DRY RIDGE, Ky. — A man was airlifted to the hospital Monday afternoon after he was shot by his daughter in Dry Ridge, Ky., according to police.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office said deputies, Kentucky State Police and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife responded to a call on Michigan Avenue after 3:45 p.m. Monday. When they arrived, they found a 67-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The man was then flown to UC Medical Center for treatment. Police said the man is stable, but whether he still needs surgery is unclear.

The sheriff's office said they believe 49-year-old Patricia Deering, the victim's daughter, pulled the trigger. She was taken into custody and sent to the Grant County Detention Center and has been charged with one count of first-degree assault and one count of first-degree wanton endangerment.

If convicted on both charges, Deering could face up to 25 years in prison; she could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years for the assault charge and receive up to five years for the endangerment charge.

COVINGTON, Ky. — Have you ever looked at the side of a building a pictured a mural? How about some green space and benches to fill it?

You now have a chance to make that vision a reality with Covington's new competitive grant program.

"Just some little quirky thing that someone wants to do to make a difference in the community and help create that bold, vibrant, quirky sense of place that we're about in Covington," said Kyle Snyder, the project's manager.

The Quality of Place Grant Program encourages anyone in the city — be it a citizen, group or business — to offer ideas on how to creatively enhance the physical appearance of one of the business districts or nodes, build a sense of place through improvements, new works of public art or public gathering places.

"It could be a small piece of art someplace, it could be seating to activate an area, you know after BLINK we're all engaged with lighting and how lighting on the underside of a bridge or a tree could really make a big difference," Snyder said.

Spearheaded by the city's economic development team, Snyder hopes the project will not only bring creative benefits but also economic ones.

"You know, if you stop in and you buy a coffee and you walk around, you want to be engaged, and we want the city to engage people," he said. "We want people to visit, fall in love with it, move here, start a business here and just kind of help the city grow what it is and what it's going to become."

Project leaders say while demonstrated support from adjacent property owners is not necessary where people's ideas are being proposed, their buy-in will make applications more competitive.

The city has allocated $125,000 for the grant this fiscal year, and applicants can request a grant of $1,000 to $30,000.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 18 at 4 p.m. Find information on how to apply here.

Project leaders hope to introduce the new works by next summer, bringing an emboldened look to "The Cov."

"We are branding ourselves, hopefully, as the bold side of the river," Snyder said. "You cast your net and you get what you get and that's the fun of it."

NEWPORT, Ky. — As construction goes vertical on Newport's long-awaited Ovation project, its developers and architects are using the technology behind a popular video game to visualize how it will look when it's completed. And it's all done using just an Xbox controller.

"Honestly, I don't play Fornite myself but this whole interactive experience was built using the same technology, same software they used to build Fortnite," said architectural visualization artist Ryan Fellers.

It's also the same technology that brings the Disney+ show "The Mandalorian" to life.

Using Unreal Enginetools and drone photography, Fellers has been able to recreate downtown Cincinnati, Newport, and Covington in a virtual world. And then he worked with the Corporex team designing Ovation to make it as realistic a recreation as possible.

It serves as a chance to make tweaks to the design once that team gets to 'walk' through the development, seeing it as a resident or visitor would. In one instance, designers noticed they needed to make minor changes to the parking garage until the next phase is built.

"This allows everyone to think like I am," said Mark Bischoff, Corporex's director of architecture and design. "It's like what I see when I'm thinking about the next project or the next phase."

The sales team also now uses it to show prospective condo buyers the view from their condo balcony over the boardwalk section of the development.

"We can change time of day, from sunrise to sunset," Fellers said. "[We can] change what month we're looking at it, see how the shadows change."

The 25-acre development is already starting to open. MegaCorp Pavilion, an indoor-outdoor concert and event venue, has been booking acts for more than one year. An office tower next door to it on Third Street will welcome its first tenants in May and is about half leased. A Homewood Suites hotel should open this summer, according to a Corporex spokesperson.

Then, a pedestrian bridge over Third Street will open, welcoming people into what will be Illumination Square and apartment and condo buildings opening in 2024.

In all, the mixed-use development will open in three phases with more than 1,000 residential units, a membership health club, more than 500 hotel rooms, and hundreds of thousands of square feet of retail and office spaces. Plus, the boardwalk will connect to the Riverfront Commons trail system and the Gen. James Taylor Park, on the other side of the levee wall.

"This will allow the city of Newport to connect to the riverfront like never before," Bischoff said.

In fact, the visualization technology has allowed local civic leaders to see how the project fits on top of the existing levee wall, a years-long project in conjunction with the Army Corps of Enigneers, and connects to the green space on the other side of the levee.

The Ovation Experience Center is now open next to MegaCorp Pavilion, where you can use this technology and learn more about the residential sales and development.

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COVINGTON, Ky. — A former Kenton County Detention Center deputy is accused of dealing drugs to inmates.

Curtis Malik Edwards, 26, was arrested Friday and charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance with a firearm and first-degree promoting contraband.

Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders said the jail found evidence suggesting drugs were being provided to inmates by an employee. During an investigation, agents with the NKY Drug Strike Force found narcotics in Edwards' possession when he returned to work from a lunch break.

"The jail acted quickly to put a stop to it," Sanders said in a release. "The discovery luckily landed on his off day, so the agents had a couple days to investigate before the suspect returned to work. ... He was under constant surveillance when he came back to work so the agents were able to catch him in the act."

Sanders said the investigation discovered Edwards was receiving money from people outside the jail to deliver drugs to some of the inmates. Edwards allegedly used a gun to transport the drugs into the jail.

Edwards was fired upon his arrest. Sanders said more charges could be filed against Edwards and some inmates when the case is presented to the Kenton County Grand Jury.

If convicted of his current charges, Edwards could face up to 25 years in prison. He is currently being held on a $10,000 bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 12 at 1:30 p.m.

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BURLINGTON, Ky. — Hundreds of people marched through Burlington to remember a 21-year-old shot and killed in Florence.

Dan Likiko was found shot inside his vehicle along Winthrop Circle on April 22. The suspect in his murder, 38-year-old Wayne Haggard, made his first court appearance Friday morning.

Likiko's friends and family walked from the Boone County Public Library to the courthouse for Haggard's hearing, chanting "Justice for Dan" and carrying signs that said "We love you, Dan" and "Black Lives Matter."

"We are very happy to see the community come together to support Dan, who is our brother who has died for no reason," said Bob Mukeba, a friend of Likiko.

Blake Sheely/WCPO

Many of those involved in the protest were members of the Congolese community in Northern Kentucky, and the Congolese flag could be seen wrapped around the shoulders of multiple people. Likiko's family moved here from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015.

"This is a very hard time for us," said Didieo Diakandu, a member of the Congolese Community of Northern Kentucky. "Just a young man, 21-year-old being killed by the neighbor. We cannot live like that."

RELATED | 'He was a beautiful soul': Family remembers 21-year-old shooting victim

Initial investigation by police revealed Likiko was involved in some type of altercation with people on Wintergreen Court, which led to shots being fired. Haggard's family claims the computer technology student threatened him.

Likiko's mother was in attendance. She was visibly emotional as her son, Likiko's older brother Romuald, spoke.

"It's crazy ... I'm trying to put the pieces together over what exactly happened, but there's no explanation at all because he was not on his property," Romauld Likiko said. "He's calling it self-defense. That's not self-defense at all."

Valerie Lyons/WCPO

Judge Marcia Thomas deemed Haggard a danger to the community and set his bond at $1 million cash. His case has also been moved to a grand jury. Haggard has a preliminary hearing set for April 28.

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FLORENCE, Ky. — Hoping to enjoy a beer with friends after a hard-fought pickleball match? What if you can do both at the same place?

Another pickleball facility is coming to the Tri-State — this time with a brewery attached. The Freedom Brewing Company is partnering with The Pickleball Ranch on a new 12,000-square-foot facility that will include pickleball courts, an indoor/outdoor brewery, brew pub-style restaurant and taproom.

Located directly behind Thomas More Stadium on Freedom Way, the facility's rooftop and lower-level patios will offer views of both the stadium and the facility's six pickleball courts. The lower-level patio will also include a space for live entertainment.

