Newport sets gun buyback for Dec. 2

        NEWPORT — A federally funded gun buyback, with $10,000 available to purchase a maximum of 200 firearms, will be held at the Newport Housing Authority administrative office Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

        This is a voluntary and anonymous program through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). No names will be taken, and no questions will be asked of those bringing firearms to the Housing Authority office that day.

        The Newport Police Department is working with the Housing Authority on the gun buyback, which was begun by HUD to take firearms off the streets and out of the hands of children. Police officers will perform the exchange at $50 per firearm, and examine the guns.

        No one may bring in more that five guns. No pellet guns, BB guns or starter (blank) guns will be accepted, and no gun dealers may participate in the buyback.

        The Housing Authority offices are at 301 Isabella St. For additional information, call the Housing Authority at 581-2533 or the police department at 292-3622.
       

Education chief visits next week

               FORT MITCHELL — Kentucky's new education commissioner will visit Northern Kentucky next week.

        Gene Wilhoit, who was appointed to the top post in October, will host a public forum from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Erlanger-Elsmere Independent Schools' Deitz Auditorium on Bartlett Avenue.

        The forum is part of a statewide tour for the new commissioner to meet with parents, community members, local officials, legislators and civic groups.
       

Crescent Springs cancels caucus

               CRESCENT SPRINGS — The Crescent Springs Council has canceled its caucus meeting set for Nov. 27 due to lack of a quorum.
       

That was a doe in buck's clothing

               TAYLORSVILLE — When Toby Lee Curtsinger shot his first deer, he was a proud 10-year-old. Not only did the deer weigh some 140 pounds, but it had a five-point rack with antlers that were 13 inches long.

        The confusion set in when Toby found the buck was actually a doe.

        “It's not real common, but it does happen,” said Jon Gassett, Kentucky's statewide deer and elk coordinator. “It's just an imbalance of hormones.”

        The antlers were still in the velvet stage, which is rubbed off on trees by bucks. A relative said there were no plans to have the deer dressed for eating.

        Toby, the son of Daren and Connie Curtsinger, shot the deer Sunday off Ky. 48 in southern Spencer County.
       

Newport water break repaired

               NEWPORT — A water main break at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 700 block of Isabella Street left fewer than 20 customers without water for no more than an hour, said Newport Water Works Director Frank Peluso.

        “We have no idea when these mains will break,” he said. “I wish I knew why they seem to break at night. There is no rhyme or reason.”

        He said the cold weather probably contributed to the most recent break, but there is no way of knowing.

        Last summer, there were more water main breaks during the summer than during cold-weather months.

        Mr. Peluso said the ground cracking and moving because of the drought was a contributing factor in those breaks.
       

Santa pet photos at shelter Dec. 2

               COVINGTON — The Kenton County Animal Shelter will provide pet photos with Santa from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2 at the shelter.

        A professional photographer will take photos, with cost ranging from $5 to $18.

        Information: (859) 356-7400.
       

UK picks dean of agriculture school

               LEXINGTON — M. Scott Smith was named the next dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture on Tuesday.

        Mr. Smith will assume the post on Jan. 1, pending approval by the UK Board of Trustees next month.

        Mr. Smith will succeed C. Oran Little, who is retiring as dean of the college after serving UK for 27 years, the last 13 as agriculture dean.

Turkey imitator on "Tonight Show'

               MATANZAS — An Ohio County teen-ager will demonstrate his turkey-imitating abilities on The Tonight Show Friday.

        Zach Hoover, 14, is one of three youths scheduled to appear on the show.

        He gobbles, yelps, crows and simulates the alarm, mating or fly-down calls of turkeys with his throat and the back of his tongue.

        “He sounds just like a turkey when he gobbles,” said Pat Cardin, the western Kentucky regional director for the National Wild Turkey Federation.
       

Award stands for unmasked veteran

               LOUISVILLE — City leaders stand by their decision to honor a local veterans advocate, despite revelations that he lied about having a distinguished military career.

        Roy Thurman, 58, was given the city's 2000 Liberty Award on Veterans Day by Mayor Dave Armstrong.

        He was lauded then as a Marine Corps pilot who was shot down three times during three tours in Vietnam.

        He had also reportedly earned the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for valor in combat, along with the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

        But Marine Corps officials confronted the Okolona man on Saturday after discovering that he had never set foot in Vietnam.

        He was never a pilot and later admitted buying his medals and ribbons from U.S. Cavalry, a military supply store in Radcliff, Ky., and from military catalogs.

        His real record shows he was a Marine Corps sergeant who worked as an aircraft logistics clerk on a North Carolina helicopter squadron.

        Louisville officials said Monday that despite the fabrications, Mr. Thurman still meets the Liberty Award's criteria — outstanding service among local veterans.

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