NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 15 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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COUNTY CLERK CALLS SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL SCHOOL BOARD SEAT

Mark Young

Mark Young will be the only candidate on the ballot in a special election to fill the Covington School Board seat vacated by Denise Varney August 2. While Covington Independent Public Schools and its Board were anticipating an appointment to fulfill the remaining two years of Varney's term, Young cited a state statute that requires a special election if more than a year is left in the term. Brandon Voelker, the attorney representing Young, tells The River City News that he spoke with Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summer Wednesday and was assured that Young will appear on the November ballot. Voelker had threatened to sue on Young's behalf had the special election been denied. The special election will happen the same day as the regular elections, November 6. Expect more on this story.

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Read the full story on this issue from yesterday and also see who the 10 candidates are running for the 3 open seats: The River City News 

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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY MORNING'S NEWS!

Attorney weighs in on demand for special school board election while another candidate believes the school district misled the public; City Commissioner in online scuffle with County Prosecutor; Plus, a Covington shop owner gets your wardrobe ready for fall.

The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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Kentucky coal industry says exports could be its future WFPL 

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Coincidentally, a $7 billion deal was signed with Kentucky coal producers and India today press release 

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Lawmakers angry over lack of communication involving health insurance exchange WFPL 

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Lt. Gov. Abramson says not to expect big changes from special tax commission WFPL 

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Sec. of State Grimes compares voter ID laws to Jim Crow laws WFPL 

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Someone has created a fake Facebook account representing Democratic Congressional candidate Bill Adkins forcing the candidate to issue this message:

Please be advised that someone has created a page and used my name and image to pose as me to post inappropriate comments on this page. I have deleted those comments and banned that page/individual from posting here.

The fake page used a racial slur on its own timeline.
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Regulators order Duke Energy, Progress to disclose details of deal Courier-Journal 
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Former UK basketball player Michael Porter indicted on charges of sodomy, sexual abuse Herald-Leader 
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Video captures tractor thief in the act Herald-Leader 
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BEWARE: There is a peepin' Tom on the loose in Ft. Wright and he's wearing a "Scream" mask WKRC 
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Louisville's rising temperatures may require more trees WFPL 
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AWFUL: MAN BREAKS KITTEN'S LEGS WITH GOLF CLUB
Jerk. Via WKYT:

Alexander rescued the kitten late Monday in Richmond. Two teens witnessed a neighbor throwing the 3-month old kitten against a concrete wall. They say they then saw the man take a golf club to its front legs. "There's no telling what this little guy went through that night," Alexander said. "I think he's been through enough and deserves to be saved."

Full story with video and info on how to help: WKYT
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KENTUCKY FARMERS DISCOVER THE LUCRATIVE SWEET POTATO
Yum:

Small-scale tobacco farmers in eastern Kentucky looking for alternatives to tobacco are discovering that an easy, often profitable transition lies in sweet potatoes. With relatively low input and capital costs and a short learning curve, they are able to earn gross returns of up to $7,000 per acre, mostly through local sales, according to Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE).

Full story: Lane Report 
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COVINGTON POLICE OFFICER HONORED
From the Covington Police Department:

Congratulations to Specialist James Miskanin. He was awarded Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer of the Year on June 21, 2012. Excellent work!

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COVINGTON QUICKIES

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Realtors present check to Housing Opportunities of NKY Facebook 

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NKU takes on UK in Division I soccer action Friday Click Here 

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NKU sponsors contest for students to win parking space for whole semester Click Here 

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Fence posts go up at the Mainstrasse Community Garden:

Photo via Noah Kidd.

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COVINGTON REALTOR WRITES SONG ABOUT PROPERTIES

Covington-based real estate agent Neil Blunt can pick a mean guitar, man. In fact, that's his schtick when it comes to finding a unique way to get attention to his listings. Here's Blunt's latest music video to help move a house, this one in Newport's Historic East Row:

Love it.

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COVINGTON BIKE SWAG

Photo via @OnlyInCovington 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 9 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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COVINGTON ROAD PROJECTS GET FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH OKI

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) today announced $85 million in federal funding to support 33 area road projects including two in Covington:

The funds were allocated through three federal programs: the Surface Transportation Program  (STP), Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Program for  Northern Kentucky (SNK). Funding was exclusive to Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky.