"The Freedom Brewing Company and The Pickleball Ranch @FBC look to work closely with the City of Florence & the Florence Y’alls to create a true entertainment district gem and a one-of-a-kind social and lifestyle experience for fans of brewery & craft beer, baseball, pickleball, and live entertainment," Pete Robinson, managing partner at Freedom Brewing Company, said in a release.

Florence Mayor Dr. Julie Metzger Aubuchon said in a release that the city's goal has always been to turn the site of the Florence Y'alls into an entertainment district.

"The project will be an asset in our area and provide us the ability to showcase our beloved hometown, in the shadow of our famous water tower, as never before," she said. "The facility will provide something for everyone and I look forward to spending time there with my family and friends."

A groundbreaking for the facility is scheduled for May 10. The facility is expected to open in the spring of 2024.

NEWPORT, Ky. — Newport Firefighters Local 45 went above and beyond the call of duty to make a few special squad runs on Christmas Eve – delivering gifts to a few families in need this holiday season.

For many, 2020 is a year they’d probably like to forget, but this holiday season, six Newport families got an opportunity they’ll probably remember for many Christmases to come.

Santa traded in his sleigh for fire engine 901.

“I know what it’s like to grow up like these kids,” said Newport firefighter Audrey Owczarzak. “This is my personal thing that I love to do for Newport firefighters.”

In past years, Santa delivered toys to the houses of each boy and girl, but because of COVID-19, most of the gifts had to be left outside.

“To see us pull up and give them something that makes them happy,” said the jolly old elf himself. “It melts your heart.”

With the help of Joseph Subaru of Florence and The Christ Hospital, Newport Firefighters helped six families including 28 children have gifts, food and other items this holiday season – along with a welcome surprise.

“My oldest son said, ‘I see Santa,’” Newport resident Tiffany Burton said.

Her five kids will get a few gifts, thanks to the support of the community.

“In prior years we've always been able to do it,” Burton said. “This year we just weren't able to. If it weren't for the fire department, my kids wouldn't have anything."

Without the firefighters and their Christmas Eve "Beyond the Call" event.

"It means a lot to me,” Burton said. “My kids have been through trauma in the last year. We became homeless. My mom took us in."

A short stop from the firefighters brings an opportunity for these families to celebrate and share a little bit of love in a tough time.

"It feels like I'm a kid all over again,” Burton said. “Just waiting for them to open it up and see what they have. Not caring about the mess afterward. Just wanting to see their face, and their expression. The magic once again."

ERLANGER, Ky. — When Jack Duncan called the Northern Kentucky Health Department's COVID-19 vaccine hotline, the agency told him there were no appointments available as doses continue to arrive at facilities across the region.

That didn't stop him.

After multiple phone calls around the region looking for an opening, the 80-year-old Air Force veteran called WCPO Wednesday asking if there was anything else he could do.

"You can see all my scribbling," he said, pointing to a sheet of notepaper. "These are telephone numbers that I called."

Kentucky residents 70 years and older became eligible to receive the vaccine earlier this month. Hospitals, health departments, federally qualified health centers and pharmacies are among the Northern Kentucky facilities that began receiving and administering the vaccines last month, but supply and personnel resources limit how quickly everyone who is eligible can get the injections.

The health official Duncan spoke with advised him to register online so he would be notified when more appointments became available.

But for those like Duncan who do not consider themselves computer savvy, signing up online only put another barrier between him and an already difficult-to-reach lifeline.

"I don't own a computer. I have no abilities on the computer," he told WCPO.

RESOURCES: Where to sign up for the COVID vaccine

WCPO put Duncan in contact with health care workers at HealthPoint Family Care, where, again, Duncan was told there were no available appointments.

"She just told me they were filled up now," he said. "They had no openings now, but would I be receptive to a cancellation if they had one? And I said, 'Do it.'"

The employee took his phone number and said they would call him if someone else canceled their appointment.

It didn't take long for Duncan's phone to ring. The next day, he was lining up to receive the first of two injections for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Robin Feltner with NKY Health told WCPO that Duncan's experience was "probably rare."

"There is usually no vaccine left over," Feltner said.

