NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

COVINGTON LEFT OUT OF NEW LOUISVILLE-LEXINGTON PARTNERSHIP

And State Representative Arnold Simpson is not happy about it:

“I would hate to see a device put in to being where northern Kentucky would be competing with Lexington and Louisville. It shouldn’t be like that. I see our commonalities even though our geographic location lends itself to a recognition of being part of the Cincinnati economy. We’re Kentuckians,” Arnold told a state legislative panel.

And then Louisville and Lexington were all like, "What's a Covington?"
WFPL 

|

NKY TEA PARTY DID NOT VIOLATE ELECTION LAWS

Good for them?

The ad ran in the Northern Kentucky Community Recorder newspapers and said, "Join the Northern Kentucky Tea Party and help take back America. Vote November 2," and listed candidates the ad said supported tea party principles.
The ad, however, did not ask people to vote for a specific candidate, said Emily Dennis, general counsel for election finance board.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
|
MORE GOOD WORK BY THE NKY EMERGENCY SHELTER
Bless these people that help prove Covington is a welcoming place for everyone. Click the link and read about how during Tuesday night's dip into freezing, the NKY Shelter took in guests from Cincinnati and Boone County and even helped a mentally-challenged woman get home (all the way in Lexington). That's called loving thy neighbor, for those who have forgotten.
Emergency Shelter of NKY
|
COVINGTON'S BISHOP: DON'T HOLD HANDS
Weird. I'll censor my comments on this one. But it's really tough.
KY Post
|

HORSES ARE ON NKY'S CALENDAR AGAIN... WILL THEY BE ON MENU SOON?

Racing is back for the holidays at Turfway park:

Some of the highlights during the Holiday Meet are five $50,000 stakes:

Holiday Inaugural, 6 furlongs for fillies and mares 3 years old and up, Dec. 3

My Charmer, 1 1/16 miles for fillies and mares 3 years old and up, Dec. 10

Prairie Bayou, 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up, Dec. 17

Gowell, 6 furlongs for 2-year-old fillies, Dec. 23

Holiday Cheer, 6 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, Dec. 31

Turfway even races on New Year's Eve. Love it.

FOX 19 

|

I SHIVER TO THINK WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LOSING HORSES...

...Now that the US is closer to allowing them to be eaten:

However, on Nov. 18 President Obama signed into law a broader bill that restores the funding. According to published reports, such action could end the “ban” on horse slaughter brought about by the lack of funding.
(snip)The legislation is tied to a federal General Accountability Office report from earlier this year. The report concluded, among other things, that the ban on horse slaughter has led to increased case of horse abuse. The report, called “Horse Welfare: Act Needed to Address Unintended Consequences from Cessation of Domestic Slaughter,” was directed by Congress. The report, released in June, said the slaughter market shifted to Canada and Mexico; from 2006 to 2010 horse exports for slaughter jumped 148% to Canada and 660% to Mexico.

Blood Horse 

|

But... if horse is gonna be on the menu... maybe some Covington restaurants could cash in with a quick name enhancement to capitalize on the publicity? Here are a few suggestions:

|

Gold Star Filly? Neigh Nora? Cock & Bull & Horse? Joc-Keystone? And then there's, well... yeah, Blinkers.

|

Got any suggestions? Send them in!

|

SEE ALSO: Williams to serve as chief racing steward. 

Thoroughbred Times

|

DID YOU SEE KENTUCKY ON 60 MINUTES SUNDAY?

They profiled a Lexington company that helps make food taste like...food. Check it out.

Barefoot & Progressive

|

COVINGTON GALLERY HOP IS FRIDAY

Covington Arts

|

IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE MOOD FOR HORSE, HOW ABOUT BEAR?

You can kill bears a week earlier than usual in Kentucky this year (in case you didn't waste all your bullets on sandhill cranes).

WKYT

|

IS CINCINNATI'S MAYOR LOSING IT A LITTLE?

