LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 46 - October 13, 2023

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N O T N KE M VOLU

SSUE E 1, I

46 —

, ER 13 B O T OC

2023

How NKY became a life sciences hub Despite trials, region continues to grow, report finds p7

NKwhy: What’s the process for fixing roads in NKY? p9

How Conner’s senior volleyball players are making history p16

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cover story

Covington Life Sciences Lab to bring new value to Northern Kentucky

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling

BY EMMA BALCOM | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper.

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on the cover Bexion Pharmaceuticals employees work in the company’s Covington lab. Photo provided | Bexion Pharmaceuticals

The Life Sciences Lab will be located on the second floor of the OneNKY Center, which had its groundbreaking Aug. 30. Rendering provided | OneNKY Alliance

T

o some, the decision to construct a life sciences lab in downtown Covington may seem like a random choice. It was one that Mayor Joe Meyer certainly hadn’t considered when he sat down in 2021 to assess how to bring more economic value to the city.

According to Meyer, Covington is growing exponentially – in what he defines as a “symbiotic relationship” to Cincinnati’s development across the river – and he wanted to ensure that the city was doing its job to keep up.

Two years ago, he met with a group of leaders in the life sciences industry – including executives from Bexion Pharmaceuticals and CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Ser-

vices – who brought to the table an idea that would bring value to Covington while also supporting the growth of a hub of life sciences companies that had found their place in the city.

The life sciences sector was a gem of the Northern Kentucky region, they said, and Covington was the ideal location for the construction of a new lab.

According to an employment analysis by BE NKY Growth Partnership, the economic development company for the region, the life sciences sector is one of the top four target clusters for development in Northern Kentucky. The sector is growing rapidly alongside advanced manufacturing, information technology, and supply chain man-

agement and support services.

The industry deals specifically with living beings – conducting scientific research to develop and manufacture pharmaceuticals and biomedical technologies that will protect and improve human health.

Northern Kentucky specifically specializes in medical device manufacturing, health informatics, gene therapy and biomedical research.

Employment growth in the life sciences increased more than 82% from 2014 to 2019, according to BE NKY. In a post-pandemic landscape, public interest in and funding for life sciences have swelled, notably spiking in 2020 and then steadily increasing Continues on page 4

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even further.

“Employment (in the life sciences sector) is projected to grow by 30% by 2025,” said Cheryl Besl, director of marketing at BE NKY. Such a significant projected increase in employment means that life sciences companies are increasing in size physically, as well. Covington is home to a number of companies, such as Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Gravity Diagnostics, and CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, that in recent years have come to quickly outgrow the spaces that they currently occupy. It wasn’t long before they began vocalizing their need for new infrastructure that could house the size of their research and development.

Bexion Pharmaceuticals employees work in the Covington lab. Photo provided | Bexion Pharmaceuticals

“There really wasn’t any more room for new companies or scientists coming in (to the city) and wanting to incubate an idea,” said Chuck Scheper, chair of the board of Bexion. “And apparently there really aren’t any other kinds of facilities like (the Life Sciences Lab) available in the immediate area.”

Having seen the success of the city’s life sciences companies already, Meyer consulted the boards of existing companies such as Bexion and CTI about how to recruit more.

Scheper said he offered the idea of developing new infrastructure for a wet lab – so-called because it would need to be equipped with plumbing and ventilation – that could accommodate the growth of both new and existing companies.

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Bexion Pharmaceuticals develops treatments for cancer and neuropathy. Photo provided | Bexion Pharmaceuticals

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In such a facility, startup companies would be able to conduct research and develop-

ment on early-stage projects, and eventually pursue manufacturing and commercialization if successful.

“We think adding this discovery component of incubating early ideas will help build the overall life science ecosystem and attract even larger companies to want to locate here,” he said.

The group knew that Covington was the ideal location for such a lab. Surrounded by universities that turn out hundreds of graduates in the medical field each year and sitting just across the river from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center – a top pediatric hospital in the country – the city is rich in opportunities and resources for scientific advancement.

Many life sciences companies had already taken advantage of such assets, as well, and found success working in the city.

Bexion Pharmaceuticals is a biotech and pharmaceutical company that develops treatments for cancer and neuropathy. Its most recent project is on its drug BXQ-350, which aims to treat a variety of cancers in both children and adults. The drug, discovered at Cincinnati Children’s, was recently proved “very safe” in its Phase 1 safety trial.

Gravity Diagnostics provides diagnostic and innovative lab testing. It works with clients including universities, private practices and Fortune 500 companies. It had a notable presence during the pandemic, processing over 3 million COVID-19 samples and hiring over 450 employees since early 2020.

CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services is a global research service provider that specializes in supporting biotech and

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“We’ve received a number of grants over the years at Bexion,” Scheper said. “If a scientist can get a Phase 1 grant with $150,000,

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The Kentucky Senate added an additional $5 million to the proposal to further assist in its development, showing that state leaders recognized the vision for the lab.

The budget was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly on April 13, 2022, and Covington secured $15 million to help fund its lab.

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Lastly, the state of Kentucky offers Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. The SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program offers grants of up to $150,000 for small businesses focused on performing research and development.

After it was submitted, Gov. Andy Beshear put the $10 million request in his proposed 2022-23 budget.

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Additionally, Covington is positioned in a unique location for a life sciences lab.

While a majority of such institutions are found nearer to the East Coast – think Boston, Philadelphia and Maryland – Covington sits at the center of a group of metropolitan cities, including Louisville, Lexington and Columbus. The development of a lab in Northern Kentucky would bring life sciences innovation to the Midwest.

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“The educational retainment is growing exponentially,” Meyer said, adding that the city will only continue to grow in the opportunities it has to offer.

The request cited a need to create the infrastructure for startups to have access to shared laboratory space, and it specified that the funds would be used to support its construction.

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The success of life sciences companies has made Covington an ideal location where professionals want to work. And Meyer said the city’s urban core has progressed rapidly throughout the last decade, making it an ideal place where they want to live, as well.

With a considerable résumé under its belt, the city of Covington and its partners – Northern Kentucky University, BE NKY, the NKU Collaborative for Economic Engagement, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center and Covington Parking Authority – formally requested $10 million from the commonwealth of Kentucky to fund the construction of the new wet lab facility.

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Their proximity to each other in Covington had already prompted collaboration. CTI supported Gravity in its early years of development and currently works with Bexion to run trials of its cancer drug, as well.

the state matches with another $150,000.

That’s pretty significant startup money for these companies. The state has been very supportive, and we’re excited about expanding that collaboration.”

