Child's lighter play routs family of six

COVINGTON - A family of six was displaced after a fire damaged their home Thursday.

The Covington Fire Department was called to 325 Pleasant St. at 10:40 a.m. Assistant Chief Mike Rabe said the blaze was started by a 4-year-old playing with a lighter in a bedroom.

Roxanne Rodriguez and three of her children, including the 4-year-old, escaped without injuries.

The fire was contained to the bedroom, but the rest of the home had smoke damage. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 to $20,000 in damage.

The Red Cross was assisting the family with temporary housing.

Hiring eased for experienced cops

COVINGTON - City commissioners have made it easier for police officers working in Ohio to become a Covington Police officer.

Candidates who want to switch from out-of-state departments will now need only to undergo two to three weeks of training about Kentucky's statutes instead of having to take Kentucky's full 16-week basic training program in Richmond.

In other changes, candidates no longer need to have 30 hours of college credit to become a Covington officer. They can avoid that requirement if they served 24 months of continuous active duty in the military or served five years as a municipal, county or state police officer.

Teams will check smoke detectors

FORT THOMAS - The fire department will be conducting its annual smoke detector blitz on Saturday.

Students from Highlands High School's honor program will be assisting, and the American Red Cross is providing some material. Teams will canvass the Clover Ridge area from 9 a.m. to noon. If homeowners allow them in, they will check to make sure there is a working smoke detector.

Each year the fire department selects a section of the city in which to conduct the blitz.

Any resident of Fort Thomas who does not have a smoke detector and cannot afford one, or needs assistance in changing batteries or installing a detector, can call the fire department at (859) 441-8393.

Floodwall art dedication today

COVINGTON - A balloon launch and pioneers in period dress will be on hand this morning for the unveiling of the first two panels in the Roebling Murals project at the base of the Suspension Bridge.

The 10:30 a.m. ceremony will be in the parking lot below the floodwallIn case of rain, contact Forward Quest at (859) 291-2020 for an alternate location.