Meeting to discuss development proposal


        NEWPORT — Residents in the area of a proposed commercial/residential development off Interstate 471 have been invited to a meeting at 6 p.m. tonight at the Newport firehouse on 10th Street to hear from the developer, Neyer Properties.

        Neyer wants to build a commercial shopping area on Grand Avenue between Carothers Road and 10th Street, with upscale condominiums on the hill commanding a view of downtown Cincinnati.
       

Folk festival recruits volunteers


        COVINGTON — Coordinators are needed for this year's Fall Folk Festival, an event designed to showcase the community's performers.

        The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 22 in Covington's Devou Park.

        Volunteers are needed to help at the information table, distribute programs, help set up performer booths and to act as ambassadors for the festival. Anyone interested should call the volunteer coordinator at (859) 291-0040, or send an e-mail to nslagle@prodigy.net.

        Dance, music, arts and crafts will be featured throughout the event. For more information or a schedule of events, visit the Kenton County Public Library's Web site at www.kenton.lib.ky.us and click on Fall Folk Festival.
       

Erlanger groups seek festival participants

        ERLANGER — Erlanger Historical Society and Erlanger Parks and Recreation are looking for crafters for the annual Heritage Day Celebration.

        This year's event will be from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Erlanger Railroad Depot at Crescent and Erlanger Road.

HIGHLANDS MIDDLE MAKES DEBUT Scott Guy of the Fort Thomas Public Works Department paints a curb to mark a fire lane in front of the new Highlands Middle School, which opened Tuesday. ( Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Organizers are looking for teams to take part in volleyball and Wiffle ball tournaments in the morning at Silverlake Park. Those interested can contact Kathy Cahill at the city building if they have questions or want to register for any of the booths or tournaments. All registrations and booth rentals must be in by Sept. 12.

        Organizers also are looking for the oldest photographs (pre-1940s) of scenes around Erlanger. The historical society has a project to collect and make copies of such photos. The society is interested in photos of Silverlake, the Railroad Water Tower on Crescent, railroad stockyards, fairgrounds, the underpass and the Dixie Highway area; as well as other streets, homes and people.

        Photos should be identified and include a return address. They can be dropped off at the city building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at the depot from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

        A prize will be given for the oldest photograph.

        The celebration also includes a health fair, food, drinks, and arts and crafts.

        Information: (859) 727-7955.

Holiday road crashes kill eight in Kentucky

        FRANKFORT — Eight people were killed on Kentucky roads during the Labor Day holiday, one more than last year, according to the Kentucky State Police.

        All eight were single fatalities, according to John Kibler, a state police spokesman. The crashes occurred in Henry, Hancock, Casey, Barren, Bourbon, Carter, Lawrence and Hardin counties.

        Only one victim was wearing a seat belt. Four of the crashes are suspected to be alcohol-related, state police said.

        Seven people died in seven crashes during the 2000 Labor Day weekend.

        Police began recording statistics for the long weekend at 6 p.m. Friday and finished at 11:59 p.m. Monday.
       

Murder trial unlikely in woman's death

        PIKEVILLE — A state psychiatrist said Friday that retired Pike County school teacher Romer Cool was mentally ill the night his wife was stabbed to death and likely will never be competent to stand trial.

        Those findings could leave the Pike County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office unable to pursue the murder charge filed two years ago, alleging that Mr. Cool killed his wife, Geneva, just hours after he was released from a Hazard, Ky., psychiatric unit.

        “Even assuming Mr. Cool was competent and we could try him, we could not prevail at trial due to the fact that the psychiatrist employed by the commonwealth has found that Mr. Cool lacks criminal responsibility,” said Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Bartley. “It is possible under the law to counter such an expert opinion with lay witness testimony, but in this case no such evidence exists.”
       

Educator warns of pharmacist shortage

        Kentucky needs more pharmacists as the demand for prescription drugs continues to increase, a dean at the University of Kentucky says.

        Dr. Kenneth Roberts, dean of UK's College of Pharmacy, says the state needs an estimated 400 pharmacists to alleviate the shortage.

        Dr. Roberts says the shortage of pharmacists, who earn salaries of $80,000 to $100,000, extends beyond the state. The number of unfilled positions in the United States rose from 2,500 in 1998 to 7,500 in 2000, he said.

        The number of prescriptions dispensed jumped from 2 billion in 1992 to 3 billion in 1999, he said.
       

Murder-for-hire trial set to begin today

        OWENSBORO, Ky. — Prosecutors will not be allowed to present evidence about another suspected murder during the murder-for-hire trial of an Alabama man, a federal judge ruled in Owensboro.

        Opening statements in the trial of Charles L. Stewart, 57, of Eva, Ala., are scheduled for this morning in U.S. District Court. Jurors were selected Tuesday.

        Mr. Stewart is charged with conspiracy to commit murder for hire and three counts of aiding, abetting and murder for hire in the February 1999 deaths of two men and in the March 1999 attempted murder of one of his alleged conspirators.

        Killed were Aaron “Jack” Norris, 77, of Robards, and James Nichols, 56, of Eva.

        On Tuesday, prosecutors unsuccessfully sought to present evidence they said would show Mr. Stewart was involved in another slaying he has not been charged with, The Gleaner of Henderson reported in a story to be published today.

        The murder allegation involves former Henderson resident James “Brother” Corbett, 55. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lesousky said the government can prove that in June of 1997, Mr. Stewart killed Mr. Corbett because he was afraid Mr. Corbett had informed authorities about a crime the two committed.
       

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