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pharmaceutical companies. It is one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, and Covington became home to its global headquarters in 2017.

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According to Scheper, $12 million will be used to purchase a 99-year lease at the OneNKY Center, which is being constructed at the foot of the Roebling Bridge. The other $3 million will be used to build out and equip the 15,000-square-foot lab.

It was further determined that a nonprofContinues on page 6

A conceptual floor plan of the Life Sciences Lab in OneNKY Center. Photo provided | Corporex

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Continued from page 5

it corporation would be established to oversee the lab’s construction and operations. In November 2022, the Covington Life Sciences Partners (CLSP) was founded “to advance science, education, entrepreneurism and job creation” in the region.

“That’s everything from coming up with the concept of the Life Sciences Lab, to developing the appropriate space and then, ultimately, to run it,” said Valerie Hardcastle, executive director at the Institute for Health Innovation and a board member of the CLSP. The nonprofit’s makeup also includes a coalition of life sciences professionals and public sector partners. Scheper serves as co-chair alongside Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare.

The Life Sciences Lab will be located on the second floor of the OneNKY Center, which had its groundbreaking Aug. 30. The building will host several of Northern Kentucky’s growth organizations in addition to the lab, including the NKY Chamber of Commerce, OneNKY Alliance, meetNKY, the Catalytic Fund of Northern Kentucky, Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky, the Northern Kentucky Bar Association and BE NKY Growth Partnership.

“We needed this new facility in Northern Kentucky, and we have acted quickly with this investment,” said Beshear at the groundbreaking. “We can support the many life sciences and biotech companies already in the region, and we can welcome new innovators, startup companies, and we can create more high-wage jobs and cutting-edge treatments right here in Kentucky.”

Employees who work in the Life Sciences Lab will have access to common areas for employees of all different growth organizations to share as well, including conference areas and break rooms.

Construction on the facility is expected to be completed for an April 2025 opening.

Bexion, Gravity and CTI will use the Life Sciences Lab for additional lab space, but officials hope other startup companies move into the facility, too. It can take years for life sciences companies to become sustainable on their own. The lab would provide a place for startups to test their ideas while working in an incubator space where they can rent access to the resources they need at a reduced cost.

With so many growth organizations housed under one roof, the expectation is that companies can collaborate on projects, as well.

“We’re going to be co-located with all the economic development organizations in Northern Kentucky, which hopefully will lead to synergies,” said Scheper. “When we bring in scientists, hopefully we can recruit from all around the country, maybe internationally, to come here to try to develop their ideas.”

Lee Crume, president and CEO of BE NKY and a CLSP board member, said he hopes the lab will benefit startup companies enough that they will eventually be able to support themselves and move into their own spaces.

“The goal is to have a place where people who are innovating across the life science and health care (industries) can come develop their product, develop their tech-

Covington-based Bexion Pharmaceuticals, a biotech and pharmaceutical company, will be a tenant in the Life Sciences Lab at OneNKY Center. Photo provided | Bexion Pharmaceuticals

nology, and then hopefully commercialize that,” he said. “Maybe five or 10 years from now, you’ll see those companies starting to branch out of this facility.”

utation as a hub for life sciences advancement, Crume anticipates that the Life Sciences Lab will bring more tangible benefits to the city.

Hardcastle agreed that there is long-term potential for startups to eventually grow out of the facility.

“Covington recognizes that life science could be a good and growing part of their economy,” said Crume. “We often talk about good jobs. … These are jobs where you have professionals, and they pay very well. Companies invest in the community.”

“This is really designed to help the early-stage entrepreneurs get their product off the ground, or learn that it’s not going to get off the ground and they should find something else,” she said. “They could go and finalize their product, refine it, test it and begin to market it. Once they get to that stage, they can start envisioning launching themselves … then they would move out of that space.”

In addition to building on Covington’s rep-

Additionally, Meyer believes that recruiting more workers to live in Covington will enrich the city’s culture.

Perhaps most exciting, according to Scheper? “There’s a lot of momentum. I think you can feel that this life science incubator will be just another arrow in the quiver of why to come to Northern Kentucky.”

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State of the Region report: NKY companies, population growing

T

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER

he Greater Cincinnati region is dealing with various economic and demographic challenges, such as a declining prime-working-age population and a struggling office market.

ty in Ohio all have more. Kenton County is sixth on the list, with 1,348 openings, slightly behind Clermont County in Ohio. Campbell County is seventh on the list, with 597 openings. The data for the list was collected between July 2022 and June 2023.

Despite these challenges, the overall region continues to grow in population and economic development, according to the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s annual State of the Region report.

In July, a labor market analysis published by the Cincinnati Chamber found that Hebron, Erlanger and Florence were three of the fastest-growing employment centers in the Greater Cincinnati region. The State of the Region report listed similar numbers for both cities.

“What stands out in this report for me is the huge opportunity to inclusively grow our region if we attract and retain talent, create a policy environment that prioritizes job growth and development, and build on our many cultural and industrial strengths,” Chamber CEO and President Brendon Cull wrote in the report.

Northern Kentucky was mentioned frequently throughout the report, for contributing to the Greater Cincinnati region’s economic and demographic growth.

Population Growth Boone County saw the region’s second-highest population change — behind only Warren County, Ohio — from 2010 to 2022. During that time span, Boone County’s population grew to 139,039 people from 118,811 — a 17.1% increase. Boone County makes up 6.1% of the Greater Cincinnati region’s population.

Kenton County, Northern Kentucky’s most populous, grew by 6.6%, to 170,313 people in 2022 from 159,720 in 2010. Kenton County is the region’s fifth-largest in terms of population, making up 7.5% of the total population.

Campbell County also experienced growth during that period, albeit at a slower pace. It grew to 93,300 people in 2022 from 90,336 in 2010 — 3.3% increase. It makes up 4.1% of the region’s total population.

Northern Kentucky Private Companies Northern Kentucky has two of the Greater Cincinnati region’s largest private companies in terms of revenue.

Hebron-based digital solutions company Bluestar Inc. came in third on the list, earning $2.35 billion in revenue last year, while

From 2017-22, Florence — which the report ranked as the second-largest regional employment center behind downtown Cincinnati — grew its total number of employees by 12.6%, to 59,284 from 52,655.

The Northern Kentucky region has continued to grow in population and economic development, according to a new State of the Region report. Photo by Eric Willoughby | LINK nky contributor

Fort Mitchell-based homebuilder Drees Homes was ninth, earning $1.42 billion in revenue.

Three Northern Kentucky firms ranked on the list of the region’s fastest-growing private companies.

