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The city attributes the shortfall to changes in labor practices, specifically workfrom-home policies, which have become more common since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We fall off the pace due to the implications of the remote work situation with our largest employers,” Webb said on May 23. “As remote work has become normalized, these employers are now withholding and remitting portions of the occupational license tax to the jurisdictions where their

“We have intentionally structured our finances to have reserves for the unexpected,” Mayor Joe Meyer said in the release. “This approach also enables us to avoid a crisis reaction, like layoffs. In the short term, the City can deal with this turn of events, but in the future we will have to rethink our strategies.”

Kenton County Sheriff warns against scammers posing as law enforcement

Scammers impersonating police officers and other law enforcement personnel are “ramping up their activity in our area,” ac- cording to a press release from the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office.

Specifically, the release warns about phone calls from people claiming that someone has a warrant out for their arrest and that they need to pay a fee or fine over the phone or risk legal trouble.

The release advises that people will not be notified via phone call, email or text if there is a warrant for their arrest, nor will law enforcement ever solicit payment over the phone.

Similarly, the department warned against scammers who claim that someone has missed jury duty in an effort to tease out payment or information.

If you suspect someone is trying to scam you over the phone, the sheriff recommends leaving a report with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection by calling 888-432-9257.

Aggregated reading assessment data for kindergarten through sixth-grade students at Covington Independent Public Schools. The red indicates students who need intensive reading instruction and help. The blue indicates students who need some help but not intensive help. The green indicates students reading to standard. Data and chart provided | Covington Independent Public Schools

Internal reading assessment data from Covington Independent Public Schools suggests gradual improvement in reading skills for most elementary grades.

Ludlow resident sentenced to 35 years

For Meth Distribution

Ludlow resident Terrill Goods, 45, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on May 24 after he was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A federal jury in Covington found Goods guilty in December 2022. His co-defendant, Deon Coulter, 38, of Northern Kentucky had previously pled guilty and was sentenced to over 20 years for the same charges.

“According to evidence presented at trial, between October 2021 and January 2022, Goods and Coulter conspired to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine, in the Eastern District of Kentucky,” said a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Law enforcement made several controlled buys of methamphetamine and one of cocaine from the men, according to the release.

“They also seized approximately 2,000 pills containing fentanyl and multiple firearms during execution of search warrants on Goods’ and Coulter’s respective residences,” the release said.

This data was presented by district staff members at a special board of education meeting on May 22. Additional data suggests that more English as a second language students are improving their English enough to exit the district’s English as a second language program.

Scott Alter, the district’s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, presented the reading assessment data to the board. The figures go back to 2021 and show changes in student reading levels from term to term.

“I think it’s unbelievable what some of our teachers are doing,” Alter said. “You know, coming into the year with 60%-70% intensive students (represented in red on the chart) and the amount of work that it takes to bring these kids back in and, you know, teach them how to read … is amazing.”

The assessment the district uses is the Star CBM, which is produced by the company Renaissance. The test is computer-based and given on a one-to-one basis with teachers and students. The computerized test allows for easy data collection and analysis. There’s also a version for math.

“We’re teaching our kids how to read at the elementary level, and we’re sending them to the middle school and the high school better equipped to be strong students in all the classrooms,” Alter said.

He added that he hoped the improvements displayed with the Star CBM data would translate into improved scores on state assessment tests administered regularly throughout elementary and high school.

In continuing turnaround effort, Kentucky State names Akakpo president

FRANKFORT, Ky.

(AP) – Kentucky State University has named Koffi C. Akakpo, Ph.D., as the school’s 19th president.

The Board of Regents announced on May 30 that Akakpo, president of Bluegrass Community & Technical College, will assume his new role at the university on July 1. His appointment comes after a national search.

“Kentucky State University is poised for a great future,” Board of Regents chair Tammi Dukes said in a statement. “Under Dr. Akakpo’s leadership, the University can advance in many areas, and we are pleased to hand the baton to him at such a critical time in the institution’s journey.”

The historically Black university in Frankfort hasn’t had a permanent leader since July 2021, when M. Christopher Brown II resigned amid growing concerns about the school’s financial health.

State lawmakers stepped in and passed a bill last year that included $23 million to address a budget shortfall, with measures in place to create a management improvement plan and financial accountability.

An audit ordered last year revealed a “chaotic accounting environment” that led to undocumented credit card transactions, extravagant bonuses and a lack of controls that put millions of dollars in federal grant funding at risk. It primarily focused on the school’s financial and internal policies between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2021.

Lawmakers also passed a bill last year that replaced nearly all members of KSU’s Board of Regents, and new leaders at the school have been working diligently to address the problems.

Akakpo said he believes in using a collaborative approach to turn problems into opportunities.

“My work focuses on championing postsecondary institutions, tackling the uncertainty they face, and securing their current and future prosperity, particularly through bold thinking, transformational problem-solving, and strategic partnership building,” he said.

Toyota to invest additional $2.1B in N.C. factory that will supply Kentucky operation

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) – Toyota will invest another $2.1 billion in an electric and hybrid vehicle battery factory that’s under construction near Greensboro, North Carolina.