But Duncan said his experience tells him that persistence can pay off.

"I'm thankful, very thankful," he said. "It's amazing... Be persistent. Be very persistent."

It's that persistence, he said, that "means the difference between lying on a ventilator for two or three months and then eventually dying, or it means surviving another however many years the Good Lord says."

When he's sick, 61-year-old Wayne Hensley puts his life in the hands of the St. Elizabeth Healthcare team in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. When he was in urgent care two months ago, he hoped everyone he was paying to treat him could prove they were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Now that St. Elizabeth — along with the region's five other major hospital systems — have announced they will require all staff to be inoculated against the virus, Hensley said he was shocked to hear some nurses are protesting the mandate.

"I don't know if it's a game or what," Hensley told WCPO Tuesday. "They need to get a shot."

A group of nurses has planned to protest the decision Tuesday outside the Northern Kentucky hospital's Edgewood campus. Their primary reason for resisting the vaccination, they said, is because none of the three available in the U.S. has received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

READ MORE: Hospitals, unions bargaining after vaccine mandate

"Why are we rushing this?" nurse Taylor Brenner said. "Why all of a sudden did every hospital in the Tri-State mandate this all in one day? It's just, it's scary."

National health officials have said they expect the FDA to give full approval status to Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine later this summer or in early fall.

Still, Hensley remains convinced health care providers should get their shot.

"Everybody else is getting it," he said.

Patty Keith of Southgate, though, said she's not so concerned if her doctor or nurse isn't vaccinated.

"It does not matter to me," she said. "I already know they're wearing masks, their gloves, everything that they're wearing, that they have to wear already to take care of patients. So, I would be OK with that."

Cincinnati resident John Wabbington agreed with Keith but said he hopes hospital staff will at least consider getting their shots.

"I would just hope the people would actually think about it, think what's good for the patients themselves," he said.

The group of nurses planned to protest from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Edgewood.

NEWPORT, Ky. —

It was this time last year, a high-speed Cincinnati police chase ended with a crash in Newport.

Two people were killed and two people were seriously hurt.

Now loved ones and the survivors are suing those involved including the city and the officers.

It is still hard for family members to understand how a high-speed chase carried on in such busy areas.

Through their pain, they want to make sure it never happens again.

"I do not believe that my parents would forgive the police, nor forgive Mason Meyer for what happened," Angela Laible Endress said.

Endress and her family are working through incredible pain, even a year later.

Her family is fighting for justice for her parents who were killed when a high-speed chase involving Cincinnati police ended with a horrific crash outside Press Café in Newport last August.

"They were married for 55 years and they were still in love," Endress said.

Ray and Gayle Laible lived, shopped and dined in Newport.

That's what attorneys said they were doing when Mason Meyer, who was being chased, crashed into them and severely hurt Steven and Maribeth Klein nearby.

"If God came down and asked my parents, 'OK, two of you have got to pass on and two of you have got to survive' and my parents, I know in their heart would say, 'This is a young couple that have children. We've had a wonderful life. We can move on.' I believe that," Endress said.

Both families are now suing the City of Cincinnati, the officers involved: Timothy Lanter, Brett Thomas and Donald Scalf, as well as Meyer and others.

"There are plenty of days where I can't drive down that road. Absolutely not. I literally go five blocks out of the way to avoid it," Endress said.

Attorneys allege Cincinnati police officers initiated a reckless chase after Meyer, who was under investigation for selling guns.

The lawsuit said officers violated numerous policies and safety rules, and they drove more than 100 miles per hour as the pursuit spanned congested areas from Price Hill to Newport.

Attorneys said a car was sideswiped and a motorcyclist nearly toppled over.

The lawsuit says the pursuit should have been terminated because it was dangerous and officers knew where to find Meyer.

It makes several claims including personal injury, wrongful death and negligence in supervision and training.

Attorneys allege the officers were incompetent in their conduct and knowingly violated the law.

"I don't care if this lawsuit takes one day or ten years. I will still be there fighting for them for their justice because that's what my parents taught me to do," Endress said.

The attorneys allege since 2011, there have been nearly 150 pursuits initiated by Cincinnati police officers ending in crashes.

