LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 19 - March 31, 2023

N O T N KE M VOLU

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New home buyers struggle in competitive market Prosecutor weighs in on impeachment proceedings p6

DHL workers move to unionize p7

Scott Street offers haven for foodies, spa-goers p15

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First time buyers face steeper climb in NKY market

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier 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 A for sale sign is posted to the front porch of a home listed for $245,000 in Covington. Photo by Kaitlin Gebby | LINK nky

BY GRACE TIERNEY | LINK nky REPORTER AND MATT OTT | AP BUSINESS WRITER

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uyers are returning to the market faster than inventory, and realtors are seeing an uphill battle for renters looking to transition to homeownership.

Northern Kentucky native Thomas Hedger is looking to move back to the area after spending the last six years in Florida. When he spoke to LINK nky, Hedger was in the process of purchasing a home.

When he lived in the region, his family resided in Dayton, Fort Thomas and Silver Grove. Naturally, when he moved back, he started to look at homes in those areas, particularly in Fort Thomas.

With bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northern Kentucky University and now working for a Fortune 500 company, the 34-year-old was planning to buy his first home in the $150,000 to $200,000 range.

He has student loan debt to manage and he said he wanted to live comfortably. Hedger was surprised to see that the homes in his price range weren’t exactly move-in ready.

“The homes I saw I wouldn’t house my worst enemy in,” he said. “Maybe that's a funny way of saying that, but there were things that were just completely unfinished and would need to be gutted to really be brought up to standard, and they were selling for over $100,000. I found that very strange, very bizarre, and things that were new builds were over $300,000.”

He said he found it most surprising to see how much condos were going for in the area.

“I saw condos in Fort Thomas selling for almost a million dollars. I hit the floor.

I mean, that's always been a really rich neighborhood, but a million dollars for a condo? I mean, this is Northern Kentucky, not Chicago,” Hedger said.

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. News on the Federal Reserve interest rate hike appears on a monitor in the background. Photo provided | AP via Seth Wenig

While buyers with bigger budgets have less competition, those looking to buy a home at $250,000 and under are facing low inventory, higher interest rates on their mortgages, and more competitive offers on desirable homes in this region.

Local agent Brad Acree with Better Way Home Group, which sells homes in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, sees this trend firsthand.

“It is very common to have 10-plus offers and I have even heard of homes with 20plus offers,” Acree said. “I have had clients who have offered $30,000 over list price and were still beat out by other buyers.

Some buyers are back to waiving their right to an inspection, which I would never advise.”

When Hedger placed an offer on a home, he offered what the sellers were asking for and requested they pay $4,000 in closing costs. Those sellers counter-offered higher than the asking price, and Hedger had to walk away.

He added that the competition in the market and the increase in home values caused him to rethink his budget.

The nation’s worst housing slump in nearly a decade stoked hope among prospective buyers that homes could be scooped up more easily. But while prices appear to have peaked last summer, they still ended 2022 higher than they were at the end of 2021. And the median U.S. home price has increased 42% since 2019.

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MAR. 31, 2023 3

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erage over the last 50 years, 7.81% and just above the average over the last 30 years, 5.97%. Local realtors know new homebuyers are willing to pay those interest rates.

Last year, the Federal Reserve pushed mortgage rates to their highest level in two decades, according to data reported by the Associated Press. On March 22, the Federal Reserve raised rates by another 0.25%.

Acree said the problem is how quickly interest rates rose after an extended period of low rates used to bolster the economy during the pandemic. While those low rates were a “necessary response” to inflation concerns, in his opinion, the hike in interest rates last year “was a miscalculation.”

AP coverage shows the average longterm rate on a 30-year mortgage reached a 20-year-high of 7.08% in the fall. Rates eased in December and January, but have been climbing since early February. The average rate hit 6.73% in March, the highest level since early November. A year ago, it averaged 3.85%.

“Interest rates were held down to heat up the housing market while other parts of the economy struggled during That rate translates into a roughly 49% the pandemic. The miscalculation is increase in the monthly payment on a the pandemic drove housing demand median-priced home than a year ago, rather than tamping it down,” he said. “I said George Ratiu, senior economist at even moved in the summer of 2020. My Realtor.com. wife and I, like many others, decided we wanted a home with more natural light “For real estate markets, the rise in rates and a better space for us to work from means higher mortgage payments, home. I believe we would have had a deepening the affordability challenge A chart from the BE NKY Atlas shows how the median home value in Northern Kentucky’s Boone, Campbell and great housing market during the panjust as we move into the crucial spring Kenton counties has fluctuated since 2005 before spiking in 2020 and beyond. Photo provided | BE NKY demic with average interest rates.” homebuying season," he said.

For prospective buyers holding out for a meaningful dip in mortgage rates, they may be in for a long wait. Zillow recently polled 100 economists and real estate experts on their outlook for what the average rate on a 30-year mortgage will be by the end of this year and the median forecast was 6%.

Stronger-than-expected reports on the economy this year have fueled expectations that the Federal Reserve may have to keep pushing up its key borrowing rate to tame inflation, deepening the affordability challenge for would-be buyers.

Realtor Katie Campbell of Sibcy Cline told

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LINK nky that while this time of year is tough for buyers, sellers are taking advantage.

“Listings are starting to pick up for the spring,” Campbell said. “Our sellers can take advantage of the market to sell at a higher price point and use their equity to power a move.”

Acree said many homeowners are staying put, though, which is also driving the low-inventory issue.

“Inventory is down because most homeowners have mortgages with interest rates near 3%,” Acree said. “That same homeowner would pay thousands more in in-

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terest to get the same house if they were buying today.”

At the same time, buyer demand in the Ohio and Kentucky region remains high because a 6.5% to 7% interest rate is still better than paying rent in the region’s metro neighborhoods.

The high interest rates make the market unattractive for homeowners who have the equity to pay 20% down on a new home, and an unfavorable one for first time buyers, like Hedger, who often have to opt for a lower down payment.

While it’s not the most welcoming market, current interest rates are still below the av-

Campbell said buyers bidding over asking price kick-started the intense market during the pandemic as well.

“The low rates we had during the pandemic created more demand than we had inventory, which was a very imbalanced market,” Campbell said. “The rise in rates has begun to create more balance in the market, more of what we are used to seeing in the past when the market doesn’t unfairly swing too far toward either buyers or sellers. This type of market gives buyers the purchasing power they need while motivating sellers to pull out their equity to buy a new home.”

Another factor that may keep people out of the housing market is the fact that the

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amount of money a typical homebuyer needs to earn in order to afford a house continues to climb.

In the fourth quarter of last year, one had to make at least $80,142 a year to buy a home at the national median price of $325,000, according to an analysis by Attom, a real estate information company. That’s a nearly 36% increase from the same quarter in 2021.

The analysis, which was based on data from 581 counties, defines an affordable home purchase as a transaction that includes a 20% down payment and monthly costs for the mortgage payment, property taxes and insurance that don’t exceed 28% of the buyer’s annual income.

One market shift that could help make homes more affordable is a significant increase in homes for sale.

Nationally, there are more available now than a year ago, and that’s likely to increase in coming weeks as traditionally more homes hit the market in the spring months, but the question looms of whether that trend will impact the Northern Kentucky region.

The number of homes for sale rose for the first time in five months in January to 980,000, up 15.3% from a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors. That amounts to a 2.9-month supply at the current sales pace — better than in January of last year.

But it's still far from the 5- to 6-month supply that reflects a more balanced market between buyers and sellers. And the prospects for a bigger spike in supply are slim, given that new construction hasn’t kept up pace with demand after years of underbuilding following the housing crash in 2008.

At the same time, most homeowners with a mortgage have locked in ultra-low rates over the years and have less financial incentive to sell.

Acree said lowering interest rates alone won’t resolve the market's current issues – as long as there are more buyers than there are homes, the competition will be stiff.

“Interest rates get the headlines because everyone feels it," Acree said. “Our current situation is that demand exceeds supply.

Lowering interest rates would make some homeowners more willing to sell, but it will also bring more buyers to the market.”

Acree added that some of those buyers may include institutional investors, similar to the larger corporations who purchased real property during the pandemic during the dip in interest rates, creating the “land grab” trend.

Homes are also taking longer to sell. On average, homes sold in 33 days of hitting the market in January, up from 19 days a year earlier, according to the National Association of Realtors. That trend is a mixed-bag at the local level. While some homes remain on the market for more than a month, others are being snatched up quickly.

“I started looking earlier this month (in March) and things progressed much faster and quicker than I normally would have liked, because it just seemed like everything was flying off the shelves,” Hedger said.

The risk of a long wait to sell is pushing some sellers to lower prices. In January, about 190,000 homes on the market had their price reduced, a nearly threefold increase from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com.

Many buyers are also increasingly opting for a mortgage rate buydown, which lowers the rate on their home loan for a few years or for the life of the loan and thus reduces the homebuyer’s overall borrowing costs.

In exchange, buyers pay fees as part of their closing costs to cover the rate buydown.

Nationwide, some sellers are even offering to cover those closing costs for a buyer to get the deal done. Those trends aren’t carrying over to the local level, though. Instead, realtors are more often seeing homes go to a bidding war between buyers who have equity as opposed to the first-timers looking to scrap their rent bills.

When Hedger knew he was returning to Northern Kentucky, he weighed buying versus renting. With 11% down and a 5.6% interest rate for his mortgage, his monthly costs would be equal to renting an apartment in the area – about $1,300 – but he didn’t want to “throw away” money on rent when he could be building equity.

Like many first time home buyers, Hedger knew he could afford the monthly payment but had to consider the upfront cost of purchasing a home.

“For homes priced below $250,000, there is still a lot of buyer demand and not enough inventory,” Campbell said. “In the higher price points, it’s more balanced now than during the pandemic because there is more inventory.”

Acree said part of the solution comes with increasing home inventory and variety – so not just an influx of new construction homes in subdivisions but different levels of housing for different levels of need and income.

ing to be built,” Acree said. “This should include starter homes and the ‘missing middle’ like duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes.”

Brent Cooper, president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said whether it’s referred to as affordable housing or homes for the “missing middle” that Acree described, “we don’t have enough.”

“For us, it’s all about talent, at all levels.

Whether that’s young professionals, new families, or more experienced professionals trying to locate to our region, there aren’t enough choices and costs are rising too quickly,” Cooper said.

Cooper said the Chamber is partnering with local groups who “continuously talk about this challenge and possible solutions.”

Cooper added that this isn’t a unique phenomenon to Northern Kentucky. He said economic and workforce leaders all over the country are talking about the same problem.

He said incentives for new construction of “affordable homes,” building affordable housing along public transportation routes, and modifying zoning restrictions to allow for more home options, like multi-family housing, are a few proposed solutions.

“Regardless of the solution, people need to understand, this isn’t just about a future Northern Kentucky. This issue is happening right now,” he said. “If we want to maintain our current quality of life, the issue of affordable housing is something we’re going to have to address, together.”

“If we want to solve the housing crisis, we are going to need laws that allow for hous-

MAR. 31, 2023 5

Prosecutor weighs in on impeachment proceedings

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he Kentucky Senate’s first impeachment committee held a hearing Tuesday, March 21, over a former state prosecutor who allegedly traded legal favors for nude photos and videos.

Former Commonwealth Attorney Ronnie Goldy Jr. — representing Rowan, Menifee, Bath, and Montgomery counties — was impeached by the House in February over allegations of requesting nude photos in exchange for legal favors for a woman from Bath County.

At the time of this publication, the Senate was waiting on additional documentation

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky REPORTER from the House before making a decision.

Neither Goldy nor his legal counsel appeared before the impeachment committee last week.

Commissioner appointed by the Supreme Court. The findings showed that Goldy was in personal contact with the woman from Bath County and discussed her criminal cases without the presence of her lawyer.

Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders testified during the House impeachment hearings in February. Sanders told the committee during his testimony, “if not now, when would you ever impeach a Commonwealth Attorney?”

“It’s important for Ronnie Goldy to be impeached because Kentuckians must have faith in the criminal justice system, but that’s not possible when a Commonwealth’s Attorney is being dishonest and abusing the public’s trust,” Sanders said.

Sanders’ testimony came after the Kentucky Commonwealth Attorneys Association pushed for the impeachment of Goldy and removed him from the organization.

In a letter to the House impeachment committee, Goldy denied the allegations and said the messages between him and the woman weren’t what “have been reported.”

The House impeached Goldy 97-0 in February, but only after he resigned from his position the day before the vote. If impeached by the Senate, it would prevent Goldy from running for future offices.

“I can tell you at no time did I ever ask for nude images or video,” Goldy said, though he did say he helped the Bath County woman, and she sent nude photos without being prompted.

The House committee reviewed 199 pages of Facebook messages between Goldy and a woman in Bath County regarding her criminal cases and findings from a special report.

Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders. File photo | LINK nky.

In the final report from the House Committee, it concurred with the facts presented by the Special

In one text message after the woman sent nude photos, she said, “Isn’t that one of the hottest pics ever? Convince me otherwise.”

Goldy swore in his letter that he never requested the photos, but then the women requested to trade pictures and videos for money. Goldy repeatedly denied that he asked for any pictures or videos.

Brian Wright, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 29th Judicial District that includes Adair and Casey counties, testified to the Senate committee that there was no way to read through the context of those

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messages that Goldy was seeking was “almost begging for.”

“There were exchanges clearly of nude photographs, and there was request after request after request for these videos,” Wright said. “And it was clear that those videos are inappropriate in nature.”

Wright also detailed how allegedly Goldy abused his power by getting the judges and other prosecutors to do things only he could do in his role, such as getting a car and cell phone released from evidence.

Sanders said he believed that Goldy made a victim out of a criminal, and while his actions might not technically be criminal since he didn’t use “forcible compulsion” as the law requires, they should be.

“In my opinion, Goldy’s actions were a form of sexual abuse because a defendant can never truly consent to sex acts if the person requesting them can take away her freedom and send her to prison,” Sanders said.

“Prosecutors are entrusted with a great deal of power, and with it comes a duty to act responsibly.”

This is the first impeachment committee to meet since 1885, when the upper chamber convicted state Treasurer James “Honest Dick” Tate for stealing around $200,000 from the Commonwealth before fleeing.

He was never found.

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DHL workers demonstrate for right to join union: ‘They have stomped on our rights’

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he National Labor Relations Board has ordered an election for 900 DHL employs who petitioned to join the Teamsters Union Local 100 in September.

But a series of disputes leading up to that decision means the outcome of that order is far from certain.

The parties still disagree on the size of the proposed bargaining unit and whether the voting should be conducted in person or by mail. These are both issues that could lead to delays in setting an election date.

Before the ruling, DHL was engaged in the region’s most hotly contested union campaign at CVG Global Hub, where 3,000 employees receive and ship packages from all over the world.

“I do enjoy my job, but it could always be better,” said Steven Fightmaster, a thirdshift leader of the domestic ramp for DHL. “Right now, we don’t have any say in any of our working conditions.”

On March 21, DHL ramp and tug workers gathered to ask that DHL Express and its Germany-based parent company, Duetsche Post DHL Group, allow them to form a union – a right for workers under U.S. law.

Employees gathered alongside the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Interfaith Workers Center and Wesley United Methodist Church and planned to take

BY GRACE TIERNEY | LINK nky REPORTER their demonstration to their workplace on airport property, but were met with security blocking every entrance to the building.

As a result, the group moved its demonstration to a local hotel in nearby Florence.

DHL-CVG Workers United for Change was formed to fight for employees’ right to join the Teamsters Union in hopes of improving working conditions, members said.

Fightmaster filed one of 17 unfair labor practice charges against the company in the last 12 months, nearly triple the number filed against Amazon’s Northern Kentucky hub in the same period, according to reporting from WCPO. The Teamsters claim the company is violating a national neutrality agreement between the union and DHL. In the last four days, organizers staged two public demonstrations at the company’s Northern Kentucky headquarters, calling on management to recognize the union without an election and stop interfering in their organizing efforts.

“The Teamsters represent 6,000 DHL workers out of 10,000 in the country,” said Teamsters Organizer Andrea Staples, who is active in the Northern Kentucky campaign. “We have agreements at other sites where workers do not have to go through the NLRB process. We don’t understand why this group of workers is being treated so differently.”

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DHL ramp and tug workers stand in support of their call to unionize. Photo by Grace Tierney | LINK nky

DHL declined to be interviewed by local media but released a statement.

“We respect the rights of our workers and always prioritize the safety and welfare of our workforce at CVG and elsewhere. We also respect their right to unionize within the confines of the law and are committed to all agreements that we have with our local, national and international labor partners,” the company said.

Fightmaster joined DHL 19 months ago and makes $25 an hour. He claims he was never offered any of the twice-a-year raises he was told he’d be eligible to receive during

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the hiring process and has worked in unsafe conditions. So, when a friend asked if he’d like to join a union, Fightmaster joined the cause.

“They can fire us for any reason or no reason at all, as we are at-will employees,” he said. “Getting a contract, becoming justcause employees and being able to bargain and negotiate for our futures and our families I think is going to be really important.”

Here’s how Fightmaster claims the company interfered with his organizing efforts.

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“The security contractor that DHL employees has forcibly removed me from the working parking lot” when he talked with employees after work,” Fightmaster said.

“Members of that same company have followed me off the property before in unmarked vehicles.”

The NLRB ruling sided with the union on the size of the proposed bargaining unit by confining the election to 900 ramp agents and tug operators who haul and unload cargo. DHL wanted the vote to include all 3,000 hourly employees who work for DHL’s joint venture partners and sorting operations.

Unions often prefer smaller voting units where its organizing efforts have been concentrated, according to Jim Allen, founder of National Labor Relations Advocates, a Cincinnati-based consulting firm that helps companies navigate union elections.

Companies, on the other hand, like bigger bargaining units because it makes it more difficult for unions to achieve a majority vote.

“In meetings I’ve had upstairs, we discussed the union when they first caught wind of it back in June,” said Ryan Doyan, who was once a supervisor at DHL. “I’ve seen people who’ve supported this union for the past year be terminated unjustly.

They have stomped on our rights, they have stomped on us personally. If you are not a yes man, you have no standing within this company.”

Doyan has since stepped down from his position as supervisor because of what he called the company’s harsh retaliation toward the idea of a union and to avoid management altogether. He is now within

DHL Worldwide Express Boeing 757 Special Freighter jet on tarmac. Photo provided | Associated Press

DHL’s second shift and took a $2 hourly pay cut as a result.

“I did not want to be a part of that culture anymore,” Doyan said. “Here I am, an employee of DHL. This has to end. We have to get a union to have better representation for all of us on the line.”

Northern Kentucky University assistant professor Cris Biazzin told LINK nky that while Northern Kentucky may be seen as a logistics hub to its optimal location for distribution in the United States, discussions about unions, the fair distribution of earnings, equity, and wealth have become increasingly prevalent.

“One way that workers can advocate for their rights and negotiate with powerful employers is through unionization,” Biazzin said, though she believes it can lead to

negative impacts on the regional economy.

Workers at DHL called upon members from The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who represent over a million working people in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, to support their case to form a union.

Biazzin said Teamsters are known to use strikes and other tactics to garner support.

One representative from IBT shared his support of the workers from DHL and their case to be unionized.

“I’ve spent eight months on this campaign,” said Nick Prather of IBT. “I’ve gotten to know these workers, their families, their kids, their parents, their spouses. This is a reflection of this community today. I’ve been in every neighborhood in NKY, this is where these workers live, work and spend

their money. The idea that DHL doesn’t care about that community is atrocious.

90% of domestic freight goes through this facility. These people, ramp and tug workers, are the most underrepresented group for DHL. This is a union driven company and they have denied these rights in every way possible.”

A followup meeting with DHL Express was requested by the community leaders present in support of the DHL Workers United for Change no later than April 1, 2023. Prior to that deadline, parties involved will decide the details of a potential vote for a union.

Dave Monk for WCPO contributed to this report.

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Residents to return to apartments at Golden Tower after sewer repairs

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK NKY REPORTER

T

he third of four sewer system repairs at Golden Tower, a public housing high-rise apartment complex in Covington, has been completed, said Steve Arlinghaus, executive director of the Housing Authority of Covington.

LINK nky received an update after the meeting that tenants were permitted to return to their original apartments on March 24, but the final phase of construction began the same week. So, while some residents were allowed to return, other tenants are being relocated within the building.

“We expect to have the residents back into their units by the 20th of this month, which is just around the corner,” Arlinghaus said during his report at the meeting. “We expect to have the final stack line underway by the 28th of March, so the progress is going along quite smoothly.”

The apartment complex is one of eight properties that the city’s housing authority owns and operates. The 14-story complex was constructed in the late 1960s and caters to residents aged 55 and older. The building has 155 apartment units of varying size, most of which are occupied.

The sewer repair project began as a way to address the problem of large amounts of mineral scale buildup and infrastructure deterioration in the building. As the mineral deposits from the old pipes increased, they gathered in the lower parts of the sewer system, causing backups and clogs.

Arlinghaus said the problem predated his five-year tenure as executive director and that the backups had increased in frequency since he entered the role.

Federal grants paid for the repairs, totaling roughly $1 million to complete. Century Construction oversaw the project at the tower.

The repairs forced the relocation of several residents in the buildings, who were moved to 14 empty apartment units while the construction went on.

The sewers themselves weren’t the only things that needed repairing, however. In addition to the pipes, the repairs also entailed the replacement of the units’ sink cabinets as well as some larger scale repairs.

Arlinghaus described some of these other repairs, several of which are still in progress. The first was the replacement of a fire pump and control panels, which were delayed due to shipping problems.

“We estimate we’re about two weeks out from completion on that,” Arlinghaus said.

Pictured: Golden Tower. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

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suppression sprinkler systems for about two days.

“Queen City Mechanical is coordinating with Covington Fire to determine what’s the best method for us to proceed with moving forward,” Arlinghaus said. “We’re prepared to do whatever the fire department recommends that we do, but they are aware of the situation.”

Other repairs include the replacement of a water pump, which should be replaced by the beginning of April, and maintinence to the building’s trash compactor. Arlinghaus said that the parts for the compactor had been ordered, but he wasn’t sure when the fix would be completed.

The renovations to Golden Tower are part of a five-year capital investment plan that began in 2022. Other repairs outlined in the plan include upgrades to the building’s elevator system, window replacements and fixes to the roof. Items needed at other properties owned by the housing authority are laid out in the plan as well, according to documents on the housing authority’s website.

The final improvements to the sewer lines should be completed by May 1, said Arlinghaus.

The next meeting of the housing authority board of commissioners will take place on April 19 at 4:30 p.m. at the housing authority’s central office on Madison Avenue. It will include a public hearing to discuss the authority’s annual plan.

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kenton county news briefs Welcome House to celebrate grand opening of new shelter

Park Hills police chief: We need a facilities upgrade

The Welcome House, a nonprofit organization that provides services to homeless people in the region, celebrated the opening of its new facility on March 24.

Park Hills Police Chief Cody Stanley wants a station better suited to their law enforcement’s needs.

Located at 1132 Greenup St. in Covington, the new 20,000-square-foot facility features a homeless shelter for women, children and families as well as a general homelessness service center.

The chief is requesting an evidence storage room, an interrogation room, separate office spaces for the chief, investigator, and officers, weapons and equipment storage, and a training room.

Construction on the building began in 2021. In a press release from the organization, Welcome House stated that the new facility will centralize services that were previously spread out between the organization’s eight different locations.

While the chief said he is happy with the up-to-date police cruisers and other equipment such as body cameras provided by the city, the Amsterdam Road police station leaves something to be desired.

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Currently operating in 400 square feet on the second floor of the city building (roughly the size of a two-car garage), Stanley said he was promised adequate facilities over a decade ago.

The facility passes security protocol, but it lacks some fundamental amenities that

would assure their passing state accreditation requirements within the next year, Stanley said.

Stanley isn’t too worried about passing, but said they may get dinged for lingering unresolved problems, like a lack of secure storage for evidence.

Right now, evidence sits in boxes or in locked metal cabinets in the chief’s currently multi-use office. While he’s sure the room is secure, it’s not the safest place to keep valuable documents, he said.

Another issue is privacy. Park Hills police resort to using the Kenton County facilities for some interviews, which can be inconvenient and is not a professional look for Park Hills, Stanley said.

At a Park Hills business meeting in March, Mayor Kathy Zembrodt discussed ways to meet the department’s needs. One possibility would be to renovate the current Amsterdam Road space. But after consulting with a few contractors, purchasing a new space seems more viable, Stanley said.

Amsterdam road would need significant upgrades such as asbestos mitigation, wall reconfiguration, and the installation of a single elevator. An elevator alone can cost $100,000. All in all, Zembrodt said she was quoted a rough estimate of upwards of $700,000 for a remodel.

Putting the police force on Dixie Highway in a new space is another alternative.

The purchase of a building, according to Zembrodt’s research, could cost around $300,000 for a 1,250 square-foot space, with another $38,400 to customize it to the police’s needs. This could all be paid for in cash from the city’s general fund.

Council members are carrying discussions forward to finetune the financial details and possibilities to fulfill the upgrades.

Independence to host free shredding day The city of Independence will hold a free community shredding event on April 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Independence

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Senior Center, located at 2001 Jackwoods Parkway.

Members of the community may bring their confidential papers and documents to the facility for free shredding during the event. Accepted materials include any kind of paper as well as thin plastic like the kind used in credit cards and identification cards. Staples are also acceptable.

Spiral metal notebook binding, binders with metal rings and other metal materials will not be accepted. Shredding services will be provided by Document Destruction, which is based in Cincinnati.

For information, visit the city of Independence’s Facebook page.

Kenton County launches electronic business tax filing system Kenton County has officially opened its electronic business tax filing system, the Filing Wizard, allowing county businesses to file and pay their yearly tax returns online.

“Our goal was to make it easier to do business in Kenton County,” said Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann in a press release from the county. “With multiple cities and multiple tax rates, we needed something that helped businesses of all sizes. The Filing Wizard is the first step towards modern and intuitive annual filing.”

Businesses operating in Kenton County must pay taxes to the county for public services. These rates vary from place to place.

A press release from the county stated that it hoped the system would make filing from all the different municipalities in the county easier than filing manually. The system can pull information from a business’s federal tax return to speed up the filing process.

The county also has electronic services for applying for new and renewed business licenses and for filing payroll tax.

For more information, call Kenton County Business Services at (859) 392-1440 or send them an email at business.services@ kentoncounty.org.

Main Street Ventures awards grants to seven NKY businesses Nineteen businesses from the Greater Cincinnati area have been awarded over $365,000 in equity-free funding by Main Street Ventures during its first quarter grant cycle, including seven from Northern Kentucky.

The grant money is important for small businesses and startups looking to scale their operations. Cork N Crust, a pizzeria and wine bar in Bellevue, is planning to use the money to renovate the second floor of their Fairfield Avenue store. Their ultimate goal is to hire more staff, increase seating capacity, and become more of a destination restaurant.

“We are deeply honored to be a 2023 recipient of the Main Street Ventures grant,” said Deborah Rudisell, owner of Cork N Crust. “This funding will not only allow us to renovate space for additional customer seating but will have a major impact on our business, staff, and our community. We are truly grateful for this opportunity.”

Main Street Ventures is an entrepreneurial support non-profit that provides capital and coaching to entrepreneurs in the Greater Cincinnati area. They provide two types of grants: Launch Funding and Leap Funding.

Northern Kentucky Deserves the Right to Breathe Smoke-free Air!

Launch Funding provides pre-revenue businesses at the prototype or product stage with $5,000 to $10,000 of equity-free funding to increase the odds of reaching the market entry stage and beyond.

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Leap Funding provides revenue generating businesses with $10,000 to $30,000 of equity-free funding to scale their business and increase their sustainability.

“I think the coolest thing about it is bringing more awareness,” Main Street Ventures Director of Community Engagement Abby Ober told LINK nky. “It’s more money going into companies which is the most important thing.

Launch Funding was awarded to Todd, an estate planning tool. Leap Funding was awarded to Better Blend Nutrition, Cooler Keg, Cork N Crust, Parts & Labor, Empanada’s Box and Golden Gelato Company.

SCAN to show your support MAR. 31, 2023 11

news from other places Norfolk Southern supports some new regulations after Ohio disaster

Vote on the best places in Northern Kentucky to watch your NCAA bracket

CINCINNATI (AP) — Authorities say Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was armed with a legal weapon but did not fire the gun or do anything illegal when a teenage boy was shot near the player’s home in Cincinnati earlier this month.

They released the information on Thursday, March 16 while announcing that Mixon’s sister and her boyfriend have been indicted in the March 6 shooting. Authorities say Shalonda Mixon was apprehended on the afternoon of March 16, while Lamonte Brewer remains at large.

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw testifies about the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, before the Pennsylvania state Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, March 20, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. Photo provided | AP via Marc Levy

WASHINGTON (AP) — Norfolk Southern’s CEO is offering support for some parts of a bipartisan Senate bill to put tougher safety regulations on railroads. A fiery hazardous materials train derailed last month on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. CEO Alan Shaw is under pressure from senators and federal safety regulators to step up his commitment to safety regulations as he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday, March 22. Shaw said in prepared remarks that Norfolk Southern will “support legislative efforts to enhance the safety of the freight rail industry, but he did not address several key provisions of the Railway Safety Act of 2023.

NFL player armed in shooting but fired no shots: prosecutor

It’s not known if either one has retained an attorney. Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers says the shooting happened as several juveniles were playing dart wars, where teams shoot at each other with foam dart guns. Authorities say Brewer fired several shots.

Appeals court upholds federal conviction of pardoned man LONDON, Ky. (AP) — An appeals court has upheld the conviction of a man pardoned

by Kentucky’s former governor on state charges for a 2014 drug robbery killing but was later convicted for the same slaying in federal court.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that a U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals panel released its ruling on March 16, deciding against Patrick Baker’s appeal on every point. Federal prosecutors brought charges against Patrick Baker after he was released from prison when former Gov. Matt Bevin pardoned him on his way out of office in 2019. Baker’s family had political connections to Bevin, including hosting a fundraiser for the one-term governor.

Report shows systemic problems at Kentucky State University facebook.com/LINKnKentucky Sponsored by: 90 Alexandria Pike Fort Thomas, KY 12 MAR. 31, 2023

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Cincinnati. Photo provided | AP via Jeff Dean

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The state auditor’s office says an examination of Kentucky State University’s finances revealed a “chaotic accounting environment.” Auditor Mike Harmon’s office says it led to undocumented credit card transactions, extravagant bonuses, and a lack of controls that put millions in federal grant

funding at risk. The findings were released Wednesday, March 22. The auditor’s report contains 20 findings identified as “significant issues.” Harmon’s office referred its findings to federal and state prosecutors.

Kentucky lawmakers last year ordered the examination to drill down into the finances at the historically Black university. The examination primarily focused on KSU’s financial and internal policies between mid2018 and mid-2021.

EPA tells states not to block waste from Ohio derailment The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ordering states to stop blocking contaminated waste from a fiery train derailment in Ohio from being sent to hazardous waste storage sites around the nation.

A handful of political leaders and states have sought to block shipments from East Palestine. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt last week said he had stopped waste from the derailment from coming into his state.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said on Friday, March 17 there was no reason for states to block shipments of waste. The EPA has ordered railroad Norfolk Southern to cover the costs of cleaning up from the Feb. 3 derailment.

Battery parts producer plans $1.5B project in Terre Haute TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Officials have announced Oregon-based battery parts producer Entek plans to invest $1.5 billion in a new manufacturing campus in Terre Haute and create 642 jobs by the end of 2027.

The company says the investment will support the growing electric vehicle industry in Indiana. Entek, based in Lebanon, Oregon, makes battery separators for lithium-ion battery manufacturers. Plans for the project include four buildings totaling 1.4 million square feet in the Vigo County Industrial Park.

Entek CEO Larry Keith said Tuesday, March 21 that available land and the community were key in the decision to locate in Terre Haute.

town crier Boone Garden Club creates accessories for Jeff Ruby race

Civil War veterans to have headstones dedicated

The Boone County Garden Club recently spent their Saturday making floral arrangements for the winners of the Jeff Ruby Steaks Race at Turfway Park. The club used its skilled members to create the floral blanket that is draped over the winning horse and large floral arrangements for the winners of the annual event.

The library bookshelf was scheduled to be unveiled at The Roost Latonia on Saturday, March 25. Several Latonia businesses joined the dedication.

Books are coming home to Roost Growing up in foster care, Billie Kegley, owner of The Roost Latonia, found solace in books.

Photo provided | Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Garfield Memorial Camp #3

The Sons of Union Veterans Of The Civil War will dedicate two headstones at the Linden Grove Cemetery in Covington on April 1. The dedication will start at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.

Members of the Boone County Garden Club work together to create the floral blanket for the winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks Race. Photo provided | Boone County Garden Club

and 1871, respectively. Both of the men’s headstones have become illegible, according to a representative from the organization.

The veterans being honored are Clarkson Keller and Andrew J. Roby, who died in 1862

“I always knew the public library was my ticket to a better life,” Kegley said. “This is why this partnership between The Roost and the Kenton County Public Library is so important to me.”

Kegley has made it her mission to give back to her community. She feels there is no better way to do this than by giving them access to books. The Roost, a coffee and gift shop in the heart of Latonia, will house a collection of library books that the community can borrow. A library card will not be needed to borrow items.

Photo provided | The Roost

MAR. 31, 2023 13

real estate

Fort Wright home made for relaxing, entertaining Address: 3466 Reeves Drive, Fort Wright Price: $999,800 Beds: Five bedrooms Bath: Four full bathrooms, one half bathroom Property: Built in 2004 on 0.24 acres School district: Kenton County Public Schools Side-by-side doors and checked tile are the statement pieces of this home’s entryway. Photo provided | Jane Ashcraft-West

County: Kenton Special features: This three story home, located in the Ashley Ridge development, features indoor and outdoor spaces for relaxing in a life of luxury. Outside are spaces to relax around a fire pit, fountain, or under a massive umbrella. Inside, rooms feature sound systems, projectors with 100-inch screens to watch a game or movie with a crowd. In the bathrooms are heated toilet seats with builtin bidets. The rest of the home has high-end finishes to match throughout the sunroom, A drone-level shot shows the outside of this Fort Wright-based home for sale. Photo kitchen, study, and primary suite. provided | Jane Ashcraft-West

A piano and built-in entertainment center round out this living space. Photo provided | Jane Ashcraft-West

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

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15265 Carli Court 250 Autumn Way Way 245 Autumn Way Way 255 Autumn Way Way 205 Hannahs Way 215 Hannahs Way 235 Shady Lane 10150 Falcon Ridge Drive 1114 Audas Court 10548 Elderberry Lane 6307 Stallion Court 10430 Sharpsburg Drive 2067 Fullmoon Court 6489 Lakearbor Drive 10524 Elderberry Lane 10674 Blooming Court 3158 Bridlerun Drive 10541 Pepperwood Drive 9980 Meadow Glen Drive 10302 Meadow Glen Drive 1845 Freedom Trail 3883 Sherbourne Drive 1413 Poplartree Place 10532 Elderberry Lane 1419 Rosewynne Way 10476 Canberra Drive 6490 Lakearbor Drive Drive 554 Old Bristow Road

Crittenden Crittenden Crittenden Crittenden Crittenden Crittenden Crittenden Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence

$640,000 $220,000 $205,000 $216,000 $35,000 $35,000 $208,000 $285,000 $349,900 $306,687 $385,000 $270,000 $279,900 $392,671 $374,057 $390,000 $220,000 $342,600 $430,000 $365,675 $355,000 $529,900 $465,000 $304,322 $478,000 $345,000 $349,900 $250,000

2/22/23 2/22/23 2/28/23 2/28/23 3/9/23 3/9/23 3/13/23 2/21/23 2/23/23 2/23/23 2/23/23 2/23/23 2/24/23 2/28/23 2/28/23 2/28/23 2/28/23 3/1/23 3/2/23 3/2/23 3/3/23 3/6/23 3/6/23 3/7/23 3/7/23 3/8/23 3/8/23 3/8/23

1119 Pinewood Drive 4222 Arbor Court 89 Roselawn Drive 56 Walnut Hall Dr Drive 2128 Lunar Lane 59 Fleming Drive 1818 Autumn Maple Drive 10712 Kelsey Drive 1898 Independence Road 1798 Autumn Maple Drive 1323 Meadowcrest Circle 10544 Pepperwood Drive 6395 Pembroke Drive 1944 Bird Road 1272 Reliance Court 98 Simon Court 1774 Autumn Maple Drive 1149 Tyler Court 10149 Falcon Ridge Drive 830 Liberty Street 315 W 10th Street 12 Parker Road 315 Grandview Avenue 515 Hodge Street 108 London Acres Drive 343 Riddle Place 328 W w 7th Street 180 Kentucky Drive

Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Independence Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport

$317,000 $154 $270,000 $238,000 $310,000 $274,900 $345,011 $290,000 $309,264 $347,653 $308,387 $330,000 $280,000 $249,900 $255,000 $310,000 $324,683 $259,000 $242,500 $124,000 $174,000 $205,000 $126,000 $1,900 $975 $220,000 $150,000 $306,000

3/8/23 3/8/23 3/8/23 3/9/23 3/9/23 3/9/23 3/10/23 3/10/23 3/10/23 3/13/23 3/13/23 3/15/23 3/15/23 3/17/23 3/17/23 3/17/23 3/21/23 3/21/23 3/22/23 2/23/23 2/23/23 2/23/23 2/24/23 2/24/23 2/24/23 2/27/23 2/28/23 2/28/23

511 Lexington Avenue 316 W 8th Street 233 E 7th Street 18 W 9th Street 403 E 5th Street 59 Parkview Avenue 9 E 9th Street 832 Monmouth Street 7 Kentucky Drive 318 Riddle Place 36 Wilson Road 63 Parkview Avenue 309 Hodge Street 27 W 12th Street 416 Thornton Street 440 Lakeview Drive 11 722-724 Monmouth Street 34 Biehl Street 120 Main Street 403 44 Woodland Hills Drive 12 221 Linden Avenue 121 Blossom Lane 217 Blossom Lane 10 Woodland Hills Drive 11 115 North Street 42 Woodland Hills Drive 6 2501 Alexandria Pike

Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Newport Southgate Southgate Southgate Southgate Southgate Southgate Southgate Southgate

$352,000 $260,000 $528,673 $187,500 $210,000 $145,000 $285,000 $325,000 $162,500 $217,000 $275,000 $250,000 $235,000 $140,999 $139,888 $144,900 $270,000 $370,000 $610,000 $138,000 $198,000 $410,000 $162,500 $139,900 $185,000 $121,000 $240,000

3/1/23 3/3/23 3/6/23 3/8/23 3/9/23 3/9/23 3/10/23 3/10/23 3/13/23 3/14/23 3/14/23 3/15/23 3/15/23 3/16/23 3/17/23 3/17/23 3/17/23 3/20/23 3/21/23 2/22/23 2/24/23 3/2/23 3/2/23 3/3/23 3/13/23 3/16/23 3/16/23

features

LINK Streetscapes: Scott Street offers haven for foodies, spa-goers

Powered by Merk and Gile, Injury Attorneys, 513-481-5678 STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

W

to sweeten guests coffee, without the added ingredients. For patrons looking for something more unique their Pandan or Lavender Honey Lattes have earthier flavors that are subtly sweet.

The Native One

Haven Café and Spa

For food they have light bites, including over the top decadent donuts that are picturesque. Although the interior is small, they have ample space outside that’s decorated just as beautifully as their interior.

Illuminated by immense natural lighting, the boutique sits on the corner of Scott Street. The Native One boutique specializes in neutral, earth toned clothes and timeless staples that shoppers will keep in their closet for years.

hen it comes to food and drinks, Covington is one of the most packed places for a night out. Often overlooked by the streets on either side, Scott Street has added new businesses over the years that are worth going off the main drag. This Streetscapes join us as we head to Scott Street for coffee, chicken and clothes.

Like their sister store, Haven Spa has a bright ambiance and focuses on natural ingredients for nail and skincare. Haven uses the cleanest polishes on the market to keep nails healthy. Pedicures and Manicures can be booked for simple polish to complex artwork. Nothing goes better with a fresh manicure than an iced coffee.

Haven’s motto is to create a safe space for all — customers and employees. With a mascot that is the most endearing smiley face, Haven has captured the hearts of locals one coffee at a time.

In a world full of fast fashion, The Native One is a breath of fresh air for trendy unique closet staples.

Taupe trousers, cream sweaters and black knit dresses are mixed with statement sequin pieces for any occasion. What makes boutiques more unique than mall brick and mortars is that each piece is handpicked from a variety of brands.

The Native One originated in Over-theRhine, and after immense success, opened a second location on Scott Street. Other than clothes, shoppers can find a variety of home décor, small jewelry trinkets, furniture and live plants.

Like the apparel they sell, the home décor matches an earthy vibe and is the perfect accent to any home.

Chimaek

Mocha latte from Haven Café, located on Scott Street in Covington.

From the team behind Riverside Korean Restaurant comes a new culinary creation specializing in chicken and beer.

Operating as sister stores, the atmospheres of Haven establishments are exactly as they seem, heavenly; yet the two stores’ offerings are vastly different.

Although chicken and beer are found inside most any restaurant, Chimaek’s Asian influenced flavors are a step above traditional fried chicken. Guests can choose from traditional bone in wings or tenders with six different Asian inspired sauces to choose from, including Sriracha Bourbon — a perfect mix of Asian and Kentucky inspiration.

Haven Café serves natural coffee, matcha and handheld treats from sandwiches to gourmet pastries. Haven Café operates out of a small aesthetically pleasing space, garnished with plants. The coffee is all naturally derived from the beans to the inhouse crafted flavored syrups.

Coffeehouse classic flavors of organic vanilla and organic mocha can still be found

Menu from Haven Café.

For patrons looking to expand their beer palate beyond Bud and Miller (they do offer those as well), Chimaek offers Asian beers, like local collaboration Rhinegeist Wok-

star from Rhinegeist Brewery and Oriental Wok, and global beers like Stiegl Radlers.

Their cocktails and waffle fries are not as well known but are must-orders for first time Chimaek guests. They can seat up to 38 guests for those wanting a sit down service, but Chimaek also offers carryout — a perfect option this March Madness season.

Have a city, street or business you want to see 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: Haven Café Location: 332 Scott Street, Covington Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Website: shop-havencafe.square.site Haven Spa Location: 330 Scott Street, Covington Hours: Appointment only Website: shop-havenspa.square.site The Native One Location: 326 Scott Street, Covington Hours: Sunday and Monday closed, Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: thenativeone.com Phone: (859) 360-6706 Chimaek Location: 405 Scott Street, Covington Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Website: getchimaek.com Phone: (859) 261-0716 MAR. 31, 2023 15

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Thomas More comes up four minutes short, now looks to the future

BY EVAN DENNISON | LINK nky SPORTS EDITOR

Your donation will be directed to the NKY Community Journalism Fund

Thomas More will face yet another challenge this offseason as they transition to Division II from NAIA. Photo provided | Thomas More Athletics

O

nly four minutes separated Thomas More from a second straight NAIA national championship, tied at 50 with Clarke University.

To be in that spot for the third straight season, took even coach Jeff Hans by surprise, a guy who since taking over the program in Crestview Hills has won, over 90% of the time.

This was just the Saints fourth season in NAIA, moving up from Division III. While they took some losses in their first season in a rigorous Mid-South conference that’s proven to test teams nightly, here they were looking to cut the nets down and bring the top trophy back to Thomas More for the second straight season.

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But the Saints ultimately fell short, outscored 13-2 in those final four minutes for a 63-52 defeat, their second runner-up finish in three seasons.

“I didn’t even see that success so quickly.

To be able to have Zoie (Barth) and Court-

ney (Hurst) as freshman and playing a lot of minutes, also had a few transfers in. Being able to do those things helped expedite the process and success. I certainly didn’t envision being in the championship in three straight years. Surely didn’t see that,” Saints coach Jeff Hans said.

The 2022-23 season is one in which they won their first 22 games and had the No. 1 ranking in the country for pretty much the entirety. The target was on them all year and the team embraced it, finishing 31-4.

“Thought we handled the target on us really well,” Hans said. “Coming in No. 1, the defending champs, we accepted the challenges. The schedule wasn’t the easiest and the Mid-South is tough. It wears on you a bit and we handled it in a positive way. Our chemistry was good, the team played together and for each other.”

The loss on March 18 signaled the end of a short era and a start to a new one. It ends the careers of four-year players Zoie Barth and Courtney Hurst along with two

other seniors in Emily Simon and Sammi Whiteman. Barth and Hurst were two guards thrown into the fire when the team made the transition to NAIA as freshmen.

“Courtney and I always joke about our freshman year and how that season was the most of coach Hans’ losses in his career. Coming in as freshman, we grew up together, played with each other or against each other from elementary all the way through high school. It was super special playing with her. We didn’t know what to expect and didn’t expect to play as freshman, but we gained a lot of experience, a lot of hard wins and losses and that set the stage for us the rest of the way,” Barth said.

Barth closed her career strong, finishing with a career-high 14 points per game this past season and totaling 1,483 points for her career. She started 116 of 124 games throughout the four seasons and was named a WBCA All-American for the second time this past season.

Hurst set the program’s 3-point mark,

Zoie Barth was a WBCA All-American twice in her four-year career with the Saints. Photo provided | Thomas More athletics

ending her career with 331 three-pointers, knocking down a career-high 94 this season and scored 1,442 points during her Thomas More career. Hurst started all 133 games played in her Saints career and was named All-American Honorable Mention this past season.

“If you would have told me we would end with three chances at a national championship and a conference championship I would have said you were crazy. Not many people get those opportunities. I’m super grateful for all that, we gave it our all. It stinks to lose your last game, but we gave it all we had,” Hurst said.

Simon played three seasons in Crestview Hills and was highly productive from the get-go, tallying 942 points and 557 rebounds in three years with the team.

Whiteman played in 57 games over the last two seasons after transferring in from Trevecca Nazarene.

“Seniors like that get a lot of wins, they have a lot of experience on the floor and are able

to make plays for you. They’re leaders, vocal leaders and leaders by example in practice.

They really led this team in the right direction,” Hans said.

Now comes a big move again as the University transitions to Division II next academic year. It will start with fall sports in late July and early August and then come winter, the basketball teams will adjust to Division II and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

While Hans has experienced the transition before, he’ll take this offseason to learn and grow some more. Moving up means more opportunity, recruiting different types of athletes to fit the style of play and getting accustomed to new opponents and a new conference.

“It will be a lot of trial and error and figuring things out moving forward. Things change a lot and the scholarships we’re able to give.

We know we need to get a little different type of player to be able to play at Division II at the highest level and make that transition,” Hans said. “We’ll need to adjust to the

Courtney Hurst set the program’s career 3-point mark with 333 makes in her four-year career. Photo provided | Thomas More athletics

travel, a new league with all new teams. The scouting, the preparation.”

March 18 also marked the last chance for anyone a sophomore and up being able to compete for a national championship.

They’ll now have a two-year waiting period as they transition into D-II, meaning they won’t be eligible for the national tournament, just the GMAC postseason tournament.

“It hasn’t affected us a ton so far yet. We’re hoping to continue to make it more of a positive. We’ll still play for a conference championship and it kind of allows us to figure out where we’re at in recruiting the right kids and developing the right players,” Hans said.

Thomas More will be one of three Division II universities in Kentucky. Kentucky Wesleyan and Kentucky State are the others.

They’ll return starters Rachel Martin and Rylee Turner along with key reserves Alex Smith, Kelly Brenner, Maggie Jones and Mattison Vickers while others will battle

for minutes.

The incoming class confirmed already includes Eastern Brown’s (OH) Rylee Leonard, voted the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Division III Player of the Year, East Central’s (IN) Laney Baker and Tri-Village’s (OH) Morgan Hunt, who helped lead Tri-Village to a Division IV state title. They also have two others verbally committed that Hans couldn’t comment on just yet until their signings are official.

As March 18 closed their chapter on NAIA, they finished their four-year run in the division 114-20 with a national title, two national runner-up finishes, two Mid-South Conference regular season titles, a MidSouth conference tournament title and a Mid-South conference tournament runner-up finish.

“Saturday night is still tough today, it will be tough for a while. But looking back at it, no one has been in this game three years in a row. We’re very blessed and it’s been a good run,” Hans said.

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sports Volker takes over at Beechwood

New Beechwood Tigers head football coach Jay Volker speaks at his introductory press conference in the Beechwood cafeteria. Beechwood named Volker the fourth head coach in program history taking over a program with 17 state championships including six in the last seven seasons. Photo

by G. Michael Graham | LINK nky

The Beechwood administration tabbed Jay Volker to take over the vaunted football program on Thursday, March 16 that has won state championships six of the past seven years.

Volker takes over for Noel Rash, who retired in February after leading the Tigers to a 193-46 record and winning eight state championships, 15 region crowns and finishing undefeated in district play all 17 seasons.

Volker hopes to continue the stability in the program from the top. Prior to Rash, Mike Yeagle led the Tigers from 1991-2005 and Bernie Barre led them from 1975-90.

Beechwood owns 17 state championships overall, which is third in the state behind Trinity’s 27 and Highlands with 23.

Volker comes to Beechwood with an extensive coaching and playing background.

He served as the head coach of the Oxford (Ohio) Talawanda Braves the last two sea-

sons leading them to a 3-16 record in what he called a five-year rebuilding project.

Prior to that, Volker served as an assistant at Kings High School (Ohio) in 2019 and 2020 and as the defensive coordinator for the Moeller (Ohio) Crusaders in 2018. Volker helped Moeller to an outright Greater Catholic League championship mentoring six players that landed on the first team all-conference. Volker also assisted Jim Hilvert from 2015-17 at LaSalle as the Associate Head Coach helping the Lancers to consecutive Ohio Division II state championships.

Volker worked as an assistant at Georgia State from 2013-15 with current University of Michigan Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter. Volker’s brother PJ is the Defensive Coordinator for Navy.

Volker played football and ran track for the Elder Panthers in the competitive GCL and served as a captain. He took his talent to play for Hilvert at Thomas More University serving as a three-year team captain for the Saints.

Beechwood loses 18 seniors from last year’s team, including their leading rusher in Mitchell Berger at 1,119 yards rushing on 121 carries and 21 touchdowns. But sophomore quarterback Clay Hayden returns after completing 106-of-157 passes for 1,822 yards, 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

Beechwood stays in Class 2A this fall, but moves from District 6 to District 5 with five different opponents in Bracken County, Carroll County, Gallatin County, Owen County and Walton-Verona. Holy Cross and Newport moved down to 1A and Lloyd Memorial moved up to 3A.

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Ryle boys claim Region 6 archery title All season long, the Ryle High School archery team has been posting impressive results.

The Raiders did so again on Wednesday, March 22, winning the KHSAA Region 6 boys title at Beechwood High School.

The Raiders pulled through by posting a team score of 2,006 and defeating the 12team field by 64, Simon Kenton finished second with a 1,942. Cooper was third, also with a 1,942, Beechwood fourth with a 1,935 and Conner fifth with a 1,926.

Suli Kayed (middle) celebrates with the Notre Dame Pandas soccer team after a win. The Pandas finished 45-4-3 in his two seasons as head coach, winning the state championship in 2021. Photo provided | Matt Carothers

in 2021, Suli Kayed is no longer the girls soccer coach for the Pandas.

Ryle had six archers placed in the top 15 led by seventh grader Jack Albertson with a 295 and hitting 26 bullseye’s.

Principal Jack VonHandorf emailed players and family members stating soccer coach Suli Kayed offered to resign to pursue other opportunities. Kayed took offense to the email, stating the resignation was rather forced. The school did not return phone calls from LINK nky.

“An outstanding performance. Out of the 12 that shot, we had three personal best scores,” Raiders coach Mark Evans said.

“The 295 for Jack, he’s been very consistent, he dug in a little deeper and rallied it. We always say we’re one team in two different buildings with our middle school team, this tournament allowed us to blend the middle schoolers with one team and we’re all behind each other.”

Kayed said he’s received a number of emails from teachers, parents and players, including players he thought he was tough on. Kayed said he wants and demands the best out of his players and he is glad the players shared the same desire leading to the amount of success in the past two years.

The 2021 season was met with a 28-0-1 record and the program’s fourth state championship.

Jacob Klette placed seventh with a 288, Trenton Dietz ninth posting a 286 and Nathan Santimaw 10th, also with a 286. Kennan Caudill and Jared Evans rounded out the top 15 with 284’s, placing 14th and 15th, respectively.

Kayed said he may end up coaching high school soccer again, but it has to be the right fit for him and the program. Prior to coming to Notre Dame, Kayed spent two seasons coaching the Boone County boys leading them to a 12-13 record.

Kayed resigns at Notre Dame

Kayed, a Denmark native, graduated from Ryle in 2015 after lettering all four years in high school before going on to play at Thomas More. He also coaches club soccer.

After guiding the Notre Dame soccer program to a 45-4-3 record the past two seasons, which included a state championship

NKY Norsemen Hockey Photo provided | Megan Bray

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