NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 25 AUGUST

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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FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HELENTOWN APARTMENT

A block on Scott Boulevard had to be shut down late Friday evening after flames broke out inside the first-floor apartment of a 3-unit building. The Covington Fire Department acted quickly to put out the fire. No one was inside the unit at the time and no one was injured. A cause and damage estimate have not been released to the public yet.

PHOTOS: Firefighters put out flames in Helentown 

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QUICKIES

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Covington teen convicted of murder, robbery Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Kenton County suit against petitioning company dismissed Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Former daycare worker pleads guilty in duct tape incident WKRC 

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All Kentucky courts, including driver's license offices, will be closed as part of a furlough on Tuesday, September 4 press release 

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Rep. Yarmuth: Expanding Medicaid in Kentucky has benefits that outweigh the costs cn|2 

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Sen. McConnell: A GOP Senate could repeal Obamacare Cincinnati Enquirer 

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PHOTOS: NKY Chamber of Commerce welcomes Sen. McConnell in Covington Facebook 

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Kenton County delegates headed to national Party conventions Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Louisville man arrested for trapping, killing squirrels out of season Courier-Journal 

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Kentucky authorities search for possibly armed marijuana dealers State-Journal 

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White House puts signature beer recipe up for grabs The Hill 

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1972 Olympic Basketball Team to reunite in Kentucky WBKO 

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NEW HEADMASTER APPOINTED TO LEAD COVINGTON LATIN

Diocese of Covington Bishop Roger Foys has named Mo Woltering to lead Latin School:

"I am so pleased that Mr. Woltering has agreed to accept the position as Headmaster of our Covington Latin School. The Latin School, from its founding, has provided students with a high quality education that is thoroughly Catholic. Like every Catholic school, our primary purpose is to transmit our Catholic Faith. I have no doubt whatsoever that Mr. Woltering sees and believes this to be our goal at the Latin School. Mr. Woltering brings with him a deep love of the Faith and of the Church which will be a true blessing for the Latin School. I look forward to being more actively involved in Covington Latin School myself as was the intention of Bishop Howard when he established it."
Woltering, a Cincinnati native and a graduate of St. Xavier High School, is coming from northern Virginia, where he held several key positions in Catholic organizations including: Executive Director of the Cardinal Newman Society, Director of Public Policy for the American Life League and, most recently, Academic Dean and Director of Development for Holy Family Academy.

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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ONLY 1 IN 4 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS ARE COLLEGE READY
More dreary news about the state of education in America from the folks at ACT:

Science was by far the worst tested subject (31% met the benchmark), followed by math (46%), reading (52%), and English (67%). Compared with previous scores, the results are nearly identical to those recorded over the last four years, with the composite score average holding steady at or near 21 since 2008.

Full story: Gawker 
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HOLMES HOLDS OFF SCOTT, HOLY CROSS IS THUMPED BY COOPER
It was a beautiful night for some high school football...

Holmes 21, Scott 15

Full story: WCPO 

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Cooper 49, Holy Cross 7

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer 

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CHECK OUT THE HOMES THAT WON COVINGTON BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS

The Friends of Covington handed out its 2012 beautification awards on August 8 (The River City News was there and you can see the full list of winners by clicking here) and have no shared photos of all the houses:

See more: Friends of Covington Facebook 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- SATURDAY 28 JAN

by Michael Monks 
Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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NKY LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS MEETS THE PUBLIC TODAY AT NKU

10:00AM at Northern Kentucky University's Student Union ballroom. Covington's representation in Frankfort is expected to attend. Including Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown, whose district includes South Covington) who has sponsored a bill to make it easier to place the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission's existence on the ballot. 

NKU 

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Supporters of NKAPC had this update about Thayer's bill:

Senate Bill 62 (SB62), the bill being pushed by the HBA and the Tea Party to eliminate the NKAPC, has some interesting features that need to be explored. The bill is designed to make it easy for a small group of people with big financial interests to get what they want – elimination of an organization that regulates them. Since they lost last time, they’ve decided the rules aren’t fair and so they want to change them.
In addition to lowering the petition signature threshold to about one sixth (1/6) of the previous requirement and extending the amount of time to collect the signatures by 33%, another interesting feature of SB62 is a requirement that the county clerk accept a petition signature at face value if it is accompanied by a birth date or a verifiable address. Here is the language in the bill:
A signature of a voter accompanied by a verifiable address or date of birth shall have a presumption of validity. The county clerk shall bear the burden, by clear and convincing evidence, for the exclusion of any signature on a petition by proving that the signature in question is not that of a registered voter.
This means that Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse and Elmer Fudd would all be accepted as valid if accompanied by a birth date and a verifiable address, unless the clerk can prove otherwise. See how this works? This is obviously intended to cost the clerk both time and money – and we all know how the Tea Party hates wasting taxpayer dollars, don’t we?

