LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 1 November 18, 2022

We are grateful to all LINK’s Partners - those organizations in the community who believe strongly in what we are doing, and have thrown their full support behind us. These NKY institutions are helping bring a voice back to our community.

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier

CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Michael Monks

MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth

PRINT EDITOR Kaitlin Gebby

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Northern Kentucky officials grapple with safety challenges for cyclists, pedestrians

BY KAITLIN GEBBY, KENTON HORNBECK, HALEY PARNELL, AND MARK PAYNE | LINK nky STAFF

Nothing has generated a widespread call to action for safer footpaths and bike routes across Northern Kentucky like the death of multiple pedestrians in a single weekend in August.

In the early morning on Saturday, Aug. 20, cyclist and local activist Gloria San Miguel was riding her bike along the 11th Street Bridge between Newport and Covington when she was struck by a vehicle. Police said ambulances arrived around 12:30 a.m., and the driver had fled the scene.

In the same weekend San Miguel was struck and killed, 32-year-old Matthew-Mina Salama was hit by a pickup truck while standing near the far-eastbound lane of US 42 and Skeets Way in Florence. Salama was pronounced dead at the scene.

In Cincinnati, cyclist Jeffrey Robbins, age 71, was hit by a driver just before 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 21. He was also pronounced dead at the scene.

No part of this publication may be used without permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please let us know and accept our sincere apologies in advance.

the cover

Five days after San Miguel’s death, police reported a suspect had been arrested in the hit-and-run accident. In Campbell County Circuit Court, Mark Phipps, age 60, is now facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, and leaving the scene of an accident.

The legal system may offer justice, but it does little in the eyes of local cyclists searching for safer roads.

Jody Robinson has been a Bellevue resident for 16 years and works as a senior advisor to the Devou Good Foundation, which collaborates with local nonprofits to assess the needs of communities and create projects that target their needs.

Robinson said she gave up car ownership a while ago and therefore relies on walking, biking, and public transportation.

She was once hit by a car while crossing the street at a crosswalk in Covington.

Robinson said there is a lot of shaming for people on roads who are not in a vehicle. She described it as “odd and scary.”

“What it really comes down to is, roads are designed for a throughput of cars and not about all users of the road, and it’s just a United States mentality,” Robinson said. “And then we (Devou Good Foundation) train drivers because our roads are designed to be faster than the speed limit, and it’s really just a very aggressive mentality.”

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) data shows the majority of pedestrian deaths occur after dark. Of 75 pedestrian deaths in Kentucky last year, 60 occurred after dark. So far this year, there have been 62 pedestrian deaths, 39 of which occurred after dark, according to October data.

In Bellevue, KY Route 8, better known as

Fairfield Avenue, has seen growth in businesses and activities over the years, drawing in more people and traffic.

Per data shared by Bellevue Police Chief Jon McClain, more than 25% of collisions in the city occurred on Fairfield Avenue in the last three years. McClain’s report shows there were 139 collisions on Fairfield Avenue out of 495 crashes in Bellevue. Out of the 24 accidents with injuries across Bellevue, nine injuries happened on Fairfield Avenue.

As a Bellevue resident, Robinson said she crosses Fairfield Avenue daily.

“Watching for cars crossing, you’ll have cars that actually speed up,” Robinson said. “It always crosses my mind like, ‘What if I trip?’ So, a very frightening thing. I don’t think people realize that when doing something like that, it’s weaponizing your car.”

Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves said the

Continues on page 4

A woman stops on the Roebling Bridge to check out a map of the Cincinnati riverfront. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky

A couple walks along the side of the Roebling Bridge. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky

city is putting a pedestrian crossing island in the middle turn lane near McDonald’s on Donnermeyer Drive. The island will allow people to walk out to the middle of the street and wait for traffic to stop then finish crossing. Cleveas also said the city wants to install lit crosswalk signs where Fairfield Avenue intersects with Lafayette and Washington avenues.

Robinson added that some of Kentucky’s road laws that allow drivers to make right turns on red, or left turns around other cars, lower visibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

“There are certain things that make it more dangerous for pedestrians; there is a right turn on red,” Robinson said. “Cars aren’t necessarily looking for pedestrians, or they’re looking like, ‘Can I sneak out or just kind of slow down and keep going?’ And if a car is turning left, I was actually surprised to find out it’s legal in Kentucky to go around that car, and so pedestrians in the crosswalk can’t be seen.”

She said the crosswalks along the avenue do not always activate when you push the button, which creates car favor over pedestrian favor.

“I honestly think if people felt safer, they may be more likely to walk and bike,” Robinson said.

After living in the city for 16 years, Robinson credited changes that have been made to Fairfield Avenue for pedestrian safety.

