FLORENCE — The man who wants to start an independent minor league baseball team gave Florence City Council a specific deadline Tuesday: Either determine by next month whether the city is interested in having the team, or he will put it in another Northern Kentucky city.

        Cincinnati businessman Gary Enzweiler, who owns the rights to the Frontier League franchise, said he needs to know Florence's plans because league officials and local business leaders are pressing him for a decision.

        “We're committed to Florence, but Florence has got to give us some kind of decision soon,” Mr. Enzweiler said.

        Councilwoman Melodee Merrell said there was a problem.

        “As a council, we have seen nothing,” Ms. Merrell said.

        Mr. Enzweiler and the city have been talking about the matter for several months.

        Mayor Diane Whalen eventually asked H.B. Deatherage, an assistant with Mr. Enzweiler, for a letter-of-intent form the city can consider. She said the form, and several reports regarding the economic impact of a proposed $10 million stadium along Interstate 75, as well as a naming-rights package and a stadium budget, could be ready by the end of the week.

        Mr. Enzweiler did not say where besides Florence he would consider placing the team if the city does not proceed.

        In other action Tuesday, city council approved an ordinance to annex the 197-acre Turfway Park racetrack.

Riot response: jobs for teens
Riot to cost city at least $1.5 million
Riots affected suit, lawyer says
Mold forces school to close classrooms
MTV show gets blame for stunt
School plan openness urged
After century of decline, river quality recovering
Cemetery official charged with theft
Church donates $224,000 for kids
Community center has closed meeting
Debate continues about faith-based programs
Fax leak shattered drug probe, police say
Florence given baseball deadline
Grand jury looking into beanbag case
Guard convicted in prison van crash
Henry: Reimbursements minimal
Illness cited for woman in abuse case
Kentucky installs poet laureate
Kentucky to pay TV figure Walsh $20K for speech
Mason-Montgomery Rd. to widen
Two plead guilty to charges in OxyContin case
Reading teachers resign after e-mail investigation
SAMPLES: Impact of one
Schools graded on discipline
Steger freezes most hiring at UC
Suicide at hospital under investigation
Suspect nabbed inside elementary school
Suspect's statement OK for trial
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report