LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 51 - November 17, 2023

KENTON

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 51 — NOVEMBER 17, 2023

THE VOICE OF NKY

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What November 1968 can teach us about politics, life in 2023 By Rick Robinson Rick Robinson is a local author who is writing a book based on life in Northern Kentucky in 1968 and what we can learn now. LINK will publish excerpts from the book regularly in the LINK Reader, as well as on linknky.com. This is chapter 11.

O

n Election Day 1968, Richard M. Nixon and Spiro T. Agnew were elected to lead the country.

The Republican ticket captured the commonwealth’s nine electoral votes. Of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Hubert Humphrey won 42, and George Wallace captured 5. Nixon won the remainder. Their respective percentages of Kentucky’s vote: Nixon/Agnew, 43.8%; Humphrey/Muskie, 37.7%; and Wallace/LeMay 18.3%. Election results in Campbell and Kenton counties closely mirrored the state and the nation, while George Wallace outpaced his statewide percentages in Boone County. Continues on page 3

Marlow Cook, who became the first Roman Catholic senator from Kentucky, speaks to two Wiedemann Brewing workers while campaigning in Newport on Oct. 15, 1968. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

NKU's chief financial officer resigns By Haley Parnell

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orthern Kentucky University’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Alltop, has resigned from his position effective Jan. 2, 2024, according to an email university president Cady Short-Thompson sent to staff. According to the email from Oct. 30, Alltop is leaving higher education altogether to pursue new opportunities. Alltop came to NKU in July 2022 and was part of helping discover the university budget deficit.

Jeremy Alltop has resigned from his position as CFO, effective Jan. 2. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky University

“On behalf of NKU, I thank Jeremy for helping to lead the institution through the discovery of the deficit, as well as helping to

manage its reduction by more than $15 million in a short timeframe,” Short-Thompson said in the email. “Without question, his financial acumen has been instrumental during this difficult time, and Jeremy has had an impact on NKU.” NKU announced in June that it had reduced its budget deficit from $24.2 million to $9.6 million. “I appreciate Jeremy’s time here for finding the issue so quickly and helping guide us through the process of getting closer to a balanced budget,” NKU Faculty Senate President John Farrar told LINK nky. Continues on page 5

NKY reacts to Beshear victory as GOP secures other statewide seats p6 Kenton County tables discussions of Independence trailer regulations p. 7 How to protect your loved ones, self during this cold and flu season p9

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Continued from page 1

Boone County Nixon Humphrey Wallace

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending, permit number 32 in Covington, Kentucky. The LINK nky Kenton Reader office of publications and the Periodical Pending Postage Paid at 700 Scott St., Covington, KY 41011. For mailing address or change-of-address orders: POSTMASTER: send address changes to The LINK nky Kenton Reader: 31 Innovation Alley, Covington, KY 41011 859-878-1669 | www.LINKnky.com

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4,081 2,725 2,240

45.09% 30.11% 24.75%

Campbell County Nixon 13,681 Humphrey 9,747 Wallace 4,750

48.51% 34.56% 16.84%

Kenton County Nixon 17,263 Humphrey 14,656 Wallace 7,612

43.64% 37.05% 19.24%

In the other two federal races, Republicans Gene Snyder and Marlow Cook won their bids for U.S. House and U.S. Senate, respectively. Republicans gloated. Democrats licked their wounds and plotted a resurgence. And, of course, The Kentucky Post and Times-Star pontificated about what it all meant. In a post-election editorial, The Kentucky Post and Times-Star opined: “Kentucky has stoutly reaffirmed its strong preference for a moderate-to-conservative course in national government.” The editorial noted Cook became the first Roman Catholic senator from the state and labeled Snyder “a stalwart conservative.” The newspaper also published an open letter to Nixon, Cook and Snyder. Should anyone ever wonder about the editorial position of The Kentucky Post and Times-Star in 1968, this letter made it crystal clear.

At Latonia Race Track, Penny Ann Early, the first licensed female jockey, was unable to mount because high wind caused a power outage just before she was supposed to race. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

programs, have atrophied the moral sinew of this country and her people. Following Cook’s election, in a show of bipartisanship unheard of in today’s toxic partisan environment, retiring Democrat Thurston Morton resigned from his seat in the U.S. Senate. This move allowed Republican Gov. Louie Nunn to appoint Cook to take over immediately, thus giving Cook seniority over other newly elected senators to be sworn in come January. It did not take long for potential candidates for county offices and the state’s General

Assembly to put the election behind them and declare their political intentions for 1969. There were not enough column inches in the newspaper to run pictures of every person considering their immediate political future. As opposed to the recent federal election, however, county courthouses were under the control of Democrats. And there were only a handful of Republicans from Northern Kentucky in the General Assembly. Democrats talked of their local reorganization and the inclusion of younger people into the party. Republicans were hopeful to Continues on page 4

Stating that the heartland was becoming weary of the Great Society policies of President Lyndon Johnson, the published letter declared:

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We’re sick at the heart of over permissiveness, minority worship, defeatist welfare, toleration of crime, anti-traditionalism, inflation with an anemic currency, paternalism, maternalism, over-taxation, grants-in-aid, waste in general and over government in everything except law and order. … It is our firm belief that over paternalism of the past, particularly in welfare

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Richard Goetz, of Cold Spring, is pictured in November 1968. He told a Kentucky Post and TimesStar reporter that “you don’t understand how scared a guy can get” while fighting in Vietnam. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 3

Continued from page 3

build upon their victory in the ’68 federal elections. November was yet another bad month for regional Vietnam casualties. Marine Pvc. Howard Wilhoit of Ludlow had enlisted with several of his friends from high school. He had been stationed in Vietnam for over a year when he was killed in fighting within the Demilitarized Zone. “He felt he had to go,” said his father. Fleming High School graduate and career officer Lt. Col. Alden O’Brien was killed in the crash of a C-47 cargo plane. The 50-year-old father of two had been a fighter pilot in World War II. And Pfc. Raymond Bruce McKinney was killed by mortar fire while on patrol in the Quang Nam province. From letters, McKinney’s parents thought their son was in Okinawa. “I suppose he didn’t want to worry us about being in Vietnam,” said his sister. As casualties mounted, The Kentucky Post and Times-Star reached out to several of the draftees it had been following to report on their experiences in Vietnam. Bill Brewer from Crescent Springs said of

the enemy, “You fight ’em, but you don’t see ’em. All you hear are the rounds popping over your head.” Covington’s Carl Fryman, who went into the military despite his religious concerns about killing, rationalized his actions with his faith. “Well, if a guy walks up to you and is going to kill you, you gotta kill him. It’s survival. You don’t have much choice. You don’t think about it much.” “You don’t understand how scared a guy can get over there,” said Richard Goetz of Cold Spring, who had a scar from shrapnel from his time in Vietnam. “You get down on your knees and start praying.” Those believing Northern Kentucky’s illegal gambling days were far behind the region were shocked as November brought several raids against gaming operations. Once again, reporters from The Kentucky Post and Times-Star proved the paper’s investigatory prowess by going into and reporting upon these illegal casinos. Reporter Alan Markfield described how, at the 514 Club on Madison Avenue in Covington, he sat at the bar watching well-dressed men and women disappear behind a door at the back of the bar. He sat at the bar as people around him bragged of their winnings. He went to the door and was led to another marked as the men’s restroom. Just beyond that door, he found out where everyone was going: “They were in a bright, smoke-filled room that resembled a miniature Las Vegas casino. The room was about 18x45 feet, and there were no windows. On a table in front of me, there was a dice game: to the left, a tall man in a blue shirt and dark slacks was dealing black jack. About 40 people were crowded around both tables, trying to get their bets covered. On the wall were race results from major tracks across the country. This noisy room was packed. The horse players sat at rows of tables, carefully screening Saturday’s picks.”

