The River City News: THE SUNDAY EDITION 8 JAN

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                   PRESENTS

              THE SUNDAY EDITION

                  COVINGTON, KY  *  18 DECEMBER 2011

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4th Covington Church Hit By Thieves

Following the news that three churches in Latonia have been burglarized, Covington Police report that a food pantry in City Heights operated by the St. Augustine Parish. The crime took place on December 27:

An unknown suspect broke in through a window and stole a large quantity of meat, canned goods and diapers that was being held for distribution to the needy. Covington police has received information that the suspect was selling those stolen food items and diapers for cash or drugs to unknown people in the housing projects.
Anyone with information on this offense should contact Crime Stoppers at 352-3040. All calls are anonymous and calls may be eligible for a cash reward.

FOX 19

SEE ALSO: Police Chief Lee Russo will hold his monthly community forum on Wednesday, January 18 @ 7:00PM at the Police Headquarters on Madison Avenue at 20th Street. FOX 19

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CITY OF COVINGTON REACTS TO HONOR FROM 'LONELY PLANET'
Though the news arrived on December 26, the City of Covington issued Friday, January 6, a quick press release celebrating travel publisher Lonely Planet's report that Cincinnati is among the top 10 places travelers should visit in 2012. Covington's Roebling Bridge and Licking Riverside Historic District factored in the report. "The City of Covington is very pleased and very proud to share this recognition with our sister city to the north, Cincinnati," City Manager Larry Klein said in the release.
SEE ALSO: The RC News: Covington Locations Factor in Cincinnati's "Destination" Designation
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NOTE: This is what I mean when I talk about pride -- the folks at City Hall are so overwhelmed with the day to day effort of rehabilitating Covington, that when a nice piece of news like this falls in their laps, they don't move on it till it's too late. This story was all over the blogosphere the moment the news broke and was then covered in print and broadcast that entire week. That was the time to strike!
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COVINGTON: FILL IN THE BLANK
Speaking of pride... what should Covington's marketing slogan be? There are a few floating out there, some in an official capacity, some used by regional entities, and some that reignite sour feelings (See: "It's Happening!"). There have been some great suggestions on The River City News blog, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Check out the link and add your thoughts!
(So far, The Mosaic City has elicited the most feedback but there are several other suggestions.)
The RC News: Covington: Fill in the Blank
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in the news...
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CENTER FOR GREAT NEIGHBORHOODS OFFERS FREE TAX PREP
It's the most wonderful time of the year! Click the image to enlarge:

THINK TWICE BEFORE GETTING ANY SORT OF FREAK ON IN CINCINNATI

The State of Ohio has yanked the Queen City's STD prevention funding:

Ohio health officials have taken away nearly $737,000 in grant money to Cincinnati for curbing sexually transmitted diseases because they say the city has done a poor job on prevention and administration. "It's clearly a matter that is unfair, it is unmerited and it's not because of any documented evidence of poor performance on our program," argued Cincinnati Health Commissioner Noble Maseru.
State health officials say they informed Maseru the city had failed the grant application process with 60 days notice before the new year. Maseru, however, says he never received anything in writing that the grant was being revoked.
Maseru argues syphilis cases were down in November and says they have challenged their 69 point failing grade on their last STD application which cost the city department the grant.
"We lost 8 points because they scored our application incorrectly," Maseru defended.

So, when you decide which side of the river to play on, here are your options: smoky bars or HPV. Now that's worth a City Hall press release!
AP & FOX 19
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KY RETIREMENT FUNDS WORTH $100M LOST IN FAILED HEDGE FUND
Oh, but the Commonwealth expects to get the money back.

“That could change in the next few months, but as of right now, we do hope to get back the money we put in,” he said.
(snip)
KRS’ decision to invest in Arrowhawk became controversial in June when state Auditor Crit Luallen linked it to a New York placement agent named Glen Sergeon. Placement agents are middlemen who help private investment companies sell their products to investors, such as KRS.

Somehow this private sector failure jeopardizing the futures of many citizens will be linked as a public sector failure by the GOP.
Herald-Leader/John Cheves
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SHOP REMKE'S AND HELP THE CARNEGIE
From the theater:

We are thrilled to share that the Remke biggs in Newport has selected The Carnegie as a beneficiary of their "Sixth Sense" community fundraising program! Now through the end of March, when you use a Remke bigg's reusable grocery bag you'll get $.06 off your order and a wooden token to donate to us (charity bins located near the front doors, just drop it into our bin!).

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STUDENT HITS HALF COURT SHOT FOR 10 GRAND, BUT KROGER, WELL...
Kroger sponsored a contest at Rupp Arena yesterday during the UK-South Carolina game ('Cats rolled!) in which a student was selected to heave a half court shot for a chance to win $10,000. Well, the freshman threw up the ball and lo and behold the damn thing went in the basket. But -- did his toe cross the half court line? That's what Kroger said and threatened not to pay. That was when Twitter lit up (even before the game ended) with threats to #OccupyKroger. The Cincinnati-based grocery chain decided to pay up then. I love the 21st Century! Video and more details at the link.
Deadspin
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KY-BASED PAPA JOHN'S FIRES RACIST EMPLOYEE
Apparently it's frowned upon when an employee identifies an Asian customer on a receipt as "Lady Chinky-Eyes":

Cho tweeted the picture and a message to Papa John’s: “Hey @PapaJohns just FYI my name isn’t ‘lady chinky eyes’ ” and the story was picked up nationally, including by the Huffington Post website.

Is there any problem that can't be solved by Twitter?
Courier-Journal/Jason Riley
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the week that was...
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COVINGTON NATIVE, EVANGELICAL LEADER TO ENDORSE SANTORUM
Gross. But it's Gary Bauer, so what can you expect? Remember when he ran for President in 2000 but then fell off a stage during a pancake flipping contest and pretty much dropped out soon after? What, you don't remember? Well, click the link for the video.
The River City News
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WHO GOT SENT AWAY IN KENTON CIRCUIT COURT LAST WEEK?
It was a particularly shirtless edition of the mugshot round-up. Click the link!
Convicted: Put a Shirt On Edition
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REDISTRICTING CHATTER QUIETS AFTER COMMISSION'S RESOLUTION

The outcry over the proposed redistricting of KY State House District 65, represented by Democrat Arnold Simpson and covering all of Covington's urban core, resulted in a unanimously passed resolution at City Hall opposing the move. A representative from the office of House Speaker Greg Stumbo said just before the vote that there were no plans to redistrict Simpson's district. The following day, news broke that legislative redistricting may not happen until 2013 which would lend credence to the claim that there were no plans to redistrict the 65th (though there likely were plans before the decision to postpone redistricting possibly). Click the link for all the stories that The River City News covered from start to finish and will continue to cover as Covington demands to keep its unified voice in Frankfort.

Resolution Opposing Redistricting Passes

STORY OF THE WEEK!

THOMAS EDISON ELEMENTARY IS NOW 26 RENTAL UNITS

And they are beautiful!

You have to see the photos -- and read the story where you'll learn of the unique connection to the building held by City Manager Larry Klein and Superintendent Lynda Jackson. Very cool.

Old School: Thomas Edison Elementary is 26 New Homes

11 SOUNDS THAT YOUR CHILDREN HAVE NEVER HEARD

Remember this: