LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 4, Edition 32 - July 3, 2026

KENTON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 32 — JULY 3, 2026

THE VOICE OF NKY

linknky.com

Hold up! Madison Theater is ‘not permanently closed’

By Nathan Granger and Kane Mitten

D

espite Madison Theater announcing last month it was closing, the venue owner’s lawyer told LINK nky that’s not actually the

case.

Attorney Dave Kruer said the venue is “not permanently closed,” but that operator Frank Hulefeld simply “can’t operate there anymore.”

The announcement cited “sudden termination of our lease” as the reason behind the abrupt closure.

Hulefeld has been managing the venue since 2021 and operates an LLC called Madison Theater Presents (the company itself has managed the venue since 2024).

Hulefeld formerly owned the Madhatter on Scott Boulevard in Covington. LINK nky has reached out to Hulefeld multiple times since the news broke, but he has not responded to comment or provide additional information.

Continues on page 3

The Madison Theater in Covington on June 17, 2026. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

Dust off your boots. New Bobby Mackey’s could reopen in a year

By Haley Parnell

I

n about one year, Bobby Mackey’s patrons could be back on the dance floor ­— and the bull — in a brand new building.

Initial plans for the new Bobby Mackey’s honky tonk-bar and music venue were unanimously approved at a Wilder Planning and Zoning meeting on June 22. ​ he plans call for an 8,400-square, foot sinT gle-story nightclub. The proposed building will be located in approximately the same location as the former building at 44 Licking Pike.

The empty parcel where Bobby Mackey’s sat.

Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky

​ ackey first opened the original bar in M 1978. Nestled between Licking Pike and

train tracks, the nightclub rose to prominence by hosting live performances from Mackey, along with other prominent local and national artists.

NKY debuts new skatepark a decade in the making p5

I​ n March 2024, Bobby Mackey’s temporarily moved to 8405 U.S. Route 42 in Florence after the century-old building began to show its age. The bar then sat vacant until it was demolished on Dec. 10, 2024.

Erlanger mayor defends memo saying council member instills fear p7

There will be a north parking lot for employees and deliveries and a south parking lot for patrons. The existing rights-of-way for Licking Pike and Queen City Avenue are being used to access the property, which is on the south side of the building rather than the side that faces the AA Highway, as before.

Preserving the local history of the Underground Railroad p10

Continues on page 4

H NO PRINT EDITION JULY 10 H

Happy Independence Day!

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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Frank Hulefeld, the former operator of the Madison Theater. Photo by LINK Media Continued from page 1

The theater’s landlord is an LLC called ENC Properties, which owns three buildings on Madison, including the ones that make up the venue. ENC Properties has Lillian Esther Johnson listed as its registered agent with the state of Kentucky. Johnson and her husband own a house in Taylor Mill, according to Kenton County Property records.

LINK nky was not able to reach Johnson directly, but Kruer said she used to operate the venue herself.

Kruer said the goal was to have the venue “opened under a new operator within the next couple of weeks.”

Although he said some companies had been lined up, he was not at liberty to say which ones.

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If, however, an error comes to your attention, please let us know and accept our sincere apologies in advance.

So, what happened?

Much is still unknown about the circumstances of the closure, but there is some information that’s publicly available. Hulefeld’s announcement mentions the revocation of the venue’s insurance policy after a patron fell on one of the venue’s interior stairways.

A lawsuit against ENC Properties and the theater managers was filed in Kenton County Circuit Court on Oct. 28, 2025 by Florence resident Sheryl Zollars. According to the text of Zollars’ complaint, Zollars fell and sustained injuries on a stairway inside

the theater leading to the stage early November 2024.

The suit alleges that the venue should have been aware of any hazards in the building, and that it should have warned patrons accordingly.

“The dangerous conditions in Defendants’ premises included, but were not limited to, the lack of a handrail and inadequate lighting for the stairway…,” reads the complaint.

“The Defendants should have anticipated the incident on the stairway that caused Plaintiff’s injuries.”

The complaint goes on to allege the stairway’s conditions could have possibly violated building codes. The theater denied many of the allegations in its answer to the complaint.

As for the venue’s future shows, Kruer said “we’re working on trying to get a transition in effect” and that more information would be released once things were finalized.

Anyone with any information about the case that led to the theater’s closure or the future of the shows scheduled at the venue can contact LINK nky at news@linknky.com to speak to a reporter. Anonymous tips are welcome. We will make updates to this story as more information becomes available.

Zollars’ lawyer, Scott Guenther, informed LINK nky that Zollars suffered a fracture in her right ankle and her upper tibia as result of the fall. She spent nine days in the hospital and then two weeks in a rehab facility.

The court granted a default judgment in favor of Zollars in January. A hearing was held the same month, and the theater later filed a motion for discovery of evidence in February. A deposition of Zollars was initially scheduled for June 10, but this was later rescheduled. Evidence discovery in the case is ongoing.

Guenther did not know if his client’s case contributed to the rift between Madison Theater Presents and ENC; he knew as much as what he’d seen in the news, he said.

A lawyer representing Madison Theater Presents in that suit, Daniel Martell, declined to comment altogether. Kruer could not discuss whether the lawsuit played a role in the two entities’ separation.

A poster of an event that had to be moved to a different location following the abrupt closure. Photo provided | Southgate House Revival

A hearing related to an incident of crowd control at the theater took place in front of the city’s Alcohol Beverage Control Board on June 18, but there’s no indication that incident relates to the theater’s closure.

Kruer explicitly denied it played a role.

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There are three other lawsuits against ENC Properties and the theater in the Kenton County Court database, two of which are at least nine years old. The last one is a foreclosure case due to outstanding tax liens, filed on May 14 against one of ENC’s properties, but Kruer said that outstanding tax liens against ENC’s properties should be resolved in the near future. LINK nky has reached out to the city for more information.

JULY 3, 2026 3

Continued from page 1

J​ eff Flaherty, vice president of Cardinal Engineering Corp., was at the meeting on behalf of Mackey. He said the building will sit farther down from the road than in the past. “​ The building is quite a bit away from the highway now, and there’s a slope, so that building’s going to sit down quite a bit further than the road,” Flaherty said. “The first story of the building will be like 10 or 12 feet below the level of the road.”

“It’s not like the old building where you walk out right into the highway,” Wilder Planning and Zoning Commissioner Eric Muench said. ​ ilder Planning and Zoning CommissionW er Richard Fowler asked if the infamous well would be reused.