“We got zebra striped crosswalks that took years and years and years to convince Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to allow, so the crosswalks stand out a little bit better,” Robinson said.

Robinson is also spearheading an effort with the Devou Good Foundation, Tri-State Trails, and Newport to establish a two-way protected bike lane on the 11th Street Bridge, where San Miguel was hit.

She added that narrow lanes naturally force drivers to go slower, and the reverse of that is seen on the bridge. In a Newport city meeting in September, she said cars are regularly clocked going 60 and 70 mph on the bridge.

“What we see is the bridge is built like a highway, so people drive on it like a highway,” Robinson said.

A 2018 study conducted by the city of Covington found an increasing demand for walking or biking around the city. Covington has since installed more bike racks around the city and updated citywide trails that can be used for cycling. There are also a series of bikeshare stations across Covington, but there is still limited protection for cyclists downtown.

Covington business owner Julia Keister, a fellow cyclist and friend of San Miguel, has been struck twice while riding her bike: once in Madison, Wisconsin, in a hit-and-run where she broke her collarbone, and a second time in New York City. In both instances, there was no bike lane.

“I moved here from New York, where I biked all the time,” Keister said. “But I found it to be too dangerous of a place

to bike in Covington. There are really few bike lanes anywhere in Cincinnati, but especially in Covington.”

She added that many cyclists like to ride with their children in-tow, but she would never take that chance on Northern Kentucky roads.

Covington’s research concluded that safety improvements for cyclists are hindered by the city’s limited ability to widen streets to make room for bike lanes.

They determined wider streets would decrease the amount of parking within Covington, taking away an already-scarce resource from homeowners who rely on street parking.

This comes at a time when the city is preparing for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, which will be the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in the history of the Greater Cincinnati area.

The KYTC has voiced it wants to support the expansion of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. The 2022-2045 LongRange Statewide Transportation Plan seeks to expand transportation options for all forms of transportation over the next 25 years.

Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said the state is working on investment planning, it identified four investment decision themes: moderate increase in system preservation; restrained investment in the capacity of the highway system; expectation of improved safety due to technology; and growing investment in active transportation facilities, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit stops.

“Transportation is about more than cars and roads,” Gray said. “The State wants to support Kentuckians who also travel by bicycle, boat or other types of multi-modal transportation,” he added.

“Our mission is to provide the people of Kentucky and those that travel through our state with an efficient, environmentally sound, and Safe Transportation Network,” Gray said.

A duo jogs in bridal attire during the Great Bridal Chase 5K event in November. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky

As part of the Better Kentucky Plan, Governor Andy Beshear emphasized the safety of pedestrians. The Better plan seeks to improve infrastructure through roads and bridges.

“We’re asking every driver to watch for pedestrians as you would if it was one of your friends or family members, and we’re asking every pedestrian to be fully aware of your surroundings,” Beshear said.

While its neighbors in Kenton and Campbell counties work to flesh out bike infrastructure in population-dense areas, Boone County is trying to build bike and walking trails into its growing neighborhoods.

Chris Courtney, Boone County communication and community affairs officer, said the county is focusing on areas that will improve quality of life and increase access to daily destinations, like parks and grocery stores.

“The fiscal court has been and continues to make investments to making Boone County more walkable, connecting residents to other assets,” he said. “These new sidewalks are connecting to schools, to the library, and to other assets in the county … probably the signature piece is the CVG Trail.”

Earlier this year, the Boone County Fiscal Court approved plans for a 4.6-mile pedestrian path near the northern portion of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

The 10-foot-wide, 4.6-mile path, currently referred to as the CVG trail, will stretch from Conner Road in Hebron, along KY 20, to Mineola Pike in Erlanger. The trail will be for pedestrians and bikes only, creating a path near the airport’s northern property.

The county has budgeted $5 million for the project, noting that Boone County funds make up 50% of the cost with the remainder coming from federal funding.

Director of Public Works Rob Franxman said the money came from a grant approved by the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) in 2021. He said the

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is releasing $310,000 of federal funds for the project’s design. Franxman said the project’s design will be bid out in November, and construction costs are expected to be on the budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

The path will be similar in design and purpose to the 5.2mile loop trail near Cincinnati’s Lunken Airport, county officials said.

But the CVG trail isn’t the only multi-use path in the works. Across the board, Boone County is planning to construct 10-foot-wide paths from Stephens Elementary to KY 20, covering 2.9 miles; a 1.2-mile stretch from KY 237 to Aero Parkway; a 1.4-mile multi-use path from KY 237 to KY 20; another multi-use path from KY 20 to Medical Arts Drive; and the CVG Trail that will stretch from Conner Road to Mineola Pike.

