NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY EVENING 23 JAN

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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COVINGTON FIREFIGHTERS PUBLISH LIST OF RUNS TO COUNTER CLAIMS

From IAFF Local 38, the firefighter union in Covington:

There have been some comments made recently regarding the Covington Fire Department's run totals for 2011. It was stated that CFD made “only 69 fire runs for all of last year.” This is both inaccurate and untrue. A “Fire Run” can be defined by many things. We have 9 categories of runs that the Pumpers, Trucks and/or Rescue apparatus are dispatched for. Within each category are multiple sub-categories allowing the departmet to report a specific nature for each run.

In 2011, the Covington Fire Department made a total of 11,319 runs, 2913 of which were “Fire Runs.” Under the category of “Fire” there were 249 runs. Below the 21 sub-categories are broken down with the number of runs for each.
1. Building Fires (59)2. Fires in Structure other than in a building(6)3. Cooking fires(60)4. Chimney fires(2), Fuel Burner/Boiler Fires(1)5. Trash or Rubbish Fires(8)6. Fires in a mobile property used as a fixed structure(1)7. Mobile Property (vehicle) fire(3)8. Passenger vehicle fire(28)9. Road freight or transport vehicle fire(5)10. Off-road or heavy equipment fire(1)11. Natural vegetation fire(3)12. Brush fire(11)13. Grass fire(1)14. Outside rubbish fire(10)15. Outside rubbish/trash/waste fire(30)16. Garbage dump/landfill fire(1)17. Construction/demolition landfill fire (1)18. Dumpster or other outside trash fire (10)19. Special outside fire (4)20. Outside gas or vapor combustion fire (1)21. Outside mailbox fire (1).

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SENATOR PAUL DISCUSSES HIS 'DETAINMENT' AT NASHVILLE AIRPORT

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STALLED CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MAY LEAD TO FILING EXTENSION

That means Northern Kentucky Democrats may have longer to find a candidate finally in the race to replace the retiring Geoff Davis.

WFPL/Kenny Colston 

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MEANTIME... GOV. BESHEAR HOPES FOR COMPROMISE EVEN AFTER BITTER REDISTRICTING DEBATE...

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He now wants lawmakers to focus on the budget and approving a measure that would allow the public to vote on expanded gaming. “In the next few days you’ll see a bill introduced that would put a constitutional amendment on the ballot and let people vote on that issue in November,” Beshear said. “And I’m hopeful that the Senate will pass it and then the House will pass it and we can get it on the ballot.”

WFPL/Brenna Angel  
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SEE ALSO: Bill to allow billboard ads on school buses likely to fail in state senate WFPL 
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COVINGTON HOTEL EARNS FOUR DIAMOND STATUS FROM AAA
The Marriott @ RiverCenter was one of four hotels in Greater Cincinnati to earn the distinction. Also included: The Cincinnatian, The Netherland Plaza, and the Westin. That's great company for a fine hotel right here in Covington.

The breathtaking atrium at the
RiverCenter Marriott

Business Courier 
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NO NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS MAKE STATE LIST FOR BEST PLACES?
Strange. Not one local business made the KY Chamber's list of best places to work.
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
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WILL GEORGE CLOONEY BE AT THE CINCINNATI-SYRACUSE GAME TONIGHT?
Clifton is abuzz with news that the area's favorite celebrity may grace their presence when the Bearcats takes on the Orangemen. It was UC's Provost that started the rumor on Twitter!
Cincinnati Enquirer 
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FORBES RANKS CINCINNATI AREA AMONG BEST FOR BARGAINS
From the magazine:

Armed with this information, we looked to finding the best cities in the nation for scoring a retail deal. In compiling America’s Best Cities For Discount Shopping, we looked at indicators of great discount shopping in the 50 largest metropolitan areas. But because it isn’t enough just to get a great price, variety played as big of a role as great prices. Combining data from the U.S. financial, geographical and retail data, the first-ever list provides a snapshot of the best locales to shop till you drop—without breaking your budget.

Cincinnati was #8.
Forbes/Meghan Casserly  
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TURFWAY DROPS SOME STAKES TO RETAIN PURSES
Please get this place a casino, stat!

According to the last two condition books of the meet, four $50,000 stakes—the Wintergreen, Tejano Run, Queen, and Fairway Fun, all for older horses—will be on hiatus this year. In addition, purses for the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes and Rushaway Stakes for 3-year-olds will drop from $100,000 to $75,000 guaranteed.

Blood Horse 

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SEE ALSO: Churchill Downs reaches agreement with Jockey Guild WFPL 

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MONDAY AFTERNOON'S NEWS

A church is burglarized in Boone County and now Covington Police look for possible links to the Latonia church burglaries; A Kentucky mayor is murdered; Two legendary racehorses are the proud parents of a coveted colt (Photo); Plus, NKY author Rick Robinson on Stephen Colbert's Presidential bid. Those stories and more at the link!
The River City News

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CHECK OUT THIS JAM SESSION FROM CYMBAL HOUSE IN MAINSTRASSE

More videos from the Cymbal House at their YouTube Channel. 

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NKU TALENT SHOW

This is from this year's Homecoming (which happens during basketball season since there is no football team):

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HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW HAPPY MEAL?

Now with more apple slices!

Available nationwide, the new Happy Meal automatically includes Apple Slices (apple slices, ¼ cup or ½ serving) as a side to the choice of Chicken McNuggets®, a Hamburger, or Cheeseburger , and choice of beverage, in which fat-free chocolate milk and 1% white milk will be options. In addition to Apple Slices, the meal also includes a new smaller size French Fries (1.1 ounces).

For those customers who prefer a side choice of apples only, two bags of apples will be available upon request.

By adding fruit in every Happy Meal, McDonald's hopes to address a challenge children face in meeting the recommended daily consumption of produce.

Press release via FOX 19 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 3 JAN

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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VIDEO TRIBUTE TO COVINGTON TEEN MURDERED LAST MONTH

This video appeared on YouTube in memory of 18-year old Brett Thornberry who was shot to death on Greenup Street in December. 

A 15-year old boy is in custody, charged with Thornberry's murder. The teen suspect also faces a complicity to robbery charge. Covington Police are still interviewing potential witnesses and at least one other suspect.

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KENTUCKY STATE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES TODAY

Lawmakers meet in Frankfort today for the first day of the General Assembly's 2012 session. Gambling, education, and redistricting are all on the agenda. While Congressional lines may be divisive, there is not much expected in the way of a fight over state House and Senate boundaries:

It’s doubtful that reapportioning the state House, Senate and judicial districts will cause much of a stir. (House Speaker Greg) Stumbo and Thayer said they and leaders in their caucuses are close to finalizing plans, which should be ready before the legislative session begins next Tuesday. Stumbo said he expects the House to go along with whatever plan the Senate proposes for the Senate, just as he expects the Senate to approve whatever plan emerges from the House for its own members.

Courier-Journal/Joseph Gerth  
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COVINGTON CITY COMMISSION OPPOSES REDISTRICTING OF CITY
At today's meeting, four City Commissioners (The River City News has not heard from Mayor Chuck Scheper) are expected to pass a symbolic resolution opposing the redistricting of the 65th House District, a mostly-Covington area represented by Democrat Arnold Simpson of Old Seminary Square. The Democratic leadership in the House will likely cede portions of Covington (including Licking Riverside and the Eastside neighborhoods) to the 67th District, represented by Democrat Dennis Keene of Wilder. For background, click the links:
The RC News: Arnold Simpson Opposes Inevitable Redistricting 
The RC News: Redistricting Will Leave Covington Without Unified Voice 
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JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF PROPOSED COVINGTON METHADONE CLINIC
The contentious issue was decided last week in Kenton County Circuit Court. The Covington Board of Adjustments had ruled that zoning laws did not permit a methadone clinic, but the Judge found an error in the zoning language, allowing the plans for the clinic to move forward. Click the link for the story.
The RC News: Methadone Clinic Wins Approval from Kenton Court 
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CRIT LUALLEN WOULD AUDIT STATE'S SCHOOL SYSTEMS
But only if she had more time in office. Crit Luallen, the long-serving Democrat was formally replaced by fellow Democrat Adam Edelen in the office of Kentucky Auditor following a swearing-in ceremony yesterday. While most reviews of Luallen's tenure are extremely positive, the potential 2015 gubernatorial candidate says she would have liked to have looked at the books of public school districts:

Upon finishing her two terms as state Auditor, Crit Luallen said the one area she didn’t get to thoroughly investigate was the efficiency of Kentucky’s 174 local school district administrations. “If I had more time and more resources — staff resources — I’d love to take a look at some of the administrative costs in elementary and secondary education across the state’s local school districts,” she said.

