LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 4, Edition 6 - January 9, 2026

KENTON

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 6 — JANUARY 9, 2026

THE VOICE OF NKY

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What makes a candidate eligible to run, and who decides if they’re not?

By Nathan Granger

A

clown is running to be Ludlow’s mayor. Literally.

Paul Hallinan Miller is a former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus clown and the face of both Bircus Brewing and Circus Mojo, which provides training in circus performance.

Miller also filed to run for the Ludlow mayoral seat next year. His platform, he told LINK nky, would focus on affordable housing, creating jobs and dissolving the city.

“My platform is that we shouldn’t exist,” Miller said. He argues the city ought to be absorbed into either Fort Wright or Covington.

Can a mayor do that? Well, no, not directly. Dissolving the city would require a voter referendum, according to Kentucky law, but such a referendum would likely get Continues on page 3

Elm Street in Ludlow. Photo provided | The City of Ludlow

Inside LINK:

We’ve got quite the 2026 ahead of us

By Meghan Goth

I

t was one of those years where each week, without fail, I knew the following week was finally going to be the one that slowed down.

It never happened, but there’s always this year!

When I sat down to look back at some of the biggest stories from 2025, I realized why our weeks here at LINK just kept getting crazier.

The exterior of the Tower Park Mess Hall during Election Day 2024. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky

The year started out with lane closures on the Big Mac Bridge after several people allegedly set a fire at the 1000 Hands Playground on the Cincinnati side of the river underneath the bridge in November 2024.

Closures lasted until February 2025, leading to the Bridging Back Business initiative to try to make up some of the lack of business in Newport during that time.

The closure hinted at what Covington and Newport may soon face with the closure of the Fourth Street Bridge, expected this month. More on that below.

Former Northern Kentucky University President Jim Votruba died in March 2025.

We have a special place for him in our hearts here at LINK nky because he was on our Editorial Board, which gives us feedback and helps us make sure we are staying true to our mission.

While he may be most well known because of his tenure at NKU, which stretched from

A look back at the restaurants that opened and closed in 2025 p10 It’s the new year and it’s cold. Here are some spots to go for comfort food p12 If you’re taking the month off or you never drink, these mocktails are delish p13

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more traction with an official’s endorsement.

Miller is a fixture around the Ludlow community, known for his brewing and circus training. He’s even given a TED talk.

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

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Yet, he’s been in and out of court for years in various lawsuits involving his business entities. What’s more, shortly after he announced his campaign, LINK nky learned that many people in the city were under the impression that he did not, in fact, live in the city, even though his businesses were located there.

Even if you don’t live in Ludlow, Miller’s candidacy presents quite a few quandaries about how elections work in Kentucky.

LINK nky investigated the question of Miller’s residency, which in truth gave rise to even more questions.

Miller’s candidacy paperwork lists his address as a building on Oak Street, which, according to county property records, is owned not by Miller as an individual but by one of his businesses, the Institute of Social Circus and Training Center. This property is currently tied up in a lawsuit with the city, but the land on which the building sits is zoned for residential use.

The property listed on his voting registration, on the other hand, is part of the old Doxol Propane Plant on Highway Avenue, the main building of which is covered in a distinct, bright blue paint.

Bircus purchased the property in 2019, and it achieved status on the National Register of Historic Places in 2023. The area where the property is located, however, is not zoned for residential use.

Finally, Miller’s voting records show he changed registration addresses in August 2025 from a property in Park Hills to the Oak Street address. The property owner of the Park Hills address is currently listed as Miller’s ex-wife, whom he divorced in October 2025, according to court records. Miller changed his registration address again on Nov. 17, 2025, to the address on Highway Avenue.

Finally, LINK nky requested his driver’s license information through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as a way of assessing his residency, but news organizations can’t legally access those records. Miller showed LINK his application materials; however, the address on those documents shows the Oak Street address.

So, the evidence LINK nky has seen seems to suggest that Miller does, in fact, live in Ludlow.

Miller affirmed this when the discrepancies were pointed out to him: “I live in Ludlow,” he said.

Still, Miller’s case opens questions about elections: Can candidates and voters use business addresses on election paperwork? What role do county clerks, who field election papers, have in assessing said papers’ legitimacy?

Ludlow mayoral candidate Paul Hallinan Miller in 2015. File photo | LINK nky archives

And why is one of the properties he lists on his paperwork in a lawsuit with the city?

Bona fide candidates A mayor must be a resident of the city where he holds office for at least a year prior to his being elected, according to state law.

Who verifies that residency?

Kentucky legal opinion is clear on the role of county clerks when it comes to assessing candidacy paperwork. Essentially, it’s not the clerk’s role to assess a candidate’s legitimacy; it’s the voters’. But what does this actually mean in practice?

Turns out this question has come before the courts before, and there have been several cases in Kentucky that have established this precedent. The Attorney General’s Office has also issued its own opinions on the issue in the past. The statute (i.e. a written law passed by the Kentucky General Assembly) that governs clerks’ duties states that they must accept a candidate’s filing if it is “regular on its face.” This phrasing is admittedly vague, but it’s the foundation of many of the legal opinions, both from judges and the Attorney General, affirming candidate filings.

One Attorney General opinion from 1977, for instance, reiterates the statute that when someone submits candidacy paperwork, “it must be accepted by the county clerk if the filing paper is regular on its face.” Subsequent opinions uphold this, and the 1977 opinion elaborates on the purview of county clerks.

“The Supreme Court of Kentucky has held

in a number of cases that when a candidate’s filing papers are substantially correct in form and in the manner prescribed by the statutes, it is not within the providence of the clerk to go behind the paper to determine whether it was rightfully done or to question the qualifications of the candidate,” the 1977 opinion elaborates, citing case law.

So, what if someone believes a candidate isn’t qualified for office? Short answer: Take them to court. Voters and candidates’ opponents can sue a candidate in circuit court if they believe that candidacy is unlawful. This is called a bona fides (which roughly translates to “in good faith” in Latin) challenge.

Bona fides challenges have happened before in Northern Kentucky. One, for instance, occurred last year in Crescent Springs after a city resident sued two candidates, Carol McGowan and Chad Longbons, for allegedly gathering improper signatures for their candidate petitions.

Judge Kathy Lape later struck down this challenge.

What about using business addresses? And what counts as a residency?

This is a little harder to tease out. The Attorney General ruled in 1965 that voters could not list a business address as places of residency, but that opinion was in regard to a law that has since been repealed. A current law stipulates that “a voter’s residence shall be deemed to be at the place where his or her habitation is, and to which, when absent, he or she has the intention of returning.” That includes addresses for shelters for people who are homeless. That law does Continues on page 4

JANUARY 9, 2026 3

Continued from page 3

Miller was involved in another lawsuit, this one federal, in the late 2000s with a Chicago-based circus training company, CircEsteem, which Miller helped to found. As reported by the news outlet, Chicago Reader, “the list of allegations includes trademark infringement, cyberpiracy, breach of duty and misappropriation of trade secrets.” Legal documents for this suit were not immediately available.

not speak about candidates, however.

Miller in office, Miller in court Miller was upfront with his criticisms of both Ludlow’s city government and NKY’s’s overall political structure, which he described as “immature” at best and bloated with corruption at worst.

He pointed to the conflicts and scandals that have characterized the Ludlow city government recently as justification: A city council member licking City Manager Scott Smith earlier this year. Conflicts over the same city manager’s pension benefits, which included another (former) council member getting arrested. Tax increases.

And, what Miller described as a generalized institutional rot at the both the county and city level, which he contends has prevented small business owners like him from flourishing.

“There’s so many little fiefdoms that everybody runs, and it is really wasteful and provides for some people to abuse their power,” Miller said.

When asked if he was worried that the ambiguities of his papers might put him at risk for a bona fides challenge, Miller replied, “I expect a challenge... I cannot wait for a day in court.”

