THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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Renaissance Covington Board President
Barney Stengle listens to Downtown
residents and business owners
The Covington Farmers Market will likely move from Mainstrasse's Goebel Park to Court Street in front of the County Building in Roebling Point. During Thursday night's Downtown Dialogue at the Artisan Enterprise Center, Renaissance Covington director Katie Meyer said a presentation on the issue will be present to the city commission during its meeting on March 6. The market has struggled to gain traction at various locations but a $10,000 grant awarded to Renaissance Covington, which manages the Farmers Market, will allow for more serious marketing including direct mail to every home in the city. It will also allow for a contract to be awarded to an outside entity to take over management, for equipment to be used to process WIC and food stamp payments at the market, and for regular performers to entertain the crowd. Meyer expects more foot traffic for the market at its new location because of its proximity to the restaurants of Roebling Point and the high density of residents in the neighborhood.
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OTHER NOTES FROM THURSDAY'S DOWNTOWN DIALOGUE
Mayor Chuck Scheper spent a half hour meeting and greeting neighbors and business owners and discussing their concerns and goals for Downtown
Roebling Fest planning is well underway and Gateway College has signed on as the presenting sponsor. Major Sponsorship opportunities are still available including one for the fireworks & music ($5,000); For information on the big one or for other sponsorship opportunities, call Katie Meyer at 859.292.2166
The multicolor brick pavers that now adorn many sidewalks Downtown as part of the grant-funded Madison Avenue streetscape project may not be removed afterall. Mike Yeager from the City engineer's office said he had received mostly negative feedback about the colors and that the City was planning to remove and replace them with one color bricks. Feedback at the Dialogue however was positive and supportive of the multicolor. If the City does replace them there are two options: sell the bricks back to the manufacturer or use them elsewhere.
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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At Thursday night's school board meeting it was made public that Covington Independent Schools will have a new website next week. "It's been hard to put a budget online that is user friendly," said Annette Bemerer, the district's treasurer. "For someone that understands spreadsheets that option is available."The new website will still include line item budgets in traditional spreadsheet form but new additions will include pie charts and answers to frequently asked questions about where the district's money comes from and how it is spent.
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Some of the questions that will be addressed concern money spent per student and even specific line items such as the amount designated "architect". In online forums over the past couple months district critics questioned the $235,000 listed in the budget for an architect. It turns out that that amount was a mistake caused by the software that included some of the salary for district spokesperson Debra Vance. "Debra wears two hats dealing with equity and diversity and she also does public relations," said superintendent Lynda Jackson. "We thought, 'no way should that be that high'."
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Bemerer explained that somehow a function of the software included Vance's salary in the architect budgeting. "We welcome those questions and because of those questions anybody can open it up and people can call Annette and ask questions," said board member Glenda Huff. "We don't have anything to hide."
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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The River City News has learned that the City of Covington met with officials from Walgreen's Thursday afternoon and that the national drugstore chain is postponing its appearance before the Urban Design Review Board until March 19. As was first reported here plans have emerged for a new Walgreen's to be built on the Martin Luther King Boulevard site where currently the old Victorian rectory mansion sits. The property is owned by the Diocese of Covington on whose behalf these plans were submitted to the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission which recommended against them. Originally the current plans, which would require multiple design and zoning waivers, were to be brought before the Urban Design Review Board on Monday. A subsequent hearing would then have to occur before the Board of Adjustments to address the necessary zoning waivers. Check out the links below for the back story and photos that were first shared here at The River City News.
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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LAWYER/RADIO HOST ERIC DETERS SUSPENDED FROM PRACTICING LAW
Just a week after issuing a call for an armed revolution against President Obama, Eric Deters saw his law license suspended. Now he may want to carry two guns in DC:
Deters must also attend remedial ethics training. The board found Deters guilty of four ethical transgressions in three cases.
SEE ALSO: Today has been a bad day for bad NKY lawyers:
The Kentucky Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that 55-year-old Donald Lynn Richardson of Crescent Springs improperly kept the money that should have gone to a bank to complete the home sales in May 2010.
Disbarred. AP via Herald-Leader | KENTUCKY SENATE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON CASINO BILL AT 2:00PM Here we go! But...
Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, as sponsor of the bill, said he will ask leaders to delay a vote on the bill because some members will be absent on Thursday. “I think a fair vote would be one with all members present,” Thayer said.
Herald-Leader/Janet Patton | WILLIAMS MAY ASK FOR SECOND VOTE ON FRIDAY In response to absent members, Senate President David Williams may ask for a second vote tomorrow if 22 votes are not attained:
Democratic Sen. Gerald Neal of Louisville had planned to be absent on business, Sen. R.J. Palmer of Winchester told Pure Politics on Wednesday. But the vote on the constitutional amendment is set for Thursday on the floor — the day it will receive its third required public reading. “The majority of the Senate Republican caucus wants to vote today,” said a statement issued later by Williams office. “… No excuses. The proponents have asked and demanded a floor vote. It is today.”
cn|2/Ryan Alessi | TURFWAY PARK AMONG THOSE CALLING FOR DELAY IN VOTE The Florence race track and its partners in the Kentucky Equine Education Project want the Senate to wait:
PLEASE call your Senator before 2:00 p.m. TODAY, Thursday, February 23, and ask them to DELAY the vote on the expanded gaming issue until TOMORROW, Friday, February 24 when a full Senate will be seated. This will allow us, the citizens, a FAIR vote on this issue.
KEEP | KY SUPREME COURT TO HEAR REDISTRICTING CASE TOMORROW This just in from the Commonwealth:
The Supreme Court of Kentucky will convene Friday, Feb. 24, in Frankfort to hear oral arguments about the constitutionality of the General Assembly’s redrawing of state legislative districts. Proceedings are open to the public and will begin at 10 a.m. EST in the Supreme Court Courtroom. The courtroom is located on the second floor of the state Capitol at 700 Capitol Ave. The public may also observe oral arguments via the Supreme Court live stream on the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Oral arguments are available online as they occur in real time and are not available as archives. Justice Will T. Scott is recused in this case.
| DO NOT MISS TONIGHT'S DOWNTOWN DIALOGUE WITH MAYOR SCHEPER
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EXCLUSIVE
NEW DETAILS ON RIVER'S EDGE AT EASTSIDE POINTE
Another story you won't see anywhere else...
"This is market-rate housing with an affordability component." Don't call Jacob Price's replace public housing. Plus, why is one building still standing? Full details with photos of what River's Edge will look like at the link.
| ***************************************************** | in case you missed... | THIS MORNING'S NEWS It includes the story that broke right here at The River City News: the Diocese of Covington may sell the grand old Victorian rectory mansion next to the Basilica so that a Walgreens could be built. Also, why the KY Attorney General is concerned with what Google has planned; A Covington singing group tapped to perform national anthem at Elite Eight; Plus, a Seinfeld actor shoots himself in Cincinnati then calls 911. Hear it at the link. The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up | *****************************************************
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/23/2080548/body-found-on-wkus-campus.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy
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FTC DROPS CHALLENGE TO OMNICARE
Since Omnicare is backing off its attempt at a hostile takeover of its closest competitor:
“We’re gratified that Omnicare has abandoned its efforts to acquire PharMerica,” FTC chairman Jon Leibowitz said in a news release. “One of the Federal Trade Commission’s core missions is protecting competition in the health care market, which helps keep prices down and the quality of care up. As we said last month when we filed our complaint, this deal would have harmed an especially vulnerable group of patients — those in long-term-care facilities — as well as taxpayers, who foot much of the bill under Medicare, by raising the price of drugs for Medicare Part D consumers and others.”
Warren County Coroner Kevin Kirby told WBKO-TV that it appears the man fell from an adjacent parking garage at the university. He said the cause of death was blunt force trauma.
STORY BEHIND CINCINNATI'S DISAPPEARING SKYWALK SYSTEM
Another great piece from the folks at Urban Cincy:
Developed in the 1960’s as a way for downtown retailers to compete with the enclosed shopping environments found in suburban malls, the city implemented an ambitious plan to construct a series of elevated walkways extending from Fourth and Broadway northwest to the Duke Energy Convention Center.
Read it. Urban Cincy/John Yung | CINCINNATI STREETCAR UPDATE What an exciting project:
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KENTUCKY RANKS ELEVENTH AMONG STATES IN FAVORABILITY RATING
They like us! They really like us! Public Policy Polling spent four months asking Americans their views on each state and Kentucky tied for the eleventh most favorably viewed. Yes, ahead of Ohio and Indiana. Eat it! 42% viewed Kentucky favorably while only 16% had a negative attitude toward us. Read the results at the link.
The coin toss on Wednesday came after the election ended with a tie vote of 21-all. Daviess Count Clerk David Osborne said the election's outcome was "unprecedented" in an issue vote.
AP via Local 12 | STATE'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ENDORSE VOTING RIGHTS FOR FELONS Or at least allowing the public to vote on the issue. Following the Courier-Journal, the Herald-Leader, and others, the Hopkinsville New-Era chimes in:
We believe, that in most cases, a person’s penalty should not extend beyond that ordered by a jury or a judge. But that is what happens when the right to vote is withheld for years after a person leaves jail and completes a probationary period. This is an issue of fairness, so we have to ask if there is a good reason to deny the right to vote to a Kentuckian who has met the obligation of his or her criminal penalty?
SECOND KY COMPANY FACES LOSING CONTRACT TO FEDERAL PRISONERS
Mitch McConnell stopped the first one that would have shut down the company that makes those sleek Air Force jackets. But now this:
Campbellsville Apparel Co., which makes millions of T-shirts and pairs of underwear for the armed services, has learned it is facing competition from Federal Prison Industries, a government corporation that provides jobs to federal prison inmates. If the prisoners get the work, 115 of the 173 workers at the plant would lose their jobs, company president Chris Reynolds said in an interview Thursday.
Get it done, Mitch! Courier-Journal/James R. Carroll | VOTE ON BLUEGRASS BOARDWALK TODAY The former Kentucky Kingdom may be closer to reopening:
The Kentucky State Fair Board will vote on a tentative lease agreement that would have Bluegrass Boardwalk operate the park. Bluegrass Boardwalk was formed by the Koch family, who owns Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Kentucky Kingdom's name could change if the deal is approved by the fair board.
84 WHAS | HOW ABOUT 50% OFF AT DEE FELICE IN MAINSTRASSE? Spend $25 for a $50 meal. Click the link for details. Living Social
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/02/23/2080569/ky-attorney-disbarred-after-keeping.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=c
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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The development that will replace the former Jacob Price housing projects will boast eye-catching design, views of Downtown Covington & Cincinnati, pedestrian-friendly surroundings, and mixed-income tenants. It will not, however, be referred to officially as public housing. "This development is going to help change this community," said Amon Martin, development director at Atlanta-based Integral which is developing River's Edge at Eastside Pointe. Martin was in town for more work at the local level and two public forums, one for prospective local contractors to learn how to bid and another for the general community.
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Integral's Amon Martin goes over the plans
"This is market-rate housing with an affordability component," Martin said. River's Edge will be made up of nine 3-story apartment buildings and two one-story buildings that will house eight senior cottages. Whereas Jacob Price was entirely subsidized housing, River's Edge seeks to intermingle low-income and government-assisted tenants with those paying market rate, something Integral is committed to. "We're a for-profit company and we're going to try to get the highest rents we can," Martin said. Roughly 35% of the units will Housing Authority-assisted, roughly 25% of tenants will be those that qualify for the low-income tax credit, and the rest will be market-rate. No units will be designated for certain income groups but those percentage goals will not change. "They won't be grouped together, you won't know who's who," Martin said.
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Integral will not only develop the property but will oversee operations for at least the next fifteen years as mandated by the tax credits that support the project through the Kentucky Housing Corporation. The majority of funding comes from a federal Hope VI grant. Martin said that 95% of the development's plans have been approved by the various entities involved including the Sanitation District. Integral will meet Thursday with with building reviewers in hopes of gaining its building permits. Martin expects final financing and construction to start by the end of April.
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Eastside neighborhood leader Bennie Doggett, in attendance at Wednesday night's public meeting at the Housing Authority of Covington offices, expressed the need to build up and spruce up the properties that surround what will become River's Edge. "We want it all to look beautiful," Doggett said. Martin believes that surrounding development will arrive organically.
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"When you stand on Greenup you can see all the way to Downtown Covington," Martin said. "That's going to encourage people to walk and to get out. This is going to be a catalyst for momentum. There are vacant lots that can be developed. It will attract homeowners. Hopefully you'll see young families, entrepreneurs come in and see opportunity."
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The ambitious, attractive plans will aim to be LEED certified and its architecture will blend effectively within its historic surroundings. A new extension of Garrard Street will be included through the development. The curvy plans for the new strip of road "adds character and also you can't just shoot through," said Martin. Many trees on Greenup and Robbins Street will be preserved while new greenery and brick-paved sidewalks are added. A gazebo, seating area, and gardens for the seniors are part of the plans as is a direct link to another Covington project, the Licking River Greenway.
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River's Edge may see its first tenants eight months into construction, a project that will involve tearing down the last remaining building that was part of Jacob Price, the office. That building still stands because Jacob Price was built in 1939 and considered historic by Kentucky preservation guidelines which required an archaeological excavation of the site. Near that building, archaeologists found an old button, marbles from the early 1900s, and a cistern foundation. That prompted a halt to any more land disturbances there until a final excavation can be completed. As for the Jacob Price historical marker, it was removed and is being kept in an office until the Commonwealth determines where to place it.
