Mold Remediation in Covington, KY

COVINGTON, Ky. — Two Northern Kentucky counties have declared a state of emergency after storms brought heavy rain, flooding, mudslides and more this week.

Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery said in a press release the state of emergency allows emergency resources to be fully activated to support recovery efforts and protect the safety and well-being of residents.

"Widespread flooding has impacted our homes, businesses, and roads," said Judge/Executive Steve Pendery. "I want to personally thank our first responders, road department crews, and those community members who have worked around the clock to keep our community safe."

If you can, consider donating to help those who are affected by these most recent major floods here.

Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said a damage assessment will be conducted in the coming days, but several areas remain inaccessible due to flooding. The county's Office of Emergency Management will work with local jurisdictions as relief efforts begin.

Below is a current list of road closures in Kenton County:

According to Campbell County's release, the Campbell County Office of Emergency Management has begun working with Kentucky Emergency Management to coordinate damage assessments and disaster recovery assistance."This is one of the most widespread flooding events our county has seen in years," said William R. Turner, Director of the Campbell County Office of Emergency Management. "Our team is working around the clock with local and state partners to assess the damage and get help where it’s needed most. We ask residents to stay alert, avoid flooded areas, and sign up for Smart911 — it’s one of the best ways to stay informed and protect your family."

The county is encouraging anyone who has damage as a result of the storms and floodwaters to click here to submit a report.

If anyone needs a large item hauled away, Campbell County Trash Voucher Program is providing free, unlimited trash vouchers for those impacted by the flooding. Visit Campbell County's website for more information.

Campbell County officials said one of the biggest challenges has been road closures caused by high water and mudslides.

One of the worst examples of this was on Friday, when a portion of Mary Ingles Highway in Campbell County was closed due to a mudslide. The road has since reopened.

Below is a current road closure list in Campbell County:

COVINGTON, Ky. – It’s a good thing St. Patrick Day is on Monday (we’re writing about here in the weekend anyway), because that mighty full moon and the total eclipse in Virgo is messing with everything. If you’ve felt like biting the head off a rattlesnake, it’s entirely understandable. The point being that, beer, whether green or amber -- and flowing freely – will be most welcome.

Folks wearing of green (maybe drinking “green”). Moon festivals with moon-themed cocktails. Fortunately there’s an art exhibit opening about rituals that will make it all make sense.

As always, there’s more to do, like listen to live music, play bingo, learn to sew, shop for locally grown and produced food items, and crochet with kittens.

Oh, and get free seeds for your garden. (Just make sure you check the Farmer’s Almanac before planting, because, well, you know, rituals and all).

Kickstart your garden

It’s generally the case that good things come in small packages and that the best things in life are free.

Prepare to receive both on Friday. That’s when the Kenton County Cooperative Extension Seed Giveaway at the Kenton County Public Library happens. Eight packs per household, and be sure to bring proof that you’re a Kenton County resident (like a piece of mail or your driver’s license).

It’s a great way to get motivated to sink your hands into the soil to start the makings of your finest garden yet. And this year? Well, that food could come in handy.

Beneath the glow of the moon

Creative House of Art & Design invites you to step into a world of mystical wonders on Friday for its Full Moon Fest.

Tarot and palm readings will uncover the path ahead for you, and tantalizing cocktails (inspired by the Full Blood Moon in Virgo) will transport and enchant your senses. Soothsayers say it’s time to let go of all that nonsense that’s dragging you down … so do it.

The wearing of the green (the drinking of the beer)

In the event that you did not book a flight to Dublin this weekend, you’ll be happy to know that lively celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day (though officially on Monday) will abound in The Cov at an array of watering holes and other esteemed establishments.

Here are places to don your green and shamrock-themed attire (and please share the names of any others we’ve missed here):

St. Patrick’s on 7th Bar Crawl with Braxton Brewing Co., The Well, and Old Towne Tavern on Saturday … St. Paddy’s Day Practice Day on Saturday and Saint Patrick’s Day (itself) at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant on Monday … St. Paddy’s Day Party at Smoke Justis on Monday … Saint Patrick’s Day at Cock and Bull MainStrasse on Monday.

Those habits of yours

Maybe yours is that raggedy old ballcap that you wear when you watch the ’Cats play basketball because … if you don’t … they’re sure to lose. Planning to wear a touch of green on Monday?

Rituals.

