FORT THOMAS — During National Hospice Month, the public can meet Marleen L. Burns, RN, the new director of Hospice of Northern Kentucky, at a “Hospice Cares” open house on Nov. 8.

        The open house will be from 4-7 p.m. at the Hospice of Northern Kentucky, 1403 Alexandria Pike.

        Ms. Burns succeeds Tom Bennett, who remains with the organization as chaplain and business liaison.

        At the open house, visitors can learn about the concept of hospice care and hospice services and benefits and meet staff members.

        For information, call Carol at (859) 441-6332.
       

Florence man hit, killed by taxicab

               FLORENCE — A 77-year-old man was hit and killed by a taxicab Wednesday night on Industrial Road, according to city police.

        Troy Hopkins of the 7600 block of Carole Lane was taken by ambulance to St. Luke East Hospital and then by helicopter to University Hospital. He was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arriving at University Hospital.

        Mr. Hopkins was crossing the street toward his home after getting off a TANK bus. He crossed in front of a taxicab driven by Terry Rose of Covington, said Lt. John Davis.

        Police investigators at the scene found no signs of excessive speed or traffic offenses on the part of the cab driver. Lt. Davis said there was poor visibility at the time because of heavy rain, and Mr. Hopkins was wearing dark clothing. The incident is under investigation.
       

Kenton Fiscal Court changes meeting times

               INDEPENDENCE — Kenton Fiscal Court has changed the times of two of its regular meetings to accommodate county officials' schedules.

        The fiscal court will meet at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 6. Its Nov. 13 meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Both meetings will be at the Kenton County Courthouse in Independence.
       

Man investigated in multiple robberies

               EDGEWOOD — Police are investigating whether a man who robbed a C & O United Credit Union Friday morning hit the same branch 5 1/2 months ago.

        A man walked into the branch in Heritage Center on Dixie Highway at 10:25 a.m. and demanded money. He didn't display a weapon, and no one was hurt.

        The robber is described as a white man, 35, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 150 pounds, with sandy brown hair and a smooth and mellow voice. He was wearing a green camouflage ballcap, a flannel shirt and a blue or gray bandana over his mouth.

        Police Chief Steve Vollmar said there are similarities to Friday's robbery and a holdup at the same credit union on May 11. He said the FBI will look into the possibility the same man could be responsible for other robberies in the Tristate.

        Chief Vollmar hopes someone saw the man leaving the bank. Anyone with information about the robbery can call Edgewood police at (859) 331-5911 or the local field office of the FBI at (859) 341-3901.
       

Bridge dedication Sunday in Newport

               NEWPORT — The new bridge between 13th Street and 12th and Patterson streets on the city's west side will be dedicated Sunday as the Berning-Jordan Memorial Bridge in honor of two Marines killed in action in Vietnam.

        Lance Cpl. Tom Berning, 20, lived at 123 W. 13th St., and Pfc. Gary Jordan, 20, lived on Grandview Avenue. Both men attended Newport High School.

        The dedication is being sponsored by the Lawler-Hanlon VFW Post 5662 and the city of Newport. All veterans posts are requested to attend and bring their colors and honor guard.

        For more information, call (859) 431-5565.
       

Covington woman reports robbery

               COVINGTON — A woman reported to police that two masked men barged into her bathroom Friday morning and tied her up.

        The woman, whom police wouldn't identify, said she was not sexually assaulted, but that her house was robbed.

        The incident was reported at 8:45 a.m. from a home in the 2200 block of Gribble Drive, according to a police report.

        The woman, in her 30s, told officers that two men wearing ski masks broke in while she was taking a shower. She said the men pulled her out of the bathroom, bound her feet and legs with plastic restraints, and put her in the bedroom.

        The masked men then took some items from the home. Police did not say what was taken, or the value of the items. A third man reportedly waited outside the home in a get-away vehicle.

        “She gave police officers an idea of who it might be,” said Sgt. Teal Nally. “Therefore, we don't think it was a random chance robbery.”

        Sgt. Nally said police have leads in their investigation.
       

Rare goldenrod found in forest

               CORYDON, Ind. — State ecologists documenting wildlife within the Harrison-Crawford State Forest have discovered a species of goldenrod that is considered among the rarest plants in the world.

        Three ecologists recognized the plant, called Short's goldenrod, because they had seen it in 1995 at the Falls of the Ohio State Park, where the state had tried to re-establish it, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources said. Flooding killed those plants within a year.

        The site at the Harrison-Crawford State Forest harbors one of only two known living wild populations of Short's goldenrod.

        Short's goldenrod is one of only two plant species found in Indiana that are on the federal list of endangered species.

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