​ esides being a hot spot for country music, B Bobby Mackey’s was also famous for paranormal activity. The property accumulated numerous ghost stories over the decades, including the alleged murder of Headless Pearl Bryan in 1896. The bar’s basement was often referred to as “The Portal to Hell” and featured water stains that were said to resemble human faces. “​ It’s where all the ghosts are,” Flaherty said.

“So, he’s going to put a glass-like thing over it, so you can look down into the well.” ​ mechanical bull will also be reimpleA mented in the new Bobby Mackey’s. ​ laherty said he anticipates the opening F day to be a year from the June 22 meeting.

He said he believed Bobby Mackey’s would keep the same hours of operation, which are currently Friday from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

A rendering of the new building. Rendering provided | Cardinal Engineering

Rendering of the Bobby Mackey’s site. Rendering provided | Cardinal Engineering

A rendering of the new building. Rendering provided | Cardinal Engineering

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Alexandria mayor fulfills decade-old promise to bring skatepark to city

Chris Mardis (left) with Alexandria Mayor Andy Schabell (right) at the new skatepark. Photo provided | Chris Mardis

By Haley Parnell

F

or most teenagers, a request made at city hall is forgotten by the time they graduate high school. For Chris Mardis, it took more than 12 years, but Alexandria finally delivered on a promise for a skatepark.

In 2013, two 13 year olds asked the Alexandria City Council for a skatepark after getting tired of being kicked out of various sites, and wanting a safe place to skate. One of them, Mardis, kept in touch with Mayor Andy Schabell to ensure the request was fulfilled.

In 2024, 11 years later, Schabell updated the city council that the city had finally purchased a skatepark. Now, two years later, it has finally been installed, keeping the promise Schabell made.

“First of the year, I sent them [Alexandria Parks and Recreation Board] a message and said, here’s one thing I’d like to do before I’m out of here, and they got it done,” Schabell said.

At a city council meeting on Oct. 3, 2024, Schabell said that Mardis had texted him earlier in the week that there was a skatepark for sale. Fort Thomas was selling its skatepark, for which they paid $30,000.

The bid for the park ended Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Schabell said he sent an email at 8:47 p.m. that Monday after Mardis texted him. He said Fort Thomas was selling the park because it was no longer meeting the city’s needs.

The ribbon cutting. Photo provided | Andy Schabell

The skatepark consists of two ramps and a rail. Schabell said he instructed the city administrator to bid up to $1,500 on the item.

The city’s final bid was $1,025 ($1,300 after taxes and fees.)

The skatepark is in a temporary location in the Alexandria Community Park. Schabell said they had to take over some parking spaces, which he didn’t love because of the lack of parking at the park, but it is temporary.

“It took a long time but I’m proud of it and I’m happy it’s there,” Schabell said. “He was there too [Mardis], and a couple of those guys that came up here to those meetings, came up and cut the ribbon with us.”

The ribbon cutting was held on June 17 for the new skatepark. The city said it was one of its most well-attended ribbon cuttings.

“After 12 years of advocating for this skatepark, seeing it finally open is surreal,” Mardis told LINK nky. “It’s a reminder that persistence pays off. This park will give generations of local kids a place to skate, connect and belong, and that’s something our community can be proud of.”

Chris Mardis is skateboarding at the new skatepark. Photo provided | Andy Schabell

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JULY 3, 2026 5

Opinion: Cryptocurrency loophole threatens Kentucky farmers and rural communities

By Al Pedigo, Kentucky Agricultural Development Board

K

entucky farmers know a thing or two about risk. We live with it every season. A late frost, a summer drought, rising fuel costs or falling commodity prices can change everything overnight. That is why rural communities depend so heavily on local relationships and stable institutions — especially our community banks.

For generations, Kentucky’s community banks have helped keep family farms like ours operating through both good years and bad ones. They understand agriculture because they live here too. They know the difference between a temporary setback and a long-term problem. And when farmers need financing for land, equipment, seed, livestock or operating expenses, these banks are often the first people we call.

That local banking model works because deposits made in our communities stay in our communities. Local banks take those dollars and turn them into farm loans, home mortgages and financing for small businesses that support rural Kentucky.

But today, that system faces a growing threat from a loophole in Washington, D.C., that Congress needs to close before it harms communities like ours.

The issue involves something called “stablecoins,” a type of cryptocurrency designed to function more like digital cash.

Congress recently passed the GENIUS Act to establish rules for stablecoins and encourage innovation in financial technol-

6 JULY 3, 2026

ogy. Importantly, lawmakers prohibited stablecoin issuers from paying interest to customers because they recognized these products should function as payment tools — not as replacements for traditional bank accounts.

lies and fewer opportunities for small businesses trying to grow on Main Street. Rural communities would feel the pain first because community banks are often the only financial institutions actively serving these areas.

Unfortunately, companies have already started finding ways around that restriction.

Unlike community banks, stablecoin companies have no obligation to reinvest in Kentucky communities. They are not financing tractors, livestock barns or local businesses. Once those deposits leave our towns for unregulated digital platforms, there is no guarantee they will come back to support local economies.

While stablecoin issuers technically cannot pay interest directly, affiliated exchanges and digital platforms are now offering socalled “rewards” or yield programs tied to stablecoin balances. In plain English, that is simply interest by another name. Congress prohibited it directly, but companies are attempting to do it indirectly anyway.

Some people may see this as a Wall Street or tech industry issue. Out here in rural Kentucky, it is much more personal.

According to analysis from the U.S. Treasury Department, as much as $6.6 trillion in deposits nationwide could move out of traditional banks and into stablecoins if these programs continue to grow. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found that for every dollar that leaves the banking system, lending capacity drops by roughly 50 cents.

That matters deeply in places like Allen County and other rural communities across the Commonwealth.

When local banks lose deposits, they have fewer resources available to lend. That could mean fewer operating loans for farmers, fewer mortgages for young fami-

Congress must not pass the CLARITY Act until it completely closes the stablecoin loophole before rural America pays the price.

Al Pedigo is a longtime farmer from Scottsville, Kentucky, who currently serves on the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board.

I am not opposed to innovation. Agriculture itself depends on innovation. Farmers adopt new technology every year to improve efficiency and productivity. But innovation should not come at the expense of the rural communities that feed this country.

Congress can fix this problem simply by clarifying that interest-like rewards tied to stablecoins violate the intent of the law, regardless of whether they come directly from issuers or through affiliated platforms. That would protect consumers, preserve fair competition and help ensure community banks can continue supporting rural America. Unfortunately, the version of the CLARITY Act that passed out of the Senate Banking Committee does not fully close this loophole.

Kentucky farmers do not ask for special treatment. We simply want a level playing field and policies that strengthen, rather than weaken, the communities we call home.