I miss the nerdy state senator who was the son of a judge. This guy's just kind of a dick anymore:

Mallory began by insisting that he wasn’t going to comment for reporters about Chiquita’s departure unless they publicized one of his news releases about “a call out for new members to be involved in the Young Professionals Kitchen Cabinet.”Then he told a TV cameraman that he didn’t want to have a microphone clipped to his lapel or necktie: “Do you have to do that?” he asked. The videographer ended up attaching the mic on a competing news station’s mic.

(snip)“The loss of 350 jobs is something that concerns us, but it’s not something that’s going to affect our economy,” he said. 

(snip)After Chiquita leaves, what happens to its headquarters?“Um, we’re probably going to implode that building — make that green space to continue the gardens that are across the way there from Procter & Gamble. We think that would be a great thing to do. We’re going to add a little bridge that goes – I’m kidding, I’m kidding,” he said. 

Ha? Plus, you must see the ridiculous photo Mallory posed for. Give me Denny Bowman any day over this douchebag.
Cincinnati Enquirer/Politics Extra 
|
NEW CINCINNATI COUNCILMAN GETS PWNED FOR NEWPORT QUESTION
Newly elected Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach (who, along with the other new members, will be sworn in today) had his first brush with being schooled on Twitter, albeit in a very small case. Seelbach tweeted yesterday that he was sitting in the Cincinnati Chamber's office and that a woman asked a secretary about what to do in town with a kid. The secretary recommended OMG the Newport Aquarium! Seelbach was angry that Cincinnati's Chamber would recommend a NKY attraction. So, the Chamber tweeted back:

@ChrisSeelbach We're a regional chamber serving the 15 county, 3 state MSA.

To which Seelbach replied:

@CincyChamber got it! Just seemed a little strange to me, but understand your scope covers nky.

And then the Aquarium got in on it:

And besides that, we're AWESOME. :) 

With one final reply from Seelbach:

@newportaquarium You are indeed awesome! Any way I can get a personal tour of the Seal exhibit? (if you have seals, that is!) :)

If you have seals, that is...#SMH
|
SPEAKING OF THE LEVEE...
Want a free small popcorn next time you get over to the AMC Theater? (It's a $4.5 million value!) Click the link:
AMC Bribes You At Facebook
|
yesterday's news!
|
Number of children on Medicaid in Kenton County doubles; 22% of teen moms here are giving birth for the second (or more) time. New depressing data from Kentucky Youth Advocates with local highlights (and link to full report) at the link.
The RC News: New Data Shows Poorer Kenton County
|
Did you catch the news about the entire block under renovation or the one about the new music venue opening where the Mad Hatter used to be?

|

A Latonia bar is fined for smoking ban violations; A woman heads to medical school from The Welcome House shelter; How a rape spree in Licking Riverside led to the creation of the Women's Crisis Center; A KY church bans interracial couples; and would you want penguins from the Aquarium at your wedding proposal? Those stories and more at the link.

The RC News: News Round-Up -- Wednesday Afternoon

|

More on the 'Great Banana Split of 2011' and why Covington is the loser in Chiquita's move; Presidential candidate Herman Cain's latest extramarital controversy originated in Kentucky; Plus, photos from the City tree-lighting in Mainstrasse. Those stories and more at the link!

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

NEW DATA SHOWS POORER KENTON COUNTY

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

The 2011 Kids Count report from Kentucky Youth Advocates demonstrates a staggering decrease in the quality of life for young Kentuckians over the past ten years. The data undoubtedly reflects the fact that a 4.2 unemployment rate for Kentucky in 2000 reached 10.5 in 2010. The number of children receiving food stamps increased 68% while the amount of children on childcare subsidies nearly doubled. Sadly, the data is no better in Kenton County.

|

Here are some numbers followed by a link to the full report for your own reading:

|

KENTUCKY CHILDREN RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS

2000: 177,569

2008: 298,499

An increase of 68%

(20.7% of all federal income tax filers in KY applied for Earned Income Tax Credit)

|
EDUCATION

Kids receiving childcare subsidies:

2001: 41,779

2010: 74,121

|

High school averaged graduation rate increased 3.3 percentage points to 80.5% from 2007-08 to 2009-10.

|

TEEN PREGNANCY

In Kenton County, births to teen mothers aged 15 - 19:

1999-2001: 796

2007-2009: 737

The percent of teen mothers who gave birth for a second time while a teenager stayed the same in Kenton County at 22%.

|

INSURANCE

Kenton County children enrolled in the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) increased over the last decade.