The Notations on Ritual exhibit opens Saturday at The Carnegie, and at noon there’s a Curator and Artist Walkthrough with Sso-Rha Kang.

The exhibit is curated by Kang and explores the theme of ritual – from objects that we hold with reverence to superstitions that dictate behavior.

Notations on Ritual goes beyond your lucky basketball game ballcap but doesn’t discount it, as it oscillates between the sacred and banal (and you can guess which category your ballcap fall in). It points out that rituals take form in all range of things, words, gestures, and more.

Sometimes they’re spiritual, sometimes meaningless, but generally they conjure feelings like safety, joy, comfort, and fear. And, yes, sometimes a feeling of victory.

Great balls of yarn!

Open Yarn Night with Rescue Cats at Purrfect Day Cat Café on Sunday conjures up images of tiny kitty paws unraveling yarn balls and creating a maze of tangles.

In reality, it’s a night of crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, and more to create new projects in a roomful of furry friends. Bring your own project, if you like, because PDCC will have only crochet items on hand, if needed.

(Also, “in reality,” that yarn maze just might happen.)

Live music

Tonight: The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant.

Friday: Chef Boyarbeatz with Yum Yum & Agora at Galaxie … Kyle Knapp at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … Agnostic Front at Madison Live … Thunderstruck “America’s AC/DC” at Madison Theater … Mike Wade Quartet at Juniper’s.

Saturday: Maddy O’Neal at Galaxie … Liam’s Fancy at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … The Decently Obscene Comedy Show at Madison Live … The Gimlets at Juniper’s.

Sunday: Jazz Brunch with Angie Coyle at Juniper’s … Tophouse with The Wildwoods at Madison Theater.

Miscellaneous

Tonight: Intro to Sewing at Kenton County Public Library … Disco Bingo at Galaxie.

Saturday: Covington Farmers Market at Braxton Brewing Co. … MainStrasse Village Food Tour.

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COVINGTON, Ky. — An early Tuesday morning fire in Covington that could be seen from across the Ohio River left one home destroyed and another damaged.

The Covington Fire Department responded to the fire in the 1200 block of Parkway Avenue, near Devou Park, at approximately 1:45 a.m.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from one of the homes, which was engulfed in flames.

According to crews at the scene, no one was injured.

Neighbors in the area rushed to call for help and then threw a brick at one of the house's doors to wake up the family inside.

Chelsea Light came home from work saw a massive cloud of smoke coming from one of the homes.

Watch more from the scene below:

“I was just walking my dog and saw the fire, so I yelled at my kid's dad to call 911, and I ran to the fire department," said Chelsea Light. "I got to the fire department, came back and then we both had to work on waking them up. We had to throw a brick at their door because they were sleeping.”

Neighbors told us the people who used to live in one of the houses moved out a couple of weeks ago.

"It was empty you know I don't know who owns it but nobody was living in there," Light said.

Crews said everyone in the nearby home that caught fire got out safely. Five people were displaced. Eight pets were also rescued from the home.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Flames could be seen from drivers on the Brent Spence Bridge.

More NKY news:

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Photos from a 2019 time capsule unveiling event at the former IRS site. The time capsule was placed behind the Cornerstone of the IRS building when the building was dedicated in 1966.

City partnering with library, LINK nky for submittal event

in April for Central Riverfront ‘burial’ in May

COVINGTON, Ky. – Fifty years from now, Covingtonians will gather at the Covington Central Riverfront neighborhood for the opening of a time capsule that will be installed this May within the wall of a new promenade on Russell Street.

But what those leaders find in 2075 is largely up to you.

The “Fill a Time Capsule” submittal event happens Saturday, April 12, in front of the Latonia Branch of the Kenton County Public Library, and the City wants all Covington citizens to have an opportunity to submit items for consideration.

“We want to offer every resident, business, and organization in Covington the opportunity to let future generations know what life was like in The Cov in 2025,” said Covington Economic Development Director Tom West. “Even though the time capsule is just a small box, we have come up with a way for all 40,000 Covingtonians to get inside for the 50-year journey to the future.”

The City is partnering with the Kenton County Public Library and LINK nky media for the event, which will be what West describes as “a mashup of the PBS Antiques Roadshow and speed dating,” with former WCPO anchor Evan Millward as its host.

It happens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

LINK nky has asked Norse Media students from Northern Kentucky University to record a video of residents as, one-by-one, they give a 10- to 15-second explanation of why they’d like their item included. For LINK nky, it’s an opportunity to capture the memories of Covington residents.

