LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 2, Issue 27 - May 31, 2024

Eyes for sale! Inside Kentucky’s battle over for-profit eye banks

By Nathan Granger

On Jan. 30, 2005, in Iraq, a rocket-propelled grenade struck a chemical tank near former Marine Staff Sgt. David Payton.

The rocket ended up being a dud, said David Payton’s wife, Heather, but the force of the impact damaged the tank enough that the caustic chemicals inside spilled out, burning his lungs, eyes and other parts of his body.

“He ultimately passed out,” Heather Payton said. “He couldn’t breathe in the gas, had to be drug out. He woke up on a Humvee ride to a hospital in Fallujah, and they medevaced him to Germany, where they stabilized him and ultimately sent him to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was on life support for about two, two and a half weeks. I did not think he was going to make it because his injuries were so severe.”

He survived, Heather Payton said, but he was never the same. He had alkali burns

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For job-seekers, library provides strength in numbers

By Noah Jones

There’s a jubilant celebration leaking out of the Anne-Bronte Meeting Hall deep inside the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Public Library.

The applause and well-wishes are for Jim Kelly, who, after two months of meeting with people at coffee shops, dinners and improving his network, received a job offer from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati as a project and event manager. He’ll begin his new position, which reports to the organization’s president, later this month after he gets home from a well-deserved vacation.

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25th

An eye under an LED light. Photo provided | Arteum via Unsplash

Natalie Ruppert, manager for the career and jobs services division at the Kenton County Public Library and emcee of the Wednesday morning Northern Kentucky Accountability Group, speaks to about 35 job seekers. Photo by Noah Jones | LINK nky contributor

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in his eyes, and the concussive blast of the attack led to his developing cataracts. Over subsequent years, David Payton had multiple surgeries and treatments with multiple providers, both for the corneal damage and the cataracts. He lost his right eye to an infection in 2016.

That same year, however, the Paytons learned about a relatively new innovation in corneal transplants that employed adult stem cells, and about Dr. Edward Holland, an ophthalmologist from Cincinnati Eye Institute, who specialized in the procedure. So the Paytons traveled to St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital for treatment.

“So [David’s] had, I think, three or four corneal transplants on his left eye now, but, because of the stem cell transplant that Dr. Holland did first, it saved his eye,” Heather Payton said. “So he now has usable, good vision – he’s like 20/30 – in his left eye.”

Fast forward to 2023, and Holland can no longer perform the procedure in Kentucky. Or, rather, he argues that he can no longer legally obtain the materials necessary to perform the procedure.

“Because of this bill, I can go to Malaysia and do that procedure,” Holland told LINK nky, “but in the state of Kentucky I can’t do that procedure.”

The bill he’s referring to is Senate Bill 12, passed in 2021, which explicitly bans the procurement of corneal tissue from for-profit suppliers. There is currently only one for-profit eye bank in the United States

– CorneaGen, based in Seattle. Holland argues that CorneaGen is the only way he can reliably get the tissue necessary to perform the kind of transplant procedure David Payton received.

Two years and multiple lawsuits after the bill was passed, the issue is unresolved. Holland contends that the law has unfairly constrained his ability to practice the kind of medicine he specializes in. Yet Holland’s practice is but one facet in broader tensions between for-profit and nonprofit models of health care, the role of investment capital in medicine and medical ethics, all of which have ramifications not only for Holland’s work in Northern Kentucky but health care generally in the United States and worldwide.

The Cincinnati Protocol

The cornea is the transparent outer layer of the eye that covers the iris, pupil and lens.

A damaged cornea can lead to blindness, and patients usually need donated corneal tissue if they need surgical repairs on their eyes. More than 184,500 corneal transplants were performed in 116 countries from 2012 to 2016, according to a study from researchers at the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne in France.

The first tissue bank for the retrieval and storage of corneal tissue was established in 1944, and over time a network of small, community-based eye banks gradually sprang up in cities accros the U.S. Like donated organs, the tissue at these banks came from deceased donors, and all of them operated under a nonprofit model.

The head eye bank organization in the U.S. is the Eye Bank Association of America. It has 56 member eye banks, all of which are nonprofits. CorneaGen is accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America, but it’s not a member.

In 1969 a nonprofit eye bank called the Northwest Lions Eye Bank was founded in Seattle. In 2006, the eye bank rebranded itself as SightLife, and, by 2009, it had become the largest eye bank in the United States. In 2016 SightLife spun off a for-profit research wing called CorneaGen, which tapped private investment capital in the hopes of funding medical research. Smaller, established nonprofit banks often lacked the resources to perform long-term experimentation. Holland currently serves as chair of CorneaGen’s medical advisory board.

“CorneaGen became a for-profit eye bank to raise money for innovation,” Holland said, adding that CorneaGen currently supplies about 25% of all corneas in the U.S.

CorneaGen’s research and the procedures Holland perform piggyback on research first developed in Japan. Holland’s work, which he’s done in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, employs adult stem cells to repopulate the cellular structure of an injured eye, making it more amenable to donor tissue. When combined with other interventions, Holland said, this curtails the likelihood of an autoimmune response in the patient and significantly reduces the amount of

David and Danielle Tegtmeier after David’s first stem cell procedure. Photo provided | Danielle Tegtmeier

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tissue needed for each procedure compared to earlier forms of transplantation. The different procedures Holland and his partners have developed have come to be called the Cincinnati Protocol.

“Right now it takes one donor eye to fix one cornea,” Holland said. “With this technology of cell therapy, one donor eye could potentially take care of 1,000 patients.”

Testimonies from Holland’s patients suggest that the procedure isn’t widely available. The Paytons and others both went through multiple corneal procedures before even finding out about Holland’s work. The patients LINK nky spoke with also lived outside of Kentucky and had to travel to get the work done.

The cells and tissue necessary for this protocol, Holland argues, cannot be acquired from most eye banks. “There’s only two eye banks in the United States that do it,” Holland said, “Minnesota Lions Eye Bank, where I used to be, and CorneaGen. I can’t get that tissue from Lexington. I can’t get it from Louisville. I can’t get it from Cincinnati.”

As mentioned before, CorneaGen is the only for-profit eye bank in the country. The

fact that it’s the only one is key to understanding the legal battle that ensued.

Statues and suits

Senate Bill 12 passed out of the Kentucky General Assembly on March 11, 2021. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the bill into law about a week later, on March 19.

The bill augments earlier statutes that restrict the sale and transfer of body parts generally. The text does not mention CorneaGen by name, but it states that a “for-profit entity shall not engage, directly or indirectly, in the procurement, transfer, or distribution of any human eye, cornea, eye tissue, corneal tissue, or portions of eyes.”

Anyone who violates the law can land in jail for up to five years and incur a fine of up to $50,000. It also stipulates that nonprofits can charge “a reasonable amount” for operations typically associated with organ donation and transplant. What constitutes a reasonable amount is not spelled out in the statute.

