LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 4, Edition 30 - June 19, 2026

KENTON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 30 — JUNE 19, 2026

THE VOICE OF NKY

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By Golly’s, The Works locations in Northern Kentucky permanently close

By Kenton Hornbeck

A

ll By Golly’s and The Works Pizza locations in Northern Kentucky are now permanently closed.

Lance Sizemore, CEO of Epic Eeats, a Cincinnati-based restaurant group, confirmed to LINK nky that the company shuttered four of its NKY-based restaurants on May 18. Currently, Sizemore said there are no plans to reopen locations in either Union or Covington.

He mentioned there may be forthcoming litigation regarding the closures, but declined to comment further.

As the restaurants collectively closed, photos of handwritten notes taped to their entrances announcing their closures circulated in local NKY Facebook groups.

“Thanks to the community for support,” Sizemore said. “Obviously, we were open Continues on page 3

The former By Golly's location in Covington. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

Planning commission approves Park Hills apartments

By Nathan Granger

T

he Kenton County Planning Commission stamped a set of recommendations that will enable developers to build 24 apartments on the land containing the old, now-defunct Szechuan Garden building and realign Arlington Road.

The area in question has been a somewhat touchy subject within Park Hills’ city government, and although the June 4 approvals aren’t the final step in the process, they represent key steps toward redeveloping the area.

The now-shuttered Szechuan Garden restaurant in Park Hills. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

“This is an economic development for the city,” said developer Greg Berling, giving one of the reasons for the project, “and it

also provides it, with the relocated Arlington, potential for redevelopment of the commercial along Dixie (Highway),” which intersects with Arlington Road. Other arguments for the development Berling gave included improved safety at the intersections and pedestrian access onto Dixie Highway.

Berling first presented the idea of building the apartments to the public in September last year. He plans to develop the property through his LLC, B&Z Watercrest.

The area in question includes both the land on which the Szechuan Garden building sits as well as an adjacent parcel containing a police station (which is owned by the city). The back portions of the Szechuan

NKU turns projected deficit into $2.1M surplus p5 Independence eyes tougher solicitors penalties p7 Do ordinary people still have a voice? p10

Continues on page 4

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NOTICE Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. (Duke Energy Kentucky or Company) hereby gives notice that, in an application to be filed no later than July 1, 2026, Duke Energy Kentucky will be seeking approval by the Public Service Commission, Frankfort, Kentucky, of an adjustment of its Pipeline Modernization Mechanism (Rider PMM) rates and charges proposed to become effective on and after January 1, 2027. The Commission has docketed this proceeding as Case No. 2026-00162.

DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY PRESENT AND PROPOSED RATES The present and proposed rates charged in all territories served by Duke Energy Kentucky are as follows: Present Rates Rate RS, Residential Service Proposed Rates Rate RS, Residential Service Present Rates Rate GS, General Service Proposed Rates Rate GS, General Service

Residential Service – Rate RS $0.27/ccf $0.35/ccf General Service – Rate GS $0.08/ccf $0.10/ccf

Firm Transportation Service – Large Rate FT-L Present Rates Rate FT-L, Firm Transportation Service – Large Proposed Rates Rate FT-L, Firm Transportation Service – Large

$0.00489/ccf $0.00646/ccf

Interruptible Transportation – Rate IT Present Rates Rate IT, Interruptible Transportation Proposed Rates Rate IT, Interruptible Transportation

$0.00227/ccf $0.00305/ccf

IMPACT OF PROPOSED RATES These rates reflect an increase in gas revenues of approximately $25,018,289 for 2027 to Duke Energy Kentucky. The allocation of this estimated increase among rate classes is as follows: Rate RS – Residential Service Rate GS – General Service Rate FT-L – Firm Transportation Service (Includes DGS) Rate IT – Interruptible Transportation Service

$21,065,400 $ 3,716,217 $ 188,388 $ 48,285

84.2% 14.9% 0.8% 0.2%

The average monthly bill for each customer class to which the proposed rates will apply will increase(decrease) approximately as follows: Rate RS – Residential Service Rate GS – General Service Rate FT-L – Firm Transportation Service (Includes DGS) Rate IT – Interruptible Transportation Service

$ 4.00 $ 7.80 $ 25.91 $ 70.66

3.64% 1.25% 0.42% 0.64%

The rates contained in this notice are the rates proposed by Duke Energy Kentucky; however, the Commission may order rates to be charged that differ from the proposed rates contained in this notice. Such action may result in a rate for consumers other than the rates in this notice.

Any corporation, association, body politic or person with a substantial interest in the matter may, by written request within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice of the proposed rate changes, request leave to intervene; intervention may be granted beyond the 30-day period for good cause shown. Such motion shall be submitted to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 615, 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky 40602-0615, and shall set forth the grounds for the request including the status and interest of the party. If the Commission does not receive a written request for intervention within thirty (30) days of the initial publication, the Commission may take final action on the application.

Intervenors may obtain copies of the application and other filings made by the Company by requesting same through email at DEKInquiries@duke-energy.com or by telephone at (513) 287-4366. A copy of the application and other filings made by the Company are available for public inspection through the Commission’s website at http:// psc.ky.gov, at the Commission’s office at 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am. to 4:30 p.m., and at the following Company office: Erlanger Ops Center, 1262 Cox Road, Erlanger, Kentucky 41018.

Comments regarding the application may be submitted to the Public Service Commission through its website, or by mail at the following Commission address.

For further information contact: PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DUKE ENERGY KENTUCKY COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY 1262 COX ROAD P.O. BOX 615 ERLANGER, KENTUCKY 41018 211 SOWER BOULEVARD DEKInquiries@duke-energy.com FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY 40602-0615 (513) 287-4366 (502) 564-3940

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By Golly’s in Union. Photo provided | By Golly’s via Facebook Continued from page 1

much shorter than we wanted to be. Maybe down the road, we’ll be able to open another location in one of those areas, but in the meantime, we would love to see people at one of our other locations.”

By Golly’s is a casual dining and sports bar restaurant concept. The brand marketed itself as a relatable neighborhood gathering place. The first location opened in Milford, Ohio, in 1983. The Milford restaurant was later acquired by Epic Eeats in November 2023. Epic Eeats’ other brand, The Works, is a brick-oven pizza restaurant concept that the company positioned as a complement to By Golly’s. The original location opened in Loveland, Ohio, in 2003.

Both brands were part of a broader franchising play by Epic Eeats, as the company would pair the two concepts together within a development or within close proximity to each other. Each restaurant would be managed by its own staff.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, Epic Eeats launched an aggressive expansion campaign into NKY, opening two restaurants in Union, one of the region’s fastest-growing cities, and in downtown Covington, which has experienced investment and revitalization over the past 15 years.

