LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 4, Edition 5 - December 19, 2025

KENTON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 5 — DECEMBER 19, 2025

THE VOICE OF NKY

linknky.com

Inside LINK:

We bought CityBeat, and I’m sticking around

By Lacy Starling

M

y daughter is 14, and as with most teenagers, we talk a lot about the future. One of the things I repeat often to her is that she needs to stay open to possibilities in life — that believing in one rigidly prescribed life path is the best way to miss out on the opportunity for something great that wasn’t part of your original plan.

Right now, I find myself in the position to heed my own advice. Five months ago, I announced I was leaving LINK and we were searching for my replacement as CEO. Today, I’m announcing that I’m not leaving, and we’ve expanded LINK Media to include a new publication. All because I stayed open to opportunities.

This came together very quickly. We paused the LINK CEO search for a brief period in October when I was out on medical

leave (everything’s fine). The first meeting I had when I came back from leave was with some folks from CityBeat, floating the idea of partnership. Later that week, I met with CityBeat’s owner, and he asked if LINK would be interested in not just partnering with, but acquiring CityBeat.

That was five weeks ago.

It was a very quick deal, but when a deal makes sense, you can move quickly. When we formed LINK Media four years ago, we structured the company so that we could eventually expand, either through launching in new markets or acquiring other publications.

Our mission, from the beginning, was to support vibrant communities through independent, sustainable local journalism.

We started in Northern Kentucky because we recognized the need for a larger, more robust news organization than what existContinues on page 3

LINK Media CEO Lacy Starling

LinkedUp Live aims to help single professionals over 40 build authentic connections

By Kenton Hornbeck

B

ased on her experiences, Leslie Deshler found that as singles advance in their careers, it can be increasingly difficult to build meaningful romantic relationships.

A flyer for LinkedUp Live's December event. Photo provided | LinkedUp Live on Instagram

This conundrum led Deshler to create her own solution to remedy the tumult of dating for middle-aged professionals: LinkedUp Live.

Deshler, a seasoned financial professional, told LINK nky that contemporary dating methods, such as dating apps, often hinder genuine connections. Furthermore, busy lifestyles make arranging meetings seem like a burden.

“A big part of the inspiration, [is] personal experience, but also just from talking to friends and other singles that fall into that age group, there’s just not a lot of opportunity to really connect with other singles in a way that feels authentic, in a way that feels more organic and natural,” she said. “You know, a lot of us have tried dating apps and there’s just a lot to be desired.”

“I think as you get older, it becomes tougher from that standpoint, because in this age group, a lot of times you’re engaging or interacting or meeting people that are married or in long-term relationships,” she said.

LinkedUp Live doubles as a personal and professional networking and event series for singles over the age of 40. Deshler pitched the events as a way to foster personal connections without interference

OneStop expands into NKY with mission to elevate local vendors p5 Kentucky allocates $750K to support Covington during bridge projects p6 What Futurist Christopher Rice expects in NKY p7

Continues on page 4

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2 DECEMBER 19, 2025

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ed here already, and we’ve been successful in that mission, bringing vital news and information to the 400,000-plus people who live in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties.

PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meghan Goth SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison LINK nky Kenton Reader is published weekly by LINK Media LLC, 31 Innovation Alley, Covington, KY 41011.

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LINK was always built to scale (that’s why I was brought in to lead it — my background in building and scaling organizations) and our back-office accounting, production and sales teams have operational capacity to add additional publications. Our systems and processes were created to grow, and those teams are excited for the opportunity to flex their muscles.

CityBeat is a great addition to the LINK Media family because it has more than 30 years of history in the region, bringing reporting about arts, culture and community to residents on both sides of the river. It’s been through a few ownership changes over the past 15 years, and it feels good to bring a local publication back under local ownership.

This acquisition represents a merger of back-office capabilities, but not a merger of editorial missions. LINK nky will continue to cover NKY the way it has for four years—reporting on politics, government, education, business, high school sports and the issues that matter most to our readers.

CityBeat will continue to cover what makes the Cincinnati region so vibrant—arts, culture, music, food and the serious issues associated with those topics.

What excites me most about this acquisition is the stability it provides both organizations. Being a stand-alone publication in 2025 is incredibly hard. Finding economies of scale, and bringing in enough revenue to

The LINK nky staff. Photo provided | Tonya Bolton

support a professional back office is nearly impossible if you only have one publication. Having more advertising to sell, more publications to design and more audience to reach makes both LINK nky and CityBeat more resilient in the face of changing market forces.

And that brings me back to my own role.

I was leaving LINK Media because (at the time) we were through our growth stage.

We’d grown and scaled to the point we could without additional titles or revenue, and no deals were on the horizon. The part that I’m best at was mostly finished.

So we’ll continue to stay open to opportunities. We’ll keep growing LINK nky, we’ll stabilize and grow CityBeat, and we’ll see what else the future holds. And as always, we appreciate those of you who read, engage with and support our work.

Support Scan this QR code to support our work at LINK Media.

Now that we’ve made this acquisition, we’re set to grow again. My skillset is needed to bring these two organizations into alignment and grow both of them. It is an exciting new challenge, and there’s nothing I love more than a challenge.

Remember your loved one IS NOW OFFERING OBITUARIES NKY is filled with close-knit communities and incredible individuals who have called Northern Kentucky home for decades. That is part of what makes our region special - the people This is why we felt it was important to offer a place to honor your loved ones.

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SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE DECEMBER 19, 2025 3

A flyer for LinkedUp Live. Photo provided | LinkedUp Live Facebook Continued from page 1

from screens or apps, offering a friendly atmosphere with conversation, music, drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

Accelerators, described LinkedUp Live as an innovative approach to providing locals with an alternative in the dating market.

The first event in the series was scheduled for the evening of Dec. 11 at the Aviatra Incubator in Covington.

“We love Leslie’s creative thinking—she saw a gap in the market and designed LinkedUp Live to fill it, solving her own problem and that of many others in our region,” she said.

Since the event is promoted as both a social and professional networking opportunity, Deshler said having a career makes it easier for singles to connect because of the shared experience.