Al Pedigo, Kentucky Agricultural Development Board. Photo provided

Erlanger mayor defends memo saying council member instills fear in staff A different council member called the exchange ’embarrassing’

By Nathan Granger and Ella Rose Johnston

statement to LINK nky, where she says, “My focus has always been on analyzing processes, improving systems and finding efficiencies for our residents — never on attacking the personnel who keep our city running.”

E

rlanger Mayor Jessica Fette publicly defended a memo at a recent council meeting alleging that concerns about Council Member Jennifer Jasper-Lucas’ interactions with city employees had escalated into a hostile workplace, disrupted municipal operations and deteriorated staff morale.

The dispute shifts attention toward a broader question about the division of authority in Erlanger’s mayor-council form of government, the most common municipal structure in Northern Kentucky.

The exchange lasted over an hour.

“We are only discussing this publicly now because she (Jasper-Lucas) refuses to take responsibility for her own actions,” Fette said during the meeting. “This is not retaliation, this is leadership.”

According to the mayor’s memo, multiple city employees raised concerns over what the administration described as excessive and repetitive requests for information, accusatory correspondence, operational inquiries directed to employees outside a council member’s authority and repeated involvement in administrative matters typically handled by the city’s executive branch.

The memo further states that employees reported disruptions to daily operations, increasing frustration among staff and concerns about maintaining a professional workplace environment.

The four-page memo was distributed to council members on May 21. Jasper-Lucas had briefly addressed the memo and her protestations against it at the meeting on June 2, but the memo became the focus of a recent caucus meeting, where Fette spent roughly 43 minutes reading and defending the document and its supporting evidence.

During the presentation, Jasper-Lucas repeatedly objected to the mayor’s characterization of her conduct and at one point stood from her seat and said, “I am not gonna sit here and listen to this.”

Shortly thereafter, Jasper-Lucas returned to her seat to continue listening to the memo in its entirety.

Fette wrote that employees had reported concerns about “unreasonable expectations surrounding response times” and what staff described as “an increasingly disrespectful tone in communications.”

The document further states that city employees had been required to divert “substantial time and resources away from their primary operational responsibilities” to respond to what the administration considered duplicative requests. According to the memo, staff members reported that the pattern had become disruptive to city operations and detrimental to employee morale.

“The situation has now reached a level

In mayor-council governments, city councils function as the legislative branch, responsible for passing ordinances, setting tax policies, approving budgets and allocating funding for services such as police, fire and public works.

Mayor Jessica Fette reads the memo aloud to the council on June 16, 2026. Photo by Ella Rose Johnston | LINK nky contributor

where multiple employees have discussed leaving their positions because of the ongoing nature of these interactions,” the memo states. “That is unacceptable.”

In a phone call with LINK nky, Fette said she had allowed city department heads to not come to council meetings for fear of criticism from certain council members.

“They’re all operating in fear,” Fette told LINK nky.

This particular dispute centers on a directive issued by Fette requiring Jasper-Lucas to route requests for records, operational information and administrative inquiries through the mayor, city administrator or city attorney rather than communicating directly with city staff.

Much of the discussion focused on email exchanges between Jasper-Lucas and City Administrator Mark Collier. Fette cited emails in which Collier requested that operational questions be routed through him, so staff responses could be coordinated efficiently. Jasper-Lucas responded in one email that she was elected by taxpayers rather than the administration and would continue directing questions to what she considered the most appropriate department.

The mayor argued the communication protocol was necessary to protect employees and preserve an efficient workplace, while Jasper-Lucas maintained the restrictions interfere with her ability to perform legislative oversight and respond to residents’ concerns.

At the council meeting on June 2, Jasper-Lucas questioned the city’s transparency regarding passport processing services (which were recently ceased to save the city money), the amount of resources dedicated to the new Eons park project,

historical park spending, infrastructure concerns on Oxford Court and other municipal issues.

On June 16, Fette responded to each of those questions individually while defending the city’s handling of the matters. Still, Jasper-Lucas argued that the responses came too late and should have been answered sooner and argued that many of the questions she asks originate from residents seeking information about city projects and spending decisions.

Fette said the interaction demonstrated a refusal to respect the city’s administrative structure. Jasper-Lucas countered that the emails reflected frustration over delayed responses and maintained that asking questions to city staff is part of her responsibility as an elected official.

“It is exhausting being the person that residents reach out to when they have questions,” Jasper-Lucas said. “A lot of the information I ask for isn’t anything that I wanted.”

Several council members later criticized the mayor’s handling of the issue. Council Member Rebecca Reckers questioned why the memo was initially distributed through City Attorney Jack Gatlin and argued that some of the information at issue should have been provided sooner. Council Member Diana Niceley called the meeting “embarrassing” and said council members should be treated with respect even when disagreements occur.

The dispute is also contextualized by this year’s election. Fette is running for reelection as the city’s mayor and is being challenged by Niceley, whom Jasper-Lucas supports. Jasper-Lucas is running for reelection to council.

The mayor serves as the city’s chief executive officer and oversees administration and personnel. While some cities employ full-time city administrators to manage daily operations, those officials serve in an administrative role and do not possess legislative authority.

That distinction was at the center of the debate. Fette argued that Jasper-Lucas’ repeated requests and direct communications with staff crossed into operational matters that fall under the executive branch of government. Jasper-Lucas, meanwhile, maintained that asking questions, requesting records and seeking information from city departments are essential parts of legislative oversight and representing residents.

Similar questions about executive and legislative authority have surfaced elsewhere in NKY. In Ludlow, disagreements between Mayor Sarah Thompson and city council members over the appointment of a city administrator sparked public debate about the powers granted to mayors under Kentucky’s mayor-council system. Thompson argued that state law gives mayors broad authority in recruiting and appointing administrative officers, while some council members questioned whether the hiring process had been conducted appropriately.

While the issues in Erlanger and Ludlow involve different circumstances, both disputes illustrate how disagreements over the boundaries between legislative and executive branches of government can become conflicts in mayor-council governments.

After the discussion, council members remained divided over whether Fette’s memo represented a necessary effort to protect employees and city operations or an inappropriate limitation on a council member’s ability to gather information and represent constituents. The meeting adjourned without formal action.

Jasper-Lucas later delivered a written JULY 3, 2026

7

kenton county briefs The LINK nky Educator of the Week: Nicholas Little The votes are in, and this week’s LINK nky Educator of the Week is Nicholas Little, a teacher at Campbell County High School.