In total, that’s 10.9 miles of 10-foot-wide paths for bikes and pedestrians, adding up to more than $7.56 million.

According to information submitted by Courtney, construction on many sections of the multi-use paths will begin in 2023. Part of the 10-foot-wide multi-use path from Stephens Elementary to KY 20 is currently under construction, which makes up than $2 million of the total investment.

Courtney also shared plans for nine sidewalk projects across the county, the longest of which includes a 1.7-mile sidewalk from U.S. 25 to Industrial Road and Weaver Road, and a 1.2-mile sidewalk that connects Frogtown Road and Richwood Road. In total, the county is overseeing the construction of 6.4 miles of new sidewalks between now and 2025.

Overall, Boone County is planning to invest more than $10.4 million in bike and pedestrian-friendly pathways in the next three years.

But those are just county-led projects. Meanwhile, the city of Union is seeing the fruit of its labor after the completion of the Mt. Zion Road project, which widened and relocated the road as part of the proposed 2012-2018 Kentucky

6-year Road Plan.

With a total investment of $59 million, key elements of the new road include two roundabouts with landscaped features at Old Union Road and Brilliance Avenue, and 10-foot-wide multi-use paths on both sides of Mt. Zion Road.

Now, the city is looking ahead to its biggest developments yet in the Union Promenade and the Union Town Centre. The two projects make up more than 80 acres of land that will be transformed into mixed-use developments, where retail and residential spaces exist side-by-side within walking distance of one another.

Communications Director Amy Safran said the city’s plans for these projects “include a focus on walkability.”

Union Mayor Larry Solomon said “maintaining a safe community with increased walkability and the highest quality of living” are focal points as Union continues to grow in population.

Beyond the trees, a couple is seen walking their dog along the Covington riverfront. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky

The spooky season quickly faded into the height of autumn, and the beautiful changing leaves are barely hanging on.

Here are a few examples of places to check out the remaining red and gold hues before they’re gone. Even if they’re not hanging from the trees anymore, observing how they color the landscape after they’ve left their branches is worth the year-long wait.

Boone County: In October, the Boone County Fair Grounds featured a jack-o-lantern walk. While the pumpkins have left the building, the grounds are still a serene destination for family fun and fall colors.

A final, photogenic farewell to fall

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ALECIA RICKER | LINK nky REPORTER

Middle Creek Park has a variety of trails across 230 acres worth a stroll in the crisp fall air to enjoy the beauty of the wooded areas and wildflowers.

South Fork Park has a creek and paved walking trails to cater to any type of leaf-gazer. One may even run into some wildlife along the trail; keep an eye open for the granite animals installed among the park’s pathways.

Campbell County: Robert J. Barth Lake Park offers a 3.7-acre lake smack dab in the middle of the park, offering a reflective surface to get double the view of the trees bursting with color.

Perhaps you prefer to be ON the water rather than walk around it? At Thaxton’s Canoe Trail you can rent a canoe and paddle your way to a 360-degree view of the fall colors around you in full display.

If just wandering around and looking at dying leaves isn’t your thing but you still want to get out and enjoy one of the last days of fall, check out AJ Jolly Park. Offering hiking, picnic spots, a 200-acre fishing lake, disc golf, horse trails, and the popular scaleddown version of tennis; pickleball.

Kenton County: Since you’re out looking for a good view of the turning leaves, why not take in breathtaking vantage points of Covington from Devou Park? The park offers 700 acres of

lakes, fishing, trails, and bike rentals to provide a jam-packed day of activities and nature. It’s a destination for many families on the uncharacteristically warm autumn days the region has enjoyed lately.

Not the “outdoorsy” type but still want to see the leaves in person? Plop down next to James Bradley on the bench overlooking the Ohio River and bask in the canopy the trees overhead create at George Rogers Clark Park. No hiking required.

If the multicolored display around you has already blown away, perhaps our pictures can offer a glimpse into the beauty we can anticipate in another 365 days.

A statue stands in shadow over a leaf-covered ground on the Covington riverfront. At dusk, a streetlamp illuminates the flame-like leaves of a tree still hanging on.

A man takes out his phone to capture photos of the riverfront in Covington on a warm fall day.

Golden hues are in full bloom on the trees of downtown Covington.

The ground is covered in a blanket of red and gold hues from fallen leaves of nearby trees on the Covington riverfront.

Some trees are late bloomers as their leaves resist the change of autumn, showing green among the yellow and red displays of their neighbors.

A look to the sky is blocked by a canopy of fall colors.

‘White Christmas’ costumes, props coming to Behringer-Crawford Museum

Pieces from the iconic 1954 film “White Christmas” are at the Behringer-Crawford Museum this holiday season.

Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” Exhibit opened Nov. 12, with costumes worn by Kentucky legend Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Vera-Ellen, and Danny Kaye, among other stars. Studio props, sheet music, cast members’ personal memorabilia, and more will be on display.

The exhibit is part of the Behringer-Crawford Museum’s “Holly Jolly Days,” a celebration of family-centered attractions from Nov. 12 through Jan. 8, which includes the Holiday Toy Trains, an interactive LEGO play space, and a “Winter Wonderland” area located in Nature Play.

Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christ-

mas Day, and New Year’s Eve and day.

Local CEO organizes Thanksgiving food drive

Matt Plapp is the CEO of Florence-based media and marketing company America’s Best Restaurants, and has been putting on a Thanksgiving food drive with his family since 2008.

They started with just three families that year – last year, they helped 364 after raising $16,500. For 2022, the goal is $20,000 which will help around 400 families.

Plapp finds those in need of assistance mainly through local schools and the Northern Kentucky Youth Football League. Shopping, organizing and distributing the food is done by his employees at America’s Best Restaurants and by local donors who would like to help.

All of the donations for the food drive will go towards buying food for families’ meals. He also creates and publishes a spreadsheet showing where every dollar was spent.

Donations may be made through Sunday, Nov. 20, at Thanksgivingfooddrive.net.

Northern Kentucky wineries win big at 10th annual Kentucky Commercial Wine Competition

Local wineries won three of the five Commissioner’s Cup awards in this year’s Kentucky Commercial Wine Competition earlier this month.

Brianza Gardens and Winery near Crittenden took home their third Commissioner’s Cup in the 10th year of the annual competition. Gunpowder Creek Vineyards in Boone County and Rose Hill Farm Winery in Pendleton County were presented with their first cups.

The 2022 Commissioner’s Cup winning wines were:

Best Red: Arandell from Gunpowder Creek Vineyards, in Burlington.

Best White: Derby Hopeful from Brianza

Gardens and Winery, in Crittenden.

Best Rosé/Blush: Rambling Rose from Rose Hill Farm Winery, in Butler.

NKY native named The Carnegie’s new theater director

Northern Kentucky native and Covington resident Tyler Gabbard is the new director of Carnegie’s Otto M. Budig Theatre.

Gabbard was formerly the patron experience manager for The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Before that, he was the box office and patron communications manager for the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California; the events and publicity manager for the School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University; and vice president of the League of Cincinnati Theaters.

He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he focused in Theatre Management and Scenic Design.

Highland Heights Servatii location now open

After a mysterious Servatii sign popped up in Highland Heights back in October with no further details, the location announced on the morning of Nov. 9 that it is officially open.

Guests can now stop and grab a pastry from the new Servatii location at 2740 Alexandria Pike in Highland Heights.

Servatii is a local family-owned bakery that specializes in traditional baked goods, stone hearth-baked breads, decorated cakes, European/American pastries and desserts, and a full-service delicatessen with catering and authentic Bavarian soft pretzels.

Welcome House cold shelter returns to Boone County for third season

Welcome House is partnering with Boone County officials to create shelters from the cold for this upcoming winter season. The Boone County emergency winter shelter season typically lasts from November through the end of March, and local officials have the say on whether conditions are harsh enough to activate the shelters.

Last year, Welcome House was located at two different hotels: The Lookout Hotel in Fort Wright and the Sure Stay in Florence. Sure Stay is partnering with Welcome House again this year.

Charitable fund created for NKY to help Ukrainians impacted by war

A fund has been established to aid the families directly affected by the war in Ukraine. Nancy Grayson, president and CEO of Horizon Community Funds, said the organization has created the fund as “an effective way for the Northern Kentucky community to have a tangible impact on those affected by the war in Ukraine.”

Resources have already been deployed to help one Ukrainian family of three come to Northern Kentucky, she said. The fund’s purpose is to help this family and others with the costs of resettlement, like transportation, groceries, and technology.

More information can be found at horizonfunds.org.

Voters experience over 2-hour wait times to vote at Northern Kentucky polling places

During Kentucky’s Nov. 8 elections, multiple Kenton County polling places experienced long lines and wait times resulting in an outcry from voters.

Local residents reporting waiting in line for more than an hour to cast their ballots on Election Day.

Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe said there were about half the polling places during this election cycle compared to previous elections. There were 24 voting locations in Kenton County for the 2022 election. Prior to the 2020 election, Kenton County had 50 voting locations.

Another explanation offered was the unusually long ballot, which featured a wordy constitutional amendment, municipal races which could have seven or more candidates and multiple judge races. Kenton County also used new voting equipment such as the ExpressVote touchless voting machine.