Jill Morenz, president and CEO of Aviatra

“Having a professional background, and

Attendees can mingle, exchange business cards or meet other entrepreneurs and professionals seeking friendship, business contacts or romance.

being able to share what you do as a way to connect with other singles in this age group, that’s obviously an area that you know people can relate to easily,” Deshler said.

Ultimately, Deshler believes that the event’s success hinges on how many genuine connections it can create among attendees.

She wants the event to feel comfortable, with conversations flowing naturally instead of feeling like a forced networking seminar.

comfortable, where it feels organic, where it feels natural, not where it feels kind of forced or awkward,” Deshler said. “I think that’s what a lot of people run into when they think about events, especially when they’re focused on singles, is that sometimes it can feel awkward, but the goal here and success is really when people start to come and they get comfortable. It becomes a very comfortable, beneficial place to be able to connect in person with like-minded, single professionals.”

“Success is definitely about bringing people together in a space where they feel

Tickets are available at eventbrite.com. The cost to attend is $30 plus fees.

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OneStop expands into NKY to elevate event vendors

By Kenton Hornbeck

ing to its official website. Now, OneStop is extending its services south across the Ohio River into Northern Kentucky.

A

fter spending over a decade of his career in the hospitality industry, entrepreneur Lamont Blackwood decided to leverage his experience to start a new venture – one he ambitiously hopes could become the Amazon of the hospitality world.

Blackwood co-founded an event planning business in 2021, growing it across the United States and internationally, including in Japan. Over time, the continual effort required to manage the company led Blackwood to explore other career options.

“As you can know, with events, it’s extremely stressful and tiring,” he said. “People see the glitz and glory. They don’t see the preparation, so in doing that, I sold my part of the company to my business partner, because I wanted to change.”

After exploring sales training and other professional paths, Blackwood returned to the hospitality industry when he met his future business partner, Camden Grubbs, who had extensive experience in Cincinnati’s culinary and corporate worlds. The duo had a shared vision of creating a digital platform that would streamline event booking.

This vision evolved into OneStop, an app that serves as a “one-stop shop” for booking local vendors such as chefs, bartenders, bakers and florists, among others. The app

David Clifton, who operates the Independence-based food truck Voodoo Cuisine, was among the first vendors in NKY to support the app. Clifton said that OneStop would help his Cajun-inspired food truck gain more visibility among local event planners. Moreover, it offered a convenient way to reserve his food truck for more events.

The founders of OneStop: Camden Grubbs (left) and Lamont Blackwood (right). Photo provided | OneStop

“They’re, like myself, a small business that’s trying to grow, trying to find support systems, find that niche, being willing to adjust as needed but also remaining true to what their ideas are,” Clifton said. “I think that’s the important part.”

consolidates fragmented services onto a single platform, enabling users to discover, compare and book these services for events of any size, from weddings and corporate outings to birthday parties.

for Cincinnati and Kentucky, but anywhere that you go. It’s really something that helps mom-and-pop shops flourish throughout the community, because like I said, they’re the heartbeat of the city.”

OneStop has worked with several NKY entrepreneurial support organizations, such as Blue North and Newport’s Incubator Kitchen Collective, which is where Clifton said he first became aware of the service.

Blackwood emphasized to LINK nky that OneStop is entirely dedicated to showcasing local vendors and small businesses, which he considers the backbone of communities.

After over a year and a half of behind-thescenes work, OneStop launched on Apple’s App Store in the spring, followed by the Google Play Store in the summer. OneStop launched its services in Cincinnati and later expanded to other cities including Boston and Tampa.

“The idea is, for lack of a better term, it’s really plug and play wherever you go,” Blackwood said. “There’s a need for the services.

There’s a need for local vendors to grow, and honestly, we look at it as something that can also boost the economy. If we continue to get the small vendors to grow, that also means more money stays within the community and that gets spent within the community.”

“We’re taking it to not continue to grow the mainstream, but like I said, to look at and grow the local vendors,” Blackwood said.

“We think that this concept is not just great

The app currently features over 81 vendors and has surpassed 300 downloads, accord-

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DECEMBER 19, 2025 5

Kentucky allocates $750K to aid Covington amid bridge projects

By Kenton Hornbeck

ects expected to severely restrict or completely shut down two major roadway entrances into the city, many Covington residents and business owners have expressed concerns over how the project will adversely affect their lifestyles or livelihoods.

W

ith the construction of two major bridges set to impact the City of Covington for years to come, the Commonwealth of Kentucky is providing Northern Kentucky’s most populous city with some financial assistance.

“These investments will reshape our region for decades, but we also know they bring real challenges to our residents, neighborhoods and especially to our small businesses,” Washington said. “That’s why this funding matters.”

On Dec. 4, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will allocate $750,000 to Covington over the next five years to support local businesses and neighborhoods that will be impacted by the construction of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project and the Fourth Street Bridge replacement project.

“These dollars will help make sure Kentuckians stay informed on progress and updates,” Beshear said. “They’ll ensure local businesses are still being promoted to ensure success, then they’ll invest in neighborhood improvements needed to strengthen connectivity with us.”

Covington Mayor Ron Washington said the allocation aligns with its ‘Bridging the Gap’ program, an initiative that aims to inform residents about the progress of both infrastructure projects.

“It ensures Covington’s families and business owners are not left behind as construction moves forward,” Washington said. “Over the next five years, these dol-

The Fourth Street Bridge will close permanently in January 2026, with demolition planned for spring 2026, according to Covington’s website. Construction is projected to last through fall 2028, with the bridge reopening to traffic in summer 2028.

A rendering of the Brent Spence Bridge companion bridge. Rendering provided | ODOT

lars will support our Bridging the Gap initiative—helping us keep people informed, strengthening access to local shops and restaurants and improving neighborhood connections during every phase of construction.”

Covington unveiled its Bridging the Gap program in the fall, with the goal of establishing an official, centralized portal to share important information about both projects with residents and stakeholders.

The portal gives Covington officials, businesses and neighborhood associations an online location to receive updates and

share feedback.