Epic Eeats opened its first NKY restaurant — By Golly’s — in Covington at 313 Greenup Street. By Golly’s replaced Keystone Bar & Grill, which closed in September 2023. Soon after, The Works opened in the street-level space within The Hayden, a development completed in 2023 that converted the former Kenton County Jail into luxury apartments.

In 2025, Epic Eeats announced its expansion into Union, unveiling plans to open both By Golly’s and The Works within the Union Promenade, a large mixed-use retail and restaurant development in Union near the intersection of U.S. Route 42 and Richwood Road. Both restaurants opened in January 2026, with ribbon-cutting ceremonies hosted by the City of Union for each. Months later, both locations closed.

during the first few years. He expressed confidence that new restaurant concepts would fill the vacant spaces.

“There’s a lot of businesses over there, and the point is that some are going to make it and do very well, but some are going to go under, and as they do, we’re going to keep pushing them to achieve our goal to get higher-end restaurants,” he said.

Currently, By Golly’s locations in Milford and Anderson, as well as The Works locations in Loveland and Colerain, are open, according to each business’s website.

Members of the Union City Commission briefly addressed the closures at the June 1 meeting after a resident broached the subject during public comment. The resident expressed frustration over the closures, arguing that the losses have damaged public confidence in the development and generated negative attention on social media.

In response, Union Mayor Larry Solomon said that some turnover is normal in large mixed-use developments, particularly

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The former The Works Pizza location in Covington. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

JUNE 19, 2026 3

Continued from page 1

Garden land are wooded and terminate in a cliff face. Houses above overlook the cliff.

The developers and city hope to accomplish multiple things with the redevelopment: Build 24 apartments on the land where the restaurant sits and then realign Arlington Road around the police station, thereby eliminating one of the two traffic lights at the current intersections.

The apartment complex and the city’s road realignment are separate projects officially.

Park Hills Mayor Kathy Zembrodt admitted the city lacked the budget to complete the road realignment on its own, but it had applied for funding through the Kenton County Site Development Fund. The funding could help bankroll the road project, which the developers have put at about $1 million in cost. The city would be responsible for matching 10% of the county’s contribution, or $100,000. The city has not yet heard back about the grant.

“I’ve had numerous calls from KYTC (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)… to get rid

of one of the lights, and how can we realign it?” Zembrodt said.

Berling confirmed that he would not be able to carry out the apartment development without the realignment. In other words, if the city doesn’t get the grant, the development dies.

In the meantime, the developers needed several approvals from the planning commission. First, they needed the land where the apartments were slated to go to be rezoned from its current residential mixed zone to a residential urban zone. Next, they need a recommendation from the planning commission to amend the city’s zoning regulations to allow for greater density within said zone.

Finally, they needed a waiver from the requirement to build a cul-de-sac, arguing the hilly topography of the land made that impossible. The design the developers pitched at the meeting has already been implemented elsewhere in the city on Altavia Avenue. An analysis they conducted suggests a Park Hills fire truck could turn around on the street with some deft maneuvering.

A development design and diagram showing the location of the proposed apartments and the Arlington Road realignment. Arlington Road as it currently exists is highlighted in purple. The green area represents the road after the realignment, and the red represents the curve that will be removed. Map provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services.

County planning professionals recommended approving all three of these requests.

Residents who lived on the cliff above the development expressed concerns about

the possible degradation of the tree buffer, light and noise pollution from the apartments and the risks of disturbing the hillside. Yet, in the end, the planning commissioners felt these concerns had been adequately addressed by the developer.

“Park Hills and other communities like it are going to require creative solutions…,” said Lakeside Park Planning Commissioner Ken Heidrich. “I appreciate the creativity.”

“This is tough topography to build,” said Covington Commissioner Sarah Flem. “I feel like what I’m hearing is that considerations have been made to do as much hillside preservation and to have as minimal impact as possible. I hear the concerns of the community, but I’m leaning towards feeling this is consistent (with county standards).”

A table showing the proposed changes to zoning regulations discussed at a June 4, 2026, meeting. Table provided | Kenton County Planning and Development Services. SF stands for ‘single family.’

4 JUNE 19, 2026

The planning commission approved all three requests. The zoning requests will now return to the Park Hills City Council for final approval. The cul-de-sac waiver is final.

NKU turns projected deficit into $2.1M surplus in FY27 budget

By Haley Parnell

are changing, and we all need to grow and change with them.”

I

n March, Northern Kentucky University predicted a $1.9 million deficit for fiscal year 2027; instead, on June 10, the NKU Board of Regents approved the fiscal year 2027 budget with a $2.1 million surplus.

NKU Chief Strategic Enrollment Management Officer Ryan Padgett gave an update at the meeting regarding the final spring and preliminary summer enrollment numbers, which are down.

​he approved budget includes a $222 T million operating budget for fiscal year 2027 and a 3% salary increase for eligible staff. The 2027 budget will mark the thirdstraight fiscal year that NKU will maintain a balanced budget with positive cash flow, following the resolution of a $24 million deficit. ​ he problem the university faced going T into the budget, said NKU Chief Financial Officer Chris Calvert at the June 10 meeting, was that NKU ran deficits of over $53 million and $60 million cumulatively in negative cash flow from fiscal year 2020 to 2024. Enrollment is also declining, and state performance funding dropped $4.5 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. He said health benefit costs are also surging 12% to 14%.

Calvert said the fiscal year 2027 budget closes a $4.1 million gap through a $224.6 million revenue plan, 3% employee raises and $1.3 million in ongoing savings from employee voluntary separation.

Padgett outlined three takeaways: the university’s total headcount for full-time equivalency students, or FTE, for day-to-day is currently down; the largest decline NKU is seeing right now is in online graduate students; and law enrollment is significantly up (for spring).

Northern Kentucky University’s campus. Photo by Sydney Bellm | LINK nky contributor

The budget also relies on what Calvert described as “rigorous” lapse elimination, meaning the university will track and remove unused funds from department allocations so it cannot carry over into the next fiscal year. It also uses position-based budgeting, which dedicates specific funding to every filled or vacant position to ensure hiring and compensation do not outpace available revenue.

His budget breakdown can be viewed below:

The fiscal year 2027 budget revenues and expenses were presented during the June 10 meeting. Provided | Northern Kentucky University slideshow

Eggs ‘N Issues: From Blueprint to Progress: An Update on IncomeAligned Housing in NKY

Also as part of the approved budget, the university is raising undergraduate tuition by 2% beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year. According to the university, the adjustment will help support academic programs, student services and university operations.

“Here is what I know for sure,” said NKU President Cady Short-Thompson on June 10.

“We cannot keep doing what does not serve us now. We cannot afford to have uneven performance levels in quality and quantity across the university. We are a community of professionals, professionals whose roles

The following table shows the overall decline in full-time students and headcount, including every single student from full-time students, graduate students and students who come in to take one class. It also shows increases in law enrollment and trends in one-year and four-year enrollment.

