Divers dress up for Monster Splash

        NEWPORT — Monster Splash 2000 at the Newport Aquarium will feature costumed divers and a different haunted Halloween theme in each gallery and tunnel for trick-or-treaters through Halloween.

        Children may go trick-or-treating in the galleries from 4 to 8 p.m., and costumed divers will swim with the sharks and stingrays from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress up in costumes. Discount admission during Monster Splash 2000 is $11 for adults, $7 for children ages 3 to 12, and $9.50 for seniors age 65 or older. Discount tickets can be purchased at any area Kroger or at the door. Members and children under 3 are admitted free.
       

Pumpkin launch, races set for today

        TAYLOR MILL — The Great Pumpkin Launch and Great Pumpkin Races will be held today by the Kenton County Parks and Recreation Department at Mills Road Park off Ky. 16.

        The Great Pumpkin Launch will be from 2 to 5 p.m. with categories in distance and accuracy of launches. Only mechanical devices may be used with no explosives, propellants or electricity. The Great Pumpkin Races will be 6 to 9 p.m. with a torch-lit wooden track, weight classes and time trials. The fastest pumpkins win prizes. No altered or motorized pumpkins allowed, but painted pumpkins are welcome.
       

School board hopefuls to debate

        COVINGTON — Candidates for Covington School Board have been invited to participate in a debate 7 p.m. Thursday at Ninth Street United Methodist Church.

        The public is invited and residents of Covington's east side neighborhoods are urged to attend, said the Rev. Charles Gaines of the Northern Kentucky Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, which is sponsoring the debate.

        “We want people to come out and ask questions so they will know who to vote for on the Nov. 7th election day,” the Rev. Gaines said.

        In the school-board race, seven candidates are running for three seats.
       

Lucas picks up group's endorsement

        FORT MITCHELL - U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat representing the 4th Congressional District, has picked up the endorsement of The National Federation of Independent Businesses, a small-business trade group that typically endorses Republican candidates.

        In a statement released by Mr. Lucas' campaign office, Jack Faris, the group's president, said Mr. Lucas was endorsed for "taking a stand” for small businesses.

        The group tracked congressional votes on 20 issues, including legal reform, regulation and tax relief for small businesses.

        "The record shows that when the roll is called, Rep. Lucas has been a true and consistent advocate for Main Street small businesses,” Mr. Faris said.

        The organization presents Guardian of Small Business awards to lawmakers who vote favorably on small business issues at least 70 percent of the time.

        Mr. Lucas, who scored a 78, was one of only four Democrats to receive the award, Mr. Faris said.
       

GOP group staging family picnic, rally

        INDEPENDENCE — A Kenton County Republican group is staging a family picnic and political rally Sunday in Independence.

        The Kenton County Young Republicans are sponsoring the event, which is open to the public, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the home of Greg and Kim Bridges, 12545 Madison Pike.

        Candidates will be available to meet with voters, and literature, yard signs and other materials will be available from local GOP campaigns as well as from the Bush/Cheney presidential ticket.

        Food will be served and Halloween treats will be passed out to children.

        To make reservations or for more information call members of the Young Republicans at 491-2323 or 578-9720. Information is also available by calling the Kenton County Republican Party headquarters at 344-0831 or by viewing the party's Web site, www.kcrp.org.
       

Two jailers released on bond

        MAYFIELD — Two Graves County jailers accused of giving inmates free roam have been released from jail on bond.

        Deputy jailers Andrew Phelps, 21, and Mary Hutchins, 37, were let out Thursday after they were arrested on official misconduct charges.

        A weeklong investigation found that the two allegedly let male and female inmates mingle in the cells and permitted them to enter the jail's control room.
       

Reform candidate staging bus tour

        LEXINGTON — Reform Party candidate Gatewood Galbraith is on a multiday bus tour for his run for the 6th Congressional District.

        Both of his major-party opponents, Democrat Scotty Baesler and Republican Ernie Fletcher, have similar tours going on or planned.

        Mr. Galbraith's bus, "The Not for Sale Express,” began a 12-day tour from Fayette County Courthouse on Thursday. He says he'll push his message of being an independent voice.
       

Clinton to visit Louisville school

        LOUISVILLE — President Clinton will speak at a Louisville high school Tuesday during a visit to boost Democrat Eleanor Jordan in her bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, party officials said.

        Secret Service agents and staff with Ms. Jordan's campaign visited du Pont Manual High School on Friday, said Jordan spokeswoman Martha McKenna.

        Mr. Clinton is tentatively scheduled to arrive at 2:45 p.m., said Rusty Cheuvront, a spokesman for Gov. Paul Patton.

        A recent newspaper poll indicated the Northup-Jordan race was a tossup.

        Mr. Clinton narrowly carried Kentucky twice, and each time Louisville provided him his strongest base of support.

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