LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Issue 21 - April 18, 2025
Founder’s travels flavor new Covington bodega
By Kenton Hornbeck
The Bodega at Roebling is bringing food and drinks from across the country to Covington.
Jamir Davis, founder of Bodega at Roebling, is an avid traveler. He hails from San Francisco, which he said is one of the most diverse food cities in the United States.
Davis said he wants his customers in Covington to experience new foods he grew up with in the Bay Area or that he found while traveling.
“I’ve gotten a lot of experience tasting different foods and visiting different places, and this, this bodega, is just a culmination of unique travel experiences that I’ve had, combined with great culinary opportunities that I’ve had to experience,” Davis said. “We want to bring that to this region and give people the opportunity to experience great food and a great environment.”
The Bodega at Roebling offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options, such as New York-style bagels, bagel sandwiches, charcuterie boards, quiche, coffee, tea and other snacks. It also has a mini wine room and
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NKY underwater: Images of a flood
LINK nky staff
You know the saying: April showers bring May flowers.
The rain earlier this month brought more than flowers, though. After days on end of rain, the Ohio River crested April 7 at over 60 feet, according to the National Weather Service – about 8 feet above flood stage.
Much of the region was underwater, with the river cities hit especially hard. At one point, both Campbell and Kenton counties were under a state of emergency.
In Bromley, somewhere between 20 to 30 basements flooded. At one point in Ludlow, the high school football stadium and adjoining Memorial Park were completely
under water.
Some residents in Covington’s Latonia neighborhood, especially near Virginia Avenue and 45th Street, were told to evacuate for a time.
In Dayton, Queen City Riverboats was flooded, and several houses suffered flooded basements along Ky. 8 toward Fort Thomas.
Bellevue had to deal with flooding close to the river, especially around Bellevue Beach Park. Frank Benke Way was temporarily under water.
Flooding was also reported in Wilder, Southgate and parts of Boone County.
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WINNER’S PARTY
THURSDAY, MAY 8 TH | 5:30
Founder Jamir Davis hopes the Bodega at Roebling brings a great food experience to Covington’s Roebling Point. Provided | The Bodega at Roebling
A streetlight stands in the flood waters April 6.
Photo by Eric Willoughby | LINK nky contributor
2025 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES:
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Continued from page 1 a speakeasy inspired by the Prohibition era. Its beverage menu includes beer, wine, champagne and craft cocktails.
When exploring the idea of opening the bodega, Davis focused heavily on location. Where he chose, 326 Scott Blvd., is nearly in the center of a cluster of buildings with high population density. Those include the Gateway Center, RiverCenter and DBL Law building; residential buildings including the Ascent and Hayden towers; and the nearly complete OneNKY Center, future headquarters for many Northern Kentucky nonprofits.
Davis’ law office – J. Davis Law Firm – is next door.
Roebling Point already is a destination for food and drink, thanks to popular small businesses like Molly Malone’s, Roebling Books & Coffee, Smoke Justis and Frosthaus.
Looking ahead, the bodega is only blocks from the Covington Central Riverfront project, which is transforming 23 acres of riverfront land into a mixed-use development. Davis anticipates that the Bodega at Roebling will benefit from increased foot traffic that development will generate.
“We really designed it for the community and understanding the different needs that everyone around here has,” Davis said. “For one, in the morning, we’ll do bagels for people who are on their early morning break or just need something quick to grab as they’re going in to work.”
Davis also sees the bodega as a small community market that residents can frequent if they need to purchase staple food items, like a carton of eggs, a gallon of milk or a bottle of olive oil, quickly. Besides Dee Felice Market or the Madison Avenue Kroger, the closest grocery store to the bodega is miles away on I-71/75 in Fort Mitchell.
“If you live in this area down here, you may forget something at the grocery store,” Davis said. “You may run to Kroger and say, ‘Oh, I forgot to grab eggs,’ or, ‘Oh, it’s early on a Saturday morning, and I just need a couple of eggs to make breakfast,’ and you don’t want to drive all the way out to Kroger or Trader Joe’s. You can just stop in.”
Since the bodega’s opening on March 27, Davis said the community has responded positively. He hopes the business can contribute to downtown Covington’s growth, providing the area with another staple business.
“Just seeing the growth of Covington and the friendliness of the people and the business owners in this region has just made it the right fit for what we’re trying to do. Roebling Point in particular is amazing,” said Davis.
The Bodega at Roebling will operate with a varied weekly schedule. The bodega proper will be open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The wine room and speakeasy will be open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
“Our hearts are in this project, and we can’t wait to share it with the community,” Kaylah Bozman, the general manager, said in a release. “We hope the Bodega at Roebling becomes a place where people gather, celebrate and make memories.”
Customers enjoy drinks and a cheese plate at The Bodega at Roebling.
Part of the wine selection at The Bodega at Roebling.
A charcuterie board available at The Bodega. Photos provided | The Bodega at Roebling
Most of the problems in Fort Thomas were caused by landslides, not flooding. Road slippages were reported on Memorial Parkway and Mary Ingles Highway between Tower Hill and River Road, which were both temporarily closed.
Now that river levels are receding, the region has begun cleanup efforts.
During the height of the flooding on April 6, Eric Willoughby, a freelance photographer, was in Northern Kentucky taking photos.
“Capturing photographs in Covington at this moment is truly astonishing due to the flooding,” Willoughby said. “Many of the locations I typically use for parking my car are now entirely submerged.”
Here’s a selection of Willoughby’s images from April 6.
Granger contributed.
Nathan
High water closed several Covington streets, including Riverside Place. The river crested April 7. Photos by Eric Willoughby | LINK nky contributor
The John Roebling statue on Covington’s Riverside Drive was flooded to its waist.
Riverside Drive in front of the Riverside Terrace condominiums disappeared in the swollen Ohio River April 6.
Only a boat could navigate this intersection on the Covington riverfront on April 6.
The Love the Cov sculpture seems to float in the swollen Ohio River on April 6.
This month’s flood was the worst since 2018, but Northern Kentucky has seen the river overflow its banks many times, most famously in 1937. Here are some photos from previous floods from the collection of the Kenton County Public Library.
Flooding slowed traffic on I-71/75 just south of the Brent Spence Bridge.
1937: Flooding heads south down what was once Court Avenue in Covington. Fame Laundry and several other buildings appear to be closed during the flooding.
Sept. 14, 1984: Flooding at trailer court on Madison Pike in Fort Wright.
Feb. 27, 1979: Floyd Claxton (12) riding bike through flooding street in Dayton.
Jan. 3, 1991: Barleycorn’s is the last place still open on Riverboat Row in Newport. Flooding has closed all others.
Feb. 26, 1985: It would be a while before this picnic table at Locust Pike Part in southern Kenton County could host visitors. It became an island when the Licking River overflowed its banks.
1937: Flooding at 21st Street and Eastern Avenue in Covington. St. Elizabeth Hospital stands on the left.
Newport OKs bond for housing at steel mill site
By Haley Parnell
The $90 million townhome-style rental development planned for a former steel mill in Newport is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Newport’s city commission voted 4-1 on April 7 to approve issuing an industrial revenue bond for the project. Commissioner Ken Rechtin voted no. The 17-acre site, along Ky. 9 at 910 Lowell St., is often called simply the “old steel mill site.” It’s been mostly vacant since 1981.
Developer PLK Communities is proposing to build 195 apartments and a commercial recreation facility on the site. Of the 195 units, 132 would be two-bedroom units estimated to rent for $1,800 – roughly 74% of the area median income – and 63 would be three-bedroom units, estimated to rent for $2,300, or roughly 77% of the median income.
In addition, PLK would help fund planting trees in the city and collaborate on a bike and pedestrian safety study.
“There are numerous benefits of the development, primarily getting the long-vacant contaminated site put back into productive use,” Newport Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen said. “The added benefit to this is that we believe that this will spur additional development along Route 9.”
The apartments would be townhouse-style, with separate entrances and garages behind.
Industrial revenue bonds are a form of municipal bond issued by a government to finance construction or improvement of facilities for private businesses. Steffen said the bond for the PLK project is for $5.50 per $1,000 assessed property values for 40 years. According to Steffen, the $90 million value with payment in lieu of taxes, also known as a PILOT, will represent an excess of about a 2,300% increase in tax revenue on the site for the city.
A PILOT gives the developer a certain property tax reduction to build the site.
The Newport Board of Education still needs to approve the PILOT and is expected to vote on the plan at its next regular meeting. The school’s share is estimated to be $240,000 annually, compared to $21,120 today. A presentation was made to the board at the end of March. Attorney Jim Parsons, with Keating Muething & Klekamp, is the bond counsel for the developer and said the board seemed favorable to the PILOT.
“We will be revitalizing a long-term industrial vacant site,” said Mick Oats with PLK. “We’ll be creating new housing options for the community. We will support Newport’s long-term economic growth plan, and, finally, we’ll provide stability and investment back into Newport and its schools.”
Redeveloping the mill site will require an estimated $5.1 million investment to remediate pollution at the site.
PLK Chief Development Officer Nick Lingenfelter said the developer is are not
aware of many airborne contaminants. He said PLK intends to isolate or cap two or three small hot spots in concrete.
As an additional part of the project, PLK has agreed to donate $150,000 toward planting trees in the city. That would replace part of a $1 million grant Newport received through the Arbor Day Foundation that the federal government rescinded in February. The city had planned to plant 1,000 trees using the grant.
Lingenfelter said PLK intends to tie this development with Ovation nearby and that there will be both internal walkways and sidewalks on the main road for walkability.
“Our thought process from Day 1 has not been to take away from what Ovation is doing, because it’s amazing; it’s how do we complement it, and how do we tie into it?” Lingenfelter said.
Rechtin, who voted against the bond, said he always envisioned the site to be more business-friendly, almost a highway commercial zone, with light industry assembly. He cited New Riff Distilling as an example.
“My hesitancy comes on this in that this is 16 acres, and it’s still prime for us,” Rechtin said. “It is the last large, developable piece in Northern Kentucky within the shadow of Cincinnati.”
Commissioner Mike Radwanski, who said he was on the comprehensive plan steering committee in 2020, and the committee was unsure what could go there. “I see this
as the best possible outcome,” he said.
“We’re talking multiple acres of having an incredibly toxic site cleaned up,” Radwanski said. “It’s going to be a huge improvement for our city.”
Newport resident Tyler Black spoke at the meeting and said PLK seemed like the right people for the job, but he asked them to keep neighbors in the loop.
“If you want to show up to a neighborhood meeting, answer some questions, I think that’s just what it’s all about,” Black said. “Engaging with folks and backing up all your expertise.”
During the meeting, Newport resident Max Long said that, while this is not the exact type of housing he would like to see built in Newport, he thought it was acceptable.
“I think they’ve done their research; they’ve done their market analysis on what is the average income and whatnot,” Long said. “So I think there’s really no better alternative. That’s what I ask myself: If not this, then what else?”
If the Newport Board of Education approves the PILOT, Lingenfelter said site remediation would begin early to mid-summer and take about three months. Construction would be targeted for early fall.
Thursday, May 1 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM
A rendering of the proposed apartments in Newport by PLK. Photos provided | PLK
An example of the interior of PLK apartments.
Independence weighs recreating city board of adjustment
By Nathan Granger
Independence is considering establishing an independent board of adjustment for the city, per a proposed ordinance from council member Greg Steffen.
“Right now we have one person on the county centralized board of adjustment,” Steffen said at city council’s meeting April 7, “and this way, if we go back to having our own, we’ll have five residents of Independence on the board of adjustments to make the decisions for the city instead of multiple people from all over the county and one of our people. And, while I may not agree with the decisions they make, I think I would feel better knowing it’s our people making decisions for our people.”
Boards of adjustment are responsible for hearing requests from local residents and businesses about changing their properties in a way that doesn’t conform to zoning regulations. For example, if a business wants to install a sign that’s slightly larger than what’s currently allowed, it can make a request to a board of adjustment, which will hear the case and decide.
Independence, Fairview, Ludlow, Elsmere, Bromley, Ryland Heights, Kenton Vale and the unincorporated county use a joint board of adjustment through Kenton County Planning and Development Services. The other cities in Kenton County have their own boards. The city had its own board before eventually switching to the joint board in 2014.
Independence’s representative on the joint board is Steven Sorg.
While many council members granted that Steffen’s argument in favor of the city’s own board had merit, there were concerns about cost and finding appointees who’d be willing to serve.
Council member Carol Franzen, who said she voted against joining the joint board in 2014, said that “now that we’ve done it, I think it’s working.”
Plus, she said, there was an issue of ensuring a quorum, the minimum number of members required to conduct business and vote. Steffen’s proposal called for a five-member board, so at least three members would need to be present to have a quorum. It was hard enough finding people willing to run for city council, Franzen said, much less find appointees to a city board.
“If we’re talking about bimonthly meetings and we have five members on the board and we can’t get three there, then, if somebody files for a variance and they’ve missed the deadline for the first meeting, they have to wait two months,” Franzen said.
“Then, if they can’t find a quorum for that meeting, they have to wait an additional two months.”
After more discussion, council agreed to change the proposed ordinance to mandate monthly, not bimonthly, meetings.
Mayor Chris Reinersman shared Franzen’s concern about guaranteeing a quorum. “My concern is, on the practical level, is A) finding five people and then getting the five people here.”
City Attorney Jack Gatlin also serves as city attorney for Erlanger, which has its own board of adjustment. When asked by Franzen about that board’s attendance, he admitted “there’s a lot of turnover in the members.”
“I can’t speak for the mayor or city administrator that are looking to fill those positions,” Gatlin said. “I just feel like every couple months we are appointing a new person on the board.”
Reinersman added that sometimes it was
good to get disinterested third parties to look at city issues rather than someone who’s wrapped up in local interests. Council member Brian Fehler agreed, saying the joint board “takes out the emotion and the bias.”
There also is the issue of cost. The joint county board allows the city to transfer costs to the county rather than draw from its own operating budget to staff and operate the board. Plus, board members would be required to undergo legally mandated education in order to maintain their positions.
“[Kenton County Planning and Development Services] do the advertising for us, they make sure we have the quorum, they make sure there’s continuing education of members, which we’re not going to be responsible for,” Franzen said. “If we return that back to the city, then it’s going to cost us $10,000 or $11,000 at the minimum per year, plus we’re still paying [the county] for service they’re not giving us.”
Gatlin estimated the attorney’s fees for a typical board of adjustment meeting to be between $500 and $700. Reinersman affirmed Franzen’s figures, saying that a typical meeting would cost the city between $1,000 and $1,200. The board members themselves would take home a small stipend, $100 divided evenly among the board members, according to Steffen’s proposal, per meeting.
The council eventually agreed to invite Kenton County Planning and Development Services Director Sharmili Reddy to next month’s meeting for further discussion before the council gave the proposal a second reading and cast its vote.
A proposal before Independence City Council would reestablish the city’s board of adjustment.
kenton county briefs
Elsmere council sets public hearing date for ousted member
Elsmere City Council voted unanimously April 8 to schedule a public hearing for Councilmember Serena Owen. The hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. May 27.
Councilmember Gloria Grubbs, who proposed the date and time, noted that the scheduling is tentative and subject to change because Councilmember Maria Vogt was not present to cast her vote.
The council in March voted to remove Owen from her duties due to her prolonged absence from meetings. She is entitled to a public hearing over the decision. Attorney Jeff Otis, co-owner of Covington-based law firm Otis, Braun & Johnson, will represent Elsmere City Council at the public hearing.
The council previously discussed the possibility of removing Owen at its March 4 caucus meeting. The issue was brought to the council by Eric Bunzow, an Elsmere resident and Kenton County Board of Elections employee.
Bunzow has clashed with Owen over her waiving council pay and her absence at council meetings. Owen has attributed her inability to attend meetings in person to safety concerns because Bunzow carries an unloaded gun into the council chamber.
“Using me as an excuse has been very childish when I stand here with an empty gun, yet she has come to my place of employment multiple times and there was no issue,” Bunzow said.
Owen requested virtual meeting attendance on grounds of ADA accommodation through the last months of 2024. The council voted against the request at its Jan. 7 caucus meeting. Owen has not been present at any council meetings since she was elected in November.
The city has offered various safety measures to Owen, including protective plexiglass around her seat in the council chamber, a bulletproof vest and a police escort between her car and the chamber. At the March 4 caucus, Mayor Marty Lenhof informed council members that the protective glass option would cost $17,000 and virtual meeting attendance would also cost a lot of money.
Covington amends proposed ordinance for slow-moving vehicles
Covington’s city commission voted to amend a proposed ordinance that would expand the area where city residents can drive golf carts and other slow-moving vehicles in the city.
The commission gave first reading of the ordinance on April 8 following the vote to amend. The commissioners will cast a final vote on the ordinance in two weeks.
The amendments include several new regulations, including reducing the number of roads on which carts and similar vehicles could go.
“We’re making this amendment to the ordinance for several reasons,” said Commissioner Tim Acri, who proposed the ordinance the week before. “First and foremost, currently, I think there’s a lot of confusion as to where vehicles can be operated, specifically e-bikes, e-scooters, gas-powered bikes, scooters, etc. The current ordinance allows golf carts and other vehicles to be operated north of 12th Street.
“We’re simply trying to clear the air here,” he said. “This is not a golf cart amendment; this is a vehicle amendment that will allow other residents who don’t have the luxury of cars or catching a bus or an electric taxi or whatever the case may be to be able to
move freely throughout the city.”
Current city law doesn’t mention golf carts specifically; instead, it uses an umbrella term, “low-speed vehicles,” which includes golf carts. Acri’s original proposal would add language referring to golf carts explicitly and would allow them to be driven on any city-owned road. They’re currently allowed only between the borders of the Ohio and Licking rivers up to and including 12th Street (or MLK Boulevard) and Philadelphia Street. Driving on state-owned roads would be prohibited.
The amendments to Acri’s original proposal include the following:
• Add a requirement for seat belt assemblies that conform to federal regulations for golf carts.
• Add a definition for “street-legal special purpose vehicle[s],” which refer to various all-terrain vehicles, mini trucks and military vehicles with pneumatic tires, among other vehicles. Such vehicles would be subject to the same strictures as golf carts.
• Low-speed vehicles of all kinds could be driven only in areas where the speed limit is 20 miles per hour or lower. Such vehicles would not be allowed to cross roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or higher unless there’s an electronic traffic signal at the intersection.
City Solicitor Frank Schultz attempted to clarify what he believed were some residents’ misunderstandings.
“There’s been an understanding in our community that our code ordinances prohibits the use of motorized bicycles and scooters and other smaller types of vehicles from operating south of 12th Street,” Schultz said. “That’s actually not correct.
“Our ordinances do not currently prohibit that. So, part of what we did here is we’ve made it explicitly clear that vehicles like that are able to operate citywide. They just have to do so on streets with posted speed limits of 20 miles per hour or less and as long as they have a license and abide by some of the other regulations.”
Mayor Ron Washington said that, by lim-
iting the streets on which slow-moving vehicles could travel, he hoped it would encourage cyclists to travel around the city more safely. He pointed to the Red Bike, a nonprofit bike-sharing program.
“We’re encouraging [people] to ride Red Bikes, especially from some of the southern parts of 12th Street to the northern parts, for jobs and employment,” Washington said. “You know, I was one of those people who grew up, and I didn’t have a car, and I had to ride a bicycle. So, we’re encouraging people to ride on the streets safely.”
Haile Foundation returns to founder’s roots with move back to Covington
The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation is returning to Northern Kentucky, establishing its new home in downtown Covington at Ralph Haile Square – the same building where Ralph V. Haile Jr. spent much of his professional life.
The foundation is a nonprofit that has funded various civic, cultural and education initiatives around Greater Cincinnati, including BLINK.
After operating for many years from the Cincinnati side of the Ohio River, the foundation has decided to relocate to the historic former People’s Liberty Bank complex at Sixth Street and Madison Avenue by fall. The space is currently occupied by a U.S. Bank branch.
In February, Covington announced a proposed development incentive for the foundation. That incentive grants the founda-
Elsmere City Council previously discussed removing Serena Owen from duties at its March 4 caucus meeting. Photo by Mildred Nguyen.
“The Ripple of Ralph,” a mural by artist Christian Dallas, features a depiction of the late Ralph V. Haile Jr. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
tion a 1% payroll tax reimbursement for new jobs it brings to Covington over five years. A non-incentivized five-year retention period would follow.
“Mr. Haile’s former office will be converted into the foundation’s new board room, where the governing body of the foundation will evaluate and determine how best to carry out Mr. and Mrs. Haile’s legacy,” foundation President and CEO Bernie McKay said in a news release. “This is a homecoming in the best sense of the word.”
Haile, known for his signature bow tie and commitment to revitalizing Covington’s urban core, was CEO of Peoples Liberty Bank and Trust Co. The former Army Air Corps pilot was behind many projects in Northern Kentucky, including Old Town Plaza, MainStrasse and the Licking Riverside neighborhood.
Independence OKs plan by Fort Wright developer to build 38 townhomes
Independence City Council approved a final development plan April 7 for a cluster of 38 townhomes off Bristow Road, just south of Beechgrove Elementary.
The council approved a grading plan for the development in February. The unanimous approval finalizes the rest of the site’s development plan.
There was little discussion of the development among council members at the latest meeting beyond brief discussion of turnarounds and roads – the development will sport private roads, which the city will not be responsible for maintaining.
The development is the work of Legacy Management, a Fort Wright real estate firm that develops both commercial and residential property.
Brian Fullenkamp of Legacy Management, who attended the April 7 meeting, told LINK that timelines for construction and pricing for the townhomes are not yet known because the project is in such an early phase. However, he sent a picture of what the properties may look like, although
he indicated the finished properties could contain anywhere from two to eight units.
The council’s decision is final.
Alfio’s Buon Cibo to open 2nd location in former Rich’s Proper
Alfio’s Buon Cibo announced the restaurant will expand into Covington.
The Italian eatery in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park neighborhood is opening a second restaurant at 701 Madison Ave., the space formerly occupied by Rich’s Proper. Rich’s announced its permanent closure in December.
Alfio’s leadership detailed its intentions in a Facebook post, which earmarked June as the opening date for the second concept.
“This June, we’ll be opening a second concept – this time, across the river in Covington. It’s a project born from late-night ideas, years of shared service, and the kind of bond you only build over thousands of dinner rushes and clinked glasses,” read the post.
Alfio’s is a unique fusion of Italian and Argentine flavors. Its menu boasts hand-cut steaks, fresh pasta, empanadas and a diverse selection of wines.
Tax filing deadline extended in Kentucky in response to storms
Team Kentucky announced April 8 that the state would extend its tax filing deadline because of recent severe weather.
The extension gives affected taxpayers whose filing deadline is on or after April 15 until Nov. 3 to file Kentucky income tax returns and submit tax payments for individual income tax, corporate income tax, pass-through entity tax, income tax withholding, limited liability entity tax, quarterly estimated payments and Kentucky payroll payments.
“Folks, remember, we’re in this together, and we keep trying to find different ways to help out,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “Some will be big, some will be small, but we hope that they all come together and show that the people of this state love you, and that we’re trying to do our very best to help.”
Beshear said Kentucky’s extensions for state tax deadlines will mirror the Internal Revenue Service’s federal extensions related to this disaster for filing income tax returns, including payment of tax due. Late filing and payment penalties will be waived for affected taxpayers seeking this relief so long as such payments are made on or before Nov. 3.
Kentucky’s tax laws have no provision for the waiver of interest.
Taxpayers requiring additional information or assistance may contact the Department of Revenue at 502-564-4581 for individual income tax or 502-564-8139 for corporation income, limited liability entity and pass-through entity tax.
Zoning change OK’d to help attract buyer for former day care
The Kenton County Planning Commission approved a zoning change for a former day care center in Covington in hopes of attracting buyers.
The zoning change came early this month after the property’s owner asked for the change to allow more businesses to go on the site. The owner believes the change will facilitate the building’s sale.
The building, on Benton Road in Covington, is owned by Romper Room Child Care, which operated there until 2018. The own-
er later leased the building to another day care provider, which, in turn, left it in December 2023. The building’s owner, Terri Willis, told the planning commission she’s struggled to draw in potential buyers.
“There’s no use for a child care center in that location any longer,” Willis said, “so I handled the building for a year trying to figure out what to do with it, and with the limited uses the building sat completely unoccupied for one year.”
Willis had requested to change the building’s current suburban residential zoning to a semi-urban residential zone, which would allow for a greater number of uses at the site.
Willis submitted a development plan with her request in which she promised not to sell the building to certain types of businesses in order to protect the integrity of the neighborhood, namely scrap yards and recycling centers, addiction treatment facilities, pawn shops, anything that might emit harsh chemicals or generate loud noises, mobile home parks, short-term rentals, cemeteries, banks or credit unions.
Two residents from nearby neighborhoods expressed concern about the site’s uncertain future, and the commission members debated whether Willis would uphold her commitment not to market the site to certain businesses.
However, given that Willis had submitted a development plan with the request (which the commission typically treats as a binding document), any major changes to the building by either Willis or a future owner would have to come before the planning commission again for approval.
In the end, the commission voted 11-2 in favor of the zoning change, with the condition that Willis uphold her promise.
The former Rich’s Proper in Covington will be the site of Alfio’s second restaurant. Provided | Rich’s Proper on Facebook
The former day care center on Benton Road in Covington. Provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services
By Meghan Goth
IInside LINK: I’m asking you for money
might as well just come out and say it:
I’m writing this column to ask you for money.
Whenever I see fundraising campaigns that lure me with the promise of a good, compelling read or watch only to realize it was a long request for money, the last thing I want to do is get out my card. It makes me feel duped.
So I figured I would just be up front about it: Would you donate to LINK nky?
You’re probably used to news organizations that charge you for their product in one way or another. You might subscribe to a news site or newspaper, or pay for cable or buy a box to watch TV news.
Some local news sites, like the Enquirer, offer some news free and put other news behind a paywall. Others, like the Business Courier, put all their content behind a paywall.
Most news organizations have some version of a paywall, and lots of our readers are surprised when they find out we don’t have one. Then they’re confused: How do you make money?
That’s kind of a complicated question, but the long and short of it is that, instead of requiring everyone who comes to our site to pay for news, we’re asking those who can to contribute.
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Your donations won’t go to buying me a fancy car (let’s be real – I drive a Kia) or to pay for a restaurant reviewer or to send reporters to professional sports games. Your donations help make it possible for:
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Meghan Goth is executive editor at LINK nky. Email her at mgoth@linknky.com.
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By Maggy McDonel
NKY book clubs: Find community through reading
What’s better than curling up with a good book? Maybe getting to talk to people about the book.
Around the region, there are plenty of book clubs to join, whether you’re looking for something virtual, something educational or you’re looking to start something of your own.
Read on to learn about some of the unique book clubs across Northern Kentucky.
Fort Thomas Book Club
The Fort Thomas Book Club’s Facebook page has nearly 1,000 members.
Pam Schultz, who runs the group, said she started it in 2022 to get recommendations for new things to read. “I really didn’t need new books, because I have plenty I haven’t read, but it was just a way to gather and get new recommendations,” she told LINK nky.
Schultz said she started the group and invited some friends, who invited their friends, and it started to grow. While it is named the Fort Thomas Book Club (because that’s where Schultz lives and, she said, because she had a “lack of creativity” when she named it), she said everyone is welcome.
“People will get on there and share memes or just funny stories or book recommendations and just say, ‘Hey, what did you think about this book?’ or just give their opinion,” said Schultz.
The group meets in person on the first Wednesday of every month. The meeting location changes; it is often at Hidden Chapter Bookstore in Fort Thomas, but it also has met at Fort Thomas Coffee and Grassroots and Vine. “We’re just trying to spread the love to our independent business owners in town,” said Schultz. “We make sure to order drinks and food and tip well.”
While the Facebook group is large, Schultz said about 15 to 20 people consistently attend the in-person discussions. “We learn
a lot about each other and our takes on the book, and how we have different impressions of the book. It can be quite eye-opening,” she said.
“It’s almost like a group therapy session.”
In the past, Schultz said they picked titles off a running list of recommendations, but she said after they hit 75, “we realized we’d probably never get through them all.” So now, group members pitch books, and, if their books are picked, they’re assigned to it for the month, and the person who pitched kicks off the discussion with questions and talking points.
While the discussion starts out organized, Schultz said it’s not so academic that it’s boring: “We laugh, we can be obnoxious and sometimes inappropriate, but it’s a really good time.”
Learn more at the Fort Thomas Book Club’s Facebook page.
Roebling Books and Coffee
Roebling Books and Coffee is a combination coffee shop and bookstore with three locations across Northern Kentucky: Covington, Newport and Dayton. Last year, the popular local chain started book clubs. It now has four.
Jaiden Bolin, Roebling’s event director, told LINK nky that the response to the clubs has been great. One group, Reading is Fundamental, has really taken off. “It’s our queer club, and they have become such a success
that we can’t allow more people to join. It’s amazing.”
In response to that group’s popularity, Roebling started the A is for Activism Book Club. There’s also a Thriller Book Club and a club “all about Japanese fiction that purrs,” according to Bolin, called Matcha & Meow.
Bolin said a unique feature of Roebling is that it offers both private and public book clubs.
At least seven members are asked to attend the public groups. The host gets a free book, a free drink and plenty of Roebling swag. While members don’t have to buy their books through Roebling, Bolin said that they get a discount if they purchase through the store.
Bolin said they’ve had up to 20 attendees at public club meetings. He said he likes to cap it there because “I just want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.”
Bolin said they have around six private clubs that meet mostly at the Newport location in the afternoon. These clubs are not open to the public; however, anyone can start one.
“We just want people to come and have a safe space to gather and really get to know one another over a great read,” said Bolin.
For more information about Roebling Books and Coffee Book clubs, visit roeblingbooks.com.
Kenton County Library
What better place to find a new read than at the library? The Kenton County library has some great programs for all bookworms.
Bookies Book Club meets once a month at the library’s Erlanger branch. Program director Mary Burkey picks a book for the group to read and discuss each month.
“We generally read things that have some sort of critical acclaim,” Burkey said. The books range in genre from mysteries to memoirs to sci-fi, romance and more. Burkey said she also often tries to pick works with local ties and books that coincide with author visits.
Also at the Kenton County Library is the Book to Art Club, in which participants read a book in advance, then, rather than just discuss the book, participate in a creative project connected to the book.
All book clubs at the Kenton County Library are open to the public; you don’t have to be a member or even live in Kenton County to join.
Bookies, Burkey said, has a core group that consistently attends every month, including 90-year-old Sue and a mother-daughter pair that has been attending for years, plus a rotating cast of participants.
“It’s really nice because everybody catches up with one another,” Burkey said. “It’s a lot of catching up on how people have been, how their families are, and what’s going on in people’s lives, which is really nice, because it is a group of people that probably wouldn’t encounter each other otherwise.”
If you’re looking to start your own book club, the Kenton County Library offers book club kits to any library cardholder, which include 15 copies of over 200 titles.
Find more information about Bookies and other Kenton County Library programs at kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com.
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The Hidden Chapter bookstore in Fort Thomas is known for its elegantly designed interior and wide selection of books and gifts. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
Longtime St. Henry boys basketball coach
Dave Faust to retire
There aren’t many Dave Fausts out there.
He’s one of a kind.
On April 7, the longtime St. Henry boys’ basketball coach decided it was time to retire.
Faust has been at post for the Crusaders for 33 years and is the 9th Region all-time wins leader with 482 career victories. While students at 3755 Scheben Drive in Erlanger have been priority, Faust wants to prioritize other things in his life now.
The coaching accolades rattle off like a grocery list. On top of the all-time leader in wins in the 9th, he led the Crusaders to three All “A” state championships and eight 9th Region All “A” titles. In 2003, he guided St. Henry to the Sweet 16 after winning the 9th Region title.
Faust has won numerous coach of the year honors at both the state and local levels. He’s a member of the Newport Central Catholic Hall of Fame, Thomas More Hall of Fame, Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Newport Central Catholic and attending Thomas More University, Faust got his start in coaching as an assistant under Jim Connor at Thomas More. He then went on to Newport to coach the Wildcats before heading back to his alma mater, NewCath, to coach baseball and be a basketball assistant. He then landed at St. Henry and has been there ever since. In August, St. Henry named its gym
after longtime coaches Faust and volleyball coach Maureen Kaiser.
Faust will retire as an educator in the classroom as well at the end of the school year.
Highlands only team from region ranked in softball coaches poll
The reigning three-time 9th Region softball champion Highlands is the lone team ranked in the initial weekly statewide softball coaches poll on April 7.
The Bluebirds are off to a 9-5 start to the season (as of April 9) and ranked 24th in the poll. Payton Brown leads the team at the plate with a .568 batting average and 24 RBI. She’s one of seven hitters batting over .300 to start the season. Allison Meyers (.405), Kaitlyn Dixon (.359), Morgan Pompilio (.351), Bailee Class (.343), Cam Markus (.333) and Bailey Zepf (.333) are all over .300 through the team’s first 14 games.
Dixon leads them in the circle, pitching in 12 games with a 1.24 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched.
Others off to a strong start to the season in NKY include Notre Dame (5-1), Bishop Brossart (8-1), Campbell County (8-2), Ryle (4-2) and Holy Cross (6-3).
The top five teams in the state in the initial poll were South Warren at No. 1 and then Assumption, Greenwood, Henderson County and Male.
CovCath,
Ryle
show up in state baseball Top 25
The Covington Catholic and Ryle baseball teams continue to hold firm in the Prep Kentucky Baseball power rankings Top 25.
The Colonels are ranked 20th in the latest poll that came out April 7, Ryle at No. 24, the lone two Northern Kentucky teams ranked.
Covington Catholic started the season hot at 7-1, but has cooled off, losing three straight to drop to 7-4 as of April 10. The last loss was a 7-1 loss to Ryle on April 8 before upending the Raiders on March 19, 10-2. The Colonels have six batters hitting over .300 on the season led by Tyler Carnes with a .417 batting average. George Unkraut (.409), Jack Nolan (.385), Ben McEvoy (.367), Marcus Suwinski (.357) and Jackson Kremer (.321) are all over .300 at the plate. Logan Wermuth has a 1.62 ERA in three starts with 23 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched. The Colonels bullpen has allowed just three earned runs in 15.1 innings pitched.
Ryle is 7-3 to start the season as of April 10. Anthony Coppola leads the team in hitting with a .355 batting average, Matt Furtado at .333 and Dylan McIntyre batting .324. McIntyre has a 0.58 ERA on the mound in 12 innings pitched with 21 strikeouts. The Ryle pitching staff sports a 2.30 ERA.
Other Northern Kentucky baseball teams off to a strong start to the season are: Calvary Christian (8-2), Bishop Brossart (6-2), Campbell County (8-3), Simon Kenton (42-2) and Walton-Verona (8-4).
The top five teams in the power rankings were Trinity at No. 1 then Pleasure Ridge Park, Sayre, St. Xavier and Ballard.
Five players from area participate in Kentucky-Ohio All-Star basketball game
Five Northern Kentucky seniors participated April 12 in the Kentucky-Ohio All-Star basketball game at Thomas More University.
Lloyd Memorial’s E.J. Walker, Cooper’s Andy Johnson and Walton-Verona’s Aaron Gutman were on the Kentucky boys team. The Kentucky girls team featured Newport Central Catholic’s Caroline Eaglin and Walton-Verona’s Braylin Terrell.
Walker and Johnson shared KABC 9th Region Player of the Year honors, while Gutman shared the KABC 8th Region Player of the Year award with Woodford County’s Armelo Boone.
Eaglin was the 9th Region KABC Player of the Year award winner.
Two Northern Kentucky coaches also were involved in the game as assistants, Lloyd Memorial boys coach Mike Walker and Holy Cross girls coach Ted Arlinghaus.
The result of the game came after press time.
The Kentucky-Ohio All-Star basketball game featured five Northern Kentucky players. Provided
Dave Faust is the all-time wins leader in the 9th Region with 482 victories. Provided | Robert Lux
Highlands’ softball team is the lone NKY team ranked in the initial Top 25 coaches poll. Provided | Charles Bolton
Covington Catholic’s baseball team is ranked No. 20 in the Kentucky Prep Baseball Power Rankings as it awaits the return of Jackson Reardon from injury. Provided | Charles Bolton
Retired Kenton County extension agent honored with inaugural Ralph Bailey Award
By Haley Parnell
Dan Allen, a retired Kenton County Cooperative Extension agent, is the inaugural Ralph Bailey Award recipient.
The Kenton County Fiscal Court presented Allen with the award at a meeting on April 9. The county created the Ralph Bailey Award to help keep Bailey’s memory alive. The award recognizes public servants who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, dedication, and impact in their careers serving Kenton County residents. Bailey, who died in December 2024 at 93, devoted over three decades to the Kenton County government.
Originally from West Virginia, Allen graduated from the College of Agriculture and Forestry at West Virginia University.
In 2005, Allen was named Kenton Coun-
ty Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. For over two decades, he spearheaded educational programs, community leadership development and awareness of agriculture production in Kenton County.
“It’s been a privilege at the extension office every day; it was an honor to go to work for my community,” Allen said. “I can’t think of a more rewarding job than to serve the rural residents and the farmers in south Kenton County. And thank you to the family. When I read about Mr. Bailey, I did a little homework on him. Just to think I have a small piece of that kind of leadership. It was amazing.”
Kenton County Commissioner Beth Sewell nominated Allen for the recognition.
“Dan has been the quintessential friend to many farmers in Kenton County and be-
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yond,” Sewell said at the meeting. “I know that your scope is not just limited to here because he’s a wealth of knowledge from UK, and the research that they’ve done has been so helpful to so many people in our community, and you’re going to be missed [after] 20 years.”
Bailey joined the county as an assistant county administrator and served as county administrator under Judge-Executive Clyde Middleton. In 1999, Bailey was named special projects manager, a role he kept until his retirement in 2021.
Bailey contributed to several key projects, including constructing the Kenton County Justice Center and the Kenton County Detention Center.
Beyond his governmental roles, he was involved in the community, taking on roles with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Kenton
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County Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA Metropolitan Board of Directors.
Bailey’s family, including his children, grandchildren and wife, Pat Bailey, attended when Allen received the award.
“He always enjoyed coming out and being with all of you that he worked with,” Pat Bailey said. “I don’t think I ever heard him complain too much about something going wrong or not going right because he knew that you all could fix it some way or another. So, I do want to tell you that he did enjoy coming and being with you and spending the day having the good things or bad things that you had to work with.”
Each member of the fiscal court may nominate one Ralph Bailey honoree a year. Award recipients must have at least 10 years of non-elected public service to Kenton County residents and be fully retired.
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Dan Allen receives the first Ralph Bailey Award in Kenton County. Provided | Kenton County Dan Allen with Ralph Bailey’s family. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky
1927 home with lake views, heated pool
Address: 21 Winding Way, Crestview Hills
Price: $1,200,000
Bedrooms: Five
Bathrooms: Two (plus one half bath)
Square footage: 3,814
School district: Kenton County
County: Kenton
Special features: This updated home, built in 1927, sits on an over half-acre lot in Crestview Hills. The property features a large yard with a heated in-ground gunite pool. Inside, an open-concept layout offers natural light, five bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and views of the neighborhood lake.
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
• AJ’s Towing & Recovery
• Boone County Clerk
• Campbell County Clerk’s Office
• Campbell County District Court
• Campbell County Fire District #1
• Campbell County Fiscal Court
• Campbell County Planning & Zoning
Request for Proposals- Lawn and Landscaping Services
The Housing Authority of Covington is soliciting Request for Proposal (RFP) responses for Lawn and Landscaping Services. The RFP documents may be obtained beginning Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. by email request to procurements@hacov.org. Responses are due at the Housing Authority of Covington at 2300 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41014 no later than 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
RFP’s are subject to Section 3, EEO, Federal and State Law.
• Campbell County Public Library
• Campbell County Sheriffs Office
• City of Alexandria
• City of Bellevue
• City of Cold Spring
• City of Covington
• City of Cresent Springs
• City of Crestview Hills
• City of Dayton
• City of Edgewood
• City of Elsmere
• City of Erlanger
• City of Florence
• City of Fort Mitchell
• City of Fort Thomas
• City of Fort Wright
• City of Highland Heights
• City of Independence
• City of Lakeside Park
• City of Ludlow
• City of Newport
• City of Ryland Heights
• City of Silver Grove
• City of Southgate
• City of Union
• City of Villa Hills
• City Of Walton
• City of Wilder
• City of Woodlawn
• Covington Public Independent Schools
• Cresent Springs Board of Adjustment
• Family Dollar Store
• Fort Mitchell Board of Adjustment
• Fort Thomas Independent Schools
• Highland Heights Planning & Zoning
• Joseph F Grimme, Campbell County Master Commissioner
• Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL
• Kenton County Fiscal Court
• Kenton County Joint Board of Adjustment
• Larry Dillon, Boone County Master Commissioner
• Northern Kentucky Port Authority
• Northern Kentucky Water District
• Planning & Development Services of Kenton County
• The Baker Firm PLLC
• The Hidden Chapter Bookstore LLC
An exterior view of this Crestview Hills property. Photos provided | Lara Camden with Huff Realty
A view of this home’s living space and sun room.
This home’s backyard features an inground pool.
WINNER’S PARTY
THURSDAY, MAY 8 TH | 5:30 | FULL THROTTLE ADRENALINE PARK
Your ticket includes:
4 Axe Throwing - Show off your skills! 4 Go-Karting – Experience high-speed thrills!
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4 One Drink Ticket – Cheers to the winners! ALL ARE WELCOME!!
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