4 NKAPC  

SEE ALSO: The Kentucky League of Cities expressed concern over another piece of pending legislation:

House Bill 214, sponsored by Representative Steve Riggs (D-Jeffersontown), was moved from the House Committee on Local Government last week and reassigned to the House Committee on Labor and Industry. The bill will likely be heard on Thursday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. in room 149 of the Capitol Annex. This measure is intended to require the scheduled overtime pay of a professional firefighter or EMS personnel to be included in the computation of the average weekly wage as set forth in KRS 342.140 for workers' compensation benefits.
House Bill 214 would directly affect cities that employ firefighters on a 24/48 work schedule. KLC opposes the bill because it would increase the workers compensation indemnity payments to firefighters by approximately 12 percent, which would cause increases in workers compensation insurance premiums paid by many cities. The amount of premium increases would vary among the cities, hitting those cities with more firefighters on the payroll harder.

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COVINGTON MAN SENTENCED FOR MURDER; MAINSTRASSE ROBBER PUT AWAY
A man who beat his mother to death and a man who robbed six Mainstrasse patrons at gunpoint (and who also faces a murder charge in Ohio) are among the faces you'll see in this week's mugshot round-up brought to you courtesy of Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders.

The River City News 

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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVES TO BLOCK OMNICARE'S TAKEOVER PLANS

The Covington Cincinnati-based corporation is being watched closely by the Federal Trade Commission:

In a news release issued late Friday, the FTC said its move to block Omnicare's acquisition of PharMerica alleges "that the combination of the two largest U.S. long-term care pharmacies would harm competition and enable Omnicare to raise the price of drugs for Medicare Part D consumers and others." Both companies provide pharmaceutical services to long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted-living centers.

Harm competition? Why would Omnicare want to do that?
Business First/Ed Green  
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NATIONALLY-KNOWN EDUCATOR'S VISIT TO COVINGTON FILMED BY PBS
Ron Clark, whose celebrated approach to education prompted the production of a made-for-TV movie, The Ron Clark Story starring Matthew Perry in the title role, will speak to Holmes Middle, Holmes High, and Glenn O. Swing Elementary Schools on Monday. And PBS is sending a crew to film the visit! 
The River City News 
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sports
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HOLY CROSS ADVANCES IN ALL A CLASSIC; HOLMES WINS BIG
Covington is home to two terrific high school basketball programs this season. Both Holmes and Holy Cross will make a serious run at the Sweet 16 this year. Last night, the Indians advanced to the semifinals of the state tournament for small schools by toppling Owen County, 48-35. Meanwhile, Holmes clobbered Beechwood 82-57.
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SUPERSTAR FILL RACHEL ALEXANDRA WATCHES NEW COLT TAKE FIRST STEPS
This pony's papa is Curlin' and his mama is Rachel Alexandra and he took his first steps this week.

Image via

That colt is going to be an amazing racer.

Another picture here.

Links to video here.

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SHELTER RESIDENTS THANK STUDENTS

Residents and staff of the Northern Kentucky Emergency Shelter in Covington headed out to Union to thank some helpful students:

The roughly 150 students collected money for the shelter as a Christmas service project. That cash turned into 45 McDonald’s gift cards, long underwear, hats and gloves. The students were so excited to help that they held a cereal drive the first week of this month and collected 60 boxes. They held another one this past week and collected about 70 more.

The kids are all right.
Cincinnati Enquirer/William Croyle  
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HELP COVINGTON ARTS PICK AN IMAGE FOR ITS FACEBOOK PAGE
Covington Arts has a new Facebook page and wants help from the public in selecting a profile picture:

Though Picsasso's Blue Period was inspiring, our blue space on FB, is getting tiring. So this a shout out to all you funky creative folk, this is the last call to enter our image competition. Send your images to krentzke@covingtonky.gov no later than Monday and your image could turn that boring blue space into an alluring attractive artwork.

