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Northern Kentucky’s German roots flow much deeper than Mainstrasse PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier
BY ROBIN GEE | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR
C
ovington’s Oktoberfest, held annually in the city’s Mainstrasse Village, brings visitors from near and far to don their best lederhosen, dance, play games and – of course – hoist a few brews. It’s a fun family time where everyone can celebrate all things German, whether or not they can trace back to a German ancestor.
MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending, permit number 32 in Covington, Kentucky. The LINK nky Kenton Reader office of publications and the Periodical Pending Postage Paid at 700 Scott St., Covington, KY 41011. For mailing address or change-of-address orders: POSTMASTER: send address changes to The LINK nky Kenton Reader: 31 Innovation Alley, Covington, KY 41011 859-878-1669 | www.LINKnky.com
Yet the roots of the German culture run deep throughout Northern Kentucky. Germans were among the earliest settlers of the region. German families coming from Pennsylvania and Virginia settled in Boone County at Tanner’s Station in the 1780s. These early settlers were attracted to the rich farmland and the opportunities that westward expansion presented.
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“German people started coming to Kentucky right after the American Revolution,” said Don Tolzmann, Ph.D., retired director of the German-American Studies program at the University of Cincinnati and author of several books on German settlement and culture in our region. “By the time of the first U.S. census in 1790, almost 15% of the population had German ancestry.”
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He said three Midwestern cities – St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati – are known as the “German triangle” due to the heavy concentration of German immigrants. Settlers came from different regions, accounting for some differences in food and culture, but each city boasts a strong German heritage. In the early 1800s, a group of German families from Virginia settled in what is now Florence. They established the Hopeful Lutheran Church in 1806, known as the oldest Lutheran church west of the Alleghenies. The church is still in operation today.
on the cover A couple dances at Oktoberfest in Covington in the 1980s. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library
In Campbell County, a small group from the southwest wine country in Germany The Mainstrasse Bell Tower at Goebel Park in the 1980s. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library
Continues on page 4
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established farms and vineyards in Camp Springs. They built distinctive stone houses from local materials. A blight devastated the wine industry there at the end of the 19th century, but today the StoneBrook Winery has brought the winemaking tradition back to the area. The push and the pull Dave Schroeder is the director of the Kenton County Public Library. He’s also a descendant of Germans who settled in Ludlow and is the author of books about Ludlow, Covington and Northern Kentucky. The influx of Germans into Northern Kentucky is a result of what he calls “the push and pull of immigration.” The push of the equation was primarily economic.
Technically, Germany did not exist as a nation until 1871. Before that time, the area was a group of principalities and small city-states once part of the Holy Roman Empire. The people shared a common language and culture but were not joined as the German Empire until 1871. “If you look at the 1860 and 1870 census, people say they are from Prussia or Oldenburg or Hanover,” Schroeder said. “Well into the 1900s, they are still making those distinctions.” By the mid-1800s, there were things happening in Europe that would have a great impact on immigration. “One of those was the lack of land,” Schroeder said. “Population was booming in much of western Europe, including Germany. The number of people being born
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The tradition at the time was for the oldest son to inherit any family property. If you were not that lucky sibling, you could work for him on the farm or set out on your own. Many became tenant farmers, moving from place to place depending on the season, traveling as far away as the Netherlands to find work. “Others moved to the cities as industrialization happened, but many had been rural farmers. Their whole world had been turned upside down,” Schroeder said. “For many, it was subsistence living or taking a risk and going elsewhere. So many took that risk.” The ’48ers Although the main push was economic, European politics also played a role – one
that led to the largest wave of German emigration to North America. Europe had undergone 20 years of war under Napoleon. The people were heavily taxed to fund the wars, and young men were routinely drafted into the French army. People wanted a change, Tolzmann said. Disappointment and frustration throughout Europe set off a series of revolutions. For people in Germany, this finally came to a head in 1848 with an attempted revolution that failed. This caused many to flee, especially young people who had played a direct role in the revolution. Emigration to the U.S. picked up dramatically after the revolution, so much so that the immigrants became known as the “’48ers.” And most came from two particu-
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Kenton County Public Library Director Dave Schroeder. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor
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lar places – Oldenburg and Hanover, both in northwestern Germany. “When I look at records from northern Germany, it’s like looking at a Northern Kentucky phonebook,” Schroeder said. “It’s the same names of people I’ve worked with, I’ve gone to school with. … Probably my ancestors knew their ancestors in the old country.” The ‘El Dorado of the German emigrant’ People wrote home with tales of the bustling city and towns on both sides of the Ohio River and the richness of the land in our region. Cincinnati in the 1830s to 1860s was a boom town, and that was the pull. It meant jobs and opportunity throughout the region. A little marketing didn’t hurt, either. Business along the river was exploding, and the need for labor – cheap labor – was great. Savvy individuals sent flyers to Germany to be posted in town halls, village squares, railroad stations – anywhere people gathered – promising steady work. “The Ohio River reminded many Germans of the River Rhine. It was called the American Rhineland,” Tolzmann said. “Books were written about our area.” In fact, Tolzmann has written a book about Friedrich Gerstäcker, a popular travel writer and novelist during that era. Gerstäcker wrote often of the Ohio River valley and called the Cincinnati area the “the El Dorado of the German emigrant.” A strong community From the very beginning of immigration into Northern Kentucky, Germans brought
with them a strong sense of community and unity. Soon after arrival, they set about organizing churches, businesses and a wide variety of social societies from shooting clubs to singing groups. “Northern Kentucky is full of Catholic and Protestant churches that have German roots,” Schroeder said. “Many times you will go to a small city like Ludlow, where I grew up, and you will find a German Catholic and an Irish Catholic Church within two blocks of one another. One church could have accommodated the congregation, but the language difference was a barrier.” Both Catholic and German Protestant churches established schools for their parishioners. Schools in German areas, both public and private, taught lessons in German. Germans with skills in the carpentry trades or in butchering, tailoring and other services found work and established their own businesses. The immigrants established fire services, banks and savings and loans, and, of course, breweries and taverns. One of the most distinct of German organizations was the Turners. A movement that began in Germany, the Turners were dedicated to physical fitness, German culture and liberal politics. One of the earliest Turner organizations was established in Cincinnati in 1848. German residents of Newport founded their Turners in 1852, and Turners formed in Covington in 1855. Anti-immigrant sentiment By the 1850s, German immigrants, as well as the Irish, faced growing hostility and sometimes violence by nativist groups.
