LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 2, Issue 33- July 19, 2024

KENTON

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 33 — JULY 19, 2024

THE VOICE OF NKY

linknky.com

A COMMUNITY MOURNS

Florence rallies to support mass shooting victims, families

By Maggy McDonel “We have never dealt with this before,” was how Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery described the mass shooting of seven people in the early hours of July 6.

“I know it’s gone on throughout the nation, but this is the first time that we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence,” Mallery said during a press conference that afternoon.

Devastation ripped through the community as four victims, ranging in age from 19 to 44, died of injuries suffered at a 21st birthday party on Ridgecrest Drive. Twentyyear-old Shane Miller, 20-year-old Hayden Rybicki, 19-year-old Delaney Eary and 44-year-old Melissa Parrett were killed.

Three victims were recovering in the hospital at press time. Among them is 19-yearold Chloe Parrett.

During a packed vigil for the victims at Crossroads Florence Church on July 9, Bruce Parrett, Chloe’s father and ex-husband of Melissa Parrett, said that Chloe’s mother is the reason she is alive.

Chloe still faces a long road to recovery: Both of her lungs were affected by her injuries and are unable to hold air, according to her father. “She’s never going to be the same,” Parrett said.

Attending the memorial was his first time leaving the hospital since Chloe was admitted. He said he was overwhelmed and surprised to see the outpouring of support.

“The support is just phenomenal. I thought there would be a few people that knew us and knew the other families, but this is definitely the village coming together to help those in need,” he said.

While Parrett is grateful for the support, he said his outlook for the future is grim.

“I mean, I’m not very hopeful for the future.

NKY in photos: Then and now p6 Candles glimmer as friends and family pray July 9 during a vigil at Crossroads Florence for those killed July 6. Photo by Hailey Roden | LINK nky

I really am not after this has happened. I love the support, but it’s just so devastating. Now I’m worried about things like this happening again. If it happened to me, it could happen to anybody. And I hate to see that other families are going to have to go through situations like this.”

He said guns are too easily accessible to people who shouldn’t have them. “I don’t know what the answer is, but I know what the answer is not,” said Parrett. “The answer is not sitting on our hands and doing nothing.”

The party was being held for Parrett’s son at the time of the shooting, Mallery said.

Mallery said other partygoers told officers the shooter fled in a vehicle. Officers were able to track down the suspect and attempted to stop him near Farmview Drive and U.S. 42, but the suspect fled again. A chase ensued. Finally, the suspect drove off the road into a ditch on Dale Heimbrock Way near Hicks Pike. The officers found the suspect with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported Continues on page 3

Egg shells instead of plastic? p9 Covington's major league history p17

Bring your family and join the Friends of LINK on July 25th at the Florence Enjoy a great evening of baseball, ballpark food and dollar beers on a private patio!

All proceeds will benefit the NKY Community Journalism Fund.

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LINK Partners and have thrown their full support behind us. These NKY institutions are helping bring a voice back to our community.

We are grateful to all LINK’s Partners - those organizations in the community who believe strongly in what we are doing,

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to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he died.

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper.

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The suspect has since been identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey. Court documents indicate Garvey was on probation for a felony charge of unlawfully transacting with a minor in 2021, a charge he received after pleading down from two other felony charges after sexually assaulting a 13 year old girl in his car.

He was committed to house arrest before accepting the lower charge instead of facing trial. He was then sentenced to five years in prison, but the sentence was probated on the condition that he not interact with the victim, not commit any more crimes, engage in psychological counseling and maintain employment. He was scheduled to come off of probation in 2027.

Mallery said Garvey’s motive is still under investigation and that he didn’t believe the shooting was connected to Garvey’s past crimes. It is illegal for felony offenders to own a gun, and how Garvey obtained one is still unclear.

Remembering the victims Rybicki’s mother, Cherri McGuire, wrote a letter to her son in his obituary. “You were an unexpected gift from God. You were smart, witty, kind, so handsome and the most loving human being I have ever met.

You made me become a stronger and better person. You are my angel. I hope you know how much I love you; I cannot even put it into words.”

Connor Velpreda remembers his best friend, Rybicki, as “a good soul.” He said that “the way he carried himself impacted so many hearts.”

“Through everything he’s endured in this life, the common denominator was always that contagious grin that never seemed to fade,” Velpreda said. “He is someone I am proud to call my best friend, and he was a best friend to more than just [me].”

Shane Miller’s aunt, Sheryl Beatty, sent LINK nky’s media partner WCPO a statement about her nephew, who she said aspired to be a police officer.

No part of this publication may be used without permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions.

If, however, an error comes to your attention, please let us know and accept our sincere apologies in advance.

Guests embrace as they file in to Crossroads Church in Florence. Photos by Hailey Roden | LINK nky

Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon expresses her condolences to the family and the community.

“Shane was a young man that any parent would be proud to call their own. He was always smiling with a kind word for everyone.

He was a fun person to be around; he woke every day happy with a positive outlook.

He was a charismatic person when people met him they would want to continue to be a friend of his. He enjoyed his friends, but his best friend was his cousin Sergio. Family was everything to him,” Beatty said.

“Shane was a young, beautiful, amazing man with an old soul. His joy was doing anything outdoors from fishing to kayaking. Shane bought two kayaks, one for him and one for Sergio. He was a bright light to this world and will always be one to his family. There are no words for the pain of his loss or how much he will be missed.”

On July 8, Paige Johnson, a friend of Eary’s, stopped by the memorial set outside the Continues on page 4

A guest holds her candle in the air during the evening’s final song.

JULY 19, 2024 3

Continued from page 3

home where the shooting happened.

“Everybody that knew Delaney like seriously loved her so much,” Johnson told WCPO. “Like she was such a joy. Such a light in everybody’s lives.”

Johnson attended Cooper High School with Eary, who was a few years younger. The two shared a love of singing and dancing, she said.

Many are seen leaving a kind note for the family on the prayer board. Photos by Hailey Roden | LINK nky

Friends hug before the evening of prayer.

“We had a few friends who would pick us up, and we would all just go to this club that we have for Cooper’s Navigators Ministry, and we all had sunglasses on and I’m sitting on Delaney’s lap, and we’re just like singing and we’re dancing,” Robinson said.

“It was awesome. Delaney was just that type of person who would just sit there – dance, laugh, anything like that.”

Leah Moore, who was at the birthday party but left before the shooting, said she’s going to miss Melissa Parrett, who was hosting her son’s birthday party.

“What I’m going to miss most about Missy, especially Missy, is her spirit, her personality,” Moore said. “A lot of people will tell you that people close to them are one of the best people you’ve ever met. Truly, Missy was that.”

A community rallies Shortly after the tragedy, the community jumped into action to support those reeling from the loss.

Handlers led therapy around the church for guests who may have needed a break.

Boone County Public Schools offered free emotional and psychological counseling July 8 to local students and families.

“This weekend’s tragedy hit home to the Boone County community,” read an announcement from the district. “Some of the victims were connected in some way to the Boone County School District. We would like it to be known that counseling services will be available for any students or families who may need support.”

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Florence Crossroads Community Pastor Kacie Bryant leads the group in prayer.

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The next day Crossroads Church in Florence held a community night of prayer, at which Florence Mayor Julie Metzger Aubuchon addressed the community in an emotional speech.

“I had the opportunity of visiting Chloe, Claire, Connor [the three surviving victims] yesterday in the hospital,” Aubuchon said.

“They are fighting. Tonight, as we gather at Crossroads Florence, we can connect, support one another, and begin that healing process.”

On July 10, Florence offered professional mental health and pet therapy services at the Florence Government Center.

LINK nky Kenton County reporter Nathan Granger, LINK nky contributor Hayley Jarman, and WCPO’s Molly Schramm, Valerie Lyons, Krizia Williams and Michael Coker contributed to this story.

Show your support The following events have been scheduled to give community members opportunities to show support for the victims and their families • Bourbon House Pizza (both locations), 3-9 p.m. July 23: Fundraiser is available for carryout, dine-in or delivery. To participate, mention who this fundraiser is for, and 20% of your order will be split evenly among the families.

