LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 4, Edition 20 - April 10, 2026

KENTON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 20 — APRIL 10, 2026

THE VOICE OF NKY

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County OKs annexation for Independence industrial park expansion

By Nathan Granger

O

n the evening of March 30, the Kenton County Planning Commission signed off on the annexation of about 96 acres in the unincorporated county into the City of Independence. It’s a move that may eventually enable the expansion of Park 536, a cluster of industrial buildings along State Route 536.

“This is intended to be a continuation of the neighboring development,” said Kenton County Senior Planner Patrick Denbow.

Park 536 currently consists of two occupied buildings, with space for two more buildings. The expansion would enable the construction of three more, bringing the total number of buildings in the complex to seven.

Ryan Lidke, a representative from developer VanTrust Real Estate—which is developContinues on page 3

A rendering of the proposal Park 536 expansion produced by Viox & Viox. Rendering provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services

NKY advocate uses personal story to reshape autism understanding

By Haley Parnell

“I

“​When they (the school) started helping me, I was like, ‘well, what changed?’” Clemens said. “I didn’t change, but the awareness of this diagnosis changed for others, and when that happened, I’m like, I need to make sure this doesn’t happen to other people, because it shouldn’t have happened to me in the first place.”

​ lemens was evaluated for autism in the C sixth grade, but she didn’t fit the stereotype at the time, and a diagnosis was dismissed.

Fast forward to the 10th grade, when she said her struggles became more visible.

She was officially diagnosed around 2005 or 2006.

​ riginally from the Philadelphia area, CleO mens said she wanted to be the person she needed when she was younger. She began sharing her story on a blog and through social media, and people started listening.

t is a spectrum, and if you’ve met one person on the autism spectrum, you’ve met one person on the autism spectrum,” said autism advocate Erin Clemens.

Erin Clemens giving a presentation. Photo provided | Erin Clemens

Clemens said she was initially dismissed because little was known about the disorder at the time.

Years later, Clemens has published a book, given a TED Talk and has done several interviews for news outlets.

Continues on page 5

From Netflix fame to NKY nights: ‘Love Is Blind’ star stays local p6 River Ridge traffic redesign clears planning commission p7 Dormant Frisch’s poised for redevelopment p10

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ing both the existing park and the expansion—informed the planning commission that VanTrust had not yet identified tenants for the yet-to-be-constructed buildings. The two existing buildings are occupied by Thermo Fisher Scientific, a private clinical research firm, and logistics firm DB Schenker, which was recently purchased

by Danish transport conglomerate DSV. VanTrust hopes to break ground on a third building sometime this summer.

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Annexation refers to the process by which a property in an unincorporated area is absorbed into the boundaries of a city, thereby giving it access to city services.

Annexations, including this one, are often consensual, but the planning commission offers recommendations on how an annexation conforms to broader county comprehensive planning and if the property ought to be rezoned.

In this case, the commission approved annexation as fitting into the county’s comprehensive plan and recommended rezoning the land from its current residential zone to a general industrial zone. The city

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council will have to vote to finalize the zoning in the future.

The owners of the land, the Enid Mair Mason Revocable Trust, sought an annexation agreement with the city on Feb. 11, according to documents submitted to the county.

Purchase of the land has not been finalized yet, but Lidke told LINK nky the plan is to have the land purchase finalized by the end of the year.

The Independence City Council performed a first reading of an ordinance that would enable the annexation on March 2. City Attorney Jake Gatlin said at that meeting that it was “going to be two months, most likely, before this comes back to us for a second reading, maybe even potentially three months.”

The land itself is located on the south side of Mount Zion Road between Robert Spegal Road and Sigmon Lane. It’s mostly vacant, but the surrounding areas have both industrial and residential development.

There are two ponds on the land, the larger of which the developers plan to keep and incorporate into the site’s water detention

infrastructure.

Access onto the site, according to VanTrust’s development plan, would be from Robert Spegal Road to the east, which already serves as the primary access point for the existing Park 536 buildings. The largest building on the expansion site (labeled “Building 5” in the development plan) would span about 500,000 square feet. The other two buildings would span 306,000 square feet.

The complex would contain 1,004 normal parking spaces, 24 handicap spaces and 277 spaces for semi trucks.

The plan presented to the commission on March 30 was an early phase, and the developers will need to seek permits for various aspects of the work before they can begin building in earnest.

The initial rumblings of the Park 536 development date back to 2021. City elected officials have been interested in developing the land for years, said Mayor Chris Reinersman, but the owners weren’t interested Continues on page 4

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Continued from page 1

for a long time.

“When the Mason farm became available and (the owners) went into talks with (the developers), we started talking to VanTrust again and came to an agreement,” Reinersman told the commissioners. “This is the next logical extension of the park. So, we’re very excited at this opportunity for citizens of Independence.”

The property’s trustee, Elizabeth Mason-Hill, spoke briefly, saying the trust had “no objections to the property development or the zoning changes.” No members of the community spoke either in favor of or against the proposal.

One commissioner, Elsmere Rep. Doug Armbruster, abstained from voting. The rest of the commission voted in favor.

Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman at the meeting on March 30, 2026. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

A map showing the land slated for annexation. Map provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services

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“​ My disclaimer is that I only speak for myself,” she said. “I cannot speak for anybody else, but I do hope that by sharing my experiences, I might be able to help others understand how they could apply what’s helped me to other people as well.” ​ lemens built a network of people in PhilC adelphia, and that is where she found her community. She moved to Erlanger about a year ago and has since worked to do the same in Northern Kentucky. ​ ne way Clemens raises awareness about O autism is by setting up a table in public spaces, adorned with a banner that reads, “I Have Autism.” She isn’t selling anything or trying to get anyone to sign up for something. She just wants to share her story and have a conversation.

Some of the places Clemens has set up her table are Erlanger Methodist Church and Maverick Chocolate Co. in Findlay Market.

She has also given presentations for organizations like The Point Arc in Covington and the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Public Library. “​ Sometimes, nobody wants to come up and talk, and I think that’s probably because they think I’m selling something,” Clemens said. “Maybe they think I’m trying to

get info or trying to ask for donations. I’m not doing any of that. Or maybe they just don’t know what it’s about and don’t really understand it. But that’s why it’s there, is to just be in their face and say, ‘Hey, this exists, and I’m part of it.’” ​ lemens said she has struggled to get busiC nesses or organizations to let her set up her table unless it’s only once. Anyone who wants to connect with Clemens can email her at AspergerSadie@gmail.com. ​ ne organization that Clemens has worked O with since coming to the area is Kentucky Autism Training Center, which is based in Louisville but serves all of the commonwealth. Clemens was a panelist for the training center’s educator conference, where she talked about her experience as a person with autism. ​ he Kentucky Autism Training Center T works to improve the quality of life for people with autism across all stages of life in Kentucky. ​ racy Belfield is the field training coorT dinator for the organization’s Western Kentucky branch. The 51 year old said that when she was in school, the word “autism” wasn’t even in her vocabulary. ​“Now it’s kind of everywhere,” Belfield

said. “It’s in TV shows, it’s in the media. It’s obviously all over TikTok and all the social media platforms. I think our awareness of autism has definitely grown.

But also the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) has kind of widened.” ​ elfield said that day to day, B you can show support for people with autism by presuming competence and potential. She also reiterated Clemens’ point that once you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve only met one person with autism — not everyone with autism is Becky Stenger and her family at We Rock the Spectrum. Photo providthe same. ed | We Rock the Spectrum website. “​ I have a lot of people asking, ‘How do I get this person to do this or to stop doing this?’”

Clemens said. “I say, ‘Well, why? What is your goal of doing that?’ Or, telling them not to stim. Or, telling them that they need to be quiet, and they’re like, well, ‘Because I want them to be able to function in society,’ and I guess they’re looking for ‘normal,’ and I’m going, ‘Why?’” ​ ne resource provided by the Kentucky O Autism Training Center is its Caregiver Summit, coming to Florence May 8 and 9.

The Friday night session includes resource roundtables to provide parents and caregivers with information they may not be aware of. Dinner is also provided and is a time when parents can talk with one another about their experiences. The Saturday session starts with breakfast and then moves into a keynote speaker session. ​ ecky Stenger, owner of We Rock the SpecB trum, a kids gym in Erlanger, is the parent of a child with autism. The gym has playground equipment that can be used therapeutically or to address sensory needs, and all kids are welcome.

Stenger said We Rock the Spectrum is a place where people never have to say, “I’m sorry.”

Erin Clemens and her table setup. Photo provided | Erin Clemens

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other things like that, my daughter doesn’t always understand other people’s personal space. So I felt like I was constantly running behind her, apologizing to people.” ​ he said the gym allows families to expeS rience different needs that other children may have. Similarly to Belfield, Stenger, who is in her 40s, said she also did not have a lot of experience in school with people who have autism or special needs. ​ orld Autism Awareness or Acceptance W Day was April 2. “​ Really, for me, I like to think that Autism Awareness or Acceptance Day is really opening that communication up so that hopefully in the future, it’s not uncommon, and people aren’t as surprised by things,” Stenger said. ​ lemens connected with Stenger and gave C a presentation at the gym about her experiences as someone with autism. Stenger said autism awareness is important to keep talking about because it’s not going away. “​ When the whole community is educated, then we’re able to support the individuals more completely and understand and accept that that’s just who they are,” Belfield said.

“​ As a mom of an autistic child, I really resonated with that because when we would go to playgrounds or even trampoline parks or

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‘Love is Blind’ contestant who had viral nail glue moment works in Fort Thomas

By Kane Mitten

“All the guys come in the next day and they were like, ‘So did you lose your eyeball or what?’” she said.

E

lissa Finley, a Cincinnati resident who works in Northern Kentucky, recently garnered nationwide fame for appearing on season 10 of Netflix’s dating series “Love is Blind,” where she brought new meaning to the show’s namesake after being medically evacuated in the first episode for putting nail glue in her eye instead of eyedrops.

Eventually, she got engaged to contestant Miguel Lopez. The two had instant chemistry, and when they finally did see each other in person, sparks flew. However, Netflix opted not to take the couple on the vacation trip because their storyline was “less interesting” than some of the other couples.

“I just saw a little bottle and put it in my eye. Immediately after, I was like, ‘that was thick,’” she said. “I looked at the bottle and realized what happened, then held my eye open as I screamed for a medic.”

Before she gave Netflix a major viral moment, though, she grew up on the East Side of Cincinnati and graduated from Turpin High School before becoming a nurse. Half the week, she works as a certified aesthetic nurse injector at the Fort Thomas spa Skin Esteem; during the other half, she works in a local ICU ward.

Given the schedule and stress of her job, dating in Cincinnati hasn’t been easy. Her desire to pursue a long-term relationship without men focusing solely on her looks drove her to appear on the popular streaming series. Contestants on the show are unable to see the appearance of the person they’re talking to in the early episodes, as they’re placed in special “pods” that force a barrier between them, allowing them to hear — but not see — one another.

“I felt like every guy I met in public just wanted to take me home, but I’m look-

It seems like Finley dodged a bullet, though.

The very next day after leaving the series, she attended her brother’s wedding and heard from Lopez that he was still interested in continuing their relationship in Cincinnati. The day after that, he informed her that he was actually planning on moving to Tampa the entire time they were speaking on the show. He then stopped talking and responding to her completely, ended up staying in Ohio and got engaged to another woman before the season even aired.

39-year-old nurse and Cincinnati resident Elissa Finley recently appeared on season 10 of the Netflix dating series “Love is Blind.” Photo provided | Elissa Finley

ing for a guy who wants to take me home to mama,” Finley said. “I also feel like it’s hard or intimidating for guys to come up to me and my group of friends and just be like ‘Hey, what’s up?’ For me, the idea of the show was really cool because they’d have to get to know me instead of looking at me first.”

After seeing an Instagram ad for season 10 — which solely featured contestants from Ohio — and deciding that her chances of finding Mr. Right on the series were “more

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realistic” than finding him out in the wild, she decided to give it a shot. Weeks later, she got a call back and became the only Cincinnati-based woman featured on the series.

“The pods were a two-week ordeal. You can’t see anybody. All you’ve got is their voice and personality,” she said. “You can’t even see their mannerisms. It’s crazy how your other senses kick in. Somebody would walk in, and you’d be like, ‘Oh my god, I know who this is because I remember their voice.’”

Perhaps the lack of clear eyesight in the pods was what gave her the season’s most notable moment. On the second day of filming, Finley had just finished four dates and was set to go on four more before she accidentally put nail glue in her eye in the break room, giving the season its first major cliffhanger.

“You don’t see them on screen, but we had handlers who walked us everywhere we went. I told her to grab the medic, and I told him, ‘Grab a bag of saline and just throw it in my face.’ The glue started hardening as I was scraping it out. Thankfully, I had contacts in, which probably saved my eye,” she said. “It’s funny, I was saying, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine’ even though it was starting to burn and be really painful. They told me I was going to the hospital and I was like, ‘But I have four more dates!’”

