NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 12 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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DAY PLANNED TO HELP REBUILD SIXTH DISTRICT PLAYGROUND

The playground that burned at Sixth District Elementary School in Austinburg will get some TLC from the community on Saturday, July 21. The playground renovation and beautification project that was planned before the fire will proceed as scheduled, but with a larger mission. The event will run from 11:00AM to 2:00PM and will feature the following activities: 

• Adopt a Plant Make a donation to the renovation efforts by purchasing a plant and then placing it in one of the the commemorative garden plots
• Soak the Superintendent For just two bucks you'll get three chances to dunk Covington Independent Public Schools Lynda Jackson and other community leaders
• Share your ideas There will be an interactive booth to share ideas on what should be at the rebuilt playground
• Volunteer Sign Up and Donations If you have experience in construction, landscaping, planting, and/or painting you can sign up for upcoming community build events
• Make a donation!

There will be plenty of opportunities for the kids, so bring them! The event is sponsored by the Covington Independent Public Schools, Keep Covington Beautiful, the Center for Great Neighborhoods, and Gateway Community & Technical College.

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SEE PREVIOUSLY: Fire Destroys Covington School Playground (Photos

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MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER; BODY PARTS WERE FOUND IN COVINGTON

Remember the gruesome tale of some dismembered legs being found near Hands Pike in South Covington (SEE: Dismembered Parts Found in South Covington May Belong to Ohio Murder Victim)? One of the men accused in the crime has pleaded guilty:

The Champaign County Prosecutor's Office said 26-year-old Matthew Puccio's pleas came during a court hearing Wednesday. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 20 for killing 21-year-old Jessica Rae Sacco.

FULL STORY: WLWT 
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CONVICTED KILLER FAKES DEATH, EMERGES ON YOUTUBE
A convicted killer that faked his death by jumping off the Carrollton-Prestonville Bridge, even leaving behind a suicide note, is believed to be the producer behind some new YouTube videos:

"We searched approximately 10 hours that day, trying to make a recovery of Mr. Meisberger. By the end of that evening, it was under the impression by the Boone County Water Rescue that Mr. Meisberger was not in that river. So, we began working on the theory that this might be a staged event," said Carrollton Police Chief Michael Willhoite.
Then, two weeks later, Willhoite said his department was tipped off about a YouTube video, and police said the man speaking in it is Meisberger.
It's one of five posted to a Facebook page in Meisberger's name.
One status reads, "I am alive and a fugitive on the run!" And in the video, the man said he's not going back to prison.

Read the full story: WLKY 
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Here's one of the YouTube videos:

Former America's Most Wanted celebrity from 1992, Wade Russell Meisberger, from Madison, Indiana is a fugitive on the run from a corrupt plot between government officials and other high ups from the small Indiana town. Meisberger has been forced from being successful to destroying him, causing him to loose his son... and finally run for his life. He has evidence to prove his statements that they have framed him to violate his probation and send him back to prison for 18 years due to a loop in his sentence discovered by his Monroe County Probation Officer.

More videos believed to be from Meisberger here: YouTube 

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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS

A website is launched to fight against proposed cuts to Covington's fire department; Covington business community to gather today for update on changes to bridge project; Plus, an auction for a dream trip to the top of the Suspension Bridge. Click it.

The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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Ludlow Police search for a missing older man WXIX 

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CVG operations back to normal after security scare Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Pot use among teens in region is up Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Support veterans with this new Kentucky license plate press release 

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NKY rubber plant to add 60 jobs press release 

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Gov. Beshear applauds US Secretary of Agriculture for drought response press release 

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A critical take on former UK basketball star and former KY Commissioner of Agriculture Richie Farmer's induction to the KY High School Basketball Hall of Fame Insider Louisville 

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US Rep Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) to skip his Party's national convention State-Journal 

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ATTORNEY GENERAL CONWAY WARNS AGAINST UTILITY SCAM From a release:

Attorney General Jack Conway warns Kentucky consumers not to fall victim to a new identity theft scam involving the payment of utility bills. In this latest scam, fraudsters claim that President Obama will pay consumers' utility bills for one month through a new federal program. "Although there are government programs that provide home energy assistance, this is not one of them," General Conway said. "This is a scam designed to gain access to a consumer's personal and financial information and to steal their identity. Never provide your Social Security number or sensitive personal information to someone you do not know." Scam artists are using in-person solicitation, flyers, social media, phone calls and text messages as part of this multi-state scheme. Consumers are told that President Obama has approved special funding through the Federal Reserve Bank for utility bill assistance. The scam artists then solicit personal information such as a Social Security number from the victim and provide them with a fraudulent bank routing number to use when paying their utility bills online. Customers who use this number are led to believe that their utility bills are paid and even receive payment confirmation notices. Payments are later rescinded as a result of the fake account numbers. General Conway's Office of Consumer Protection has received no complaints from consumers about this scam and is not aware of any victims in Kentucky. Victims have been reported in California, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas. Residents who are in need of home emergency assistance may be eligible for financial help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered in Kentucky through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Community Action Agencies across the state. For additional information on the Kentucky LIHEAP program visit http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/liheap.htm or call 1-800-456-3452.

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LOCAL RETAIL COULD BE DESTROYED BY AMAZON SAME-DAY DELIVERY 

By often being immune to local sales tax (though it collects taxes from Kentucky residents and those in other states), Amazon is able to offer virtually unbeatable prices, even compared to national chains like Wal-Mart, but it's really going for local, independent retail's jugular with its push for same-day delivery:

Why would Amazon give up its precious tax advantage? This week, as part of an excellent investigative series on the firm, the Financial Times’ Barney Jopson reports that Amazon’s tax capitulation is part of a major shift in the company’s operations. Amazon’s grand strategy has been to set up distribution centers in faraway, low-cost states and then ship stuff to people in more populous, high-cost states. When I order stuff from Amazon, for instance, it gets shipped to California from one of the company’s massive warehouses in Kentucky or Nevada. But now Amazon has a new game. Now that it has agreed to collect sales taxes, the company can legally set up warehouses right inside some of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation. Why would it want to do that? Because Amazon’s new goal is to get stuff to you immediately—as soon as a few hours after you hit Buy. (Disclosure: Slateparticipates in Amazon Associates, an "affiliate" advertising plan that rewards websites for sending customers to the online store. This means that if you click on an Amazon link from Slate—including a link in this story—and you end up buying something, Amazon will send Slate a percentage of your final purchase price.) It’s hard to overstate how thoroughly this move will shake up the retail industry. Same-day delivery has long been the holy grail of Internet retailers, something that dozens of startups have tried and failed to accomplish. (Remember Kozmo.com?) But Amazon is investing billions to make next-day delivery standard, and same-day delivery an option for lots of customers. If it can pull that off, the company will permanently alter how we shop. To put it more bluntly: Physical retailers will be hosed.

Full story: Slate 

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STOP CALLING CINCINNATI "THE QUEEN CITY"!

Because now and forever it shall be known as The City That Sings:

In an email to reporter Ryan Clark, who wrote about Cincinnati’s newest sister city, Quinlivan objected to the use of “Queen City” in the story’s first paragraph. The process for rebranding the city began after Quinlivan said she talked with Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau. Images of the Cincinnati 2001 riots, which had tarnished the city’s reputation, were fading. “We finally had a blank slate where people didn’t associate anything with us,” Quinlivan told the Enquirer this morning. “And with the World Choir Games, we have a great opportunity with international visitors and the media to redefine ourselves.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Carl Weiser 

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SEE ALSO: The transformation of Cincinnati's Washington Park is covered nationally in The Atlantic Cities 

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THIS WEEKEND IN THE RIVER CITIES...

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Colored Pencils exhibit opens at Carnegie on Friday The Carnegie 

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Check out what's happening this week at The Madison Theater Click Here 

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Bellevue will soon join Covington & Newport in boasting of an ArtWorks mural Click Here 

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Also in Bellevue:

Fireworks and music at the park on Saturday!

Click to enlarge

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SPORTS

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Anthony Davis rejoins US Olympics basketball team after Blake Griffin suffers injury USA Today 

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NKU BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW

In case you don't know, NCAA Division I basketball is now in Northern Kentucky as the NKU Norse join the most elite rank of intercollegiate athletics next season. Get your season tickets now! Details: Click Here 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 11 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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COVINGTON COP SAVES 3 PEOPLE, ANIMALS FROM BURNING HOME

One of our police officers is credited with helping to save three lives, alerting people inside a burning home to get out. He also saved the dog and three birds. Meanwhile, a man inside the home says he was targeted by an arsonist. Full story at the link.

Officer Alerts Tenants to Fire, Tenant Says He Was Targeted 

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SCHOOL DISTRICT CHOOSES SHERIFFS OVER POLICE TO SAVE MONEY

EXCLUSIVE: The Covington School Board will save more than $100,000 by using the Kenton Co. Sheriff's Office instead of the Covington Police Department to provide school resource officers. The vote put a dent in the City's budget, but that may already be accounted for, and on the upside, more officers are coming to the streets. Full story at the link.

Schools Choose Sheriffs Over Covington Police to Save Money 

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COVINGTONIANS RETURN AFLOAT "RAFTER CLYDE"

Here is a great story about riverboat captain Don Sanders, a Covington native and river dweller, who has purchased a small steamboat and journeyed down the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, documenting the trip on Facebook. Via WKRC:

Don Sanders's brother Bob Sanders has a law office in Covington and his nephew Rob Sanders is the Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney.

Follow the Rafter Clyde on Facebook Click Here 

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DON'T MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS

Firefighters blame budget cuts for delayed response to overnight fire in Covington; Transportation officials say Covington's "last chance" exit would cause crashes; WCPO anchor and Covington resident Katherine Nero announces she has breast cancer. Plus, a Kentucky woman sues porn companies over alleged extortion. Those stories and much more at the link.

The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 

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CAN CITY DWELLERS HAVE NICE THINGS?

Recently, The River City News published this photo:

Those discarded cigarette butts litter the sidewalk near a bus stop on one Covington's most important thoroughfares, Pike Street. Trouble is, the photo could have been snapped on many blocks around town where people who don't seem to give a damn just throw their trash on the ground for others to pick up. Others rarely pick it up. Covington is filthy. But, it's not alone:

The other day I was down at the beach in Coney Island. The tragedy of the commons was all around me – evidence aplenty that we cannot, in fact, have nice things. People were tossing their trash right next to their beach towels, and as the tide came in, the garbage was swept into the water, where it bobbed alongside all the little kids and old folks and parents and teenagers who were splashing in the waves, finding relief from the brutal heat.
No one besides me seemed to care about the trash. Everyone else appeared quite happy with the way things were. I picked up what I could, clearing a little patch of beach around myself and my son, because I really couldn’t bear to see the detritus get sucked under into the only Atlantic we have. I felt like a chump. That is part of the tragedy of the commons – that stinging sense of embarrassment at trying to make something nice when no one else gives a damn.
I’m familiar with this feeling from a lifetime of living in cities and being a total civic nerd. Fortunately, it doesn’t really bother me any longer.
Halfway up the beach was a corral full of garbage cans, with signs telling people not to litter, admonishing visitors to keep “your beach” clean. I dumped a couple of bags of garbage in those cans, wondering if and how more people could be convinced to do the same, how the sweating masses of New York could come to feel that “their beach,” and their ocean, should not be filled with junk.
I’ll confess: It wasn’t a high point for my relationship with my hometown.

Raise your hand if you've had a similar experience in Covington.
READ THE FULL STORY: Can City Dwellers Have Nice Things?
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QUICKIES
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Former state legislator, teacher dies one year after head injury suffered while breaking up a fight cn|2
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Kentucky ends fiscal year with $83 million left over Herald-Leader
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KY falls to 36 on CNBC list of best states in which to do business Business Courier 
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Government contract review examines if Kentucky is getting biggest bang for its buck cn|2 
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Attorney General Jack Conway's cyber crimes unit turns 4 press release 
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Kentucky's Department of Financial Institutions turns 100 press release 
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PREGNANT LESBIAN AND PARTNER BOOTED FROM KY PARK AFTER KISS
A Kentucky woman and her female partner are expecting a baby in September and like many of their heterosexual counterparts, hired a photographer to take maternity pictures. After a gatekeeper at the park witnessed the couple kiss, they were ordered to leave:

“They were a little reluctant, and they kissed so quickly that I wasn’t even able to take a picture of it,” she said.
After that, the park gatekeeper approached them again.
“He said that we had to leave and that it was inappropriate,” Miller-Poole said.
Miller-Poole’s husband accompanies her on all photo shoots, she said.
“He talked to the man and said that if it was because they were two women, that he wanted to know,” Miller-Poole said. “The man said, ‘Those type of people were not welcomed there,’” she said. “My husband ended up getting very angry and had to walk away.”
Miller-Poole said she conducts photo shoots at the park frequently and was trying to understand if she was banned from the park permanently or just with same-sex couples as clients.
“The man said, ‘If you come back and bring those type of people, you will be removed from the park,’” she said. “I never understood why people make such a big deal about being treated differently until I was actually in the middle of it and witnessed it firsthand. It really bothered me and upset me to witness someone be so cruel.”