(snip)
“These projects play an important role in revitalizing our region and enhancing the quality of life for our citizens,” said OKI Executive Director Mark Policinski. “OKI continues to  move projects  forward to help relieve stress from our congested roadways and provide transportation options to  save citizens time and money, attract commerce and improve our environment.” 

Covington projects on the list include:

• $441,000 for the Caroline Underpass reconstruction from 34th Street to 26th Street in Latonia
• $631,000 for Latonia Avenue construction from Madison Avenue to Southern Avenue and Southern Avenue to Latonia Avenue up to Grace
• $1.2 million to replace 4 TANK buses with bike racks, security cameras, and wheelchair lifts

Other NKY projects include improvements to Carothers Road in Newport. For the full list and information: OKI  

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KENTUCKY RANKS FIRST IN TOXIC AIR POLLUTION FROM POWER PLANTS

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Fund shines an unflattering light on the Commonwealth's air:

Maybe I’ve been watching way too much TV from London over the last few days, but it occurs to me that if they held a power plant pollution Olympics and states “won” medals for being home to the most toxic emissions, the gold, silver and bronze would go to Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Source: NRDC Switchboard
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More:

This year's analysis also found that toxic pollution declined by 19 percent compared to 2009 levels, which includes a 4 percent decrease in mercury emissions. In part, the reduction is due to some power companies' decision to invest in pollution controls before the standards come into effect, in essence getting a head start on the reductions. The EPA estimates that these reductions will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths; 130,000 asthma attacks; 5,700 hospital visits; 4,700 heart attacks; and 2,800 cases of chronic bronchitis annually. The public health improvements will save between $37 billion and $90 billion in health costs, and prevent up to 540,000 missed work or "sick" days each year.

Full story with link to full report: NRDC
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Analysis:

Even though 92 percent of Kentucky’s power comes from burning coal, the 92 percent of elected Kentucky public servants are dead set on keeping that number right where it is. 

Why? Because the mining and burning of coal is totally safe, of course. No water contamination, no asthma, no cancer. You just flip that switch in the room and the lights come on, thanks to the coal industry — which you may never question, ever, or else you hate people from Appalachia. Our governor and legislature have things totally under control, so don’t worry about it.

Full story: LEO Weekly
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KENTUCKY CORPORATION'S HEALTH CARE STANCE GOES NATIONAL
Politicos across the country are debating comments made by the CEO of Kentucky-based Papa John's Pizza, but no one had more fun with it than late night satirist-in-chief Stephen Colbert:

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Meanwhile... Bluegrass Politics reports via Twitter: "David Adams of Tea Party: Aug. 21 Frankfort rally also will urge folks to buy Papa John's, whose owner said Obamacare will hike pizza prices." So, after a week of arguing over chicken sandwiches, our new foodie wedge issue is pizza. It's gonna be a long three months, isn't it?

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WHOOPING COUGH CASES INCREASE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY

The Northern Kentucky Health Department sent out this news via Twitter:

3 more cases of whooping cough in NKY this week. Total for year is up to 82. Age ranges from 3 weeks to 67 years old.

For info on how to prevent and treat whooping cough, also known as pertussis, click here.
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QUICKIES
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CVG, Delta improve on-time scores Business Courier 
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Support for Democrat Bill Adkins in special election urged by State Party Chairman press release 
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KY Republicans organize campaign around Democratic State House Speaker Greg Stumbo's support for President Obama WFPL 
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KY Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer to advise Mitt Romney on agriculture issues WFPL 
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Coal miners union not wild about Obama or Romney WFPL 
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It may take years for eastern Kentucky schools to recover from tornadoes Kentucky Forward 
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Kentucky Historical Society to display Civil War artifacts at state fair press release 
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Attorney General Jack Conway schedules events to warn seniors of scams press release 
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS
How are the candidates for office in Covington doing on the fundraising front?; The School Board will take up the issue of taxes at today's meeting; A local food truck is already expanding its services; Plus, a look at what to do in Covington this weekend! Click it.
The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up 
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LOUISVILLE MAN SETS TOILET ON FIRE FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS
So, this happened:

A 36-year-old Louisville man was arrested Saturday morning after police said he set a toilet on fire at a Speedway gas station and claimed he did it for “religious reasons.”

