INDEPENDENCE — High school seniors who are investigating financial aid opportunities can attend a couple of financial aid workshops hosted by the Kenton County Public Library System.

        Professionals from the Educational Talent Search Program will explain what parents and students need to consider when applying for financial aid. The workshops will address federal and state grant opportunities, scholarships, work study programs and student loans.

        The free workshops are scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Independence branch, 6477 Taylor Mill Road; and 7 p.m. Thursday at the Erlanger branch, 3130 Dixie Hwy. No registration is required.

        For information about the federally funded Educational Talent Search program call (859) 392-2410.

"Sweet Chariot' to be performed

               ERLANGER — “Sweet Chariot,” an inspirational program featuring three performers singing a cappella, will be presented Saturday at two branches of the Kenton County Public Library.

        The programs will be at 11 a.m. at the Erlanger branch, 3130 Dixie Hwy., and at 2:30 p.m. at the Independence branch, 6477 Taylor Mill Rd.

        The songs represent the stories of former slaves.

        Information: (859) 491-7610.

4th district GOP dinner March 3

               FORT MITCHELL — One of largest local Republican Party events of the year, the GOP's 4th District Lincoln/Reagan Day Dinner, will held March 3 in Fort Mitchell.

        Kentucky U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Southgate is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the dinner, which will be held at the Drawbridge Inn.

        The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $45 a person. Information and reservations are available by contacting Betty Thompson, 502-633-4554, or Terri Laughlin, 859-431-6724.

        The public is invited, but reservations must be made in advance.
       

Police shoot passenger after high-speed chase

               CENTRAL CITY, Ky. — A man was shot after he waved a hand grenade and pistol at Kentucky State Police following a chase in a truck driven by a Florence man, state police said.

        The man, whom police have not identified, was taken to the Regional Medical Center in Madisonville for treatment of his injuries on Sunday.

        He was the passenger in a pickup truck driven by Eric Van Unthank, 28, of Florence, who allegedly led police on a two-county chase on the Western Kentucky Parkway.

        Both were arrested following the incident. Mr. Unthank faces multiple charges including complicity to attempt murder of a police officer. The wounded man is charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

        The pursuit began as troopers were investigating a report that they had allegedly attempted to buy items used in the manufacture of methamphetamines from a local Wal-Mart.

        Troopers Ben Wolcott and Stuart Recke chased the truck through Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties before forcing it to stop 10 miles east of Central City.
       

Man charged in baby's death

               RUSSELL SPRINGS — A man was arrested and charged with murder Friday after a 9-month-old baby died after receiving injuries at the home they shared with the infant's mother, police said.

        Rocky Wayne McGowan, 20, of Russell Springs, was charged with murder in the death of Daysha Danielle Wilson, police said.

        Police say at approximately 4 p.m. Thursday Daysha received injuries to her head at her home. She was taken to Russell County Hospital, but then transferred to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, where she died at 8:50 a.m. Friday, police said.
       

New golf courses to open in May 2003

               FRANKFORT — A pair of multimillion-dollar golf courses being built in eastern Kentucky are expected to open in May 2003.

        Construction will begin this spring on the state-funded courses, said Rep. Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook.

        Mr. Adkins said a $5 million course will be developed at Grayson Lake on the Carter-Elliott county line and a $6 million course will be built at Yatesville Lake in Lawrence County.

        Both projects received favorable environmental assessments from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in January.

        Last year at Yatesville Lake, a bald-eagle nest was found about four miles from the proposed construction site. But officials say the nest will be protected by a quarter-mile buffer zone.

        At Grayson Lake, construction could cause some problems, including “increased traffic and noise, minor habitat losses and timber removal,” the report said.

        However, the report concluded that those problems could be minimized with appropriate construction practices.

        Both 18-hole courses, which include club houses, driving ranges and practice tees and greens, would have a positive impact on the region's economy. The report said the courses would create an opportunity for spin-off businesses such as restaurants, gasoline stations and hotels.

        The new courses will be among 14 existing and seven new or renovated state-run courses in Kentucky.
       

DAYBOOK

               Government and schools

        Cold Spring: City Council, 7:30 p.m., city building, 120 E. Alexandria Pike.Covington: Board of Commission, 7 p.m., City Hall commission chambers, 638 Madison Ave.

        Covington: Urban Design Review Board, 4 p.m., city hall commission chambers, 638 Madison Ave.

        Dayton: City Council, 7 p.m., city building, 514 Sixth Ave. Erlanger: City Council, 7 p.m., Fire House 3, 4100 Narrows Road.Highland Heights: City Council, 7:30 p.m., city building, 175 Johns Hill Road.

        Ludlow: Ludlow Board of Education meeting, 7:30 p.m., board office, 525 Elm St.Taylor Mill: City Commission special meeting, 6 p.m., municipal building, 5225 Taylor Mill Road.

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