Fort Mitchell-based Hit Seekers Sports Cards, a brick-and-mortar retailer for sports trading cards, experienced a massive 4,228% growth in revenue from 2020 to 2022. Earning about $123,000 annually in 2020, Hit Seekers earned $5.3 million in 2022.

Covington-based taqueria and tequila chain Agave & Rye increased its annual revenue by 354% over the same period, to $48.2 million in 2022 from $10.6 million in 2020.

Finally, Crestview Hills-based logistics brokerage Whitehorse Freight increased its annual revenue by 311%. The firm grew to $140.9 million in annual revenue in 2022 from $32.3 million in 2020. In January, LINK nky reported that Whitehorse Freight moved into a 51,000-square-foot office building in the Thomas More Office Park.

Covington-based real estate development firm The Salyers Group was listed as the

region’s ninth-largest woman-owned business by revenue, earning $29.5 million in 2021 — the most recent year for which the report had revenue data in the category.

Over the same period, Hebron experienced significant growth, rising to 27,594 employees from 18,144, a 52.1% increase.

Florence, specifically, has the highest concentration of manufacturing production jobs in the region, with 7,284.

Office Vacancy Rates

Wilder-based logistics brokerage DDX Transport was listed as the region’s ninth-largest minority-owned business by revenue, clocking in at $24.8 million in 2022.

While office vacancy rates in the Greater Cincinnati region have yet to fully recover from the pandemic, the Northern Kentucky office submarket has fared well compared with others in the area.

The report ranked Edgewood-based health care provider St. Elizabeth Healthcare the Greater Cincinnati region’s fifth-largest employer in terms of total employees, at 10,353.

There were 18 submarkets listed in the report. Of those, Northern Kentucky had the third-lowest office vacancy rate, at 20.3%.

As a whole, the Greater Cincinnati region has an office vacancy rate of 24.4%

St. Elizabeth was listed as Northern Kentucky’s largest employer by employee count, followed by Amazon, Fidelity, Kroger and the Boone County School District.

In comparison, the Mason/Montgomery submarket had the highest office vacancy rate, at 41.8%.

Manufacturing Jobs Manufacturing is one of Northern Kentucky’s strongest economic sectors. Due to the industry’s growth, there are thousands of manufacturing job postings across the Greater Cincinnati region.

Boone County has the fourth-highest number of manufacturing job openings, with 2,709. Hamilton, Butler and Warren Coun-

Public Transportation Regarding public transportation, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, or TANK, bus service returned to 80% of pre-pandemic ridership levels. The service was used by 195,365 people in August.

Additionally, the free Southbank Shuttle was reintroduced last August after a twoyear hiatus.

OCTOBER 13, 2023 7

Opal: Covington’s newest rooftop dining concept open for business

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER

C

ovington’s newest restaurant is perched atop one of the city’s oldest buildings.

Opal, the brainchild of local restaurateurs Bill and Morgan Whitlow, opened to the public on Sept. 29. The Whitlows’ restaurant portfolio includes Covington establishments Hangry Omar’s Sliders and Rich’s Proper.

“We are delighted to have another gem in the crown — dare I say an opal — to celebrate this amazing dining community here in The Cov,” said meetNKY CEO Julie Kirkpatrick.

Friday, the Whitlows and Covington city officials gathered in front of the revitalized Republic Bank building at the corner of Madison Avenue and Sixth Street to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening.

“Opal fits neatly within a target sector of our Economic Development Department

that we call ‘Experience Covington,’” Vice Mayor Ron Washington said at the ceremony. “With Opal, you not only experience Covington, but you also see our neighbors.

To the north, Cincinnati. To the east, Newport.”

Located on the seventh floor of the Republic Bank building, Opal offers customers an elevated dining experience. The rooftop patio features unimpeded views of downtown Covington and Cincinnati.

‘The past three-and-a-half years were spent planning, building, sweating, bleeding, crying — and now we’re so thankful that we get to open the doors for you all,” Bill Whitlow said.

Opal is described as a casual-fine dining experience. It features an open-fire Grillworks grill, one of the few within a twohour radius of Cincinnati, as well as an extensive wine menu.

“All of Bill and Morgan’s restaurants are very focused on community and hospitality, and we know the menu and service here will reflect that,” Executive Chef Eric Polhamus said in a press release. “The menu will feature dishes made from fresh, local fare and products. Our craft cocktail menu has been perfectly curated to complement the wood-fired dishes, and we have a list of excellent wines that pair well with them, too. We can’t wait to welcome the community to dine with us.”

Constructed in 1904, the Republic Bank building was once the tallest building in Covington.

Former U.S. Rep. Orie Ware lived in the building during a period in his life, Washington said.

Opal in Covington opened Sept. 29. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

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NKwhy: How are road repairs and maintenance funded?

BY MAGGY MCDONEL | LINK nky REPORTER

W

hen summer comes to an end, so do many road repair and maintenance projects, meaning less traffic and smoother roads for drivers.

When you drive over the same pothole every day, it may lead you to wonder, “Who is supposed to be taking care of this?”

We’re here to answer that question.

Depending on the road, these projects are either handled by the state, the county or local municipalities.

Read on to find out the who, what, when, where and why of road repairs in Northern Kentucky.

Who pays for road repairs?

Long story short: taxes. But, as it is with most things, it’s a bit more complicated than that.

State transportation funds come from a combination of state road funds, state general funds, state-restricted funds and federal funds, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 6 Public Information Officer Jake Ryle said in an email to LINK nky.

Once state legislators approve KYTC’s budget, Ryle said, those funds are distributed between the 12 state districts. District 6, which includes NKY, spreads those funds between five branches: permits, bridge

preservation, operations/pavement management, roadside maintenance and roadway maintenance.

For roads owned by cities, the cost of repairs and maintenance typically comes from the city’s capital improvement fund, said Erlanger City Administrator Peter Glenn. The money in this fund comes from taxes. Cities also get some funding from the state for local road repairs.

How are roads picked for repair and maintenance?

For drivers who live and work in the area, it is easy to spot which roads need repair, but how do cities pick which roads to work on and in what order?

Glenn said this comes down to the pavement condition index. In Erlanger, Glenn said, the city is divided into sections that are periodically inspected for repair needs, and the information from those inspections is entered into infrastructure management software, which provides a pavement condition index.

The index basically grades the streets on their need of repair, “so of the many, many streets we have, we start addressing the worst,” Glenn said. The street’s geographic location is also taken into consideration.

