“The reason we bought it was the history of the building,” Dean said. “But we’re not restaurant people. We’re building people.”
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Green Derby space in Newport to become new restaurant in July
“The reason we bought it was the history of the building,” Dean said. “But we’re not restaurant people. We’re building people.”
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Cold Spring couple celebrates 73rd wedding anniversary by receiving COVID-19 vaccinations at UC Health
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Courtesy UC Health. |
Noel and Virginia Record have celebrated many memorable wedding anniversaries during 73 years of marriage, but on Tuesday they reached a new milestone.
The Cold Spring couple celebrated their wedding anniversary by becoming the first patients to receive COVID-19 vaccinations at UC Health under Ohio’s Phase 1B, which provides immunizations to members of the community aged 80 and above.
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Courtesy UC Health. |
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Local, efficient, reliable. Call Adam for your electric needs today. (859) 628-8304. |
Great News for Recyclers: Rumpke Now Accepting Plastic Tubs
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Butter tubs, cottage cheese and yogurt containers, fruit cups all added to the list of recyclables now accepted by Rumpke. |
by Robin Gee
Rumpke has announced its recycling bins are "about to get tubby" with the acceptance of plastic food tubs. This expansion means the company is now taking those tubs for yogurt, butter, cottage cheese and fruit cups.
The company has secured long-term contracts with regional end-users, allowing it to add this type of plastic to its list of acceptable items for recycling. The company has also received a grant from The Recycling Partnership that will help cover the cost of new robotic technology that will make sorting and other recycling processes more efficient.
The list of items you can recycle through Rumpke now include:
- Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs (butter, sour cream, cottage cheese tubs as well as yogurt and fruit cups)
- Cartons (juice, milk, broth, etc., not egg)
- Glass bottles and jars (any color)
- Aluminum and steel cans
- Paper, paper board (cereal boxes, 12-pack containers, mail, etc.), and cardboard
Clean, empty and dry containers should be placed directly in recycling bins; do not put them in plastic bags; just toss them in loose. Also, put the lid or cap back on your item.
Larger recycling bins are available through Rumpke for free. To get a larger bin or for more information, go to the Rumpke website or call (800) 828-8171.
The Story of the The Blue Marble
New tenant signs lease at Newport on the Levee
Legion Logistics LLC is moving its headquarters from Florence to Newport, joining other office tenants David J. Joseph Co. and Divisions Maintenance Group.
The growing logistics company signed a long-term lease for about 5,000 square feet of space in the former Dewey’s Pizza space.
Moyer Elementary Earns Top National Academic Achievement Award
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Exceptional student performance and academic growth earned Ruth Moyer Elementary in Fort Thomas a top national academic honor. |
by Robin Gee
Dr. Dawn Laber, the principal at Moyer, sees the award as a team effort and something students, staff, teachers, leadership and parents should all take pride in.
Moyer Elementary was the only Kentucky school to receive a 2020 Distinguished School Award, and received it based on “Category One” criteria — A school demonstrating exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years.
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Phone: 859-905-0714 - Email: josh@joshmcintoshlaw.com. This is an advertisement. |
Springdale Elementary in Cincinnati was the only other school in the Greater Cincinnati area to be honored, selected under Category Two.
The NESEA, based in Fort Bragg, California, has honored federally funded school programs since 1996. Schools honored demonstrate an array of strengths, including team approaches to teaching and learning, focused professional development opportunities for staff, individualized programs for student success and strong partnerships between the school, parents and the community.
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Weekend Basketball Round-Up: Highlands Girls Dominate Bellevue
Here's what happened in Frankfort last week
Commit 2021 to yourself. Find wellness at Mint Yoga Studio. 18 N. Fort Thomas Ave. |
Legislative leaders said working the extra days gave them a chance to move priority bills through the process. It also allowed them to jumpstart budget deliberations.