The City of Cincinnati has not returned our numerous requests for comment.

NEWPORT, Ky. —

Four family members were killed, including three children, driving home to Northern Kentucky Monday morning.

Police said a family of five, from Newport, Kentucky, was vacationing in the Virginia Beach area when tragedy struck.

Victor Meyers, 9; Mary Snow, 11; Joseph Snow, 13; and Anthony Snow, 53, were killed in a single-car crash on Intestate 64 in New Kent County, just east of Richmond, Virginia.

A fifth person in the car — Ishia Palmisano, 34, the mother of the three children — survived. She is hospitalized with what police are calling serious injuries.

The crash happened just after 11 a.m. Monday in the westbound lanes of the highway near exit 214, the Providence Forge/New Kent Courthouse exit.

According to officials with Virginia State Police, a sedan — driven by Anthony Snow — went off the road on the right shoulder and into a grassy shoulder, striking a pole.

That sedan then caught fire.

"Four people have succumbed to their injuries on scene," said Dylan Davenport with Virginia State Police. "The front seat passenger was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries."

Victor Meyers, Mary Snow, Joseph Snow and Anthony Snow were pronounced dead at the scene.

Family members said Ishia Palmisano was in the front passenger's seat in the vehicle. She’s the mother of all three children, two of which she had with Anthony Snow.

Ishia Palmisano was rushed to the hospital. Her sister, Victoria Palmisano, tells us Ishia Palmisano has undergone two surgeries on her knee and wrist. She has several broken fingers, she said, but is expected to survive.

Victoria Palmisano said the five were vacationing in Virginia Beach, and were just a few hours into their trip home to Newport when the crash happened.

All three children — Victor, Mary and Joseph — were students within the Newport Independent School District.

"All of us with the Newport Independent Schools are grieving over the horrible loss of life that happened Monday during a tragic automobile accident in Virginia," a statement from the district reads. "Victor Meyers, Mary Snow and Joseph Snow were students at Newport Intermediate School. We also mourn the loss of Anthony Snow, who was the father of two of the children. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones and friends of the family. The sudden loss of life is always a tragedy, but the pain is deeper when young children are suddenly taken from us. Grief counselors will be available the rest of the week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newport Intermediate School. We ask everyone to remember this family in their prayers."

WLWT is working to learn more and will update this story as details develop.

NEWPORT, Ky. — When Jeff Zemanek moved to Newport's Clifton neighborhood, he figured there would be some level of noise, given the city's urban density. But he wasn't prepared for one particular sound that often drowns out all the rest.

"It scares the heck out of you," he said, referring to what he and other neighbors say is the frequent "unavoidable" booming of explosions -- sometimes three in a single day -- coming from a nearby scrap metal plant that dismantles, demolishes and crushes metal items, including cars.

Zemanek lives uphill from River Metal Recycling on Licking Pike, which is now the defendant in a class-action lawsuit claiming the plant is being negligent in allowing the explosions to occur and has created safety hazards and caused nearby property values to drop.

The explosions are caused when an item being crushed contains gasoline that had not been emptied beforehand, such as the fuel tank in a motor vehicle.

Provided

"We had an explosion a couple weeks ago where that's how we were woken up," Zemanek said.

The plant "failed to exercise ordinary care to assure that gasoline explosions do not occur," claims the lawsuit, which began in Campbell County Circuit Court before being bumped to federal court and then back to the county again. The explosions "create noise that jeopardizes and degrades the quality of life," the suit reads.

City Manager Tom Fromme said his staff is monitoring the situation. It's a problem the city has known about for decades and is actively working on an ordinance to address.

"Over the past 40 years, the number of explosions varies based on the amount of scrap that is being processed on the site," he said. "We continue to monitor them to determine if any violations of existing ordinances occur. In the event a violation happens, a citation would be issued."

Residents like Amanda Smith say they're frustrated.

"It kind of sideswipes you," she told WCPO. "And some of them, it really kind of makes you feel like your windows are going to blow out, something is going to collapse."

Zemanek and Smith are part of a committee working with the city to bring a stop to the explosions and address other concerns with the plant, such as air pollution and property damage.

