Kentucky

CAMP SPRINGS – Campbell County police are investigating a burglary last week in which the thieves stole tens of thousands of dollars in items – including a truck.

The burglary occurred overnight last Tuesday at a house in the 6000 block of Black Road in the Camp Springs area. The homeowners were on vacation at the time of the break-in.

The burglars broke in through a basement door and stole electronics, tools, jewelry and other items from the house. They also made off with a red and white 2000 Polaris 350 quad runner, and a grey 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 extended cab pickup truck.

Police say they likely spent most of the night stealing items from the house.

It “was a pretty extensive burglary,” said Campbell County Police Lt.

(Read the full post about ‘Public asked to solve burglary’…)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Northern Kentucky University will expand employee health-care benefits, including coverage for domestic partners, putting it in the middle of a political battle over benefits for same-sex partners.

NKU regents Monday approved the benefits package, which would allow employees to add family members or others to their plan when a spouse is not covered.

It would require that the covered person live in the employee’s household for at least 12 months and be “financially interdependent” with the employee. The employee would pay the cost.

• Do you support domestic partnerships?

State Sen.

(Read the full post about ‘Same-sex benefits at NKU’…)

The drought that parched lawns and landscaping last year also hit many area residents in the wallet.

Increased water usage meant higher sanitation bills for those not in the special meter program offered by Sanitation District No. 1.

In response to customer complaints, and to avoid similar billing spikes in the future, the district will change the way it bills residential customers starting next year.

“We’re a government entity but we listen to our customers,” said Jeff Eger, Sanitation District No. 1 general manger. “Unabashedly, we’re kind of proud of it. We could say, ‘Well, that’s the way it is. Deal with it.’ But we recognized this was an issue …

(Read the full post about ‘Water billing revised’…)

COVINGTON - The First Friday Gallery Hop will happen from 6 to 10 p.m. this Friday.

Exhibitors will include the Artisans’ Enterprise Center, 25 W. Seventh St., showing work by local high school students; Bar Monet, “Eyes through Adrianna”; Bean Haus, contemporary paintings by Tim Gold; Chez Nora, “Coolest of Cool,” vocalist Saba Jazz on the rooftop at 8:30 p.m.; Christian’s Kinderladen showing Brenda McKibben; Community Action Gallery showing Diary Quilts by Dee Rosing, with an opening reception from 6-9 p.m.; Down Under with “Pass the Hat Hats” on display and available for purchase; Encore Design with original drawings and limited-edition prints by Jim Hall, Local photography by Lauren Rentz, and oils on canvas by local and international artists; Flying Cat at 713 Main St.

(Read the full post about ‘First Gallery Hop this Friday’…)

COVINGTON - Chuck Eilerman will be the recipient of the Friends of Covington’s Covington Award at the group’s 20th annual awards ceremony May 15 at The Madison.

The awards ceremony honors a champion for Covington. Chuck serves on many area boards and foundations, such as the Frank Duveneck Arts & Cultural Center, Covington Forestry Board, Covington Renaissance Board and the Covington Educational Foundation. Chuck recently became a member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee for the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

Over the years Chuck has given his time and energy to make a difference in the community and to make Covington a better place to live, work and enjoy the arts.

Chuck also demonstrates his commitment to Covington by hanging the Christmas lights, trimming the bushes and watering the flowers in Howard Park.

(Read the full post about ‘Covington Award winner named’…)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Authorities have decided not to prosecute rapper Vanilla Ice for a domestic battery charge after his wife recanted her original statement.

The 40-year-old performer, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, was arrested April 10 at the couple’s Wellington home.

Authorities said that his wife called 911 and claimed he kicked and hit her during an argument. She later told deputies he only pushed her.

In an affidavit provided to Palm Beach County prosecutors, Laura Van Winkle recants her original allegations.

She now says that any physical confrontation was accidental.

Prosecutors closed the case Tuesday.

Vanilla Ice sold 15 million copies of the single “Ice, Ice Baby” in 1990. (Read the full post about ‘Vanilla Ice Avoids Domestic Battery Charges’…)

LOS ANGELES — Vivid Entertainment is releasing a sex tape allegedly starring Jimi Hendrix.

The Los Angeles-based adult entertainment company said they obtained the footage of the music legend shot in a hotel room about 40 years ago from a memorabilia collector.

The footage features Hendrix engaging in various sexual acts with two women, according to a statement released by Vivid. The company said they consulted with several experts to authenticate the footage.

Hendrix died of a drug overdose in 1970. Seattle-based representatives for Hendrix’s estate did not want to comment about the tape.

Vivid Entertainment was also responsible for the release of celebrity sex tapes starring Kim Kardahsian and Pamela Anderson. (Read the full post about ‘Company Claims To Have Hendrix Sex Tape’…)

Britney Spears is back in the television business — at least for another guest role.

Spears returned to the set of the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” Monday to reprise her role as Abby, the dermatologist’s receptionist.

In her second appearance on the show, Abby will again be dating Barney, played by Neil Patrick Harris. (Read the full post about ‘Spears Back On Set For Another ‘Mother’’…)

With “American Idol” ratings down this year, could host Ryan Seacrest be worrying about his job security?

That appears to be the case, a source close to Seacrest is telling MSNBC.com’s The Scoop.

“Ryan is so busy turning himself in a diverse brand, one that has longevity, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to think that he isn’t worried about his job security with ‘Idol,’” the source told The Scoop.

The Scoop referenced an online market research survey that was issued last week that appeared to have a notable focus on Seacrest with the questions “I like the interaction between Ryan and the contestants” and “I like the interaction between the judges and Ryan.”

In addition, a blog on Broadcasting and Cable’s Web site references the survey, which was issued by Fox.

Blog writer Ben Grossman confirmed with a Fox executive that tweaks to the show may happen.

“We’re not in denial,” Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman told Grossman. (Read the full post about ‘Is Seacrest’s ‘Idol’ Job In Jeopardy?’…)

Nashville police arrested a country songwriter in the stabbing death of his roommate — the father of TV comic Cheri Oteri.

Richard William Fagan, 61, had been charged with criminal homicide in the Saturday night death of 69-year-old Gaetano Thomas Oteri, police said.

Authorities said the victim’s daughter, who was on the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” had been told of her father’s death.

Police initially arrested Fagan on Saturday night, charging him with DUI.

“At 10:45 on Saturday night, Fagan was stopped by a police officer on Dickerson Pike for riding on three tires,” police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Shortly after he made bond on Sunday, a friend of the roommates called police, saying their door was locked, the house appeared to be in disarray and Oteri wasn’t answering the door.

Emergency medical responders found Oteri dead in the home.

“During the fight, Mr. (Read the full post about ‘Man Charged In Death Of ‘SNL’ Comic’s Father’…)