Sims Furniture in Downtown Covington has gone all out this holiday season with a window display that you will not believe unless you see it in person (Most of it even moves!). This is old school, Downtown decorating and it is breathtaking. Go see it. Now. And remember, Downtown Covington still has retailers that want your business this holiday shopping season. If you want businesses to open next to them, shop at the ones who are committed there already. What a spectacular, proud display by Sims. Well done. #ShopLocal
| BREAKING: (1:00PM) Local 12 reports that the victim of today's pedestrian-trash truck accident is Mary Middleton, wife of former Kenton County Judge-Executive Clyde Middleton. Local 12
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WHERE ARE KENTON COUNTY'S NEW RESIDENTS COMING FROM?
And where are our neighbors moving to when they leave the county? A very cool interactive map is available for you to waste your afternoon the same way I am! Highlights: 31 people moved from Kenton County to Phoenix while 23 moved from Phoenix to Kenton County; 19 moved from Kenton County to Las Vegas; 34 moved to Los Angeles; 19 moved from Detroit to here. Lots of fun. Enjoy.
It exempts Social Security benefits from state income taxes, and it allows residents to exclude up to $41,110 per person in retirement income from a wide variety of sources, including public and private pensions and annuities.
The newest wrinkle the group offered was the suggestion of a new income bracket.Currently most Kentuckians making $10,000 a year or more pay a flat 6 percent state tax.That means low-income Kentuckians are paying a higher percentage of their earnings to the state, said Col Owens, a Northern Kentucky Democrat and chairman of the Commonwealth Institute for Policy Issues and Civic Engagement that made the recommendations.
| MIRACLE IN MAINSTRASSE Join the City of Covington for the annual tree lighting and other celebrations on November 29. Mainstrasse @ Facebook
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ARTS COUNCIL ENCOURAGES CREATIVE KENTUCKY GIFTS
Yes, follow their instructions. Say no to the big box national retailers this holiday season. They care about our town just as much as Omnicare does. (Which, by the way, is zero.
In a promotion involving star horse Uncle Mo and a moustache, the marketing crew could have used some help from www.urbandictionary.com. Do you know what a Bro Mo is? The 'Ville Voice does. LOL.
NKY Insight subscribers will likely lose Star 64 at year's end; Coach Marvin Lewis is helping to improve education in Covington; and the front page of the old Times Star 100 years ago shows that things really never change. Those stories and more at the link.
COVINGTON, NKY MAY LOSE STAR 64 FOLLOWING DISPUTE WITH INSIGHT
This is big news if you are a fan of one of the following things: six hours of non-stop court shows, or UK BASKETBALL! Star 64's parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting, does not believe it will reach an agreement on a new contract with Insight Cable by the end of the year when the current contract expires. That means a blackout. Sinclair just finished a long dispute with Time Warner Cable, which is buying Insight. Here's what Insight says:
Northern Kentucky - Insight Communications is currently in negotiations with WSTR STAR 64 in your area to carry their programming and unfortunately, that station is threatening to take their channel off our cable system.Insight is committed to protecting our customers and keeping your programming on during this process. We will never be the ones to jeopardize your television service or to put you at the center of a business dispute.
And here's what Star 64 says:
...based on the current status of negotiations we do not believe they will be carrying this station after that date. We do not think it is appropriate to negotiate matters such as this in public and as a result are not prepared to comment further on the reasons that we do not believe a new contract will be entered into. (snip) ...we encourage our loyal viewers to make alternative arrangements to ensure their uninterrupted ability to watch our great programming after the end of the year. Insight subscribers may also want to call Insight in order to let them know that they value this station and will consider canceling their Insight service if this station is not carried.