If a road is near another that is getting repairs, “it just makes sense to do them both at the same time.”

upon, Glenn said, that information is put into Erlanger’s three-year plan, which is available on the city’s website. From there, the city begins the design process, which is where the public can get involved.

“We have public workshops for all of our street improvement projects where we invite the public to come to meet with our public works department and to hear and understand what improvements are being proposed for their street,” Glenn said. “(They can) provide any input on any kind of special needs they might have.”

When do repair and maintenance happen?

Road repairs are done weather-permitting, so that typically means March through November.

In NKY, throughout August and September, two massive road resurfacing projects intermittently shut down portions of Interstates 471 and 275.

“We know closing lanes is never fun for anyone involved. That’s why we focus on limiting traffic disruptions whenever/ wherever possible,” Ryle said. “This includes doing most work on the interstates in our district during the overnight hours.”

In late September, all or parts of 29 roads in Covington underwent road resurfacing.

During the first week of October, the city’s West Side neighborhood had a similar round of resurfacing.

A sign indicates that a road is closed for construction. Photo provided | Zac Gudakov via Unsplash

“Drivers will be a lot happier,” said Bill Matteoli, assistant director of Covington’s Public Works Department, in a recent press release. “We know there are a number of streets that need attention, and we tackle as many as possible each year.”

How can drivers find out when and where work is happening?

Most local road repairs are posted on city websites, and signs are typically posted around the areas in question leading up to street closures.

KYTC District 6 is constantly updating its social media with closure updates. Ryle suggested that anyone interested in knowing what closures are happening near them check out the District 6 Roadshow, which “highlights all of the ongoing projects in our 11-county district” and is updated daily.

Once the repairs and the order are decided

OCTOBER 13, 2023 9

kenton county news briefs Independence considers zoning change for project with grocery, retail, restaurant

ESERVE

ward at the northeast intersection of Madison Pike (KY 17) and Harris Pike (KY 536).

The project covers just under 20 acres and would include a 48,387-square-foot grocery store, an attached 3,200-square-foot liquor store, 12,600 square feet of retail space, and a restaurant with a drive-thru that would run about 2,500 square feet. The project also includes an off-street parking space and a new public street providing access off Madison and Harris pikes.

the best

A map from a Kenton County Zoning Commission staff presentation shows the proposed grocery and retail space with a parking lot. To the left is the drive-thru restaurant and the access road from Harris to Madison pikes. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor

Independence is looking to amend the city’s zoning map to allow for an anticipated grocery store and retail project.

At its Oct. 2 meeting, Independence City Council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would allow for the necessary zoning changes to move the project for-

The zoning would change from “neighborhood commercial” and “residential rural estate” to “community commercial.”

The developer for the project is Crosland Southeast, and the engineering firm is Bayer Becker.

Details about which companies will move into the space have not been announced.

Jay Bayer, principal for Bayer Becker, said no restaurant has been selected yet for the site.

The Kenton County Planning Commission held a hearing last month and recommended approval. The staff asked the de-

veloper to increase buffering around the site. Bayer said the developer will increase buffering from 10 feet to the required 15 feet.

City Council is expected to vote on the zoning amendment at its next meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Independence City Building.

Covington police officer Endicott promoted to rank of sergeant effective Oct. 1 Andrew Endicott, a patrolman and SWAT member for the Covington Police Department, was promoted to the rank of sergeant at the Covington Board of Commissioners meeting on Sept. 26. Endicott has been on the force for seven years and will assume the role of sergeant following the retirement of another force member.

“This is a bittersweet moment for me,” Endicott said. “I absolutely love being a patrolman. I look forward to leading as a supervisor and welcome this new challenge with the city.”

Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti (left) and Andrew Endicott (right). Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

Endicott thanked his wife and family, the city and other members of the force for their support.

“Thank you to those who have guided me along the way — from the chief’s office, my entire family and my friends inside and outside the police department,” he said.

Endicott assumed his new role Oct. 1.

Protesters shut down Roebling Suspension Bridge in criticism of P&G policies The Roebling Suspension Bridge was closed for nearly six hours on Oct. 4 due to

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a protest that ended in four arrests.

The Rainforest Action Network said it is protesting against actions taken by Procter & Gamble. Just after 6:30 a.m., members dropped a banner off the side of the bridge that read, “Stop forest destruction.”

“We are here today because we have tried everything we can think of to get P&G’s attention,” said Laurel Sutherlin, a spokesperson for the organization.

Four people were arrested at the bridge, but at least eight people at the scene were involved, police said.

Two individuals who scaled the bridge and hung the banner eventually came back down and surrendered to police.

Police have arrested Kyle Krakow, 33, and Lauren Howland, 28, who were both charged with wanton endangerment. They also arrested 41-year-old Margaret Martin and Marcella Largess, 37, who were charged with complicity to wanton endangerment.

All four were taken to the Kenton County Detention Center.

The Rainforest Action Network said the protest was part of a larger-scale effort.

“Today’s demonstration occurs amidst a rapidly escalating, multi-faceted campaign calling on the consumer goods giant to meaningfully address systemic failures of its corporate policies and actions to prevent forest destruction, climate pollution and conflicts with local communities that result from its large scale use of forest risk commodities like palm oil and wood pulp in its products,” Blair Fitzgibbon, a public relations representative for the Rainforest Action Network, said in a press release.

According to protesters, the Rainforest Action Network is made up of an international group of people working to hold P&G accountable.

A spokesperson for P&G released the following statement: “We respect the right to protest peacefully, but dangerous stunts that put people at risk and divert valuable public resources cross the line. It’s important for people to know that although we do not own or manage forests, our commitments and actions related to forestry are among the most rigorous in our industry. Today, for every tree we use, at least two are regrown. Our progress has been recognized by leading, independent monitors of how companies uphold their commitments to sustainability,

including the Carbon Disclosure Project.”

Kenton County seeking 18 additional poll workers for Nov. 7 general election The Kenton County Election Commission met Oct. 2 to discuss details for the preparation of the upcoming Nov. 7 general election.

County Clerk Gabrielle Summe noted her staff is still working to find enough poll workers. Some poll workers whose names were on lists provided by the two parties have said they are unavailable for the upcoming election. Others have not yet responded. At present, this leaves a need for about 18 more poll workers, she said.

Those interested in becoming a poll worker for this or future elections can contact her office at 859-392-1640. The office can provide a list of poll jobs and further information. Poll workers are required to attend a two-hour in-person training as well as take online Americans With Disabilities Act training.

The commission members discussed dates and times for poll worker training. They received updates on equipment program-

A Kenton County ballot box. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor

ming deadlines, details on voter registration and deadlines for write-in candidates, as well as updates on media outreach and advertising. They also discussed the final details of the security plan for election day.