Covington Arts @ Facebook

ANTI-PLANNING BILL OPPOSED BY CITY COMMISSION & DEMOCRATS

by Michael Monks 
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Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Kentucky Senate Bill 62, sponsored by Georgetown Republican Damon Thayer (who also represents South Covington), aims to make it easier for the Northern Kentucky Homebuilders Association and the NKY Tea Party to dismantle the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission and to make it easier for builders to develop lower-quality roads and homes for the community. The bill will be heard today at noon during a meeting of Thayer's state & local government committee. 

Sen. Damon Thayer
R-Georgetown

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The Covington City Commission unanimously passed a scathing resolution opposing Thayer's bill which lowers the number of signatures required to place a referendum on the ballot. When the Homebuilders and Tea Party hired an out-of-state firm to collect signatures to place NKAPC on the ballot, Republican Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe deemed thousands of the signatures to be fraudulent. Currently, a petition must achieve signatures that amount to 25% of the electorate that turns out to vote in the previous election. Thayer's bill would lower that requirement to 10%. 

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Covington's resolution said the bill would have a "chilling effect" on planning in the community and compared the situation to the dangers of government-by-referendum, citing California's financial collapse as evidence of what could go wrong in such political maneuvering. "An ungodly amount of money was spent (by the NKY Homebuilders) and they didn't get their way and now they want to change the law," Commissioner Shawn Masters charged. In Frankfort, "we need to reform our pension system that is bankrupting municipalities. We have more important things to do."

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Commissioner Steve Frank was more restrained in his support of the resolution. "I don't like creating a new interpretation of referendum for just one specific issue," Frank said. "I think we need a more general discussion about the thresholds we have for referendums. I think 25% is a little high, 10%, I don't think that's the right number either. I don't think 'we the people' have had the time to think this through."

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Summe, the County Clerk, has a committee reviewing the signature process, Commissioner Sherry Carran said, stating that Summe would prefer to finish her own study before the law is changed. Summe has found an unlikely allow in the opposing Party. The Kenton County Democrats issued an emergency call-to-action late Tuesday night urging citizens to call the state legislative hotline in opposition to Thayer's bill:

Call the legislative hot line at 1-800-372-7181 and express your opposition to SB62 to the Senate Committee on State & Local Government. The call is free and the process takes about a minute. If you call the hot line you may want to express that the message is left for all members of the Senate.

NEW BUSINESS GROWTH HIGHLIGHTED IN COVINGTON

by Michael Monks 
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Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Covington's community development department celebrated the addition of twenty-six new businesses in the city for the final quarter of 2011. The news is welcome in Covington as the City prepares to deal with the financial fallout that will follow the loss of payroll tax revenue when hundreds of jobs follow Omnicare and The Nielsen Company across the river to Cincinnati. 

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"It's an uptick we're excited to see," said Rebecca Volpe, business relations specialist in the community development department. Additionally, seven businesses are expanding here, seven are relocating to Covington, and two businesses that flirted with leaving the city have been retained. One new business will be a hybrid pub and barber shop.

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However, a question was raised about how the City handles press and marketing when there is positive business news. "What steps has the City taken to augment those announcements," asked Commissioner Steve Casper. "Frankly, I see some names up there that I can't tell you what kind of business it is." Volpe pointed to the recent announcement that Granite World relocated from Burlington to Covington. "The City put out a press release and the feedback we received from them was good," Volpe said. "Fox (19) had a great story and they were able to get seven new clients."

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Commissioner Sherry Carran suggested that Covington follow a new model presented by Newport which features a business directory on the City's website. Volpe said that Covington is working with Northern Kentucky University to develop such a directory for the website and pointed out that new businesses are highlighted each month in the Covington E-News which she said has a big subscriber list. "We realize that we need to do a better job of businesses testimonials and touting their presence," Volpe said.

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Mayor Chuck Scheper asked for a list of the names and phone numbers of the new businesses. "It would be something just to call them and welcome them," Scheper said. "The more we can do it outreach and personal touch goes a long way in thanking them for being here."

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OTHER NOTES FROM COMMISSION MEETING:

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• The Commission unanimously accepted the bid from Century Construction of $63,990 to repair the roof at the Behinger-Crawford Museum which will paid for by funds from the Devou Park master plan.
• The Commission passed a resolution urging the Kenton County Planning Commission to adopt new subdivision regulations including the new standards for road construction which is opposed by the NKY Homebuilders Association.
• Five Covington Police officers were approved for pay increases.
• Chris Meyer was reappointed to the urban design review board.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- MONDAY AFTERNOON 23 JAN

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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CITY OF COVINGTON'S FINANCIAL HOUSE TO BE EXAMINED TUESDAY

At Tuesday night's City Commission meeting, the Audit Committee will present its annual report. Accounting firm Von Lehman & Company will present alongside committee chair Matt Dressman. Also on the agenda:

• A report from Community Development Director Jackson Kinney on new business activity. Should be a positive, optimistic report with all of the great news on that end in recent weeks.
• Century Construction will likely be approved for their bid of $63,000 to repair the roof at the Behringer-Crawford Museum (funds come from Devou Park Master Plan funds)
• Ceremonial resolution urging Kenton Planning Commission to adopt new regulations for road construction that opposed by the Homebuilders Association.
• Three police officers are set for raises
• Chris Meyer will be reappointed to the Urban Design Review Board

Next week's meeting on January 31 will feature Mayor Chuck Scheper's State of the City address.

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SEN. RAND PAUL DETAINED BY TSA AT NASHVILLE AIRPORT

Quite a morning for KY's junior senator, but maybe he wasn't detained?

Rand Paul's office said the senator first set off the full-body scanner and then refused a full pat down from TSA agents, according to The Courier-Journal’s sister paper, The Nashville Tennessean. The senator’s office has not yet replied to requests for additional details . Without mentioning the senator’s name, the TSA said he refused to undergo a pat down after an alarm sounded during routine screening. “The passenger was not detained at any point,” the agency said in a statement.

Can't wait to hear more about this.
Courier-Journal/James R. Carroll 

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MEANTIME: Ron Paul reiterates call to eliminate the TSA referring to it as a police state The Hill

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WESTERN KENTUCKY MAYOR MURDERED

Yikes:

Hickman Police Chief Tony Grogan said in a statement that 30-year-old Tommy Lattus walked into the police station early Monday morning and told officers he killed Mayor Charles Murphy.

AP via C-J  
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ANOTHER CHURCH BREAK-IN, ONLY THIS TIME IT'S BOONE COUNTY
...And the guy got busted on surveillance camera:

Do you know this man?

This latest church break-in happened in the overnight hours of Monday last week and follows four different similar break-ins in Covington. Lt. Col. Spike Jones of the Covington Police tells The River City News, "I can't rule out a possible connection at this point. ...The attention given to the suspects may have moved them on to other areas. ...Our investigators will be meeting with Boone Co. Sheriff's Office to discuss any possible connections."

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Call Boone County Sheriff's Office at 859-334-2175 or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040 if you have any helpful information.

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GARY MOORE IS FIRST CANDIDATE TO FILE FORMALLY FOR CONGRESS

The Boone County Judge-Executive is the first in the race officially. Moore will make his official announcement at 2:30PM today at Verst Logistics Group (2200 Gateway Blvd in Hebron).

Herald-Leader 
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NKY AUTHOR RICK ROBINSON ON STEPHEN COLBERT'S PRESIDENTIAL RUN
He says Americans need to lighten up and points to an earlier, similar run from 1960s:

Washington Post columnist Colbert I. King wrote this weekend that he finds Stephen Colbert’s antics “not the least bit funny.” King’s critique is a good example of why some people have sticks that need to be surgically removed from their asses. King says he understands the “disdain” for the GOP field and writes further, “It is indeed hard to decide which candidate to dislike the least.” King opines that such disdain and dislike is no reason to disrupt the presidential process.
Now we know who Herman Cain was speaking to when he told America to lighten up.

Colbert's skewering of how campaign finance works today in this country is not only brilliant and sad, it's also must-see TV.

The Daily Caller/Rick Robinson 

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DID YOU KNOW: GLASS FOR THE iPHONE IS MADE IN KENTUCKY

Every other part of the coveted gadget, not so much.