The Insight vs. Sinclair dispute is system wide, as you can read in the Lexington Herald-Leader (that city may lose its Fox affiliate). Speaking of Lexington, Star 64 is scheduled to carry seven UK Basketball games plus the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament in March. RELATED: Louisville threatened recently that it would end its entire contract with Insight. WFPL | EDDIE SUTTON: 1989 UK SCANDAL WAS 'SET-UP' Maybe the old coach is drinking again. USA Today | COACH MARVIN LEWIS BUILDS ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN COVINGTON The Marvin Lewis Community Fund is doing great things with our school district. NKY Thrives
| DID YOU KNOW BENGAL JEROME SIMPSON HELPED FEED HOMELESS HERE? Rising Bengals star Jerome Simpson was spotted (OK, I saw him because I was there helping too, though my appearance wasn't court-mandated) at the Madison Avenue Christian Church helping to feed local families and people struggling to make ends meet. Simpson was awesome! He was in great spirits and seemed to enjoy helping out. Now it seems the whole team will be helping to feed homeless citizens across the river. Maybe Simpson can be team captain? FOX 19 | HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS COMING TO COVINGTON Winterfair, an annual fine art and craft showcase, will bring 200 artists from around the country to the NKY Convention Center. So, go buy something there! Nice gift idea. Cincinnati Enquirer/Sarah Hardee | EVERY WEEK, MORE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS NEED FOR GATEWAY COLLEGE Covington's urban campus is the game-changer we've been waiting for. At the link, you'll find yet another story about the growing need for 2-year degrees. FOX 19 | ANOTHER COLUMN BY REP. GEOFF DAVIS DID NOT CREATE ANY JOBS This time it's about "Obamacare" (because it's too difficult and true to call the bill by its actual name?). A reminder: Davis has not created one job in all of his mouth-foaming ("regulations!" "Obamacare!" "EPA!"). Maybe some day NKY will have a courageous Congressman that doesn't waste all his time on talking points and political buzz words. Geoff Davis's weekly column | KENTUCKY CONGRESSMEN POINT FINGERS OVER SUPERCOMMITTEE FAILURE Click the link to see reaction from KY's Congressmen on the failings of the so-called "super committee". cn|2 | SANTA WILL CALL YOU IF YOU ASK NICELY Cincinnati Bell's "Santa Calls" is back if you want to surprise a child in your life. Click the link for details. FOX 19 | WANT TO SEE WHAT YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE WILL SOON LOOK LIKE? More changes are coming! Click the link for a sneak peek. Social Media Today | KENTUCKY MAN ON NATIONAL TV BECAUSE OF RECIPE. SQUIRREL RECIPE. Yum! WKYT | CINCINNATI TIMES STAR FRONT PAGE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO Small bank bought up by bigger bank. Trouble at the Mexican border. Protesting a smoking ban. Billy Joel was right: We didn't start the fire. Courtesy: Cincinnati Library
(L-R) Mayor Chuck Scheper, Bennie Doggett,
Chief Lee Russo, Tom Wherry
Even in a steady mist of cold rain, nearly one hundred people showed up to march against violence in Covington. From The Carnegie, around 10th Street and Scott Boulevard to Pleasant and Wheeler and Garrard and Greenup, the city's streets most affected by a recent spike in criminal activity were trampled by the feet of an engaged citizenry. Shouts of "Stand up Covington! Stop the violence!" and "Guns and violence have got to go!" echoed throughout the neighborhoods of Eastside, Austinburg and Helentown. It was a visible sign of strength within Covington's neighborhoods and a demonstration of their ability to organize.
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"This is not just tonight," said Helentown's Tom Wherry, a principal organizer of the march. "I think Covington is the best kept secret in the Tri-State but we're not controlling the message to tell people that. I think tonight changes that."
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The entire Covington City Commission, the City Manager, the Police Chief, the State Representative and the Superintendent of Covington schools were all in attendance. Mayor Chuck Scheper declared today "Satnd Up Covington Day" and presented the proclamation to the Eastside's Bennie Doggett, another principal organizer of the march.
The march passes The Carnegie
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"Violence affects all of us," Scheper said. "It's important for all of us to stand up whether it happens in our own neighborhoods or miles away and I think it's important that (the City Commission) stand with you."
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Police Chief Lee Russo said the department prepared for the march over the last six weeks and that the turnout demonstrated the quality of people that call Covington home. "It's not just a community problem, it's a city problem," Russo said. "We've had violent crime in our city and we're coming together to say, 'not tonight, not now, not ever!' We will make our city a better place where people say, 'Hey, I want to live here.'"
