Teen charged in use of heavy equipment

ERLANGER - After using a piece of construction equipment to pull a four-wheeler out of the mud at a construction site last week, an 18-year-old man got stuck in jail Wednesday, charged with criminal mischief in the first degree.

Chance Eubank of Crescent Springs is one of two suspects who the Erlanger and Crescent Springs police departments say caused an estimated $40,000 in damage to construction equipment Oct. 18 at the Tewes construction site, between Crescent Springs and Dolwick roads.

Erlanger police say the name of the other suspect is not being released until he is located. A witness identified the suspects to police.

Erlanger Police Lt. Kevin S. Gilpin said three vehicles - an excavator, a scraper and loader - all owned by the Carlisle Construction Co., were damaged during a party in the nearby woods.

"They played demolition derby with construction equipment," Lt. Gilpin said.

The suspects started playing with the vehicles when one of their four-wheelers got stuck in the mud.

"So they used a piece of equipment to pull it out - then played with all the equipment," Lt. Gilpin said.

Austinburg gets identity banners

COVINGTON - Neighborhood identity banners for Covington's Austinburg neighborhood will be installed this morning and dedicated at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The original banners are the result of a yearlong project to prompt dialogue among neighborhood residents, said Jean St. John, director of community arts initiatives for the Covington Community Center. The banners are being hung along Eastern Avenue, a major north-south corridor through the neighborhood.

"Reclaiming Our Lost Connections" reflects the community-development work happening in Austinburg.

The neighborhood association is working with the city and the Covington Community Center on a neighborhood redevelopment plan to bring new homes, greenspace and infrastructure improvements to the neighborhood.

Other recent community projects include the Mosaic Gateway welcome sign, the Austinburg murals and the Maryland Millennium Playground.

The 60 images painted by artist Peter D. Jaquish represent past and current families, homes and institutions that contribute to a healthy and thriving neighborhood.

They depict images from historical and recent photographs.

Reflective wristbands available for goblins

Free reflective Halloween safety wristbands for children are available at four locations in Boone County from the county's office of emergency management.

Wristbands and bags may be picked up at the following locations:

• Boone County Sheriff's Office: County administration building, 2950 Washington St, Burlington.

• Florence Police Department: Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd.

• Union City Building: 1843 Mount Zion Road.

• Walton City Hall: Main and Church streets.

For information, call Boone County Emergency Management at (859) 334-2279.