"Our job is to tell the story of the Northern Kentucky community, and this will be a really fun way to preserve those stories for future generations,” said Lacy Starling, president and CEO of LINK nky.

The capsule’s dimensions (20 inches by 16.2 inches by 16 inches) won’t allow every item to be included. But Norse Media students will edit the video of the submittal pitches from Saturday’s event into a video file and store it on a flash drive to be placed inside the time capsule. Hence, to West’s point, in some capacity all submitted items will be included, even if only via the video pitch.

Kenton County Public Library executive director Dave Schroeder said the library is proud to play a role in the project.

“This time capsule will not only provide a snapshot of Covington in 2025 but will also highlight the rich culture and innovation of the community’s people - the heart and soul of Covington,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder and staff from the library’s Local History and Genealogy Department, and Covington First Lady Angela Washington, wife of Mayor Ron Washington, will curate selected items from the submittal event to go into the capsule.

Washington said she looks forward to helping select memorable items from the residents of the city that her husband so loves.

“I am not from Covington but have learned a great deal about the city because my husband is, and he loves it so much,” said Washington. “I am excited to assist with putting the time capsule together and love that the current residents will help decide what will go in it. It’s so thrilling to think about residents 50 years from now opening the time capsule and literally touching our generation! I am eager to see what Covingtonians recommend.”

Contents will be finalized by April 30 in time for the time capsule dedication on Tuesday, May 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the corner of Russell Street and Stewart Alley at the Covington Central Riverfront. The dedication will follow the presentation of the City’s annual Authenti-CITY and Historic Preservation Awards.

“In 50 years, we don’t want this to be like Geraldo Rivera opening Al Capone’s vault: empty!,” West said. “We want The Cov to come forward with all kinds of things they think will interest people in the future.”

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City: Proposed legislation to erase vacation-rental regs would undermine neighborhoods’ character

COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington is voicing its opposition to a well-financed attempt in the Kentucky General Assembly to give out-of-state vacation rental platforms like Airbnb the unfettered right to operate in cities like Covington on their own terms.

The attempt – currently in the form of Senate Bill 110 but with the likelihood of its provisions being “jumped” to another bill further along in the legislative process – forces a number of changes in how cities regulate short-term or vacation rentals.

But those changes amount to this: They take away local voices and local controls.

“Covington leaders spent almost four years engaging with its property owners and neighborhood advocates to find the proper balance that works for our unique community,” Mayor Ron Washington said. “Our intent – and we believe we succeeded – was to retain property owners’ ability to create businesses and make money while also preserving the residential character of our neighborhoods, safeguarding the availability of housing here, and protecting our residents from the negative effects of bad actors who are using these rentals for parties.”

Covington is joining the Kentucky League of Cities and other cities in Northern Kentucky, like Newport and Independence, in urging state legislators not to pass the legislation. The language is currently housed in Senate Bill 110 but could be moved as a committee substitute into House Bill 490, which is further along in the legislative process.

Among other things, SB 110 seeks to prohibit all local governments from requiring the operator of a short-term rental to obtain a conditional use permit or imposing density-based restrictions on short-term rentals.

Those density-based restrictions were at the heart of four years of discussion in Covington, which began in December 2020, as seen at “Covington to regulate ‘Airbnbs.’ ” The back-and-forth community response culminated in June 2024, when the City last tweaked its regulations, as seen at “City streamlines process for obtaining short-term rental license.”

During that period, the City set a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new short-term rental licenses, saying the situation had “gotten out of control” as property owners and out-of-town businesses largely operating under the radar illegally were turning historic neighborhoods into de facto hotel districts. That had disrupted life in residential areas; created problems with parking, litter, and noise; cost City taxpayers money; and decreased the availability of housing.

The pause gave the City time to hold an aggressive public input campaign, including a survey that elicited over 250 written comments and testimony from almost 50 people during two public hearings.

Overwhelmingly, people in Covington – no matter whether they were neighbors of short-term rentals or lawful short-term rental operators – wanted any regulation to be set by local officials, Mayor Washington noted.

“In Covington, we believe in listening to our residents and businesses,” the Mayor said. “We are not in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach to this issue. It is my hope that legislators will not consider the legislation being championed by one single national corporate group during this session. Instead, I invite them to take time during the interim to visit Covington to learn more about the unique character of our historic neighborhoods and see how we use local control to establish the right balance between industry and community.”

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