Keith Morris, a company spokesman, said site preparation for the $8 million project has begun with construction to start in the summer or fall. The opening is scheduled for the fall of 2005.

The store will grow from 119,000 square feet to just over 200,000 square feet. Employment will also roughly double to about 500 with 170 of the new hires full-time positions, Morris said.

GOP FOLLIES: Kenton County Republicans have given Democrats a Christmas present with the party's messy handling of a gubernatorial appointment for Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd.

What should have been a proud moment for the Kenton GOP - their top leader being tapped for a key administrative post by the first Republican governor in 32 years - turned into a political power struggle that has made the party look splintered and petty.

The Democrats have termed the entire episode The Gong Show.

Murgatroyd was poised to accept the No. 2 spot in the Transportation Cabinet. Granted, it's not the most high-profile gig in Frankfort. And being offered No. 2 position is an explicit reminder that he was passed over for the top post.

But so greased was the deal that a press conference was scheduled for Monday morning in Frankfort. Murgatroyd would leave office and Gov. Ernie Fletcher appoint Scott Kimmich, the judge's long-time and fiercely loyal deputy, as his interim replacement. He's the guy that really runs the county on a day-to-day basis, so the transition would be mostly seamless.

But leaders on Kenton County's Republican Executive Committee - which over the years has careened from brilliant to buffoonish - got nervous about Kimmich and wanted someone they viewed as more electable.

Homebuilder Ralph Drees was recruited, but Murgatroyd has balked out of concern about Kimmich's future.

Meanwhile, Democrats are almost assured of putting up Fort Mitchell lawyer Patrick Hughes to run should Murgatroyd ultimately take the state government job. Hughes lost to Murgatroyd last year, but he is by far the Dems' best candidate.

The election will be held in the fall.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY: There will be a Democratic primary for Campbell County's Kentucky state House seat being vacated by Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder.

Wilder City Councilman Dennis Keene has filed for the race. Campbell County Commissioner Ken Rechtin is also running. No Republicans have entered the race.

---

THEY SAID IT: "Ho, ho, ho." - Santa Claus

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com