Summe noted a change to the Kentucky Voter Guide website URL. People can still access the guide by using the old web address (govoteky.com) but will be redirected to the new web address. The new Kentucky Voter Guide website is at govote.ky.gov.

(Note the new URL contains a dot in two places.)

Kentucky now allows for Public Notices to be published digitally on LINK nky’s website.

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news from other places Despite court order, Ohio moves ahead with overhaul of K-12 education system

The officers’ attorneys issued a statement saying the officers acted in accordance with their training to defend their lives when a subject grabbed a gun and raised it toward them.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine moved ahead with an overhaul of the state’s education system despite a court order delaying the changes, which a lawsuit said violated the constitution. File photo by Mike Freed | Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — At least part of a Republican-backed overhaul of Ohio’s K-12 education system will take effect as planned, despite a court order Oct. 2 delaying the changes after a lawsuit said they violate the constitution.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will replace the Ohio Department of Education, GOP Gov. Mike DeWine said in a news conference, assuring operations like school funding, approval of voucher applications and other “essential functions of government” will continue.

The governor’s announcement came minutes after Franklin County Court Magistrate Jennifer Hunt ordered the extension of a previous temporary restraining order on the overhaul until a judge can sign off on whether to put it on hold indefinitely.

Under the latest state budget that enshrined the overhaul into law, the current ODE ceased to exist at midnight Oct. 3. That same law, DeWine argued, mandates the existence of the DEW immediately after the old department is void, with or without him doing anything about it. But to comply with the court order, DeWine said, his office and the rest of the executive branch would not take “any affirmative action” on major decisions still pending.

2 Indianapolis police officers plead not guilty in shooting of Black man sleeping in car INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Two Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers indicted for shooting a Black man who was sleeping in a car outside his grandmother’s house entered not guilty pleas on Oct. 2.

Officers Carl Chandler and Alexander 12 OCTOBER 13, 2023

Gregory entered the pleas to charges of battery and criminal recklessness charges in connection with the Dec. 31 predawn shooting of Anthony Maclin.

coming only the third Black female senator in history.

Butler was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 1, just two days after Feinstein died at her home in Washington. Butler is a longtime fundraiser and strategist in the state’s Democratic circles and was the head of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money for women candidates who support abortion rights.

Maclin’s attorney, Stephen Wagner, has said the officers fired at least 30 shots, hitting his client three times and leaving him hospitalized for 17 days for six surgeries.

Butler was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator.

UK basketball coach Calipari will receive prestigious Wooden Award in April

Late-night shows return after writers strike; actors resume talks in their standoff

LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Calipari of Kentucky will receive the John R. Wooden Award Legends of Coaching honor.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Late-night talk shows are returning after a five-month absence brought on by the Hollywood writers strike.

Greg Wooden, grandson of the late UCLA coach, announced his selection Tuesday.

The honorees are chosen based on character, on-court success, graduation rate of players in their program and coaching philosophy. The award will be presented in April at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

As shows like “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” returned to the air on Oct. 2, actors resumed talks that could end their own strike. Colbert shouted, “It feels good to be back” as he retook the stage for his taping. He welcomed astrophysicist and author Neil deGrasse Tyson on his first show back.

Calipari led the University of Kentucky Wildcats to a national championship in 2012. He guided the program to four Final Four appearances in a five-year span, with Wooden and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski the only other men’s coaches to accomplish that feat.

Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in U.S. history, replaces late Sen. Feinstein

From left, Sen. Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., her wife, Neneki Lee, and Vice President Kamala Harris at Butler’s swearing-in ceremony on Oct. 3. Photo by Stephanie Scarbrough | Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler has been sworn in as the newest member of the U.S. Senate, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and be-

The writers struck a deal during the last week of September with an alliance of Hollywood’s biggest studios, streaming services and production companies.

Residents of fire-stricken town in Hawaii petition governor to delay reopening to tourism HONOLULU (AP) — Residents from fire-stricken Lahaina petitioned Hawaii’s governor to delay his plans to reopen a portion of West Maui to tourism starting the weekend of Oct. 7-8.

Many residents say they are still grieving and not ready. But others say they need travelers to come back so they can work in hotels and restaurants to earn a living.

The petition signed by more than 3,500 people from West Maui ZIP codes comes amid a fierce and anguished debate over when travelers should return. The region is home to the historic town of Lahaina that was destroyed in the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. At least 98 people died in the Aug. 8 blaze.

calendar

October

Friday

Saturday 13

Boone County Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1961 Patrick Drive, Burlington City of Florence Fall Cleanup, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 7850 Tanners Lane, Florence. Dispose of unwanted items. Must show proof of Florence residency. Call 859-6475416 for details on rules.

Sunday 14

City of Florence Fall Cleanup Week, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 7850 Tanners Lane, Florence. Dispose of unwanted items. Must show proof of Florence residency. Call 859-6475416 for details on rules.

Monday 15

16

City of Florence Fall Cleanup Week, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 7850 Tanners Lane, Florence. Dispose of unwanted items. Must show proof of Florence residency. Call 859-647-5416 for details on rules.

Gubernatorial debate, 7-8 p.m., Gov. Andy Beshear and Attorney General Daniel Cameron debate at Northern Kentucky University in Northern Kentucky’s only gubernatorial debate.

Virtual event. For information on how to stream, visit linknky.com/debate/

Car, Truck and Bike Cruise-In, 5-8 p.m., 1975 Burgers Shakes and Fries, 478 Elm St., Ludlow. All ages, free admission, live music.

Campbell County Board of Education meeting, 6-7 p.m., Alexandria Educational Center, 51 Orchard Lane, Alexandria

Campbell County Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, 709 Monmouth St., Newport.

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

Tuesday

Edgewood City Council meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm, City Building, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood

Boone County 4-H New Member Day, 1-3 p.m., Boone County Enrichment Center, 1824 Patrick Drive, Burlington. Learn more at boone.ca.uky.edu or 859-586-6101

Fort Thomas City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building 130 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Wednesday 17

Thomas More University academic majors open house, 5-7 p.m., 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills. RSVP at thomasmore.edu/preview Florence City Council caucus meetings, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence Covington Commission caucus meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington Highland Heights City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights

Optimizing Your Office Space?

Thursday 18

19

People Working Cooperatively annual recognition celebration, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Grand Ballroom, 6 E. Fifth St., Covington. $45. Call 513351-7921 or email info@ pwchomerepairs.org

Chippie’s Sensational Kids Club: Witches and Goblins, 11 a.m.-noon, Behringer-Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague Road, Covington.