Little was nominated by Josie Phelps because “he has LINK nky Educator of the Week Nicholas been the best high Little. school and marching band director ever. He always makes sure everyone feels included and no kid is ever left out or falling behind. He also takes his time to get to know all of his students by name and stuff they are interested in. Mr. Little always checks in if someone seems off and allows them to get what they need to feel at least a little bit better.”

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

Covington grants easement to CCR developers in surprise vote

meetings and two legislative meetings every month. Plus, the subsequent week’s proximity to Independence Day means the board is skipping a meeting.

The area in question is found on the M and N blocks of the CCR site. A development agreement with an LLC called CCRMN Investment Partners was approved by the board two years ago. The company is a patchwork of members from several companies, namely developer Silverman & Co., Messer Construction and architectural firm KZF Design. Silverman & Co. is behind several retail and office developments in Blue Ash and is spearheading a mixed-use development in Deerfield, Ohio, called The District at Deerfield.

Plans previously submitted to the board call for about 7,700 square feet of retail space, roughly 270 market-rate apartment units and a 113-space parking facility, some of which will be underground.

The sudden nature of the request was one of the reasons the sole ‘no’ vote on the board was cast by Commissioner Tim Downing.

Although Downing thought the easement request was “nothing egregious,” he said, “I got it this afternoon [and] didn’t have a chance to review it until, like, basically 10 minutes before I got here.”

He elaborated that he worried that granting the variance would discourage walkability.

The CCR Development site on June 23, 2026.

Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

The Covington Board of Commissioners cast a split vote June 23 in favor of an easement for developers planning to build a roughly 270-unit mixed-use development at the Covington Central Riverfront site.

The item did not appear on the meeting’s agenda and was instead “walked on” (added) at the request of the city’s economic development department.

The easement essentially grants a variance to typical city regulations, allowing portions of the development’s footprint (including overhangs, canopies and similar structures in the air), underground elements and utilities to encroach upon the sidewalk. The easement agreement guarantees a minimum of five feet of sidewalk clearance.

“The reason for the walk-on is we just came to terms on the final identification language yesterday, actually,” said acting Economic Development Director John Sadosky, “and we’re trying to get this approved ahead of the recess.”

The “recess” Sadosky mentioned refers to the fact that the board is not scheduled to meet again until July 14. The board meets on Tuesdays, and June has five Tuesdays.

The board usually meets for two caucus 8 JULY 3, 2026

Vice Mayor Shannon Smith described the easement as very “boilerplate,” but asked City Solicitor Frank Schultz “if there’s anything that we want to revisit, we can have that conversation before any final decisions are made … Is my understanding correct in that?”

“Technically,” Schultz said, “the board has given approval for it tonight. So, this could be executed tomorrow by both parties.”

Downing, Smith, Sadosky and Schultz discussed the issue further among themselves after the meeting.

Brighton Center awarded grant to expand debt-free job training

The $50,000 grant funding will directly support Brighton Center’s Center for Employment Training, an accredited, short-term, post-secondary program that prepares individuals for careers in high-demand fields such as medical assisting and health technology administration.

The center provides hands-on, workplace-simulated instruction that enables individuals to earn industry-recognized credentials and build both technical and essential soft skills.

“This investment from Truist Foundation, allows us to remove financial barriers and ensure that more individuals can access life-changing training,” said Brighton Center Workforce Development Director Lauren Allhands. “By providing comprehensive support and career preparation, we are helping individuals achieve long-term stability and success.”

The grant will be used to help create debtfree tuition packages for trainees by leveraging federal and state funding sources, including Pell Grants and assistance connected to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program services. While these resources partially cover tuition, additional private funding is required to eliminate any costs for trainees. This grant fills that gap, ensuring that participants can complete training without student loan debt.

“This investment reflects Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities,” said Truist’s Cincinnati/ NKY Market President Billy Santos. “By expanding access to debt-free job training, Brighton Center is helping more individuals gain the skills and confidence they need to achieve long-term success — while strengthening the workforce across Kentucky.”

Beyond technical instruction, the training center offers a holistic approach to workforce development by connecting individuals to critical support services — including access to food, child care and housing — as well as on-site financial wellness and career coaching. This model prepares individuals not only to secure employment but to sustain it.

According to the Brighton Center there is an average wage gain of $26,621 after completing the program and an 87% job placement rate.

Christie Johnson (left) being trained by medical assisting instructor Tammy Liles (right) at the Center for Employment Training. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky

More individuals in Northern Kentucky will have access to debt-free career training thanks to a $50,000 grant from Truist Foundation awarded to Brighton Center Inc.

Through this funding, Brighton Center will expand access to its training programs, particularly for individuals who may not qualify for traditional funding streams, further strengthening the workforce and supporting local economic growth.

Madison Theater to issue refunds ‘for all of our shows’ Madison Theater Presents, the company that formerly managed the Madison Theater in Covington, issued a statement on social media on June 23 informing patrons

The Madison Theater in Covington on June 17, 2026. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

and supporters that “ticket refunds will be issued via Ticketweb for all of our shows.”

The statement goes on to state that the “refund process has started and ticket holders do not need to take any further action.”

This will be the first time since the theater operator company and its head, Frank Hulefeld, has spoken publicly since the unexpected shuttering of the theater on June 19. Although Hulefeld operated the theater and its shows, the building itself is owned by an LLC called ENC Properties, which owns three buildings on Madison, including the ones that make up the venue.

ENC Properties has Lillian Esther Johnson listed as its registered agent with the state of Kentucky. Johnson and her husband own a house in Taylor Mill, according to Kenton County Property records.

Hulefeld’s statements encourage local music fans to remain engaged with the local DIY music scene. It also confirms what the theater owner’s attorney had previously stated to LINK nky: “The Madison Theater will reopen in the near future with new management. Please show them your love and support the local bands on their stages!”

Independence man killed in single-vehicle crash near Decoursey Pike

Police lights. Photo provided | Scott Rodgerson via Unsplash

An Independence man died on June 22 following a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of state Route 536 and Decoursey Pike, police said.

The Kenton County Police Department responded to Route 536 and Decoursey Pike on June 23 at 11:21 p.m. on the report of a single-vehicle accident with injuries. Joshua Thomas Rawe, age 42 of Independence, was the occupant of a black Chevy Silverado.

According to police, Rawe was traveling westbound on Route 536. His vehicle crossed over the railroad crossing and continued across Decoursey Pike where it struck a dirt embankment head on.

kenton county briefs The Piner Fire Department, Independence Fire District and Air Care responded to render aid. Rawe was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were no other vehicles involved and no property damage. There are no criminal charges pending.