More, with video, at the link.
cn|2
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SEE ALSO: Luallen is included on the list of a dozen political people to watch in 2012. cn|2 
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SHOULD KY GOVERNOR CANDIDATES CHOOSE LT. AFTER PRIMARY?
That's what one bill before the legislature suggests. Currently, a candidate for governor must have a running mate during the primary, which may eliminate better candidates from becoming second-in-command:

Harmon’s bill also bans lobbyists from contributing to any candidate for governor, lieutenant governor, or their campaigns. Harmon says he believes lobbyists’ power of persuasion may be exaggerated a bit. “I don’t think they have quite the influence that most people think,” he says. “You know I’m sure they have some influence. I’ve always said that my door is open to anybody whether they give me money or not.”

The fact that a politician has to say that his door is open 'whether they give (him) money or not', as if that is some courageous statement, shows just how ridiculous things are in Frankfort. 
WFPL  
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SEE ALSO: Pseudophedrine bill also to be considered WFPL 
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KY CAPITOL CHAPEL GETS FACELIFT
So... at least the legislators can pray away all the sinning they're about to commit:

King raised the issue with legislative staff members, one of whom was a member of the Frankfort Kiwanis Clubs. The Kiwanis raised funds to create the chapel in the early 1960s. Thus was born the idea to renovate the chapel, with the Frankfort and East Frankfort Kiwanis clubs helping to raise a few thousand dollars in private funds for the job. “I didn’t want any problem with the fact that we had a chapel in the Capitol,” King said. “I did not want state monies funding the renovation.”
Michael Aldridge, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, said he also was surprised to learn that the Capitol contains a chapel but saw no problem as long as it was made available to all.

Courier-Journal via Cincinnati Enquirer  
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SEN. RAND PAUL TO HELP FATHER DURING TONIGHT'S IOWA CAUCUS
The circus sideshow that is this year's GOP Presidential primary has its first actual vote (or whatever they do in a caucus) tonight in Iowa. Texas Representative Ron Paul is hoping to pull the upset and his son, Kentucky's Junior Senator, Rand Paul is there to help.
WBKO 
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IS KENTUCKY'S REPEAT-OFFENDER LAW TOO TOUGH?
Maybe, maybe not -- but it sure is expensive:

Prosecutors view the harsher penalties as a tool to crack down on career criminals and counteract the effects of early-release programs.
But since 1980, the number of state inmates sentenced under the PFO law has grown from 79 to more than 4,000, costing Kentucky taxpayers nearly $89 million in incarceration costs each year. Critics say that’s too much, given the state’s budget problems. “We really can’t afford to continue this policy,” said Ed Monahan, head of the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy.

Courier-Journal  
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UPS EXPECTS TO BE BUSY WITH RETURNS TODAY
All because of the huge jump in online shopping:

The delivery company expects to handle more than 550,000 returns on Tuesday, a record, and up almost 8 percent from a year earlier. Several other days during the first week of 2012 will also top half a million returns, UPS said. "This will definitely be the busiest year for returns," Ken Burkeen, marketing director of the retail and consumer products division at UPS, told Reuters.

Reuters  
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in case you missed...
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LAST NIGHT'S NEWS
Ed Hughes on what the Gateway Urban Campus could mean for Covington; Jim Bunning makes endorsement in race to replace State Sen. Westwood; What is Swing This Kettlebell in Latonia, anyway? Those stories and more at the link!

News Round-Up -- Monday Evening 

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*************************************************************MAN SUED FOR TAKING HIS TWITTER FOLLOWERS WITH HIM
His old employer was not happy when the man left his job and took with him 17,000 followers on Twitter:

PhoneDog LLC filed a lawsuit in July against Noah Kravitz, a writer who worked for the Mount Pleasant, S.C., firm from 2006 until last year. Attorneys for the website, which reviews mobile devices like phones and tablets, said Kravitz owes them $340,000. It said when Kravitz resigned, he changed his Twitter name from PhoneDog-Noah to noahkravitz, and kept his 17,000 followers. The company said the followers should be treated like a customer list, and therefore PhoneDog’s property. PhoneDog said Kravitz should pay $2.50 per follower per month for eight months, or a total of $340,000.

#21stCenturyProblem
Associated Press via Courier-Journal  

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OLD COVINGTON SCHOOL TO DEBUT AS APARTMENTS TOMORROW

A ribbon-cutting is set for 11:00AM at the Thomas Edison School Apartments. The 1939 building is listed on the National Register as Fourth District School and will now be home to 26 rental units.

Read about the project here: AU Associates 

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There is an ad on Craigslist seeking renters:

Preserving the historic character and charm of the historic Thomas Edison Elementary School, the Thomas Edison Elementary Apartments provide 26 units of affordable housing in the heart of the historic Helentown Neighborhood in Covington, Kentucky. The apartments, slated to be completed near the end of 2011, feature ADA accessible apartments, elevator access to each floor, off-street parking for residents, a community room, a community theater and stage , resident storage, on site laundry facilities, individually controlled HVAC systems, and energy efficient appliances and light fixtures.

14 One Bedroom: $450/month8 Two Bedroom: $550/month4 Three Bedroom: $650/month
Be the first to rent at Thomas Edison School Apartments - Join our waiting list today!
Contact us at 859-445-6119!

Cincinnati Craigslist  
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The River City News will be there!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING 28 DEC

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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FUNERAL TODAY FOR TEEN MURDER VICTIM

The 18-year old who was shot and killed at 1010 Greenup Street last Tuesday evening will be laid to rest today. Brett Thornberry's visitation is set for this morning from 8:30AM to 11:20AM at Conley Brothers Funeral Home in Latonia. His funeral will follow at noon at St. Benedict Church and he will be buried at Mother of God Cemetery in Fort Wright. The family is asking for help in covering funeral expenses:

Memorial Suggestions can be made to the Brett Thornberry Memorial Fund c/o any Bank of Kentucky branch location.

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SEE ALSO: Thornberry online obituary: Click Here 

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MEANTIME...

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Covington Police confirmed that a 15-year old boy is in custody charged with Thornberry's murder, but The River City News learned Tuesday that while interviews of potential suspects and witnesses continue, no new arrests have been made. The 15-year old in custody also faces a complicity to robbery to charge, implying that at least one other suspect faces arrest. 

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WATCH OUT FOR BLACK ICE THIS MORNING

Could be a mildly treacherous commute:

A mix of rain and wet snow that fell late Tuedsay is still glistening on roads and creating some slick spots across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Jennifer Edwards Baker  
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SEE ALSO: Lexington joins the record rainfall crowd (Cincinnati/NKY earned the distinction earlier this year and has since shattered the previous record by thirty inches).
Herald-Leader/Jim Warren 
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BENEFIT FOR CHEZ NORA WAITRESS SUFFERING FROM BRAIN TUMORS
If you are a regular at Chez Nora in Mainstrasse, or even if you've been just once, you've likely been waited on by Karen. One of the nicest ladies in Covington, Karen has been battling five brain tumors. Chez Nora will host a benefit on Tuesday, January 10 (Time TBD) and is currently reaching out to the community to find people or businesses that could donate door prizes. Call the restaurant at 859.491.8027 for more information.
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FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENTS HAVE BIG IMPACT
Just a few months after mass retirements of Covington firefighters, Lexington's department is faced with the same situation. 

In just a couple of days, the Lexington Fire Department will be losing nearly 40 firefighters due to retirements. "We are expecting more than our usual or typical number of retirees," says Rick Jordan, Asst. Chief for the Lexington Fire Department. The retirements plus resignations will bring the manpower on the department from 526 down to 484 firefighters for the city. This will make it the lowest staffing number since 2000. (snip) The impact will result in some equipment temporarily being taken out of service and could even lead to longer response times.

More (including a video report) at the link.
WKYT  
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WHAT CAN COVINGTON LEARN FROM LOUISVILLE?
For starters, Covington could develop an attitude like Louisville. Ever been to a city where the residents are more proud to be from there? When the City merged its government with Jefferson County, thus multiplying its population by nearly four, drivers on Interstate 71 were almost immediately greeted by a sign that reads: "Welcome to Louisville - America's 16th Largest City". Do you think the 15th or 17th largest cities in America boast of their size on the side of a highway? Silly? Maybe. But signs of a good, positive attitude? Definitely. 


The new branding for Louisville is "Possibility City". That is a great slogan. Check out the links to 2 videos by ABC News's online show "Travel Now" and see what I mean. Covington doesn't have to create what Louisville is, but an attitude adjustment in the vein of Derby City would be a nice start.
ABC News: Travel to the City of Possibility
ABC News: Louisville's Hip Emerging Scene 
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ATTORNEY & RADIO HOST ERIC DETERS BRINGS COMEDY SHOW TO COVINGTON
I'm not kidding. In addition to defending & suing and hosting a morning drive talk show on 1160 AM, The Bulldog does comedy too. His jokes will be told at Tickets Sports Cafe on 6th Street in Covington. Don't believe me? Check his tweets:

bulllaw Eric Deters 

Comedy Show in Three Days!! Thursday, December 29 at 7 p.m. at Tickets Sports Café in Covington, I’ll do a Witty and Wise Comedy Show!...

10 hours ago Favorite Undo Retweet Reply

bulllaw Eric Deters 

Yours truly. Just as funny,.most fake it.. I deliver it. Nothing rehearsed or assisted. Just the truth you can handle.. #Bulldognation

11 hours ago 

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SOMETHING SHADY IS ALWAYS GOING ON WITH THESE RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS
And it usually involves developer Bear Creek. One of at least three local attempts to open a retail center that is either tarnished by lawsuits or threats of foreclosure, has been sold. Buttermilk Towne Center is now owned by a Cleveland-based firm.

Bank of America had filed a foreclosure action against it, claiming a $34 million default on its construction loan. Bank of America also filed a $36 million foreclosure action (still in court) against Newport Pavilion, the $90 million Target and Kroger Marketplace development in Newport. Meanwhile, some Kenwood Towne Place principals had accused Bear Creek partner Matt Daniels of using funds earmarked to pay Towne Place contractors to make payments on other projects and loans, like Buttermilk.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Laura Baverman  
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PIKEVILLE TO BECOME KENTUCKY'S NEXT STATE UNIVERSITY?
Governor Beshear is exploring the possibility:

Former Democratic Gov. Paul Patton, who now is president of the University of Pikeville, is trying to get state money for Pikeville in part to help lower the school's $16,000 annual tuition. Patton said in a phone interview that he supports an independent study."We're perfectly willing to have a knowledgeable and neutral party to review this," Patton said. "I think it should be done quickly, with the ultimate goal being what is best for Kentucky."

Herald-Leader 
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PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND SHOP
Online retailers love it when your drunk ass stumbles home to use your iPhone to buy a new iPhone that you won't remember ordering until it shows up:

Shopping under the influence has long benefited high-end specialty retailers — witness the wine-and-cheese parties that are a staple of galleries and boutiques. Now the popularity of Internet sales has opened alcohol-induced purchases to the masses...
(snip)
Chris Tansey, an accountant in Australia, went shopping online after drinking late one night (to be precise, it was well into the morning). By the end of the session, he had bought a $10,000 motorcycle tour of New Zealand. “The hang-ups of spending your hard-earned cash are so far removed from your life when you’ve had a bottle of wine,” Mr. Tansey said in an e-mail. The New Zealand trip was terrific, he said. But a pair of $3 sunglasses on eBay “turned out to be horrible fakes, with $17 of postage that I obviously didn’t see with beer goggles.”

But, by all means drink and read The River City News.
The New York Times  
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in case you missed...
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LAST NIGHT'S NEWS ROUND-UP
Big time police raid involving multiple agencies in - wait, what? Ludlow?; Legalizing hemp in KY would create 17,000 jobs, $500 million says state senator; Covington's "Marryin' Man" is appointed Magistrate; Rick Pitino to say 'arrivederci' in 2017. Those stories and more at the link!

You'll also find links to other stories from The RC News that you may have missed!

News Round-Up -- Tuesday Evening 

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|LOOKING FOR AN END-OF-YEAR TAX WRITE-OFF CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION?
The Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission would not mind if you slipped a few bucks their way:

For more than 40 years, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission has helped low income individuals and families develop the knowledge, opportunities, and resources they need to achieve self- reliance. The agency’s comprehensive range of services include early childhood education, energy assistance, job training, affordable housing, weatherization, child abuse prevention, and education services in eight (8) counties in Kentucky.

NKCAC 
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LAMB BORN IN NATIVITY SCENE ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN EDEN PARK
Miracle or coincidence? Who cares! Just look at the cute baby lamb:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 27 DEC

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter    

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AN OPEN LETTER TO JEFF RUBY

Dear Jeffrey,

On behalf of the People of Covington, it is my duty to inform you that our City does not have $2 million to give you. 

You say:

“I’ve negotiated in good faith with the city of Covington,” Ruby said. “It has gotten nowhere.”

I say: see above.  Covington did not open your doors during high water in which other businesses closed. Covington also did not send the debris down the river to knock your tribute to the '80s from her mooring and into the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge with customers on board you stupid, stupid ----. 


If the City were to give you $2 million, what would we get out of it? A steak named for us? A share in Bootsy's - oh sorry, that one closed too. Was that Covington's fault, also?


In closing, well... yeah, you're closed. So be gone, before someone drops debris on you too.


Best,
Michael


Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
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COVINGTON ATTORNEY WEIGHS CONGRESSIONAL RACE
And wait for it... he's a Democrat! Holy moly! Where's my faintin' couch? Bob Sanders, who was recently honored for lifetime achievement by the Kenton County Democratic Club, is asking for feedback via Facebook on whether a true progressive like him could win in the KY's 4th District. His entry in the race would almost certainly guarantee a competitive campaign. Do it.

Bob Sanders (L) has his law practice in Old Seminary
Square. (Pictured with Kenton Dem Club Pres. Steve
Hoffman)

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SEE ALSO: Republican State Representative Alecia Webb-Edgington, who has already announced her run to replace the retiring Geoff Davis, launched a campaign website: http://aleciaforcongress.com/

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SEE ALSO: The NKY Tea Party has a new 'leader'. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Mark Hansel|
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in case you missed...
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COVINGTON RIVERFRONT CITED IN GREAT HONOR FOR CINCINNATI
Lonely Planet, the world's largest travel publisher, listed Cincinnati at #3 on its annual top 10 of must-see destinations in America (for 2012). Covington's LIcking Riverside and Roebling Bridge played a role in that designation. Click the link for more.
The RC News: Covington Riverfront Factors in Cincinnati's Destination Designation
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MONDAY MORNING ROUND-UP
CVG is evacuated this morning causing delays across the board; The best state for an animal abuser to live is Kentucky, says new study; Young, budding photographers continue their work in Covington. For those stories and more, click the link!

The RC News: News Round-Up -- Monday Morning 

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DID YOU DO ANY SHOPPING ON...CHRISTMAS DAY?

Apparently. Online shopping on the actual day of Christmas was up over 16% from last year. 

Business First 

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WEALTH GAP WORST SINCE ANCIENT ROME

American exceptionalism!

In the United States, the top 1 percent controls roughly 40 percent of the nation’s wealth. According to the study, which examined Roman ledgers, previous estimates, imperial edicts, and Biblical passages, Rome’s top 1 percent controlled less than half that at the height of its economic power, as Tim De Chant notes at Per Square Mile:Their target was the state of the economy when the empire was at its population zenith, around 150 C.E. Schiedel and Friesen estimate that the top 1 percent of Roman society controlled 16 percent of the wealth, less than half of what America’s top 1 percent control.

Think Progress  
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SEE ALSO: Gap between rich and poor growing Politico 
SEE ALSO: Lawmakers' wealth continues to grow Washington Post 
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OCCUPY NKY TO MARCH AGAINST MCCONNELL AND DEMOCRATS
The group's Facebook page says that it wants both parties to know that it will not be ignored, so it's marching out in the suburbs past the offices of Sen. McConnell and the Kenton County Democrats (which is strange for two reasons: 1) the Kenton Dems made up half of the group's attempt at a rally in Mainstrasse, so Occupy NKY will not win any favors from them anytime soon; and 2) As was noted on The River City News Facebook page, the Kenton Dems don't have an office). To read more and to view the event, click the link.
The RC News: Occupy NKY to March at McConnell & Democrats 
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BANKS BOOST LENDING
Slowly but surely, things are turning around...

USA Today reports that bank lending has risen by annual rates as high as 8.2 percent since July.

Business First 

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YOU MUST WEAR WHITE TO ENTER

Sounds like Madison Avenue could get soapy... The Madison Theater is hosting its Winter Whiteout Foam Party on Friday, January 13:

Please join us for this one of a kind experience as we combine the worlds of blacklight parties with foam parties and some of the best multi-genre music around. Please bring a coat for coat check if you plan on raging in the foam! Be prepared for a night you will never forget

Only eight bucks? And I get a shower? Nice...

Madison Theater 

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STILL IN GIVING SPIRIT?

From the NKY Emergency Shelter:

Going to the Grocery Store? If you can, pick up an item or two on our needs list: Coffee, Plastic Spoons, Sugar, Paper Towels and Cereal. Your donation can be dropped off anytime after 5pm at 634 Scott Street, Covington. If you've never been here before, we'll give you a tour! Thank you.

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WELCOME TO THE WORLD DAVID MONKS, JUNIOR

Just a personal note to welcome my nephew, David. He was born close to midnight last night... and I can't wait to go see him like right now. Later taters!