Spooky stories, crafts and activities for preschoolers and their parents. $3 materials fee per child, plus museum admission.

Register at least three days in advance by calling 859-491-4003.

Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Administration Building, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport Fort Wright caucus meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 409 Kyles Lane, Fort Wright Villa Hills City Council meeting, 6:30-7:30 p.m., City Building, 719 Rogers Road, Villa Hills

Walton-Verona Board of Education meeting, 6-7 p.m., Walton-Verona Independent Schools Central Office, 16 School Road, Walton Alexandria City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 8236 W. Main St., Alexandria

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1800s Victorian home in Ludlow features heated in-ground pool Address: 58 Kenner St., Ludlow Price: $549,000 Bedrooms: Four Bathrooms: Two (plus one half-bath) Square feet: 2,770 School district: Ludlow Independent

The Kenner Street home features a heated in-ground pool.

Photo provided | Donna Mink with Mink Realty LLC

County: Ludlow Special features: You could have your own piece of history with this historic Victorian home in Ludlow. Relatively spacious for city living, this 2,770 square feet of space offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms. The home features plenty of historic details, including original woodwork, pocket doors, five fireplaces, hardwood floors, stained glass windows and more. The nearly halfacre double lot offers a heated in-ground pool and yard space.

Historic details are featured throughout this historic Ludlow home. Photo provided | Donna Mink with Mink Realty LLC

Four fireplaces and other original details are found throughout this Ludlow property. Photo provided | Donna Mink with Mink Realty LLC

Top Sales of the Week

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Price

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

Address

City

Sale Date

1346 Prado Drive 23 Tower Drive 363 Berry Avenue 9734 Soaring Breezes 9881 Cherbourg Drive 4370 Silversmith Lane 77 Thompson Avenue 1121 Brookstone Drive 2559 Samantha Drive 11 Airview Drive 59 Elblaine Drive 2388 Creedmore Court 1660 Shady Cove Lane 4065 Woodchase Drive 2546 Crosshill Drive 1741 Old North Bend Road 7415 Centrecrest Lane B 16031 Hwy 10 N 509 Garvey Avenue 338 Bonnie Leslie Avenue

Union $915,000 9/25/2023 Newport $585,000 9/29/2023 Bellevue $425,000 9/29/2023 Union $415,000 9/27/2023 Union $382,000 9/29/2023 Independence $360,000 9/27/2023 Fort Mitchell $355,000 9/29/2023 Walton $345,000 9/25/2023 Burlington $320,000 9/25/2023 Florence $260,000 9/26/2023 Highland Heights $250,000 9/27/2023 Burlington $249,900 9/25/2023 Florence $220,000 9/25/2023 Erlanger $215,000 9/29/2023 Crescent Springs $206,863 9/29/2023 Hebron $200,000 9/27/2023 Florence $193,000 9/27/2023 Butler $170,000 9/29/2023 Elsmere $158,000 9/28/2023 Bellevue $125,550 9/27/2023

Address

City

7809 W Timber Creek Drive 1220 Creekside Court 8775 Constable Drive 11197 Shaw Hess Road 7267 Rimrock Lane 7435 Devonshire Drive 10567 Lynn Lane 12 1706 Grandview Road 3781 Lisa Lane 12886 Sycamore Creek Drive 1997 Grandview Road 10177 Cedar Lane 1937 Gun Club Road 2574 Amsterdam Road 2687 River Birch Drive 2720 Surfside Drive 2713 Valley Trails Drive 1088 Walburg Avenue 303 876 Wesley Drive 800 Englewood Drive

Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Alexandria Crittenden Villa Hills Villa Hills Villa Hills Villa Hills Villa Hills Villa Hills Villa Hills

Price

Sale Date

$424,900 9/2/2023 $281,701 9/5/2023 $225,000 9/5/2023 $215,000 9/6/2023 $430,000 9/8/2023 $285,000 9/13/2023 $140,000 9/13/2023 $265,000 9/14/2023 $292,000 9/14/2023 $370,000 9/18/2023 $265,000 9/18/2023 $387,500 9/19/2023 $175,000 9/5/2023 $311,500 9/5/2023 $784,900 9/6/2023 $308,000 9/8/2023 $324,900 9/15/2023 $23 9/18/2023 $225,000 9/19/2023 $1,000,000 9/20/2023

features

Streetscapes visits Levee for Cuban coffee, country cooking, more

N

orthern Kentucky is always evolving and adding new businesses to its many hubs. One that has changed significantly over the past couple of years is Newport on the Levee. With more plans to continue to evolve, such as the highly anticipated Margaritaville Resort, more people than ever are visiting the area. It’s been a year since Streetscapes last visited the Levee, so for this issue, we’re checking out Cuban coffee, country cooking and Kentucky-brewed beers.

West Sixth Its original brewery in Lexington garnered notoriety across Kentucky, and the company opened its fourth location at the Bridgeview Box Park in the Levee.

Bridgeview Box Park is composed of openair shipping containers where guests can order food and drink. These can be enjoyed in their designated space, with a view of the skyline, or taken with guests as they walk along the riverwalk.

West Sixth’s mini taproom serves up its famous IPA, along with eight other beer options. Joining Barking Box, the Buzz, Doner House, and Kon Tiki on the Levee, West Sixth completes the options at Bridgeview Box Park.

PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR Amador

Amador’s alley to the riverwalk is just as bright and bold as its interior.

For a taste of Cuban cuisine with an inviting interior that will transport guests to a tropical place, look no further than Amador. Amador specializes in Cuban coffee and food.

Cuban coffee is known for its bold and rich espresso. Amador has five coffee options to best suit all palates. The cafe con leche is perfect for those new to Cuban coffee, and the cortadito is for the coffee connoisseur.

The food is Cuban-inspired dishes, including a Cuban sandwich for those wanting to stick to the basics. Empanadas, savory filled pastries, are among the most popular dishes and come in three flavors. There are also several options of plantain chips, whether it’s with pineapple guacamole or ceviche with shrimp, avocado, onion and peppers.

There’s no passing up on this Cuban staple.

While that may be too jarring of a flavor combination for many, Tom and Chee earned its spot on the Levee because of its other offerings. The menu mostly consists of specialty grilled cheese sandwiches.

Chicken bacon ranch and buffalo chicken are two of the more basic options. If guests want something more unique but aren’t ready to take the donut grilled cheese plunge, the bacon mac and cheese grilled cheese or the bacon fig and goat won’t disappoint.

To pair with any grilled cheese, one always needs tomato soup. Tom and Chee has two options, classic and creamy. With an array of salads and sides, no one leaves Tom and Chee hungry.

Shiners on the Levee Guests wanting a taste of Nashville in Kentucky simply need to step into Shiners on the Levee. Often, visitors to NKY group the area in with Cincinnati, but Shiners will remind both locals and visitors what state they’re in.

Shiners is country-themed in décor, menu and music. Its menu focuses on BBQ, with options including a rack of ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork. Sandwiches, burgers and salads are among other options. Shiners doesn’t shy away from flavor with its

Bridgeview Box Park is home to five different mini bars and restaurants. Guests can order drinks and enjoy in the communal space, or along the riverwalk.

For refreshments, they stick to KY roots with moonshine cocktails and moonshine shots, along with bar basics, beer and wine.

Outside of food, Shiners hosts live country music and line dancing. It holds a variety of events and specials that can all be found on its website. Next time you get a hankering for a little country cooking and music, there’s no need to head to Nashville, just Newport.

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

What to Know If You Go: West Sixth Location: Bridgeview Box Park Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-7 p.m.

Website: westsixth.com/boxpark

Amador Location: 1 Levee Way, Suite 2122A Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Website: amadorcuban.com Phone: 859-392-2060

Amador has an extensive bar menu, with an emphasis on rum. The rum options nearly double the alcoholic drink options, but nothing says tropical getaway better than a pina colada.

Tom and Chee Tom and Chee originated in Cincinnati and was one of the staple restaurants on the Levee, along with Dewey’s and Brio. Tom and Chee became best known for its bizarre grilled cheese donut, which brought in guests from all over to try this savory-sweet combination.

sides: bourbon-glazed carrots, sorghum and molasses baked beans, and the most mouthwatering of them all, the Mac Daddy baked mac and cheese.

Tom and Chee Location: 1 Levee Way, Suite 2124 Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Website: tomandchee.com Phone: 859-291-2433

Shiners on the Levee

An El Caribe margarita and the stunning river view at Amador.

Location: 1 Levee Way, Suite 1118 Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11-2:30 a.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight.

Website: shinersonthelevee.com Phone: 859-655-4300 OCTOBER 13, 2023 15

Conner’s senior volleyball players broke with history.

Now, they’re making history

BY MARC HARDIN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

W

hen it comes to Northern Kentucky high school volleyball, the Conner Cougars typically have not been movers and shakers. They have yet to win a 33rd District tournament championship. They have not won a 9th Region title. But the Cougars have been shaking things up the past few years while making a move on their rivals, and the rest of the state has noticed.

6. They finished 21-13 last season. Coach Rabe could see changes in attitudes and the beginning of better play his first year in 2020. Hamburg and her classmates were freshmen that year. Since then, Conner has leapfrogged Cooper in the district pecking order with some big wins over the Jaguars.

“I think a big part of it has been coach Rabe being around all four years,” Hamburg said.

“I’ve been with the team since the eighth grade. I know we had a lot of different coaches for a long time before him.”

“It feels amazing to finally get some success,” said middle blocker Lilly Hamburg, one of 10 seniors on the team. “We haven’t beaten Ryle in 20 years. Until last year, we hadn’t even been district runner-up since 2005. That’s the year I was born, so that’s how long it’s been.”

The coach credits the players. The players credit the coach. It’s exactly the kind of symbiotic relationship the program needed. Hamburg said a mutually beneficial relationship between the players and coaches has been a key to unlocking their potential.

Look at them now.

The Cougars are in the midst of an unprecedented three-year rise that has coincided with the maturation of a history-making group of seniors who have risen to the occasion under fourth-year coach Douglas Rabe.

“I just didn’t walk in and wave a magic wand. The credit goes to the girls,” Rabe said. “Once the girls accepted the fact they are only as good as they decide, we started getting better.”

With a record of 23-7 at the end of September, the Cougars already had more wins than any other Conner volleyball team since joining the 9th Region in 2003. The Cougars earned the second seed in the 33rd District tournament and were 20th

Conner senior middle blocker Lilly Hamburg smashes a kill during a recent Cougars volleyball match.

LINK nky file photo

in the Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association statewide rankings heading into October. They were fourth in the KVCA 9th Region rankings.

This isn’t a one-year outlier. The Cougars have put together their best three-year run this century with a 63-26 record since the beginning of the 2021 season. That eclipses the three-year run from 2003-05 when Conner went 57-34 with three consecutive district runner-up finishes.

The team is loaded with standouts. Hamburg, co-captain with classmate and libero Anna Hamilton, was on the KVCA presea-

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son watch list, along with classmate Peyton Walker, a middle blocker. Hamilton leads the team in digs. She is also Conner’s alltime digs leader. Hamburg leads the team in kills, blocks and service aces. She is Conner’s career leader in kills and blocks and ranks second in aces.

Hamburg is also Conner senior class president. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She’s a freshman mentor. She’s the school spirit and activities director and a student section spirit leader at the non-volleyball games she attends. Hamburg knows the pulse rate of the Conner student body, and she can feel excitement building around the volleyball team.

“We’re one of the most successful teams at Conner now,” Hamburg said. “All the girls have worked so hard to make the school proud, because it didn’t used to be that way.”

In between 2005 and 2021, Conner endured 14 losing seasons in 15 years. The Cougars had nine losing seasons in a row from 2006-14 and five straight losing seasons from 2016-2020.

The turnaround in the win column came in 2021, when the Cougars finished 19-

“When coach Rabe got here, he had us all believing in ourselves, and we started winning and believing in him,” Hamburg said. “We have a lot of seniors. One of the strengths of our team is versatility, and coach is using us in a way that makes us better.”

The rest of the seniors are McKenzie Deatherage, Aubrey Depenbrock, Payton Gutzwiller, Madison Leiprecht, Carly Nehus, Jordan Potter and Jordan Ransdell.

Depenbrock is the assists leader. Nehus is second on the team in kills. Key juniors are Bailey Morris, Mackenzie Sandeen and Rhiannon Sandeen. Sophomore Annika Berwanger and freshman Shylyn Koerber have been effective youngsters.

Most are multi-positional players. Berwanger’s emergence in the middle has allowed Rabe to move Hamburg and Walker to the outside in certain situations.

“Our offense runs through the middle,” coach Rabe said. “But we want to keep other teams guessing by moving people around.”

Hamburg is all for it.

