NEWS ROUND-UP -- WEDNESDAY EVENING 29 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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ERLANGER SCOFFS AT MERGED DISPATCH CENTER

The City of Erlanger is not anxious to join the City of Covington and other in the new consolidated Kenton County 911 emergency dispatch center:

“The bottom line is this, this is Erlanger’s position on dispatch. Erlanger will continue to dispatch its emergency services, and those who are partner cities that choose to remain for as long as it is economically possible,” (Erlanger Mayor Tom) Rouse said. “If and when the new system becomes as good as our system and as efficient with the money, we will consider joining. And that’s been our position all along.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Libby Cunningham 
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WHAT'S UP WITH THIS SINKHOLE ON RUSSELL STREET?
A reader emailed The River City News and said that this apparent sinkhole has just been all sinkin' and holin' on Russell Street between Fifth & Sixth since March:

Anyone know why this hasn't been attended to?

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DON'T MISS WEDNESDAY MORNING'S NEWS!

Should Covington Schools drug-test its students? A public meeting tonight discusses the issue; Whoa... how much did you pay for gas this morning?; Plus, a fall fashion show tonight in Downtown Covington. Those stories and much more at the link.

Full story: The RC News: Wednesday Morning Round-Up 

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QUICKIES

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KY homeowners are benefiting from foreclosure settlement Jack Conway 

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Tropical storm Isaac could affect Kentucky agriculture, livestock Lane Report 

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KY electrical line workers head to Gulf Coast to help out WKYT 

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81-year old KY man charged in shooting death AP 

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Sec. of State Grimes makes Nov. 6 official date for special election to fill Geoff Davis's Congressional seat press release
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Sen. McConnell downplays Ron Paul rift in GOP WFPL 

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Anti-tax pundit Grover Norquist previews what a US Senate would like with Sen. McConnell as majority leader WFPL 

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Gov. Beshear names a new chief of staff Bluegrass Politics 

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Governor creates task force to tackle substance abuse, mental health issues among veterans press release 

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White House puts Hardin County in drug initiative Herald-Leader 

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Kenton Co. Library creates scary video Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Assistant attorney general urges students to fight bullying WKYT 

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Cincinnati Port Authority begins landbanking effort Cincinnati Enquirer 

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Grant will help NKU retain STEM students NKU 

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KY State Fair attendance down slightly State-Journal 

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Thoroughbred leaders: KY drug rules being held hostage Herald-Leader 

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State taking orders for fifty kinds of trees Herald-Leader 

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MAN CHARGED IN KIDNAPPING WANTS TO DUMP COVINGTON LAWYER

A guy accused of abducting a shopper at the Crestview Hills Town Center last year says he can't get along with his attorney:

Joseph Weir interrupted his own competency hearing Tuesday in federal court by raising his left hand, showing off a blue-colored cast decorated with a UK logo, and asked that lawyer F. Dennis Alerding be removed.
“Trying to have a conversation with Mr. Alerding just doesn’t seem possible,” Weir said. “I don’t feel like I’m being represented in a serious manner.”
Weir gave U.S. Magistrate Judge Candace Smith a list of grievances that included allegations Alerding cursed and told him, “If you don’t like me, why don’t you just fire me.”

Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Jim Hannah
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MEETING SET FOR NEXT WEEK ABOUT FUTURE FOOD TRUCK EVENTS
Via C'est Cheese mobile food truck:

 ...the plan is to do them monthly. The team that puts them on and the participating trucks are supposed to be meeting next week to discuss future logistics. I'll be sure to publicize dates as soon as they're set! 

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WORK ON MAINSTRASSE POPEYE'S MOVING ALONG

The folks opening the new Popeye's at Fifth & Main Streets are wasting no time in getting the former Skyline Chili location in order...

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HISTORICAL MARKER TO HONOR BLACK SETTLEMENT OF STONETOWN

A new historical marker will go up in Scott County:

The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a historical marker to honor the African-American settlement of Stonetown at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9, at 176 Stonetown Road in Stamping Ground.

In the 1780s, slaves were brought to Scott County with their white owners as part of the “traveling church,” a Baptist exodus from Virginia. After the Civil War, they purchased land and settled in Stonetown. The community had a school and two churches, one of which, the First Baptist Church, is still open today. In 1877, many former slaves moved farther west to newly formed Nicodemus, Kan.

This marker dedication is part of a weekend-long celebration of the 135th anniversary of that migration from Kentucky to Kansas. Descendants of those early settlers; Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society; and Kent Whitworth, executive director of the Kentucky Historical Society, will be in attendance.

Via press release.
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HOT DOG! CINCINNATI IS NUMBER ONE!
Eat it, Chicago!

Crain’s Chicago Business and Food Genius, a Chicago-based food data analytics company, paired up to see where Chicago ranked in terms of hot dog availability. Chicago ranked as the 28th Top Hot Dog City, with only 1.2 percent of menus containing hot dog items, according to Food Genius’s database of restaurant menus. The Queen City, and we should all be proud of this, ranked No. 1. Nearly 7.3 percent of our restaurant menus contain hot dog items.

Full story: Business Courier/Tom Demeropolis 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY EVENING 9 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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COVINGTON ROAD PROJECTS GET FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH OKI

The Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) today announced $85 million in federal funding to support 33 area road projects including two in Covington:

The funds were allocated through three federal programs: the Surface Transportation Program  (STP), Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Program for  Northern Kentucky (SNK). Funding was exclusive to Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties in Ohio and Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Kentucky.

(snip)
“These projects play an important role in revitalizing our region and enhancing the quality of life for our citizens,” said OKI Executive Director Mark Policinski. “OKI continues to  move projects  forward to help relieve stress from our congested roadways and provide transportation options to  save citizens time and money, attract commerce and improve our environment.” 

Covington projects on the list include:

• $441,000 for the Caroline Underpass reconstruction from 34th Street to 26th Street in Latonia
• $631,000 for Latonia Avenue construction from Madison Avenue to Southern Avenue and Southern Avenue to Latonia Avenue up to Grace
• $1.2 million to replace 4 TANK buses with bike racks, security cameras, and wheelchair lifts

Other NKY projects include improvements to Carothers Road in Newport. For the full list and information: OKI  

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KENTUCKY RANKS FIRST IN TOXIC AIR POLLUTION FROM POWER PLANTS

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Fund shines an unflattering light on the Commonwealth's air:

Maybe I’ve been watching way too much TV from London over the last few days, but it occurs to me that if they held a power plant pollution Olympics and states “won” medals for being home to the most toxic emissions, the gold, silver and bronze would go to Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Source: NRDC Switchboard
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More:

This year's analysis also found that toxic pollution declined by 19 percent compared to 2009 levels, which includes a 4 percent decrease in mercury emissions. In part, the reduction is due to some power companies' decision to invest in pollution controls before the standards come into effect, in essence getting a head start on the reductions. The EPA estimates that these reductions will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths; 130,000 asthma attacks; 5,700 hospital visits; 4,700 heart attacks; and 2,800 cases of chronic bronchitis annually. The public health improvements will save between $37 billion and $90 billion in health costs, and prevent up to 540,000 missed work or "sick" days each year.

Full story with link to full report: NRDC
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Analysis:

Even though 92 percent of Kentucky’s power comes from burning coal, the 92 percent of elected Kentucky public servants are dead set on keeping that number right where it is. 

Why? Because the mining and burning of coal is totally safe, of course. No water contamination, no asthma, no cancer. You just flip that switch in the room and the lights come on, thanks to the coal industry — which you may never question, ever, or else you hate people from Appalachia. Our governor and legislature have things totally under control, so don’t worry about it.

Full story: LEO Weekly
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KENTUCKY CORPORATION'S HEALTH CARE STANCE GOES NATIONAL
Politicos across the country are debating comments made by the CEO of Kentucky-based Papa John's Pizza, but no one had more fun with it than late night satirist-in-chief Stephen Colbert:

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Meanwhile... Bluegrass Politics reports via Twitter: "David Adams of Tea Party: Aug. 21 Frankfort rally also will urge folks to buy Papa John's, whose owner said Obamacare will hike pizza prices." So, after a week of arguing over chicken sandwiches, our new foodie wedge issue is pizza. It's gonna be a long three months, isn't it?

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WHOOPING COUGH CASES INCREASE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY

The Northern Kentucky Health Department sent out this news via Twitter:

3 more cases of whooping cough in NKY this week. Total for year is up to 82. Age ranges from 3 weeks to 67 years old.

For info on how to prevent and treat whooping cough, also known as pertussis, click here.
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QUICKIES
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CVG, Delta improve on-time scores Business Courier 
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Support for Democrat Bill Adkins in special election urged by State Party Chairman press release 
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KY Republicans organize campaign around Democratic State House Speaker Greg Stumbo's support for President Obama WFPL 
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KY Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer to advise Mitt Romney on agriculture issues WFPL 
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Coal miners union not wild about Obama or Romney WFPL 
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It may take years for eastern Kentucky schools to recover from tornadoes Kentucky Forward 
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Kentucky Historical Society to display Civil War artifacts at state fair press release 
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Attorney General Jack Conway schedules events to warn seniors of scams press release 
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DON'T MISS THURSDAY MORNING'S NEWS
How are the candidates for office in Covington doing on the fundraising front?; The School Board will take up the issue of taxes at today's meeting; A local food truck is already expanding its services; Plus, a look at what to do in Covington this weekend! Click it.
The RC News: Thursday Morning Round-Up 
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LOUISVILLE MAN SETS TOILET ON FIRE FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS
So, this happened:

A 36-year-old Louisville man was arrested Saturday morning after police said he set a toilet on fire at a Speedway gas station and claimed he did it for “religious reasons.”

(snip)

Officers reported that Crittenden was “intoxicated on nitrous oxide from huffing the Reddi-wip,” the report said. He had “extremely slurred speech” and was unsteady on his feet, it said. Crittenden, who had already been banned from the store, was huffing the whipped cream cans in the aisles of the store, which was “causing alarm” to customers, the report said.

Wow. Full story: Courier-Journal 

Dangerous!

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MARTY BRENNAMAN TO TRIM NOSE HAIRS IF REDS WIN PENNANT

LOL:

Following a successful hair-cutting promotion last week to benefit the Reds Community Fund, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman announced he will publicly undergo a full nasal trim if the Reds win the National League pennant.

Full story: Derf Magazine (satire)
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AIN'T THAT AMERICA...

A man living in our nation's capital ordered a TV but received an assault rifle instead:

Thirty-eight-year-old Seth Horvitz says he purchased the 39-inch television from a third-party seller. A box arrived from UPS on Tuesday evening, and it seemed too small to contain the TV. He says he initially thought it contained accessories.

More with video: WXIX 
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10 THINGS A BURGLAR DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW
Good to know info written in the form of thank-you notes from burglars:

You’d be surprised how many home owners position a mirror in their entry hall so I can see from a window if the alarm system is armed. (Yours wasn’t, but I’m guessing you know that by now!) Thanks for taking a lot of pressure off of me.

A little free advice: Relocate the mirror so your alarm system isn’t visible if someone else would peer through a window.

Of course, you could always just order an assault rifle.
Full story: House Logic 

NEWS ROUND-UP -- THURSDAY MORNING 3 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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PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN COVINGTON PARTIALLY REVEALED

The long-awaited Center City Action Plan which aims to revitalize Downtown Covington will be released to the public online today or tomorrow according to Jackson Kinney, the city's community development director. In this exclusive report, the plan would reconstitute the Urban Partnership as an umbrella organization funded in part by the city and staffed by 3 - 4 people. See all the details, including what roles would be played by many city organizations, at the link. 

Plan for Downtown Covington Partially Revealed 

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BUSINESS LEADERS TO CONVENE FOR BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PLANS

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson will join representatives from Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the river on Monday afternoon to announce a path forward toward a new Brent Spence Bridge. The luncheon will take place at the Christian Moerlein Lager House in Downtown Cincinnati. A press release offers these statistics: 

• The Brent Spence Bridge is our collective lifeblood to move goods, people and materials in and out of our region. 
• Everyday, $1 billion worth of goods cross the bridge. 
• For every month construction is delayed, the cost of the bridge increases by $8 million. 
• The price tag of $2.5 to $3 billion to complete the project will generate $18.9 billion in regional benefits. 

The River City News will have it covered for you. 

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MEANWHILE, THE WASHINGTON POST FACT-CHECKS REMARKS ABOUT THE BRENT SPENCE BRIDGE PROJECT MADE BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: 

As we said before, we understand the need for symbolism. But that does not give a president license to stretch the facts.
Calling out the Republicans at the Brent Spence bridge was bad enough, given the bipartisan support for its reconstruction. But pointing to the Sherman Milton Bridge, which already has been repaired without funding from the president’s jobs bill, is ridiculous.
Perhaps the president was using outdated talking points, but that’s little excuse. Given that the president earned Three Pinocchios before, we have little choice but to up the ante this time. 

More at the link (where the President scores four "Pinnochios" for his bridge remarks. 
Washington Post   
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LAWMAKER: MORE ROAD FUNDING FROM STATE SHOULD GO TO URBAN AREAS
A Kentucky state representative from Louisville says road project money is distributed disproportionately to non-urban areas: 

“It is absolutely very frustrating. This transportation formula has been around since the 1940s. It needs to be changed,” she said (2:15). “And it needs to be done on population centers. We have huge needs in Jefferson County. Fayette County has lots of roads that need to be repaired. And Northern Kentucky as well.” 

More with a video interview at the link. 
cn|2  
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BUT WAIT! THERE'S STILL MORE... TROUBLE FOR RICHIE FARMER
The disgraced former Commissioner of Agriculture, the subject of a scathing state audit this week, has more trouble to deal with: 

Former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has failed to file an annual financial disclosure form covering his last year in office with the Executive Branch Ethics Commission. Farmer was the only Kentucky constitutional officer who did not meet an April 16 deadline to file the financial disclosure form for 2011. 

Herald-Leader/Jack Brammer  
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SEE ALSO: State Auditor Adam Edelen, in a TV interview, says Kentucky should be very disappointed in Farmer cn|2 
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QUICKIES
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Newly formed Kentucky Tax Commission to pay consultant nearly $60,000 Herald-Leader 
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Attorney and radio host Eric Deters fights for reinstatement of his law license Cincinnati Enquirer 
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NKY health centers to offer free hepatitis-C testing WKRC 
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The federal Affordable Care Act helps to expand health centers WFPL 
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Kentucky is the 25th best state for business Business First 
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Kentucky State Police taking part in multi-state campaign 84 WHAS 
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FOLLOWING COVINGTON, CINCINNATI PASSES DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS
The goal on Tuesday night for the Covington City Commission when it passed domestic partner benefits for city employees was two-fold: to do the right thing and to beat Cincinnati. Covington got in just under the wire: 

The measure passed 8-1, with only Charlie Winburn opposing it. Councilman Chris Seelbach, the city’s first openly gay council member, promised to introduce the idea as one of his first priorities. Offering the health insurance is fair to same-sex couples, he says, but also will help the city attract employees if they don’t have to worry about providing insurance to their non-married partners. 

Cincinnati Enquirer/Jane Prendergast  
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UPTECH SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATOR TO ANNOUNCE FIRST WINNERS TODAY

The small business incubator promises to bring important entrepreneurship to the river cities and Northern Kentucky and the first signs of that promise will be revealed this afternoon at the Hofbrahaus in Newport: 

A panel of national informatics, futurists, and business and investment experts from leading companies, such as CBS, Cisco, Dell, Procter & Gamble, SAP, Scripps, and Summus Software served as the contest judges. UpTech will invest up to $100,000 into each of the eight winning startup companies. In addition, the business accelerator will provide:

• Six months of free, premium riverfront office space in a Newport office building and with a view of the Cincinnati skyline.• Essential business support, including legal, accounting, and marketing services.• Support from faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and two student interns from Northern Kentucky University’s College of Informatics.• Use of on-campus informatics labs and facilities at NKU for collaboration, events, and seminars. 

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in case you missed...
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WEDNESDAY'S HEADLINES
Mayoral candidate Dara McDowell voices opposition to the newly passed domestic partner benefits; A KY man confronted with photo evidence of his sexual abuse of a horse threatens to kill father; Plus, the Congressional candidates debate the Brent Spence Bridge. Those stories and more at the link! 
The RC News: Wednesday Round-Up 
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HOLMES MARCHING BAND IN LOUISVILLE'S PEGASUS PARADE TODAY
The kids were seen practicing last night by WLWT  
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More from Covington Independent Public Schools
Students from Ninth District support the Red Cross click here 
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Photos from the Holmes Middle School honor roll breakfast click here 
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DESTINATION: GRADUATION PROFILE
Meet Caeza Reynolds. From CIPS: 

Caeza Reynolds already has 12 college units completed – a semester’s worth of college credit. The 19-year old took dual credit classes that Holmes High School offers through a partnership with Gateway Career and Technical College.

“Taking dual credit classes has saved me time and money,” Caeza said. “It’s allowed me to get some college out of the way and given me a head start on life.” 

More of Caeza's story here. 

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NKY SUPER PAC INVOLVED IN CONGRESSIONAL RACE DRAWS CRITICISM

A Super PAC called AmeriGOP is supporting Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie in his bid to win the Republican primary in NKY's Congressional race: 

“I’ll say this all this news about Massie’s relationship with a Super PAC not only violates his own promise to avoid politics as usual but it’s not even really a Super PAC,” says Moore’s campaign manager Jonathan Duke. “It’s just two guys that want to literally give Thomas Massie more money than the law allows. And with Massie’s full knowledge and encouragement, they found a loophole to do just that.”  

WFPL   
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MORE QUICKIES
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Kentucky courts to close for three days WFPL 
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Judge fines Kroger over pricing, inaccurate labels Business Courier 
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New book is critical of the development happening in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood CityBeat 
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COURT SAYS IT'S OK TO CARRY GUNS IN CARS ON KY COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Reporter Joe Webb tells the story from Northern Kentucky University: 

Campus police are concerned where this may be headed. No matter who you ask, guns are not a serious issue on the NKU campus. But, last week some off-campus visitors who came to a dance were asked to leave after a gun was found in their car. "I think we're disappointed with the decision. We really strive to have a safe environment here. I think the easiest way to do that is restricting guns in their entirety from campus." 

Video at the link. 
WKRC  
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PHOTOS: NKU STUDENT UNION OFFICIALLY NAMED FOR THE VOTRUBAS
Outgoing NKU President Dr. James Votruba and his wife, Rachel, were part of another emotional stop on their farewell events list as the school's student union was officially named in their honor. The River City News was there: 

Think NKU loves the Votrubas? You're more right than you can imagine. 

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RELATED: NKU is not a good shortcut option on Sunday Cincinnati Enquirer 

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RELATED: Gateway College, Thomas More reach transfer agreement Cincinnati Enquirer  

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MAINSTRASSE TO HOST WORLD CHOIR GAMES CONCERT
This is great news: 

It's official, MainStrasse Village Association's application was selected to host a World Choir Games Friendship Concert in The Village! Sunday, July 8th, 2012, 4:00 p.m. More details to follow! 

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SPORTS

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The draws are made and the odds are listed for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Herald-Leader 

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Casino cash fuels use of injured horses in racing The New York Times 

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UK basketball star Anthony Davis is a candidate for the US Olympic team Herald-Leader 

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in case you were wondering...

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KENTUCKY WILL SOON HAVE A PENITENTIARY MUSEUM!

From a press release: 

The Kentucky State Penitentiary is proud to announce the completion of the penitentiary’s new museum. The public is invited to attend the grand opening ceremonies on Friday, May 11, 2012 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. CST. If you ever wanted a glimpse into the Castle on the Cumberland (Kentucky State Penitentiary), now is your opportunity. You will be able to travel through time from the construction of the prison to a live virtual tour of present time. You will then be given the opportunity to purchase a little piece of history from the museum gift shop. Following the grand opening, the museum will be open to the public by appointment at (270) 388-2211 ext. 302. 

You're calling right now, aren't you?

CUL-DE-SAC GARDEN PAVING HALTED FOR NOW

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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For the original report, click here. 

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UPDATE: (11:27AM) Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank posted this to his Facebook page: 

We had a morning meeting in the Mayor's office in re the Cul de Sacs. There was a communication issue. DPI, the agency in charge of road repair in Covington and SD1 discussed among themselves engineering the roads when they were due for rework such that they were up todays standards. One of the issues was water entering the bulb then undermining the the integrity of the road bed behind them. That said no one alerted Commission or upper city management. Even if this was required, which it is not, the bulbs are grandfathered. You could not have them today on a new Cul de Sac. Bottom line, all demolition is stopped. we will meet with those affected. If they want there bulb back....they will be put back. This was checked out with the Mayor, Legal, and the Fire Department this morning to make sure this was not a legal or safety issue.

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South Covington resident Lisa Placke

The City of Covington authorized the paving of the gardens that sit in the middle of several South Covington cul-de-sacs engineer Mike Yeager tells The River City News. While the process has been halted for now, two have already been fully removed while another is in the middle of being taken out and two others are on the chopping block. Yeager says the decision came about during a city infrastructure committee meeting that discussed parking and other vehicle issues in the cul-de-sacs. While city commissioners are invited to attend the infrastructure committee meetings, none was present and no vote was ever made by the commission to support the removal of the gardens. 

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City Manager Larry Klein is out of the office this week but sent an email last night in which he wrote that he forwarded emails from concerned residents to the engineering department. No commissioner was aware of the plans to remove some of South Covington's signature landmarks. Even the president of the neighborhood association, Bill Wells, was unaware. 

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The cul-de-sac gardens are a centerpiece of multiple streets and a place for the community to come together for a common cause as demonstrated by these photos submitted to The River City News by South Covington Community Action Association president Bill Wells: 

SEE ALSO: The River City News broke this story last night. To see the original report, click here.

MULTIPLE COVINGTON PROJECTS PART OF ROADS BILL

by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter 

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THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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The Kentucky House of Representatives passed the roads bill 88-4: 

The two-year $3.5 billion plan also includes authorization for two new Louisville bridges and includes planning money for a new bridge in Northern Kentucky.
The House on Friday passed a series of bills relating to the state’s road plan. The measures will now go to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it will make changes to the plan to reflect their priorities. A committee will be appointed to work out the differences. 

Bluegrass Politics/Beth Musgrave  
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In addition to funding several phases of Kentucky's role for a new Brent Spence Bridge, multiple other Covington projects are included in the bill: 

• Replacement of West 15th Street bridge $200,000 for fiscal year 2012 and $350,000 for fiscal year 2013
• Replacement of 11th Street bridge $1.11 million for fiscal year 2014
• Congestion mitigation at 4th & Philadelphia $1.26 million for fisacl year 2012 for an additional lane would be added to 4th Street west of Philadelphia to Crescent 
• Congestion mitigation at Main & Pike Streets $760,000 for fiscal year 2012 to eliminate traffic signal at Main & Pike to allow for free flow of traffic in Covington
• Reconstructing Hands Pike $250,000 for fiscal year 2012, $3.6 million for fiscal year 2013, and $6 million for fiscal year 2014 to reconstruct Hands Pike from KY 17 (3-L) to Crystal Lake Drive
• Resurfacing Madison Avenue $175,000 for fiscal year 2012 to resurface Madison Avenue between MLK Blvd and 16th Street
• Replace sidewalks along Highway Avenue $250,000 for fiscal year 2012 to improve safety along Highway Avenue between Swain Court and Western Avenue by replacing sidewalks, constructing new sidewalks, installing new curbs, stabilizing slide area, and fence
• Brent Spence Bridge Funding totals that will (hopefully) lead to its eventual replacement include FY 2012 $28,780,000; FY2013 $15 million; FY2014 $15 million
• Total funding for Kenton County (including projects outside Covington, such as streetscaping in Ludlow and resurfacing in Bromley) FY2012 $33,835,437; FY2013 $45,510,000; FY2014 $22,210

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Read the bill here (PDF)