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Walton-Verona Nips Highlands Girls in Double Overtime
Three Players Score in Double Figures for Bluebirds |
PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands senior forward Kelsey Listerman prepares to throw the ball in during a recent game. |
Friday, January 15, 2021
Gov. Beshear: Security at Capitol Increased for Next Several Days
Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced heightened security measures around the Kentucky State Capitol grounds in Frankfort following the Jan. 6 attack by domestic terrorists on the U.S. Capitol.
“There have been domestic terror threats against state capitols all over the United States. Our commitment is that what happened at the U.S. Capitol will not happen here,” the Governor said. “We have the commitment and participation of the Kentucky State Police, Frankfort Police and the Kentucky National Guard to ensure the safety of everyone in this area. There have been no requests for permits for gatherings at the Capitol in the coming days, so there are no gatherings or rallies that can or should be happening.”
NKU Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Annual MLK Day Celebration
Northern Kentucky University celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual Day of Community Service on Jan. 18, at 10 a.m.
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Merk & Gile Injury Attorney. 526 York Street, Newport. Free consultation 513-713-0862 |
Concepts for Fort Thomas Coffee at One Highland Unveiled
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Interior rendering of Fort Thomas Coffee, PCA Architecture. |
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Barre 3 Fort Thomas. Located at 90 Alexandria Pike. |
Now we know what the local, family coffee shop may look like and what services will be offered after they relocate from 118 N. Fort Thomas Ave. in the Spring of 2022.
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Emma Adkisson of PCA Architecture. |
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PCA Architecture rendering. |
Cold Spring Holds In-Person Special Meeting to Discuss DAV Property After Complaints Over Procedures
Cold Spring city council held a special meeting in person only to continue its discussion of the DAV property after technology challenges and school board complaints over procedures. |
by Robin Gee, city council beat editor
The Cold Spring City Council called a special meeting Wednesday, January 13, to vote on issues surrounding the purchase of the Disabled American Veterans property. The meeting was held in-person only at the Cold Spring city building.
Since the pandemic, the city has been following state health guidelines with livestreaming of their meetings shared on its Facebook page. Yet, after a complaint from the Campbell County School Board about the processes of some of the meetings and some technical difficulties encountered with the livestreaming, the council decided to return to holding public meetings in person only at the city building.
RELATED: Campbell School Board Raises Issues With City Meetings on DAV; Council Meets to Discuss
Three of the council members did not attend the meeting but instead joined through Zoom conference. The city told Fort Thomas Matters they followed Kentucky law in providing the required 24-hour notice of the special meeting, but no one from the public attended.
City explores value of proposed development
After returning from the executive session, city attorney Brandon Voelker gave a summary of what was discussed.
The developer, Al. Neyer and the DAV have an agreement in place with an unnamed healthcare facility to build a facility on the property. While the name of the healthcare business was kept confidential, Voelker said council learned more about the financial status of the company and what it could bring to the city.
"We have received confirmation of the general nature of the medical facility, notably that it will pay taxes whether in the form of a lease payment or payment in lieu of taxes," he explained.
The facility under discussion has an estimated value of 80 to 85 million dollars and will bring an about 240 jobs with an annual salary average of between $85,000 and $95,000. The city also learned that the DAV was agreeable to sell the property for $6.5 million.
"This development is the culmination of almost two years worth of work since the city was notified that the DAV was leaving. That economic development is an essential function of city government and critical to its survival and providing of services," he said.
The project, he said, would “provide economic benefit not only to the city of Cold Spring but businesses in the form of new customers and/or other taxing districts as the purchase is pursuant to the request for development from the city.”
As part of the financing industrial revenue bonds (IRB) and other similar financing would be issued to ensure payment of all applicable taxes.
Voelker noted that over a year ago the city was approached about a potential IRB due to infrastructure needs on the property including addressing a high-pressure gas line that runs across the property. The gas line has been a point of discussion between all parties interested in the property as it may pose a safety threat and will need to be addressed by whoever purchases the property.
Council members at the meeting voted unanimously to accept the information Voelker shared. (Council member Adam Sandfoss was not present.)