A sizable portion of Covington is bordered

by I-75 to the west and the Licking River to the east. Inside the area between I-75 and the Licking River lies Covington’s downtown and most of the city’s urban neighborhoods, each peppered with small businesses that are crucial to Covington’s economy.

The most common ways to enter Covington by vehicle are by exiting off I-75 in the west or crossing over the Fourth Street Bridge from Newport in the east.

The Brent Spence Bridge is expected to remain open throughout the duration of the project. The project involves building a new companion bridge to carry I-71/I-75 traffic across the Ohio River, separating local from regional and national travel. Eight miles of roadway in Ohio and Kentucky will be widened and modified, including changes to ramp configurations.

For updates on both projects, people can visit brentspencebridgecorridor.com and ky8bridge.org.

With the scope of both construction proj-

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Futurist Christopher Rice outlines how AI, workforce shifts will shape the future

Futurist Christopher Rice addresses a live audience at SparkHaus in Covington. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

By Kenton Hornbeck

A

rtificial intelligence, educational attainment, demographic shifts, automation – these are just a few pressing topics that occupy futurist Christopher Rice’s mind on a daily basis.

Institutions, economic stakeholders and political leaders turn to Rice for guidance on how to best prepare their operations for the future. Now, he’s sharing his insights with the Northern Kentucky community.

Rice was the keynote speaker at LINK nky’s December Community Conversation on Dec. 4, where he shared his thoughts on how technological innovation and societal evolution will influence NKY’s workforce and educational landscape.

The first topic Rice opined upon was the integration of AI into the economy, specifically regarding how he believes it will affect the local workforce. One of the areas Rice believes will be most impacted is those

entering the workforce with computer science degrees.

“AI is actually really good at coding, so some of you have probably seen the coding computer science graduate apocalypse,” Rice said. “Turns out, if you graduated in 2025 with an English degree, you have a lower rate of unemployment than if you graduated with a computer science degree.”

However, Rice argues that although computer science degrees are currently struggling, new careers will arise from the ashes.

A report published by the Michigan Tech College of Computing states that computer-based careers are changing, with new roles emerging that will create fresh opportunities for aspiring computer scientists.

These include roles like prompting engineers, AI-enhanced cybersecurity analysts and AI integration specialists, among others. In the future, more career fields—such as teaching or nursing—will enable people to use AI to develop educational and

healthcare plans.

On the education front, Rice believes the value of a traditional college degree will evolve. Looking ahead, Rice said micro-credentials will become increasingly important. Micro-credentials are brief, competency-based certifications that confirm an individual’s competence in a specific subject. Large corporations such as Walmart are already investing in micro-credentialing.

“The lines between what we think of as traditional university learning and workforce development, those are going to start to work and mash up a little bit,” Rice said.

“You won’t just go to college to get a job with a degree. You might go and get a degree, or you might work for this employer, get a set of credentials, or for another employer, get a set of credentials, and stack on that.”

One career path Rice sees gaining importance in the future is “blue-collar jobs,” or skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical work and carpentry. NKY leaders have long

been advocating for awareness of the local trade job shortage. In 2023, Brian Miller, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky, stated that the Greater Cincinnati area faced a gap of 65,000 trade jobs. Rice said tradespeople are essential for constructing and maintaining infrastructure.

“Your quickest path now to a six-figure income as a young person is to go to trade school,” he said.

Ultimately, Rice urged people to take a rational and patient view of technological integration, coupled with a long-term time horizon.

“If you’re told that AI is going to take half of everybody’s jobs and we’re all going to be out on the street, out of work, let me tell you, the best way that you can prove to yourself that that is not the case is to go back and look at what was the actual economic productivity increase of the greatest invention of the second half of the 20th century: the internet.”

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DECEMBER 19, 2025 7

kenton county briefs Fort Wright becomes latest Kenton County city to tap redevelopment fund

Fort Wright becomes the latest city to utilize the Community Redevelopment Fund, joining Independence, Erlanger and Taylor Mill. Independence was the first to receive funding, with $900,000 approved by the fiscal court in March. Erlanger received $1.3 million in June, followed by Taylor Mill with $805,000 in September.

Kenton County guidelines specify that eligible projects should concentrate on property development activities such as acquisition, renovation, site preparation or right-of-way improvements. Funding proposals need to be submitted by the city’s mayor in consultation with its legislative body. Additionally, the city must demonstrate the ability to match 10% of any awarded funding.

Fort Wright city sign. Photo provided | The City of Fort Wright

Fort Wright is the fourth city in Kenton County to collaborate with the county’s Community Redevelopment Fund.

The Kenton County Community Redevelopment Fund provides financial support to cities within the county, enabling them to invest in real estate development projects that can spur economic growth. It is funded through a $5 million allocation from the Kentucky General Assembly, approved in 2024 as part of its biennial budget.

On Dec. 9, the Kenton County Fiscal Court unanimously approved an allocation of $1.35 million to the City of Fort Wright.

Fort Wright also committed to providing a matching contribution of at least $150,000 as part of the deal.

“We received an application from the city of Fort Wright,” Kenton County Administrator Joe Shriver said. “We’ve vetted this through our advisors, Jeanne Schroer and also Josh Wice through PDS (Kenton County Planning & Development Services), who deem this to be an appropriate project.”

Fort Wright, a bedroom community with around 5,800 residents, is situated five miles southwest of Cincinnati. The city’s central location along I-75 and proximity to I-275 to the south make it a popular suburban community for professionals commuting to Cincinnati, Covington or Florence.

If certain projects do not meet the county’s eligibility criteria, they will be reviewed by Kenton County’s Community Development Department, specifically the Planning and Development Services, to consider possible adjustments.

Fort Wright’s contract specifies that the allocated funds and matching contributions are to be used to acquire and develop an underperforming real estate asset within the city. Furthermore, the city has 12 months from the date of the agreement to use the allocated amount. Any unused funds must be returned to Kenton County.

Kenton County Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Korzenborn announced his retirement on Dec. 9. Korzenborn has occupied the sheriff’s seat for 26 years and announced his retirement in an open letter to county residents.

Korzenborn also used the announcement to endorse Jude Hehman, the current mayor of Fort Mitchell, who announced his run for the sheriff’s seat in October, as his successor.

Korzenborn references the recent death of his wife, Ruth Korzenborn, who died in June, as one of his motivations for stepping away.

INCLUDES SHI PPI

8 DECEMBER 19, 2025

Kenton County Sheriff Charles Korzenborn at a memorial on May 17, 2023. Photo by Joe Simon | LINK nky contributor

The Catalytic Fund is a privately funded, nonprofit organization based in Covington that offers alternative financing options and property development consulting in Northern Kentucky.

“Good stuff happening with partnerships,” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann remarked.

NG

Korzenborn will retire on Dec. 31.

First single-family homes break ground at Covington Central Riverfront

“During my tenure, our team has built a Sheriff’s Office that is recognized across the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Korzenborn writes in his letter. “I have never taken your confidence for granted and have been grateful for the deputies and staff who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me.”

The organization led several prominent redevelopment projects in the region’s river cities, including the Kent Lofts in Bellevue, Hotel Covington and Life Learning Center in Covington. Since its founding in 2013, the organization has invested more than $450 million in NKY, preserving over 90 historic buildings, according to its website.

tions and success that we have built with the Kenton County Sheriff’s Office.”

Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann will need to appoint a replacement for Korzenborn to occupy the role of sheriff until the end of 2026, when whoever wins next year’s election takes office. Hehman and another candidate, Larry Shelton, have filed to run for the sheriff’s seat as of Dec. 9.

In March, Kenton County partnered with The Catalytic Fund to define project proposal criteria, set up a standardized application process, produce quarterly status reports and work together on evaluating proposals and distributing funds.

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Kenton County Sheriff announces retirement, endorses Hehman

“Ruth devoted her life to our family and to serving others, and her loss has reminded me that there is a season for every part of life, including public service,” Korzenborn writes.

As it relates to Hehman, Korzenborn writes, “I have known Mayor Hehman for many years. I’ve known his family for over 75 years. I have watched Jude lead Fort Mitchell with transparency, common sense and with a strong commitment to public safety.

I am confident he will continue the tradi-

Officials from the City of Covington and Funke Real Estate Group break ground on Plot A at the Covington Central Riverfront site. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

A Covington-based developer will build the first single-family homes at the site of Covington Central Riverfront, also known as CCR. On Dec. 9, the City of Covington and representatives from the Funke Real Estate Group broke ground on Block A of the CCR site, marking the beginning of the first homes planned for the sprawling project.

“We look forward to the first single-family home—there’s going to be 10 single-family homes and two commercial buildings here,” Covington Assistant Economic Development Director John Sadosky said. “So, so excited to get started with that.”

Block A is located at the intersection of Russell Street and Stewart Alley, near the newly constructed Russell Park promenade. The 37,600-square-foot parcel will be the site of 10 single-family homes, along with two mixed-use buildings. According to a press release from Covington, the first home planned for the site is a 2,588-square-foot, three-story residence

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kenton county briefs featuring three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and a rooftop deck.

states “a reprieve from the recent government shutdown doesn’t change the dire situation that many people are facing this winter amidst rising electricity and other costs.”

The CCR project consists of 17 blocks, each with a distinct development plan. Some blocks, such as Block A, will include single-family homes, while others will feature apartments, mixed-use developments, commercial spaces and public areas.

Jodi Funke, president of her namesake real estate group, said the opportunity to develop the site is a victory for small, locally owned developers. Funke is a graduate of Covington-based Aviatra Accelerators, a woman-focused entrepreneurial support organization.

“The City of Covington is creating opportunities for smaller developers, opportunities that in many cities are automatically given to one large master developer; too often, smaller developers are overlooked or shut out of transformational projects like this, but Covington is proving that progress doesn’t have to come from only the biggest firms, it can come from local, committed, community-minded developers,” Funke said.

Funke Real Estate Group boasts a diverse portfolio of properties, such as Cumberland Glen at Lake Cumberland, Fossett Village in Avondale, the Elevate Cinci hotel in downtown Cincinnati and City West townhomes near TQL Stadium in Cincinnati’s West End. Funke mentioned that one of the mixeduse spaces will host blaCk Coffee Lounge, a coffee shop from Cincinnati that is expanding south across the Ohio River into Covington. The mixed-use buildings will be situated at the corners of Block A, with one facing Russell Street and the other facing Washington Street.

In her closing remarks, Funke highlighted the project’s future walkability, noting that the rebuilt streets will feature apartments, storefronts and restaurants, which will bring back a neighborhood vibe to the former commercial area.

“This is a neighborhood, a neighborhood that will be vibrant, connected and welcoming, a neighborhood that offers walkable access to not only everything that Covington has to offer, but also to the city of Cincinnati,” she said. “This connectivity is what will make Covington Central Riverfront truly special.”

NKY Water District receives statewide workplace safety award The Northern Kentucky Water District received the 2025 Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance Destiny Award for excellence in workplace safety.

To earn the award, organizations must

The NKWD Board of Commissioners, NKWD President/CEO Lindsey Rechtin, NKWD Safety Administrator Brad Murphy, and members of KEMI pose with the Destiny Award. Photo provided | NKWD

demonstrate their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout the organization.

“At the Northern Kentucky Water District, safety is central to who we are, and it shows in the actions we take every day. Achieving this honor for the 14th consecutive year reflects our steadfast commitment to a safe workplace,” NKWD President/CEO Lindsey Rechtin said in a news release. “Our Board repeatedly invests in our safety program and supports safety initiatives for our employees. Safety is so ingrained in our culture that it is one of our key values.”

The NKWD has received the award 14 years in a row. KEMI presented the award to 27 of 20,000 policyholders in Kentucky.

“Our Safety Committee leads our efforts to maintain a safe, responsive workplace by meeting regularly to address concerns and support accident and injury prevention,” NKWD Safety Administrator Brad Murphy said in the release. “Safety is a priority for our entire team.”

Some of the advocacy groups during past legislative sessions in Frankfort have supported state legislation that would prevent disconnections during extreme weather. During this year’s legislative session, a Democratic-sponsored bill to limit when utilities could disconnect a customer, including on what the temperature is outside, did not advance in the GOP-controlled legislature.

Cara Cooper, the coordinator for Kentuckians for Energy Democracy, previously told the Kentucky Lantern that Beshear has the power to issue a moratorium through executive order similar to an order he issued in the beginning months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooper in a Kentucky Lantern interview after the rally said the groups plan to advocate for utility disconnection protections heading into next year’s legislative session.

Advocates gather on Dec. 8 in front of the state Capitol in Frankfort to call on Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to issue a moratorium on utility disconnections. Photo provided

“Every week that we stall on this, more people are at risk,” Cooper said, pointing out the cold weather Kentucky experienced that week. “We will continue to work on this issue because it remains really important.”

The amount of federal funding approved by the GOP-controlled Congress for various social safety net programs still remains to be seen, though the Trump administration has proposed eliminating a federal program that provides billions of dollars nationwide to help low-income people afford heating and cooling costs. Kentuckians received tens of millions of dollars in funding through the Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, in the last fiscal year.

861 S Collier Blvd Essex S 104 Marco Island, FL for Rent

The NKWD supplies public water to nearly 300,000 people in Campbell and Kenton counties, in addition to portions of Boone, Grant and Pendleton counties. The NKWD is the largest water district in Kentucky and is the state’s third largest water provider.

Calls grow for Beshear to halt winter utility shutoffs A coalition of advocacy groups is urging Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to halt utility disconnections in Kentucky until March.

The groups, led by the advocacy campaign Kentuckians for Energy Democracy, gathered on Dec. 8 in front of the state Capitol in Frankfort urging Beshear to issue a moratorium amid an uncertain future for federal housing, heating and food assistance.

The groups made a similar call to action during the record-long federal government shutdown earlier this year.

A release from the coalition — which includes the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, the Kentucky Conservation Committee, Sierra Club Kentucky, VOCAL-KY, Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and others —

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The 23-block area previously housed the vacant Internal Revenue Service processing center, which was demolished in 2022 to make way for the planned development.

“And no one should have to choose between groceries, buying medicine or keeping the heat on. Yet, Kentucky continues to have no statewide utility disconnection policy for extreme weather conditions,” the coalition wrote in a media release.

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DECEMBER 19, 2025 9

food

A fresh pour: Mrs. Teapots Tearoom enters a new era

By Maggy McDonel

Started by the former owner, Mrs. Teapots is known for its variety of hats and costume jewels available for guests to don during their tea service. Perry and Meirovici have added tiaras for younger customers. “Every little girl does love a good tiara,” said Perry.

A

fter 20 years, Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery on Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue has new owners, and they plan to keep traditions

alive.

They have also kept the original eclectic collection of vintage dishes and silverware used for the tea services.

Co-owner and executive chef Jacob Perry said that he has had an eye on the space for a long time. Perry’s partner has owned and operated Le Sorelle Boutique next door to Mrs. Teapots for over 15 years, and when the former owner, Paula Gallo, announced her retirement, he jumped on the opportunity.

Perry told LINK that he and his co-owner and director of operations, Ricky Meirovici, previously worked together at a Holiday Inn, Meirovici being the front desk manager, and Perry the chef.

“We learned a long time ago, between us, we can handle anything front or back of house,” said Perry. “So when I went to buy the tea house, and I stopped by Ricky’s house, and said, ‘I think I’m going to do this.’ And he’s like, ‘What do you need? Let’s do this together.’”

Meirovici handles everything front of house, running the social media (other than their TikTok, which Perry said is his baby), designing menus, murder mystery-themed nights and more.

“Coming from a Jewish family myself, my mother always had an extra chair at the table,” Meirovici told LINK nky. “And every time the family grew, there was always an additional chair at the end of the table. And I used to say, ‘Who is that for?’ And she’d be like, ‘it’s not for Elijah the prophet, no, it’s so that there’s always room at the table for somebody that needs it.’ And so for me, feeding extra people is just like second nature.”

Perry said that when they purchased the teahouse, they wanted to put their own spin on it while keeping true to its roots.

“It also goes to creating an experience, and not just a lunch menu,” said Perry. “Everything comes out on formal silverware, real China, real glass, real plates.”

The exterior of Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky

“I had a lady come in, and she had her baby shower here, and now her daughter is having her baby shower,” said Perry. “And that was a great way to show how I see the business as a whole. Paula [Gallo] had the first generation. Ricky and I are getting the next generation.”

And then we said we did it. And surprisingly, more and more men actually do come in now.”

Perry told LINK that the former owner lost her first husband, had three children, worked a full-time job, took night classes in culinary arts at Cincinnati State and earned her degree to open Mrs. Teapots.

“We kept her [Gallo’s] original menu the first three months, and then when everybody was receiving it well, I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna start adding my touches,’” said Perry.

After 20 years of operation, the tearoom had to be temporarily closed due to structural issues in the apartment above the shop. After reopening, Perry said that Gallo ran the place for about six months before announcing her retirement.

They started by adding soups, then began rotating the menu with the seasons. Right now, for fall, they have lots of pears, apples and vanilla. Perry also said that making inclusive options was important to him; they now offer a fully gluten-free high tea, and all of their soups are vegetarian.

Perry and Meirovici took over operations in June.

To modernize the space, they replaced the floors, updated the lighting and painted the space in a more neutral color palette, different from the previous, very pink walls.

“We noticed men saw the pink and ran,” said Perry. “It was actually quite funny.

They told us, ‘If you paint it, we’ll come in.’

Cooperative Extension Service

While they wanted to make updates, they didn’t want to scare away any long-time loyal customers.

Soon, the holiday menu will be available, and Perry told LINK nky that currently, Saturday reservations are almost sold out for the rest of the year.

Mrs. Teapots’ menu features salads, sandwiches, savories, appetizers and desserts from their baker, Harold Madden, alongside a large selection of teas. Its also offers “tiny tea times” for those 8 and under with a pared-down version of the service.

You can make a reservation by calling 859-491-2731 or emailing mrs.teapots.tearoom@gmail.com. Keep up with everything Mrs. Teapots get up to on its Facebook page.