Maerton Bros. Flour & Feed in Newport. Photo provided | Northern Kentucky Views
“There was resentment, initially, because they came in such great numbers,” Tolzmann said. “You have to remember that in the early 1800s, the German population was maybe around 5%. And then, by the time of the Civil War, you’re getting close to being one-third German born in the area, and with children, that’s almost half the population. It had a tremendous impact on a lot of different customs and traditions.” One of the flashpoints was beer on Sunday. In the Anglo American tradition, Sunday is a day of rest, worship and quiet contemplation – and no alcohol. The Germans referred to this as “Puritan Sunday.” The Germans, on the other hand, celebrated “Continental Sunday,” a day for festivity,
family and fun. The Germans detested the Sunday laws prohibiting the sale and consumption of alcohol and worked to change them whenever they could. To them, beer was an essential part of any meal or social event. “This related to a philosophical point of view the Germans had about government,” Tolzmann said. “They strongly believed in personal liberty. And that meant they felt that government – be it local, regional or national – had no right to legislate what you drink or think.” He described an incident in 1856 involving the Northern Kentucky Turners that Continues on page 6
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earned coverage in the New York Times. The Covington Turners were having a picnic, and a group of youngsters began throwing stones and jeering at them. Someone grabbed a beer stein out of one of the Turners’ hands, and things escalated from there.
Revelers compete in beer barrel-rolling at Oktoberfest in Covington during the 1980s. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library
The Turners were surrounded and ran over to the Turner Hall in Newport. Holding up in the hall, they brandished weapons and faced off with their harassers. The police came, but the Turners refused to give up their weapons or come out for fear of further attacks. Finally, a German American lawyer from Cincinnati arrived and worked out a deal. The Turners would give up their weapons in the morning and return to their homes. They also agreed to stand trial for disturbing the peace, but they were later acquitted. The Germans and the Civil War Most German immigrants were strongly opposed to slavery. In fact, an anti-slavery stance was a requirement to become a Turner. Some became involved in the Underground Railroad early on. Coming from a divided region, one in which they fought and failed to establish unity, they were also against the idea of secession. When the Civil War broke out, many joined the Union cause even though Kentucky remained neutral at the start of the war. “When in 1861 Lincoln issued his call for troops to volunteer for the Union Army, the Germans in Northern Kentucky had no choice but to go across the river and form or join regiments that were formed there,” Tolzmann said.
The Wiedemann Brewing Co. once used horses for beer delivery. Photo provided | Campbell County Historical Society
In 1862, when the Confederate forces came further north with plans to capture Cincinnati, German regiments were among the troops that dug in and set up a defensive rim around the area. Some of the anti-immigrant hostilities subsided when the Civil War broke out because, unlike many volunteers, the Germans had military experience. For the German people, it was an opportunity to prove their patriotism. Germans in World Wars I and II The first World War was a heartbreak for German Americans. They urged the U.S. to remain neutral in the war. “They did support the German cause and collected for the Red Cross, for the widows and orphans in Germany,” Tolzmann said. “But when it finally came to the outbreak of war, people of German background patriotically did their duty.” Schroeder said it was a time of fear and mistrust for many German Americans. “To be outwardly German, speaking German or participating in German activities, looked a bit suspicious to many Americans,” he said. People changed or Anglicized their names. Businesses changed their names. Street names changed. The German National Bank in Covington became the Liberty National Bank. Bremen Street in Covington became Pershing Street after Gen. John Pershing. Newport’s German Street became Liberty Street. German language was banned in schools, and German books were removed from the
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cal point of German culture and family life, also disappeared, never to return. The 18th Amendment outlawing the manufacture, transportation or sale of alcohol lasted from 1920 to 1933. For the small breweries, there were few options. “They couldn’t produce beer, and so many of them went to selling soft drinks,” Schroeder said. “It’s where we get the term soft and hard drink. Or they just shut down. Weideman and Bavarian made it through and were able to reopen. The smaller ones did not.”
German American brewer George Wiedemann. Photo provided | Don Tolzmann
libraries. Copies of German newspapers were burned. For many Germans, World War II re-emphasized that being German was not a source of pride. Both Tolzmann and Schroeder agreed that the 1940s through 1960s were especially hard for the German community. The culture and traditions that had existed in the U.S. for 100 years seemed to all but disappear. Another nail: prohibition Beer has always been a large part of German life and culture. Northern Kentucky boasted some big operations, including Wiedemann Brewing Co. in Newport and Bavarian in Covington, but there were also dozens of smaller beer businesses. They all struggled during the anti-German sentiment of World War I, but it was Prohibition that put the last nail in the coffin for many small breweries. Beer gardens, a fo-
we started seeing people embracing their roots and wanting to know who they were and where they came from. And so, we’ve been spending the last 50 years helping them do that, which has been a fun ride.” Cities and towns throughout Northern Kentucky found promoting their history was a great draw for tourists. With the help of a block grant and local enthusiasm, Covington created the Mainstrasse Village in 1980. Now a thriving focal point for the city, it features German-themed shops and restaurants and a fountain depicting The Goose Girl from a fairy tale by the Brothers
Grimm. The city also revitalized nearby Goebel Park, named for William Goebel, a German American who became governor of the state (although he was assassinated after only a few days in office). The park features a clock tower with a German Gothic-style glockenspiel dedicated in 1979. “If you scratch the surface here, you’re bound to find there’s some German involvement,” Tolzmann said. “It’s a very important part of everyday life, from the beer we drink to the goetta we eat.”