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Prior to the evening meeting at the Housing Authority, Integral hosted potential local vendors at a conference room inside the Radisson Riverfront. Martin said the room was equipped to seat forty-eight and that the room was filled to standing-room only capacity. "We want to make sure we give local vendors and contractors every opportunity to bid on this project."
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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DOWNTOWN DIALOGUE WITH MAYOR CHUCK SCHEPER TONIGHT
Click the image to enlarge for details.
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CREATIVE STRATEGIES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
This afternoon during the Covington Business Council's montly luncheon, the topic will be creative strategies for economic development. It features author Elizabeth Edwards whose bookStartup: The Complete Handbook of Starting a Company for Less has landed her many guest lecture spots and appearances in national media. Join the CBC Thursday from 11:30AM to 1:00PM at the Madison Event Center.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED: HISTORIC BLDG MAY BE RAZED FOR NEW WALGREEN'S
Documents indicate that a property owned by the Diocese of Covington on MLK Boulevard across from the Cathedral on Madison is being considered for a new Walgreen's. The plans call for the demolition of the old rectory mansion and seek design and zoning variances. A copy of the agenda for Covington's Urban Design Review Board indicate that the design variances are on that board's agenda Monday afternoon.
BASKETBALL: HOLMES, SCOTT ADVANCE; HOLY CROSS SHOCKED BY COVCATH
A mixed night for Covington high school basketball fans as the district tournaments now have their finalists. In the 35th District, Holy Cross and Covington Catholic went to three overtimes before the Colonels pulled out the win.
The Covington Catholic Colonels took the Regents Hall floor with a brand new look: shaved heads. In an act of team solidarity, every player on the team sported a buzzed head for their first round games against Holy Cross. In the end, after the best game played in the 9th Region this season, featuring three overtimes, the Colonels sent the second seeded Indians home early, shaking their heads.
NKY Sports Blog | SEE ALSO: Past fuels CovCath upset of Holy Cross Cincinnati Enquirer | The Indians' season ends in the district semifinals, but it was a great season highlighted by an outstanding 28-3 record and the championship from the Kentucky All A Classic. NKY Sports Blog has a terrific video from that championship game including the thrilling buzzer beater and the raising of the trophy. Click here. | HOLMES 70, BEECHWOOD 57 The top-seeded Bulldogs improve to 20-6 on the season and advance to face Covington Catholic in the district finals Friday night. Both Holmes and CovCath will play in the 9th region tournament for a shot to go to Kentucky's Sweet 16 by making it to the district finals. | SCOTT 79, CALVARY CHRISTIAN 24 The Eagles held Calvary to just 24 points in advancing to the 37th District title game to face Campbell County. Scott improves to 14-13 on the season having won eight of their last ten including four straight. | THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAT ANY OTHER SOURCE | FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA IN CINCINNATI TODAY A fundraiser this morning for the President's reelection efforts:
Ticket prices for the Democratic National Committee fund-raiser range from $250 to $10,000, with the top donors getting access to a “senior campaign staff meeting,’ a private “meet and greet” with the First Lady and a photo opportunity.
Cincinnati Enquirer | JILL BIDEN, LABOR SECRETARY HILDA SOLIS TOUR KENTUCKY UPS CENTER A hundred miles south, the Second Lady and the Labor Secretary visited workers in Louisville and today will appear in Lexington. Herald-Leader/Greg Kocher | SUPER PACS IN COVINGTON? IT'S POSSIBLE Candidates running for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District are preparing for the presence of these shadowy well-funded groups:
One of the candidates, Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie, said he had heard “rumors” of potential deep-pocketed donors looking to start independent campaign groups to get involved in the race in support of a particular candidate, potentially even for him. “We’re certainly not directing one or encouraging anybody to do one, but I think there may be folks that see my message — my small government message — and might get behind it independently,” Massie said.
Hear from Massie and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore at the link. cn|2/Ryan Alessi | KY ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNED WITH GOOGLE'S PRIVACY POLICY From Jack Conway:
This policy change threatens the privacy of those users of various Google products who wish to keep various parts of their online experience separate. It also has the potential to heighten the risk of identity theft and fraud, given that Google will now be storing more extensive personal information profiles. "We are concerned about Google's effort to force this major privacy change on consumers without giving them the opportunity to opt out," General Conway said. "Google has billed itself as committed to meaningful privacy choices. We want to know why Google doesn't now give consumers the option of saying no to a privacy policy change of this magnitude." Under the new privacy policy, Google gives itself the freedom to combine users' personal information from services like Web History and YouTube with all other Google Products, and precludes existing users from opting out of this policy change without opting out of the Google ecosystem entirely.