She returned to filming the next day, wearing an eye patch. Rather ironically, the doctor ordered her to use antibiotic eye drops multiple times a day.

The show’s producers didn’t inform the other contestants of what happened, only that there was an “eye-related incident.” On the series, one of her co-stars joked to her that “love is half-blind,” which Finley got a kick out of, saying that she was just “super committed to the bit.”

“I was like, cool. That’s really cool of you.

He even posted about it and had to take it down,” Finley said. “I never saw him again. I haven’t even spoken to him. It seemed like he was in it for the fame more than anything real.”

While she’s glad she didn’t end up with him, she’s still resentful since there were other men on the series she would’ve chosen if Lopez had been more truthful.

“The first thing I asked every guy in the pods is if they could settle in Cincinnati, and he said yes. If he had said no, I probably would’ve moved on and really opened up to somebody like Jordan Faeth. It kind of felt like Miguel stole this experience from me, and that he stole my first engagement from me. It was really tough. But hey, they offered me therapy, so that’s nice,” she said, laughing.

While the show didn’t work out for Finley in a romantic sense, she’s grateful for all the bonds she made with her female co-stars, who she still talks to on a regular basis despite only knowing each other for two weeks. The group of women plan to attend sporting events and music festivals in the near future.

Now that her time on the show is over, she’s going back to doing what she loves: celebrating the city she grew up in. She plans to eat plenty of Skyline — she “always gets one cheese coney and a kid’s three-way” — and continue going out with her friends in their favorite NKY spots, like Covington Yard, Doubt It and Smoke Justis. She hasn’t given up hope on finding the right man, either.

“I still want to meet somebody the all-natural way, not on just Hinge or Bumble ... I’m just kind of coasting and hoping I’ll meet somebody in Cincinnati. Whatever happens, happens,” Finley said. “And I really do love Cincinnati. I love our city’s camaraderie. I love our sports teams. I know I was on TV, but ... other than that, I’m still just a hometown girl who’s thriving through life.”

River Ridge traffic, parking redesign clears planning commission

By Nathan Granger

R

enovation plans for roads and parking around River Ridge Elementary School in Villa Hills cleared a public facility review from the Kenton County Planning Commission on the evening of March 30, marking the latest in a long planning process to address concerns about car stacking on Amsterdam Road, which leads into the campus.

Stacking refers to the tendency of cars to back up into long lines along a road. This can create safety and traffic hazards, especially around schools.

“The site is located on an urban major collector road and is known to experience heavy periods of traffic, especially during times of student drop off and pick up, often leading to significant congestion for upwards of an hour or more on Amsterdam,” said Kenton County Associate Planner Kayla Barbour.

The Kenton County Board of Education approved some preliminary plans in September last year, although initial planning for the renovations dates back to 2023. The 2023 plans stalled due to issues with easements near the school and had to be redone. Final construction documents were approved in December. The plan calls for the construction of a long, looping road around the building, which would then terminate in a new parking lot.

Documents the district submitted to the county indicate the new rear lot will contain 90 parking spaces. Another new, offstreet parking area will contain 25 spaces. The plans also call for a new sidewalk connecting the nearby Sanctuary Village subdivision, as well as remodeling the playground and expanding the site’s water detention basin.

State agencies, including school districts,

A diagram showing the proposed road and parking expansions at River Ridge Elementary School in Villa Hills. Diagram produced by Emboss Design. Diagram provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services

are not subject to zoning laws, however, many will still go through a public review process with the planning commission to ensure their proposals cohere with county comprehensive planning. The planning commission’s recommendation is not binding.

point that Ludlow Rep. Commissioner Tom France brought up.

Large amounts of tree clearing would be required for the construction to occur, especially for the traffic loop. Other areas in the northeast portion of the campus had also been flagged for tree clearing, a

A representative from the district did not attend the meeting to explain, but Crescent Springs Rep. Commissioner Greg Sketch, who has a background in engineering, said, “It looks like it’s a grading issue.”

“Not sure what their reasoning for that is, but just consider leaving the wooded tree area if it’s not going to be developed in the near future,” France said.

Covington Rep. Commissioner Sarah Flem said keeping the trees may also be worth considering since “there is a sensitive wetland area there.”

After some more discussion, the commissioners unanimously voted to approve the public review but include their concerns about the trees in their approval to the district.

APRIL 10, 2026 7

kenton county briefs Planning Commission approves Edgewood zoning revisions

good opportunity to expand parking options,” said Kyle Snyder, executive director of the Parking Authority. “By adding parking in this area, we’re making it easier for people to access Roebling Point and reducing the frustration that can come with searching for a spot.”

Dave Schroeder accepts an award in 2023. Photo provided | Kenton County Public Library

pointed as the library system’s executive director, a position he still holds today.

A draft map showing the new zoning layout in Edgewood, as presented to the Kenton County Planning Commission on March 30, 2026. Map provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services

The Kenton County Planning Commission approved a recommendation in late March to revise Edgewood’s zoning ordinances.

The revisions will now return to Edgewood City Council for two public readings and a vote.

The proposal aims to refine and streamline the city’s zoning regulations to better align with the county’s broader comprehensive planning.

Kenton County Planning Development Services, the professional wing of the Kenton County Planning Commission, began an effort in the 2010s called the Z21 Project to make Kenton County cities’ zoning laws more uniform and predictable by furnishing them with template ordinances, which could be tweaked as needed. Many cities in the county have already adopted ordinance revisions that came out of the Z21 Project.

Specifically, the proposed revision would reduce the number of total zones in Edgewood from 18 to 11. Most of the city would remain zoned for residential use. It would also make changes to regulations around parking and allow owner-occupied shortterm rentals in residential zones under certain conditions; accessory dwelling units, on the other hand, are disallowed outright.

The revisions also add definitions for vape shops, vaping products and related terms.

Several environmental regulations and guidelines for traffic studies have also been updated. Finally, certain streets, listed below, will be flagged as congestion mitigation corridors: • Dixie Highway • Dudley Road • Horsebranch Road • Turkeyfoot Road • Thomas More Parkway • Charter Oak Road

Longtime Kenton County Library director announces retirement After nearly 40 years at the Kenton County Public Library, Dave Schroeder announced his impending retirement.

Schroeder’s career with the Kenton County Library spanned two separate periods: first from 1986 to 1996, and then from 2000 to the present. In 2007, Schroeder was ap8 APRIL 10, 2026

Under his leadership, the Kenton County Library has seen steady growth, reinforcing its importance as a key community resource in Northern Kentucky.

“It has been a true honor and privilege to serve this community alongside such an incredible team,” Schroeder said in a news release. “When I first walked into the Covington branch as a teenager, I never imagined where this path would lead. I’m grateful for every moment and every person who has been part of that journey.”

Schroeder noted in the release that his retirement decision aligns with a natural transitional moment for the organization, following the establishment of its new Latonia Branch, as well as strong performance across all five library locations.

The Parking Authority has not yet shared the exact timeline for when the spaces will be installed.

“This is something that I really do think is important as a full-time mom that works full time and has a four year old,” Culina said. “It became very clear to me when I became a mother that, ‘whoo, this issue is way bigger than I thought it was.’”

Most of the new spaces will be paid, metered spaces, with the exception of seven to nine new spaces between Garrard and Sanford streets, which will be integrated in the Licking Riverside neighborhood’s residential parking program. The remaining 18 to 19 metered spaces will be installed between Sanford Street and Legacy Way.

Eimer said that a recent priority of the federal government is increasing funding for registered apprenticeship programs. Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer announced $145 million in funding to support a pay-for-performance incentive program that would expand the national apprenticeship system.

Parking fees will match existing fees in the area: $1.50 per hour. Drivers can pay with coins, credit cards or with a smart device app. Meters will be enforced Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“I think it’s a focus of this federal administration to broaden that scope, to encourage apprenticeships in different high-demand sectors other than the traditional skilled trades,” Eimer said.

The bridge was originally built in 1936. It will be replaced by a new three-arch bridge, scheduled to open in fall 2028, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Link said that one lingering challenge small- to medium-sized businesses face is funding apprenticeships, since there’s no guarantee the trainee will stay with the same company after completing the program.

NKY workforce leaders say collaboration is key to solving talent shortages

“Dave has positioned KCPL for continued success,” Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees President Iliana Rosales-Figueroa said. “His leadership has ensured the organization is not only stable, but thriving. We are grateful for his decades of service and the lasting impact he has made on our community.”

The Kenton County Public Library Board of Trustees will begin a national search for the next executive director in the coming weeks. Schroeder’s final day will be Aug. 1.

Covington to add temporary parking during 4th St. Bridge closure

Pictured from left to right: Nancy Spivey, Jamie Link, Jeran Culina and Correy Eimer. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

A panel of experts focused on Northern Kentucky’s workforce unanimously agreed at the NKY Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum that addressing regional workforce challenges requires coordinated efforts among political, educational and economic stakeholders, rather than leaving the solution solely to employers or policymakers.

Access to talent remains a major concern for the NKY economic development community. Last November, LINK nky found that NKY’s regional workforce was shrinking due to factors such as an aging workforce and a surge in retirements from the baby boomer generation, with an insufficient number of new workers entering the workforce to replace them.

A map showing the temporary parking spaces during the Fourth Street Bridge closure. Map provided | Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority

The Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority will provide additional temporary parking spaces during the Fourth Street Bridge closure, specifically along the south side of East Fourth Street between Garrard Street and Legacy Way.

was the need to remove barriers to employment, such as childcare, housing and transportation costs, which limit workforce participation.

To combat this trend, workforce organizations, in conjunction with private companies and government bodies, have introduced new investments to bolster the regional workforce.

The bridge connected Newport and Covington over the Licking River. It was demolished in early March.

The panel, held on March 31, featured Correy Eimer from the NKY Area Development District, Jamie Link from the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet and Jeran Culina from the Business Leaders United National Skills Coalition. Each spoke on recent state and federal workforce initiatives.

“With the bridge closure, this created a

A recurring theme throughout the forum

“I think it builds loyalty and long-term career possibilities,” he said. “I do think that funding, it can be an issue in that taking a risk to train an employee and get them up to that level of proficiency, with the risk, perhaps that once they get trained, they might go work for someone else.”

Link encouraged employers to build their own talent pipelines by supporting training programs or offering in-house training and incentive initiatives. He stressed that funding would always be a current challenge, but companies must keep investing in their own pipelines.

“They have the jobs, so we have to build the pipeline to fill those jobs, and that includes the training programs, as well as addressing the barriers that people face to get them into the workforce.”

Overall, the panel underscored that while there is no single solution to tackling workforce challenges, meaningful progress requires coordinated, sustained collaboration across sectors of society.

“I think the alignment and the collaboration, communication between the educational sector, the training programs, the state, resources and the employers, is going to be key, and we have to find a better way to build that collaboration between those partners that’s going to include some funding, but I think that’s, again, being employer driven,” Link said.

KY bill making sweeping changes to Medicaid adds copays (but they’re lower now) The Kentucky Senate has lowered the copays Medicaid patients would have to pay under a bill that proposes a work requirement and other sweeping changes to the federal-state program.

House Bill 2 proposed adding copays of $35 for inpatient hospital services and $8 copays for prescription glasses and contacts.

kenton county briefs In the Senate version, which passed the Senate Health Services Committee unanimously on March 31, copays are still included, but they’ve been slashed. Under the current version, health care services would carry a $5 copay and prescription drugs would have $1 copays.

Senators “felt like we had to put some sort of benchmark in there to go with ownership of your health care,” Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, said in committee.

The Senate is on the same page as the House in “trying to change behavior” by imposing copays, Raque Adams said.

“Rather than go into the emergency room for your primary care, we want to try to have you find your primary care home outside of the emergency room,” she said.

Medicaid is the federal-state program that pays for about one in three Kentuckians’ health care. Last year, Congress cut Medicaid spending over 10 years by $880 billion as part of the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Senate’s version still requires people who have Medicaid to demonstrate “community engagement,” which includes working or volunteering.

Jason Dunn, former director of the Division of Family Support within the Department for Community Based Services in Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said the Senate made “some very good, positive changes” to the bill.

“There’s still some concerns that I have, though,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact of rules that create barriers for otherwise eligible people. They lead to unnecessary denials, delayed access and contribute to application churn, and this adds new burdens and uncertainty for recipients and higher costs.”

Dunn said “there’s always a balance to strike between access and over-verification,” but parts of HB 2 “continue to miss this balance, valuing program integrity at the expense of access” despite Senate changes This will happen, Dunn said, “at the expense of access to otherwise eligible Kentuckians trying to navigate through the red tape” all while “the agency is ultimately going to spend more to serve fewer low-income Kentuckians,” which he said “doesn’t make us healthier, (and) ultimately, may not save us any money.”

Senate edits: ‘A work in progress’ Other features of the Senate’s version of HB 2 include: • The House version blocked Kentucky Medicaid from providing “coverage for prescription drugs when prescribed primarily for weight loss or weight management purposes.” The Senate changed that portion of the bill to block only coverage of “prescription drugs when prescribed primarily for weight loss.” Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, said this change “is to capture and not penalize or have any unintended consequences of those

individuals that may be seeking drug coverage for things with eating disorders or weight management in general.”

Emily Beauregard, the executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, thanked the Senate for the changes to the bill and asked for continued work on it.

• In the House version, new Medicaid members would have been required to prove “community engagement” for the month prior to application. Existing members seeking redetermination (renewal) need to show this for three consecutive months of the six previous months. The Senate removed the word “consecutive” to just allow for three months prior.

“Eligibility verification is a critical balance to get right,” she said. “Any data that can be verified without asking a household to do more paperwork is always the right approach, but the balance to that approach is to make sure that we’re not letting one conflicting data source determine a person to be ineligible for Medicaid. This is a due process issue.”

• Under the House version of HB 2, the Kentucky auditor would have had to conduct “a full and comprehensive examination” of Kentucky’s Medicaid program beginning July 1, and at least once every five years, examining the program’s finances and compliance with federal law. The Senate removed this requirement. The Senate version still requires regular audits but gives authority to the Legislative Research Commission to direct them.

• The Senate allows Medicaid-covered Kentuckians to “self attest” certain eligibility points, including income, residency, age, household composition and caretaker or relative status, undoing the House’s block on self attestation. This change, which is labeled in the bill as a “last resort,” is meant to “allow more flexibility and to hopefully eliminate any due process concerns that may arise with that,” Richardson said.

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Even with the changes, she said, “any beneficiary, including pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors, could lose their Medicaid coverage before they’re even aware of the problem or given the chance to submit additional documentation to resolve the conflict.”

Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, the committee chair, said lawmakers were already looking at and considering some of the issues brought up by those who testified March 31.

“We won’t get it perfect this time, but we will be back in about nine months, and we’ll continue to work on this,” he said. “This is a work in progress.”

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APRIL 10, 2026 9

Dormant Frisch’s poised for redevelopment 18 months after evictions forced closures

By Dan Monk | WCPO

The rendering also shows a new look for the “fresh 3L Frisch’s,” one that de-emphasizes the Big Boy logo and recasts the Frisch’s name in a different font style. They call it the 3L Frisch’s because Madison Pike, or State Route 17, connected the horse racing cities of Louisville, Lexington and Latonia in the early 20th century.

S

eventeen months after the evictions began, Frisch’s restaurant properties throughout the tri-state are again poised for big changes.

A Florida landlord is unloading the dormant real estate to buyers who have yet to reveal definitive plans for them. And that is triggering speculation about what lies ahead for these former neighborhood anchors.

The Kyles Lane Frisch’s is operated by Cheryl White, one of two Frisch’s managers who bought “multiple locations and future development rights” of the Frisch’s Big Boy brand, according to a November 2024 press release. White did not respond to an email seeking comment.

“In the ’50s and ’60s, this place was just booming,” said Scott Sayre, whose Advance Dentistry practice flourished on Wooster Pike in Cincinnati as the Frisch’s Mainliner declined in the last 40 years. “Fairfax has done some nicer things in this area and it’s just kind of sad to see the building sit here without anybody doing anything.”

Sayre was encouraged to learn that a Lexington developer that specializes in redeveloping retail properties bought 11 former Frisch’s locations in the last five months, six of them in Greater Cincinnati.

Greer Companies, once the largest franchise operator of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen restaurants, did not respond to calls seeking comment for this story. It has redeveloped more than 100 retail properties by attracting users like Starbucks, Shoney’s, Taco Bell, Burger Fi and Fazoli’s, according to its website.

When the dust settled after the 2024 evictions, Frisch’s had 31 locations — including 11 in Greater Cincinnati. The Kyles Lane store was among them.

This rendering was on display at the Kyles Lane Frisch’s on March 24, 2026. Photo provided | Dan Monk, WCPO

In Bethel, a corporate affiliate of Mt. Orab’s Mi Camino Real restaurant purchased a former Frisch’s location at 551 West Plane St. The I-Team at WCPO 9, LINK nky’s content-sharing partner, tried to reach the buyers of all 13 properties. All either failed to respond or declined to identify future plans for the real estate.

One thing is clear: The sales will continue.

“With that kind of background … even if they decide to hold it and sell it to somebody else, they’ll be a driving force,” Sayre said. “We’ve got a lot of fast food around.

But we don’t have anything where you could come here at night, have a dinner, bring the family.”

According to local real estate records, two dozen empty Frisch’s locations are still owned by NNN REIT Inc. That’s a real estate investment trust that filed dozens of eviction cases against Frisch’s in 2024, then signed a deal with a Michigan Big Boy chain to bring its Dolly’s concept to town.

Greer Companies isn’t the only local buyer of empty Frisch’s locations.

As WCPO has previously reported, Dolly’s never got close to its stated goal of more than 50 Southwest Ohio locations before folding in September last year. By that time, NNN REIT was in “active negotiations” with other potential buyers.

Middletown entrepreneur Brett Oakley bought the Germantown Road Frisch’s location in January but hasn’t decided what to do with it.

The company’s annual report said it sold 67 vacant properties in 2025. NNN REIT CEO Stephen Horn told investors earlier this year the “vast majority” of those sales were Frisch’s locations.

The biggest buyer, Greer Companies, owns the Mainliner site and a Lawrenceburg property through a corporate affiliate, Olowalu Land Company LLC. It also owns four Northern Kentucky locations in Florence, Fort Wright, Independence and Cold Spring.

The company’s president told the Lexington Herald Leader that he was talking to a Frisch’s franchise owner about leasing “one or more” properties for a Big Boy restaurant outside of Lexington.

And it turns out that a rendering on display at the Kyles Lane Frisch’s in Fort Wright shows that location is moving to a Greerowned property on Madison Pike at Orphanage Road. Frisch’s declined to comment on the relocation, but employees said it will happen by July.

Real estate records show that the store got a new landlord in September last year, when Guardian Savings Bank sold the land and building to 20 Kyles Lane LLC. It isn’t clear whether the ownership change was a factor in the restaurant’s relocation.

But longtime Frisch’s customer Janie Van Winkle was happy to learn that her current favorite Frisch’s found a long-term home nearby.

“Our local Frisch’s closed, and this is the closest one we have,” said Van Winkle, who lives in Aurora but drives regularly to Kyles Lane for lunch. “Orphanage road is a little bit further drive, but that’s OK. I’ll still go for my fish sandwich.”

In the meantime, Van Winkle asked WCPO to pass along a message to Greer Companies. She’d like Frisch’s to return to the Eads Parkway location that a Greer corporate affiliate purchased for $1.75 million in October last year.

