BURLINGTON - Owners of the Florence Freedom hope to have the minor-league baseball team's assets sold by November.

The buyer would include some of the current owners but not Chuck Hildebrant, who is the focus of a federal investigation over how he obtained financing to build a new stadium, said John Schuh, the lawyer for Northern Kentucky Professional Baseball LLC.

The club's assets include some equipment and bank accounts, but also contracts such as the Frontier League franchise. The sale would pay off some of the nearly $9 million the team owes banks and contractors. But it would allow the team to emerge from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy the club filed Sept. 3 and allow the Freedom to play next year in its stadium.

Also last week, Florence attorneys asked a judge for a partial default judgment against Connie and Chuck Hildebrant because the couple failed to respond to a lawsuit the city filed against them Aug. 23. The city wants the Hildebrants to be held responsible for the $197,617 lease payment that Northern Kentucky Professional Baseball was supposed to make Aug. 10.

Lakeside Park residents billed for unwanted removal of trees

LAKESIDE PARK - It's a lot sunnier today on parts of Arcadia Avenue than it was before, but many residents say they prefer the shade.

They also don't like the bills - several hundred dollars per tree - they will receive for the removal of trees that used to stand between their street and the sidewalks.

About 20 trees, most of them large silver maples, were cut down because their root systems were harmed by the recent installation of curbs, which followed the enlargement of a water line beneath the road.

"They were becoming a liability," said Mayor Karen L. Gamel.

Residents argue that because the trees are on the city's right-of-way, the city should pay to take them down. But Councilman John R. Nienaber Jr. said City Council was advised city government "legally cannot pay for it."

Kenton Co. Fiscal Court asked to help resolve paramedic issue

KENTON COUNTY - Supporters of a special taxing district that would pay for paramedic service starting in July called this week for Kenton County Fiscal Court to take a leadership role in resolving the issue.

Otherwise, local governments will continue to explore individual solutions, weakening chances for a countywide service, Fort Mitchell City Council said Monday. Fort Wright and Villa Hills officials hinted they will consider similar resolutions.

TransCare of Kentucky Inc., the current paramedic service provider, says it can't continue operating at a deficit. In June, the cities and Kenton County Fiscal Court reached a one-year agreement with TransCare to buy time to come up with a permanent solution.

Scott Kimmich, Kenton County deputy judge-executive, said county officials are willing to work with the cities.

Covington started its own paramedic service Aug. 22. Other districts started theirs after a change in state law this year enabled local fire districts to double the tax collected.

Independence Fire District and Erlanger plan to offer advanced life support next spring. Elsmere Fire Protection District officials will likely contract with Erlanger for the service next year. Edgewood, Point Pleasant Fire District and Crescent-Villa Fire Authority, representing Crescent Springs and Villa Hills, are leaning that way. Seven other cities are hoping to form a special taxing district for paramedic service.