Florence Police Chief Tom Grau is retiring, after 29 years of service and an exemplary career
By Patricia Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Florence Police Chief Tom Grau has made the decision to retire after 29 years totally spent at the Florence Police Department. Grau was the last police officer sworn in at the city under former Mayor Evelyn Kalb, and former police chief Charlie Callen on May 1, 1995. He will leave the job on May 1.
“I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati and was a 1990 graduate...
Cov Commission: Ft. Wright resident suggests name for new bridge, ‘Black Brigade’; smart kiosk approved
By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
During the Civil War, when the residents of Cincinnati feared they would be attacked by the South, the “Black Brigade” — a group of African-Americans who are known as some of the first to be employed to defend the Union — built a series of forts and military roads to protect the area.
Their efforts did much to hold back the Confederate Army, and now, one Fort...
Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet releases Commonwealth’s January unemployment report
Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary January 2024 unemployment rate was 4.3%, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS).
The preliminary January 2024 jobless rate was unchanged from December 2023 and was up 0.2 percentage point from one year ago.
The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for January 2024 was 3.7%, which was also unchanged from December 2023, according to the...
Government briefs: Highlights of meetings of Independence, Erlanger, Fort Wright, Boone County
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Here are the highlights of what happened in Independence, Erlanger, Fort Wright, and Boone County at recent meetings:
INDEPENDENCE
Independence Mayor Christopher Reinersman presented awards to two dispatchers, six officers and three detectives in regard to a serious domestic incident on January 7.
All of the people were applauded because the dispatchers,...
Two from NKY among 25 graduates of DOCJT’s Public Safety Dispatch Academy Class 155
The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training (DOCJT) has announced 25 dispatchers from across the state graduated from the Public Safety Dispatch Academy and are now ready to begin answering the call to aid both citizens and law enforcement officers of the Commonwealth.
“Thank you for answering the call of service,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Your mission is an important one, as you are...
State has removed 212K dead voters from voter roles; ‘protecting election integrity’ says Adams
Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that Kentucky has removed more than 212,000 dead voters from the voter rolls during his time in office.
Notwithstanding a recent, sustained increase in voter registration, in February more voters were removed from the rolls (15,982) than added (7,494).
“Removing over 200,000 dead voters from our rolls shows we are serious about election integrity in the...
KYTC reminding St. Patrick’s Day revelers to ‘Shamrock and roll with a sober driver’ March 17
St. Patrick’s Day is one of our nation’s most popular holidays, celebrated with festivals, parades and parties. The amount of alcohol consumed is higher than average, which is why Kentuckians are reminded to designate a sober driver before the festivities begin.
“If your St. Patrick’s Day celebration involves alcohol, make the responsible choice to designate a sober driver ahead of time,”...
Edgewood council approves new storage building for city’s first firetruck, Christmas decorations
Edgewood city council voted Monday night to not only go ahead with a new storage building, but they also added another $10,000 to extend the original building.
Jeff Schreiver, acting mayor. (Photo by Patricia Scheyer)
The vote was 4 to 1 with one abstention. Councilmember Dr. Scott Spille, the single no vote, asked to read an email that he received from Councilmember Darla Kettenacker who had to be...
Covington commission hears news of very real budget cuts — no ‘fantasy,’ says Mayor
By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
It’s real, Covington Mayor Joseph U. Meyer told his constituents.
“Any allegations about the fantasy of these budget cuts not being real should be put to rest,” he said during the Covington Commission’s regularly scheduled caucus meeting Tuesday night.
During the city manager’s report at the beginning of the meeting, Ken Smith recalled how he’d sent an...
State releases 2023 unemployment satistics; jobless rate increased to 4.2 percent from 4 percent in 2022
Kentucky’s annual unemployment rate for 2023 was 4.2% according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS). This is an increase from 4% in 2022.
The U.S. annual unemployment rate was 3.6% in 2023, unchanged from 2022.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ estimate of the number of employed Kentuckians for 2023 was 1,941,994. This figure was down 6,318 from the 1,948,312 employed in 2022.
The...
Road report: KYTC District 6 reports on roadwork in the region this week — beware delays, closures
KYTC District 6 reports the following work on the region’s roadways this week and urges caution. Be aware of delays and closings — and mindful of the safety of road crews. This schedule is subject to change without notice — and is weather sensitive.
I-471 RESURFACING WEEKLY UPDATE
No work scheduled for the week of March 3.
Major work on this large-scale resurfacing project has...
KY House, Senate finished quick work before heading home for weekend; session resumes Monday
By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Members of the General Assembly wrapped up the 42nd day of the 60-day 2024 regular session on Friday and headed home for the weekend, but not before approving several pieces of legislation.
Among bills acted upon in the House, the approval of House Bill 513, which would give lawmakers the final decision on whether anything can be removed or permanently added in the Capitol...
Cities briefs: Florence council presents proclamation, Park Hills and Taylor Mill consider multiple issues
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Florence city council
Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon presented a proclamation this week to Bruno Giacomuzzi, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Florence and Grant St Elizabeth hospitals.
Florence Mayor Julie Aubuchon presents proclamation to St. Elizabeth’s Brune Giacomuzzi. (Photo by Patricia Scheyer/NKyTribune)
She praised...
Legislative Branch Ethics Commission data shows KY Lobbyists spent record amount in January
By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Spending by Kentucky lobbying interests before the General Assembly for January 2024 hit an all-time high, according to data released Thursday by the Legislative Branch Ethics Commission.
A total of $2,986,769 was spent in January, a record for the first month of a session. The previous record for the first month of a legislative session was $2.66 million, set last year....
Florence city council postpones ‘raise’ ordinance for councilmembers, approves increase for mayor
By Patricia Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Florence city council decided to approve the first reading of an amended ordinance raising the mayor’s salary but to postpone consideration of the council increases for further discussion. The suggested raises — the first in 18 years — were to take effect the January after the next election.
The next election for council will be this November,...