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Authorizing city officials to act
The next point of business for the executive session was to ask council to pass a motion to allow the city officials to file any necessary legal actions against the Campbell County school district or their representatives. The motion passed, but Council Member Cindy Moore voted against.
The final business discussed was a memorandum of purchase agreement between the developer, the medical facility and the city. This did not commit the city to purchase the property from the DAV but rather set up a period of time for Neyer, the city and the medical facility to determine whether they want to proceed with the matter, said Voelker.
A motion was needed to ratify the action of the mayor to enter into the assignment of the purchase agreement with Neyer as well as a memorandum of purchase agreement with the DAV, he said.
Council passed this motion unanimously.
Aviatra Accelerators Builds Local Support with New Fund for Female Entrepreneurs
Aviatra Accelerators and Horizon Community Funds have launched a new fund to bolster Aviatra’s work in shaping entrepreneurial passions to build sustained success in Northern Kentucky.
Orangetheory Fitness, Newport Pavilion. |
“Aviatra is a tremendous catalyst for female entrepreneurs,” said Horizon Community Funds President Nancy Grayson. “When we introduce opportunities to truly grow, thrive, and sustain to our entrepreneurs, our entire community is strengthened. The Aviatra Accelerators Fund at Horizon Community Funds will be a great way for donors to connect with these crucial resources in Northern Kentucky.”
NKY Chamber of Commerce highlights Kentucky Young Professionals 2021 leadership
Representing young professional leaders from across the region, the steering committee’s term began in September 2020 with a goal to provide guidance, lend support and share feedback about themes and topics that are most important to the region’s young professionals and programming offered by NKYP.
Thursday Round-Up: Highlands Outlasts Dixie Heights
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Northern Kentucky Now Vaccinating Age 70 and Older with move to phase 1B
This evening, Governor Beshear announced that Kentucky is moving into the Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination stage. Phase 1B includes people aged 70 years or older and K-12 school personnel. Beginning tomorrow, January 15, we will begin vaccinating Phase 1B individuals who live and/or work in Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties.
Phase 1B individuals who are 70 years or older may schedule their vaccination appointment here. An appointment is required to be vaccinated. When considering where to receive your vaccine, remember that the COVID vaccine requires two doses, and the first and second doses of the vaccine must be provided by the same organization.
For all K-12 school personnel, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, in partnership with Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton County school districts, both public and parochial, is working directly with school administrators to schedule vaccine appointments at designated clinic locations for all K-12 personnel who would like to receive a vaccine. School vaccinations will occur over the next few weeks and are being scheduled internally within the school districts.
For Phase 1A and 1B individuals, please bring to your appointment specific items that will be needed to validate your Phase eligibility, as applicable. Items to bring include:
Gov. Beshear announces Kroger partnership for drive-through vaccination clinics across Kentucky
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Budget advancement sets stage for negotiations
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Senate Appropriations & Revenue Chair Christian McDaniel, R-Taylor Mill, discussing the budget process. |
“The primary purpose of our procedures today is to get these bills into conference committee with the House,” said Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, before the Senate approved its version of the executive budget, known as House Bill 192, by a 32-0-1 vote. The House later refused to concur with the Senate’s changes, allowing for the formation of a conference and free conference committee.
The verdict: Lawmakers OK change to judicial venues
The General Assembly has passed a measure that would allow Kentuckians to file lawsuits against state government in the county of their residence, a move that would diminish the longstanding role Franklin Circuit Court has played in deciding those types of cases.
After amending it in committee, the Senate approved the measure, known as House Bill 3, by a 28-6 vote yesterday evening. The House later concurred with the change by a 72-20 vote. The governor now has 10 days to either sign the bill into law, let it become law without his signature or veto it.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Campbell School Board Raises Issues With City Meetings on DAV; Council Meets to Discuss
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The city of Cold Spring is holding a meeting to further discuss issues surrounding the development of the former Disabled American Veterans property. |
by Robin Gee, city council beat editor
In the ongoing tussle between Campbell County School Board members and Cold Spring city officials over development of the former Disabled American Veterans (DAV) property in Cold Spring, the school board has accused the city of violations of the Kentucky Open Meetings Act.
