LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 49 - November 3, 2023

KENTON

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 49 — NOVEMBER 3, 2023

THE VOICE OF NKY

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How NKY mentoring programs are transforming lives — and the community

By Douglas Clark

A

lthough she hasn’t been in the role very long, serving as a Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati mentor has changed Bev Johnson’s life perspective.

“I enjoy my Little Sister, Ocean, because she makes me laugh, likes learning new things and we have fun sharing new experiences,” Johnson, who was matched with Ocean just over five months ago, said. “I wanted to do more with my time and get involved with helping others. The Big Brothers Big Sisters program was the best option.”

Mentoring can be structured in a myriad of ways, to varied audiences, as a means of arriving at a variety of results.

But conversations with those involved with such efforts in the Northern Kentucky area revealed common foundational themes that include a desire to build relationships, make a positive impact and enhance futures.

LINK nky recently examined the multifacContinues on page 3

Big Brothers Big Sisters, DAV Patriot Boot Camp, Mentoring Plus and NKU R.O.C.K.S are all programs that offer mentoring of all types of mentees. Photos provided

Beshear, Cameron square off in Northern Kentucky debate

By Douglas Clark

K

entucky gubernatorial candidates Gov. Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron met on Oct. 16 for their only debate in Northern Kentucky so far, harpooning each other’s platforms while each attempting to demonstrate to voters why he’s the best choice to lead the state.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron, foreground, and Gov. Andy Beshear at the debate with host Evan Millward. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

Kentucky Forum, the League of Women Voters, NKU, WCPO-Channel 9 and LINK nky.

“We’re on a winning streak, the likes of which we’ve never seen,” Beshear said.

“We’re No. 2 in per capita economic development in the country and No. 3 in creating jobs. We’re building the two biggest battery plants on earth, and tonight you’re going to see a contrast of vision versus division.”

During his opening statement in Northern Kentucky University’s George and Ellen Rieveschl Digitorium, Beshear, the Democratic incumbent, listed administration accomplishments that included economic development and job prosperity.

Cameron, the Republican challenger, opened by describing himself as an attorney general who has stood up for Kentuckians’ constitutional rights.

The debate was sponsored by the Northern

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“Andy Beshear and Joe Biden will tell you that everything is good in this country,

Vandalism targets: Response ‘misses the mark’ p8 Streetscapes ventures to North Bend Road in Hebron p14 New Campbell Co. basketball coach Sowder hopes to add to Camels history p15

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R.O.C.K.S. is under the umbrella of African American Student Initiatives, an office that provides programming, as well as support for Black, African American or African-identifying students. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky University African American Student Initiatives Continued from page 1

eted nature of mentoring through the lens of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, Newport-based Mentoring Plus, the Disabled American Veterans Patriot Boot Camp program and Northern Kentucky University’s R.O.C.K.S. endeavor.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati Every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati Executive Director John Heater said.

“Our mentoring model has always been and will always be one-on-one, impactful relationships, mentor helping mentee navigate the difficulties of life,” Heater said. “So when they become an adult, they are ready to help transform their community.”

The Big Brothers Big Sisters target audience is all kids, because all kids need a great influence in their life, Heater said.

Roughly 80% of children that Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nationally are children of color, while 90% of the organization’s Bigs are white or Caucasian.

“It’s awesome to have my Big Sister to spend time with and talk to,” Ocean said. “She always listens to me and gives good advice.”

Children are suffering trauma more so than ever today because of the influences of social media and the pressures of life, Heater said.

“We step in and provide an adult mentor that is going to love the mentee through the ups and downs that life brings,” Heater said. “We are at a crossroads in our community where kids do not have positive things in their lives. We’ve got to show up every day to give that kid hope. That’s what we do at our agency.”

The organization ensures markers line up for both the Big and the Little, Heater said, where they share an interest so that their connection becomes more valuable and personal.

Big Brother Todd Mitchell has been mentoring Little Brother Joey for nearly 10 years.

“I just wanted Joey to know that there are many people that care about him,” Mitchell said. “Joey has become a part of our family and has been a part of many family events.

We’ve done all the fun things like Kings Island, the zoo, aquarium, fall festivals, Reds, Bengals, FC Cincinnati, UK basketball/football and every ‘Avengers’ movie.”

However, it is the moments on a walk or driving where the mentor and mentee dig deeper into life, Mitchell said.

“I’m so honored and blessed to have been a part of Joey’s maturing and excited to see him become an independent young man,” Mitchell said. “My father died when I was age 3. Once my youngest son went off to college, I felt a need and desire to step up and be a positive role model for a boy who Continues on page 4

“I know kids that are coming from affluent backgrounds and they have all of these things, but they have no positive role model in their life, their mom or dad are absent because they’re working 50 hours per week or more – and they’re struggling,” Heater said. “Drugs, teen pregnancy, not graduating. All kids need a positive influence.”

As a Big Sister, Johnson encourages others to consider volunteering and be open to bringing happiness to a child’s life.

Equally enamored is Ocean, with regard to her Big Sister.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 3

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needed one.”

Mentoring Plus “To me, it all comes down to compassion,” Mentoring Plus Executive Director Chris Saunders said of the organization’s goal of serving teens ages 13 to 18 – and beyond, if needed. “We partner with a lot of different agencies to try to help them, but ultimately we’re working with kids with long-term exposure to neglect, violence, abuse and mental illness.”

Marine Corps veteran Joe Brammer, an attorney with Frost Brown Todd, offers his expertise as a DAV Patriot Boot Camp mentor. Photo by Douglas Clark | LINK nky

The youths Mentoring Plus is seeking to serve are trying to find nourishment that the agency is more than willing to provide, Saunders said.

“A lot of our kids are in the juvenile detention (system) or they may have some mental health crises, and a lot of our families are living below the poverty line,” Saunders said. “So we’re out there trying to work with agencies to provide a mentoring service for them.”

From its inception, Mentoring Plus has sought to close the gap that has resulted in troubled youths falling through the cracks.

Networking has proved to be a beneficial element derived from mentoring within the DAV Patriot Boot Camp program. Photo by Douglas Clark | LINK nky

“The hope remains to help kids being left behind,” Saunders said. “Or, more or less, (whom) people had given up on. The hope is to work with these teenagers, because we’re not one to give up on kids. We’re going to give them some hope so they’re in a better place.”

Providing a nonjudgmental, holistic support system for young people is what Mentoring Plus is all about, Saunders said. He added that it’s about building that one-onone relationship within a structured environment that includes case management for youths and their families.

“Each of our kids have their own goals that they’re working on,” Saunders said.

“We have kids in our program for at least a year – on the average, roughly 18 months.

We’re starting to see some kids come back and share with us how Mentoring Plus has made a positive impact on their lives.”

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Networking exercises and team-building exercises are core components of the DAV Patriot Boot Camp program. Photo by Douglas Clark | LINK nky

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Mentoring Plus volunteers are referred to as life coaches, Saunders said, because they are passionate about helping youths navigate the turbulence life has presented to those needing the agency’s services.

“I came into this not realizing what kids go through,” Saunders said. “You see some things in the movies, but when I see firsthand where kids are being abused or sex-trafficked and come through their challenges, it means a lot to us. Somebody was in their life to try to make a better path for them.”

Mentoring Plus is always looking for volunteers.

“That’s probably the hardest thing for us,” Saunders said. “Kids come to our program around 5 or 5:30 p.m., and they’re in the program until 8 p.m. We need volunteers who are willing to listen or just be there for our kids. We rely heavily on those volunteers to work with a high-risk teen.”

Disabled American Veterans Patriot Boot Camp “Patriot Boot Camp is a transformative incubator program for high-growth, venture-backable, veteran-owned and veteran spouse-owned businesses,” DAV Patriot Boot Camp Director Nick Brophy said at the organization’s Erlanger headquarters.

“Mentorship is one of the larger and more desirable aspects of the program, where we connect our entrepreneurs with a very substantial mentor group.”

The mentors are volunteers by and large, according to Brophy, sharing expertise on topics that include venture capitalism, legal issues and operations.

“In our program, mentees get a chance to meet one-on-one with up to eight different mentors in the two-and-a-half-day program,” Brophy said. “So that is quite a bit of mentorship. It’s a great opportunity for them to connect with at least one or two mentors that they’ll continue a relationship with, which we see all of the time.”

Neil Willis is CEO and founder of hypersign.com and serves as a Patriot Boot Camp mentor.

“I think for me it’s more about not just learning, but meeting,” said Willis, a veteran who served in the Air Force and worked in intelligence support aboard Air Force One during the Clinton administration.

“By connecting and seeing people I can learn from, as well as me teaching. It’s a very symbiotic relationship. I don’t think anybody comes here just to be able to pull

Graduates cheer during an academic recognition ceremony organized by African American Student Initiatives. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky University African American Student Initiatives

from, but they also give back. It’s giving and learning at the same time.”

veterans who’ve struggled in adapting to the civilian world.”

An Army veteran in his 24th year of service, Brophy said the most rewarding aspect of the Patriot Boot Camp endeavor is the relationship piece.

The nature of the military is that one is never alone, Willis said, adding that the boot camp’s mentoring component emphasizes that point.

“We just don’t do education,” Brophy said.

“Education is especially important for an entrepreneur who is really the product or service. We have networking, we do team-building exercises and networking exercises in the evenings during the program. That gives it another touch point for veterans to get involved and meet the right contacts.”

“You’ve got a group around you from the time you go into basic training to the time you end your military career,” Willis said. “I think what we’re doing here mimics that.

It can be scary creating a business, and I think what this does is create that community to where you have a specialty. We have that brother or sister next to us that has that specialty that we don’t have, so we actually get to lean on them a little bit to help build our business.”

Marine Corps veteran Joe Brammer is an attorney with Frost Brown Todd who has also offered his expertise as a mentor.

“Entrepreneurship is the most empowering thing there is,” Brammer said. “Helping someone take their dream and vision and build a business that supports themselves and their family is exciting, especially with

Northern Kentucky University - R.O.C.K.S R - Responsibility O - Opportunity C - Community K - Knowledge S - Success

R.O.C.K.S. resonates with Northern Kentucky University African American Studies Initiative Director Greg Moore 20 years after his participation in the initiative.

“It serves as a support vehicle as Black students navigate their academic and social journey,” Moore said. “Students are invited to come to campus about a week or two before classes start. And they have an opportunity to get acclimated on campus, and then they are paired with peer mentors. We have all these different elements of wraparound support for students.”

Serving as a R.O.C.K.S. mentor has been a positive experience, NKU senior Mohamed Omar said.

“It was just really nice to be able to academically and emotionally support freshmen throughout their first year (and) something I truly wanted to be a part of,” said Omar, a journalism major with a minor in pre-law.

“And I’ve stuck with it ever since my sophomore year.”

NKU R.O.C.K.S. mentor Shayla Hines said mentoring has helped her become more expressive.

“As a mentor, I’ve learned to be social, because outside of working with R.O.C.K.S., I wasn’t social – I stayed to myself,” said Hines, a senior pursuing a psychology major and a dance minor. “But ever since I became a mentor, I’ve wanted to help people and make sure they actually are social.

A closed mouth doesn’t get fed, as we all know.”

R.O.C.K.S. is under the umbrella of African American Student Initiatives, an office that provides programming, as well as support for Black, African American or African-identifying students, officials said.

“We have four focal points – advocate, build, serve and succeed,” Moore said.

If students don’t necessarily know how to advocate for themselves, AASI provides a space enabling the office to advocate for Continues on page 6

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Continued from page 5

the student until they can do so on their own. It also builds community for students through programs, allowing them to have a space where they can learn about one another and actually have that family away from home.

Serving relates to giving back, officials said, whether it is at the NKU institutional level or the local community level, while succeed refers to students going through a process from beginning to end to support them through completion of their degree program.

“With NKU being a predominantly white institution, I think the most rewarding part for me is being able to have a space that is built and catered to students that look like me … and experience the same things any other Black student may experience during their college experience,” Omar said.

Reflecting upon his time spent in R.O.C.K.S., Moore said the most rewarding element is building lifelong friendships among peers.

“Some of my best friends are friends from college and NKU R.O.C.K.S.,” Moore said.

“The fact we are able to come back and still give back to those future alums or those current NKU R.O.C.K.S. students, that just gives me so much fulfillment. To know that we have this huge community of people

who have a lot of similar and shared experiences makes it amazing and great.”

Check out the following links for more information about getting involved with some of the mentoring efforts outlined in the story: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati bigsforkids.org/volunteer.html Mentoring Plus mentoringplus.org/volunteer/ Disabled American Veterans Patriot Boot Camp patriotbootcamp.org/

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati Little Sister Ja’Nia and Big Sister Kennedy Ruebusch. Photo provided | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati

By the numbers Year-to-date, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati has served 765 children in its 13-county service area, including 241 Northern Kentucky children.

Mentoring Plus is presently serving 42 youths and their families.

It is estimated that more than 2,000 students have participated in the NKU R.O.C.K.S. initiative since its inception during the 1998-99 academic year.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati Big Brother Todd Mitchell shares a photo opportunity with Little Brother Joey. Photo provided | Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati

Students are feted for academic success during an African American Student Initiatives celebration. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky University African American Student Initiatives

NORTHERN KENTUCKY –THE #1 REGION BUSINESSES CALL HOME.

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Continued from page 1

Abortion

but that’s certainly not the case,” Cameron said. “I suspect you are concerned about inflation destroying your wallet, concerned about the far left indoctrinating your kids and Joe Biden’s war on coal.”

Beshear said Kentucky has one of the most restrictive laws in the nation concerning abortion.

The candidates fielded questions on various topics, including labor, public schools/ education, abortion, death penalty expansion and health care.

Labor “I’m proud to be a governor endorsed by the (United Auto Workers),” Beshear said regarding the labor strike at the Ford plant in Kentucky. “What we have to have here is a win-win. Our UAW families are fighting for better wages and health care benefits — something we should want for every single one of our citizens.”

Cameron said there needs to be a swift resolution to the auto workers’ labor matter.

“There is no question that we are in this mess because of the inflationary pressures that are coming from Washington, D.C.,” he said. “I think it’s incredibly important that you have a governor that eliminates the income tax to make sure that these folks have more money in their pocket.”

Public schools/education “We want to make sure we have a worldclass education system here in Kentucky,” Cameron said. “We want our schools to be about reading, writing and math. This governor made a disastrous decision to shut down our schools (during the pandemic).

We need to catch our kids up, increase the salaries of our teachers, restore discipline to the classroom and remove the bureaucracy that exists.”

Beshear said he believes in public education and said Cameron’s plan for public education contains harmful vouchers.

“It would defund tens of millions of dollars in our public schools, taking money out of public schools and providing it to fancy, private schools,” he said. “That doesn’t catch anybody up. If we’re going to catch our kids up with math, they have to have a math teacher.”

Universal pre-K education is also needed, according to Beshear.

“The trigger ban removes any and all options from victims of rape and incest – some as young as 9 years old,” Beshear said.

“That is wrong. Yet my opponent celebrated when that law passed. His lawyers are in court right now arguing that that 9-yearold is not irreparably harmed, that she’s forced to carry her baby.”

Cameron said he is the pro-life candidate, while Beshear is the abortion candidate.

“He (Beshear) doesn’t want any limits on abortion,” Cameron said. “And he wants you, the taxpayer, to pay for it. His largest campaign contributor outside of Joe Biden is Planned Parenthood. So don’t be fooled by the fact that Andy Beshear won’t tell you what he wants in terms of limits, because his view on it is no limits.”

Beshear said he has always believed in reasonable restrictions, especially on lateterm abortions.

Gubernatorial candidates Gov. Andy Beshear, left, and Attorney General Daniel Cameron debate at Northern Kentucky University on Oct. 16.

Public safety “I applaud the Legislature that put forth this robust public safety plan,” Cameron said. “It follows a public safety plan that I put out – a 12-point plan to address the violent crime increase we’ve seen across the country.”

Cameron said Beshear has let 2,000 criminals out of jail and, he said, that is one of the reasons behind the Kentucky Fraternal Order of Police endorsing Cameron – after endorsing Beshear four years ago.

“I led the charge to get our Kentucky State Police the largest single pay raise in their history,” Beshear said. “We had seen our numbers tumble for over a decade, and now they’re moving up with one of the largest forces we’ve seen in a while. The numbers he (Cameron) put forward about those that were commuted – the vast majority, if they committed a crime, it was after they had already been out.”

In a closing statement, Beshear said when a candidate is running, it should be for something and not just against someone. Cameron, in closing, said the state needs a governor who will stand with law enforcement and added that 22,000 fewer Kentuckians are working since Beshear took office.

Panelists Larry Smith, from left, Gilbert Corsey and Meghan Goth pose questions to the gubernatorial candidates at the debate. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

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Targets of homophobic vandalism in Fort Wright say response ‘misses the mark’

By Kathleen Bryant

T

he recent incident of targeted homophobic vandalism in Fort Wright has citizens talking about change.

On Sept. 18, Hannah Wintorn and Elise Sebastian’s Fort Wright home was vandalized. Adjacent to their Pride flag and their daughter’s bedroom window, someone spray-painted the words “Hell is real” on the side of their home.

Wintorn and Sebastian are a lesbian couple who, up to this point, said they have experienced mostly acceptance and respect from the Fort Wright community. They moved to the area four years ago and now raise their daughter there.

Fort Wright City Council addressed the incident at its Oct. 4 meeting. Fort Wright staff and City Council members expressed how disturbed they were by this incident and extended condolences to the Sebastian family.

Mayor Dave Hatter read a statement from the city calling this event “a despicable and deplorable act of intimidation and fear.”

At the same meeting, the council passed a resolution denouncing the criminal act and calling for unity in the city.

The resolution “condemn(s) hateful behavior and speech and encourage(s) everyone

to treat each other with kindness, dignity and respect.”

But is it enough?

Wintorn and Sebastian say it’s not.

“The resolution is very kind and thoughtful, but it misses the mark,” Sebastian told LINK nky.

The couple emphasized that local police have been incredibly responsive and that their neighbors have supported them.

They say they love their community and want to make it a place where people like them don’t have to live in fear. After posting about the incident on Facebook, a local friend who identifies as LGBTQ+ said that it’s events like this that make them scared to display their own Pride flag.

Sebastian addressed the council on Oct. 4 to describe what her family had been through in her own words. Sebastian and some neighbors said that a situation like this shows that Fort Wright is in desperate need of a “fairness ordinance.”

A fairness ordinance would offer protections against housing, employment and public accommodation discrimination to LGBTQ+ people. Because neither the Kentucky state constitution nor the Civil Rights Act offers LGBTQ+ people those protections, local communities pass these ordinances independently.

Started by the Kentucky Fairness Campaign, the first fairness ordinance was passed in 1999 in Louisville, and since then, versions of this ordinance have been passed in more than 20 local municipalities throughout Kentucky.

Chris Hartman, executive director of the Fairness Campaign, told LINK nky that while a fairness ordinance would not have any bearing on the vandalism of the Fort Wright couple’s house, it would still benefit the city.

“A fairness ordinance sends a powerful message that a community will not tolerate hate toward its LGBTQ+ citizens,” Hartman said.

According to Fort Wright police and local government officials, the incident at Wintorn and Sebastian’s home was rare and unprecedented.

“I am happy to say, as far as I know, with all the years I’ve been here, I’m not aware of anything like this ever happening before,” Hatter said.

To that, Hartman said, ”How would they know? With no current procedure for formally reporting LGBTQ+ discrimination, those incidents fall through the cracks. The reality is that LGBTQ+ people face discrimination everywhere, even in the most inclusive and accepting cities.”

Hartman pointed to the several other Northern Kentucky cities that have passed their own versions of the ordinance. These include Elsmere, Crescent Springs, Highland Heights, Cold Spring and Fort Thomas, among others. Fort Mitchell, a close neighbor of Fort Wright, passed its fairness ordinance in 2021.

Mayor Jude Hehman of Fort Mitchell is proud of his city’s fairness ordinance.

“With the passage of our fairness ordinance, we recognized that every citizen brings a unique perspective,” Hehman said. “It is our duty as a city to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, has equal opportunities and the chance to thrive.”

Fort Mitchell council member Greg Pohlgeers also told LINK nky that he favored this ordinance.

“Not all of these rights, specifically sexual orientation, are protected by national or state constitutions,” Pohlgeers said. “This ordinance alleviated those shortcomings.

Simply put, it provides a golden rule: Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.”

Other Fort Wright community members showed up to voice their support for creating a fairness ordinance. City attorney Timothy Theissen is researching how a fairness ordinance could apply to the city.

Hatter said that city officials are still looking into it.

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8 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

kenton county briefs Covington releases design concepts for new City Hall, with expected 2025 opening

or Joe Meyer.

The commissioners and mayor declined to talk about issues of funding and construction timelines during the meeting. However, the city’s webpage says that it hopes to begin construction early next year, with a move-in date sometime in 2025. City staff members at the meeting said municipal bonds would likely fund the project.

Kim Patton, president of Elevar, presented the design concepts to the commissioners and other meeting attendees.

One of the design concepts for the new City Hall building in Covington. Photo provided | City of Covington

The Covington Board of Commissioners released design concepts for its new City Hall building at its Oct. 24 meeting.

These were the first official images the city has released to the public since it contracted with architectural firms Brandstetter Carroll Inc. and Elevar Design Group in February. Although they do not represent the final designs of the building, they offer insight into what the city hopes to accomplish.

SERVE

“Between the public buildings that are adjacent (to the building site) on either side and the materials you use, we were looking for, I think, a little more traditional style and space,” Patton said.

The building site is in the 600 block of Scott Street, at the former location of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky and a small park. Flanking either side of the land is the Kenton County Library branch to the north and the post office to the south.

the best

“We thought it would be important to let the public see where we are today and see what direction we’re headed in,” said May-

“The site in the middle is the site we’re looking at for this building,” Patton said after describing how those other public institutions provided the combination of aesthetic cues the firm took when thinking about how to integrate the building into the surrounding area.

Villa Madonna donation honors NKY teen brothers killed in tragic boating accident

“We know that for generations to come that everybody who walks into the STEM wing – the students who learn, the teachers who teach there – will know about Chase and Cole and that their legacy will live on forever,” McQueen said.

The loss of Chase and Cole was “tremendous” for the school community, McQueen said.

A new gift to Villa Madonna Academy will honor the lives of Chase and Cole Fischer. Photos provided | Villa Madonna Academy

“The boys, having been here so long, they become my children,” she said. “That’s how you look upon them.”

A new gift to Villa Madonna Academy will honor the lives of Chase and Cole Fischer.

The K-12 school only has about 500 total students. McQueen called it a “huge family.”

Brothers Chase, 18, and Cole, 14, were killed in a tragic boating accident on Lake Cumberland in July. Both attended Villa Madonna Academy. Chase had just graduated and was set to attend the University of Utah, while Cole had just completed eighth grade.

“They were two boys who loved every part of their day, and they just lived in the moment,” said their friend and cross-country teammate Adam Kolar. “They always had a smile on their face.”

The Fischer family made the donation to the school’s capital campaign. It will transform the first floor of the school’s main building into the Chase and Cole Fischer STEM Wing.

Villa Madonna Academy Executive Director Pamela McQueen said the donation will support renovated labs, new classroom space and opportunities for robotics and MakerSpace.

Kolar helped put together a mural in the boys’ honor over Chase’s parking spot.

Kenton Board of Elections votes to disallow reported Wi-Fi detectors at polls The Kenton County Board of Elections unanimously voted to explicitly disallow the presence of wireless monitoring devicContinues on page 10

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Continued from page 9

es at polling places on Election Day. The meeting’s topic came as the result of discussions Kenton County Board of Election Chair Gabrielle Summe had at an October county clerks meeting, where she heard about My Pillow founder and election conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell’s efforts to hawk a device he contends can detect if a voting machine is connected to the internet.

“These are the kinds of things that keep me up at night,” Summe said.

“I just want to have a prepared way of handling this,” she added later in the meeting.

Uneasily dubbed “WMDs” or “wireless monitoring devices,” the units are about the size of a hardback novel and can be attached to flying robotic drones or carried by hand. Lindell first presented the device

at a right-wing election conspiracy event in August, where he claimed that it could be used to uncover election fraud.

En Boga owner ditches corporate grind for creativity with Covington photo studio

“We’ve been told a lie over years now that the machines are not on the internet,” Lindell said at the event. “What if I told you that there was a device that’s been made for the first time in history that could tell you that that machine was online?”

Lindell said the devices could be attached to flying drones and flown around polling places to scan the area for Wi-Fi signals and the devices connected to them. He turned one of the devices on at the event, and it seemingly detected audience members’ phone hot spots and other local signals before sorting them into categories.

A projector showed the results on the wall behind Lindell.

It’s unclear from the video alone if the devices can actually detect Wi-Fi signals or if it was a contrivance of the presentation, but the board members all agreed that the usage of such devices at a polling place would be in clear violation of Kentucky law.

Broadly speaking, photography and other media capture is not allowed at polling locations. Voters are allowed to bring in their smartphones to polling places, and they can take selfies with their ballots. News outlets are also allowed limited use of photography, but most other forms of media capture are illegal.

An alleged wireless detection device. Photo provided | Mike Lindell

ties. Rates vary for different types of shoots.

It’s $65 an hour for Christmas photos or a newborn photo session. The price for a full day is $480, while a half-day is $240. Bridal party shoots are $500. A 30-minute session is the cheapest option at $45.

Originally from New York, McGrath told LINK nky she became disillusioned with her corporate job after years of grinding.

Anxious for a fresh start, she decided to pursue a career in entrepreneurship. En Boga is the manifestation of her decision.

En Boga Studios owner Carmen McGrath cuts the ribbon to her business. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

With the Christmas season rapidly approaching, Covington’s newest photo studio offers photographers access to seasonal sets in anticipation of the holiday rush.

“We have perfect backdrops for Christmas meetings here at En Boga Studios,” owner Carmen McGrath said.

“I had bad experiences with corporate America,” McGrath said. “I said that I needed to look for something to do to be an entrepreneur and to be the owner of my own time.”

McGrath said the concept for her studio business came from her native Dominican Republic.

“These are concepts that really came from the Dominican Republic, where in the D.R., we provide a lot of backdrops for people to take pictures,” McGrath said.

En Boga is Spanish for “in vogue,” meaning something is popular or fashionable.

Located at 727 Scott Blvd., En Boga is found inside a renovated 1,792-square-foot building that was previously a doctor’s office.

McGrath’s business features multiple rooms for photographers to shoot for holidays, maternity, portraits and bridal par-

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10 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

• AJ’s Towing & Recovery • Boone County Clerk • Campbell County Clerk’s Office • Campbell County Fiscal Court • Campbell County Planning & Zoning • City of Alexandria • City of Bellevue • City of Cold Spring • City of Covington • City of Cresent Springs • City of Crestview Hills • City of Dayton • City of Edgewood • City of Elsmere • City of Erlanger • City of Fort Thomas • City of Fort Wright • City of Independence • City of Lakeside Park • City of Ludlow • City of Newport • City of Silver Grove

• City of Southgate • City of Union • City of Villa Hills • City Of Walton • City of Wilder • City of Woodlawn • Covington Public Independent Schools • Cresent Springs Board of Adjustment • Family Dollar Store • Fort Mitchell Board of Adjustment • Fort Thomas Independent Schools • Highland Heights Planning & Zoning • Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL • Kenton County Fiscal Court • Kenton County Joint Board of Adjustment • Northern Kentucky Port Authority • Northern Kentucky Water District • Planning & Development Services of Kenton County • The Baker Firm PLLC • The Hidden Chapter Bookstore LLC

news from other places Cleveland museum sues over seizure by NYC of $20M statue that may depict Marcus Aurelius

$93M project, largest in history of Keeneland, to expand viewing, improve safety at historic track LEXINGTON (AP) — Keeneland has announced plans to build a paddock and enhance the saddling paddock to expand viewing and improve safety for horses and spectators.

The Cleveland Museum of Art has sued to stop seizure of a valuable bronze statue. New York City officials are investigating a smuggling network. File photo by Amy Sancetta | Associated Press

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Museum of Art has sued New York City authorities over their seizure of a headless bronze statue believed to depict the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

A warrant signed by a judge in Manhattan on Aug. 14 ordered the seizure of the statue, which the museum acquired in 1986 and had been a highlight of its collection of ancient Roman art. The museum argues in its suit that the statue was lawfully obtained and that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office has no legal authority to seize it.

The warrant was secured as part of an ongoing investigation into a smuggling network involving antiquities looted from Bubon in southwestern Turkey and trafficked through Manhattan, a spokesperson for Bragg has said. The 76-inch statue dates from A.D. 180 to 200 and is worth $20 million, according to the district attorney’s office.

The suit filed on Oct. 19 asks a judge to declare that the museum is the rightful owner of the statue. Museum officials have repeatedly told the district attorney’s office that its evidence is insufficient. The museum said it also has consulted experts who cast “significant doubt” on the identification of the statue as Marcus Aurelius.

A spokesman for Bragg said the office is reviewing the lawsuit and “will respond in court papers.”

The project, estimated at nearly $93 million, has already received preliminary approval for incentives up to $23.2 million from the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority, a news release from the historic track stated. It will be Keeneland’s largest capital project since its 1936 opening and the first since the library was built in 2002.

Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said the improvements will provide more space for horses and horsemen along with offering clearer views “to showcase the beauty and pageantry of our equine and human athletes.”

Construction on the three-level paddock building will begin in January, with completion scheduled for fall 2025. It will extend along the paddock and walking ring and include seated dining, new bars and a panoramic rooftop. New jockey quarters will allow fans to view riders walking through before each race. A two-story operations building is also planned.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the project will create opportunities for everyone to enjoy and boost the horse racing and tourism industries – the latter of which had a record 2022.

Before trying to cut engines on Horizon plane midflight, off-duty pilot said, ‘I’m not OK’ PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An off-duty airline pilot riding in an extra cockpit seat on a flight by Horizon Air – which is owned

by Alaska Airlines – said, “I’m not OK” just before trying to cut the engines midflight and later told police he had been struggling with depression, according to charging documents made public on Oct. 24.

State prosecutors in Oregon filed 83 counts

of attempted murder against Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, on Oct. 24 just before he appeared in court, with his attorney, Noah Horst, entering not guilty pleas on his behalf. Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, charged Emerson with interfering with a flight crew, which can carry up to 20 years in prison.

According to a probable cause statement filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Emerson told Port of Portland police following his arrest that he had been struggling with depression, that a friend had recently died and that he had taken psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before he attempted to cut the engines. He also said he had not slept in more than 40 hours, according to the document.

Most of West Maui reopens to tourism despite debates following deadly August fire

The community has had an impassioned debate about when to welcome travelers back to the disaster-stricken region. Bissen said that workers are ready to return to their jobs while acknowledging “this isn’t for everyone.” Those who aren’t prepared to go back to work should talk to their employers and “continue to seek the help and attention that they need,” he said.

Former Mayo Clinic resident, a poison specialist, charged with fatally poisoning his wife MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A poison specialist and former medical resident at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is charged with fatally poisoning his wife, a 32-year-old pharmacist who died days after she went to a hospital in AuConnor Bowman, a gust with stomach poison specialist, is distress. charged with fatally poisoning his wife,

Some residents of fire-ravaged Lahaina have protested the reopening of much of West Maui to tourism, saying it is too soon. Photo by Audrey McAvoy | Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — All of West Maui except for burned-out sections of historic Lahaina were reopened to tourism on Nov. 1, following the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Richard Bissen, mayor of Maui County, said on Oct. 23 that he made the move after talking about it with his Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners.

West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms, or about half of Maui’s total. Travelers evacuated those hotels after the Aug. 8 fire raged through Lahaina town, killing at least 99 people and destroying more than 2,000 buildings.

Authorities say Con- Betty Bowman, a pharmacist. Photo provided nor Bowman, 30, by Olmsted County tried to stop the au- Sheriff’s Office via topsy on his wife, Associated Press Betty Bowman — arguing she should be cremated immediately and claiming she had a rare illness, which hospital tests did not confirm. The medical examiner’s office halted the order for cremation, citing suspicious circumstances, according to a criminal complaint, and an autopsy showed Betty Bowman died from toxic effects of colchicine, a medicine used to treat gout.

Connor Bowman was charged on Oct. 23 with second-degree murder.

Medical records indicate Betty Bowman was not diagnosed with gout and had not been prescribed the medicine, the complaint states, adding that Connor Bowman had been researching the drug prior to his wife’s death. Six days before she was hospitalized, he had also converted his wife’s weight to kilograms and multiplied that by 0.8 — with 0.8 mg/kg considered to be the lethal dosage rate for colchicine, according to the complaint.

CREATE Your future with

Scan the QR code or visit kaocollins.com/careers/ to view openings NOVEMBER 3, 2023 11

calendar

November Friday

Saturday

03 The Witness Tree event, a partnership of the city of Florence and Florence Christian Church, 8 a.m., Florence Government Center campus at the Boone County Veterans Memorial, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence. Ceremony to raise awareness of suicide risk among veterans. The 15-minute ceremony takes place each morning through Nov. 11. Call 859-6478177 for more information.

Honeysuckle removal, 1-3:30 p.m., Boone County Environmental and Nature Center, 9101 Camp Ernst Road, Union. Call 859-5866101 for more information.

04 “9 to 5 The Musical,” The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington.

Presented by NKU School of the Arts. Runs through Nov. 11. $20.

Visit thecarnegie.com for more information.

Annual household hazardous waste collection event, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence. Open to residents of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. To expedite process, fill out registration form early: https:// bit.ly/45kCJxu

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

12 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Sunday

Monday 05

Thomas More University Biology Field Station Preview Day, 1-3 p.m., Biology Field Station, 8309 Mary Ingles Highway, California. Tour the laboratory facility along the Ohio River, learn about the admission process, discover your future in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) career.

RSVP at thomasmore. edu/preview.

Tuesday 06

Wednesday 07

Edgewood City Council meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., City Building, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood

NKYP Bourbon & Boards, 5-7 p.m., Newport Car Barn, 1102 Brighton St., Newport. Young professionals can learn about opportunities to serve on boards for local nonprofits. Visit NKYChamber. com/BB

Wilder City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 520 Licking Pike, Wilder

Florence City Council caucus meetings, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence

Kenton County Board of Education meeting, 7-8 p.m., Kenton County Sanitation Department, 1045 Eaton Drive, Fort Wright

Covington Commission caucus meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington

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

Independence City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 5409 Madison Pike, Independence

Dayton City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Dayton Community and Meeting Center, 625 Second Ave., Dayton Highland Heights City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights Erlanger City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Municipal Building, 505 Commonwealth Ave., Erlanger

Thursday 08

Bromley City Council meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 226 Boone St., Bromley

09 Basics of Fertilizers and Soil Testing, 6-7:30 p.m., Boone County Enrichment Center, 1824 Patrick Drive, Burlington. Presented by UK Cooperative Extension Office. Register by calling 859-586-6101 or visit Facebook: @ boonehortnews Crestview Hills City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 50 Town Center Blvd., Crestview Hills Ludlow City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., Municipal Building, 808 Elm St., Ludlow Boone County Board of Education meeting, 7-8 p.m., Ralph Rush Professional Development Center, 99 Center St., Florence

real estate

Historic colonial revival offers tons of space in Covington Address: 207 Sterrett Ave, Covington Price: $685,000 Bedrooms: Six Bathrooms: Two (plus two half-baths) Square feet: 3,162 School district: Covington Independent County: Ludlow Special features: Last listed in 1976, the Munz House was built in 1903 for Friedrich Munz D.D., the editor of a local religious publication. This colonial revival-style home has tons of character, including original woodwork, church pew-style bench and custom built-ins. The property offers a spacious dining room, screened porch and cozy kitchen with deck access. Four bedrooms are located on the second floor, plus a primary bedroom with a fireplace and a third-floor guest suite. The estate boasts multiple entertaining spaces, including a patio and tiered deck.

A screened-in porch overlooks the backyard of this unique Covington property. Photo provided | Rebecca Weber with Comey & Shepherd

Lights twinkle from inside this historic home at night. Photo provided | Rebecca Weber with Comey & Shepherd

The primary bathroom suite features an original fireplace. Photo provided | Rebecca Weber with Comey & Shepherd

Top Sales of the Week Address

WHO

YOU’RE WITH

MATTERS

Deron G. Schell Senior Sales Executive

HUFF REALTY 859.640.5149 dschell@huff.com

3320 Kruer Court 1078 Wald Court 1190 Grays Peak 908 Welshire Drive 13649 Alexandria Pike 215 Dudley Road 1610 Grandview Drive 121 Ridgeway 153 Calumet Court 1095 Cherryknoll Court 8497 Tulipwood Court 1191 Stoneman Lane 36 Crowell Avenue 301 Redwood Drive 1795 Nicole Lauren Lane 2306 Joyce Avenue 3381 Apple Tree Lane 1022 Boone Street 2433 Ambrato Way 345 Main Avenue

City

Price

Recent NKY Home Sale Data Sale Date

Edgewood $762,900 10/20/2023 Park Hills $745,000 10/20/2023 Covington $650,000 10/19/2023 Villa Hills $615,000 10/19/2023 Alexandria $540,000 10/25/2023 Edgewood $537,500 10/23/2023 Hebron $490,000 10/19/2023 Alexandria $408,500 10/25/2023 Crestview Hills $390,000 10/23/2023 Independence $390,000 10/24/2023 Alexandria $347,625 10/19/2023 Independence $326,000 10/19/2023 Fort Thomas $292,000 10/20/2023 Fort Wright $290,000 10/20/2023 Hebron $257,000 10/23/2023 Newport $250,000 10/19/2023 Erlanger $206,000 10/23/2023 Newport $205,000 10/20/2023 Covington $197,500 10/19/2023 Highland Heights $187,500 10/19/2023

Address

City

417 8th Avenue 722 5th Avenue 815 4th Avenue 1132 5th Avenue 618 3rd Avenue 1016 4th Avenue 3080 Balsam Court 764 Becky Lane 3105 Royal Windsor Drive 3068 Lyndale Court 3320 Kruer Court 215 Dudley Road 4720 Donegal Avenue 9878 Burleigh Lane 988 McCarron Lane Lane 10816 Silver Charm Lane 7632 O’Toole Street 4724 Donegal Avenue 6840 Green Isle Lane 8672 Eden Court

Dayton Dayton Dayton Dayton Dayton Dayton Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Edgewood Union Union Union Union Union Union Union Union

Price

Sale Date

$236,000 9/29/2023 $172,000 9/29/2023 $98,000 9/27/2023 $201,000 9/29/2023 $169,000 10/4/2023 $156,000 10/11/2023 $400,000 9/29/2023 $350,000 10/3/2023 $330,000 10/12/2023 $777,500 10/12/2023 $762,900 10/20/2023 $537,500 10/23/2023 $474,969 9/26/2023 $485,000 9/27/2023 $574,900 9/29/2023 $1,850,000 10/2/2023 $448,185 10/3/2023 $459,572 10/5/2023 $472,018 10/3/2023 $565,000 10/6/2023

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 13

features

Streetscapes revisits North Bend in Hebron for great food, drinks

By Maria Hehman For this Streetscapes, we take a trip back to Hebron to check out some casual bars and eateries. These are hometown favorites that welcome all weary and hungry travelers. Come with us as we explore North Bend Road in Hebron.

Longnecks Sports Grill A local chain that originated in Wilder, Longnecks Sports Grill in Hebron was added to the chain of restaurants in 2017. Longnecks Sports Grill offers guests a place to unwind and connect with friends over a burger and beer, all while watching the latest game.

Kentucky Local patrons can enjoy draft beer and plenty of TVs to ensure they never miss a minute of sports action. Photo by: Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

Patrons who visit on Bengals “Sundeys” or during a University of Kentucky basketball game will be treated to an atmosphere that Longnecks describes as “the next best thing to being at the game in person.”

For fuel, it has wings and burgers for those wanting classic bar grub. Those visiting in a larger group may want to opt for pizzas and calzones. And for the truly hungry fans, it has pot roast, country-fried steak, and fish and chips. It’s a rarity to find a sports bar that serves homestyle food, let alone one where these meals are standouts.

Longnecks has seemingly endless libations. Whether it’s beer, bourbon or Red Bull that guests need to power through the game, Longnecks has it.

For those wanting a bar atmosphere with restaurant-quality food, Longnecks Sports Grill is the answer. It’s a laid-back establishment with great-tasting food and plenty of options.

Kentucky Local Kentucky Local is the epitome of a hometown hangout. However, non-locals who visit will be warmly embraced with hospitality. In fact, its TVs even project a message: “Welcome to Kentucky Local. You are family now.” With hospitality like that, who wouldn’t want to visit?

The entrance and front patio at Kentucky Local. Photo by: Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

Kentucky Local is filled with large TV screens, so patrons never have to choose which nail-biting football game to watch and can keep up with every player on their fantasy football team.

For starters, Kentucky Local has satisfying options for everyone in the group. With jalapeno egg rolls, fried pickle chips and Buffalo chicken dip, guests will want a taste of all the mouth-watering appetizers.

Kentucky Local has a great selection of draft beers, perfect to pair with its burgers, wings or wraps. With over 50 bourbons, games and a daily happy hour, there’s plenty of reasons for guests to visit. The place is also family-friendly to ensure that no member of the family is left out.

Agaves Mexican Restaurant Sometimes a margarita is the only answer for a midweek pickup. Agaves Mexican Restaurant knows that and offers frozen and on-the-rocks margaritas for both dine-in and carry-out. For patrons who

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A cheeseburger and fries pair best with a cold draft beer from Kentucky Local. Photo by: Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

have truly had a trying week, that to-go margarita may be the added boost to help them truck through to the weekend.

What to Know If You Go: Longnecks Sports Grill

Although margaritas are a fan favorite, and sometimes a necessity, most guests return time after time for the ample food offerings. Their menu covers the gamut of Mexican cuisine – fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and, of course, tacos all come with anywhere from five to 10 different options. Variety is one of the best things on the already lengthy menu; there’s even American dishes for those who aren’t in a Mexican mood.

No meal at a Mexican restaurant can even begin before delving into the chips and salsa. For guests wanting a little more sustenance to tide them over before their fajitas arrive, the nachos are stacked to the skies with toppings and give guests a little teaser of what’s to come.

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

Location: 2141 North Bend Road, Hebron Hours: Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Tuesday-Saturday, 11-1 a.m.

Website: longneckssportsgrill.com Phone: 859-869-4448

Kentucky Local Location: 2030 Northside Drive, Hebron Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday, 3-10 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight Website: thekylocal.com Phone: 859-534-0178

Agaves Mexican Restaurant Location: 2010 North Bend Road, Hebron Hours: Sunday, noon-9 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Website: hebronagaves.com Phone: 859-689-5489

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14 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

New Campbell County head basketball coach Sowder and his players hope to add to Camels history

By Marc Hardin

B

rent Sowder has been a history buff since he was a young boy. He used to sit on his grandfather’s lap and listen to him tell stories about World War II. He never missed an opportunity to hear more stories.

“I learned about the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day and thought it was fascinating,” said Sowder, a history teacher and the boys varsity basketball coach at Campbell County High School. “I think the best thing about teaching history is that ‘aha’ moment when the students get it.”

Over the years, Sowder developed a great interest in the American Civil War, so much so he began visiting battlefield sites. He has traveled to Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in warfare that resulted in the most casualties of any Civil War battle and is considered the turning point in the war.

Sowder didn’t have to undertake a traveling ritual this year to restart things with a fresh perspective.

Campbell County did that for him by hiring him as the new Camels head basketball coach, replacing recently retired Aric Russell.

Russell left the bench with the most coaching wins in program history.

Sowder is all the way on the other end of the pendulum at Campbell County. He is a first-year high school head basketball coach with zero wins, replacing a school legend that won 284 games, 10 straight 37th District championships and four 10th Region titles for the Camels.

“When you look at all that came before me, it’s a little bit of pressure,” said Sowder, who led the Camels junior varsity to a 21-8 record last Camels basketball coach Brent Sowder is in his 10th season at Campbell County and his first as head coach. Phoseason. The squad advanced to the to provided | Campbell County championship game of the Northern Kentucky JV tournament. “But this is also a The coach took a look around as the sounds Weinel averaged 6.9 points and 4.9 reprivilege to have the opportunity to live up of dribbled basketballs mixed with the bounds per game last season. Also return“I’ve gone maybe six times,” Sowder said. “I to those kinds of results that we’ve had.” sweet swishing sound of shots hitting their ing are fellow seniors Nathan Smith (5.9 like to go by myself because I want to stay mark. Sowder had on hand a group of vet- ppg, 4.3 rpg), Cole Johnson, Broc Sorgenon the battlefield a long time and absorb it. Not only is Sowder coaching in Russell’s erans led by Connor Weinel, one of as many frei and junior point guard Garyn Jackson I’ve stayed from 8 a.m. to 9:30 at night. I like shadow, but he is now teaching in Russell’s as seven seniors, plus a handful of juniors (6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg). Weinel and Smith were to go there and clear my head, get my mind old classroom, A254. After figuratively step- and sophomores and some new faces. last season’s second- and third-leading right and kind of restart.” ping into some big shoes, Sowder literally rebounders. Smith and Jackson both shot is following in every one “They were shooting around, and it was just around 45% from 3-point range. Jackson of Russell’s footsteps as before we started,” Sowder said. “I have to (64.8%) and Weinel (53.6%) were 1-2 in he takes over the histo- admit I was thinking, ‘Away we go.’” overall field goal shooting percentage. ry-laden program after nine years as Russell’s Sowder’s maiden day of tryouts went well. Sowder has some classroom history with assistant. Sowder was The hope is it’s the first of many successful Johnson and Sorgenfrei. Johnson had a doing that Monday, Oct. firsts for the coach as he forges a new path perfect score recently on his ACT test. Sor23, when he was going and attempts to make a little history of his genfrei is Sowder’s student aide in his U.S. back and forth between own at Campbell County. history class. his classroom, the main office, the gym and the Weinel, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound post player, “The most fascinating thing about this practice gym, where the likes the Camels’ chances even though they team is the unknown,” Sowder said. “People Sowder era officially lost three starters to graduation, including are kind of taking a deep breath because of began at 2:30 p.m. with all-time leading scorer Aydan Hamilton. the changes. It’s these players’ time to step first-day tryouts. into the limelight. I’m excited by their op“We still have a lot of players who can play portunity to make some of their own his“I had about 20 kids and play fast. That’s what we want to do, get tory.” and was missing about up and down the court,” Weinel said. “We a half-dozen that were have a good coaching staff. We have a lot of at football practice,” fast, athletic players. I think we’ll be pretty Campbell County’s Connor Weinel is the returning leading scorer and Sowder said. good.” rebounder for the Camels. Photo provided | Leo McKay

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

The LINK nky Team of the Week for Oct. 2-8

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.

Beechwood girls cross-country team

Presented by:

EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS

The LINK nky Team of the Week for Oct. 9-15

Conner volleyball team

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

Presented by:

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 15

sports NKAC releases coaches release Top 10 lists of players. teams for boys basketball

CovCath grad Maile signs back on with Reds after several career highs in 2023 For the first time since 2019, Luke Maile won’t have to be scouting a new city to live in.

The Covington Catholic grad re-signed with the Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 19 for a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a club option for the 2025 season.

In 2023, he hit a career-high six home runs and appeared in 74 games, logging 199 plate appearances and hitting .235. He threw out 17 runners behind the plate, which was also a career-high, and his caught stealing rate was 23%.

Newport’s Taylen Kinney, right, added numerous offers over the summer, including Cincinnati and Xavier. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

The Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference basketball coaches have spoken.

In a recent meeting, the boys basketball coaches from all across Northern Kentucky compiled their lists of Top 10 players and teams in the region. The schools range from Regions 8-10.

The Top 10 teams were Newport in the top spot, followed by Covington Catholic, Cooper, Lloyd Memorial, Highlands, Simon Kenton, Campbell County, Newport Central Catholic, Scott and Ryle.

The Top 10 players were Tay Kinney of Newport in the top spot, followed by Lloyd Memorial’s E.J. Walker, Cooper’s Yamil Rondon, Highlands’ Nathan Vinson, Covington Catholic’s Brady Hussey, Simon Kenton’s Travis Krohman, Cooper’s Shaun Pouncy, Newport’s James Turner, Newport’s Jabari Covington and Villa Madonna’s Henry Thole.

The KHSAA high school basketball season officially began on Oct. 15, with teams allowed to have their first practice. The start of the regular season begins on Nov. 27. Make sure to check LINKnky.com daily starting on Nov. 13 as we break out district-by-district previews starting that day.

16 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Despite being mainly a part-time catcher, he ranked tied for 14th in the majors with catching 11 runners trying to steal second base.

He was Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball his senior year with the Colonels and has played eight seasons in the major leagues, starting with Tampa Bay in 2015. He played two seasons in Tampa Bay, three in Toronto and then one-year stops with Milwaukee and Cleveland before arriving in Cincinnati.

Maile was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2009 but did not sign, instead choosing to play at the University of Kentucky, where he was second-team all-Southeastern Conference and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy before he was through. Tampa Bay selected Maile in the eighth round of the 2012 amateur draft.

Players, Coaches of the Year region awards doled out in golf, soccer, volleyball

Maile is expected to continue the role of backup catcher to Tyler Stephenson while helping groom a young pitching staff.

On Sept. 26, he became the first Reds catcher with a home run, three RBIs and a stolen base in a single game since Johnny Bench performed the feat in 1978.

Maile is a 2009 CovCath graduate. He’s the school’s career record-holder in batting average (.481), hits (198), doubles (44), triples (13), home runs (29), runs scored (178), runs batted in (187) and bases on balls (115).

Ryle’s Diego Hoenderkamp was selected as the NKBSCA Offensive Player of the Year. Photo provided | Raider Sports Network

With seasons coming to an end in golf, soccer and volleyball, so, too, come the end-ofyear awards.

In boys golf, St. Henry’s Ben Carter and Newport Central Catholic’s Caleb Eaglin won Region Player of the Year in boys golf in their respective regions, while Ryle’s William Zapp and Highlands’ Bert Richey were Coaches of the Year in their respective regions.

In girls golf, Cooper’s Reagan Ramage and Jaguars coach Joe Deters swept the Region 7 Player and Coach of the Year awards.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Luke Maile re-signed with the team on Oct. 19 for a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a club option for 2025. Photo provided | Cincinnati Reds

In boys soccer, Ryle’s Diego Hoenderkamp was named Offensive Player of the Year by the Northern Kentucky Boys Soccer Coaches Association, while Ryle’s Landon Barth was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Newport Central Catholic’s Ben Williams was named the John Toebben Coach of the Year. Boone County won the Ed Lett Sportsmanship Award.

In volleyball, the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association released its Region Player and Coach of the Year for each region in the state. Holy Cross’ Julia Hunt was named the 9th Region Player of the Year and Scott’s Milyn Minor the 10th Region Player of the Year. Ryle’s Tasha Lovins was named the Coach of the Year in the 9th Region.

Norse are preseason pick to win the Horizon, get season started on Nov. 6 The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team was picked first in the 202324 Under Armour Horizon League preseason poll.

The Norse received 18 of 34 first-place votes and earned 435 points in the poll, 38 points ahead of second-place Milwaukee.

Northern Kentucky University guard Marques Warrick (3) was selected to the Horizon League Preseason All-League First Team. Photo provided | NKU returns three NKU Athletics

of its starting five with Marques Warrick, Sam Vinson and Trey Robinson and brought in a plethora of players via the transfer portal or incoming freshmen. Warrick was selected to the Preseason All-League First Team, Vinson selected to the Second Team.

NKU gets its season started on Nov. 6 with a road trip to Middle Tennessee State and then to Washington on Nov. 9. Its regular season home opener is against DePauw on Nov. 14. A trip across the river to Cincinnati follows on Nov. 19.

The Norse are coming off a 22-13 season and their fourth Horizon League Tournament championships in the last seven years.

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help make an impact in your community Your donation will be directed to the NKY Community Journalism Fund

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 17

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

KU CURRENT AND PROPOSED SQF, LQF, and NMS-2 ELECTRIC RATES SQF and LQF Energy Rates ($/MWh) Distribution Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA

7-Year PPA

Current

Proposed

Change

Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

24.03

30.43

6.40

27%

25.02

32.16

7.14

29%

Solar: Fixed Tilt

24.29

30.73

6.44

27%

25.26

32.56

7.30

29%

Wind

23.58

29.27

5.69

24%

24.90

31.55

6.65

27%

Other Technologies

23.08

29.39

6.31

27%

24.13

31.96

7.83

32%

Transmission Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA

7-Year PPA

Current

Proposed

Change

Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

22.94

29.05

6.11

27%

23.89

30.71

6.82

29%

Solar: Fixed Tilt

23.19

29.33

6.14

26%

24.11

31.09

6.98

29%

Wind

22.51

27.94

5.43

24%

23.77

30.11

6.34

27%

Other Technologies

22.04

28.05

6.01

27%

23.03

30.50

7.47

32%

Capacity Rates ($/MWh) Distribution Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

0

0

0.00

Solar: Fixed Tilt

0

0

Wind

0

Other Technologies

0

7-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

0%

17.51

12.26

-5.25

-30%

0.00

0%

21.05

14.76

-6.29

-30%

0

0.00

0%

13.81

9.66

-4.15

-30%

0

0.00

0%

12.21

8.54

-3.67

-30%

Transmission Connected Projects Technology

2-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

Solar: Single-Axis Tracking

0

0

0.00

Solar: Fixed Tilt

0

0

Wind

0

Other Technologies

0

7-Year PPA Current

Proposed

Change

0%

16.45

11.51

-4.94

-30%

0.00

0%

19.78

13.86

-5.92

-30%

0

0.00

0%

12.97

9.08

-3.89

-30%

0

0.00

0%

11.47

8.03

-3.44

-30%

Current

Proposed

Change

0.07366

0.07468

0.00102

NMS-2

Dollar-Denominated Bill Credit ($/kWh)

1.4%

A detailed notice of all proposed revisions and a complete copy of the proposed tariffs containing the proposed text changes, terms and conditions and rates may be obtained by submitting a written request by mail to Kentucky Utilities Company, ATTN: Rates Department, 220 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, or by visiting KU’s website at www.lge-ku.com/our-company/regulatory.

A person may examine this tariff filing at the offices of KU located at One Quality Street, Lexington, Kentucky. A person may also examine this tariff filing at the Public Service Commission’s offices located at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or through the Commission’s Web site at http://psc.ky.gov.

Comments regarding the filing may be submitted to the Public Service Commission by mail to Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602, or by email to psc.info@ky.gov.

The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by KU, but the Public Service Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. A person may submit a timely written request for intervention to the Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602 establishing the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. If the commission does not receive a written request for intervention within thirty (30) days of initial publication or mailing of this notice, the Commission may take final action on the tariff filing.

18 NOVEMBER 3, 2023

obits

William ‘Bill’ Cline

W

illiam “Bill” Cline, 76, of Melbourne, Florida (previously a 33-year resident of Satellite Beach, Florida), passed away on Oct. 22, 2023. He grew up in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Bill was known for his kind and generous nature, always willing to go out of his way to help others. He had a deep William ‘Bill’ Cline. Photo love for his family and cherprovided | Beach Funeral Homeished spending time with Melbourne, Florida them. After a remarkable career spanning 50 years, Bill retired from Dictaphone/Nuance Communications. His dedication and hard work made a lasting impact on his colleagues and the company.

In his free time, Bill enjoyed waterskiing, scuba diving and fishing, finding solace in the great outdoors. He was an avid boater and loved nothing more than spending time on the water with friends and family. He loved RVing and traveling with his wife and beloved Shih Tzus. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 37 years, Patricia; his daughter and her spouse, Alisha and Brian Dolan; his sons, Brian and Jonathan Cline; and his sister, Sue Jump. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mara; parents, William and Helen; his sisters, Shirley Cobb and Jan Fornash; and his brother, Jim Cline.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Bill's name. Bill will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His kindness, love, and proud spirit will forever be remembered. May he rest in peace. (Note: For memorial contributions, please visit the Alzheimer's Association website www.alz.org.)

Darryl McClain

D

arryl McClain, 60, of Melbourne, Kentucky, passed away on Oct. 13, 2023. He was the son of James and Pauline (ClayDarryl McClain. Photo provided | burn) McClain. He was pre-

Darryl McClain continued

ceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda Krogman, and her baby; and brothers David McClain and Dale “Buz” McClain.

He loved cars, fishing and being with his friends. Darryl is survived by his sisters: Darlene (Ron) Thomas and their children, Brittany and Jonathon; and Brenda (Randy) Gibbons and her children, Austin and Erik. He is also survived by his brother, Patrick (Cheryl) McClain and their daughter, Michelle, along with numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and many special friends.

Cooper Funeral Home is serving the family.

Louise Alice Tallman (Patterson)

L

ouise Alice Tallman (Patterson), 67, of Erlanger, died at St. Elizabeth Grant Hospital in Williamstown, Kentucky, on Oct. 9, 2023.

Louise was born in Cincinnati in 1956 to Jep and Alice Patterson.

She is survived by her former husband, Gus Tallman, and their children Mark Louise Alice Tallman. Photo provided | Don Catchen & Sons Tallman (Carla), George TallFuneral Home man, Europe Jones (Cletus), Matthew Tallman (Rangneet); grandchildren Carissa, Jonathan, and Caitlin Tallman, Joey and Olivia Tallman, CJ Jones, Alex and George Tallman, as well as two great-grandchildren.

Marcus D. Wade

M

arcus D. Wade, 74, of Erlanger, Kentucky, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his family, after a long battle with interstitial lung disease.

Marc worked at Monumental Life Insurance Co. prior to his career as the circulation distribution zone manager for the Cincinnati Enquirer for Marcus D. Wade. Photo provid- 27 years. After he retired, he ed | Linnemann Funeral Homes drove a bus for Kenton County Schools, and he drove a supply truck at St. Elizabeth.

Additionally, Marc was a Freemason and U.S. Navy veteran during the Vietnam War, and in the 80’s he was a volunteer firefighter and EMT for Gulf Manor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marcus and Dorothy Wade; and his siblings, Joyce Fudge, Bill Wade, Ora Schafer and Jack Wade.

Marc is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Donita Ryan Wade (nee Williams); his son, Justin (Carrie) Wade; his step-children, Ron (Michele) Ryan and Laura (Andrew) Rigg; and his sisters, Julia Fleisch and Debbie Kuhlman.

He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Myla, Madi, Gabby, Ashley, Paris, Mason, Cole, Cassidy, Vince, Julia, Gabe, Mia, and Ben; and his great-grandchildren, Scylar and Bentley.

Memorial donations can be made to: charity of donor’s choice.

To share a story or leave a condolence to Marc’s family, please visit: www.linnemannfuneralhomes.com.

Louise was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her children were her pride and joy. She loved spending time with her family, flowers and going to the Krohn Conservatory, as well as the outdoors. Fall was her favorite season.

She was a lifelong lover of music, classic movies and antiques. She will forever be in our hearts, with many fond memories to remember.

Don Catchen & Sons Funeral Home (Elsmere, Kentucky) is serving the family.

Cooper Funeral Home

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 19

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