by Michael Monks
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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EXCLUSIVE: HOUSING AUTHORITY PROMISES BETTER COMMUNICATION
Tuesday night's joint caucus meeting between the Covington City Commission and the Housing Authority of Covington was at times testy and for the most part quite revealing and somewhat baffling. An organization operating under HAC's umbrella and even led by HAC's executive director stole the show. Click the link for the story complete with video and photos.
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BONUS COVERAGE
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-The Housing Authority envisions that River's Edge at Eastside Pointe, the housing development that will replace Jacob Price, will have an economic impact of $120 million for Covington
-City Heights is in such bad shape (it was described at the meeting as "physically obsolete") that it will cost $22 million in capital just to maintain its heating & electric systems, storm drainage, roads, and other maintenance issues.
-HAC Board Chairman Glenn Kukla said that the organization will have a surplus in its general fund. "It's a good problem. We meet our mission, we meet our occupancy goals, and we come in under budget."
-HAC board member JT Spence said that Covington is held in high regard by the federal department of Housing & Urban Development. "We have one of the best run housing authorities in the country."
-Eastside resident Clinton Jackson and Spence sparred over the perceived lack of transparency within HAC. "The community as a whole has no idea what you're doing," Jackson said. "Do the people that live here have any leverage? Will we have any input on the final project (River's Edge)? Something's been going on around here that the City Commission doesn't know about."
Spence fired back, "We are accountable to the City, the federal government in multiple ways, we are responsible," Spence said, adding that he was offended by Jackson's implication that board members were somehow making money off HAC's deals and "hiding it in our pillows".
-City Commissioner Steve Casper recommended that bid process for the River's Edge development be reopened and that when the bids arrive, that they be opened in Covington instead of Atlanta to increase transparency in the deal.
-City Commissioner Sherry Carran on the Moving to Work program: "We have to be involved in the vision for that program. My fear is that it will just be another form of subsidized housing, which isn't bad, but needs to be better." Chairman Kukla said that HAC should take a step back from Moving to Work and focus on bettering its relationship with the City.
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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN COVINGTON TODAY
The Center City Action Plan's initial recommendations on revitalizing Covington's urban core will be revealed today. The first of two presentations started this morning at 8:30AM but a second chance to catch it is this evening at 5:30PM at the Artisan Enterprise Center on Pike Street.
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SEE ALSO: This morning at 10:30 at the Artisan Enterprise Center, Progressive Urban Management Associates, which is overseeing the Center City Action Plan, will also make its initial recommendations on the proposed Business Improvement District for Downtown and Mainstrasse.
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CITY TO HONOR HOLY CROSS'S STATE FOOTBALL TITLE WITH SIGNAGE
The state champs will have two permanent signs erected in their honor Wednesday afternoon. From the City of Covington:
This Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 3:30 PM members of the 2011 State Champion Holy Cross Indians football team will gather along with school staff, fellow students, perhaps a few alumni, countless proud community members and several local elected officials just south of Ritte's Corner in Latonia for the unveiling of street signs commemorating their fairytale season and victory over the Glasgow Scotties at Western Kentucky University last December in the Class 2A State Championship game.
There are two street signs dedicating a section of Winston Avenue to the 2011 Kentucky State Football Champions. The North bound sign is near the intersection of Boron Drive and the South bound sign is just South of Ritte's Corner. The ceremony will take place near the South bound sign. Father Tom Robbins will "kick off" the gathering with an invocation, followed by a welcome from former Covington Mayor Butch Callery, and comments from current City of Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper. Holy Cross Principal Clay Eifert and Head Football Coach Bruce Kozerski will round out the event.
All are invited and encouraged to attend. Participants should park at the Latonia Shopping Center near McDonalds. The actual ceremony will take place near the American Legion located at 3801 Winston Avenue.
