NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 27 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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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.

The RC News: Monday Morning Round-Up

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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.

Full story: Convicted: Mugshot Round-Up 

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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

From Renaissance Covington:

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!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- FRIDAY 24 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 PHILANTHROPIST OAKLEY FARRIS WEIGHS IN ON SCHOOLS

Oakley Farris, whose contributions to the people of Covington are well documented by several city monuments, posted this message to The River City News Facebook page:

To whom it may concern,I would like to share some more information regarding our education system. We are all now aware that Covington faces difficult challenges when it comes to education. The statistics on poverty and performance speak for themselves on this challenge. Recently we have had some good news as the ACT scores show a small increase in our average composite score to 15.7. Also Harvard University has had some wonderful things to say about the improvements that Kentucky has seen in Public education over the last ten years. I will save the Harvard report for a later date. For now I would like to share my perspective on the good ACT news, because as I have learned in this life, good news can sometimes come with a sales pitch.Our performance on the ACT determines how bright our student’s future is. We have been told that the scores can be poor indicators of student performance because some students are simply not motivated to attend college. But I feel that we should not so easily dismiss those students, for they deserve a chance to succeed on a level playing field. We must not consign them to permanent second class status as a way of explaining a poor showing on the ACT. We cannot allow a good sales pitch for poor performance to confuse the issue.Now our recent improvement to 15.7 is encouraging, but we cannot forget the students behind it. Around three hundred students appear to have entered Holmes High School as freshmen, but only 181 took the test in grade 11 last year. So, already 120 students have fallen out of the system somehow. Those 181 who took the test scored an average of 15.6 last year. However 20 more students dropped out of the class between taking that test and graduation. The 161 who graduated bear the stigma of that 15.6 score even if their individual scores were higher. Do we really want to accept that among those 161 students, who stuck with the system for 12 years, that there were enough who were so uninterested in college that they intentionally did poorly on the test? Or will we admit that there is a possibility they were doing the best they could? We know that 45% of their classmates dropped out in some form since entering high school; presumably they were the least motivated and lowest performing. The 55% who are left must represent the most motivated and best students in Covington. Yet those few students who are left…..just 161 out of a district population of 4000 are still scoring poorly on the ACT….the test which most determines whether they have a future in higher education. Can this really be the result of low motivation?So the question before us is a difficult one. Do we accept, as we are told, that these low scores are the result of low motivation? To do so would mean that we are admitting that we are failing some portion of our students every year. That we have spent 13 years and about $180,000 on each of them without managing to instill in them the most basic of human desires the desire to succeed. Or will we make it our goal to find in each of them the person who wants to succeed who wants the tools they need to go forward in life as a well-rounded individual. And that begs the question, how can it be that they give us 13 years to educate them and in return we give them the lowest average ACT scores in the state as a graduation gift?
Sincerely,Oakley Farris

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DON'T MISS THURSDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
There is yet another update involving the vacant seat on the Covington School Board as the member who originally resigned now wants her seat back; A conviction in the murder of a Covington teenager; Jeff Ruby talks about being kicked out of an Illinois courtroom; An abandoned home in Latonia is causing problems; Plus, has your dog made you mad? Shame him on the internet! Shame him!
Full story: The River City News 
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LOCAL AUTHOR RICK ROBINSON DISCUSSES POLITICAL GAFFES
Rick Robinson, the independent author whose latest book is Writ of Mandamus(which you should buy immediately!) penned a new column this week that touches on the recent "legitimate rape" comment made by a US Senate candidate in Missoure. Robinson compares Rep. Todd Akin (R)'s gaffe to some of the bigger gaffes in history:

But Akin is not the only person to open his political pie-hole and insert his foot. His gaffe, however, does rank as one of the biggest career-ending utterances in modern American political history. Before last Sunday, what were the top 10? 

10.) Edwin Muskie’s snowflake tears: An emotional outburst on a cold and snowy morning ended the presidential bid of Edwin Muskie. The Maine senator was the Democratic front-runner when a New Hampshire newspaper ran two scurrilous editorials, one accusing Muskie’s wife of hard drinking and off-color humor. Muskie held an impromptu press conference on the steps in front of the newspaper’s offices, offering an emotional rebuttal to the attacks. The press said he cried. Muskie’s aides said it was melted snowflakes. Whatever it was, Muskie was done and Sen. George McGovern won the right to face President Richard Nixon in 1972. 

9.) McGovern: “I am 1,000% for Tom Eagleton”: Speaking of George McGovern and the 1972 presidential campaign, when a story broke that his running mate, Sen. Tom Eagleton, had been hospitalized for depression and treated with electro-shock therapy, McGovern said he stood “1,000% for Tom Eagleton.” Eagleton was dumped from the ticket after 18 days and replaced by Sargent Shriver. It was all downhill from there. 

8.) McCain/Palin: It’s hard to imagine that a gaffe-free campaign could have stopped the Obama juggernaut, but the 2008 GOP ticket still had plenty to offer. McCain made the mistake of saying in the middle of the financial collapse that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” And Palin looked like a moose-in-the-headlights in her initial television interviews. Her responses regarding the “Bush Doctrine” and reading anything other than the Wasilla Gazette gave way to “Saturday Night Live” skits that, fairly or unfairly, forged her image in the eyes of many voters.

See the rest of the top 10: The Daily Caller 
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SEE ALSO: Robinson had a terrific radio interview on WGN 
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TRUCKIN' BOZO DALE SOMMERS HAS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 68

Pat Barry, the local TV and radio personality, reported on Facebook that Bruce Dale Sommers, better known to radio listeners as The Truckin' Bozo, passed away this morning. He was 68. You can share your condolences in a Facebook group and learn how to give to charity in his name at the Truckin' Bozo website.

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QUICKIES
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A Kentucky man who has launched a write-in campaign for President wants to see President Obama removed from the ballot here because he claims Obama is not an American WFPL 
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The geography of homes whose mortgages are underwater The Atlantic Cities 
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Gov. Beshear announces expansion, rebranding of state innovation network (there is an office in Covington) press release 
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NKY Community Action Commission rekindles micro-enterprise development Soapbox Cincinnati 
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NKU announces its Six at Six lecture series NKU 
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CHILDREN, INC ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH UNITED WAY AGENCY
From Rick Hulefeld, founder and executive director of Children, Inc:

There are exciting things happening at Children, Inc. The board of Visions Community Services, a United Way agency located in the West End neighborhood of Cincinnati, has voted to become part of Children, Inc. This merger will take effect on January 1st of 2013. It is important to know that in this merger, no one will lose their job and the program of Visions will continue as it has for the foreseeable future. We are excited about this opportunity because the unique strengths of Visions will allow Children, Inc. to explore some new and expanded services for the children and families we currently serve.

This is a union of two respected and collaborative agencies that have the best interests of young children at their core. Our partnership will allow for a broader, deeper impact across our community. The outstanding services that Visions has provided for the past 22 years complement the work of Children, Inc. Together we will provide comprehensive high-quality services for children and families in Greater Cincinnati.

Both agencies share a common history serving inner city children and families as well as teen moms. We are excited to welcome the Visions staff, teachers and administration into the Children, Inc. family and will keep you informed over the coming months as both agencies continue along this path.

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LOUISVILLE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE WINS TOP HONORS
The official website of the City of Louisville won first place at the Center for Digital Government's annual Best of the Web competition:

The Best of the Web awards recognize outstanding government portals and websites based on innovation, functionality and efficiency. Louisville’s website took the top prize for its focus on making city services and government widely available online.
In its 15th year, the Best of the Web awards recognize outstanding government portals and websites based on their innovations, functionality and efficiencies. Louisville has been entered in the awards since 2006. This is the city’s highest finish to date. The website finished 3rd in 2009.

Full story: Louisville.com 
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So what makes Louisville's website so great? See for yourself by clicking here.
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Covington, on the other hand, is in dire need of a new city website. Have you ever played on the Internet Way Back Machine? Click the link below and there will be some calendar dates that you can click on to see how little Covington's website has changed in the past EIGHT years. Plus, it's fun to look at what any website used to look like in the late nineties. Click Here 
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A new website is supposed to be on the way for Covington. There have been hints that a new city website will be forthcoming as part of a new marketing and rebranding effort. Let's hope!
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ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
The Holmes Bulldogs welcome the Scott Eagles to campus tonight at 7:00. It's the first game of the season for Holmes while Scott is coming off an easy win over Lewis County. 
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Holy Cross travels to Cooper for an 8:00PM game.
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What are te top 10 NKY high school football games to see this year? NKY Fan 
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15 WELL-KNOWN COMPANIES THAT USED TO SELL SOMETHING ELSE
Famous brands weren't always known for what they're known for now:

1. AvonDavid H. McConnell started Avon in 1886 without really meaning to. McConnell sold books door-to-door, but to lure in female customers he offered little gifts of perfume. Before long, the perfume McConnell was giving away had become more popular than the books he was selling, so he shifted focus and founded the California Perfume Company, which later became Avon.(snip)
15. Abercrombie & FitchWhen David Abercrombie founded the clothing store in 1892 in New York City, he wasn’t dreaming of clothing high school and college students everywhere. The store was originally a sporting goods shop and outfitter; Abercrombie even outfitted Charles Lindbergh for his famous flight across the Atlantic. The version Abercrombie & Fitch you see in your local mall started to come about after Limited Brands bought the company in 1988.

Read more: Mental Floss  

COMMISSION RECAP: 21 AUGUST PART ONE

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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Cincinnati Enquirer reporter
Mike Rutledge

As the Covington City Commission meeting got underway, a reporter from the Cincinnati Enquirer moved from his seat to the podium and interrupted the proceedings. "Excuse me, Mayor," Mike Rutledge said, before introducing himself for the record. "The commission is not authorized to consider this." Rutledge, the Enquirer reporter assigned to covering Covington city government, took issue with a late addition to the commission's agenda, item number four under "new business", an ordinance abolishing positions in the fire department. Though the ordinance was only up for a first reading and not a vote, Rutledge argued that the public should have been given a twenty-four notice that the item would appear on the agenda. 

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City Solicitor Frank Warnock disagreed, explaining to the reporter that a schedule for commission meetings is approved at the beginning of each year and that items can be added at will to the agendas for regularly scheduled meetings. Warnock contended that Rutledge had confused a regular meeting with a special legislative meeting that does require the public notice. "This is not a special meeting, you are not quoting the law accurately," Warnock said. The solicitor was also filling in for the city clerk and his own assistant, both of whom are in Lexington for certification and that because of their absence he had been doing the work of three employees. 

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Covington City Solicitor
Frank Warnock

Typically, city clerk Maggie Nyhan sends out the city commission's agenda via email on Friday afternoons to the press and the public. By the time Tuesday's meeting started, the fire department issue was added while a few issues related to the city arborist's position were removed. At the end of the meeting, Warnock, sitting in Nyhan's seat instead of his usual spot next to the commissioners on the dais, asked if yet another item should be added, one that was typed out on a separate piece of paper on the clerk's table. The mayor decided to table it. (After the meeting Warnock told The River City News that that item dealt with the elimination of dispatcher positions as the city prepares to become part of the county emergency dispatch center.)

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At one point in the roughly five-minute exchange, Rutledge, who has published stories critical of how he perceives the city commission to operate behind closed doors particularly regarding the issues of personnel changes, became agitated, arguing that he had requested documents since late October that had still not been furnished. City Commissioner Shawn Masters urged the mayor to end the discussion and threatened to have Rutledge removed from the meeting. "If you're trying to suggest that there is an underhanded approach here, I take great offense to that," Mayor Chuck Scheper said to the reporter.

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"I take offense to your discussing personnel matters behind closes doors," Rutledge shot back. 

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As the meeting regained its regular order, acting fire chief Dan Mathew took to the podium to explain the item that suggests that positions in the fire department would be abolished. Mathew explained that nine positions would be affected, though no layoffs were likely to occur and that all the changes would be handled through attrition. Three captain positions, three lieutenant positions, and three engineer positions are on the table for changes while the department will consider hiring a full-time fire marshal. That new position would handle fire inspections while working a regularly scheduled 8-hour shift as opposed to a regular firefighter's shift of twenty-four hours on and forty-eight hours off with a "kelly day" every three weeks. 