The 514 Club in Covington was raided in 1968. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

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The next night, Markfield visited two more Covington gambling establishments, the Past Prime Restaurant on Madison and Howard’s Club on Pike Street. Accompanying the reporter to these venues was a

Covington City Manager Bob Wray looks at items taken in a raid of the city’s 514 Club. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

local well-known anti-gambling reformer. At the first stop, the reformer was a little too well-known. After they placed a bet on a horse race, a bouncer brandishing either a billy club or a gun ran them out of the building. At their second stop, the pair observed a game of five card stud with a $35 ante and $15 minimum raises. The stories led to numerous raids of illegal casinos and indictments of their operators in Kenton and Campbell counties. What many might consider a novelty story, properly sets forth the changing role of women in society, as well as the struggles they faced. In 1968, Penny Ann Early became the first licensed female jockey. She attempted to ride in three races at Churchill Downs in Louisville, but the threat of a boycott by male jockeys caused her to lose her mounts. One male jockey brazenly declared Early would fall off her horse and have to be rescued. Following the meet in Louisville, Early took her saddle to Latonia Race Track. The night before the Latonia meet started, the Kentucky Colonels of the American Basketball Association put Early into a game for one second as a guard – making her the first woman to play in a men’s professional basketball game. In protest of the mounts she lost at Churchill, she wore No. 3. When Early came to Latonia Race Track, Life magazine and CBS were there to cover it. Three minutes before the scheduled start of the fifth race, a high wind caused a

power outage and cancellation of the rest of the races for the day. Despite Early being the first female licensed jockey, she never got a mount. Life did write about Early’s attempt to break horse racing’s glass ceiling. But it also allowed jockey Bill Hartack to pen a guest editorial about his outrage. “They’ll find out how tough it is, and they’ll give it up. The tracks won’t have to worry about being flooded with women because a female cannot compete against a male doing anything. … They might weigh the same as male jockeys, but they aren’t as strong. And as a group, I don’t think their brains are as capable of making fast decisions. Women are also more likely to panic. It’s their nature,” Hartack wrote. In February 1969, Diane Crump rode at Hialeah Park Race Track in Florida and became the first woman to compete in a pari-mutuel race. Two years later, her ride in the Kentucky Derby would set the stage for other women to enter the sport. In yet another instance where headlines sound vaguely familiar, on Election Day, The Kentucky Post and Times-Star published an article titled “Electors Could Ignore the Will of the Public.” Offering several scenarios of how electors from each ticket could cause the vote to move from the Electoral College to the House of Representatives, the reporter noted, “Considering the presidency is at stake, the electoral system is not a tightly run operation.”

Continued from page 1

Short-Thompson appointed Karen Mefford, who works in the NKU Office of the Comptroller, to serve as interim CFO. Short-Thompson said Mefford will bring her experience and knowledge to manage the current budget, lead the formulation of the upcoming budget and manage shared services. Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Bonita Brown, the former interim president, will serve as the chair of the

search committee for the next CFO. She said Brown would immediately convene a multiconstituent committee with financial knowledge and experience to “swiftly recruit, interview and recommend candidates.”

Barry Kienzle to serve as interim vice president of administration and finance to lead and provide oversight of the CFO and leaders in human resources, information technology, facilities and police.

Meeks has agreed to serve as interim assistant vice president of business operations and assume leadership of the recreation center and housing, according to Short-Thompson.

Short-Thompson said university colleagues would have the opportunity to meet with, interview,and provide feedback on the finalists in an open process.

“Barry is the retired CFO of Paul Hemmer Cos. and former president of the NKU Foundation,” Short-Thompson said. “He will begin his transition into his interim role immediately.”

“Please know that Jeremy’s departure does not signal a change from the current course toward our financial health,” Short-Thompson said. “We are trending in the right direction and will continue to do so with everyone’s prudence and support.”

In addition, she appointed NKU alumnus

Director of Business Operations Andy

Northern Kentucky University continues to undergo leadership changes. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky University

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NKY reacts to Beshear re-election victory for governor; GOP dominates down ballot, secures key statewide seats By Kenton Hornbeck

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ith the Election Day results tallied, Republican candidates down the ballot performed well, while incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear secured victory over Attorney General Daniel Cameron in one of the most highly publicized gubernatorial races in state history on Nov. 7.

Voting machines at the Kenton County Library on Nov. 7. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

The Kenton County Republican Party hosted a watch party at The Globe in Covington to take in the results. Other Republicans traveled to the Louisville Marriott for Cameron’s election night party. Incumbent Beshear’s election night party was less than a mile down the road at Old Forester’s Paristown Hall.

Michael Adams defeated former Kentucky state Rep. Charles “Buddy” Wheatley — the only Northern Kentuckian running for a constitutional office. Former U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman defeated State Rep. Pamela Stevenson. Former Treasurer Allison Ball defeated tax attorney, Kimberley Reeder, in the state auditor race. Attorney Mark Metcalf defeated challenger Michael Bowman in the treasurer race. Farmer Johnathan Shell defeated economic consultant Sierra Enlow in the race for agriculture commissioner. Northern Kentucky continues to trend more Democratic in recent gubernatorial elections. While Republicans still dominate statehouse and constitutional office elections, Beshear increased his vote totals in all three Northern Kentucky counties.

Polls officially closed at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, local Democrats gathered at Jerry’s Jug House in Newport, where Rep. Rachel Roberts (D-Newport) said the atmosphere was boisterous. “I am thrilled,” Roberts said. “Not only am I thrilled that Beshear won, but I am so thrilled to see Northern Kentucky come out in these numbers. It was just amazingly validating of the phenomenal job that he has done.” Voters put their ballots into the voting machine at Newport High School on Nov. 7. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

Kenton County Republican Party Youth Chair Casmir Thornberry told LINK nky that even though the gubernatorial election results didn’t break in the GOP’s favor, the down-ballot wins are a sign of the strength of the party statewide. “The reality is Kentuckians still believe in our policies, still want to see us run the state, they’ve just chosen to have Andy be at the head of that,” Thornberry said. In Northern Kentucky, Boone County broke for Cameron while Kenton County and Campbell County swung Beshear’s way — the same results as the 2019 gubernatorial election.

The Boone County Public Library on Nov. 7. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

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6 NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Down ballot, incumbent Secretary of State

Despite this trend, Thornberry remained positive in his assessment of the GOP’s overall performance in the region. “Northern Kentucky is still a Republican stronghold,” Thornberry said. “The state is ruby red.” Even though Cameron secured a victory in Boone County, the party had a lower Republican vote total in this gubernatorial election as opposed to 2019. In total, 23,000 people voted for former Gov. Matt Bevin in 2019 compared to the 22,399 votes for Cameron this time around. Beshear increased his vote totals in Kenton County as well, with 26,066 people casting their ballot for the incumbent in 2023 compared with 25,479 for Bevin in 2019. Conversely, Cameron earned fewer votes in Kenton County this election, 23,301, compared to Bevin’s 24,936 in 2019. Lastly, Beshear also garnered more votes in Campbell County this election, 16,855, compared to his 16,352 votes in 2019. Cameron also earned fewer Campbell County votes in 2023 than Bevin in 2019: 14,271 compared to 14,587.