“The future of NKU depends upon our ability to build a workforce that is actual, accountable, mission-driven and student-centered,” said Short-Thompson. “Our students deserve an institution that continuously improves and adapts to meet their needs, and our employees deserve the clarity and support and leadership and accountability necessary to succeed in that mission.”

The final spring enrollment presented during the June 10, 2026, meeting. Provided | Northern Kentucky University slideshow

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JUNE 19, 2026 5

Child poverty is down in Kentucky, but education and health lag

By Sarah Ladd | The Kentucky Lantern

F

ewer Kentucky children were living in poverty in 2024 than 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic, but nearly one in five kids still lack the resources they need to thrive.

That’s according to the latest Kids Count Data Book, released in early June by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual report looks at indicators of wellbeing including edu­ca­tion, health, economic success, and com­mu­ni­ty and family measures.

The data in the 2026 report primarily compares 2019 and 2024. The foundation gave each state a score between zero and 1,000.

Kentucky received a score of 498, which is worse than the national score of 547 but better than 2019, when it received a 465.

Kentucky is still the 36th state in the nation when it comes to child welfare, making it one of the worst places to be a child.

The commonwealth’s neighbors are a mixed bag. Kentucky is doing better by its children than West Virginia and Tennessee but worse than Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

Shannon Moody, the incoming executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, said fewer “kids living in homes that are in poverty is always a great thing for Kentucky.”

“What we’re continuing to keep an eye on is how families are being impacted now, right now, with affordability of basic needs: Groceries, gas, housing and childcare continue to be something that we’ll be watching,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing what continues to arise when it comes to that, whether or not we’ll see things trend back downward.”

The data, though it was just released, is still two years old, and much has changed.

In 2025, Congress cut Medicaid spending over 10 years by $880 billion as part of the sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Youth ask questions during Children’s Advocacy Day in Frankfort on March 4, 2026. Photo by Sarah Ladd | The Kentucky Lantern

That same budget package made recent foster care youth, among others, no longer exempt from work requirements to receive food benefits for themselves and their families through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Nearly half of the people who receive SNAP assistance in Kentucky are under the age of 18.

“It’s 2024 data. We did not begin to see the impacts of the pandemic funding being reduced — We’re seeing that now in our biennial budget,” Moody said. “I’m glad to see in 2024 less kids were living in homes in poverty, and we need to continue being vigilant about how we are supporting kids and families … whether it’s safety net programs or ensuring that there is affordability among those basic needs.”

By the numbers

This graphic shows health rankings for Kentucky’s children. Graphic provided | Kids Count

This graphic shows how Kentucky children are faring economically. Graphic provided | Kids Count

This graphic shows how Kentucky children are faring in education. Graphic provided | Kids Count

6 JUNE 19, 2026

Other takeaways in the report include: • About 67% of fourth grade students in Kentucky were not proficient in reading from 2020 to 2024. That’s worse than the four years prior, when it averaged at 59%.

• About 67% of eight grade students in Kentucky lacked math proficiency in 2024, worse than 2019, when about 65% lacked proficiency. The national average was about 70% in 2024. These proficiency points are “very concerning,” Moody said.

• Kentucky’s rate of high school students graduating on time improved in the 2023-2024 school year. About 8% of students didn’t graduate on time, down from 9%. In this, Kentucky is better than the national average, which was at 13% in ‘23-’24.

• Childhood poverty has decreased, but is still worse than national averages. In 2024, 19% of children in Kentucky lived in poverty, compared with 15% nationally. That’s a decline from 22% in Kentucky and 17% nationally in 2022.

• About 63% of Kentucky children ages 3 and 4 weren’t in school between 20202024. The four years prior, 2015-2019, that number was at 59%. In both blocks of time, more Kentucky children in this age group were out of school than national averages (52% and 54% respectively).

• Teen births declined in 2024 to about 3,000.

• The number of children without health insurance was at 5% in 2024, worse than 4% in 2019.

• The number of babies born underweight increased to nearly 9% (8.8%) in 2024, slightly worse than 8.7% in 2019.

Policies that could help As Kentucky lawmakers kick off their interim legislative session and look ahead to 2027, there are plenty of opportunities to make the commonwealth safer for kids, Moody said.

Key among those opportunities: Ensure access to affordable and accessible housing, she said.

“We know that if there is a safe place for kids to lay their head every night and it’s consistent, that has resounding impacts on their ability to focus in school and to regulate their emotions,” Moody said. “It’s good for both their mental and physical health, as well as their education.”

Ensuring access to food for kids is crucial as well, she said.

“I’m hopeful that we won’t see any reduction in access to those programs, especially for our littlest kids, whether it be WIC or SNAP or school meals, because we know that access to food is essential for our overall well-being,” Moody said. “Especially if they are accessing school meals and summer meal programs, we want them to be able to continue to do that for their well-being.”

Shannon Moody. Photo provided | The Kentucky Lantern

Independence to step up penalties for non-compliant solicitors

Person stands outside a front door. Photo provided | Andrew Neel via Unsplash

By Nathan Granger

I

ndependence is planning to step up penalties for door-to-door salespeople who continue to operate in the city after violating city regulations governing solicitors.

Specifically, non-compliant solicitors who violate city ordinance more than once could risk arrest, a misdemeanor charge, fines of up to $500 and up to 90 days in jail.

The city council performed a first reading of the ordinance establishing such penalties on June 8.

“We have found a few solicitors are not necessarily concerned with our ordinance, and the police recently — specifically — found that a solicitor flat out didn’t care,”

said Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman. “He was told he violated, and then he just went on and continued to do what he was doing.”

Door-to-door salespeople in Independence must get a license from both the county and the city to conduct business.

They can only operate at certain times of the day, and if they violate the city’s regulations, they’re subject to a $50 fine for their first offense. There’s also a no-knock list, which is usually distributed to salespeople upon getting a license. The city increased its licensing fees for solicitors earlier this year.

Council Member Tom Brinker granted that “some of them legitimately may not know they have to get one (a license) from the

city,” but he also attested that there were some companies that would swoop in at certain times of the year, knowingly avoid getting properly licensed and then duck out before any enforcement could occur.

penalty that “this is the county attorney’s language,” or rather, someone in the county attorney’s office. County attorneys in Kentucky are responsible for prosecuting misdemeanors.

Police Chief Brian Ferayorni spoke to this phenomenon, as well, although he could not speak to the specific details of the case Reinersman mentioned at the June 8 meeting, besides that it happened earlier this year.

“We don’t really care as long as they stop when we tell them to stop,” Ferayorni said, “but when it gets to the point of, ‘we don’t care what you say; we’re just gonna keep going,’ it becomes a problem.”

“They either just get the Kenton County license, or they don’t get any license at all, and they just go out there and then they just pay the fine because it’s cheaper than the business they get,” Ferayorni said.

The city council will perform a second reading and cast a final vote on the new ordinance next month. If you’re a resident of Independence and would like to sign up for the zero-knock list, fill out the city’s online contact form, which can be found on its website.

City Attorney Jack Gatlin said of the new

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JUNE 19, 2026

7

kenton county briefs How to get into Covington now that the ramps are closed

The Roebling Bridge stretches into Covington’s skyline. Photo by Meghan Goth | LINK NKY

Ramp closures into Covington off Interstate 71/75 began in earnest this week as the construction for the Brent Spence Corridor Project commenced.

In spite of this, Covington Mayor Ron Washington said, “it is important to reiterate that Covington remains accessible.

“I want to acknowledge the concerns and frustrations we have heard from residents regarding the recent ramp closures associated with the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project,” Washington added. “The City of Covington is taking the feedback we received seriously.”

So, if you want to get to Covington, what are your options?

The primary closure that began this week is off I-71/75 onto 12th Street; the detours

are shown below. Yet, there are still other ways to get into the city.

Besides the detours, there are still multiple bridges into the city, including the Brent Spence itself, namely via the Fifth Street off-ramp, which remains open. If you’re coming from Ohio, people can still enter the city using the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge and the Roebling Bridge, although, admittedly, those bridges are incapable of handling the kind of traffic the Brent Spence can handle.

There are other ways into the city, as well.

If you’re coming from Newport, you can enter through the Girl Scout Bridge on 12th Street, although it’s important to be mindful of that bridge’s new traffic configuration.

It’s also possible to enter the city by traveling northward on Pike Street from Park Hills. Finally, you enter the city traveling northward from Fort Wright and Independence on state Route 17, itself accessible from I-275, or from Latonia on state Route 16.

The LINK nky Educator of the Week: Jamie Smallwood

“She is always willing to help when anyone is struggling with their instrument.

Each year she teaches the sixth grade band members how to play each and every one of their individual instruments on her own,” Klaene wrote about Smallwood.

Congratulations to Smallwood, and thank you to everyone who participated.

Get a sneak peek at Covington’s budget for the next fiscal year

Covington Plaza. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

DEARBORN COUNTY LATERAL PROJECT DEARBORN COUNTY, IN, BOONE COUNTY, KY, & HAMILTON COUNTY, OH

Covington will vote on its budget for fiscal year 2027, which starts on July 1 and goes until June 30 of next year, in two weeks.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE FACILITIES On May 29, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas), filed an application for its Dearborn County Lateral Project (“Dearborn Project” or “Project”) with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act in Docket No. CP26-536-000.

As part of the Dearborn Project, Texas Gas is requesting approval to construct an approximately 12-mile, 20inch diameter natural gas delivery lateral, including appurtenant and auxiliary facilities in Dearborn County, Indiana, Boone County, Kentucky, and Hamilton County, Ohio, and a new measurement and flow control station for Vistra Corporation’s Miami Fort Power Plant, an electric generation facility located in Hamilton County, Ohio.

The Project is more fully described in Texas Gas’s application to the FERC. A copy of the application is available at the Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg Library (50 Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025), Boone County Public Library (1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005), and Miami Township Branch Library (8 North Miami Ave., Cleves, OH 45002) and can be accessed on the FERC’s eLibrary at https://elibrary.ferc.gov/ eLibrary/search. Search in the eLibrary by entering the docket number in the Reference Number field to access the Project documents. Texas Gas has also mailed Project notices to landowners who are considered directly affected by the Project, per the FERC’s regulations, and to relevant governing entities.

Texas Gas’s Project website (Dearborn.txgt.com) addresses general information about the Project, including Frequently Asked Questions, the regulatory process, environmental protection, safety, how to contact Texas Gas, and how to access the FERC’s website to review and obtain copies of public filings.

For information on becoming involved in the FERC review of this Project or to obtain the FERC pamphlet, “An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need to Know?,” go to the FERC’s website at www. ferc.gov or call the FERC Office of External Affairs at (202) 5028004, or toll free at (866) 208-3372.

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For additional information about the Project, you may contact Texas Gas via its Project hotline (844-211-6282) or Project email address at community.voices@bwpipelines.com.

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collected outside of Covington.

In time, this led to a deficit in the city’s general fund, although other city funds that don’t rely on tax revenue were not affected. Since then, the city commission has re-apportioned emergency COVID dollars — officially called American Rescue Plan Act funding, or ARPA — and has introduced other cost-cutting measures to close the gap.

Financial records from the city indicate that just over $6 million in revenue for the general fund came from ARPA funding in fiscal year 2025, and Budget Director Joe Ewald’s presentation last week indicated the city is expecting that about $5 million will be spent from the city’s ARPA fund, less than what the city expected, in fiscal year 2026.

The ARPA program will sunset at the end of calendar year 2026, after which the funding will not be replenished, whether it’s spent or not. $5.2 million in ARPA funding is allocated for fiscal year 2027.

Maintaining city facilities and infrastructure, as well as helping city workers make cost-of-living adjustments, were the priorities for next year’s budget.

“Most of our employees are definitely punching above their weight, so we want to try to keep them here as best we can,” said City Commissioner Tim Acri. “We’re focused on roads. We put a million dollars in the budget this year for roads, which we haven’t done in the past, because our city needs the roads.”

The votes are in, and this week’s LINK nky Educator of the Week is Jamie Smallwood, a teacher at Turkey Foot Middle School.

LEGAL NOTICE

8 JUNE 19, 2026

Rider was nominated by Amelia Klaene because “Mrs. Smallwood is a kind, caring and amazing teacher. Although she sees more students a day than any other teachLINK nky Educator of er, she makes all of the Week, Jamie Small- them feel like they wood. can come talk to her about anything, whether it be about school or anything that is happening in their personal lives.

Covington Mayor Ron Washington encouraged city residents to “go online and take a look at the proposed language and contact any (elected officials) or our city offices if you have questions.”

The city government has met several times over the first half of the year to discuss its budget priorities, and the city’s budget director presented the figures for the proposed budget recently.

The new budget is contextualized by the city’s previous struggles to get a deficit in its general fund, from which it draws much of its operating budget, under control. Although the city’s most recent audit suggested the deficit had closed for the first time since fiscal year 2021, it remains to be seen if this will last.

The previous years’ shortfalls were largely due to declines in payroll tax collections, following the institution of work-fromhome policies during the pandemic, especially at the city’s larger employers, such as Fidelity. Payroll taxes are collected based on the location where work is completed, so if the employees worked for a Covington company but lived elsewhere, work-fromhome policies ensured tax revenue was

Most of the city’s expenses come from personnel.

“We have $1.3 million in cost-of-living increases,” Ewald said. “We have another half-million dollars in salary adjustments” for the upcoming fiscal year.

“We need facility improvements,” said City Manager Sharmili Reddy. “I think this budget is still conservative, but it has a lot of investments in those things that we need.”

Other expenses to highlight include a $3.84 million allocation for debt payments. This figure includes $1.3 million to completely pay off a series of bonds from 2016. This will reduce the city’s bond payments by about $300,000 every year in the future (if the city doesn’t take on any more debt).