Full story: Richmond Register/Ronica Shannon
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THE PLOT THICKENS IN THE CHANNEL 5/INSIGHT/TIME WARNER DISPUTE
After being unable to reach an agreement, Time Warner/Insight yanked WLWT from the cable line-up, but decided to air a station out of Terre Haute in its place. Time Warner did something similar in Louisville and Orlando where they were also unable to reach agreements with local stations owned by Hearst, which owns Channel 5 here. Trouble is, the owners of the stations airing in place of the local ones never gave permission. Via Ad Week:

"We believe Time Warner on an unauthorized basis in an illegal manner misappropriated our signals from three markets. Nexstar intends to pursue all legal and regulatory remedies to cause Time Warner to cease and desist misappropriating signals," a Nexstar spokesperson said in a statement.
However, Time Warner sees this as a legal loophole. "We are acting well within our rights, as we have in the past, in trying to help our subscribers through this," said a TWC spokesperson. 

But the drama doesn't end there. Via John Kiesewetter:

Time Warner has been forced to block afternoon programming on Terre Haute NBC affiliate WTWO-TV — which replaced WLWT-TV Tuesday — because a Cincinnati station has exclusive syndication rights to the shows. Time Warner can’t show “Divorce Court” now (2 p.m.) or “People’s Court” (3 p.m.) from the Terre Haute station because WSTR-TV (Channel 64) has rights to those programs here. Channel 64 complained after seeing the shows on Time Warner yesterday.

If you're keeping score, Time Warner is now blacking out programming on the replacement channel it is (possibly) illegally broadcasting in place of the local station that it is blacked out.
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LOL: RATINGS UP AS TIME WARNER REPLACES WLWT WITH TEST SIGNAL
From the humor guys at Derf Magazine:

Due to a contract battle with WLWT’s parent company, Time Warner Cable dropped Channel 5 from it's cable lineup. Time Warner replaced the Channel 5 signal with a test pattern, which resulted in a significant viewership spike. Neilsen officials say the Channel 5 test pattern popularity has nearly exceeded that of the rotating hot dog machine on a closed circuit TV at a local UDF.

More LOLz: Derf Magazine
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AWWW...
Watch champion filly Zenyatta's baby grow:

Many more awwwdorable photos here: Zenyatta 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 16 MAY

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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COVINGTON MURDER STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION
UPDATE: The victim has been identified by Covington Police as Jonathan Lowe, 40.
ORIGINAL POST:

A man was found to be stabbed to death between 1:00AM and 2:00AM at 8th & Madison in Downtown Covington this morning and as of this writing there is no new information to report, though Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said to expect an update from Covington Police soon. Sanders also noted via Twitter that this is the first homicide in Covington and Kenton County of 2012, four months and sixteen days into the year. Here is info and video from WKRC from the early morning scene: 

Detectives spent about five hours on the scene and carried out several bags of items from a nearby apartment. They also searched trash cans and the street for clues. 

The River City News will provide an update as soon as one is available. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers at 513.352.3040.

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MAN GUILTY IN CRASH THAT KILLED COVINGTON MAN

A Procter & Gamble executive that lived in Covington was killed last August when the driver of another claimed to have fallen asleep at the wheel, and their two cars collided. That driver, Vance Coyle, pleaded guilty today: 

Coyle’s attorney Bob Carran, of Covington, said the plea deal will allow Coyle, the father of five to keep working instead of serving time in jail.
“He has young children that he’s raising and he needs to support them, and this will give him the opportunity to continue to work for his kids while paying his dues,” Carran said.

Full story at the link. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Brenna Kelly 

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JUVENILE INCARCERATIONS DECLINING IN KENTUCKY, KENTON CO STILL #1

Kentucky has one of the highest rates in the nation for incarcerating minors and within the Commonwealth, Kenton County arrests the most, though the number statewide is declining: 

According to the report, which was released Tuesday, youth incarcerations for status offenses decreased by 41 percent from 2007 to 2011. The report attributed the drop to various measures, including increased community awareness about the high cost and ineffectiveness of incarcerations, the leadership of judges, and the work of advocates. 

