LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 31 - June 23, 2023

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N O T N KE M VOLU

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It takes a village: How the Florence Y’alls make it work on and off the field Load up on On Your Street: Covington ramen, pizza, Vintage homes, approves protein shakes lots of character changes to small business on Martha Layne on Newport’s Collins Blvd. incentive The Hill program p15 p8 p6

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PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

It takes a village: How the Florence Y’alls make it work on and off the field

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier

BY EVAN DENNISON | LINK nky SPORTS EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth PRINT EDITOR Kaitlin Gebby SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper.

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on the cover Host families are the backbone of the Y'alls. Illustration by James Robertson | LINK nky contributor

The end-of-year host family appreciation night in 2022. Photo provided

F

or most high school sports teams, lower-level colleges and any amateur league out there, it really does take a community to make it work.

There are no gaudy TV deals, corporate sponsors or billionaire owners.

For the Florence Y’alls, a lot of the operation depends on host families – people who volunteer and offer up their homes to the players, trying to keep their expenses low because of how little pay they earn, which averages $1,200-$1,500 per month.

Many of the host families have been doing it for years, and while they don’t get much in return outside of free tickets and some of that sweet Y’alls merchandise, the joy of being able to welcome someone into the comfort of their home is enough.

“Most of them like to offer these guys a slice of their home. It’s such a grueling, long season, and with these guys staying in hotels

and eating on the road, this helps them relax and be stress-free,” Y’alls host families coordinator Micha Wise said. “It’s not replacing their actual families, but they get close, and it’s like a mom bond with some of them.”

out on vacation in Arizona and connected with them. … They feel like family now.”

Wise and her husband, Scott, hosted players for two seasons. After the birth of their daughter, their open room was occupied by their newborn, and they were unable to host anymore. But they still wanted to be a part of the operation, so Micha Wise took on the coordinator role. The Wises have both been involved with the program for eight years now. While they hosted for just two years, they built lifelong relationships with the players, an experience they said is common.

Wise and team manager Chad Rhoades share what each individual player’s interests are, his allergies, hobbies, whether he has a vehicle and what he likes to do in his downtime. From there, they try to find the best fit possible.

“My daughter was recently a flower girl in one of the former player’s wedding,” Wise said. “The player we hosted our first year was close to us in age, so it turned out to be one of our best friends. We recently went

Finding the right fit for a player and host family virtually comes down to a spreadsheet.

“Sometimes it’s just luck of the draw,” Wise said. “If we see a player went to a certain college and the family is from that area, then we try to make that work. If the player starts in spring training, we have more control of the situation, but as the season progresses it’s just a matter of availability and who has a place open.”

Dave and Marie Orewiler have been a host Continues on page 4

JUNE 23, 2023 3

Continued from page 3

family for 11 seasons. They’ve hosted players from all over – even Central America.

“Our favorite part about it is seeing them continue to do amazing things when they leave us,” Marie Orewiler said.

When they spoke to LINK, Marie and Dave were headed down to a wedding in Louisiana for one of the former players they hosted.

“We’re flattered to still be a part of their lives,” Marie Orewiler said.

When their children moved out to go off to college, they decided it was time to become a host family.

They currently host Mike Kickham, who pitched for the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox in the major leagues. Kickham is the first major leaguer they’ve hosted – it is rare to have someone of that ped-

igree playing in the independent leagues.

The Orewilers’ expectation about hosting a player who has reached the pinnacle of the sport was filled with some uncertainty.

“Speaking kind of tongue in cheek here, but we thought with a major leaguer coming in it may be a little different,” Dave Orewiler said. “But he’s been absolutely classy and marvelous. He’s blended in wonderfully with some of the players. One of the most classy and super guys to host.

“The big difference with Mike is that he’s traveled a lot, so he’s so interested in each region that he goes to. He doesn’t want to go to the bar with the players, he’d rather go to a museum or an attraction in the area.”

It’s quite a contrast from the other player they host, Cole Brennan, who had never experienced living with a host family before despite his travels during four years in the minor leagues. Brennan is the speedster on the team. The Orewilers were recently streaming the Y’alls game when the team was playing on the road, and Brennan stole home.

“It was like a blur sliding into home,” Marie Orewiler said.

During their initial phone call with Brennan, the couple decided to have a little fun.

They told him their house was pretty full and asked if he would mind sleeping in the tent they put up for him outside. Brennan, happy for the opportunity, didn’t catch the joke at first, but near the end of the conversation he asked, ‘Will I really be sleeping outside?’ ”

Scott, Micha and Lila Wise with current Y’alls player Sean Hughes. Hughes made Florence his year-round home in 2019 and now hosts players in his home. Photo provided

It made for a good laugh. Brennan even said he was an avid camper and would have lived under those circumstances if needed.

The Orewilers have piqued their neighbors’ interest, too. Some have become host families themselves.

“They always know when it’s baseball season,” Marie Orewiler said. “It’s built a nice community friendship and is good for the players to have some teammates close by to hang out with. We’ve made some really good friends with other host families over the years.”

Grocery lists may be a bit longer for the couple of months that players are with the host families, but it doesn’t faze Cheri Murrer, who raised four boys of her own.

She got into the host family scene because she wanted her boys to see what it was like to be a professional athlete. One of her four sons, Sam, ended up playing football at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

“We figured it was a great experience for them to watch firsthand and watch someone who is actually trying and playing the sport they love,” Murrer said.

Murrer hosts one of the lone Kentuckians currently on the team: Ray Zuberer, who hails from Owensboro. Zuberer went to Owensboro Catholic High School before playing at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.

Murrer hosted for five years before taking a break as her sons were getting bigger and taking up more space in the house. She’s hosted Zuberer for two years, as the WKU product plays his second season with the Y’alls.

Oftentimes it feels to Murrer that she doesn’t even know Zuberer, or whoever she is hosting, even lives there.

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family experience so much he’s now one himself. Mike Hanley played from 2011-13 for the Florence Freedom, which was the team’s name prior to being rebranded as the Y’alls in 2020. His connections made from living in the Haven Hills neighborhood in Florence helped him find his career path in real estate.

As soon as Hanley was able to purchase a house in December 2018, he knew he wanted to become a host. He brought in his first player in 2019 and has hosted Harrison DiNicola for the past three seasons.

A family tailgate party from one of the host families during the 2022 season. Photo provided

“They honestly don’t have a lot of off days,” Murrer said. “Even when they come in for tryouts, they’re working out. There’s just not a lot of downtime. Last night, Ray got in at like 5 a.m. and needed to be at the field at 2 p.m. today.”

The players could receive a phone call tomorrow that they’ve been released and are no longer with the team. While the families are told not to get too attached, when the players start to feel like another member of their family, it’s hard not to.

With four sons, Murrer is used to feeding a village. She said she still tries to cook like there’s four boys at home, even though there are three now: two of her sons and Zuberer. She’ll text Zuberer on her way to the store and see if he needs anything special. As with the pantry, the laundry room is at the players’ disposal. Murrer reminds them often that she wants them to feel like they’re at home.

“Worst part of it is when they leave or are released,” Marie Orewiler said. “But on the bright side, most of these guys are so well connected that they find a new job the next day. We’ve had several that were moving on and stay in the same league, and we see them again when they come to Florence. That’s the hardest part – at any time something could change. But at the end of the day they know it’s a business, sport and competition.”

“These kids work really hard, and in my mind, my job is to give them a comfortable and safe place to stay,” Murrer said. “I want to support them and make all the games when they’re home. We love baseball and want to see the organization be successful.”

As with all things, there is an unfortunate side to this business.

Sean Hughes is a current Y’alls pitcher and made Florence his home in 2019. He works at Trader Joe’s in the offseason and enjoyed his time with host families so much he decided to offer up his apartment to players to stay with him during the season.

A different, former pitcher enjoyed his host

“I’m five doors down from my original host family,” Hanley said. “Had great neighbors, and some of us are best friends now. Nick Smith across the street got me into real estate, so I got my license when I was done with baseball. It’s just a tight-knit community.”

with the host families operation, having been a journeyman in baseball himself. He calls Florence the best situation out there for independent leagues.

“It really makes it super easy for me to sell to guys that are deciding on coming here,” Rhoades said. “It keeps morale up when they come home with these guys knowing they have a home they can go to and get their own personal space. If we didn’t have this, it would be impossible to do.”

The host families are an essential element of keeping the organization running. Sure, they aren’t stealing second base or coming on in relief in the seventh inning. But they’re playing their own important role with the team – helping players trying to fulfill their childhood dreams – and building lifelong friendships along the way.

Hanley, having seen both sides of the experience, said he feels like it’s a brotherhood and he wanted to find a way to continue to help the organization.

“I just like giving back,” Hanley said. “Me and Harrison are like brothers, and I enjoy the company. My girlfriend, Sharon, was a little unsure of it at first but loves it now. She’s his biggest supporter at the games. I know what these guys are going through, and they’re doing this for their love of the game. I did it (so that I could) see these guys doing it and hoping for a look.”

Mike Hanley and his girlfriend, Sharon Vaughn, have hosted since

Much like Hanley, Y’alls man- 2019. Hanley played for the team from 2011-13, when it was ager Rhoades is very familiar named the Florence Freedom. Photo provided

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JUNE 23, 2023 5

On Your Street: West Broadway Street/ Observation Avenue in Newport

T

BY ANN MORT | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

he hill above Newport has many nicknames – Nanny Goat Hill and Spaghetti Nob, among others.

Whatever it is called, it is known for its spectacular views of downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River cities.

The area is fast becoming the place to live with its vintage homes and repurposed buildings, such as the former children’s home that later became the Baptist Convalescent Home and is now upscale condos with glass walls facing north to frame the view of downtown Cincinnati.

The area of West Broadway Street and Observation Avenue is really just one street with a few homes. Sue and Frank Peluso own one of the four homes on the Broadway end of the street.

Observation and Broadway in Newport. Photo by Ann Mort | LINK nky contributor

The Peluso home was built in 1948 from wood salvaged from the Housing Authori-

ty, which was being torn down at that time.

The recycled wood created beams of various widths in the home.

Both the Pelusos were born and raised in Newport, and Sue Peluso lived in the same house on Columbia Street from birth to marriage.

Frank Peluso’s Irish grandmother owned an Italian restaurant on The Hill – Grandview Gardens on Widrig Street – now repurposed into condos. His grandparents were known as Margaret and “Johnny TV.” She was the cook. He repaired TVs and was the face of the business. He was also a mayor and city commissioner of Newport.

Frank and Sue Peluso were married in October 1974. By 1977, they wanted to live in a real home before their first child, Cassandra, was born, so they went house hunting – in Newport. If you worked for the city, you

lived in the city in those days.

Frank Peluso’s supervisor in the Water Department lived on Broadway, two doors down from a home on the market for $23,500. The seller offered to toss in the empty lot across the street for another $500, along with a washer/dryer. They fondly remember Mr. Egan of United Savings and Loan helping them with the deal.

The Pelusos moved into a very green home.

Everything was green – doors, registers, carpet. They did a lot of painting in the next few months.

Sue Peluso worked as an assistant to the purchasing agent at Wilder Display Specialists from 1989 to 2011, when it closed.

Frank Peluso worked for the city of Newport for 30 years. Beginning as a water meter reader, he was promoted to hole-digger.

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ment, he took the civil service test and was hired as city clerk/purchasing agent. After 25 years, he went back to the Water Department as works director of the last independent water system in Kentucky. Eventually, it was sold to the Kentucky system, and Frank was out of a job.

Cousin Jerry Peluso, now the owner of Peluso’s Market on Monmouth Street, and Tom Guidugli Sr., who was mayor of Newport at the time, started a little two-day Italian Festival in 1991. Not many Italian restaurants wanted to be in the festival. Most felt it was too risky – the weather was always iffy and so on. So, Frank and Sue Peluso did a food booth for the festival. As most will now attest, the festival was and remains a huge success.

Out of that festival success, Frank and Sue Peluso, along with friends Doug and Linda Wagner, opened a catering business, Frankie’s Catering. The catering business, never a restaurant, ran out of a storefront on Monmouth Street.

Frank Peluso got bored, so he, who knew nothing about HVAC, signed on to be a salesman for a buddy who owned such a

business. He did, however, know how the purchasing and contract system worked in government and schools, so he was very successful for 15 years.

“Then ‘we’ decided to run for public office,” Frank Peluso said. “I missed helping people, and I could not have done it without Susan. She was always by my side. We were in office 16 years.”

Frank Peluso served as commissioner and vice mayor, retiring in January 2023.

Not one to sit on the sidelines, he is now the chair of the Campbell County Courthouse Commission, which owns the courthouse built in 1870. Three commission members operate the building, leasing space to the Campbell County Administration offices. All other courthouses in Kentucky are owned by their respective counties.

The Peluso family stays close. In fact, their son Frankie and daughter-in-law Sarah live just across the street with their 13-year-old daughter, whose swing set still stands in Frank and Sue Peluso’s backyard.

The empty 100-by-100-foot lot across the

Sue and Frank Peluso are longtime residents of The Hill. Photo by Ann Mort | LINK nky contributor

street was a nice asset, and Frank and Sue Peluso eventually bought more adjacent land to protect the view. That space also allows for the continued expansion of their Christmas holiday light display, which is open to the public each year. Frank has always enjoyed holiday lights and still has the first string his mother gave him at age

8. There is a story behind each decoration.

Santa and Mrs. Claus greet guests who drop by during the season to see the Peluso light display and the lights in Cincinnati from The Hill. On Labor Day, their home is also a private party spot where guests watch the fireworks on the Ohio River.

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JUNE 23, 2023 7

Covington approves changes to small-business incentive program

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK nky REPORTER

T

he Covington City Commission approved revisions to the city’s small business incentive programs at its meeting June 13.

The decision followed revision proposals delivered by Covington’s Director of Economic Development Tom West, at the caucus meeting a week before on June 6.

After some discussion among commissioners on Tuesday, the commission revised the guidelines even further to expand the population segments favored by the policy to include firefighters and police officers.

The incentive program is designed to attract, retain and expand locally owned small businesses by giving forms of aid and investment that may be otherwise difficult to come by, especially for startups, which are often strapped for resources.

The incentives are divided into two categories: rent subsidies and facade improvement grants.

Rent subsidies offer reimbursements to eligible businesses for up to half of the business’s rent or $500, whichever is less.

Facade grants give a 50% matching forgivable loan of up to $6,000 to help businesses improve the condition of their buildings’ exteriors. They’re often used to make improvements to lighting, windows and paint.

To be eligible for a rent subsidy, a small business must meet the following criteria: • It must either be completely new or a significant expansion to an existing business.

• It must have entered into at least a

two-year lease in a commercial property.

• It must have at least one full-time employee whose wages are reported to the city and other taxing jurisdictions.

• It must have obtained proper business licensing.

• It cannot discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other identity characteristics delineated in Covington’s human rights ordinance. ash-checking businesses, home-based C businesses and any business that owns the land on which it sits are not eligible for rent subsidies. “ It (the rent subsidy) allows a business to really focus on their business that first year and not have to worry about making the rent,” said West during his presentation on June 6.

Similar guidelines exist for facade improvements, although a requirement for consistency with Covington’s historic preservation strictures is also present. To that end, facade improvement designs must be approved by the city’s historic preservation specialist to be eligible.

West proposed the following changes to the rent subsidy program on June 6: • Businesses would need to disclose any 1099 workers contracted with the business.

• Businesses that rent space in publicly owned buildings would become ineligible.

• Special favor would be granted to businesses whose owners self-disclose as LGBTQ+ (businesses owned by racial minorities, women and vet-

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a very tough ask throughout our country.”

He compared recent recruiting efforts to ones he’d witnessed during his career.

“Recently we gave a civil service examination, and only six people showed up,” Washington said. “Just to give you some context, many years ago when I took the Cincinnati exam there was thousands. When I took the Florence exam, there was hundreds.”

After some discussion, he added that spouses and other family members of a police officer or firefighter’s family should also be eligible for the rent subsidy.

The commission voted unanimously to pass the new guidelines. They will take effect on July 1.

“As many of you already know,” Washington said to the attendees of the meeting.

“Our police department is currently in the midst of trying to recruit people. It’s been

For more information, including how to apply for a small business incentive, visit the city of Covington’s Department of Economic Development’s website.

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People talk in the Covington council chambers before the meeting on June 13. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

Washington argued that this would be a way to draw in more recruits to the police force.

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At the meeting on June 13, Commissioner Ron Washington, who formerly worked as a police officer, asked the commission to add police officers and firefighters to the list of owners favored by the policy, in addition to racial minorities, women, veterans and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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He also proposed the following changes to the facade improvement program: • In addition to an inspection by the historic preservation specialist, the business must also obtain a certificate of appropriateness from the city to ensure consistent historic preservation standards, even if the property doesn’t fall within a historic district.

• City funding would only go towards facades facing the street.

• Special favor would be granted to businesses whose owners self-disclose as LGBTQ+ (businesses owned by racial minorities, women and veterans already receive similar favor).

• Historic sign improvements, which were already part of the facade program, don’t necessarily need to be original to the building, allowing owners to add new historic signs to their exteriors.

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Construction for industrial building behind Latonia Commerce Center underway

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER

I

n a city with limited space for new construction, it’s rare for Covington to gain new industrial buildings. However, real estate developer CovCor found 8 acres of land to construct a large warehouse behind the revamped Latonia Commerce Center.

Construction is already underway for the 146,000-square-foot industrial building located at 135 W. 38th St. The project has a price tag of $17.6 million. CovCor owns the plot of land where the building is being put up, while Cincinnati-based ARCO National is in charge of construction.

“This is a huge project for Covington and fills a gap in the type of space we’re able to offer potential businesses,” Covington Economic Development Director Tom West said in April. “We don’t have a lot of industrial land that’s not already been developed.”

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on June 14 to christen the large construction project. Notable speakers included Coving-

ARCO Construction crews at work developing the site of the 146,000 square foot industrial building.

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A rendering of the 146,000 square-foot industrial building being constructed behind the Latonia Commerce Center. Photo provided | CovCor

ton Mayor Joe Meyer, Heritage Bank President David Wallace and CovCor Principal Josh Niederhelman.

taxes the company pays in exchange for the increase in payroll tax the industrial building will generate once it’s leased.

“The reason we chose this location was the city of Covington is in high demand and living here and being a part of the community,” Niederhelman said. “I see that demand on a consistent basis whether it’s from office, whether it’s from housing, whether it’s for industrial uses, the city of Covington is a real bright spot in the community of Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati as a whole.”

As of now, there are no tenants committed to leasing the building. Developers anticipate the building could house up to four tenants, according to the release. When filled, Covington Economic Development Department officials anticipate up to 100 jobs could be created.

In April, the Covington Commission approved a 15-year, $18 million Industrial Revenue Bond incentive package for CovCor, which includes decreased property

The Latonia Commerce Center, formerly named Latonia Plaza, is transforming. The CovCor industrial building will join Keller Logistics, Enzweiler Building Institute and the Covington Academy of Heritage Trades in reorienting the complex’s purpose toward construction trades, logistics and in-

dustrial development.

In 2021, a group of investors led by Niederhelman purchased the site for approximately $3.75 million. It was purchased from the Columbus-based Schottenstein Property Group, which had owned the property since 1964. The Commerce Center sits on the land that was formerly the historic Latonia Racetrack.

“It’s a great sign of faith and the continued growth of Covington generally and Latonia specifically,” Meyer said. “The significance of an industrial building should not be understated. We are in the midst of a massive reshoring of America’s industrial might, as we’re trying to bring things back within our borders.”

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JUNE 23, 2023 9

kenton county news briefs B-Line announces five new stops

on an international scale.”

The five new stops include Pompilio’s in Newport, Revival Vintage Bottle Shop, Lisse Steakhuis and Knowledge Bar & Social Room in Covington, and Caproni’s on the River in Maysville.

This brings the total number of bars, distilleries and restaurants on the B-Line to 23.

The B-Line announced on National Bourbon Day that they added five new stops to the self-guided Northern Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

“We launched The B-Line in 2018 as a way to remind people that Northern Kentucky is the gateway to Bourbon Country,” said meetNKY President and CEO Julie Kirkpatrick. “It celebrates the businesses that are passionate about being part of the Commonwealth’s rich bourbon heritage, representing and elevating Northern Kentucky

The current bridge was built in the 1930s, and the cabinet has classified it as functionally obsolete, although heavy vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic continue to travel over the bridge daily.

A representative from the cabinet brought the commission up to speed on their plans for the bridge’s design, answered questions from commissioners and discussed ways the public could stay informed.

Functionally obsolete bridges are those that do not have adequate lane widths, shoulder widths, or vertical clearances to serve current traffic demand, or those that may be occasionally flooded, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Sidewalks on the bridge are small and not up to standard with the Americans with Disabilities Act, making crossing difficult for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility limitations, Bezold said. In addition, the narrow drive lanes and concrete barriers separating the road from the walkways make the bridge dangerous for cyclists.

“Nothing on this project is typical,” Project Manager Mike Bezold said during the question and answer portion of his presentation. “We have made a commitment

The cabinet has formed an aesthetics committee comprised of state and local public officials, historic preservation experts and representatives from the contracted busi-

4th Street Bridge project expected to cost $68 million

The bourbon bar at Smoke Justis in Covington, one of the stops on the B-Line. Photo provided | The B-Line

to make a signature structure in this area that is aesthetically pleasing and enhances the area.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet gave an update on the progress of the 4th Street Bridge replacement project at the Newport City Commission meeting June 12.

nesses involved in the project. The committee met for the first time at the end of May, but the meeting was not open to the public.

The total budget of the project, including construction, planning and accompanying road work is $68 million.

Bezold said that bridge designer Rosales + Partners would have some preliminary designs for the bridge ready by August or September. He added that the timeline for completion of the bridge depended on the design the committee chose and the construction materials involved, so he could not give an estimated completion time at the meeting.

However, he did lay out some parameters for what the committee wanted in its ideal design.

“The No. 1 thing that we’ve looked at from Day 1 is bike and (pedestrian) safety,” Bezold said. “Because right now the current bridge does not have safe movement for bikes at all. And there is no Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk anywhere between Newport and Covington.”

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Covington seeks recruits for new firefighter training pipeline The city of Covington is seeking four recent high school graduates for the city fire department’s new cadet program, which was instituted to create a new firefighter training pipeline.

“This is a high-adrenaline job where you help people,” Assistant Chief of Fire Training Corey Deye said in a recent press release. “It’s definitely not a 9-to-5 desk job.”

Recruits to the program will work parttime, from 16 to 20 hours a week, while aiding full-time staff around the firehouse and receiving training, first as an EMT, then as a firefighter and finally as a paramedic.

To apply for the program, email Assistant Chief Deye at cdeye@covingtonky.gov. Interviews for the positions have already begun.

Here’s how to get free meals for your kids this summer The Kentucky Department of Education will provide free summer meals and educational activities at roughly 1,800 sites throughout the state from June through August, according to a recent press release from the department.

The Summer Food Service Program is part of the National Summer Food Service Program, a federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Low-income families with children aged 18 and younger are eligible for the program.

You can find a site one of three ways: • Text “Food” or “Comida” to 304-304.

• Visit fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks • Call the USDA Hunger Hotline at 866348-6479

Clark Schaefer Hackett hires new Chief Information Officer Business advisory and CPA firm Clark Schaefer Hackett has announced the hiring of its new Chief Information Officer, Kevin Staton. The firm has offices in both Cincinnati and Fort Mitchell.

Staton comes to Clark Schaefer Hackett from Empower, where he served as VP of Information Technology. He also previously led the technology department at the University of Cincinnati’s UC Foundation.

Staton’s responsibilities will include enhancing Clark Schaefer Hackett’s technological capabilities, implementing a new data-driven technology strategy and meeting with the staff to gain insight into the organization’s operations.

DISCOVER YOUR DREAM HOME

WOODLANDS

Battle over Cold Spring DAV site continues in Kentucky Supreme Court The yearslong battle over who has the rights to the former Disabled American Veterans property on U.S. 27 in Cold Spring continues.

Low-maintenance patio home, ranch townhome, or condo living in Hebron

The property, which the city of Cold Spring currently owns, has been embroiled in an eminent domain fight since the DAV moved from its Cold Spring facility and into Erlanger.

The Campbell County Board of Education attempted to purchase the site by eminent domain after the DAV turned down its bid in favor of Cold Spring’s bid.

In the latest development, on June 7, the Kentucky Supreme Court agreed to review the appeal over its previous decision on the ability of the Campbell County Board of Education to purchase the site by eminent domain.

SCAN for DIrECTIoNS AND INfo ©The Drees Company. All rights reserved.

24-0407-104 6/23

“We are doing everything we can to move this project forward without delay,” Campbell County Schools Superintendent Shelli Wilson said. “We have a vision and commitment to provide world-class learning spaces for our students. The Board of Education continues to make this a priority.”

But Cold Spring City Attorney Brandon Voelker told LINK nky that the city has never disputed the need for a new middle school.

“It’s unfortunate that the board cannot balance development of a community as a whole, especially in light of the significant tax revenue that’s available to the board with the proposed Cold Spring development of the site,” Voelker said.

He continued to say that if the property were to be turned into a middle school, it would lead to a significant rise in taxes.

“Cold Spring has always prided itself on establishing a strong community that lends itself to keeping taxes low while providing first quality services,” Voelker said.

JUNE 23, 2023 11

news from other places Southern Baptists refuse to allow Louisville church with female pastor back into fold

The Rev. Linda Barnes Popham has been pastor of Louisville’s Fern Creek Baptist Church for 30 years. The church lost its appeal of its expulsion from the Southern Baptist Convention. Photo provided | AP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The Southern Baptist Convention has refused to welcome two churches – Fern Creek Baptist of Louisville, Kentucky, and California megachurch Saddleback – back into its fold, rejecting their appeals over being expelled for having women pastors.

The results of the June 12 votes were announced June 13 on the concluding day of the two-day annual meeting in New Orleans of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, whose statement of faith asserts that only qualified men can serve as pastors.

Church representatives voted 9,700-806 to deny an appeal by Fern Creek, which has had a woman pastor for three decades.

“I knew they would uphold the expulsion.

However, I guess I am a bit naive. I did not think it would be that drastic a result. I thought there were more people left in the Southern Baptist Convention who support the autonomy of the local church, if not women in ministry,” said the Rev. Linda Barnes Popham, Fern Creek’s pastor.

With a 9,437-to-1,212 vote, delegates – known as messengers – also rejected an appeal by Rick Warren, the retired founding pastor of Saddleback and author of the best-selling phenomenon, “The Purpose Driven Life.”

All Baptist churches are independent, so the convention can’t tell them what to do, but it can decide which churches are “not in friendly cooperation,” the official verbiage for an expulsion.

12 JUNE 23, 2023

The issue of women in ministry has long been debated among Southern Baptists, dating back to the late 20th century controversies that led to a sharp rightward shift in its leadership. That movement culminated in a revised statement of belief in 2000, which included a declaration that while “both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

Ky. facility nearly done destroying nation’s last stockpile of chemical weapon sarin RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) – A Kentucky facility built to dispose of deadly Cold War-era chemical weapons is nearing the end of its mission to destroy its 520-ton stockpile, a milestone that will likely mark the end of chemical weapons destruction projects in the U.S., officials said.

The facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot is weeks away from eliminating the last of a stockpile of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s. The GB nerve agent, also known as sarin, a colorless and tasteless toxin, can cause respiratory failure leading to death. It is outlawed under international rules of warfare.

Another stockpile is being eliminated at an Army facility in Colorado, but that effort is expected to conclude before the Kentucky one. The two sites have the country’s last remaining chemical weapons that must be disposed of according to a 1997 worldwide treaty.

Military and civilian officials gathered at Eastern Kentucky University to speak about the end of the project.

Kingston Reif, an assistant U.S. Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control, said the destruction of the nation’s

deadly chemical weapons has been decades in the making.

“As recently as a few years ago, we weren’t sure we could achieve our treaty commitment, so the fact that we are now on the doorstep is no small feat,” Reif said. He said all other nations who joined the treaty have finished destroying their stockpiles.

Destruction of the Kentucky stockpile began in 2019 after decades of planning and debate over how to dispose of the deadly war weapons.

Mining employee gets six months for falsifying dust samples, lying to feds PIKEVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A coal dust examiner that worked for a Kentucky mining company has been sentenced to six months in prison for falsifying dust samples and lying to federal officials.

Walter Perkins’ employer, Black Diamond Coal Co., was placed on probation for two years for submitting false samples to officials of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, prosecutors said on June 8.

Coal dust sampling equipment is required to be worn by a miner while working underground, but Black Diamond took measurements from a monitor placed above ground, in a first aid trailer, according to a news release from the office of Carlton Shier, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Inspectors found the dust monitor after visiting Black Diamond’s No. 1 mine on Oct. 8, 2020. Inspectors also said the company had submitted dust sampling levels that were abnormally low, according to officials.

Coal dust causes pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease, when inhaled by workers.

Mines are required to reduce dust levels at mining sites.

Perkins, 45, was trained to monitor dust levels. Perkins told investigators the monitor was faulty, which turned out to be false.

He will serve a six-month sentence and then six more months of home detention.

The facility at the Blue Grass Army Depot is weeks away from eliminating the last of a stockpile of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent, also known as sarin, that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s. Photo provided | AP

Black Diamond was ordered to pay a fine of $200,000 and restitution of $400 to any former miner who is no longer employed in the mining industry so that they can seek a medical screening for black lung disease.

town crier Boone County Schools celebrates graduates

Alexandria honors robotics awards competitors

It’s onward and upward for these happy Boone County High School graduates. Photo provided | Stacey Black

Boone County Schools congratulated graduates from Ryle High School, RISE Academy, ACCEL Academy and Boone County High School at ceremonies in early June. At the Ryle ceremony, Principal Matt Shafer noted that the class of 2023 entered high school as the pandemic was unfolding.

“Just as you were beginning to figure things out, the world was shut down. ... Through it all, you are sitting here today accomplishing the goal you set for yourself when you entered high school.”

At its June meeting, Alexandria City Council honored students and coaches from the St. Mary School in Alexandria and Campbell County High School for their participation in the 2023 VEX Robotics World Championship. The students defeated teams in state and regional competitions, moving on to represent Kentucky in the World Championships held in Dallas in April. Some 800 high schools and 450 grade schools competed in the event.

Country rockers County Wide to play Edgewood concert Week three of the city of Edgewood’s Summer Concert Series features Southern country rockers County Wide on Tuesday, June 27, in Presidents Park, 238 Dudley Pike in Edgewood. Together since 2014, the band comes from Corbin, Kentucky, and has played at the popular Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota as well as at numerous Harley-Davidson and NASCAR events.

County Wide has opened for Chris Stapleton, Shooter Jennings, Randy Houser and other top performers. Food will be available from the Cheese N Chong food truck.

tures a beloved children’s classic penned in 1952. The project enlisted various artists to paint benches inspired by wellloved books. Local artist Claire Long selected “Charlotte’s Web,” by E.B. White, for her bench. The book remains a favorite of young readers. See the bench installed at John G. Carlisle Elementary School, 910 Holman St. in Covington. For more information, visit kentonlibrary.org/bookbenches.

Tower Tuesday event features Touch-a-Truck

County Wide will share its brand of high-energy country rock at Edgewood’s Summer Concert Series in Presidents Park on June 27. Photo provided | County Wide band

'Charlotte’s Web' honored on Covington book bench A new installment of the Kenton County Public Library book bench art project fea-

Children are invited to get a close look at city vehicles in a special Tower Tuesday Touch-a-Truck event celebrating the community’s heroes. The event will be held in Fort Thomas’ Tower Park Amphitheater on Cochran Avenue from 10 to 11 a.m. on June 27. A Cincinnati Circus balloon artist will be on hand to entertain and create magical balloon figures. Children are also invited to climb aboard the Campbell County Public Library’s book bus to pick out a free book to take home.

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JUNE 23, 2023 13

real estate

Stylishly renovated Covington home boasts city views Address: 1255 W. Pike St., Covington Price: $349,000 Bedrooms: Two Bathrooms: Two Square feet: 1,578 School district: Covington Independent

The kitchen inside this newly renovated property on Covington’s west side features stainless-steel appliances, quartz countertops and brass fixtures in an open design layout. Photo provided | Madison Eisenman with Sibcy Cline Realtors

County: Kenton Special features: This newly renovated home on Covington’s west side has been completely updated from the ground up. A bright, open, eat-in kitchen and living room with high ceilings create an inviting space for entertaining guests. Recharge each day as you enjoy city views from the primary bedroom suite, and relax outside on the patio at night by the firepit. A stylish, neutral color palette, tile work, brass hardware finishes and recessed lighting throughout make this home ready for movein day.

The entryway of this newly renovated property in west Covington features wood plank flooring and offers a glimpse of the backyard patio seating area. Photo provided | Madison Eisenman with Sibcy Cline Realtors

The patio seating area and firepit of this Covington home are framed in by historic masonry in a parklike setting. Photo provided | Madison Eisenman with Sibcy Cline Realtors

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

Whitney Jolly-Loreaux

859.380.5811 Wjolly-loreaux@huff.com Jollyhometeam.com Address

City

Price

Sale Date

114 Green Hill Drive 2367 Ambrato Way 902 Treeline Drive 2705 Ridgecrest Lane 2308 Amici Drive 2174 Siena Avenue 2367 Bella Ridge 155 A 2365 Bella Ridge 155 B 4528 Kidwell Lane 96 Juarez Circle 133 Indian Creek Drive 3835 Capella Lane

Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington

$233,500 $170,000 $400,000 $250,000 $424,760 $253,000 $299,990 $289,500 $344,999 $215,000 $252,000 $244,900

5/16/23 5/16/23 5/18/23 5/18/23 5/19/23 5/22/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/28/23 5/31/23 6/1/23

14 JUNE 23, 2023

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

2123 Rolling Hills Drive 70 Otter Drive 2521 Crosshill Drive 301 2525 Crosshill Drive 7-301 2535 Crosshill Drive 2531 Crosshill Drive 7-302 2537 Crosshill Drive 4-202 703 Ferncliff Avenue 2545 Crosshill Drive 2530 Crosshill Drive 925 Riverwatch Drive 135 Summer Lane 110 Vernon Drive 275 Springside 2905 University Drive 2616 Bryan Station Lane 107 Edgewood Road 2919 Sequoia Drive 3000 Winterbourne Road 3088 Waterbury Court 410 Glenview Court 3056 Lyndale Court Court 781 Abbotsbury Place 3109 Edge Mar Drive 3025 Edge Mar Drive 2980 Sequoia Drive 2 730 Hurstborne Lane 3213 Trailwood Court 2945 Wildrose Street 3113 Lawrence Drive 37 1/2 Ashton Road 53 Pleasant Ridge Avenue 204 Highland Avenue 20 Silver Avenue 24 Pleasant Ridge Avenue 8 Lucerne Avenue 6 Miami Drive

Covington Covington Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crescent Springs Crestview Hills Crestview Hills Crestview Hills Crestview Hills Crestview Hills Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell

$180,000 $299,900 $302,299 $292,641 $280,909 $250,661 $281,246 $245,000 $299,540 $282,955 $599,000 $339,900 $435,000 $280,000 $365,000 $210,000 $274,000 $210,000 $565,000 $800,000 $270,000 $977,282 $1,180,000 $266,000 $420,000 $160,000 $635,000 $229,900 $650,000 $345,000 $284,000 $450,000 $320,000 $375,000 $280,000 $345,000 $532,500

6/1/23 6/7/23 5/17/23 5/17/23 5/22/23 5/23/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/30/23 5/31/23 6/9/23 5/15/23 5/31/23 6/1/23 6/5/23 6/8/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/22/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 6/2/23 6/5/23 6/5/23 6/5/23 6/9/23 6/9/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/19/23 5/26/23 5/30/23

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

2215 Dominion Drive 131 Burdsall Avenue 37 Silver Avenue 29 Ashton Road 7 Floral Avenue 2766 Presidential Drive 2546 Timberside Drive 2442 Wernz Drive 2558 Timberside Drive 2313 John James Court 1753 Jesse Lane 1650 Grandview Drive 3088 Point Pleasant Road 1604 Gladeside Court 2613 Hazelnut Court 2020 Windsong Way 2416 Oakview Court 1837 Patton Drive 2566 Timberside Drive 1930 Peach Blossom Lane 2801 Sappling Way 2796 Shamu Drive 2766 Presidential Drive 2546 Timberside Drive 2442 Wernz Drive 2558 Timberside Drive 2313 John James Court 1753 Jesse Lane 1650 Grandview Drive 3088 Point Pleasant Road 1604 Gladeside Court 2613 Hazelnut Court 2020 Windsong Way 2416 Oakview Court 1837 Patton Drive 2566 Timberside Drive 1930 Peach Blossom Lane

Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Fort Mitchell Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron

$270,000 $450,000 $230,000 $417,100 $470,000 $216,000 $279,309 $439,900 $300,519 $424,000 $214,800 $700,000 $16,000 $464,000 $418,000 $579,000 $389,000 $410,000 $327,113 $250,000 $370,000 $292,500 $216,000 $279,309 $439,900 $300,519 $424,000 $214,800 $700,000 $16,000 $464,000 $418,000 $579,000 $389,000 $410,000 $327,113 $250,000

5/31/23 6/2/23 6/6/23 6/8/23 6/9/23 5/15/23 5/19/23 5/25/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 6/1/23 6/2/23 6/8/23 6/8/23 5/15/23 5/19/23 5/25/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/26/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/30/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 6/1/23 6/2/23

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

2801 Sappling Way 2796 Shamu Drive 11043 Woodmont Way 13 Alvin Drive 4878 Colony Square Drive 4245 Briarwood Drive 4 801 Ackerly Drive 1729 Relway Drive 0 Flintrock Bluff 358 767 Stanley Lane 6386 Regal Ridge Drive 97 Nicole Drive 1162 Fawnwood Drive 5358 Millcreek Circle 781 Cox Road 11568 Taylor Mill Road LOT 3 124 Carrie Way 6279 Holm Oak Court 10517 Greenbrook Drive 2033 Mapletree Lane 10683 Kelsey Drive 3608 Dorset Ct 1343 Meadowcrest Circle 1957 Independence Road 817 Ridgepoint Drive 1213 Cannonball Way 2182 Hartland Boulevard 9737 Cloveridge Drive 1786 Autumn Maple Drive 3878 Eagleledge Court Court 10388 Flintrock Bluff 362 10644 Sinclair Drive 1359 Grandarbor Circle 10294 Meadow Glen Drive 866 Stablewatch Drive 2030 Aristocrat Boulevard 93 Sherwood Drive

Hebron Hebron Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence

$370,000 $292,500 $439,900 $211,000 $415,000 $149,900 $285,100 $325,000 $230,000 $300,000 $203,000 $278,000 $409,900 $317,000 $180,000 $70,000 $235,000 $339,998 $326,500 $290,000 $290,000 $499,900 $419,982 $243,000 $310,000 $324,000 $289,990 $260,000 $353,318 $489,900 $285,000 $320,000 $340,000 $362,600 $315,000 $370,000 $210,000

6/8/23 6/8/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/15/23 5/17/23 5/18/23 5/18/23 5/18/23 5/19/23 5/19/23 5/22/23 5/22/23 5/22/23 5/22/23 5/23/23 5/23/23 5/24/23 5/24/23 5/24/23 5/25/23 5/25/23 5/25/23 5/25/23 5/25/23 5/25/23 5/26/23 5/30/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 5/31/23 6/2/23 6/2/23 6/2/23

features

LINK Streetscapes – Load up on protein shakes, ramen, specialty pizzas on Martha Layne Collins Boulevard Powered by Merk and Gile, Injury Attorneys

M

ost NKU alumni and students know Martha Layne Collins Boulevard well. But with graduation and the start of the summer semester, many who have never ventured to NKU are making their way in that direction. Those looking for an energy boost midmorning or a refreshing summer beer need only head to the bustling boulevard to find plenty of food and drinks.

Empower Nutrition

PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR pick-me-up. With unique flavors ranging from peach gummy ring to blue raspberry lemonade, they’re subtly sweet with far less sugar than similar drinks found at other places. The protein shakes are ideal for those looking for a post-workout drink or on-the-go meal replacement.

With over 30 flavors, narrowing it down to just one is the hardest decision. Peanut butter Oreo and chunky monkey are among the best sellers, but there’s truly no wrong choice here. These drinks are high in protein and low in sugar, even for such indulgent flavors.

The employees are really helpful, offering suggestions and making sure each drink is customized for guests’ dietary restrictions and tastes. The shop’s interior is accented in faux greenery and gold, with touches of feminine décor. Bar stools let guests sit and chat with the employees as they create their drinks, kind of like with a bartender at a cocktail bar.

Peach ring herbal tea from Empower Nutrition.

This locally owned, woman-run business has created a huge following among NKY fitness fanatics for its extensive offerings in protein meal replacement shakes and herbal teas.

Drink offerings come in three main forms: wellness shots, herbal teas and protein shakes. Empower offers a discount for those who order from each category.

The herbal teas are refreshing, caffeinated beverages that are the perfect midday

Mac’s Pizza Pub For large or ravenous groups, Mac’s Pizza Pub will satisfy even the most hangry guests. Dealing with the heat of summer understandably might make anyone hungry and possibly a little cranky, and there’s no better cure than a cold beer and pizza. Mac’s has plenty of both.

With five locations in the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area, Mac’s has built a reputation that brings customers back. Specialty pizzas are what Mac’s is best known for – and for good reason. The Chicago Gyro pizza features garlic butter, fresh spinach, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, red onions, gyro meat, mozzarella, provolone and feta cheese, all topped with tza-

kikurage, a type of mushroom, sweet corn and a boiled egg.

The interior of Maki is adorned in Japanese lanterns and art. The atmosphere is cute and inviting, making for the ideal place to stop and relax.

Mac’s Pizza Pub has plenty of fans.

tziki. French fry pizza is loaded with beer cheese, waffle fries, red onion, tomatoes, provolone, mozzarella, cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Have a street, city or business you want to see covered next? Email Maria Hehman at mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK Streetscapes.

What to Know If You Go:

Mac’s pizzas are packed with everything but the kitchen sink to create unique flavors that keep guests full. For those looking for options outside of pizza, the wings and burgers are equally as impressive and filling. And there are plenty of bar basics to make the perfect pairing with any pizza.

Empower Nutrition

Maki Asian Bowls The newest addition to Martha Layne Collins Boulevard gives patrons a taste of Asian cuisine. Maki Asian Bowl opened in April and already has become a staple in the area.

Mac’s Pizza Pub

Guests can start with a variety of traditional popular appetizers, including edamame, gyoza and egg rolls. Next, they can choose from rice bowls like Mongolian beef and orange chicken or Maki’s signature dish, chicken teriyaki. Also a crowd-pleaser are the ramen bowls with noodles and broth. Katsu ramen comes with a choice of chicken or beef as well as

Location: 28 Martha Layne Collins Blvd., Cold Spring Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, closed Phone: 859-360-2461 Instagram: @empowernutritionnky

Location: 42 Martha Layne Collins Blvd., Cold Spring Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday, noon-midnight Phone: 859-781-6227 Website: www.macspizzapub.com

Maki Asian Bowls: Location: 56 Martha Layne Collins Blvd., Cold Spring Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-3 p.m. and 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Phone: 859360-5563 Instagram: @maki_asian_bowls

JUNE 23, 2023 15

Eubank, Baker continue college-bound tradition at Ryle

R

ising senior Quinn Eubank began her Ryle High School basketball career as a seventh-grader and a champion. She watched wide-eyed from the bench as the Raiders won the 2019 state crown. She received extensive game action the next season while making an immediate impact as an eighth-grader and finished fifth on the team in scoring and third in rebounding.

BY MARC HARDIN | LINK NKY CONTRIBUTOR To say that Eubank’s Ryle career has been grand isn’t far from the truth. A 5-foot-11 combo forward, she eventually surpassed 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds, becoming just the third player in program history to reach 1,000 in both categories.

The returning all-conference selection has scored 1,321 points and grabbed 1,024 rebounds in her high school career. After leading the Raiders in rebounding each of the past three seasons, she’s on pace to obliterate Ryle’s all-time record of 1,094.

Eubank has a chance to reach 1,000 career assists. She averaged 14.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season.

Eubank reached another milestone in her basketball journey when she verbally committed to Belmont University earlier this month.

“I’m very happy for Quinn. She really wants to play basketball in college,” Raiders coach Katie Haitz said. “She’s talented. She works very hard.”

Ryle High School’s Quinn Eubank will join a long list of Raider girls basketball players to play in college. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

Eubank is not a Ryle novelty. She’s the lat-

est in a line of greats who’ve made the college grade while plying her craft in Raider black and orange. Ryle has sent nearly 20 girls to college programs since Haitz became head coach in 2015. There were nine college-bound players alone on the 2019 state championship squad.

“We’ve had so many great ones,” Haitz said.

“It started my first season in 2015-16. We had seven seniors, and they were wonderful leaders. They showed the rest of the girls what it takes to be successful.”

Of those seven seniors, five went on to play college basketball, including that season’s top three scorers: Mallory Schwartz (Bellarmine), Carly Lange (Indiana Wesleyan) and Madison Jones (Midway). They began their high school careers playing under preceding Ryle head coaches Patti Oliverio and Karra Jackson. Under Haitz, they kickstarted a college-signing legacy that continues to this day and was renewed with Eubank’s commitment to Belmont.

“Quinn is very deserving,” said Haitz, a former player under Nell Fookes at Boone County High School. “She’s versatile on both offense and defense. She can guard anybody. She’s a great athlete. She’s quick.

She has an outside shot. She’s a good ball handler. She can score. She can rebound.”

That pretty much checks all the boxes when it comes to scouting reports, and you can add durability to the list. Eubank has missed just one contest in her 123-game career. Yet, Haitz could be talking about any number of her players, so uniform have their myriad qualities been on the court.

Kentucky University.

Talented eighth-graders kept coming. Austin Johnson arrived in Haitz’s third season, Abby Holtman in her fourth season. Holtman is heading to the University of Cincinnati, Johnson to North Greenville University. Quinn Eubank and Sarah Baker were eighth-graders in Haitz’s fifth season, but both were on roster in the seventh grade.

Baker saw action in one game that season.

If she hasn’t already, Baker, a 6-foot-2 post player, will sign soon with a college from among nearly two dozen potential suitors, including Kent State, Wright State, Bowling Green, Delaware, Fairfield and Belmont, all of which have made offers to the returning all-conference standout. Baker averaged 11 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season.

“Quinn and I talk about it. It’s exciting,” Baker said of the recruiting process. “We check up on each other and get updates.”

Baker, more of a late bloomer than Eubank, would also like to finish her Ryle career in grand fashion. She needs 72 points to reach 1,000. She needs 378 rebounds to reach 1,000.

Add in a potential first regional title since 2020 and a trip back to the state final for the first time in five years, and Eubank and Baker would have plenty more to talk about. Together, they’ve already won three district championships, two regional titles and the school’s one and only state crown.

“It would be so nice to win the region and state again,” Baker said. “That’s the goal.”

“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of talented girls,” Haitz said. “Maddie Scherr was on that first team as an eighth-grader. Lauren Schwartz was a freshman. They learned so much from the older girls, and the girls kept passing it down every year. I’m really proud of all of them.”

Lauren Schwartz was an all-conference star who played college ball at Rice University before transferring to the University of Washington. Scherr went on to become Miss Kentucky Basketball of 2020. She began her college career at Oregon before transferring to Kentucky. On Haitz’s second team was another precocious eighth-grader, Brie Crittendon, a future 9th Region player of the year who played at Eastern 16 JUNE 23, 2023

Sarah Baker needs just 72 points in her senior season to reach 1,000 for her career. Photo provided

sports Arlinghaus steps down after 17 years at the helm of Conner baseball

State champion head soccer coach takes over Highlands boys

With two kids starting to hit the age where dad doesn’t want to miss out, Conner High School baseball coach Brad Arlinghaus Conner High School baseball has resigned coach Brad Arlinghaus has from his posiresigned after 17 seasons tion.

Suli Kayed said it would have to be the right fit for him when he stepped down as head soccer coach from the Notre Dame Academy Pandas in March.

Arlinghaus has been the head coach in Hebron for 17 seasons, taking the program over in 2007.

The Denmark native brings four years of head coaching experience to Fort Thomas.

He led Notre Dame to a 45-4-3 record the past two seasons, including a 28-0-1 mark in 2021 that culminated with the fourth state championship in program history.

with the team. Photo provided

The Covington Catholic High School grad won 327 games in his tenure with a region championship and four district titles. He’s a five-time Northern Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year and has had 44 of his players go on to play in college.

Widely regarded as one of the top teams in the region year in, year out, the Cougars reached their pinnacle in 2014 with a 26-10 record and won the 9th Region tournament. They went on to reach the state quarterfinals, winning their first-round state tournament game over Boyd County.

Outside of his primary job, which is teaching AP European history at Conner, Arlinghaus' primary focus will be dad.

As he departs, so do 13 seniors. It’s a senior class that won 75 games over the last three seasons, essentially paving the way for a new era of Cougar baseball.

About three months later, Kayed found that right fit, taking the same spot with the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer program.

Kayed takes over after Brandon Ponchak resigned recently after one season to take an assistant coach position for the Jacksonville State women’s program.

Kayed plans to put together a staff of six to eight coaches with two to three on the varsity, junior varsity and freshman levels including goalkeeper coaches. He said the assistants will come from his previous staffs at Notre Dame, Boone County and the club level.

and athletic ability.

Kayed said he’s looking forward to working with the man he succeeded at Boone County in Highlands, girls soccer head coach Chris Norris. The two coached against each other the last two years, facing off on opposite sides in the last two 9th Region championships. Highlands beat Notre Dame, 3-2 (4-3 on kicks from the mark) in last year’s region championship game after Notre Dame shut out the Bluebirds, 4-0 in 2021.

Hamilton doubled as a basketball star for the Camels, finishing his career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,216 points.

Kayed played striker and midfielder for the Ryle Raiders and longtime head coach Stephen Collins before graduating in 2015 and going on to have a successful career at Thomas More.

Kayed has experience leading boys and girls programs. Kayed spent two seasons coaching the Boone County boys program in 2019 and 2020, leading the Rebels to a 12-13 record.

Highlands last won the 9th Region championship in 2019, losing to eventual state champion Henry Clay in the state quarterfinals. The Bluebirds have state runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2018.

Kayed takes over a program that finished 14-5-3 last year, winning its seventh straight 36th District Tournament championship. The Bluebirds have made it to the region semifinals the past three seasons.

Camels pair wins StudentAthlete of the Year awards

Highlands graduated 16 seniors from the 2022 squad. The Bluebirds do return the likes of senior goalkeeper Jack Wilson along with senior midfielders Chad Gesenhues and Jack Haggard. Gesenhues is the team’s leading returning point-scorer with seven goals and seven assists. Wilson made 45 saves and recorded three shutouts.

Campbell County head baseball coach Scott Schweitzer said he has submitted players for the annual Midway College/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Student-Athlete of the Year awards for years.

But it was not until this year when he finally heard back about it. Campbell County not only won it this year with senior Aydan Hamilton for baseball, but twice with senior Paige Stewart for softball. The award is based on academics, community service

Both led their teams to 37th District championships this year. The Camels softball team (20-6) has won it six years in a row, and the baseball team (29-10) has won it the past two years.

Hamilton finished his baseball career batting .415 (114-for-275) to go with 107 runs scored, 93 runs batted in, 11 home runs, 23 doubles and one triple. He dazzled on the base paths, stealing an impressive 69 bases on 72 attempts.

Hamilton also did well in the classroom, earning a 4.0 grade-point average as a senior. He’s headed to the University of Kentucky in the fall on a baseball scholarship.

Stewart expressed gratitude for winning the award. She’s been a major contributor for the Camels softball team the past three seasons, finishing with a .469 batting average (119-for-254) with 51 runs scored, 79 runs batted in, 28 doubles, six triples and five home runs. Stewart played second or third base when not pitching.

Stewart finished her pitching career with a 31-10 record, recording 149 strikeouts these past three years. She recorded her career-lowest 4.56 earned-run average this past year.

Stewart is taking her talents to nearby Thomas More University to play softball for the Saints.

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

As a reminder, our honor is available to any athletics team from any sport at any level – from high school and collegiate to youth to recreational and beyond. Readers can scan the QR code to head to linknky.com to vote for the next Team of the Week.

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18 JUNE 23, 2023

NKY Chamber announces Leadership Northern Kentucky class of 2024

BY LINK nky STAFF

T

he Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce announced the Leadership Northern Kentucky class of 2024.

The 45th class consists of 52 professionals who work for a range of businesses and nonprofits throughout the region.

“The 52 leaders who make up the 45th class will form bonds and make a collective impact which will positively change the outlook for our community,” said Cara Brooks, Duke Energy Corporation Economic Development manager and 2024 Leadership NKY class chair. “I’m looking forward to witnessing them come together as a cohesive unit and emerge better equipped to share their knowledge with others and make decisions that will move Northern Kentucky forward.”

The following individuals have been named to the Leadership NKY Class of 2024: • Aaron Broomall, Faith Community Pharmacy, Inc. • Abby Gerwe, AEG/PromoWest • Alison Connor, Greenway Innovations • Amber Wert, Business Intelligence Advisors • Andrew Huser, HGC Construction • Ash Norton, Duke Energy • Ashleigh DuBois, NKY Chamber of Commerce • Benjamin Bach, Kroger • Brad McNutt, Northern Kentucky University

The Leadership Northern Kentucky class of 2023. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

• Brandon Releford, The Point/Arc of Northern Kentucky • Bret Marshall, CTI Clinical Trials and Consulting • Chad Schwalbach, St. Elizabeth Healthcare • Christina Roybal, Northern Kentucky University • Christopher Groeschen, Bricker Graydon LLP • D’Juan James, St. Elizabeth Healthcare • Dagmar Morales, Kenton County Public Library • Denise Fritsch, Gateway Community & Technical College • Denise Govan, DCCH Center for Children • Edwin King, City of Fort Mitchell • Erin Rehkamp, TKOR Holdings • Gary McCulley, TANK • Jason Mack, Skanska

• Jessica Banish, Three Keys Distillery • Josh Quinn, meetNKY • Karen Tepe, St. Elizabeth Healthcare • Ken Muth, Duke Energy • Kyle Weiskircher, The C.W. Zumbiel Company • Leah Sheanshang, Fidelity Investments • Louis Linnemann, Linnemann Funeral Homes • Manny Hernandez, First Financial Bank • Mary Decker, Brighton Center, Inc. • Mary Anne Brown, Laughing Food Brands, LLC dba Laughing Bees • Mary Kate Vanderglas, Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky • Matthew Strange, The Christ Hospital • Maura Russell, City of Fort Wright • Melissa Morandi, The City of Bellevue • Michael Setters, City Wide Facility Solutions

• Michelle Reid, Strauss Troy Co., LPA • Nicholas Woods, Fifth Third Bank • Nick Whallin, Citi • Pierce Kohls, TENTE Casters, Inc. • Randall Schultz, KZF Design, Inc. • Robert Franxman, Boone Co. Fiscal Court • Ryan Bihl, Heritage Bank • Sara Warning, St. Elizabeth Physicians • Sarah Krumme, St. Elizabeth Physicians • Sarah Grace Mohr, MACKEY • Sasha Naiman, Northern Kentucky Children’s Law Center, Inc. • Shaye Money, Gravity Diagnostics • Timothy Dodson, CVG Airport Authority • Will Weber, Southbank Partners • Zak Draznin, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky

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A peek at what’s in the next issue: What does health care look like for low-income NKY families?

20 JUNE 23, 2023

Streetscapes goes back to West 6th Street in Covington

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