RELATED: Cold Spring Council Approves Move to Purchase DAV Property
In a letter sent to the city, the board said special meetings called by the city on December 17 and 30, 2020, did not follow the law concerning public input with regard to executive sessions and the meetings around them. The school board identified what it said were irregularities with the process and demanded all decisions and actions taken at those meetings be rescinded by the city within three business days or face further action.
The school board's complaint
Fort Thomas Matters filed a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain the school board’s letter outlining their issues with the city meetings. The complaint lists out issues with the way the meetings were presented and advertised, including conflicts between meeting announcements and the agenda, a lack of clear information on how the public could view and participate in the meetings, as well as actions taken at the meeting that were not shared with the public on the agenda.
In conclusion, the complaint on the December 17 meeting stated, the city "a) met without allowing any capacity for the public to attend or observe the video conference; b) purported to take action (voting to authorize the mayor and city attorney to negotiate with DAV for purchase of the DAV property) without that action being on the agenda; and c) live streamed only a portion of the meeting, which did not include convening the meeting, invoking the executive session or adjourning after the executive session."
The complaint about the December 30 meeting includes similar issues with notice to the public and live streaming. The board also claims in that meeting, the city moved to file legal action against the board, without including it on the agenda.
The school board letter threatens legal action if the city does not take certain remedies including rescinding decisions made at those meetings and a demand that the city adopt methods by which the public can observe video conference meetings in real time, adopt policies that ensure citizens can attend or observe meetings and that meeting agendas clearly state all action items planned.
The city attorney's response
Since receiving the letter, the city has announced it will hold a special meeting at 7:30 tonight, Wednesday, January 13.
"We do not agree with the school board. They continue to assert a lack of transparency when we have been very transparent. But to appease them, at a significant cost to the city, we are meeting in person," said Cold Spring city attorney Brandon Voelker.
He went on to note that the city has struggled with some technical issues since the decision to have meetings on Zoom and carry them live on Facebook. That decision was made to keep council members, staff and the public safe, Voelker added. Without a full-time IT staff, the city manager and clerk have tried to handle meeting live streaming but have run into difficulties, he said.
There have been some glitches. Some of the meeting videos did not load properly. Yet, he said, "Using the technology issues to assert false accusations against us is disingenuous on the part of the district."
Voelker said the city will no longer attempt to stream the meetings on Facebook; instead all meetings will be live and open to the public at the city building. "Now, due to the school district, we will have all live meetings putting everyone’s safety at risk."
He insists the board’s assertions that the city has not been open about its decisions is untrue, "If this was truly about transparency, I encourage anyone to look at what Cold Spring has put out versus what the school board has put out...I do hope the board members come to the meeting and make public comment."
He noted the meeting this evening will treat the topic of the DAV property as a new issue. On the agenda is an executive session, which will be conducted "regarding current threats of litigation, action to pursue legal action and intervene in legal proceedings, regarding the Disabled American Veterans property and any entities asserting an interest therein, including but not limited to the Campbell County Board of Education and/or its employees/agents."
Eddie James Speaks on Decision to Return to Franklin County
James accepted the Highlands Bluebirds football over the weekend, attended a press conference at the Highlands Field House on Sunday with Principal Matt Bertasso and Director of Athletics Wes Caldwell in attendance, contacted returning players, then reversed course and decided to return to Franklin County on Tuesday.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Sends a Free Book Every Month to Young Children in Campbell County
Campbell County Public Library is proud to continue offering Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which mails a free book monthly to enrolled children under age 5.
Orangetheory Fitness, Newport Pavilion. |
The Imagination Library puts hand-selected, age-appropriate, high-quality books into the hands and hearts of children across the world. The program has mailed millions of books to children since its launch in 1995. It arms caregivers with the necessary tools – books! – to help children become “reading ready” as they enter kindergarten. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics.