THE RIVER CITY NEWS
MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE... ...EACH AND EVERY DAY
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This week's Edition is brought to you by:
KW Mechanical
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WHAT A WEEK IN COVINGTON...
From the passages of a non-specific, lean budget to constultant recommendations that ambulance services be privatized (among other serious changes) to a new police chief being named, to a city-wide drug sweep that landed dozens of suspected dealers in jail, this may have been one of the busiest weeks for The River City News in its one year history, a milestone that was also celebrated this week.
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More Covington News Than Any Other Source.
More Covington News Than Any Other Source.
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the week that was...
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SPECIFICS FOR COVINGTON'S NEW BUDGET WILL COME LATER
"I feel sorry for the people in a state of limbo because it's a time of uncertainty." The City Commission passes a budget for next year that is short on specifics, but there is a promise that more details are on the way after they hear from you. Click the link for the full story.
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CITY ON LOSING END OF TWO COURT SETTLEMENTS, AND OTHER NOTES
The City finds itself on the losing end of two settlements: $600,000 to be paid to retired & active firefighters and $150,000 to be paid to the operators of a methadone clinic. Plus, why one Commissioner did not approve the exit agreement for the departing community development director. Your Commission recap is at the link.|
CONSULTANTS: ELIMINATE POSITIONS, CONSOLIDATE SERVICES
Close two firehouses (and build a new one), brown out a fire truck; privatize ambulance services, eliminate code enforcement, and more -- all part of the 59 recommendations for the City of Covington to adopt in an effort to save $3.2 million. Full story at the link.
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SPIKE JONES NAMED COVINGTON'S NEW POLICE CHIEF
When he was 19, Spike Jones walked into the Covington police chief's office and asked how to become a cop. More than a quarter century later, he's sitting on the other side of that desk. Click the link for the full story and lots of photos. 
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DRUG SWEEP LEADS TO ARRESTS ALL OVER COVINGTON
Wondering why those helicopters are hovering over our city Thursday afternoon? A city-wide drug sweep was and is underway with many arrests expected -- and The River City News got to tag along for part of it. Click the link below for details and lots of photos -- including several arrests as they happened!
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THE CITY COMMISSION CAMPAIGN BEGINS AGAIN WITH HEATED RHETORIC
Following Tuesday night's special meeting at the Madison Event Center, City Commission candidate Chuck Eilerman accused a sitting commissioner of being overheard using heated, foul language toward city employees. Eilerman posted this to his campaign Facebook page:
Last night I attended the Mayor's update on the state of his 10 point plan and the summary overview of the Management Partners study recommendations. Some thoughtful and provocative ideas, many of which seeem to have merit for further discussion. I do believe, though, that the only way we can maximize the effectiveness of these ideas is by dealing respectfully and collaboratively with all parties involved, including our employees and the leadership of related organizations.One Commissioner was overheard after the meeting threatening/promising to "F***" several of these folks. This behavior is not "passionate", it's disrespectful, insulting, dysfunctional, and unacceptable coming from an elected official. Just saying...Though Eilerman did not name anyone specifically, City Commissioner Steve Frank owned up to the exchange, but said his remarks were not about city employees:
Last I checked Will Terwort wasn't a city employee. As for losing my temper, I am most assuredly guilty and frankly what we are doing in Covington is of no concern to Ft Mitchell commissioners who want to tell us who we should be doing business with aka Mr. Toeben rather than attracting open bidders for a project. I told him off and apologized to him later onve I cooled down. Covington will not be bought and sold by special interests as its been in the past. Sorry if I burned your virgin ears Chuck.Will Terwort is a Ft. Mitchell city councilman who also joined in the conversation at The River City News Facebook page:
Last night, I attended the meeting to hear the report from Management Partners. I wanted to learn how to make government more efficient and how to provide services better. I liked some of the report's ideas and disagreed with other parts of it. The point I was making with Mr. Frank was the city's lack of economic development in recent years. In the 1990's, the city was bringing in fortune 500 companies. As a result, the city's payroll tax grew. However, the city quit chasing the payroll tax, which is what pays for basic services. Even though I dont live in Covington, I still want the city to grow and prosper because its good for Kenton County. Covington is the heart and economic center of Kenton County. Unfortunately, you can't have a reasonable conversation with Mr. Frank without him losing his temper.Now, there is more information about what went down, courtesy of John Kidd, who serves on Covington's audit committee. Kidd writes:
I was with Steve Frank and his wife Nancy when this incident occurredTuesday. Mr. Terwort approached Steve as we were all leaving theMadison. I actually think he was waiting upstairs. The conversationquickly became heated by both parties. I was not aware of what thediscussion was about, but I did not hear any reference to the Unionsor Covington employees. I only heard a reference to "He". I was noteven aware this was Will Terwort until Steve told us. Afterwards Nancy and I told Steve to calm down and not to let a failed candidate from another city get him riled up. To the best of my recollection I did not see Chuck Eilerman or anyone else in thevicinity. As I was driving north on Madison as I left, I did see Mr. Terwort walking down Madison around Geez'l Pete's talking on his cell phone. I think the question I have is how did Chuck Eilerman find out about this?And, campaign season is back on.