Legislative committee hearings prior to the bill’s passage heard testimony from Dr. Woodford Van Meter, a professor emeritus in ophthalmology at the University of

Kentucky. Van Meter is retired today, but he formerly served as the chair of the Eye Bank Association of America, a position that Holland has also held. Additionally, Van Meter managed the merger of the University of Kentucky Eye Bank and the University of Louisville Eye Bank into what would become the Kentucky Lions Eye Bank. The eye bank would later separate from the Lions Eye Bank system and go independent, rebranding itself as the Eye Bank of Kentucky.

At a hearing of the Kentucky House Health and Family Service Committee on March 4, 2021, Van Meter spoke out in favor of Senate Bill 12, saying it was necessary to “protect the not-for-profit model of eye donation from for-profit entities that are aggressively marketing their services and are a threat to not-for-profit eye banks.”

Van Meter argued that an incursion of the for-profit model into eye donations could undermine public trust in the system. “The idea of profiting from the selfless act of a cornea donation is an affront to the morals and standards of everyday people,” he testified.

Unlike the statute, Van Meter specifically called out CorneaGen at the committee hearing, indicating it was the only for-profit provider in the country. “We would like to keep for-profit eye banks like CorneaGen out of Kentucky,” Van Meter said.

On July 15, 2022, Holland and CorneaGen sued, arguing that Senate Bill 12 violated the Kentucky Constitution on two grounds: that it arbitrarily discriminated against CorneaGen for no legitimate government purpose, which is prohibited by the Constitution’s second and third sections, and that it served as a form of special legislation under the Constitution’s 59th and 60th sections – essentially that it unfairly singled out CorneaGen as the only existing for-profit eye bank.

“Plaintiffs argue that there is no rational basis to single out one discrete form of organ or tissue donation (corneal transplants) to ban for-profit entities, and that such a classification violates equal protection and constitutes special legislation,” trial court documents read. “Plaintiffs argue that, if such a ban is a valid exercise of police power, rather than an attempt to create a monopoly for the existing nonprofit eye bank,

the ban would apply to all organ and tissue donations, not just corneal tissue.”

The Franklin Circuit Court agreed with the plaintiffs and declared the law unconstitutional at the end of December 2022.

The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, which at the time was under the aegis of Daniel Cameron, countersued in 2023, escalating the case to the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

The attorney general argued the law was “not special legislation as it only referred to for-profit entities rather than specifically named for-profit entities,” according to documents from the appeals court. “The attorney general reasoned that the fact that the law only applied to two entities upon passage in 2021 was not a feature of the law, but rather a feature of market conditions in Kentucky at that time.”

The attorney general’s office expounded upon this reasoning by saying that “a statute is only considered special legislation if its language specifically refers by name to a particular individual, object or locale.”

The appeals court did not find this convincing and published its opinion upholding the trial court’s judgment in February, by which time the leadership of the attorney general’s office had passed to Russell Coleman.

Following the appeals court’s decision, the attorney general’s office appealed again, this time requesting a discretionary review from the Kentucky Supreme Court. Its request cited recent case law it viewed as affirming its original arguments.

“Under the Court of Appeals’ logic,” the attorney general’s review request reads, “the legislature cannot pass class-based legislation if at the time the class consists of only a few companies or individuals. This imposes a meaningful limitation on the General Assembly’s power to remedy a perceived issue promptly – before it becomes more of a widespread problem.”

Holland and his lawyers responded in April. Now, the Supreme Court can choose to review the case or to deny the review request, which would let the appeals court’s ruling stand.

Dr. Edward Holland. Photo provided | Holland Foundation for Sight Restoration

Gift

“I wouldn’t have gotten to see my three month-old daughter again without Dr. Holland and what he’s doing,” said David Tegtmeier, another of Holland’s patients.

Tegtmeier was the victim of a chemical accident in 2018. He didn’t share the exact circumstances of the accident, but it left him completely blind.

“I was completely blind, and my eyelids, everything, were completely melted away by a chemical,” David Tegtmeier said.

David Tegtmeier and his wife, Danielle, state outright that they believe the only reason David was able to get functional vision back was due to Holland’s procedure.

“Dr. Holland is the only doctor that we truly trust David for his care,” Danielle Tegtmeier said. “We’ve been a patient of Dr. Holland for over five years now and had many many surgeries with Dr. Holland, stem cells being one of them, and then corneas to follow. David now has some sight out of one eye, and we just started the process over again for stem cells on his bad eye to try to regain vision.”

The debate about CorneaGen has less to do with the efficacy of Holland’s procedure and more to do with what CorneaGen’s business model might portend for accepted practices around tissue donations, which historically have been considered selfless gifts rather than products.

A 2019 article in the academic journal Clinical Ophthalmology, which attempted to offer a “fact-based” and “non-biased approach to the topic,” expressed the dilemma succinctly: “Some argue that the for-profit connection fundamentally alters the relationship between the physician, eye bank and donor by rendering the gift of the tissue as a commodity.”

Kevin Corcoran, the current CEO of the Eye Bank of America, affirmed the Eye Bank’s position: “The association’s position on this is that donated tissue, donated ocular tissue that’s given by donors after they’ve died, is an altruistic gift.”

Van Meter, like in his 2021 testimony, told LINK nky that the introduction of a profit motive could undercut public trust in the

eye-banking system, something he said is reflected in the Eye Bank Association of America’s historical operating principles.

“The fear was that someone would be less likely to donate grandma’s cornea if they thought that it was going to a for-profit operation where investors would have to be paid,” Van Meter said.

As evidence, Corcoran pointed to a survey among racial minority populations in 2021, commissioned by Donate Life America, a national nonprofit that aims to increase the number of organ donors. The survey showed that just over half of the 1,800 Black, Hispanic and Asian people surveyed cited the fear that someone would make money from their donation as a barrier to becoming a donor.

The effect of money and investment capital on eye banking is something that looms large through the discussion. The Clinical Ophthalmology article, for example, posits a hypothetical scenario in which CorneaGen goes public. “CorneaGen may eventually be a publicly traded company and subsequently will have a responsibility to their shareholders to maximize revenue,” the article’s authors state.

Van Meter compared the effects of investment capital in eye banking to reforms around names and likeness in college sports and recent developments in sports betting. Yes, some people are benefiting from the changes, he argued, but it’s not clear the effect on sports as a whole has been positive.

“We’re not too far away from having about 24 college football teams, and maybe 50 college basketball teams, the way the money is going,” Van Meter said, “and then you’re going to have a huge split between the haves and the have-nots, which, I guess, will benefit the haves. It’s not going to necessarily benefit most college students.”

Van Meter also pointed to laws and principles set down by the World Health Organization declaring that buying and selling human organs and tissue should be banned. Likewise, he pointed to the socalled Barcelona Principles, which arose out of an international conference of eye banks in 2018 that affirmed, among other things, the commitment to the altruistic donation model.

Van Meter also noted that universities across the United States were engaging in research similar to Holland’s, meaning that the procedure may in time become more widely available and less reliant on singular institutions like CorneaGen. “CorneaGen is not doing anything that no other banks are doing,” he said.

