3 workers rescue kids from sinking car

Three construction workers dove into a pond in Boone County Thursday afternoon, rescuing two young children from a sport-utility vehicle that rolled into the water.

The children's mother had stopped to talk to workers at a construction site where her family's new home was being built in the Manor Estates development at Porter Plantation off Porter Road in Verona.

The SUV was parked when it slipped out of gear and rolled down a hill into the pond. Brick layers Andy Fitzpatrick, Gerald McDaniel and Vernon Egon went into the water and pulled out the children.

"They are actually heroes," said Tom Scheben, spokesman for the Boone County Sheriff's Department. "They dove in the lake and rescued the kids from a sinking vehicle."

The children, ages 2 and 4, were unharmed, said Scheben.

Tom Webster, owner of Tow America, was called to pull the SUV out of the pond. He estimated the SUV was at least 15 feet under water and 80 feet from the bank.

Pair accused of putting their child in dog cage

The owners of a dog-grooming service in Covington are accused of putting their 7-year-old in a dog cage at their business as punishment.

Christopher and Khrisstofor Dugan of the 1700 block of Garrard Street each face one charge of endangering the welfare of a minor. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $500 fine.

Social service workers said some of the couple's children told them their 7-year-old sibling was put in a cage at their business, Joe's Grooming Center at 311 E. 17th St. Investigators said they went to the couple's business in response to an anonymous complaint. They found the couple's five children locked in a room behind a solid wooden gate, according to court records. The children have been removed from their parents' home.

Kenton County Chief Prosecutor Ken Easterling vows that his office will try to put the couple in jail. The parents refused to comment.

Two turtles leave aquarium to be set free

Monday morning, two turtles that you may have seen at the Newport Aquarium will make their way to a permanent home - Bald Head Island off the coast of North Carolina.

The 150-pound loggerhead named Fisher and 25-pound sea turtle spent the weekend traveling with aquarium biologists who are setting them free Monday.

Take heart, turtle lovers. The loggerhead will only be as far away as the Internet. To get a glimpse of this one, log on to www.seaturtle.org. Fisher will have a satellite transmitter attached to his shell so that biologists can track him. And you can watch him too, from home.

Florence to get stolen money back

Florence officials announced last week that they will recover more than $4 million that its former finance director stole.

"It should be a relief to taxpayers that the funds will be back in the proper location," Mayor Diane Whalen said Thursday.

The recovery from settlements and agreements the city has reached with people and businesses it accused of profiting from Ron Epling's theft.

3 recent drownings at Williamstown Lake

There have been three drownings at Williamstown Lake in less than three weeks, and rescue workers say none of the victims was wearing a life jacket.

The latest drowning occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Charles Ray Abdon, 50, of Demossville, drowned after a speedboat hit his fishing boat head on, said Williamstown Police officials.

Previous drowning victims were:

m Everett Stroub, 85, of Cynthiana, drowned June 25 when the boat he was fishing in sank after it developed engine problems and began taking on water.

m Kenneth Straub, 25, of Williamstown, drowned June 21 while swimming in the lake.