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SATURDAY
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SATURDAY HEADLINES
Nearby cities wait to see what happens with Covington/Kenton Co dispatch merger; Candidate quits Judge-Exec job less than half-way through term to focus on NKY Congressional race; Plus, a Cincinnati newspaper pays a visit to Covington's Whackburger. Those stories and more at the link!
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CONVICTED: MUGSHOT ROUND-UP
Man convicted of costing another man part of his skull after hitting him with a tree branch flees before the verdict comes down, but is captured last night in Cincinnati. Plus, see who else is going to prison from Kenton County in the weekly mugshot round-up.
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FRIDAY HEADLINES
The Governor was in Kenton County today for a large economic development announcement; A free concert in Covington tonight features 30 bands on 2 stages; Plus, an architect says The Ascent should be demolished! SRSLY. Those stories and much more at the link!|
THURSDAY HEADLINES
A Fort Mitchell city councilman weighs in on what was described as a heated exchange after Tuesday night's special city commission meeting; Two Covington schools awarded money for fresh fruits & vegetables program; Plus, let's wish a happy 90th anniversary to Baker Hunt. Those stories and more at the link!|
WEDNESDAY EVENING HEADLINES
A city commission candidate accuses a sitting commissioner of using some foul language toward city employees Tuesday night; Covington man ejected from burning car after leading troopers on chase; Plus, video from inside the sinkhole that swallowed a Mainstrasse street yesterday. That news and more at the link!|
MAYOR SCHEPER UPDATES HIS 10-POINT PLAN
34 POSSIBLE PROJECTS FOR CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES
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YIKES...
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| Sink hole emerges on West Seventh Street in Mainstrasse |
TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES
Bonus coverage of the school board candidates; Join a Covington native on his riverboat adventures; Plus, I'll be speaking with a 1980s TV star next month -- and you're invited! Click it. |
MONDAY EVENING HEADLINES
"Disgusting, horrible," says interim Police Chief Spike Jones of the playground fire; A meeting Monday estimates the rebuilding cost for the playground to be $100,000; Also, that wasn't the only "suspicious" fire in Covington over the weekend; New parking rules for Mainstrasse; Plus, Covington gets a shout-out in the Chicago Tribune. Click it.
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MONDAY MORNING HEADLINES
Should school board members be tested for qualifications? KY's education commissioner thinks so; Work on a business improvement district for Downtown Covington begins in earnest in the coming days; Plus, how you can help rebuild Sixth District's playground. Click it.-------------------------------------------------------------
THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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DELAYS FOR COVINGTON'S BUDDING MUSIC SCENE
In the past few years Covington has emerged as an important player in the Greater Cincinnati music scene with national and regional acts bringing tons of people to the Madison Theater Downtown and local acts bringing lots of young people to the Mad Hatter. Two exciting developments emerged from those successes, with the Mad Hatter closing so that its owner could manage a Madison expansion, Madison Live, and Mad Hatter becoming Bangarang's, operated by three young, ambitious guys from Cincinnati. Even the Covington Center City Action Plan banks on Downtown's revitalization being at least partially related to developments around the Madison Theater and the music scene. So, what's going on?