(snip)

Officers reported that Crittenden was “intoxicated on nitrous oxide from huffing the Reddi-wip,” the report said. He had “extremely slurred speech” and was unsteady on his feet, it said. Crittenden, who had already been banned from the store, was huffing the whipped cream cans in the aisles of the store, which was “causing alarm” to customers, the report said.

Wow. Full story: Courier-Journal 

Dangerous!

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MARTY BRENNAMAN TO TRIM NOSE HAIRS IF REDS WIN PENNANT

LOL:

Following a successful hair-cutting promotion last week to benefit the Reds Community Fund, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman announced he will publicly undergo a full nasal trim if the Reds win the National League pennant.

Full story: Derf Magazine (satire)
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AIN'T THAT AMERICA...

A man living in our nation's capital ordered a TV but received an assault rifle instead:

Thirty-eight-year-old Seth Horvitz says he purchased the 39-inch television from a third-party seller. A box arrived from UPS on Tuesday evening, and it seemed too small to contain the TV. He says he initially thought it contained accessories.

More with video: WXIX 
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10 THINGS A BURGLAR DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW
Good to know info written in the form of thank-you notes from burglars:

You’d be surprised how many home owners position a mirror in their entry hall so I can see from a window if the alarm system is armed. (Yours wasn’t, but I’m guessing you know that by now!) Thanks for taking a lot of pressure off of me.

A little free advice: Relocate the mirror so your alarm system isn’t visible if someone else would peer through a window.

Of course, you could always just order an assault rifle.
Full story: House Logic 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 20 FEB

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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ANALYSIS: THE EFFECT OF BRENT SPENCE TOLLS ON I-471

Fort Thomas Matters takes a look:

I know what you are thinking - no one is seriously going to drive out of their way to save a couple bucks - especially with gas prices hovering between $3 & $4. But as a former resident of Independence I had a choice between equal routes in the morning - head up the hill from KY-17 to the Park Hills exit onto 75 or head across 275 to 471. People facing the same choice will choose 471 during construction and after tolls. 

Fort Thomas Matters  
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CHANGES COMING TO KY SCHOOLS AFTER 'NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND'
Now that Kentucky has a scored a federal waiver from 'No Child Left Behind', a new program called Continuous Improvement Technology System will be used as an assessment model:

CITTS tracks each student's grades and test scores, so a teacher can evaluate problem areas. The program will also evaluate teacher's progress and offer solutions to problem areas. CITTS will be paid for through the next four years through Kentucky's Race to the Top grant, which was $17,000,000. 

WBKO  
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MORE PROGRESS AT CVG'S CONCOURSE A

More photos at the link. 

CVG @ Facebook 

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SHIP INVOLVED IN WKY BRIDGE COLLAPSE HEADS ON TO FLORIDA

Its work here is done:

The cargo ship that struck a Kentucky Lake bridge, bringing part of it down, has resumed its voyage to Cape Canaveral, Florida. 

WBKO  
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APPEALS COURT STRIKES DOWN KENTUCKY RESTRICTION ON SURFACE MINING
Residents of Floyd County had wanted mining companies to stop stripping hills but a court has ruled that it's okay:

The regulation struck down by the Kentucky Court of Appeals had been put in place so the state could impose additional safeguards rather than ban mining altogether, said Tom FitzGerald, head of the Kentucky Resources Council. The safeguards put in place for Wilson Creek in Floyd County included using extra flood-control measures; returning mined areas to their approximate original contour, instead of leaving them flatter; and planting trees to reclaim mined areas. 

Herald-Leader/Bill Estep 
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JEFF RUBY WON'T HAVE RESTAURANT INSIDE NEW CINCINNATI CASINO
He has a non-compete in his contract with Belterra:

Casino officials aren’t offering names, but local restaurant owner Jeff Ruby says he wouldn’t be surprised if the Horseshoe uses its own steakhouse concept, Jack Binion’s Steakhouse, for one of the three restaurants. The Jack Binion concept is used at other Horseshoe casinos, but casino officials said they haven’t decided whether to use it here yet. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Alexander Coolidge  
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SEN. RAND PAUL TO SPEAK IN COVINGTON THURSDAY
The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce welcomes our junior senator at its government forum:

In the short time Senator Paul has been working in the Senate, he has been a vocal leader urging lower taxes, less spending and smaller government. Senator Paul says he wants to help businesses grow their bottom line by decreasing federal mandates and regulations. 