2000: 774

2010: 1,513

|

Medicaid enrollment for children in Kenton County doubled.

2000: 6,701

2010: 12,455

|

Some other highlights from the findings: 28% of expectant mothers in Kenton County smoke while pregnant, 7% of babies in Kenton County are born with a low birth weight, 15% of 2 to 4-year olds in Kenton County that receive food stamps are obese. 

|
The report does highlight some progress, including better access to dental care and more kids receiving health insurance. Check out the full report at the link:

KY Youth Advocates

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

LATONIA BAR CITED FOR SMOKING VIOLATIONS

Yikes, Legends:

During a regular food inspection on Nov. 4, a health inspector noticed customers smoking, a lack of signage, and the presence of children, said Emily Gresham Wherle, a spokeswoman for the Northern Kentucky Health Department.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder
|
MORE INPUT SOUGHT FOR COVINGTON'S RIVERFRONT
And you're invited! So mark your calendars: Monday. December 5, 6:00PM at City Hall. From the City:

At this Community Input Session, we will share how other communities have improved their riverfronts, what Covington's riverfront currently looks like, and how possible improvements can be made along the Ohio Riverfront.

Be there.
SEE ALSO: The Banks in Cincinnati grows fast Cincinnati Enquirer
|
MAD HATTER SPACE TO BE FILLED BY "BANGARANG'S"
I love the name. Another story broken by The River City News at the link.
The RC News: Bangarang's to Fill Old Mad Hatter Space
SEE ALSO: NKY's Music Venue Landscape to Be Different in 2012 CityBeat
|
BIG CHANGES COMING TO 900 BLOCK OF BANKLICK
This longtime blighted block is set for serious renovations and construction. This is great news for Old Seminary Square and the entire city.
The RC News: One Block at a Time
|
GREENWAY RESTORATION DAY IS SATURDAY
Via Vision 2015:

Just a reminder that the next Greenway Restoration Day is scheduled for this Saturday, December 3rd at 9:00 a.m. We will be meeting at 16th Street and Eastern Avenue, instead of our usual place behind Holmes High School, so we can tackle new ground and forge north! The levee is currently quite flooded in some areas so make sure to bring your old cloths and boots!Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Join us for a final chance to win a $100 gift card and please bring family and friends!RSVP to Natalie Gardner of the Covington Recreation Department at 859-292-2151 or ngardner@covingtonky.gov

|
FROM A COVINGTON SHELTER TO MEDICAL SCHOOL
An uplifting story about how social service agencies actually do benefit a community:

After moving 17 times with her family, Kayla decided she could no longer stand living at home -- and chose to move to Welcome House in Covington. "I just had to get away from home. I didn't have a bed to sleep on. We didn't have electric. There was never food in the house and even when I bought it other people in the house would eat it." 
While she lived here, Kayla did normal high school activities like going to prom but she was no ordinary student. She graduated at the top of her class from Holmes High School. After she left the shelter, she got a full scholarship to Berea College where she graduated with a 3.7 GPA. 

Video and interview with Kayla Kinker at the link. Great story.
Local 12 
|
politics fix...
|
ONE OF COVINGTON'S STATE SENATORS DRAWS NEW MAP FOR CONGRESS
State Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), whose district includes South Covington, has released his map of what Kentucky's Congressional districts should look like:

That's not too different than it is now. 

Thayer unveiled the map during the taping of an interview on Pure Politics Tuesday morning. He said the map is his own plan and isn’t one that has been drafted by the Senate Republican caucus. He also said he hasn’t spoken to Kentucky’s members of Congress about it yet.
“I believe (it’s) a fair map that makes very few changes in the current district lines – except those required by the changes in population,” Thayer said Tuesday. “It’s a map that does not seek to give new partisan advantages to either of the two political parties. It seeks to really maintain the status quo.”

For a map of the current district layout and the one proposed by Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo, click the link.
cn|2
SEE ALSO: Thayer interview here.
|
BEHSEAR ORDERS CHILD DEATH RECORDS RELEASED
This is what that hastily called press conference was about Tuesday afternoon:

The records show that after her mother’s rights were terminated in Washington state in 2004, Amy was placed with relatives and was in several foster homes before a great-aunt in Kentucky, Kimberly Dye, offered to adopt her. After the cabinet approved the adoption, Kimberly Dye took Amy into her home in 2006 as a foster child.
The adoption became final in 2007, qualifying Kimberly Dye for a $551-a-month adoption subsidy, the records show. Reports from school officials of Amy’s suspected abuse began within a month of her adoption, the records show.

Courier-Journal 
SEE ALSO: Beshear wants to cut state spending 2% across board WFPL
|
RAND PAUL'S PAPPY WRITES A COOKBOOK
I'd be careful eating anything from it, considering that none of the food likely follows any regulations (3 Cups of unpasteurized milk...). Kidding. (#NotReally) But yes, Representative (and GOP Presidential candidate) Ron Paul (R-TX) has a new cookbook. See:

It's only 8 bucks? Nice. 
New York Magazine
|
KENTON COUNTY DEMOCRATS TO HONOR COVINGTON ATTORNEY BOB SANDERS
From Linda Hornsby:

The Kenton County Democratic Club will hold its Annual Christmas Party on December 12, 2011, at Chez Nora, 530 Main St., Covington, KY. Cocktail Hour is 6:00PM thru 7:00PM. Dinner begins at 7:00PM-9:00PM. The cost per person is $30.00. This year the Kenton County Democratic Club will honor Bob Sanders with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Santa Claus will be making a special appearance. The Kenton Co......unty Democratic Club will install 2012 Officers: Steve Hoffman, President, Jerry Kitch, Vice President, Merrick Krey, Treasurer, Paul Witte, Sgt. of Arms, Linda Hornsby, Secretary. Please R.S.V.P by December 5th to Linda Hornsby@ lykantee@aol.com or call (859) 261-3045. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Please bring canned goods or non-perishables for local food pantry.

Bob Sanders

|
end politics fix...
|
WOMEN'S CRISIS CENTER CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
Wow. The origin of the group is shocking:

In 1974, a series of rapes occurred in the Licking Riverside Area of Covington, KY. One victim, a nurse leaving a party at a Northern Kentucky restaurant, was abducted while getting into her car and raped.  Her friends were outraged at the treatment shereceived from the hospital, the legal system, and the lack of specialized services for rape victims and their families. This tragic event spurred the first meeting of the Northern Kentucky Rape Crisis Intervention Planning Committee on August 9, 1974

Women's Crisis Center Newsletter

SEE ALSO: Benefit dance for the Center at Yadda Club on Pike Street: Facebook Event

|

KENTUCKY CHURCH VOTES NOT TO ADMIT INTERRACIAL COUPLES

Yep.

In early November, Thompson proposed the church go on record saying that while all people were welcome to attend public worship services there, the church did not condone interracial marriage, according to a copy of the recommendation supplied by the Harvilles. The proposal also said "parties of such marriages will not be received as members, nor will they be used in worship services" or other church functions, with the exception of funerals. The recommendation "is not intended to judge the salvation of anyone, but is intended to promote greater unity among the church body and the community we serve," the copy supplied to the Herald-Leader read.

Somebody get these backwoods assholes a calendar.

Herald-Leader

|

PEOPLE ARE MEANER AT THE HOLIDAYS?