Mariel Carbone (WCPO)

"I've noticed in new construction I've had in my home where the drywall has shifted and things in a short period of time," Smith said.

"The other thing is...the air that we're breathing," Zemanek said. "Yesterday, I smelled plastic almost all day long after the explosion."

And, both neighbors agree, there's a psychological impact, as well.

"When you're woken straight up out of bed at 6:40, 6:38, 6:45, 7 o'clock in the morning, haven't even had a cup of coffee, it brings extreme anxiety to me. And I'm not a person with anxiety," Smith said.

Zemanek agreed, saying no matter how many times he's heard it before, he "jump(s) out of bed, and then you're shaking for a few minutes." The explosions have become something that's just not avoidable.

"Going through this and then trying to continue your day and get into your work, and it's really hard to concentrate. When is the next one going to come?"

In the end, Zemanek and Smith would be happy if the explosions just weren't so loud.

"I'd love to seem them move... but, if nothing else...conceal the shredder so it's enclosed, and they don't get the open-air compression that you get here," Zemanek said. "I think they could put up some big barrier walls to not only camouflage it, because it's an eyesore, but also for containment of sound, too."

River Metals Recycling general manager Neal Coulardot provided WCPO a written statement Wednesday afternoon in which he disputed the claim that the explosions present a safety or environmental hazard:

"A couple of the neighbors are suing River Metals and we do not comment on active litigation. However, we would like to state that River Metals has been recycling metals at its Newport/Wilder location for decades and is committed to be a good neighbor. In the recycling of metals there can be occasional combustion events. River Metals has a formal plan to keep these at a minimum. These events do not cause safety or environmental harm. River Metals is in full compliance with laws, regulations and permits for the facility. In fact, it is a national leader in recycling and is one of the few recycling facilities in Kentucky to earn the OSHA SHARP certification that recognizes excellence in occupational safety and health."

Oral arguments were heard in Campbell County Circuit Court last month. Since then, the judge has not filed any orders in the case.

Two Ferris wheels were supposed to sit on either side of the Ohio River by now, but both projects are on hold.

The SkyStar wheel at The Banks was taken down in 2020 and supposed to be back up by March 5, 2021. Similarly, the SkyWheel in Newport was supposed to be open in May, 2021. There has been no developments on either project though.

Tanya O'Rourke

Todd Schnieder with SkyView Partners, reached out to Hamilton County officials in December, 2020 about the SkyStar wheel and asked to "keep the door open" to the development moving forward in the future.

However, Bridget Doherty, Hamilton County's communications manager, said this was the last communication the county had with the organization. "At this point in time, we do not have a commitment from Skystar to move the project forward," she said.

Creative Commons

Newport City Manager Thomas Fromme said the SkyWheel is a private development and the city only issued the permit to build the wheel.

"That permit expires by the end of July," Fromme said. "We are not sure what their future plans are."

NEWPORT, Ky. —

A Covington police officer and a man were shot in Newport Monday evening.

Just before 6:30 p.m., authorities received a report of a man threatening someone with a gun near the area of East 6th Street and Boulevard. The man left the scene before officers arrived, but officers were given a description of the suspect and his vehicle was spotted crossing the 4th Street Bridge, police said.

According to Covington Police Chief Rob Nader, the Covington police officer tried to initiate a traffic stop on the man's vehicle, but the man started firing shots at the officer and ending up striking the officer. The officer fired back, hitting the man, police said.

Both the officer and the man were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment. Covington police confirm the officer was shot once in the arm. They said he is expected to be OK. The man was taken into custody, police said. Police said he's alive, but his condition remains unknown at this time.

Nader said the officer is a veteran of the police force. His name has not been released at this time.

Police said there is currently no threat to the public.

The Covington Police Department has turned over the investigation to Kentucky State Police.

WLWT will update this story when more information is available.

NEWPORT, Ky. — Loud explosions caused by shredding at a local scrap metal plant have rocked a Newport neighborhood for years, but now the issue is getting more attention.

WCPO has reported on explosions at River Metals Recycling before, which happen when a car that's shredded has gasoline or a propane tank left in it. The combustion shakes up nearby homes on Licking Pike, and some residents have said they hear up to three explosions a day.