To the charge that human tissue and organ donations should be completely devoid of a profit motive, Holland said many established organ donation-processing centers often employ for-profit business models.

“Throughout the United States, about half of tissue supplied for tissue transplantation – skin grafts, bone grafts, cartilage, things like that – comes from a for-profit, including the state of Kentucky,” Holland told LINK nky.

Corcoran affirmed this, saying that bone grafts and organ parts often need to go through intensive processing procedures before they’re ready for surgery. Since eye tissue often doesn’t require that sort of processing, though – it’s more of a direct donation to a patient – the altruistic nature of the gift should be preserved.

“There’s a difference between eye banking and tissue banking, like Achilles tendons or skin or muscle or bone, because those products that they produce out of the donated tissue or bone are significantly different,” Corcoran said. “They’re very heavily processed. They are terminally sterilized in

most cases. So, there’s a lot more work and processing that goes into handling other tissues than there are with corneas.

“Corneas are defined as being minimally manipulated, which means that the tissue that is transplanted is substantially the same as the tissue that was recovered. When you are making that sort of direct transfer from a donor to a recipient, our feeling is that that is an altruistic gift and a nonprofit organization is the more appropriate venue for handling those tissues.”

For the Tegtmeiers and Paytons, the issue of for-profit versus nonprofit is irrelevant so long as they get the treatment they need.

“To me it doesn’t matter, because me seeing the world and seeing my family’s faces again is far more important than an issue of which company is getting the money,” David Tegtmeier said.

The Tegtmeiers actually named their second child, a son named Holland, after Dr. Holland for the work he’s done.

“They should listen to a doctor who is trying to help his patients be able to see, and this is what they need,” Heather Payton said. “It shouldn’t factor one way or the other whether it’s a [for] profit or nonprofit.”

There is no timeline or deadline by which the state supreme court needs to make a decision.

Dr. Woodford Van Meter. Photo provided | The University of Kentucky

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Kelly, who retired in December, spent two months searching for a job in the nonprofit space. For him, it’s the end of a short-lived journey. For others in the room, it’s a great reminder that there’s an end to the job search challenge.

“It’s impossible to make this journey alone,” Natalie Ruppert, manager for the career and jobs services division at the Kenton County Public Library and emcee of the Wednesday morning Northern Kentucky Accountability Group, said to a room of about 35 new job seekers.

The support group is for professionals in career transitions due to layoffs, business closures, changes in life situations or simply a desire to switch careers. But the weekly group meeting is just the tip of the iceberg for these students of the job search.

The library’s support group offers classes through the month to prepare members for the job search, helping them with classes on resume basics, workshops on digital skills such as learning to use ChatGPT and Microsoft Teams, and working with com-

munity partners helping job hunters find work.

Take David Anderson, 63, for instance.

Anderson, a former IT manager turned electronic data interchange business analyst, has been on the job hunt since his most recent employer laid him off the week before Christmas 2023 after the company was sold.

“This is the first time I’d ever been laid off, and it was an eye-opener,” Anderson said. “The internet didn’t exist the last time I looked for a job. Now most of the interviewers are younger than my children.”

Anderson is learning new tricks for resume writing so that his resume can get through an applicant tracking system and in front of human eyes, and tips for writing stronger cover letters.

Anderson said it’s been hard to go this long without landing a full-time job in EDI, but the camaraderie of the others following similar journeys keeps him coming back to the meetings each week.

He’s not alone. Others in the room would admit they attend this meeting simply to remind themselves they aren’t alone.

Aaron Wilson, an alumnus of the support group now working as a certified workforce development professional manager with the Kenton County Public Library, said the job search doesn’t have a specific end date, and that at times it can feel lonely.

“There’s this sense of relief and camaraderie that happens,” Wilson said. “I think it’s fun to watch people when they first come in, the anxiety and stress gets lifted as they meet people and start making headway.”

Ruppert said it’s common that those not seeking jobs don’t understand how difficult it can be to land a new position.

“Looking for a job is a full-time job; it’s really hard work,” Ruppert said. “Most people who lose their job have a spouse or significant other who gets nervous, often asking, ‘Why aren’t you finding a job?’

“They just don’t understand how hard it is,” she said. “So coming to a group like this, people instantly recognize they are not alone and they find out from others how to make connections.”

Since 2020, when many businesses shut their doors – some allowing workers to work from home and others closing permanently – the job market has shifted. Ruppert said remote jobs in particular face a global job collection pool.

Other companies complain of a lack of laborers with specific skills, while other employees see their jobs replaced by new technology, leaving those on the hunt feeling like the job market is an impossible beast, combined with a little bit of chance and luck.

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the unemployment rate for the

in 2023 was 4.2%. This is an increase from 4% in 2022.

Ruppert and her team of 20 volunteers offer their services for no cost, a game changer for those with no income. Ruppert said professional career coaches often charge upwards of $100 an hour for their help.

“Another thing is we are open and welcoming to all kinds of people. Losing a job can be a big equalizer for people,” Ruppert said. “What I find is that, no matter who you are, which side of the river you live on, everybody is in the same boat.”

She remembered one group alumnus, an immigrant who needed help finding employment. On his celebration day, Ruppert remembered, he compared himself at the start of his journey to rowing upstream in a little canoe.

“And after being at NKYAG for several months and figuring it out, when he landed, he said he felt like he was on the ocean in a big luxury cruise ship because he had so many resources and people to help him,” she said. “If you come to the Northern Kentucky Accountability Group, we will teach you the process that will help you win, because finding a job is a game and you have to learn to play the game in order to succeed.”

Wilson believes there’s a job out there for everyone actively searching and putting the work in to find a job.

“We do have data that shows those who put the work in will land somewhere,” he said. “There’s no magic bullet or golden ticket.”

So the NKYAG briefly applauds its newest alumnus, Kelly, who put in the work, met with the right people and mastered the game of the job hunt. And delivered hope to the group’s other members.

commonwealth

Members of the accountability group listen to representatives of Robert Half give a lecture. Photo by Noah Jones | LINK nky contributor

NKWhy: What is the NKY Area Development District?

By Maggy McDonel

“Community development.” That’s what Tara Johnson-Noem said is the Northern Kentucky Area Development District’s true purpose. She’s the organization’s executive director.

A collaboration among local leaders in Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton counties, the development district works to “address big issues that don’t make sense for an individual city or county to handle on their own,” said Johnson-Noem.

The group, part of a larger organization of 15 development districts across the state, focuses on three main areas: aging and disability services, local government services and workforce development. It is also the fiscal agent for the NKY Office of Drug Control Policy.

Johnson-Noem said the district’s focus is on “having a comprehensive and holistic approach to some of these bigger topics.”

Johnson-Noem said roughly 60% of the organization’s funding come through state

grants, while 20% is from federal dollars and the rest comes through several sources, including local donations and money for running specific programs for counties, like transportation planning.

“Basically, if there’s something in local government that needs to be done regionally, or someone doesn’t have the scale to do it themselves, ADD [Area Development District] is usually the one the help,” said Matt Elberfeld, Campbell County administrator and the development district’s board chair.

The district’s board comprises all eight county judges-executive, mayors that represent cities of varying sizes in the region as well as citizens from each county based on population. What the district focuses on comes from what the board sees as important.

“Ultimately, most of what we do is really about ‘what does that board see as a need in our community?’” said Johnson-Noem.

What does the district do?

“We’re a bit unique because we are both looking at big regional topics and plans

in some of our areas of focus,” said Johnson-Noem. “And then, in other areas, we’re providing direct service.”

For example, she said, on the workforce development front, the district is handling federal workforce dollars and staffing the regional workforce investments board while also running a program that helps individuals on public assistance find jobs.

The district recently launched NKY Works, which focuses on workforce development. Correy Eimer, the district’s associate director of workforce development, said the organization features five pillars for success: early childhood education, career readiness, work-ready adults, talent attraction and retention, and employer policies and practices.

NKY Works is replacing Grow NKY as the region’s primary workforce development office. The office’s responsibilities include developing and overseeing workforce policy and initiatives in Northern Kentucky while partnering with the region’s employers, educational institutions and other agencies to implement strategies that address workforce challenges.

“The work done through Grow’s pillars is not coming to an end,” Eimer said. “Northern Kentucky Works is the next iteration of Grow. The five pillars will continue. What is changing is our emphasis on the private sector.”

Elberfeld said another growing focus for the district is housing. “It is a new and evolving area, and the ADD is going to serve as a leader for housing policy decisions.”

In September, the development district released a study of housing in Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Gallatin, Carroll, Owen, Grant and Pendleton counties that revealed some troubling trends for housing in the region. Conducted in partnership with the county fiscal courts, the engineering firm Stantec, as well as local businesses and civic organizations, the study suggested that the counties need “to build 6,650 housing units to support economic development in the next five years, which equates to 1,330 units per year.”

Elberfeld said that the district’s strength is running programs that municipalities don’t have, specifically aging and disability services. For example, Elberfeld said, most local governments have planning departments. “A lot of the governments have their own planners,” he said, “but a lot of those aging disability services, the ADD is it for the region.”

Learn More

Here’s where to find more information about the NKY Area Development District’s programs:

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Phone: 859-692-2480

Website: nkadd.org/adrc.

NKY Career Center (Jobseekers) Phone: 859-292-6666

Website: nkcareercenter.org/job-seekers.

NKYWorks (Employers)

Phone: 859-657-9757 (WRKS) Website: nkyworks.org.

NKY Helpline

Phone: 859-415-9280

Website: nkyodcp.org/nky-helpline.

Photos taken at the NKY Area Development District’s 2023 Annual Family Caregiver Appreciation & Training Event. Photos provided | NKYADD

Residents are seen walking in and out of the polling station at the Hebron Fire Department.

A bright blue banner waves in the air at the Kentucky residents who chose Conner Middle School as their polling location. Photos by Hailey Roden | LINK nky.

Voting signs array the front entrance of the Boone County Public Library.

A sign directs voters at the Boone County Library’s Hebron branch to the second floor polling station.

Inside the lobby of Connor Middle School sits several tables, anticipating more voters for the day.

Voters are seen scattered around tables as they cast their ballots at the First Baptist Church in Cold Spring.

The Edgewood Liberty Hall event center served as a polling location in Edgewood.

Boone County Public Library polling location, Hebron.

Elsmere Community Center polling location, Elsmere.

Stickers are given to all voters after placing their votes. Elsmere Community Center polling location, Elsmere.

Taylor Mill OKs bid for new fire station

By Maeve Hamlet

With some commissioners not convinced of the need, the Taylor Mill city commission voted at a May meeting to approve a construction bid to Radius Construction for a new firehouse. The project is budgeted for $3.8 million.

The new firehouse is to be constructed on roughly two acres on Taylor Mill Road between Winston Hill Drive and Lorraine Court. It will be roughly 12,000 square feet and have nine off-street parking spaces in addition to 23 existing shared spaces. It is also to feature additional space for truck maneuvering.

Taylor Mill will not go into debt with the new firehouse. The city is sitting on about $8 million in reserves, according to city Administrator Brian Haney in October 2022.

The new firehouse is being constructed because of reported structural concerns, mold and asbestos in the current station.

City Commissioner Ed Kuehne wasn’t sure the conditions of the current firehouse were bad enough to necessitate a completely new firehouse. “When we first started drafting this ordinance about a new firehouse, I was a no, and today I still say no.”

Kuehne, who voted against the motion, said he believed the city should have re-

built the current firehouse. “We should have taken $2 million or less and rebuilt the old firehouse. We could have saved $2 million and saved it to use for things like the roads,” he said.

“They said there were spores in the old firehouse, but it was never proved,” Kuehne said. “I think every one of us has spores in our houses. When we talk about asbestos, I never found out where the asbestos was in the fire station.”

Commissioner Mark Kreimborg, who also voted against the motion, shared Kuehne’s opinion.

“We don’t need a new firehouse. I’ve been saying that all along,” Kreimborg said. “We

are wasting taxpayers’ dollars. We can fix what we have. The mold was not bad. The asbestos was not bad. I don’t agree with wasting taxpayers’ dollars, and my vote is a big no.”

Among those in favor of a new facility is Fire Chief General Fernbach. At a December meeting, Fernbach said he was happy with how things were going.

“It’s really good for the community,” Fernback said. “It’s also good for the department.”

Now that the bid has been awarded, construction should begin soon, and it is hoped to be completed within the next year.

SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Rendering of the new fire station. Rendering provided | City of Taylor Mill

A map showing the location of the new firehouse in Taylor Mill. Map provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services

Covington seeks input on neighborhood improvement grants

Covington is seeking public feedback on how best to spend federal grant money on neighborhood improvements and affordable housing.

In a news release, the city detailed how the public can weigh in on a draft proposal that outlines how to invest nearly $1.5 million back into Covington neighborhoods and around $700,000 in affordable housing in Covington and seven surrounding cities. The money represents the anticipated annual allocation from the federal Community Development Block and HOME grant programs. The public can give feedback in three ways:

• A public hearing on the draft Annual Action Plan will be held at 6 p.m. June 11 in the commission’s chambers at 20 West Pike St.

• Written comments will be accepted until June 21 and should be sent to Federal Grants Manager Jeremy Wallace at jwallace@covingtonky.gov or by mail to 20 W. Pike St., Covington, KY 41011.

• Comments and questions about the plan also can be submitted verbally by calling 859-292-2147.

“The Annual Action Plan shows how the city intends to directly invest these funds in projects and programs that improve our neighborhoods and create housing opportunities for people without a lot of income,” Wallace said in the release. “We really want these funds to improve the quality of life of our residents.”

The three basic goals for the programs are to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment and to expand economic opportunities.