Associated Press via WKRC  
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The Kentucky Youth Advocates report indicates that Kenton County incarcerated 174 different juveniles in 2011 or 101.4 for every 10,000 youths at an estimated total cost of more than $80,000. Read the full report by clicking here. 
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COVINGTON'S BIOLOGIC PART OF STATEWIDE REPORT ON LIFE SCIENCES
BioLOGIC, the Russell Street life sciences incubator is represented in a medical journal article the industry's growth potential, challenges, and successes:

MN: What are some of the biggest misconceptions about biotechnology?

(BioLOGIC's Keith Schneider): A misconception I often preach to is that life science companies are a riskier investment than other options.  Although to call this a misconception is a bit of a stretch as there is a great deal of risk associated with life science start-ups, with anything the risk lessens when some key components are added to the mix.  Things like a strong set of advisors, industry expertise, and like-minded people help lessen the risk.  As long as you have a few people that understand the science and can translate it to the business end then I believe your chances to hit a home run with a company like Surgical Energetics are at least as good as hitting a homerun by seeking the next Facebook or Papa John’s.  It may involve different nuts, but the bolts are the same—an addressable market, a strong team, IP, and executable business model.  bioLOGIC’s goal is to bring the bolts to the table as we uncover great and launch opportunities.  

Read the full article at the link. 
Medical News  

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SEE ALSO: UK scores $6.25 million grant/gift for cancer research Herald-Leader 

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WEDNESDAY MORNING HEADLINES

Did you miss this morning's update? Who's contributing cash to the candidates for Covington Mayor? Bill Butler, Oakley Farris, and Steve Frank. Details at the link; Plus, a new book brings political thrills and suspense with Covington as a setting; And, a local animal shelter may have to change its no-kill policy. Those stories and more at the link. 

The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 

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KENTUCKIANS THAT BOUGHT SKECHERS SHAPE-UPS CAN COLLECT MONEY

Attorney General Jack Conway announced this morning that Kentucky, along with other states, has reached an agreement with Skechers over deceptive advertising that touted the health benefits of buying Skechers "shape-up" shoes: 

Attorney General Jack Conway today announced that Kentucky has joined 43 other states, the District of Columbia and the Federal Trade Commission in reaching a $45 million settlement with Skechers USA, Inc. over allegations of deceptive advertising involving the company's rocker-bottom shoe products. Under the settlements, up to $40 million is being allocated for consumer refund money to be paid back to consumers who purchased the shoes. An additional $5 million will be paid to the states.
"Skechers has made millions from a deceptive advertising campaign that couldn't deliver on its promises to consumers," General Conway said. "I am pleased that a settlement has been reached and that it will prevent Skechers from engaging in these types of illegal marketing practices in the future."
The complaint filed today in Franklin Circuit Court by General Conway alleges that Skechers made health-related claims in the marketing, packaging, advertising, offering, and selling of its line of rocker-bottom shoe products including Shape-ups, Tone-ups, and the Skechers Resistance Runner that were not adequately substantiated at the time the claims were made.
The suit further alleges that without having adequate support for its claims, Skechers claimed that these rocker-bottom shoe products caused consumers to lose weight, burn calories, improve circulation, fight cellulite, and firm, tone or strengthen thigh, buttock, and back muscles.
Under the settlement, Skechers is prohibited from making these claims unless it has adequate substantiation to do so. Skechers does not admit any wrongdoing and denies the factual allegations asserted in the Attorney General's complaint.
Consumers who purchased Shape-Ups, Tone-Ups, or the Skechers Resistance Runner should go to www.ftc.gov/skechers or call 1-866-325-4186 to determine if they are eligible for a partial refund.
Potential refunds for eligible consumers vary from $20 to $80 per pair of shoes. 

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KENTUCKY PREPARES FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE PLAN

Parts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) are on their way to the Commonwealth: 

Therefore, if the law is upheld by the Supreme Court, Governor Beshear announced today that he will issue an executive order to establish a Kentucky health benefit exchange. “While no one can predict what the Supreme Court will ultimately decide, it is imperative that the state prepare for any decision,” said Gov. Beshear. “The steps we have taken to date, and the planning process we are putting in place helps ensure the state is able and ready to follow the law, if upheld, and also guarantees we don’t have the federal government running our insurance market.”
The health benefit exchange, a requirement of the ACA, will facilitate the purchase and sale of health plans in the individual market, assist small employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in health plans, provide one-stop shopping by helping individuals enroll in health plans, Medicaid and KCHIP, enable individuals to receive premium tax credits and premium subsidies, and qualify small businesses for tax credits.
(snip)
“The Commonwealth believes it is best positioned to operate an exchange for the full benefit of Kentuckians,” said CHFS Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “Kentucky understands the unique regional and economic needs of our citizens, as well as the health insurance needs of small businesses. We have existing working relationships with insurers, agents, advocates, health care providers and other business partners. By establishing a state-operated exchange, we can also better ensure coordination and integration of eligibility determinations and enrollment with the Medicaid program.”  