“Put a bug in their ear,” Van Winkle said.

“In high school, a lot of the kids would go to (the Lawrenceburg) Frisch’s. It would be the main place that they would hang out. So, it has a lot of memories.”

WE START

WITH YOU.

Florence • Fort Mitchell • Crestview Hills • Union

Member FDIC

10 APRIL 10, 2026

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00650

CASE NUMBER 19-CI-00918

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 1

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE

VS.

VS.

NANCY A. SMITH, ET AL.

MAE MAYES AKA MAY MAYES, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 3/16/2026 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.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 1/19/2021 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 4/14/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 4/14/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

114 Rossford Avenue, Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075 Group No: 41639/K2

COMMISSIONER’S SALE

PIDN: 999-99-13-451.00

CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

700 Smith Hiteman Road, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001 Group No: 70123/Z PIDN: 999-99-30-652.00

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00411

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-01158

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00603

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 2

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE ASPEN INCOME TRUST, A DELAWARE STATUTORY TRUST

THE CITY OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC

VS.

VS.

NOLAN RECHTIN, ET AL.

RUSTY DIETZ, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 3/16/2026 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.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 2/27/2026

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.

VS. KENNETH M. ROGG, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 2/16/2026 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 4/14/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 126 4th Avenue, Dayton, Kentucky 41074 Group No: 30288/A2

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 4/14/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 904 Columbia Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071 Group No: 30178/A3 & 30178/A4 PIDN: 999-99-00-716.00

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 4/14/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 45 17th Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071 Group No: 30472/A1 PIDN: 999-99-03-304.00

PIDN: 999-99-09-878.00

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

APRIL 10, 2026 11

sports The LINK nky Team of the Season: Highlands swim and dive

The Highlands High School swim and dive team won the combined team state title. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

With the winter high school sports season at its end, the LINK nky Team of the Season winner is the Highlands swim and dive team.

The Bluebirds were one of 10 teams during the winter season that won LINK nky Team of the Week and came away as the Team of the Season, after compiling 28,302 votes.

LINK nky received nearly 60,000 votes in total, The team will be awarded a commemorative plaque and a student-athlete of their choice will be awarded a $500 scholarship, thanks to OrthoCincy in sponsoring the award and plaque. The Bluebirds will be presented the plaque and scholarship at a later date.

Highlands Swim and Dive finishes memorable season A memorable season for the Highlands swim and dive teams gets more recognition to it.

the Meet, and teammate Chanith Abeysinghe, the D‑1 Boys Competitor of the Meet.

Highlands’ roster produced some standout individual moments. But the Bluebirds won the same way they’ve won all season — with depth, balance and a long list of contributors.

Among the Highlands girls individual event winners were Kendon in the 200-yard medley, Ella Kate Reynolds in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races, Vivian Winkler in the 50-yard freestyle and Margaret Meyers in the 100-yard backstroke. Reynolds was runner-up to Kendon in the girls power points race.

Bluebirds boys winners included Abeysinghe in the 100-yard freestyle and Max Taylor in the 100-yard butterfly. Elliot Meyers won the 500-yard freestyle.

Highlands also won a handful of relay races with help from Kendon and Abeysinghe.

Highlands’ Addie Tinkler was girls runner-up with 362.50 in the one-meter diving competition.

Congratulations to our other nominees as well: Ryle boys swim and dive, Boone County boys basketball, Conner boys wrestling, Ludlow girls basketball, St. Henry girls basketball, Ryle archery, Highlands dance, Beechwood boys basketball and Conner archery.

NKY Norsemen’s high school hockey team makes a historic run at nationals

Although the boys ended up losing in the semifinal game, Kathman radiates pride for his players.

“We made it out of pool play, it was so awesome. I’ll cry about it now, it was so awesome,” Kathman said.

For the seniors, captains and assistant captains on the roster, the historic run marks a significant moment to close out their high school careers.

“A couple tears in the moment but after you look back and it’s only good memories and something I’ll be able to cherish forever,” assistant captain Drew Kidman said.

The team’s performance made a statement for hockey in Kentucky.

“In talking with the tournament directors who gave us our plaque, they said, ‘Wow, I think you guys opened some eyes for your area,'” Kathman said.

With the season complete, the program is already looking ahead. Little kids are coming out for tryouts this weekend, and the high school teams will start trying out this month for next year’s season.

“It means a lot to me, I spent my whole life here. It truly does mean the most to me that I’ve been able to spend all this time here,” captain Maddox Malton said.

Conner blasts onto the radar with statement win over Beechwood

Highlands received its first boost in one-meter diving when senior Addie Tinkler finished sixth.

Highlands’ Margaret Meyers, Taryn Ripley, Keira Kobida and Vivian Winkler finished sixth in the 200 medley relay in one minute, 51.66 seconds. Ripley, Kobida, Ella Kate Reynolds and Moore placed third in both the 200 (1:39.24) and 400 freestyle relays (3:36.71).

The boys team was fourth with 139.5 points — the best finish since the Bluebirds took second in 2020 and 2021.

They cemented their supremacy in Northern Kentucky by sweeping the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference titles, winning the boys, girls and overall championships. The boys posted 550 points.

The Highlands girls were even more commanding, scoring 616. In the combined standings, Highlands piled up 1,166 points.

Other honorees included Highlands’ Stella Kendon, the Division I Girls Competitor of 12 APRIL 10, 2026

The Northern Kentucky Norsemen’s high school hockey team celebrate a Kentucky High School State win. Photo provided | WCPO

The Northern Kentucky Norsemen’s high school hockey team made history this season, advancing further at nationals than any team in the program’s history.

After 44 games and countless miles of travel, the crew of 20 young men reached the semifinals on the national stage. The team returned home with a trophy from the state tournament and a plaque from nationals.

“Nationals is top level, it’s the best of the best,” head coach Eric Kathman said.

To advance out of pool play, the Norsemen had to mount a late comeback.

“We were losing 2 to 1, tied the game with 30 seconds left and then 3 on 3 [we] beat them in overtime to make us come out of pool play,” Kathman said.

The team then won their next matchup to reach the semifinals.

“We had a game plan, shut their two best guys down to beat them 5 to 1 and move onto the semifinals,” Kathman said.

Bushman entered the season at No. 3 on the 9th Region preseason watch list. The Tigers, meanwhile, feature three players in the top 10: No. 1 centerfielder Tyler Fryman, a University of Louisville commit, and Morehead State commits Caleb Arrasmith (No. 4) and Brooks Becker (No. 5).

Both sides had to contend with the talent coming from the opposing dugout.

“We just attack,” Conner head coach Mike Hart said. “We told our pitchers, whoever’s at the plate, go after them, attack the zone.