SEE ALSO: Google glasses could be on sale by end year:
People who constantly reach into a pocket to check a smartphone for bits of information will soon have another option: a pair of Google-made glasses that will be able to stream information to the wearer’s eyeballs in real time.
Ah, well hello there, future! New York Times | SEE ALSO: Facebook personality score predicts job success Business First | DOZENS RALLY FOR ANTI-BULLYING LAW IN FRANKFORT Including Covington City Commissioner Shawn Masters. Video at the link. WDRB | SEINFELD ACTOR ATTEMPTS SUICIDE IN CINCINNATI Yikes:
Daniel von Bargen -- who played Mr. Kruger in "Seinfeld" -- is clinging to life in an Ohio hospital after shooting himself in the head Monday morning in a failed suicide attempt ... and TMZ has the horrifying 911 tape in which he calls for help. Daniel tells the 911 operator, "I've shot myself in the head ... and I need help."
The 911 call: | More from TMZ. | SEE ALSO: The Best of Mr. Kruger YouTube | GANNETT, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER TO ADD PAYWALL TO ONLINE CONTENT This has been a long time coming:
“We will begin to restrict some access to non-subscribers,” said Bob Dickey, president of community publishing. The model is similar to the metered system adopted by The New York Times a year ago, in which online readers are able to view a limited number of pages for free each month. That quota will be between five and 15 articles, depending on the paper, said Dickey. Six Gannett papers already have a digital pay regimen in place.
USA Today will not be affected. Gannett also owns the Louisville Courier-Journal and the Indianapolis Star among many, many others. Hey folks, their stuff can't all be free! Forbes | CINCINNATI NAMED AMONG MOST FRUGAL CITIES So that doesn't bode well for the Enquirer hoping to bank on that paywall:
The Savings Index ranks cities with a population of 300,000 or more based on each city's total issued coupon savings, including coupons printed and saved to store loyalty cards, on Coupons.com and the Coupons.com network in 2011 relative to its population size.
FOX 19 | KY OFFERS GRANTS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS The state Trade and Export Promotion Program:
The grant program is part of a three-year pilot initiative authorized by the Small Business Administration Jobs Act of 2010, which aims to increase the number of small businesses that export and to increase the value of exports for companies, according to a news release. “By taking part in this initiative, more and more Kentucky companies will be able to grow their capacity, increase productivity and ultimately sell more of their services and goods abroad,” Gov. Steve Beshear said in a news release. “I encourage all eligible businesses to learn more about this beneficial program.”
Business First | NKY HOME SALES RISE But the price fell big:
In Northern Kentucky, sales rose 9.44 percent with 255 closings compared to 233 in the same month last year, the Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors reported. The average price fell 20.76 percent to $129,865.
It's official!!! We've been selected to sing the National Anthem for the 2012 NCAA Division II Men's Elite Eight Championship game on Saturday, March 24 at 1pm. It's being hosted by NKU (whom we love) at the Bank of Kentucky Center. We are truly honored and thank them for this wonderful opportunity. God Bless
A big game against Bellarmine at the BOK Center is the regular season home swan song for these guys and gals. NKU wants a packed house decked out in gold:
Click image to enlarge.
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NKU men are ranked #8 in the nation while tonight's opponent, defending national champion Bellarmine is ranked #2. This rivalry has gotten heated:
Northern Kentucky is on its way out of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, but not before a few students launched a #BellarmineHateWeek on Twitter. That’s even better than having someone print up T-shirts about you. Twitter is worldwide. Hate Bellarmine? What else do you hate? Puppies? As the school’s official Twitter account observed Tuesday, “That’s not very Merton-y.”
Courier-Journal/Eric Crawford | CELEBRATE THE ARTS CIRCUS STYLE As part of the Macy's Arts Sampler 2012 head over to Ludlow's Circus Mojo:
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But before that event on Saturday is the Colossal Celebration of Urban Living on Friday at Circus Mojo.
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in case you missed...
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WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S NEWS
City Commissioner lobbies for anti-discrimination legislation in Frankfort; Holmes seeks volunteers to help with career & college planning; Kentucky adds a surprising sport to high school varsity level; Plus, men with mustaches lobby for tax breaks in DC. Click it.
"Our customers wanted beer, so we thought, why not try wine, too?" said Lisa Ingram, chief operating officer. She was drinking a Sprite. Her father, Bill Ingram, president and chief executive, held a bottle of Budweiser. "I don't think we'll do scotch," he said.
