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Levee brings back Christmas display

NEWPORT, KY (FOX19) - Newport on the Levee went on a Christmas-light buying spree last year, and they're inviting you to check out their collection.

The Levee will hold their second annual "Light Up the Levee" beginning November 19th. 

They are decorating the "Riverwalk" outdoor plaza with more than a million lights.  That makes it one of the largest light displays in the tri-state, particularly among ones that don't charge admission.

The lights do more than just look pretty.  Three times every hour between 6:00 p.m. and midnight every night, the lights are used in a synchronized light and music display, with music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The display also includes a 30 foot Christmas tree with a 6-foot top ornament, 10 and 20 foot spiral "trees", and five-foot snowflakes.

The lights are more practical and ecological than those in old-fashioned displays, because they are LED lights, not incandescent.&nb

Threatening note evacuates school

ALEXANDRIA, KY (FOX19) - Campbell County High School was evacuated for a short time Wednesday after officials found a threatening note.

The principal tells FOX19 the school found a note threatening an "explosive device" and the school followed proper procedure by evacuating the school and calling police.

Students evacuated the school around 12:30 p.m., but were back inside within an hour.

Nothing was found and no one was hurt.

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Body found in Richmond, Ky. identified as Campbell County woman

RICHMOND, KY (FOX19) - Police have identified a decomposed body found in a home in Richmond, Ky. as a missing Campbell County woman.

Melissa Steffen, of Butler, was last seen at a Salvation Army shelter in Madison County on May 17, 2010.

Her body was found in a home in Richmond on Oct. 22. The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office used dental records to identify her. Steffen's family in Butler was notified on Tuesday afternoon.

The Madison County Coroner's Office determined her death to not be a homicide. Her exact cause of death remains under investigation. Police told the Richmond Register newspaper that she had been in the home for a few months.

Ruth Moyer Elementary school practices tornado safety

FT. THOMAS, KY (FOX19) - Ruth Moyer Elementary Principal Jay Brewer listens to Steve Horstmeyer.

Brewer was aware of the high wind advisory and this morning, arranged for a safety drill ahead of today's wild weather.

This morning's tornado drill, in Ft. Thomas Ky, allowed the kids to brush up on what to do in the event of an emergency, and they used those skills for real this afternoon when all of the kids were taken to lower ground during the height of the storm.

500 students, in grades kindergarten through 5th grade, made it safely to the basement in just two minutes.

Brewer says tornado drills are performed multiple times a year to make sure the kids know what to do and everyone is kept safe.

Alexandria Haunted Walk in the Park

ALEXANDRIA, KY (FOX19) - The community of Alexandria is coming together for a Haunted Walk in the Park. The haunted activities are being held on Friday, October 22 at Alexandria Community park. Family fun includes games, crafts and face painting. There will be concessions available will hot dogs, hot chocolate and treats.

Kids will enjoy the free glow necklaces that will be given out. And for the older kids there is a haunted trail. Activities take place from 6:00-9:30p.m. Admission is free, but you are asked to please bring at least one canned good. Alexandria Community Park is located at 3965 Alexandria Drive.

Copyright 2010 FOX19. All Rights Reserved.

Cancer survivor launches race in Husband’s memory

NEWPORT, KY (FOX19) The First Annual Mammoth Café 5K race will be held on October 23rd. Becky Smith, owner of Mammoth Café and cancer survivor will kick off the first annual Mammoth Café 5k in memory of her husband Rob who died from cancer. The race will take place on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 3pm. Registration for the 5k is on race day only at Mammoth Café located at 515 Monmouth in Newport.  Registration starts at 8am on Saturday, October 23.  There is no fee for the 5k. But donations will be gladly accepted.  All proceeds will be donated to Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory.

'Caffeine killer' gets life in prison for wife's murder

NEWPORT, KY (FOX19) - A Dayton, Ky. man known as the 'caffeine killer' was sentenced Wednesday for the death of his wife.

A jury convicted Woody Smith earlier this month of strangling his wife, Amanda, at their home in May of 2009. The jury suggested a sentence of life in prison, and the judge agreed with that recommendation.

Woody Smith claimed he was in a state of caffeine-induced insanity at the time of Amanda's death and doesn't remember anything.

He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.

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