• Longnecks Sports Grill, noonclose Aug. 3: Event features bourbon raffle, silent auction, cornhole tournament and split the pot. Donations also will be accepted at Longnecks during regular business hours. #Florence Strong: Stand Together.

Heal Together • Skyline Chili (Union location), 10:30 a.m.-close Aug. 11: Donations will be accepted all day, and 35% of every order will be donated to the victims and their families. There also will be raffles, and 100% of money raised will be donated.

Ky. teacher of year speaks out against school choice amendment

By Rebecca Hanchett

vouchers, a January 2024 ProPublica article said Ohio private schools are encouraging families to apply for school vouchers after lawmakers there increased both the value and availability of vouchers last year.

Voucher values increased to $8,407 maximum a year for high schoolers and $6,165 for lower grades, with availability expanded to all families, the report said.

K

entucky’s 2024 Teacher of the Year doesn’t think school choice is the real issue behind Amendment 2, a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall to allow state funding for schools outside of the public school system.

Kevin Dailey said Kentuckians already have the choice of private schools or homeschooling their children.

“The more voucher money families receive, the less schools have to offer in financial aid. The voucher revenue also makes it easier to raise tuition,” said the report.

“The issue is resources,” the Covington-bred Ballyshannon Middle School teacher told LINK nky. “And to take a community that needs resources and pump them into a community that doesn’t is antidemocratic and unjust in my view.

More tuition dollars, said Dailey, allows private schools to build better athletic facilities, recruit more teachers and so on. “We need those teachers in public schools, too,” he told LINK.

Amendment 2 would allow state lawmakers to provide public funds for schools outside of the state’s system of “common,” or public, schools. The proposed amendment was put on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot by lawmakers earlier this year after recent court rulings blocked two state laws, one allowing public funds for public charter schools and the other allowing tax credits for private school donors.

Kevin Dailey, a U.S. history teacher at Boone County’s Ballyshannon Middle School, said Amendment 2 – the so-called voucher amendment – will unfairly cost public schools and their students. Dailey was named 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and Kentucky Middle School Teacher of the Year. Photo published in Kentucky Teacher (Ky. Dept. of Education)

With its passage, Kentucky could join the ranks of nearly 30 private school-choice states, including all seven surrounding states, according to data from EdChoice Kentucky, a group that supports the proposed amendment. School vouchers could be approved to cover a portion of private school tuition, depending on what lawmakers decide, should the measure pass.

Other funding options – tax credits, funding for charter schools, etc. – could also be possible should the amendment pass.

Outside of the diocese, nonpublic school options in NKY include homeschooling and a handful of non-Catholic private schools, including Calvary Christian School, a religious school in Covington with a student body of 520 from preschool through high school. That school’s annual base K-12 tuition for 2024-25 posted online ranges from $8,840 per full-day kindergarten and elementary student to $9,500 per middle school student to $10,310 per high school student.

In Northern Kentucky, the majority of nonpublic schools are run by the Diocese of Covington, which operates 38 schools, all but two located in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. Tuition among the diocese’s NKY schools varies: A sampling of base tuition rates by diocesan schools posted online ranged from $3,400 per child for parishioners and $4,500 per child for nonparishioners in 2023-24 at Saint Augustine Parish in Covington (one of the diocese’s five “urban grade” schools, along with Holy

The EdChoice Kentucky website says giving Kentuckians K-12 “education options that best fit their children” is the reason for the ballot measure. The website calls Amendment 2 “our chance to help an entire generation of Kentucky students succeed,” citing poor performance of many of the state’s school children.

Cross, Holy Trinity, Prince of Peace and St. Anthony which have different rates) to $9,835 per student in-diocese and $10,730 per student out of diocese for 2024-25 at all-male Covington Catholic High School.

Many schools have tuition assistance.

“Barely one-third of Kentucky students are proficient in math, and less than half are reading at grade level. Every year delayed

means that thousands more students remain trapped in a classroom that clearly isn’t right for them,” the website said.

EdChoice Kentucky’s board of directors includes several individuals who work with or for private schools. Among them is Elizabeth Ruehlmann, a development director with the Diocese of Covington.

Opposed to the amendment are groups like Protect Our Schools KY. The statewide group, publicly supported by several NKY educators, has said Amendment 2 (which it calls the voucher amendment) would drain public school resources to pay for vouchers that cover private school tuition.

Dailey, a 10-year classroom veteran who teaches U.S. history, said research has shown that, as school voucher use increases, private school tuition and enrollment grow disproportionately – and enrollment often lags. In Ohio, for example, the Dayton Daily News on June 7 reported the use of income-based school vouchers in six Dayton-area counties grew 313% from 2022-23 to 2023-24, while enrollment at schools accepting vouchers grew by just 3.7%.

Although LINK nky could not verify any specific increase in tuition tied to school

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Dailey made it clear that he isn’t anti-private school or anti-school choice. “What I am against is people taking money that is supposed to be for a public service, a democratic public service like public schools, and filtering it into communities that are making a conscious choice to depart from that public school system.”

While it’s uncertain if Amendment 2 has the votes to pass, EdChoice Kentucky said on its website that support is growing. It cites polls showing support for “educational choice” increasing among Kentuckians, from 72% in 2019 to 78% in 2022.

Dailey, however, told LINK nky he is hopeful the amendment won’t pass this fall.

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” he said. “But I know people who are in the public school system generally don’t agree with this model. I know teachers unions in Kentucky, whether it be AFT [American Federation of Teachers] 120 United or the Kentucky Education Association and their chapters don’t agree with this model. Kids who really need a public education and need these resources in order to have a fair shot, they’re not in favor of this either.

“So I’m optimistic that Kentucky voters will come together to make the right decision for Kentucky kids,” he said, “because that’s really what it’s all about.”

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nky in photos Northern Kentucky boasts its fair share of historic sites, and many of those churches, bridges and residences still stand. This week we take a look at how some of those landmarks have changed over the years. Historic photos provided by nkyviews.com; modern photos by Hailey Roden.

The entrance to the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge on a stereoview card with a wooden floor, circa late 1800s.

The buttresses and entrance to the bridge looked much the same on July 3.

The exterior of Covington’s St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, looking northeast in about 1900, before the front facade was added. The bishop’s residence, at right, was razed and replaced.

The north face of St. Mary’s today. The front facade is on the right.

Daniel Carter Beard’s boyhood home, at 322 E. Third Street in Covington, seen in the early 1900s. Beard would later become an illustrator, author and a founder of the Boy Scouts of America.

Beard’s boyhood home is now a National Historic Landmark in Covington’s Riverside Drive Historic District.

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nky in photos

Founded in the early 1950s, Hebron Baptist Church was brought to the region by Chase Jennings, then director of missions for the North Bend Baptist Association.

Built in 1842, the Church of the Annunciation of the Ever Virgin Mary, Mother of God stands tall in this photo taken in circa 1910.

In August 2004, Hebron Baptist moved to a new location at 3435 Limaburg Road.

More than 180 years later, Mother of God Church still stands as one of the region’s most prominent landmarks.

JULY 19, 2024 7

Kentucky now allows for Public Notices to be published digitally on LINK nky’s website.

You can find public notices for the following organizations on our site at https://linkreader.column.us/search

PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Elsmere has adopted and enacted Ordinance 1835-2024, A Comprehensive Pay Plan for the non-elected City Officers and employees of the City of Elsmere, in accordance with KRS 83A.070(2). The ordinance may be viewed in full on our website at https://cityfoelsmere.com under City of Elsmere Ordinances. This ad paid for by The City of Elsmere, 3921 Dixie Highway, Elsmere, KY 41018; (859) 342-7911, with taxpayer dollars at $27.32.