New major expenses include the formal creation of the city’s new external affairs department, which focuses on lobbying.

That department is expected to incur about $711,000 in both personnel and non-personnel costs next year.

Lastly, other new expenses include about $90,000 for a community paramedicine program, about $40,000 for the establishment of a dog park in South Covington and about $75,000 for police drones.

The Board of Commissioners will cast a final vote on the budget at its legislative meeting on June 23.

kenton county briefs Former Kenton County District Judge Chas Brannen dies

Alongside their scholarships, each recipient was presented with a clock engraved with their names. They were also added to the engraved plaque that hangs on the wall at council chambers.

“I want to congratulate both of you,” Lenhof said. “You’re going to do great in life, you can tell.”

Elsmere Mayor Marty Lenhof (middle) awarding scholarship recipients Krystal Ortega Garcia (left) and Lavar Herron (right) on June 9, 2026. Photo

by Astrid Coste | LINK nky contributor Former Kenton County District Court Judge Chas Brannen in December 1977. Photographer unknown. Photo provided | The Kentucky Post via the Kenton County Public Library

Former Kenton County District Judge Chas Brannen died on May 26 at the age of 79.

Brannen served as a Kenton County District Judge from 1978 to 1985 and was a fixture in his local community, frequently meeting friends and community members at Roebling Books and Coffee in Covington.

A native of Fort Mitchell, Brannen earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1968 and a law degree in 1971 from the University of Kentucky. He worked in private practice and in the insurance sector, in addition to serving as a judge.

Brannen was involved in several high-profile cases during his time as an attorney, including a case in the 1990s involving a battle over the expansion of the Devou Park Golf Course. Brannen would later be elected as the chair of the Devou Park Advisory Committee in 2017. He ran for a spot on the Covington Board of Commissioners in 2014. He also served on the executive committee of the Kenton County Democrats.

A memorial and graveside service has not yet been scheduled. Memorial contributions are recommended to the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky.

Elsmere honors scholarship recipients at city council meeting The City of Elsmere awarded two high school graduates scholarships for their ac-

Independence issues final approvals for industrial park expansion

ademic and extracurricular achievements.

At a June 9 city council meeting, members presented Lavar Herron and Krystal Ortega Garcia, graduates from Lloyd Memorial High School, each with a $3,000 scholarship.

Mayor Marty Lenhof shared some insight on the history of the scholarship during the presentation.

One of the Park 536 buildings in Independence.

Photo provided | CBRE

“I think this is the 17th year we’ve done this,” Lenhof said. “Sixteen with me as mayor and one as a councilmember and [I’m] very impressed.”

Herron plans to double major in special education and primary education at Mount St. Joseph University. Garcia was accepted into Berea College and will be studying theater.

Ten students applied for the scholarship this year, Lenhof said, which was raised from $2,000 last year.

Each applicant was required to have a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher, participate in community volunteer opportunities, have a letter of recommendation from a trusted non-familial adult and proof of acceptance in a two- or four-year college or technical school for the upcoming fall semester.

Council members Gloria Grubbs and Missy Tester and resident Patsy Acra make up the City of Elsmere’s scholarship committee, reviewing and selecting the two winning candidates.

“I just want to congratulate the recipients of the scholarship,” Tester said.

A rendering of the proposed third building at Park 536. Rendering provided | Van Trust Real Estate

The Independence City Council issued final approvals for an annexation request and zoning change on June 8 that will allow for the expansion of Park 536, a cluster of industrial buildings along state Route 536.

The votes to approve the two changes were unanimous and represent the final legislative step before the developers can begin expanding in earnest.

The city approved a development agreement for the expansion last month. The 96acre annexation request got approval from the Kenton County Planning Commission in March. Park 536 currently consists of two occupied buildings and spaces for two more buildings. The expansion would enable the construction of three more, bringing the total number of buildings in the

complex to seven.

Van Trust Real Estate out of Columbus, Ohio, is developing both the existing park and the expansion. The two existing buildings are occupied by Thermo Fisher, a private clinical research firm, and logistics firm DB Schenker, which was recently purchased by Danish transport conglomerate DSV. Van Trust hopes to break ground on a third building sometime later this year.

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 and making it subject to city taxation. Annexations, including this one, are often consensual.

The Kenton County Planning Commission had recommended rezoning the land from its current residential zone to a general industrial, or GI, zone.

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.

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 to the site, according to Van Trust’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 county was in its early stages of development, and the developers will need to obtain permits for various aspects of the work before they can begin building.

* With purchase of a new Safe Step Stairlift. Not applicable with any previous stairlift purchase. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. Not available in every state. Expires 12/31/26. CSLB 1082165, NSCB 0083445, 13VH11096000, CGC1537181, ROC 312990, CCB 244331, SAFESSW784PS, PA127501, MHIC 134223, TN 5887, RL.884533, RBB.49248, UT 13229623-5501

JUNE 19, 2026

9

Opinion: Do ordinary people still have a voice?

I am tired of being quiet while my investment drifts further downriver with every new delay, every new political fight and every new promise that resolution is just around the corner. This is not simply a dispute involving Bircus Brewing in Ludlow.

It is an example of a larger problem across America.

By Guest Author

S

everal months ago, LINK nky published Nathan Granger’s article, ‘What makes a candidate eligible to run, and who decides if they’re not?’ The article raised important questions about candidate eligibility, residency requirements and election law. The article prompted a question that remains relevant today.

Do ordinary people still have a voice?

I am a veteran, a resident of Fort Wright and one of more than 300 investors who have invested in projects associated with Bircus Brewing and related redevelopment efforts in Ludlow. I didn’t invest because I wanted to get rich. I invested because I wanted to help build something in my community.

Whether readers support or oppose Paul Miller is not really my concern. My concern is what happens to ordinary investors when projects become trapped in years of litigation, bureaucracy and political conflict.

I believed old buildings could be restored rather than abandoned. I believed local

The Latonia Library on Primary Election Day, May 19, 2026. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

businesses could create jobs. I believed ordinary citizens could invest directly in improving their communities. Like hundreds of other investors, I put my own money behind that belief.

For years, I stayed quiet. I expected the projects to move forward and for the investors to be heard. I assumed the disputes would be resolved. I assumed the delays would end.

Instead, I watched years disappear into litigation, bureaucracy, political turnover and institutional conflict. Governments continued operating. Attorneys continued billing.

Developers continued developing. The people left waiting were the investors: retirees, veterans, small business owners and working families. People who put real money at risk because they believed they could help build something worthwhile.

Ordinary citizens are encouraged to invest in their communities, support local businesses, preserve historic buildings and participate in economic development. But what happens when those citizens become trapped between governments, lawsuits, bureaucracy, politics and larger institutional interests? Who speaks for the people whose money remains tied up while those institutions continue operating as usual?