No, but Americans sure don't like being nicer during Christmas:

Local 12

|

THE NEWPORT PENGUINS WANT TO WATCH YOU PROPOSE THIS SEASON

Have a ring you want to give to your significant other? The Newport Aquarium wants to send its penguins over to watch. Check out this joint promotion with James Free Jewelers:

So, picture it: The love of your life finally breaks down to propose and two penguins show up and stay for twenty minutes. What's your answer? Weird.

Click It

|

72-YEAR OLD OSCAR ROBERTSON DEFEATS UC BEARCATS IN SCRIMMAGE

LOL.

“We’re a young team with a lot to learn,” said Bearcat head coach Mick Cronin. “We certainly made some mistakes out there on the court against Mr. Robertson, but the fact is we were just beaten by a better player. I tip my hat to the Big O.”

Derf Magazine 
|
DID YOU MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS?
More on the 'Great Banana Split of 2011' and why Covington is the loser in Chiquita's move; Discover Covington floats a rumor about another new music venue coming to town; Presidential candidate Herman Cain's latest extramarital controversy originated in Kentucky; Plus, photos from the City tree-lighting in Mainstrasse. Those stories and more at the link!
The RC News: News Round-Up -- Wednesday Morning

ONE BLOCK AT A TIME: 900 BANKLICK REJOINS THE LIVING IN OLD SEMINARY SQUARE

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

A longtime blighted block of Banklick Street in Old Seminary Square is on its way back to the land of the living. The 900 block has been an eyesore for decades but was surrounded in recent years by newer, more attractive development including the Pulse Lofts and the new John G. Carlisle school. The Center for Great Neighborhoods, city staff and city commissioners joined neighbors and community to leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new construction project in addition to the rehabilitation of three more homes on the block. "They are houses we can all be proud of," said Adam Rockel of the Center for Great Neighborhoods. "This whole block will be completely transformed."

|

In 2008, the City of Covington began its search for properties that were detrimental to the growth and vitality of certain parts of town. "(A couple years ago) we all piled in a van and rode around picking properties that we holding back neighborhoods," said Commission Sherry Carran. 

|

"This is a special day for Covington and will be the first of many," said Commissioner Steve Casper.

MORE PHOTOS BELOW:

BANGARANG: OLD MAD HATTER ALREADY FILLED!

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

The Mad Hatter's doors are barely closed, but already a new music venue is opening up inside. Welcome to Covington, Bangarang's:

Come out to Bangarang's (formerly Mad Hatter) and support us on Friday, Decemebr 16th & Saturday, December 17th for our Grand opening bash! We will have a lot of bands, food and drink specials and much much more!

The opening bash runs from 7:00PM to 2:00PM. More from Bangarang's:

Hey everyone! All of us here at Bangarang's would like to take a second to thank Frank and everyone involved over at the Mad Hatter who made the city of Covington a cornerstone of live music for the past several years...We hope to continue the tradition of great music, fun and entertainment that you all set before us...Through your passion and hard work, great live music now lives in Covington. We hope to see all of you old Mad Hatter fans, and look to gain some new friends along the way! Again, we wish Frank and all those involved with the Mad Hatter nothing but the best with all of their endeavors in the future! Hope to see you all soon!

So if it looks like the Southgate House could remain open and that the old Mad Hatter space is being filled by Bangarang's, and that Madison Theater s moving forward with its expansion, then perhaps we have nothing to worry about NKY's music scene. By the way, I love that Bangarang's has Covington in its official name. Welcome to town!

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

THE GREAT BANANA SPLIT OF 2011:

        CHIQUITA LEAVES CINCINNATI

|

CHIQUITA CEO THANKS CINCINNATI

This morning, Fernando Aquirre is all over Twitter thanking Charlotte, but he last night he did offer thanks to the Queen City, which just didn't have enough millions of dollars worth of welfare checks to throw at the banana company:

"After an extensive review of our capabilities and needs, we are confident that Charlotte is the optimal location for our business and that our decision to relocate is in the long-term best interest of our company, customers, employees and shareholders," said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer, in a statement. "I want to thank the citizens of Cincinnati," Aguirre said when he was introduced in Charlotte. "They have treated us extremely well."

