The Covington & Lexington Turnpike Highway Marker was dedicated on February 8^th, 2008 at the intersection of Pike Streetand Seventh Street. The Covington & Lexington Turnpike was a stagecoach route between Covington and Lexington which entered Covington along Pike Street and helped spur commercial growth in Covington. The Highway Marker program is sponsored by the Kentucky Historic Society, and the Covington & Lexington Turnpike Highway Marker was funded by Oakley and Eva Farris.

The City of Covington is seeking nominations for the 2008 River Cities Historic Preservation Awards from citizens, businesses, organizations and the community at large.

The Historic Preservation Awards Program was initiated in 2001 by the Covington Historic Preservation Office to celebrate outstanding efforts to preserve and maintain historic properties throughout the city. Historic Preservation Awards are given annually for projects completed within the previous calendar year. The presentation of this year's awards will take place in May, 2008 in a ceremony also honoring recipients in Newport and Bellevue. May is the National Historic Preservation month.

Please visit the Historic Preservation website for the nomination form, instructions and guidelines.

All nominations are due by 5:00 pm Friday, April 18^th to the City of Covington Historic Preservation Office. 638 Madison Ave 4^th Floor, CovingtonKY, 41011.

For more information contact the Historic Preservation Office at 859-292-2171.

 

Thursday, March 6, 2008 @ 11:00

Art Off Pike Planning Meeting will be held at the Artisans' Enterprise Center.  If interested in working with the planning committees, please attend.

 

Friday, March 7, 2008 from 6 - 10 P.M. 

Covington's First Friday Gallery Hop  Visit Covington's Arts District, Pike Street Galleries, Downtown Covington, and MainStrasse Village for the First

Friday Gallery Hop.  To see a listing of participating businesses and access the Gallery Hop Map, please go to

Saturday, March 8, 2008  10:00 - 11:30 A.M.

Community Arts Coordinators Seminar at the Kentucky Crafted ~ Learn about the programs and services of the Kentucky Arts Council.  Topics covered will include grants, consulting programs, and resources for community arts events, and the jurying process. Participants will also be treated to a reading by Kentucky's poet laureate, Jane Gentry Vance and musical performances by Saxton's Cornet Band and solo guitarist, Andrew Leonard.  Participants will receive a discounted ticket to attend the MARKET ($5.00, payable at the door) and the 25th anniversary Kentucky Crafted: The Market tote bag.  At The Market, participants can interact with some of Kentucky's premier craftspeople, visual artists, performers, literary artists, and producers of agricultural specialty items (and shop!).  Registration for the seminar is free, but pre-registration is required.  To register, go to:  http://artscouncil.ky.gov/forms/CommunityArtsCoordinator_reg.htm

Wednesday, March 26, 2008 @ 5:45 P.M.

Covington Arts & Culture Team (ACT) Meeting will be held at the Artisans' EnterpriseCenter, 25 West Seventh Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011.  For  more information, please call Mary Lyons @ 859-486-0058.

The Grand Opening of the Sandra Small Gallery of contemporary art, sculpture and hand-made jewelry will be Sunday, March 16 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at 124 Pike Street, Covington, Ky.

Important Flood Insurance Rate Map Update

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided notice of proposed changes to the Base Flood Elevations (BFE's) for KentonCounty and more specifically the City of Covington.  The purpose is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations.  These BFE's are a part of the floodplain management measure that the community is required either to adopt or show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents, and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings.

The preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM's) are available for inspection at CovingtonCity Hall or at 303 Court Street, Covington, KY.

A 90-day appeal period,initiated on February 16, 2008,  is in effect.  During this appeal period, any owner or lessee of real property who believes his or her property rights will be adversely affected by the BFE determinations may appeal in accordance with the statutory requirements.  It is important to know, however, that the sole basis for the appeals is having knowledge or information indicating that the proposed BFE determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect.

During the 90-day appeal period ending  May 16, 2008,  written appeals in strict accordance with the requirements of 44 CFR Part 67 may be submitted to the office of the City Engineer at 638 Madison Avenue, Suite 206, Covington, KY  41011.  Only information that is provided with sufficient technical data and in accordance with 44 CFR Part 67 will be considered for review.

Those living in areas protected by a levee are advised of the recently enacted Provisional Accredited Levee Status currently in place for the City of Covington.  These areas are shown in detail on the preliminary maps.  Property owners in these areas are advised of their residual risk and encouraged to purchase flood insurance.

Additional details regarding appeals, regulatory procedures, and contact information may be obtained at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe or the FEMAMapAssistanceCenter toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP or the Covington Engineering Department at (859) 292-2112.

Covington Fire Department becomes an integral part of the

The Regional HazMat Response Team (Kenton/Boone component), referred to as HazMat 3, of the Northern Kentucky Hazardous Materials/WMD Unit has been activated. The vehicle is housed at the Company 1 Fire Station at Robbins Street and Scott Blvd., and is part of a four (4) vehicle regional unit. The team responds to hazardous materials incidents in the Northeastern portion of Northern Kentucky and consists of firefighters and EMS professionals from 9 different jurisdictions, and a number of Sanitation District #1 personnel.

The vehicle can be placed in service by two Covington Fire personnel in as little as five minutes. The remainder of the team is notified by an automated dispatch system and responds from their respective departments.

Along with providing HazMat response, the unit is capable of responding to and mitigating incidents involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear WMD threats. The HazMat 3 team boasts a dozen highly trained ToxMedics, 6 of which are Covington Fire Department Medics. These Medics must undergo rigorous classroom work and be able to perform Advanced Life Saving techniques while wearing extremely cumbersome HazMat protective clothing.

As the Northern Kentucky area continues to grow, the value of this team will increase, as will the integral role played by the members of the Covington Fire Department. We are proud to be a part of such and important endeavor and will continue our support of such a vital resource.   

Covington Artists' Residential District Homeowner Loan Program

Have you been thinking of moving to Covington's Arts District or, maybe, you already live there and are considering some renovations.  The City of Covington's Housing Development Department offers the Covington Artists' Residential District Homeowner Loan Program (CARD) for residential and mixed-use properties within the CARD Zone.  This is a benefit of up to $6,000 to renovate your existing property or to be used as down-payment when purchasing a property that has undergone substantial rehab.  Funding is limited and not contingent on household income.  Contact the Housing Development Department for Program Guidelines and Application.  859-292-2188  Click here for additional C.A.R.D. District program information.

Here are a few things to consider doing:

*Shred documents containing personal information prior to discarding;

*Do not give out your social security or any personal information to anyone unless you know exactly who you are dealing with;

*Remember, nothing is free so beware of scams that ask you to send money or to give out banking information for a deposit of money into your account;

*Always inspect your credit card report to insure that there are no unauthorized purchases on your account;

What should you do if it happens to you?

* If compromised, place a fraud alert on your credit reports;

* Close all affected accounts;

* File a police report;

* Report ID theft to the Federal Trade Commission;

* Contact one of the following: EQUIFAX 800-685-1111, EXPERIAN (888) 397-3742 or TRANS- UNION (800) 916-8800

Additional inquiries may be made to Lt. Col. Spike Jones at (859) 292-2202.