Read the full announcement with more details at the link. 
press release  
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IS THERE AN 8TH REPUBLICAN RUNNING FOR NKY'S SEAT IN CONGRESS?
Nope, but Greg Frank, the hotel owner running in the Democratic primary against Williamstown attorney Bill Adkins, sure is hyping his GOP bonafides: 

“Most of the people on the staff knocking on doors are tea party and Republicans,” Frank said. “The Democrats are outnumbered on our staff. In a primary, we’ll see how that passion does. If we can get through the primary, as much as a long shot as people may think we are, we have a good chance of saving this nation.”

Weird. Profiles of each Democrat running at the link. 
Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman 
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QUICKIES
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Time Warner Cable restructuring Insight jobs Herald-Leader 
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David Williams says he had no idea about Richie Farmer's shenanigans when he tapped him as his running mate last year WFPL 
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Columnist: Sen. Rand Paul to run for President in 2016 Courier-Journal 
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PHOTOS: Governor Beshear on trade mission to Taiwan click here 
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Gov. Beshear orders flags at half staff for fallen soldier press release 
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Kentucky doctor tells teen girls that they are part of medical study and now he faces child porn charges AP via WKRC 
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Kentucky State Fair sued by former supervisor at Yum! Center Courier-Journal 
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COVINGTON: Check out author Rick Robinson's appearance on WXIX discussing his new book that partially takes place in Covington WXIX 
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Former Southgate House to reopen as Thompson House this weekend Cincinnati Enquirer 
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NKY native Jones celebrates successful first month as White Sox pitcher Ledger-Independent 
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COVINGTON'S MAINSTRASSE VILLAGE IS NOW A STICKER DESTINATION
From the Mainstrasse Village Association:

We've always known it, but now it's official: MainStrasse Village is a destination! Pick up an MSV window cling or magnet during Maifest. They will be available for purchase at the Information Booth on the Goose Girl Fountain and at the MSVA Resident Committee Spaten Bier Garten on Main Street. 

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DESTINATION: GRADUATION PROFILE

Another soon-to-be graduate of Holmes High School is profiled by Covington Independent Public Schools: 

Robert Hughes-Carr found his niche when he came to Holmes High School. He liked radio, television and media classes.Robert took those skills and used them to earn first place for regional broadcast news in a Skills USA competition. Those classes gave Robert a direction. Now he’s got a destination. He has joined the U.S. Air Force.
Robert sees military service as a gateway to a world of opportunities for him. He rattles off possible Air Force jobs – cameraman, paralegal, administrator. He has a road map for what he wants in life – 20 years active service and then a government job. Also on the list – “a great family and a bright future.”  

Read more about Ryan by clicking here. 
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CARNEGIE HIRING TEACHERS
It is likely that these positions could be for the partnership between the Carnegie and Covington Independent Public Schools that starts next year. Details at the link. 
The Carnegie 
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AREA MAN SHAKEN UP AFTER RUN-IN WITH CASUAL ACQUAINTANCE AT CVS
LOL: 

"There I am in the toothpaste aisle, and before I can walk away pretending I haven't seen him, he makes eye contact, and bam—I'm talking about what I've been up to lately with this guy I've never seen before in a context like that," said a still-reeling Ditmas, who upon exiting the store deliberately walked in a different direction from Ehrlemeyer, stopping around the next corner to take some deep breaths and gather his composure. "My God. In a CVS of all places." 

The Onion  

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY AFTERNOON 24 APR

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

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@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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  BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE BATTLE STARTS TONIGHT

The first of two consecutive evenings worth of public hearings concerning the Brent Spence Bridge project happens tonight on the Cincinnati side of the river. From 5:00 - 8:00PM the public is invited to Longworth Hall in Queensgate to hear from transportation officials from Ohio and Kentucky. The presentation moves to Covington on Wednesday at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, also from 5:00 - 8:00PM. 

A public meeting was held two weeks ago inside Covington City Hall where city leaders laid out their concerns on how Covington could be adversely affected by the recommended Brent Spence plans. Click the link below for that story. 

A Bridge Too Far: Covington Fights for Exits 

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in case you missed...

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TUESDAY MORNING HEADLINES

An ancient fossil found in Kenton County baffles experts; A Cincinnati sports anchor weighs in on why UK fans are so hated, and why Reds fans are angry that the Wildcats will be honored at GABP tonight; Plus, a tour through our city's black history. Those stories and more at the link.

The RC News: Tuesday Morning Round-Up 

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CANDIDATE DECLARES FOR COVINGTON SCHOOL BOARD

The first candidate to jump in publicly for the 2012 Covington School Board election is Rebecca Pettigrew, a stay-at-home mother of three children, two that attend Covington schools. From Pettigrew's just-launched campaign Facebook page: 

I was born to a teen mom, and a disabled teen dad. I grew up poor. I quit high school in my senior year, but acquired my GED less than a month later, and attended college at The University of Dubuque, in Dubuque, Iowa, where I studied Elementary Education and Psychology. I am currently a Stay at home Mom, to three children, 2 of which attend Covington Independent Schools. 

The Covington School Board consists of five popularly elected members. Three seats that currently belong to Mike Fitzgerald, Glenda Huff, and Krista Powers are up for election in November. None of the incumbents have publicly declared whether they will seek reelection. Candidates for school board have until August 1 to file for office (there is no primary). 
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RED AND BLUE DON'T MIX WELL IN CINCINNATI, APPARENTLY

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The Cincinnati Reds will honor UK's national championship-winning basketball team before tonight's game and that has reignited old regional rivalries on the Cincinnati side of the river: 

Lance McAlister, host of WLW’s Sportstalk, said most of his two-hour show last night was taken up by people complaining and debating the Reds honoring John Calipari and Company.

“Non-stop calls for first 90 minutes,” McAlister told me this morning via twitter. “One caller said he’d refuse diamond seats if offered. It was stunning. And yet hilarious. I said it was the single dumbest debate I’d ever heard from Cincinnati fans. Reds, UC, XU and just people in the city all up in arms.”  

Herald-Leader/John Clay  
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MEANWHILE, LANCE MCALISTER POINTS OUT SOME INTERESTING FACTS ON HIS ESPN 1530 BLOG: 

Reds 2012 Caravan stops in Kentucky: 9Ashland, Lexington, Bowling Green, Grayson, Pikeville, Cynthiana, London, Louisville and Maysville.Reds radio affiliates:Ohio: 22Kentucky: 29Yea...what a crazy idea to honor the National Champion UK Wildcats tonight.

Do you think there will be any classless boos tonight? Weigh in on The River City News Facebook page.
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SEE ALSO: John Calipari will be the honorary grand marshal of this year's Pegasus Parade before the Kentucky Derby Courier-Journal 
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CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY CONTINUES TO HEAT UP
Northern Kentucky is the focus of Kentucky politics this primary season as seven Republicans vie to replace the retiring Geoff Davis in Congress. On Monday, Davis surprised politicos when he and Senator Jim Bunning endorsed Alecia Webb-Edgington, a state representative from Fort Wright. The news cycle from the race continues today: 
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Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie released an internal poll that shows him ahead of the pack, with Webb-Edgington second, and Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore third. WFPL 
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Senator Rand Paul is reportedly upset that Davis and Bunning endorsed Webb-Edgington and that may prompt him to endorse Massie Cincinnati Enquirer 
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NKU and the NKY Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting a forum next week with all seven Republican candidates: 

"In recent years, Northern Kentucky has been fortunate to have excellent representation at the congressional level," said Steve Stevens, president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. "Congressman Geoff Davis has ensured that our region's business and community priorities are heard and it is critical that we replace him with someone who understands our issues and needs." 

NKU 
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MEANWHILE, CONGRESSMAN DAVIS'S NEW COLUMN IS ABOUT TWITTER: 

When it comes to the relationship between government officials and their constituents, Twitter is a key source for communication and sharing information. Since joining this social medium a little over a year ago, I have come to value the interaction and feedback Twitter allows with followers. 