If they hit it a ton, they hit it a ton, but we can’t be afraid to face anyone. We’re going to see all these guys later in the year. If you want to compete in the region and at state, you’ve got to go after guys.”

Attack is exactly what the Cougars’ starting pitcher did.

Junior Jagger Sheanshang took the mound and pitched five innings, giving up just four hits and one earned run while striking out three.

“He was a bulldog today,” Hart said. “He texted me this morning saying he wanted the ball. We were thinking maybe later in the week, but he said he was ready. I said, ‘Alright, let’s go.’”

The Tigers scored again in the fifth, but Conner closed the game with six more runs, triggering the run rule.

“We didn’t pitch well, we hit okay, and our defense wasn’t good either,” Gray said.

“Credit to them, they out-hit us, outplayed us, and out-pitched us. Their defense was really good.”

They won the KHSAA combined team title at the state meet, in which boys and girls scores are added, over Louisville’s Eastern, 272.5-268.

Two things helped Highlands: scoring over 130 points in both boys and girls (139.5 by the boys, 133 by the girls); and finishing in the top five in five of the six relays — the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and the 400 freestyle.

hitter Max Brunkel, who also had three hits, two runs and three RBI.

Brady Bushman helped lead the Conner High School Cougars to victory. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

Flying under the radar is no longer an option for Conner.

The Cougars announced themselves loud and clear on March 31, blowing past No. 13-ranked Beechwood, the preseason top team in northern Kentucky according to the Northern Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association, 13-3 in six innings in Hebron.

While the Tigers were ranked at the top in the area, Conner came in at No. 8, proving that numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

The loss marked Beechwood’s first of the season to an in-state opponent. Their only other defeat came March 29 against William Henry Harrison of Harrison, Ohio, also by a 13-3 score.

The Tigers move to 7-2, while the Cougars improve to 6-2.

COUGARS 13, TIGERS 3 (5 INN) BEECHWOOD — 000-210-x — 3-4-4 CONNER — 203-242-x — 13-13-3 RBI — (C) Brunkel 3, Bushman 2, Hall 2, Arbaugh, Kelly, Wagner (B) Stephenson 2, Meier 2B — (C) Brunkel, Bushman, Kelly, Testerman, Wagner WP — Sheanshang. LP — Conover.

Records: Conner 6-2, Beechwood 7-2

“At the end of the day, numbers don’t matter,” senior centerfielder Brady Bushman said. “You’ve just got to beat whoever’s in front of you.”

Bushman credited the team’s chemistry and shared mindset as a key to their early-season success, and their bats proved it against the Tigers. Conner put up the most runs they’ve scored in 17 games, which was 14 that they put up against Cooper last season, while collecting 13 hits.

Five players recorded doubles, including Bushman, who had three hits, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base, and designated

Bobby Meier had a RBI for the Beechwood High School Tigers. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

opinion

Open Kentucky’s primaries!

By John F. Robbins | Kenton County resident

I

ndependent-registered Kentucky voters like me are barred by the two majority parties (Democratic and Republican) from voting in primary elections just because we’re not party members.

Kentucky has what we call “closed primaries,” where Independents and third party members cannot vote in the majority party primaries even though primary elections often decide future officeholders.

Sixty-one of the 119 General Assembly candidates (over 50%) on Kentucky’s 2026 ballots seem poised to face uncontested general elections in the fall, which means half the winners could be decided in the May primaries. In the 2024 primaries, only 443,437 of Kentucky’s 3,490,967 registered as Democratic and Republican voters actually voted. Only 12.7% of registered voters!

In other words, a relatively few voters right now can select many of the winning candidates.

As of February, 88.8% of Kentucky registered voters were Democrats or Republicans. 5.1% were Independents and 6.1% were third party members. This means 11.2% of Kentucky voters who are neither Democrats nor Republicans are barred

from voting in the primaries.

The two majority political parties say they want their primaries kept closed because they want only their own members to vote for their candidates. Some worry that voters may vote in the other party’s primaries just to influence who will face their own party’s candidates in the fall. But this concern does not take into consideration that Independent and third party voters often vote for majority party candidates.

As a lifelong Independent since the 1970s, I have voted for countless Democrats and Republicans! Yes, I’ve also voted for many Independents and third party candidates, but the overwhelming majority of ballot contests have no Independent or third party choices.

More voters nowadays are registering Independent. The Scripts News affiliate in Lexington recently reported that “Independent voter registrations are surging in Fayette County and across Kentucky,” citing statistics showing that more new voters in Fayette County registered Independent in February than the combined total for the Democratic and Republican parties.

In Kentucky, the two majority parties still dominate, but both parties have lost mem-

bership share nationally. Gallup reported in January that “a record-high 45% of U.S. adults identified as political Independents in 2025, surpassing the 43% measured in 2014, 2023 and 2024. Meanwhile, equal shares of U.S. adults — 27% each — identified as Democrats or Republicans.”

Kentucky is one of only 17 states which runs closed primaries, allowing the majority parties to hold private elections financed by public tax dollars and run by employees paid with public tax dollars. But most states have opened their primaries to allow Independents and third party members to vote.

There are different versions of open primaries. One has all primary candidates on one ballot available to all voters. The top two to four vote-getters proceed to the final election regardless of party affiliation.

Another version allows any voter to ask for any party’s ballot. A third version allows only Independent and third party voters to ask for any party’s ballot. I like the first version, but any of the versions would be better than what we have now.

not have a right to bar voters from publicly financed and run elections based on party affiliation.

Publicly financed and run elections ought to be open to all voters. If political parties want their own private primary elections, they should finance and run their own elections or hold caucuses.

John Robbins in 2025. Photo provided | John Robbins

If you’re a registered independent voter in Kentucky like me, aren’t you also sick and tired of being barred from participating in taxpayer-funded elections by the two major political parties? Political parties should

MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE

DIVISION III CASE NO.: 25-CI-01585 TRIPLE CROWN HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC. VERSUS}

BOONE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DIVISION I CASE NO.: 23-CI-01414

FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VERSUS} ROBERT G. WERMELING, IV, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered FEBRUARY 6, 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, APRIL 16, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 7775 CEDAR WOOD CIRCLE, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 073.00-04-075.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $144,180.22 GROUP NO.: 1206

NARINDER DABHIA, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered FEBRUARY 10, 2026 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, APRIL 16, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 1051 SPECTACULAR BID DRIVE, UNION, KENTUCKY 41091 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 064.04-07-331.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $9,955.46 GROUP NO.: 4428 THIS SALE IS SUBJECT TO THE MORTGAGE OF PNC MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, RECORDED ON NOVEMBER 2, 2012, IN MORTGAGE BOOK M 3642, PAGE 699, OF THE BOONE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OWED TO PNC MORTGAGE, A DIVISION OF PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, THROUGH APRIL 1, 2026, IS THE PRINCIPAL SUM OF $229,720.22, MORE OR LESS, PLUS INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES ALLOWED BY THE MORTGAGE AND THE PROMISSORY NOTE IT SECURES, AND KENTUCKY LAW.