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Mathew expects retirements and promotions to free up the affected positions at which point they will not be filled. The entire process would run its course over the next two years, Mathew said. The acting chief expects that the daily staffing of the department would remain at twenty-seven, though that decision rests solely with the city commission and its agreement with the firefighters union.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 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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ATTORNEY REACTS TO SCHOOL BOARD SPECIAL ELECTION DEMAND

First, check out Tuesday's exclusive coverage of this story: Crowded Field to Seek 3 Seats on Covington School Board 

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Brandon Voleker, the attorney representing Mark Young in his quest to put a special election on November's ballot to fill the vacant seat on the Covington School Board, had this to say about the events:

Mr. Young has retained me to have the Clerk accept his nominating petition for the unexpired term of Denise Varney, who resigned August 2, 2012, mandating a special election this year. I have called County Attorney Garry Edmondson and advised of the clerk's refusal to accept the petition, but Mr. Young did file nonetheless, leaving his petition and filing fee with the clerk. I am unsure why Covington did not advise of the special election for the unexpired term, other than to not allow the electorate to have a vote.

School Board candidate Everett Dameron, who is running in the regularly scheduled election for one of three open seats, also weighed in with a similar charge that the district misled the public:

This entire matter that Mr. Young has brought up is very interesting. I made an inquiry about a special election for the seat vacated by Mrs.Varney by phone to the Kentucky Department of Education legal department and in person at the Kenton County Clerk's office on Thursday August 9th and I was told by both that there would not be a special election. At the school board meeting held that evening, in response to a question regarding the vacant seat by a member of the public (Superintendent) Mrs. (Lynda) Jackson said that the position would be filled by appointment by the Commissioner of Education and there would be a legal ad in the paper on the next day. That ad was run as stated in the Kentucky Enquirer, giving notice that the appointment would be made by the Commissioner of Education and that applications would be accepted until August 24, 2012. Thus I and others were misinformed and denied the opportunity to file for the special election for the vacant seat.

A request for comment from the Covington School Board's attorney, Mary Ann Stewart, has been made.
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CURRENT COMMISSIONER IN ONLINE SCUFFLE WITH FORMER COMMISSIONER
One of the most entertaining websites in all the land is the Facebook page of Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank who enjoys a lengthy comment thread from time to time. Over the weekend, Frank stirred up some heated debate by posting a photo of the fire department's response to a small fire in Wallace Woods. "8 pieces of apparatus, big emergency?," Frank wrote as the caption. Then Covington firefighters and Commissioner Frank engaged in another one of their online back-and-forths, but things took a fresher turn when Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders, a former Covington City Commissioner, weighed in:

Before making judgements about the response, you have to know how the call was dispatched. What it turned out to be is really beside the point. If it was dispatched as a house fire, you need that many trucks to get enough firefighters to the scene since Cov only staffs 1-3 firefighters per truck. Did it turn out to be overkill? Maybe, but the dispatchers control it, not the firefighters. The expenses are in the trucks, which are already purchased, and the firefighters, who are paid by the hour, not per run. Argue budgets all you want but give CFD some credit for being professionals. They were still protecting the rest of the city. I'm sure if another emergency arose all but one truck would leave this call and go to the next. Do we really need them to hurry back to the station to wait for the next call?! If they did that everyone would just complain that they don't do any work and spend all day in the recliners.

Now, the thread continues, four days after it originally started. Frank charged at Sanders:

Rob, we are simply talking past one another. If you had done your job properly while on city Commission, we wouldn't be facing the problems we have. Now the adults have to clean up the mess. Frankly, I do learn by asking pointed questions.Sometimes I even change my mind. Right now, what i am gathering from this and other interactions is that one department in the City can't handle any criticism and resists rather than embraces any change. Well i can tell you that its not just me. Right now its 5-0 for change on the commission.

Sanders replied:

So now you resort to insulting my service on Commission. Not surprised. I'm not the least bit ashamed of my service. Did we fix the whole city? Obviously not. I served one term. How many have you served? Is the city fixed yet?! Obviously not. I guess you're just as big of a failure as I was. So much for "the adults cleaning up the mess."

You can read the whole thread by clicking here.
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
"Until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington." City officials react to Brent Spence bridge changes; Plus, KY legislators want creationism taught alongside evolution in public schools. Those stories and more at the link!

The RC News: Tuesday Evening Round-Up 

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ANYBODY UP FOR THIS JOB?