The Kenton County Police Department would ask anyone with information regarding this accident to contact officer James Treadway at 859-356-3191.

at a beloved butcher shop or scoring a hidden gem at a vintage store, NKY’s shopping scene is full of personality and surprises.

This year’s Readers’ Choice winners in the Shopping category reflect a community that takes pride in where it spends its dollars and who it supports. These are the stores, markets and merchants our readers love, trust and tell everyone about.

Go ahead: Treat yourself, NKY. You’ve earned it.

BARGAIN SHOPPING 1. St. Vincent de Paul – NKY 2. NKY Bargain Outlet 3. Calina’s Cafe, Candles, & Collectables

Our readers chose their favorites in NKY shopping

BEER SELECTION 1. Crafts & Vines 2. The Party Source 3. Barleycorn’s BOOKSTORE 1. Roebling Books & Coffee 2. The Hidden Chapter Bookstore 3. Half Price Books The Roebling Books and Coffee Covington location. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky

Northern Kentucky knows how to shop, but more importantly, this community knows how to support the local businesses that make the region worth exploring.

Whether you’re hunting for a rare bourbon, browsing a charming boutique, stocking up

BOURBON SELECTION 1. The 859 Taproom And Grill 2. The Party Source 3. Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar BUTCHER SHOP 1. Bill Finke & Sons 2. Kremer’s Market 3. Rekas Butchery and Delicatessen

CAR DEALER 1. Kerry Toyota 2. Tom Gill Chevrolet 3. Mike Castrucci Ford of Alexandria Service CARPET/FLOORING 1. Earl Franks Sons And Daughters 2. Big Bobs Flooring Outlet 3. Pferrman Floor Covering Co FARMER’S MARKET 1. Findlay Market 2. Fort Thomas Farmers Market 3. C.P. Reeves Market, LLC FLORIST 1. Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck, LLC 2. Swan Floral & Gift Shop 3. Jackson Florist And Garden Center FURNITURE 1. St. Vincent de Paul – NKY 2. Furniture Fair (Bedroom & Dining) 3. Best Furniture Gallery GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY 1. Baeten’s Nursery & Greenhouses 2. Fort Thomas Florists & Greenhouses 3. Succulent senorita greenhouse GROCERY STORE 1. Kremer’s Market 2. Trader Joe’s 3. Kroger HOME DECOR 1. Hobby Lobby

2. HomeGoods 3. Succulent senorita greenhouse JEWELRY STORE 1. Asmi LLC 2. Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop 3. Schulz Jewelers LIQUOR STORE 1. The Party Source 2. One Stop Liquors 3. Party Town MEN’S FASHION 1. Dillard’s 2. Target 3. Walmart NEW STORE (OPENED IN 2025 OR AFTER) 1. Ella Oak Boutique 2. Monmouth St. Mercantile 3. World Market VINTAGE STORE 1. Route 27 Antique Mall 2. Secret Sister Thrift Boutique 3. Faded Finds WINE SELECTION 1. Crafts & Vines 2. Ripple Wine Bar – Covington, KY 3. The Party Source WOMEN’S FASHION 1. Ella Oak Boutique 2. Handzy Shop + Studio 3. Ape Made It Boutique

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JULY 3, 2026

9

How this project is preserving the local history of the Underground Railroad

By Nathan Granger

Slave Act of 1850, where if you’re caught involved in those types of activities, you’re fined, you’re jailed or even killed. You’re violating the federal law, so you’re not actually advertising your engagement in that system.”

T

here’s no sidestepping it — Kentucky was a slave state. And Northern Kentucky was no exception; the institution of human property was active locally in the Antebellum period, and yet the region’s proximity to the Ohio River, which separated slave states from nonslave states, made it an important stop on the Underground Railroad.

Still, Jackson and Delaney said, there are ways to get information about individual people, families and cases. Newspapers can sometimes be a good place to start, especially if they have interviews, but newspapers of the time weren’t always accurate.

Tax records, census records, military records and court documents are other useful sources of information.

Let’s explore some of the stories and the people working to preserve them in the region.

“We had enslavers here before the county was even established,” said Hillary Delaney, research specialist at the Archive and History Center at Boone County Public Library.

Delaney is one of the researchers behind a massive database administered by the library called African Americans of the Kentucky Borderlands, which collects historical documents and other sources about the Underground Railroad in Boone County, as well as the individual stories of escapees fleeing northward to freedom.

James Rile, a Black American born into slavery in Boone County in 1828. Rile joined the Union Army in 1863 and migrated to Oxford, Ohio, after the war. Photo from family collection, published in The Oxford Press in 1981. Photo stored in the Smith History Library in Oxford, Ohio. Photo provided | Boone County Public Library

Delaney’s research began after a community member inquired about a famous crossing of the Ohio River from NKY in 1853. A group of enslaved individuals crossed the river near Petersburg and made their way toward Cincinnati. This group would later

Although Ohio was not a slave state, it still had a so-called Black Code, a set of legal strictures that curtailed the rights of Black Americans. Plus, the group’s size made them conspicuous. With the help of some allies in Cincinnati, the group staged

be dubbed the Cincinnati 28.

a mock funeral procession, which allowed them to move through the city streets to a safe haven in College Hill.

The project’s research has been going on about 13 years, Delaney said. The program does a bus tour of historic sites in the county every September, and the project has teased out information about the lives of both individual escapees and enslavers in the county. It also houses interactive online exhibits where people can freely peruse historical documents and images.

The Cincinnati 28 story was unusual, said Dr. Eric Jackson, historian and Northern Kentucky University professor, because most escapees fled individually.

“They’re usually males between the age of 15 and 21,” Jackson said. “They’re running at certain times of the year, they’re living off the land.”

Jackson discussed the difficulties of studying the Underground Railroad and wrapping one’s head around the scope of it all.

An 1867 painting by Thomas Satterwhite Noble depicting the story of Margaret Garner, an enslaved American from Boone County who fled to Cincinnati, was caught, and killed her daughter rather than risk allowing her to return to slavery. Public domain. Garner’s escape, the killing of her daughter and her subsequent trial served as inspiration for Toni Morrison’s famous novel, Beloved

“You’re talking [about] a secret organization…,” Jackson said. “You’re talking about a time period, particularly after the Fugitive

“Sometimes you just stumble across a gold mine of folks who have taken copious notes in their own private diaries, or they have personal papers; they just happen to have that material,” Jackson said. “Then you could use triangulating that with local newspapers that advertise African Americans who are running away and try to use that as descriptors to see if that matches folks who are in these other documents.”

