LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 18 - March 24, 2023

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NKY legislators hedge bets for sports gambling bill

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

CHIEF

OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier

MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth

PRINT EDITOR Kaitlin Gebby

SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison

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Correction

Patrons place sports bets at Encore Boston Harbor casino Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, in Everett, Mass.

Steven

BY KENTON HORNBECK AND MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTERS

Northern Kentucky resident and sports bettor Collin Barnes admitted he’s grown used to traveling across state lines to place his bets.

He told LINK nky there were times he drove across the Ohio River and parked his car at a gas station simply to place a bet – a common practice for Kentucky bettors. Barnes is also no stranger to ordering round-trip Ubers, a strategy he’s deployed many times to get to legal betting territory.

“I could not add up the amount of time I’ve spent driving in a car to go over state borders to bet,” he said.

Kentuckians have proven they are willing to travel across state borders to place sports bets, and other states have benefitted from Kentuckians spending their money in bordering states.

Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Oakland), the sponsor of House Bill 551 — the sports betting bill moving through the legislature in 2023 — said the American Gaming Association estimates there’s $1 billion illegally wagered in betting in Kentucky each year.

A fiscal note on House Bill 551 states that legal sports betting would bring in roughly $23 million to the state each year.

Over 180,000 accounts created by Kentucky residents accessed sportsbooks in legal states last football season, according to data compiled by GeoComply, a geographic location detection software sports betting apps use to detect VPN fraud. The data was measured from the start of the last NFL season from September 2022 to February 2023.

A VPN is a virtual private network, which allows users to establish a protected network connection when using public networks.

Not only does GeoComply track betting data, it’s also software that prevents bettors in illegal states from placing bets. For example, if a bettor was standing in Newport and went to place a bet on DraftKings Sportsbook, they’d get a notification that their device’s location indicates that they are not permitted to bet in their area. The bettor would have to walk across the Purple People Bridge into Cincinnati in order to place a legal bet.

“I don’t see where not allowing legal betting in the state is benefiting really anyone,” Barnes said.

Until recently, the possibility of legal sports betting in Kentucky was up in the air when former Rep. Adam Koenig (R-Erlanger) lost his bid for reelection in 2022.

Last year, Koenig sponsored legislation that the House approved, but it was ultimately shot down in the Senate. That session, one of the roadblocks was Committee Chairman John Schickel (R-Union), who wouldn’t hear the sports betting bill Koenig sponsored.

On Feb. 22, Meredith introduced HB551, legislation that would legalize sports betting in the Bluegrass State. The new sports betting bill cleared the Senate Licensing and Occupations committee March 15 — marking a significant moment for legislation that died in the Senate last session.

This is the fourth time sports betting-related legislation has made its way through the statehouse.

A DraftKings advertisement outside Fenway Park in Boston. Massachusetts sports fans raced to their cell phones Friday, March 10 to begin placing bets as the state allowed online sports wagering just days ahead of tip-off of the NCAA Tournament. AP Photo | Charles Krupa

An image that appeared in the March 17 edition incorrectly identified the salary of Campbell County Schools superintendent as $260,000 annually. The graphic should have reflected a $165,000 salary. LINK nky regrets the error.

The Licensing and Occupations committee, which Schickel chaired, was where the bill was first assigned during the last legislative session. It seemed unlikely that Schickel was going to support the bill. But he has been a staunch supporter of the racing industry in Northern Kentucky.

He explained in a statement that while he was the primary sponsor of historical horse racing several years ago, he finds thoroughbred racing to be more than a sport.

“It’s a pastime and an art form,” Schickel said.

After the bill seemed unlikely to pass in the committee last year, it was moved to the Senate Economic Development Committee. Another Northern Kentuckian and former legislator, Sen. Wil Schroder (R-Wilder), also chaired this committee.

Ahead of Wednesday’s meeting, Schickel said he didn’t know if he would consider the bill this year. He provided the lone no vote and said in a statement that his vote isn’t based on morality.

“Hyper-gambling would not improve society and allowing sports betting — especially on our collegiate sports and to a lesser degree professional sports — concerns me,” Schickel said, further drawing attention to gambling on cell phones, which could affect young people.

The legislation’s detractors have argued from different angles, including questioning if the industry could coexist in a state where horse betting is king, and questioning whether or not legalizing sports betting is a moral good.

Barnes said he thinks the horse racing industry and sports betting industry can coexist in Kentucky.

Meanwhile, David Walls, executive director for the Family Foundation — a Christian organization that lobbies the legislature to follow “biblical values” — testified to the Senate committee that this bill is a form of “financial fraud” that sees the government partner with gambling companies.

“Predatory gambling, especially in the expansive form that’s being considered in House Bill 551, is not a victimless form of entertainment for competition,” Walls said.

He questioned whether the expansion of gambling is good policy during a time of high inflation and high gas prices. He also added that the legislature passed a bill banning slot-style “gray machines” in gas stations and bars.

“After just voting to ban gray machines because of very legitimate concerns about every gas station being turned into a mini-casino, I certainly hope this honorable body will not have to turn around and turn every iPhone into a digital casino that kids will have access to,” Walls said.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer said the legislature couldn’t stop people from doing bad things for themselves.

In his testimony, Thayer reiterated that this bill is something the public wants, and six

of seven Kentucky border states already have sports betting in place.

“You can stand in Covington, Kentucky, and look across the Ohio River and see a brickand-mortar sports book location,” Thayer said. “The public wants this.” When presenting the bill to the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee this session, Meredith said that a 2022 poll showed 65% of Kentuckians support sports betting.

“This is about regulating a marketplace that already exists,” Meredith said.

“We noticed a significant amount of mar-

ketplace just going across the state line — across the river — to place their wages,” Meredith said.

Meredith said on the House floor that this bill would allow the Commonwealth to take advantage of funds already spent on gambling that occurs illegally in the state — he mentioned that Kentuckians pull up gambling websites they think are legal because they can access them via their phone or computer.

Ohio legalized sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023. During the first month, bettors in Ohio spent $1.1 billion, according to a report from the Columbus Dispatch. About

A man checks the odds on a sports betting terminal at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. AP Photo | Wayne Parry

$208 million in revenue was generated for sportsbooks in the state.

In the public sector, Ohio implemented a 10% tax on sports betting revenue, which generated over $20 million in tax revenue for the state.

“The amount of tax money – I feel almost bad leaving the state to go bet,” Barnes said. “There’s no telling the amount of people that cross. Kentucky is just missing out on that money.”

Some Kentucky lawmakers like Meredith agree with Barnes’ assessment. In the bill, there’s a 9.75% proposed tax on in-person

bets and 14.25% on mobile and online bets, which were included in last year’s sports betting legislation.

The new bill also clarifies the Horse Racing Commission’s Regulatory Authority and Structure. This allows the tracks to be the main licensees and to contract with three sports wagering companies. In previous bills the tracks could only contract with one company.

An amended version presented earlier this month slightly changed from its original version, with users no longer needing to register their account in person.

Tax rates will also be the same — 9.75% on in-person bets and 14.25% on mobile and online bets, which were included in last year’s House Bill 606.

An amendment introduced on the House floor would send 2.5% of the taxes collected to a problem gambling fund.

“All the promotional stuff is already out there,” Barnes said. “Anyone that’s not already betting is already seeing all the promotional content and stuff for it from commercials.”

The mainstream adoption of sports betting is a relatively new phenomenon. Prior to 2018, Nevada was the only state in the union to house legal sportsbooks. Traveling to Las Vegas was a pilgrimage for bettors.

That changed in 2018 when the Supreme Court repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, or PAPSA.

The law defined the legal status of sports betting in the United States, effectively rendering sports betting illegal across the country. Once it was overturned, a bevy of states raced to pass laws that legalized and regulated the industry in their state.

Delaware was the first. Since then, 36 states and Washington D.C. have allowed sports betting legislation within their borders. Kentucky is bordered by seven states, six of which have legalized sports betting online and in retail locations. Missouri is current-

ly the only state bordering Kentucky to not have legalized sports betting.

Sports betting has been embraced by professional sports leagues like the NFL and MLB.

The activity ingrained itself into the fabric of sports culture, much to the chagrin of the Christian community and some outspoken professional athletes.

“Gambling and sports betting has completely taken the purity and the fun away from the game,” said NBA star Kyrie Irving said while livestreaming on Twitch.

Walls argued to the state Senate that the legislation will lead young viewers to believe that “gambling is central to playing and watching sports.”

“Studies have indicated that children, no matter what steps are taken, they will gain access to sports gambling apps on their phones and devices in states where sports betting is legal,” he said.

As a bettor, Barnes said he doesn’t necessarily disagree with someone who shares Walls’ perspective, but acknowledges that at this point, with the amount of bets in other states, Kentucky is risking losing out on a source of vital revenue that could be good for both the public and private sectors.

“I understand people not being okay with gambling,” Barnes said. “They don’t think it’s right. They don’t think it should be legal. That’s fine, you can believe that. But the money is going out, the money is being placed. People in Kentucky are betting and at this point, you’re just missing out.”

Patrons place sports bets at Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, Massachusetts. AP Photo | Steven Senne

Young entrepreneurs beat the odds in brick and mortar retail

BY GARIN PIRNIA | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

At almost 23 years old, recent college grads, roommates, and bffs Caden Adams and Kayla Braden have accomplished what most early 20-somethings haven’t — they own a small business.

In 2022, they opened Peachy and Vintage at Renaissance Covington’s Pike Street PopUp space. They stayed for six months, and on Oct. 28, they had their grand opening in their much larger 2,500-square-foot space at 531 Madison Ave.

Vintage, or new vintage, includes apparel and accessories more than 20 years old, but Peachy buys and sells goods from all decades.

At Northern Kentucky University, Adams minored in entrepreneurship and Braden majored in technical theater and carpentry. Earlier on during the pandemic, they began selling vintage clothes on the website Depop, which is similar to eBay but with a focus on vintage clothing. They came up with the name Peachy and Vintage as homage to 1970s Just Peachy graphics.

“Before we opened on Pike Street, we started doing markets and kind of got our name out there,” Adams said. “And that’s when we realized that our customers wanted to have a place to try stuff on in a permanent location instead of just shopping online.”

They didn’t want to apply for business loans — they already had student loan debt — so they entered the Kentucky Pitch competition at NKU and won $7,000. The duo went

through a three-month NKU incubator program and learned more about running a business, like how to develop a business model. They’re a part of NKU’s women entrepreneurial group, and Covington’s Small Business Incentive Program helps with their rent.

Brick-and-mortar retail is having a comeback moment in 2023, both in Covington and beyond.

According to Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette, “60% of the U.S. brick-and-mortar retail is conducted outside malls.”

Occupancy rates have increased in malls as well, though, with Simon Property Group, the largest mall owner in the U.S., reporting a near 95% occupancy rate for 2022.

At the same time Peachy and Vintage was staking its claim on Pike Street, another women-owned business, Pink Moon, opened less than a block away at 621 Madison Ave.; their other location is at Newport on the Levee.

Pink Moon sells crystals, Tarot cards, horror movie apparel and lingerie. They also host Tarot readings and events, like a recent live podcast with Coven of Screams.

Last year, Pink Moon co-owner Holly Nicole told LINK nky she feels in-person retail will always have an appeal that online shopping can’t replicate.

“I feel that in the fashion end here, there isn’t as much,” she said. “You can’t walk

Kayla Braden (left) and Caden Adams, owners of Peachy & Vintage in Covington, smile for a photo inside their shop. Photo by Garin Pirnia | LINK nky contributor

into a store in the mall and pick out something that you see on TV or the internet and things like that. I know that online shopping is so big, but we do still love to go in and see something and touch it.”

Braden noted shopping for apparel at a mall usually means supporting the “fast fashion” industry – a term that refers to mass-manufactured clothing that is traded in for the next trend and often ends up in landfills.

“Sustainability in the fast fashion industry is something that we’ve learned a lot about and its impacts socially on the people making the clothes in the environment,” Braden said.

“I think being more connected with our customers also helps us to really tell them they’re keeping clothing out of the landfill. Vintage clothing used to be made so much better than clothing now, so it’s actually made to last and not just be worn a couple times and thrown away.”

Braden emphasized how garment workers in developing nations like Bangladesh make less than a dollar a day and work in unsafe conditions. Many companies in fast fashion greenwash, or say they’re practicing sustainability but are actually polluting the environment, she said.

“It’s really nice for people to put their hands on the clothing and actually feel the difference between fast fashion,” Braden said. On a regular basis Peachy throws events, like the monthly Sip and Thrift, in which customers can drink free wine and get a discount on merchandise. In February, they threw a Galentine’s Day party with Pink Moon and other women-owned businesses.

“We really wanted to be a space where people could come together,” Braden said. “We’re really passionate about helping other small businesses, which is why we have a lot of consignment artists. They’re people who don’t have time to own their own store and to set up markets, but they have their pieces in here. We are able to send them money when their stuff sells.”

Both Pink Moon and Peachy bring their millennial and Gen Z vibes to the storefronts. They’re both active on Instagram, and Peachy has an Instagrammable backdrop with a ring light, which they use to photograph their wares, but also use for events. Peachy has a classic look, but it’s not your traditional vintage store. Plus, it’s the only one located in Covington’s central business district.

In May, they’re hosting a fashion show at Madison Live and it may be their biggest event yet.

Despite having so much immediate success, sometimes people don’t take them seriously because of their age.

“People assume we don’t know what we’re doing, or we’re not doing things right,” Braden said. “But I also think there’s a lot of great people. We had a customer who was like, ‘I don’t know you, but I’m so proud of you.’”

Braden’s dad owns a business, which inspired her to start Peachy. He designed their logo and van, and put together the clothing racks. However, Adams’s grandfather and father haven’t quite been as supportive.

“They wanted me to take a more traditional career path,” Adams said. “I think a lot

The pair said being a women-owned business has its challenges, but women have to stick together.

“There are people who definitely treat us differently because we are women,” Adams said. “Older men come in and they ask us questions and want to give us their advice, which we appreciate, but we can feel the difference. If we were two men, we would not be treated the same way.”

“I love to see the growth of women-owned businesses, and I think that we’ve gotten a lot of support for being women owned,” Braden added.

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“We like to label ourselves as a women’s business, and we like to tell everybody because I do think it is an empowering statement,” Nicole said.

Peachy’s five-year plan includes maybe owning a storefront or having a warehouse space for inventory.

They’d like to have a direct-to-garment printer, and they’re getting into embroidery. They want to be more event-focused, hire employees, and travel to source items.

“We like being a part of the community, personally, and Covington’s up and coming,” Adams said. “There’s a million reasons that people should come to Covington, and we love that we are one-of-a-kind here.”

An interior photo of Peachy & Vintage in Covington. Photo provided | Peachy & Vintage of it is the fact that I am a woman and they weren’t really confident in my abilities or our abilities, but I feel like we’ve been proving them wrong.”

Covington man pleads guilty to flying drone over Reds Opening Day

The Federal Aviation Administration means business, and one thing you are definitely not allowed to do is fly a drone over a professional sporting event.

The other incident happened during a Bengals game when 24-year-old Dailon Dabney of Cincinnati flew his drone over a Jan. 15, 2022, Bengals playoff game. Officials stated that he “flew his drone into the stadium and hovered over the players and portions of the stadium crowd.” He then posted the video to various social media sites.

Founded in 1987, BE NKY’s mission is to provide Northern Kentucky’s public and private sector leaders with resources, data and expertise on how to enhance local businesses and strengthen the region’s overall economy.

DESERVE the best

Two local men found that out the hard way after pleading guilty in federal court to one count each of violating a Temporary Flight Restriction, per a release from the Southern District of Ohio’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Travis Lenhoff, 38, of Covington, flew his drone over a restricted area of Great American Ballpark during Reds Opening Day on April 12, 2022.

“Flying a drone over a stadium full of fans is dangerous and illegal without the proper FAA training, licensing, and approved flight plan,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge J. William Rivers. “We will continue to work with the FAA and local police to investigate these incidents when proper FAA protocols and procedures are not followed.”

Lenhoff and Dabney were both indicted by a federal grand jury in September of 2022. The crime they committed is considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a $100,000 fine.

Build & Elevate: Northern Kentucky Tri-ED officially rebrands to BE NKY

Northern Kentucky’s primary economic development organization has undergone a full rebrand; complete with a new color scheme, logo and name.

Going forward, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED will be known as BE NKY, short for BE NKY Growth Partnership. The name is derived

from the organization’s BE NKY’s Build + Elevate Northern Kentucky investor campaign, which launched in February of last year. Their official website is already sporting the new branding.

“BE NKY is the final step in a transition the Board of Directors started in 2018. We began working toward a new name in 2020, but had to pivot our strategy due to COVID,” said BE NKY CEO Lee Crume. “We are excited to launch the name BE NKY Growth Partnership, the last piece of the Board’s restructuring efforts.”

The new name aligns BE NKY with other regional development organizations which have rebranded over the past decade. The Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau rebranded to meetNKY in 2015. More recently, the Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance rebranded to the OneNKY Alliance in 2020.

In a press release, the organization stated the new name reflects “the team involved, which includes not only staff, but the public sector and private companies, all working together to achieve BE NKY’s vision and strategy for Northern Kentucky.”

Penalties for Covington’s short-term rental landlords may be changing

Landlords of unlicensed short-term rentals in Covington may soon see a change in

BE NKY President and CEO Lee Crume posing for a picture in front of the new BE NKY branding. Photo provided | BE NKY

penalties.

The Covington City Commission completed a first reading of an amendment to a proposed penalty to short-term rental landlords during its legislative meeting on Tuesday, March 14.

The penalty would apply to the owners of short-term rental properties who have failed to obtain proper licensing from the city and is the latest in a series of escalating penalties that date back to when Covington first began regulating short-term rentals in 2021.

Short-term rentals are private housing properties whose owners lease out rooms for short stays — often only a few days. Popular online platforms for facilitating such rentals include websites like Airbnb and Vrbo.

City law prohibits local landlords from posting advertisements online for shortterm stays without obtaining proper licenses from the city.

The most recent proposed penalty would have barred delinquent landlords from applying for short-term rental licenses for a year, beginning immediately after the city informed the owners of the violation.

The commission had initially planned on voting on the penalty during the legislative meeting on Feb. 28, but passed on voting at the advice of city solicitor David Davidson.

The amendment would bring violators before the city’s Code Enforcement Board to defend themselves before finalizing the prevention of new license applications. Davidson characterized the amendment as a way of guaranteeing proper due process of law.

“Here’s an opportunity to be heard,” he said at the Covington Commission caucus session on March 7. Davidson was not present at the March 14 meeting.

Ludlow welcoming growth for short-term rentals

Short-term rentals are alive and well in Ludlow.

Local policies on short-term rentals and how to regulate them were discussed at recent meetings in Union and Covington, spurring conversation elsewhere. There are about 29 currently active short-term rentals in Ludlow and the city is open to growth, said Mayor Chris Wright.

These properties are often rented through apps like Airbnb and Vrbo and can be occupied for under 29 days. They can be offered in a plethora of housing types, from attached and detached single-family homes to apartments and condominiums.

Owners wishing to rent their properties need to pay an annual $300 non-prorated permit fee by April 15 of each year, per Ludlow policy.

They are subject to show yearly proof of business liability insurance and have their units inspected by the city’s building inspector before permits are issued.

Regulations similar to normal rentals apply, such as occupancy limits (two adults per bedroom, max six adults per rental), noise control, and maintaining adherence to fire and safety codes.

Giving landlords an opportunity to fulfill occupancy in vacant units without the commitment or fixed rate of a regular, long-lease rental, short-term rentals can boost income for property owners and simplify rental agreements.

KYTC crews will soon start spraying for nuisance weeds

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will soon spray for nuisance weeds that can create a hazard for drivers across the Commonwealth.

KYTC crews will target a dozen noxious weeds, which could grow several feet tall. Transportation officials said if these plants are left to grow along highways, they could obscure drivers’ vision. These plants can also attract deer, which crews believe could help hide them from view.

Those weeds include Amur Honeysuckle, Canada Thistle, Common Teasel, Cutleaf Teasel, Japanese Knotweed, Johnsongrass, Kudzu, Marestail, Multiflora Rose, Nodding Thistle, Poison Hemlock and Spotted Knapweed.

Anyone who owns property along a stateowned road can request weeds along their property to get sprayed as well. A written application at the local KYTC Highway district office is required.

The nearest office for Northern Kentucky is located at 421 Buttermilk Pike in Fort Mitchell.

Bill seeks to prevent ‘harmful’ material in schools

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky

The House Education committee passed a bill Monday that aims to prevent “harmful” material from being taught in schools, but opponents say the bill would lead to banning books.

Senate Bill 5 would create a mechanism for parents to file complaints against school material they find “harmful” or “obscene” — more specifically, material legislators say “sexualizes” young children.

“This is not just some parents that have different ideas out in our society, but this is absolutely sexualizing our children,” said Rep. Josh Calloway (R-Irvington), a House Education committee member who also introduced legislation this term that would address school material.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jason Howell (R-Murray), said the bill addresses “obscenity” in school material, and this is the most granular approach to the subject so far.

The bill also seeks to define “obscene” by saying it refers to unclothed subjects that display genitalia or portray sexual acts. Further, the bill allows parents to file an appeal with the school district for what they consider to be inappropriate material.

Complaints would be submitted to principals, who would investigate the alleged incident. Within 10 days, the principal would determine if the material harms minors and decide what action to take.

“We’re really trying to drill down and have the children that are affected have the most influence in their particular district and have the principals in the school sys-

tems in those districts have the most control over the issues that we’re dealing with,” Howell said.

Howell said the bill isn’t based on any current issues in the state, though the bill’s co-sponsor, Senate President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester), said he remembered an issue with a “twerking” teacher that even caused Gov. Andy Beshear to condemn the teacher’s actions.

In the last year, groups have emerged in Northern Kentucky advocating for the removal of certain books from public libraries and school curriculum.

A Moms For Liberty chapter has formed in Campbell and Boone counties. Moms For Liberty is a group that has gained traction in the last several years as calls for limiting student access to materials deemed sensitive or inappropriate have increased. Moms For Liberty groups tend to target works of fiction with racial themes, LGBTQ characters or issues, as well as descriptions of sexual acts.

In November, LINK nky obtained a list of works that the local chapters of Moms For Liberty would like removed from shelves or restrict who has access to them. The list has more than 150 books on it, and includes works like “Of Mice And Men,” “The Kite Runner,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” as well as works by Toni Morrison, and young adult novelists John Green and Judy Blume. Twothirds of the books listed are only available at the high school level.

Last June, the Kenton County Public Library board voted to maintain its LGBTQ fiction display in the teen section after complaints surfaced about the Pride Month fixture.

In January of this year, Mirna Eads, Campbell County Mom’s for Liberty chairperson, expressed concern about books available to students on subjects she said were inappropriate. She was specifically concerned with “Scythe” by Neal Schusterman, which she said was “about teens learning to kill people they perceived as having no purpose in society.”

Others books Eads said she wanted off the shelves were about child rape, normalizing abortion and various sexually explicit content.

“We are not about banning books” but rather want selections to be less explicit, Eads said at the meeting. The group intends to submit reviews of books they deem inappropriate to local school officials.

Willner said the bill is based on culture wars across the United States and isn’t coming from anything local or in the state, and it’s putting kids in the middle of this battle.

“This seems to be part of a national conversation that has been divisive,” Willner said.

Kenton County resident Alex Berling testified to the committee that it’s appalling that while the state has a teacher shortage, instead of focusing on bills aimed at increasing teacher pay, the legislature is passing this bill that she says will increase the teaching load.

“I see this bill is nothing more than government overreach, especially from the party that used to claim that they hate big government,” Berling said.

Further, Berling said she sees the bill as a

slippery slope toward other regimes that have banned books, such as Nazi Germany. “Books are designed to make you think as a parent and when thinking about the future generation in general,” Berling said. “I want them to have a great education, including having the tools to think for themselves.”

Fellow Northern Kentuckian Mirna Eads also testified during the committee. Eads, a former House District 68 candidate and the Campbell County Chapter chair for Mom’s for Liberty, said her group doesn’t ban books.

“Of the 22 books that I had challenged in my district, 20 have to do with the pornography statutes,” Eads said, elaborating that “porn” and “kids” shouldn’t be mentioned in the same sentence.

Northern Kentucky residents speak out on books containing LGBTQ characters and themes during a Boone County Schools Board of Education meeting. File photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

Smells like ‘lean’ spirit

events include Brandon Gardner, James Kight, Ron Wathen, Brandon Simpson, Eli Montgomery, Mike West, Sunny Gay, Lea Hennessy, Daniel Kuehl, Dakota Dunn, Josh Koenig, and Dooley Wright. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky

Bottles of booze donated to good cause

Throbbing muscles and spray-tanned bodies populated the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington on March 11, as the city hosted an arm wrestling tournament and body building competition on the same day.

First place winners in the arm wrestling

The Easterseals Redwood’s fundraiser, Booze Breakfast and Express, aims to collect liquor bottles from local residents in order to raise money through future events. Easterseals Redwood is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with disabilities, veterans and individuals facing economic challenges to break down barriers and achieve their potential.

The collection event kicked off at PeeWee’s Place on March 7, but liquor bottles will continue to be accepted throughout March at the Easterseals Redwood Welcome Center Lobby, located at 71 Orphanage Road in Fort Mitchell.

Florence Rotary to honor Boone County teachers

The Rotary Club of Florence will be celebrating the 2023 Teacher of the Year recipients at its March 27 luncheon at the Florence Nature Park Event Center.

This year’s recipients are Kim Forman of Yealey Elementary; Charity Ehrenberg of Ryle High School; Brittany Gilbreath of Stephens Elementary; and Julie Keyser of St. Paul School.

Tim “PeeWee” and Pam Green smile for a photo at PeeWee’s Place on March 7. Photo provided | Scooter Media

Charity Ehrenberg

Julie Keyser

Kim Forman

Brittany Gilbreath

Tudor-style home offers one-of-a-kind design

Address: 2945 Wildrose St., Edgewood

Price: $779,500

Beds: Four bedrooms

Bath: Two full bathrooms, two half bathrooms

Property: 3 acres

School district: Kenton County Public Schools

County: Kenton

Special features: Located near Dillard’s Shopping Center in Edgewood, this tudor-style home is presented as a house with possibilities. Much of the home features wood paneling, as well as unique wooden features like exposed beams, french doors, stone fireplaces, and board and batten. There is an enclosed porch and four-car garage with a second-floor apartment. The property is separated into two lots but is being sold as a single estate that totals over 3 acres of space. Outside, a circular driveway flanked by a stone gate marks the entryway. Though this property is located near shopping and the interstate, it’s surrounded by tall, mature trees to create privacy.

An exterior view shows the stone gate, circular driveway and tudor-like features of this Edgewood property. Photo provided | Keller Williams Realty

Emerald tile styles this bathroom, one of two full bathrooms in the home. Photo provided | Keller Williams Realty

An interior view shows off the home’s unique wood features. Photo provided | Keller Williams Realty

LINK Streetscapes: Where to take in the madness of March

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BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

For basketball fans, there are few things more exciting than the month of March. Basketball games on every day and at nearly every hour, anticipating to see if your team will make the next round.

These games are only as exciting as the atmosphere where you watch them. This Streetscapes, we’re headed to Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties to check out the best bars for March Madness.

Skyline Tavern

For a true college experience, Skyline Tavern will throw patrons into the thick of it.

Revelers can see Northern Kentucky University’s campus from this bar, so it’s bound to be packed and full of energy during the NCAA tournament.

For newbies to Skyline Tavern, this is your typical college dive bar – it’s the perfect spot to go and relive your college days. Buckets of beer and their famous wings fuel patrons as they cheer on NKU. For those truly camping out and making a day of March Madness games, they also offer a large pub menu with staples like burgers, wraps and sandwiches.

Although just a stone’s throw away from Northern’s campus, Skyline Tavern does celebrate other fan favorites like University of Kentucky and Xavier University. They offer all the bar basics from cocktails to canned classics, all for incredible prices.

If there’s one place to be to watch an underdog NKU seed beat the number one seed Houston, it’s this bar.

Covington Yard

When the weather gets warmer, there are few places as fun as Covington Yard.

Covington Yard is meant to feel like a best friend’s backyard, with lawn chairs for patrons who want to sit back and chat and cornhole for those itching to play. There’s plenty of entertainment to keep kids and adults busy in between games. With Covington Yard being nearly all outdoors, they have huge projector televisions so bar goers can see the winning basket from every spot in the yard.

Unlike an actual backyard BBQ, there’s no added work. Food trucks serve as the pit masters, so every guest can truly relax.

With options of tacos, nachos, burgers, wings and waffles, everyone in the group is covered. In true backyard fashion, everyone is welcome at the yard. Kids and dogs are just as commonplace as adults. Covington Yard makes for a great meeting place for large groups, even on the busiest days there is no bad spot at the yard.

Their interior bar offers more coverage from the rain or sun, but still has interior TV’s to watch every game.

Located in the hub of Covington’s bar scene, it can get really busy at the yard during March Madness. Environments like this erupt with excitement when teams win a nail biter, and is truly one of the most exciting places to be this March.

859 Taproom and Grill

Those looking to watch a good game with quality beer, and maybe a bit more serene atmosphere, 859 Taproom and Grill offers all you want with college basketball, and nothing you don’t. Of course, there will still be passionate fans rooting on their teams, but for those wanting something a bit more family friendly, 859 is the spot.

The perfect pair to basketball will always be beer, and 859 does not mess around. They

have the largest beer wall in NKY with over 60, yes, 60 beers on draft; no fan will go thirsty. For halftime hungries their menu does not disappoint, tacos and Wagyu burgers come in nearly any creation imaginable. The 859 Bourbon Wagyu burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, onion tanglers and drizzled in a bourbon glaze will keep you full game after game.

Whether fans are cheering on local favorites or a team hours away, rest assured, with seventeen TV’s, patrons will never have to miss a minute of madness.

What to Know if You Go:

Skyline Tavern

Location: 430 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights

Facebook: facebook.com/SkylineTavern

Hours: Monday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Phone: (859) 441-6713

Covington Yard

Location: 401 Greenup Street, Covington

Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Website: covingtonyard.com/home

Phone: (859) 993-9273

859 Taproom and Grill

Location: 8720 Bankers Street, Florence

Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Website: the859taproom.com

Phone: (859) 534-2802

BOGO BOGO

NKY Norsemen win state hockey title

The Northern Kentucky Norsemen Hockey team won the Kentucky high school state championship on March 3-5 in Louisville. The team is made up of hockey players of high school age across Northern Kentucky. The Norsemen are led by head coach Eric Kathman. This is the team’s third state title in the last seven years, winning in 2017 and 2019 as well.

Kathman has been coaching hockey for over 25 years and knows the excitement that exists around this hockey community in Northern Kentucky but also feels the love from those who are part of the Norse family.

The Norsemen community came out to celebrate the team’s success at the Northern Kentucky Ice Center in Crescent Springs on March 12.

The Norsemen will play next in Plymouth, Minnesota for the National high school tournament, March 23-27.

Highlands, Ryle share top spot in softball preseason rankings

The reigning Ninth region champion Highlands Bluebirds and Ryle Raiders, who are

EACH WEEK,

coming off a semifinal appearance in the ninth region tournament, were voted CoNo. 1 in the preseason rankings for ninth region softball.

The vote was taken by the coaches from the region, the next three teams rounding out the top five were Dixie Heights, Conner and Cooper.

The Cougars and Jaguars will be battling with Ryle in the tough 33rd district.

Next up in the ranking is Boone County, Notre Dame and Beechwood.

Rounding out the top 10 is Dayton, Villa Madonna and Holy Cross.

The KHSAA softball season got off to a frigid start on March 13 with temperatures in the 30’s.

The coaches also released the top 10 players in the region, Highlands Kennedy Baioni taking the top spot.

The top 10 players were:

1. Kennedy Baioni, Highlands

2. Ella Steczynski, Dixie Heights

3. Madison Goddard, Ryle

4. Harper Kinman, Boone County

5. Avery Parsons, Ryle

6. Ava Scott, Cooper

7. Emily Schmeltz, Cooper

8. Kendall Blau, Cooper

9. Mollie Sharp, Conner

10. Bailey Markus, Highlands

Other Receiving Votes: Allivia Scott, Carley Cramer, Claire Poage, Jalyn Cain, Katelynn Murphy, Laney Hatridge, Laney Schuster, Mckenzie Gifford, Mckenzie Runion, Mckenzie Sullivan, Michelle Barth, Payton Godfrey, Rebecca Blaker, Riley Hopkins and Tori Danneman

KHSBCA releases preseason watch list

The Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association has released its 2023 preseason All-state watch list for each region.

Players from NKY made the watch list in three separate regions from the Eighth to the 10th. From the Eighth, Simon Kenton’s Logan Cones, Chad Atchley and Daniel Uhl all made the list. Walton-Verona was represented by Lance Coleman.

In the Ninth Region, catchers Ethan Bosley from Dixie Heights and Jonathan Fitz from Covington Catholic were included.

Conner and Ryle were well represented with the Cougars having five players placed on the list and the Raiders with four. Brody Mangold, Ayden Lohr, Oliver Kerns, Jeffrey Vest and Rex Richter were all included from Conner. Landon Sawyer, Roman Furuta, T.J. Schira and Dylan McIntrye were included from Ryle.

Highlands was represented by Jack Hendrix. The three-time defending regional champ Beechwood Tigers will be led by the two players from this list, Ben Meier and Sam Stacy.

Kicking off the 10th region is future Kentucky Wildcat baseball player Aydan Hamilton from Campbell County. Along with Hamilton, the Camels had four other players named to the list: Jake Gross, Parker Schweitzer, Max Lause and Evan Clark. Campbell County is the two-time defending 10th Region champ.

Evan Moore and Colin Combs from Bishop Brossart were also included as was Leo Brown from Scott.

Russell retires after 25 years of coaching

After 25 years coaching the high school game, Aric Russell has announced his retirement as Campbell County’s boys basketball coach. He finishes with 459 wins coaching boys and girls.

Russell got his start in coaching high school basketball at Newport with the girls team where he coached for three seasons and won 51 games in the three-year span.

Russell then coached the Newport boys from 2001-10, winning 124 games with the Wildcats and leading them the Ninth Region title for the first time in 58 years.

He took over at Campbell County in 2010 and coached the Camels the last 13 seasons. He guided the Camels to a 37th District title in his second season and then won 10 more consecutively from 2014-23.

The 284 wins at Campbell County is the most in program history and the 459 wins in total is third most in Northern Kentucky history.

The KHSAA baseball season got underway on March 13.

The NKY Norsemen won the Kentucky high school hockey state championship in Louisville on March 5. Photo provided | WCPO

Campbell County boys basketball coach Aric Russell announced his retirement after coaching high school basketball for 25 years, 13 of them at Campbell County.

Photo provided | Camel Pride Twitter

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NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Simon Kenton girls basketball team

Photo provided | Marc Figgins