SOUTH KENTON RECORDER
Your Community Recorder newspaper serving Independence and Taylor Mill
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
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NKY counties join forces for regional radio system Melissa Stewart mstewart@communitypress.com
PHOTOS BY KAREN MEIMAN/FOR THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
Braylon Ryan, of Walton, feeds the dairy cows some hay at Ed-Mar Dairy Farm in Walton as his mom, Cassie Ryan, shows him how. Cows enter and exit the gates of the feeder whenever they want to eat.
FARM TOUR VISITORS SAVOR
‘VIBRANT’ AGRICULTURE Karen Meiman Community Recorder Contributor
W
hen residents think about the name “Kenton County,“ they often think of Covington or some of the other populated cities that dot the county’s landscape. But that’s not what mom Cheri Mullins had on her mind Saturday. “I wanted my children to be exposed to something different,” she said. Mullins, her children Lily, 10, and son Eli, 8, headed from their Covington subdivision for a day of visiting the farms on the Kenton County Farm Harvest Tour. They stopped at the Kenton County Extension Office first to pick up a map and buy some fudge from 4-H students selling homemade muffins, cookies and crafts. Then the family was off to the Northern Kentucky Horse Network at Milestones on Riggs Road in Independence to see the 16 horses that offer therapeutic riding to children with special needs and seniors with balance issues. “I think kids should be exposed to farm life and to know where their food comes from,” Mullins said, as Lily poked her head through a fence to pet Odie, an Icelandic horse with a broad back, short stature and laid-back disposition that allow for easy riding. The family’s experience is exactly why the Kenton County Extension Office offers the annual event to the thousands who visit the farms. “It’s a way to showcase the vibrant agriculture we have right here in our county,” said Mary Averbeck, extension agent for 4-H youth development. “These farm owners are growing crops and raising animals and are making a business out of it. We have agriculture tourism here, as well. It is quite diverse. On the tour is everything from alpacas to wineries,” Averbeck said. “Not quite A to Z, but close,” pointed out Michele Stanton, extension agent for horticulture. Also on the 14-stop tour was Free Radical Ranch in Morning View, where visitors were able to milk a goat and see alpaca fiber spun into yarn. They also learned about rotational grazing and pasture management. At Funke’s Hickory Ridge Farms, visitors took a wagon ride and toured a humane beef cattle operation. Other stops were Ed-Mar Dairy
Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties are planning to bid a true regional radio system for public safety communications in Northern Kentucky. According to Kenton County Judgeexecutive Kris Knochelmann, this marks “unprecedented cooperation between the three counties and is a first step in drastically improving public safety communications. “The old (radio) system is outdated, more than obsolete,” he said. “This (replacement from analog to digital) is exciting. It is a regional project now. This is the best regional project we’ve seen in decades.” At the Sept. 13 Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting, county commissioners agreed to a memorandum of understanding between the three counties. The memorandum of understanding is intended to memorialize a joint understanding relating to the design, bidding, construction and implementation of an 800 megahertz (P 25) public safety communication system. This system will provide first responders the acceptable coverage and full functionality that supports the delivery of high safety service. Boone and Campbell fiscal courts will consider the memorandum at their respective meetings on Sept. 20 and 21. According to Boone County Judgeexecutive Gary Moore, this upgrade “will improve the protection of citizens and property, as well as our first responders – one of the core responsibilities of local government.” Campbell County Consolidated Dispatch Director Dale Edmondson said he is pleased with the joint effort. According to Edmondson, currently all three counties use a collection of VHF (fire and EMS) and UHF (law enforcement) analog radio systems that do not allow all agencies to talk to one another during joint responses. “Much of the technology currently in use is extremely outdated having been developed over 50 years ago,” he said. “Vendors are starting to announce end of life for much of the equipment currently in use.” Neighbors north in Hamilton County and Cincinnati entered into a digital communication system about 20 years See RADIO, Page 2A
Lily Mullins, 10, of Covington, pets “Odie” through a fence at Milestones. Lily loved petting the Icelandic horse, but agreed he would be too big to take home with her.
Farm in Walton and Atwood Hill Winery and Honey Locust Farm in Morning View. Triple D Stone Valley Farm, also in Morning View, showcased the operation of its saw mill.
RITA’S KITCHEN
EXPRESS YOURSELF
Community cooks yearn to make bread. 9A
Get your creativity on in Independence. 6A
After listening to Wine Master David Neyer’s presentation on the intricacies of making wine at Atwood Hill, Monica See FARM, Page 2A
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MELISSA STEWART/THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
Kenton County Judge-executive Kris Knochelmann addresses Taylor Mill City Commission about a partnership among the three counties to upgrade the emergency response radio system.
Vol. 6 No. 13 © 2016 The Community Recorder ALL RIGHTS RESERVED