Kenton planning commission tables for six months decision of Independence trailer regulations

Kenton County tabled for six months any decision on regulation of utility trailers, campers, boats and similar vehicles. Photo provided | Wikimedia Commons

By Nathan Granger

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he Kenton County Planning Commission voted at its meeting on Nov. 2 to table a decision on proposed revisions to Independence’s regulations on flatbed utility trailers, as well as other hauled trailers and vehicles, such as campers and boats. Megan Bessey, a project manager with Kenton County Planning and Development Services, gave an unfavorable recommendation on the city’s proposed changes due to several factors: The proposed regulations would allow for the permanent storage of trailers on private drives, which would disrupt the residential character of neighborhoods, she said, and the language in the proposed changes did not provide enough clarity and information. After some discussion with Chris Moriconi, Independence’s city administrator, the commissioners decided to table a final decision on the revisions for six months rather than vote them down outright. This will

grant Independence time to address the issues staff highlighted in their assessment. “A lot of input from the public went on starting back in January, and it’s kind of evolved,” Moriconi said. The city’s current ordinance prohibits parking boats, campers and other large trailers on public streets. Smaller flatbed trailers can be stored in a side yard if the owners obtain a conditional use permit, and people can park flatbeds on public streets for up to 72 hours. The proposed changes would extend the 72-hour limit to 96 hours and would allow flatbeds to be stored in private driveways permanently if they’re kept clean and unladen. Boats and other larger towed vehicles could be parked on private driveways — but only for 96 hours under the new proposals. Finally, the proposal adds the definition of a flatbed trailer as an open trailer with a length no greater than 30 feet from tongue to bumper, not including any gates, a height no greater than 5 feet and a width

no greater than 8 feet. Independence began regulating trailers in the 2000s after the city’s code enforcement department began getting many complaints about trailers parked obstructively on streets or trailers kept in blighted condition. The issue resurfaced last year after City Council member Chris Vogelpohl began speaking with residents who were either critical of or confused by the ordinance as it was written. The city held a public hearing on the matter during the council meeting on Feb. 6, where proponents and critics of the ordinance spoke about the issue. “So there was quite a bit of discussion when we brought this up over the winter with the public at a council meeting,” Moriconi told the planning commission. “A lot of people showed up, and it was mixed, really.” Some recurring concerns emerged during the hearing: the exorbitant price of storage and other measures necessary to stay

compliant with the ordinance; the 72-hour limit being too short; and the question of whether the measures were even necessary. Scott Paul, the owner of a recreational vehicle, shed light on how much it would cost to store his vehicle off-site. “Two years ago, I called around to find out how much would storage cost me,” Paul told the Independence City Council in February. “And it was going to cost me, minimum, $900 a year to $1,200 a year. That was two years ago.” “Especially with these flatbed trailers and also with extending the amount of hours that they can have a camper, boat or an RV in their driveway, it allows our citizens a little more freedom,” said Vogelpohl at the council meeting in October, adding that many residents rely on their utility trailers for income in the form of lawn mowing and landscaping in their spare time.

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 7

Local pharmacies partner with the University of Kentucky HEALing Communities Study to offer safe medication disposal options

A

s part of efforts to combat the opioid crisis, Campbell County and Kenton County pharmacies are working with a local coalition to increase safe medication disposal as part of a research project funded by the National Institutes of Health. The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) has supported the installation of medication disposal drop boxes in four local pharmacies to address the challenge of leftover prescription opioids leading to accidental poisonings and overdose.

and HCS coalition member. “Safely disposing these medications is as easy as stopping by a pharmacy with a disposal bin.” HCS funds the installation and initial maintenance of the drop boxes, which are recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for disposal of most unused prescription and over-the-counter medicine and helps pharmacies raise awareness of the importance of safe disposal within their communities.

“Proper opioid disposal can save the life of your loved ones. With so many dispensed prescriptions going unused, there is a large potential that those could be misused. By disposing of your unused prescriptions in an available receptacle at a local pharmacy or police station, you can avoid the possibility of someone you love accidentally or inappropriately taking these medications. By doing so, you can prevent an overdose or longterm addiction to opioids.”

The goals of the HCS disposal program are for residents to make safe medication disposal a habit and to reduce the number of prescription opioids available in the community. “Unused opioid prescriptions can be a safety hazard to small children who can be seriously harmed by accidental ingestion,” said Dr. James Schack, a local primary care physician

Campbell/Kenton County Medication Disposal Drop Box Locations Pharmacy

Law Enforcement

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Campbell County Police Department

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Covington Police Department

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Dayton Police Department

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Edgewood Police Department

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Erlanger Police Department

CVS Pharmacy 4305 Winston Avenue, Latonia 3516 Dixie Highway, Erlanger

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Fort Thomas Police Department

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Fort Wright Police Department

Ft. Mitchell Drug Shoppe 2515 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell

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Highland Heights Police Department

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Kenton County Police Department

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Newport Police Department

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Park Hills Police Department

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Southgate Police Department

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Villa Hills Police Department

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Wilder Police Department

Alexandria Drugs 7857 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria

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Blank’s Pharmacy 272 West Pike Street, Covington

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Cherokee Drug Shoppe 6439 Taylor Mill Rd, Independence

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Meijer Pharmacy 5400 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring

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St. Elizabeth Healthcare Cancer Care Pharmacy, 1 Medical Village Drive, Edgewood

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8 NOVEMBER 17, 2023

“Research has shown that people are more likely to dispose opioids if the location is convenient, such as a community pharmacy” Freeman said.

For more information, please visit https://healingstudy.uky.edu/

• Left: Michael Bosch, HCS partner and Kenton County pharmacist, poses with Ft. Mitchell Drug Shoppe’s medication disposal drop box.

The HCS has provided the drop boxes to 57 community pharmacies in 16 Kentucky counties.

Campbell County and Kenton County are among 16 Kentucky communities highly impacted by the opioid crisis in which the HCS is testing a set of proven prevention and treatment practices with the aim of reducing opioid overdose deaths by 40 percent. Along with increasing safe medication disposal, the coalitions of community members in Campbell County and Kenton County selected promotion and prevention strategies to increase overdose education and naloxone distribution, expand access to and retention in medication treatment for opioid use disorder, and offer patient and provider education about prescription opioid safety.

-Dr. Emma Sapp, Pharmacist and Campbell County coalition member Studies have shown that up to 71 percent of opioid tablets prescribed for pain relief after surgery are not needed and often remain in the home. These medications — drugs like hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone — are especially dangerous due to the risk of misuse, overdose, and death. About half of people who misuse prescription opioids get them from a friend or family member, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Additionally, accidental exposure to medicine in the home is a major source of poisoning emergencies among children.

“The cost of a disposal drop box is often the largest obstacle for community pharmacies,” said HCS faculty member, Dr. Trish Freeman. “We are helping pharmacies that want to be involved in overcoming barriers so they can provide this important service.”

Save Discount Drugs 716 Madison Avenue, Covington

NKwhy: How to protect yourself, others from illness this flu season? Get vaccinated, wash hands frequently By Maggy McDonel

How do I know what I have?

he temperatures are dropping, leaves are falling from the trees and the days are getting shorter. It is officially fall and, unfortunately, also the beginning of cold and flu season.

“It can be tough to differentiate between a common cold and a cold caused by influenza,” said Zowtiak.

T

The reason for this, Zowtiak said, is that common cold symptoms like “congestion, sneezing, runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough, and fatigue” are similar to flu symptoms and “can be caused by a variety of different viruses,” which spread easily in the cold.

Numbers are currently low. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of influenza, known as the flu, are “minimal” at the moment, but that is likely to change soon. Cases typically start popping up sporadically throughout September and October, Chris Zowtiak, physician assistant director and resident education with St. Elizabeth Healthcare, told LINK nky. There is usually a gradual increase in cases, with numbers typically peaking at the beginning of January. While flu numbers are currently low, Zowtiak said there have been “upticks in the number of RSV cases and COVID cases.” Another concern Zowtiak warned of is a “serious risk of the fall/winter ‘triple-demic’ of flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID this year.” As the season continues, “primary care offices, urgent care clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals often experience an increase in patients seeking care,” which Zowtiak said can sometimes lead to increased wait times and crowded hospitals. So, how can Northern Kentuckians protect themselves? Read on to learn the local recommendations. How do I keep my family from getting sick? While sometimes illness is unavoidable, there are definitely some steps to take to lower the chances of catching anything. The best way to protect yourself is with the flu vaccine, Zowtiak said. He recommends anyone over 6 months old, “including and especially pregnant patients,” should get the flu shot, with those over 65 receiving a higher dose vaccine. A new COVID-19 shot

However, those symptoms would be seen as a mild form of the flu, which can cause much more severe symptoms such as “high fevers, body aches, congestion, sinus pain and pressure, sore throat, severe cough, trouble breathing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” Zowtiak said. The flu can be very contagious, and for young children, older adults and those with underlying medical conditions or compromised immune systems, Zowtiak said, it can “cause life-threatening illness requiring hospitalization.” Cases of the flu tend to peak in January. Photo provided | Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

that “targets the latest variant of the COVID virus very effectively” is also recommended by Zowtiak. RSV is another concern this season. It can cause respiratory infections and is “most dangerous to young or premature babies, people with chronic medical conditions and older adults,” said Zowtiak. He recommends a new single-dose preventive treatment that is available for children under 8 months and a vaccine available for certain adults over 60. Zowtiak said that everyone who can, should get vaccines. “Even healthy people without any other vulnerabilities should consider protecting more fragile people around them by getting a flu shot and avoiding passing flu to those they love,” he said. Outside of medical treatments, Zow-

tiak advises individuals to “practice good hand-washing hygiene, avoid people with known symptoms of illness, and stay home if you are sick.”