Community Development Block Grant: This program is earmarked for a wide variety of services and programs – primarily in low- and moderate-income areas – such as street and streetscape infrastructure, park improvements, crime prevention, parks and recreation, code enforcement, economic development, literacy and housing rehab.

The city expects to get $1,461,212 in new funds for the coming year, with additional funds being carried over from previous years.

HOME program: Covington is part of a consortium in this program that also includes Ludlow, Erlanger, Independence, Florence, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton. In Covington, the HOME program typically funds homeownership programs, including down payment assistance to help people buy homes, and housing development to create new homeownership opportunities with the help of outside partners.

The HOME budget includes $702,234 in new funds plus additional carried-over funds.

Independence man celebrates $75,000 lottery scratch-off win

An Independence man is celebrating after he won $75,000 on a Kentucky Lottery scratch-off ticket.

James Bray stopped at the Richardson Road Marathon in Independence on May 2, where he purchased five $5 Cash Eruption scratch-off tickets.

Later that night, he scratched the tickets off at home. As Bray scratched the second ticket, he revealed three bell symbols, winning the game’s $75,000 top prize.

“I looked at it and saw three bells … finally, at least I won something,” Bray said. “I scratched it off, and it said $75,000. I was

like, ‘Wait a minute. Holy crap, now I’ve got to think about how I’m going to do this.’”

The Independence man claimed his winning ticket the following day and took home $54,000 after taxes.

“It will be nice to see the money in my savings account,” he said. “Now that I have it, I’m still going to act like I don’t have it.”

Richardson Road Marathon will receive $750 for selling the winning ticket.

Addiction recovery center in Covington marks one-year anniversary

The Covington branch of Brightview, an addiction treatment center, celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 22.

“By engaging with the BrightView Health program, patients have reported a 50% decrease in emergency room visits over the past year and a 60% decrease in arrests,” according to a press release from the organization. “Addiction treatment improves other areas of the patient’s life as well. BrightView Health patients decrease the use of illicit substances by nearly 70% on average within the first 90 days, with many patients achieving long-term recovery.”

The center provided over 2,176 medical treatments and over 2,865 hours of counseling and therapy for 621 patients since it opened last year.

Read LINK nky’s coverage of the center’s early days at linknky.com, and learn more about the center at brightviewhealth.com

Truist Charitable Fund awards $250,000 to Catalytic Fund

The Catalytic Fund, a Northern Kentucky-based nonprofit community investment fund, recently received a $250,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund.

The Catalytic Fund’s capital pool is part of a $27 million investment fund the institution uses to make real estate investments in Northern Kentucky.

“This grant from Truist Charitable Fund expands our capacity to invest in projects in Northern Kentucky that create income-aligned housing options, preserve historic assets, convert vacant sites and buildings to productive assets, and attract jobs to our region,” Catalytic Fund President and CEO Jeanne Schroer said in a news release.

The grant comes as the Catalytic Fund plans to preserve at least five vacant historic buildings in 2024 as it faces higher interest rates and higher construction costs.

“The Catalytic Fund understands the revitalization opportunities across Northern Kentucky and invests in projects that meet the needs of residents and entrepreneurs,” said Billy Santos, Truist’s Ohio and Northern Kentucky market president, in the release. “Our partnership is an example of how we live our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”

Short-term rental license process in Covington to be faster, cheaper

Covington’s Board of Commissioners agreed to move ahead with regulations surrounding short-term rental properties at its May 21 caucus meeting.

Commissioners had previously passed an amendment to an ordinance allowing for the number of rental properties in a certain area to be officially established, as well as to make the licensing process easier and faster.

Continues on page 12

James Bray. Photo provided | Kentucky Lottery

The Covington branch of Brightview addiction center. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

The May 21 meeting was one step in the last few needed to put that licensing process into place.

Commissioners agreed to put the topic on the agenda for next week’s legislative meeting, where a first reading will be held. It will then go for a second reading in the following legislative meeting two weeks later, where a vote will be taken.

The amendment establishes that each area will have a set number of rental properties allowed within a block face, which helps combat the rise in Airbnb-style rental properties in recent years.

Those looking to turn their property into a rental had been faced with a $600 fee and an examination by the board of adjustment, but this didn’t necessarily mean the license would be granted.

By establishing a certain number of prop-

erties allowed within an area, Mayor Joe Meyer said, “the concern of ‘maybe’ goes away, as the zoning people know the number, it’s firm, and they can make a decision.”

Future rental owners will now have to pay a $500 fee, which will almost certainly guarantee them the license in a specific area, according to the increased zoning regulations.

“We wanted to put rules down in place that would enable us to crack down on bad actors and even know who the bad actor is,“ Meyer said. “In return, we are going to make it easier for them to do that.”

Incumbents dominate race in Covington commission primary

In the Covington Board of Commissioners primary race on May 21, incumbents Shannon Smith and Tim Downing dominated the field, and two challenger candidates, Morgan Davenport and Devin Kroner, bow out. Now, the remaining eight candidates will progress to the general election in November, where four will emerge victorious.

The Board of Commissioners is the municipal legislative body for the city of Covington. The four commissioners share legislative and executive power with the mayor, and all five of them cast votes on local laws. This is in contrast to the more common mayor-council form of government where the mayor lacks voting power.

ONE VISIT

The commissioners race was the only local race in Kenton County to have a primary. Primaries for local bodies in Kenton County are triggered with a double plus one rule, meaning that the minimum number of candidates needed to trigger a primary is one more than twice the number of open seats. In Covington’s case, there were four open seats on the commission, meaning nine candidates trigger a primary. This race had 10 people vying for seats on the commission.

In spite of the primary, candidates were not required to declare a party affiliation to run, and all of the candidates ran as nonpartisans.

The results came rolling in as the Covington Board of Commissioners was meeting. Current commission member and unchallenged mayoral candidate Ron Washington said that the meeting was an odd mixture of excitement and anxiety.

“I received several phone calls on the dais that I did not take,” Washington said.

“I can only imagine what being on the ballot felt like,” Washington added, given that the mayoral seat did not have a primary.

Many of the candidates expressed gratitude to their supporters and discussed their strategies for the general election.

Incumbent Shannon Smith, who concluded the night with most votes of anyone, said that she’ll be ramping up community engagement in the coming weeks.

“I want to hear from folks,” she said, whether that be on the phone, in person or in a social setting, adding that she wanted “people to feel comfortable” reaching out to her.

Other candidates discussed issues they hoped to focus on for the general election.

“We will continue sharing our message in the community,” said candidate Bradie Bowen, who came away with 704 votes on Tuesday. “All Covington residents deserve affordable and workforce-rate housing, reduced crime and violence, and access to career and educational opportunities.”

Even those candidates who didn’t win expressed hope that the winners could do well by the city.

Devin Kroner, who ended the night with 309 votes, admitted that even though he was disappointed with the results, “I think there are still some great candidates in the race who have some really great ideas.”

He also said that he was looking forward to working with the other candidates and presumed Mayor Ron Washington in the future, a sentiment echoed by Tim Downing, the other incumbent candidate in the race, who walked away with the second most votes.