Tolzmann said that Prohibition didn’t stop people from making home brew in their basements, garages or barns, and many people did. Wiedemann’s continued to brew for a time after Prohibition thanks to a connection with Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus, but the law caught up to the brewery (and later to Remus). At least one of the Wiedemann associates spent time in the federal penitentiary. The 1970s and beyond The U.S. celebrated its bicentennial in 1976. A year later, Alex Haley’s novel “Roots” became one of the most watched mini-series in television history. People of all backgrounds begin to explore their ancestry and heritage and to think about what it means to be an American. The Kenton County Public Library started its Local History and Genealogy Department in the 1970s. “It’s amazing,” Schroeder said. “Those years … how many historical societies were formed across the country. Genealogical societies, museums. … At the library,
A sign in Covington that showed the mistrust of German Americans after World War I. Photo provided | Don Tolzmann
OCTOBER 20, 2023 7
Kroger to open new location at empty Kmart site in Edgewood
O
BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky REPORTER
ne of Edgewood’s largest vacant retail properties will soon be home to Northern Kentucky’s newest Kroger.
A midsize Kroger is set to be built on the site of the shuttered Kmart at 3071 Dixie Highway. Additionally, a gas station will be constructed in front of the shopping center. The gas station will be built on the site of the closed Pizza Hut. Built in 1971, the property is 17 acres, or 740,525 square feet, according to Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator records. Keller Williams Realtor Katrina Robke Holtmeier interviewed Edgewood City Council member Jeff Schreiver in a video posted to Facebook on Sept. 26. In the video, Schreiver discussed the project plans, mentioning that the new Kroger will be a similar size to the Fort Mitchell Kroger.
A Kroger will be built on the site of a shuttered Kmart located at 3071 Dixie Highway in Edgewood. A gas station will be built in front of the shopping center. Photo provided | Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator
He also noted that the shuttered Kmart building will be demolished, and then a Kroger with a conjoined pharmacy will be constructed in its place. The Dollar Tree located directly next to the building will remain, according to Schreiver. “It’s going to be a huge improvement to the property,” he said. “When Kroger comes in,
they’re going to do this right.” Schreiver said Kroger is still working to get some permits approved for the project.
When asked how Edgewood residents have responded to the project, Schreiver said that people are very excited.
“We believe they are going to start working on tearing down over the winter,” Schreiver said. “(They will) start construction maybe April, May of next year, so it will be 2025 before it’s totally complete.”
“It’s been a long time coming,” Schreiver said. “Edgewood has been working behind the scenes, just to make sure that it kept moving along.”
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kenton county news briefs Roebling Books hosts fREADom Fest during Banned Books Week
Fort Wright condemns homophobic vandalism, calls behavior ‘repugnant’
Roebling Books in Covington held an event, called fREADom Fest, on Oct. 7 to promote the freedom of information within the community during Banned Books Week, which ran from Oct. 1-7.
The city of Fort Wright vocally condemned a recent act of vandalism at the home of a local couple at the city’s first council meeting of October. Neighbors and city leaders spoke out at the meeting, expressing their support for the couple, who are women, and the council approved a resolution condemning the acts and others like them.
“(This event) is in celebration of the reading of books and fighting censorship, especially pointing out the fact that most banned books are banned because they speak to marginalized voices and communities,” said Syd Kleinholz, a Roebling Books employee. Kleinholz said that banning books containing information about critical race theory, LGBTQ+ narratives and themes that have been deemed by some parents to be sexually graphic or violent in nature is “another form of oppression.” As a privately owned bookstore, Kleinholz said, Roebling doesn’t experience many of the bans firsthand.
Roebling Books in Covington hosted fREADom Fest on Oct. 7 during Banned Books Week. Photo by Abigail Shoyat | LINK nky contributor
“The frontlines of the book bans are public schools and public libraries,” said Kleinholz. The hope, Kleinholz said, is that events like these can foster community awareness. “Over the last several years, they have been doing more and more community events and more things related to activism,” said patron Jamie Maier. “It’s definitely something I wanted to support.”
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Elise Sebastian, one of the owners of the vandalized house, also addressed City Council members, asking them to consider the passage of a fairness ordinance, which she believes would discourage similar incidents in the future. Police investigation of the crime is ongoing. “The vandalized house was once the home of my best friend, which makes this even more personal for me,” Mayor David Hatter said in a statement at the beginning of the meeting.
outraged, disgusted and deeply concerned by this criminal act,” he said. “(I want) every resident of and visitor to Fort Wright (to feel) safe and welcome here and treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, religion, gender or orientation,” Hatter said. “There’s simply no place in Fort Wright, in Kentucky or anywhere else for the type of repugnant behavior that sadly occurred here.” The vandalism occurred in the middle of September when someone spray-painted the words “Hell is Real” on the side of the home of Sebastian and her wife, Hannah Wintorn, just below their daughter’s window. A suspect has not yet been identified, but Police Chief Ed Butler said that the department believed the crime was at the very least motivated by bias. He said that a judge would need to determine whether the vandalism met the legal criteria for a hate crime upon additional investigation.
“As mayor of the city of Fort Wright, I’m
Continues on page 10
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Neighborhood Collaborative names Beautification Awards winners for Covington The Covington Neighborhood Collaborative, a community advocacy organization that aims to represent the interests of Covington’s 18 neighborhoods, announced the winners of the city’s Beautification Awards at its Sept. 14 meeting. In addition, the organization committed to being the primary sponsor for next year’s awards at its meeting in October.
ESERVE
business owners who performed building improvements and renovations on their properties throughout the city’s neighborhoods. The awards were originally administered by the Friends of Covington organization, but that group disbanded in December 2021. This year was the first year the neighborhood collaborative served as the awards’ primary sponsor.
the best
“It’s clear that the event was a success and provided plenty of positive support for people all over the city who do everything that they can to make their neighborhoods and the city as a whole a more attractive place to live and do business,” Bill Wells, chair of the collaborative, said in a press release. “Although it takes a lot of work and money to organize the program, it’s clear to me that this organization will come back as the primary sponsor for a second year next fall.” The awards were issued to 24 residents and
The winners of this year’s beautification awards, by neighborhood, as well as the streets where they performed their work, are: • Austinburg: Barbara Weisbrod, Delmar Place; Cornerstone Apostolic Church, the Rev. Fred Turner, Scott Street. • Central Business District: Rich’s Proper Food & Drink, Bill and Morgan Whitlow, Madison Avenue. • Eastside: Kelli Dillon, Scott Street; Bean Haus Bakery, Tim Eversole, Greenup Street. • Historic Licking Riverside: Scot and Constance Kopp, Garrard Street; Kathleen Comisar, East Second Street.
