NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 28 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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GROUND IS MOVING AT DEVELOPMENT IN COVINGTON'S EASTSIDE

Work continues in the early stages of the River's Edge at Eastside Pointe mixed-income housing development. The first tenants are expected to move in next spring.

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DON'T MISS MONDAY EVENING'S NEWS!

Photos of the remnants of a longtime Covington business destroyed by fire Sunday; Plus, why investigating the fire's cause would have been extremely difficult. That story and much more including a new online video series for the Holmes Band, at the link.

Full story: The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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CVG Airport runway paved with potential Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Covington lawyer loses claim to class action fees from the Diocese of Covington sex abuse scandal Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Former Commonwealth's Attorney Harry Rankin has died Facebook & Obit  

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Kentuckians to address the Republican National Convention Tuesday & Wednesday Herald-Leader 

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Police: KY women used kids to shoplift WKYT 

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Highland Heights hopes for economic boost from NKU's NCAA Division I status Cincinnati Enquirer 

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It's gonna be a long year for UK football if these predictions hold up Herald-Leader 

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Book: a year in the life of Kentucky's minor league baseball teams, including the Florence Freedom WFPL 

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WHITE SUPREMACISTS FROM NKY TO RALLY IN OHIO

Ugh:

The brutal beating of a man by a group of young teenagers who said they did it because they were bored has shaken the Cincinnati suburb of North College Hill and stirred some to question why police aren't investigating the attack as a hate crime.
Now nearly two weeks after the beating, the small working-class city is bracing for two opposing rallies Friday, one organized by a self-described white separatist who says he wants to draw attention to "hate-crime hypocrisy."
"The rally is meant to be a way in which white citizens can gather and express their discontent with the problem of black-on-white crime, as well as the censorship and downplaying of these crimes by the media and police/government officials," wrote Robert Ransdell, of Florence, Ky.

Full story: AP/Amanda Lee Myers 
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AMOUNT OF FOOD WASTED AFFECTS HUNGRY KENTUCKIANS
A new study shows that Americans throw away 40% of their food:

The research from the National Resources Defense Council also suggests the average family of four wastes more than $2,200 worth of food annually.
"Well, its a shame," said Rev. Michael Barnette of Hazard's New Hope Church, which has a food bank. "Of course a lot of that food, there's no way to get it in the hands of the people that need it."
And with the recent drought causing food prices to tick upward, fewer and fewer people can afford to waste any part of a meal.

Full story with video: WKYT 
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SEE ALSO: Why don't Americans recycle? GOOD 
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PTA HOSTS COOKOUT AT JOHN G. CARLISLE ELEMENTARY
Via Covington Independent Public Schools:

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WHACKBURGER WANTS PHOTOS OF YOUR FAVORITE BURGER!

The trendy new burger place on Madison Avenue (5 stars, by the way!) is holding a contest. Check out the photo for details:

Click to enlarge

Check out Whackburger on Facebook 

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SEE ALSO: Here's a great deal -- 50% off Totter's Otterville click here 

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF SHORTENING "NEIGHBORHOOD"

Is it the 'hood or is it the... nabe?

Real-estate blogs like Curbed rely heavily on "nabe." The Chicago Tribune has used the word, as has the Dallas Morning News and the Salt Lake Tribune. Generally, these publications do so "unglossed": without placing nabe in quotation marks or defining it in running text, indicating its general acceptance. There’s a national website for house-hunters called NabeWise.
It turns out nabe is not, as I had cynically hypothesized, a word invented by the incoming urbanites of the ‘90s and the real estate brokers who found them apartments. Nabe was not, at least initially, intended as a deracialized alternative to our more common shortening of neighborhood: "hood." So where did nabe come from, and why do we use it? Is there a difference between the way we use nabe and hood? Should there be?

Full story: The Atlantic Cities 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 25 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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DOWNTOWN COVINGTON: DON'T LOOK TO PAST FOR THE FUTURE

Downtown Covington will never be what it once was, so it's time to focus, says a consultant. Madison Ave should own that focus while Pike, Scott, & MLK are on hold for now. (The consultant says there are not enough people with enough money in Covington to support a larger vibrant Downtown.) Plus, Mainstrasse should rebrand itself as a destination for fine-dining and refined tastes. Full story at the link.