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NOTICE OF THE BOONE COUNTY MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE DIVISION I BOONE CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO.: 24-CI-00029

NOTICE OF THE BOONE COUNTY MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE DIVISION I BOONE CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO.: 23-CI-01655

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION VERSUS} DELISA GREEN, ET AL

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION VERSUS} ROBERT J. FELDKAMP, ET AL

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JUNE 18, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JUNE 18, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 6331 CLIFFSIDE DRIVE FLORENCE, KY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 049.03-12-009.05 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $146,390.16 GROUP NO.: 1450

ADDRESS: 9 BEVERLY PLACE FLORENCE, KY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 072.06-04-015.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $113,815.57 GROUP NO.: 239

The complete legal description is particularly set out in the Judgment and Order of Sale entered in this case.

TERMS OF SALE: The property shall be sold as a whole. The purchaser may pay all or part of the purchase price in cash, and may pay the balance of the purchase price on a credit of 30 days after date of sale; said credit shall be granted only upon the execution by the purchaser of bond, with surety thereon, and said surety shall be a lending institution authorized and doing business in Kentucky, or a reputable fidelity or surety company, authorized and doing business in Kentucky, and only if said surety be acceptable to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court; and an authorized officer of the surety must be present at the sale or must have given the Commissioner adequate assurance of its intent to be surety prior to or at the sale; and said Bond shall be, and shall remain, a lien on the property sold as additional security for the payment of the full purchase price, and shall have the full force and effect of a Judgment; and said Bond shall bear interest at the rate provided by the Judgment up to Twelve (12%) Percent per annum until paid. The purchaser shall be required to pay the sum of 10% of the bid amount in cash or certified check on the purchase at the time of sale.

The successful bidder at the sale shall, at bidder’s own expense, carry fire and extended insurance coverage on any improvements from the date of sale until the purchase price is fully paid, with a loss payable clause to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court. Failure of the purchaser to effect such insurance shall not affect the validity of the sale or the purchaser’s liability thereunder, but shall entitle, but not require, a lien holder herein, after giving notice to the Commissioner, to effect said insurance and furnish the policy or evidence thereof to the Commissioner, and the premium thereon or the proper portion thereof shall be charged to the purchaser as purchaser’s cost.

The property shall be sold subject to ad valorem taxes for the year 2024 and all subsequent years thereafter; easements, restrictions and stipulations of record; assessments for public improvements levied against the property, if any; existing zoning ordinances, statutes, laws, or regulations; and any facts which an inspection and accurate survey of the property may disclose. BIDDERS SHALL BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS. All sales are “as is” and the Plaintiff, the Master Commissioner, and the Court shall not be deemed to have warranted title of the real estate to the purchaser.

FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THESE SALES AND OTHER UPCOMING SALES CAN BE FOUND AT www.boonecountyky.org (Link to Department/Agencies to Master Commissioner) PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ARE ADVISED AND ENCOURAGED TO REFER TO THAT WEBSITE FOR ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS.

8 JULY 19, 2024

How do you cut plastic waste? First, crack a few eggs

By Kenton Hornbeck

S

ingle-use plastics are a reality of modern life. Nearly one million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, and up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year, according to a report published by the United Nations Environment Programme.

According to the same report, the world produces approximately 400 million tons of plastic waste per year. As this waste makes its way into the environment, it can damage soil, contaminate groundwater and negatively impact the health of animals – including humans.

The drawbacks of single-use plastics have spurred a worldwide effort to reduce humanity’s reliance on them. Entrepreneurs, activists, environmentalists and normal citizens are working to find solutions.

One of those entrepreneurs is Cincinnati native Andrew Bliss, who launched a new company based in Covington that offers an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics.

Ecoshell LLC holds distribution and representation rights for GEX – the world’s only patented and eco-certified material derived from eggshells. GEX can be used to create packaging materials, consumer goods and containers, among other things. Blended with plastic, GEX can reduce a product’s plastic content by between 30% and 50%, according to a report in PackagingEurope.com.

Bliss told LINK nky that products with GEX achieve a 70% reduction in carbon emissions compared to virgin plastic. From his perspective, the product offers higher quality at a lower cost compared to other green materials like bioplastics.

“These eggshells at the very end are powdered and then they’re pelletized, and we can use these pellets in the compound for plastic to reduce plastic up to 50%,” he said.

“It’s all certified and it’s patented, and it’s a really exciting product.”

Ecoshell already has a robust network of contracted partner factories across China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia thanks to Bliss’ international connections. He spent the better part of 18 years working in Asia

– Japan, South Korea and Taiwan – where he spent time working as a writer, educator and entrepreneur.

Bliss met Travis Lin, the inventor of GEX technology, in Taiwan through a consulting company. Lin wanted to expand his business into the western hemisphere. With Bliss hailing from the United States, the two decided it would be advantageous to do business together. The rest is history.

Spark Sourcing, the parent company of Ecoshell run by Bliss, was already incorporated in Taiwan and Canada. Ecoshell is the name chosen for the company’s launch in the west. Bliss initially wanted to set up in Canada, but he rejected that idea when it took longer than expected.

“I had trouble running the business from abroad, and my partners in Canada were too busy to really let it take off, and the benefits from the government never materialized,” Bliss said.

That’s when he focused his efforts on establishing Ecoshell in Greater Cincinnati, which is a logistics hub due to its location, size, entrepreneurial environment and reputation. It is also close to the headquarters of Procter & Gamble and Kroger, two Fortune 100 corporations that use a lot of single-use plastics in their packaging.

“It just made sense to come home, because the timing was perfect to be in America for this technology, because there are lots of plastic reduction mandates coming out, and a lot of brands’ sustainability dedications are getting even stronger, so we have just a perfect solution for them,” Bliss said.

Terry Faulkner, a longtime friend and collaborator of Bliss’, is a sustainability consultant for Spark Sourcing. He told LINK nky that reducing the amount of plastic discarded into the environment is of the utmost importance.

Ecoshell uses processed eggshells to reduce the amount of single-use plastic used in products, especially packaging. Photos provided | Andrew Bliss

“No, we’re probably not going to stop plastic production, but we’re going to sure as heck limit how much plastic goes out there and make the plastic product that we have recyclable and/or degradable,” he said.

Andrew Bliss hopes to see Covington-based Ecoshell’s business grow across North America and cut the creation of plastic waste.

Faulkner specializes in cannabis packaging. Despite the cannabis industry’s claims of being environmentally conscious, the industry still uses single-use plastics in much of its packaging, he said. Faulkner believes Ecoshell can produce eco-friendly packaging for the industry.

“It’s funny because cannabis producers claim to be one with the Earth, but, unfortunately, a lot of the products that cannabis producers use are their one-time plastics,” Faulkner said.

Looking ahead, Bliss hopes to establish the Ecoshell brand in the region and across North America. Ecoshell will market its resins and compounds to brands and manufacturers aiming to reduce their plastic use and carbon footprint. The company also will introduce its own line of branded eco-friendly products and materials, such as plastic film.

Bliss is operating the business out of his home in Mainstrasse Village. So far, he has been impressed by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“Over here in Kentucky, they want everybody in the community to succeed, because if one succeeds, the region succeeds,” he said. “It was just a really good feeling over here in Northern Kentucky, and there’s a really strong entrepreneurial environment here.”

JULY 19, 2024 9

Independence moves forward on ‘crown jewel’ splash pad

Cost estimates for building a splash pad vary widely depending on the facility’s size and features. This diagram is for a pad using 313 gallons per minute. Provided | Aquatix via City of Lexington

By Nathan Granger

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ndependence City Council at its July 1 meeting heard some specifics on building and maintaining a splash pad in the city.

The presentation was based on research by two council members, Carol Franzen and Greg Steffen, and Arron Cope of the city’s parks and recreation department. Following the presentation, Mayor Chris Reinersman and the council agreed to move forward on early planning and engineering design work for a splash pad. The preliminary work will help the city apply for a $250,000 grant aimed at offsetting construction expenses.

“We’ve approved all these houses over the years and subdivisions, and it’s incumbent upon us to provide recreational facilities for the people that we’ve allowed to move here,” Steffen said. “I think the splash pad would be an outstanding feature and would be very popular in the city.”

The council voted last month when it passed the city’s budget to set aside funds for a splash pad. Reinersman had introduced the idea in May; he estimated the

cost to be about $500,000.

Reinersman recommended splitting the funding over three years, beginning in the fiscal year that ended in June and continuing over this fiscal year and the next. Although council voted in June to set aside funds, the set-aside isn’t binding, so the money could be redirected if the council later decides not to pursue the project.

Many discussions around a splash pad expect it to be built at Memorial Park.

Franzen, Steffen and Cope visited several splash pads in the region and state – in Wilder, Walton and Lexington – to see how those cities managed their facilities and to get a better idea of the potential operating costs.

Franzen, who presented the group’s findings, recommended using a facility that recirculates water from a dedicated tank rather than fresh water from a natural source like a river or well. She argued it would be less expensive to build and easier to manage in terms of sanitation.

Recirculating water systems must be regularly treated with chlorine and other sanitizing chemicals. Chemical checks must

be performed three times a day, and logs of the checks would need to be submitted to the Northern Kentucky Health Department regularly. The tank would also need to have an ultraviolet disinfecting light.

Chemical adjustments would likewise need to be made in the event of rain, as rainwater can dilute the chemicals in the tank. Moreover, a phone would need to be installed on-site in case of emergencies.

Finally, a splash pad would need to be staffed by someone who could respond in the event of a problem. Sanitation incidents, such as vomit, blood or human waste getting into the tank, would require the on-call worker to close the pad and run necessary sanitation procedures. The oncall person could also handle other problems as they occur.

Franzen and Steffen also recommended considering parking and pedestrian infrastructure, bathroom locations and the possibility of fencing, which many council members agreed was warranted. Moreover, Memorial Park – if that’s where the splash pad goes – uses tire mulch on the neighboring playground. Mulch fragments could clog the pad’s filtration system.

Franzen noted that both Wilder and Walton have nearby park shelters that they rent out for events, such as children’s birthday parties. The construction of similar shelters near Independence’s pad could potentially offset operating expenses by bringing in additional revenue to the city.

The splash pad in Walton. Independence is considering building a similar facility. Photo provided | City of Walton

10 JULY 19, 2024

Wilder typically spends about $6,000 per year to operate its splash pad, according to Franzen’s estimates. This figure did not include costs from equipment breaking down or other unexpected problems. This gave the council a rough estimate of what they might expect, although the final cost

to the city would depend on the splash pad’s location, size and other variables.

Still, both Steffen and Franzen expressed surprise by what they heard from other cities regarding operating costs. “It’s not that expensive to maintain,” Steffen said.

Franzen showed diagrams of possible designs she got from Lexington, each with an attached budget range for the price of parts. Franzen said to expect roughly double the figure in the diagrams for everything: parts, utilities and construction.

“The more I talked to people, the more I thought about it, I think the investment would be a good investment,” Franzen said.

“I think that it would be a crown jewel in our park.”

Cope said that splash pads were good because they were inclusive: Pretty much everyone can use them.

“Children in wheelchairs, children of all abilities are able to use splash pads,” Cope said, “and from toddlers to seniors. So it’s a very inclusive addition to our parks.”

Franzen’s presentation was followed by a discussion about sanitation, logistics and other contingencies, especially regarding who would serve as the on-call worker and how a pad might affect parking at Memorial Park.

No official action was taken at the meeting, but the mayor recommended moving forward on the grant application and early engineering work. The council will likely continue discussion on the subject in coming months.

The council’s next meeting is set for 7 p.m.

Aug. 5 at the Independence City Building on Madison Pike.

kenton county briefs New Kenton County cell towers to add to wireless capacity

structures, was necessary considering either the geography of the site or the lack of tall buildings in the area. Both towers will be macrocell towers – large towers that cover wide service areas, usually over a mile or so. They’re responsible for relaying cellular service to other towers and down to smaller wireless access points. Both towers will be capable of housing equipment for the four major carriers.

There are 48 towers operating in Kenton County, according to the Federal Communications Commission, and there are large swaths of the southern end of the county, where the Northstar tower will eventually go, without any towers.

A cell tower. Image by Manuel de la Fuente from Pixabay

The Kenton County Planning Commission on July 10 approved construction of two cell towers in the county.

Both towers, proposed by tower builders Northstar Towers and Vertical Bridge, respectively, aim to provide better wireless service to the community as “the local demand for wireless services has begun to exceed the capacity of its existing facilities,” as documentation from Kenton County Planning and Development Services puts it.

Cell tower construction is largely regulated by federal law, and local bodies are limited in controlling where they can be built. Still, carriers have to make a good faith effort to find construction sites that aren’t intrusive.

The planning commission can regulate zoning for towers, but it can’t dictate specific sites where they can be built.

The Northstar tower will be on roughly 98 acres at the southeast corner of the intersection of Moffett Road and George W. Bach Road. The land also fronts Decoursey Pike. Much of the surrounding area is undeveloped agricultural land. The tower’s beginning carrier will be Verizon Wireless.

The other tower will be built on a wooded lot in Independence along Taylor Mill Road.

Its anchor carrier will be T-Mobile.

The two builders felt erecting new towers, rather than attaching them to existing

Fort Wright mayor shares cybersecurity tips with job seekers Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter, who’s also a cybersecurity expert with Cincinnati-based IT company Intrust IT and self-proclaimed “tin foil hat maniac,” gave a presentation on cybersecurity best practices, especially as it related to job seekers, to the Northern Kentucky Accountability Group last week.

The Northern Kentucky Accountability Group is a free program for job seekers administered through the Kenton County Public Library. The group offers training courses in job hunting skills, such as interviewing and cover letter writing, networking events as well as free courses on computer literacy, social media for job hunting and popular workplace computer programs like Microsoft Office.

Given that much of the job hunting process has moved online, the library and Hatter believed that job seekers need to be informed about staying secure while looking for work. Hatter has given similar presentations to a variety of different groups in the region and frequently speaks to media outlets on cybersecurity.

“Job related scams are rampant,” Hatter said.

Job seekers at the event could attest to this.

Some told stories about times someone had tried to scam them by impersonating an employer; others asked questions about scam attempts (or otherwise dubious and insecure practices) they’ve encountered online.

One attendee, who left the meeting before sharing her name, discussed a common kind of job scam she’d encountered on the social media platform LinkedIn. Scammers posing as recruiters offer high pay scales for nonexistent, remote data entry and executive assistant jobs.

“I’ve been victim to a couple,” she said. Oftentimes the scammers may have social media profiles and even company websites that appear legitimate, but, by the time you get to the interview stage, she said, things will start to seem … off.

er. “She has impacted Latonia with her dollars. She’s so super talented, and I am so proud of you.”

In addition to welding, Schmid will study general contracting at Enzweiler.

Fort Mitchell donates funds to fix roof of shelter at DCCH

Hatter affirmed her account and said scammers will often rely on the appearance of legitimacy before showing their hand, often asking for payment up front to be interviewed or trained. No legitimate company or organization will ask a job seeker to pay before offering a job, he said.

Latonia business group honors local student with trade scholarship

Chief Rob Nader, right, presents DCCH President and CEO Denise Govan with the donation check.

Provided | Fort Mitchell via Facebook

At its June 24 meeting, Fort Mitchell city council donated $5,898 to the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home’s Center for Children and Families. Police Chief Rob Nader presented the donation check to Denise Govan, president and CEO of DCCH Center.

The money will pay to fix a shelter roof on the home’s festival grounds. .

From left, Covington City Commissioner Ron Washington, Jewel Schmid, Mayor Joe Meyer and Commissioner Shannon Smith. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

Jewel Schmid, a local student who will attend Enzweiler Building Institute in the fall, was honored July 8 by Billie Mocabee as a recipient of one of the Latonia Business Association’s annual $500 scholarships.

The money will go toward expenses related to her welding education.

Schmid crafts jewelry out of sterling silver and stainless steel tableware as part of her small business. She displayed some of her crafts on a pedestal in the meeting room for people to view and buy.

“When she started, she was an entrepreneur,” said Mocabee, a local business own-

The DCCH Center recently celebrated its 175th anniversary in Fort Mitchell. The organization has maintained a close relationship with the city through its history.

Last year, the city held its Hero Night Festival, an event celebrating first responders, at the DCCH Center fairgrounds. During the celebration, Nader noticed the “dilapidated” state of a shelter roof. “After some discussion, it was decided to form a crew to lead the Raise the Roof Golf Outing,” Govan said.

The outing took place in May. The city charged a registration fee for participating teams, businesses and individuals. It was a sellout, Govan said.

The festival grounds for many years was the site of the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home Summer Festival, an annual Children’s Home fundraiser, Govan said. Now, the fairgrounds are home to the DCCH Continues on page 12

Encounter Applications are now open for this new, immersive leadership program that helps new and emerging professionals form deeper connections to our region.

Learn more at NKYChamber.com/EncounterNKY

JULY 19, 2024 11

kenton county briefs Center Flea Market, the annual Hero Night Festival and Blessed Sacrament’s annual corn roast. (This year’s corn roast is set for Aug. 9.)

Mayor Jude Hehman explained Fort Mitchell’s side of the relationship. “DCCH is an integral part of our city and region, providing invaluable support and services to those in need…. Their dedication and commitment to improving lives embod[ies] the spirit of Fort Mitchell.”

Gut or start over?

Fort Wright weighs club building’s future

City Administrator Jill Bailey explained how they acquired the Fort Wright Civic Club property.

After CT Consultants’ presentation, Hatter asked, “Is this building really salvageable?

Should we tear it down and start over?”

“The [civic club] board was facing the challenging decision of how to move forward with the operation of their facility,” Bailey said. “... They were realizing a significant decline in membership and low rentals affiliated with the facility, which was their primary revenue stream.”

Michael Anderson, senior architect at CT Consultants, informed the council of some of their choices going forward.

The civic club, facing declining rentals, could no longer afford to operate the facility. The building had outstanding utility bills, and the organization had an outstanding balance of $1,714.83 on their 2023 property tax bill.

The club’s board decided to donate the property to Fort Wright. In exchange, the city wrote off the outstanding tax balance and assumed the cost of those additional utility bills in addition to some legal expenses. “In all, it [cost] about $9,000,” City Administrator Jill Bailey said.

Fort Wright then commissioned CT Consultants to assess the site and the building for functionality and accessibility. That assessment was not promising.

Fort Wright city sign. Photo provided | The City of Fort Wright

Fort Wright acquired the Fort Wright Civic Club building and property in March. Now, the city is tasked with finding a new purpose for the site. While it has been primarily used as a polling place for the last several years, the city believes the site could be something more.

The building itself has black mold, and the outside walls have no insulation. The bathrooms and parking lot, among other things, are not ADA compliant. Due to these issues and other problems with the HVAC and electrical systems, CT Consultants gave the Fort Wright Civic Club building a functionality score of “poor.”

Mayor Dave Hatter told LINK nky that he was not expecting the prognosis to be that bad.

NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS OF DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY, INC. RECOVERY BY ENVIRONMENTAL SURCHARGE OF DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY, INC.’S AMENDMENT TO ITS 2021 AMENDED ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE PLAN PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. (“Duke Energy Kentucky” or “Company”) is filing with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (“Commission”) on or about July 19, 2024 in Case No. 2024-00152, an Application pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statute 278.183 for approval of the construction of the Limestone Conversion Project (Project) located at its East Bend Generating Station (“East Bend”) and an amendment of the Company’s Environmental Compliance Plan to include the Project for the purpose of recovering the capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs associated with the Project through an increase in the environmental surcharge on customers’ bills beginning March 1, 2025 under the Company’s existing Rider ESM, also known as the environmental surcharge mechanism. The total capital cost of the Limestone Conversion Project in the Company’s Amended Environmental Compliance Plan is estimated to be $125.8 million.

Federal and state environmental regulations require Duke Energy Kentucky to build and upgrade equipment and facilities that produce energy from coal to operate in an environmentally sound manner. Specifically, the Company is seeking Commission approval of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the construction and operation of the Project. This construction project requires an amendment of Duke Energy Kentucky’s Amended Environmental Compliance Plan that was approved by the Commission in 2022.

Additionally, Duke Energy Kentucky is seeking an order approving the recovery of the costs of the Project through its Environmental Surcharge tariff.

The Project is required for the Company to continue to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s federal Clean Air Act, and other environmental requirements that apply to Duke Energy Kentucky facilities used in the production of energy from coal. The total capital cost of the Project for which the Company is seeking recovery at this time is estimated to be $125.8 million. O&M costs related to the Project will be similar to O&M costs incurred today and are not distinguishable.

The impact on Duke Energy Kentucky’s customers is estimated to be an increase of 1.0% for residential customers and 1.0% on average for nonresidential customers in 2025, 2.8% for residential customers and 2.7% on average for non-residential customers in 2026, 2.1% for residential customers and 2.1% on average for non-residential customers in 2027, 1.8% for residential customers and 1.7% on average for non-residential customers in 2028, and 1.8% for residential customers and 1.8% on average for non-residential customers in 2029. For a Duke Energy Kentucky residential customer using 1000 kilowatt hours per month (kWh/mo.), the initial monthly increase is expected to be $1.32 during 2025, $3.63 in 2026, $2.72 in 2027, $2.25 in 2028, and $2.33 in 2029.

The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by Duke Energy Kentucky; however, the Kentucky Public Service Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. Such action may result in rates for consumers other than the rates in this notice.

Any corporation, association, body politic or person with a substantial interest in the matter may, by written request within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice of the proposed rate changes, request leave to intervene; intervention may be granted beyond the thirty (30) day period for good cause shown. Such motion shall be submitted to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 615, 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-0615, and shall set forth the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. If the Commission does not receive a written request for intervention within thirty (30) days of the initial publication the Commission may take final action on the application.

Intervenors may obtain copies of the application and other filings made by the Company by requesting same through email at DEKInquiries@dukeenergy.com or by telephone at (513) 287-4366. A copy of the application and other filings made by the Company are available for public inspection through the Commission’s website at http://psc.ky.gov, at the Commission’s office at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and at the following Company office: Erlanger Ops Center, 1262 Cox Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018. Comments regarding the application may be submitted to the Public Service Commission through its website, or by mail at the following Commission address.

For further information contact: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY P.O. BOX 615 211 SOWER BOULEVARD FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY 40602-0615 (502) 564-3940

12 JULY 19, 2024

DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY 1262 COX ROAD ERLANGER, KENTUCKY 41018 (513) 287-4366

“I think there are a couple of options to salvage it and remediate it,” Anderson said.

“It’s a gut job. It’s a good sized building, but it has a lot of steps and vertical changes.

The site is an issue in terms of parking because you can’t lower the building, so you’ll have to raise the site. There is too much slope from the building to the parking lot for ADA accessibility.”

The city could also demolish the building and start over with a new structure or sell the whole thing to developers. The club’s donation included no stipulations about the property’s future.

City council is not ready to make any decisions yet. “Until we know what we are using it for, we don’t know if it’s better served by rehabbing or tearing it down,” Councilmember Margie Witt said.

“It’s just a damn fire hazard from what I can see,” Councilmember Justin “Jay” Weber said.

The council formed a working group to discuss its goals and options. That group potentially includes Hatter, Witt, and councilmembers Dave Abeln and Scott Wall, who grew up in the neighborhood surrounding the former civic club.

LINK asked Abeln what the Fort Wright Civic Club meant to his neighborhood. “We could walk there,” he said. “It was where we had the Cotton Follies. It was where the parents went on Friday nights. There were festivals every summer. For more than 50 years, it worked for us.

“I don’t know if the building can be saved, or if we want to save it,” Abeln said. “But as long as we respect the historic value, we can implement a refreshed look with similar purposes.”

Hatter also sees some potential for the site to serve as a community center again.

“From the standpoint of potentially building a community center, this site is much bigger than the property we have from South Hills Civic Club,” Hatter said. The city acquired South Hills Civic Club before the Fort Wright Civic Club.

24-acre land project in Erlanger allowed to continue The Kenton County Planning Commission voted July 10 to approve a waiver of subdivision regulations for a 24-acre tract of heavily wooded land in Erlanger.

The issue had come before the commission in June, when the land’s owner, Nathan Arnold, (who is not a professional developer) had originally requested similar waivers in the face of what he characterized as the steep cost of meeting the county’s established standards.

The land abuts Erlanger’s Sherbourne neighborhood. Arnold has owned the

land since 2013. A tenant-occupied house whose access comes only through a private easement stands along Pleasure Isle Drive near the land’s lowest elevation, close to a nearby railroad. The easement dates to 1967.

Arnold originally hoped to split the area where the house is located off into its own parcel and waive the requirement mandating a new lot be connected to a public road.

Arnold hopes in time to develop the land into three large estate-style properties, in addition to the house that’s already there.

His desire to divide the land parcels would have created three so-called flag lots. Flag lots resemble a flag on a pole: They have a “long, slender strip of land extending from the street back to the main part of the parcel, which opens up to meet the minimum lot width requirements per the local zoning code,” according to documents from Kenton County Planning and Development services. Having more than two flag lots next to each other is not permitted under Kenton County subdivision regulations, except on land zoned for agriculture.

In June, Planning and Development Services Director of Infrastructure Engineering Laura Tenfelde pointed out that the closest public right of way for the land is on Rising Ridge Drive in the Sherbourne neighborhood.

The road terminates into a dead end rather than a cul-de-sac, which usually signals that the land beyond may eventually be developed. Tenfelde said that one way the land could be developed without the waivers would be to build a cul-de-sac at the end of Rising Ridge.

Although she admitted that such a measure would likely cost more money for Arnold, in planning services’ opinion, the fact that that portion of land could be developed coupled with the current land’s lack of public access made the waivers unwarranted.

At the time, Arnold argued that building a cul-de-sac was overly costly and could have disrupted the land’s heavily wooded, pastoral character. Most of the commissioners, however, agreed with Tenfelde’s assessment. Some also made the case that waiving the requirement could create a safety risk, as it potentially impeded access to emergency vehicles. Rather than deny the request outright, the commission voted to table the matter to give Arnold time to come up with an alternative.

Arnold did just that on July 10. He brought renderings of a T-type turnaround that would go onto the end of Rising Ridge. Arnold would then bequeath the turnaround to the city, thereby creating a new public right of way. The professional staff at Planning and Development Services found this proposal more amenable and recommended approving the proposal.

The commission then unanimously voted to approve Arnold’s request.

calendar

July

Friday

Saturday 19

Sunday 20

Gateway Summer Fest, noon-3 p.m., Gateway Community and Technical College, 790 Thomas More Pkwy, Edgewood. All-ages community event with activities, raffles, music and informative college prep sessions. Explore tables displaying college resources, clubs, and talk with a number of Gateway’s community partners. Information: 859-442-4175 or phillip. dischar@kctcs.edu.

Monday 21

Tuesday 22

Wednesday 23

Crescent Springs City Council meeting, 6-7 p.m., Crescent Springs City Building, 739 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs. Information: campbell.kyschools.us/ board-of-education.

Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:306:30 p.m., Boone County Fiscal Court, 1st floor, 2950 Washington St., Burlington. Information: 859-334-3571 or boonecountyky.org.

Newport City Commission meeting, 7-8 p.m., Newport City Building, 998 Monmouth St., Newport.

Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:306:30 p.m., Kenton County Courthouse, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington. Information: kentoncounty.org/421/ Fiscal-Court.

Cold Spring City Council meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Cold Spring City Building, 5694 E. Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring. Information: coldspringky. gov/city-council.

Thursday 24

25 Boone County Business Association meeting, 6-7 p.m., World of Golf, 7400 Woodspoint Drive, Florence.

Ludlow City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Ludlow Municipal Center, 808 Elm St., Ludlow.

Florence City Council meeting, 6-7 p.m., Florence City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence.

Information: florence-ky.gov/our-government/minutes-archive.

Covington Commission legislative meeting, 6-7 p.m., Covington City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington. Information: onboard.covingtonky. gov.

For more events, scan the QR code or visit: https://linknky.com/events/

Crittenden City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Crittenden City Building, 117 S. Main St., Crittenden.

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real estate

Colonial-style Villa Hills home Address: 2541 Buttermilk Pike, Villa Hills Price: $459,000 Bedrooms: Four Bathrooms: Three (plus one half-bath) Square footage: 1,968 School district: Kenton County County: Kenton Special features: This colonial-style Villa Hills home features a covered porch, hardwood floors, a formal living and dining area plus a kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The home offers four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a rec room, a full bathroom on the lower level, a two-car garage and a private backyard with privacy fencing.

An exterior view of this Villa Hills home. Photos provided | Trina Ellis with Coldwell Banker

This home features a fenced-in backyard.

A look into this home’s formal dining space.

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Donate to the NKY Community Journalism Fund today to support our public-interest reporting.

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14 JULY 19, 2024

streetscapes

Travel the globe – all on Connector Drive

By Maria Hehman

T

his Streetscapes samples cuisines from across the globe – but all located in a strip mall on Connector Drive. Join us in Florence for fancy fresh fruit, sushi and sake, and gourmet coffee and cakes.

Mi Michoacana Frutería and Heladaria

Kopan also offers smaller, classic rolls that are great for pairing with entrees or for those wanting to sample a variety. Kimbob is the ideal option for someone wanting the flavors of Korean food with the similar texture and style of sushi. It’s served in a seaweed roll with Korean steamed rice, fresh vegetables and grilled bulgogi.

berries and cream is the perfect mix of a healthful summer treat (and my personal favorite of all their items).

The space has some seating inside, but it’s also an easy grab-and-go spot with plenty of parking.

Susy’s Cakes

For beverages, there are ample offerings in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Sake, plum wine and Korean beers can all be enjoyed either in their indoor dining space or their outside patio.

Mi Michoacana Fruteria and Heladeria is a Mexican dessert shop that relocated from Dixie Highway to Connector Drive. Fruteria translates to fruit shop and plateria to ice cream shop, making this the perfect place to beat the summer heat.

Mi Michoacana is best known for mangonadas – mango sorbet with chamoy, a savory sauce made of fruit, and chili powder.

The chamoy and chili powder balance out the sweet mango. Guests can customize by adding other fresh fruits, like strawberries or guava. For sweetness without the spice, the homemade ice cream comes in a variety of rotating flavors. Those wanting something light and refreshing can opt for a paletas de agua, fruit popsicle, or aguas frescas, a water and fruit based drink.

Next time you’re craving a refresher from the big chains, pop in here for a truly refreshing refresher. For a more substantial treat they also have bionicos, a fruit salad topped with crema, granola, coconut and honey. Their frescas con crema, straw-

The stunning interior at Susy’s Cakes is the perfect place for a midday coffee break.

Kopan Korean Food and Sushi

Interior of Susy’s Cakes display case with countless choices of Mexican desserts.

The newest addition to the Florence Center, Susy’s Cakes is one of the best hidden gems in all of Northern Kentucky. They’re so new that it still has no website or social media account. I found them driving around looking for interesting places. I saw the sign advertising coffee and cakes, and I needed no further information to check it out.

The interior is reminiscent of a Parisian cafe, with stunning feminine decor and flowers hanging from light fixtures. The open dining room is adorned in pops of pinks and greens. At first glance the space gave off European vibes, but this is actually a Mexican bakery serving delicious desserts of both Mexican and American cultures.

Mi Michoacana’s exterior after relocating from Dixie Highway to Connector Drive. Photos by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

It’s easy for one to get overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of mouthwatering offerings. The display case is packed full of cheesecakes in every flavor; conchas, a sweet fluffy bread; gelatinas, gelatin cakes with fruit. These and so many other amazing desserts and a candy bar ensures everyone gets a sweet fix. For drinks, there’s a variety of coffees and refreshers.

Switching cuisines, Kopan serves authentic and innovative Korean dishes and Japanese sushi. It’s an unwritten rule that, when visiting a restaurant with rangoons, one must order it. (I don’t make the rules, but this is one I always follow.) Although Kopan’s crab rangoons are most popular, three other choices are available: lobster, shrimp and jalapeno. Gyoza, spring rolls, korean style chicken wings and a huge variety of tempuras make ordering one appetizer nearly impossible.

Traditional entrees range from miso ramen noodles, chicken or pork katsu to kimchi fried rice. One of the most unusual offerings, the Kopan burrito, is a flour tortilla wrapped with grilled bulgogi beef, japchae, mixed vegetable fried rice with house special sauces.

On the sushi side, Kopan really stands out with creative specialty rolls that are hard to replicate elsewhere. Some fun ones include the Drunken Taco roll, filled with spicy tuna, avocado, lettuce and crushed Doritos, and topped with spicy mayo, crushed tortilla chips, jalapeno and cilantro. The Joe Burrow roll, a must order on Bengal Sundeys, features a baked roll with white tuna, cream cheese, and house special crab and scallop mixture served with eel sauce.

Kopan’s exterior, where there’s plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the warm weather.

What to Know If You Go Mi Michoacana Location: 8077a Connector Drive, Florence Hours: Sunday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

Phone: 859-869-4156

Susy’s Cakes Location: 8107 Connector Drive, Florence Hours: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-9 p.m.

Kopan Korean Food and Sushi Location: 8085 Connector Drive, Florence Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

Website: kopanflorence.com Phone: 859-282-6681

JULY 19, 2024 15

16 JULY 19, 2024

Covington’s major leaguers: Pioneers of Kentucky’s baseball legacy

By Marc Hardin

C

ovington ranks near the top for Kentucky cities producing major league baseball players, with about two dozen according to Baseball-Reference.com and the Society of American Baseball Researchers.

The golden age of Covington-born major leaguers extends from the late 1800s into the Dead Ball Era of the early 1900s. Twelve ballplayers started their careers between 1880 and 1921. At no other time were there more major leaguers who hailed from the city. Here’s a look at the five most successful major leaguers from that period who were born in Covington, Kentucky.

reer in a Reds uniform with one appearance and had a 72-63 lifetime record and a 4.20 ERA. John Farrell: Good hit utility man Farrell was active from 1901-05 at second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield.

He hit three of his four career home runs as a rookie for Washington to go with 32 doubles, 11 triples and 25 stolen bases. He then played four years with St. Louis and hit .272 in a season twice. He ranked in the top eight in at-bats in three seasons and in two seasons was in the top eight in doubles.

Farrell hit .261 lifetime with 567 hits.

He hurled at least 200 innings in a season seven times. He struck out 915 batters, ranking among the league’s top 10 five times. He received one Hall of Fame vote in 1945.

Bill Sweeney: Sweet swinger

Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources Boone Co. - RE46120 Deadline: 07/22/2024 BS required

Apply online at: http:// ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/536730

For assistance call 859-257-1727

The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from minorities and women.

Howie Camnitz: Kentucky Rosebud

Joe Sommer: NKY’s first major league star

NOTICE

Active from 1880-90. Sommer led the league in games played and at-bats in 1882 for the Cincinnati Stars. He also hit a career-best .288, ranking ninth. Sommer was second with 88 runs scored. He was eighth in the league in home runs in 1883. He was fifth in doubles in 1885.

Sommer played 920 career games. He finished with a .248 lifetime batting average, 911 hits, 109 doubles, 42 triples and 11 home runs, tied for most by a Covington-born player. He was a regular starter in Baltimore for six seasons after leaving Cincinnati.

Bill Sweeney is among the best major league hitters ever produced by the city of Covington.

Photo provided | Public domain image

Active from 1907-14, Sweeney played primarily second base for two teams. He received MVP votes in 1911, 1912 and 1913 for the Boston Braves, ranking sixth in voting in 1912. Sweeney hit .314 in 1911. He ranked third in the league at .344 in 1912 with 99 RBI and 27 steals. He also had 204 hits, including 31 doubles and 13 triples, in a league-leading 699 plate appearances.

He remained well known after his active career. “As they gazed upon Joe Sommer at third, their eyes bulged,” a 1907 Sporting Life account of an old-timers game said.

“Sommer, one of Cincinnati’s on the Bank Street grounds in 1882, handled himself like a youngster.”

Hank Gastright: 30-game winner

Covington-born pitcher Hank Gastright had 30 wins in a single season. Photo provided | SABR

Active from 1889-96, Gastright is the only 30-game winner from Covington. He pitched for six major league teams in seven years but caught lightning in a bottle in 1890. Gastright went 30-14 that year with a 2.94 ERA for Columbus in one of the greatest seasons ever by a Covington-born player. He completed 41 of 45 starts and pitched 401.1 innings.

He won 15 games and led the National League in winning percentage in 1893 for Pittsburgh and Boston. He finished his ca-

A baseball card of pitcher Howie Camnitz, one of the top major leaguers hailing from Covington.

Photo provided | Marc Hardin

Active from 1904-15. Camnitz was a starting pitcher for three teams, primarily the Pittsburgh Pirates. A curve-balling ace, Camnitz won 133 career games, the most by a Covington-born pitcher. From 190912 for the Pirates, he won 20 games three times, including a 25-6 record in 1909 with a 1.62 ERA. Nicknamed “Kentucky Rosebud” because of his red hair, Camnitz ranked fourth in the National League in ERA in 1908 at 1.56.

His easy personality preceded him to the majors. At a minor league stop in Rock Island, Illinois, he earned a reputation as “one of the most popular players that ever connected with the local team,” wrote a local scribe. “He’s one of those players who is in the game for the love of it.”

Sweeney’s best years were with the Braves, when he ranked seventh in the league with five home runs in 1910. He appeared in 1,039 career games. He collected 1,004 hits, including 153 doubles, 11 home runs and 172 stolen bases – the best totals for a Covington-born player. Sweeney also had 40 triples and a .272 lifetime batting average.

He received one Hall of Fame vote in 1945.

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A World Series winner with the Pirates in 1909, Camnitz was known as a voracious reader of box scores. “I always inspect very closely the box score of the club we are about to meet next,” he once told a reporter.

“My object is to ascertain what players are doing the hitting.”

In 326 career appearances including 237 starts, Camnitz posted a 2.75 ERA in 2,085.1 innings pitched – the best lifetime numbers for a Covington-born starting pitcher.

JULY 19, 2024 17

sports Harris named to lead Boone County girls basketball program

14-10 record in 2020-21 under Ryan Bowman but missed out on the region tourney.

The team’s last region tournament appearance came in 2015.

On July 9, UW announced Schwartz will be an assistant coach for the Huskies women’s basketball program in Seattle. She’ll be on Tina Langley’s staff, a coach Schwartz played under in all five seasons of her college career.

The hire of Harris fills all the 9th Region girls basketball coaching vacancies except for Newport. Newport Central Catholic, Dayton, St. Henry, Ludlow, Beechwood and Holmes all have seen coaching changes.

Schwartz, a Ryle grad, started off with Langley at Rice for two seasons before transferring to Washington for her final three seasons with Langley.

Blacktop League returns in August for young hoopsters Florence Y’alls T.J. Reeves leads the Frontier League in home runs with 12. Provided | Florence Y’alls

The Y’alls sent outfielders T.J. Reeves and Hank Zeisler, catcher Sergio Gutierrez and third baseman Brian Fuentes to the game.

Reeves and Zeisler were announced as starters for the West Division and Gutierrez and Fuentes filled in as reserves.

Marcus Harris will lead the Boone County girls basketball program after a season with the Newport girls. Photo provided

Boone County High School has appointed Marcus Harris to be the next girls varsity basketball coach.

Harris comes from Newport after one season as the Wildcats girls basketball coach.

Prior to that, he was an assistant under Aaron Stamm at Ludlow for the boys team.

Harris takes over for Todd Humphrey, who slotted over from the Boone County girls to the boys team in June, filling the void left when Nathan Browning took the Conner boys job.

Harris has a decade of coaching experience as he made stops as an assistant at Scott, St. Henry, Notre Dame and Holy Cross. At Newport, he led the Wildcats to a 7-24 record, improving down the final stretch of the season as they won four of their final eight games.

Based on last season’s roster, Boone County is expected to return all but one player, Lauren Hacker, the lone senior graduate on the Lady Rebels team that finished 7-20.

Expected returnees include the top three scorers in Lyric Hooper (13.0 PPG), Joslyn LaBordeaux Humphrey (12.4 PPG) and Mya Bennett (10.3 PPG). The three are also the returning leading rebounders.

Boone County has fallen on hard times, resulting in just one winning season since Nell Fookes retired in 2014-15. They had a

The Blacktop Basketball League will get back in action in August. Provided | Blacktop League

A year removed from its 30th season, the Blacktop Basketball League gets back in action in August.

Games begin Aug. 12 with the season running through Oct. 17 at Silver Lake Park in Erlanger. Game days are Monday-Thursday. The league is open to boys and girls teams from grades 3-8.

Registration is open and team (preferred) and individual applications are being accepted through Aug. 1. For more information, contact Director Kevin Bundy at 859653-8941 or kbundy21@aol.com. You can also go to blacktopleague.com.

The Blacktop League is an opportunity for younger hoopsters to continue to polish their skills as the upcoming grade school basketball season approaches.

Four Y’alls earn All-Star nod in Frontier League The Florence Y’alls earned four selections for the 2024 Frontier League All-Star Game that took place in Quebec, Canada, July 17.

Reeves and Zeisler have been at the top of several batting categories for the Y’alls, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, RBIs, home runs, doubles and triples.

Zeisler ranks near the top of the Frontier League in batting average and RBI. Reeves is near the top in home runs and RBI. Fuentes has provided solid defense at the hot corner, playing in every game this season. He led the team in walks and is near the top in RBIs. Gutierrez has been the primary catcher for Florence all season. The switch-hitter has provided some pop with his bat from both sides of the plate.

Florence returns to action after the All-Star break at Lake Erie on July 19 for a threegame series. After that is a 10-game homestand starting on July 23 with Evansville.

Former Ryle standout named assistant coach for UW women’s hoops

Schwartz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s in entrepreneurship from the Foster School of Business. On the floor, she was an undoubted leader and earned All-Pac-12 honors twice as she scored 1,534 points and collected 317 assists in her college career.

The Union native also pulled down 454 rebounds, swiped 117 steals and shot 43% from the field, 35% from the 3-point line and was a career 85% free throw shooter.

She started every game of her 144-game college career.

In 2023, Schwartz helped lead the Huskies to their first postseason appearance since 2017 and did it in consecutive years when UW earned another postseason berth in 2024 for her final season.

Schwartz graduated from Ryle in 2019 and helped lead the Raiders to a KHSAA state championship in her final season, averaging 19.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Ryle grad Lauren Schwartz has been named an assistant coach on University of Washington’s women’s basketball team. Provided | gohuskies.com

Helping build the program and the culture, Lauren Schwartz isn’t done at the University of Washington yet.

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18 JULY 19, 2024

obituaries Hayden D. Rybicki, 20

Delaney Hope Eary, 19

Hayden D. Rybicki, of Crestview Hills, died early July 6. He was 20.

Delaney Hope Eary, of Burlington, died early July 6. She was 19.

Rybicki is survived by his mother, Cherri McGuire; a brother, Dean “D.J.” Rybicki; sisters Lauren Okuma (Casey) and Lacey Grady (Dustin); grandmother Susan Brandhorst; and many additional family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Dean Rybicki.

Delaney, lovingly called “Rabbit” by her mother and step-father, will be remembered as a beautiful young woman that had a true heart of gold. She always thought of others first and made it a point to make everyone feel accepted and included.

Delaney was very creative and had a love for art. She enjoyed painting, photography, dance and baking. Delaney graduated from Cooper High School, where she was a member of the yearbook committee, which allowed her to let her artistic abilities shine.

She was also a tremendous animal lover.

Visitation and services for Rybicki were held July 12 at Middendorf Funeral Home in Fort Wright.

Cherri McGuire wrote the following letter to her son after his death: Dearest Hayden, I cannot believe I am writing this letter to you. I would do anything in the world if I could see you face-to-face and tell you how I feel and how I have always felt about you.

You were an unexpected gift from God. You were smart, witty, kind, so handsome, and the most loving human being I have ever met. You made me become a stronger and better person. You are my angel. I hope you know how much I love you; I cannot even put it into words. You left a lasting impression on anyone that was blessed to have had you in their life.

I cannot believe I will never hear your voice again. I would give anything to just hear one more “Hello Mother” when you walked in the door or when I picked up a call from you. I would love to make you your favorite meatloaf. I would love to sing one more “Happy Birthday” to you so you can tell me how I’m singing it in the wrong tempo and then make me sing it over until I get it right.

There are so many other things to mention that were tragically taken from us!

I cannot believe this is really happening!

As I lay here, completely paralyzed, I feel like I’m being held under water, drowning.

My heart hurts beyond belief. I would do anything to trade places with you. This just is not fair! You did not deserve this, neither did any of the other victims. My heart

The four victims who died during the Florence mass shooting on July 6. Illustration by @arialmighty on Instagram

breaks for everyone involved. I can promise you I will do my very best to stay strong and work hard to pull myself together. I will strive every day to be the mother and support system for your brother and your sisters. I will fight for you until my dying day.

Please look down and keep watch over us. I pray God is holding your hand. I will watch for signs from you every day. I love you so much and I am so broken, but I will try my very best to push forward.

With all my love,

Shane graduated from Cooper High School in 2021 and spent most days fishing and kayaking with the people he loved most.

He is survived by his mother, Helen Renee Miller, and father, Thomas Wayne Gabbard; sisters Paris Miller and Audrey Gabbard; a brother, Braydon Gabbard; a grandmother, Linda Sue Miller; two aunts, Rachel and Sheryl. He also leaves behind his best friend, Sergio, and a host of many other loved ones.

Shane loved every new day. He loved his life, living each moment to the fullest.

Forever your mother

Shane A. Miller, 20 Shane A. Miller, of Florence, died early July 6. He was 20.

Shane will be remembered for his kindness, his huge smile and his soft presence.

A visitation celebrating Shane's life was held the morning of July 13 at Florence Baptist Church. A funeral service followed at 1 p.m. at the church. Shane was interred at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5336 Old Taylor Mill Road, Taylor Mill, KY 41015.

Delaney is survived by her mother and step-father, Noelle and Herschel Stoner; her father, Jaime Eary; brothers Dalton Eary and Dexton Stoner; grandparents Vicki Berberich, Sherry and Sam Eary, and Hershell Stoner; aunts and uncles, Mickey Berberich, Melissa Johnston, Meredith Fitzsimmons (Micah), Nat Stoner (Meagan), Erica Eary and Jeremy Eary (Britt); nieces Rayna and Nova; and many cousins, extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Michael Berberich.

Friends and family gathered for visitation on July 12 at Grace Fellowship Church in Florence, which she attended her entire life, followed by a funeral service. A celebration of life was held after her interment at Burlington Cemetery in Burlington. Stith Funeral Home handled arrangements.

Delaney’s family will never let her beautiful smile be diminished. They are committed to continuing her legacy of love and compassion despite her being taken far too soon. Memorials are suggested to go fundme.com/f/support-for-delaneys-fam ily-in-tragedy.

Editor's note: As of press time, the family of Melissa Parrett had not written an obituary.

LINK nky will run Parrett's obituary when it is received.

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