Delaney shared some documents related to a free man named Joe Kite. Like many freed people, Kite had taken the surname of his former master. Kite was a slave in multiple states, including in Kentucky. A newspaper called Cincinnati Commercial interviewed him in 1875, where he recounted the story of his life, including how he sued for the freedom of his sister, her children, his grandfather and aunt and won.

The article spells Kite’s name wrong, with a Y, as evidenced by Kite’s freedom papers, which has the spelling of his former master George Kite spelled with an i, illustrating some of the difficulties of working with historical documents.

“You’re talking about ordinary people doing extraordinary things because they chose to do it,” Jackson said. “They’re not trying to make a boatload of money, they’re not trying to be famous, they’re not trying to necessarily change society, they’re just trying to do the right thing. Because if you actually believe in the Declaration of Independence or the concepts of liberty, equality and justice, you’re actually trying to figure out a way to make that a reality.”

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Eggs ‘N Issues: Sparking NKY’s Future: Fireside Chat with Garren Colvin President and CEO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Tuesday, July 21 7:30 - 9:00 AM Receptions, Erlanger Register at NKYChamber.com/Events

10 JULY 3, 2026

50 greatest NKY prep sports teams in 50 days: Days 1-7

W

e gave you the 50 greatest sports icons from NKY last summer. Since we had so much fun with that, we’re bringing you another list of the 50 greatest things this summer: The 50 greatest prep sports teams from Northern Kentucky.

Each day for the next 50 days, we’ll release one of the area’s 50 greatest prep sports teams. It starts June 22 and runs into the first few days of August. This is not a ranking from No. 1 to 50, it’s just a collection of the 50 best sports teams ever assembled.

We’ll preface this by saying you may or may not agree with all 50 and that’s fine. Sports editor Evan Dennison assembled a panel of dedicated NKY sports fans to weigh in and give their takes on who should be on the list. We trust those people because of their history and knowledge of the game in NKY. We compiled numerous lists and identified the most certain candidates for inclusion.

Some of the traits we sought in these teams were state championships (almost certainly a requirement), dominance and standout players and coaches. We may have cheated

a little by lumping some dominant teams together that achieved numerous consecutive state titles, but that gives a few more teams an opportunity to be recognized.

same Male team that won a Class 4A state title that year (there were only four classes in the state at the time). After that, no one came within 16 points of them the rest of the season.

We hope you enjoy this, as summer is the off-season for high school sports. This list serves as a way to remember the past a little and keep you entertained daily as it continues.

Dale Mueller guided the team. Jared Lorenzen won Mr. Football with his teammate Derek Smith runner-up as the offense was next to unstoppable. “They didn’t even need to play the second half in over half the games,” their former coach Dale Mueller said.

Another note, while we respect and give coverage to golf, tennis, track and field, wrestling, cross country, bowling and others, we consider those individual sports, so any of those teams will not make the list.

Here we go!

Day 1 – 1998 Highlands football team The Bluebirds of the late 20th century didn’t just beat teams, they bludgeoned them.

So much so they outscored their opponents 801-203 in a 15-0 season that came with a Class 3A state title (only four classes at that time), their 13th title in program history. That’s an average of 53.4 points per game while giving up 13.5, an average

margin of victory of 39.4 points per game.

That’s an average of a running clock every game. Their closest game was a 51-41 victory over Male in the season opener, the

Mr. Football (Lorenzen) threw for 3,392 yards and 42 touchdowns while rushing for 904 yards and 15 touchdowns in ’98. Smith was a first team all-state selection in both football and basketball that season, three times earning the distinction in basketball and twice in football. The two went on to play at the University of Kentucky together, Lorenzen is still UK’s all-time passing leader with 10,354 yards. He won a Super Bowl as a member of the New York Giants in 2008. Smith was an All-SEC tight end and ended up playing one year with the Cincinnati Bengals. The two are also members Continues on page 12

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Continued from page 11

of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame and many other Halls of Fame.

Other standouts include Scott Kunhein, he was the 3A Kentucky Lineman of the Year and a “That’s My Boy” award recipient as well as a finalist for the Buddy LaRosa Athlete of the Year. Kuhnhein earned a full athletic scholarship to play football at The Ohio State University (OSU) where he was a member of the 2002 National Championship team and a three-time letter winner.

Other top players included Noah Gibson, Brian Ulbright, Brennan Jones, Brendan Zenni and Nate Birkley.

The Birds were simply unstoppable and one of the best teams ever assembled out of NKY.

guided Holmes to the title in his first season as head coach.

They didn’t hit exceptionally well with just three batters over the .300 mark, but they were disciplined and excelled at fundamentals, situational baseball and pitching.

They had an overwhelming left-handed pitcher in Gary Sargent, who pitched all three games in the state tournament (would never happen in today’s game with pitch count limits). Sargent would go on to play college ball at Indiana.

Tom Haney anchored third base, Jim Curry patrolled left field and Bill Blackburn played right field. The infield was steadied by shortstop Wayne Ferguson and a group of fundamentally sound defenders who rarely beat themselves. Catcher was Ralph Murphy, who hit a blistering .778 in the state tournament.

Day 2 – 1963 Holmes baseball team They had a Major Leaguer in Charlie “Pee Wee” Taylor, who was a freshman on the team. Taylor played for the Houston Astros and later worked in the office of the Cincinnati Reds from 1977-81 and was a pitching coach in the player development system for the Houston Astros from 1982-2012.

The 1963 Holmes baseball team was the seventh baseball state champion from NKY. The Bulldogs went 23-3 that season with first-year coach Jon Draud. Draud, a former standout athlete at Eastern Kentucky University who would later serve as Kentucky commissioner of education, a state representative, school superintendent and longtime Kenton County commissioner, was only 25 years old when he

In the postseason, they beat Holy Cross (5-4) and Ludlow (5-2) in the district tournament. They took down Newport Central Catholic (2-0), Pendleton County (16-6) and Boone County (4-1) in the region tournament. They went on to defeat McDowell (5-0), Louisville Flaget (5-4) and Lone Oak (3-0) in the state tournament.

Coach Draud often noted that nine members of the team earned college degrees, reflecting the character and discipline that defined the group both on and off the field.

The Bulldogs carry the distinction as the lone city public school to last win a state

THE WEEKLY COMIC

by Andrew Buchanan

baseball title out of NKY (Newport won in 1940 and ‘41). After a run of seven state titles from NKY teams from 1940-63, there’s only been one state baseball champ since from NKY: the 2002 Covington Catholic baseball team.

Day 4 – 2021 Notre Dame Academy girls soccer

Day 3 – 2019 Covington Catholic football team

The 2019 Covington Catholic football team put together one of the most dominant seasons in NKY football history. Under head coach Eddie Eviston, the Colonels completed a perfect 15-0 season and captured the Class 5A state championship.

