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,...
Covington commissioners name Corey Deye as interim fire chief; approve two studies for IRS site
By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter
After the resignation of former Fire Chief Mark Pierce last week, the city’s commission unanimously approved Corey Deye to serve as interim Chief. Deye, who had previously served as assistant chief in charge of training, was just recently promoted to deputy chief in December.
The commission approved the change at their regularly scheduled legislative meeting Tuesday,...
It was a parade of dogs, taking the walk from the old-to-new Boone County Animal Shelter
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
There was no band. There was no fanfare, no children eagerly awaiting candy to be thrown from floats, no banners, or balloons, no holiday festivities. But there were eight excited pooches who were chosen to take a walk in the warm sunshine to what they will realize is their new digs.
Staff and volunteers led a parade of some of the dogs from the old to the...
Annual holiday lights recycling success: Covington, 625 lbs.; Kenton, 3264; Campbell 1213; Boone 763
Sometimes tipping the scales a little heavier than the year before is a good thing. So it is with the annual recycling program that allowed residents to drop off strands of non-working holiday light strands instead of tossing them into the trash.
Covington’s Solid Waste & Recycling Division – along with partners Keep Covington Beautiful and Cohen Recycling – collected 625 pounds of lights...
Road report: KYTC District 6 reports on roadwork underway in the region this week; beware of delays and closures
KYTC District 6 reports roadwork expected on regional roadways this coming week. Inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances may occur, so the information below is strictly of an advisory nature and is subject to change with no notice. Follow KYTC District 6 social media for the latest updates on the rest of the projects below. Facebook or Twitter. Be aware of delays and closing and be mindful...
Covington Fire Chief Mark Pierce announces retirement following 30-year career
After a nearly 30-year career with the Covington Fire Department and almost six years as its chief, Mark Pierce is stepping down.
Chief Pierce, 59, announced his retirement this week, effective March 31.
Chief Mark Pierce (Photo from City of Covington)
“I love Covington, and I love being a firefighter in Covington,” Pierce said. “But wise people always told me ‘you’ll know when it’s time...
Florence council hears city administrative officer proposals for new positions, raises for mayor/council
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Florence City Administrative Officer Joshua Hunt announced that he has a proposal for replacing his old position of Director of Business and Community Development.
“In light of Florence’s growth and the expansion of services we offer, I propose restructuring the Director of Business and Community Development position into two separate roles: Director...
City briefs: Elsmere hosts ‘students government,’ Florence retirement, hire; Boone Mental Health event
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
City of Elsmere
Elsmere council welcomes students. (Photo by Patricia Scheyer/NKyTribune)
The city of Elsmere held its annual students in government meeting last week, in which several students from Lloyd High School, Tichenor Middle School and St Henry school took over the jobs of Mayor Marty Lenhof, six members of council, the CAO, city clerk and Police...
NKY Port Authority approves new policy requiring projects to adhere to local jurisdictions’ standards
Staff report
The Northern Kentucky (NKY) Port Authority Board of Directors approved a new policy Tuesday that will require development projects on behalf of private users to follow local jurisdiction standards.
“The NKY Port Authority has followed local development standards in our current projects in the City of Covington,” said J.B. Lind, NKY Port Board Chair.
“This policy passed unanimously...
Kenton mayors hear concerns about legislature’s proposals to adjust Homestead Exemption Act
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Kenton County Mayors met Saturday to compare notes on events happening in their cities, with the ADD district, SD1, TBNK, and at least one state legislator joining in to keep the mayors aware of events outside the box of the cities.
A few mayors acceded their speaking time to Ft Wright’s mayor Dave Hatter, who wanted to explain what the state has in...
KY National Guard selected Top Command for first time, for ‘readiness, physical fitness, and training’
The Kentucky National Guard was named, for the first time, the 2023 Association of the United States Army’s best National Guard command.
Gov. Beshear said this award represents the heroic actions of Guard members following natural disasters in the Commonwealth, in which members helped save more than 1,400 Kentuckians, as well as their service overseas and at the southwest border.
The award is also...
Boone County Fiscal Court holds town hall-type caucus meeting to listen to residents
By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
As part of a continuing gradual change in protocol, the Boone County Fiscal Court held a town hall-type caucus meeting this week to listen to the concerns that residents have about their county.
Despite the open invitation to talk to the guys in charge of the county, there was not a great turnout of residents, but those who did come definitely had questions.
Judge-Executive...