Do ordinary people still have a meaningful voice? Do citizens still matter when government, politics, law and money collide?

Those questions concern me far more than any single election, lawsuit or political personality. Because if ordinary people no longer have a voice, then we have a much bigger problem than one brewery, one redevelopment project or one small town on the banks of the Ohio River.

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MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE BOONE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

DIVISION III

DIVISION ONE

CASE NO.: 25-CI-00471

CASE NO.: 25-CI-01246

SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC.

FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION

VERSUS}

VERSUS}

JARED J. BORNHORST, ET AL.

AMANDA KAY WARREN, ET AL.

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered NOVEMBER 25, 2025 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 19, 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, JULY 9, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 15 MARYS COURT, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042

ADDRESS: 2308 SAWMILL COURT, BURLINGTON, KENTUCKY 41005

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 062.00-11-033.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $111,093.25

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 038.00-13-138.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $102,707.24

GROUP NO.: 534

GROUP NO.: 3704

DIVISION III

DIVISION III

DIVISION III

CASE NO.: 23-CI-00173

CASE NO.: 26-CI-00545

CASE NO.: 26-CI-00047

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC

CML TAX LIEN COMPANY, LLC

VERSUS}

VERSUS}

KYLE SLADE, ET AL.

UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISES AND LEGATEES OF JIMMY MOORE, ET AL.

NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC VERSUS} JACOB UHL, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JULY 11, 2023 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, JULY 9, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 1682 COLONADE DRIVE, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 062.00-35051.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $233,916.04

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 27, 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, JULY 9, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 3379 FIR TREE LANE, ERLANGER, KENTUCKY 41018 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 071.00-04429.00

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered MAY 14, 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, JULY 9, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 6579 CAMP ERNST ROAD, BURLINGTON, KENTUCKY 41005

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $118,333.42

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 049.00-00069.00

GROUP NO.: 860

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $6,027.75

GROUP NO.: 4087

GROUP NO.: 2030

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.

JUNE 19, 2026 11

sports CovCath’s Gaiser Senior Bowl MVP

football. He rushed for a team-best 1,238 yards and 24 touchdowns with 328 yards receiving as a senior and finished with 27 total TDs. He also passed for 93 yards on three completions in three pass attempts.

baseball teams. The teams are voted on by coaches who are members of the KHSBCA.

Highlands’ Rom back in the majors

Six from Northern Kentucky made the teams. Walton-Verona’s Bronson Corpus, Beechwood’s Tyler Fryman and Campbell County’s Tyler Schumacher made the AllState first team.

Trinity’s Grayson Willoughby was selected as Mr. Baseball.

Beechwood’s Caleb Arrasmith made the second team and his teammate Brooks Becker made the third team along with Ryle’s Anthony Coppola.

Covington Catholic High School football player Dylan Gaiser (9) was named MVP of the Snappy Tom Potter Senior Bowl. Photo provided | Marc Figgins

The Blue Team got a snappy performance from Covington Catholic running back Dylan Gaiser and beat the Red Team 23-22 at the Northern Kentucky Football Coaches Association’s newly christened senior all-star football game. The annual event, which raises scholarship money for graduating seniors, was June 4 at Dixie Heights High School. The Snappy Tom Potter Senior Bowl honors former area prep football assistant Tom Potter, who is deceased.

Snappy Tomato Pizza sponsors the game.

Gaiser helped make it a memorable occasion by having a hand in three touchdowns for, fittingly enough, the Blue Team. He threw a touchdown pass and scored one each on the ground and in the air while representing the blue Colonels. He was the Senior Bowl MVP awardee after generating all three touchdowns in the first half, which helped the Blue Team build a big first-half lead.

Gaiser threw a 22-yard TD pass to Dixie Heights’ Nishawn Golsby. He added an eight-yard rushing score and a 35-yard scoring grab from Scott’s Trey Cook. That gave the Blue a 20-8 halftime lead. The Red Team scored 14 second-half points to make it a game. Beechwood back Brody Aylor’s short fourth-quarter TD run and ensuing two-point reception for the Red Team set the final score.

Gaiser was also one of 21 recipients of $500 scholarships from the NKFCA. Gaiser, tied for third on the CovCath all-time scoring list, is heading to Centre College to play

Extension Agent for Horticulture Kenton County - RE54643 Bachelor’s Degree required Deadline: 06/24/2026

https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/633874 The University of Kentucky is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from minorities and women.

12 JUNE 19, 2026

Corpus, selected as the 8th Region Player of the Year, showed out with his arm and his bat. On the mound, he went 6-3 with a 1.58 ERA. In 57.2 innings pitched, he struck out 88 batters and walked just eight. The Eastern Kentucky University commit hit .382 with nine home runs and 42 RBI. Former Highlands High School standout Drew Rom is back in the majors. Photo provided

Former Highlands baseball standout Drew Rom made his major league return June 6 in a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. Rom, a 2018 Highlands graduate, pitched one inning of one-hit relief. He had a pair of strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth inning and slammed the door on host Colorado.

Wearing No. 38, Rom threw 17 pitches, 11 for strikes, and the Brewers won 7-1. It was his first major league appearance as a reliever and marked his first game finished as a big leaguer.

Rom, a 26-year-old left-hander, made his Brewers debut in support of the fastest-throwing pitcher in Major League Baseball history. Jacob Misiorowski started and picked up the win for Milwaukee.

He threw a record-setting 103.7 mph pitch in the third inning to Kyle Karros. It was the fastest pitch by a major league starter since tracking began in 2008. His previous high was 103.4 mph in May against St. Louis, Rom’s old team.

Rom, the 2018 Kentucky Mr. Baseball, was a draftee by the Baltimore Orioles that same year. He was a fourth-round pick with the 115th overall selection. The Orioles traded him to St. Louis in August 2023 when he made his major league debut. Rom started eight games that season, finishing with a 1-4 record and an 8.02 ERA. Rom spent all of 2024 and 2025 in the minors and became a free agent in November.

Fryman, the 9th Region Player of the Year was one of the top hitters in the state along with displaying his range in center field. He hit .533 as the Tigers headed into the state tournament with 11 home runs and 50 RBI. Fryman hit 15 doubles, nine triples and stole 39 bases.

Coppola, a George Washington commit, hit .346 for the Raiders while holding it down at shortstop. He drew 32 walks, stole 28 bases and scored 46 runs in the leadoff spot.

Campbell County High School’s Tyler Schumacher is a KHSBCA First Team All-State selection. Photo provided | Will Jones

Walton-Verona High School’s Bronson Corpus was selected to the KHSBCA All-State first team.

Photo provided | Charles Bolton

Schumacher was the 10th Region Player of the Year and was also a force on the mound and at the plate. Schumacher, a Marshall commit, is 8-1 with a 1.03 ERA for the 10th Region champs. He struck out 107 batters in 61.1 innings pitched and walked just 13.