Miller has, in truth, spent many days in court. His current lawsuit involves the Oak Street property and several other Ludlow properties, which were deeded to the In-

Ludlow’s current mayor is Sarah Thompson, who was appointed to the position in September after the preceding mayor, Chris Wright, resigned in August. Miller is the only candidate to have filed to run as Ludlow’s mayor, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State, as of Dec. 15, 2025.

The Doxol Propane Plant on Highway Avenue. Photo provided | Google Maps

stitute of Social Circus and Training Center by the city in 2012 for the purposes of redevelopment. Miller had hoped to rehab the properties to later use to train circus performers. The deed that granted the property to Miller’s business stipulated the center would occupy the property and not try to sell or transfer it within 10 years of accepting it without permission from the city.

these mortgages without obtaining the city’s permission, the lawsuit contends.

Miller, through the center, later took out two mortgages on the properties, one through Home Savings Bank and the other through the Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority. The money from the second, valued at $100,000 (not including interest), was used to pay off debt owed to the finance authority by another one of Miller’s businesses, Circus Mojo. Miller got

This suit has slogged on for years through at least one failed settlement attempt, the separation of Miller and his attorney and multiple extension requests from parties involved.

“[The Institute of Social Circus and Training Center] took the properties for the sole purpose of using them as collateral to acquire assets to fund [the center] and its members’ personal business ventures,” the city’s complaint alleges.

Jan. 9 is the last day to register to vote in Kentucky for the May primary. Scan this QR code to stay up to date on who has filed at LINK nky’s Election HQ

Miller described the lawsuit as “a joke” and a contrivance by the city to keep tourism from coming into Ludlow.

Kentucky now allows for Public Notices to be published digitally on LINK nky’s website.

You can find public notices for the following organizations on our site at https://linkreader.column.us/search

LEGAL NOTICE The City of Ludlow, Kentucky, adopted Ordinance 2025-16 An Ordinance Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2025 Through June 30, 2026 for the City of Ludlow, Kentucky, Calling for Revenue of $5,678,100.00 $6,012,310.81 and Expenditures of $5,097,840.00 $5,980,932.43 on December 4, 2025. The ordinance may be viewed in full on our website https://www.ludlow.org/government.aspx. A copy of the ordinance may be obtained by contacting the City of Ludlow, 51 Elm Street, P.O. Box 16188, Ludlow, KY 41016; (859) 491-1233.

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1997 to 2012, in Northern Kentucky, Votruba has always been known for his leadership, mentorship and kindness.

“Jim pioneered the way on so many fronts for NKU and this community,” said Karen Finan, president and CEO of the OneNKY Alliance. Finan worked with Votruba in many capacities, including as a board member of EducateNKY. “He had a wisdom about him that always balanced the room and steadied all sides so we could have logical discussion and impact could be achieved. He was a beacon, a mentor and a role model for so many and he will be remembered for his incredible contributions to this community.”

The LINK nky team fanned out to meetings across the region all year, from Covington to Florence to Alexandria. They told stories about potential developments and kept residents apprised of what their taxes will look like next year or how to vote in order to try to keep taxes from going up.

We also told the stories of everyday people finding themselves in unexpected situations.

During a rainy spring, Harold Enda, who lives on top of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Latonia, found himself and his building completely surrounded by water.

The building was completely inaccessible to outside foot traffic.

But Enda didn’t seem to mind.

“I didn’t know it was going to get that high,” Enda told LINK nky in a phone call. “The next thing I know, I look out and the parking lot was covered in water.”

The water eventually went down, but not before some friends floated over in a boat to get him out.

There were some stories out of Ludlow that we weren’t expecting, like one about a council member who licked the city manager, and the arrest of a former city council member in April 2025.

We launched the Reader’s Choice Awards, which showcased businesses, residents, nonprofits and many more in the NKY community. Learn more about the 2025 Readers Choice awards at linknky.com/ readerschoice and stay tuned for this year’s contest!

In August 2025, we noticed a giant circular structure being built near I-275 in Fort

Wright. Turns out, y’all were curious too, because it was one of our most clicked on stories of the year.

We found out it’s a 10.5 million-gallon equalization tank, designed to collect excessive water runoff during extreme weather events.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list— just some examples of stories we told this year that had a big impact on the community (or on you).

Toward the end of 2025, we turned our focus to the 2026 election. We launched our LINK nky Election HQ in November 2025 even though there aren’t any races for the region to vote on until May. Why? In 2024, we profiled 222 candidates in contested elections. This year, we will profile just as many if not more.

Not only that, but in a region with 36 cities and municipalities and 13 public school districts, it’s hard to figure out what races you’re even voting in, let alone who the people are you’re voting for.

Scan the QR code to go to our Election HQ, where you will find updated information about what dates are approaching, how to participate and what to know before you vote.

And look at that—that brings us to 2026.

Here are some of the stories and topics I anticipate being top of mind for the community this year.

At the polls This year is a big election year for NKY. Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties have had judges/executive that work together well for almost three decades now: Gary Moore, Kris Knochelmann and Steve Pendery, respectively.

The Fourth Street Bridge. File photo | LINK nky

very satisfied with their local government, and a lot of the cities and counties have been lowering taxes or at least not raising them, even with economic uncertainty, and that bodes well for incumbents,” Noem told LINK nky.

From statewide offices to local council races, candidates have not been shy about throwing their hats in the ring. Anyone interested in running for office must register with their county or the secretary of state

by Jan. 9.

As for the topics likely to be on voters’ minds when they go to the ballot, Noem said education and healthcare are probably the biggest issues.

“A lot of our elections are going to be focused on who can right the ship in a big way,” Noem said. “And the issues that matter the most to Kentuckians right now are

health and education.”

On the roads The Fourth Street Bridge, connecting Newport and Covington, is set to close in January for longstanding improvements. The current bridge was built in 1936 and is not up to modern standards, though it is still capable of handling basic bridge traffic.

Cycling and pedestrian groups also worked closely with state and local governments to create lanes for people who are traveling without a car.

While the last couple years led to many conversations about what the bridge should look like, how many lanes it should have and how it should accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, Newport and Covington are now turning their attention to making sure small businesses aren’t negaContinues on page 6

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Moore is facing a challenger in current Commissioner Chet Hand, and Pendery is being challenged by Alexandria Mayor Andy Schabell, so it will be interesting to see how those races play out and what effect that will have on the counties’ ability to work together in the years ahead.

Zooming out, NKY is set to help decide the future of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat and whether Rep. Thomas Massie will keep his congressional seat.

But on a very local level, Shane Noem, chair of the Kenton County Republican Party, said most other local races are likely to be par for the course.

“I think most Northern Kentuckians are

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Former NKU president Jim Votruba. Photo provided | NKU

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tively affected the way they were when the Big Mac Bridge caught fire.

After a fire damaged the bridge in November 2024, closures had a disastrous effect on Newport businesses until all lanes reopened in February 2025.

“It was like seeing the air being let out of the balloon,” said Party Source General Manager Micah Dennison.

Party Source, one of the largest brick-andmortar alcohol stores in the United States, experienced a devastating sales decline during the winter. Dennison estimated that the bridge closure affected 20% to 25% of the business.

“When we think about this business, November and December are the biggest months of the year,” Dennison said. “It’s very backloaded. That’s when you do most of your sales. It was extremely impactful to us.”

Coupled with the impending construction of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor project and its attending closures, local leaders have been working to come up with ways to soften the blow local businesses and communities might suffer as a result of the closures.

“We’re trying to do the best we can to bring this to the state’s attention that the sooner they get that done, it would be better for our residents and our businesses,” Covington Mayor Ron Washington told LINK nky.

In November 2025, leaders from Newport, Covington and Kenton and Campbell counties asked the state for an infusion of cash that would accelerate the timeline by 30 to 45 days. The project is currently expected to be completed sometime in 2028.

In an effort to combat the problem before it starts, the City of Covington started the

An aerial photo of the VFW in Latonia on the morning of April 5, 2025, before the river crested. Photo provided | James Toebbe

Bridging the Gap initiative, an effort to help the community make it though the closures.

One strategy, City Manager Sharmili Reddy said, is coordinating with local businesses, organizations and community leaders to come up with novel solutions to the problem.

“We don’t think that we have all the answers and all the solutions, and we need everybody to bring their solutions to the table and hopefully partner with us on some of these ideas,” Reddy said, later adding that meetings with local stakeholders thus far suggests that “everybody wants to help.”

At the statehouse Our most viewed story of 2025 was about a Beechwood High School superintendent who lost his license to work in education in Kentucky after he was found not to have

reported a teacher who admitted to grooming at least one student in 2020.

The story led us to discover that, in Kentucky, it is legal to have sex with a student— as long as that student is 18.

Rep. James Tipton, a Republican from Taylorsville, sponsored bills to require teachers to disclose past investigations to future employees in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

None of the bills have passed, but, Tipton said, he once worked on a bill for six sessions before it finally passed, and now everyone thinks it’s “the greatest thing since apple pie.”

The issue will likely be discussed at some level in Frankfort this year.

“I would anticipate that it be brought up again [in 2026],” Tipton said. “I’m debating whether or not to try and find another

sponsor.”

Grooming is also not addressed in Kentucky state law, though one NKY legislator made it clear she hopes to change that.

Rep. Marianne Proctor, a Republican from Union, introduced a bill in September 2025 to define and criminalize grooming.

A draft version of the legislation says that an adult would be guilty of grooming a minor under the age of 14 if they have “intent to entice, coerce, solicit or prepare the minor to engage in sexual conduct with the person or another person” or are a person of authority over a minor with such intention. Violating the law would be a Class A misdemeanor, unless the victim is under the age of 12, which would be a Class D felony, with a possible sentence of one to five years in prison.

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Grit and grind! Kenton Hornbeck’s lookback at 2025

By Kenton Hornbeck

L

ast year, I said that 2024 was a weird year for me professionally. I don’t want to be redundant, but this year was as well.

Doing anything for four years in a row can lead to malaise, but as you get further along in your journey, you find new ways to inspire yourself. This year, I had to find new ways to challenge myself. In some aspects, I believe I succeeded; in others, the jury is still out. Maybe that’s just me being too self-critical, but that’s the winding road of having a career.

portunity to sit down with his sons—Ludwig, John and Joe—and his wife, Pat, to discuss his legacy. I arrived at John’s house in Latonia on a cold, late-February morning, not knowing what to expect. Upon arrival, I was cheerfully greeted by the family.

Throughout our conversation, we looked through old pictures of Noll with his family and various community members.

It dawned on me that I would be responsible for encapsulating Mick Noll’s legacy for the public. I don’t mean this egotistically at all. I mean, that’s actually what I was doing, and I was trusted by the family to do so, which meant a great deal to me.

Regardless, I’m thankful and proud to have this platform afforded to me. Even four years in, I’m still enamored that I actually write for a living. Truly, I’m so grateful for it.

It allows me to be creative, inquisitive and nuanced all at the same time. I set out as a kid to be in the media (I know, what a weird dude), and now I’m doing it. I’m proud to wake up every day and pursue the career I wanted as a kid. It’s always been my North Star, even when I didn’t want to admit it to myself.

It was a daunting task because I wanted to knock it out of the park. In the end, I think I did a good job, which is all I wanted.

In addition, I was honored to receive the 2025 Outstanding New Reporter award from the Greater Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists, following in the footsteps of my colleagues Nathan Granger and Haley Parnell, who have received the same honor in previous years.

Community defends Cooper basketball coach Tim Sullivan amid uncertain future

Another interesting wrinkle to this story is that West Sixth Brewing on Sixth Street is the former home of Noll’s Covington Haus.

My girlfriend and I now go to that bar regularly. It’s not lost on me that the bar I now go to was once the pride of Noll and his family.

It feels like this cosmic, full-circle kind of thing to me.

board meeting on March 13, 2025, where multiple players and parents spoke positively of Sullivan’s tenure with the Jaguars.

Cooper and Sullivan parted ways after the season.

This story required me to be thoughtful of the players and parents impacted by the announcement. At this point, the Jaguars hadn’t played in the ninth region championship game yet, so people were concerned that this situation could affect the team.

I tried to convey the atmosphere of the meeting through my writing. Parents and players shared personal anecdotes regarding Sullivan’s individual impact on them. It became a story about mentorship and loyalty, viewed through the lens of sports.

It seemed to get a good reception, which I was happy about.

NKY districts fight growing teacher shortage

Unataza Coffee’s large window welcomes sunshine on a snowy day. Photo by Maria Hehman | LINK nky contributor

how sweeping changes in economic policy affected local small businesses. Of course, people can interpret information differently, but that’s what I wanted to convey.

I spoke to two small business owners, Kara Acri of Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck and Alejandra Flores of Unataza Coffee, to understand the impacts of tariffs on their business. I also provided the opinion of Brent Cooper, president and CEO of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

I enjoyed writing this story because I felt like it turned out well-rounded and fair.

Again, that’s my perspective, but I stand by it.

Here’s to 2026, folks!

From Covington Haus to CovHaus: Honoring Mick Noll’s enduring legacy

A teacher writes an equation on a white board.

Photo provided | Hatice Baran via Unsplash

How NKY Is supporting seniors’ well-being

This story hits at the core of education in our region, something that affects most people. Teacher pay has always been a hot-button issue. Now, teacher pay is an issue that has been folded into the broader teacher shortage discussion.

Cooper head coach Tim Sullivan celebrates after winning the 33rd District championship. It's Sullivan's seventh district title with the program. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

Sports writing is in my DNA. Truthfully, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Hopefully, in the future, I’ll get more opportunities to write about sports, but in the meantime, I’ll take what I can get.

Mick Noll bartending at the original Covington Haus. Photo provided | Noll family

This was one of those stories that reminds you why you decided to pursue journalism as a career. Mick Noll, a legendary figure in Covington throughout the second half of the 20th century, was being honored by the city for his contributions.

Noll was many things: father, husband, restaurateur, bar owner, festival organizer, artist, Peace Corps member, churchgoer and most importantly, a resident of Covington.

With the city honoring Noll, I had the op-

This story was one that required delicacy.

Cooper High School’s longtime boys basketball coach, Tim Sullivan, was on the hot seat after a successful tenure with the Jaguars.

Sullivan, initially hired in 2008, was the first—and to that point, only—boys basketball coach in school history. During his tenure, the Jaguars netted nine district titles, two regional titles and one state runner-up.

However, on the eve of the ninth region title game, it was announced that Sullivan’s coaching contract wouldn’t be renewed.

The Cooper community and basketball team reacted with anger and confusion.

They rallied around Sullivan at a school

For our education special issue, I was assigned to explore the local teacher shortage and how school districts are tackling it.

I wanted to be solutions-focused through my writing, explaining how districts were offering creative solutions, rather than excoriating them.

Plus, I explored teacher burnout, a problem that, although recognizable, is seldom discussed in a way that those outside education can relate to personally. Every profession has its challenges, and burnout is an inevitable part of life. People might view it merely as a mental health concern instead of recognizing it as an endemic problem that could affect the education of young individuals during a critical developmental stage.

Overall, I thought the article turned out well and could serve as a productive public resource for people interested in the issue.

Tariffs hit home: NKY businesses adjust to life under tariff policy I wanted this story not to serve as a statement on tariff policy, but rather a look at

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman cuts the ribbon to Senior CommUnity Care of Northern Kentucky’s new building in Florence. Provided | Senior CommUnity Care of Northern Kentucky

This was another story I enjoyed writing, as I explored elder care in the region through the lens of Senior CommUnity Care of Northern Kentucky.

From my talks with them, I was able to get a better picture on the services they provided, in addition to how their patients felt about them, which was worthwhile.

Similar to the teacher shortage issue, this was another chance for me to hone in on a specific issue that impacts a great deal of people within our region.

One woman I spoke with, Carol Worthman, was very kind and open to my questions.

At 81, she said the organization gave her friendship and camaraderie, something invaluable to her at that point in her life.

JANUARY 9, 2026 7

From aquarium tanks to fire training trailers:

My top stories of 2025

By Haley Parnell

From March through May 2025, I continued to cover the budget and teacher/staff cuts being made in the district:

I

n 2025, my reporting put me face-toface with sharks and stingrays, crawling through a firefighter training course, sitting in a living room filled with a century of memories and digging into local schools.

Then, on May 15, 2025, former Newport Superintendent Tony Watts resigned after a two-hour-long executive session. Now I will have to credit my colleague, Nathan Granger, for attending that meeting and sticking it out through the two-hour closed session to get that story. (I was out of the office for my rehearsal dinner for my wedding, which took place on May 17.)

Every year, LINK nky reporters round up our top five stories from the year. I chose a collection of stories that I think range from having an impact on a community to just being a fun read or memorable interview.

In June 2025, I covered Watts’ exit agreement with the district and the appointment of a new superintendent.

These five stories capture the moments that made the year memorable.

Day in the life of a Newport Aquarium vet: Annual exams for stingrays, sharks

In August 2025, the district reported that it had a balanced budget, and talk of a deficit was over.

Back in February 2025, I got to visit the Newport Aquarium and spend the morning with the aquarium’s veterinarian, Hali Jungers, and veterinary technician, Jolene Hanna, as they gave sharks and stingrays their annual exams.

This story is making my top five, mostly based on morbid curiosity. Being a reporter allows you to enter spaces that the general public doesn’t always get to see. I mean, when was the last time you saw a stingray get an ultrasound? I got to see the aquatic animals get their measurements, blood work and X-rays. I also got to pick the veterinarian’s brain about the animals and how they learned to care for so many different species.

The story itself was fun to write as I tried my best to paint a picture of the day I spent and kept things conversational. I also took lots of photos and videos while I was there, so the story has strong visuals to accompany it.

In November 2025, I covered the update on the permanent superintendent search.

Campbell County Reporter Haley Parnell in fire gear before going through the training course. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky

ing through to imitate fire conditions in a building. The trailer walls are narrow, and obstacles like slick ramps and wires are placed inside. Crews of two or three help one another at a time.

Once one crew makes it through the course, the next goes in, and so on until training ends.

This story began when Campbell Fire/ Rescue Lieutenant Mark Combs, the department’s recruiting and retention coordinator, reached out to invite me to a fire training session.

I was sent into the training trailer (minus the smoke part, I didn’t think I was ready for that) as a crew of three. I had someone in front of me and someone behind me, and thank goodness for that. The first steep ramp we came to, I could hardly make it up. I think I was grabbing onto the person in front of me while the person behind me kept me from falling back down. My helmet wasn’t tight enough, so every time I put my head down (you are crawling on your hands and knees in there), my helmet would fall in front of my eyes.

What I didn’t know was that I’d end up in full fire gear inside the training trailer, too.

You might sense a theme here: I like going to places and seeing things most people don’t get to see.

Nevertheless, we stopped inside so I could take photos and videos. I also took lots of photos and videos of everyone else going through the course, so once again, this story has some strong visuals.

A semi-trailer with a built-in, self-contained breathing apparatus confidence course sits at the back of Campbell Fire/ Rescue Station 12, located at 1050 Racetrack Road in Alexandria. The course is a training program designed to help firefighters develop confidence and proficiency in using self-contained breathing apparatus equipment (the tank of air firefighters wear on their backs) in challenging or stressful situations.

I think I spent at least two or three hours at the station (in someone else’s gear) for this story. It was so much fun, and again, if you have any story ideas that get me out of my comfort zone, I’m all ears.

This story started with me brainstorming niche jobs in the area I could shadow for a story. So, if you have any other ideas, send them my way!

Campbell Fire/Rescue trains next generation with real-life scenarios

The junior firefighters, interns and volunteers are geared up and on air. The course is pitch black inside, with smoke waft8 JANUARY 9, 2026

who were 101 and have been married for 81 years. Again, I find myself asking, how often does a person run into that?

I sat down with Ruth and Vernon Mize and their daughter, Kathy Kuhn, in August 2025 for about two hours and heard their life story. Kuhn invited me to their family home in Florence, so I also got to see how the family lived side-by-side and all of the knick-knacks, crafts and memorabilia from over the years.

Married in 1944, the couple has lived in eight states, has four children and has been together for more than eight decades. They were both born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1924, and witnessed many historical events, including the Roaring ’20s, the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. Newport Independent Schools coverage

From a blind date to 81 years of marriage: Ruth and Vernon Mize’s story I am known around LINK nky for being the reporter who covers people turning 100. In fact, my top five stories list from last year included one of those stories.

This time, though, I got to talk to two people

I was going to pick one story for this, but then I decided, why not just include the entirety of the coverage I’ve done over the last year?

Coverage began in January 2025, when former Newport Finance Director Jennifer Hoover said the school district faced a $3.9 million budget deficit for the 2026 school year. Then, in February 2025, the Newport teacher union called for the superintendent’s removal as the board started looking at job cuts.

The story I was initially going to focus on was written in March 2025. I had spent quite a lot of time conducting interviews and sorting through data to create a big-picture overview of the district’s performance and finances.

That brings us to the most recent development: On Dec. 15, 2025, I reported that Watts was permanently barred from renewing his superintendent certification, according to a decision from the Education Professional Standards Board. On May 2, 2025, the standards board received notice that Watts had failed to report mandatory information about a Newport educator as required by law.

I plan to continue this kind of reporting on Newport Independent Schools in 2026.

Training for tomorrow’s careers starts in kindergarten I’m including this story I wrote as part of LINK nky’s super issue on “workforce” because, after touring Beechwood Independent Schools for it, I told everyone they knocked my socks off.

I got to tour the school and see its new facilities that coincided with its EDGE program.

The school’s EDGE program prepares students for the workforce in kindergarten through 12th grade alongside their regular courses like math, science, social studies and English. EDGE stands for education, design, geared toward experience.

Basically, I felt like I was walking through a college campus, not a high school.

At the high school level, students can choose a “minor,” a four-year course of study selected for ninth through 12th grade. EDGE minors are offered in biomed, informatics, entrepreneurship, culinary, engineering, media, performing arts, environmental and fine arts. During their senior year, students complete their minors through an internship, research or early college or dual-credit coursework aligned with the minor.

I got to speak with a student in the biomedical minor and a teacher in a biomedical science class. Writing this story showed me where education is headed, rather than the stereotypical image of a student in a classroom listening to a teacher and reading from a textbook.

Confusion, hearsay and idle conjecture: 2025 in review

By Nathan Granger

Police searches and constitutional rights: The case of Damien Conner

I

t’s really easy to get complacent—or worse, burnout—in this job.

If you’ve never worked in a newsroom, you might be surprised at the number of professional pitches, press releases, government and business announcements and even straight up ads—or what may as well be ads—flood our inboxes everyday, hoping we’ll grant them coverage. We throw most of these out, truthfully, because they often aren’t relevant to the areas we cover.

Damien Conner during the traffic stop incident.

Photo provided | Covington Police body cam footage.

Would you be surprised to learn that, no, I am not, in fact, interested in writing about the worst cities for dating in the EU? I say this because if you go to any news website, you’d probably be surprised at the number of stories you’ll find that come from interested parties actively seeking out media attention, rather than the shoe leather-style investigation that people think of when they think of journalism.