Race to the bottom economics.
Cincinnati Enquirer 
|
COVINGTON IS STILL THE BIGGEST LOSER IN ALL THIS

Cincinnati will still have a net gain of jobs after the three large companies receiving welfare checks (Omnicare, Nielsen and Chiquita) settle down. Nielsen is moving from Madison Place to the Chiquita building, but remember, the marketing research company was throwing a hissy fit that they would not move unless they could get their pretty name on the building. It used to say only Chiquita. I don't think that's a problem anymore:

"We're very confident that we have a leasing program in place to re-lease a substantial portion of the space within a reasonable amount of time," said Chuck Male, vice president with the downtown office of CB Richard Ellis and the leasing agent for the Chiquita Center. A final deal with Nielsen could close before the end of the year. "Negotiations are on track with Nielsen to complete a transaction at The Chiquita Center within the next few weeks," Male said.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Lisa Bernard-Kuhn 

SEE ALSO: Editorial: Loss of Chiquita Disappointing
SEE ALSO: Gov. Kasich: Perks Only For Biz That Want To Be Here
|

|

MEANWHILE, SMALL BUSINESSES COULD BE HELPED BY PAYROLL TAX CUT

If government leaders ever turn their attention away from the corporate welfare queens, maybe small business owners could get some of the nurturing they deserve:

The bill’s payroll tax cut would not only boost workers’ paychecks by hundreds of dollars or more in 2012 but also cut the taxes of every small business.  Employers would receive a tax holiday on fully half of their 2012 Social Security taxes on the first $5 million in payroll.  If employers create jobs, they would pay no Social Security taxes on the first $50 million inincreased taxable payroll.

Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

|

SOUTHGATE HOUSE WAS JUST KIDDING ABOUT CLOSING?

What a strange story. It's all just a big family feud:

The historic building at 34 E. Third St. in Newport had been owned by Ross Raleigh, who runs the day-to-day business of the club; his sister, Armina "Mina" Lee, who also owns the Brass Ass adult club in Newport; her husband, Roger Petersen; and another sister, Nancy Young. But a recently settled legal battle between the siblings has put the majority ownership of the club in the hands of Lee and Petersen, who spoke to The Enquirer from their Newport home Tuesday.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Lauren Bishop

|

DISCOVER COVINGTON: The Mad Hatter may be closed but a new venue may be on the way. Rumor has it a new venue will open in its place in January! Stay tuned!

|

ENQUIRER STAFF FORCED TO TAKE MORE FURLOUGHS

It's ridiculous. Good journalists lose out while Gannet, the Enquirer's parent company, pays its executive a six-figure bonus:

But the latest round is certain to renew anger over multimillion-dollar bonuses to Dickey and other top executives in recent years, awards that have eaten into the furlough savings and drawn sharp criticism in the national press.
Dickey, for example, got paid $3.4 million last year, including a $600,000 cash bonus. His total compensation jumped from $1.9 million in 2009.
Then, last month, CEO Craig Dubow resigned for medical reasons, taking with him a retirement and disability payout estimated at $37.1 million.

But the Occupiers are the ones playing class warfare? Right...
Gannett Blog
|
DELTA ADDING FLIGHTS AT CVG
But for Chiquita, the flights are too late (or delayed, if you will). Worst. Airline. Ever.
CVG
|
HERMAN CAIN'S LATEST CONTROVERSY STARTED IN KENTUCKY
The Cain Train rolls into our region today before it finally derails for good. Yesterday, Cain announced that he was reassessing whether to stay in the race for the GOP Presidential nomination. The former restaurant executive and lobbyist is accused of sexually harassing a couple ladies, but the latest lady to come forward says she and the Cain Train started their 13-year long affair where most people fall in love for the first time: Louisville.