Jeez, get a room, Chamber. ...Oh, they did. It's at the Grand. 
NKY Chamber 
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SEE ALSO: Photos from NKY Day in Frankfort

Covington Commissioner Steve Frank

State Rep. Arnold Simpson (D-Covington)

More photos at the link.
NKY Chamber @ Facebook


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MARDI GRAS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN TUESDAY NIGHT
At the NKY Convention Center:

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LIBRARIAN IS FIRST TO FINISH NKU'S INFORMATICS PROGRAM

Congratulations:

Betsy Herndon Garland, a employee at the John L. Street Public Library in Trigg County, is the first graduate of the new library informatics bachelor of science program at Northern Kentucky University (NKU).
The Trigg County resident was also a recipient of a scholarship from the federally-funded project called Bridging the Gap: Supplying the Next Generation of Librarians to the Underserved Counties of Rural Kentucky.
The scholarship program was part of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, which supports efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians. Bridging the Gap was offered through a partnership between the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA), NKU and Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC). Garland was one of more than 50 scholarship recipients who work in libraries in the Commonwealth’s high-poverty rural areas.
Garland is a graduate of Trigg County High School and attended Hopkinsville Community College before transferring to NKU.
“I have definitely become much better at my job since using what I learned from my degree,” said Garland. “But, most importantly, I believe that in the near future I will be promoted to a full-time job at the library based on my degree. My library informatics degree has definitely fast-tracked me towards full-time employment and has put me at the top of the list.”
According to NKU, the library informatics program at NKU is designed for those students who want to better understand the relationships among people, information and technology. 

She is the first of many more to come! #GoNorse
(Press Release) 
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DID YOU KNOW THAT THIS 'KENTUCKY SAVES' WEEK?
Me neither:

Gov. Steve Beshear has issued a proclamation declaring the week of Feb. 19-25 Kentucky Saves Week. The Kentucky Saves campaign is part of the nationwide America Saves effort that focuses on making household savings a priority and helping individuals work toward financial stability. Recent economic conditions have highlighted several years of minimal household savings, and many families have found themselves without sufficient savings to deal with the stresses of the financial crisis. The Kentucky Saves effort – http://www.kentuckysaves.org/ – promotes positive saving habits to help Kentuckians work toward financial stability. 

Press Release  
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COLOSSAL CELEBRATION OF URBAN LIVING IN LUDLOW THIS WEEK
Don't miss this: 

Experience the scene under the creative direction of the amazing Paul Miller, proprietor and artist, channeling the powers of sheer wonder and amazement. Tour the extraordinary historic Ludlow Theatre, home to Circus Mojo, and encounter Ludlow's many sites unseen.

It's from 4:00PM - 7:00PM Friday. 
Facebook Event
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in case you missed...
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THIS AFTERNOON'S NEWS
Suspects in Eastside dismembermet case want private investigator; Turfway braces for gambling while Catholics speak out against it; Mrs. Kentucky USA joins fight for statewide smoking ban; Plus, the strange history of Kentucky's blue people. Those stories and more at the link! 
The RC News: Monday Afternoon 
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THIS MORNING'S NEWS
Jerome Simpson was in a Covington courtroom today; Another state title arrives in our city; GQ names Louisville manliest city in America; Plus, a wedding proposal in the winner's circle at Turfway Park. Happy Monday -- click the link! 
The RC News: Monday Morning 
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TOP COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECRUIT WRITES ABOUT VISIT TO KENTUCKY
This young guy was among the top high school juniors earlier this season but reclassified and is now the most sought-after recruit in major college basketball. Nerlen Noel writes at ESPN about his visits to Syracuse and UK:

This past weekend I went to Kentucky.

I got there Friday morning and went to their practice for about an hour. I really liked the way they practice there. I just like the momentum they have in their practice. The practices are short, but they get everything done that they need to get in. It’s really productive.

I went to the game the next day and the fans most definitely lived up to the hype. They were just real live and they chanted my name about eight times. It was so loud in there.

One of the fans came up to me and said “SEC girls love flattops!” I thought that was pretty funny. I really liked watching them play, and sitting behind the bench I got a real feel for how they do it. Coach John Calipari really gets on them when they make mistakes so they won’t make them again. I was impressed.

I got a chance to talk to Coach Cal a lot during my visit. He talked a lot about how I could come in there and work hard and succeed. He talked a lot about playing at the NBA level and things like that. I thought we had a really good talk. 