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This is what the Madison Theater expansion looks like right now:
This is what the Madison Theater expansion looks like right now:
The plans for the expansion were approved by the City's urban design review board in February, where the theater's owner was hoping for no more delays. The River City News filed this report at the time:
Esther Johnson, in addition to the Madison Theater, has developed many Downtown Covington buildings, including the Backstage Cafe and the former Parisian building on Pike Street that now houses a law firm. She was concerned that the delay in this latest plan may cause a loss of planned business. Concerts are already booked for the new venue for which she hoped to have a soft launch in April and a grand opening in May.Johnson was working the box office Saturday night and was asked about the delays, and she said she is upset that it is taking so long, but that the project is moving along. Mostly, she said she is sorry that the construction dumpster remains parked out front.
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Banagarang's Closed Since April
The City of Covington had numerous complaints about underage drinking going on inside Bangarang's, City Manager Larry Klein told The River City News several weeks ago. Representatives of Bangarang's did not return a request for comment, though this post was on its Facebook in April:
Bangarang's is NOT closing. After a long discussion on Friday with our attorney and the City of Covington we have decided to temporarily shut down until we are issued our alcohol license. This decision was agreed upon to help expunge the citations we got in recent months from customers being caught drinking in the club. We could receive our license ANY DAY now...stand by for updates and again we apologize for the inconvenience and late notice.There were more recent posts that hinted that Bangarang's would reopen by the end of June, but those posts have since been removed.
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SATURDAY NIGHT ON MADISON AVENUE
Finally got to try Whackburger!
Quite possibly, the best burgers in town. Very, very good. Four stars!
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QUICKIES
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Coalition to build Brent Spence Bridge inspired by Louisville effort Cincinnati Enquirer
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Jeff Ruby is confident that the Waterfront will reopen, even as another one of his establishments closes for good Cincinnati Enquirer
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John Calipari's leadership deserves another look Washington Post
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The Atari turns 40-years old WDRB
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the week that will be...
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TODAY!
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Fourth of July Parade Wednesday in Peaselburg
From the neighborhood association:
JULY 4, 2012 - 11am at ST. AUGUSTINE*contact Susan at 468-4177 for additional information
Each year the community of Peaselburg invites all residents, businesses, organization’s and local politicians* to participate in our neighborhood parade.
We encourage you to join us in decorating bicycles, wagons, strollers, roller blades, scooters, skateboards, and cars/trucks/floats…and even yourself !
If you are unable to participate in the parade, please join the neighbors and line our streets.
At the conclusion of the parade everyone is invited to join us at St. Augustine for a social gathering / refreshments and the announcement of children’s prizes for…
● Youth dressed as an important American● Youth Best decorated bicycle/wagon/stroller, etc● Best decorated float / car / truck
Please show your pride for this great country we live in by proudly joining in the festivities and displaying the American flag!
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WORLD CHOIR GAMES CONCERTS IN COVINGTON NEXT WEEKEND
On Saturday, there will be two friendship concerts in Covington, with one at 4:00PM at the Children's home of NKY (click here for more details) and then at 7:30PM another concert at the Devou Park ampitheater (click here for more details). On Sunday, at 4:00PM there will be another performance at the Goose Girl Fountain in Mainstrasse (click here for more details).
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PRESERVATION PEDAL THIS WEEKEND!
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The Preservation Pedal is the annual bicycle tour sponsored by Preservation Kentucky, the statewide historic preservation nonprofit. This event is held yearly in a different Kentucky community to highlight historic downtowns and rural buildings. PK also intends for this to support local businesses and raise awareness of our organization, bike touring, and bike friendly amenities in small town Kentucky. All proceeds will go to assist Preservation Kentucky in furthering our mission of historic preservation education and advocacy.
The 2012 Preservation Pedal will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2012 in Danville/Boyle County, Kentucky, in memory of Louisville cyclist William Hash. This year's tour will feature a 24, 42, and 60 mile tour, along with an under-10 mile tour of historic Danville.
For more details or to register, click here.
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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