After taking over, Perry said they had a positive response from the community, even with a few naysayers at first.

“At first, we even had people say, ‘We came in here with the intention of not liking you.

And it hasn’t been that way,” said Perry.

Perry said that the Bellevue community wanted the teahouse to stay. “We love unique and eclectic businesses, and the community stepped up and said, ‘We’re going to keep this open.’ So I’m very thankful.”

Some of the china at Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky

Other businesses have also been very supportive, and some of their offerings are available at Mrs. Teapots. Their bread comes from Breadsmith, they often use pretzel bread from The Pretzel Place and Perry said sometimes they include sweets from Schneider’s Sweet Shop in their service.

“I just love the aspect of the hospitality, and then the location, this neighborhood and this community is so supportive,” said Meirovici.

When LINK nky visited Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery, the main dining room was completely full, with couples and families all enjoying high tea service. None seemed to enjoy their time more than the little girls all decked out in tiaras and pearls.

10 DECEMBER 19, 2025

Tea service at Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery.

Photo provided | Mrs. Teapots Tearoom and Eatery on Facebook

COMMISSIONER’S SALE CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00281

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00375

DIVISION 1

DIVISION 2

FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION

JOYCE VERSINO

VS.

VS.

SECURITY CREDIT SERVICES LLC, ET AL.

ROBERT DENNIS MAHANEY, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 9/19/2025 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.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 10/24/2025 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 1/6/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/6/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

252 Linden Avenue, Southgate, Kentucky 41071

104 Ward Avenue, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073

Group No: 20070/A1

Group No: 30494/A1 & A2

PIDN: 999-99-10-429.00

PIDN: 999-99-06-104.00

CASE NUMBER 23-CI-00339

CASE NUMBER 21-CI-00577

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 2

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

HIGHLAND MEADOWS CONDOMINIUM OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

VS.

VS.

JILL FROMMEYER, ET AL.

APRIL S. HOSKINS, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 11/9/2023 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.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 8/15/2022 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 1/6/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/6/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

2445 Alexandria Pike, Southgate, Kentucky 41071

25 Highland Meadows Circle, Unit 5, Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076

Group No: 20084/A1

Group No: 30766/Q2

PIDN: 999-99-10-750.00

PIDN: 999-99-22-230.00

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

DECEMBER 19, 2025 11

sports Five from NKY sign on for Division I football

Savage is the program’s all-time leading tackler and has tallied nearly 3,000 rushing yards in his high school career. He most recently won the Paul Hornung award for the state’s most outstanding football player.

Savage had Purdue, Indiana, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Northwestern, Michigan State and Minnesota as his finalists after fielding more than 15 Division I offers.

Highlands senior Max Merz (50) has signed with Louisville. Photo provided | Sports Illustrated via Instagram

Five Northern Kentucky high school football players put ink to paper on National Signing Day on Dec. 3, the first day for football players to sign their National Letter of Intent to their respective schools in Division I. Highlands’ Max Merz is headed to Louisville, Ryle’s Jacob Savage is going west to Indiana, his teammate Dylan Lee is headed to the Patriot League at Colgate while Cooper’s Cam O’Hara is staying in state at Western Kentucky and Newport Central Catholic lineman William Sandfoss will take his talents to Marshall.

All five made their signings official on Dec. 3 with ceremonies already or to be held at different times.

Merz anchored the Bluebirds offensive line over the years and made his commitment to Louisville his junior year. The 6-foot-4, 310 pounder held offers from Toledo, Eastern Kentucky, Kent State, Marshall and Troy.

He was the No. 11 ranked prospect in the state according to 247 Sports state rankings and the No. 1 interior lineman in the state.

Merz graded out as a three-star, according to 247.

He tallied 509 career tackles for his career, 39 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two fumbles forced defensively. Offensively, he’s rushed for 2,835 yards, 54 rushing touchdowns, hauled in 63 receptions for 749 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. He’s tallied 392 points in his four years in Union and led the team in tackles every season.

Lee was the primary receiver for the Raiders this season as he battled through injury and was also one of the top defensive backs on the team.

A three-star prospect by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN, O’Hara chose WKU over offers from Akron, Austin Peay, Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky and several others.

For additional questions or more information, reach out to Athletic Director Jim Hicks at 859-334-4400 or james/hicks@boone. kyschools.us.

Sandfoss, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive lineman, chose Marshall over other offers from schools such as Kent State, Ohio, Youngstown State, Georgia State, Dartmouth and Army.

Walker gets 100th win at Lloyd

Sandfoss said he was drawn to Marshall’s winning tradition and strong coaching staff.

He’s a top-30 offensive tackle in Kentucky, according to 247Sports. He committed to Marshall in June.

Rash resigns at Conner Lloyd Memorial boys basketball coach Mike Walker won his 100th career game with the Juggernauts last week. Photo provided | Lloyd Memorial athletics

He chose Colgate over Penn.

As a junior, he caught 46 passes for 608 yards and seven touchdowns; he also ran for 77 yards and another score. He added 36 receptions for 669 yards and seven touchdowns his senior season.

What Lee’s done on offense shouldn’t overshadow his defense; he had 28 tackles and six interceptions, including one for a touchdown as a junior and added 18 tackles and four interceptions this year.

O’Hara’s name is etched all across NKY passing records with his high school career and has his name near the top of some state passing records as well.

By the time he graduated, O’Hara’s name sat atop or near the top of nearly every major NKY passing category, while also cementing himself among the best to ever play the position in the state of Kentucky.

O’Hara finished his career with 11,227 passing yards, 146 touchdown passes and 713 completions—ranking third all-time in KHSAA history in touchdown passes, sixth in passing yards and ninth in completions.

THE WEEKLY COMIC

by Andrew Buchanan

Lloyd Memorial boys basketball coach Mike Walker entered the season needing a win for the 100th of his career and did so on opening night against Pendleton County.

Noel Rash (right) has resigned as Conner’s football coach. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

Noel Rash has announced his resignation from the Conner football program after guiding the Cougars through one of the most difficult seasons in school history.

