LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 1, Issue 42 - September 15, 2023

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Record spending and attack ads:

KY governor's race heats up NKY leaders Lamb, Salyers become Hall of Famers p7

What you should know about your property taxes p9

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cover story

KY governor race heats up with record spending, attack ads

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Mark Collier MANAGING EDITOR Meghan Goth PRINT EDITOR Kaitlin Gebby SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader is a weekly newspaper.

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on the cover A television set displays a screenshot from one of the ads Kentucky gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Daniel Cameron is running for his campaign.

BY MARK PAYNE | LINK nky GOVERNMENT & POLITICS REPORTER

O

n a cool spring Kentucky Monday in April, an Axiom Strategies staffer stood outside Mokka Sunset on Monmouth Street in Newport, waiting to usher Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft and former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines to their next campaign event of the day in Louisville and then to another in Bowling Green later in the day.

Craft, a former United Nations ambassador, forked out nearly $11 million in the Kentucky Republican primary and had one of the most high-profile national political consultants, Axiom — a Missouri-based GOP political consulting agency — working on her campaign.

Despite all this spending and high-profile campaign work, Craft lost her bid to win the Republican nomination for Kentucky governor and instead placed third.

Attorney General Daniel Cameron went on to take the nomination.

Craft’s campaign, which spent more than $4 million on TV and radio ads through AxMedia, a division of Axiom Strategies, brought a level of spending not seen in a Kentucky governor’s race — especially in a primary.

This year’s general election race between incumbent and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, pictured, and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is expected to break spending records set in 2019. Photo by Timothy D. Easley | Associated Press

The reports show that Democrats have spent more than double that of Republicans, with $19.6 million spent so far.

While both parties are spending big on attack ads, there’s been little campaigning in Northern Kentucky — a region that proved to be crucial to Beshear’s win in 2019.

While Craft spent big on the primary, this year’s general election race between Cameron and incumbent and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is expected to break spending records set in the 2019 race against former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin.

Bevin cruised to victory in 2015 and received a strong showing in Northern Kentucky.

On Aug. 21, Medium Buying, a group that tracks political advertisement spending, said that so far in the race Democrats and Republicans had forked out $28 million — surpassing overall expenditures in the 2019 race, when Beshear beat Bevin, which totaled $26.9 million.

In 2019, Beshear flipped both Campbell and Kenton counties. In Campbell, Beshear received 52% of the vote, with 49.5% in Kenton County.

In 2019, Republican advertisers outspent Democrats nearly 4-to-1. In 2023, Democrats have outspent Republicans 2-to-1.

In Kenton County, he received 56% of the vote, and in Campbell County, 54%.

In the Republican primary in the spring, Cameron won Boone County with 48% of the vote, Campbell with 44%, and Kenton with 45%.

But, as of late August, Cameron has held

only three official campaign visits in NKY, and Beshear has held only one — though both have appeared in the region in their official capacities and campaign fundraisers that require a donation to gain entrance.

But, if Beshear and Cameron are spending so much, why are they campaigning so little in the region?

Record spending and attack ads On a hot summer morning in early August, state political reporters gathered in Mayfield, Kentucky, at the Graves County Republican Breakfast just hours before the throwdown at Fancy Farm — the state’s unique version of retail politics that allows competing politicians to roast each other, with crowds booing and cheering.

Fancy Farm is the annual kickoff to the general election season, and this year the event carried extra weight due to the gubernatorial election between Beshear and Cameron.

Continues on page 4

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 3

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Super-PACs can raise unlimited funds, while PACs have strict $5,000 donation limits.

Expecting just to hear from the state’s Republican constitutional candidates, including the gubernatorial nominee, Cameron, it came as a surprise when Republican leaders told reporters that Sen. Mitch McConnell planned to speak that morning.

PACs, or political action committees, are created for the explicit purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat political candidates, according to OpenSecrets, a campaign finance website.

McConnell’s appearance came amid a series of health events, including at the U.S. Capitol, where he momentarily lost his train of thought during a press conference, leading to other Senate members escorting him to a nearby office. (McConnell had another similar incident on Aug. 30 during a press conference in Northern Kentucky.)

The School Freedom Fund specifically “supports candidates who believe that parents should be in charge of their children’s education, not unelected education bureaucrats.”

In one July ad, they attacked Beshear over the commutations he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some questioned the de facto Republican’s leadership status among the state party.

If there were any doubts among state Republicans — or Democrats —about McConnell’s mental acuity, they were laid to rest when McConnell gave a rousing speech that the job isn’t done for Republicans, who control the state government with supermajorities in the Legislature, five of seven constitutional seats, both U.S. Senate seats and five of six U.S. congressional seats.

But it’s the governor’s office McConnell also wants, and he flew into the state to rally Republicans around his message ahead of the November election.

“We owe it to the next generation of Kentuckians to finish the job this November,” McConnell said.

But McConnell and Republicans aren’t just expending political capital to win the governor’s office — they’re also spending big on the campaign trail and advertisements.

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft speaks to supporters during a campaign stop in Liberty in May. Despite spending nearly $11 million and holding many high-profile campaign events, Craft came in third in her bid to be the Republican candidate. Photo by Timothy D. Easley | Associated Press

With only two other governor races in the country this year, in Mississippi and Louisiana, the race in Kentucky will be the one to watch — Beshear is the most popular Democratic governor in the country, and Cameron could be the first African-American elected governor in the state’s history.

It could also give Republicans complete control of state government, but they’ll first have to beat the big money machine that is the Beshear campaign.

Defending Bluegrass Values — a PAC affiliated with the Democratic Governors Association — has spent $13.4 million, while Preserve Protect and Defend has spent $45,000.

It’s also not just Republicans. Beshear and Democrats have forked out significant funds to see him win another term as KenThe 1Beshear campaign has spent $6.2 miltucky governor.

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Republican spending has totaled nearly $8.8 million, with the Kentucky Values PAC, which is tied to the Republican Governors Association, spending just under half that amount at $4.1 million.

Bluegrass Freedom Action, which recently had one of its Kentucky directors resign due to the use of racial slurs, has spent $1.1 million.

The Cameron $633,000.

campaign

has

spent

A new PAC has also entered the ad spending game in the state, which is likely to boost Republicans’ spending significantly.

School Freedom Fund, a Washington, D.C.based super-PAC backed by the conservative group Club for Growth, has spent $2.9 million.

The ad opens with a narrator saying, “These Kentucky convicts had means and motive to sexually abuse a young child, brutally strangle a woman, allegedly murder an innocent man,” with the images of three inmates.

It then says, “Gov. Beshear issued commutations for more than 1,700 inmates. A new report found that half the criminals he let out of jail went right out and committed more crimes. One-third of them committed a new felony.”

The ad’s claim that more than half of those inmates committed crimes after they were released is correct, but it doesn’t clarify that they were charged after their planned release date.

In another, they blame Beshear for a school bus debacle in the Jefferson County Public School system that left kids stranded until late at night. The busing plan was approved by the school district, and governors do not have authority over local school district decisions.

The School Freedom Fund also joined with

To schedule your appointment, please call (859) 287-3045.

Protect Freedom PAC on the ads.

schools,” said Beshear’s campaign manager Eric Hyers.

Jeff Yass, a Pennsylvania-based billionaire, has backed Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul by donating extensively to the Club for Growth PAC, which supports Paul — as well as the Making a Sensible Shift in Elections PAC that’s associated with Northern Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie.

Yass also has been a proponent of school choice and charter schools, which will likely be at the forefront of the next legislative session and Cameron’s campaign — though Cameron’s campaign has distanced itself from saying it supports school choice.

The Cameron campaign said that due to lockdowns during COVID-19 — that they blame on Beshear — Kentucky students are facing generational learning loss.

“Kentucky’s test scores have declined every year since Andy Beshear has been in office,” Cameron said. “He has failed our teachers, parents and students. He’s robbed thousands of young people of their God-given potential and their shot at the American dream.”

How reporters cover campaign spending

Yass made a $3 million donation to the Protect Freedom PAC on June 8. He made a $10 million donation to Club for Growth on June 7.

Democrats are also firing back against Cameron’s education record, with Defending Bluegrass Values releasing an ad on Aug. 8 that tries to connect Cameron to the deep unpopularity of Bevin. The ad opens with Bevin and the headline, “Bevin blames teachers.”

“After former Gov. Matt Bevin attacked Kentucky teachers, Daniel Cameron stood behind him,” the ad says. “When Bevin let murderers and sexual predators out of prison early, Cameron protected Bevin from a special prosecutor.”

The donations from the out-of-state PACs signal that education is likely to be a key part of both Beshear’s and Cameron’s campaigns: Both candidates released their education plans in mid-August.

“While Gov. Andy Beshear supports raising pay for educators and providing universal pre-K for all Kentucky students, Daniel Cameron is backing a reckless anti-public education agenda that would send our tax dollars into unaccountable private

Various parties must file with the Kentucky Registry for Election Finance (KREF) in Kentucky. These include candidates running for state or local office, executive committees and parties that must file if they plan to raise money to run for office.

The state registry is tasked with the administration, regulation and enforcement of Kentucky’s campaign finance laws, according to John Steffen, the executive director of KREF. “It is an independent agency of state government overseen by a bipartisan seven-member board,” Steffen said. “To ensure the fair and efficient enforcement of campaign finance laws, the board members and staff of the registry are prohibited from being involved in political activities.”

Steffen said it’s important to track both campaign receipts and expenditures, because there are limits to how much can be donated to candidates and committees. It’s also important to track expenditures, because this money must be spent on campaign-related items and functions, not the personal benefit of the candidate.

“It is also important for the public to see

who candidates are receiving contributions from and how that money is being spent,” Steffen said. “One of the most important functions of the registry is assuring that reports received from the candidates and committees are made available to the public.”

On the federal level, candidates running for federal office, including the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, and the presidency and vice presidency, must file with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) when they raise or spend more than $5,000 in contributions or expenditures, according to Myles Martin, a public affairs specialist with the FEC. There is an exception for registration if candidates run for office and want to test the waters.

“Additionally, political party committees and political action committees may have to file reports, depending on their activity in connection with federal elections, and specific registration thresholds apply to these groups,” Martin said. “Finally, every person, group of persons or organization, other than a political committee, that makes certain communications may be required to file certain disclosure forms with the FEC, as well as comply with disclaimer requirements for specific types of communications.”

Political committees file quarterly during election years. During odd-numbered nonelection years, they can file semiannually.

National party committees file monthly every year.

Created by Congress in 1974, the Federal Election Commission serves as an independent regulatory agency to administer and enforce federal campaign finance laws, according to Martin. It officially started operating in April 1975.

“Broadly speaking, the FEC’s three key responsibilities include facilitating public

disclosure of funds raised and spent to influence federal elections by receiving and making campaign finance reports publicly available from candidates, political parties, and other filers; civil enforcement of the federal campaign finance laws; and administering the Presidential Public Funding Program,” Martin said.

When it comes to enforcement, the agency has civil enforcement authority over campaign finance laws. Committees that fail to file disclosures can be assessed administrative fines.

“Enforcement of other types of alleged violations may be initiated by someone filing a sworn and notarized complaint with the agency if they believe a violation of the campaign finance laws has occurred or is about to occur,” Martin said. “Additionally, in the normal course of exercising its supervisory authority (such as through the review of campaign finance reports or the auditing of political committees), the FEC may initiate enforcement actions if evidence of potential violations is discovered.”

Martin further pointed out that campaign finance reports filed with the federal commission are made available to the public after filing with the agency.

“The campaign finance data contains a wealth of information that may be of interest to voters, reporters, researchers and others who wish to find out more about the financing of federal elections and campaigns,” Martin said. “Itemized contributions from individuals are searchable in the FEC database.”

Power of the incumbency For current office-holders, including Cameron and Beshear, not all campaigning happens in advertisements or on the campaign trail. Both use their office to get Continues on page 6

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publicity, giving them certain competitive advantages.

getting significant TV time during the pandemic when he delivered his weekly updates.

“Incumbents enjoy numerous advantages when running for office, but one of the most important advantages is their ability to exploit their current positions for free publicity,” said Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky.

“Instead of spending good money running advertisements, which voters might ignore or might dismiss as self-serving, elected officials can devote their time to engaging in public business that will attract news coverage and build name recognition in a more trustworthy way,” Voss said.

It happens in their current official capacity when they go to a ribbon-cutting or present a check with state money, and it allows them to more easily build credibility with voters and Kentuckians without spending campaign dollars.

Voss elaborated that traditional campaign events typically appeal to political junkies, but those voters typically have already made up their minds.

In the case of Beshear, that also meant

However, an event where a politician serves in an official capacity is more likely to reach voters who tune out politics.

“To voters disgusted with politics, a candidate at a campaign rally might come across as sleazy or desperate, whereas an elected official announcing a development that’s good for Kentucky, such as a bridge repair or a favorable legal judgment, looks responsible and powerful,” Voss said.

For Beshear and Northern Kentucky, a signature part of Beshear’s re-election campaign in the region is promoting the Brent Spence Bridge without tolls.

In February 2022, Beshear stood on a stage at the Covington Convention Center with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and said he wanted to break ground on the project in 2023 — an election year.

Eleven months later, in January 2023, Beshear, along with President Joe Biden, DeWine, McConnell, former Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, stood along the banks of the Ohio River in front of the ailing Brent Spence Bridge as Biden announced $1.6 billion in federal infrastructure money for the new bridge.

Just a few hours later, in the Kentucky House chamber in Frankfort, Beshear again touted the bridge’s funding during his State of the Commonwealth address.

In late July, Beshear stood at the overlook in Devou Park and announced the design partners for the project.

When LINK nky asked whether breaking ground on the project in 2023 is important to his re-election, he turned to DeWine and quipped, “There’s an election this year?”

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Publicly, Cameron announced that the state received the settlements, took credit for securing the $842 million, and named the commission’s executive director.

“Cameron’s emphasizing the opioid abatement settlement because it lets him advertise something that’s uncontroversial, and so brings universal appeal,” Voss said, noting that in political science jargon, it is a “valence issue,” which is when there’s broad consensus among voters, such as prosperity and crime abatement.

Voss said that most people like to see the state receiving money, and naturally, Cameron would want to play up his role in securing the funds.

Another aspect is that drug abuse causes widespread anxiety, and voters want to see elected officials tackling the issue, even though state leaders have little control over bringing about change.

“It’s the sort of issue that voters want to see their elected officials addressing, even though state leaders have limited power when it comes to bringing about change,” Voss said. “Cameron has identified a rare opportunity to show that he’s involved with tangible efforts to curtail drug abuse.”

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As part of legislation the Kentucky General Assembly created, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission is responsible for disbursing the funds awarded to the state as part of national legal settlements.

“I certainly hope it doesn’t hurt,” he said.

R

Kentucky’s Republican gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Daniel Cameron speaks to supporters during the first stop of his multicity campaign tour in June in Richmond. Photo by Timothy D. Easley | Associated Press

The audience laughed, but Beshear said he thought it’s important to get the project completed and not let politics get in the way but also acknowledged it doesn’t hurt his chances.

As for Cameron, he’s used his platform as attorney general to say he fought for Kentucky’s fair share of the opioid abatement settlement.

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Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame inducts NKY business owners Lamb, Salyers

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BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky BUSINESS REPORTER

or the first time in history, two Northern Kentucky business owners have been inducted into the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of

around Northern Kentucky and beyond.

Lamb decided to franchise his mobile shaved ice store to eager entrepreneurs across the U.S.

Fame.

The organization celebrates the legacy and achievements of the commonwealth’s most successful business figures. Past inductees include “Papa” John Schnatter of Papa John’s, “Col.” Harland Sanders and John Y. Brown Jr. of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dollar General founder Cal Turner and coal magnate Joe Craft.

This year, Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee founder Tony Lamb and Fabulous-Furs founder Donna Salyers are two of the four inductees in the Class of 2023. Lamb and Salyers will be joined alongside two Louisville-based entrepreneurs, Alice Houston of HJI Supply Chain Solutions and Jimmy Kirchdorfer of ISCO Industries.

Both Lamb and Salyers will be honored at a reception at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington on Nov. 2. The event is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m.

LINK nky spoke with Lamb and Salyers to talk about what the nominations meant to them.

Tony Lamb Before Kona Ice, Lamb was a vacuum-cleaner salesman. Originally from the Lexington area, he settled down in the Florence suburbs to raise a family. That’s when Lamb’s kids first encountered a local ice cream van.

Lamb said the van was in pretty rough shape. His observation sparked a conversation with his wife about how the proprietor could improve business. That experience birthed the idea of Kona Ice. Founded in 2007, Kona Ice came from humble beginnings. Instead of ice cream, Lamb’s business would focus on shaved ice, which only required ice and flavored syrups. He modified a truck to serve his shaved ice concoctions. From there, Lamb would drive his truck to youth sports tournaments, fairs and other local events.

His business was a hit, picking up traction

Today, Kona Ice has over 1,400 shaved ice trucks on the road and has a presence in nearly all 50 states. Lamb said local support helped propel his business forward.

“We’re lucky Northern Kentucky really likes shaved ice,” Lamb said. “They backed us, supported us, and we’ve been clean operators. The Northern Kentucky community embraced us.”

Kona Ice is one of the largest mobile food franchises in the country. It has a 30,000-square-foot, $3.5 million headquarters in Florence.

Pictured from left: Donna Salyers and Tony Lamb.

Photos provided | Fabulous-Furs website, Tony Lamb LinkedIn

For Lamb, his career as an entrepreneur is one that manifested after years of luck, trial-and-error and perseverance.

She launched Fabulous-Furs in 1989 out of her garage. From there, her business gained traction both locally and nationally.

Her coats have been used in popular Hollywood shows such as “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Only Murders in the Building.”

“I always knew that I wanted to be my own boss,” Lamb said. “This is something that is just really exciting.”

Fabulous-Furs continued to grow, moving into the former Wadsworth Electric Building on 11th Street in Covington.

Donna Salyers

Throughout all the success, Salyers told LINK nky, she couldn’t have done it without her husband.

A native of Covington, Salyers’ learned to sew from her grandmother.. It was a big part of her life growing up.

When she was only 13, Salyers was hired to work at a soda fountain inside the Goldsmith Department Store at the corner of Madison and E. Seventh. Little did she know that she, along with her husband, Jim, would end up owning that same department store building later in their lives.

Salyers honed her knowledge when The Cincinnati Enquirer hired her as a sewing columnist in the 1970s. She used this role to learn everything there was to know about the sewing business, effectively becoming a local expert on the subject.

Salyers first learned about faux fur through a Paul Harvey radio broadcast. The segment she heard was about bringing awareness to animal cruelty within the fur industry. Horrified, Salyers set out to create cruelty-free faux-fur coats.

“There would be no Salyers Group or Fabulous-Furs without Jim,” she said.

Both Donna and Jim have helped re-energize downtown Covington – turning former dilapidated buildings into attractive venues and businesses. Together, their commercial real state venture, The Salyers Group, has created thriving Covington businesses such as the Hotel Covington and Madison Event Center.

This spring, The Salyers Group unveiled its latest project: North by Hotel Covington.

The project expanded Hotel Covington’s footprint up Madison Avenue, adding a bar, ballroom, more hotel rooms and multiple retail spaces. Now, Fabulous-Furs is in the process of moving into its new venue at North.

“I’ve had a career,” Salyers said. “What Jim and I have been able to do for Covington makes me really proud.”

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 7

CityScape Tiles owner wins Aviatra’s Flight Night pitch competition

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leven rising female business owners took center stage at Fedder’s Car Barn in Newport on Aug. 31, each looking to wow the crowd with their personalities and entrepreneurial acumen.

Hosted by Covington-based Aviatra Accelerators, a nonprofit that supports women-owned startups and small businesses, the Flight Night pitch competition gave 11 Greater Cincinnati-area female business owners a chance to broadcast their business pitches to a captive audience of fellow entrepreneurs, community leaders and family members.

BY KENTON HORNBECK | LINK nky BUSINESS REPORTER Hughes, marketing strategist and program manager at Aviatra. “I feel like I’ve known them for so much longer. You know, all the time that we’ve been able to spend together in class and out of class, it’s just been an absolutely delightful whirlwind, and they’re all amazing women.”

Throughout the Momentum Accelerator program, each entrepreneur created a business plan with a three-year financial projection and participated in networking and coaching on sales strategies, finance, funding, marketing and human resources taught by local experts. For their participation, each entrepreneur received $1,000 of in-kind business services.

Each participating entrepreneur recently graduated from Aviatra’s Momentum Accelerator – a 10-week, 30-hour program designed for newer, revenue-positive businesses of $50,000 or more seeking to build upon their momentum.

In the end, Jessica Sheldon of CityScape Tiles, a Cincinnati business that imprints photographs onto ceramic tiles for either gifts or functional use, took home the grand prize of $1,000 in cash.

“I can’t believe that it’s only been 10 weeks with these lovely ladies,” said Jasmine

“CityScape Tiles is doing more than creating timeless and functional art,” Sheldon

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said during her pitch. “We’re making the process interactive, fun and engaging for collectors and gift-givers alike.”

Sheldon began her business through happenstance. Her first job out of college was working as a lifeguard in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in the early 2000s. At the time, the neighborhood was undergoing a revitalization, with many of its historic buildings being renovated.

One day, Sheldon said, she was walking down the street when she noticed a pile of discarded ceramic tiles sitting in a dumpster next to a historic The graduates of Aviatra’s Momentum Accelerator accept their building. graduation diplomas. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky “I did what every rational human being does, and I gathered them up and brought them back to my apartment,” Sheldon said.

Nearly a year passed before she finally found a good use for the tiles. A photographer by trade, Sheldon decided to imprint a collection of her photographs onto each tile. Her plan was to give them as gifts to her partner.

When presented with the tiles, her partner graciously accepted the unique gift.

However, Sheldon said that after about a month, the tiles began to deteriorate. It was at that moment she was struck with inspiration.

“In that moment, I learned two incredibly valuable lessons that aided me along this journey,” Sheldon said. “One: Listen. And two: Be ready to pivot.”

Sheldon fine-tuned her process, turning her gift idea into a business venture. Today, Sheldon said she has placed tile orders from cities across the country — from New York and Chicago.

Jessica Wright of Wright Workforce Solutions, a Florence-based human resources provider for small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, took home the Fan Favorite Award, which audience members voted on.

Northern Kentucky was well represented at Flight Night. In total, six of the 10 participating business owners are from Northern Kentucky.

• Jessica Wright of Wright Workforce Solutions.

• Emily Ryan of Petal & Stem: The Covington-based full-service, philanthropic floral company specializes in weddings, events and build-yourown-bouquet classes.

• Jennifer Myka of Free Radical Ranch: A 54-acre farm in Morning View, it provides farm stays, tours and science and educational programs about animals and sustainable farming.

• Billie Kegley of The Roost Latonia: This Latonia-based coffee shop and retailer is looking to expand into catering, short-term rentals, small-venue rentals and an online marketplace for Kentucky products.

• Jaqueline Mayer of Mayer Law: The Newport-based criminal defense practice consults with clients to help them navigate the legal system.

• Ashley Meenach of Boundless Beauty: A Newport-based styling service, it provides makeup, hairstyling and wardrobe rentals.

Compensating rates? Real property?

Tangible property? Understanding property taxes

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK nky KENTON COUNTY REPORTER

I

t’s that time of year: Cities, schools and other taxing bodies in the region are setting property tax rates for fiscal year 2023-2024. That means you’ve likely seen words like “compensating rate,” “tangible property” and others get thrown around by civic leaders.

What does it all mean? Let’s unpack some common terms and concepts associated with property taxes to better understand what they mean for people’s lives.

Types of property tax Property taxes are broken down into several categories. The first and usually largest chunk of your tax bill is real property tax, sometimes referred to as real estate property tax. This is essentially a tax on everything you own that’s nailed down. For residents, this means houses and other real estate property. For businesses, this means office buildings and other buildings and facilities used to conduct business.

Tangible personal property, on the other hand, is another form of property that isn’t real estate. Depending on where you live, residents may not be taxed on personal property at all. This will vary by jurisdiction.

Businesses, meanwhile, usually have to account for local tangible property taxes since machinery, office equipment and other moveable property used to conduct business are subject to local tangible property taxes.

Vehicles are usually subject to local property taxes, as well.

In addition to these categories, there are sometimes other fees and taxes related to one’s property. At times, they aren’t even officially a form of property tax, but they may come up in conversations about taxes.

These include taxes and fees for utilities, roads, sidewalks, local emergency departments and other public goods. These fees often vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Sometimes, these fees are flat, but other times, they’re categorized as ad valorem, from a Latin phrase meaning “according to value.” This means the fee is calculated based on the estimated value of one’s property.

Property valuation County property valuation administrators, or PVAs, are elected officials in charge of determining the cash worth of people’s houses and other property. The Kenton County PVA Office, for example, describes its duties this way: “The PVA’s most complex task is to estimate fair cash value for all property in the county, taking into consideration the property’s size, shape, location, use and condition.

Tracking ownership changes, maintaining maps, updating building characteristics and administering proper exemptions for real property are also ongoing responsibilities of the PVA office.”

Note that PVA offices themselves don’t set tax rates or collect taxes. Sheriffs’ departments are in charge of collecting taxes, and governmental bodies, such as city councils and school boards, are in charge of setting the rates.

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Once set, rates levy taxes on a per $100 of property valuation basis. For example, the 2022 Erlanger real property tax rate was $0.301 per $100 of property valuation. That means an Erlanger resident whose house is worth $100,000 would owe $301 in real property tax.

Property values around the country have seen a precipitous rise in the past two years. The East South Central census division of the U.S., where Kentucky is located, saw housing prices increase 18.8% from May 2021 to May 2022, according to a July report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency. From May 2022 to May 2023, prices rose 4.4%.

tax rate can be greater or lesser than the preceding year, depending on how much property values have changed.

If a city wishes to levy a tax rate greater than the compensating rate, it’s required by law to hold a public hearing where members of the community can weigh in on the proposed change before the council or commission casts a vote.

If a city wishes to raise its tax rate to a rate that generates more than 4% of the revenue brought in by the compensating rate, the citizens within that jurisdiction can form a committee to collect signatures to trigger a recall election. The number of signatures required to trigger an election must be equal to 10% of the city’s voters who cast ballots in the last presidential election. If the committee gathers enough signatures, the question of whether the tax rate should be increased is then left to the voters in the next election.

For this reason, many cities will default to a comp + 4 rate increase, as it’s often called, because it allows them to increase tax rates without the risk of being voted down.

These upticks in value have had drastic effects on tax revenues in the region.

Tax rates and revenues One term that comes up often in tax discussions is compensating rate. The compensating tax rate is the tax rate a taxing body needs to charge to bring in the same amount of tax money on real property as it did the previous year. A compensating

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Property valuation administrators release property values for local areas every year, but physical examinations of property in cities in a county are usually done on a rotating basis. In Kenton County, properties in Elsmere, Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Lakeside Park and Park Hills underwent inspection in 2022 for taxation in 2023. Crescent Springs, Crestview Hills, Edgewood, Fort Wright, Taylor Mill and Villa Hills are on the docket for inspection in 2023.

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 9

campbell county news briefs Former NKY attorney Ben Dusing sentenced to seven days for contempt

Ben Dusing. Photo provided | WCPO

Former NKY attorney Ben Dusing was sentenced on Sept. 5 to serve seven days for contempt of court in a 2019 family court case.

According to court documents, Dusing has until midnight on Sept. 15 to present himself to the Kenton County Detention Center to serve his sentence.

Court documents show that Dusing was found in contempt in October 2019 for vi-

olating court orders regarding communication between parties. He was sentenced in January 2020 to seven days in jail, conditionally discharged upon compliance with all court orders until the case’s conclusion.

Dusing filed a motion of relief from the contempt order in May 2020, arguing that the contempt was of a criminal nature and, therefore, triggered heightened standards and procedures. However, the court ruled in June 2020 that the contempt was of a civil nature because it was trying to get Dusing to comply with a court order for the benefit of the other party.

The court also found that the fact that a purge order was entered made it clear that the objective was “compliance, not punishment.” In August 2020, the court found that Dusing violated the January 2020 conditional discharge by continuing to violate the orders from May 2019 by sending emails not related to the matter at hand, according to court documents.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the case was not brought back before the court un-

til a three-day trial began on Aug. 30 with Kenton County Family Court Judge Thomas Rauf.

Covington raises property taxes amid changing labor conditions The Covington Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to increase both real and personal property tax rates at a commission meeting on Sept. 5.

This increases the city’s real estate property tax rate from 0.271 cents to 0.277 cents per $100 of property valuation. It also increases the personal property tax rate from 0.328 cents to 0.359 cents per $100 of property valuation.

Mayor Joe Meyer told LINK nky after the vote that the rate increases equaled about 50 cents more a month for homeowners whose property is worth about $100,000.

Commission members did not discuss the tax rates during the meeting itself, but the

votes occurred in the shadow of dwindling revenues from payroll taxes.

City staff first noticed the problem earlier this year. At the time, Covington Finance Director Steve Webb attributed the revenue shortfall to the proliferation of work-fromhome policies that blossomed throughout the pandemic.

“We fall off the pace due to the implications of (the ) remote work situation with our largest employers,” Webb said in May. “As remote work has become normalized, these employers are now withholding and remitting portions of the occupational license tax to the jurisdictions where their employees are physically working.”

In other words, companies are now withholding payroll and other occupational taxes based on the actual location of their workers. Thus, if someone is employed by a Covington-based company but works from home outside of the city, the jurisdiction where the worker actually completes their job is the one collecting payroll tax.

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For Covington, this meant that the city’s largest employers, such as Fidelity, whose Covington office employs about 5,500 people, were no longer generating the amount of tax money for the city as they had in the past.

Covington’s general fund has historically relied on payroll tax for much of its income.

As more employers switched to workfrom-home work arrangements, this led to a situation where expenses in the general fund exceeded revenues. Other funds in the city budget were not affected.

Still, the increase for real property is small compared to previous years’ rates. Covington lowered its property tax in 2022, but before that, the real estate property tax rate had been frozen since 2017 at 0.327 cents per $100 of property valuation, higher than the rate set this week. The personal property tax rate, on the other hand, sat at 0.349 cents per $100 of valuation, which is only slightly lower than the new personal property tax rate.

“It’s still the second-lowest tax rate in the city’s identifiable history,” Meyer said.

The reality of this change in labor conditions has influenced many of the budgetary decisions of the past few months.

Property tax bills for Covington are due Oct. 16. Visit the city’s website, covingtonky.gov, for instructions on how to pay your bill.

To cover the shortfall, the city authorized moving about $11 million in COVID rescue funds, officially called American Rescue Plan Act funds, into the general fund to keep the city operating at its current level of service. Although this allowed for continued city operations, it put a hold on any new projects the city wanted to fund with federal COVID dollars.

Independence to vote on proposed property tax rates; no increases planned The city of Independence completed a first reading of its proposed property tax rates for 2023-2024 fiscal year at a special meeting on Aug. 28. City Council has proposed the following property tax rates:

• Proposed real property rate: $0.22/$100 of property valuation • Proposed personal property rate: $0.534/$100 of property valuation

Passenger pick-up will occur from each of TANK’s Southbank stops, ending inside the Riverfront Transit Center across from the stadium.

Although these rates are identical to the city’s current tax rates, the city is required by law to have two readings before setting the tax rate every year. The council will perform a second reading and then cast a vote on the rates at a council meeting at 7 p.m.

Sept. 18 at the Independence City Building on Madison Pike.

Game-day shuttle service will begin two hours prior to kickoff and is offered one hour after the game ends. It will cost $1 per ride.

TANK to offer shuttle service for $1 for Bengals home games The Cincinnati Bengals are kicking off their season this weekend in Cleveland against the Browns, and fans are getting ready for a fall full of football. The first home game is set for Sept. 25, and attendees need to start thinking about transportation.

To help alleviate some of the traffic issues, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky is offering game-day shuttle services this season, according to the agency’s Facebook page.

The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky is offering Cincinnati Bengals game-day shuttle service, according to the agency’s Facebook page. Photo provided | TANK

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

You can find public notices for the following organizations on our site at https://linkreader.column.us/search

SCAN THIS QR CODE WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA TO GO TO OUR DIGITAL PUBLIC NOTICE PAGE

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Boone County Clerk Campbell County Fiscal Court City of Alexandria City of Bellevue City of Covington City of Cresent Springs City of Dayton City of Edgewood City of Elsmere City of Fort Thomas City of Fort Wright City of Independence City of Lakeside Park City of Newport City of Silver Grove City of Southgate City of Union

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 11

news from other places World War I memorials in France, Belgium may become UNESCO heritage sites ZONNEBEKE, Belgium (AP) — Belgium and France want the countless headstones, cemeteries and memorials from World War I recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites to make sure people stop and think about the meaning and value of peace.

Both nations want the United Nations institution to include the area on its famed list of sites, along with the Great Wall of China, Peru’s Machu Picchu and Greece’s Acropolis. A decision on the issue is expected to be made around Sept. 21 during UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting in Saudi Arabia. The area has 139 sites spanning western Belgium and northern France, a living history since the guns finally fell silent in 1918.

ments have such policies in place. While the Blendon Township department did have a policy, experts also say departments rarely enforce the prohibitions with meaningful discipline.

UAW shows more confrontational stance as strike deadline looms

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain holds up a sign at a union rally near a Stellantis factory on Aug. 23. Photo by Mike Householder | Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — A 46% pay raise. A 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay. A restoration of traditional pensions.

Fatal police shooting of pregnant Ohio woman raises policy concerns Body camera video of the fatal police shooting of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year old pregnant mother in Ohio, has raised questions about the strength of police department use-offorce restrictions and how an allegation of shoplifting led to a bullet being fired through her windshield.

Policing organizations have recommended that departments adopt restrictions against shooting at moving vehicles, citing the potential danger to bystanders. But only a third of the country’s largest depart-

The demands that a more combative United Auto Workers union has pressed on General Motors, Stellantis and Ford are edging it closer to a strike when its contract ends Sept. 14. The automakers, which are making billions in profits, have dismissed the UAW’s wish list.

They argue that its demands are unrealistic at a time of fierce competition as the world shifts from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. The wide gulf between the sides could mean a strike against one or more of the automakers, which could send already-inflated vehicle prices even higher.

Australian who fell ill at Antarctic base rescued after daunting mission WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Authorities in Australia say an Australian who fell ill at a remote Antarctic base is returning home on an icebreaker following a daunting mission to rescue him.

The man was working at the Casey research station when he suffered from what authorities described as a developing medical condition that needed specialist assessment and care. The Australian Antarctic Division said Sept. 5 that the icebreaker RSV Nuyina left Australia and traveled south more than 3,000 kilometers, breaking through sea ice to reach a location 144 kilometers from the base.

From there, two helicopters were deployed from the deck on Sept. 3 and arrived at the base after nearly an hour to rescue the man.

Police order vehicles off streets as severe storm hammers Greece ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Police ordered vehicles off the streets of three regions in Greece on Sept. 5 as a severe storm hammered the center of the country and some of its islands, turning streets into flooded torrents and sweeping cars into the sea.

Traffic was banned in the central town of Volos, the nearby mountain region of Pilion and on the island of Skiathos until the storm subsided, police said. The fire de-

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partment said one man was killed in Volos when a wall buckled and fell on him, while another man was reported missing, believed to have been swept away by floodwaters.

5 NFL players create songs featured on Madden 24 game

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller records an extended-play at Interscope Records Studios.

Photo by Damian Dovarganes | Associated Press

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Several NFL players have momentarily traded their cleats for a recording studio microphone.

Three powerhouses — including the NFL, Interscope Geffen A&M Records and Electronic Arts Sports — have partnered to empower players to pursue their music dreams.

The result is “Crowd Control,” a six-song extended-play offering that was released Sept. 5. The songs were also inserted into “Madden NFL 24,” released last month. It’s the first-time music made by NFL players will appear in the video game franchise’s 35-year history. The EP will feature five active NFL players, including Darren Waller, Terron Armstead, Ray-Ray McCloud, Melvin Ingram and D.J. Chark Jr.

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12 SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

calendar

September Friday

Saturday

15 “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” showtimes through Oct. 8, NKU Griffin Hall Digitorium, 1 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights. Visit nku.edu/ tickets for information.

Boone County Farmers Market, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week from May to October, 1961 Burlington Pike, Burlington

Sunday 16

Monday 17

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

Tuesday 18

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

Unveiling of National Park Service’s Network to Freedom Panels, Dinsmore Homestead Museum, 5656 Burlington Pike, Burlington

Edgewood City Council meeting, 6:30 p.m., Edgewood City Council Building, 385 Dudley Road, Edgewood Fort Thomas City Council meeting, 7 p.m., 130 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas

Wednesday

Thursday

19

20

Florence City Council meeting, 6 p.m., Florence City Building, 8100 Ewing Blvd., Florence

Communication Skills in the Midst of Memory Loss, 1:30 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 2718 Dixie Highway, Crestview Hills

Covington Commission caucus meeting, 6 p.m., Covington City Hall, 20 W. Pike St., Covington Highland Heights City Council meeting, 7 p.m., 176 Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights

21 Alexandria City Council, 7 p.m., 8236 W. Main St., Alexandria

Campbell County Fiscal Court meeting, 5:30 p.m., Campbell County Administration Building, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport Boone County Planning Commission, 7 p.m., Boone County Fiscal Court, 2950 Washington St., Burlington

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

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corporex.com SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 13

real estate

Covington home features historic charm, three separate units Address: 818 Greer St., Covington Price: $555,000 Bedrooms: Two Bathrooms: Three Square feet: 2,256 School district: Covington Independent Schools

A look at one of the one-bedroom-unit living spaces. Photo provided | Kaylee Law of Pivot Realty Group

County: Kenton Special features: This townhome in downtown Covington is located in Mainstrasse Village, so guests can simply walk out the front door to enjoy all the unique experiences the city has to offer. The home has one studio unit and two one-bedroom units, making it ideal for an investment property or a family that enjoys privacy. Though the home has plenty of updates, its historic brick has been maintained and can be seen in the tastefully exposed brick on some of the interior walls.

This Greer Street home has one studio unit and two one-bedroom units. Photo provided The home has plenty of updates but retains historic charm. | Kaylee Law of Pivot Realty Group Photo provided | Kaylee Law of Pivot Realty Group

Top Sales of the Week

WHO

YOU’RE WITH

MATTERS

Deron G. Schell Senior Sales Executive

HUFF REALTY 859.640.5149 dschell@huff.com 14 SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Recent NKY Home Sale Data

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

Address

City

Price

Sale Date

2202 Clarkston Lane 15 Princeton Avenue 1141 Cleveland Avenue 3985 Windfield Lane 115 15th Street 1025 Golden Grove Lane 3185 Taylor Creek Drive 781 Harmony Valley Drive 1664 Saint Annes Court 728 Morven Park Drive 73 Greenbriar Avenue ‘ 1281 Constitution Drive 334 Division Street 41 Terrace Avenue 1122 Infantry Drive 1964 Terrace Court 641 Radnor Lane 3514 Home Street 1178 Fallbrook Drive 5274 HWY 455

Union $851,000 Fort Mitchell $750,000 Park Hills $618,000 Erlanger $428,900 Newport $410,000 Florence $370,000 Taylor Mill $367,000 Alexandria $359,587 Florence $330,000 Walton $325,000 Fort Mitchell $325,000 Independence $305,000 Bellevue $280,000 Highland Heights$260,000 Independence $252,000 Florence $247,000 Walton $245,000 Erlanger $237,500 Elsmere $235,000 Sparta $210,000

9/5/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 8/30/2023 9/1/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 9/1/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 8/29/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 9/1/2023 9/1/2023 9/1/2023 8/31/2023 8/30/2023 8/31/2023

1007 Shadowridge Drive 215 Caldwell Drive 1178 Fallbrook Drive 3650 Mitten Drive 442 Buckner Street 1409 Central Row Road 512 Palace Avenue 14 1179 Fallbrook Drive 868 Virginiabradford Court 255 Lakeview Drive 85 Jenna Drive 14250 E US Highway 42 13 Sentinel Drive 23 Overlook Circle 203 S Watchtower Drive 304 380 Timber Ridge 2 204 S Watchtower Drive 103 6 Guardian Drive 303 Spyglass Court 304 110 N Watchtower Drive 102

Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Elsmere Verona Verona Verona Wilder Wilder Wilder Wilder Wilder Wilder Wilder Wilder

$240,000 $230,000 $235,000 $247,000 $200,000 $250,000 $233,000 $230,000 $235,000 $102,000 $114,500 $507,500 $490,000 $331,500 $195,000 $190,000 $181,000 $475,000 $170,000 $170,000

8/15/2023 8/26/2023 8/30/2023 8/31/2023 8/31/2023 9/1/2023 8/31/2023 8/29/2023 8/25/2023 8/25/2023 8/28/2023 8/31/2023 8/8/2023 8/14/2023 8/14/2023 8/21/2023 8/18/2023 8/22/2023 8/31/2023 9/1/2023

features

Streetscapes ventures along Orphanage Road in Ft. Wright for brews, BBQ, quality steaks

T

his Streetscapes checks out one of the smaller “Forts” in the area. Fort Wright may be overlooked by its neighboring cities, but there’s still plenty of eats worth checking out. Come with us to Orphanage Road for beer, BBQ and bourbon.

PHOTOS AND STORY BY MARIA HEHMAN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR instead of watching, Dickmann’s also has a sand volleyball league. Leagues run in the spring and summer months, Sunday through Friday.

Dickmann’s also hosts live music and other events and can be booked for private parties.

Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew Harmon’s BBQ Another casual eatery option along Orphanage Road, Harmon’s is a backyard barbecue all year long. This family-owned and -operated restaurant focuses on serving quality smoked meats and all the Southern sides to go with them. It smokes meat for 14 hours on hardwood to ensure that every bite is bursting with flavor.

Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew has everything that fans of sports – and great grub – could want.

Dickmann’s is the quintessential local sports bar. It has everything one could want for watching games, including TVs covering nearly every wall to ensure there’s no bad seat in the house. Catch Dickmann’s on a packed Bengals Sunday to experience a lively, fun atmosphere bursting with passionate fans.

No sports bar would truly be complete without some grub. The menu includes bar favorites of wings, pizza and every fried food one could imagine, and the Texas toothpicks – slivers of fried onions and jalapenos – are the perfect snack.

Dickmann’s is locally owned and operated and has been a staple of the NKY area for over 40 years. Any business that has lasted that long has to be doing something right.

In this case, the team at Dickmann’s is doing it all right.

For those who want in on the sports action

Guests can order their meat market-style, on sandwiches, as plate dinners or even atop a loaded baked potato. Harmon’s also serves smoked wings and has fries and Southern sides to pair with everything.

Picnic table seating invites conversion and community among those who dine in.

Food is served in true picnic fashion, with disposable plates and silverware – nothing fancy, but it holds true to BBQ fare.

There’s a selection of canned and bottled drinks from soda to beer. A small patio outside overlooks Orphanage Road, allowing guests to watch the hustle-and-bustle of the busy road.

Guests never have to miss a second of sports action, with plenty of giant TVs throughout Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew.

Walt’s Hitching Post Guests who want a fine-dining experience need only go a few minutes down the road to Walt’s Hitching Post on Madison Pike.

Walt’s is renowned for its steak, bourbon and rich history. Walt’s food is famous, but the place also attracts famous faces. With the uptick in movies filmed in the area and local sports teams finally getting notoriety, Walt’s is one of the places celebrities like to dine when in the area.

The food, of course, is one of the main draws. Walt’s steak is synonymous with fine dining, the mention of its salted-rye bread makes mouths water, and the cocktails are always refreshing. Walt’s was originally best known for its ribs and fried chicken liver. Those are still staples of the menu, but the steak selection is among the best in the area.

In addition to the food, the old-money décor and ambiance is a huge draw. The inside could be an exact replica of a Ralph Lauren catalog – very on-trend in both home décor and fashion. Although Walt’s has gone through renovations over the years, it held on to its roots and retained a quiet luxury look that transcends trends. Walt’s has an ongoing theme of Kentucky horse racing throughout the restaurant. Many of the rooms even pay homage to local horse-racing celebrities and clubs.

Chicken wings from Dickmann’s.

What to Know If You Go: Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew Location: 479 Orphanage Road, Fort Wright Hours: Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m.-midnight; Friday, 2 p.m.-1 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, noon-midnight.

Website: dickmannscafe.com Phone: 859-331-8076

Harmon’s BBQ Location: 3481 Valley Plaza Parkway, Fort Wright Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-8 p.m.

Website: harmonbbq.com Phone: 859-279-3662

Walt’s Hitching Post Location: 3300 Madison Pike, Fort Wright Hours: Monday-Sunday, 5-9 p.m.

Website: waltshitchingpost.com Phone: 859-360-2222 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.

Sand volleyball is on the menu at Dickmann’s for those who like to play – not just watch – sports.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 15

Filling the championship banner: Ryle volleyball team looking for more titles to display

R

BY MARC HARDIN | LINK nky CONTRIBUTOR

yle High School’s Tasha Lovins has accomplished just about everything a prep volleyball coach can achieve, and then some.

Lovins grew up in Union, but she played high school volleyball at Lloyd Memorial High School. By happenstance, she wound up back on her home court after college.

During a full-circle moment, she accepted a math teaching job in 2001 and became an assistant volleyball coach at Ryle, located just a few miles from where she grew up.

When she was named head coach of the Ryle varsity team shortly thereafter, she was merely the latest in a string of volleyball coaches who came and went in short order, creating a continuity issue for what was still a fledgling program after the school opened its doors in 1992. Lovins stopped the revolving door of coaches and has led the volleyball team longer than anyone else.

“Obviously, our goals are (to) win district and win the region for the first time. We can’t do it without playing our best.”

To get the best out of her players, Lovins schedules the best teams. Regional and state powers dot the slate.

Ryle coach Tasha Lovins, right, has guided the Raider volleyball team for the last 23 years. Photo provided

“I’ve been at Ryle 23 of the 32 years the school has been around,” Lovins said. “I grew up 4 miles from Ryle. My husband was in the second graduating class at Ryle. Just a lot of memorable experiences, so it’s been great.”

Lovins has made it greater. She regularly takes young players and coaches them up to the point that many become all-district and all-region stars. One, senior libero Alexis Woolf, recently broke the Ryle pro-

gram record with her 1,275th career dig.

Lovins has sent her best players to college programs. She has guided Ryle to more than a dozen 33rd District championships, including the last three in a row and nine of the last 13 in a highly competitive district.

She led the Raiders to a Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Division I title in 2021, the same year they finally beat Notre Dame Academy. Lovins recently won her 500th career match, extending her program record.

The district crowns and the NKAC title are remembered on the volleyball championship banner that hangs in the home gym.

They are represented by years. But something is missing.

“There’s no year next to regional championships,” Lovins said. “We’ve been a Top 10 team in the state. But two of the best teams in the state are in our region.”

That would be Notre Dame and St. Henry, local stalwarts who keep blocking the Raiders’ bid for the big time. Notre Dame beat Ryle in last year’s regional tournament final.

“We have a great coach,” said Woolf, the No. 24 player in Kentucky, according to PrepDig.com. “She’s put a lot into the program.

It means a lot to a person at Ryle. We’re working harder every day in practice to be even better.”

Woolf, a co-captain, plays a big role. She’s heading to Eastern Kentucky University on a volleyball scholarship. She led the Raiders in digs after three weeks of play. She ranked in the state Top 30 last season with over 500 digs.

“We’re working on service-receive and getting all three hitters available,” Woolf said.

16 SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

“We know we have a tough region. We’ve made it to the final three times and haven’t won,” Lovins said. “We’re trying to get over the hump. The only way we can do it is schedule tough teams that get us prepared.”

Woolf, a four-year starter, believes the talent is there for a run at some Raider history.

“We’d love to go to state for the first time,” she said. “Every girl has to work really hard.”

It looks like her teammates got the message.

Through the first three weeks of play, a different player led the team in each significant statistical category. In addition to Woolf’s leadership in digs, Lucy Trapp, a transfer hitter from Campbell County, led the Raiders in kills. Setter Morgan Heater led the team in assists. Middle blocker Rachel King led in blocks. Defensive specialist Olivia Karlosky led in service aces.

Middle blocker Abby Lester was second in kills and blocks. Setter/hitter Karsyn Griffin was second in assists and aces and third in kills. The first players off the bench are defensive specialist Clara Hansel and outside hitter Becca Kramer, who was fourth in kills. Middle blocker Merisa Workman was fifth in kills.

Woolf, Workman, Lester and Hansel were filling a leadership void with fellow senior Kiana Dinn unavailable due to a foot injury. Dinn is a co-captain and a Pittsburgh commit. With a fully healthy squad that includes at least two future college players, Lovins said the Raiders have what it takes to add to their championship banner.

“The girls are having conversations about it in practice,” the coach said. “They’re working really hard because they don’t like losing.”

sports Holy Cross volleyball standout Hunt reaches 2,000-kill milestone

Men’s soccer claims first NCAA Division II victory for Thomas More

Beechwood girls cross-country stands 3-for-3 on young season

Thomas More University opened a new sports era on Aug. 31, competing in its first NCAA Division II contest as the men’s soccer team took on Salem University.

Holy Cross District High School senior Julia Hunt reached quite a volleyball milestone on Sept. 5 in the Indians’ match with Scott High School.

Hunt collected her 2,000th career kill in the victory over the Eagles. She already has 269 on the season as of the Sept. 5 match, for an average of over seven kills per set. The University of Washington commit has helped the Indians off to a 12-1 start, most recently winning the September Slam at Town and Country in Wilder. Hunt’s all-around game has shown on the court, as she also has 48 blocks, 105 digs and 44 aces through the first 13 games.

Hunt also plays basketball for the Indians, helping guide Holy Cross to an All “A” state title in the 2022-23 season. She averaged 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds a game for the Indians last year.

The Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association released its latest Top 25 statewide poll with five programs from Northern Kentucky in it.

Notre Dame led the way for NKY programs, ranked fourth in the state with five firstplace votes. St. Henry followed in ninth with a first-place vote. Following them was Ryle in 13th, Conner in 19th and Simon Kenton 22nd.

The Saints came away with a 2-0 victory, Charlie Allan and Karim Slim scoring the goals in the win. Julen van Egmond and Flo Meyer had the assists, and Emilio Benmergui Rodriguez earned the shutout in goal.

Holy Cross senior Julia Hunt, left, and her mother, Jill, commemorate Julia’s 2,000th career kill in the team’s 3-2 win over Scott on Sept. 5. Photo provided | Bob Jackson

Five NKY teams ranked in Top 25 in latest KVCA poll

Allen’s goal came in the first couple of minutes, Slim’s goal in the latter stages of the second half.

Beechwood’s girls cross-country team captured its third first-place finish of the young season at the Ryle Invitational on Sept. 2. Photo provided | Beechwood cross-country team

The top three in the poll were Assumption with 16 first place votes, Sacred Heart with six first place votes and Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Ryle’s boys soccer team ranks top in poll of coaches association

The Beechwood girls cross-country team has won all three meets it has participated in this season after taking the top spot at the Ryle Invitational on Sept. 2.

The poll is conducted and distributed by the KVCA.

The 9th Region reigning champ Ryle sits atop the latest biweekly Northern Kentucky High School Boys Soccer Coaches Association.

The poll was released on Sept. 6, the Raiders receiving nine first-place votes, ahead of Highlands with five. Following those two were Covington Catholic, Dixie Heights, Bishop Brossart, Newport Central Catholic, Cooper, Conner, Simon Kenton and Beechwood to round out the top 10.

Boone County, Campbell County, Grant County and Holy Cross were in the “others receiving votes” category.

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The Tigers scored 51 points, defeating the 17-team field by 28 points. Seton (Ohio) and Notre Dame tied for second with 79 points.

Seton won the tiebreaker over the Pandas due to its sixth runner finishing seven spots ahead of its sixth runner.

The top teams in the 9th Region, according to the regional Top 5 five from the KVCA, are Notre Dame, St. Henry, Ryle, Conner and Holy Cross. Bishop Brossart, Campbell County and Scott hold down the top three spots in the 10th Region, while Simon Kenton is ranked second in the 8th Region behind North Oldham.

Beechwood’s Lily Parke finished second in the meet with a time of 19:44. Following Parke for the Tigers were Charli Gerrein in eighth (21:04), Nora Wilke in 10th (21:21), Catie Hazzard 11th (21:26) and Annie Harris 20th (21:49) to round out those scoring in the top five for Beechwood.

Beechwood, the reigning Class A state champ, is off to a solid start to the season.

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Simon Kenton volleyball team Photo provided | Simon Kenton volleyball

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obit

Edward “Eddie” Francis Schack

E

dward “Eddie” Francis Schack, 91, of Camp Springs, Kentucky joined his wife, Elizabeth “Lizzie,” on Sept.

5. Ed was born on July 6, 1932, in Camp Springs to Marie (Kohne) and Edward Joseph Schack. His siblings were Marian (Carl), Elinor (Ellie Cole Ritter), Sister Jacqueline S.D.P., Ethelene (Lee Brune) and Richard (Richie).

He lived his whole life in Camp Springs and valued the education and religious values instilled in him at St. Joseph on the Hill. Ed was married on Nov. 17, 1950, in Covington to Elizabeth Ann Schmitt, a seamstress.

With their own hands, they built the buff brick ranch home where they raised their family of seven children. They built a strong family through their displays of incredible love and devotion to each other. Before Lizzie’s death on Feb. 12, 2021, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary together.

They loved camping and travel, and together they explored 49 of the 50 states. For them, nothing was more important than spending time with family, whether it was backyard bonfires, picnic outings, birthday parties, or camping adventures at state parks, Myrtle Beach, and Lake Cumberland.

Ed lived for his family and embraced the roles of father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather.

He was a proud union carpenter. He valued the role of the union for creating adequate wages and safe working conditions that allowed the common man to provide for his family. He fervently believed in the positive effects unions had on non-union working conditions as well. Ed worked hard his whole life. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children, working with them as they learned to “do their chores.”

Lizzie to provide food stores for delicious economical meals year round.

He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Parish and was a Lay Minister; worked the famous Fish Fry, Oktoberfest, and Parish Festival; and participated in small group Scripture Study. All of his children attended and graduated from Bishop Brossart High School.

He was most proud of the leadership roles he had in two major church renovations where he used his extensive knowledge from his work in commercial construction to maintain the structural and aesthetic beauty of the church while conforming to the new mandates of the church building guidelines.

He understood the interplay of the economics, engineering, and diocesan guidelines that all guided the transformation. He strongly embraced the changes brought about by Vatican II in making Catholicism more accessible and participatory.

which would be their 73rd wedding anniversary. Immediately after Mass, everyone is invited to a social gathering in the school cafeteria.

The family is eternally grateful for the ongoing loving care, dedication, and support provided by GodSend, especially caregiver Roxanne Poole, and by the caring staff at Seasons of Alexandria.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059, or to the National Parkinson’s Institute at PO Box 4474 Louisville, KY 40204 or submitted through its website nationalparkinsonsinstitute.com Edward “Eddie” Francis Schack, 91 | Photo provided

In retirement, he and Lizzie enjoyed sitting on the front porch watching 4 Mile traffic pass by. He enjoyed listening to Lizzie sing and play the dulcimer. They always enjoyed visits from the grandkids, and allowed them to climb in the trees in the yard, and took them on wagon rides towed by the tractor mower.

They learned perseverance, planning, and organization. His love of reading and exploring was passed on to his kids.

Ed is predeceased by Lizzie, his loving wife of more than 70 years, and by his sister Lee Brune and his brother Richie Schack. He is survived by his children Linda Hess, Doug (Tina), Robert (Melissa), Steven (Douglas), Tina (Dave) Boschert, Lisa (Rick) Gerrein, and Sandra (Darin) DiTommaso; his 16 grandchildren including Michael, Julie, Craig, Matt, Ben, Martin, Nora, Ned, Sadie, Owen, Simon, Beth, Courtney, Megan, Victoria, and Alexander; 22 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and three sisters Marian, Ellie Ritter, and Sister Jacqueline Schack.

Ed was a “meat and potatoes” kind of guy.

Additionally, he planted large gardensproducing harvests that were canned by

A celebration of both Ed and Lizzie’s Lives will be held at St. Joseph Camp Springs Church with a Mass at 4 p.m. on Nov. 17 SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 19

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