EDGEWOOD, KY (FOX19) - The Northern Kentucky Health Department has a received a grant to work on four health issues in Covington, including a look at the potential impact of a smoke-free policy for residents of Housing Authority of Covington properties.

Here's a release on the grant from the Health Department:

The Northern Kentucky Health Department has been awarded an $88,000 grant to target chronic disease prevention in the City of Covington. The funds from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors will support four health initiatives within the city: study of the impact of a smoke-free policy for residents of Housing Authority of Covington properties; smoke-free policies for all Covington pools; ability to use WIC nutrition vouchers and SNAP food benefits at the Covington farmers’ market; and increasing the infrastructure of the Licking River Greenway Trail. 

DAYTON, KY (FOX19) - Governor Steve Beshear announced funding Wednesday for eight projects that encourage and enable children to walk or bicycle safely to school.  

One of the projects is in Dayton. 

The program, Safe Routes to School (SRTS), is federally funded but administered by the Office of Local Programs in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Rural and Municipal Aid. 

“Once completed, these projects will provide an opportunity for more of our children to safely practice a healthy lifestyle by walking and riding their bikes to school,” Gov. Beshear said. 

Under the SRTS program, cities, counties and school boards can apply for funding for a broad range of projects and activities in close proximity to elementary and middle schools. Eligible projects and activities include new or improved sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes; public awareness campaigns, and traffic enforcement near schools.

FRANKFORT, KY (FOX19) - It may be late in the year to hear this message, considering that by this time last December we'd already had several large snows, but the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says its maintenance crews are prepared to combat snow-covered and icy roads whenever they occur. 

Nearly 2,000 KYTC employees are standing by to treat and clear more than 60,000 lane miles of roads. 

“The safety of Kentucky’s roadways is the focal point of our maintenance program this time of year,” Transportation Cabinet Secretary Mike Hancock said.