Geoff Davis 
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     GOVERNOR BESHEAR SIGNS PILL MILL BILL

From a press release: 

“This bill is a huge accomplishment that will save Kentuckians’ lives as we battle the scourge of prescription drug abuse, and I applaud the legislature for their bipartisan cooperation in passing this legislation,” Gov. Beshear said. “We know the terrifying statistics about how many Kentuckians are affected by prescription drug abuse, but even more unsettling, many of us know someone personally who is battling prescription addiction. House Bill 1 couldn’t get to my desk quickly enough.” 

House Bill 1 (HB 1), sponsored by House Speaker Greg Stumbo, passed in a special session that ended April 20 and includes a broad spectrum of aggressive measures needed to fight the problem of prescription drug abuse. The measure expands KASPER, the state’s prescription monitoring system, by requiring all prescription providers to register. It requires pain management clinics to be owned by a licensed medical practitioner, and requires medical licensure boards to investigate prescribing complaints immediately. The legislation allows better coordination between health regulators and law enforcement to address problems of abuse. Finally, elements of HB 1 will help prevent Kentucky from becoming a source state for prescription pills. 

More on the legislation from WFPL 
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Attorney General Jack Conway sets July 12 as the date in which new laws from the 2012 General Assembly will go into effect WKYT  
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QUICKIES
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Governor Beshear orders flags at half staff tomorrow in honor of fallen Kentucky marine press release 
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Area hospitals have more jobs available Cincinnati Enquirer 
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Ashland posts drop in second quarter profits Business Courier 
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NKU entrepreneur students win big at state competition NKU 
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GREYHOUND BUS OPENS CENTRAL KENTUCKY STOP FOR AMISH PATRONS
Turns out that the Amish don't only travel by horse and buggy: 

People come from between two and 10 miles by horse and buggy to get to the Sonora bus stop, he said. Events such as weddings and funerals and business can easily fall outside of a distance that can be traveled by horse and buggy.
“We don’t drive cars or anything,” he said. “That’s the way we travel.”
Miller said a typical speed for a horse and buggy is between 10 and 12 mph, which limits the number of miles that can be covered in one trip. “You can go 20 if you have to, but 10 is better and five is still better,” he said. 

The News-Enterprise/Amber Coulter 
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SPORTS
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Calvary Christian's baseball team had lost every game this season due to the ten-run rule, but won in dramatic fashion Monday NKY Sports Blog 
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Students encouraged to design jockey silks that may displayed on Kentucky Derby websites press release 
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WIN A CHANCE TO SEE PETER PAN AT THE CARNEGIE: 

The Carnegie in Covington has announced that it’s next Carnegie in Concert production will be a silent film with live music. Now, it’s not just any silent film…. we’re talking about JM Barrie’s Peter Pan, a story that resonates with children of all generations.
With all the high-tech gadgetry out there, we like the idea of taking a step back and bringing the kids out to experience a film in a such a classic way. There’s something magical about an old black and white movie, reading the words on the screen, having live music in the theatre. It’s a really unique experience. 

Family Friendly Cincinnati 
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ANOTHER KENTUCKIAN EMBARRASSES THE REST OF US...
The guy who siphoned gas from a police cruiser in Jenkins, Kentucky and then posted a photo of it on Facebook is getting national attention for his idiocy: 

According to The Smoking Gun, he was scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Letcher County District Court. Lesson learned? Perhaps not. The Smoking Gun quotes Baker’s Facebook wall, where he responded to a friend who missed the image before it was yanked from his Facebook page: “Yea lol u would just have to seen it it was funny as hell tho.” Hopefully the judge doesn’t see that, otherwise Baker could be stuck taking a page out of this guy’s (Face)book. 

TIME 
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Here's background: 

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   MIKE & IKE: WE'RE BREAKING UP

Oh snap! Even candy business partnerships are susceptible to falling-outs (...fallings-out?): 

We’re not quite sure how generating a fictional breakup in which the characters will inevitably get back together will necessarily attract younger consumers, but sure, why not.
The new campaign features packaging that will have “Ike” or “Mike” scribbled out, as well as on billboard advertisements. The back of the candy packaging with Mike’s name crossed out will feature a handwritten message from Ike calling out Mike for “spending way too much time on his music,” the Times reports. On the packages with Ike crossed out, a message from Mike will criticize Ike for “spending way too much time on his graffiti art.” 

TIME 
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Meanwhile, right-wing activist Tony Perkins is convinced the PR stunt is some sort of gay thing. SRSLY. The New Civil Rights Movement