He leads the Camels in hitting with a .496 average, blasting seven home runs and scoring 56 runs on the season.

Arrasmith was the Tigers ace on the bump and hit .451 for the Tigers so far this season.

He was 9-2 pitching with a 1.96 ERA. Arrasmith struck out 71 batters in 50 innings of work and allowed just 31 hits. At the plate he drove in 42 runs and whacked 12 doubles.

Becker hit .348 for Beechwood while manning shortstop. The Morehead State commit collected 55 hits on the season and drew 17 walks compared to striking out just 10 times on the year.

Tyler Fryman was up at the top of the state in batting average all season long. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

COVINGTON CATHOLIC TENNIS

The Brewers signed Rom as a free agent December 17, 2025. He made 22 appearances this spring for Triple-A Nashville, putting together a 2-1 record and 3.04 ERA. He had 39 strikeouts and one save in 26plus innings.

Six from NKY make All-State baseball teams The Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its All-State

Sponsored by

The ninth and final LINK nky Team of the Week (TOW) for the spring sports season presented by Ortho Cincy is the Covington Catholic tennis team. Photo provided | KHSAA

obituary

T

Thelma Jean Boehne

helma Jean Boehne, 95, of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, died peacefully at home on June 9.

PROBATION CLERK VACANCY The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky is accepting applications for a fulltime Probation Clerk (CL-23) for the Covington, Kentucky office (Vacancy Number 2026-03). The Probation Clerk performs office reception duties and provides administrative support to probation officers in a wide range of functions. Salary range is CL-23 Step 1 ($42,024) to CL-23 Step 61 ($68,361) depending upon qualifications and specialized experience.

Although her servant’s heart has now stopped beating, her legacy of devotion to family, church and the community lives on.

“I would like to be remembered as kind and good,” she said in a video interview more than 20 years ago.

Thelma was born at home — before the doctor arrived — on Aug. 13, 1930, near Grant’s Lick, Kentucky. She grew up in a farming family in the early days of the Great Depression. In one of her favorite old photographs, Thelma and her older sister, Rosalee, are standing outside the farmhouse in winter coats that clearly had been mended and patched many times over. A wooly young lamb, who the girls had adopted as a playmate, appears to be the warmest one in the picture.

Applicants must be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Please visit www.kyep.uscourts.gov to view the full vacancy announcement which outlines representative duties, qualification requirements, benefit information, and conditions of employment.

To apply, candidates must submit a completed AO 78 (Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment – 5/24) which is available on the www.kyep.uscourts.gov website under Employment – Career Opportunities, a letter of interest addressing their particular skills and experience and how those skills can contribute to this position, along with a resume, to: Mr. Warren G. Little II, Chief U.S. Probation Officer, at kyepml_applicant@kyep.uscourts.gov

by June 22, 2026. EOE.

Inside the house, there was no electricity, telephone or toilet. “We didn’t have an indoor bathroom. We had a path” (to the outhouse), she said.

Teamwork was learned early. The whole family — including Thelma, Rosalee and their little sister Linda Ruth — bailed hay, hoed the garden, fed chickens, milked cows and tended to the cash crop, tobacco, which provided most of the family’s monetary return.

When she was 6, the one-room schools in the area closed and the students, including first-grader Thelma, reported to the brand-new Grant’s Lick Elementary school.

She later graduated from Campbell County High School in the class of 1948. A group of friends from her graduating class continues to meet for lunch once a month. The group has naturally shrunk over the years.

Thelma last attended the now-small gathering a few weeks before her passing.

Following high school, she finished one year at Georgetown College so she could be a teacher. She taught first grade for several years at Grant’s Lick Elementary and then taught kindergarten for a year at the former Park Avenue School in Newport.

She met her husband of 65 years, Albert Boehne, a World War II veteran, at an event near the farms where their families lived in Northern Kentucky. After dating for most of a year, Al offered Thelma an engagement ring while sitting in a car outside a Frisch’s restaurant.

They married on a blistering hot day in June of 1954 at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church and then moved to Fort Thomas to be closer to the factory where Al worked in Norwood, Ohio. He died in early 2020.

“We lead a quiet life,” she once said of her marriage. “We don’t carouse.”

Thelma and Al had two children: Rich born

Thelma Jean Boehne. Photo provided | The family of Thelma Jean Boehne

in 1956, and Mary in 1959. Thelma worked at home to raise them until the early 1970s when she returned to education as a teaching assistant at Woodfill Elementary School in Fort Thomas. She served the students there for 19 years before retirement.

Along the way, she was twice Woodfill’s PTA president and held numerous volunteer roles at the school.

Her five grandchildren benefitted from her teacherly ways. Many games at her house were deceptively educational. The books she read to them — and they later read to her — are now well-worn but still being enjoyed by the next generation.

“I hope they all turn out to be good citizens,” she said of her grandchildren in the 2002 interview. Her hopes were realized as they became adults and the parents of her great-grandchildren.

From 1954 until her death, she was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Fort Thomas. From the choir to the kitchen and everywhere in between, she served as an eager and organized worker among the flock. For years in retirement, she also volunteered at the Baptist Life retirement community and nursing home in Newport and later at a new facility, The Seasons, in Alexandria.

Having been raised on a farm, she appreciated all good things that rise from the warm ground each spring. Late in life and battling cancer, her doctor asked her what

she hoped to do in the approaching summer after recovering from surgery. “I want to get down on my knees,” she said, “and get my hands in the dirt.” She did, and did again in the next few summers before her body could do no more.

In addition to her husband, Al, she was preceded in death by her parents, Chester Ralph and Ruby Grace Moore; her sister Rosalee (Alan) Nagel; her niece Jean (Roger) Lillie; her nephew George (Cheryl) Torline; and her great-granddaughter Lola Patitucci.

She is survived by her sister Linda Ruth (Gary) Belcher; daughter Mary (Tim) Slaughter; son Rich (Lisa Graybeal) Boehne; grandchildren Alison (Mike) Patitucci; Kate (Daniel) Trotier; Kelly (Jarrod) Williams; Luke (Courtney Codina) Boehne; and Jacob (Adalia Powell) Boehne; and five great-grandchildren Adelaide, Elijah, Mallory, Sloane and Sophia; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation was held on June 15, at Dobbling Funeral Home, 106 S. Fort Thomas Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY 41075. A service will begin at noon at the funeral home, followed by burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate KY. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Elizabeth Hospice, 483 South Look Drive, Edgewood, KY 41017, or First Baptist Church of Fort Thomas, 600 N. Fort Thomas Avenue, KY 41075. Online condolences at www.dmefuneral.com.

PROBATION OFFICER VACANCY The U.S. Probation Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky is accepting applications for a fulltime Probation Officer. The position will be located in the Covington office (Vacancy Number 2026-02). Salary range is CL-23 Step 1 ($49,033) to CL-28 Step 61 ($121,236) depending upon qualifications and specialized experience.