CovCath overwhelmed opponents from start to finish, outscoring them 564-91 and posting six shutouts along the way. Their average margin of victory was 31.5 points per game, ranking among the best in the state that season. In the postseason, the Colonels were even more dominant, winning all five playoff games by an average of 28 points. The championship run culminated with a victory over previously unbeaten Frederick Douglass. Adding to an already impressive résumé, the Colonels defeated Ohio Division II state champion La Salle during the regular season. Outside of the state championship, they had just one other game within one possession, a 39-38 victory over Lexington Catholic.

While the offense regularly filled the scoreboard, scoring more than 40 points eight times and at least 30 points in 11 games, the team’s identity was its suffocating defense. The Colonels finished among Kentucky’s leaders in rushing defense, sacks, and interceptions, earning a reputation as one of the state’s best defensive units ever.

They were also ranked No. 45 nationally by MaxPreps.

Leading the way was Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Football Michael Mayer, who later starred at University of Notre Dame, where he became the program’s all-time leader in receptions by a tight end and now plays tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders. Standout quarterback Caleb Jacob went on to play at Georgetown College, while kicker David “Trey” Gronotte continued his career at Navy. Mayer caught 50 passes for 970 yards and 15 touchdowns in the ‘19 season. Jacob threw for 2,817 yards and 33 touchdowns, Gronotte hit 68-of-71 extra-point attempts and 9-of-12 on field goal attempts. The defense forced 28 turnovers. Daniel Felix led the rushing attack with 815 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ethan Reardon was the wide receiver threat with 45 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns. Mayer led the team in tackles with 99, Daniel had 77. Andrew Molique had six interceptions, Mayer had four.

Their perfect season, dominant defense

12 JULY 3, 2026

and state championship run solidified the 2019 Colonels as one of the defining teams in Kentucky high school football history.

This Notre Dame soccer team wasn’t just statewide good, they were nationally good, finishing No. 3 in the nation by MaxPreps rankings. They went 28-0-1, outscored opponents 118-4 and set state records for wins and shutouts (25). They didn’t allow more than one goal in a game all season.

They had numerous players go on to play Division I soccer and were guided by first year head coach Suli Kayed. Opponents couldn’t focus on stopping just one scorer because dangerous threats existed all over the field. They were led by Marina Ruthsatz and Macie Feldman in goals with 18 apiece.

Eleanor Simkonis and Kennedy Clark also scored double-digit goals on the season with 16 and 14, respectively. They had 18 players score at least one goal.

Top distributors were Feldman with 21 assists, Ellie Greenwell with 15, Clark with 12 and Ruthsatz with 10. Goalkeeper Abby Breeze posted a microscopic 0.10 goalsagainst average and recorded 22 individual shutouts. The back line, anchored by Natalie Bain and a veteran defensive unit, allowed only four goals all season.

The roster was loaded with college-level talent. Bain committed to Xavier, Kennedy Clark committed to Xavier and Greenwell committed to Ohio. Several other players would continue their careers at the collegiate level as well, reflecting the depth that separated Notre Dame from most opponents. Bain was the state tournament MVP, Amber Branum and Clark were named to the All-Tournament team.

The season culminated with a 1-0 victory over South Oldham in the state championship match. The lone goal came when Natalie Bain headed home a corner kick from Ellie Greenwell early in the second half, securing the program’s latest state title and the record-setting 25th shutout.

They were literally lights, camera, action as this was the first season for them with lights on their home field at the Buenger Sports Complex. Fittingly, one of the most dominant teams in state history became the first Panda squad to shine under the lights, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for a season that will long be remembered in NKY soccer history.

In the end, the 2021 Pandas weren’t simply champions, they set the standard.

State-record wins. State-record shutouts.

Only four goals conceded. A national topthree ranking. A roster full of future college

players. Under a first-year head coach, they produced a season that remains one of the greatest ever seen in Kentucky girls soccer.

Day 5 – 1960 Highlands football team

core of the program’s early championship era. Running back James Burt anchored the ground game and emerged as one of the team’s top performers, later becoming a standout multi-sport athlete at Western Kentucky University, where he earned All-American honors in football.

The roster also featured Joseph Ross, a two-sport contributor who went on to the United States Air Force Academy. He competed in both football and track at the collegiate level before serving as a fighter pilot in Vietnam.

The 1960 Bluebirds not only delivered the first of 23 state championships, they helped establish Highlands as one of the foundational powers in high school football across the nation.

Before Highlands became one of Kentucky’s most storied programs, the 1960 Bluebirds laid the foundation for a dynasty that would define decades of success.

Under head coach Homer Rice, Highlands finished a perfect 12-0 season and won the Class 2A state championship, earning the program’s first state title.

That championship was part of an extraordinary three-year run in which Highlands went 35-1 and appeared in three straight state title games. The only setback during that stretch came in 1959, a 12-7 loss to Henderson in the state final, before the Bluebirds responded with back-to-back championships in 1960 and 1961.

What separated Highlands from its peers was its offensive identity. Rice installed an early version of the “triple option” attack, in which the quarterback could hand off, keep, or pitch the football based on defensive reads. At a time when most teams relied on traditional run-heavy systems, the Bluebirds used misdirection and decision-making to control tempo, create uncertainty and generate consistent big-play opportunities.

Quarterback Roger Walz guided the offense and helped establish the leadership

Day 6 – 1980 Villa Madonna volleyball team

With just 158 girls enrolled in the school, the Villa Madonna “Blue Lightning” were one of the smallest programs in Kentucky, but they quickly became one of the most unforgettable. Under coach Carla Austin, Villa Madonna surged through the season with a 39-2 record and captured the overall state championship in just the second year of Kentucky’s volleyball tournament.

The run felt even more impressive because there weren’t and aren’t classifications.

Small schools lined up against the largest programs in the state and Villa Madonna met the challenge head-on. Night after night, they held their own against bigger schools, building momentum toward a championship match that ended in a statement performance: a 15-4, 15-1 victory over Our Lady of Providence.

Even in a near-perfect season, there were reminders of just how high the level of competition was. One of Villa Madonna’s only two losses came against Mother of Mercy, an Ohio powerhouse that went on to win the Class AAA state title.

What made the team endure beyond the title was the talent woven throughout the roster. Fredda Simpson, Lori Erpenbeck, Lisa Warman and Stephanie Scheper all played central roles in the championship run and eventually moved on to Division I volleyball, spreading from Kentucky to Florida State and Tennessee. Simpson would later gain national attention for her movie role in “A League of Their Own,” but in 1980 she was part of a team that turned a small NKY school into a state champion.