Granted, sometimes these pitches are newsworthy. It’s good to know that a local nonprofit organization got money for arts education, for instance.

But recapitulating what’s handed to you isn’t why I or most journalists got into this business. The best part of this job is writing stories that bring clarity to the noise and rumor mongering that characterizes our modern media landscape. Or, alternatively, writing stories that people would rather not get out at all, even if they’re germane to the public interest.

Here are my top five stories or story serieses from 2025, all of which have either some kind of investigative or public interest bent to them. They’re kinds of stories that can’t be expressed in a short press release or email, the kinds of stories that only a dedicated community newsroom could tell.

That’s me reflected in the glass. How uncouth! Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

living outside. In reality, there was very little journalistic investigation during the K-Counts; I pretty much just followed the professionals around and talked to people as we encountered them. Yet, it was that rare occasion where I got to tell a straightforward narrative about what happened to me. Oftentimes, journalists are really constrained in how they can use language because you have to be really clear about where and how you got your information and ensure that it’s well attributed and well synthesized in the final story. Not so in this story. I could just sit down and write.

What emerged was a story in which there were competing narratives about what is just and good, which I think journalism can help unpack when done well. What’s more, the story served as a good jumping off point to discuss broader social and political questions about American life: What, in fact, does the law consider a legal police search under the U.S. Constitution? What effect do search policies have on a community’s relationship with the police? What does a legal challenge against these policies look like in practice? The answers may surprise you.

Pit bull ‘starved to death’ under Animal Services’ watch – but whose fault was it?

Empty Commission seats at the Union City Building on Feb. 3, 2025. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

Former TLC Principal William “Sean” Bohannon.

Photo provided | Covington Independent Public Schools.

I’d written about homelessness before, but early on in the year, I had the opportunity to accompany some service organizations during the yearly K-Counts, where professionals literally go around early in the morning and count the number of people

Union’s dissolution

Investigation finds Covington Schools failed to adequately ‘respond to reports of sexual harassment’

Cataloging homelessness: Inside the yearly K-Counts

Vern Havenga sits in his car. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky

still a lot that’s unknown. I don’t know what happened to the principal. Neither he nor his attorneys wanted to talk, but I think he was emblematic of deeper systemic problems at the district. Readers are free to reach their own judgements.

I was not the first (or the last) person to report on Covington Police officer’s search practices, but I occupy a peculiar vantage point to report on it. I go to every Covington Board of Commissioners meeting, and I’m often the only reporter there. So, when I heard the mayor level criticism of media coverage of a lawsuit against this particular officer, I knew I had to investigate.

I spent a year working on this story, and it was the hardest I’ve ever written for a variety of reasons. Much of the information about what actually happened at the TLC was either not publicly accessible (unless you were really informed on where to look) or shrouded in rumor and fear. I had to really dig to find people who were willing to speak on the record about the problems.

The story ended up being profoundly taxing, both emotionally and in terms of actual reportage, but it’s the kind of story I got into journalism to cover, one that exposes wrongdoing and injustice, one that never would have gotten out if we had not written about it.

I still get letters about this story, and there’s

Where were you when the government collapsed? I was covering the election last year, and I started getting phone calls on Election Day that the poll workers were distributing incorrect ballots at polling sites in Boone County. Thus began a process that eventually culminated in the dissolution of Union’s city government, multiple court battles (that are still going on) and the, shall we say, cold-shouldered appointments of replacement legislators by the mayor.

Pit bulls Romulus (shown here) and Remus were left in conditions that may have contributed to Remus’ death. Photo provided | Miami Valley Pit Crew

Although other news outlets eventually caught wind of this story, I was the one who broke it and the one who’s followed it most consistently, but even I have not been able to report on every twist and turn. Still, if you’re interested in society and human beings, you’ll find something interesting: conflict, politics, law, intrigue and the overall workings of democratic institutions.

Even if you’re displeased with how the Union City Commission is currently composed, there’s a lot to learn here about how things work (or don’t work, depending on who you ask).

See you next year!

It’s not always easy to get people to talk to you when you’re investigating something. That was not the case in this story.

Numerous people who were directly involved were angry with how the shelter handled the case of Romulus and Remus, the pit bulls, and the overall conditions at the shelter. Coupled with public records and statements at public meetings, I was able to craft a story about the conditions at the shelter and things going on behind the scenes. Whether this will lead to changes remains to be seen.

JANUARY 9, 2026 9

It was a transitional year for NKY restaurants

A

Openings and closings in 2025

s Northern Kentucky’s restaurant scene evolves, 2025 became a transitional year, seeing the closure of several prominent eateries and the emergence of new ones.

Below is our 2025 Dining Guide’s openings and closing list, so you can stay up to date on NKY’s ever-changing culinary landscape.

Closings Amador Cuban (Newport on the Levee) This Miami-style Cuban restaurant shut its doors in January 2025 after its operating firm, Pensacola Hospitality Group, decided to take a different direction, citing the closure of the Daniel Carter Bridge as a factor that strained the restaurant’s finances. The restaurant, which opened in 2023, served classic Cuban dishes, including the Cubano sandwich, Ropa Vieja (braised flank steak) and Lechon Asado (slow-cooked pork shoulder).

Bridgeview Food Hall (Newport on the Levee) Pensacola Hospitality Group also owned Bridgeview Food Hall, home to vendors like Los Tacos Hermanos, Club Coop and Four Mile Pig. Bridgeview Food Hall opened in 2023 and served as a communal dining hall. The space was reminiscent of an upscale mall food court. It featured a diverse range of restaurants, allowing customers to enjoy a wide selection of cuisines. Similar to Amador Cuban, Pensacola Hospitality Group cited financial troubles following the closure of the Daniel Carter Beard bridge.

Opal Rooftop (Covington) Opal Rooftop signified the growth of Covington’s fine dining offerings, giving customers a pristine rooftop view of the city and downtown Cincinnati’s skyline. With its signature rooftop bar, Opal valued aesthetics and ambiance in addition to its menu, which featured meals prepared

by Grillworks’ wood-fired grill. In January

The new Spear Ridge Cafe in Independence. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

2025, Co-owners Bill and Morgan Whitlow announced the impending closure of Opal, citing financial issues and operational barriers.

Rich’s Proper and Hangry Omar’s Slider Shack (Covington) Rich’s Proper, and its iconic neon sign, have adorned Covington’s Madison Avenue and Sixth Street intersection since opening in 2018. The restaurant featured Creole- and southern-inspired cuisine, along with a large selection of bourbon. On the other hand, Hangry Omar’s was more casual, serving hungry bar-goers from inside the Covington Yard food court.

The Brickery Café & Play (Newport on the Levee) The Brickery Café & Play was a Lego-themed café based in Newport on the Levee. Opened in 2023, the café offered families and LEGO enthusiasts a creative retreat featuring large-scale Lego sets, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Super Mario and Marvel.

The cafe announced its closure in March, with Owner Daniel Johnson acknowledging

the negative impact the closure of the Daniel Carter Beard bridge had on the business.

Hooters (Newport) The floating Newport Hooters officially floated away. The restaurant, along with the other business on its barge, the Beer Sellar, closed in June 2025 alongside around 30 other locations nationwide. In August 2025, the barge on which the two businesses were located was taken down the river by a boat, and what followed were a lot of memes.

The Metropolitan Club (Covington) The Metropolitan Club, a social club, event center and dining space in Covington, permanently closed. The club, often abbreviated to The Met Club, announced its closure via email in July 2025. Founded in 1991, the club has been in operation for approximately 35 years. It was established with the goal of providing a space where professionals and community leaders could gather, socialize and collaborate.

Zapata Cantina (Covington) Zapata Cantina, a Mexican restaurant on Madison Avenue in Covington, announced

its permanent closure in April 2025. Named after Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, the restaurant was known for its modern twist on traditional Mexican street food, featuring scratch-made tacos, small plates and dishes served on freshly prepared tortillas, accompanied by a mezcaland tequila-centric beverage selection.

Kealoha’s Kitchen (Covington) Kealoha’s Kitchen, a Hawaiian-inspired restaurant located at 529 Main St. in Covington, closed in October 2025 due to financial difficulties, according to the owners. Founded in 2021 by Val and Amy Abafo, the eatery began as a food truck before moving into a brick‑and‑mortar space, offering dishes such as pineapple teriyaki short ribs, Spam musubi and kalua pork.

Farmstand Market & Cafe (Union) Farmstand Market & Cafe, a farm-to-table restaurant and market located at 9914 Old Union Road in Union, closed in early December 2025. Established in 2017, the café served locally sourced burgers, sandwiches, salads and dinner entrees, along with a retail market that featured locally sourced products and ingredients.

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Openings Mi Cozumel (Newport on the Levee) Mi Cozumel is partying its way into NKY. The Cincinnati-based Mexican restaurant franchise is renowned for its lively atmosphere, Margarita Tower, tableside guacamole and flaming fajitas. Mi Cozumel offers over 40 margarita flavors for adventurous customers.

Mi Cozumel, named for the famous Mexican island, opened on July 1, 2025, inside the former Amador Cuban space facing the Ohio Riverfront in Newport on the Levee.

1 Levee Way P-122A, Newport 7 Brew (Newport and Florence) 7 Brew is a rapidly growing, drive-thru coffee chain that opened two NKY locations in Newport and Florence in 2025. 7 Brew boasts an expansive menu with ‘7 Originals’ Espresso drinks like the Blondie, Smooth 7 and Sweet & Salty. In addition, 7 Brew serves flavored energy drinks, sparkling sodas called “Fizz,” fruit smoothies, milkshakes and lemonades.

7 Carothers Road, Newport and 8111 US-42, Florence Noche (Covington) From the creators of Hyde Park’s popular Italian-Argentine fusion restaurant Alfio’s Buon Cibo, Noche offers NKY residents a glimpse into Alfio’s signature dishes of hand-cut steaks, fresh pasta, empanadas, cocktails and premium wines. Noche means evening in Spanish.

Noche opened in July 2025 inside the former Rich’s Proper space. Rich’s neon sign, which overlooked Madison Avenue, was updated to read “Noche.”

701 Madison Ave., Covington The Cauldron Café (Covington) Covington’s newest cafe is situated in the heart of the city along Madison Avenue. The Cauldron Café, which opened in November 2025, serves specialty coffee, teas, pastries

and light breakfast and lunch options, emphasizing locally sourced ingredients.

807 Madison Ave., Covington CK Kitchen (Covington) A new restaurant has opened in the former Spoon space at the corner of Fifth and Main streets in Covington. The space now houses CK Kitchen, an Asian-inspired eatery located at 501 Main St., featuring sushi, sashimi, specialty rolls, Korean fried chicken and various rice and noodle dishes. CK Kitchen blends traditional and modern Asian flavors, providing a diverse dining experience in MainStrasse Village.

opened in the heart of Covington’s Roebling Point neighborhood. Founded by Covington-based lawyer Jamir Davis, the bodega serves small bites, New York-style bagels, coffee and wines sourced from across the United States.

During the day, the café offers breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, with later start times on weekends.

After hours, the bodega transforms into a speakeasy, featuring a small wine room and cocktail lounge on weekends and Friday evenings.

326 Scott St., Covington Spear Ridge Cafe (Independence)

501 Main St., Covington Rump and Roll (Dayton) Rump and Roll, a delicatessen and bakery in Dayton, opened in October 2025. It offers breakfast, deli sandwiches, soups and freshly baked goods, as well as meats and deli salads available for takeout.

526 Sixth Ave., Dayton Tokyo Pie (Covington) Agave and Rye now has a new neighbor, with Tokyo Pie opening at 633 Madison Ave. in Covington. Tokyo Pie offers Japanese-inspired pizza and a variety of innovative cocktails. The menu includes toppings like wagyu sausage, miso cream and umami-rich sauces. Its Tokyo-themed interior design adds an authentic touch.

633 Madison Ave., Covington Little Matcha (Covington) Little Matcha, a specialty matcha café in Covington, opened in October 2025, serving handcrafted matcha lattes and seasonal green tea drinks. The café sources its matcha from a family-owned farm in Japan.

One Holland Group founder, Gary Holland, wanted the Spear Ridge Cafe to honor his hometown of Independence. Spear Ridge Cafe, which opened in July 2025, boasts murals, old photographs and other memorabilia that pay homage to Independence throughout the 20th century.

The Spear Ridge Cafe is a comfort-food café and general store offering favorites such as smashburgers, catfish po’ boys, country ham and pimento sandwiches, hushpuppies and seasonal soups. Adjacent to the restaurant is the general store, which serves small bites, coffee and other convenient items.

11990 Mitch Drive, Suite 150, Independence

Rump and Roll is in Dayton. Photo provided | Rump and Roll Facebook

The Florence shop—located at 6805 Houston Rd.—replaces a former UBreakiFix and was described by the Tews as a long-sought leasing site in a busy retail market. It joins the nationwide Crumbl network, which now spans over 1,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Wayfarer Tavern (Dayton) 6805 Houston Road, Ste 500, Florence Wayfarer Tavern is the latest addition to the growing Dayton dining scene. The tavern, situated within the historic Burton Building at 635 Sixth Ave., opened in late January 2025. The restaurant specializes in barstyle pizzas, essentially East Coast thincrust with a Detroit-style cheese edge, cut into Midwestern square slices.

635 Sixth Ave., Dayton McAlister’s Deli (Union)

Schlotzsky’s (Union) Schlotzsky’s, a national fast-casual restaurant chain, opened a location in Union in July 2025. The Union location is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dining options include dine-in, carryout and online ordering. The menu includes sandwiches, pizzas, calzones, flatbreads, salads and soups, in addition to vegetarian and gluten-friendly options.

322 Scott St., Covington The Bodega at Roebling (Covington)

McAlister’s Deli, a fast-casual food chain, opened the doors to a new store in Union at 9148 US Highway 42 in September 2025.

9280 US-42, Suite A, Union

9148 US-42, Union

NKY’s newest Chick-fil-A opened inside Union Promenade in September 2025.

Chick-fil-A (Union)

In March 2025, The Bodega at Roebling

Jersey Mike’s (Independence) 9172 US-42, Union Jersey Mike’s opened at 2164 Declaration Dr. on Aug. 20, 2025. Orders can be placed in store, online, or through the Jersey Mike’s app. Delivery is available in most areas through the app or third-party services, and curbside pickup is available for app orders.

Dairy Queen (Erlanger) Erlanger, Edgewood and Crestview Hills residents welcomed the region’s newest Dairy Queen in December 2025. The restaurant is located inside the former Taco Bell.

2164 Declaration Drive, Union 3098 Dixie Highway, Erlanger Crumbl Cookies (Florence) Dunkin’ (Covington) In August 2025, Crumbl Cookies officially opened a new location in Florence, drawing early crowds and a line backed up out the door. The store is run by franchisees Jaxon and Claire Tews, who now operate a number of Crumbl outlets across the U.S. including their first NKY location in Newport.

Covington is now home to the first Dunkin’ in any of NKY’s river cities, with a new location opening in the city’s west end. The site was previously a Liquor City outlet.

430 Bakewell St., Covington

The Cauldron Cafe. Photo by Emily Widman | CityBeat

JANUARY 9, 2026 11

food & drink

Five Northern Kentucky comfort food places for the holidays

By Nathan Granger

F

ood and family are some of the best parts of the holidays, and Northern Kentucky has no shortage of local restaurants that specialize in good ol’ fashioned comfort food. Check out five of LINK nky’s favorites from across the region in case you get a hankering over the holidays.

Libby’s Southern Comfort

Hometown Heroes’ Mammoth Mushroom Burger.

Photo provided | Hometown Heroes

gooey fries, cheesy bacon tater tots, slew of both regular and boneless wings or the double-patty Mammoth Mushroom Burger topped with six slices of cheese, onions and mushrooms. You can diet when the holidays are over. Learn more at hometownheroessports.wixsite.com/hometownheroes or by calling (859) 206-8120.

Kaylah’s Place

A Kentucky Breakfast Brown from Libby’s. Photo provided | Libby’s Southern Comfort

Libby’s is a well-known stop in Covington; it even has “comfort” in its name. Specializing in southern classics, from old-style Kentucky hot browns to goetta dishes to deviled eggs and whole chickens, there’s no shortage of favorites to choose from.

Additionally, Libby’s is currently booking holiday parties and gatherings of up to 40 people. Make reservations, check out its menu and learn about hosting events by visiting libbyssoutherncomfort.com or by calling (859) 261-3106.

Crewitts Creek Kitchen and Bar

The exterior of Libby’s Southern Comfort in Covington. Photo provided | Libby’s Southern Comfort

THE WEEKLY COMIC

by Andrew Buchanan

You can find Kaylah’s Place at the south end of the region in Verona, and although some of the other places in this list have breakfast fare, none make it their specialty quite like Kaylah’s Place. You have all the classics here: French toast, waffles, pancakes and the restaurant’s flagship handmade biscuits and gravy. Whether the weather’s cold or mild this holiday season, head down to Kaylah’s in the morning and get “zero judgment for wearing pajamas in public,” one of the restaurant’s social posts reads. Learn more and order online at kaylahsplace.com.

Pee Wee’s Place

Crewitts Creek Kitchen and Bar in Independence.

Photo provided | Crewitts Creek Kitchen and Bar

Tucked away on Centennial Boulevard in Independence, Crewitts Creeks offers a classic bar and barbecue atmosphere.

Menu highlights include the, ahem, G.O.A.T Balls—which are the in-house meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and goat cheese—five different mac ‘n cheese dishes and myriad sandwiches, burgers and entrees. Oh, yeah, plus a whole brunch menu. Check out what it has to offer at crewittscreek.com, or give it a call at (859) 3595121.

Hometown Heroes Sports Cafe You’re going to want to add that gym membership to your list of New Year’s resolutions after checking out Hometown Heroes in Dayton, because its finger food selections are sure to fill your heart (and waist) with joy for the holidays. You’ll see what we mean when you try the goetta-topped ooey 12 JANUARY 9, 2026

The interior of Kaylah’s Place in Verona. Photo provided | Kaylah’s Place

The fire pit at Pee Wee’s Place in Crescent Springs.

Photo provided | Pee Wee’s Place

You’ll find something to like at Pee Wee’s Place in Crescent Springs. Sporting one of the larger menus on this list, Pee Wee’s has got something for all parts of the day, from breakfast classics to a wide selection of sandwiches and wraps to chili, hoagies and fajitas. It also caters events and rents out parts of its facility for parties. Reservations are sure to book up quickly for the holiday, so check out its website at peeweesplace. net or give it a call at (859)341-4977.

food & drink

Hangover-free sipping: where to find mocktails in NKY

A lineup of drinks. Photo by M.S. Meeuwesen on Unsplash

By Maggy McDonel

N

ow that the holidays have passed, you might feel the need to dry out a little (I know I do).

So, we’re bringing you a list of places around Northern Kentucky that offer mocktails plus alcohol-free beer and wine, THC seltzers and more.

Whether you’re participating in dry January, you’re pregnant or just sober, check out these places around the region that offer creative drinks that won’t leave you with a hangover.

tails and alcohol-free wine. You can sidle up to the large bar inside, sit in the dining room or get cozy around the fires placed around the front of the restaurant.

The Green Line’s mocktail menu features a lavender spritz with lavender, soda water and lemonade, plus a sparkling lemonade with grenadine, a Cucumber Cruiser with lemon-lime soda and muddled mint, cucumbers and limes. There are also three NA wines, including two sparkling options.

The Green Line Kitchen and Cocktails is located at 25 N. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Find more information at greenlinerestaurant.com.

Second Story

Blind Squirrel

Located on the (shocker) second story of an old firehouse on West Sixth Street in Covington, (whose bottom floor is now home to West Sixth Brewing’s Covington Haus) Second Story offers a wide variety of drinks but mostly focuses on creative cocktails, with a couple of mocktail options.

Although this restaurant feels familiar, much like a classic American bar and grill, the Blind Squirrel has several standout features that have made it a favorite around the Florence area.

Right now, the mocktail menu features the Orange Creamsicle (orange, cranberry, apricot and sage, bitters and orange blossom) and the Clear Conscience (gin substitute, lemon, simple syrup and soda water).

It also offers an NA Mexican lager and IPA, as well as a THC-floral seltzer.

Juniper’s Gin Bar Sanctuary Social For a speakeasy vibe with classic and modern cocktails, plus tapas and over 230 gins, look no further than Juniper’s in MainStrasse. But, if you’re looking for a hangover-free morning, they’ve got several options.

While gin is the “centerpiece of our extensive and creative libations menu,” per the Juniper’s website, it also offers tons of other options, including its “School Night” menu full of creatively named alcohol-free drinks like the “Gin and Non-ic,” a classic gin and tonic made with NA gin, the “Ditry Virgin,” a virgin gin martini, the “Esspres-sober Martini” made with house-made NA coffee liqueur and cold brew and more.

Juniper’s Gin Bar is located at 409 W. Sixth St., Suite 100, Covington. Find more information at junipersginbar.net.

The Green Line Kitchen and Cocktails Head over to Fort Thomas for some mock-

Described as a “place where friends, families and neighbors can gather to share great meals, memorable drinks and meaningful experiences,” on its website, Sanctuary Social (which was also the winner of “Best New Restaurant” in LINK nky’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards) in Villa Hills has options for everyone, from kids to the sober to drinkers and more.

The bar and restaurant has a large selection of beers, wine, cocktails and bourbon plus some THC seltzers and an offering of mocktails and NA beer. Some of the mocktails include the Faux-Jito (mint, sugar cubes, lime juice and club soda), the Peach Arnold Palmer (peach puree, lemonade and iced tea) the Strawberry Pineapple Sunrise (strawberries, pineapple and orange juices) and more.

Sanctuary Social is located at 1090 Walburg Ave., Villa Hills. Find more information at sanctuary-social.com.

Second Story is located at 100 W. Sixth St., Covington. Find more information at secondstory.bar.

It’s best known for an impressive tap beer and bourbon selection, but the menu also shines for guests looking to skip the alcohol. A robust mocktail lineup offers plenty of flavorful, creative options without the next-day regret.

Blind Squirrel serves nine mocktails in total, including a “Tiki Cooler” and a “Sparkling Cran-Ginger” plus a “Nojito” and more.

Blind Squirrel is located at 8537 U.S. 42, Florence. Find more information at blindsquirrelflorence.com.

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JANUARY 9, 2026 13

COMMISSIONER’S SALE CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

CASE NUMBER 24-CI-00265

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-01097

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00672

DIVISION 1

DIVISION 1

DIVISION 1

SPRINGHOUSE COUNCIL OF CO-OWNER, INC.

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING

OME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-1

VS. ANGELA R. HUFF, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/22/2025

BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 206 Creekstone Court, Unit 7-C, Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076

VS.

VS.

COLLIN BAYNUM, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/22/2025

BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 114 Main Avenue, Highland Heights, Kentucky 41076

Group No: 41192/E1

Group No: 30632/A1

PIDN: 999-99-19-660.00

PIDN: 999-99-21-668.00

JEFFREY F. WEFER, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/22/2025

BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 2689 Uhl Road, Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076 Group No: 70321/A2 & A3 & Z PIDN: 999-99-20-021.00

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00689

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00372

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00412

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 1

DIVISION 1

MORTGAGE RESEARCH CENTER, LLC D/B/A VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, A MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING

VS.