MORE: Newport residents fighting back against explosive neighbor

But it’s not just an issue in Northern Kentucky. Tony Ray, who lives in Louisville’s Clifton Heights neighborhood near another RMR location, described similar explosions near his home as “a small earthquake” that shake his windows.

“They're pretty violent at times. They're very concerning. And again, when it's to your home, your biggest asset, it's very unsettling,” he said.

Kaye Thompson, who also lives in Clifton Heights, worries about how the explosions impact her home’s foundation.

“I've observed some cracks on the walls; we have plaster walls,” she said.

Ray, Thompson and neighbor Dave Vislisel are leading the charge in Louisville to get the explosions to stop.

“It’s been going on since I think about 2013, 2014, 2015, since River Metals settled in here," said Vislisel. "Kaye and I have met a couple of times with the manager of the plant and people who came down from Cincinnati to say, 'We're doing everything we can.'"

That includes RMR building a wall to separate the shredder and contain the sound.

The company also submitted a “combustion incident reduction plan” to the city of Louisville in 2017. In that plan, RMR committed to increased employee training, better inspections and more education for its scrap suppliers. In their report, RMR also noted it would be unrealistic to think all explosions could be eliminated.

Neighbors said the effort has not solved the problem.

“It's obvious they're not following their processes,” Ray said. “The 2017 report said they were going to do these things, A, B and C. Obviously, they have not done it.”

Kentucky State Representative Rachel Roberts toured RMR’s Newport facility for Earth Day. She described the area as “a place where suburban ideals and urban realities butt heads." That creates a challenging problem, she said.

“It's a business that's acting in good faith in their purview, that's meeting all of its obligations with the EPA, with OSHA, paying their taxes, all of those things,” Roberts said. “So there's no real mechanism right now to penalize them for operating their business within the parameters that they're allowed to operate their business in.”

When she toured the facility Thursday, she told WCPO that RMR does “vastly important” recycling work in the community, adding that the company is one of the largest contributors to local payroll taxes and employs about 50 people.

RMR's parent company, Nucor, just announced a major expansion in Gallatin County, thanks to a multi-million-dollar state tax break, bringing more jobs to Northern Kentucky.

MORE: Gallatin Co. steel plant's expansion will mean more than just new jobs for the region

“We're all, in good faith, working to find solutions to help us keep a major employer in our district... and make sure the quality of life people except when they move to Newport… is maintained,” Roberts said.

There are a number of solutions to look into, and Roberts suggested a range of options from tax incentives for affected residents to issuing fines for violations if applicable.

“So yes, there are solutions,” she said. “Are any of them overnight solutions? No. These are complicated problems that have been going on for years.”

"So the solution has to be a negotiation between all of the invested parties. And from everyone I talked to, everyone is really invested in finding a solution here," she continued.

Both those affected -- whether near or far -- want more than a good-faith effort. They want change.

“Number one, it would just be to have the explosions stop,” Ray said. “If they can't stop them, maybe they should move.”

In a statement last month, RMR General Manager Neal Coulardot told WCPO, "In the recycling of metals there can be occasional combustion events. River Metals has a formal plan to keep these at a minimum. These events do not cause safety or environmental harm."

A multi-million dollar event venue is preparing to open just in time for concerts, shows and community gatherings this fall.Ovation in Newport is a massive project 6 years in the making. Its indoor pavilion can hold up to 2,700 people, and the outdoor amphitheater can accommodate 7,000.In light of the CDC just altering its COVID-19 recommendations and President Joe Biden agreeing those vaccinated do not have to wear a mask, those at Ovation are still deciding what the safety protocols might be, if any, come opening time."We're hoping by the time we're ready to open that we'll at least be able to open at full capacity," Director of Marketing Marissa Mcclellan said.Just across the river, the Andrew J Brady Icon Music Center at the banks is still taking shape.Artists are already set to perform and the list was announced Friday morning for the first wave of show. The artists are Lady A, Russ, Jelly Roll, Dirty Heads & Sublime with Rome, The Distillers, The Struts, Kip Moor and Jordan Davis.The official opening date for Ovation is still yet to be determined.