He goes on to describe how Coach Cal's approach is different than Jim Boeheim's. Check it out at the link. 
ESPN  
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A KENTUCKIAN WOULD STAND OUT IN NEW YORK CITY MORE THAN...
...someone from Toronto? That's the point made in this great piece about Canada and the United States:

Let’s begin with an obvious fact no one will admit: Canadians and Americans are more or less the same people. A Torontonian in New York does not stick out, while a Kentuckian well might. Neither does a resident of Medicine Hat, Alberta, feel out of place in Butte, Montana, though a Vancouverite definitely would. Which is not to say that no significant differences exist between Canadians and Americans — just that our shared national border, unlike those of Europe, was not shaped by linguistic and ethnic variations. The War of 1812 made all the difference here. A complicated and unpleasant struggle, mostly forgotten, sundered our two countries. And that struggle is now 200 years old, which makes this as good a time as any to start remembering. 

Read it all. 
Walrus Magazine/Stephen Marche  
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AS WE AWAIT DEVELOPMENT OF COVINGTON'S RIVERFRONT...
Let's hope it does not resemble any of these disasters:

The Lotus Riverside building complex in Shanghai was a complex of 11 buildings by the side of a river. Imagine that. By June of 2009, the project was nearing completion, with most of the flats already sold off. Then the workers showed up one morning to find that one of the buildings had fallen flat over on its side, completely intact. It was like a giant toddler came by and just smacked it over for the simple thrill of the destruction. 

Check out the 5 most embarrassing architectural failures ever at the link. 
Cracked/Xavier Jackson 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY MORNING 23 DEC

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED IN MURDER OF COVINGTON TEEN

One Covington teen is dead and another is behind bars charged with murder and complicity to robbery following a shooting on Greenup Street Tuesday evening. A 15-year old boy was arrested late Wednesday night following questions from investigators on the shooting death of 18-year old Brett Thornberry. Because of the "complicity" charge, we can expect that at least one other person was on the scene when the shooting happened. The River City News will continue to follow.

Brett Thornberry, 18, was killed Tuesday
night. This photo is one of at least 5
circulating on Facebook in his memory

The RC News: 15-Year Old Charged With Murder of 18-Year Old 
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'CHRISTMAS IN PRISON': THE WEEK IN KENTON CIRCUIT COURT
Kenton Commonwealth Attorney calls this week's round-up the 'Christmas in Prison' edition. Take a look at who was sent away this week:

On 11/22/11 Bonnie Tucker pled guilty to Obtaining a Controlled Substance By Fraud or Deciet. Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Casey Burns recommended that Tucker, who has no felony record, be ordered into the felony diversion program for 3 years. On 12/19/11 Tucker was ordered into the felony diversion program for 3 years.

WANTED:

THIS GUY

For the list of who went to prison (or got felony diversion or probation) and who's the most-wanted in Kenton County, click the link.

Rob Sanders |
DEMOCRAT MAY ANNOUNCE SOON A RUN FOR CONGRESS TO REPLACE DAVIS
Nathan Smith, a Fort Mitchell Businessman, seems poised to announce a run for the US House. He appeared on cn|2 with conservative blogger and potential GOP candidate Marcus Carey, who may also be nearer to an announcement:

“After the holiday season, we’ll be considering it even further, and I’ll have an announcement of what I’m going to do,” Smith said in a joint appearance on Pure Politics with Republican lawyer Marcus Carey. Carey said he is looking at the race because he wants to make sure that the Republican who wins the nomination has the right ideals — and can win in the general election.

Short interview with both potential candidates at the link.
cn|2  
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NKY BEN-GAL CHEERLEADER INVESTIGATED
It's not her first time in the news. Sarah Jones also made headlines after she sued a gossip website for defamation. 

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway has been asked to assign a special prosecutor to a criminal case. The board that certifies teachers in Kentucky is also investigating Jones and she resigned Nov. 30 from Dixie Heights High School in Edgewood. What law enforcement officials and educators will not say is what the 26-year-old Jones has been accused of doing.

Read the whole thing. Wow.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah  
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FLORENCE TO GET ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATION
Now drivers can charge their new Volt at Tom Gill Chevrolet in order to have enough juice to make it over to the new Flynt store. 