2 of 3 NKY counties reject abortion amendment

Kentucky voters shot down Constitutional Amendment 2, which would have denied abortion access in the Commonwealth by enshrining the measure in the state’s constitution. Roughly 53% of Kentucky voters rejected the ballot measure, according to results from the Kentucky Secretary of State.

In Northern Kentucky, Boone County was the only one to approve the measure, 51% to 49%. Campbell County voted to reject Amendment 2, 57% to 43%, and Kenton County rejected the measure 54% to 46%.

While the amendment’s defeat at the polls is a significant victory for abortion rights groups, it has no effect on Kentucky’s current abortion laws, especially if Kentucky’s abortion law survives its state Supreme Court challenge.

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LINK has been in business for just over a year. In that time, we’ve done the following:

• Sent the Daily LINK email more than 260 times

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• Launched linknky.com

• Printed five editions of the LINK Reader, our free, bi-monthly print publication

• Mailed those five editions to every single household in NKY

• Covered every single competitive race in the primary and general election in NKY

• Had live election night coverage for both the primary and general election

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• Moved to a bigger office

• Hired 14 people, and brought on more than 28 contributors to cover NKY

• Published more than 3,700 stories about our community

A note from the editor:

Readers familiar with the Town Crier in the Kentucky Post may be puzzled by the new look in the weekly LINK nky reader. We spoke with former Post reporters about what their version of the Town Crier looked like, and asked how we could remodel it to fit our community today.

We found the Crier reported crime, and older 1970s editions shared marriages and divorces. LINK nky is solutions-focused, and we know that reporting arrests without following cases through the courts was unfair. Frankly, we didn’t have any desire to refashion the Town Crier into a gossip column, either. It seemed there was no way to keep what some people liked about the Town Crier while also staying on-mission.

We decided there is too little joy in the world, and we can dedicate space in our weekly print to bringing some back.

This first Town Crier is a community calendar, but we hope future ones can also have birthday, wedding, and engagement announcements, or photos of award-winning pumpkins. You get the idea.

Readers are encouraged to send us their submissions by emailing us at news@ linknky.com, with the subject line “Town Crier.”

Please note, meeting times and dates are subject to change after publication. Check websites or with the organizers for the most up-to-date information.

Nov. 18 to Nov. 27, 2022

Boone County

Nov. 22, Florence City Council Business Meeting: 6 p.m, Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence, meets in City Council Chamber.

Hebron

Nov. 19, SWET DanceFit: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Hebron branch of Boone County Public Library, SWET DanceFit is a nonstop, 50-minute, medium to high energy cardio dance class that combines various dance styles and an international mix of Top 40 hits. $5 per person.

Campbell County

Bellevue

Nov. 21, Bellevue Independent Schools

Board of Education Meeting: 6 p.m., Grandview Elementary, 500 Grandview Ave., Bellevue

Nov. 25, Bellevue Christmas Walk and Tree

Lighting: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Bellevue Business District, 200-700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Nov. 26, Bellevue Christmas Walk and Tree

Lighting: 10 a.m., Bellevue Business District, 200-700 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Bellevue Veterans Club Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Craft Show: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bellevue Vets, 24 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue

Fort Thomas

Nov. 21, Fort Thomas City Council Meeting: 7:30 p.m., Fort Thomas Community Center (Mess Hall), 801 Cochran Avenue

Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Turkey Trot Race, time TBA (see Fort Thomas city website), gather in Tower Park

Nov. 26, Small Business Saturday: 8 a.m., Fort Thomas businesses throughout the city

first Floor Multi-purpose Room, 998 Monmouth St., Newport

Southgate

Nov. 26, Southgate Christmas Tree Lighting: 6 p.m., Memorial Park, 122 Electric Ave., Southgate

Wilder

Nov. 18, Wilder Fire Department Turkey Raffle: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wilder City Building, 520 Licking Pike, Wilder

Nov. 21, Wilder City Council Meeting: 7 p.m, Wilder City Building, 520 Licking Pike, Wilder

Kenton County

Nov. 18, Letters to Santa: all day, Santa Express Mailboxes will be located in Kenton County libraries, Kenton County Government Center in Covington, Historic Kenton County Courthouse in Independence, Kenton County Animal Shelter. (mail letters to Santa, no postage needed, ongoing through Dec. 12.)

Covington

Nov. 18, Covington Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Meeting: 1 p.m, Covington City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington

Nov. 22, Covington Board of Commissioners Caucus Meeting: 6 p.m, Covington City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington

Edgewood

Nov. 21, Edgewood City Council Meeting: 6:30 p.m, Edgewood City Building, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood

Fort Mitchell

Florence

Nov. 21, Printing Cincinnati History: 6:30 p.m., Florence branch of the Boone County Public Library, the Cincinnati Type & Print Museum will provide a hands-on look at the history of printing in the Greater Cincinnati area. Attendees will be able to print their own bookmark. Please register.