Villa Madonna proved that size didn’t set the ceiling, execution did.

Day 7 – 1976 Lloyd Memorial football team

physical line play and relentless defense.

The 1976 Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts have to be in the mix for one of the best teams to come out of NKY. They went 14-0 against a tough Class 3A schedule that included wins over Newport Central Catholic and Highlands during the regular season. The NewCath game is one to remember. Trailing late, the Juggernauts drove the length of the field and completed a forward pass from quarterback Mark Molitor to receiver Doug Berkemeier, something not seen too often in this era of football to win it. The tough regular season schedule had them ready for postseason as they rolled through teams by a combined score of 96-12.

Mark Molitor was the quarterback, Dave Smith and Mika Lockard were the running backs. Bobby Mullins was a standout on defense. Tim Wheeler helped man the offensive line after transferring from Ludlow and the 1975 state championship team.

Other members of the team included receivers Doug Berkemeier and Gary Eades, running backs Steve Hahlen and Kevin Ashley.

The team was coached by Jim “Red Dog” Dougherty as they were labeled a “bunch of blue collar types that just mauled people.”

The defense allowed 89 points all season and the Juggernauts outscored teams 43489. Lloyd’s average margin of victory was nearly 25 points per game.

Dave Smith scored two touchdowns in the 24-0 state championship victory over Shelby County at University of Kentucky’s Commonwealth Stadium. Mika Lockard added a touchdown while Tim Pumphrey kicked a field goal and three extra points for the Juggernauts.

Erlanger was the place to be in the fall of ‘76. The stadium was packed and the band was huge, stretching from one 20-yard line to the other.

Dougherty, a NKY coaching legend, took over the program in 1974 and built the Juggernauts into a powerhouse known for

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real estate

Living large in Covington Address: 210 E. Eighth St. Price: $565,000 Bedrooms: Two Bathrooms: Two (plus one half bath) Square footage: 2,075 School district: Covington Independent Public Schools County: Kenton Special features: This Victorian home in Covington’s Licking Riverside neighborhood offers two bedrooms and three baths across 2,075 square feet of living space. Features include high ceilings, an open floor plan, a gourmet kitchen, a primary suite with a walk-in closet and private balcony, a fenced yard and a large attic with potential for additional living or work space.

The kitchen space inside of this Kenton County home.

The exterior of this Covington home. Photos by Andre Bogle | Coldwell Banker Realty FM

The backyard area of this Covington property.

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 Notice is hereby given that the City of Florence, Kentucky, will receive bids Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 10:00 am. local time at the Florence Government Center, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, Florence, KY, 41042 for the Gettysburg Lane & Planters Trail-Street Improvements Project. This Notice was published by posting in full on the City of Florence, Kentucky Internet Website, www.florence-ky.gov. The address where the full posting may be directly viewed is https://florence-ky.gov/publication-ofbid-solicitations-enacted-ordinances/. The public has the right to inspect and obtain a copy of any document associated with the posting by contacting the City Clerk of the City of Florence, Kentucky, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, Florence, KY, 41042, Telephone no. 859-647-8177. This advertisement was paid for by the City of Florence, Kentucky, using taxpayer dollars in the amount of $65.37. /s/Melissa Kramer MELISSA KRAMER, CITY CLERK CITY OF FLORENCE, KENTUCKY

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

14 JULY 3, 2026

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SUDOKU

The Weekly Edited

by MargieCrossword E. Burke

Difficulty: Medium

6 2 3

8 2

9 /27/26 - 5/3/26

3 1

4 2 3 9

5 3

8

5

7 1

8 2 2 5Edited 1 6 7

by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

4 2 3 9

7

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

Answer to Previous Sudoku:

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

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS TOrawSOLVE: 1 HOW It may be 15 16 14 5 Gilbert of "The Each row must contain the 19 17 18 Conners" numbers 1 to 9; each column must 9 Plant contain thesupport numbers 1 20to 9; and 21 22 14 "Giant" each set of 3author by 3 boxes must 24 25 Ferber contain the numbers231 to 9.

15 Make arrange26 27 28 29 30 31 32 ments Answer to Previous Sudoku: 35 36 16 Glass-polishing 33 34 powder 37 38 39 17 Stabbing in the back 42 40 41 19 Leafstalk angles 44 45 43 20 Not quite right 21 Forever 46 47 48 49 50 51 23 Computer 55 56 52 53 54 capacity 24 Unmusical 58 59 57 26 Mary Kay rival 61 62 60 28 Do away with 29 Tend the sauce 63 64 65 33 Daisy-like Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate flowers 35 Type of terrier 37 Prosecuted DOWN 32 Actor Jonathan 47 Merlin of football again 1 Hinder, legally ___ Meyers and TV 39 Through the 2 Fluid build-up 33 Javelin paths 48 ___-one: long ears 3 "Star Trek" 34 "Will be", in a odds (2 wds.)

40 Turns to ashes warp drive fuel Doris Day song 50 Tractor surname 42 Steep-sided hills 4 "___ and the 36 "It is what it is" 51 Court call 43 Calcutta wear Real Girl" (2007 and others 52 M, to Einstein 44 Draft source film) 38 Business inter- 53 Penny ___ 45 In ___ of (rather 5 Bond, e.g. actions 54 Last name in than) 6 1979 sci-fi 41 Springer or fashion 46 Arranges in classic Brittany 56 Assistant sequence 7 Tirade deliverers 59 PA time zone 49 Old name for 8 "Rugrats" brat Answers to Previous Crossword: Tokyo 9 Doctor's orders K N O B M O B S A S T E P 52 Former Secre10 University in S P E C S A U D I I O W A tary of State San Marcos L A N C A S T E R P U R G E Albright 11 Seed cover E P I C E N T E R T A S K S 55 Laser's kin 12 "A View to a S H A D V O C A L 57 Dye-yielding ___" (Bond film) A M U L E T B E N T E U R shrubs 13 Effortless A N N E P U N I S H M E N T 58 Like a nonagon 18 Oregon city on E A T E R M E T E P L E D 60 Ran off with the Columbia L A V E N I T R I C A C I D 61 Comprehends 22 Bridge call E N E S I N E T U R K E Y 62 Truth alternative 25 Fill with anxiety N A T A L R E L Y 63 Canary's kin 27 Very thin pasta P A T R O N A G E P L O W S N O S T A L G I C O F F E R 64 Opening for a 30 "Voices Carry" D R I P I R M A S T U N K coin pop group S E N D S E P T H A L T S 65 Ogler 31 Emerald ___

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

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