The plant will supply batteries to Toyota’s huge complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, which will build Toyota’s first U.S.-made electric vehicle, a new SUV with three rows of seats.

The plans, announced May 31, won’t immediately create any more jobs at either the Kentucky or North Carolina factories. Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, said the new vehicle reflects the company’s “journey toward an electrified future.”

Toyota plans to employ 2,100 workers at the North Carolina battery factory, which will start production in 2025. The investment supports the company’s goal of selling 1.8 million electric or hybrid vehicles in the U.S by 2030.

The 9 million-square-foot Kentucky complex employs 9,500 people who make the Camry sedan, RAV4 Hybrid SUV, several engines and other components. The company says jobs will shift to the new electric vehicle when production starts in 2025.

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to sell 2 million zero emission hydrogen and battery electric vehicles worldwide per year by 2030. In the U.S., the company plans to sell 1.5 million to 1.8 million vehicles by 2030 that are at least partially electrified.

After manhunt, body of escaped murderer from Ohio prison found in river by Ky. officers

HENDERSON, KY (AP) — A convicted murderer who escaped from a northwest Ohio prison with another inmate by hiding in a trash container was found dead on May 28 after his body was spotted floating in the Ohio River, police in Kentucky said.

The discovery brought to a close a manhunt for the missing inmate, Bradley Gillespie, 50. Authorities said the other inmate, James Lee, 47, was captured on May 24 after the two escaped earlier in the week from the Allen/Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima, Ohio.

Henderson Police Chief Sean McKinney said at a news conference that authorities got a call Sunday about a body floating in the river very near where Gillespie was last seen when officers captured the other inmate during a pursuit and traffic stop on a stolen car. Gillespie, a passenger in the vehicle, fled on foot, prompting a multiday manhunt, he said.

“A preliminary investigation indicates we recovered the body of Bradley Gillespie from the river,” McKinney said, adding police, firefighters, a coroner’s office and others responded to the incident. Reports said tattoos and physical inspection helped with the preliminary identification.

Lee was serving a sentence imposed in 2021 for burglary and safecracking. McKinney said Gillespie had been imprisoned since 2016 and was convicted of a double homicide.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said Friday a major and three corrections officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, and similar action may be taken against other people as the department’s internal investigation continues,. A criminal investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol is also continuing.

AJ Jolly Park summer concerts are here

Boone library hosts concert in Boone Woods Park

Grab a blanket, folding chair and some snacks for a concert in Boone Woods Park on Saturday, June 10, featuring the Eagles tribute band Nightflyer. Hosted by the Boone County Public Library, the event runs from 7-8:30 p.m. in the park at 6000 Veterans Way in Burlington. In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Main Library (1786 Burlington Pike in Burlington). For weather updates, call 859-334-2283.

gratulated the Newport High School winners of the SkillsUSA photography contest: Brooklyn Caudle (first place, photography), Caroline Tuner (second place, photography), Ariel Benegar (first place, photo art) and Marilyn Coronado (third place, advertising design).

Painted by artist and Walnut Hills High School senior Phoenix Brumm-Jost with Lora Jost, it features “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Learn more about the artist at kentonlibrary.org/bookbenches.

AJ Jolly Park in Campbell County announced details of its free summer concert series, with shows taking place one Saturday a month from June through September. First up is the popular rock and alternative band Swan from 7-10 p.m. June 24. Next comes the Sun Valley Bluegrass Festival on July 15 and the Festival on the Lake on August 19, both from 4-10:30 p.m. The last concert of the series features Kait & the California Kings, who play from 6-9 p.m. September 23.

Newport Independent staff students honored by city

At its May meeting, the Newport Board of Commissioners honored students and staff of Newport Independent Schools and recognized groups and individuals for outstanding work in the 2022-23 school year.

Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. presented a proclamation honoring the Newport High School Wildcats basketball team for its KHSAA 9th Region Final win.

The mayor and commissioners also con-

The city recognized teachers nominated for “Teacher of the Month” honors at Newport Primary School and Newport Intermediate School. At the primary school, the teachers were Melissa McGroarty, Maggie Whitfield, Haley Mavrolas and Hannah Mayle. Teachers from the intermediate school included Stephanie Abney, Madelyne Watts, Rachel Redden, Stephanie Braden, Nick Denham, Molly Turner and Derek Betz.

Kenton County Library installs first Book Bench art project

In 2022, the Kenton County Public Library selected six local artists to participate in its Book Bench art project. The project tapped each artist to paint a bench inspired by a well-loved book. In May, the first bench was installed at 1124 Scott St. in Covington.

Behringer-Crawford Museum calls for ‘open-air’ artists

The Behringer-Crawford Museum is calling for local artists interested in creating “Fresh Art” in Devou Park on Saturday, Sept. 9. The museum is hosting its 31st freshArt event featuring artists working “en plein air,” or open-air, who create original works in the park to be auctioned off “fresh” that day. A portion of the sales goes to the artist, with remaining proceeds to benefit youth education programming at the museum. Previously created paintings, sculpture, jewelry, wood and other items will also be offered in a silent auction in the period leading up to the event (Aug. 11-Sept. 9). Artist applications are due June 30. For more information, visit bcmuseum.org/activities/freshart.

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