Herald-Leader 

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY TEEN TO SING ON AMERICAN IDOL

Cool:

Congratulations to Courtney Flege for being a contestant on “American Idol.”
We are very proud of the 16-year-old Walton-Verona student. Courtney has always loved singing since she was at a very young age. She has won several competitions as a singer, writer and composer. Courtney received yes votes from all three celebrity judges to earn her award of going to Hollywood. Parents are Andrew and Dena Flege, grandparents are Gary and Tootie Courtney. I know we will be hearing more great news of Courtney in the future.

Cincinnati Enquirer  
There's also a kid from nearby Milford in Ohio who made it to Hollywood.
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PRESENTING: THE FASTEST RACEHORSE POSSIBLY EVER
Well, right now he's just a colt having been born yesterday. But come on, his parents are the Brangelina of horse racing: Rachel Alexandra and Curlin'. This colt is destined for greatness.

The Kentucky Derby @ Facebook:

Rachel Alexandra, gave birth to a beautiful 125 pound colt yesterday at 2:40 p.m. ET! This colt is royally bred with his dam being the 2009 Horse of the Year, and Curlin as the sire who was the 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year. The foal is said to have a striking resemblance to Rachel and took his first steps 90 minutes after he was born. Congratulations to Rachel Alexandra and her connections on this exciting news…we wish them all the best!

God, I love Kentucky.

More: The Horse 
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MORE RENOVATION PHOTOS FROM CG'S CONCOURSE A

More here: CVG @ Facebook 

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IN CASE YOU MISSED: THIS MORNING'S NEWS

Kentucky has its first candidate on the Presidential ballot; Former UK quarterback joins the future UK quarterback in a local pizza eating contest; Governor Beshear named third worst person in the world last week; Plus, Cincinnati's proposed slogan hits a low note. Those stories and more at the link.News Round-Up -- Monday Morning
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WIN TICKETS TO THE MADISON THEATER
Details at the link.
CincyMusic 
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UK RETURNS TO TOP OF BOTH COLLEGE BASKETBALL POLLS

Courier-Journal 

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SILLINESS

Party Rock Anthem is a ridiculous song. It's also amazing. And now, it's also more amazing because someone made this video, a literal translation of the lyrics. Watch this and love it.

COMMISSION DISCUSSES BUSINESS RETENTION, ROAD REGULATIONS

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Covington dealt with disappointing headlines concerning the loss of two high profile companies and their lucrative payroll taxes that will no longer fill the City's coffers. In recent weeks, however, it appears that the job losses reached a plateau and now the focus turns to job retention and creation. The Mayor and each Commissioner is charged with maintaining a contact list containing their own share of the top one hundred businesses in town (in terms of payroll taxes collected) and each has committed to communicating and addressing their concerns. "So far things have been better this year," said Commissioner Sherry Carran. "They were laying off last year but are starting to hire back."

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"Most of these businesses for the most part are very happy," said Commissioner Shawn Masters, citing a small business that started in Covington and is now spending $2 million to develop a vacant building while looking to hire four to six new workers to increase its staff of roughly forty. Mayor Chuck Scheper said that larger businesses in town have pointed to the City's payroll tax, the region's highest, as an issue but Carran said that she has found that most businesses agree that the City's amenities and benefits outweigh that issue. She argued that Covington's walkability and proximity to Cincinnati are often heralded as reasons to stay and grow in Covington.

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"We're reaching out and talking to our customers, reaching out and figuring out how we can grow their businesses here," said Commissioner Steve Frank. "We don't want to go to our neighbors to fill our vacancies, we want to be above that game," said Commissioner Steve Casper, suggesting that it may be worth exploring the possibility of luring larger businesses from Chicago or New York City where taxes are high. Mayor Scheper said it would also be worth revising and adding to the business list to include smaller businesses with longevity in Covington.

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NEW ROAD REGULATIONS RESISTED BY HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION

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Part of City Engineer Tom Logan's presentation
showing proposed new regulations for road
construction

In a thorough presentation by City Engineer Tom Logan, Kenton County's new subdivision regulations were laid out. The Kenton County Planning Commission has attempted to revise its design regulations examples. They are still hand written, unprofessional, and hard to read, Logan said. "The goal is to be more professional, colorful and crisp," Logan said. However, the Homebuilders Association has slowed the approval process by charging that new regulations that would create better, stronger, more long-lasting roads would cost them too much money. Instead, the HBA wants to build roads as cheaply as possible. 

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The sticking point is a couple new layers between the surface and the clay below that would allow for better drainage of water and slower decay of the roads. Ultimately, Logan said, the new regulations would save taxpayers money because the roads would last longer. The Kenton County Mayors Group approved the plans in November. City Manager Larry Klein said that Alexandria adopted the same rules for road construction ten years ago and that the development of new homes has not slowed in the years following despite the Homebuilders' claims as to what would happen here.

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"Several cities were seeing new streets fail prematurely," Klein said. "The City has to use tax dollars to repair them. The Mayors Group wanted to make streets last longer and make taxpayer dollars last longer." According to Commissioner Carran, several other Kenton Count cities have passed resolutions in support of the new regulations and she suggested that Covington should do the same.

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CITY HONORED FOR RENAMING 12TH STREET AS MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD

At Monday's MLK March and celebration at The Carnegie, the City of Covington received special recognition for its renaming of 12th Street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. "We have a beautiful new thoroughfare and gateway to the City," Mayor Scheper said, accepting a plaque.

Mayor Chuck Scheper

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MAYOR SCHEPER'S FATHER PASSES AWAY

Mayor Scheper also shared the sad news that his father passed away Tuesday morning. His father was a Covington native who attended St. Ben's and had his first job at Stewart Iron Works. Scheper lost his mother-in-law last week and his own mother in October. Keep Mayor & Mrs. Scheper and their family in your thoughts during this sad time.

BILL WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO DISSOLVE PLANNING COMMISSION

by Michael Monks 
NEW ADDRESS: Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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DEVELOPING:

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Republican State Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), whose district includes South Covington, has a filed a bill in Frankfort that would make it easier to dissolve area planning commissions. Late last year, the Northern Kentucky Homebuilders in collusion with the Northern Kentucky Tea Party led a campaign to collect signatures that would place the dissolution of the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission on the November ballot. Upon review of the signatures, Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe ruled that too many of them turned out to be fraudulent as collected by an out-of-state crew of paid signature collectors. The law dictates that in order to place the dissolution of the planning commission on the ballot, a number of signatures equaling 25% of the number of the voter turnout in the previous election is required. The bill as filed by Thayer in summary would:

Amend KRS 147.620, relating to the dissolution of an area planning commission, by changing the petition signature requirements from 25% of the number of registered voters who voted in the last presidential election to 10% of the number of registered voters who voted in the last regular election.

That adjustment would help any effort to eliminate NKAPC. The River City News will continue to follow. 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

Find us on Facebook: The River City News @ Facebook

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DID YOU PAY TAXES THIS YEAR? YUM! BRANDS (KFC, et al) DIDN'T

The Louisville-based parent company of KFC and Pizza Hut and other fast food giants did not pay one red cent in net taxes last year. 

The Lexington Herald Leader reports on the study, which said Louisville-based Yum Brands (NYSE: YUM) actually had a three-year net corporate income tax rate of 0.4 percent.(snip)The report said the rate is based on calculations of taxes that includes economic development incentives that provide tax breaks. Next year, Kentucky will grant and estimated $292 million in corporate income tax breaks, according to the Herald Leader report.

Louisville Business First
"Tax breaks" like the ones provided to Omnicare and Nielsen in Covington. How did that work out? Also:

The group’s research finds that thirty big corporations actually spent more money lobbying the federal government between 2008 and 2010 than they spent in taxes. For example, General Electric — one of the  top 10 most profitable companies in the world — got a net tax rebate of $4.7 billion during this period. Meanwhile, it spent $84 million lobbying the federal government.

Take a look at the graphic below (click to enlarge):

The "profits" in the graphic are listed in billions. If this type of financial wizardry is being done as the country, state, and city go broke, please leave a comment about why you're not angry over it. I'm really, really curious.

Think Progress

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OCCUPY NORTHERN KENTUCKY

The Occupy movement has been characterized in various ways, but in its simplest form Occupy is motivated by the corporate greed that is permitted by the government as exhibited above. Now, here at the very local level, you have a chance to group together and speak out against it. Occupy Northern Kentucky is Sunday at Goebel Park in Covington at 2:00PM. Remember, as Covington's budget continues to bust and is worsened by the greedy weasels at Omnicare and Nielsen, we are a ground zero for the collusion between corporate greed and government ignorance.

