INDEPENDENCE — Kenton County residents can comment on $2.5 billion in transportation improvements proposed for the county during the next 30 years at three meetings the last week of August.

        “The recommendations are for improving bus service, building light rail, improving roadways and expanding bikeways and a review of bus rapid transit systems,” said Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd.

        “The recommendations amount to an investment of more than $2.5 billion by 2030 for construction, operation and maintenance of transportation facilities (including $1 billion in interstate improvements). The funding sources for some recommendations, such as light rail, will involve the public making decisions at a later date.”

        The public can comment on recommended improvements at the following meetings: 5-7 p.m. Aug. 27, Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, 2332 Royal Drive, Fort Mitchell; 5-7 p.m. Aug. 28, Kenton County Public Library in Covington, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington; and 5-7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Summit View Middle School, 5002 Madison Pike, Independence.

        The public can comment on these recommendations during the meetings through a survey asking for comments.

        The Kenton County Transportation Task Force is integrating recommended transportation improvements with Kenton County's land use plan. The task force welcomes feedback from residents via e-mail at dorymoki.org or through U.S. mail at Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments, 801-B W. Eighth St., Suite 400, Cincinnati, OH 45203.

Tree board cancels Ft. Mitchell meeting

        FORT MITCHELL — The Fort Mitchell Tree Board has canceled tonight's regular meeting for lack of an agenda.

        “Because of the drought, we've delayed our tree plantings that we had scheduled,” said City Administrator Bill Goetz. “They won't be done until fall. With no plantings, there's no reason for the board to meet.”

        The tree board's next regular meeting will be 7 p.m. Sept. 12. The meeting will be in council chambers at the Fort Mitchell City Building, 2355 Dixie Highway.

City Commission meeting canceled

        TAYLOR MILL — The city's City Commission meeting Wednesday has been canceled because of scheduling conflicts that have created a lack of a quorum. The next Taylor Mill City Commission meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the city building, 5225 Taylor Mill Road.

Library offers online research service

        COVINGTON — If you have a question and can't get to the library, you can now get help online through “Information Station,” a new feature on the Kenton County Public Library's Web site that enables you to chat one-on-one with a reference librarian from your home computer.

        “Information Station” is a live virtual reference tool that provides answers to basic reference questions through the link, www.information-station.com. In response to inquiries, librarians will search the Internet, print materials and online databases for relevant articles and send the information directly to you through chat or e-mail.

        Virtual Librarian Nicole Frilling said the Information Station will allow the library to extend its services to a larger segment of the community. “Now schools, homebound individuals, the hearing impaired and those physically unable to come to the library can have access to the vast amount of information available here,” she said.

        Information Station librarians cannot answer lengthy genealogy questions or give medical or legal advice. In some cases, they may refer you to the library if the topic requires more in-depth research tools than are available online. Information Station is available through the library's Web site during regular library hours, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

Star gazing offered at Banklick Woods Park

        INDEPENDENCE — Amateur and professional star gazers can take part in a celestial Star Gaze on Aug. 17 at Banklick Woods Park, weather permitting.

        The free program is 9-11 p.m.

        Volunteers from the Cincinnati Observatory Center, the birthplace of American astronomy, will provide telescopes and expertise in the field, describe observations, answer questions, and help open participants' eyes to the universe.

        A national historic landmark, the Cincinnati Observatory was the nation's first professional observatory. For the observatory program schedule, including community outreach, call (513) 321-5186 or visit the Web site at www.cincinnatiobservatory.org.

        For information on Kenton County Parks and Recreation programs or to volunteer, call (859) 525-7529.

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