Full story: The River City News 

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EMOTIONS FILL CITY HALL AS FIRE CHIEF, FIREFIGHTERS RETIRE

"People don't see at three in the morning when a young lieutenant has to put two toddlers and their grandmother in body bags. When a sixteen-year old boy hangs himself with an electrical cord. How do you close your eyes at night after that?" An emotional night at City Hall as firefighters retire. Click it.

Full story: The River City News 

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CITY COMMISSION RECAP

Though the retail consultants presentation and the firefighter retirements dominated Tuesday night's meeting, there were plenty of other items on the City Commission's agenda:

• CITY FUNDS AWARDED TO CENTER FOR GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS The City will allocate roughly $120,000 of its federal housing dollars to the Center for Great Neighborhoods as that organization embarks on an ambitious rehabilitation project on and around Orchard Street, starting with three houses purchased from the City for a dollar. (Measure passed unanimously, with Commissioner Shawn Masters voting "present" since he lives in the neighborhood.)
• 115 STREET LIGHT FIXTURES TO BE REPLACED Of the approximately 4,000 streetlights in the Covington city limits, the City is responsible for the maintenance of about two hundred and 115 of them are in need of having their top fixtures replaced. In fact, the model used for many years has been discontinued. City Engineer Tom Logan called the hodgepodge of inconsistent light fixtures "embarrassing". The commission approved the purchase of new fixtures for 115 streetlights in Mainstrasse Village and Licking Riverside at a cost of $105,000, though all of those funds come from a rebate the City received from Duke Energy. These are the decorative-style streetlights you see on Main Street, Sixth Street, and Philadelphia in Mainstrasse and along Riverside Drive in Licking Riverside.

• CHANGE OF PLANS FOR LAPTOPS AT POLICE DEPARTMENT At the previous commission meeting, the police department was given approval to purchase laptop computers, but after the meeting a better deal came along. Finance Director Bob Due explained that the previous approval would have been for 3-year old computers whose warranties have expired but Panasonic, the maker of the laptops, offered a deal on new computers in the form of a 3-year lease with an option to buy at the end of the term for one dollar. Originally, the approval was to fund the laptops through the evidence forfeiture fund but whether that is still entirely the case was not full explained for the new, higher price of $291,000 over three years.
• NEW GUIDELINE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM ANNOUNCED The City will have fewer federal funds to apply toward home ownership down payments, facade grants, and other incentives but the program will be opened up to more parts of the City once a certain threshold of spending has been reached.
• NEW CITY HALL SECURITY CONTRACT AWARDED The Commission approved a new contract for Brantley Security to provide the part-time security officers that patrol City Hall at an annual cost of $27,428.
• DEVOU PARK TO GET NEW SIGNS Geograph Industries was awarded a $36,000 contract (payable from Drees Pavilion Allocation Fund) to create and install new destination and rules signage for Covington's Devou Park
• Notes: The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative made a short presentation to highlight its upcoming Covington calendar, its work with Keep Covington Beautiful, and the successful renovation of Barb Cook Park in West Latonia

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KENTON CO FISCAL COURT SPLIT ON 911 DISPATCH FEE

Things did not go as planned at Tuesday night's Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting as the Judge-Executive and the County Commissioners could not agree on funding the new consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center through a $6 fee assessed to energy bill:

The new fee would have replaced the monthly dispatch service fee on telephone land lines, which an average of 3 to 4 percent of users have been phasing out each year.
Kenton Judge-executive Steve Arlinghaus and Kenton County Commissioner Jon Draud supported funding a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch operation through a monthly fee on electric bills. Commissioners Kris Knochelmann and Beth Sewell voted against it.
“I have a problem with asking a private company to sneak this on a bill and not make it apparent to customers,” Sewell said...“I just feel like most residents are saying: ‘Just put it on the (property tax) bill so we can see it.’”

Covington's dispatch center is being shut down in September.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Libby Cunningham 
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UPDATE:
City Commissioner Steve Frank writes at The River City News Facebook page:

OK here's the skinny on last night fiscal court's vote. 911 dispatch merger is still on (as far as I can tell). There were 3 original proposals on how to pay for it, car tax at $35 per car, Duke Bill per Electric Meter, or a Property tax bill based on valuation per $1,000. What Beth Sewell and Kris Knochelmann have proposed instead of putting it on the Duke bill, is to put a twist on the property tax bill and levy a charge per parcel. Their rational was that Duke was going to sue and might delay the collection of fee for several years. Personally I think Duke may have bought some ill will for their trouble. No one liked the car idea unless you only walked or rode bicycles (and they might need 911 service one day). Charging by property tax value wasn't fairly spreading the costs because some people would pay very little and others way more than the cost of service. The per parcel charge and I do not know what that number is, ( say $75 per parcel wither you had a quarter acre or 10 acres) would be placed on property tax bills that would be in addition to one's monthly escrow or charged presumably all at once if you pay that way as I do. Everyone pays more or less the same for the same service and the costs are shared by the whole covered area. Something might still have to be worked out for people with multiple properties or very large commercial properties; but that is for the working out the details and avoids a Duke lawsuit gumming up the works. If I have a complaint it was that this proposal was not clearly marketed before hand leaving those of us who believed that the Duke bill idea was the most fair way of doing things thinking that there was no Plan B in place.

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NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS SPEAK OUT ON TAX REFORM
Governor Steve Beshear's blue ribbon tax reform commission visited Northern Kentucky University Tuesday night to hear from the public:

The 23-member tax reform commission made up of business and education leaders will make a recommendation for reforming Kentucky’s tax structure by the end of the year.
Fort Thomas resident Joan Gregory asked for more taxes. Gregory said when she moved to the area, she didn’t locate where the taxes are low, but where the schools, parks and libraries are great. Businesses often make the same decisions, she said.
“I’m a history teacher, and, historically, I’ve known Americans have always opposed taxes,” Gregory said. “It caused the American Revolution. It’s in our DNA. But I’m here to ask you to take one for the team, because I want you to raise taxes. I want you to consider raising them to improve the quality of life in Kentucky, to attract businesses to the Commonwealth, to improve our schools, to build infrastructure, to support transportaiton, to provide public safety and to provide tax incentives for businesses.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
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VOTRUBA: KY NEEDS STRATEGIC TAX REFORM NOW
NKU's retiring President Dr. James Votruba pens an op-ed to the tax commission:

You’re the tax experts. However, what I’ve learned over the past 15 years is that Kentucky is in a battle for its future. That battle will be won or lost based on our capacity to recruit and retain the talent needed to drive innovation essential for economic growth. Mark my words – over the next decade there will be some states that thrive and move forward while others fall further and further behind. Tax policy must contribute to our capacity to attract investment capital, new knowledge-based companies and the talent needed to drive them.

Full editorial: Kentucky Forward
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THE PRECARIOUS PROFESSION OF THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Related to the above post comes this interesting piece from the Chronicle of Higher Education:

The time in office for public-university presidents is shrinking rapidly, notwithstanding the recent reinstatement of the University of Virginia's president, Teresa A. Sullivan. The high turnover, while alarming, should not be surprising. Average inflation-adjusted state appropriations per student for higher education fell 24 percent from 1986 to 2011, just as public universities have been asked to enroll increasing numbers of often less prepared students while maintaining quality.
Such financial challenges call for bold changes, which is precisely what universities are least accustomed to doing. Presidents find themselves sandwiched between state legislatures and governing boards demanding significant shifts in how the university operates, and faculty senates defending an academic culture that is both resilient and excruciatingly resistant to change. Think of the dilemma for a university president who faces the threat of dismissal by the governing board for failing to react quickly, and the ire of a hostile faculty if real change is begun. No wonder the reward for most university presidents who do little other than seek consensus is a short tenure in office.

Full story: The Chronicle of Higher Education
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SEE ALSO: The value of Pre-K education Mother Jones
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QUICKIES
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Shelter in Kentucky forced to put down 200 dogs after illness WLWT
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Kentucky goes from driest June to possibly wettest July Herald-Leader
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Attorney disputes accuser of former Ben-Gal cheerleader WLWT
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Louisville airport makes list of 37 airports that could help influence the spread of global disease The Atlantic Cities 
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19,000 cited in Kentucky for not wearing seatbelts during "Click it, or ticket" campaign WKYT 
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Excellent Photo: The Belle of Cincinnati at the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge Ledger-Independent 
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Arts Council seeks nominations for Kentucky Poet Laureate press release 
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Great shot of Anthony Davis swatting away a Spaniard during this week's USA vs Spain basketball game KSR 
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REPORT: 1 IN 4 KY KIDS MIRED IN POVERTY
Terrible:

Mirroring a national trend, the number of the state’s children living below the poverty line — defined in 2010 as $22,113 for a family of two adults and two children — rose 18 percent between 2005 and 2010, according to the annual report, which provides an annual snapshot of child well-being.

Full story: Courier-Journal 
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REGION'S ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS EXPLORED TONIGHT
Via Direction 2030:

One of a two scheduled round table discussions to allow members of the public – including residents, builders, developers, business owners and operators, and others – to participate in a discussion with a panel of experts from various fields and provide input on the Comprehensive Plan, a policy and planning document that is designed to guide the development and growth in Kenton County over the next 20 years.
This series of meetings will be comprised of two public meetings, one in Independence and one in Ludlow, to elicit input from all neighborhoods and communities within the county. Citizens may attend one or both of the meetings. Please be sure to register for each meeting you plan to attend. If you have questions, you may contact NKAPC at 859.331.8980.

Info on location and time: Direction 2030
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FORMER BOONE JUDGE-EXEC ENDORSES BILL ADKINS IN KY-4
The Fourth Congressional District race sees another endorsement from a Judge-Exec, and another for Democrat Bill Adkins, a Williamstown attorney:

"Just two years ago Thomas Massie emerged on Kentucky's political scene to run for judge-executive of Lewis County. The duty of being elected as a judge-executive in Kentucky is to lead and serve the highest government body in the county for a period of four years. After just one year in office, Mr. Massie decided to run for Congress and just six months after that, he quit his job as judge-executive in order to run his Congressional campaign.
"I served as Boone County Judge-Executive for 23 years and I know that holding elected office is more than winning campaigns and moving up the ladder. It is about service to the people; serving the citizens who work and pay the taxes in the community. Citizens count on and depend on their elected leaders to act in their best interest for the greater improvement of the community. They expect and deserve a solid performance by their elected officials. Before the citizens cast their votes this November in the race for Congress, they should think about whether they believe Mr. Massie has performed his duty that he was sworn to do when he took office in January, 2011. Voters should look beyond partisan politics and choose the person who has a track record of keeping their word and contributing to the community. That person is Bill Adkins." 

Bruce Ferguson
Former Boone County Judge-Executive

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NOTES
-The Licking Riverside Neighborhood Association meets tonight at 6:30PM at 327 Riverside Drive and will feature a presentation by Superintendent of Covington Schools Lynda Jackson.
-The City is distributing orange safety flags for wheelchairs in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission. Today's location OASIS Outreach Center (1016 Greenup Street) from 11:00AM - 1:00PM. For other locations and times, click here.
-Kenton County Animal Shelter employees can't believe these particular animals are still there! Click for photos 
-From The Welcome House: How would you like to drive a 2012 silver Cadillac CTS Sports Sedan for just $50.00? Go to our website www.welcomehouseky.org to buy a chance on a 2 year lease.
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THINGS ARE ROUGH, BUT LET'S HOPE THEY DON'T GET THIS BAD
The mayor of a town in Argentina is also running out of city funds so he has decided to pay employees only if they win a raffle:

Without enough money to pay all his city employees their regular wages, the mayor of a small town in central Argentina has implemented a money-saving plan that's equal parts desperation and spin. Instead of laying people off or implementing furloughs, the mayor has instituted a weekly raffle wherein the winners receive their pay. The losers receive nothing.
The economy has been declining in the town of Bialet Masse, home to about 5,000 people and a modest tourism industry. Funding from the provincial government has dwindled in recent years as the entire country's economic growth has faltered. With few options at his disposal, Mayor Gustavo Pueyo got creative.

Full story: The Atlantic Cities
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FOOD TRUCK INVASION IS FRIDAY
Get to the parking lot next to the Artisan Enterprise Center on West Seventh Street from 11:00AM to 2:00PM and have a great, quick lunch. You'll see more of these posters around town:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 24 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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BUSY, IMPORTANT COVINGTON CITY COMMISSION MEETING TONIGHT

On Tuesday night the Covington City Commission will meet for what will likely be a lengthy, important session. Here are the details:

• Lots of retirements and one resignation on the agenda. From the Fire Department: Chief Chuck Norris, Asst. Chief Alan Terry, Battalion Chief Bill Shelton, Lt. Chuck Spenlau, Engineer Todd Ryder, and EMT/Paramedic Marty Finan. From the Police Department: Sgt. Steve Sweeney. From the Devou Park Rangers: Karl Fry (listed as a resignation, not a retirement).
• EMS Director Dan Mathew will be appointed acting fire chief
• Another part of the Center City Action Plan (CCAP) will be presented for the first time as retail consultant Mike Berne comes back to town to discuss "retail positioning and strategy".
• The City's efforts to relax zoning restrictions on various types of businesses, as recommended in the CCAP, will have a first reading. For a review of what those zoning restrictions are, click here.
• A contract will likely be approved for the installation of 115 LED light fixtures in Mainstrasse Village and Riverside Drive at a cost of $105,000
• A contract for new destination signage for Devou Park will likely be approved at a cost of $36,000 (payable from Drees Pavilion allocation funds)
• The City will likely shift some of its federal housing funds to the Center for Great Neighborhoods as the organization moves to renovate three vacant properties on the 300 block of Orchard Street (which were purchased from the City earlier this year for one dollar). $74,000+ from the City's community development block grant funds and $44,000+ from the City's home "HOME" funds are being sought for assistance with this project.
• The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative will also present at the meeting, led by its President, Bill Wells

The River City News will have the most comprehensive coverage after Tuesday night's meeting here at this site, on Facebook, and Twitter.

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ARLINGHAUS: DISPATCH MERGER WILL BE ECONOMICAL

Kenton County Judge-Executive Steve Arlinghaus pens an op-ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer touting what he sees as the economic benefits of a merged emergency dispatch center that serve the whole county:

For the past year and a half, we have met with staff of Covington and Erlanger to discuss what would be necessary to merge the centers into one efficient operation. We all agree the single most important reason for doing this is to enhance the safety of the residents and the first responders throughout the county. The second most important factor is the long-term cost savings.
Without a doubt, the main reason for creating a single dispatch center is enhancing public safety. Increased cellphone use is a major strain on the operations of any communication center. There are numerous documented cases of calls being directed to the wrong center based on tower locations. When using a cellphone to call 911, your call may “hit” the closest tower to your phone, which may very well cause your call to be directed to the wrong dispatch center. This will cause you to be contacting the wrong center, and you will need to be transferred.

Read the full editorial: Cincinnati Enquirer
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Arlinghaus and the Kenton County Commissioners will take up the issue of a $6 fee imposed on utility bills to pay for the merged center at tonight's fiscal court meeting. To see the agenda, click here.
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PROSECUTOR: STATE POLICE CRIME REPORT "ERRONEOUS"
The River City News shared highlights from the annual report by the Kentucky State Police that painted a bad picture of Covington:

Our City is close to the top in several categories of crime across the state, including burglary, robbery, prostitution, arson, and more. (Thank goodness for Lexington!) A full breakdown of a year in crime in Covington and Kentucky -- at the link.

Full story: Covington ranks poorly in state crime report
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Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders responded to the report via Twitter: 

Those numbers are so obviously erroneous that I'd place little value on the report. The stats have no comparison value because the data out is only as good as the data in. See also: 0 burglaries in Newport in 2011. Those stats also don't give a true pic of crime in Cov b/c they only represent reports, not outcome. Many BS reports filed. They do give a good idea of what Cov Police are dealing with. AKA Not the time to be cutting police positions.

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STATE PENSION TASK FORCE TO MEET IN FRANKFORT TODAY
This message comes from State Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown) who represents part of Covington:

2nd meeting of the Pension Task Force (Tuesday) at 10 am in Frankfort at the Capitol Annex, open to the public. I will be chairing the meeting, the Pew Center will be testifying.

Thayer is unsure if the meeting will be broadcast or streamed, but if it is, check for it on KET. The Pew Center will be testifying after writing a report that demonstrated that Kentucky is close to the bottom on being prepared to deal with its pension obligations.
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QUICKIES
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Kentucky Right to Life endorses Republican Thomas Massie in his race against Democrat Bill Adkins to represent NKY in Congress  WKYT
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Poverty rate is highest since 1965 with southeast Kentucky being hit the hardest WKYT
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Lawmakers are open to making changes in new law that aims to crack down on prescription drug abuse Bluegrass Politics 
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Study: Horses are more relaxed around nervous humans The Blood-Horse 
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"Wet" state parks report high alcohol sales Herald-Leader
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Episode of History Detectives shot in Kentucky will air tonight press release
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UK, John Calipari have claws in six top uncommitted recruits Herald-Leader 
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DON'T MISS MONDAY EVENING'S NEWS
What happened in 1875 when Covington's baseball team challenged the mighty Cincinnati Reds?; More cities intend to join the consolidated Kenton Co Dispatch Center; Plus, a vehicle damaged in a Covington parking lot during last week's storm shows up on Craigslist. Click it.

The RC News: Monday Evening Round-Up 

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FORMER UK STAR, NBA PLAYER TAYSHAUN PRINCE IN TOWN

From Kicks for Kids:

Olympic and NBA Champion Tayshaun Prince, a former Kentucky Wildcat and current starter for the Detroit Pistons, will partner with Kicks For Kids to host a Basketball Camp July 24th-26th. The three-day clinic is intended to provide quality basketball instruction and be a fun and positive experience for kids entering the 4th, 5th or 6th grades in the 2012-2013 school year.Date: July 24 - 26, 2012 (Tuesday-Thursday)Location: Scott High School  all 3 days Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (Tuesday Registration: 8:00 - 9:00 AM)The camp will be capped at 125 participants, with reservations being given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please contact Kicks For Kids at ted.kluemper@kicksforkids.org or 859-331-8484, for registration, questions or more information.

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ARTISTS COMPLETING WORK ON LICKING RIVER GREENWAY MURALS
Artists are in the final stages of completing the series of eight murals being painted on pump stations along the Licking River as part of the Licking River Greenway and Trails network in Covington. The murals are a joint project for Vision 2015 and ArtWorks. "There are six artists who designed the murals and we are reproducing their work. I designed one of the murals and the apprentices designed one mural," said lead artist Kyle Pennuri in a release. "The work is logistically challenging. We have separate murals in a location that we cannot use scaffolding. Also, each artist's work is completely different so in a short amount of time we have to learn how to paint like the artists and recreate their work."

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The Licking River Master Plan, commissioned by Vision 2015 in 2008, proposes to establish a continuous green corridor in the Licking River valley adjacent to the communities of Newport, Covington, Wilder, and Taylor Mill, Kentucky. The Greenway plan calls for the stabilization of the riverbanks, the removal of invasive species and the restoration of native plants, trees, and wildlife in the riparian corridor.
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In addition to the Greenway, the 5-mile corridor, between the confluence with the Ohio River and the I-275 overpass, includes plans for establishing a multi-level trail system that connects neighborhoods with historical, educational, and cultural institutions and recreational facilities. The proposed trail system provides for nature trails, paved trails and water trails.

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PHOTOS:

KENTUCKY COMPANY WRITES THE NICEST CEASE-&-DESIST LETTER

Brown-Forman, famous for its whiskeys which now include Jack Daniels, thought the cover photo on an author's new book looked a little too much like the Tennessee whiskey's label. So, they asked him to change it -- but went above and beyond to be helpful:

“It starts out very stern and legal and lawyerly, but as it keeps going they refer to me as their ‘Louisville neighbor,’ and I stopped worrying quite as much,” says Wensink. “They’re being very nice, and at the end they offered to pay for new cover art, which is unheard of in the publishing world as far as I know. I’m not an expert, but I can’t imagine any other company offering to pay for new cover art when you violate their trademark.”

Read the full story: WFPL

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You can also read the full letter: Click Here 

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KENTUCKY RETURNS WAR MEMORIAL FAVOR TO MICHIGAN

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has placed a memorial at the site of a Central Kentucky Civil War battlefield to honor the Michigan solders that fought there:

The conflict happened in August 1862 as more experienced Confederate troops marched toward Union troops who were raw and outnumbered. The Michigan Artillery tried to turn back the Rebel forces, but Union soldiers ended up losing the battle.

Full story: WKYT 
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BUT DID YOU KNOW...
The State of Michigan honors troops from Kentucky for their role in another losing battle, only this one happened in the War of 1812 in Frenchtown, Michigan along the River Raisin. The Kentuckians were caught off guard in what became known as the River Raisin Massacre:

General Winchester was awakened by the roar of artillery fire and rushed to the battlefield, but was captured by Indians on the way. Chief Roundhead stripped him of his uniform before handing him to the British, which led to the legend that he was captured in his nightshirt. The American were scattered and not in any position to fight. The 17 U.S. Infantry, consisting mostly of green recruits, was caught in the open: it broke and fled. Its colonel, William Allen, was shot dead and scalped. Dozens tried to surrender and laid down their weapons, only to be shot or tomahawked by the Indians. Members of other units also tried to flee, but most were chased down and killed. A few removed their shoes and ran through the snow in their stockings to leave footprints that looked like moccasin and thus managed to escape. The British commanders were occupied a large barn, which was set on fire by William Orlando Butler, who forced them from their shelter.
The Kentucky Rifle Regiment continued to hold in the town. They had killed many of British artillerymen and infantry, but they were finally running out of ammunition. Winchester was urged by Procter to order his remaining men to surrender; otherwise they would all be killed and Frenchtown burned down. Procter demanded an unconditional surrender and refused Winchester's counter-proposals since Winchester was already his prisoner. Major George Madison, an American officer still on the battlefield, persuaded Procter to accept a surrender on the condition that all would be protected as prisoners of war.

Source: Wikipedia 
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The massacre led to the War of 1812 rally cry, "Remember the River Raisin!" Kentucky Counties Allen, Ballard, Edmonson, Graves, Hart, Hickman, McCracken, Meade, and Simpson were all named for Kentucky officers that fought in the battle. Only Ballard survived. 

Monument in honor of KY soldiers in Downtown
Monroe, Michigan

But don't worry folks! Kentuckians weren't always on the losing end of a battle. In fact, in the famed Battle of New Orleans (after the War of 1812 had officially ended), a Kentucky regimen is often credited with boosting Andrew Jackson's victory. The events inspired this kick-ass song about Kentucky:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 10 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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WELCOME TO YOUR NEW GOVERNMENT

A nice piece explaining how public-private partnerships are working in other cities, and worth reading as Covington moves toward the creation of something similar:

But what are the stakes of ceding public sector work to non-profits? Some argue that if private organizations like this one aren’t making sure trash is picked up and the neighborhood is promoted as a positive place to invest, the jobs won’t get done — and neighborhood will languish. On the other hand, communities cede a certain amount of accountability when private hands, whether a community development corporation like Midtown, Inc. or a for-profit company, take charge of public services.
Is there a risk when common-good public services are — at least some of the time — defined by neighborhood borders rather than city ones? De facto or otherwise, will cities be less likely to make high-quality services and innovation available to all its neighborhoods, or will some be left (perhaps all too literally) in the dark?
(snip)
The growing influence of today’s CDCs, particularly those in cities that are strapped for cash, speaks to larger trends of governments outsourcing what had once been their own jobs. There is some precedent for this: For years, non-profit conservancies have “adopted” city parks in Detroit in order to provide consistent maintenance and programming that City Hall could not, unintentionally resulting in a diffused system of authority for parks and recreation in the city.

FULL STORY: Next American City/Anna Clark 
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COVINGTON CITY COMMISSION TO MEET TONIGHT

Two Covington Police officers will have their requests for retirement accepted at Tuesday night's Covington City Commission meeting. Captain Dennis Sparks is set to leave the department August 1 while Officer Dennis Wesseler's retirement officially took place July 1. Other items of note on the agenda for Tuesday night:

• The City is to renew its contract with Dr. Paul Spellman for services for the Covington Fire Department
• For consideration, the approval of a "state bid" proposal from Ohio Caterpillar for the purchase of a new 299D XHP skid steer loader in the amount of $74,645 (50% payable from Devou Park Trust Fund, 19.3% payable from Drees allocation for equipment, 9.3% payable from Devou Trust tree removal allotment, and 21,4% from City capital improvement funds

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New piece of equipment will look similar to this

• Consideration for approval of $85,500 for new Panasonic toughbook computers, payable from asset forfeiture fund
• Promotions for several employees in the police and fire departments
• A presentation on the Latonia Banner

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TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA: The Covington Human Rights Commission will honor the City Commission for its move to offer health insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of city employees.
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NOTE: The Kenton County Fiscal Court meets Tuesday (today) morning at 9:00AM. The merged 911 dispatch center is part of one item on the agenda. To see the full agenda, click here (PDF)
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COLLEGE GRADUATION GAP WIDENS FOR LOW-INCOME KENTUCKIANS
While more Kentuckians are earning degrees, the gap between graduation rates of middle to high income students has widened eight percentage points over low income students:

In those two years, the graduation rate of low-income Kentucky students fell from 46 percent to 35 percent, according to an annual accountability report from the Council on Postsecondary Education. In comparison, the graduation rate of moderate- to high-income students dropped four percentage points, from 57 percent to 53 percent.
The gap between graduation rates for rich and poor students increased from 10 percentage points to 18.
The gap is connected to a bad economy, higher tuition rates and less state aid, and it's a big problem, according to one expert on the economy and higher education.

FULL STORY: Herald-Leader/Linda B. Blackford 
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MEANWHILE: Kentucky shows gains in degrees and credentials press release 
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PREVIOUSLY AT THE RIVER CITY NEWS:
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CITY RESPONDS TO RACIST FLYERS POSTED AT CITY HEIGHTS
"In order for the white race to survive, race mixing must be stopped!" Racist fliers posted around Covington's City Heights public housing community triggered a meeting there Monday with neighbors, the Covington Human Rights Commission, and the Chief of Police. Full story at the link.

City Responds to Racist Flyers in City Heights 

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HELP IDENTIFY TROUBLESOME INTERSECTIONS IN COVINGTON

Ever been stuck on Greenup Street waiting for that annoyingly long green light on Eastbound 20th Street to change? And then when it does, Greenup's green light is less than 10 seconds long! Help The River City News select Covington's most annoying, dangerous, ridiculous, and/or most troublesome intersections. Check out the link and then weigh in!

Help Identify Troublesome Intersections in Covington 

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MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES

Our City shows off its best traits for the international stage; State Rep. Simpson (D-Cov) fights for alcohol sales on election day; Kenton Co tweets more about beer than church, but Boone is the opposite (chart); Plus, two Covington places will now be serving gourmet hot dogs. Click the link!

The RC News: Monday Morning Round-Up 

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MAN SOUGHT ON PAROLE VIOLATION MAY BE IN COVINGTON

Keep an eye out for the fellow:

Kevin Meade

Kevin Meade is wanted by the Parole Authority of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for absconding (fleeing) parole. He is believed to have been hanging out on the 700 block of Madison Avenue in Covington. He is about 5'7" and 165 pounds. If you see him, call Police (911) or Crime Stoppers at 513.352.3040. Meade was convicted of possession of a forged instrument, receiving stolen property, theft, and bailjumping.

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UNION NEGOTIATOR HOPES TO BRING KY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOGETHER

One of the Commonwealth's new state representatives that will take office next year is a former union negotiator who hopes to smooth over the notoriously dysfunctional General Assembly. Via cn|2:

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QUICKIES

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Housing Authority of Covington seeks HOPE VI appraisers Building-Cincinnati 

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New gambling venues net Ohio $23.5 million Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Raising the minimum wage: help or harm? WFPL 

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Rep. Geoff Davis: Poor reports indicate need for new jobs bill Geoff Davis 

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Why is Sen. Mitch McConnell so nervous? The New York Times 

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CVG offers upgraded terminals Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Wiseguy Henry Hill (of Goodfellas film fame) hid out in Independence, KY Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Energy efficiency grants for local KY governments announced press release 

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NEW KENTUCKY LAWS GO INTO EFFECT THURSDAY

Want to see all the new laws that go in effect on Thursday after being passed this year by the General Assembly? Click Here 

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1,000 BABY CHICKENS DIE FROM HEAT AT LOUISVILLE MAIL CENTER

One fifth of the 5,000 chicks mailed from Iowa through Kentucky died from what postal officials as heat exposure:

Shipping live animals via mail is common, Walton said. Chicks are usually shipped in cardboard boxes with breathing holes cut out.
The shipment was carried by truck, Walton said.
When the chicks arrived Saturday in Louisville, workers at the USPS processing plant on Gardner Lane noticed that the chirping common from the boxes was absent in some, Walton said.

Courier-Journal 
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COVINGTON POLICE HOST BLOOD DRIVE
On Monday, the Covington Police Department welcomed the Hoxworth Blood Center to its headquarters to collect blood:

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CHECK OUT THE COMPLETED DEVOU PARK CONCESSIONS STAND

The new concessions/restroom facility debuted in Devou Park Saturday night during the World Choir Games concert at the Bandshell:

MORE QUICKIES

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Got 4 hours to spare during a layover at CVG? What would you do? Here's a take from some outsiders who passed through YSNP 

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John Calipari's future with Dominican Republic team up in the air ESPN 

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Interesting: 5 UK players drafted in the NBA in the last few years were signed by former UK coach Billy Gillespie SRSLY Herald-Leader 

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LOL: Photos: 1990s problems

More 1990s problems: Huffington Post