Newport

Nov. 18, Purple People Bridge “Winter Nights & River Lights”: 6 p.m., Purple People Bridge in Newport. (bridge lighting ceremony)

Nov. 21, Newport Board of Commissioners Meeting: 7 p.m., Newport City Building,

Nov. 23, Fort Mitchell & Lakeside Residents Skating Party: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Northern Kentucky Ice Center, 2638 Anderson Road, Crescent Springs

Nov. 27, Merry Business & Tree Lighting: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fort Mitchell Business District and City Building Park at Blessed Sacrament, 2409 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell (ends at City Building, 2355 Dixie Highway)

Dilapidated Covington property remodeled to $550K home

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER

Real estate in Covington has become a prime target for small investors looking to turn dilapidated homes into modern masterpieces.

Covington’s housing stock has a variety of structures ripe for renovation, with historic homes lining the streets in neighborhoods across the city.

Clyde Kessen, a real estate agent and investor, gave LINK nky the opportunity to tour a property he recently renovated at 1122 Holman St. When strolling down the street, pedestrians will be able to identify the property by the large mural featuring a rooster painted onto the side proclaiming, “This place matters” – not the only eye-catching feature of the home.

The property is evidence of what is possible when transforming buildings that have fallen on hard times into desirable homes for Covington families.

Kessen bought the property from the city

for approximately $50,000. It initially was a five-unit apartment complex. He said the building was in shambles after sitting vacant for over a decade. The roof was faulty and the floor was rotting.

“Literally everything that you see was not as it was,” Kessen said. “There was a pretty bad roof leak where you’re standing right now. I mean, it just kind of destroyed everything in its path. From sitting vacant for 13 to 14 years, it got pretty bad.”

The house was put on the market Friday, Oct. 28 with a list price of $550,000. In total, it has four bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms.

Kessen stripped the structure down to the bare bones, giving him a completely blank canvas. He hired Covington-based architect Tom Covert to help with the redesign.

“I definitely went overboard,” Kessen said, chuckling.

When entering the building from Orchard

Street, guests are greeted by newly installed oak floors and can peer into the kitchen from the front door. Eyes are naturally drawn to the large kitchen island with a polished nickel faucet over the white cabinets, garnished with brass handles. All the light fixtures on the first floor have elements that are custom-made.

“They’re definitely more custom than what you would get at Home Depot or Lowe’s,” Kessen said.

Outside the home, a new concrete patio can be reached from the kitchen door. The patio is surrounded by a privacy fence, with two parking spaces beyond its borders.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms on the second floor. The primary suite has three closets, a double vanity and an oversized marble shower. The second bedroom features an en-suite bathroom, ample closet space and a historic mantel. The third floor has two more rooms, which could be used for children’s bedrooms, Kessen said. Each

room has a walk-in closet space as well. Other updates to the building include a brand new roof, new windows, two HVAC units, new electric and plumbing, and new appliances.

Kessen wanted to stay as true to Covington as possible, seeking out local craftsmen and companies from the city to install in his building.

“I wanted to keep everything in the house as local as possible,” he said.

The renovated building is joining a growing number of projects changing the housing landscape of Covington. For Kessen, the project was a challenge but ultimately rewarding.

“The work was pretty intense, but it was a great feeling to see the vision for the project completed,” Kessen said.

Chic modern furniture stages the living room of this $500,000 Covington home.

A large center island with breakfast bar is the centerpiece of the kitchen.

A large center island with breakfast bar is the centerpiece of the kitchen.

What do you think Northern Kentucky needs the most to make life here better or easier?

Each week, LINK nky goes to social media to hear what the community has to say on topics directly impacting the local community. The responses below are comments given on the LINK nky Facebook page’s Question of the Week post. Users may notice their comments have been edited for grammar and brevity.

Amy Kelley Warth: Affordable apartments/ housing for young people just graduating college and/or starting their careers. This area used to be known for affordable housing, but lately rental properties have skyrocketed making independence impossible for many young adults. If we dont do something about it, we’re going to lose a generation of the workers in our area that will negatively impact our local economy for a long time.

Jennifer Fischer Davis: High speed mass transit. I mean, we need it nationally. But man, to have a quick, efficient, possibly even green way to avoid the expressways and jammed-up roads here would change lives, and save them.

