Grand jury indicts 2 in Halloween robbery

        FORT THOMAS — Two Covington men could face up to 50 years behind bars if convicted of felony charges stemming from a home invasion-style robbery last Halloween.

        Indicted Thursday by a Campbell County Grand Jury were Daniel Barker, 32, who is being held in the Kenton County Jail, and David Lienhart, 32, who is at large, authorities said.

        Each was indicted on one count of first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and kidnapping, said Lt. Mark Dill of Fort Thomas Police. The two also were indicted as persistent felony offenders, which would add another 10 years to any sentence received if they are convicted of any of the other charges.

        Two men in Halloween masks entered a home in the 100 block of North Fort Thomas Avenue last Halloween and tied up a woman in her 60s, police said.

        Authorities said the woman was tied up with a cord from the house while the two men ransacked the home looking for valuables.
       

Family fishing derby to teach kids basics

        COVINGTON — The Kids All-American Fishing Derby will be presented from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8 at Mills Road Park.

        The event is sponsored by Kenton County Parks and Recreation and Wal-Mart.

        “Don't worry if you have never fished before,” said Steve Trauger, Kenton County Parks & Recreation programs coordinator. “We will have everything necessary for you and your child to enjoy a great day of fishing — spincast rods and reels, hooks, bobbers and live bait.”

        Kenton County Parks and Recreation Department will introduce youths to good conservation habits by practicing “catch and release” during the event.

        However, participants won't go hungry. There will be free hot dogs, chips and cold drinks for all participants.

        Children will receive a packet of fishing-related materials, and parents will get a booklet titled Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs.

        For information, call 525-PLAY.
       

Book sale to benefit Kenton County library

        COVINGTON — Thousands of new and used books will be for sale May 31 as part of a sidewalk sale sponsored by the Friends of the Kenton County Public Library.

        The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Mary Ann Mongan Library at 502 Scott Blvd. In case of rain, the sale will be moved into the library's main lobby.

        Books, videos, CDs and cassettes will be sold with prices ranging from 50 cents to $4. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the library.

        The Friends of the Kenton County Public Library is a volunteer organization that raises funds for the library through membership and book sales. For information on the sale or on becoming a friend, contact Jane Pfarner at (859) 491-7610.
       

Toni Morrison novel topic of presentation

        COVINGTON — Toni Morrison's bestselling book, Beloved, will be the topic of a free program presented by Friends of the Mary Ann Mongan library at 7 p.m. June 3.

        The book is based on the true story of a slave, Margaret Garner, who killed one of her children upon their capture in an Ohio home, rather than see her child brought up as a slave.

        The program will be presented by Don Thomas, a local historian and vice president of Friends of the Library.

        For directions to the Mary Ann Mongan Library call (859) 491-7610 or visit www.kenton.lib.ky.us. The Friends of the Library will host its annual meeting a half-hour before the program begins.
       

Barlow asks for new canvass of Tuesday vote

        FRANKFORT — Paducah businessman Tom Barlow, who stunned the establishment by finishing about 1,000 votes short of Lois Combs Weinberg in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, asked Thursday for a recanvass of the vote.

        Mr. Barlow's request arrived by fax in the office of Secretary of State John Y. Brown III, a spokeswoman said.

        In a canvass completed Thursday of all 120 county clerk offices by The Associated Press, Ms. Weinberg's lead over Mr. Barlow was 716 votes. While the AP showed Ms. Weinberg with 230,404 votes to Mr. Barlow's 229,688, the secretary of state's office reported Ms. Weinberg with 230,337 votes to Mr. Barlow's 229,348, or a 989-vote difference.

        The State Board of Elections is scheduled to meet on June 14 to certify the vote.
       

Agriculture secretary lauds conservationists

        GREENSBURG — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman spoke at a ceremony Thursday that recognized conservation projects taking place along the Green River.

        Ms. Veneman and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., were on hand to inaugurate a program developed in August that involves not only conservationists, but also farmers.

        The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program provides cost share incentives and rental payments to farmers who voluntarily agree to take their land out of production and place it in conservation programs, according to Richie Kessler, the Green River project director for The Nature Conservancy.

Biotech company plans Springfield plant

        FRANKFORT — Alltech announced on Thursday it will open a production and research facility in Springfield.

        The Nicholasville-based multinational biotechnology company will hire approximately 20 people in the first year with salaries of about $30,000 annually, said Fran Carney, Development Specialist for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, and a Washington County native.

        The facility will include a research and development center and house the state's first biorefinery, capable of producing more products with less natural resources.

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