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 2026 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.

APRIL 10, 2026 13

real estate

Modern mini mansion Address: 1164 Vistapointe Drive, Covington Price: $2.5 million Bedrooms: Four Bathrooms: Three (plus one half bath) Square footage: 4.530 School district: Covington Independent Public Schools County: Kenton Special features: Perched in the Park Pointe development, this sleek contemporary home, built in 2022, features panoramic Cincinnati skyline views, soaring ceilings and an open-concept layout with a chef’s kitchen, quartz waterfall island and wet bar, plus a finished lower level, built-in elevator and outdoor living space with fireplace and grill.

The exterior of this Covington home. Photos provided | Chris Kennedy and Tasha Klaber-Flood, Sibcy Cline

The kitchen of this Covington home.

The deck and view from this Covington home.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE The Walton Fire Protection District is seeking sealed proposals, from qualified, competent, knowledgeable and experienced providers for all labor, materials and equipment necessary to replace the existing roofing materials with shingles and/or standing seam metal on the main firehouse located at 12600 Towne Center Dr , Walton KY 41094. Proposal should include any repairs needed to roof decking and/or venting. Interested providers are encouraged to inspect the current roof in order to provide the most accurate proposal. Sealed bids will be accepted at the said address until the bid opening on April 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The Walton Fire Protection District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals BOONE COUNTY

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

14 APRIL 10, 2026

• AJ’s Towing & Recovery • Boone County Clerk • Campbell County Clerk’s Office • Campbell County District Court • Campbell County Fire District #1 • Campbell County Fiscal Court • Campbell County Planning & Zoning • Campbell County Public Library • Campbell County Sheriffs Office • City of Alexandria • City of Bellevue • City of Cold Spring • City of Covington • City of Cresent Springs • City of Crestview Hills • City of Dayton • City of Edgewood • City of Elsmere • City of Erlanger • City of Florence • City of Fort Mitchell • City of Fort Thomas • City of Fort Wright • City of Highland Heights • City of Independence • City of Lakeside Park • City of Ludlow • City of Newport

• City of Ryland Heights • City of Silver Grove • City of Southgate • City of Union • City of Villa Hills • City Of Walton • City of Wilder • City of Woodlawn • Covington Public Independent Schools • Cresent Springs Board of Adjustment • Family Dollar Store • Fort Mitchell Board of Adjustment • Fort Thomas Independent Schools • Highland Heights Planning & Zoning • Joseph F Grimme, Campbell County Master Commissioner • Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL • Kenton County Fiscal Court • Kenton County Joint Board of Adjustment • Larry Dillon, Boone County Master Commissioner • Northern Kentucky Port Authority • Northern Kentucky Water District • Planning & Development Services of Kenton County • The Baker Firm PLLC • The Hidden Chapter Bookstore LLC

SUDOKU

The Weekly Crossword Edited

by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Easy

7 6 2 1 8 3 4

8

2/2/26 - 2/8/26

1 7 9 4 2

1 8 4

6

6 4 3

7

5 1 6

3

Copyright 2026

by The Puzzle Syndicate E. Burke Edited

by Margie

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the 6 numbers 1 to 9; each column must the numbers 1 to 9; and 2 1 8 contain each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

3 4

3

Answer to Previous Sudoku:

6 7

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

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 HOW Fill-in worker TO SOLVE: 15 16 14 5 Chooses Each row must contain the 18 19 17 9 Mentally quick numbers 1 to 9; each column must 14 Summon, as a contain the numbers 120to 9; and 22 23 21 eachcab set of 3 by 3 boxes must 25 15 Sure anagram contain the numbers 1 to 9.24 16 Comaneci of the 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 balance beam Answer Previous Sudoku: 17 Links to org.

35 33 34 18 Become frayed 36 37 38 39 19 Secluded valleys 42 40 41 20 Robust walker 46 43 44 45 22 Lift up 24 Ticket category 47 48 49 25 Cairo's river 50 51 52 53 54 55 26 Posed for a portrait 57 58 59 56 28 Stingy 61 62 60 33 Mr. Eastwood 35 Optional course 64 65 63 36 Therapeutic plant Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate 37 Man-goat of myth 2 NYC "river" 32 Former Yankee 45 How bowstrings 39 Nostril wrinkler 3 Seasonal Jeter are strung 40 Pasta favorite movements 34 Strips in a 49 Kapolei greeting 42 Sidewinder, e.g.

4 Tartan cloth darkroom 50 Casino freebie 43 Do in, as a 5 "Animal Farm" 37 Rope fiber 51 Winglike politician author 38 Cartoon artist 52 Runner's 46 Albanian money 6 ____ Vallarta 41 Futile distance 47 Santa's rein7 Airport screen42 Splinter group 54 Like some jokes deer, e.g. ing org.

44 Ethically 55 Head-shaker's 48 Avian 8 In a calm way indifferent sounds chatterbox 9 Like a sleeping 58 "Tarzan" extra 50 Queen consort baby since 2022 10 Texas island city Answers to Previous Crossword: 53 "Survivor" 11 "The very ___!"

S K I T O S C A R T E A L slogan word 12 Pocket particles P L A N E O G L E C O C A 56 Pizza topping 13 Soldier's stance, U N E X P E C T E D W O O S 57 Sour-tasting with "at" E N H A N C E S M A D M E N 59 Sheep's genus 21 Heating conduit A S A P T E R S E 60 Toms and bucks 23 Long-term S H A N T I E S A G E N T S 61 Translucent gem prisoner O R T H O D O N T I A K I D 62 Mild expletive 26 La ___ opera R A M D R A G I D O L 63 Lift in a gym house R E L I A B I L I T Y I R A 64 Be dependent 27 Words before T R E B L E E T R U S C A N 65 Sets as a price well or forgiven S E E D S S I K H 29 Take hold D E C R E P I T R O A D I E DOWN 30 Powerful ocean O X Y G E N M A S K I D E A 1 Conclusion surges S T R U M E R N E V E N T starter 31 Conjure up T H O S E S E T S A N T E

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

THE WEEKLY COMIC by Andrew Buchanan

APRIL 10, 2026 15

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