Because the station will be solar powered, Gill isn’t planning to charge for using it, Brown said. While recharging Volts is the primary use for the canopy, that’s not all Gill has in mind.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Justin Duke 
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OWNER OF ARNOLD'S BAR & GRILL: CORRECTING GRAMMAR IS HURTFUL
Rhonda Androski, owner of Cincinnati's oldest bar, Arnold's (which also festures prominently in the NBC series Harry's Law), takes to the bar's blog to discuss the modern-day problem of having one's bad grammar broadcast publicly on a daily basis:

In this computer age very few people could be online and having a wonderful time if they had to be perfect on grammar. I now delete someone that rudely corrects me or Arnold's on grammar mistakes. I will gladly change something if you message me in private and let me know with a friendly reminder that I have used your instead of you re or you're. Or even you instead of your, a big keystroke mistake for me. If anyone of my friends or customers that love me dearly and would never want to hurt my feelings care to edit this post please do so and I will re post with the corrected post. I will even give you credit if you so desire.

The whole post is well-done.
My Life At Arnold's 
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PROBLEMS AT 3 KENTUCKY MINES
Just three?

One of the citations issued was for an accumulation of combustible material, like coal dust, in the mine. In some places, the loose coal was two feet deep near the conveyer belt. A similar situation was one of the factors that led to the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine.

WFPL  
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GOV. BESHEAR ON MANAGED CARE FOR SENIORS

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HOLMES BASKETBALL WINS BY... 65 POINTS?!

The Bulldogs rolled last night over Nelson County 97 - 32. SERIOUSLY.

NKY Sports 

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KENTUCKY BEATS LOYOLA, BUT LET'S WATCH PATRICK PATTERSON DANCE

UK beat Loyola Thursday afternoon 87 - 63, so, since that game was an easy one, let's watch highlights of former Wildcat Patrick Patterson winning the Houston Rockets team dance contest.

Kentucky Sports Radio 

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DON'T FORGET: THERE IS A SUPPLY DONATION DRIVE FOR COV SCHOOLS

If you're picking up last minute Christmas gifts, be sure to add some little things for our local kids to use in the classroom:

Pencils, pens, folders, art supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer are all on the wish list. There are donation bins at police headquarters, fire station #1, and City Hall (1st & 4th floors). Contact Michelle Robinson Wilson with any questions at 859.292.2241.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY AFTERNOON

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

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SHOCK: KY IS AMONG UNHEALTHIEST STATES

This news almost made me drop my cigarette and spit out my Mountain Dew all over my plate of fried chicken! There's just no way Kentucky is unhealthy! Oh, wait:

Kentucky ranks #43 in United Healthcare's annual tally of who's fattest and who's fittest. Worst of all, we're #2 in smoking. Who's puffing more than we do? Let me wave away this cloud of smoke and check... ... ... ah, West Virginia. Thank goodness for them and Mississippi.

Kentucky's results here.

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DEAR LORD THERE ARE A LOT OF SURVEYS FOR COVINGTONIANS THESE DAYS

1) Hurry up and take the important survey for the Center City Action Plan, Covington's effort to revitalize its urban core. Click here.

2) Direction 2030, a project of the NKY Area Planning Commission to help plot Kenton County's future, is also asking questions. Click here.

Tonight, Direction 2030 hosts its final meeting of Phase One where there will undoubtedly be a survey! But you have to haul it out to Piner for this one. Pack a lunch.

Direction 2030

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REPOST:

DAYTIME CURFEW PART OF PACKED COMMISSION AGENDA FOR TONIGHT 

If you missed last night's update, the agenda for tonight's Covington Commission meeting includes a final vote on the daytime curfew in the city as well as some other items of note. For the full breakdown (as well as: An update on the proposed methadone clinic for Latonia; An endangered species lands extra protection from industry on the Ohio River; Plus, what's the most shoplifted item this season?), click the link.

News Round-Up -- Monday Eveening

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NKCAC TALKS WEATHERIZATION ON WCPO

Some good work on helping NKY families stay warm while paying less this winter.

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FREE FLU SHOTS FROM NKY HEALTH DEPT.

You'll probably want to take advantage of this because the needle is smaller!

The Health Department is offering the intradermal flu vaccine free of charge for residents age 18 to 64 by appointment at its four county health centers. The intradermal vaccine is a new option this year that uses a needle that is 90 percent smaller than the traditional flu shot, while still providing the same protection. It is injected into the top layer of the skin rather than the muscle, eliminating the soreness often associated with the traditional flu shot. The intradermal vaccine is safe for residents with chronic illnesses and women who are pregnant. Learn more about the intradermal flu vaccine.

NKY Health

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URBAN PARTNERSHIP PREPARES FOR COLD WINTER

Just because the temperatures are dropping, don't think that the good people keeping Downtown Covington trash and graffiti-free will slow down. “We have winterized the power washing equipment so you won’t see any of that activity for the next five months," said Executive Director Pat Frew. But,"We do plan to shovel sidewalks at street corners at crosswalks.  And during the precipitation-free periods, you will see us continuing litter pickup and graffiti removal.” Check out the new clothes:

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MAKE THIS PART OF YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

It's fun -- and cheap!

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MEET THE PENGUINS

CityBeat profiles the Aquarium's unique experience:

It’s understandable why so many people love penguins. They’re easy to anthropomorphize with their short legs, waddling bodies, tuxedo-like plumage and appendages that resemble arms more than wings.  “It’s hard not to like a penguin, you can’t not smile when you see one,” says Ric Urban, the Newport Aquarium’s curator of birds and mammals. “Once we grab people’s attention with how cute they are, we throw in the conservation education. If you walk in here and meet these penguins, you’ll walk out asking, ‘What can I do?’ ”

CityBeat 

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KENTUCKY WILL ALWAYS GET COAL IN ITS STOCKING

And deservedly so:

Early last week, the Beshear Administration fired — without cause or explanation — one of the state’s leading mining regulators.(Snip)By the end of the week, that voice of reason had seen enough. Tom FitzGerald, head of the Kentucky Resources Council, sent Governor Beshear a letter resigning from his position on two state boards, the Kentucky Environmental Education Council and the Center for Renewable Energy Research and Environmental Stewardship.

Barefoot & Progressive 

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NKY FAVORITE MOVING INTO LOUISVILLE/LEXINGTON MARKETS

The same franchisees that brought local favorites Skyline and LaRosa's to our larger Kentucky sisters is seting up to feed them breakfast too:

The locally franchised First Watch restaurants will be operated by the Holland Rosen Group. Business partners Gary Holland and Ron Rosen, founders of Holland Rosen Group, LLC, are the largest franchisees of Skyline Chili, with 12 restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and three La Rosa's Pizza restaurants.
"We are excited about taking this wonderful restaurant concept to Lexington and Louisville, and our friends who eat at First Watch in Northern Kentucky are thrilled that we are coming to their town," Holland said.

First Watch is based in Florida.

Herald-Leader

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LOOK THIS GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH!

A uniquely Kentucky gift in Lexington:

Give a tour of "The Horse" to the horse lover in your family for Christmas! This 140-piece exhibition is the largest traveling equine exhibition ever assembled and will be on display at the Ky Horse Park until April 6, 2012. See how nature's most majestic creature has shaped our world.

Kentucky Horse Park

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FROM EARLIER AT THE RIVER CITY NEWS

A federal judge wants more information before making a final ruling on the proposed methadone clinic in Latonia. The owners of the business are suing the City for the right to open.

The RC News: Proposed Latonia Methadone Clinic Issue Continues in Court

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Last night's riverfront development presentation: unfocused, uninspired; Take an online survey about the plan to revitalize Downtown Covington; Asst Police Chief Spike Jones teaches kids to play drums (video); Plus, does the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special promote bullying? (video). Those stories and more at the link.

News Round-Up -- Tuesday Morning

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CRUEL IRONIC TWIST FOR CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

The classic animated holiday tale about the search for the true reason for the season and its anti-commercialization message, was cut short last night to make room for more commercials. God bless America.

Cincinnati Enquirer/John Kiesewetter

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IN MAJOR GAFFE, OBAMA FORGETS TO DUMB IT DOWN

LOL.

"Instead of saying, 'There are many global variables at work here, and unless they all fall into place, we could find ourselves back in a recession,' he should have just said, 'Times are hard. We gotta be strong,'" said Washington Post political correspondent Brian Meltzer, noting that Obama's statement during a speech on job creation was met with dumbfounded looks and audible gasps from the crowd.

The best part is that this one is datelined Cincinnati.

The Onion