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Plans for the rally were made public following Russo's monthly community meeting in which a spike in crime, including murder, was discussed. Six people have been victims of homicide in the city this year, twice the number from last year and only two fewer than the previous four years combined. The chief also acknowledged during that meeting an increase in assaults and burglaries.
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Superintendent Lynda Jackson speaks with Bennie
Doggett to the left and Tom Wherry at right
"Stop the bullies!" was also a rallying cry during tonight's march, highlighting the growing concern over violence inside schools and the effect it may have outside or in the home. "In order for this community to change we must change the goals and vision of our youth," said Covington schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson. "We can no longer turn our backs on what's happening in our community."
The meet-up is at 6:00PM at The Carnegie and the march/rally heads through the Eastside, Austinburg and Helentown. It may be wet and dreary outside, but this is an important event. So come! The organizers ask that you bring a candle or a flashlight.
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COVINGTON'S URBAN CORE TOPIC OF ANOTHER DISCUSSION
The conversation continues on how to revitalize Downtown Covington and the urban core. The Covington Business Council's monthly luncheon in December focuses on the topic with guest speaker Patrick Ewing, Interim Director of Economic Development in Cincinnati:
Patrick W. Ewing has been employed by the City of Cincinnati since 1992. He was previously the Executive Director of the Covington Business Council. Mr. Ewing will address the common challenges of economic development in the region such as urban vs. suburban, shrinking budgets, parking , and more. He will also relate his experiences with the City of Cincinnati to his time here in Covington.
Time and other details at the link: Covington Business Council | WHERE COVINGTON'S POPULATION EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS COMES FROM The Northern Kentucky Emergency Shelter maintains a solid blog with first-person experiences of what it means to be experiencing homelessness in Covington. The most recent post explores where many members of the homeless population come from to the shelter on Scott Boulevard:
Thus far, we have assisted 61 adults from Kenton County, 10 from Campbell, 6 from Boone, 1 from Grant, 9 from other KY counties outside of our NKY region and 9 outside of Kentucky (these guests were from police or emergency room discharge). Most of our guests from our local area are from the river cities although we have representation from Florence, Erlanger, Independence, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Wright, Latonia, Ft. Thomas, Burlington and Alexandria.
Read the whole piece at the link. Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky SEE ALSO: Children's shelter needs $500,000 to operate: Cincinnati Enquirer | ANOTHER NKY MAYOR RESIGNS This time in Walton. Community Press | COULD IT BE THE WEIRD PART ABOUT DUELING IN THE OATH OF OFFICE? In an awesome piece from Mike Rutledge, the Cincinnati Enquirer explores the origins of Kentucky's (in)famous Oath of Office and its bizarre inclusion of swearing not to have been involved in a duel. Oh, and former Covington Mayor Butch Callery weighed in:
Callery has sworn in many police officers, firefighters and others through the years. He had a way of avoiding chuckles during the ceremonies.
“Whenever I swore police officers in, I would always tell the parents and families, ‘This is really a Kentucky tradition – a number of officials fought duels many years ago in Kentucky.’ ”
That gets the laughter out of the way – and imparts a history lesson.
“People laugh now, but this was a problem in Kentucky, and in other parts of the country too,” Callery said.