“It gets more girls involved,” she said. “It makes teams adapt to us. That never used to happen at Conner.”

sports Bishop Brossart’s Smith, Holy Cross pair become programs’ all-time scorers

Holy Cross senior forward Nico Voight (9) became the program’s all-time leading goal scorer with his 64th goal in a game recently. Photo provided | Kevin Klaene

The Holy Cross soccer duo of Ivy Hoffman and Nico Voight became the program’s alltime leading goal scorers toward the end of the regular season. And Bishop Brossart’s Tyler Smith broke the Mustangs goal-scoring record in the first game of the postseason.

Hoffman, a senior and Thomas More University commit, finished her high school career with 62 goals in 70 games. Hoffman scored 16 goals her senior year, 19 her junior year, 18 in her sophomore season and nine as a freshman. She also dished out 28 assists, as the season ended on Oct. 2 in a 3-1 loss to Beechwood in the 35th District tournament semifinals.

Voight has 27 goals and 13 assists in 21 games in a standout senior season. His career tally is 64 goals, scoring 11 in his junior campaign, 20 as a sophomore and six in his freshman season. He’s also collected 46 assists with the Indians, playing Covington Catholic in the 35th District championship on Oct. 5.

Smith scored four goals against Calvary Christian in the 37th District tournament semifinals on Oct. 3 to eclipse the record.

He’s scored 61 goals in his high school career, with a career-high 22 in his senior season. He scored 17 goals as a junior, 18 as a sophomore and got four goals in his freshman year. Smith has also recorded 45 assists as the Mustangs played in the district championship against Campbell County on Oct. 5. The assist mark is also a program record.

CovCath grads Mayer, Maile rack up noteworthy moments in Raiders, Reds games Covington Catholic graduates Michael Mayer and Luke Maile had some productive moments in their pro careers recently.

After his first career reception the week before, Mayer scored his first career NFL points against the Pittsburgh Steelers by catching a two-point conversion in the Raiders’ 23-18 loss to the Steelers on Sept.

24.

Originally from Independence, Mayer was the 2019 Gatorade Kentucky Football Player of the Year and Kentucky Football Coaches Association Mr. Football his senior season at CovCath. He led the Colonels to the Class 5A state championship that year and was

Covington Catholic alum Luke Maile just did something for the Cincinnati Reds not seen since Johnny Bench. Photo provided | Cincinnati Reds

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named title game MVP. He played on two CovCath state champions. He was selected to play tight end in the 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Mayer starred collegiately at Notre Dame, where he surpassed former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert to become the program’s all-time receptions leader at the position. Mayer was a consensus All-American his final season, becoming Notre Dame’s first at tight end since Ken MacAfee in 1976. Mayer holds all-time Fighting Irish tight end records with 180 receptions, 2,099 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns.

The Raiders selected Mayer in the second round with the 35th overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft. He was the first CovCath player to be drafted by the NFL Meanwhile, in the final week of the Major League season, Maile became the first Cincinnati 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).

Bench, one of the greatest catchers in history, is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Maile, Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball his senior year at CovCath, is in his eighth major league season and his first with the Reds.

He finished his 2023 campaign with a .235 batting average in 179 at-bats, with a career-high six home runs. The 78 games played this season were the most in his career.

Maile and Mayer are cousins and grandsons of CovCath alum Dick Maile, a member of both the Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors and Covington Catholic halls of fame as well as the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Dick Maile was also a longtime coach in Northern Kentucky.

KHSAA draw show sets pairings for volleyball, soccer state tournaments The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) draw show was held on Sept.

28 to determine the pairings for the state tournaments for soccer and volleyball.

While the first round of the tournaments was already set with the 9th Region taking on the 10th Region, the quarterfinals and beyond were drawn randomly.

In boys and girls soccer, the 9th/10th Region winner on Oct. 16 or 17 will take on the 13th/14th Region winner on either dates of Oct. 19-21.

The semifinals will take place on Oct. 25 for boys, Oct. 26 for girls, with the state championship for both being played on Oct. 28.

The 10th Region hosts the first-round state tournament matchup, while the rest of the state tournament is played at Lafayette High School in Lexington.

In volleyball, the 9th/10th Region winner to come out of the first round will face the 1st/2nd Region winner in the quarterfinals on Nov. 3. Semifinals are set for Nov. 4 at 1:30 p.m., with the championship game taking place at 7:30 p.m Nov. 4. The 10th Region hosts the first-round game, while the rest of the state tournament will be played at George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester.

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More Boone County jobs available than housing, report finds

BY DOUGLAS CLARK | LINK nky REPORTER

B

oone County is creating more jobs than it has housing for those workers, according to a newly released housing study.

A Boone County Fiscal Court special caucus meeting served as the backdrop for the breakdown of the Northern Kentucky Housing Data Study Oct. 4.

That’s according to the recently released Northern Kentucky Housing Data Study examining regional housing concerns.

“We have some major issues as we look to our future,” Boone County Judge/Executive Gary W. Moore said. “We thought having a caucus meeting from time to time might be a good way to have a discussion, gather information and collect data to discuss those things.”

A new study found that Boone County is creating more jobs than it has housing for the employees. Photo provided | Cytonn Photography via Unsplash

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sion. “And that’s going to be a limiting factor in the future.”

Typical workforce jobs include primary and secondary school teachers, distribution workers and hospital personnel, according to the study.

“There are more housing units needed for workforce in the region,” Nelson said.

“Those are people with a wage range between $15 and $25 per hour paying housing costs of $500 to $1,500 per month.”

Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton counties’ fiscal courts, as well as Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, funded the analysis.

Boone County is growing with regard to the logistics, transportation and manufacturing cluster, but a housing gap remains for lower-income workers supporting those expanding sectors, Nelson said.

“Right now there are almost 2.7 workforce jobs for every housing unit that those jobs could afford,” said Nels Nelson, senior associate at Stantec Urban Places, the firm’s housing and urban planning divi-

“Currently your vacancy is less than 5%, which means that you have a tight housing market,” Nelson told the Fiscal Court. “There is a housing production need forecast of 3,400 units by 2028, assuming the kind of growth based upon past projections.”

Other study findings include: • Boone County is projected to add 64,000 jobs by 2060.

• Boone County’s main employment sectors are in the logistics economy, with warehousing, couriers and air transport workers being central to the region’s growth since 2013.

• Boone County is deficient in smaller, less expensive rental units, as well as one- and two-bedroom ownership units.

• New construction in Boone County for homeownership is concentrated in single-family subdivisions targeting three- and four-plus bedroom households earning between $75,000 per year and $150,000.

• New construction in Boone County for the rental market is concentrated in large garden-style rental complexes with amenities – with rents ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per month.

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