• Latonia: Kellie and Dennis Hamilton, East 36th Street. • Levassor Park: James Reynolds and John Messmer, Levassor Avenue. • Lewisburg: Nancy and Dave Brossart, West 12th Street. • MainStrasse: Cedar Restaurant, Jeremy Faeth, Main Street; Joe and Andrea Stevie, Greer Street. • Monte Casino: Doug and Bonnie Matherly, Monte Lane. • Mutter Gottes: Jayme Porkolab, Craig Street; Michael Foellger, Russell Street. • Old Seminary Square: Carole Carter, Banklick Street; Greg and Beverly Paeth, Russell Street. • Peaselburg: St. Augustine Church, the Very Reverend Daniel Schomaker, West 19th Street; Gary and Jae Bishop, Highland Avenue. • South Covington: Janet Samples, Tando Way. • Wallace Woods: Tom and Sara Covert, Eastern Avenue; Jay and Kate Smith, Wallace Avenue. • Westside: Joan Morris, Berry Street; Fritz Kuhlmann, Fisk Street.
meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Center for Great Neighborhoods, 321 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. All meetings are open to the public.
A house in the Mutter Gottes neighborhood in Covington. Photo provided | Covington Neighborhood Collaborative
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news from other places ‘Enough monkey business’: Indianapolis police capture pet primate who went on lam
Officer Lt. William Carter, left, with an unidentified person holding a monkey named Momo in Indianapolis. The monkey spurred an hourslong search. Photo provided | Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department via AP
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Momo the monkey’s taste of freedom is over. The primate spurred an hourslong search on Indianapolis’ east side after he escaped on Oct. 4 from his owner’s property. But the male patas monkey was finally captured safely, police said. Momo was captured by the brother of the monkey’s owner after police tracked the primate to the bathroom of a house under construction, said Lt. William Carter of the
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
be played just outside of Cincinnati for another 25 years.
“That was more than enough monkey business for us,” the department said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce Momo’s capture.
“The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay,” Beemok Capital founder and CEO Benjamin Navarro said in a statement. “The city of Mason, Warren County, the state of Ohio and multiple corporate entities demonstrated their unwavering support for the tennis tournament.”
Carter said police were called on a report of “an aggressive animal” that turned out to be the monkey on the run. After his capture, Momo was taken into the care of Indianapolis’ Animal Care Services, which turned him over to staff at the Indianapolis Zoo for now, said Katie Trennepohl, deputy director of Indianapolis Animal Care Services.
Founded in 1899, the Western & Southern Open is the longest-running professional tennis tournament played in its city of origin. It is one of the world’s largest nine tournaments where men and women compete at the same time. Beemok Capital acquired the tournament from the USTA in 2022 and looked at relocating the tournament, perhaps to Charlotte, North Carolina.
After nail-biting process, Western & Southern Open will remain in Cincinnati MASON, Ohio (AP) — The nation’s longest-running tennis tournament is staying in Cincinnati.
Sittenfeld, former Cincinnati council member, sentenced to 16 months in federal prison
Amid speculation the tournament would move, Beemok Capital announced on Oct. 10 that the Western & Southern Open will
CINCINNATI (AP) — A former Cincinnati City Council member has been sentenced
to 16 months in federal prison on bribery and attempted extortion convictions. U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Cole imposed the sentence Oct. 10 on 37-year-old P.G. Sittenfeld, who had P.G. Sittenfeld walks been considered a into the courthouse in top contender for Cincinnati. Photo by Paul the mayor’s office Weeden | WCPO before he was indicted in November 2020. Sittenfeld was convicted of the two charges but acquitted of four other counts by a jury that deliberated for more than 12 hours last year. He maintained his innocence after he was accused of accepting $40,000 in payments to his political action committee to “deliver the votes” in the council for a proposed downtown real estate development. Prosecutors sought a 33-month to 41-month term, while Sittenfeld asked for house arrest or community service.
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The Secret Garden: Hidden Dreams, Quiet Screams, Whispers that Seep from the Leaves, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Eva G. Farris Art Gallery in the Benedictine Library, Thomas More University, 333 Thomas More Parkway, Crestview Hills. Art exhibit by Stephanie Berrie. Free. Boone County Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1961 Patrick Drive, Burlington
Sunday 21
Campbell County Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, 709 Monmouth St., Newport. Reforest NKY 2023, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Devou Park near Rotary Grove Memorial, 1 Bandshell Blvd., Covington. Annual volunteer and education event. Visit nkyurbanforestry.wildapricot.org/ reforest-nky for details.
Monday 22
Chelsea Ryann’s Festival of Hope, 2-5 p.m., Lloyd Memorial High School, 450 Bartlett Ave., Erlanger. Games and activities for all ages. Fundraiser to help students searching for hope. Visit chelsearyann.org.
Tuesday 23
24
Crescent Springs City Council meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 739 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs
Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Fiscal Court, 2950 Washington St., Burlington
Newport City Commission meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 998 Monmouth St., Newport
Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:306:30 p.m., Covington Courthouse, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Covington
The Importance of Starting Now-Plan for Life After High School, 6-7:30 p.m., Kenton County Library, 502 Scott Blvd., Covington. Seminar for teens, parents and adults. For more information, email hsmith@covefcu. com. Free.
Rivertown Bazaar, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 830 Elm St., Ludlow. Local artists, bakers and craftspeople. Visit Facebook @RivertownBazaar. Free.
Wednesday
Cold Spring City Council meeting, 7:30-8:30 p.m., City Building, 5694 E. Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring
25 Hike the Trails, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Boone County Environmental & Nature Center, 9101 Camp Ernst Road, Union. Self-guided hike, no dogs, weather permitting.
Florence City Council business meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence Covington Commission legislative meeting, 6-7 p.m., City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington Crittenden City Council meeting, 7-8 p.m., City Building, 117 S. Main St., Crittenden
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Thursday
For more events, scan the QR code or visit: https://linknky. com/events/
26 LINK nky’s 2nd Birthday Celebration, 6-8 p.m., The Pinnacle Ballroom, 6 E. Fifth St., Covington. Celebrate our birthday, kick off our annual fundraising campaign and hear about a big announcement. RSVP to jgreen@linknky.com or call 859-878-1669. $50. All proceeds benefit the NKY Community Journalism Fund. Covington Business Council: New Member Orientation, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Covington Business Council Office, 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd., Suite 160, Covington. Registration limited to 10. Email acarleski@cbcky.com. Free.
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12 OCTOBER 20, 2023
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Custom 1980s Villa Hills home offers beautiful outdoor living space Address: 879 Squire Oaks Drive, Villa Hills Price: $1.3 million Bedrooms: Five Bathrooms: Three (plus one half-bath) Square feet: 4,041 School district: Kenton County The home on Squire Oaks Drive in Villa Hills has more than 4,000 square feet of space. Photo provided | Trina Ellis with Coldwell Banker Realty
County: Kenton Special features: Built in 1983, this custom Villa Hills home really looks like its era, with plenty of carpets and funky wallpaper throughout. Sitting on 1.05 acres, this home’s over 4,000 square feet of space features five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The property offers a massive outdoor entertaining space with an inground heated pool and hot tub, plus a stone bar under a gazebo overlooking a pond.
This 1980s-era home features a grand entryway. Photo provided | Trina Ellis with Coldwell Banker Realty
A pool and massive outdoor entertaining space overlook a pond on over an acre of property. Photo provided | Trina Ellis with Coldwell Banker Realty
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Kim Hermann Executive Sales Vice President HUFF REALTY 859.468.6429 KHermann@huff.com
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
Price
Sale Date
2546 Wagoner Road 18966 Highway 10 745 N N Bend Road 1749 Elijah Creek Road 1739 Barons Cove 1487 Bottomwood Drive 2185 Canyon Court 1517 Southcross Drive 2796 Ridgefield Drive 6404 River Road 2940 Northcross Drive 2969 Northcross Drive Drive 1047 Rivermeade Drive 1896 Falcon Crest Circle 2158 Penny Lane 1014 Jackson Road 1151 Cleveland Avenue 1050 Altavia Avenue 541 Scenic Drive 1068 Jackson Road
California California Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Hebron Park Hills Park Hills Park Hills Park Hills Park Hills
$350,000 $205,000 $230,000 $234,900 $377,900 $384,900 $289,900 $385,000 $271,300 $105,000 $509,900 $534,900 $299,000 $265,000 $360,543 $275,000 $642,500 $320,000 $790,000 $722,000
9/11/2023 9/11/2023 9/6/2023 9/6/2023 9/8/2023 9/8/2023 9/7/2023 9/8/2023 9/13/2023 9/11/2023 9/13/2023 9/15/2023 9/19/2023 9/22/2023 9/26/2023 9/8/2023 9/14/2023 9/14/2023 9/18/2023 9/22/2023
OCTOBER 20, 2023 13
features
Streetscapes travels to the Forts for ridiculously good food
F
or this Streetscapes, we visit a small diner for breakfast, a patio pub for lunch and dinner, and we end with some grocery shopping. Join us as we head to the forts, Fort Wright and Fort Mitchell Fort Wright Family Restaurant There are few places that one can find truly cheap eats that are also delicious. The slogan exemplifies this mentality: “a lot for a little.”
PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR Fort Wright Family Restaurant has been serving the same quality breakfast bites since the 1980s. It has all the breakfast staples, from savory goetta and eggs to giant fluffy pancakes drenched in syrup. Portions and prices bring customers back each morning. Most items are around $10 and give customers diner options with homecooked taste. “The Special” – with two eggs, home fries, breakfast meat, toast and coffee – ensures all patrons leave with a full stomach. For lunch, the 1-pound BLT – with 15 pieces of bacon stuffed into a double-decker sandwich with tomato, lettuce and mayo – is a feat that even the weariest travelers have a hard time finishing. Fort Wright Family Restaurant seats and serves customers quickly even on the busiest mornings, so the next Saturday morning when the family is craving brunch, check it out and save both time and money, while still leaving satisfied. Fort Mitchell Public House Only mere minutes away, yet in a different “Fort,” the Fort Mitchell Public House serves “upscale pub fare with Cajun flare.” It’s open for lunch and dinner and has ample options for all palates and diets.
“The Special” from Fort Wright Family Restaurant, with two eggs, goetta, home fries, a side of toast and coffee.
Crab cakes or corn fritters are great starters to tide guests over while they decide between the bourbon-glazed pork chops or famous jambalaya. Not in a Creole food
PUBLIC NOTICE APPLYING FOR ABC LICENSE Umi Sushi & Grill Inc., 7951 US Highway 42, Florence, KY 41042, hereby declares its intention to apply for an NQ Retail Drink Licnese - Restaurant License, no later than October 23, 2023. The business to be licensed will be located at, 7951 US Highway, Florence, KY 41042 doing business as Sea Sushi & Grill. President, Hai Bin Lin, Florence, KY 41042. Any person, association, corporation, or body politic may protest the granting of the license by writing the Department of Alcoholic Beverages, 500 Mero Street 2NE33, Frankfort, KY 40601, within thirty (30) days (pursuant to KRS 243.430) of the date of legal publication. 14 OCTOBER 20, 2023
mood? The spinach baked pasta or flatbreads are great substitutes. Fort Mitchell Public House has both indoor and outdoor seating. Its indoor seating is cozy, with timeless décor. When dining on the outside patio, one easily forgets that busy Dixie Highway is on the other side. The owners create privacy with a wall of greenery, accented with string lights, that blocks the sights and sounds of cars and pedestrians.
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.
The restaurant has a variety of craft cocktails and bar basic beers and wines. Sticking true to the Cajun theme, the “bayou beauty” is a mix of Bayou silver rum, St. Germain liqueur, grapefruit juice and lime. Guests who visit are always impressed with the ambiance and food, making this a popular local destination. Bill Finke & Sons For those who haven’t been to Finke’s, it’s a local family-run grocery and butcher shop, best known for its famous goetta. It specializes in meats, and guests can shop for steaks, chicken, sausages and cold cuts, both fresh and frozen options. Outside of meats, it has pre-made frozen meals, from lasagnas to stuffed meats. From the deli it serves lunch; from sandwiches to salads, it’s quick, convenient and of the best quality. The deli selection is ideal for those throwing a party, with an ample selection of dips and side dishes that they can stock up on to keep their guests full. Anyone who knows anything about goetta is familiar with Finke’s. It’s a familiar favorite in the area and consistently considered one of the best, if not the best, in the region. Bill Finke & Sons is family-owned and -operated for over 100 years and still has an old-timey feel. This kind of hospitality and care for customers can be hard to find. The owner can be found passing out candy to kids, showing them as much compassion as any other customer who walks in the doors.
Bill Finke & Sons sign on Amsterdam Road.
What to Know If You Go: Fort Wright Family Restaurant Location: 1860 Ashwood Circle, Fort Wright Hours: Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 859-331-8359
Fort Mitchell Public House Location: 2053 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell Hours: Sunday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Phone: 859-331-0867 Website: fortmitchellpub.com
Bill Finke & Sons Location: 1502 Amsterdam Road, Fort Wright Hours: Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Monday, closed; Tuesday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Phone: 859-261-8899
A farewell to swings as Cooper seniors ride off into the golf sunset
A
nd now, a little more down time for the Cooper High School girls golf team.
“It was a long season, but we had a lot of fun,” senior Kendall Brissey said. “We’ve had a heck of a ride, for sure.”
BY MARC HARDIN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR “Mind-blowing,” Brissey said. “It’s crazy to think how much we’ve improved. That’s a credit to our coach. He’s helped us be better golfers and better people. All of us are really close.” The team’s superstar agreed.
Cooper placed third at the state golf tournament, capping an unprecedented fouryear run featuring program firsts, team records, individual team marks and a bucket full of memories.
“The four seniors have become some of my closest friends,” junior Reagan Ramage said. “They showed me how a team should work. All the young girls on our team, they contributed, too. It was a team effort.”
“I had a great time playing golf and building relationships,” said senior Eva Maley. “Everybody did a great job.”
Ramage has won the Region 7 individual championship four straight years. She’s also a two-time NKAC champ with victories in 2020 and 2021 and runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2023. She placed tied for fourth individually at this year’s state tournament after finishing fifth last year. She medaled at a pair of regular season tournaments and finished with an 18-hole tournament average of 72.8 with a low score of 69. She was named first-team all-state for the second year in a row.
The Jaguars have won four consecutive Region 7 girls golf championships and five straight Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference crowns. They won a program-record seven tournaments this year. They shot a school record 289 team score at the St. Elizabeth tournament at Kenton County Pioneer and carded a team total of 313 at the Region 7 tournament. The Jaguars posted their second-best state tournament round score of 316 this year en route to a final score of 643 for a third-place finish, just one shot out of second. The Jaguars have finished top-five at state four years in a row, including third the past two years and fifth two straight years. How big of an improvement are those totals? The Jaguars in 2018 shot a regional team score of 433.
Jaguars senior golfer Eva Maley was named first team all-state after being a second-team choice last year. Photo provided | Bob Jackson
“Reagan is the ultimate competitor who thrives on playing against top competition,” said coach Joe Deters. “While her skills are exceptional, so is her preparation. Her ability to play through tough stretches is what sometimes separates her from the field.” If not for the gifted Ramage, Maley might be regarded as the region’s top player. Also a first-team all-state pick, Maley has been consistently right behind Ramage at most events and has sometimes finished ahead. Maley placed fourth at the Region 7 tournament and was previously third and runner-up twice. She’s won the NKAC tournament each of the past two years and finished runner-up twice. She shot a career-best 68 at this year’s St. Elizabeth tournament. She carried an 18-hole tournament average of 75.3. “Eva is one of the hardest workers I’ve coached. Combined with her ability, it has made her a top player in the region for five years,” coach Deters said. “If she struggled with a part of her game during a tournament, she was out the next day working specifically on that. It was rare that she struggled in a round twice in a row.”
Cooper’s girls golf team won its fourth straight 7th Region team championship this year. Photo provided
Brissey, named second-team all-state, finished tied for second at the Region 7 tournament and was previously runner-up, and third twice. She was fourth at this year’s NKAC tournament. An Indiana Wesleyan University commit, Brissey was a regular-season stalwart with four tournament wins, including two with back-toback scores of 69, a career-low. Her 18-hole tournament average was 76.3.
“Sydney made the top five on the team this year,” Deters said. “She’s another incredibly competitive player who doesn’t want to give up anything. I appreciate the effort she made to improve.”
“It was so great to see Kendall have the type of year she had,” Deters said. “She worked hard and was able to improve her approach shots and short game to become an elite player.” Senior Ava Finke is overshadowed by her star teammates, but she’s a solid golfer. Finke finished seventh at both the Region 7 tournament and NKAC event. Her 18-hole tournament average was 86.4 with a low of 81. “Ava really grew. She went from a player who could crush the ball to a player that could play facets of the game,” Deters said. “During her sophomore year, she was stuck behind more experienced tournament players but was ready last year to step into the top five, and the team didn’t miss a beat.” Senior Sydney Koenig finished 10th at the Region 7 tournament. Her 18-hole tournament average was 105 with a low of 87. OCTOBER 20, 2023 15
sports NFHS Coach of the Year honor awarded to Collins, Meyers, Hertsenberg
Covington Catholic’s tennis team won the 2023 state team title. Coach Al Hertsenberg recently garnered NFHS Coach of the Year distinction in Kentucky. Photo provided
Three Northern Kentucky coaches earned National Federation of High Schools Coach of the Year honors for the 2022-23 seasons. Ryle boys soccer coach Stephen Collins, Covington Catholic tennis coach Al Hertsenberg and Beechwood girls track-and-field coach David Meyers earned the distinction. Collins has led Ryle to seven 9th Region titles since the start of his tenure in 2004, and the Raiders are 11-0 in 9th Region play this season leading into the 9th Region tournament. Collins also helped guide the Raiders to the state championship game in 2006 and 2011, with trips to the state semifinals in 2017, 2020 and 2022. He’s led the Raider program to a record of 311-108-43 in 20 seasons. Hertsenberg led the Colonels to their first team state title in program history during the 2023 season. CovCath has won 21 straight 9th Region titles, with Hertsenberg guiding the program for the past 33 seasons. CovCath also won the first doubles championship in program history when Kalei Christiansen and Alex Yeager were able to pull off the feat.
Meyers helped lead the Beechwood girls to a second state title in program history during the 2023 season, also winning the Class 1A, Region 4 title. He also led the Tigers to a Class A state title in 2019. From the KHSAA: As part of its annual awards program, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association recognizes Coach of the Year honorees from each state. Those named Coach of the Year at the state level then advance for consideration for Sectional Coach of the Year honors. Winners are chosen through a combination of their coaching accomplishments, particularly for the season in question, as well as their contributions outside of competition to help grow their respective sports. These awards are announced following the recognized year.
Ryle alum Morgan back in Minn. with Vikings; Verax tops his passing record
a chance where his college career began, at the University of Minnesota. With the Golden Gophers, Morgan started 47 games between 2018-22, winning 33, which is the most in school history. Morgan also owns a number of school records, most notably in passing yards (3,253) and touchdowns (30) in a season. Morgan graduated from Ryle in 2017 and is in the all-time KHSAA record book for being 10th in completions (681) and ninth in passing yards (10,303). He played two seasons with the Raiders after transferring from Hazard. His 5,421 passing yards were a school record until this season, when Logan Verax broke the mark. Verax has since cleared 6,000 yards and is the eighth-highest in Northern Kentucky currently in terms of passing yards for a career, with 6,223. Beechwood’s Cameron Hergott tops the list with 8,537 yards, followed by the Highlands trio of Gino Guidugli (7,516 yards), Patrick Towles (7,431) and Jared Lorenzen (6,821).
Cooper, Beechwood cross-country teams win combined NKAC meet
Logan Verax eclipsed the 6,000 passing yard career mark in the Raiders’ 37-36 overtime victory over Campbell County. Photo provided | Raider Sports Network
From college to the pros, Tanner Morgan is back in Minnesota after signing with the Vikings practice squad. The Ryle High School alum recently signed with the NFL team. He was with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the preseason as an undrafted free agent, but the team released him before the regular season. Now he gets
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Cooper’s boys cross-country team won the combined overall Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference meet on Oct. 7 at Idewild Park in Burlington. The Jaguars had the lowest score between the two Divisions that competed, with 62 points. Paul Van Laningham took home medalist honors in a time of 15:47.90. Following Van Laningham on the Jaguars was Salah Farah (16:44.10), Noah Miller (16:44.80), Preston Winiger (17:13.50) and Micah Brandeberry (17:39.40) for the Jaguars scoring. Farah was sixth, Miller eighth, Winiger 10th and Brandeberry 15th overall.
EACH WEEK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY SELECTS
Cooper’s boys cross-country team won the NKAC meet in Burlington on Oct. 7. Photo provided | Cooper High School
The Jaguars are set to compete in the Class 3A, Region 5 meet on Oct. 21. While Cooper was the Division II winner, Villa Madonna was the Division I winner. The Vikings’ top three runners finished fourth, fifth and sixth, with Ethan Martin (17:02.90), Mark Antrobus (17:04.20) and Adam Kolar (17:07.30). Bishop Brossart’s Nathan Ruth was the Division I individual medalist. Beechwood’s girls took home first place at the NKAC meet, winning in the overall standings with 44 points. The Tigers were led by Lily Parke, finishing second overall in a time of 19:57.70 and taking home medalist honors in Division I. Beechwood snagged four of the top five spots in the Division I standings and five of the top 17 spots overall out of the 14 teams that competed. Following Parke was Nora Wilke (20:31.60), Charli Gerrein (21:05.20), Annie Harris (21:38.20) and Isabel Ginter (21:47.70) for the Tigers’ top five spots scoring. Beechwood is set to compete in the Class 1A, Region 4 meet on Oct. 21. The girls Division II winner was Campbell County, paced by medalist Olivia Holbrook in a time of 19:33. Her teammate Katherine McKee was fifth overall in a time of 20:39.
Campbell County volleyball team Photo provided | Campbell County Volleyball Facebook
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As a reminder, our honor is available to any athletics team from any sport at any level – from high school and collegiate to youth to recreational and beyond. Readers can scan the QR code to head to linknky.com to vote for the next Team of the Week.
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NKwhy: How does absentee voting work? BY MAGGY MCDONEL | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR
K
entucky’s general election is set for Nov. 7, and Kentuckians will vote for a new governor, among a few other statewide races.
we put them in the mail, they are scanned, and what that means is there's a barcode on the mailing going out so that the voter can now track what was put in the mail,” said Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe.
• Those voters covered under the Kentucky Uniform Military and Overseas Act. • Those who are incarcerated in jail but have not been convicted of the crime for which they have been charged. • Those who have changed their place of residence to a different state during a period in which their new state’s voter registration books are closed. • Those temporarily residing outside of Kentucky but still eligible to vote in the state. • Those who will be absent from their county of residence on Election Day and on all of the days that in-person absentee voting is conducted. • Those who are a participant in the Secretary of State’s crime victim address confidentiality program. • Those who are not able to appear at the polls on Election Day or on the days in-person absentee voting is conducted on account of age, disability, or illness and who have not been declared mentally disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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Of the 331,736 registered voters in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties, most will be taking to the polls on Election Day; however, some vote by mail or early. There are various reasons why someone would vote absentee, and the process of absentee, particularly mail-in voting, is hotly contested and is the subject of many voter fraud conspiracies. Voting can be complicated; from making sure you’re registered to figuring out your voting precinct and even figuring out how to fill out your ballot, there’s a lot to know when trying to exercise your civic duty. Absentee voting is more involved than standard Election Day voting. So, if you’re interested, read on to learn all about how absentee voting works in NKY.
After the ballot is sent in the mail, the voter can follow its process online and can verify when it is scanned in at the clerk’s office, although Summe said this does not mean it has been counted yet. Then, starting 14 days before the election, early voting can begin to be counted. Mail-in is not the only way to vote absentee. Next on the timeline is in-person excused absentee voting, which will be conducted Oct. 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 and Nov. 1.
This form of voting happens at the county clerk’s office, and voters have to provide an explanation as to why they cannot vote on Election Day or during the in-person no-excuse early voting. Citizens voting during this time must also sign off, promising that they will not vote on Election Day as well, which would be voter fraud.
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How does one go about voting absentee?
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Oct. 24, and ballots must be returned to the county clerk's office by Nov. 7. To receive an absentee ballot, one must prove that they fall within the categories for excused absences. Voters can fill out an absentee ballot request form online or at their county clerk’s office. The voter will need to provide their reason for the excuse, identification, and their address. From there, the county clerk will send the voter a ballot in the mail.
“You basically are signing a legal affidavit that says this is why I have to vote now,” said Summe. [ Nov. 2 through 4 is in-person no-excuse early voting, in which any registered voter can participate. Who can vote absentee? There are many reasons why a resident would have to vote absentee. The excuses approved by the state of Kentucky include:
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What are some issues with absentee voting? There are plenty of people questioning election integrity, and many of the arguments revolve around mail-in voting. Election authorities record each mail-in ballot to prevent multiple requests from the same voter. These ballots are further tracked upon their return, cross-referenced with voter registration records, and, in numerous instances, scrutinized for voter signatures to verify that the individual assigned to the ballot is indeed the one who cast it.
In Kenton County, a board of two Republicans and two Democrats is created to review the mail-in ballots. They start by reviewing the outside of the envelope and “using the statutory criteria, they decide if that’s valid, then meets all the other criteria for it to be scanned,” said Summe. Once they have cross-referenced the ballots with the requested ballots to ensure there are no duplicates, they remove the exterior envelope and pass it along in a blank envelope with no identifying information. Great care is taken to make certain that the signatures match, “The signature on the outside of the envelope must match the signature that's on their voter registration card,” said Summe. If it doesn't match, Summe says the clerk’s office sends the voter a letter asking them to sign an affidavit verifying the signature on the ballot is actually their signature. This arduous process is to ensure that the votes are counted properly and with anonymity. Nevertheless, there are still those wary of the process. Following the 2020 presidential election, former President Donald Trump and his supporters alleged that thousands of votes were fraudulently submitted in the names of deceased individuals, even identifying specific deceased individuals whose votes were purportedly included. However, as reported by the Associated Press, investigations revealed that these assertions, which gained traction in several states, including Arizona, Virginia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, were unfounded.
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Parts of suit against Ky. Dems, Roberts to move forward
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otions to dismiss in a defamation case against the Kentucky Democratic Party and Rep. Rachel Roberts (D-Newport) in Campbell County Circuit Court have been overruled, meaning certain parts of the case will move forward, according to court documents filed Oct. 4. Former Northern Kentucky candidate Jerry Gearding, who lost to Roberts in the 67th District in 2022, filed the suit in July over campaign materials he said aren’t true and have damaged his reputation. The lawsuit accuses the Kentucky Democratic Party and Roberts of sending out campaign materials ahead of the Nov. 8, 2022, election “founded in false and malicious written and verbal statements regarding Gearding.” It also accuses the state party chair, Colmon Elridge, of defaming him in a tweet ahead of the election. The materials highlighted Gearding’s alleged arrest record for domestic violence, a DUI arrest, a disorderly conduct arrest and bankruptcy that the party published on jerryforjail.com. Roberts filed motions to dismiss in August relating to two advertisements Gearding said defamed him. The first stated that Gearding has a history of domestic violence and that Roberts “works tirelessly in protecting women and victims of violent crimes from people like Jailbird Jerry Gearding.” Judge Julie Reinhardt Ward’s Oct. 4 order said that neither statement is defamatory. That motion was sustained, meaning that the accusation is dismissed.
But the second motion, relating to the advertisement that mentions Gearding’s “arrest record and pattern of behavior for … child endangerment,” was overruled, meaning the defamation case regarding that particular statement can go forward. Ward called the statement of particular concern because Gearding has never been arrested for, pled guilty to or been charged with child endangerment. “We are pleased that the court recognized that a significant portion of the suit against Rachel was completely baseless and are confident the remainder of the suit against her will be rejected once we present the court with additional evidence,” said attorney Jeff Mando in a statement. Gearding also made two claims against the Kentucky Democratic Party. The party filed motions to dismiss both claims. One of those claims was sustained, and one was overruled. The motion to dismiss that was overruled is in regard to a mailer that said Gearding has a history of domestic violence against women, detailing court records quoted in the Cincinnati Enquirer that say a woman filed two protective orders against Gearding, citing a danger of domestic violence and abuse. Next to the verbiage on the mailer is a photo of a woman with facial injuries, the opinion says. “In minuscule font in the right-hand corner, almost completely unnoticeable, is the text ‘photo depicted is a model, not an actual victim,’” Ward writes in her opinion.
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Deborah Flick
eborah Lynn Flick (nee Dietz), 66, of Hebron, Kentucky, passed away on Oct. 4, 2023, at her residence surrounded by her family. She was an HR manager for Omni Technology for 33 years. Additionally, she was active with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary and was an avid golfer.
lington, KY 41005; or the Navy SEAL Foundation, 1619 D St., Virginia Beach, VA 23459. To share a story or leave a condolence to Debbie’s family, please visit: linnemannfuneralhomes.com.
She is survived by her loving husband, David Flick; her sons, Kayne Brown and Michael (Lauren) Brown; her grandchildren, Amelia, Eloise and Magnolia; her mother, Rhoda Dietz; and her siblings, Billy, David, Timmy and Margaret Dietz. Debbie was preceded in death by her father, William “Bill” Dietz, and her sister, Becky Edmonson. A short prayer service was held on Sunday, Oct. 8, at Little Britain Carriage House, 5307 Idlewild Road, Burlington, KY 41005. It was followed by a reception at the Carriage House. The family requests that instead of sending flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: the ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022; the Boone County Sheriff’s Auxiliary, 4725 Idlewild Road, Bur-
Deborah Flick. Photo provided | Linnemann Funeral Homes
Taken as a whole, Ward writes, the mailer is defamatory.
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