Read the whole thing. Cincinnati Enquirer/Mike Rutledge | THE HOMEBUILDERS WILL NOT GIVE UP ON ELIMINATING PLANNING Yet another challenge to the investigation that revealed the NKY Homebuilders' alliance with the NKY Tea Party resulted in fraudulent signatures to eliminate the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission. Cincinnati Enquirer/Scott Wartman | GOP TO DISCUSS SENATOR WILLIAMS'S FUTURE Maybe the top Republican in Kentucky's Senate will not be reelected to lead. cn|2 | STEP UP FOR KIDS "Attend an event in your region to discuss the issues facing Kentucky’s kids and families, learn more about the solutions presented in the Blueprint Agenda, and find out how to raise your voice in your community, in Frankfort in order to make positive changes for children." There is a date at NKU. Click the link. Step Up For Kids | NKY PRIDE LOOKING FOR EXECUTIVE BOARD The organization is planning its annual event for 2012, which will be NKY's third Pride celebration. Click the link to learn more about nominating and the process. NKY Pride | NEW MEN'S CLOTHING STORE TO OPEN IN COVINGTON ON BLACK FRIDAY
Flow by J. Tumulty will open its doors for the first time on Black Friday. The Scott Boulevard men's clothing store is taking on the big boys, so show some love! The River City News goes in this week for an exclusive sneak peek and will post the story and photos here. Flow at Facebook
| WHY STUDENTS SHOULDN'T TAKE UNPAID INTERNSHIPS The Daily Beast | PARENT MAD THAT 6-YR OLD DIDN'T LIKE 'PEANUTS' CHRISTMAS SPECIAL "It is not 'boring,' and the voices do not sound 'weird.' What the hell is wrong with you?" The Onion | MISS THIS MORNING'S NEWS? Mayor Chuck Scheper says he will find 400 mentors for Covington schools; Pike Street gallery owner explains why Kentucky will be an art destination that people talk about; and more. Click the link! The RC News: News Round-Up -- Monday Morning
Following a spike in violent crime as well as home burglaries and car break-ins, community leaders in Helentown and the Eastside have rallied for a rally. Tonight, a city-wide call to action begins at The Carnegie and ends at the HUB in Helentown. The march will go through the neighborhoods most affected by the crime increase. Join in at 6:00PM and the organizers request that all participants bring a candle or a flashlight.
MAYOR SCHEPER TO HELP COVINGTON SCHOOLS FIND 400 MENTORS
During last week's public meeting about the proposed daytime curfew for Covington minors, Schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson shared that the district has 200 active mentors for its students, but that they really needed about 400 more. Following the meeting, a reader of The River City News emailed to say that Mayor Scheper said publicly that he would help find the other 400 mentors. Neither Jackson nor Scheper returned emails seeking comment several days ago. In any case, that is a terrific development.
CINCINNATI'S ARNOLD'S BAR SHOWCASES COVINGTON BLDG REFUGE
Pike Street artists Mike Amman is this week's featured blogger at the official blog of Arnold's Bar, "My Life at Arnold's".
So many times I have found myself lost in conversation about art happening all over the world. I'm not sure when but one day I decided that Kentucky was going to be one of those places that others were talking about.
TRAFFIC: DELAYS AT CUT-IN-THE-HILL; HIGHWAY AVENUE STILL NOT COMPLETED
I-75N -Monday through Wednesday, expect lane closures from 10:00PM to 5:00AM between Dixie Highway and the Brent Spence Bridge.
I-75S -Monday through Wednesday, expect the same scenario as the northbound lanes.
Take a look at the original message regarding Highway Avenue: Beginning Monday, October 17, 2011, Contractors will begin repairing the floodwall closure seal located between Western Ave. and Wright Street in Covington. One lane will be shut down to traffic to allow for repair work. Traffic will be controlled by a temporary signal. Anticipated completion date is November 15, 2011. Motorists should expect to see delays and should consider using alternative routes during construction. Well, so far we are six days late, and that is a serious traffic issue for Botany Hills and Ludlow.
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STOREFRONT HOLIDAY DECORATION CONTEST
Holiday Storefront Decorating Contest will be hosted by Renaissance Covington and Mainstrasse Village Association. There are five prizes for Best of Covington, People's Choice, Best use of green or recycled materials, Most Original, Most Visible, best Residential. Have decorations ready by November 28th to participate, then Judging and Awards December 3rd at The Avenue Lounge.
| BIG BOY EMPLOYEE IN TOLEDO TAINTS COFFEE?
That's what the police say. With what? Animal medication. Mmmm...
PETA WOULD HAVE JUMPED THE SHARK IF THAT WEREN'T CRUEL TO SHARKS
The "animal rights" group PETA is now angry at a video game, arguing that Super Mario 3D Land promotes the wearing of fur:
According to PETA, “Tanooki may be just a ‘suit’ in Mario games, but in real life, tanuki are raccoon dogs who are skinned alive for their fur. By wearing Tanooki, Mario is sending the message that it’s OK to wear fur.”
Fortunately, Covington will avoid PETA protests because our fur shop is faux fur! Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs would make for a lovely gift this holiday season -- and no Tanookis would have to die!
