Covington's Week in Review - October 14

This is a look back on the issues and people that made news in Covington as covered here at The River City News.

Covington turns corner with structural changes at City Hall There will be new faces at City Hall while a lot of familiar ones will have new roles. Plus, a city commission candidate blasts the changes to code enforcement during last night's meeting. All the details -- at the link. Click Here

Candidates for Covington Mayor debate City Commissioners Sherry Carran and Steve Casper, who face each other in November's mayoral election, including one's proposal for Bellagio-style fountains in a Mainstrasse park, who would be best to improve employee morale, the Housing Authority of Covington, and more. Part One & Part Two

49 properties in Covington to be torn down Want to see the list? Click Here (Also: Check out a map of the properties here) 

City Hall: Neighborhoods still priority even without ombudsman Changes to neighborhood association communication and residential parking program come with elimination of ombudsman position. Plus, other notes from the city commission including new jobs at RiverCenter and the development of a run-down building on Scott Boulevard. Click Here

Changes at Covington Police Department include new assistant chief, top dispatcher retires Several changes to the police department were approved Tuesday, including the formal end of the city's dispatch center and the retirement of the center's leader. A lawsuit against the city filed by the dispatchers' union was also resolved. Click Here

City leaders tour Covington neighborhoods The Mayor, City Manager, and three City Commissioners spent Saturday touring various neighborhoods throughout the city, to see first-hand some of the concerns of residents. Click Here

Covington playground partially destroyed by fire will reopen next Friday The school playground partially destroyed by fire over the summer will reopen next week. A generous contribution to the playground at City Hall last night was "bittersweet" because it also marked the end of the Tubby Smith Clubhouse in Covington. Click Here

NKY Democrats angry that Chamber only invited Massie to Forum The leaders of the Democratic Party in 3 Northern Kentucky counties are angry, saying that the NKY Chamber of Commerce only invited one Congressional candidate to its October government forum (which was ultimately canceled). Click Here

News from Covington schools superintendent includes new strategies for learning  Monday Morning Message from CIPS superintendent includes details on new student engagement practice. Plus, see what's coming up in the school district -- at the link. Click Here

Oakley & Eva Farris: A story of love, success, and giving back Without his wife, Eva, Oakley Farris says, “I would still have sideburns and be taking the bus.” A great story on two great Covington philanthropists -- at the link. Click Here

Turfway Park purses "an embarrassment" to Kentucky racing Click Here

People at RCN's Facebook page are thrilled about the opening of the Popeye's in Mainstrasse Click Here

State librarian, former director in Kenton Co, honored Did you know that Kentucky's State Librarian used to be director of the Kenton County Library? He was honored for lifetime achievement. Details at the link. Click Here

Six died on Kentucky roadways last week Click Here

Stylist, Artist from Covington honored by Autism Society Congratulations to Covington's Noah Kidd and Paul Fiehrer who were honored with the Ambassador Award at a recent Faces of Autism event. Click Here

Prosecutor talks child predator, other Kenton Co. convictions "Warren was convicted of asking what he thought was an underage girl to engage in sexual activity. The underage girl turned out to be Kenton County Police Officer Steve Benner." Click Here

Gateway president discusses Regional Academy How Gateway College's Regional Academy is preparing local kids for university. "Early college gives high school students a chance to see what college classes are like and boosts their confidence." Click Here

County courts to shut down Monday Click Here

With the Vice Presidential debate in Kentucky last week, RCN & KY Forward look at Kentucky's very cool VP history Click Here

The troubled house covered in caution tape and chicken wire in Licking Riverside... A little more drama went down today over at the Licking Riverside house that has been draped in caution tape (and now, chicken wire, too). A vandal spray painted graffiti on the porch and then a city commissioner asked the Urban Partnership