state falls further behind each year in funding programs such as education and social services, be it hereby resolved that we as Kentucky’s elected members of the General Assembly, will stop shirking from our chief obligation and take steps to reform our tax system and produce budgets in future years that don’t kick our citizens to the curb.”

Hear, hear!

Courier-Journal 

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Kentucky parents can apply for state-based student loans WKYT 

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State human rights commission rules on 12 discrimination complaints Courier-Journal 

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NKY TOUTED AS EXAMPLE OF TOURISM IMPACT

As the Commonwealth figures out how to better promote its Tourism Act, officials are looking to NKY for evidence of success: 

“What you see in Northern Kentucky, specifically with Newport, is the huge multiplier effect,” Rose said. “We have a lot of revitalization that’s going on in Newport with the riverfront, Main Street, a lot of mom and pop businesses coming up. So even though Newport Aquarium and the Levee are the main drivers in our industry ... there’s a significant amount of other businesses that have benefited from that.” 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
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You know what else is a tourism gem? Natural Bridge: 

To get a glimpse of what the state parks have to offer, I, along with my more outdoor-savvy boyfriend, visited Natural Bridge State Park in Powell County park for two days and nights, and I can safely say that whether you are looking for an action-packed trip or a relaxing getaway, this park has something for you. From rock-climbing at Red River Gorge to lounging by the lodge pool, the wide variety of activities offered will please the whole family. 

Check out the full report at the link.
Kentucky Forward/Jill Seelmeyer 
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HALF PRICE ADOPTIONS THIS WEEKEND AT KENTON CO ANIMAL SHELTER

 For contact info, check out the KCAS on Facebook here. 

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TAKE A MOMENT TO VOTE FOR GATEWAY COLLEGE IN THE BUSINESS COURIER'S "SOCIAL MADNESS" COMPETITION Click Here