If you are experiencing cold symptoms and a fever, he recommends staying home for 24-48 hours after your fever has subsided, and if you really want to know if you have the flu, go to the doctor for a test.

How do I stop the spread?

What do I do if I am sick?

The best ways to stop the spread of viruses is, again, practicing good hygiene and staying home when you’re sick, Zowtiak said.

Talk to your doctor; that is the No. 1 suggestion Zowtiak gave.

Schools, workspaces and other public places should promote these healthy practices, Zowtiak said, by making hand sanitizers easily accessible and encouraging people to take preventive measures such as getting vaccinations. These spaces should also “exercise policies and procedures that encourage sick people to stay home while they are infectious,” Zowtiak said. He also recommended those who are sick and/or individuals at a higher risk consider wearing a mask.

Virtual visits are often a great way to talk to a medical professional to decide what course of action to take when ill. “Not all patients will require testing to confirm their diagnosis, since it often does not affect the treatment recommendations,” said Zowtiak. For those who do not have a primary care provider, Zowtiak recommends seeking care at an urgent care clinic or local health department.

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kenton county briefs Kung Brew: MainStrasse getting new coffee shop in 2024 from AmerAsia owner

on KungFood’s official Facebook page. There is already signage posted in the window advertising that the cafe will serve coffee and tea. The property was purchased by Amerasia Cafe & Bar LLC on July 11 for $390,000, according to Kenton County property records. Originally constructed in 1909, the 2,520-square-foot red brick building is two-and-a-half stories tall. Before Bean Haus opened in 2019, the building was home to Groove Coffee House & World Headquarters.

TANK Southbank Shuttle operating winter service schedule through March

Kung Brew is set to open in 2024. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

A new coffee shop is coming to Covington’s MainStrasse Village neighborhood.

The shuttle’s winter hours, which span from November through March, are weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

the best

From the ownership of KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia comes Kung Brew, which is set to open in 2024. Located at 640 Main St., the coffee shop will open in the former building occupied by Bean Haus Cafe & Bakery, which closed in June.

SERVE

The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky’s Southbank Shuttle is now operating at the winter service level.

During special events such as Cincinnati Bengals games, the agency will continue to operate game-day shuttles. For more information, call TANK’s information line at 859-333-TANK (8265) or use the chat feature at www.tankbus.org.

The coffee shop’s opening was announced

Crews from 5 departments battle massive fire that destroys Independence home A large fire on Nov. 5 destroyed a home in Independence. The fire was first reported around 10 p.m., and fire crews from Independence arrived on the scene about 10 minutes later, according to a statement from the fire chief. The fire had engulfed the roughly 6,000-square-foot house, located at 11848 Straffordsburg Road, which sat about 2,000 feet from the road. Crews from Covington, Edgewood, Erlanger and Taylor Mill fire departments assisted in extinguishing the fire. No one was injured or killed in the blaze, but the house was destroyed. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, and the department said that no more information will be released until Kenton County Fire Investigation concludes its investigation.

Emergency shelter enters winter program, offering place to stay on cold nights The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, located in Covington, has begun its winter sheltering program.

Crews fight a massive fire at a residence in Independence. Photo provided | Katie Cepero/WCPO

Described as a “low-barrier” shelter, the emergency shelter offers beds for people dealing with homelessness on a nightby-night basis during the winter months when temperatures drop to dangerous levels. Winter sheltering is available for men and women. Guests may enter without any assessments, program commitments or background checks. Bed space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. “Today, for the fifteenth year, we welcome women and men to come here for a warm bed to sleep in as they need it,” said the shelter’s executive director Kim Webb in a recent press release. “We believe homelessness is an emergency and that every-

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one needs and deserves a bed to sleep in. Only when this necessity is provided do human beings have the ability to recover from homelessness.” The shelter also provides self-serve laundry facilities, computer workstations, storage lockers, an on-site medical clinic and partner programs with other service providers in the region. Learn more about the shelter and its services at emergencyshelternky.org.

Fort Wright residents will likely see higher rates for waste collection Fort Wright residents will likely soon see a rise in their annual waste collection fee. At a Nov. 2 Fort Wright special meeting, City Council members conducted a first reading of an ordinance that would amend the current fee structure. Fort Wright has contracted with Rumpke for city waste collection and recycling services for several years. When the contract came up for renewal, Rumpke informed Fort Wright that there would be an increase in cost. The city weighed its options for waste collection contracts and found that Rumpke was still the best deal. “The cost of our contract was established via a bidding process in which Rumpke was accepted as the best bid,” City Administrator Jill Cain Bailey told LINK nky.

Many Northern Kentucky cities decide on a waste collection contract with the same bidding process. Among these cities, Rumpke is a popular choice for waste collection. Fort Mitchell and Lakeside Park have chosen instead to enter into contracts with Best Way, a waste collection service based in Burlington.

ing them,” summit chair Melissa Lutz told LINK nky in October.

The current rate for waste collection in Fort Wright is $197 a year, and the new proposed rate is $216. In June, when Fort Wright was drafting its budget for the new fiscal year, officials were aware of the increase in this contract cost and accounted for it in the budget. The second reading of this ordinance will be held during another special meeting on Nov. 4 at 9 a.m. at the Fort Wright Municipal Complex, located at 409 Kyles Lane, Fort Wright

NKY Chamber’s women’s summit tackles mentorship, networking, development Framework + dream = success. This is the equation for success that Tracy Stokes, senior consultant of diversity, equity and inclusion for St. Elizabeth Healthcare and founder of the Tracy Nicole Brand, uses in her own life. She, along with many other women, shared their knowledge at the eighth annual Northern Kentucky Chamber of Com-

Catrena Bowman and Tracy Stokes get ready to speak at the annual NKY Chamber of Commerce Women’s Initiative Regional Summit. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

merce’s Women’s Initiative Regional Summit at Newport’s MegaCorp Pavilion. This year’s themes were mentorship, professional development and networking. The daylong event featured a roster of established career coaches, entrepreneurs and nonprofit executives providing their audience with strategies and advice on advancing their careers. The summit included presentations on networking, overcoming perfectionism tendencies, workforce development and more. Designed for women in all career stages, the summit ranged from young professionals to midcareer and senior-level professionals and entrepreneurs. “As people are rising in their roles within firms and companies, and in their own companies as entrepreneurs, we are also bringing people along with us and groom-

Regarding mentorship, Shaw Solutions CEO Erica Shaw said it was important for professional women to build a strong support network of individuals with different perspectives. In turn, this can help the mentee become a more well-rounded professional. It also helps with dynamic decision-making. When you can critically analyze multiple perspectives and then use them to inform a decision, you become an asset to more people. “I will say, the first thing is just realizing that you deserve to have the life that you want,” Shaw said. “You deserve to have the career of your dreams, the life of your dreams — and it is about surrounding yourself with people that can accelerate you getting there.”