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NKU ANNOUNCEMENT EXPECTED TODAY

The move to Division I athletics will be a boon to our region. This has been a long time coming. When this happens next fall, please buy sports tickets at the Bank of Kentucky Center and show that NKU made the right move because the fan base is here. Announcement is at 2:00PM.

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KENTON MAYORS RECOMMEND NEW STREET STANDARDS

A move that is expected to save taxpayer money by building better streets that don't break up before they're supposed to. But... as usual... guess who's against safer, stronger roads?

The Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky ardently opposes the new standards, arguing they may add enough costs to keep people from being able to afford new houses in Kenton County. And given the importance of home construction to the region’s economic health, it can harm the area’s economic health, the organization says.
“It could have a lasting impact on not only the housing industry in Kenton County, but also the economy,” said Brian Miller, the organization’s executive vice president. Advocates of the proposed standards say increased costs will add a small percentage to a house’s price, while ensuring homeowners don’t have to deal with problem streets.

The Homebuilders are the same greedy, irresponsible people that got in bed with the NKY Tea Party to eliminate central planning in Kenton County. Never, ever forget that should you ever be in the market for a new house again. (The Homebuilders didn't build any of the homes in Covington's urban core, for example. Could that be why they're still standing? Make Covington Home)
Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge 
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STORY OF MURDERED COVINGTON VICE MAYOR NOW AVAILABLE
In 1943, Covington Vice Mayor Carl Kiger was murdered along with his young son inside their rural Boone County summer home. The trial was sensational. Now, a new book captures the story in its entirety.

The author recently wrote a piece in the Cincinnati Enquirer to promote the book:

With my latest book – “Carl Kiger: The Man Beyond the Murder” – I set out to take a closer look at the man thought of as the primary target in the murder case. As local history librarian Bridget Striker says in the preface, “Carl Kiger was considered a suspicious man and kept three pistols in the house – two downstairs in his study and one in his upstairs bedroom, under his pillow. He insisted all the doors and windows of Rosegate were kept shut and locked at night even in the heat of summer. Why was Carl Kiger so paranoid about his family’s safety? No one knows for certain. However, rumors have alluded to Kiger’s mob connections as vice mayor of Covington. Following the murders, $1,440 in cash was found in the house, speculated to be slot machine payoff money.”

I can't wait to read this. It's available on the Rabbit Hash USA website for just $14.95. What a great Christmas gift for the Covington history lover in your life.
Rabbit Hash USA 
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NUMBER OF KIDS HURT IN KY CRASHES IS UP IN 2011
Buckle up, always.

Some call it an epidemic. It's an alarming increase in the number of children not properly restrained as they ride along Kentucky roadways. In 2009, one-hundred thirteen children, under five involved in collisions, were not properly restrained. The number dropped to one-hundred four last year. But this year, there's a sharp increase to one hundred twenty-nine, and the year isn't over yet.

Video report at the link.

WKYT/WYMT

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BIG TIME NASCAR DRIVERS EXPECTED IN COVINGTON SATURDAY

For the ARCA Awards:

Among those scheduled to attend are Sprint Cup Series drivers David Ragan and Ken Schrader and NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.

How about that?

Cincinnati Enquirer

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CVG AIRPORT TO FEATURE POPS CONCERT

Music to fly by:

The CSO’s brass quintet will perform live in Concourse B at 2 p.m. to kick off a growing partnership between the airport and the symphony. The partnership will enable CVG to broadcast the CSO’s recorded music to passengers throughout the airport during the holidays and beyond. John Morris Russell, Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops, can also be heard welcoming passengers to CVG and ensuring that passengers control their baggage.   

Press release via FOX 19

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HEADLINES: REAL OR FROM THE ONION?
It's getting tougher to tell these days which news is real news and which comes from satire sites like The Onion. So, challenge yourself and take this quiz.
Mental Floss
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DID YOU MISS LAST NIGHT'S NEWS?
A tough sentence recommended for the man who led police on a dangerous chase from Erlanger to Covington following other crimes; Plus, the guys opening a new pizzeria in Mainstrasse get a big shout-out from ESPN. Those stories and more stories, plus all the news you may have missed yesterday -- at the link:
News Round-Up -- Wednesday Evening