"It was pretty simple," White told the station. "It wasn't complicated. I was aware that he was married. And I was also aware that I was involved in a very inappropriate situation, relationship."
She said they met in the late 1990s when Cain, as president of the National Restaurant Association, was making a presentation in Louisville, Ky. He later would fly her to cities where he was speaking and give her gifts, she told the TV station.
"He made it very intriguing. It was fun," White said. "It was something that took me away from my sort of humdrum life at the time, and it was exciting."

They met in the late 1990s, huh? I wonder if it was 1-9-9-9?
FOX News
|

GROUNDBREAKING FOR 'MAKE COVINGTON HOME'

A new home will be showed off to showcase the work of our neighborhood stabilization program. The River City News will be there, but here's a nice preview from Local 12 with video.

Local 12

|

PACKED MEETING IN COVINGTON FOR CINCINNATI'S POST OFFICE
The Dalton Street Post Office processing center faces closure. That led to a full meeting at the NKY Convention Center:

The local union says the money problems come from a mandate to overfund health and retirement benefits and big discounts given to big businesses who mail large amounts. Local employees would be relocated. 1200 full time jobs are affected. And service would change for all customers. Right now, the postal service commits to deliver first class mail on 1-3 days. Because of consolidation, first class mail would then be deliver in 2-3 days. Trucks would only roll out of processing centers when full. Union leaders say its a raw deal for customers. "You'd be paying first class rates still in Cincinnati but 2.1 million people would be getting third class service."

1,200 jobs? Maybe Chiquita, Omnicare and Nielsen's moves are not a net gain for Cincinnati. Video at the link.
Local 12

|
LETTER TO SANTA MUST BE MAILED FROM KENTON CO BY DECEMBER 5
Drop of some non-perishables along with your child's letter at the Kenton County Public Library:

Letters must be mailed to Santa by December 5 to give him time to write a return letter and allow time for the post office to deliver it. Because each child at the same address will receive a different letter from Santa, your letters to Santa must include full names and home addresses so that each child will receive his or her letter at home.
Each of the Kenton County Public Library will be accepting letters. The libraries are located at 502 Scott Blvd. in Covington, KY 41011; at 1992 Walton-Nicholson Rd. in Independence, KY 41051; and at 401 Kenton Lands Rd. in Erlanger, KY 41018. 

FOX 19

|
PHOTOS FROM CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IN MAINSTRASSE
With appearances by Santa, a couple city commissioners, Holmes choral students and lots of your neighbors:

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY LUNCH

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter

|

CINCINNATI'S CORPORATE KARMA: CHIQUITA BOLTING FOR CHARLOTTE

Just months after luring away Covington payroll tax cash cows Omnicare and Nielsen, Cincinnati says goodbye to a larger one. Through the same tax break black magic, Charlotte has bribed Chiquita to accept a welfare check from North Carolina and to relocate in the former Confederacy. That's bananas!

The package of city, county and state incentives being offered Chiquita will total at least $6 million, according to sources who have seen the overall proposal. However, the state contribution could push that number higher, sources say.The bulk of the subsidy for Chiquita will come from a business-investment grant program that rebates 50% to 90% of the property taxes generated after the company relocates.

A rebate up to 90% of property taxes? For a Fortune 500 company? Yet, small businesses and would-be entrepreneurs struggle to get a nickle from a bank. Corporate welfare is alive and well in the United States.

Charlotte Business Journal

Image via

SEE ALSO: Pawn Shops Boom While Banks Don't Lend Business First

|

KY IS SEEKING INCENTIVES FOR NEW START-UPS

These are the types of businesses that deserve a break:

A bill introduced in the past regular session of the General Assembly would have extended a tax credit to individuals who want to invest money in new small businesses—known as angel investing. Local lawmakers on both sides of the aisle plan to try again in the next session in January.Kentucky offers a angel investment tax credit to investment funds—not individuals—of up to 40 percent of the investment. Ohio and Indiana, along with more than 20 other states, offer similar incentives to individual investors.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
|

GOV. BESHEAR TO HOLD 1:30PM PRESS CONFERENCE ON CHILD DEATHS

From Bluegrass Politics via Twitter: Gov. "Beshear will have a press conference at 1:30 p.m. about records regarding child fatalities. Newspapers have sued state to get records."