“I’m thankful for being part of Covington’s successes, and I’m looking forward to dis-

cussing Covington’s opportunities with the other candidates in the months to come,” Downing said.

City Wide Facility Solutions relocates to historic Covington

Station

A Northern Kentucky-based commercial facility service provider just debuted its new headquarters in one of Covington’s most historic buildings.

City Wide Facility Solutions, a company that provides janitorial, maintenance, painting and pest control services to regional businesses, moved into the vacant Covington Station on March 19. It’s prior headquarters were in Fort Mitchell. The new office houses the company’s full-time management, administrative and direct sales staff.

Covington hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22 to mark the company’s relocation. In attendance were company employees, city staff and representatives from the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

“City Wide is a great company,” said NKY Chamber of Commerce President Brent Cooper. “We’re so blessed to have them.”

Covington Station was previously occupied by architecture firm Hub + Weber and Wurz Financial Services. Both companies’ leases ended in August.

The property includes a 47-space parking lot, brick paved front drive, four bay windows that let in natural light, a red tile roof, four ionic style terra-cotta columns and a glass and metal canopy.

The 6,853-square-foot, two-story Classical Revival-style train depot was constructed in 1922 by the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad to serve both the C&O and Louisville & Nashville railroads. It was Covington’s primary rail station until it closed in the 1960s after ridership declined due to the popularity of car travel.

After its closure, the building deteriorated from disuse and was eventually scheduled for demolition. In 1989, Edgewood-based Places by Keystone purchased it, saving it from demolition. The developer converted the building into four separate office spaces.

Covington Station went on the market last June when real estate firm Comey & Shepherd listed the property for $1.35 million. After several months, City Wide purchased the building for $1.375 million on Dec. 4, according to city documents.

“The City Wide family was excited about the new office and the opportunity to call Covington and Covington Station home,” said CEO and President Brent Degenhardt. “The building itself is a landmark city wide hopes to carry on Covington Station’s legacy of enriching the lives of those within our communities.”

A woman walks by The Kimberly, a short-term rental property in Mainstrasse. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor

Summer reading program, 7-9 p.m., Boone Woods Park, 6000 Veterans Way, Burlington. Enjoy outdoor activities, a bounce house, hot dogs and chips to kick off Boone County Public Library’s 2024 summer reading program. Followed at 9:30 p.m. by screening of “Encanto.” Information: 859-3422665 or boone.libnet. info/event/9268024.

Single mom meeting, 9-10:30 a.m., Fairlane Baptist Church, 12898 Herringer Road, Alexandria. Twice monthly meetings focus on health and wellness, budgeting and parenting. Meeting includes meal and child care.

Black-n-Bluegrass Roller Derby bout, 4:309 p.m., Hits Sportplex, 3785 Lake Park Drive, Covington. Juniors take the track at 5 p.m.; BBRD at 7 p.m. Presale tickets: $10, children 7-15 $5, online at black-n-bluegrass.com. Tickets at door: $12, children 7-15 $5. Age 6 and under free. Information: 859795-4042 or blacknbluegrass@gmail.com.

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

Flea in the Fort, 10 a.m.3 p.m., Fort Thomas Mess Hall, 801 Cochran Ave., Fort Thomas. Craft show with more than 70 artists selling wares. Also live music, food trucks and craft beer. Free. Information: 859572-1209 or sshelton@ ftthomas.org.

Verona Farmers’ and Artisan Market, 11 a.m.3 p.m., Verona Vineyards, 13815 Walton-Verona Road, Verona. Shop with 30 local farmers and artisans. Children’s Day features fun activities and Go Pantry collection. Information: facebook.com/ veronafarmersandartisanmarket or veronafarmersandartisanmarket@gmail.com.

Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:307:30 p.m., Boone County Administration Building, 2950 Washington St., 1st floor, Burlington.

Union Commission meeting, 6-7 p.m., Union City Building, 1843 Bristow Drive, Union.

Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:306:30 p.m., Alexandria Courthouse, 8352 E. Main St., Alexandria. Information: campbellcountyky.gov.

Southgate City Council meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Southgate City Building, 122 Electric Ave., Southgate. Information: southgateky.org/mayor-city-council.

Boone County Planning Commission meeting, 7-8 p.m., Boone County Administration Building, 2950 Washington St., Burlington.

Dino Movie Night at the Fort, 7:3-11:30 p.m., Tower Park Amphitheater, Cochran Avenue, Fort Thomas. Screening of “Jurassic Park.” Food trucks on site. Information: fortthomasky.org/ calendar.

Investing in Equity: DEI Summit, 7:30 a.m.-noon, St. Elizabeth Training and Education Center, 3861 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger. Half-day event organized by Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce includes keynote presentation, panel discussion and breakout sessions. Information: business.nkychamber. com/events or 859-5788800.

Boone County Fiscal Court caucus meeting 3-5 p.m., Boone County Administration Building, 2950 Washington St., Burlington. Information: 859-334-3571.

Alexandria City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Alexandria City Building, 8236 W. Main St., Alexandria.

Historic Licking Riverside District multifamily home

Address: 312 Garrard St., Covington

Price: $989,900

Bedrooms: Five

Square footage: 5,000

Bathrooms: Five (plus one half-bath)

School district: Covington Independent

County: Kenton

Special features: This historic Licking Riverside District home, built in 1853, encompasses over 5,000 square feet. It offers extensive millwork, pocket doors, high ceilings, 10-foot doors and seven fireplaces. It has been partially converted back to a single-family home, but it could be returned to single or multifamily living. The home within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants, plus it is easily accessible to Cincinnati.

This 1853 home is currently for sale for a little under a million dollars. Photos provided | Lori Taylor with Coldwell Banker

A view of this home’s dining space.

Original features in this home include fireplaces, millwork, pocket doors and more.

By Maria Hehman

MCovington’s Mainstrasse is a hot weather hotspot

ainstrasse is one of the Northern Kentucky spots that booms in warmer months. With countless events, businesses and bars to patronize, it’s always an entertaining place to be. This Streetscapes, we spill the tea on all things Main Street.

KungBrew Cafe

Speaking of tea, the newest addition to the Mainstrasse community brings tea and coffee in an inviting atmosphere. This unique space blends Japanese tea culture with a modern coffee shop while highlighting structural and historic elements of the building. The interior is filled with murals, antique furniture and one-of-a-kind tea kettles and cups.

KungBrew is owned by Hana and Johnny Chu, who also own nearby KungFood AmerAsia restaurant. Hana Chu runs the cafe. Their primary focus is bringing quality teas to Northern Kentucky, but, when they saw a need for a coffee shop in the area, they

added that to their menu. Boba tea – often called bubble tea – will soon amplify the tasty options.

Tea can be ordered by the pot, for those spending the afternoon immersed in a book in their comfortable cafe, or individually for those on the go. Green, black, herbal and oolong cover the tea basics; lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos cover the coffee side. Pastries, both Asian- and American-inspired, are available to order to complement the beverages.

