Man, teen charged after meth lab found

        FLORENCE — A methamphetamine lab run out of a van and home was discovered by Boone County Sheriff's department deputies during a drug raid on Dorcas Avenue Tuesday.

        Randall O'Banion, 43, of Dorcas Avenue, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, a class B felony that carries a penalty of 10 to 20 years in prison. He also is charged with unlawful transaction with a minor and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

        A 17-year-old, whose name was not released, was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

        Officers had been investigating suspected drug activity at the home and executed a search warrant at 4 p.m., said Deputy Daren Harris, spokesman for the sheriff's department. He said no more arrests are expected.
       

Police plan charges in drug trade near school

        FORT THOMAS — Police have filed more charges related to drug trafficking across the street from Highlands High School.

        Daniel Moorman, 18, is charged with two separate counts of selling a controlled substance to a minor. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. Fort Thomas police said Mr. Moorman was taken into custody at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday at the school.

        Police said they expect to charge two more 18-year-olds and five more juveniles with possession of marijuana.

        The additional arrests came after prosecutors reviewed surveillance videotapes of students. The tapes were made during an investigation of students smoking and selling marijuana in an area just off school grounds.

        That investigation led police to make 12 arrests on Feb. 9 and bring drug sniffing dogs into the school.
       

Portune to speak at Boone Democrats' event

        BURLINGTON — The Boone County Democratic Party will hold a fund-raiser March 13 at 7 p.m. in the clubhouse at the Boone Links Golf Course, off Oakbrook Drive in Burlington.

        Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune is the scheduled speaker. In November Mr. Portune became the first Democrat elected to the Hamilton County Commission in more than 30 years.

        Organizers said Mr. Portune will talk about fighting the odds in a heavily Republican area such as Boone County, which is the largest in the state where the GOP holds a majority of voter registrations.

        The suggested contribution to the party is $15 a person or $25 a couple.
       

Visalia man, 60, dies in motorcycle wreck

        A 60-year-old Visalia man died Wednesday afternoon when he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding on his property in Kenton County.

        Autry Jerald Williamson, of Bethel Grove Road, was riding his Yamaha 250 trail bike when he crashed, according to Kenton County police. Mr. Williamson, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
       

Middle school performs musical

        FORT THOMAS — Highlands Middle School will present the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas.

        Performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students and will be available at the door.

        For more information contact the school, 781-5900, extension 22.
       

University presidents defend research funds

        FRANKFORT — Education officials, including two university presidents, sought to assure legislators Wednesday that the millions appropriated for university research under the “Bucks for Brains” program has been money well spent.

        To prove it, the Council on Postsecondary Education is requiring institutions to give a detailed accounting of research productivity, including amounts of money generated, council President Gordon Davies said before the House Education Committee. Also testifying were University of Louisville president John Shumaker and University of Kentucky president Charles Wethington.

        Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark of Louisville has complained that “bucks” money is being spent less discriminately than the General Assembly intended.

2 levies won't be on spring ballot
Marijuana easy to get, teens say
New probation chief likely today
Bearded suspect says he can't be clean-shaven robber
Man gets prison for girl's death
3 of 4 plead guilty in taped sexual assault
CPS plans to increase diversity of its suppliers
Board accepts Wiley's resignation
Seniors, college students click in computer class
White privilege remains strong, speaker insists
Woman who made report is indicted
City likely to ease home building permits
Congressmen rap Eminem
Developer, council member argue over city funding practices, request
Fire unit lays off third of force
Former P&G worker accused of stealing data
Four districts seek levies in May
Gallatin creating plan for growth
Heart patients sought for national study
Income vs. spending: lifestyle lesson
Kids may need consent for piercing
Ky. business, Canada official extol trade
McConnell to visit N. Ky., raise money for Kenton Co. GOP, self
Middleton to fight slander suit
Ohio local officials seek money to fix bridges
Schools chief makes levy last goal
Suspect pointed gun, witness says
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report