Will Follow This.

|

FORMER GOV. FLETCHER TO HELP INAUGURATE BESHEAR?

Yep. Awkward.

cn|2

SEE ALSO:Governor's Inauguration Agenda

|

SOUTHGATE HOUSE REMEMBERED THROUGH VIDEO

Following the shocking closures of both the Southgate House (The RC News: Southgate House Closing) and the Mad Hatter (The RC News: One Venue Closes, Another Grows), music fans young and old lament the new void in the local scene. Each Note Secure has assembled some videos from the Southgate House as the community continues to mourn.

Each Note Secure

|

COVINGTON'S SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGN FOR DOWNTOWN

This Saturday:

Come learn ways to shop in downtown Covington for the holidays! Meet business owners, enjoy food and drink, test your knowledge of Covington businesses, and stick around to hear who won the storefront contest! We have some great contenders this year....
Event Includes: Refreshments, Photos with Santa
People's Choice Voting • 5:00-6:30 p.m
Local Business Trivia • 5:30 p.m.
Announcement of Renaissance District Storefront Competition Winners • 7:00 p.m.
City Commission "Best of Covington" Judging leave from The Avenue Lounge • 8:00 p.m.
Grand Prize winner announced at Goose Girl Fountain • 9:00 p.m

Facebook Event 

|

BELLEVUE CHURCH IS TURNED INTO CONDOS

And it's appealing to former suburbanites:

A combination of a prime location and unparalleled architectural details have helped the lofts’ sales record so far. Priced in the mid $200,000s, three of the condos are sold and Lisa Dunhouse, Realtor for Comey & Shepherd, and has gotten much more interest in the remaining two condos after she had a photographer come in.

The story and beautiful photos at the link.
Soapbox Cincinnati
SEE ALSO: Soapbox's featured neighborhood is Dayton, KY.
|
NORTHERN BOONE COUNTY RIPE FOR DEVELOPMENT
Could be new destination for aviation industry:

No plans are finalized for the site, but many officials envision a large-scale light industrial park related to the aviation industry. The proximity to CVG and its DHL Express international air cargo hub could help attract companies such as aerospace manufacturers and retail distribution facilities.

Cincinnati Enquirer/Amanda Van Benschoten 
|
THANKSGIVING CRASHES DOWN IN KY THIS YEAR
In a story that may refute an earlier one highlighter here (in which KY was listed among the worst drivers in the country), the numbers were better over Thanksgiving. 2 fatalities compared to 9 last year.
Herald-Leader
|
EXPLORE THE LEVEE TONIGHT
If you're not coming to Mainstrasse tonight for the tree lighting, here's a fun option:

Featuring behind the scenes of the levee, discussion by the General Manager of the Levee’s future and commercial development in general. Afterwards will be a networking party at Star lanes, including free bowling, free shoes and appetizers.

NKY Legacy 
|
COST OF PEANUT BUTTER HURTING FOOD PANTRIES
One of the most requested items is becoming too expensive:

Peanut butter is popular at food banks because it's a kid-friendly protein source that has a long shelf life and doesn't require special storage, cooking or utensils.A smaller peanut crop this year prompted producers to raise prices. Food banks say that means they'll buy or receive less peanut butter, pay more for it, or consider alternatives such as canned tuna or chicken.

Local 12 

|
AMERICAN AIRLINES NOW CHARGING FEES TO NON-PASSENGERS
LOL.

"Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," American Airlines president Gerard Arpey said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."

The Onion 
|
DID YOU MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS?
Reactions pour in after Southgate House announces its closure; The future of Cincinnati's largest post office will be discussed tonight in Covington; Kentucky ranked among worst drivers while Cincinnati is ranked among saddest cities; Plus, 2 ways you can help children in Covington right now. Those stories and more at the link!
The RC News: News Round-Up -- Tuesday Morning