LEXINGTON — Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson has been elected secretary of the Kentucky County Attorneys Association at its August meeting.

        Mr. Edmondson, who has served as secretary since 1998, will begin another two-year term Jan. 1, 2003.

        “We select our leaders based on their contributions to the Kentucky County Attorneys Association, their leadership experience and their ability to represent a large association throughout the state,” said Steve O'Connor, president of the Kentucky County Attorneys Association. “We are fortunate to have such a fine group of leaders and are pleased that Garry will continue to lead us over the next two years.”

        During the past 30 years, Mr. Edmondson has served as city attorney, school board attorney, attorney for paramedics and the planning commission attorney. He has been Kenton County Attorney since 1993.

        “I am extremely proud that I was selected by my contemporaries to represent their interests on a statewide level,” Mr. Edmondson said. “This is a pro-active organization that historically has been very successful in addressing the needs of county attorneys and their constituents.”

Trial in bar killing starts in Kenton

        COVINGTON — The trial begins today for a man accused of fatally shooting an innocent bystander during a brawl last November at the First & Last Chance bar on Dixie Highway.

        Danny Johnson, 47, of Independence is charged with murder and two counts of assault. He faces the maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty of shooting to death Michael Lovelace, 31, of Dry Ridge.

        Mr. Johnson said he was acting in self-defense after several people jumped him but that he does not remember either shooting a man or stabbing anyone. Police have said Mr. Johnson wasn't in immediate danger when he started firing his gun in the direction of the bar's door.

        The trial in Kenton County Circuit Court could last a month if all 50 witnesses subpoenaed for the case testify.

Fall Folk Festival at Kenton Co. library

        COVINGTON — The Kenton County Public Library will host its second annual Fall Folk Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 on the grounds of the Mary Ann Mongan Library, 502 Scott Blvd.

        The festival celebrates the rich heritage and talent of Northern Kentucky, featuring free live performances on two stages and craft demonstrations throughout the day. Musical selections include blues, folk, Caribbean, country and gospel. There also will be a live bird show from RAPTOR Inc. at 1 p.m. and stories from the Appalachian mountains and Cherokee heritage at 4 p.m.

        Other activities include a Friends of the Kenton County Public Library Used Book Sale from noon to 4 p.m., wood carving, a Native American beadwork artist, a watercolor artist, face painting, appearances by Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Covington K-9 unit.

        Information: Call the library at (859) 491-7610 or visit the Web site at www.kenton.lib.ky.us.

Florence skate park topic at meeting

        FLORENCE — A proposed skate park and the city's recreation master plan will be the topics of discussion at two public meetings planned for September.

        The Florence Parks and Recreation Department will present the final design for the city's planned skate park during a Sept. 10 meeting of the Florence City Council. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd.

        On Sept. 23 the department will hold a public meeting to unveil the parks and recreation master plan, which includes a new park on Ky. 18. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in Community Room C of the government center.

        For more information, contact the city's Parks and Recreation Department at (859) 647-5439.

J.C. Watts to raise money for Geoff Davis

        COVINGTON — U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, a Republican from Oklahoma and a member of the House GOP leadership, will be in Northern Kentucky Friday to raise money for congressional candidate Geoff Davis.The event will be at 9:30 a.m. at the Fort Mitchell Country Club. Tickets are $50 a person for the breakfast and $150 for the breakfast and a photo taken with Mr. Watts.

        Mr. Davis, a Boone County Republican, is challenging U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas in November's Fourth District Congressional race. Mr. Lucas, a Boone County Democrat, is seeking a third term.

        Mr. Watts is chairman of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-highest position in GOP leadership. He is retiring at the end of the year after serving four terms in Congress.

        For more information, contact the Davis campaign at (859) 426-7760.

First "safe-place' baby brought in last week

        MAYSVILLE - An infant handed over to authorities last week apparently was the first under a law that lets parents surrender unwanted newborns without fear of being identified or prosecuted.

        The General Assembly passed the Kentucky Safe Infants Act this year. The baby given up last week was believed to be the first whose case the law covered, Mike Jennings, spokesman for the Cabinet for Families and Children, said Tuesday.

        The baby was full term, in good health and surrendered in a northeastern county, Mr. Jennings said.

        The Ledger-Independent of Maysville reported the baby was given up in its general area.

        Mr. Jennings said the cabinet would not disclose the newborn's gender or to whom it was given.

        Proponents of the law said they hoped it would reduce or eliminate incidents of newborns being abandoned in restrooms, trash bins and other public places, often with tragic consequences. For the law to be effective, anonymity must be guaranteed, Mr. Jennings said.

        “The risk is that, if we provide any information that potentially ... narrows the field of people suspected of having abandoned an infant child, then we will have diluted the trust” implicit in law, he said.

Ban temporary lots, used car dealers ask

        WHITESBURG - Some Letcher County used car dealers want out-of-town dealers banned from setting up temporary sales lots in Whitesburg.

        Local dealers are asking the Whitesburg City Council to adopt an ordinance that would require car dealers to operate only from a permanent business location.

        The issue arose last week after a Lexington dealership set up a four-day sale in Whitesburg for the second year in a row.

        Lula Caudill, one of the owners of Main Street Auto in Whitesburg, said allowing Lexington car dealers into the county hurts local business people.

        “Its not just us, its all the dealerships around here,” she said.

        Other local governments in eastern Kentucky have considered similar ordinances. Pike County banned the out-of-towners at the request of local dealers in June.

— Compiled from staff and wire reports

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