Mama’s On Main

Very few restaurants have taken the world – well, the region – by storm as quickly as Mama’s On Main. Since opening two years ago, nearly everyone in the area was trying to nab reservations at this Italian eatery. Guests who have been know why.

Mama’s interior is accented in reds and blues with pops of seemingly random decor elements. Guests in the main dining area have stunning stained glass as their dining backdrop. A wedding dress welcomes guests as they walk upstairs. Outdoors sports pops of color both on the sidewalk and the patio overlooking busy Main Street.

The decor and ambiance alone are enough to draw crowds, and we haven’t even mentioned the food yet.

Mama’s serves a small and somewhat seasonal menu of Italian dishes. Focaccia and whipped ricotta is a great starter to tide over hungry diners until their entrees arrive. Chicken parmesan, rigatoni with vodka sauce or classic spaghetti and meatballs are just some of the most popular options.

For a truly Italian experience, one almost has to order wine to accompany a meal. Regardless of preference, there are ample options for all tastes at Mama’s. Cocktails, mocktails and beer complete the drinks menu.

Crafts and Vines

With nearly endless options for libations in Mainstrasse, it’s hard to choose just one. Crafts and Vines offers two – beer and wine – for those who just can’t decide.

Crafts and Vine stands out as a sit-andstay-awhile option and a place to relax and converse. This is not the place for those wanting loud music or dancing (I could offer suggestions a few doors down for that kind of fun). Sometimes the casual, comfortable setting of Crafts and Vines is just what one needs for a night out.

Best known for its options of local craft beers, on-tap wine and craft cocktails, Crafts and Vine is a great stop before or after dinner. Better yet, try the charcuterie and light bar bites and hang out on the enclosed patio. It also offers a monthly wine club, a great gift for friends and family wanting to expand their wine palettes. That’s in addition to events, live music and taco Tuesday. There’s a bit of fun for everyone.

What to Know If You Go

KungBrew Cafe

Location: 640 Main St., Covington

Hours: Monday closed; Tuesday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mama’s On Main

Location: 621 Main St., Covington

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

Website: mamasonmain.com Phone: 859-360- 6051

Crafts and Vine

Location: 642 Main St., Covington

Hours: Sunday, noon-7 p.m.; Monday, closed; Tuesday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Website: craftsandvines.com Phone: 859-360-0476

Mama’s vibrant Main Street sign can’t be missed.

Tiramisu and a cappuccino are the perfect indulgences to end a meal at Mama’s. Photos by Maria Hehman

Rigatoni with vodka sauce and focaccia are favorites at Mama’s on Main.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Kenton County Fiscal Court is requesting sealed bids for Concrete for the Kenton County Public Works Department. Copies of the RFB may be obtained from the Kentoncounty.org website or the Purchasing Manager’s Office, Kenton County Building, 1840 Simon Kenton Way Ste. 5100, Covington, KY 41011. Bids must be received in the Purchasing Manager’s Office no later than 2:30 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 2024.

KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT

KRIS A. KNOCHELMANN, JUDGE/EXECUTIVE

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO GO TO OUR DIGITAL PUBLIC NOTICE PAGE

NOTICE OF MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE DIVISION III

BOONE CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO.: 23-CI-01771

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING VERSUS}

LAKEYA WALKER, ET AL

Kentucky now allows for Public Notices to be published digitally on LINK nky’s website. You can find public notices for the following organizations on our site at https://linkreader.column.us/search

• AJ’s Towing & Recovery

• Boone County Clerk

• Campbell County Clerk’s Office

• Campbell County Fire District #1

• Campbell County Fiscal Court

• Campbell County Planning & Zoning

• Campbell County Public Library

• City of Alexandria

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• City of Cold Spring

• City of Covington

• City of Cresent Springs

• City of Crestview Hills

• City of Dayton

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• City of Elsmere

• City of Erlanger

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• City of Fort Wright

• City of Independence

• City of Lakeside Park

• City of Ludlow

• City of Newport

NOTICE OF MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE DIVISION I

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION VERSUS}

TYLER J. HOYLE-BRINK, ET AL

• City of Silver Grove

• City of Southgate

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• Covington Public Independent Schools

• Cresent Springs Board of Adjustment

• Family Dollar Store

• Fort Mitchell Board of Adjustment

• Fort Thomas Independent Schools

• Highland Heights Planning & Zoning

• Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL

• Kenton County Fiscal Court

• Kenton County Joint Board of Adjustment

• Larry Dillon Boone County Master Commissioner

• Northern Kentucky Port Authority

• Northern Kentucky Water District

• Planning & Development Services of Kenton County

• The Baker Firm PLLC

• The Hidden Chapter Bookstore LLC

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 16, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 1478 ARLINGTON DRIVE FLORENCE, KY 41042

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 061.00-09-018.00

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $159,066.26 GROUP NO.: 1730

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 7, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 624 FRIARS LANE UNIT 12 FLORENCE, KY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 074.00-12-028.12

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $75,477.72 GROUP NO.: 4173

NOTICE OF MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE DIVISION III

BOONE CIRCUIT COURT CASE NO.: 24-CI-00248

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, AS SUCCESSORIN-INTEREST TO U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-FF1 VERSUS}

MARY ELIZABETH DAVIS, ET AL

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 15, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 11139 MISTY WOOD COURT WALTON, KY 41094

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 064.00-12-079.00

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $356,721.88 GROUP NO.: 4394

Barth era ends at Walton-Verona; headed to Ludlow

Jeff Barth was expecting to begin his 16th season as Walton-Verona head football coach later this year. But there has been a change of plans.

Barth is leaving Walton-Verona and heading to Ludlow. He’s a new teaching hire in Ludlow’s social studies department. He informed Walton-Verona football players of the development on May 16.

Barth said he wasn’t actively looking for a new job. He saw a posting for the open position at Ludlow, though, and thought about what it would be like to have an eight-mile commute to work instead of a 30-mile commute. Barth, a 1995 Highlands High School graduate, and his family live in Southgate.

He had a talk with his wife. Barth applied for the position and got the job. Barth’s son is 12. His daughter is turning 10 this summer. He figures he has about eight years left in the classroom.

At Ludlow, Barth reunites with Woody McMillen, the man he replaced as Walton-Verona football coach 16 years ago. McMillen teaches history at Ludlow and is head football coach.

Barth leaves Walton-Verona as the record-holder in every football coaching category. The second coach in program history, he more than anyone is synonymous with Walton-Verona football. Barth coached 15 seasons and 180 games. He took over from McMillen in 2009.

Barth posted a career record of 117-63, good

for a .650 winning percentage. He averaged nearly eight wins a season and had at least nine wins in seven seasons. Barth’s only losing years were his first and his last. The Bearcats finished 4-6 last year.

Walton-Verona went 2-8 Barth’s first season in 2009, then ripped off seven consecutive winning years and 13 straight non-losing seasons. They won a playoff game 11 years in a row and advanced to the regional final five times, including four straight years from 2018-21. The Bearcats made the state semifinals once in 2018.

