LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Issue 29 - June 13, 2025
Highlands grad has one last call for Bluebirds
By Evan Dennison
He’s called hundreds of games for Highlands athletics. His last will be on a grand stage – the KHSAA state baseball tournament in Lexington.
Brennan Bucher has been on the air for years on bluebirdsradio.com, whether it’s a football, basketball or baseball game. The June 6 game against South Warren (or however long the Bluebirds baseball team goes) will be his last one.
“It’s everything I could have asked for,” Bucher said. “If you told me I could have got to do any game at UK, but for it to be Highlands baseball at UK on the biggest stage, to be able to do that is pretty incredible. I can’t really put it into words on how grateful I am with this group.”
Bucher recently graduated from Highlands and is headed to Arizona State University to continue his education and what he hopes will be a long broadcasting career. He’ll likely head west with more experience than most of his college classmates … combined.
He’s spent countless hours not only calling games, but in pregame preparation, gameday setup and operations. Some may just hear Bucher on the radio calling games or announcing basketball as the PA, but there’s a lot more to it.
“He’s my right-hand man,” Highlands Athletic Director Wes Caldwell said. “He knows all the ins and outs. Stats, scoreboard, PA. I trust him wholeheartedly, which is hard to do for an 18-year-old kid. He gets it done. We wouldn’t run as smooth as it does without Brennan Bucher.”
This last, and one of his only, state tournament trips with a Highlands team is a special one for him. Bucher played baseball growing up and through his freshman year.
“I was on the same team with a majority of these guys: Jacob Robinson, Brooks Hendrix, Adam Forton, Iain Carner. You go around most of the lineup, and I’ve played with them,” Bucher said. “We’re all really, really close. It makes it exciting to keep covering this team and easier to call games and do work on guys that I know so well.”
Continues on page 3
Fort Thomas park land sale for grocery stalls
LINK staff report
On June 2, Fort Thomas hinted that a “large grocery store” chain could come to Memorial Parkway. By the end of the week, though, the idea was stalled.
At the June 2 Fort Thomas City Council meeting, City Administrator Matt Kremer announced the city would sell 6.8 acres of Carlisle Park for $650,000 for an unnamed grocery store. Although the city declined to name the business, the project was said to be handled by Cincinnati-based developer STNL Development, which is developing a Publix store in Owensboro.
Fort Thomas Councilmember Andy Ellison told LINK nky that the deal would have to be done through a municipal order, but that it most likely doesn’t have the votes
to come to fruition. Council would have to vote on the order to allow the mayor to enter into a contract with the development company. If there are not enough votes, there’s no project.
“I’m pretty confident that there’s enough no [votes] to where it wouldn’t pass, where it may not even make it to the agenda,” Ellison said.
A municipal order is a binding official act of a municipality’s legislative body that deals with internal matters and is enforceable, though not so broadly as an ordinance.
“My belief is that the city of Fort Thomas is very proud to call itself a city within a park,” Ellison told LINK. “The value that the green space brings far outweighs any revenue that we would get from a project like this.”
Continues on page 4
Brennan Bucher calling a game on Bluebirdsradio.com. Provided
Fort Thomas resident Sharon McKnight addressed city council with concerns about the proposed sale of the Carlisle property. Council member Eric Strange listens. Photo by Robin Gee | LINK nky contributor
PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meghan Goth
SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison
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When he realized the MLB draft wasn’t going to be calling his name in 2025 and that colleges weren’t going to be beating down his door with offers, he found his calling in calling games for Bluebirds radio.
“I just like calling games on air, telling stories,” Bucher said. “I see it as not working with games but working with people. I look back at all the people I was able to call and work with, loved every bit of it.”
He’ll go out with the rest of his Bluebird counterparts on the diamond whenever that is. Either June 6 or what they hope to be an extended run into the next weekend, finishing off something the program has been so close to doing – winning a state championship. They’ve finished runner-up twice, once in 2015 against West Jessamine and then again in 2018 to St. Xavier.
Eighth grade fill-in
Bucher recalls his first game as PA announcer. He was in eighth grade for that Highlands home girls basketball game against Scott.
“They needed someone to fill in for the guy that normally did it,” Bucher said. “I liked it, so I ran with it.”
“We wanted Brennan to fill in, and then he became a fixture,” Richey said. “It was one less thing I’d have to worry about. He was a pro and did an outstanding job.”
Richey taught Bucher in eighth grade, and the evolution of his extracurricular activity and working on his craft at the high school has been second to none.
“He adds excitement and knows when to tone it down,” Richey said. “He gets the crowd involved, has a willingness to learn. He’s asked what he could do better or what he could do differently. Credit to Mr. Poff who gave him the access and availability to do this in high school.”
This month’s state baseball tournament game won’t be his first state tournament. He called the girls soccer state tournament game in 2022 when he was a sophomore.
“He was all about the boys sports at first, but he came around and realized girls sports are just as entertaining,” Richey said.
Fast-tracking Bucher to where he is now is that the Highlands journalism department run by Bill Poff excels. Not only do students get a leg up on how media production works, but they also get to gain experience with gameday events, newscasts and the student run website, The Hilltopper (read it at hhsjournalism.com).
“They’ve collected awards galore, and the students get to take advantage of what’s there,” Bucher said. “I’ve messed up time and time again, but that’s what it’s for. Mr. Poff has an extreme knack and talent to teach kids how to do this.”
What’s next
Bucher heads this fall to Arizona State in August to major in broadcast journalism.
Prior to heading to Tempe, he’s doing playby-play for the Hamilton Joes, a college summer baseball team in Ohio. He’ll be involved with the gameday production for broadcast setup where he hopes to learn even more than just on-air skills.
His dream job is to be with a professional baseball team. “Love the sport, longevity of the season and just how baseball works,”
Bucher said. “I’m a baseball nerd.”
Caldwell has one request when that happens.
“We’ll be sitting back watching him on ESPN one day,” Caldwell said. “I’ve made a joke that I’m getting two tickets to whatever his first big game is.”
Brennan Bucher, right, with Highlands senior Jacob Robinson and the region championship trophy. Provided
Continued from page 1
During the June 2 meeting, Kremer noted that, since the 24-acre park was donated by philanthropist Wayne Carlisle in 2021, the city has grappled with drainage, grading and access concerns on the property. Plans for park amenities had been set aside while research was conducted to determine the site’s stability.
The city had been meeting with Sanitation District 1, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Newport officials (a small portion of the site is in that city) to review concerns over drainage and other issues. In the meantime, the city met behind closed doors with representatives of the unnamed grocery chain over the past few months but had not disclosed any information until the June council meeting.
A geotechnical analysis of the land was undertaken in 2024. Three inclinometers – instruments used for measuring angles of slope, elevation, or depression – tracked land movement at the site. The data, Kremer said, showed a shift of around a half-inch every six months. He said that addressing the problems it revealed and to stabilize the area would cost the city between $415,000 and $845,000.
Opposition to development
The plan outlined June 2 would have included a 47,000 square-foot, two-story building with a parking lot. The grocery was to be on the second floor with a 3,200-square-foot liquor store and a parking garage on the first floor. The garage would have 75 spac-
es, and another 140 were planned for an adjacent surface lot.
Kremer said the plan would be subject to approval by the planning commission as well as the city’s design review board and board of adjustment. It also would require either a zoning change or a new zone, he said. The property is now zoned as residential.
In his presentation to council, Kremer highlighted potential economic benefits to the city, including payroll and property taxes, insurance premiums and franchise fees. He said the store would employ between 120 and 200 people, both part-time and full-time.
“In total, conservative estimates are over $180,000 [more money to the city] the first year,” he said. That would make the store one of the five highest-revenue businessed in the city.
Some residents, though, were skeptical of the idea. Three people who came to speak on the city’s budget also weighed in on the proposed Carlisle land sale.
“Fort Thomas is only 5.2 square miles,” said Sharon McKnight. “That makes preserving our green space incredibly important. Most residents, myself included, support the vision and the comprehensive plan to remain a city in a park and the preservation of green space. Selling off land that was donated in 2021 to be used as a park goes directly against that vision, in my opinion.”
Forest Run Community Yard Sale
Forest Run Subdivision in Independence, KY is hosting a multi–family community yard sale Saturday, 6/21 beginning 8:00 AM. Subdivision located behind city building and Memorial Park.
She read from a 2021 LINK article about Carlisle’s donation that noted the city’s excitement over receiving the land and its intention to create a park on the land.
“So how did we go from celebrating this property to now looking into selling it for profit to a regional grocery store?” asked McKnight. “If that property had real development potential, it likely would have been built on long before it was donated to the city as a public park.”
She urged council to include residents in discussions like this earlier in the process. “Send out a new survey, see if the community wants this,” she said. “But I tell you, I’m
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pretty sure we enjoy our green space and our little small plain town.”
Other residents who spoke echoed her concerns to protect green space within the city.
As for what’s next for the property, Ellison said the city has authorized money in next year’s budget to fix some drainage problems on the site. “We haven’t decided exactly what to do with it, but for the time being, we plan on just maybe planting some trees and making it green space,” Ellison said.
Robin Gee contributed to this story.
Grilling Faves
Kenton Schools touts student success
By Nathan Granger
Kenton County Schools is celebrating success stories in the district, including 68 students who earned an associate’s degree or accumulated more than 64 college credit hours while still in high school, as well as over $29 million in scholarships for postsecondary education.
“I would say we as a board team, district team, have been able to do some pretty cool things, I think, for kids and families,” said Superintendent Henry Webb before the board of education’s June 2 meeting.
Webb noted different programs in the district, the state’s sixth largest and region’s second largest after Boone County. In addition to the accolades mentioned before,
the senior class earned 11,853 college credit hours through the district’s dual credit program. Webb said the district has about “300 kids going to college all day, every day” while still enrolled in high school.
Students take Advanced Placement courses, too, but the students’ AP test results were not yet available at the meeting.
In addition, district officials recognized over 35 students that will take part in the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars, School for the Arts and School for Entrepreneurship programs this summer. The state-run programs offer live-in summer programs at which students entering their senior years take part in intensive coursework in a variety of subject areas.
The board also voted at the meeting to ex-
tend the district’s free meal program for the next academic year.
Webb also said the district is “very proud of our full-day kindergarten program that we started, very proud of our full-day preschool program that we started,” as well as the district’s partnerships with the Ignite Institute.
Finally, Webb and board President Jesica Jehn touted the district’s career pathway system, which has 27 career programs across the district, according to the district’s 2024-25 annual report. Jehn said the board meeting this summer to discuss adding a new pathway next year.
The pathways enable students with an interest in specific careers to cater their courses toward that interest. Jehn gave the
example of a student interested in veterinary medicine who could take more advanced biology courses in high school to be better prepared for relevant coursework after high school.
“Sometimes they’ll come with some certifications, industry certifications that [students] can achieve while they’re in high school,” Jehn said. “So, a lot of times they can go on to start working almost immediately out of high school.”
You can read full annual reports on Kenton County’s student successes as well as more information on the district’s Community Based Accountability System at kenton.kyschools. us/about-us/cbas.
Graduating seniors at Dixie Heights High School. Provided | Kenton County Schools
CUSTOMER NOTICE OF RATE ADJUSTMENT
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, in a May 30, 2025, Application, Kentucky Utilities Company (“KU”) is seeking approval by the Kentucky Public Service Commission of an adjustment of its electric rates and charges to become effective on and after July 1, 2025.
KU is proposing to add an optional program called Pre-Pay. This program will give residential customers with AMI meters the option of moving from traditional post-paid service to a deposit-free pre-paid service.
KU is proposing to expand the Terms and Conditions rules for Deposits. This expansion looks to provide clarity to the business processes surrounding deposits and makes deposits mandatory for customers taking service under TODS, TODP, RTS, FLS and EHLF.
KU is proposing to modify the Terms and Conditions related to Billing by making paperless billing the default option for new customers and for those whom the Company has an email address.
KU is proposing a new tariff in its Terms and Conditions for Rules for Transmission-Level Retail Electric Service Studies and Related Implementation Costs. This will apply to any proposed retail electric service requiring KU to submit a Transmission Service Request to its Independent Transmission Organization.
KU is proposing new terms and conditions for Net Metering Service Interconnection Guidelines.
KU is proposing the following revisions to other charges in the tariff:
KU is also proposing changes to the rates for other customer classes. These customer classes and their associated annual revenue changes are listed in the tables shown below. KU is also proposing to change the text of some of its rate schedules and other tariff provisions. KU’s proposed rates reflect a proposed annual increase in electric revenues of approximately 11.5%.
The estimated amount of the annual change and the average monthly bill to which the proposed electric rates will apply for each electric customer class are as follows:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, in a May 30, 2025, Application, Kentucky Utilities Company (“KU”) is seeking approval by the Kentucky Public Service Commission of an adjustment of its electric rates and charges to become effective on and after July 1, 2025.
KU CURRENT AND PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATES
Residential Service – Rate RS Current Proposed Basic Service Charge per Day: $ 0.53 $0.64
$ 0.06880 $0.08034
$ 0.03653 $0.03863
$ 0.10533 $0.11897
Residential Time-of-Day Energy Service - Rate RTOD-Energy Current Proposed
Basic Service Charge per Day: $ 0.53 $0.64
Plus an Energy Charge per kWh: Off-Peak Hours (Infrastructure): $ 0.03560 $0.04152
KU is proposing to expand the number of customers limit of GTOD-E and GTOD-D customers to a maximum of 500 customers combined.
Residential Time-of-Day Demand Service - Rate RTOD-Demand Current Proposed Basic Service Charge per Day: $ 0.53 $0.64
Plus
KU is proposing to migrate all PS customers from a maximum load charge per kW to kVA. In addition, KU is proposing to transition all PS customers from a seasonal maximum load charge to a time-differentiated 3-tier maximum load charge, similar to the TODS, TODP, and RTS rate schedules. New PS service initiated on or after January 1, 2026 will be required to enter into a contract for an initial term of one year.
KU is proposing a new rate schedule titled Extremely High Load Factor Service. This rate schedule will be for customers contracting for capacity greater than 100 MVA and an average monthly load factor above 85%.
KU is proposing to split its wireline pole attachment charge into two charges, a two-user wireline pole attachment charge and a three-user wireline pole attachment charge.
SQF/LQF Solar: Fixed Tilt; Distribution; 2-Year PPA; Energy $30.73 $33.05
SQF/LQF Solar: Fixed Tilt; Distribution; 7-Year PPA; Energy
SQF/LQF Solar: Fixed Tilt; Transmission; 2-Year PPA; Energy $29.33 $31.55
SQF/LQF Solar: Fixed Tilt; Transmission; 7-Year PPA; Energy $31.09 $36.84
SQF/LQF Wind; Distribution; 2-Year PPA; Energy $29.27 $32.07
SQF/LQF Wind; Distribution; 7-Year PPA; Energy $31.55 $36.56
SQF/LQF Wind; Transmission; 2-Year PPA; Energy $27.94 $30.62
SQF/LQF Wind; Transmission; 7-Year PPA; Energy $30.12 $34.93
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Distribution; 2-Year PPA; Energy $29.39 $31.99
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Distribution; 7-Year PPA; Energy $31.96 $37.06
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Transmission; 2-Year PPA; Energy
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Transmission; 7-Year PPA; Energy
KU is also proposing changes to the rates for other customer classes. These customer classes and their associated annual revenue changes are listed in the tables shown below. KU is also proposing to change the text of some of its rate schedules and other tariff provisions. KU’s proposed rates reflect a proposed annual increase in electric revenues of approximately 11.5%.
KU is proposing to add an adjustment clause called Renewable Power Purchase Agreement. This adjustment clause will recover the cost of renewable generation power purchase agreements approved by the Commission.
The estimated amount of the annual change and the average monthly bill to which the proposed electric rates will apply for each electric customer class are as follows:
KU is proposing to add an optional program called Pre-Pay. This program will give residential customers with AMI meters the option of moving from traditional post-paid service to a deposit-free pre-paid service.
KU is proposing to expand the Terms and Conditions rules for Deposits. This expansion looks to provide clarity to the business processes surrounding deposits and makes deposits mandatory for customers taking service under TODS, TODP, RTS, FLS and EHLF.
KU is proposing to modify the Terms and Conditions related to Billing by making paperless billing the
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Distribution; 2-Year PPA; Capacity $0 $0
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Distribution; 7-Year PPA; Capacity $8.93 $18.94
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; T ransmission; 2-Year PPA; Capacity $0 $0
SQF/LQF Other Technologies; Transmission; 7-Year PPA; Capacity $8.39 $17.80
A detailed notice of all proposed revisions and a complete copy of the proposed tariffs containing the proposed text changes, terms and conditions and rates may be obtained by submitting a written request by e-mail to myaccount@lge-ku.com or by mail to Kentucky Utilities Company, ATTN: Rates Department, 2701 Eastpoint Parkway, Louisville, Kentucky, 40223, or by visiting KU’s website at https://lge-ku.com/ku-2025-rate-case.
A person may examine KU’s application at KU’s office at One Quality Street, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507, and at KU’s website at https://lge-ku.com/ku-2025-rate-case. A person may also examine this application at the Public Service Commission’s offices located at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or may view and download the application through the Commission’s Web site at http://psc.ky.gov.
Comments regarding the application may be submitted to the Public Service Commission by mail to Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602, or by email to psc.info@ky.gov. All comments should reference Case No. 2025-00113.
The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by KU, but the Public Service Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. A person may submit a timely written request for intervention to the Public Service Commission, Post Office Box 615, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602 establishing the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. If the commission does not receive a written request for intervention within thirty (30) days of initial publication or mailing of this notice, the Commission may take final action on the application.
St. Elizabeth team helps create manual for strangulation survivors
By Kenton Hornbeck
St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s forensic nursing team contributed to a statewide effort to identify, treat and prosecute nonfatal cases of strangulation better.
In 2019, the Commonwealth of Kentucky made nonfatal strangulation a felony, opening the door for the criminal prosecution of perpetrators. Before the change, nonfatal strangulation was only a misdemeanor.
In response to the change, St. Elizabeth Healthcare partnered with the Kentucky attorney general’s office to develop a comprehensive manual that outlines what constitutes strangulation, how to treat victims properly, and how to prosecute offenders effectively.
Kentucky is the third state to develop a strangulation prevention guide, following California and Alaska. The manual is used by medical professionals, prosecutors, activists and law enforcement officials alike.
Internally, the effort was led by St. Elizabeth’s forensic nursing team, which was tasked with working on cases related to domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking.
The manual, which is 129 pages and eight chapters long, includes valuable information related to strangulation laws, investigating incidents, medical evaluation and victim advocacy.
“If we can prosecute these people, then you know we’re giving that person a chance to maybe get out of the relationship, and also holding that offender accountable to their actions,” said Jill Brummett, head of forensic nursing at all six St. Elizabeth locations.
Brummett told LINK nky that many people don’t understand the dangers of strangula-
tion. Nonfatal strangulation can negatively impact a victim’s health, both physically and mentally, with some victims suffering from cognitive issues, and brain and neck injuries.
Further, the manual states that victims of at least one episode of strangulation are seven times more likely to be a victim of attempted homicide and eight times more likely to become a homicide victim at the hands of the same partner
“From our perspective, especially medical-wise, we’ll go in a lot of times and educate our juries to the dangers of strangulation,” Brummett said. “For us, it’s very good because it’s informative to the medical piece of it and the dangers of it that people don’t know the way people don’t know.”
For their contributions, the forensic nursing team was awarded first place at the International Association of Forensic Nurses annual conference. Throughout the drafting process, St. Elizabeth provided medical input for the manual.
Forensic nurse Amanda Kallmeyer said one of the most rewarding parts of the project was its real-world application. “For me, it’s that gratitude and thankfulness when you actually help somebody,” she said.
For Brummett, the manual helps empower victims, bringing justice and validation to those who often feel overlooked.
“One of the things that I say a lot of times, which is very powerful for them, is, you know, like I believe you and I’m here to help you, and that really empowers them, and then empowers them, you know, to heal and to be resilient,” Brummett said.
Read the manual
The state’s manual on strangulation is available online at bit.ly/strangulation-manual.
The main entrance to Edgewood’s St. Elizabeth Hospital. Hailey Roden | LINK nky
Independence OKs splash pad project despite higher cost
The idea of a splash pad in Independence, which bloomed roughly a year ago, is still making progress.
City council provided an update on the project at its meeting June 2. The city initially estimated $500,000 for the project in May 2024; however, the original proposed site in Memorial Park will not work, and the new location in the park will require work to prepare it.
That brings the cost estimate to $1.1 million.
In May 2024, Mayor Chris Reinersman asked council to consider setting aside funds to build a splash pad at Memorial Park, at 2001 Jackwoods Parkway.
The mayor estimated the cost of building a splash pad, excluding site work, to be approximately $500,000 and recommended splitting the funding over three years, starting in the current fiscal year, which would require council action, and continuing over the next two fiscal years.
When it approved its budget, the council voted to preliminarily set aside funds for the possibility of a splash pad at the park in June 2024.
The new proposed area in the park, near the playground equipment, is on a hill and will require leveling and retaining walls. Reinersman said that, as discussions progressed, the city also decided to build a shaded area for parents to sit near the splash pad.
“From what I can tell, it’s all positive feedback and interest from anybody I’ve talked to,” Councilmember Tom Brinker said. “One thing we hear constantly is kids have nothing to do.”
In July 2024, Reinersman and the council agreed to move forward with early planning and engineering design work for the project, which will enable the city to apply for a $250,000 grant to offset construction expenses. Reinersman stated during the June 2 meeting that the city had applied for the grant, but it had not been announced if it had received the funding. He said they should find out this month.
Reinersman said the goal then would be to cover the remaining $350,000 through business sponsorships.
Though the goal is not to tap into the city’s reserves for the $600,000 now needed to complete the project, the city council did vote unanimously June 2 to approve that option should the grant and sponsorships fall through.
“As you all know, our reserves are very healthy; we’re fortunate in that area,” Reinersman said. “We’ve filled out some good
reserves over the last several years, so we can afford it. That’s not the issue. We’re not talking about a tax increase or anything like that.”
According to the city, it would like to complete the project by Memorial Day 2026. City Administrator Chris Moriconi said if the city wants to complete the project by May 2026, it will have to put bids out within the next month or two.
Council member resigns after months of conflict over lack of attendance
Serena Owen, the Elsmere City Council member who hasn’t been present at a council meeting since June 2024, on June 4 submitted a letter of resignation to the city. The letter, sent via email at 5:56 a.m., said she is resigning her position as city councilwoman, effective immediately.
“This decision has not been made lightly but is necessitated by the escalating challenges that have profoundly impacted my ability to serve effectively and safely,” Owen said in the letter.
Owen has said her reasons for not coming to council meetings were related to safety and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations that she said the city refused to make. The city has offered what it calls reasonable accommodations, but it declined to approve bulletproof glass, which would have cost $17,000.
Representatives for the city of Elsmere declined to comment on the resignation.
Beechwood alumnus, operations director named superintendent
kenton county briefs
work July 1, according to a release from the district. He’s the first district alumnus to hold the position
His hiring, per the release, was “the result of a nationwide search facilitated by a consultant with the Kentucky School Board Association, which yielded candidates from around the Commonwealth and other parts of the country.”
The search follows the announcement of Mike Stacy’s retirement in March.
Kaiser is a 1998 Beechwood graduate who spent the first 10 years of his career with Covington Schools as a teacher, behavior consultant and assistant principal. In 2015, he was hired as assistant principal at Beechwood High School. Since his hiring, he has also served as principal and athletic director. In 2023, he became the district’s director of operations.
“Having the opportunity to lead the school system that helped shape who I am is the honor of a lifetime,” Kaiser said in the release. “Beechwood is more than a school – it’s a community. I’m committed to continuing our tradition of excellence while providing our students with innovative experiences that will truly prepare them for the ever-changing landscape of post-secondary society.”
Kaiser lives in Fort Mitchell with his family, and his two children attend Beechwood.
Pickleball, playgrounds included in overhaul to Gen. Ormsby Park
Donald Charles Buring, 75 D
onald
“Don” Charles Buring, of Florence, died May 29 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 75.
Mr. Buring was born Dec. 20, 1949, in Covington to the late Donald and Eleanor Buring. He grew up in Erlanger and was a proud graduate of St. Henry High School. He married Jeanne Mistler in 1973, and, although they later separated, they remained close friends.
Mr. Buring earned a degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati, which he attended on a Latin and Greek scholarship. He later earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Mr. Buring began his legal career with passion and commitment, and he was elected in 1984 as commonwealth’s attorney for Kenton County. He was known as an advocate for victims and held the position until retiring in 2000. He remained close to many of his colleagues and friends from his years of public service.
Mr. Buring was actively involved in the community. A lifelong member of the Kenton County Jaycees and a dedicated participant in the local Democratic community, he continued to serve even after retirement, including as development director at Covington Catholic High School and as treasurer when his son attended the school. He also served on the St. Joseph Parish Council and Boosters.
Independent Schools has a new superintendent.
The district’s board of education approved hiring Justin Kaiser on May 29. He begins
Fort Mitchell is working on updates to its largest park.
To keep up with wear and tear to Gen. Ormsby Mitchell Park and resident needs, council has found space in the fiscal year 2026 budget for a few updates to its amenities. Those are to include repairing the pickleball courts, adding playground equipment, and creating “shade canopies” for the playgrounds.
The city will request bids after council passes the budget later this month, according to City Administrator Edwin King. “You can expect to see those updates next spring,” King said.
Fort Mitchell resident Dave Hentz suggested at the meeting that the city’s park board consider adding a bocce ball court. Council member Alyson Roeding said she will bring this up at the next park board meeting and promised to have an update after the June 10 meeting.
Hentz also inquired about the historic plaque that used to be located at the park. King assured that the sign is in a public works garage and that they plan to put it back out soon.
Mr. Buring loved playing cards, especially poker with his St. Henry buddies, golfing and meaningful conversations. He also loved vacationing on Hilton Head Island with his family. Intelligent and thoughtful, his sharp mind and kind heart left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Mr. Buring is survived by a daughter, Carrie (Kevin) Iddings; a son, David (Kristen) Buring; and a sister, June (Tom) Fening. He was a proud grandfather to Owen, Ellie, Andi and Wade, all of whom brought him great joy. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane Buring.
Memorial visitation was held June 5 at Linnemann Funeral Homes in Erlanger. Mass of Christian burial was said June 6 at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Erlanger, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Valley Voices, 6642 Branch Hill-Guinea Pike, Loveland, OH 45140 or ohiovalleyvoices.givecloud.co/give.
Beechwood
A park pavilion at Gen. Ormsby Mitchell Park in Fort Mitchell. Provided | City of Fort Mitchell on Facebook
Children playing in a splash pad. Provided | Canva
Beechwood has named Justin Kaiser as its new superintendent. Provided | Beechwood Independent Schools
Elsmere City Council discussed removing Serena Owen from duties at its March 4 caucus meeting. Photo by Mildred Nguyen | LINK nky contributor
Coaches association hands out all-star awards in softball
The Northern Kentucky Softball Coaches Association have weighed in with their AllStar award winners. They are broken up into three divisions with three teams each.
Division I
Player of the year: Briana Knochelman, Grant County.
First team: Taylor Jones and Larkin Mitchell (Simon Kenton), Dani Wright (Boone County), Sydney Schumacher (Dixie Heights), Averie Lightner and Kayla Ortiz (Conner), Hope Hamilton (Campbell County), Grace Cline and Ainsley Scroggie (Cooper).
Second team: Josie Feebeck (Campbell County), Rayne Patsel, Emily Gehring, Laci DeLauder and Kiley Patterson (Ryle), Emerson Morman (Scott), Myka Brown and Alli Fowler (Simon Kenton) and Ellie Ortiz (Conner).
Third team: Elise Manhardt and Scarlett Cochran (Scott), Jaydyn Corbin (Grant County), Alivia Miller (Boone County), Alivia Scott and Sadie James (Cooper), Laney Schuster (Simon Kenton), Makayla Irvin and Bre Meredith (Conner).
Division II
Co-players of the year: Abby Turnpaugh, Notre Dame, and Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands.
First team: Payton Brown (Highlands), Itzel Hernandez and Layla Laudick (Lloyd Memorial), Addison Zinser (Notre Dame), Madison Verst, Hannah Spaulding and Kinley Cooper (Pendleton County), Alex Reis and Brooke Moore (Beechwood).
Second team: Alli Meyers, Cam Markus and Morgan Pompilio (Highlands), Carlie Riley and Julia Starr (Holmes), Shayla Egbert (Newport), Sydney Sheely and Morgan Russell (Notre Dame) and Demi Lavon (Walton-Verona).
Third team: Ava Auberger (Notre Dame), Madysen Godsey and Railynn Brown (Lloyd Memorial), Willow Million, Hannah Penny and Annette Cento (Beechwood), Emmy Matthews (St. Henry), Logan Cooper (Pendleton County) and Kailynn Collins (Newport).
Division III
Co-players of the year: Rachel Shewmaker, Bishop Brossart, and Evie Thomas, Holy Cross.
First team: McKenzie Sullivan and Tayah Smith (Dayton), Cam Kratzer and Rose Rice (Villa Madonna), Ella Walerius and Leah Robinson (Bishop Brossart), Paulina Long (Bellevue), Kaitlyn Haigis (Newport Central Catholic) and Jordyn Rieselman (Holy Cross).
Second team: Kayleigh Stadelmann and Tessa Wells (Bishop Brossart), Zoey Baker, Madison Urlage and Suzette Klaiss (Holy Cross), Emily Hall (Dayton), Katie Meyer (Newport Central Catholic), Chloe Cotton (Villa Madonna), Kinley Hawkins (Bellevue).
Third team: Ava Manning and Emma Kevill (Newport Central Catholic), Keira Hall and Ella Boyers (Dayton), Kate Gibbs and Madyson Ross (Villa Madonna).
Cooper names veteran Division I assistant to lead girls’ hoops
Cooper High School announced June 2 that Christian Stefanopoulos Prohaska will be the next girls basketball coach. She’ll take over for Justin Holthaus, who was named the school’s boys basketball coach on May 22.
Stefanopoulos Pro-
haska, a Boone County alum, enters the program with 13 years of Division I coaching experience with stops at Xavier, Seton Hall, Kentucky, Bucknell and Morehead State, primarily as an assistant and recruiting coordinator.
Prohaska played under Nell Fookes at Boone County, helping the Lady Rebels to the 9th Region championship game in 2001 against Highlands. She then went on to play at Austin Peay for two seasons from 200204. After two years with the Governors, she transferred to Thomas More to finish out her playing career. She guided the Saints to a PAC conference co-championship. She graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science.
She then got involved in coaching under Matthew Mitchell at Morehead State in 2006 before heading over to Kentucky with Mitchell until 2010. She returned to Morehead and then went to Bucknell, Kentucky, Seton Hall and Xavier. She’s been a senior sales recruiter for Medical Solutions for the past five years.
She inherits a program that has won the last four 9th Region titles and should enter the 2025-26 season as favorites to do it again. The team lost its glue in Zene Thompson, the lone senior on the roster, but is expected to return 9th Region Player of the Year Haylee Noel and three other starters that include Addyson Brissey, Alivia Scott and Brinkli Rankin along with key reserves in Lyric Hooper and Gianna Cooper.
CovCath claims back-to-back track-field titles
Barczak, Jack Salyers, Jackson Germann and Jack Dwyer fifth, the 4x 100 relay team of Gallagher, Luke Lampe, Jace Thornton and Schmid sixth and Schmid sixth in the 400.
Highlands, Holy Cross win regional titles in baseball, softball
The Highlands Bluebirds won their first regional baseball championship since 2018 with a 5-2 victory over Beechwood on May 29.
They took down Covington Catholic (7-2), Dixie Heights (9-0) and then Beechwood along the way to the title that puts them in the state tournament.
Brooks Hendrix was named Tournament MVP while Garrett Wiggins, Adam Forton and Jacob Robinson also made the All-Tournament team. Hendrix and Forton were a menace at the plate, the two combining for 11 hits and six RBI in the three games. Iain Carner also put up a solid three games with five hits and five RBI.
Forton, Wiggins and Robinson pitched three complete games in the tournament. They gave up a combined 10 hits and one earned run in 21 innings of work, striking out 17 and walking six.
Talk about a way of earning their first ever regional title in fast pitch softball. Holy Cross defeated Dixie Heights, Ryle and Highlands on their way to glory, all three district champs in their respective district.
CAMPBELL COUNTY SOFTBALL
The Colonels won back-to-back Class AA track and field titles, taking home the crown May 30 at the University of Kentucky’s Outdoor Track and Field Facility.
CovCath scored 85 points in the meet, besting second place Bourbon County by 32 points. Since moving to AA in 2023, the Colonels have won six titles in track and field and cross country, two in each indoor and outdoor track and field and two in cross country.
In the May 30 meet, state champions included Will Sheets in the 800 meters, sophomore Paul Klosinski won the pole vault and the 4 x 200 relay team of Jack Fleck, Rhett Blettner, Charlie Ink and Garrett Gallagher took home the gold.
Others earning podium finishes include Sheets in second in the 1,600 and 3,200, the 4×400 relay team of Gallagher, Blettner, Jackson Schmid, and Fleck second, Joe Mayer third in the 1,600 and 3,200, Blettner third in 400, the 4 x 800 relay team of Joel
Evie Thomas, Kayla Fledderman and Jordyn Rieselman made the All-Tournament team. Thomas’ pitching helped get them there, pitching three complete games and allowing 13 hits, six earned runs, walking four and striking out 24 in the process. She also collected four hits and three RBI at the plate in the three games.
Fledderman’s seventh inning grand slam made her the hero against Highlands. Trailing 3-1, Fledderman’s ball carried over the centerfield fence for the go-ahead runs. It was her lone hit of the tournament, but the most important one.
Riseleman had a hit in all three games and drove in four runs, three of them against Dixie Heights in the quarterfinals.
Covington Catholic won its second straight Class AA track and field title. Ray Schaefer | LINK contributor
Highlands’ Kaitlyn Dixon is the NKSCA Division II Co-Player of the Year. Photo submitted
Christian Stefanopoulos Prohaska was named the Cooper girls’ basketball coach on June 2. Provided
Holy Cross won their first ever fast pitch softball regional tournament in a championship victory over three-time defending champ Highlands. Provided | Charles Bolton
Sponsored by
The LINK nky Team of the Week for May 18-24 was the Campbell County softball team. Provided | Charles Bolton
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-01197
DIVISION 1
THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY VS.
STEVE RAWE, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12:00:00 AM BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:
14 Parkview Avenue, Newport, Kentucky 41071
Group No: 30472/A5
PIDN: 999-99-04-131.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00469 DIVISION 1
CITY OF DAYTON VS.
ESTATE OF WALTER RAY CARTER, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 4/10/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE
I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 1113 McKinney Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky 41074
Group No: 20057/A1
PIDN: 999-99-08-648.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00317 DIVISION 2
U.S. BANK, N.A. VS. NICKOLAS MICHAELS, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 4/10/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 402 Kenton Street, Dayton, Kentucky 41074
Group No: 30193/A1
PIDN: 999-99-08-499.00
COMMISSIONER’S SALE
CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-01149
DIVISION 1
THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK VS.
ELAINE GUTHERZ, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12:00:00 AM BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:
814 5th Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky 41074
Group No: 30841/A3
PIDN: 999-99-08-380.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00475 DIVISION 2
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. VS.
JUDITH L. DEDEKER, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/11/2024 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 9 Lumley Avenue, Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075
Group No: 30917/A4
PIDN: 999-99-15-653.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00214 DIVISION 2
NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING VS.
UNKNOWN HEIRS/DEVISEES/LEGATEES/ BENEFICIARIES OF JOYCE EVISTON (DECEASED), ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 4/14/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 5668 Mary Ingles Highway, Melbourne, Kentucky 41059
Group No: 70336/A1 & 70359/Z & 70336/Z PIDN: 999-99-27-543.00
BIDDERS MUST BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH
JOSEPH F. GRIMME, MASTER COMMISSIONER 859-291-9075
CASE NUMBER 22-CI-00521
DIVISION 1
FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION VS.
BRANDY C. MOORE, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 9/2/2022 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 408 West Ninth Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071
Group No: 41432/A1
PIDN: 999-99-04-208.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00553
DIVISION 2
PIATT PROPERTY, LLC VS.
JACK R. ECK, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 4/14/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 195 Grandview Avenue, Newport, Kentucky 41071
Group No: 41168/A1
PIDN: 999-99-01-450.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00076 DIVISION 2
BELLEPOINTE COMMONS CONDOMINIUMS COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS, INC. VS.
SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 5/9/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 6/17/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 1360 Bellepointe Commons, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073
Group No: 20031/D3
PIDN: 999-99-06-343.00
OF THE SALE.
Massive home on over 1.5 acres in Fort Mitchell
Address: 721 Dudley Road, Fort Mitchell
Price: $925,000
Bedrooms: Five
Bathrooms: Three (plus two half-baths)
Square footage: 5,360
School district: Kenton County
County: Kenton
Special features: Tucked away on over 1.5 acres, this updated home offers privacy and space in one of Fort Mitchell’s most desirable areas. The large kitchen flows into a breakfast area and a three-seasons room. The main floor includes a cozy family room with a fireplace and a spacious primary suite with scenic views. The remodeled lower level includes a rec room, flex space and space for guests or a gym.
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
-PUBLIC NOTICE-
Berkshire Heirloom Lane Farm Llc 7560 Heirloom Ln Florence KY 41042
No trespassing, No Hunting, No fishing, No Entry: No Entry at any point including the end of Kroth Ln, the end of Preservation way, Heirloom Ln driveway or any surrounding subdivision or property which borders. Violators will be subject to legal action.
Management—
Berkshire Heirloom Lane Farm 7560 Heirloom Ln Florence KY 41042 Ph:859-371-5653
• Campbell County Fire District #1
• Campbell County Fiscal Court
• Campbell County Planning & Zoning
• 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 aerial view of this Fort Mitchell home. Photos provided | Kathy Heimbrock, Blake Heimbrock with Sibcy Cline
This home features a three-seasons room.
A view of this home’s multiple levels of decks.
Edited by Margie E. Burke
The Weekly Crossword
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. 7 5 2 4 1 6 8 9
4/28/25 - 5/4/25
Edited by Margie E. Burke
HOW TO SOLVE:
Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. 1 3 9 3 6 4
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
2025 COMMUNITY CONVERSATION SERIES:
OCTOBER 9
DECEMBER 4
Scan the QR code to register – Education – Workforce
Events will be held at the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Public Library from 6-7:30 p.m. Events will also be live-streamed on LINK nky’s Facebook page.
Our December Community Conversation event will be held at a different location: The new SparkHaus Entrepreneurial Hub at 727 Madison Avenue in Covington. What a better place to talk about workforce? We’ll see you there!