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and be a United States citizen or eligible to work in the United States.

First-time appointees to positions covered under federal law enforcement retirement provisions must not have reached their 37th birthday at the time of appointment. Please visit www.kyep.uscourts.gov to view the full vacancy announcement which outlines representative duties, qualification requirements, benefit information, and conditions of employment.

To apply, candidates must submit a completed AO 78 (Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment – 5/24) which is available on the www.kyep.uscourts.gov website under Employment – Career Opportunities, a letter of interest addressing their particular skills and experience and how those skills can contribute to this position, along with a resume, to: Mr. Warren G. Little II, Chief U.S. Probation Officer, at kyepml_applicant@kyep.uscourts.gov

by June 22, 2026. EOE.

JUNE 19, 2026

13

real estate

Private deck in Covington Address: 3528 Park Drive, Covington Price: $174,000 Bedrooms: Three Bathrooms: One (plus one half bath) Square footage: 1,300 square feet School district: Covington Independent Schools County: Kenton Special features: This three-bedroom, 1.5-bath home in Covington’s Latonia area offers approximately 1,300 square feet of living space with hardwood flooring, an updated kitchen and a full unfinished basement. Additional features include a detached garage, covered front porch, rear deck, storage shed and a large backyard on a cul-de-sac lot. Recent updates include remodeled bathrooms, newer windows, mechanical systems and outdoor improvements.

The exterior of this Kenton County home. Photo by Christopher Stjernholm | Trelora Realty, Inc.

The view from the private back deck.

The kitchen inside 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

LEGAL NOTICE / REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS CITY OF SILVER GROVE, KENTUCKY RFP # SG 2026 – W 4TH STREET REPAVING The City of Silver Grove, Kentucky is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified, licensed, and bonded paving contractors to furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and supervision necessary for the repaving of approximately 800 linear feet of an existing residential asphalt street.

Project Location: West 4th Street, west of Uhl Road to the end of the street, Silver Grove, KY. Project Description: The work includes full-depth removal and replacement or milling and overlay (at the contractor’s recommended approach and City approval), subgrade stabilization, aggregate base course, placement of new Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) binder and surface courses, utility structure adjustments, curb/sidewalk/driveway restoration, pavement markings, traffic control, and site restoration.

Issuance Date: June 2026 Proposal Due Date: July 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time Proposals must include a completed Bid Form with a lump-sum price, project schedule, proof of insurance, and all other required submittals. A mandatory site visit is strongly recommended. Contractors are responsible for verifying all field conditions prior to bidding.

Evaluation Criteria: Total price (60%), experience and references (20%), proposed schedule and availability (10%), and completeness/responsiveness of the bid (10%).

Copies of the full RFP package, including specifications, bid form, and project map, may be obtained by visiting www.cityofsilvergroveky.com or by contacting: Robert Yoder Community & Economic Development Director City of Silver Grove PO Box 428 Silver Grove, KY 41071 Email: ryoder@cityofsilvergroveky. com Phone: 859-912-2512 All questions must be submitted in writing no later than July 7, 2026.

The City of Silver Grove reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informalities, or to discontinue the RFP process at any time.

This notice is published in accordance with applicable Kentucky law.

14 JUNE 19, 2026

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SUDOKU

The Weekly Crossword Edited

by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

2 9 2 3

7 /13/26 -54/19/26 9

8 3

4 9

6 1

3 6

5

4 5 6 6 8 1 Edited by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

Each row must contain the 2 numbers 1 to 9; each column must

4

5 1

contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Answer to Previous Sudoku:

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

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 HOW Auto parts giant TO SOLVE: 15 16 14 5 ___ out Each row must contain the 18 19 17 (declined) numbers 1 to 9; each column must 10 Puts contain theaway numbers 120to 9; and 22 21 14 Oil each setacronym of 3 by 3 boxes must 24 25 15 Mania contain the numbers 1 to 9.23 16 Put on a long 28 29 30 26 27 face Answer 17 Lively to Previous Sudoku: 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 18 Solid ground 38 39 40 41 20 No longer good 22 Former Kudrow 42 43 44 45 co-star 46 47 48 49 23 Made off with 25 Nature calls?

53 54 50 51 52 26 Balances 55 56 57 58 59 60 28 Fed the fire 31 Cowboy nick63 61 62 name 65 66 64 32 Fit to eat 34 Deep black 68 69 67 38 Bobby Brady, to Carol Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate 40 One fleeing a flood, maybe 2 High point 39 One opposed to 52 Golf strokes 42 Jedi guru 3 Bewildered war 54 Lessens 43 Sketcher's tool 4 Film genre 41 High up 56 Villain in "The 45 Funnyman 5 Musical eight44 Quick drink Avengers" Brooks some 47 Rapids ride 57 SAT or GMAT 46 Type of union or 6 Set in advance 49 Get off the 59 Bingo's cousin bureau 7 Road-paving fence 60 911 responders, 48 NFL's ____ stuff 50 Lesley of "60 briefly Beckham Jr. 8 Pound of verse Minutes" 62 Give ___ go (2 50 Old photo tint 9 Campus VIP 51 Tennessee wds.)

53 Opt for first 10 Like most ____ Ford 55 Chocolate treat sitcoms 58 Scottish flat11 Main blood line Answers to Previous Crossword: bread 12 Chemo target A R C S S C U D I R O N 61 Venom neutra13 Musial and F I A T S C O F F N O D E lizers, e.g.

Laurel A C M E A R R O W H E A D S 63 News bit 19 Captain's R E P L A C E D E R N S T 64 Chart toppers command A L I K E D A R T 65 Hollywood 21 Romantic dozen N A I L B I T E R Holmes 24 Do a voice-over N A I A D A R G O A G G R E S S I V E 66 2021 film, "___ 26 Crafty site S H A R E R S A R A M E N Look Up" 27 Bill killer in D.C. E N E S O V E R T U R N E D 67 "___ we 29 Like some music R E S T S S T R A I N E R S forget ..."

30 Zachary of L E E R I S A L L 68 Apple desktops "Shazam!"

A M O U R N F L T E A M S 69 Aphrodite's son 33 Inside info A T O P 35 Part of a fraction W A L K S O N A I R C L U E S S O D A E S A I DOWN 36 Ship's backbone R E T D E R S T S S N S 1 Yep's opposite 37 Shout out

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

THE WEEKLY COMIC by Andrew Buchanan

JUNE 19, 2026

15

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THIS YEAR, LINK NKY WAS HONORED AT THE KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARDS — AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF THE WORK OUR TEAM BRINGS TO THIS COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

2026 KENTUCKY PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARDS *Daily 2 category

�� 1 Place st

Best Feature Story Haley Parnell, Campbell County Reporter

�� 2 Place Best Sports Section Evan Dennison, nd

Sports Editor

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Campbell County Reporter

�� 3 Place Best Website LINK nky rd

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