NEWPORT - The city and a local church have settled a federal lawsuit over the display of three wooden crosses.

        Under the agreement filed Friday, Trinity Baptist Church, at the intersection of Fifth and Park streets, can display the 20-foot crosses whenever they want. The church will be installing concrete footers to secure the foundation within the next 90 days.

        “They can keep those crosses up 365 days a year,” said Jeffrey Shafer, a Cincinnati attorney representing the church.

        The crosses were originally put up as an Easter display.

        Aug. 2, the church filed suit in U.S. District Court in Covington, claiming the city of Newport's sign ordinance infringes on its freedom of speech. In conversations and in a July 22 letter, the city stated the crosses should be taken down, and would only be permitted under the city's temporary sign permit in the future.

        The agreement clarifies Newport residents' rights to display religious, political and other non-commercial messages on signs on their property. It also acknowledges the church did not break any laws in displaying the crosses.

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