KENTON
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 — NOVEMBER 24, 2023
THE VOICE OF NKY
linknky.com
Top storylines to look for headed into the prep basketball season By Evan Dennison
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layers, families and fans alike often count down the months, weeks and days to the start of the high school basketball season.
Kentucky is a basketball-crazed state and brings a unique touch in crowning just one state champion. Very few states do that anymore. As the weather cools down, things heat up in the gyms and Northern Kentucky spectators will see a plethora of talent hit the hardwood this year. Counting both boys and girls, there’s over 20 student-athletes in NKY either holding Division I offers or committed to play at the highest level collegiately. Two on the boys’ side may be the most-sought-after recruits Northern Kentucky has ever seen. The word going into the season for the 9th Region? Dynasty. Both the Newport boys and Cooper girls have a chance to accomplish something Continues on page 3
Ryle’s Jaelyn Jones is one of four Raiders that have received a Division I offer to play college basketball. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
Semi accidents concern Cherry Hill residents By Nathan Granger
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n accident early on the morning of Nov. 7 involving a semitrailer in the Cherry Hill neighborhood, which straddles the border between the city of Erlanger in Kenton County and unincorporated Boone County, has revived concerns among local residents about traffic in their neighborhood. “It’s an everyday process with us, semitrucks coming through our neighborhood,” said Eric Sandman, a Cherry Hill resident on the Boone County side.
Damage caused by a semitrailer in Cherry Hill on Nov. 7. Photo provided | Eric Sandman
The accident occurred around 5 a.m. Three power cable poles were destroyed, which showered the surrounding area with wires
and hazardous material. At least one car was totaled, and debris damaged others. The downed poles also killed both electricity and internet services in the surrounding areas. Sandman said that his internet service didn’t return until the morning of Nov. 8. Residents who witnessed the accident photographed a semitrailer emblazoned with the logo Stevens Transport, a logistics company based out of Dallas. LINK nky contacted Stevens Transport for comment, but company officials did not respond on the record by the time of this article’s publication. Continues on page 7
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over the next few years that can put them in that category. The Wildcats won the region last season, despite having just one senior on the team. The Jaguars have won back-to-back 9th Region titles and look to be just as strong, if not stronger, headed into the 2023-24 season.
In addition to sophomores Taylen Kinney (more on him later) and James Turner, senior Jabari Covington and juniors DaShawn Anderson and Noah Silverton, the Wildcats added senior DeShaun Jackson and freshman Griffin Starks, transfers coming in from Ohio. Jackson provides another bona fide ball handler, is relentless at getting to the rim and can distribute.
But the players in the northernmost part of the state are competitive and won’t make that easy. As quickly as they gain all the glory, it can be taken away in a second with the amount of talent up this way.
“With Jackson, it makes us have one of, if not the best backcourt in the state with him, Tay and Jabari,” Snapp said.
As we take a look at the storylines below, get ready … another exciting season is ahead of us.
Starks is the younger brother of Chandler Starks, whom many NKY basketball fans know: He played at Covington Catholic for a couple of seasons. Listed as a 6-foot-8 guard, his potential is through the roof.
BOYS Newport still the team to beat With all but one player back from the 9th Region champs, how could anyone not put Newport first in the region to start the season? Yes, Marquez Miller is a big loss and tough to replace, but the talent returning will have the Wildcats not only atop NKY, but considered as one of the top teams in the state. The talent they have is unmatched, but the lone doubt surrounding them is how they get it all to mesh together. “We talk about the team concept a lot and the daily grind with the guys. We reference the 2009 Holmes team a lot. They sprinkled points around, and they won,” Wildcats coach Rod Snapp said. “We talk about unpredictability a lot — we need to be unpredictable. Can we hit the 3-ball? Can we drive with our left hand? Can we get to the foul line and knock down free throws? We need to be unpredictable so it’s really hard to game-plan for us.”
“With all these college coaches coming in to recruit our guys, they’re already asking about Griffin,” Snapp said. “His ceiling is crazy good.” Newport is treating the regular season like it is one of the top dogs, and the schedule proves it. On top of playing top teams in the region Cooper (Feb. 13), Covington Catholic (Dec. 9) and Lloyd Memorial (Feb. 15), they’ll participate in the King of the Bluegrass in Louisville, a Christmas tournament that features some of the top teams in the state. Also on the slate are nationally ranked Richmond Heights (OH) on Dec. 1 and Huntington Prep (Dec. 15) to give them early-season tests. Not to mention, Newport will be the favorite to win the 9th Region All “A” tournament and could make a deep run at the state tournament with a potential rematch with last season’s first-round state tournament foe Lyon County at some point.
Newport is no longer the young darling of the 9th. It’ll be the team to beat, with a target squarely on its back. “Every game is our home-run game,” Snapp said. “Regardless of who we play, we’re going to play a bunch of teams that are going to get after us and play with nothing to lose. We want to be tested early; we’re going to lose some games against some really good teams.” Cooper a fierce challenger If Jabari Covington’s shot doesn’t fall at Truist Arena with the clock running down and the 9th Region championship game goes to overtime, maybe we’re talking about Cooper in the paragraphs above. Yes, the Jaguars were that close despite all the injuries they had to overcome last season. They lost big man Caleb Brooks early in the year, and after getting Shaun Pouncy eligible, lost him in the first game of the region tournament after playing just three games. But there they were, in a dogfight with Newport for the 9th Region title after pulling off a comeback victory over Highlands in the first round and taking down Covington Catholic in the semifinals. Now is when they can use last year’s adversity with the injuries to their strength. “That group last year, the way they came together shows the culture and locker room with our guys,” Jaguars coach Tim Sullivan said. “Biggest thing they took from it was you got to keep fighting and leaning on each other. It was special to watch as a coach, and the kids talk about not taking a day for granted. Things can happen that quick. Just trying to understand nothing is Continues on page 4
Newport’s Taylen Kinney (center) is one of the most sought-after recruits ever in NKY. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
NOVEMBER 24, 2023 3
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granted, no day is given, leaning on each other can be very special.” Pouncy is expected back at season’s start, and with Yamil Rondon running the show and fresh off a FIBA world title with the U-17 Puerto Rican team, the Jaguars might have the deepest roster in the region. “Shaun is moving great, doing everything except playing in live situations in practice right now,” Sullivan said. “Yamil … he’s a winner. Lot of people look at him and don’t see much physically. He’s really grown up. His grades are much better, he’s our catalyst on the floor, and that comes with a lot of responsibility, and he’s relishing that role.
Cooper’s Yamil Rondon will run the show for the Jaguars this season. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
“That experience with Puerto Rico really helped him, and (he’ll) share that experience with us. He affects the room as soon as he walks in it, and his positive energy and right mindset reflects on everyone else. We go as he goes.” Andy Johnson, Isaac Brown, Campbell County transfer Jaidan Combs and others will help fill out the rotation on what is expected to be a deep Cooper team.
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“We have to shoot it at a high clip. Much higher percentages than last year, especially with the 3-point shot,” Colonels coach Scott Ruthsatz said. “With Caden in the post and his ability as a passer, the shots will be there. The teams that have been successful years prior with me have shot nearly 50%. We do that, we’ll be a tough out in the region.” Don’t forget about Lloyd Memorial, either. It has arguably the best player in the region with EJ Walker (more on him later) and returns four of its top six and brings in Carter Bresser, a transfer from Simon Kenton. The Juggs were in a dogfight with Newport in the region semifinals last season, but a few plays and some failed execution down the stretch let the game slip away late.
“If you ask me right now, I couldn’t tell you who we would start,” Sullivan said. “We have a plethora of athletes and kind of a coach’s dream with high-IQ basketball players and athletes.”
“We’ve preached a lot about each play matters, each 50-50 ball matters,” said Juggernauts coach Mike Walker, entering his fourth season with the team.
Cooper is champing at the bit and could very well be the team to cut down the net come early March at Truist Arena.
Instead of seeing games in the 40s and 50s, expect a quicker-paced Lloyd team this season.
Don’t forget about Covington Catholic, Lloyd Memorial
“We’ll play a lot differently,” Walker said. “Get back to what I like to do. We’ll play up-tempo a lot more, but we couldn’t do that as much last year. We’re not as big as last year, and we can use our speed now.”
How could one forget about Covington Catholic?
Walton-Verona’s Julian Dixon is one of four returning starters for the Bearcats this season. Photo provided | Marc Figgins
Miller is listed at 6 feet, 8 inches tall. He’s getting interest from the likes of Arkansas, Xavier and Cincinnati. Harney moves over from district foe Beechwood and averaged 15 points per game as a freshman last season. Wermuth hit the game-winner against Holy Cross in the district semifinals to get the Tigers into the 9th Region tournament. No doubt about it, CovCath will be in the conversation once again when late February, early March come rolling around.
The Colonels may have lost co-9th Region Player of the Year in Evan Ipsaro, but they’ve reloaded and retooled in Park Hills. Incoming transfers Caden Miller from Arkansas and Cash Harney and Logan Wermuth from Beechwood provide a post, point guard and perimeter presence to join with sharpshooters Brady Hussey and Athens McGillis. Noah Johnson, Nolan Ruthstaz and Donovan Bradshaw should help the Colonels be a deeper team this year, along with others.
Anthony Blaackar will help push the tempo, and Isaiah Sebastian brings a lot of toughness to the guard position on defense, coming off a stellar football season for the Juggs. Elijah Collins brings a perimeter shooting threat, knocking down 50 three-pointers last season. With Walker as the centerpiece and the other pieces around him, Lloyd will be as dangerous as any come late February, early March.
Ryle’s Quinn Eubank is one of the top players in the 9th Region and a Miss Basketball candidate. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
Watch out for Walton-Verona
32nd District title with Simon Kenton.
Stepping out of the 9th Region and venturing over into the 8th brings us to Walton-Verona. The Bearcats bring back five of their top seven from last season’s 20-win team and should be hungry after an All “A” championship loss to Owen County and a first-round exit in the 32nd district tournament to Grant County.
As far as the region? Woodford County is the defending champion, but star guard Jasper Johnson left for prep school while perennial contenders North Oldham and Collins had a lot of seniors depart.
“We learned a lot about adversity and mental toughness last season,” Bearcats coach Mike Hester said. “We played in so many close games and tight situations where we’re hoping that has us prepared where no game or moment will be too big for us.” The five returning include returning leading scorers Aaron Gutman (17.5 PPG) and Julian Dixon (15.7), along with double-digit scorers Zach Smith (10.8) and Max Montgomery (10.1). Putting points up won’t be a problem for the Bearcats, averaging a 77.4 clip a season ago. “That’s always been our motto is scoring, try to create as many possessions as possible,” Hester said. “We’re positionless 1-5, we welcome shooting the 3-pointer and aim to shoot 38% of our shots as threes.” Now the question begs: How deep can they go? They’ll be favored to win the All “A” since they’re the host, and they won’t have to worry about Teagan Moore anymore at Owen County and should contend for a
“We’re excited to host the All ‘A,’ and we tell our guys all the time we love playing at home and we’ll play anyone at any given time at our place,” Hester said. “Life in the 32nd District is never easy, so we know Simon Kenton and Grant County will be tough. As far as the region, I feel it’s more wide open than it’s ever been, and the eight that make it will have a chance to win it. Woodford is still the team to beat, but come March at Henry County, anything can happen at any given night.” New coaches at Beechwood, Calvary Christian, Campbell County, Dayton, Holy Cross Each year brings coaching turnover with the high school coaching landscape, but not too many changed head coaches in the offseason. Of the coaching hires in NKY, four of the five just moved a chair or two over into the head coach’s seat. Beechwood, Campbell County, Calvary Christian and Dayton kept things in house with their coaching hires, with the Tigers
Holy Cross’ Julia Hunt could easily play Division I basketball but is headed to the University of Washington for volleyball. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
electing to hire assistant Ross Hart while the Camels appointed Brent Sowder. Hart was on Erik Goetz’s staff the last five seasons, while Sowder was with Aric Russell for nine years. Ben Mulling was an assistant on Orlando Donaldson’s staff at Calvary Christian before taking over, while Darian Witherspoon was with Mike Walls at Dayton last season. Holy Cross is the only one to go outside the program, making a splash hire by bringing on Ricardo Johnson, who had been in the college ranks to start his coaching career after being on the Holmes 2009 state championship team and playing his college career at Ohio University. Kinney, Walker highest-rated recruits since? The current days of social media certainly help, but Newport’s Taylen Kinney and Lloyd Memorial’s EJ Walker have to be the most sought-after recruits in the history of Northern Kentucky. They both hold over 30 Division I offers, and the blue bloods and Power Fives are knocking at the door. Every other day the two are either picking up another offer or making visits to bigtime programs. The scary thing about it is Walker is a junior, and Kinney only a sophomore. They’ll be able to expand on their games even more before they hit the college level.
“They’re good and classy kids, and that helps. They’re humble,” Newport coach Snapp said. “Just speaking for Tay, he hates to lose, loves to win as much as a coach. Haven’t had someone that extreme like that. He can’t stand losing. Even in practice. You can’t teach that.” Sit back and enjoy the show for those two young men. It’s only going to get better.
GIRLS Cooper-Ryle part III? Since 2018, the standard in the 9th Region has been out of the 33rd District for five of the six seasons. Ryle won 9th Region titles from 2018-20, Cooper has won the last two in 2022 and ‘23. That doesn’t look like it will change much heading into the season, as both schools are filled with star-studded rosters and on a crash course once again to meet three times this season. Cooper’s roster features five players that either are committed or hold Division I offers, with another committed to the Division II level, while Ryle has four either committed or holding Division I offers. “I knew when I took over we had the pieces, but it doesn’t happen overnight,” Jaguars coach Justin Holthaus said. “They picked Continues on page 6
NOVEMBER 24, 2023 5
Continued from page 5
it up and built this thing so quickly, and as juniors and sophomores they make the Final Four. It’s special to see how far they’ve come and a testament to how far they’ve come on and off the floor.” The Jaguars may have lost 9th Region Player of the Year Whitney Lind to graduation, but the players returning certainly won’t have anyone feeling bad for them. Liz Freihofer, Logan Palmer and Maleah Alexander form a solid trio of seniors with a lot of experience under their belt, while seniors Damysia Knox and Bella Deere should see expanded roles this season. Deere will be inserted into the starting lineup and brings a post presence as well as a perimeter threat, while Knox recovers from a season-ending knee injury last year and looks to be ready to go by season’s start. Haylee Noel, Zene Thompson and Aliva Scott, a transfer from Boone County, provide a ton of depth for the Jaguars. Ryle might have the toughest duo in the region with Quinn Eubank and Sarah Baker. Austin Johnson and Abby Holtman were big losses to graduation, but Eubank and Baker, along with Jaelyn Jones, should form a formidable trio that will be tough to stop on any given night. The wildcard out of the bunch is seventh-grader Jayden McClain, at 6 feet, 5 inches, and her presence in the paint should cause some problems. The Raiders also benefited from a couple of transfers in seniors Rose Miller and Cassidy Peters. Miller comes in from Notre Dame, Peters from Boone County. “We can go 8-9 deep by the end of year, which will be a little different for us than prior years,” Raiders coach Katie Haitz said. “Having these three new girls coming in, some other JV girls have those opportunities to get minutes, as well. It makes a difference to push tempo.” The two should be top 10 teams when the season starts, and don’t expect that to change much as the season progresses. Can Holy Cross, Highlands provide the upsets? While Cooper and Ryle have been the two teams to beat over the last couple of years, Holy Cross and Highlands certainly have
the teams capable of pulling out an upset in the 9th Region tournament. Both fell to Ryle last season in the 9th Region tournament, with Highlands bowing out in the first round and Holy Cross in the semifinals. But with Julia Hunt back for the Indians and Marissa Green back for the Bluebirds, anything is possible. Holy Cross returns five of its top seven players and has some promising youth on the roster with senior leadership in Hunt, Miyah Wimzie and Aaliyah Hayes. They’re the defending All “A” state champs and went 26-8 last year. They may not be as deep as last year with nine players playing in at least 28 games, but the main core remains mostly intact. They’ll feature a rather tall lineup at times, too. “There’s a potential starting lineup where the smallest player is 5-foot-10,” Indians coach Ted Arlinghaus said. “We had a really good defense last year, and now we got taller and longer. If we can show some consistent perimeter shooting, we will be a tough out.” Hunt could easily be a Division I basketball player, but with her star power on the volleyball court, she’s headed to the University of Washington to play volleyball. Some schools even offered her the opportunity to play both in college, but as the 2023 Ms. Kentucky Volleyball award winner, it’s hard to blame her for taking time to focus on volleyball. With her defensive prowess and if the Indians can knock down perimeter shots, they’re certainly a threat to break the Cooper-Ryle monotony. Highlands went 23-9 last season despite having just one senior on the roster. Green enters her junior season already with multiple Division I offers and potential through the roof. They return seven of their top nine from last season’s team that maybe was a year ahead of schedule. “The year before, they were a bunch of eighth-graders, for the most part. Last year, they were freshmen, now they’re sophomores,” Bluebirds coach Jaime Richey said. “We’re still working on the growth process. Some practices as coaches we look at each other, and they’re really getting it. They’re understanding the process a little bit more.”
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Cooper’s Liz Freihofer helps headline a Jaguars team looking to 3-peat in the 9th Region this season. Photo provided | Jenna Richey
Holy Cross last made a region final in 2015, when it went on to win a state championship. Highlands’ last trip to a region final was 2013. The two certainly have the talent to end the Cooper-Ryle run and make a region final. Simon Kenton now has target on its back The best part of Simon Kenton’s run through the 8th Region and to the state tournament last year? They did it by starting a senior, three freshmen and an eighth-grader. “We’re still young. There’s a potential we start three sophomores, a freshman and an eighth-grader,” Pioneers coach Brenden Stowers said. The Pioneers return seven of nine players that played in at least 27 games last season. The difference is they won’t be sneaking up on anyone because they move from the hunter to become the hunted. “We got hot when we needed to get hot, but that trophy was for 2022-23. We’re on to winning the next one now,” Stowers said. Simon Kenton didn’t take much time relishing its accomplishments, Stowers said. The players were in the gym days after their state tournament defeat by Henderson County. They’ll feature an even deeper team than the one they deployed last season and should be right in the mix once again when the 8th Region tournament rolls around at Henry County. Expect them to have competitive battles with Anderson County, South Oldham, Spencer County and district foes Grant
County and Walton-Verona this season. A highly competitive schedule will have them prepared, playing top contenders in the 9th Region as well as participating in the Queen of the Commonwealth, a tournament that features some of the top teams in the state in a pre-Christmas tournament. The amount of D-1 talent in the area is unmatched If my math is correct, there are 14 girls in NKY that hold Division I offers. Conner’s Anna Hamilton (NKU), Ryle’s Quinn Eubank (Belmont) and Sarah Baker (Youngstown State), Cooper’s Liz Freihofer (EKU), Logan Palmer (Evansville) and Maleah Alexander (Liberty) are all committed to play at the next level. “In my time coaching here or with JV or at Boone County, more and more girls are getting D-I offers,” Ryle coach Katie Haitz said. “Now we’re talking D-I, Power Five situations that they weren’t seeing before, and that’s awesome to see and promotes our area. Couldn’t be happier for all of them. It’s a win for our region.” Several others hold Division I offers, including Highlands’ Marissa Green, Newport Central Catholic’s Caroline Eaglin, Cooper’s Haylee Noel and Damysia Knox, Ryle’s Jaelyn Jones and Jayden McClain, Notre Dame’s Sophia Gibson and not to mention Holy Cross’ Julia Hunt, who could play basketball at the Division I level if it weren’t for her stardom on the volleyball court.
Continued from page 1
Accidents of this kind in Cherry Hill aren’t new, residents said, and statements from residents as well as city and county leaders indicate that people in the neighborhood are frustrated and anxious. ‘OK, kids can get hurt’ Julie Estep, an Erlanger resident who’s lived in the neighborhood for about 20 years, said that the inciting incident for her came about four or five years ago. “We were waiting for the school bus for my middle-schooler at the time,” Estep said, “and a semitruck came to the neighborhood, early morning, ran over a stop sign, didn’t stop, went through someone’s yard, went through two other yards. So I watched this as I was thinking, ‘OK, kids can get hurt because they didn’t even stop to see what that was that they hit.’” Duke Energy confirmed that pole destruction was an ongoing problem. A representative for the company said that four accidents involving semis have led to damaged equipment since September 2022. “On average, it costs between $4,000 and $8,000 and can take a minimum of four hours to replace a pole,” a Duke Energy representative told LINK nky. Most of the people who spoke with LINK nky said they suspect the accidents are the result of trucks being routed through the neighborhood by GPS navigation systems. Many of the trucks, such as the Stevens Transport truck involved in the Nov. 7 accident, appear to be third-party contractors working for nearby businesses, such as Perfetti Van Melle and Levi Strauss. If this is the case, the drivers are likely unfamiliar with the region. Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette said that some of the drivers may have never even been to the region, and their work may never bring them back, hence their reliance on GPS. “Erlanger Police Chief (Kyle) Rader stated that if he even finds these individuals, it doesn’t make any difference because they don’t come back to the city to pay the ticket,” Estep said. The good news, Fette and Rader said, is that
the number of accidents has been trending down overall. Data from public records indicate that there were 23 calls about semis in the neighborhood on the Erlanger side in 2021 and 10 calls in 2022. This downward trend made the recent accident all the more painful. “We really haven’t had any major accidents or incidents in the past nine months,” said Erlanger council member Jennifer Jasper-Lucas, who also sits on the city’s Cherry Hill semitruck task force.
construction projects are all state projects, slated for completion in September 2025, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, meaning that both Erlanger’s and Boone County’s direct power over the problem is limited. “I don’t know that there’s anything additional we could do at this point,” Jasper-Lucas said, a sentiment Fette and Rader echoed.
“We’ve reached out to council members before, and finally they responded one time saying we need to quit kind of bashing them on social media because it’s being addressed,” Sandman said. “Well, I get it, but we’re the ones that live back there, and we’re the ones that have to experience this every day. It’s affecting our lives — we’re missing work, missing pay, (we have) damages to our vehicles, our property, and it’s just starting to become frustrating.”
Erlanger’s task force was established in response to residents’ agitation. Jasper-Lucas said that the task force would monitor calls on a month-to-month basis. The group last met in February, she said, because at that point it was “only getting maybe two calls a month.” But recent problems, she said, are likely due to construction projects along Donaldson and Huston Roads, where the neighborhood’s entrances are. ‘I don’t know that there’s anything additional we could do’ Boone County Engineer Rob Franxman was less confident about the construction’s role, but both Erlanger and Boone County have put signs and traffic delineators along their respective entrances to the neighborhood in an effort to prevent trucks from entering. Jasper-Lucas said the task force in Erlanger had also worked to update GPS systems to instruct drivers to avoid the area.
Damage caused by a semitrailer in Cherry Hill on Nov. 7. Photo provided | Eric Sandman
The truck in the Nov. 7 accident entered the neighborhood on the Boone County side, and even with the signs, delineators and other measures, trucks can still enter the neighborhood. “The trucks are coming off of Turfway,” Sandman said. “There’s a little side road coming up off of Turfway through the apartment complex, and that’s where we see them coming through most of the time.” Moreover, the area is complex from a jurisdictional standpoint, since the county line bisects the neighborhood and the state administers the adjacent roads. The nearby
An undated photo shows damage from a semitrailer in Cherry Hill. Photo provided | Julie Estep
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Boone County commissioner may run for retiring Sen. John Schickel’s seat Staff report
Senate come from many professions, including law enforcement and corrections, like myself, and others are educators, attorneys, small business owners, and more. I have always thought citizen legislators should not make a career out of their service because I strongly believe in the founding principles of a government of the people and by the people.
Sen. John Schickel (R-Union), announced his retirement Nov. 14. The next day, Boone County Commissioner Jesse Brewer filed for the seat with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. The move does not necessarily mean Brewer will run for the seat – now that he has filed electronically with KREF, he would still need to register with the secretary of state to officially become a candidate.
For that reason, I will not seek re-election in the coming year. My time as your state senator will conclude in December 2024.
Brewer has lived in Boone County since 2002 and was elected to serve on the Boone County Fiscal Court in 2018 as the District 3 commissioner. He also owns a real estate investment and property management business that he started in 2006.
I am grateful for your support over my decade and a half of service to Boone County and appreciate the many colleagues I have served with along the way. I also appreciate President Stivers and Senate Leadership’s trust in me over the years.
Schickel has been representing the 11th District in Boone County since 2009.
I look forward to my final legislative session beginning January 2. In my last year as your state senator, I will be an advocate for Boone County in the biennial state budget. I will continue to support public policy that is friendly for small businesses as chair of the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee. I will be working hard for you until the very last day.
“I have always thought citizen legislators should not make a career out of their service because I strongly believe in the founding principles of a government of the people and by the people,” Schickel said in a press release announcing his retirement. “For that reason, I will not seek re-election in the coming year. My time as your state senator will conclude in December 2024.” In a statement on Schickel’s retirement, Senate President Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) said Schickel brought respect and
Kentucky Sen. John Schickel (R-Union) speaks during a Senate Education Committee. Photo provided | Legislative Research Commission
trust to the legislative process.
Read Shickel’s full statement on his retirement here:
“John ran his committee meetings with military precision, and it’s been a privilege to serve alongside him,” Stivers said in the statement. “Despite being a part-time legislator, John has always brought everything he has to Frankfort during our General Assembly and while back in our districts. John Schickel is a dear friend, and I wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life.”
Dear friend, By the end of 2024, I will have served as state senator for Boone County and the 11th Senate District for 16 years. The Kentucky General Assembly, like the U.S. Congress, was founded to be a citizen legislature. Members of the House and
Thank you again for your years of support and friendship. It has been my honor to be a member of our citizen legislature.
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8 NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Park Hills support group offers ‘no judgment zone’ for women’s discussions By Nathan Granger
of any age.”
“I was struggling personally,” said Samantha Finke, a life coach from Fort Wright, “and my friend who was also struggling with her anxiety, we were talking about how we were really struggling, and she’s like, I wish there was a support group.”
The topic of the meeting’s discussion was self-love, but the range of topics for discussion included everything from self-image to motherhood to marriage to stress management. Meetings are confidential, so LINK nky was not permitted to sit in on the session, but the attendees described some of the things they discussed in the session.
This was the beginning of a women’s support group that now meets twice a month at Granite World, a shop in Park Hills, to discuss issues facing women today. Finke is a certified life coach and does offer some services on a paid basis, but the group sessions themselves are free. Finke said she hopes to add more monthly meetings next year, and the group has already started meeting outside of the normal session times for less formalized, more social outings. “I think it was just nice to be in a group of women of different ages and experiences and sharing our perspectives on things,” said Lorraine Powell, a Park Hills resident who was attending the group for the first time when LINK nky visited on Nov. 1. “I don’t know a lot of people here,” Powell said. “I don’t have a lot of friends and contacts, so it was really nice; I really enjoyed it. … Now that I’m retired and of a certain age, you know, it’s become apparent to me how important it is to have contacts and friends
“It’s great exercises to really get yourself thinking about things that you don’t typically think about in your everyday life,” said Ashley Rohrbough, who has the distinction of never missing a session since the groups started to meet in July. “You’re too busy, you’re not thinking about it. You’re not even realizing how you’re reacting to certain things, and it kind of makes you take a step back and be a little bit mindful about what’s going on around you.” Rohrbough is from Oxford, Ohio, originally and recalled how isolated she felt when first moving to Park Hills. “I’m not from around here,” Rohrbough said. “We (Rohrbough and her husband) didn’t have a ton of friends and stuff down here, and I just had a baby, so it’s nice to be able to get out of the house and have some me time and do it with a bunch of women who are supportive and have some similar issues. It makes you not feel so alone.”
Graphic provided | Samantha Finke
After the first session with the group, Rohrbough said, “I left here feeling so refreshed.” The group touts itself as a way for women to share their common struggles and experiences, but it’s also a place where women from varied backgrounds can trade advice on different situations. “I think it’s great because it’s always just a different group of girls, and we all have different experiences,” Finke said. Powell agreed. “I think it’s nice to have different age groups,” she said, “because somebody might have some advice or wise words or something to share with somebody else.” Rohrbough said she likes that she can learn from others’ perspectives, “Things that I haven’t even thought about to do, like if I have something that I’m talking about and somebody’s like, ‘Have you tried this?’” Finke said that group sessions can host up to 20 women sometimes, and she hopes to inspire others to start similar groups. “I think in changing just your mindset in general, that’s what I think is so important,” Finke said. “And I think a lot of people in
Samantha Finke. Photo provided | Samantha Finke
this group do change their mindsets.” “I’m a lot more relaxed,” Rohrbough said when asked how her mindset has changed since she started attending. “Being able to talk about it and hear other people’s stories — it just kind of makes me a little bit more relaxed as to like where I am in life and be able to be more present in my family.” Learn more about the group at the eventbrite page at https://bit.ly/3u8e3LR.
Graphic provided | Samantha Finke
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Fort Wright City Council discusses ways to address panhandling By Kathleen Bryant
F
cite someone for littering, the police have to either see it themselves or be able to concretely connect a person to the incident. As of right now, Butler and his officers are going out to the interstate ramps nearly every morning and reminding panhandlers of the anti-littering ordinance.
“Panhandling has increased a lot in the last six months to a year,” Mayor Dave Hatter said at the meeting. “I see it all over the place, but it seems like it has really picked up here in the city as of late.”
Hatter suggested utilizing dash cameras and body cameras to diligently monitor the situation.
ort Wright City Council members discussed what they said was an increase in panhandling at their special meeting on Nov. 15.
While City Council members doubted the effectiveness of a sign, they said they were interested in reaching out to the public about this issue. They are considering putting out an appeal to citizens through Fort Wright’s social media and monthly newsletter to resist offering spare change.
He also explained why the city has not taken serious action in the past. “I’ve been working on the assumption for a long time that there’s not a whole lot we can do because this is about First Amendment rights,” Hatter said. “There are some constraints around this. I know people are frustrated with this— council members, residents, et cetera. But it feels to me like there isn’t a ton we can do about it.” Fort Wright City Attorney Timothy Theissen let council know that as a citizen of Fort Wright, he empathizes with their concerns. However, he is still concerned, from a legal standpoint, with taking any action. “Public streets are a specially protected location,” Theissen said. “This issue involves a fairly high level of protected First Amendment privilege that can rarely be prohibited or regulated in any way.”
Additionally, the city is looking at this issue from the perspective of local businesses.
A person panhandles on the street. Photo provided | Nick Fewings via Unsplash
He cited the 2017 Kentucky Supreme Court case where Lexington’s “anti-begging” law was struck down for violating the First Amendment right to free speech. “The consequences are fairly significant to a city if you cross that line into something that would be a violation of (someone’s) rights,” Theissen said. “That’s the reason why we have to be really careful here.” Theissen suggested some alternative, “creative” solutions to panhandling in Fort Wright. He acknowledged it would be very
difficult to build a case based on public safety. So, he proposed citing panhandlers for littering when possible to discourage their presence in Fort Wright. Further, he suggested erecting a sign on exit ramps encouraging motorists to refrain from giving money to panhandlers.
“We can certainly reach out to local businesses, Frisch’s, Walgreens, and gently suggest to them that they not allow (panhandlers) parking in their lots,” Hatter said. This issue continues to resurface, despite there being little the city can do from a legal standpoint because panhandling is repeatedly brought to the attention of council.
“The more that you give to these people, the more you’re encouraging this behavior,” Theissen said. “If you don’t want to see it, don’t give them money and they’ll go away.”
“It matters because it matters to the Fort Wright residents,” Council member Margie Witt said. “If (the residents) are uncomfortable with having panhandlers in the city, we owe it to them to look into it.”
Police Chief Ed Butler said that in order to
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NKwhy: Why can you only hunt in certain places in NKY? By Maggy McDonel
W
ith deer hunting in full swing around the commonwealth, we wondered, where can people hunt deer in North-
ern Kentucky?
man and Martha Adair WMA is currently closed for muzzleloader, modern gun and youth gun for deer hunting but also open under all other statewide rules and regulations.
Where in NKY can you hunt?
Over in Kenton County, Mullins WMA is open under all other statewide rules and regulations, except it is closed for deer hunting season for modern guns and is only open for December muzzleloader season.
There are only three public hunting locations, known as wildlife management areas, or WMAs, in Northern Kentucky: two in Boone County and one in Kenton.
There are 132 of these wildlife management areas in the commonwealth, and some local hunting advocates say that three in NKY is not enough.
In Boone County, there is Decker WMA, which is only open for archery and crossbow deer hunting; for all other species, it is open to the use of shotguns. The Dr. Nor-
“The reason they’re scarce is they’ve been there, but populations have grown, but the public lands access has not grown along with the populations,” said Adam Mullins, president of Moonlite Hunting & Fishing in Burlington.
The answer, like many in this NKwhy series, is that it’s complicated.
Mullins said that he and his organization are working to add more WMAs to the region. One way is through turning underutilized county-owned land into a wildlife management area. “We have found some counties that have good models to use as a presentation to those (NKY) counties. It’s very early in the stages of these projects, but that’s what we’re working toward,” said Mullins. Once these public spaces are transitioned into WMAs, Mullins said, they “become preserved by default.” Can you hunt on private land? Due to a provision in Kentucky Senate Bill 241, which passed earlier this year, Kentuckians must have a permit to fish or hunt on Hunting rules and regulations vary around Northern Kentucky. Photo their own property if the provided | Laura College via Unsplash
property is less than 5 acres, according to reporting from WCPO.
impacts on the environment, McDermott said, especially in forested areas.
However, resident owners, their spouses and dependent children can hunt or fish without a permit, per the provision. If the property is rented, tenants and their children will have the same allowances.
“(In) the places where you have really, really overabundant deer, you basically lose that undergrowth, so you lose those saplings, those shorter plants, basically anything the deer can reach, and the only thing that’s left is basically stuff that’s inedible for deer and other wildlife,” he said.
“We are hopeful this new exemption threshold will curtail abuse of the current exemption clause by some claiming to harvest game animals on extremely small tracts of land that they own,” reads a statement from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. “To those landowners who aren’t required by law to buy a license or permit but choose to buy them as a way to support conservation of fish and wildlife in Kentucky, we offer our sincere thanks.” So, if you’re interested in hunting in NKY, how do you go about it? Deer hunting is separated into seasons, which dictates what type of weapon hunters can use. This year in Kentucky, archery and youth/ senior crossbow season started on Sept. 2 and runs through Jan. 14. Crossbow started Sep. 16 and runs through Jan. 15; youth gun-only was Oct. 14 and 15; and muzzleloader ran Oct. 21 and 22 and will run again Dec. 9 to 17. Modern gun season started on Nov. 11 and runs through Nov. 26. The state is also broken up into various zones, which indicate the number of deer that hunters are allowed to kill. Joe McDermott, deer program coordinator with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, told LINK nky that deer populations need to be managed by hunters. NKY is in Zone 1, which McDermott said means “you’ve got really high deer densities, so a whole lot of them out there on the landscape, and you all have pretty much unlimited opportunity.” In NKY, hunters can only kill one buck, or male deer, but unlimited females, known as does. The deer population can have significant
From the hunters’ side, Mullins said they play a large part in this management process. “The department’s biggest task is trying to manage these numbers and populations. Hunters play a big role in that,” he said. “(The department relies) on the hunters to give feedback on those numbers, what they’re seeing in the field.” Those who wish to participate in hunting outside of their own private land must also get a hunting license. Kentucky residents ages 12 to 15 must get a youth hunting license and youth deer permit; those ages 16 to 64 need an annual hunting license and statewide permit; and residents over 65 or those who are disabled need a senior/ disabled or senior lifetime sportsman’s license. Before going out, hunters must consider a lot of safety measures. McDermott recommends anyone using a tree stand check that everything is in good condition before climbing in, especially if it has been left since last season, and wear a safety harness. Most importantly, McDermott said hunters should tell people where they are going before going out into the woods. Plus, don’t forget your orange. According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, hunters must wear “solid, unbroken hunter orange color visible from all sides on the head, back and chest when hunting for any species during the modern gun, muzzleloader, and youth firearm deer seasons, or a firearm elk or bear season.” For more information on hunting in Kentucky, visit fw.ky.gov.
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kenton county briefs Park Hills OKs resolution to support police training facility in Northern Kentucky
Bridges Nepali Cuisine to open new location, its fourth, in Covington
This storefront was previously occupied by McK’s BBQ, which announced its permanent closure last month.
Park Hills passed a resolution Nov. 13 in conjunction with Fort Wright and Covington to support building a new police training facility in Northern Kentucky. Police agencies across the state are reporting that they are routinely being left without trained police officers for at least one year despite the required training period of 20 weeks. The agencies are largely saying this is due to the inaccessibility of training for new recruits. One of the primary factors contributing to this delay, Park Hills council members discussed at the Nov. 13 meeting, is the location of the nearest training facility. It is located at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, a nearly two-hour drive from Park Hills. The wait time for new recruits is about six months right now.
SERVE
Statewide group honors Covington’s Steve Webb as Finance Officer of the Year
Bridges Nepali Cuisine will open a Covington location in February. Photo provided | Bridges Nepali Cuisine on Facebook
Steve Webb, Covington’s director of finance, was honored as the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association’s “Finance Officer of the Year” and elected as the group’s president for 2024 and 2025 at the group’s
Webb began working for the city of Covington in August 2022. He previously has worked for the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, the state of Indiana and the city of Indianapolis. “Steve is a true professional who cares deeply about his work,” City Manager Ken Smith said in a press release from the city. “The people who sit in the seat I’m sitting in and do the job I’m doing have looked at what Finance is doing here for the city of Covington and our employees and residents and concluded, ‘Wow, this is something worth recognizing,’” Webb said. “That’s a sign of confidence and respect.”
Crestview Hills Mayor Paul Meier praised residents for voter turnout at the Nov. 9 City Council meeting, but he said he hopes the number will be even higher next year. Almost 48% of the city turned out to vote, compared with 34.7% of those in Kenton County and 38% statewide.
This will be Bridges Nepali Cuisine’s fourth location. It is currently serving authentic dumplings, rice bowls, noodles and more in downtown Cincinnati, plus the city’s Elmwood and Northside neighborhoods. “Although Nepal is from the other side of the world with unique food, culture and lifestyle, we wish to Bridge the gap by touching everyone’s heart through the nutritious and pure delicacies we offer,” the restaurant says on its website.
annual conference in Bowling Green.
Crestview Hills mayor praises city’s residents for high voter turnout
A popular Cincinnati Nepalese joint is set to open a Covington location early next year.
the best
“We have a police shortage, that’s the problem,” said Mayor Kathy Zembrodt. “It’s like, ’Hey let’s get these guys educated, get ‘em up here. Even for their continuing (education) they have to go down there. My guys go down there and I still have to have someone up here to cover.”
According to a Facebook post announcing the new location, the spot will open at 11 W. Seventh St. in February.
Covington’s Finance Director Steve Webb was honored by the Kentucky Government Finance Officers Association. Photo provided | City of Covington
“I hope that we can improve that number going forward,” Meier said. “My whole goal has always been 50%. We have not hit that yet; I think last year we got to 48%.”
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Meier said he thinks the senior population of the city plays a role in the high turnout, and he hopes to get more younger people to the polls in order to get the turnout number up.
meeting on Nov. 9. Maines and the school’s main principal, Rachel Jenkins, gave a presentation on the status of the school during the meeting, where they highlighted new community outreach efforts the school had instituted to develop relationships with student families and the outlying community. Internal data suggested they were working.
“One thing that I think the county and the state have done is allow people now to go vote (in) any voting area and vote in any spot,” Meier said. “So, if you work in Covington, you don’t have to come all the way out here.”
Jenkins and Maines have worked in various roles in the district for about 20 years. Maines worked as an instructional coach at Sixth District Elementary School last year and as a fourth-grade teacher at Glenn O. Swing Elementary School the year before. When she started as assistant principal this year, she knew she wanted to make some changes.
The mayor thanked those who worked the polls, as well as residents who voted, for their participation in this year’s election and said he looks forward to participation progress.
Clive the alien lands at Covington parking garage as public art piece is installed Clive the alien, a public art installation, was hung in Covington’s Midtown Parking Garage, located at the intersection of Fifth and Scott streets, on Nov. 8. Produced by local business AlloyFX and made of Styrofoam and fiberglass, “Clive is one of a dozen unique art installations that are part of the city’s Quality of Place grant program,” an announcement on the city’s Facebook page said. “The program aims to enhance the appearance of Covington’s business districts through public art and other creative elements on fixtures like benches and bike racks. MeetNKY partnered with AlloyFX to provide additional funding to bring Clive to The Cov,” the announcement said.
LINK nky reporter Nathan Granger takes a selfie with Clive. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
The installation itself is only partly finished. The concepts for the project were unveiled in September in conjunction with Mutual UFO Networks annual symposium, which occurred at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. Stop by the garage to take a selfie with the alien!
Ninth District Elementary boasts improvements: ‘Turning the culture around’ Ninth District Elementary School officials shared updates on the school’s progress. “We’re really proud that we are turning the culture around,” said Assistant Principal Jennifer Maines at the Covington Independent Public Schools Board of Education
“The biggest challenge is reestablishing a conducive culture,” Maines told the board. “The culture for a while was broken.” In the past, Maines told LINK nky, “There wasn’t a lot of the family engagement and communication between families. … Last year there was 30% family engagement for the entire school year. We’re already at over 72% for this entire year.” Maines based these figures on the number of student families who had attended community events thus far in the school year, including the recent Halloween celebration called A Very Viking Boo Fest. “We came to Boo Fest a couple of weeks ago,” said Billy Crooker, who has a student at the school. “This place was packed. I mean, everybody was here. It was a good boost.”
Elsmere authorizes sale of up to 140 million industrial revenue bonds
A still from the Nov. 14 broadcast by the Telecommunications Board of Northern Kentucky (TBNK).
The city of Elsmere authorized the sale of up to 140 million industrial revenue bonds for a development project at the City Council’s November meeting. Under the order, proceeds from the sale of bonds will be used to pay for the construction and outfitting of a manufacturing, processing or assembly facility of any commercial products within the city of Elsmere. Other development projects are underway in the city. At the meeting, the City Council amended a lease agreement for Elsmere North Phase, which concerns development in a residential area off Fuchs Road by the railroad tracks. An unnamed company will set out spurs to allow cars through the railroads, according to Mayor Marty Lenhof. The city also unanimously voted to vacate a portion of Fuchs Road right of way.
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NOVEMBER 24, 2023 13
news from other places NBA legend LeBron James’ rise to be memorialized in museum in his hometown of Akron, Ohio
Maryanne Trump Barry, retired federal judge and sister of former president, dies at 86 NEW YORK (AP) — Maryanne Trump Barry, a retired federal judge and former President Donald Trump’s oldest sister, has died at age 86 at her home in New York. Until her retirement in 2019, Barry was a senior judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a level below the Supreme Court.
Los Angeles Lakers forward and Ohio native LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA history. Photo by Mark J. Terrill | Associated Press
AKRON, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James’ path from basketball prodigy to NBA scoring champion is being memorialized where it began. LeBron James’ Home Court, a museum dedicated to James and his many milestones, will open in Akron on Nov. 25. A multimedia experience, the museum will include a recreation of the apartment where he and his mother, Gloria, lived along with items from his childhood, high school playing career and championship runs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The NYPD confirmed that officers were sent to Barry’s Manhattan home on Nov. 13 and discovered a deceased 86-year-old woman. The cause of death was not immediately clear. Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the former president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., spoke briefly about his aunt as he exited a Manhattan courthouse, calling it a “rough day for myself and my family,” Before becoming a judge, Barry became an assistant U.S. attorney in 1974. She was nominated to the federal court in New Jersey by President Ronald Reagan. She was later elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals by President Bill Clinton. She retired in 2019 amid an investigation into her family’s tax practices.
The museum is at House Three Thirty, a facility started by James’ foundation to serve the community where he was raised.
6 dead, 18 hurt after semi rear-ends bus filled with students on Ohio highway
“My dream was always to put Akron on the map, so to have a place in my hometown that allows me to share my journey with my fans from all over the world means a lot to me,” James said.
ETNA, Ohio (AP) — A charter bus filled with high school students was rear-ended by a semitruck on an Ohio highway on Nov. 14, leaving six people dead and 18 injured.
Among the items on display will be the all-white suit James wore at the 2003 NBA draft and an original backboard and rim from St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, where James first caught the attention of basketball fans as a teenager. A four-time NBA champion, James, who turns 39 next month, is in his 21st season as a pro. Last year, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the leading scorer in league history.
Five vehicles were involved in the crash, including a Pioneer Trails charter bus carrying students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District in eastern Ohio. Three passengers on the bus, which was carrying a driver and 54 students and chaperones, were pronounced dead at the scene, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. They were identified as John W. Mosely, 18, of Mineral City; Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar; and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City.
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.
14 NOVEMBER 24, 2023
“This is our worst nightmare, when we have a bus full of children involved in a crash,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said during a news conference at the scene. “Prayers go out to the families, everyone who was on the bus.” All three people in one of the passenger vehicles involved were also pronounced dead at the scene, the highway patrol said. They were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar. The cause of the crash is under investigation. A team of National Transportation Safety Board investigators responded to the scene.
Moms for Liberty removes two Kentucky chapter leaders who posed with far-right Proud Boys Moms for Liberty says it has removed two Kentucky chapter chairs from leadership positions after the women posed in photos with members of the far-right group the Proud Boys, one of several controversies that the conservative “parental rights” nonprofit has fended off in its rise to national prominence in public education. The two women, Karen Strayer and Mirna Eads, who had led local chapters in Boone and Campbell counties, appeared in photos with several men dressed in yellow and black Proud Boys clothing at a Nov. 4 rally in Frankfort. The photos, posted on Facebook by another attendee, show the women smiling in Moms for Liberty clothing, as one helps to hold up a flag that reads, “Appalachian Proud Boys Kentucky.” The former chapter chairs were removed because they “demonstrated a lack of judgment and misalignment with our core values,” the national Moms for Liberty organization posted Tuesday on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Moms for Liberty is in no way affiliated with the Proud Boys and does not condone involvement with the organization. We repudiate hate and violence,” the group continued, adding that it wouldn’t allow “the actions of a few” to define the rest of its members. Since its founding in 2021, Moms for Liberty has gained popularity and generated forceful backlash for its efforts to elect
right-wing school board candidates and to target references to race and LGBTQ+ identity in classrooms around the United States. The group is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this year, an Indiana chapter of the group apologized and condemned Adolf Hitler after it was criticized for using a quote attributed to the Nazi leader in its inaugural newsletter. In June, the Southern Poverty Law Center designated Moms for Liberty as an anti-government extremist group, arguing it uses parents’ rights as a vehicle to attack public education and make schools less welcoming for minority and LGBTQ+ students. Moms for Liberty has disputed the label, saying the group’s efforts to fund and endorse school board races show it is not anti-government.
Stunning donors, staff, GOP presidential candidate Scott drops out of race on TV show COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Tim Scott abruptly announced on Nov. 12 that he was dropping out of the 2024 race, a development that surprised his donors and stunned his campaign staff just two months before the start of voting in Iowa’s leadoff GOP caucuses. The South Carolina senator, who entered the race in May with high hopes, made the surprise announcement on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Night in America” with Trey Gowdy, one of his closest friends. The news was so unanticipated that one campaign worker told The Associated Press that campaign staff found out Scott was dropping out by watching the show. “I love America more today than I did on May 22,” Scott said. “But when I go back to Iowa, it will not be as a presidential candidate. I am suspending my campaign. I think the voters, who are the most remarkable people on the planet, have been really clear that they’re telling me, ‘Not now, Tim.’” Scott’s impending departure comes as he and the rest of the GOP field have struggled in a race that has been dominated by former President Donald Trump. Scott, in particular, has had trouble gaining traction in the polls, despite millions spent on his behalf by high-profile donors.
calendar
November Friday
Saturday 24
Shop Bellevue — Christmas Walk 2023, hours vary, 200-700 blocks of Fairfield Avenue. Check with individual businesses for specials and hours. Shop, sip, dine and play. Comedy @ Commonwealth Presents: Blake Hammond, 7:30 p.m., Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $15. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Sunday 25
Shop Bellevue — Christmas Walk 2023, hours vary, 200-700 blocks of Fairfield Avenue. Check with individual businesses for specials and hours. Shop, sip, dine and play. Tree lighting, 6 p.m., 331 Fairfield Ave. Drop letters to Santa at Sage & Scout, 402 Fairfield Ave. Santa will ride with Bellevue-Dayton Fire Department and stop to pick up letters, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Comedy @ Commonwealth Presents: Felonious Munk, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Commonwealth Sanctuary, 522 Fifth Ave., Dayton. $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Monday 26
Tuesday 27
Wednesday 28
Crescent Springs City Council meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 739 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs
Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Fiscal Court, 2950 Washington St., Burlington
Newport City Commission meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 998 Monmouth St., Newport
Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:306:30 p.m., Covington Courthouse, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington
Cold Spring City Council meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., City Building, 5694 E. Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring
Florence City Council business meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence Covington Commission legislative meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington Crittenden City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 117 S. Main St., Crittenden
Thursday 29
30 Sip & Shop, 4-8 p.m., Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, 620 Greenup St., Covington. $5, includes a drink ticket. Enjoy seasonal libations, complimentary snacks and more than 30 vendor tables. Proceeds support art programming in local schools. Guests encouraged to bring a new toy donation for the children served by the Welcome House. To learn more about being a vendor or to buy event tickets, visit bakerhunt.org/events 2023 Covington Business Council Annual Dinner: “Helping You Find Your Way,” 5-8 p.m., Northern Kentucky Convention Center, 1 W. RiverCenter Blvd., Covington. $150. Email acarleski@cbcky. com
For more events, scan the QR code or visit: https://linknky.com/events/
NOVEMBER 24, 2023 15
real estate
Fort Wright home boasts 4,000 square feet, lots of extras Address: 223 Beechwood Road, Fort Wright Price: $1.9 million Bedrooms: Five Bathrooms: Five (plus three half-baths) Square feet: 4,109 School district: Kenton County County: Kenton Special features: With five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, this 4,000-square-foot home is definitely not lacking in space. Located on a little less than an acre in Fort Wright, this property has two kitchens, with one on the main floor and one on the lower level. It also offers a second media room, flex space and a full guest suite. While large, this home is also great for someone with mobility issues, as the space is ADA-compliant with an elevator, zero-entry showers, ADA doors and an exterior ramp to the lower level.
This $1.9 million home in Fort Wright sits on a little less than an acre. Photo provided | Michele Mamo with eXp Realty
The dining room looks out into the grand entryway of this Beechwood Road property. Photo provided | Michele Mamo with eXp Realty
The home features bonus living and dining rooms and a bonus kitchen on the bottom floor. Photo provided | Michele Mamo with eXp Realty
Top Sales of the Week Address
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Kim Hermann Executive Sales Vice President HUFF REALTY 859.468.6429 KHermann@huff.com
16 NOVEMBER 24, 2023
City
Recent NKY Home Sale Data
Price
Sale Date
Address
City
Price
Sale Date
8003 Tollgate Road Alexandria $700,000 14138 US 42 Verona $665,000 3490 Makena Lane California $590,000 1124 Kensington Drive Alexandria $540,000 1010 Rose Circle Park Hills $515,000 10 Homestead Place Fort Thomas $430,500 15 Oxford Drive Fort Mitchell $418,000 5 Raymond Avenue Cold Spring $395,000 10213 Hamlet Court Union $382,200 2934 Spring Cove Burlington $375,000 1386 Meadow Breeze Lane Independence $370,000 131 Electric Avenue Southgate $280,000 13107 Alexandria Pike Butler $275,000 1335 Brisbane Court Independence $275,000 2558 Crosshill Drive Crescent Springs $234,736 6120 Spicewood Avenue Florence $219,500 2629 Bryan Station Lane Crestview Hills $190,000 113 W Main Street Warsaw $180,000 576 Cloverfield Lane 207 Fort Wright $177,000 0 N Miller Avenue Highland Heights $12,000
11/9/23 11/14/23 11/13/23 11/8/23 11/9/23 11/14/23 11/10/23 11/14/23 11/10/23 11/9/23 11/10/23 11/15/23 11/10/23 11/10/23 11/13/23 11/10/23 11/10/23 11/10/23 11/10/23 11/10/23
301 Rohman Street 328 Pike Street 2235 Janes Lane 318 Berry Street 2440 Arezzo Street 400204 131 Berkley Drive 1060 Hampshire Place 7013 Curtis Way 2709 Fister Pl Boulevard 3321 Cornerstone Drive 1959 Greyfield Trail 10635 Pepperwood Drive 607 Astoria Court 1402 Red Cedar Court 525 Oak Street 833 Oak Street 58 Kenner Street 4 Euclid Street 588 Rivers Breeze Drive 32 Woodland Hills Drive 1
Bromley Bromley Covington Covington Covington Florence Florence Florence Hebron Hebron Hebron Independence Independence Independence Ludlow Ludlow Ludlow Ludlow Ludlow Southgate
$115,000 $154,900 $220,000 $375,000 $312,688 $215,000 $290,000 $162,000 $270,000 $423,963 $431,950 $359,000 $250,000 $400,000 $220,300 $235,000 $515,000 $130,000 $205,000 $145,000
10/20/23 11/8/23 10/16/23 10/31/23 10/31/23 10/20/23 10/20/23 10/24/23 11/3/23 11/7/23 11/14/23 10/17/23 10/17/23 11/13/23 10/18/23 10/23/23 10/24/23 10/27/23 10/30/23 10/16/23
features
Streetscapes enjoys food, drinks, view on Madison in Covington By Maria Hehman
I
n the past year, NKY has seen beloved eateries close. But as the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. Madison Avenue is no stranger to new businesses. For this Streetscapes, we delve into three newer additions to the Cov, including two that opened this year. Join us as we head back to Covington for Southern comfort staples, sushi and sake, and grilled goodness. Honey Uninhibited For Southern comfort and good vibes, there are few places that match Honey Uninhibited. This bar and restaurant opened inside the Towers of Rivercenter earlier this year. Its mostly known for boozy brunches, but it is open for lunch and dinner, as well. It has an original location in Miami, owned by former Bengals player Carlos Dunlap, who wanted to bring Southern staples to the Cincinnati area. For those visiting before a Whodey Sundey, brunch options will give them the fuel they need to make it through tailgating and the game. Starters, called stingers on their menu, include Southern-inspired jalapeno honey cornbread and fried green tomatoes. For those wanting a traditional savory brunch, try the omelets or the eggs
Benedict, including an oxtail benny with a grit cake, poached egg and stewed oxtail topped with hollandaise sauce. For sweet options, the red velvet pancakes are a standout. Those wanting something a little sweet and savory should try the sweet chick with fried chicken, French toast and fresh berries, served with spicy honey and maple syrup. Dinner options include lobster mac and cheese, hot honey Brussels sprouts, and fish and grits. So, no matter what time guests visit, there’s a Southern dish waiting. There are vegan and vegetarian items, as well as items that can be made vegan, so no one misses out on the delicious dishes. There’s a full-service bar featuring mimosas in every flavor imaginable. Because, what’s brunch without a mimosa? Maki Mono Although Maki Mono is the longest-reigning business in this segment of Streetscapes, it’s fairly new in comparison to the other staples on Madison Avenue. Maki Mono opened on Madison in 2022. It’s a Japanese-infused restaurant and bar specializing in sushi and sake. For sushi, it has over 50 choices — from fried favorites like the crab rangoon roll to a classic California roll, there is plenty to sample. For those wanting something a little out of the box, the taco roll with spicy tuna, avocado, Doritos, lettuce, tortilla chips, cilantro, taco sauce and spicy mayo is a fun and flavorful option. Outside of sushi, guests can order ramen, dumplings, a variety of tempuras and fried rice, just to name a few. To best pair with the many offerings of sushi, there’s an impressive selection of sake, rice wine, with over 35 options. Maki Mono offers both carryout and dining options. It has both a sushi bar as well as a regular bar, so whether guests come for sake or sushi, there’s a seat ready.
One of the most anticipated additions to
mchehman@gmail.com and it could be featured on the next installment of LINK Streetscapes.
Opal takes elevated dining very literally; the restaurant is on the seventh floor of the Republic Bank building. Other than being elevated in air, the dining experience is a mix of fine dining and casual. Guests are treated to river views, craft cocktails and a curated menu focused on grilled entrees. What makes its dishes unique is the use of an open-fire grill, the only one within a two-hour radius of the Greater Cincinnati area. Opal refers to it as the “centerpiece of our kitchen.” Because of this, it has a smaller menu in comparison to large chains; but with as tasty as each dish is, guests will have a hard time ordering just one item. Starters are all sharable items, mostly consisting of vegetables and breads. The cauliflower is a great light dish to snack on before delving into a big entree. It’s grilled on the wood-fire grill, served with citrus supreme, fennel pollen, salsa brava, feta and marcona almonds. Another tasty light bite to start is the grilled toast, topped with cherry goat cheese, honey, Biquinho peppers and microgreens. For entrees, guests can choose from five proteins. Duck, steak, fish, chicken or burgers are all grilled and dressed with complementary flavors and sides. For drinks, there are classic and craft cocktails. The Opalescent — a vodka-based beverage with egg white, apricot liquor, strawberry honey and lemon juice — is both luxurious and delicious. Opal has a main dining room as well as a lounge and bar. Guests have eagerly awaited Opal’s arrival and have been flocking to its rooftop since the opening, Opal highly recommends reservations. However, for the last-minute planners and spur-of-themoment patrons, it does have first-come, first-served options at the lounge and bar. As the cooler months are on the horizon, be sure to check out the cityscape views while they’re available.
Opal Rooftop
Honey Uninhibited’s interior is filled with murals, neon signs and a whole lot of honey. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor
pet
the Greater Cincinnati area in 2023 has been Opal.
Have a street, city or business you want to see covered next? Email Maria Hehman at
Maki Mono on Madison Avenue specializes in sushi and sake. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor
What to Know If You Go: Honey Uninhibited Location: 50 E Rivercenter Blvd., Suite 50, Covington Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Website: honeyuninhibited.com Phone: 859-261-1222
Maki Mono Location: 715 Madison Ave., Covington Hours: Monday, 4-10 p.m.; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday and Thursday, noon10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, 1-9 p.m. Website: makimoncov.com Phone: 859-415-0127
Opal Rooftop Location: 535 Madison Ave., Floor 7, Covington Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Thursday, 4-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4-midnight; Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Website: opalrooftop.com Phone: 859-261-0629
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NOVEMBER 24, 2023 17
sports Thomas More Saints end first DII football season higher than expected
Thomas More running back Jaden Hall scores one of his three touchdowns in the third quarter of the Saints’ Nov. 11 victory over Lake Erie College. The Saints closed out the season with a 5-6 record. Photo provided | Ed Harber
Evan Brown, Mike Kirch, Freddie Johnson and Preston Agee led in receiving with 25, 39, 41 and 24 receptions, respectively. Brown was the leader with 414 receiving yards, Kirch with six receiving touchdowns. Defensively, Thomas led the way with 85 tackles, Isaac Abdon with 52 and Tanner Lawrence with 49. Colton Sandhas had five interceptions, Thomas with three fumble recoveries and Gear, Halverstadt and Japhia Kennedy with 3.5 sacks apiece. Luke Iden was 10-of-11 on field goal attempts for the season, also hitting on 25of-30 extra point attempts, while Elgin Phillips averaged 41.7 yards per punt on 55 punts.
NKY student-athletes have momentous day, sign for college commit
Conner’s Anna Hamilton is staying close to home, signing with Northern Kentucky University to continue her basketball career. Newport Central Catholic’s Caleb Eaglin will also be staying close to home, signing with the Norse to play golf. The St. Henry volleyball trio of Alivia Skidmore (Western Kentucky), Anna Guard (Eastern Michigan) and Elizabeth Tabeling (Ball State) will continue their careers at the next level in three different states. Ryle’s Sarah Baker made her commitment official by signing on with the Youngstown State women’s basketball program. Baker’s teammate Quinn Eubank is headed to Belmont University in Nashville, signing with the Bruins. Another 33rd District star, Maleah Alexander, is headed to Liberty University to be a preferred walk-on.
Coming into the season as the unknown in its first year in NCAA Division II, the Thomas More Saints were picked by coaches to finish dead last in the 10-team Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) in the preseason poll.
Nov. 8 meant National Signing Day, and many in NKY extended their futures in both academics and athletics.
Scott’s Maddie Strong will be taking her running talent to the University of Cincinnati to run for the Bearcats in cross-country and track and field.
But the Saints ended up in sixth after concluding the regular season with a convincing 44-6 win Nov. 11 over Lake Erie College. Thomas More finished 5-6 overall and 4-5 in GMAC action.
Some notable student-athletes to put pen to paper and make their commitments official to their prospective colleges were: Holy Cross’ Julia Hunt signed to play volleyball at the University of Washington.
On the pitch, Highlands’ all-time leading goal scorer, Laney Smith, is headed north up Interstate 75 to play for the University of Dayton. Several others will be signing over the next couple months to make their college commitments official.
The Saints snapped a four-game losing streak with the win. Their last three losses against Hillsdale (35-33), Ashland (28-20) and Northwood (24-20) were by a combined 14 points.
Notre Dame Academy appoints Hollenkamp as track and field coach
Thomas More lists three graduate students in Del Thomas, Jackson Gear and Trey Brausch on the roster, along with two redshirt seniors in Zack Coleman and Ross Halverstadt. The Saints last had a winning record at 7-3 in 2018.
Notre Dame Academy has named Matt Hollenkamp as the new leader of the track and field program at the school. Hollenkamp has been coaching track and field for 14 years, spending the last two years with the program as an assistant. The Pandas are coming off a region championship season, their 14th in program history.
Chris Norwell just finished his second season as head coach. The Saints also finished 5-6 in his first season leading the way. Some statistical leaders for the Saints were Jaden Hall and Rae’Von Vaden leading the team in rushing with 619 and 654 yards, respectively. Vaden was also the starting quarterback and threw for 1,563 yards and 13 touchdowns.
18 NOVEMBER 24, 2023
Highlands’ Laney Smith officially signed with the University of Dayton on Nov. 8 to continue her academic and soccer career. Photo provided | Dayton athletics
He spent the prior 12 years as an assistant track and field coach at Covington Catholic High School, where he helped guide 12 straight regional championships and a state runner-up finish in 2003 in Class AAA.
Notre Dame Academy has hired Matt Hollenkamp as its track and field coach. Photo provided | NDA Athletics
Hollenkamp and his family have been involved in the Notre Dame community for several years, and he is a proven leader in Northern Kentucky. He’s currently vice president of marketing and public relations at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, where he’s been for the past seven years. Prior to joining St. Elizabeth, Hollenkamp spent nine years at Procter & Gamble, where he held a variety of marketing and brand leadership positions, including head of sports marketing in North America. He has a bachelor of science degree from Northern Kentucky University and an MBA from Xavier University.
CovCath grad Mayer scores first NFL touchdown in Raiders victory over Jets Covington Catholic grad Michael Mayer scored his first NFL touchdown, and many got to see it. Playing on national TV on NBC in the Nov. 12 contest versus the New York Jets, Mayer caught the game-winning touchdown with 14:10 left in the fourth quarter in the Las Vegas Raiders’ 16-12 victory. Mayer is starting to settle into his role as the team’s primary tight end: He has 16 receptions for 178 yards on the season.
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