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COVINGTON AFTER HOURS TONIGHT IN MAINSTRASSE
Head to Chez Nora at 6th & Main Streets from 5:00-7:00PM for the monthly after hours gathering:
Guest Speaker, Brewster Rhodes, of Green Umbrellawww.greenumbrella.org, will be talking about how implementing a green community impacts economic growth within an area. His insightful 15 minute talk will be helpful to anyone interested in sustainability, urban development, and community growth.Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
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COVINGTON ARTS ENTHUSIAST PASSES AWAY
From the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission:
Northern Kentucky has lost a great citizen. Arlene Gibeau, 1923-2012. Arlene was the visionary behind and curator for the Community Action Gallery. The Gallery and the arts community will miss her, as will all of us at NKCAC who knew and loved her.From the online obituary:
Arlene S Gibeau passed away on March 12, 2012. She leaves behind a husband of 62 years Richard, five children Toddy, Ricke, Blair, Rena, and Julie, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She lead an active life and was a friend to many. She lived life as a dancer, a mother, a teacher and was active in the arts community. Many will remember her service in the Kenton Co. Cooperative Extension, her directorship of the Carnegie Arts Center, and curatorship of the Cathedral Gallery and Community Action Commission Gallery.
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| Arlene Gibeau |
FRANKFORT HEADLINES
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Proposed bill from Sen. David Williams would change Kentucky's primary elections date from May to August WKYT
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Bill ending basic phone services in parts of Kentucky clears senate panel Herald-Leader
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House passes ban on synthetic drugs Herald-Leader
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House approves Appalachian scholarships Herald-Leader
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Bill would permit independent inspectors for child protective services Bluegrass Politics
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Anti-meth bill stalls in house Courier-Journal
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Churchill Downs still committed to racing despite losing slots Courier-Journal
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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
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Monte Casino neighborhood meeting tonight Click Here
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CAMPBELL LODGE BOYS HOME INVESTIGATED BY THE STATE
Troubling:
Lodge employees are represented by Covington Attorney Margo Grubbs. She says the drug allegation is not pointed at any doctors, but directly at Campbell Lodge. "We believe once the prescriptions were obtained by the facility, they were hoarded after the children would leave the facility. They were re-used and potentially not even given the proper milligrams that had been prescribed by the attending physician."
The workers claim that last month a boy ran out of his prescription of Focalin, an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drug and was given differing doses of the drug from another's prescription. They also claim some drugs were re-labeled by hand by Campbell Lodge staff. "Some of these medicines were psychotropics as well as controlled substances."
Much more, including a video report at the link.
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LACK OF POLICE BLAMED FOR INCREASE IN CRIME SAYS UNION OFFICIAL
Lexington is dealing with budget cuts and union negotiations with its public employees like Covington and other municipalities. A Fraternal Order of Police representative says fewer police officers is a direct reason for an increase in crime.
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HORSE LIFTED BY TORNADO, DROPPED INTO FAMILY'S KITCHEN
The EF3 tornado that ripped through West Liberty was a startling situation for a horse now named "Twister":
"Twister" the horse was picked up by the EF 3 tornado and dropped into the family's kitchen after the roof blew off. Since they lost their home and everything they have, Doctor Fugate says "Twister" will stay a while.WKYT
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GEORGE CLOONEY TO SPEAK TO UNITED STATE SENATE TODAY
The Oscar winner and NKY native will talk the Sudan:
Clooney and fellow Sudan activist John Prendergast will testify before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday about their trip last week to the Sudan and South Sudan. After their appearance, they will be interviewed by Judy Woodruff for the “PBS NewsHour” (6-7 p.m., Channel 16; 7-8 p.m., Channels 48, 54).Cincinnati Enquirer/John Kiesewetter
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SEE ALSO: Clooney makes quiet visit to Sudan Cincinnati Enquirer
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QUICKIES
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NKU fraternity to shave heads for charity TKE @ Facebook
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Covington's Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center is hiring a communication manager The Carnegie
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Wildman Walker returns to local radio Cincinnati Enquirer
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Champion filly/new mom Zenyatta is shutting down her online diary Zenyatta & Blood Horse
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Inductees to Kentucky Music Hall of Fame announced Herald-Leader
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Inductees include NKY native Skeeter Davis whose most notable hit is:
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MARCH MADNESS
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How about those Hilltoppers, right? Down by 16 with just over 4 minutes left to play and they come back to win -- and will not face UK on Thursday.
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Western Kentucky puts on show for President Obama Herald-Leader
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WKU fans celebrate (video) WBKO
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MARCH ADOPTABLES FROM THE KENTON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER
Awww... Click here for more:
