LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Issue 35 - August 1, 2025
By Haley Parnell
For Phil Griffin, he’s some pig.
Dubbed a “show pig with a purpose,” Griffin won the porker in an auction at the Kenton County Fair. This little piggie, though, is destined not to be food, but rather a corporate mascot – and a Northern Kentucky icon.
Griffin owns AnyWeather, a construction service company. He said the idea of making a pig the company’s mascot started as a joke. He said a friend called him about purchasing a pig his daughter was raising for 4-H at the Kenton County Fair.
“I was just coming from a marketing meeting, so I guess you could say I was in a creative state of mind,” he said. “I told him a good show pig is too good to send to market, and, if I bought this pig, he was going to have a bigger purpose than a BBQ.”
Griffin said the ideas kept flowing, and he spent that night laughing at the possibilities that could come with purchasing the
Meet the pig with a purpose
Schools dial in to new student phone rules
By Nathan Granger
It’s official: Students across Kentucky are banned from using their cellphones during class.
It’s the result of the passage in March of House Bill 208, sponsored by several Northern Kentucky representatives, which states that district boards of education must pass a policy that “at a minimum, prohibits a student’s use of a personal telecommunications device during instructional time.”
The law allows exceptions for emergencies, times when phones and other devices are required to complete assignments and other times authorized by teachers. It also allows for exceptions under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Moreover, specific schools and districts have leeway in how they implement the
policy. They can ban phones outright, limit their use during instruction time or mandate students turn in their phones at the beginning of the day for redistribution at dismissal. Districts are now considering what’s right for them.
Boone County Schools recently completed the first reading of a policy that mirrors the language of the bill. The policy is due for a second reading in August. Catholic schools are making changes, too: Notre Dame Academy in Park Hills, which already requires student phones to be off and put away between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., is considering a more structured way of enforcing screen time. School officials planned to hold roundtable discussions with parents at the end of July to help guide their policy revisions.
Walton-Verona High School began re-
Continues on page 4
Walton-Verona High School prohibits cellphones in class, locker rooms and bathrooms, but students can still use them between classes and at lunch.
Provided | Walton-Verona Independent School District on Facebook
Ellie Mae Armstrong tends to Mr. Pig. Provided | AnyWeather
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Continued from page 1
pig. When he went to work the next morning and mentioned the idea, he had everyone at the office join in the fun. Before he knew it, they were committed to the idea.
“The good friend that I am, I called my buddy’s daughter, Ellie Mae, and told her I was buying the pig if she would agree to caring for this pig the rest of its life, and that, if she agreed, she had to get permission from her dad,” Griffin said. “The next call I made was to my buddy Frank, and I just said his phone was about to ring with a request he couldn’t say no to.”
Griffin officially purchased the pig July 16 as part of a livestock auction at the Kenton County Fair. He had no idea what the pig would sell for, which was a risk he was willing to take. He ended up paying $3,000.
Mr. Pig, as Griffin refers to him, made his debut at the Fort Thomas Fourth of July parade, where he took home the first place prize in the most original category.
Mr. Pig, though, isn’t just for show.
Griffin said the pig is out to make a difference. Watch for him teaching hard work, kindness and showmanship all summer at local schools, county fairs and parades, community events and at special guest spots supporting agriculture, skilled trades and building character.
“You can expect to see him bringing people together in a positive way and shining a light to all the good things in our community and promoting positive things for our youth,” Griffin said.
Mr. Pig remains nameless because AnyWeather is leaving it up to the community to decide. Anyone can vote through the summer at the company’s website.
Griffin said the pig represents values of hard work, small-town strength, community, rising up, and making his community better for the next generation.
The girl responsible for showing the pig, 14-year-old Ellie Mae Armstrong, said she has learned the value of hard work through caring for the pig. She was responsible for training it to walk like a show pig, and she feeds it, cleans out its pen, changes its water and brushes it. Armstrong said pigs don’t sweat, so she also has to make sure it stays cool and hydrated.
“The responsibility of having to wake up every morning at 6 a.m. to make sure he’s
Help name Mr. Pig
There are four finalists for Mr. Pig’s permanent name: Pistol Pete, Boss Hog, Notorious P.I.G., and Frankie Fahrenheit. Vote for your favorite through the AnyWeather website at anyweather.com/name-our-mascot
Voting runs all summer. The winner will be announced at the end of the season. All who submit votes are entered in a drawing to win a pellet grill and smoker.
fed, making sure the water is turned off,” Armstrong said. “There is a lot of patience involved. Pigs are stubborn.”
The pig is only 6 months old but already weighs approximately 250 pounds. Pigs can live up to 20 years, and Armstrong guessed Mr. Pig could grow to 800 pounds. It will continue to live with Armstrong and her family, where she will continue to care for it.
Armstrong said showing her pig is stressful but fun. “When I’m showing, the whole world is gone and it’s just me and my pig,” she said.
The money spent to buy Mr. Pig goes back to Armstrong. She plans to save the money she makes during 4-H shows to put toward a car when she turns 16.
Phil Griffin, far left, and Ellie Mae Armstrong, center left, after Griffin won the pig July 16 at the Kenton County Fair. Provided | AnyWeather
Continued from page 1 stricting cellphones last year. Prior to that, cellphone use was entirely at teachers’ discretion. Its policy now prohibits phones in class, locker rooms and bathrooms, but students can still use them between classes and at lunch. Nash characterized this as “common ground” between ensuring kids weren’t distracted during class while still enabling them to contact their parents in an emergency.
“I thought it was important to have the student retain the cellphone,” said Adam Nash, Walton-Verona High School’s principal.
Recent polling from the Pew Research Center indicates that support among Americans for classroom phone bans and total bans of phones at schools is growing.
“Today, 74% of U.S. adults say they would support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, up from 68% last fall,” the study’s authors write. Total bans are less popular, supported by about 44% of those polled. Even so, that figure is up from 36% last year.
“Kids are on phones way too much nowadays,” said Ashley Cooper, who has a daughter at Holy Cross Elementary School in Covington.
Cooper does not let her daughter take her phone to school, although she admits there are some situations where phones should be allowed, a view many parents share.
Earlier polling from Pew Research, for instance, suggests that one of the primary reasons people oppose bans is the view that parents should be able to reach their kids if necessary.
“There’s definitely more students with phone violations than any other behavioral infraction that we have,” said Sarah Hester, Walton-Verona High’s assistant principal.
Phones are naturally distracting, Hester said, even if they’re not being used actively. “If the phone is sitting face up on the desk, even if the student is doing their best to be engaged in whatever the classroom activity is in a given class period, they might get 50 notifications through their various social media apps,” she said. “And even for an adult, that’s hard to ignore.”
Beyond distractions in class, Cooper expressed concern about bullying on social media, given the various channels students could use to bully and “ways to hide it,” Cooper said.
Kyleigh Cooper, Ashley Cooper’s 12-yearold daughter, said she started using a smartphone regularly around age 9. She admits that online bullying can be a problem.
“Online bullying, for example, I know that could make some people zone out,” Kyleigh Cooper said. “They could be more anxious.”
About two-thirds of Americans believe all-day cellphone bans could improve students’ social skills, grades and classroom
behavior, according to Pew Research.
Phones are just one part of the equation, however. Other forms of technology have also made their way into schools. Some, for example, distribute Chromebooks and other devices to students (Walton-Verona High School does this). Kyleigh Cooper believes certain kinds of work, like writing essays, work better with technology. Tests, on the other hand, should be hand-written, she said.
“Not only does it eliminate the probabilities of cheating,” Kyleigh Cooper said, “it also gives me more of a chance to write down what I’m thinking and explain what I’m thinking.”
Kyleigh Cooper also observed that students will sometimes use generative AI software like ChatGPT to write essays and complete work for them, something she wasn’t in favor of. She did think, however, that AI tools could be used to help explain concepts or problem-solving strategies.
In short, a variety of attitudes exist around technology in schools, but people who spoke with LINK nky all agreed some guardrails were necessary.
“We tried to create that environment where they could focus for 45, 50 minutes at a time without that distraction,” Nash said of his school’s policy.
Data analysis and chart provided | Pew Research Center
Economist: Invest in key industries to fuel growth
By Kenton Hornbeck
For Greater Cincinnati’s economy to continue to grow, Northern Kentucky University economist Janet Harrah believes regional leaders need to prioritize five key industries.
Harrah spoke at the annual NKU Haile College of Business Center for Economic Analysis and Development’s summer symposium. Her presentation dissected what she referred to as “industry clusters,” or key industrial sectors that are staples within the regional economy.
To Harrah, these clusters are a vital component of Greater Cincinnati’s economy. To sustain regional economic growth, a “virtuous cycle” must be created, she said. This involves investing in to generate value, fostering mutual support and contributing to tax revenues.
According to Harrah, the five industry clusters are aerospace/aviation, life sciences, transportation and logistics, wholesale trade and advanced manufacturing. These sectors are characterized by high-wage employment, significant export potential, rapid innovation and the development of specialized infrastructure.
Another benefit is that each industrial sector generates significant tax revenue in addition to creating demand for local real estate, financial and insurance services, health care and social assistance, educational institutions, and professional and technical services.
“These are the clusters that are generating and commercializing new technology, and they have significant export potential,” she said. Harrah explained further that each of these clusters is important to facilitating the growth of what she called the Corridor of Commerce.
Published in 2023 by Covington-based venture capital firm eGateway Capital, the Corridor of Commerce whitepaper outlines an initiative to connect the metropolitan areas of Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville and Memphis economically through logistics networks, digital commerce and supply chain innovation.
“Within that corridor, you can reach over half the U.S. population in a one-day truck drive,” Harrah said. “It has a lot of logistical advantages, because up and down this corridor, we have a lot of crucial infrastructure. You can move goods and services by rail, air, water and over the road.”
Due to the Corridor of Commerce’s geographic reach, Harrah believes Northern Kentucky’s leaders can use each cluster in conjunction with the corridor’s wide market access, to boost economic growth.
Logistics and aerospace/aviation are vital industries within Northern Kentucky’s economy. Both industries have experienced substantial growth and investment over the past 10 years. For that growth to continue, regional leaders must maintain their focus.
Larry Krauter, chief executive of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, was featured on the symposium’s keynote speaking panel. He said the airport could induce growth through a unified regional approach and ramped-up marketing efforts.
Boasting DHL and Amazon Air’s North American superhubs, CVG is the sixth-largest cargo airport on the continent, according to the airport’s website. It is arguably NKY’s most important economic recruitment tool, serving as a critical hub for logistics and aerospace/aviation businesses.
Greater Cincinnati’s aerospace/aviation industry saw a 28.5% increase in jobs between
2013 and 2023, according to JobsEQ data. Since then, GE Aerospace was spun off in April 24 from the former GE conglomerate. Based in Evendale, Ohio, in northern Hamilton County, the region's newest Fortune 500 company employs more than 9,000 people in Greater Cincinnati.
“In aerospace, we have what I believe in our region to be a very unique value proposition for aerospace, and I’m not sure that we’ve taken it as far as we can,” Krauter said.
Still, to attract more talent to the region, stakeholders must continue to invest in quality-of-life amenities to attract high performers into the area and ultimately convince them to stay. Dave Knox, Blue North’s executive director and a panelist, emphasized the ongoing need for the region to attract and retain impactful workers.
“That’s executive talent that, chances are, could leave and do something to create something,” Knox said. “How do we really focus on that and leverage those to make them really embrace a community?”
The Center for Economic Analysis and Development at NKU’s Haile College of Business holds an annual summer symposium. Provided | Northern Kentucky University on Facebook
County’s southern residents steadfast: No manufacturing
By Nathan Granger
Reassurances and information from both Kenton County Fiscal Court members and county professionals did little to quell the suspicions of south Kenton County residents who packed the fiscal court chambers in Covington this week.
“Let’s be honest, this initiative isn’t about readiness,” said resident Rhonda Shank. “It’s about paving over farmland. Land that feeds us, sustains local families, protects our water and preserves our identity and history. It’s about creating revenue for the county.”
The residents were expressing opposition to potential industrial development described by the county’s Site Readiness Initiative, a joint venture of the fiscal court, Northern Kentucky Port Authority and Kenton County Planning and Development Services. The initiative aims to catalog available land in the county ideal for industrial development.
The initiative is in a very early phase; it does not necessarily represent a set-instone plan of action. Rather, it establishes guideposts for county officials to assess the amount of developable industrial space in south Kenton County.
The initiative located two areas of focus in the southwest end of the county, which are relatively flat and undeveloped. They also have access to multimodal freight infrastructure due to their proximity to I-71/75, CSX railway and the Cincinnati/Northern
Focus Area 1 is in the southwest of Kenton County, close to the Boone County border, U.S. 25, Ky. 536 and a CSX railway. The area has a total acreage of 2,180, with a potential building coverage of approximately 22.38% of the land.
Focus Area 2 is in west central Kenton County along the Boone and Grant County borders. It has direct access to U.S. 25. The southern portion of the identified land provides the best area for long-term industrial development.
The initiative has proven to be unpopular among some county residents since the county began holding public meetings about it this year. Residents expressed
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opposition in March in front of the fiscal court, in February before the Kenton County Planning Commission and at two public meetings, also in February, at schools in the county.
Following pushback from residents, the county sent out a letter in March informing them that Area 2 was being put on pause and that Area 1 was being reduced in size.
Even so, Kenton County Judge-Executive Kris Knochelmann stated in the March letter that doing nothing, a desire expressed by residents at the meetings, was “not an option.… Roads are congested; infrastructure is inadequate; warehouses are being built. We cannot ignore these facts. Change of some sort is organically coming to southwest Kenton County and, if we do nothing, the problems associated with it will only get worse with resulting bad outcomes.”
This did little to assuage critics. At the end of June, opponents met to discuss ways they could possibly head off new development through the use of countywide petitions and legal conservation mechanisms, such as easements and the establishment of agricultural districts. An online petition opposing the site readiness initiative has also circulated and had garnered nearly 3,000 signatures as of July 22.
Knochelmann opened the section of the meeting by reaffirming several points he’d made in earlier meetings: that the county had no intention of employing public domain to bolster industrial development; the public input process the county had undertaken to ensure it accounted for the desires of county residents; and the need for improved infrastructure.
“We have an option to sit back and let things happen to us,” Knochelmann said, “or we can plan ahead.”
The meeting saw presentations from three people: Lee Crume, CEO of BE NKY, Sharmili Reddy, executive director of Kenton County Planning and Development Services, and Spencer Stork, Kenton County engineer.
Crume touted the site readiness initiative as a means of increasing economic development and workforce attraction. He discussed a variety of companies that have located in Kenton County and why it was attractive to manufacturing.
Reddy, who was recently named as Covington’s new city manager, discussed the difference between land use and zoning, the history of the site readiness initiative’s development and the process by which companies can legally set up shop in the county. Crume and Reddy both tried to dispel misconceptions around modern manufacturing facilities.
“That was always the picture in people’s minds is that of smoke stacks,” Reddy said. “And, to be honest, I was just asking our staff today, ‘In the last 15 years, have you seen a proposal for a smoke stack in any of our industrial zones?’ And the answer is ‘no.’”
Stork discussed how the infrastructure and utilities in Area 1 is inadequate for industrial development. Stork, who formerly worked for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said the cabinet tends to use eminent domain only as a “last resort.”
As the meeting approached the 90-minute mark and the public comments began, it was clear the attendees didn’t find the presenters convincing. One speaker characterized the presentations as a “performance.” Another characterized organizations like BE NKY as “pet nonprofits.”
Several speakers cast doubt on Crume’s position that manufacturing would bring more jobs to the county. “Amazon now employs as many robots as people,” said resident Dan Barnes. “So nobody can say for sure how many jobs AI will replace in this manufacturing and warehousing future.”
“It all comes down to balance,” Knochelmann said before adjourning the meeting. “It comes down to us doing our homework to be ready for the future, to make sure that we can do the best thing possible. We’re always open for a phone call. We’re open for a meeting. We’ve got lots of them coming forward.”
Kentucky International Airport.
Attendees at the July 22 Kenton County Fiscal Court meeting. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
From left, Lee Crume, CEO of BE NKY; Sharmili Reddy, executive director of Kenton County Planning and Development Services; Spence Stork, county engineer, and Judge-Executive Kris Knochelmann at the July 22 meeting. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
Purple Paisley gives artists a place to create success
By Maggy McDonel
The owner of Purple Paisley Local Artisan Shop said her shop helps local artists by “giving them a place to help create their success.”
Purple Paisley opened in 2019, right before the COVID lockdowns, but Loretta Helfrich and her team stuck it out, and they’ll be celebrating their fifth anniversary this year at 715 Scott St.
The shop has 76 artists from across Greater Cincinnati installed, and Helfrich described the shop to LINK nky as a “great little place for [artists] to have their artwork for sale so the community can see what they do, but also for them to interact with the community.”
On weekends, the shop offers art classes, and Helfrich said she encourages community members and artists to come, even if they aren’t taking the class, and just hang out.
“It’s a lot of good mental health going around,” said Helfrich. “If you’re sitting, focusing on some art, it’s very therapeutic.”
From paintings to nature photography to jewelry, pottery, mosaics and more, Purple Paisley has room for everyone’s art.
Beth O’Connor told LINK that she wasn’t sure Helfrich would want her pottery. A registered nurse for 35 years, O’Connor began her pottery career 11 years ago after receiving a gift card from her son. After her
DIVISION I
CASE NO.: 25-CI-00820
first class, she said, “I just fell in love with it.”
She was still working at the time and would go to the studio after work.
“After a couple of years of doing this, I think I had given every person I know a mug or a bowl or something. They always said, ‘Oh, a gift from Beth. I bet it’s going to be a bowl or a cup or a mug or something.’”
That was when she was going to the studio just once a week. After retiring three years ago, she started making even more. “I’m creating these things that I love, but I’m like, ‘I don’t have any more shelf space.’”
Then she stumbled across Purple Paisley, first seeing the shop when dropping something off at the post office in Covington, and then she discovered its online community. She reached out to Helfrich about selling at the shop.
“I’m thinking, she’s not going to want to sell my stuff,” said O’Connor. “There’s no way, you know, I can’t compete. The other artists in here are just so good. The things that you see, they’re so creative. But she said, ‘No, no, no.’ She said she really liked my things.”
Now, O’Connor has a shelf of her wares at Purple Paisley, and she said the whole experience wonderful.
Her friends and family are happy to get a little more variety in their gifts from her, too. “On so many levels, I’m selling my things down there, so my shelves are not
KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION VERSUS}
SETH BRAZIER
By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JULY 15, 2025 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:
DARLINGTON FARM CONDOMINIUMS COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS, INC. VERSUS}
LINDA SUE CARTER, ET AL
By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JULY 8, 2025 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:
ADDRESS: 2231 TEAL BRIAR LANE UNIT 101 BURLINGTON, KY 41005
Elizabeth Herrmann is now an abstract painter whose art is available at Purple Paisley. For 40 years, she was a decorative painter in the region.
“I gave that up because it’s just a lot of work, and I had done it for a long time,” said Herrmann. “So I started selling my own art, and that’s a totally different animal than working in people’s homes.”
Herrmann said she was looking for a way to get her work out there and stumbled across an ad for Purple Paisley. She “cautiously
MASTER
COMMISSIONER’S SALE
BOONE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
The complete legal description is particularly set out in the Judgment and Order of Sale entered in this case.
TERMS OF SALE: The property shall be sold as a whole. The purchaser may pay all or part of the purchase price in cash, and may pay the balance of the purchase price on a credit of 30 days after date of sale; said credit shall be granted only upon the execution by the purchaser of bond, with surety thereon, and said surety shall be a lending institution authorized and doing business in Kentucky, or a reputable fidelity or surety company, authorized and doing business in Kentucky, and only if said surety be acceptable to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court; and an authorized officer of the surety must be present at the sale or must have given the Commissioner adequate assurance of its intent to be surety prior to or at the sale; and said Bond shall be, and shall remain, a lien on the property sold as additional security for the payment of the full purchase price, and shall have the full force and effect of a Judgment; and said Bond shall bear interest at the rate provided by the Judgment up to Twelve (12%) Percent per annum until paid. The purchaser shall be required to pay the sum of 10% of the bid amount in cash or certified check on the purchase at the time of sale.
The successful bidder at the sale shall, at bidder’s own expense, carry fire and extended insurance coverage on any improvements from the date of sale until the purchase price is fully paid, with a loss payable clause to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court. Failure of the purchaser to effect such insurance shall not affect the validity of the sale or the purchaser’s liability thereunder, but shall entitle, but not require, a lien holder herein, after giving notice to the Commissioner, to effect said insurance and furnish the policy or evidence thereof to the Commissioner, and the premium thereon or the proper portion thereof shall be charged to the purchaser as purchaser’s cost.
The property shall be sold subject to ad valorem taxes for the year 2024 and all subsequent years thereafter; easements, restrictions and stipulations of record; assessments for public improvements levied against the property, if any; existing zoning ordinances, statutes, laws, or regulations; and any facts which an inspection and accurate survey of the property may disclose. BIDDERS SHALL BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS.
All sales are “as is” and the Plaintiff, the Master Commissioner, and the Court shall not be deemed to have warranted title of the real estate to the purchaser.
FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THESE SALES AND OTHER UPCOMING SALES CAN BE FOUND AT www.boonecountyky.org (Link to Department/Agencies to Master Commissioner) PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ARE ADVISED AND ENCOURAGED TO REFER TO THAT WEBSITE FOR ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS.
contacted” Helfrich and went to meet her.
She was slightly worried about her art because her pieces are large, mixed media, and “intuitive, but they don’t look intuitive.” Herrmann describes them as “very whimsical, dreamy, bright colors.”
When she met with Helfrich, she said Helfrich was “extremely welcoming.” Now, her art has been at Purple Paisley for six months.
The community is a significant part of what makes Purple Paisley work, and Helfrich is asking for its help. On Aug. 16, the shop is hosting a fundraiser to help sustain the shop’s mission of “providing a space where creativity thrives and supporting Northern Kentucky’s local artists.”
Helfrich said the costs of everything from advertising to inventory software have been increasing, so “instead of just throwing up my hands, I thought, ‘Well, if the community really likes this place, let’s just throw a fundraiser to try to help meet some of our costs.’”
During the event, attendees can expect a “lively evening filled with community spirit, local flavor and artistic expression.” It will feature silent auction baskets with goods and services from local businesses.
The funds raised during the evening, Helfrich said, will go directly toward supporting artists and meeting the essential needs of operating the shop. The fundraiser is set for 4 to 7 p.m.
DIVISION III
CASE NO.: 24-CI-00607
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST VERSUS}
LARRY A. SMITH, ET AL
By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered OCTOBER 29, 2024 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:
SHERWOOD LAKES COUNCIL OF CO-OWNERS HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. VERSUS}
FRANK BOVINO, ET AL
By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JULY 16, 2025 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2025 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:
ADDRESS: 10136 CARNATION COURT UNIT 12 FLORENCE, KY 41042
The exterior of Purple Paisley Local Artisan Shop in Covington. Photos by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky
kenton county briefs
Women entrepreneurs find a home at Aviatra’s incubator expansion
Since Aviatra unveiled its new incubator space in November, CEO Jill Morenz has said it has bolstered the accelerator’s curriculum offerings while providing program participants with a more collaborative environment to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions.
Aviatra, a Covington-based entrepreneurial accelerator, provides women entrepreneurs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with resources, mentorship and communi-
NOTICE
ty to help them advance their businesses.
The incubator, located next to Aviatra’s headquarters at 112 W. Pike St. in Covington, significantly expanded the accelerator’s physical footprint. It offers below market-rate office spaces for six women-owned businesses, as well as several co-working spaces, rentable pop-up retail spaces, a versatile event space and membership in Aviatra’s paid community. So far, the upgrade has been a success.
“Having businesses call us home has been
Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. (Duke Energy Kentucky or Company) hereby gives notice that, in an application to be filed no later than July 1, 2025, Duke Energy Kentucky will be seeking approval by the Public Service Commission, Frankfort, Kentucky, of an adjustment of its Pipeline Modernization Mechanism (Rider PMM) rates and charges proposed to become effective on and after January 1, 2026. The Commission has docketed this proceeding as Case No. 2025-00229.
DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY PRESENT AND PROPOSED RATES
The present and proposed rates charged in all territories served by Duke Energy Kentucky are as follows:
Present Rates
Rate RS, Residential Service
wonderful for us, for Aviatra, to feel more closely connected with the women who are running their businesses here, and the co-workers and the members,” Morenz said. “I’m hoping that they find it easier to access the resources that we have.”
Allison Schroeder, founder of Pomme Communications, has worked remotely since starting her business around a decade ago. However, as her aspirations grew, Schroeder felt her business needed a proper space to host meetings with clients. Aviatra’s coworking space allowed her to see if upgrading to an actual office space was the right move for her business without requiring a substantial financial commitment.
“It’s been such a game-changer,” Schroeder said. “I didn’t realize how much it’s improved team productivity and collaboration and stuff like that. Just having a home base for us to come has been great.”
Residential Service – Rate RS
$0.12/ccf Proposed Rates Rate RS, Residential Service
Rates
FT-L, Firm Transportation Service – Large
$0.24/ccf
Laurkita Sheffield, founder of Sheffield Financial and Accounting Services, told LINK her business has seen improvements thanks to the incubator’s expanded presence, which has given her access to a broader entrepreneurial community.
“I would say definitely the community factor has been a game-changer for me and my business,” Sheffield said. “You don’t feel like you’re alone.”
Aviatra offers six-month office space leases in its incubator. Since opening its expansion, all the spaces have been rented. Aviatra also offers product-based businesses a pop-up retail space, allowing them to test their concepts before moving into a larger space.
These rates reflect an increase in gas revenues of approximately
for 2026 to Duke Energy Kentucky. The allocation of this estimated increase among rate classes is as follows:
The average monthly bill for each customer class to which the proposed rates will apply will increase(decrease) approximately as follows:
The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by Duke Energy Kentucky; however, the Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. Such action may result in a rate for consumers other than the rates in this notice.
Any corporation, association, body politic or person with a substantial interest in the matter may, by written request within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice of the proposed rate changes, request leave to intervene; intervention may be granted beyond the 30-day period for good cause shown. Such motion shall be submitted to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 615, 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-0615, and shall set forth 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 the initial publication, the Commission may take final action on the application.
Intervenors may obtain copies of the application and other filings made by the Company by requesting same through email at DEKInquiries@duke-energy.com or by telephone at (513) 287-4366. A copy of the application and other filings made by the Company are available for public inspection through the Commission’s website at http://psc.ky.gov, at the Commission’s office at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am. to 4:30 p.m., and at the following Company office: Erlanger Ops Center, 1262 Cox Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018. Comments regarding the application may be submitted to the Public Service Commission through its website, or by mail at the following Commission address.
For further information contact:
DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY 1262 COX ROAD
P.O. BOX 615
ERLANGER, KENTUCKY 41018
211 SOWER BOULEVARD (513) 287-4366
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY 40602-0615 (502) 564-3940
From Morenz’s perspective, Aviatra’s incubator occupies a critical position in Greater Cincinnati’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Women entrepreneurs face specific challenges in their journeys, such as access to capital and shouldering the majority of child care responsibilities, she said.
Aviatra provides women entrepreneurs with physical space and intellectual resources tailored to help them navigate these issues, along with a community committed to supporting them.
“Having that community for support and for learning from each other is what we’re really building,” she said.
Erlanger business hosts event to interest students in civil engineering paths
Erlanger-based civil engineering, land surveying and landscape architecture firm Viox & Viox recently held an event to offer local high school and college students a window into civil engineering as a career path.
Justin Verst, senior design engineer at Viox & Viox, leads students through a topographic site analysis. Students study the map to determine where a building and its infrastructure should go. Provided | Viox & Viox
Allison Schroeder, from left, Jill Morenz and Laurkita Sheffield at Aviatra. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky
“This event is all about opening doors and helping the next generation see what’s possible in civil engineering and design,” said Georgia Craddock, a marketing and organizational development specialist at Viox & Viox, in a release. “We want students to know these careers are within reach –and really exciting.”
Dubbed Civil Bites & Insights, the event was held July 15. Students learned about the overall landscape of civil engineering, performed hands-on activities to introduce them to the work of land surveying, got a tour of a real job site, saw surveying demonstrations using drones and other advanced equipment, and had the opportunity to ask questions of working professionals in the field.
The firm hopes to host a similar event next year.
Baker Hunt plans Sept. fundraiser in Wonderland
The Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center, an arts education organization in Covington, will host an Alice in Wonderland-themed fundraiser in September to raise money for the organization’s outreach programs.
Called “Twilight in Wonderland,” the event promises “a night of immersive entertainment, delightful bites and unforgettable moments – all in support of bringing art to all,” according to an announcement from the organization.
Festivities are to include chef and artist demonstration stations, a silent auction, an art show, live pottery commissions, multiple bars, a costume contest and more.
The event is for ages 21 and up. It’s scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 13. Tickets are $65 each, but current Baker Hunt students can get discounted tickets.
First NKY BierFest on tap for mid-August, to benefit DCCH center
Northern Kentucky is raising a glass to summer at the first annual NKY BierFest.
The festival, set for Aug. 16 in Fort Mitchell, will be a celebration featuring local craft beer, live music, food vendors and a sense of community, per a news release from event organizers. It will be held at the DCCH Center grounds at 75 Orphanage Road. Organizers hope to make the event annual.
Attendees can taste beer from Alexandria Brewing, Barleycorn’s Brewhouse, Braxton Brewing, Darkness Brewing, Fabled Brew Works, Maiden City Brewing, West Sixth Covington Haus, Wooden Cask Brewing,
kenton county briefs
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with more to be announced. There will be something on tap for every palate: traditional styles, hoppy IPAs, fruited beers and rich stouts.
Food and nonalcoholic drink vendors will include: Bender’s Pub Grub, EJ’s Southern Fixins, Gobblin’ Goblin, Wendigo Tea and more. Live music will fill the air, too, featuring performances from Donkey Shades (a three-piece acoustic-electric cover band), Dreaded Mids (a rock band influenced by classic rock, punk and blues), and Chris from Space (psych rock-esque).
NKY BierFest is set for 4 to 8 p.m. VIP entry opens at 3 p.m. Ticket options, available at nkybierfest.com, include general admission, VIP admission and designated driver.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Diocesan Catholic Children’s Home Center for Children and Families, a nonprofit serving children and families in Northern Kentucky, as well as the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, an organization dedicated to promoting Kentucky’s craft beer industry.
Perfetti Van Melle names new unit VP of human resources
Erlanger-based Perfetti Van Melle, an international confectionery manufacturer, announced Leticia Vescovi is the new vice president of human resources for the company’s Americas business unit. She will report to Sylvia Buxton, president and CEO of the unit.
The new role reflects the company’s expanded presence across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Vescovi will lead strategy for the Americas, focusing on people and culture as the company continues to grow.
Vescovi brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience in manufacturing, food and beverage, and retail industries, including regional and global roles at Nike.
Beverly Burcham,
78, known for work ethic, service, generosity
Beverly Elaine Burcham, of Burlington, died July 20 at St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood surrounded by her family. She was 78.
Born May 24, 1947, Beverly Elaine Groger grew up in Burlington as the cherished only child of Clifford and Eleanor Groger (née Kinman). In her childhood, she often went to Cincinnati with her mother to shop and see shows and then to visit her father at work at the Covington mechanics garage. She also spent time at her Grandma Kinman’s farm surrounded by the love of her extended family.
She met her future husband, Larry Burcham, while they both attended Boone County High School. In 60 years of marriage, they built a life centered on family, faith, hard work and community service.
Ms. Burcham dedicated 37 years as office manager at KOI, where her colleagues knew her not just as a coworker, but as family. She was known for her work ethic, generosity and nurturing spirit.
Whether it was work, home or community, Ms. Burcham gave her time and heart fully to every endeavor. She served with the Boone County Garden Club, as treasurer of the Bean Bash, as a longstanding leader with the Boone County Fair and as chairwoman for the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows Beauty Pageant. At Burlington Baptist Church, she shared her gifts through the flower committee, decorating for services, Sunday school involvement, and even playing piano and organ when needed.
Ms. Burcham loved life at full speed. She
could be found mowing on her tractor, tending her flowers, canning fruits and vegetables, taking Gator rides or cooking up Sunday lunches after church for her growing family.
Family was at the heart of everything she did – whether hosting gatherings of 17 or 100, or cheering her grandchildren on at sporting events all over the U.S., she showed up for those she loved. She cherished holiday gatherings with extended family, parties at the pond and attending events at the fair even during the toughest days of her illness.
Ms. Burcham was full of life – competitive in games of croquet, Scrabble, Password, dominoes, Rummikub and any card game (always keeping score!), and adventurous enough to zipline and play pickleball. She carried a calendar to track every grandchild’s event and made every birthday special, complete with entrée and dessert choices.
Whether it was delivering food to shutins, driving friends and family to events and horse shows, arranging fresh flower displays or helping with house projects, Ms. Burcham did it all with a giving heart and tireless energy.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Larry; two daughters, Bridget (Jeff) Kremer and Brooke (Robby) Hurst; five grandchildren, Jordan (Chris) Hull, Logan (Aloiya) Kremer, Colton Kremer, Collin Hurst and Courtney Hurst; and four great–grandchildren, Brinkley Belle and Elliott Elaine Hull, Colby Boone and Miles Lucas Kremer.
A celebration of life and funeral were held July 25 at Burlington Baptist Church. Ms. Burcham was interred at Burlington Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Burlington Baptist Church, 3031 Washington St., Burlington, KY 41005.
People looking at art at the Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center. Provided | Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center on Facebook
Leticia Vescovi has been named Perfetti Van Melle’s vice president of human resources for the Americas. Provided | Perfetti Van Melle
Up to 20 regional craft brewers are expected at the first NKY BierFest. Photo by Bence Boros |
50 sports icons in Northern Kentucky:
Days 44-50
We’ve presented our “50 sports icons in Northern Kentucky” one every day over 50 days. For our print editions, we’ve spotlighted groups of icons each week.
This week’s installment, the sixth and last, covers Days 44 through 50.
Sports editor Evan Dennison spoke and conferred with several local NKY sports history buffs to get their opinions and their lists of who should be “locks” for the 50 sports icons. We compiled those lists to come up with our own 50 (maybe cheated a little by putting families in as one).
You may disagree with who should or shouldn’t be in the top 50, but these 50 stood out to us. We hope you enjoyed reliving the stories of these great achievers.
Day 44: Allen Feldhaus
Allen Feldhaus Sr. left a profound mark on Kentucky sports – as a player, coach, mentor and father. A three-sport standout at Boone County High School, Feldhaus played basketball and baseball at the University of Kentucky from 1958-62. He was a rugged forward under legendary coach Adolph Rupp, scoring 299 points and pulling down 320 rebounds in his Wildcats career. As a catcher, he captained the base-
ball team and later played three seasons in the Washington Senators’ minor league system.
Once his playing career was over, Feldhaus began coaching at Russell County before transforming Mason County into a regional basketball powerhouse. Over 27 years, he compiled a 512-210 career record – including 325 wins at Mason County – guiding the Royals to nine district titles, four regional championships and a state runner-up finish in 1981 to Simon Kenton. His 1982 squad went undefeated in the regular season. Feldhaus had nine consecutive 20win seasons and three 30-win campaigns, coaching four teams to the KHSAA Sweet 16. He also served as Mason County’s athletic director and baseball coach.
His accolades include induction into the Dawahares KHSAA Hall of Fame (1995), the Courier Journal Hall of Fame, Boone County Hall of Fame, Mason County Hall of Fame and the 10th Region Hall of Fame. He was a three-time Kentucky Coach of the Year.
Perhaps Feldhaus’s greatest pride was his family. He coached all three sons – Allen Jr., Willie and Deron – at Mason County, each of whom played in the state tournament. Together, the Feldhaus family has totaled more than 1,300 coaching victories in Kentucky basketball.
Day 45: The Maile family
The Maile family’s legacy in Northern Kentucky athletics begins with Dick Maile, a 1961 Covington Catholic graduate who averaged 19.5 points per game as a senior. At LSU, the 6-foot-5 forward led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding all three varsity seasons (1962-65), finishing with 1,284 points (17.4 per game) and 722 rebounds (10.4 per game). He earned two First Team All-SEC selections, was named to the Look Magazine All-America team in 1965 and tied for 66th nationally in scoring in 1964. Maile was drafted by the Cincinnati Roy-
als in the 11th round of the 1965 NBA Draft and is a member of the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame, the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and the CovCath Hall of Fame. He later coached basketball at CovCath, Notre Dame Academy and Beechwood.
His grandson, Luke Maile, also a CovCath alum, was Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball (2009), a three-time
Northern Kentucky Player of the Year and a 1,000-point scorer in basketball. At Kentucky, he was an All-SEC Second Team catcher and a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and Golden Spikes Award in 2012. Drafted by Tampa Bay in 2012, he has appeared in more than 300 MLB games with six franchises.
Another grandson, Michael Mayer, was 2019 Kentucky Mr. Football for state champion Covington Catholic, a five-star recruit and an All-American tight end at Notre Dame. Mayer won state titles in football and basketball and was one of the more dominant players of recent times on the gridiron. He left Notre Dame as the program’s all-time leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns by a tight end before being drafted 35th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.
Day 46: Maureen Egan Corl
In six years at St. Henry, Maureen Egan Corl was a star in track and cross country.
Corl won a combined 14 Class A state track titles, and the list is lengthy: five in the 800 meters (1989-93), including a then-state record 2:14.50 in 1993; two in the 1,600 (1992-93); three in the 3,200 (1991-93); and three as the anchor leg on the Crusaders’ 4x800 state titlists.
She also won six indoor state titles and one in cross country in 1990 and was a mem-
ber of St. Henry’s three Class A state cross country champion teams.
According to ky.milesplit.com, Egan Corl was the first Class A girl to break the five-minute barrier in the 1,600. In 2022, she was named to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s list of 50 greatest athletes and coaches since Title IX became law in 1972.
The state titles were just part of her legacy. Her national honors included USA Junior Olympic National Finalists, Keebler International Invitation All-American, Kinney National Cross Country Invitational and AAU National All-American in 1992 and 1993.
After high school, Egan Corl ran at the University of Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. She was a four-year captain of UK’s track and cross country teams; a Southeastern Conference All-Academic selection for two years and All-America selection for one.
Egan Corl is now a self-employed health and happiness coach and a part-time cross country coach at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati.
Day 47: Bill Aker
Bill Aker is a big reason Northern Kentucky University’s baseball is where it is today. The Holmes grad started the baseball program in 1971, when the school was still Northern Kentucky State College, and served as head coach for 29 years.
Aker led NKU to two World Series appearances (1979, 1985) during his tenure and finished with 807 career victories. The win total puts him 19th all-time in Division II for wins. He earned Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1992 and 2000.
In 1977, Aker led the Norse to a program record 49 wins and two years later guided them to their first regional championship. He was named Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in those two seasons as well as 1981. He was also named NAIA Area IV Coach of the Year in 1985 after leading NKU
to the NAIA World Series.
Aker’s teams won at least 30 games 11 times and 40 wins four times.
Aker sent numerous NKU players to the professional level, including pitcher Chris Hook. Hook became the first NKU player to make the major leagues, making his debut in 1995 for the San Francisco Giants.
Aker retired from coaching after the 2000 season, and he was inducted into the David Lee Holt NKU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. NKU’s current field is named after Aker, the Bill Aker Baseball Complex. Aker died in 2011.
You may know Kaiser (St. Henry 1985, University of Notre Dame ’89) for what she’s done as St. Henry’s volleyball coach – she’s 836-376 in 33 seasons, and she led the Crusaders to the 2021 state title, eight All “A” championships and nine 9th Region crowns.
Kaiser has done a lot more.
At St. Henry, she earned 11 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. She won the state Class A high jump in 1983, finished second in high jump and as a member of the 1,600-meter relay team in 1984, and won the long jump in 1985.
Kaiser was a U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athletic selection in 1984. As a senior, she was one of four women in the nation to be honored with the Milky Way/ Women’s Sports Foundation Award.
At Notre Dame, Kaiser was a four-year letter winner. Her Fighting Irish teams were 94-49, she was the team captain and most valuable player in 1988, and she is among the top 10 in several solo blocks and block assists.
Kaiser is a member of three halls of fame: Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors (1996), St. Henry (2002) and Buddy LaRosa (2004). Her accolades have earned her the merit of having the gym floor named after her and longtime St. Henry boys’ basketball coach Dave Faust.
Kaiser and her husband, Marty, live in Florence. They have three sons, Blake (26), Tyler
(23) and Ethan (20), and a granddaughter, Zayvianna (7 months).
Day 49: John Brannen
John Brannen was a standout basketball player for Newport Central Catholic and went on to play in college. He began his college career at Morehead State before transferring to Marshall, where he scored 1,008 points in two seasons. He led the Thundering Herd and the Southern Conference in scoring his senior season with 20.9 points per game in 1996-97. He was named to the Marshall Hall of Fame in 2019.
Brannen was a Rhodes Scholar finalist and received postgraduate scholarships from both the NCAA and the Southern Conference. He played two professional seasons in Belgium, where he was an all-star.
He then got into coaching, working his way up the ranks as an assistant for Charleston, Eastern Kentucky, St. Bonaventure, VCU and Alabama. He served as an interim at Alabama for two games before getting his
Public Works Laborer
The City of Crescent Springs is accepting applications for a Public Works Laborer. This position is responsible for maintaining city streets, parks, buildings, and grounds, as well as providing public services such as snow removal, concrete/asphalt work, and other general construction tasks.
A successful candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent, experience operating equipment and performing manual labor or maintenance work, and must be comfortable working outdoors year–round. Applicants must have a valid Kentucky driver’s license and be able to obtain a CDL Class B within six months of hire. Previous relevant work experience is a plus. Salary is commensurate with qualifications.
Submit application to:
City of Crescent Springs Tonya Miller, Public Works Director 739 Buttermilk Pike Crescent Springs, KY 41017
The deadline for applications is August 13th at 3:00 p.m. Applications must be delivered or postmarked by that date. The position will remain open until filled. The City of Crescent Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug–free workplace.
first head coaching job in 2015 with Northern Kentucky University.
Brannen was the first to lead NKU to the NCAA Tournament in 2017, making the Norse just the second team all-time to reach the NCAA tourney in its first year eligible. He was later named Coach of the Year in the Horizon League in 2017. He went 81-51 in four seasons with the Norse and reached the NCAA Tournament twice.
He went on to coach at the University of Cincinnati for two seasons from 2019-21. He guided the Bearcats to a 20-10 record in his first season, tying for first in the American Athletic Conference. The Bearcats were well on their way to the NCAA Tournament before COVID canceled the postseason. In his second season, he led Cincinnati to a 12-11 record and a trip to the conference championship. He was later relieved of his coaching duties, and it was announced later that Brannen and the university reached a $2.75 million settlement.
Brannen now owns a painting business and is married to his wife, Lisa, with twin daughters, Jaylee and Katelyn, who recently graduated from NewCath.
Day 50: Check online!
We left the 50th and final NKY sports icon up to you. A fan vote will determine the 50th NKY sports icon on a ballot of 30. The final result wasn’t available at press time. Go to LINKnky.com/sports to see the winner!
Assistant City Clerk
The City of Crescent Springs is accepting applications for the part–time position of Assistant City Clerk. This position performs a variety of accounting, customer service, and administrative duties. Three years of increasingly responsible experience in accounting or local government administration is strongly preferred. Applicants with an equivalent combination of related education, training, and experience will be considered. Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) certification is desired, or willingness to obtain CMC certification. Candidates must be bondable and may be subject to a pre–employment physical, drug testing, and criminal history/background check.
The job description and application are available by contacting April Robinson at arobinson@crescent–springs.ky.us. A resume and application are encouraged to be submitted by Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. to April Robinson at arobinson@crescent–springs.ky.us or 739 Buttermilk Pike, Crescent Springs, KY 41017. The City of Crescent Springs is a drug–free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Day 48: Maureen Kaiser
Campbell County’s Beane wins Ky. Junior Amateur
the state tournament, where he made the cut after the first round, finishing in a tie for 21st individually with a 77. He then advanced to Bowling Green for the final two rounds of the state tournament, where he finished tied for 41st after a 36-hole score of 13 over par.
Beane has some lofty goals for the 2025 KHSAA season, which includes wanting to make First Team All-State and be in contention for Mr. Golf in Kentucky.
Notre Dame taps NewCath vet Stoll as basketball coach
contend for a 9th Region title next season. The Pandas are coming off a 22-8 season with a 35th District championship and 9th Region runner-up finish. They graduated five seniors, but with their depth will be considered one of the top teams in the region with the expected returns of Emma Holtzapfel and Amelia Stallard, two of the top three leading scorers from last season. Joslyn LaBordeaux-Humphrey, Addie Lawrie, Sarah Young, Riley Eberhard and Erin McGraw all potentially return after significant playing time last season.
NewCath, Bellevue make baseball coaching hires
seasons under Rob Sanders. He’s a 2005 Newport grad and lettered in football, baseball and basketball. He then went to Kentucky Wesleyan College, playing baseball for three years and football for two. He continued his baseball career after college in independent leagues in Texas and Ontario.
Talen Beane’s senior golf season got off to a superb start as he claimed the 46th Kentucky Boys Junior Amateur at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club in Louisville.
The Campbell County rising senior finished July 9 with a 54 hole score of 2 under par, winning in a field that started with 109 competitors. Beane shot a 2-under 70 on the first day, a 1-under 71 on the second and finished the tournament with a 1-over 73 on the third day.
He sank a pressure-packed birdie putt to win it on the final hole.
After going 4-over on holes 13 through 16 in his final round, Beane kept his poise and birdied 17 and 18 to secure the tournament victory. He edged out a pair of Wills for first – Will Judd and William Stuart both finished 1 under for the tournament. They were the only three to finish under par for the tournament.
Persimmon Ridge was a course Beane hadn’t played until a practice round the day before the tournament.
Beane, a Northern Kentucky University commit, will enter his senior season as one of the favorites to win the 8th Region golf tournament. He finished tied for eighth last season after a 75. It qualified him for
Notre Dame Academy has named a familiar face to the 9th Region to be the school’s next basketball coach.
The school announced George Stoll to be the next leader of the Pandas. He replaces Kes Murphy, who was not retained in June.
Stoll led Newport Central Catholic’s girls for six seasons, from 2012-18, guiding the Thoroughbreds to a 112-74 record in his tenure. During his time on the Hill, the Thoroughbreds won a 9th Region title, one district championship, three All “A” regional titles, and made three appearances in the All “A” state semifinals and one appearance in the All “A” state championship game. He was named Greater Cincinnati Coach of the Year following the 2013-14 season. In 2016, Stoll was named the 9th Region Coach of the Year. In 2015 and 2016, he was recognized as NKAC Division II Coach of the Year.
Stoll, a Northern Kentucky native, was recently an assistant at Thomas More University on Brian Neal’s staff. He is a co-founder of Next Play Academy, which focuses on mental toughness, leadership and life skills for student-athletes.
Stoll inherits a Pandas team expected to
Newport Central Catholic and Bellevue were in similar spots with their baseball head coach openings, and both recently hired coaches to lead their programs.
NewCath appointed Nick Enginger, while Bellevue tapped assistant Matt Atkins. Both schools are in the 36th District.
Enginger has been a social studies teacher on the Hill since 1997. He’s a Northern Kentucky University grad that played at Elder in Cincinnati before joining the Norse. After his playing career, he was an assistant at NKU under Bill Aker and Todd Asalon. He was also an assistant for NewCath in football, baseball and softball.
Enginger recently was an assistant on the NewCath softball team.
NewCath finished 16-16 last season, finishing runner-up in the 36th District and losing to Conner in the 9th Region tournament semifinals. Enginger replaces Jeff Martin, who resigned after the season as the Thoroughbreds graduate six seniors.
Atkins has been an assistant on Bellevue’s staff as the pitching coach the past two
We are now featuring comics from artist Andrew Buchanan. Check in each week for an updated comic!
Atkins inherits a Bellevue team that graduates just two seniors coming off a 14-16 season. He succeeds Sanders, who retired after the season as the longest-tenured baseball coach in Bellevue history. Sanders’ 215 career wins made him Bellevue’s winningest coach, too.
Florence Y’alls to host Frontier League’s 2026 All-Star Game
The city of Florence, Florence Y’alls, meetNKY and the Frontier League announced July 22 that the Y’alls will host the 2026 Frontier League All-Star game at Thomas More Stadium.
The Frontier League is a partner league of Major League Baseball that features 18 teams.
Presented by meetNKY, the multiday event will kick off July 13, 2026, with a media day and Frontier League Awards Lunch. On July 14, fans will be treated to a home run derby, and the All-Star Game itself takes place July 15.
In honor of the local team, the game will be dubbed the Y’all Star Game. It will be the first time Northern Kentucky hosts the event. Florence also will present a lineup of community events, such as a 5K, beginning July 3. Bourbon will play a strong role in the events leading to the game, with a sponsor to be announced at a later date.
Additional details on the event and concurrent celebrations will be found at visitcincy. com and florenceyalls.com.
All-Star baseball is coming to Florence.
George Stoll will take over as Notre Dame Academy’s basketball coach. Provided
Nick Enginger is Newport Central Catholic’s head baseball coach. Provided | Newport Central Catholic
Matt Atkins was named head baseball coach at Bellevue.
Provided | Bellevue Independent Schools
Campbell County rising senior Talen Beane won the 46th Kentucky Junior Amateur July 9 at Persimmon Ridge Golf Course in Louisville. Provided | Golf House Kentucky
The Florence Y’alls will host the 2026 Frontier League All-Star Game. Provided | Florence Y’alls
CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00122 DIVISION 2
FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO FIFTH THIRD BANK, NORTHERN KENTUCKY, INC. VS.
DOUGLAS K. ROGERS, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 6/16/2025 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 1018 Ervin Terrace, Dayton, Kentucky 41074
Group No: 41336/A1
PIDN: 999-99-09-871.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-01153 DIVISION 2
FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION VS.
JULE LEE KING, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 6/30/2025 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:
59 Ohio Avenue, Newport, Kentucky 41071
Group No: 30782/A2 & A3
PIDN: 999-99-04-936.00
CASE NUMBER 21-CI-00795 DIVISION 1
REVERSE MORTGAGE FUNDING, LLC VS.
DONNA LEHMAN, 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 7 Fernwood Court, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001
Group No: 70301/C1
PIDN: 999-99-25-254.00
CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00209
DIVISION 2
U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST VS.
WILSON SEBASTIAN JR, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 6/16/2026 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 539 Rifle Range Road, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001
Group No: 70393/Z & 70393/A1
PIDN: 999-99-23-583.01
COMMISSIONER’S SALE
THE COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS MORE PARTICULARLY SET OUT IN THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE ENTERED IN THIS CASE.
Subject to conditions, covenants, restrictions, right of ways and easements in existence, including but not limited to those in prior instruments of record; legal highways, and zoning ordinances.
SAID PROPERTY SHALL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO REAL ESTATE TAXES DUE AND OWING FOR THE YEAR OF SALE AND THEREAFTER PRIOR YEARS UNPAID TAXES SHALL BE PAID FROM THE PROCEEDS IF THE PURCHASER IS NOT THE PLAINTIFF. IF THE PURCHASER IS THE PLAINTIFF, PRIOR YEARS’ UNPAID TAXES SHALL BE PAID BY THE PLAINTIFF, IN FULL OR PRO RATA, PROVIDED THE SALE PURCHASE PRICE EXCEEDS THE COURT COSTS.
THIS PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD TO PRODUCE THE SUMS OF MONEY SO ORDERED TO BE MADE IN THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE ENTERED IN THE WITHIN CASE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO COURT COSTS, AD VALOREM TAXES, IN THE SUM OF $4,271.16; AND OTHER LIENS, INTEREST, ATTORNEY FEES AND/OR OTHER SUMS AND JUDGMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED BY THE COURT.
THE SALE SHALL BE MADE TO THE HIGHEST AND BEST BIDDER(S). ANY PURCHASER OTHER THAN PLAINTIFF WHO DOES NOT PAY CASH IN FULL SHALL PAY 10% CASH AND SHALL BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE A BOND AT THE TIME OF SALE, WITH SURETY ACCEPTABLE TO THE MASTER COMMISSIONER AND PRE-APPROVED BY THE MASTER COMMISSIONER AT LEAST BY NOON, TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE SALE DATE, TO SECURE THE UNPAID BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE, AND SAID BOND SHALL BEAR INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 12% PER ANNUM FROM THE DATE OF SALE UNTIL PAID, AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME FORCE AND EFFECT AS A JUDGMENT AND SHALL REMAIN AND BE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY UNTIL PAID THE BOND SURETY MUST BE PRESENT AT THE SALE AND EXECUTE SALE BOND AND THE AFFIDAVIT OF SURETY THE PURCHASER(S) SHALL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING ALL THE BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD. THE DEPOSIT SHALL BE WAIVED IF PLAINTIFF IS THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE MASTER COMMISSIONER SHALL SELL THE REAL ESTATE BY PUBLIC SALE ON A DAY AND TIME TO BE FIXED BY HIM, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. BIDDERS MUST BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS. THE COSTS OF THE SALE SHALL BE PAID WITHIN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS OF THE SALE.
JOSEPH F. GRIMME, MASTER COMMISSIONER 859-291-9075
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00672
DIVISION 2
JOYCE VERSINO VS. RANGER CONSTRUCTION, LLC, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 6/30/2025 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 133 Fourth Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky 41074
Group No: 30289/A1
PIDN: 999-99-08-750.00
CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00094
DIVISION 1
ADS TAX LIEN COMPANY, LLC VS.
STEVEN G. CHANDLER, ET AL.
BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 5/22/2025 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 816 Ann Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071
Group No: 30184/A3
PIDN: 999-99-01-280.00
CASE NUMBER 22-CI-00910 DIVISION 2
FIFTH THIRD BANK, N.A. VS.
GARY WAYNE CARRIER, ET AL. BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 5/23/2023 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 8/12/2025 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 1934 Alexandria Pike, Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076
Group No: 30629/A3, 30629/A4, 30630/A1 & 30630/A6
PIDN: 999-99-20-971.00
Historic charm meets modern comfort in Licking Riverside
Address: 231 E. Seventh St, Covington
Price: $489,900
Bedrooms: Two
Bathrooms: One (plus one half bath)
Square footage: 2,418
School district: Covington Independent
County: Kenton
Special features: This 1865 Italianate blends historic details with modern updates in Covington’s Licking Riverside Historic District. It features 11-foot ceilings, intricate moldings, oversized windows and period chandeliers. The updated kitchen includes custom cabinetry, granite overlay counters and stainless appliances, opening to a two-story porch overlooking a private, landscaped yard with a brick patio. Upstairs features a spacious primary suite with gallery porch access, laundry and en suite bath.
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
-PUBLIC NOTICE -
The City of Edgewood, Kentucky is accepting bids for an Electronic Door Lock System and Video Camera Security System. Bids will be received until Friday, August 29, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Please visit https://edgewoodky.gov/bids/.
• 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
This 1865 Italianate in Covington offers historic details. Photos provided | Nick Foltz and Brian Zeschke with Pivot Realty Group A look at this home’s living room.
This property offers a landscaped yard with a brick patio.
6/9/25 - 6/15/25
Edited by Margie E. Burke
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. 8 6 9 4 5 2 9 5 1 2
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
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.
Answer to Previous Sudoku:
Go for the gold?
Insomniac's
Loved to pieces
Made jump, character maybe
Wrongdoer
Confused state maybe 59 A long time
Drops in the mail
English
Lukas of subjects? "Witness"
Dublin's land
Wheel turner 62 More, in a 20 Fastidious saying 23 Building block
Word after dial
Harp, in Italy or earth 25 Calf meat
64 Like some 27 "All in the decisions Family" spinoff
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!