MICHAEL J. TEDESCO, ET AL.

CHRISTOPHER VANDERPOOL, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/3/2025 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/15/2025

BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 5 South Rosewood Court, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001

VS.

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

VS. DAVID P. SLATER, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 12/10/2025

BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

149 Breckenridge Drive, Alexandria, Kentucky 41001

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 1/27/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

Group No: 70385/C3

310 Eden Avenue, Bellevue, Kentucky 41073

PIDN: 999-99-27-099.00

Group No: 41559/A1

Group No: 70304/W1 PIDN: 999-99-23-845.50

PIDN: 999-99-06-547.00

THE COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION IS MORE PARTICULARLY SET OUT IN THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE ENTERED IN THIS CASE. Subject to conditions, covenants, restrictions, right of ways and easements in existence, including but not limited to those in prior instruments of record; legal highways, and zoning ordinances.

SAID PROPERTY SHALL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO REAL ESTATE TAXES DUE AND OWING FOR THE YEAR OF SALE AND THEREAFTER PRIOR YEARS UNPAID TAXES SHALL BE PAID FROM THE PROCEEDS IF THE PURCHASER IS NOT THE PLAINTIFF. IF THE PURCHASER IS THE PLAINTIFF, PRIOR YEARS’ UNPAID TAXES SHALL BE PAID BY THE PLAINTIFF, IN FULL OR PRO RATA, PROVIDED THE SALE PURCHASE PRICE EXCEEDS THE COURT COSTS. THIS PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD TO PRODUCE THE SUMS OF MONEY SO ORDERED TO BE MADE IN THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF SALE ENTERED IN THE WITHIN CASE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO COURT COSTS, AD VALOREM TAXES, IN THE SUM OF $4,271.16; AND OTHER LIENS, INTEREST, ATTORNEY FEES AND/OR OTHER SUMS AND JUDGMENTS THAT MAY BE AWARDED BY THE COURT. THE SALE SHALL BE MADE TO THE HIGHEST AND BEST BIDDER(S). ANY PURCHASER OTHER THAN PLAINTIFF WHO DOES NOT PAY CASH IN FULL SHALL PAY 10% CASH AND SHALL BE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE A BOND AT THE TIME OF SALE, WITH SURETY ACCEPTABLE TO THE MASTER COMMISSIONER AND PRE-APPROVED BY THE MASTER COMMISSIONER AT LEAST BY NOON, TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE SALE DATE, TO SECURE THE UNPAID BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE, AND SAID BOND SHALL BEAR INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 12% PER ANNUM FROM THE DATE OF SALE UNTIL PAID, AND SHALL HAVE THE SAME FORCE AND EFFECT AS A JUDGMENT AND SHALL REMAIN AND BE A LIEN ON THE PROPERTY UNTIL PAID THE BOND SURETY MUST BE PRESENT AT THE SALE AND EXECUTE SALE BOND AND THE AFFIDAVIT OF SURETY THE PURCHASER(S) SHALL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING ALL THE BALANCE OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD. THE DEPOSIT SHALL BE WAIVED IF PLAINTIFF IS THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER. THE MASTER COMMISSIONER SHALL SELL THE REAL ESTATE BY PUBLIC SALE ON A DAY AND TIME TO BE FIXED BY HIM, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR OF THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY. BIDDERS MUST BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS. THE COSTS OF THE SALE SHALL BE PAID WITHIN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS OF THE SALE. JOSEPH F. GRIMME, MASTER COMMISSIONER 859-291-9075

14 JANUARY 9, 2026

SUDOKU

Edited Margie E. Burke Theby Weekly Crossword

Difficulty: Easy

4 6

8

7 9 3 3/25 - 11/9/25 6 5 4

8 4 2 3 6 9 7 5

8 1 9

6 4

8 5 9 2

Edited by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate

HOW TO SOLVE:

8 4 2 9

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:

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

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS HOW TO SOLVE: 1 Emerald City's 15 16 14 Each creator row must contain the 19 17 must 18 numbers to 9; each column 5 A1 bit cracked contain the numbers 1 to 9; and 9 Modern 21 22 each set of 3 by 3 boxes20must messages contain the numbers 1 to 9.

23 24 14 In addition 15 Run the show 25 26 27 28 29 30 16 Nick Answer to of Previous Sudoku: "Affliction" 32 33 34 35 31 8 517 1Church 7 6 9 2 3 4 instru36 37 38 9 7 3ment8of 4old 2 5 1 6 19 Sci-fi author 40 41 2 4 6Verne 3 1 5 839 9 7 44 45 1 220 5Mother 6 of9 7 442 8 3 43 Calcutta 47 48 4 921 8Replant 2 3timber 1 7 6 5 46 51 52 53 54 6 323 7Like5sunlit 8 water 4 149 250 9 Kidnap victim 56 57 3 625 4 5 so8to 955 7 1 28 2 Bananas, 59 60 7 1 4speak 9 2 3 658 5 8 62 63 5 831 9Elliptical 1 7 6 361 4 2 32 Brother's daughters Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate 35 Brewer's vat 36 "Peanuts" girl 3 Consumer 33 Whitney or 47 Whodunit sus37 Honeydew, e.g.

4 In a humble way Wallach pects, often 38 Magpie or 5 Some court 34 Take as one's 48 Comic Kovacs macaw proceedings own 49 Purchase price 39 Utah airport 6 Milk container 38 Shows obvious 50 Winglike code 7 Wake-up call? anger 52 ____ the tables 40 Sentence ender 8 Roxie in 40 Quarterbacks, 53 ___ St. Vincent 41 Pasadena's ___ ''Chicago'' often Millay Bowl 9 Legally forbids 43 "John Wick" star 54 Thought42 Mideast capital 10 Weeps for 45 Lenovo provoking 44 More evident 11 Claim not yet competitor 57 Abbr. on a 46 Study of beauty proven schedule 49 Affectionate one 12 Suffix with Answers to Previous Crossword: 51 Took home after "social" S A R I A M B E R taxes 13 "___ we forget" H A R P E D E N H A W S E E W E R 55 Oil source 18 Workplace A L S O E V I S C E R A T E 56 Theater break safety org.

E R M I N E S T S U N A M I 58 Not so crazy 22 Affability R O U S S E A U L A S E 59 BBQ entree 24 Getty Center A R G U S E N M I T Y 60 Sea eagle architect R E E N T E R S S E N S O R 61 Lengthy lock Richard E N S U R E S C I A I N N 62 Adriatic and 25 "The Planets" D O T A R D R E S T R I N G Aegean composer R E U S E S B A N K S 63 Clothing closure 26 Plant seed S T R I D E N T G R O G 27 Excessively R E F U T E R S U D S I N G DOWN sweet A L E E I N T E R R U P T S 1 One of TV's 29 ICU worker T O O K C L A N Mavericks 30 Rear-___ (road D E E R E S E N S E S P R Y K A L E 2 On the calm side mishap)

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AZ ROC344027 AR 366920925, CA1035795, CT HIC.0671520, DC 420223000087, FL CBC056678, ID RCE-51604, IA C127230, LA 559544, MD MHIC111225,MA 213292, MI 262300331, 262300330, 262300329, 262300328, 262300318, 262300173, MN IR810524, MT 266192, NE 50145-24, NV 86990, NJ 13VH13285000, NM 408693, ND 47304. OR 218294. PA PA179643. RI GC-41354, TN 10981. UT 10783658-5501, VT 174.0000871, VA 2705169445, WA LEAFFLH763PG, WV WV056912. *The leading consumer reporting agency conducted a 16 month outdoor test of gutter guards in 2010 and recognized LeafFilter as the “#1 rated professionally installed gutter guard system in America.

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