Park Hills council aims to be ‘good neighbor’ at their new building — and approves improvements

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Park Hills councilmember Pam Spoor asked council for a motion to move $15,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to pay for a retaining wall at their newly purchased building.
The request happened at a special meeting held this week instead of the city’s customary caucus meeting.
The council unanimously approved the expenditure.
Spoor explained that the...
Covington commission extends city hall lease, renews other leases, discusses Certificate of Need

By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
COVINGTON – Two more years. At least, that’s the hope. Mayor Joseph U. Meyer said it best:
“I think I can speak for all the members of the Commission, that this October of ‘25 deadline is a hard and fast deadline for us to be in a new City Hall.”
With the current lease on 20 West Pike running out this month, Commissioners agreed to extend it, and keep City...
Covington Business Council to host annual legislative luncheon on Oct. 12 with four NKY legislators

Covington Business Council‘s Annual Legislative Luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 12 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Rivercenter.
“Providing CBC member companies access to state legislators has never been more important,” said CBC Executive Director Pat Frew.
“As part of our 2024-26 Strategic Plan, CBC is seeking to strengthen relationships with elected officials....
City of Newport to receive nearly $1 million from U.S. Forest Service for westside reforestation project

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is awarding more than $14 million dollars in competitive grants to four Kentucky organizations who seek to plant and maintain trees, combat extreme heat and climate change, and improve access to nature in cities, towns, and suburbs across the Commonwealth.
“These investments arrive as cities across the country experience record-breaking heatwaves...
Erlanger sends summer packing with 3rd annual Summer Sendoff at Silverlake Park

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
The city of Erlanger sent summer packing Saturday with their third annual Summer Sendoff event at Silverlake park. Arlinghaus is the title sponsor for the event.
The coney-eating contestants. (Photo by Patricia Scheyer/NKyTribune)
Noticeably missing this year was the pie eating contest, in the past sponsored by Colonial Cottage, a memorable contest which leaves...
Covington to begin citywide repaving project next week; includes 29 streets in 13 neighborhoods

All or part of 29 streets in Covington are about to get a smoother surface.
Almost 62,000 square yards of asphalt will be laid one and a half inches thick on the streets as part of a $927,540 contract with Riegler Blacktop Inc. that will get underway this week in the Westside neighborhood.
Riegler Blacktop Inc. will then work its way south on the list of streets provided by the City, said Bill Matteoli,...
Boone County Fiscal Court approves widening of Porter Road, thanks to creation of Rural Roads Fund

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Boone County Fiscal Court approved the first steps toward widening Porter Road in Boone County as the commissioners voted this week to award the bid for the widening project to Riegler Blacktop for the price of $1,307,120.49.
The planned estimated cost of the project came to $1.75 million, so the initial observation is that the cost will definitely be under...
Covington commission discusses renewing current city hall lease, economic development issues, more

By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
Once again, it looks as if Covington City Hall’s time in its current home will be extended.
The commissioners met for their regularly scheduled caucus meeting this week at the current site for City Hall at 20 West Pike St. A proposal will ensure they’ll be doing it a little longer while they wait for the new Scott Street campus to be built.
With the current lease...
Kenton Mayors discuss ‘Shift’ meeting, how road projects are prioritized in NKY, and want changes

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Several Kenton County Mayors and other officials gathered at Taylor Mill Saturday for their monthly meeting, and first on the list was a report on a Shift meeting held earlier that prioritized different road projects in Northern Kentucky.
Shift meetings are usually held after an OKI (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana Council of Governments) board meeting, every two...
Kentucky Supreme Court hears oral arguments regarding Congressional redistricting plan

By Tom Lantern
Kentucky Today
The Kentucky Supreme Court heard oral arguments Tuesday, on whether the Kentucky State House and Congressional redistricting plans enacted by the Republican super majority in the General Assembly pass constitutional muster.
The case, styled Derrick Graham, et al., vs. Secretary of State Michael Adams, et al., is a Democrat vs. Republican case. Graham is the House Democratic...
Fort Mitchell announces appointment of interim Fire Chief Dave Slusser as city’s new fire chief

The City of Fort Mitchell has announced the appointment of Dave Slusser as its new Fire Chief. With a career in the fire service spanning over two decades, Slusser brings a wealth of experience to the Fort Mitchell Fire Department.
Having served as Assistant Fire Chief since 2019, and currently as Interim Fire Chief, Slusser has played a pivotal role in shaping the department’s operations, budget,...
Road report: KYTC reports work this week in District 6’s 11-county region, be aware of closings, delays

KYTC District 6 reports the roadwork underway this week in the region and notes that this work is subject to change due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Drive safely — and be watchful of road crews.
DISTRICTWIDE
• STREET SWEEPING: contractors will be sweeping various highways and state routes in the district. Crews will work between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sweepers will be out...
Secretary of State welcomes new Americans in naturalization ceremony, honors 29 veterans

Secretary of State Michael Adams welcomed new Americans and honored Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame inductees.
The naturalization ceremony in Frankfort included 35 new American citizens from 18 different countries.
Welcoming new citizens in naturalization ceremony. (Photo provided)
Adams spoke to the new citizens before providing them with an opportunity to register to vote.
“There’s nothing more...
Fort Mitchell named 2023 City Government of the Year by the Kentucky League of Cities

Progress, innovation, and community engagement: All three descriptions summarize why the City of Fort Mitchell is the 2023 KLC City Government of the Year.
An independent panel of judges selected the city out of several nominations.
City officials in Fort Mitchell have prioritized growth and community service over the past year, investing in neighborhood improvements, attracting new business, and securing...
Florence City Council votes, on first reading, to keep the property tax rate flat; personal property rate down

By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
The Florence City Council set the tax rate for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2023, and ending on June 30, 2024. It keeps the city’s property rate the same as last year and was the first reading of the ordinance.
Chief Finance Officer Linda Chapman presented the tax rates at the last council meeting for consideration, and a public hearing was...