COLD SPRING — The Cold Spring Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended that City Council approve plans for a Ruby Tuesday restaurant.

        The restaurant is planned for the intersection of the AA Highway and U.S. 27 near the Meijer store, said City Clerk Carol Huber.

        Council is expected to vote on the recommendation at its Jan. 16 meeting.

        Ruby Tuesday is a 29-year-old Knoxville, Tenn.-based chain of about 500 family-style restaurants, most of which are in the East and Midwest, according to the company's Web site.
       

Erlanger families to skate free

               ERLANGER — Families who live here can enjoy free ice skating as part of a city-sponsored recreation program.

        The event will be 6 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. Saturday at the Northern Kentucky Ice Center, 2638 Anderson Road in Crescent Springs. Skates will be provided, if needed.

        For information, call Kathy Cahill, who oversees parks and recreation as well as community development for the city of Erlanger, at (859) 727-7955.
       

Preservationist to attend training

               COVINGTON — Kate Carothers, the historic preservation/community development specialist for Covington, is among 35 participants who will take part in an upcoming National Trust Preservation Leadership Training Institute.

        Ms. Carothers will attend a weeklong institute in mid-January at historic St. Simons Island, Ga.

        Participants will study issues related to African-American heritage tourism and growth management on St. Simons Island.

        The institute will emphasize preservation issues,including techniques and strategies.
       

Troupe to present performance

               COVINGTON — The Troubadours Educational Teen Theatre Troupe of the Northern Kentucky Health Department will present its 2002 public preview performance on Jan. 19.

        The performance will be at 5 p.m. in the Holmes High School auditorium, 25th Street and Madison Avenue.

        Nineteen students representing Northern Kentucky high schools will provide peer education through this play focusing on school violence.

        Teens and adults are invited to the free performance.

        For information, contact Jennifer Kroger at (859) 578-7660.
       

Workshop on talks with teens offered

               LAKESIDE PARK — The Northern Kentucky Health Department is offering a parent/teen communication workshop, “Finding the Middle Ground: Clearing the Way for Healthier Parent/Teen Communication.”

        The workshop will be 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Lakeside Christian Church, 195 Buttermilk Pike. Advance registration, including a light meal, costs $15 per adult/teen pair, and is due by Jan. 15.

        On-site registration, excluding a meal, is $20.

        The workshop will provide a chance for one-on-one communication by taking part in facilitator-led activities, including active listening and fighting fair.

        To register, call Jody Christerson at (859) 578-7660.
       

5 people arrested on drug charges

               BURLINGTON — Four adults and a juvenile were arrested on drug charges Monday by the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force at a Jennifer Court residence.

        The five were observed smoking marijuana, strike force officials said.

        Adults arrested were:

        • Lisa A. Ravenscraft and Charles W. Chipman, both of Burlington, charged with trafficking in marijuana within 1,000 yards of a school, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful transaction with a minor.

        • Aaron N. Garcia, 18, Burlington, charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

        • Kevin Woods, no age available, charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

        The 17-year-old was charged as a juvenile.
       

Electric blanket for dog leads to fire

               LEXINGTON — To keep their cancer-stricken dog warm when temperatures dipped into the single digits Saturday night, Kim Humphries and her mom, Linda Rayburn, moved the doghouse under the deck and tucked an electric blanket inside.

        Lexington firefighters say that blanket started a fire that nearly engulfed Ms. Humphries' home early Sunday morning.

        Axel, a 13-year-old boxer recovering from surgery, escaped the fire. Ms. Humphries, 33, and her two sons were not home when it broke out shortly after 8 a.m.

        The fire traveled up the back side of the house and into the attic, destroying about half of the roof and causing major damage to the attic and second floor.
       

Woman killed by car after wreck

               CORBIN — A Knox County woman walking from the scene of a traffic accident to get help died Saturday after she was hit by another car, Corbin police said.

        Gertrude T. Hagerman, 55, of Gray, died at Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin, police said.

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