Window washers spotted Tuesday at the RiverCenter Towers.
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QUICKIES
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Missing Kentucky woman possibly found buried in backyard freezer NY Daily News 
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Horseshoe Casino in Cincinnati to start hiring WKRC 
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Sen. Rand Paul introduces amendment to abolish the TSA press release 
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Sen. Rand Paul believes the government is preparing for civil unrest LEO Weekly 
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State officials teach proper treatment of HIV/AIDS WKYT 
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Kentucky firefighters on way to Idaho to help WKYT 
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NKU grad students help at-risk teens NKU 
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Richmond City Council hears from others on its proposed fairness ordinance Herald-Leader 
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Anti-bullying program begins in Harlan Schools WKYT 
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Pat Barry returns to WLWT, at least temporarily Cincinnati Enquirer 
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LEXINGTON BOY WITH RARE AGING DISEASE TO START KINDERGARTEN
A 5-year old in Lexington afflicted by the rare rapid-aging disease progeria is slated to start school:

When Zach removes his hat, one student looks at him, puzzled. "What is that on his head?" he asks, looking at the prominent network of veins. But since heads vary on most people anyway, he quickly forgets the matter and runs off to play. The first weeks of school, Martin said, will include lessons on how each student is special.

Full story with photos and video at the link: Herald-Leader 
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WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL KENTON COUNTY STUDENTS!
A special welcome back to the kids at Taylor Mill Elementary, Woodland Middle School, and Scott High School who are all back in the classroom today.
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AND IT LOOKS LIKE THESE KIDS WILL HAVE A PRETTY GOOD LUNCH:
Via WKRC:

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

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COVINGTON INDEPENDENT RETURNS TO SCHOOL NEXT WEDNESDAY...
Via CIPS Facebook page:

The first day of school for Covington Independent Public Schools is Wednesday, August 22. For school supply lists, dress codes, school lunch menus, transportation schedules and forms for transportation and lunch, click here.

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MEET THE TEACHERS TONIGHT AT SIXTH DISTRICT & LATONIA
According to the Sixth District Facebook page the event is from 4:30PM - 6:30PM:

Come by and sign up for our school's wonderfully active PTA, register your child for the district's after-school Fitness Rocks program, and then visit with your child's teacher in their classroom. We're inviting students with last names A-M from 4:30pm-5:30pm, and students with last names N-Z from 5:30pm-6:30pm. However, if those times are not convenient for you, then you may come anytime between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.

The CIPS website also indicates that Latonia Elementary's open house is today, also from 4:30PM - 6:30PM.
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SEE ALSO: Kentucky spending little to none on textbooks WLEX 
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TWO SURVEYS FOR FOLKS IN LATONIA
First, the West Latonia Neighborhood Association:

It has been 5 years since the West Latonia Neighborhood Association (WLNA) was established and at that time attendees to the meetings were asked to complete two (2) questionnaires describing what they felt were 1) Issues and/or Problems in the neighborhood; and 2) list Goals or Positive Ideas/Items for or about the neighborhood. This was done to help guide the initial activities of the association in order to be effective and represent the concerns of the residents. At this 5-year point, we felt that it would be appropriate to ask our neighbors to complete this process again to make sure that we were proceeding the way that West Latonia residents felt would best serve their needs and interests.
The Executive Committee of the West Latonia Neighborhood Association would appreciate it if you would consider taking a few minutes to either complete this process for the first time or repeat it if you were among those who helped us get started 5 years ago. Some additional questions are asked in this survey in order that we may try to be more purposeful in our efforts.

For the survey, click here.
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The Latonia Business Association also has some questions:

Please complete this survey to help us know your favorite places in Latonia! The top winner in each of the three categories will receive a prize. The survey will be open through September 7. Winners will be chosen after the close of the survey and announced at the September 19th Latonia Business Association meeting.

For that survey, click here.
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ENJOYING THE FALL-LIKE WEATHER? WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?
With autumn mercifully approaching, let's check in with Jerod Theobald, owner of flow - a shop for men on Scott Boulevard, to see what's hot as the temperatures cool:

Bright and bold colors are in this season. Brick red, steel blue, and deep plum are the heavy hitters this fall and should be paired accordingly with classic shades of camel, brown, charcoal, and black. For those of you not brave enough to wear a patterned sweater or solid chinos in a bold color, follow the trend by adding a pocket square or polka dot tie in a bright shade. Still too much? Throw on a pair of patterned or striped socks from Richer Poorer and flash some color only when you feel the urge to do so.

Read more from Jerod and then get down to his shop to get your autumn look: Cincinnati Profile 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY EVENING 7 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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CITY COMMISSION IN SESSION TO DISCUSS FOOD TRUCKS

At the time of this report (7:00PM), Covington City Commission is in session taking up the issue of zoning ordinances and the one that has inspired the most debate is one involving food trucks. For the full agenda and for Tuesday morning's headlines, click here.

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OWNERS OF CHEZ NORA EXPLAIN OPPOSITION TO FOOD TRUCKS

Comparing the food truck vs. brick-and-mortar restaurant debate to RVs moving into residential neighborhoods, Pati Gilliece of Chez Nora pens an op-ed in The River City News that you can read at the link.

The River City News 

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CINCINNATI TV NEWS STATIONS START TO COVER THE TRUCK ISSUE

Via WKRC:

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Dear WCPO, where is the love for The River City News?

WCPO (Channel 9) offered a half-hearted report on Covington's food truck debate and included this nugget:

The city tested the popularity of food trucks last week with it's Food Truck Invasion. Four mobile food vendors gathered outside city hall to serve meals on wheels. According to one blog, 400 orders were taken at the four vendors.

According to one blog. That would be this blog. Hey, WCPO, it's OK to say The River City News's name and maybe throw a link up to cite the source.
Full story: WCPO (<---- See? That wasn't hard at all!)
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COUNTY COMMISSIONERS EXPLAIN 911 DISPATCH VOTE
After failing to pass a law that would fund Kenton County's consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center through a $6 fee attached to Duke Energy bills, Commissioners Beth Sewell and Kris Knochelman explain their votes against it:

Sewell called the tactic “sneaky” and said after the meeting that she voted against this method of payment because she doesn’t think it’s transparent.
“It’s on the bill, it’d be on the Duke (Energy) bill, well that’s true,” she said. “I just worry when it’s not in one lump sum on a tax bill where you can see it, there’s opportunity for government to put it other places.”

Cincinnati Enquirer/Libby Cunningham 
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QUICKIES
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Governor Beshear orders flags at half staff in honor of deadly Wisconsin shooting press release 
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Cincinnati/NKY rank 16 in top 50 cities for global trade Global Trade Magazine 
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Calling it an "entrepreneurial city", The New York Times profiles Louisville The New York Times 
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KY distilleries form partnership with universities here to curb college drinking WKYT 
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27 arrested in drug trafficking bust in Georgetown Herald-Leader 
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Kentucky State Police launch documentary-style series press release 
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Kentucky ranks 20 in nation for lightning deaths WLWT 
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POLITICS
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Senator Rand Paul will speak at GOP National Convention WFPL 
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Senator Mitch McConnell confronted with tea party criticism WFPL 
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Campbell Co Democrats endorse Bill Adkins in special Congressional election press release 
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Judge orders Legislative Research Commission to pay winners' attorney's fees in redistricting lawsuit cn|2 
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PAPA JOHN'S CEO VOWS TO PASS COSTS ON TO CONSUMERS
The chief executive officer of Kentucky-based Papa John's is quite upset with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (AKA Obamacare). Here is what John Schnatter said on a conference call Tuesday:

"Our best estimate is that the Obamacare will cost 11 to 14 cents per pizza, or 15 to 20 cents per order from a corporate basis," Schnatter said.
"We're not supportive of Obamacare, like most businesses in our industry. But our business model and unit economics are about as ideal as you can get for a food company to absorb Obamacare," he said.
"If Obamacare is in fact not repealed, we will find tactics to shallow out any Obamacare costs and core strategies to pass that cost onto consumers in order to protect our shareholders best interests," Schnatter vowed.

Politico via WFPL 
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MORE MOVEMENT ON COVINGTON'S EASTSIDE
The final building left from the Jacob Price housing project is still standing and may last another week, though it was supposed to go down this week. Instead, the wrought iron fence was pulled as Covington's Eastside neighborhood gets closer to having its new River's Edge at Eastside Pointe development. Here are a few photos:

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Win dinner with NKY-born Hollywood star Josh Hutcherson Cincinnati Enquirer