Catherine Ampfer: Local governments need to work together for smart, measured growth that reins in developers, attracts new jobs and encourages & promotes local business. Ban predatory, out-of-state landlords. Make it law that landlords must be local. Take advantage of our location, link the river cities with a bike trail, make the river views available to all and not the wealthy few, with shops and restaurants along the trail. In short, Northern Kentucky towns have to do a better job working together for the common good of the region.

Peter Freeman: Better mass transit to get people, especially low-income from smaller rural areas like Silver Grove to where the jobs are, low-income affordable housing, (and) family recreation with pools.

Dorothy Gillstrap: Hands down, affordable housing.

Johnny Hell: Some kind of rent control to stop landlords and other property owning corporations from price gouging tenants and pricing out people into the streets. Higher wages that go along with the massive cost-of-living increases. I work two jobs and can barely afford a one-bedroom apartment.

Gina Dew: High speed rail from CVG to Union Terminal. Get that traffic off I-75, and more recreational facilities.

Samantha Kelsey: We need more affordable housing for everyone. They need to stop building house that generally start at 250 to 300k. We need better public transportation.

Alex Berling: Affordable housing, reliable affordable accessible public transportation, eco friendly, maybe a fast paced rail system, universal pre-K and daycare, universal healthcare, better walkability (with) sidewalks, bike lanes, etc.

Lori Savage: More routes for TANK buses, or make a regional transit authority that combines NKY and Cincinnati.

Marc Wilson: A rail system from the suburbs to downtown and to the airport.

LINK Streetscapes: Dixie Highway in Park Hills

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BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

Iwrote about the food offered on part of Dixie Highway earlier this year in my hometown, Fort Mitchell. Since Dixie Highway runs the gamut of Northern Kentucky, I got on the highway again and headed to Park Hills.

Park Hills has become one of the most popular cities in Northern Kentucky in recent years. With a location close to downtown Covington and Cincinnati, while also a short drive from other hubs of Northern Kentucky, it’s truly one of the best.

For years, the businesses here were staples to the people of Park Hills. As the region expands, these spots are becoming staples in the hearts of those beyond Park Hills’ limits.

So, if you find yourself passing through or in need of a new stop in the old routine, these are the must-visit eateries of the city for Dixie Highway travelers.

Reality Tuesday Café: 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills

non-coffee drinkers, and worth the cult following it has earned.

If you need a treat with your tea time, Reality Tuesday’s pastries are always decadent and worth the extra indulgence. This shop’s scones and muffins are half the reason I love to visit, and it’s a personal family favorite for treats on special occasions.

Reality Tuesday goes beyond snack-size treats to specialize in cakes, pies and cheesecakes as well, available to order ahead for events or just because.

The café also has a small breakfast and lunch menu of sandwiches, salads and soups – each freshly made and the perfect way to curb a hangry mood.

This is a place I visit often, and I have never been disappointed in either the service or the coffee. Traci, the owner, seems to know everyone who walks through her door and it’s clear that she instills positivity and kindness in all of her employees.

Honestly, what more could you ask for in a hometown coffee shop and bakery?

Finke’s Pub: 1458 Dixie Highway, Park Hills

Hole-in-the-wall bars are so underappreciated.

television. Finke’s Pub is the spot where friends meet, and someone says, “The next round’s on me.”

There are no other bars within walking distance, so it’s not a place for bar hopping. I’ve never enjoyed going from place to place for overpriced drinks with a copy-and-paste atmosphere. I’d much rather spend the night in one spot with good company.

DECEMBER 3RD, 2022 10AM-12PM

9th and Monmouth St Newport, KY

Reality Tuesday has my favorite coffee of all time. I’ve mentioned them in a college edition of Streetscapes, but they deserve a second shout-out as they carry some of the tastiest treats and morning brews around.

My go-to order here is always a vanilla iced coffee. They carry pebble ice, which any cold beverage connoisseur knows is the elite ice form.

Although my favorite drinks here are all coffee-based, they are regionally famous for the best chai tea. It’s a great option for

When I was young, fun and frequented bars, my friends always wanted to go to the major bar scenes in Cincinnati. Maybe even in my early 20s, I was an old soul, but I hated going to Cincinnati for a drink. The places were crowded, loud, and parking is impossible. Taking an Uber from NKY costs more than the drinks, too.

I was first brought to Finke’s Pub by my cousin. Recognized by the bartender, he grabbed her a Bud Light as soon as she walked in. The drinks were cold and all under $5, which is what it should be at a bar. They have your typical bar games like darts, and professional and college sports on every TV.

The patio offers a space for those more interested in the company than what’s on

Streetscapes doesn’t normally feature stops beyond food and drink hubs, but with the festive season fast approaching, we get the sense that readers may be craving a chance to keep the extra holiday helpings from expanding their waistlines.