Barth joins forces with McMillen on the Ludlow football coaching staff as an assistant. He plans to attend the team’s first summer practice.

Region champs crowned in tennis, track and field

Beechwood’s boys and Bishop Brossart’s girls won region track and field titles in Class 1A, Covington Catholic won one in 2A, and Cooper’s boys and Notre Dame took home region titles in 3A during the days of May 18-21.

In tennis, Covington Catholic claimed the 9th Region boys team title, Brady Hussey won the boys singles title for the fourth straight year and Kalei Christensen and Alex Yeager won the boys doubles title for the Colonels. It was an All-CovCath final as Hussey defeated his younger brother Blake while Christiansen and Yeager defeat-

ed teammates William Tribble and Jacob Kramer.

In the girls 9th Region, both the singles and doubles matches came down to super tiebreaks. Cooper’s Kayla Johnson defeated Beechwood’s Sadie Jones for the girls singles title while Ryle’s Avery Love and Nive Selvaraju defeated Notre Dame’s Clare Shay and Sam Spellman.

In the girls 10th Region, Campbell County’s Rylee Ritter defeated teammate Izzy Jayasuriya to claim the girls singles title. Scott’s Mario Carpio lost to Bourbon County’s Noah Earlywine in the boys singles final. Carpio is a foreign exchange student from Spain.

District baseball winners position themselves for region tournament

Baseball and softball district tournaments took place from May 18-22 for Districts 3237.

The baseball winners were Simon Kenton in the 32nd District, Ryle in the 33rd, Dixie Heights in the 34th, Beechwood in the 35th, Highlands in the 36th and Campbell County in the 37th.

The softball winners were Grant County in the 32nd District, Cooper in the 33rd, Dixie Heights in the 34th, Notre Dame in the 35th, Highlands in the 36th and Campbell County in the 37th.

Runner-up in those respective districts in baseball were Walton-Verona in the 32nd, Conner in the 33rd, St. Henry in the 34th, Covington Catholic in the 35th, Newport Central Catholic in the 36th and Scott in the 37th.

Runners-up in softball were Simon Kenton in the 32nd, Conner in the 33rd, Lloyd Memorial in the 34th, Holy Cross in the 35th, Dayton in the 36th and Bishop Brossart in the 37th.

All teams mentioned move on to the region tournaments that start at various dates.

Boone County hires girls soccer coach

Boone County introduced new girls soccer coach Ian Bohman on May 22. He replaces John Hicks.

Bohman, a former Cooper goalkeeper, is the son of former Cooper girls soccer coach Steve Bohman. The elder Bohman assisted at Boone County, Conner and Holmes.

Ian Bohman is currently the Boone County freshman boys basketball coach. He also teaches history at the high school.

Hicks compiled a two-year record of 1223-3, including a 7-10-3 mark in 2023. The team increased scoring by 10 goals his second season while holding steady on scoring defense.

The Rebels put together a 4-4 record over the final eight games of last season. Conner eliminated them in the first round of the 33rd District tournament. The Rebels expect three seniors to return next season. They include goalkeepers Ava Mayfield and Jordan Cropper. There should be six juniors, including goal-scoring leader Avery Jones.

Coach Jeff Barth, far right, confers with Walton-Verona football players. Barth is leaving the Bearcats after 15 seasons at the helm. File photo

Covington Catholic senior Brady Hussey won his fourth straight singles title. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

Ian Bohman is hoping to be pitch-perfect as the new Boone County girls soccer coach. Photo provided l Boone County athletics

Ryle celebrates after winning a second consecutive 33rd District baseball title. Photo provided | Betsy Malone Osterbur Photography

School budgets may benefit from state ‘real estate growth relief’

By Rebecca Hanchett

Northern Kentucky has experienced fluctuations in property values that affect school funding. Retiring Ludlow superintendent Mike Borchers has seen the impact in his independent school district.

“The last (assessment), we generated 4% revenue and still dropped our tax rate by 12 points,” Borchers told LINK nky. “The property value went up so high, we were only allowed to generate 4% more revenue, not 4% new tax. Over the past four or five years, we’ve seen a lot of fluctuation.

“If you have a 30% increase in your property value, it’s going to drive down your rate,” he said. “The district can only pull 4% more revenue out of that.”

One issue is the state SEEK formula, which is the main funding formula for public schools in Kentucky. The state pays a share of SEEK, and school districts pay a share. The more taxable property a school district has, the more it pays – with the state paying a smaller share.

Enter House Bill 6, the state’s new two-year budget. It could bring Kentucky school districts some relief.

The budget includes “property assessment growth relief” – a provision allowing school

districts that experience real estate assessment growth to receive an additional local adjustment and potentially stave off a cut in state funding through SEEK.

School districts where cumulative assessed real estate growth exceeds 14.4% would have a chance to qualify for relief in 2024-25, with another chance to qualify the following year, Kentucky Department of Education finance director Chay Ritter told public school superintendents during a May 14 webcast.

“So if you were at 16.2%, (the department) would adjust for that amount above 14.4%,” Ritter said during the webcast. “Your local effort specific to that real property would come back to you in the form of an adjustment” or payment. Local effort refers to the local SEEK share, which is 30 cents for each $100 in taxable property in the district.

Participating districts must also have qualified for a 4% real property assessment adjustment under current law and levied a tax rate of 4% or greater.

Here are specifics for district qualification, according to the department:

To qualify for the 2024-2025 school year, districts must:

• Have qualified in 2023-24 and 202425 for the 4% adjusted assessment.

• Levy the 4% tax rate or greater in

2024-2025; and

• Have experienced cumulative growth in real estate assessments from fiscal years 2023 to 2025 of more than 14.4%.

KDE will adjust local effort specific to real property for growth above 14.4%.

For the 2025-26 school year, districts must:

• Have qualified in 2024-25 and 202526 for the 4% adjusted assessment.

• Levy the 4% tax rate or greater in 20252026.

Have experienced cumulative growth in real estate assessments from fiscal years 2023 to 2026 of more than 25.8%.

KDE will adjust local effort specific to real property for growth above 25.8%.

Payments will ultimately depend on available funding at the state level, said Ritter. If there’s not enough funding or if real property assessments don’t keep up, districts that have experienced growth up till now may lose out.

Ritter said the department won’t know until it calculates final SEEK funding (around March 1 each year) how much money will be available for the new adjustment.

“The good news is that typically we have base SEEK (funds) and other pots of money in there. If there’s money left over across the board, typically we can access those funds to fund adjustments like this,” he said.

There’s more good news for schools. State lawmakers increased state SEEK funding in the next budget, just as they did in the current budget passed by the 2022 Kentucky General Assembly. Borchers calls that “a big help,” especially when it comes to salaries for teachers and other staff.

“It’s allowed us to put more money into our salaries,” he told LINK. “Northern Kentucky is always going to have the challenge of competing with Ohio. It’s a higher start for their teachers, so we work really hard for ours.”

A stack of books. Photo provided | Kimberly Farmer via Unsplash