It's all about the skills. Make sure they see yours! Any sport, Anytime, Anywhere. Professional video packages for your college bound athlete. http://www.sportsrecruitmentfilm.com/
Please join your fellow neighbors in this important event to stand up to violence in our City! |
MISSING!
From the Mainstrasse Village Association: "Toy soldier guard last seen hanging around a lightpost on 6th and Philadelphia around midnight last night. Soldier is about 8' tall and is wearing a ceremonial guard uniform with white pants. Please return him to his post greeting MainStrasse Village/Clock Tower visitors!"
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A FAN OF THE RIVER CITY NEWS AT FACEBOOK SHARED THIS WITH US:
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"I was doing some research today on a recent article I read. After coming home and downloading some pics I took I found this." -'David Klein
Might as well have a laught about it!
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SPEAKING OF...
This is the article 'David Klein referenced: The Circus On Madison Avenue/Larry Gross in which a former CityBeat columnist writes about his new life in Covington which usually only includes a trip to the Walgreens on Madison Avenue to buy cigarettes and then maybe a spell on the bus stop benches to chat with the locals.
Did you see the oneabout the poor planning of the Arts District back in 2005? The River City News obtained exclusively two memos from City Hall that indicate that the current city staff is forced to deal with several mistakes made by the previous administration. If you have followed the Arts District story, these details will shock you.
The River City News also shared photos of the USS Nightmare being towed from Newport back to Cincinnati where it serves as an eyesore to residents of Covington's Botany Hills. That neighborhood's association president, Ray Kingsbury wrote to The RC News, "The Botany Hills Neighborhood Association tried to get the USS Nightmare moved last year. Cov city has NO leverage. Frequently visited or not." The Nightmare is owned by the Bernstein Family who also own the Mike Fink, another abandoned boat/eyesore on Covington's riverfront. Click the link for photos and commentary.
LOUISVILLE'S MAYOR SEES POSSIBILITIES IN COVINGTON, RIVER CITIES
Greg Fischer was hosted in Covington by the NKY Chamber of Commerce where he spoke on similar issues facing our city and his and how Covington could learn from Louisville. Click the link.
COVINGTON'S KATHY GROOB APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR TO BOARD
Gov. Beshear has appointed Kathryn M. Groob to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors to serve for a term expiring July 14, 2015.
SEE ALSO: Groob's new book, "Pink Politics", highlighted in Business Courier. Elect Women
| SPEAKING OF POLITICS...
Look, we all love Josh "Jorts" Harrellson, the hero from last year's UK basketball team. But... I'm not sure he's the guy a reporter should ask about whether social security will be here in the future or not.
Kentucky's fourth largest city was featured in a huge spread in The New York Times, showcasing how a new tax helped revitalize Owensboro's Downtown. Really awesome story and worth the read if you missed it this week.
EVEN HOMELESS FISH LIVE IN COVINGTON'S WELCOME HOUSE
From the wonderful organization on Pike Street, "We have a special guest staying in the Welcome House Emergency Shelter... because when a pet's owner is homeless, so is the pet. A 10-year-old boy living in shelter recently won the pet at a school carnival. A woman working at the shelter was kind enough to donate a tank for the boy to use. The fish and the tank are now in the shelter office but the young owner stops by to see his pet frequently and feeds him every night. The other children also enjoying seeing the fish. The boy is living in the shelter with his mom and three siblings. They've been here 93 days."
LOUISVILLE THREATENS TO END RELATIONSHIP WITH INSIGHT
That would be a huge development. What would happen to cn|2, the new statewide network of politics, weather and sports? Who would tackle the tough topics of the day and find someone like Jorts to weigh in? Are we next?
AND LASTLY... SINCE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC OF MOVIE STARS WITH NKU CONNECTIONS... TAKE A LOOK AT THE WORK BY THESE ASPIRING MOVIE MAKERS AT NKU. IT'S ACTION-PACKED!
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If you missed The Saturday Magazine from The River City News, don't worry. All the details on how we save Downtown Covington and the city's other important business districts by shopping local, is right here: The RC News: The Saturday Magazine