Del Gardo’s cannoli bar moving to a new storefront on Madison in Covington A Covington cannoli bar is relocating to a vacant storefront on Madison Avenue. On Nov. 1, Del Gardo’s announced on Facebook it would be winding down operations at its current storefront on 5th Street. The cannoli bar first unveiled its intentions to move in a post on Oct. 27. Its new location at 621 Madison Ave. is set to open on Nov. 17, according to a sign posted in the window.

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

SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA TO GO TO OUR DIGITAL PUBLIC NOTICE PAGE

• 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 • City of Alexandria • City of Bellevue • City of Cold Spring • City of Covington • City of Cresent Springs • City of Crestview Hills • City of Dayton • City of Edgewood • City of Elsmere • City of Erlanger • City of Fort Thomas • City of Fort Wright • City of Independence • City of Lakeside Park • City of Ludlow • City of Newport

• City of Silver Grove • City of Southgate • City of Union • City of Villa Hills • City Of Walton • City of Wilder • City of Woodlawn • 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 • Northern Kentucky Port Authority • Northern Kentucky Water District • Planning & Development Services of Kenton County • The Baker Firm PLLC • The Hidden Chapter Bookstore LLC

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 11

CUSTOMER NOTICE OF RATE ADJUSTMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, in a October 31, 2023, Tariff Filing, Kentucky Utilities Company (“KU”) is seeking approval by the Kentucky Public Service Commission of an adjustment of its electric Small Capacity Cogeneration and Small Power Production Qualifying Facilities (“SQF”), Large Capacity Cogeneration and Large Power Production Qualifying Facilities (“LQF”), and Net Metering Service-2 (“NMS2”) rates and charges to become effective on and after January 1, 2024. KU CURRENT AND PROPOSED SQF, LQF, and NMS-2 ELECTRIC RATES SQF and LQF Energy Rates ($/MWh) Distribution Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA

7-Year PPA

Current

Proposed

Change

Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

24.03

30.43

6.40

27%

25.02

32.16

7.14

29%

Solar: Fixed Tilt

24.29

30.73

6.44

27%

25.26

32.56

7.30

29%

Wind

23.58

29.27

5.69

24%

24.90

31.55

6.65

27%

Other Technologies

23.08

29.39

6.31

27%

24.13

31.96

7.83

32%

Transmission Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA

7-Year PPA

Current

Proposed

Change

Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

22.94

29.05

6.11

27%

23.89

30.71

6.82

29%

Solar: Fixed Tilt

23.19

29.33

6.14

26%

24.11

31.09

6.98

29%

Wind

22.51

27.94

5.43

24%

23.77

30.11

6.34

27%

Other Technologies

22.04

28.05

6.01

27%

23.03

30.50

7.47

32%

Capacity Rates ($/MWh) Distribution Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

0

0

0.00

Solar: Fixed Tilt

0

0

Wind

0

Other Technologies

0

7-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

0%

17.51

12.26

-5.25

-30%

0.00

0%

21.05

14.76

-6.29

-30%

0

0.00

0%

13.81

9.66

-4.15

-30%

0

0.00

0%

12.21

8.54

-3.67

-30%

Transmission Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

0

0

0.00

Solar: Fixed Tilt

0

0

Wind

0

Other Technologies

0

7-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

0%

16.45

11.51

-4.94

-30%

0.00

0%

19.78

13.86

-5.92

-30%

0

0.00

0%

12.97

9.08

-3.89

-30%

0

0.00

0%

11.47

8.03

-3.44

-30%

Current

Proposed

Change

0.07366

0.07468

0.00102

NMS-2

Dollar-Denominated Bill Credit ($/kWh)

1.4%

A detailed notice of all proposed revisions and a complete copy of the proposed tariffs containing the proposed text changes, terms and conditions and rates may be obtained by submitting a written request by mail to Kentucky Utilities Company, ATTN: Rates Department, 220 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, or by visiting KU’s website at www.lge-ku.com/our-company/regulatory. A person may examine this tariff filing at the offices of KU located at One Quality Street, Lexington, Kentucky. A person may also examine this tariff filing at the Public Service Commission’s offices located at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through the Commission’s Web site at http://psc.ky.gov. Comments regarding the filing may be submitted to the Public Service Commission by mail to Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602, or by email to psc.info@ky.gov. The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by KU, but the Public Service Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. A person may submit a timely written request for intervention to the Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602 establishing the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. If the commission does not receive a written request for intervention within thirty (30) days of initial publication or mailing of this notice, the Commission may take final action on the tariff filing. 12 NOVEMBER 17, 2023

news from other places Ohio enshrines abortion access in constitution in heavily watched ballot issue

Ohio becomes 24th state to allow use of marijuana for non-medical purposes COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing recreational marijuana on Nov. 7, defying Republican legislative leaders who had failed to pass the proposed law. Passage of Issue 2 makes Ohio the 24th state to allow adult cannabis use for non-medical purposes.

Supporters of Issue 1 in Ohio celebrate at a watch party on election night, Nov. 7. Photo by Sue Ogrocki | Associated Press

“Marijuana is no longer a controversial issue,” said Tom Haren, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. “Ohioans demonstrated this by passing State Issue 2 in a landslide.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment on Nov. 7 that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, the latest victory for abortion rights supporters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

The new law will allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10% tax will be imposed on purchases, to be spent on administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs supporting the industry itself.

Ohio became the seventh state where voters decided to protect abortion access after the landmark ruling and was the only state to consider a statewide abortion rights question this year.

The election’s outcome represents a blow to GOP lawmakers, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and business and manufacturing organizations concerned about its impact on workplace and traffic safety.

The outcome of the intense, off-year election could be a bellwether for 2024, when Democrats hope the issue will energize their voters and help President Joe Biden keep the White House. Voters in Arizona, Missouri and elsewhere are expected to vote on similar protections next year.

Woman arrested after driving car into Indianapolis building she thought was ‘Israel school’

Ohio’s constitutional amendment, on the ballot as Issue 1, included some of the most protective language for abortion access of any statewide ballot initiative since the Supreme Court’s ruling. Opponents had argued that the amendment would threaten parental rights, allow unrestricted gender surgeries for minors and revive “partial birth” abortions, which are federally banned. Public polling shows about two-thirds of Americans say abortion should generally be legal in the earliest stages of pregnancy.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A woman who allegedly drove her car into a building in Indianapolis after watching coverage of the Israel-Hamas war told officers she believed the building was an “Israel school,” according to police and court records. One adult as well as four children — ages 7 months, 1, 2 and 3 years — were inside the Israelite School of Universal and Practical Knowledge at the time of the Nov. 3 crash, but no one was injured, police said. The 34-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and held at the Marion County Jail on a preliminary charge of criminal recklessness.

The woman “told one officer she has been watching the news and couldn’t breathe anymore. She referenced her people back in Palestine,” according to a news release from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, which said it had notified the FBI of the crash. The building is in fact associated with Radical Hebrew Israelites, a group the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated a “hate group,” noting its ideology has become increasingly antisemitic, anti-white, anti-LGBTQ, xenophobic and misogynistic since the 1960s, The Indianapolis Star reported.

Second man dies in collapse of Ky. coal mine prep plant; state opens investigations

officials announced on Nov. 1 that he died during rescue efforts. Crews worked around the clock for days digging through steel and concrete wreckage to find Nees, 57. Several state agencies have begun investigations into the collapse and possible causes, including Kentucky state police. The Kentucky Division of Occupational Safety and Health Compliance said one of its officers was on site and that an inspection had been opened with Lexington Coal Company LLC, which had contracted with Skeens Enterprises LLC for site demolition and salvage operations. The division said the investigation could take up to six months to complete.

Washington Post names veteran newsman Lewis CEO, publisher, hopes to turn around slump NEW YORK (AP) — The Washington Post has named veteran media executive Will Lewis to serve as its new CEO and publisher, hoping to turn around a recent slump that has seen job cuts and a declining audience.

Kentucky Emergency Management Director Jeremy Slinker speaks to the media about the rescue operation on Nov. 1. Photo by Ryan C. Hermens | Lexington Herald-Leader via Associated Press

MARTIN COUNTY, Kentucky (AP) — The second of two workers trapped under a coal mine preparation plant that collapsed in eastern Kentucky has died, Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Nov. 3. “This is a heartbreaking situation,” the Democratic governor wrote on social media, calling for prayers for the men’s loved ones. The two men — identified as Billy Ray Daniels and Alvin Nees — were trapped under rubble at the Martin Mine Prep Plant in Martin County after an 11-story abandoned building crashed down around 6:30 p.m. Oct. 31. The men were on the scene completing work to prepare for its demolition.

Lewis, 54 and Britain-born, is the former top executive at the Wall Street Journal and lately founder of a startup that tries to deliver news to young people. He began as a reporter and moved into management, first at the Daily Telegraph in England. He worked for Rupert Murdoch at News Corp. for a decade. The Post has gone through rounds of layoffs, shuttered its Sunday magazine and last month said it would offer 240 voluntary buyouts to its staff. It has 2.5 million digital subscribers, a drop of more than 15% since news magnet Donald Trump left office in 2021. The New York Times reported that The Post is on track to lose about $100 million this year. Lewis said in a news release that he was “thrilled and humbled to be at its helm as both a media executive and former reporter.” Lewis will assume the role effective Jan. 2. The Post newsroom is led by Executive Editor Sally Buzbee.

Daniels was originally located alive, but

NOTICE

Please take notice that Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. is applying to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, in an Application filed no later than November 15, 2023, for approval to revise its Demand Side Management (DSM) rate for gas service and electric service for residential and commercial customers, with the revisions proposed to become effective on and after December 15, 2023. Duke Energy Kentucky’s current monthly DSM rate for residential gas customers is ($0.004784) per hundred cubic feet and for non-residential gas customers is $0.000000 per hundred cubic feet. Duke Energy Kentucky’s current monthly DSM rate for residential electric customers is $0.003497 per kilowatt-hour and for non-residential customers is $0.001987 per kilowatt-hour for distribution service and $0.000388 per kilowatt-hour for transmission service. Duke Energy Kentucky seeks approval to revise these rates as follows: Duke Energy Kentucky’s monthly DSM rate for residential gas customers would decrease to ($0.015657) per hundred cubic feet and for non-residential gas customers would remain at $0.000000 per hundred cubic feet. Duke Energy Kentucky’s monthly DSM rate for residential electric customers would decrease to $0.000481 per kilowatt-hour and for non-residential customers would increase to $0.004033 per kilowatt-hour for distribution service and would increase to $0.000585 per kilowatt-hour for transmission service. The rate contained in this notice is the rate proposed by Duke Energy Kentucky. However, the Public Service Commission may order a rate to be charged that differs from this proposed rate. Such action may result in a rate for consumers other than the rate in this notice. The foregoing rates reflect a proposed increase in electric revenues of approximately $0.18 million or 0.04% over current total electric revenues and a decrease in gas revenues of approximately $0.66 million or (0.47%) over current total gas revenues. A typical residential gas customer using 70 ccf in a month will see a decrease of $0.76 or (0.8%). A typical residential electric customer using 1000 kWh in a month will see a decrease of $3.31 or (2.8%). A typical non-residential electric customer using 40 kilowatts and 14,000 kWh will see an increase of $28.65 or 1.8%. A non-residential customer served at transmission voltage using 10,000 kilowatts and 4,000,000 kWh will see an increase of $788.00 or 0.2%. Non-residential gas customers will see no change in their bills from this application. Any corporation, association, body politic or person may by motion within thirty (30) days after publication or mailing of notice of the proposed rate changes, submit a written request to intervene to the Public Service Commission, 211 Sower Boulevard, P.O. Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602, and shall set forth the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. The intervention may be granted beyond the thirty (30) day period for good cause shown. Written comments regarding the proposed rate may be submitted to the Public Service Commission by mail or through the Public Service Commission’s website. A copy of this application filed with the Public Service Commission is available for public inspection at Duke Energy Kentucky’s Erlanger Operations Center at 1262 Cox Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 and on its website at http://www.duke-energy.com. This filing and any other related documents can be found on the Public Service Commission’s website at http://psc.ky.gov.

A New Approach to Fine Dining

Social Hour: 4:30-6:30* | LIVE Music Nightly MRBLSteak.com | (859)431-MRBL *Excluding Saturday

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 13

calendar

November Friday

Saturday 17

Comedy @ Commonwealth Presents: Vladimir Caamaño, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Comedy @ Commonwealth in Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $15. Visit commonwealthsanctuary.com.

Sunday 18

Comedy @ Commonwealth Presents: Vladimir Caamaño, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Comedy @ Commonwealth in Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $15. Visit commonwealthsanctuary.com.

Monday 19

Tuesday 20

Campbell County Board of Education meeting, 6-7 p.m., Alexandria Educational Center, 51 Orchard Lane, Alexandria Edgewood City Council meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., City Building, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood Fort Thomas City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 130 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Wednesday 21

Eggs ‘N Issues: Regional Economic Outlook, 7:30-9 a.m., Receptions Banquet and Conference Center-South, 1379 Donaldson Road, Erlanger. Panelists include Janet Harrah, executive director of outreach at Northern Kentucky University, and John Augustine, chief investment officer at Huntington Bank. $20$50. Visit NKYChamber. com/eggs Florence City Council caucus meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence Covington Commission caucus meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington Highland Heights City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights

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

14 NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Thursday 22

23 Boone County Business Association meeting, 6-7 p.m., Florence Lions Club, 29 Lacresta Drive, Florence Ludlow City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Municipal Center, 808 Elm St., Ludlow

real estate

Charming colonial-style home in Independence sits on 14.8 acres Address: 11711 Mapletree Place, Independence Price: $1.1 million Bedrooms: Five Bathrooms: Two (plus one half-bath) Square feet: 4,113 School district: Kenton County County: Kenton Special features: If you’re looking for land and country charm, this place is for you. Located on 14.8 acres of land, this home offers plenty of space outside as well as inside, with over 4,000 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms and three bathrooms. This farm-style colonial offers multiple wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. The property features a pond, some cleared land and some wooded land, plus a poultry coop, sheds, stables and a gazebo.

This Independence home sits on over 14 acres of land. Photo provided | Joseph Lockaby with Century 21 Premiere Properties

The living area features a wood-burning fireplace and hardwood floors. Photo provided | Joseph Lockaby with Century 21 Premiere Properties

A back patio looks out onto this property’s significant acreage. Photo provided | Joseph Lockaby with Century 21 Premiere Properties

Top Sales of the Week Address

WHO

YOU’RE WITH

MATTERS

Deron G. Schell Senior Sales Executive

HUFF REALTY 859.640.5149 dschell@huff.com

1122 Panorama Drive 75 Sunnymede Drive 1156 Mccarron Lane 1124 Kensington Drive 402 Rossford Avenue 206 Kyles Lane 821 Rogers Road 527 Inverness Way 2709 Fister Pl Boulevard 4123 Lloyd Avenue 1912 Garrard Street 4110 Winston Avenue 305 Sunset Avenue 21 Airview Drive 230 Shaw Ave Avenue 387 Merravay Drive 410 Lakeview Drive 103 309 Barkley Street 329 Silver Street 2303 Piazza Ridge

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

City

Price

Sale Date

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

Covington Fort Mitchell Union Alexandria Fort Thomas Fort Wright Villa Hills Alexandria Hebron Erlanger Covington Covington Erlanger Florence Elsmere Florence Wilder Falmouth Dayton Covington

$1,300,000 $750,000 $645,000 $540,000 $380,000 $330,000 $320,000 $289,000 $270,000 $265,000 $230,000 $205,000 $203,500 $200,000 $165,000 $165,000 $152,000 $140,000 $43,000 $2,000

10/31/23 11/7/23 11/6/23 11/8/23 11/3/23 11/3/23 11/3/23 11/2/23 11/3/23 11/1/23 11/6/23 11/1/23 10/31/23 11/3/23 10/31/23 11/1/23 10/31/23 11/2/23 11/2/23 11/1/23

9731 Whispering Way 385 Aaron Drive 15 Viewpoint Drive 0 Nagel Road 1124 Kensington Drive 215 Cave Run Drive 7 4067 Circlewood Drive 137 Commonwealth Avenue 402 Locust Street 535 Perimeter Drive 3987 Thomas Drive 1007 Stevenson Road 3381 Apple Tree Lane 102 Stevenson Road 327 Timberlake Avenue 4008 Brunswick Court Court 3424 Liberty Street 3605 Shadyside Drive 745 Mars Drive 14779 Walton Verona Road

Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Erlanger Verona Verona

$275,000 $284,000 $240,000 $130,000 $540,000 $162,000 $235,000 $219,000 $170,000 $220,000 $185,000 $240,000 $206,000 $199,000 $205,000 $429,900 $165,000 $250,000 $154,500 $377,500

10/12/23 10/12/23 10/13/23 11/7/23 11/8/23 10/11/23 10/12/23 10/13/23 10/16/23 10/17/23 10/18/23 10/20/23 10/23/23 10/24/23 10/26/23 10/27/23 11/3/23 11/7/23 10/20/23 11/1/23

NOVEMBER 17, 2023 15

features

Streetscapes puts on its stretchy pants, heads to U.S. 42 in Florence By Maria Hehman

tion that is completely customizable, from the meats to toppings to spreads.

F

or this Streetscapes, we revisit an old friend — U.S. 42 in Florence. With as vast and winding as U.S. 42 is, there are endless places to eat on this street. Join us for Mexican and Asian cuisines and a sandwich shop that’s more than just subs. Put on your stretchy pants and join us in Florence. ‘Wich Doctor ‘Wich Doctor is the perfect solution this busy season for lunch on the run, or for feeding the masses. It offers both carry-out and catering options for sandwiches, soup, salads and sweets. Its name and menu items are all inspired by Voodoo and New Orleans culture. One of its sandwiches, the Marie Laveau, is a veggie sandwich with pepperjack cheese, tomato, pickled onion, hummus, cucumber, avocado, lettuce and balsamic drizzle. It’s named after famous Voodoo healer Marie Laveau. The largest offerings are sandwiches, and ‘Wich Doctor has over 20 different options to choose from and can be made into a wrap, as well. Hot sandwiches include the Angry Chicken, with mesquite chicken, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno and topped with buffalo sauce and ranch. Cold sandwiches include chicken salad, tuna salad or egg salad. For guests who want to make their own, there’s a double-decker or single-decker sandwich op-

‘Wich Doctor serves up spooky sandwiches for grab-and-go or catering. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contribitor

Other than its spooky-inspired sandwiches, Wich has mac and cheese and buildyour-own salads. The grazing box is loaded with veggies, hummus, dips, meats and cheese, making a great charcuterie option for parties. Don’t forget dessert and drinks — they have cookies, brownies and Rice Krispie Treats, all with rotating flavors. They serve coffee to go, both regular and iced, and sell bags of coffee beans, as well. ‘Wich has a second location in Newport and is opening a third one in Dry Ridge, so wherever you are in NKY, there’s a ‘wich with your name on it. Mai Thai Restaurant Thai and Sushi Bar Mai Thai catches most people’s attention when driving — just by how ornate its building is. It’s a little gem hidden among modern buildings. Other than its beautiful exterior, it has delicious food and drinks waiting inside. Mai Thai has everything from Asian, Thai and Japanese cuisines that guests could want. The ample menu covers appetizer favorites, including steamed dumplings, edamame and spring rolls. For soups, miso and wonton are among the most popular. For those opting for the sushi route, Mai Thai has nearly 50, yes 50, options to choose from. Its sushi boat is the perfect solution to sampling a variety of sushi and still enjoying familiar favorites like a California roll. On the Thai side of things, its traditional pad thai is a fan favorite, and as with all of its noodle options, can be customized in both protein and spice preferences. There are 20 entree choices, including a spicy eggplant that’s stir-fried eggplants in chili sauce with onions, carrots, green onions, bell peppers and basil leaves. Citrus chicken and teriyaki chicken are great choices for those easing into new palates of food. With other choices of curries and fried rice,

Mai Thai Restaurant’s ornate exterior is a hidden gem along U.S. 42. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

there are truly endless options for hungry patrons. Try traditional sake with any dish for a truly authentic experience. Acapulco Seafood Restaurant Bar and Grill Acapulco along U.S. 42 has a vast menu centered around Mexican cuisine. This casual eatery has as many options in beverages as it does in food. It has over 20 cocktails to choose from — whether it’s a Paloma or Blue Hawaiian, its tasty cocktails are the best way to start a meal. The street food menu highlights birria tacos and tortas, both savory handheld options for guests craving authentic Mexican. Other than the street food menu, Acapulco has an American menu, and Mexican staples broken down into quesadillas, nachos, burritos and of course, seafood. The seafood menu has everything under the sea, from scallops, shrimp, tilapia, oysters, octopus and fish. For true seafood lovers, this is a great spot to visit when a craving for catfish kicks in. The seafood is served with a variety of sides, predominantly rice, beans and tortillas. With a menu this large, even the pickiest eaters will find something to satisfy their hunger.

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

What to Know If You Go: ‘Wich Doctor Location: 7848 U.S. 42, Florence Hours: Sunday, closed; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2: p.m. Website: getwichdoctor.com , Phone: 859-817-1462

Mai Thai Restaurant Thai and Sushi Bar Location: 7710 U.S. 42, Florence Hours: Sunday, closed; Monday-Thursday, 1 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Website: maithaiandsushi.com Phone: 859-282-1888

Acapulco Seafood Restaurant Bar and Grill Location: 7718 U.S. 42, Florence Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Website: acapulcosf.com Phone: 859-282-0126

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Highlands’ very tall and talented Marissa Green has a high ceiling on the basketball court By Marc Hardin

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arissa Green was one of 16 Highlands High School girls basketball players attending the University of Cincinnati women’s game against nationally ranked Louisville at Fifth Third Arena. Bluebirds coach Jaime Richey likes to take her team to see college basketball games and deemed the Bearcats’ season opener Nov. 6 at home against Louisville must-see action. Richey’s brother, Jeff Walz, coaches the Cardinals. Green, a 6-foot-3 junior post player with six Division I college offers, was getting a first-hand look at her future. “It was very physical and fast-paced, which I would love,” Green said. “It was fun to watch.” That was the point. “I like to support women’s athletics, and I also think it’s good that young basketball players see other good players play,” coach Richey said. “You learn so much by watching other players and seeing how the plays are set up.” Richey, Kentucky’s all-time leading girls high school basketball scorer for 20 years until the record was broken in 2016, was the 1996 Kentucky Miss Basketball and Parade Magazine National Player of the Year as a Highlands senior when she was known

as Jaime Walz. She set 12 state records before moving on to Western Kentucky. She broke the Kentucky girls scoring record Jan. 19, 1996, in the very building where she and her players watched her brother coach against the Bearcats. Now in her 22nd season on the bench, Richey has more than 400 wins as Highlands head coach. She’s one of six Northern Kentucky girls coaches to reach the milestone, cementing her status as one of the central figures in Kentucky basketball annals. This slice of history personified in her own head coach is not lost upon Green, one of the few Bluebirds who has something in common with her legendary coach. When Morehead State University offered Green a scholarship just before her freshman year, it was the first time a Highlands freshman was offered one since her Highlands head coach in 1992. Green was attending a Morehead State camp, and the Morehead coach asked if she had any offers. Green, surprised by the question, said she didn’t. But she came home with one. At the time, Green was just 14. Not bad for someone who only wanted to play basketball so she could be with her friends. “That was definitely smart,” Green said. “All of my friends encouraged me every day.” Green first stepped on a basketball court in

kindergarten as a new player in the Moyer League in Fort Thomas. Little did she know she was on the fast track. Green started strength training with the Legacy Basketball Program in the fourth grade. She made the Highlands Middle School team the first year she was eligible in the sixth grade. She made the Highlands varsity as an eighth-grader, giving her a head start on moving up the Bluebirds’ all-time lists. For a while, Green thought her biggest accomplishment was dressing for varsity in the eighth grade. Some revisioning could be in order. Last season, Green was named the Northern Kentucky Basketball Coaches Association Division II player of the year. Green needs 122 points to reach 1,000 in her Highlands career. She needs eight rebounds to reach 500. She’s on a pace that would put her within distance of reaching 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds. Green averaged 17.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season. “We’re expecting a double-double every game,” Richey said. “That’s what we need her to be, and we need others to step up.” Green has other goals, too. She wants to win a regional championship, something Highlands hasn’t done since 2001. Green would like to wait until after her junior season to make a college decision. In addition to Morehead State, she has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Murray State, Marshall, Illinois State and Gardner-Webb. With coach Richey and Highlands assistant Victoria Dunlap, who played at the University of Kentucky and in the WNBA, Green has some uncommon resources to help her grow her game. “They help with skills, playmaking, individual learning and team building,” Green said. “They help me get better, and that’s what I want.” Richey said Green is a high-upside work in progress. “She runs the court so well, and she re-

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

Green will look to add to her triple-double tally this season. Photo provided | Marissa Green

bounds,” the coach said. “Last year, she made a big jump with her post moves, going left or right. She can finish inside. She can step out and shoot it. To play at the next level, she’ll have to knock down shots on a consistent basis.” As a sophomore, Green ranked third in Kentucky with 63.7% field goal shooting on 333 shots. Fewer than a dozen Kentucky girls who qualified shot better than 60% last season. “There’s a lot she can do,” Richey said. “She’s a nice player, and she’s only going to get better.”

LINK nky Team of the Week for Oct. 23-29

Beechwood cross-country team Photo provided | KHSAA

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

Presented by:

Ryle junior Sarah Baker (right) and Highlands sophomore Marissa Green (10) staged a nice battle of 6-foot-2-plus centers in the 9th Region quarterfinal game last season at Truist Arena. Baker had 11 points and five rebounds, and Green had 14 points, four rebounds and six blocked shots in the 51-42 Ryle win. Photo provided

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sports NKU will add six sports, with volleyball, triathlon, swimming, stunt planned

The men’s and women’s swimming teams will utilize the Campus Rec pool on campus at NKU. Photo provided | NKU athletics

Northern Kentucky University announced on Nov. 8 that it will be expanding its athletic program with six sports starting the 2024-25 academic year. Men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s triathlon and women’s stunt will all be offered. Swimming, triathlon and stunt will all start competition in the 2024-25 academic year. Volleyball will be set to compete in 2025-26. Women’s soccer and women’s golf were added in 1997, which also happened to be the last time the athletic department has expanded. NKU will grow to 22 varsity programs and one club sport offering, putting it on the same level as the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, along with the rest of the state institutions throughout Kentucky. The Norse will also now have more sports for prospective students than both the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University. The department will be adding over 250 new students to the NKU campus by the 2026-27 academic year. All of these moves are being done to help NKU increase enrollment, amp up campus vitality and continue to build excitement surrounding NKU. Both swimming programs, women’s triathlon and women’s stunt will begin as varsity sports, while men’s triathlon would start as a club sport. The new sports would utilize existing NKU facilities for both practice and competition to minimize startup costs of the programs, and a national search for coaching staff will begin immediately. Grants have also already been secured for some of the new sports offerings, as well, to minimize institutional costs. Men’s volleyball and women’s stunt will both be ticketed sports for the athletics department, an additional way to generate revenue for the new and already existing programs.

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obit Notre Dame finishes as runner-up in state volleyball championship

originally slated to begin varsity football in 2026, but the popularity of spring flag football in the Crusader Youth Football League drove the timeline up.

The Notre Dame Academy volleyball team reached the KHSAA state championship at George Rogers Clark High School before falling to Assumption in the title tilt.

The turf field on campus helps, too. That was installed and finished in August 2022. Those interested in the position should send their information to Athletic Director Jim Demler at jdemler@shdhs.org. Resumes will be accepted through Nov. 30, and interviews will take place in December. Demler is no stranger to starting up a program, doing so at Ryle in the 1990s. The school has formed a football committee with principal Grant Brannen, school administrators and parents, the stakeholders and R.J. Riegler, who is the director of football operations. Riegler coached football for 11 years, four of them as head football coach at Scott High School.

The Pandas defeated Campbell County, McCracken County and West Jessamine on their way there. They were looking for their 11th state championship in program history and third in the last four years, but the Rockets had other plans, taking them down in four sets, 3-1 (25-19, 24-26, 25-11, 25-20). Notre Dame’s Ava Erpenbeck, Ava Tilden and Julia Grace made the All-Tournament team. The Pandas have a promising future with Erpenbeck as the lone senior on this year’s team. Assumption claimed its 23rd state title in program history. The two have a combined 33 state titles in the 45-year existence of KHSAA recognizing volleyball as a sport. Sacred Heart Academy has seven titles, St. Henry has two and Villa Madonna has one.

The Notre Dame Pandas finished runner-up at the KHSAA state volleyball tournament in Winchester on Nov. 4. Evan Dennison | LINK nky

St. Henry accepting resumes for position of head football coach

Another factor in the timing is the way the current KHSAA football realignment schedule is set up. Come 2025, more realignment decisions will be made, and St. Henry wants to be in the mix. It’s expecting to be in Class 2A, based on enrollment, which would line it up with the current Class 2A, 5th District with Beechwood, Walton-Verona, Bracken County, Carroll County, Gallatin County and Owen County. Based on prior years, it’s highly unlikely a district would field seven teams, so some schools could be moved elsewhere or realigned to a higher or lower class, depending on enrollment numbers. St. Henry isn’t the only team looking for a football coach. Scott High is, as well. Those interested should send resume and cover letter to casey.fisk@kenton.kyschools. us. Scott is in the Class 5A, 6th District and went 2-8 this past season.

With the start of its football program inching closer, St. Henry District High School is now accepting resumes for the first head football coach in school history. The program will start up in 2024 and field middle school and JV teams for the 2024 season, with the first varsity season anticipated for 2025. With the amount of interest generated, the school announced in June that it was moving the timeline up by a year. It was

St. Henry High School is accepting resumes for the head coaching position of the varsity football team. Photo provided | St. Henry athletics

Linda Jean Parker

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inda Jean Parker, 69, of Latonia, Kentucky, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.

She was born in Covington, Kentucky, on July 7, 1954, to Joseph E. and Bertha F. Kallmeyer (nee Foltz). She was a dedicated employee for Ken's Crescent Springs Service for 40plus years. Linda was a great athlete and enjoyed playing softball. She liked her horses and going to horse shows as well as taking care of them. Linda always had her girls group, JUGS, to hang out with and count on. Most of all, Linda loved being a mom; she was an excellent homemaker and cook and was Dude's best friend and support system. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Kenneth Kallmeyer, Keith Kallmeyer, Leonard Kallmeyer, Robert Kallmeyer, and sister, Karen Kallmeyer. Linda is survived by her beloved husband of 35 years, Donald "Dude" Parker, II, daughter, Ashley Parker, son, Austin Parker, son, Greg Kowalsky, sister, Katherine Kallmeyer, 2 grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends. A celebration of life will be held Friday, November 17, 2023, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Pride Park, 5614 Taylor Mill Rd., Taylor Mill, KY 41015. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions is caring for the family.

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