Comair flight makes emergency landing

        A Comair flight out of Cincinnati made an emergency landing Thursday at its destination in Grand Rapids, Mich.

        Flight 5689 developed problems with the spoiler on its right wing about noon.

        The pilot could not fix the problem while in flight, but landed the plane without incident about 1:10 p.m. There were 18 people aboard, including the crew, an airport spokesman said.
       

Companies join foes of higher payroll tax

        COVINGTON — Several Kenton County companies are supporting the legal challenge to the county's recent increase in the cap on the payroll tax.

        On Thursday, the city of Covington and Corporex Cos. filed suit in Kenton Circuit Court, challenging increased payroll taxes that many Kenton County workers have to pay now.

        Companies that have sent letters in support of the lawsuit include ACNielsen Bases, A.F. Kelly, Ashland, International Mold Steel Inc., Omnicare, R.A. Jones and Regent Communications, said Corporex spokeswoman Laura Cook.

        Kenton Fiscal Court will discuss its response to the lawsuit at a special meeting set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kenton County Courthouse, 303 Court St. in Covington.

        Effective Jan. 1, Kenton Fiscal Court raised the annual payroll tax cap from $25,000 to $80,400, the same as the Social Security cap.
       

Suspect charged in Nov. bank robbery

        COVINGTON — A man has been charged with a downtown bank robbery that took place in the fall.

        Steven C. Cisco, 44, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory Wehrman in U.S. District Court on Friday charged with the robbery of the Firstar Bank on Madison Avenue on Nov. 13.

        FBI agents arrested Mr. Cisco on Friday morning at his residence, 1217 Scott St., Covington. He was ordered held without bond pending a preliminary hearing.

        If convicted, Mr. Cisco could be sentenced to no more than 25 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
       

Murgatroyd named president of OKI

        COVINGTON — Kenton Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd has been named president of of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments.

        Mr. Murgatroyd, who is serving his first term as judge-executive, said he was excited at the chance to lead the agency.

        The OKI is the planning body for regional transportation for the Tristate, with a board comprised of city and county government officials.
       

McConnell appointed to judiciary committee

        WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitch McConnell has been appointed to a seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will give an immediate boost to John Ashcroft in his fight to win confirmation as attorney general.

        Mr. McConnell, R-Ky., said in a statement Thursday that he supports Mr. Ashcroft, a former senator and governor from Missouri. The committee is expected to vote next week on Mr. Ashcroft's confirmation.
       

Patton visit to focus on cleaner Kentucky

        FRANKFORT — Gov. Paul Patton, facing a reluctant General Assembly, is bringing his plea for a cleaner Kentucky to Covington on Wednesday.

        Mr. Patton on Thursday said he would ask the legislature to require curbside pickup of garbage for every Kentucky household by January 2003.

        Mr. Patton also said he wants a $30 million plan to clean up litter, begin a statewide recycling program and clean up an estimated 3,300 illegal dumps.

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