Rash stepped in last summer under tragic circumstances, following the sudden passing of longtime head coach Dave Trosper in June. A close friend of Trosper’s, Rash felt compelled to provide stability and support for a grieving program, choosing to come out of retirement to help the Cougars navigate an unexpected and emotional transition.

Pernell sets Lady Pioneers 3-point record

With only about a month to prepare the team for the 2025 season, Rash accepted the role on short notice, focused on honoring Trosper’s legacy and keeping the program grounded. The Cougars opened 1-5 but rallied behind Rash’s leadership, winning three of their final four regular-season games before falling to Scott County in the first round of the playoffs.

Rash had retired from Beechwood in 2023 after a celebrated 17-year run that included 200 wins and eight state championships.

In his lone season at Conner, the Cougars averaged 23.3 points per game, showing explosive potential in their passing attack in their four victories with a 47-point scoring average. Defensively, the team struggled at times, allowing 41.8 points per game in its seven losses.

The Cougars will graduate 16 seniors, including All-Area selections Shepherd Dozier, Aydin Depenbrock and Travis Keen.

Quarterback Grayson Montgomery was named an NKFCA Top 28 player after throwing for 2,065 yards and 22 touchdowns. Dozier finished with 46 catches for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns; Depenbrock added 43 receptions for 595 yards and six scores. Keen helped anchor the defense with 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks Conner is now accepting applications for the position. Interested candidates should submit their application through: https:// www.applitrack.com/booneky/onlineapp/.

12 DECEMBER 19, 2025

Walker enters his sixth season of the program and has completely turned things around in Erlanger. After a 7-11 season his first year, they’ve won 92 games the past four seasons which included three straight district championships, four straight trips to the region semifinals and a region championship appearance last year, their first since 1996.

Simon Kenton’s Brynli Pernell set the program record for 3-pointers in Saturday’s victory over Mercy. Photo provided | Simon Kenton girls basketball

Simon Kenton junior guard Brynli Pernell recently set the program record for career 3-pointers made. In their 73-32 win over Mercy on Dec. 6 at Hoops 4 Harvest at Dixie Heights, Pernell knocked down her 238th career 3-pointer.

With another year to go, Pernell will shatter the record and should finish well over 300 career 3-pointers made. As far as the state record? She’s almost halfway to Highlands’ Jaime Walz record of 539 three-pointers made for the Bluebirds from 1991-96. Walz’s record is now in its 30th season.

Cauldron Cafe brings Magic to Covington

The Cauldron Cafe. Photo by Emily Widman | CityBeat

Noah and Brittany Markowich at the Cauldron before opening. Photo provided | The Cauldron Cafe on Instagram

By CityBeat’s Katherine Barrier

trying to come up with stuff that’s maybe a little out of the box. Everything on our menu — it’s all gonna be intentful. From drip all the way to even lemonade or tea or anything. … It’s more about letting everyone enjoy the experience of just a good quality cup of coffee, consistently.”

S

omething magical is brewing in Covington: A Northern Kentucky couple just opened their own cafe that combines a menu of specialty coffee, a cozy atmosphere and a sprinkle of enchantment for the whole community.

At 807 Madison Ave., husband-and-wife team Noah and Brittany Markowich created their dream coffee shop.

An eclectic collection of chairs fills the space, which celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 30. Some are completely wooden; some feature fabric seats with embroidered flowers. All are what you would expect to find in a cottage kitchen, and all are unique, just like each guest who passes through the doors of The Cauldron Cafe.

“Every person who comes in has something going on in their life that you probably have no idea about, and just being there for them, just being a positive source in someone’s day — we just want to be a safe space for people to come and be like, ‘I know I can come here,’” Brittany tells CityBeat. “I’m gonna have a good cup of coffee. I can decompress for a few minutes and then be on my way. Or I can chat for 10 minutes if I wanted to.’ I think that’s really important for us.”

It’s that understanding of how a good cup of coffee can help someone heal, even just a little bit, that started the Markowichs on their journey to opening The Cauldron. In 2023, both Noah’s brother and mother died, just a few months apart.

“We worked our jobs, we lived in our house in the suburbs in Edgewood and we didn’t love the neighborhood,” Noah explains.

“And those things kind of happening back-to-back, we kind of hit this point of, like, what do we want to do? We want to do something that makes us happy. Live somewhere else that really makes us happy. … We fell in love with coffee after that happened.”

While mourning Noah’s brother and mother and taking time off work, the Markowichs bought their first espresso machine

and learned about the art of brewing. The idea of opening a coffee shop began to form as they shifted their lives to align with their dreams. They sold their home in Edgewood and moved to Covington last October.

Whether it was a little bit of magic or just a coincidence, The Cauldron’s future space was just across the street from the couple’s new home.

“We moved here just kind of with the idea of, like, we want to do this in Covington, and we didn’t really have a spot in mind, and we just kind of slowly, just kept working on it,” Noah says. “It’s funny, actually: When we were just walking past one day, there was a sign in the window that said it was for lease, and we weren’t ready to do it right then and there, but it was just too perfect of a scenario. Too perfect of a space.”

At The Cauldron, guests will find a warm and inviting space to work, study, socialize or just relax; think the cozy cottage of a kitchen witch: clean neutrals of linen and wood mixed with eclectic chairs, tables and decor to make you feel at home and something always brewing and bubbling behind the counter. Those who practice kitchen witchcraft view the kitchen as a sacred space, and their craft often focuses on infusing everyday life with magic through intentional practice in the culinary arts. That level of intention is what Noah and Brittany want to bring to the cafe’s menu.

“I think it’s really important to [make coffee] with intention and do it right,” Noah says. “Because, if we were to mess it up, I feel like you’re doing the farmer a disservice. You’re doing the roaster a disservice by not putting enough care into it. So I think it’s very important to be intentional.

It kind of honors the whole process.”

Noah has also been practicing crafting seasonal drinks, like a matcha latte made with apple cider.

The Couldron is now offering pastries from North South Baking Co. in Covington.

They’re also hoping to offer events — floating ideas like book clubs, yoga pop-ups and craft nights — once they’re more comfortable running the cafe.

At the end of the day, the couple hopes The Cauldron is a place where everyone can feel welcome.

“Just really a place people can go and feel like they have a sense of community around here,” Brittany says. “There’s so many really great local businesses; it would be great to have everyone connect over a great cup of coffee or just meet new people on a daily basis.”

The Cauldron is open Tuesday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Follow The Cauldron’s Instagram page at @ourcauldroncafe.

Participants have the opportunity to win mortgage or rent for an entire year — up to $18,000!

Plus: One local winner in NKY will be chosen to receive a $250 grocery gift card!

The Cauldron’s menu offers third-wave coffee, a style that focuses on the artisanal side of coffee, with a focus on high-quality specialty beans and ethical farming and sourcing practices, with beans from South Carolina roaster Methodical Coffee.

“I compare it to craft cocktails, but craft coffee,” Brittany says. “So it’s really focused on not-your-average flavor profiles. We’re DECEMBER 19, 2025 13

real estate

Over 10k square foot home in Villa Hills Address: 944 Squire Oaks Dr., Villa Hills Price: $2,499,000 Bedrooms: Three Bathrooms: Two (plus one half-bath) Square footage: 10,700 School district: Kenton County County: Kenton Special features: This Toebben-built home offers five bedrooms, five full baths and two half-baths on nearly two acres. The main level features 12-foot ceilings, detailed millwork, an open kitchen and family room, a first-floor primary suite, office, dining room and covered porch. The lower level includes a bar, billiard room, theater, fitness area, steam shower and sauna, guest suite and walkout access to an outdoor bar. Three en-suite bedrooms are located on the second floor. The private backyard offers a heated gunite pool, spa, fire pit, patios and fenced landscaping.

The exterior of this Villa Hills home. Photos provided | Lori Taylor with Coldwell Banker Realty

A look at this home’s living room.

A drone shot of this home’s backyard.

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

LEGAL NOTICE The City of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky adopted Ordinance 2024-12 Establishing Regular City Council Meeting Dates for the 2026 calendar year. The full text of the ordinance can be viewed on the City of Fort Mitchell’s website at https://fortmitchell.com/ordinanceupdated/ or by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 2355 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 41017 or at 859-331-1212 from the hours of 7:30 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO GO TO OUR DIGITAL PUBLIC NOTICE PAGE

14 DECEMBER 19, 2025

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SUDOKU

Edited Margie E.Crossword Burke ThebyWeekly

Difficulty: Medium

3

6 4

27/25 - 11/2/25 2 5

9

9 2

5 5 8 3 7

3

4 5

1 8

9 9

9 6

8 4 2

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate

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.

3 9

8 4 2

Answer to Previous Sudoku:

7 6 8 1 5 2 4 9 3 1 4 9 3 7 8 5 6 2 3 5 2 4 6 9 8 7 1 9 8 4 7 2 6 1 3 5 2 7 6 5 1 3 9 8 4 5 1 3 9 8 4 6 2 7 8 2 1 6 3 5 7 4 9 4 3 7 8 9 1 2 5 6 6 9 5 2 4 7 3 1 8

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS HOW TO SOLVE: 1 Heavenly strings 14 15 16 Each mustattire contain the 5 row Calcutta numbers 1 to 9; each column 18 19 17 must 9 Waves of grain contain color the numbers 1 to 9; and 22 20 21 each of 3 by 14set Pitcher in 3a boxes still must contain 23 24 25 lifethe numbers 1 to 9.

15 Tree of life site 28 29 26 27 Answer to Previous 16 Anchor rope Sudoku: hole 31 32 33 34 35 7 6178Additionally 1 5 2 4 309 3 37 38 39 1 4189Deprive 3 7of vital 8 5 366 2 parts 42 43 41 3 5202Coastal 4 6disaster 9 8 407 1 44 45 46 9 8224White 7 weasels 2 6 1 3 5 50 51 2 7236Painter 5 1Henri, 3 9 478 484 49 but not Matisse 53 54 55 56 5 1253Cut9with8a light 4 6 522 7 8 2 1beam 6 3 5 7 574 9 59 58 26 100-eyed giant 4 3 7of myth 8 9 1 2 605 6 61 62 6 9285Ill will 2 4 7 3 631 8 64 65 30 Goes in again 32 Detection device Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate 36 Quaint lodging 37 Makes certain of 4 You or me 34 Sty cry 47 Power networks 39 Org. in 2025's 5 Appears to be 35 Threads in 48 Rapp of 2024's "The Amateur" 6 Cabinet memshreds "Mean Girls" 40 Senile sort bers, e.g.

38 Circuit board 49 Many times 42 Maintain the 7 Camping gear part 51 Somewhat dark guitar chain 41 Ones in a 53 Locust or larch 44 Upcycles, say 8 Trousers debate 55 "Hud" Best 46 Air-show measurement 43 Plunder Actress Patricia maneuvers 9 Start of a 45 Walks like a 56 Trait carrier 47 Pirate's drink break-in rooster 58 Cork sound 50 Hard on the ears 10 Monroe of 52 One who "Some Like It Answers to Previous Crossword: proves false Hot" 54 Lathering up 11 Swahili master T H I G H F L I P P L A N 57 Cuts in (on) 12 ___ Park, Colo. R O S I E R E N T L E N A 59 Direction at sea 13 Baseballer Pee A L I G N M E N T S I G O R 60 Tractor name Wee A I D E R A I N Y M E S A 61 Ran off with 19 Carnival W O N D E R M E N T 62 Scot's family offerings O C C A M A R M I S T I C E 63 Pick up on 21 Like monastery S I L O M O B C R A T E S T O R N A D O C A S T L E D 64 Peppy life U N S E V E R S T A T E N 65 Salad green 24 Guarantor R E E N T E R E D E M E R Y 26 Very dry R E T R O G R A D E DOWN 27 Gambling town A R O S E G A I L S A G E 1 Police, slangily 29 Proving ground T A L E B E A R E R B O L T 2 Cobblers' tools 31 Software buyer, O T I S E K I N G B I E L 3 Coming back usually M E A T K E A T S E L S E strong 33 Tiny trace

DECEMBER 19, 2025 15

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