COVINGTON, KY (FOX19)  – Gateway Community and Technical College and Covington’s Sixth District Elementary School celebrated the reopening of the Maryland Millennium Playground Friday, Oct. 19.

The playground, located adjacent to the school at 18th and Maryland Streets in the Austinburg neighborhood of Covington, was severely damaged by a fire in June.  Gateway and the elementary school, who are partners in the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Business Education Success Team program, were already engaged in a fund-raising effort to install an additional swing set at the playground.

After the fire, the partners stepped up their fund-raising to be able rebuild the playground, which serves as a neighborhood gathering area. Led by Heather Abbott, a student affairs specialist at Gateway’s nearby Urban Center, the fund drive raised more than $10,000 through a combination of individual donations and grants.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – It’s time for spring cleaning, and several Kentucky State Parks, including one in Boone County, are seeking volunteers to lend a hand.

During March and April, these parks are holding special cleanup days and invite volunteers to join them picking up litter along trails, roads and lakes.

Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, Prestonsburg
March 17
Jenny Wiley State Resort Park will host Operation Clean Sweep on March 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come to the park for a fun-filled day while working to keep the park clean. Volunteers are invited to a cookout. Call 1-800-325-0142.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Corbin
March 24
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park will host the 2012 PRIDE Spring Cleanup Kickoff on Saturday, March 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FLORENCE, KY (FOX19) - By Emily Wood

Governor Steve Beshear was joined Wednesday morning by a host of community leaders to ceremonially open a revitalized Mall Road in Florence.

"Improvement of Mall Road was one of my top transportation priorities," Gov. Beshear said. "With its proximity to both Interstate 75 and Interstate 71, this is one of the most vital and visible retail corridors in all of Kentucky.