The classes are all bootcamp-style, mixing strength and cardio for maximum gains.

The classes cap out at 14, so you still get an individualized approach either way. If you’re like me and don’t love a group environment, it’s a great way to start on a fitness journey and you’ll be happy you chose this encouraging studio to do so.

Whether you’re passing through Park Hills or making a planned stop, these are places that you have to check out – each of them offering a glimpse into the fabric of the Park Hills community and each worth visiting time and time again.

Have a city, street, or business you want me to check out next? Email me at mcheh man@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK streetscapes.

NEEDED ITEMS:

(all donations must be new)

•Sleeping Bags (all sizes)

•Backpacks

•Hand/Foot War mers

•Umbrellas

•Soc ks

•Blankets

•Boots (all sizes)

•Coats & Hoodies (all sizes)

Children and families of Bene tting: Pr ented by:

Yolo Fitness: 1516 Dixie Highway, Park Hills

Vanilla and chocolate muffins tempt guests in the pastry case at Reality Tuesday Café. Photo by Kaitlin Gebby | LINK nky

A punching bag hangs from the ceiling at Yolo Fitness. Photo by Kaitlin Gebby | LINK nky

Notre Dame Volleyball wins 10th state title

The Notre Dame Pandas came into the state volleyball tournament finishing the regular season 21-1 against Kentucky teams, winning 20 in a row after dropping the second game of the season against Sacred Heart.

Notre Dame faced Assumption in the semifinals. The Louisville power has 22 state titles to its history, the only program with more than Notre Dame. The Pandas had not beaten Assumption in the state tournament since the 1994 state semifinals.

They came through with a 3-2 (25-15; 22-25; 21-25; 25-22; 15-7) victory. That ended a run of 10-straight Assumption state tournament wins in the series including the 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007, and 2013 state championship games.

Seniors on the high school team are not looking ahead to playing at the college level.

NKU men’s basketball opens season with loss

The Northern Kentucky Norse men opened their basketball season with a loss against the Kent State Golden Flashes,who are picked to win the Mid-American Conference.

NKU hit a dry spell in the early game, missing their first 10 shots. The Norse men made a comeback by halftime but still trailed 32-29. They finished 79-57. After

the game, Coach Darrin Horn said he knew the game would be a challenge, given Kent State’s physicality and depth. He said the team lacked aggressiveness and looked ahead to the next matchup with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats for a win.

Boone County football legend inducted into Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor

Former Northern Kentucky football standout Shaun Alexander was recently inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor.

The Seahawks honored Alexander during half time in a mid-October game. A native of Florence, Alexander starred at Boone County High School from 1991 to 1994, rushing for 3,166 yards and logging a state record 54 touchdowns.

Alexander is considered to be one of the greatest prep football players in Kentucky high school football history. The KHSAA record books credit Alexander with 6,662 career rushing yards and 110 touchdowns. He was awarded the 1994 Kentucky Mr. Football Award, and later committed to the University of Alabama.

He went on to star as a running back becoming one of the Crimson Tide’s marquee players of the 1990s. At Alabama, he rushed for 3,565 career yards and had 49 total touchdowns. He was named the 1999 SEC Player of the Year. He was drafted to the Seahawks in 2000, where he holds franchise records such as team rushing attempts (2,176), rushing yards (9,429), rushing touchdowns (100), total touchdowns (112),

single-game rushing attempts (40), single-game rushing yards (266), single-game rushing touchdowns (4) and longest rush (88T). He’s eighth all time in NFL history for rushing touchdowns.

NKY sports hall of fame takes new inductees

The Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame recently inducted five new members in a ceremony held on Nov. 16.

Inductees included former Ludlow High School athlete and coach of 39 years Kelley Baugh; Mike Tussey, a local voice for games at Northern Kentucky and Thomas More universities; David Chalk, a Newport Central Catholic valedictorian, Cornell University Scholar-Athlete, and star in in football, wrestling, and track; local coach Harvey Benge, who founded Bellevue’s youth football program and raised thousands for local charities through the teams he led; and Nick Benge, a 19-year coach at Calvary Christian, Dixie Heights, and Lockland. He now coaches the boys tennis at Beechwood High School.

Shaun Alexander (L) pictured alongside former teammate Jason Glemier (R). File photo | LINK nky

The Notre Dame Pandas celebrate the state championship on Friday at George Rogers Clark. This is the 10th state championship in program history. Photo provided | Notre Dame Academy

NKU Coach Darrin Horn gives a pep talk to the Northern Kentucky University Men’s Basketball team during a game against Kent State. Photo by Dan Weber | LINK nky

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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.