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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 15 — MARCH 6, 2026

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Are student walkouts during the school day legal? By Nathan Granger

n Covington, the walkout lasted about 15 minutes. Across the river at Western Hills University High School, it was more like an hour. Others occurred at schools across Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati in mid-January, in conjunction with national protests. The local scenes were mostly similar to those across the country, and the walkouts were organized and led by students during the school day. “There’s been a lot of people who are not agreeing with what [Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE] is doing, and personally, I don’t think what they’re doing is right,” said Donovan Marcario-Avila, one of the student organizers for the Newport walkout. “There’s a right way to do it. Obviously, we need to have immigration policy, but at the same time, we need to take into consideration the impact we’re having on the immigrant community and just society as a whole.” Continues on page 3

Students at Western Hills University High School hold signs at a walk-out protest on Feb. 13, 2026. Photo provided | Shannon Sharon

Residents celebrate opening of NKY’s first Wawa in Hebron By Kenton Hornbeck

s members of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department and the Hebron Fire Protection District hurled lettuce, tomatoes and bread back and forth in the midst of a heated hoagie-making competition, Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore stood between them, assuming the role of Switzerland. “I had to be neutral,” Moore told LINK nky.

A crowd celebrates the grand opening of Wawa in Hebron on Feb. 24, 2026. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

The hoagie-making contest was the highlight of the grand opening of Northern Kentucky’s first Wawa, located at 2335 Water Tower Drive in Hebron. The ceremony also featured a ribbon cutting, free coffee and Wawa’s iconic Canada Goose mascot, Wally Goose. While the grand opening was

held on Feb. 24, the store officially opened to the public on Feb. 19. Titled “Hoagies for Heroes,” the sandwich-building competition is one of the chain’s signature events at grand opening ceremonies. The contest winner received a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice. After some fierce competition (and several dropped sandwiches), the whole thing ended in a tie, and $1,000 will be donated to both groups’ charities. “This contest gives us a way to recognize our local heroes, donate to local causes, and have fun all at the same time,” said General Manager Shay Moore. In further comments, Moore said he was Continues on page 4

Girl Scouts take safety proposal to city hall p6 This company is moving into old White Castle plant p7 River City school leaders make registration for kindergarten easier p10

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The Newport walkout occurred on Jan. 20, along with others throughout the country. The local protests LINK nky is aware of have been about ICE, and some students we talked to for this story expressed anxiety about themselves or their classmates ending up in danger, especially in the wake of the killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Keith Porter at the hands of ICE agents. “I think a good amount of students at the school have been very afraid that ICE is going to encroach upon here and do damage,” said Holmes High School senior Jasper Jackson, who took part in a walkout in Covington on Feb. 12.

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Beyond the content of the messaging at the protests, however, is another observation: Are students legally allowed to organize and conduct walkouts during the school day? If so, what’s the legal basis for it, and are there limits to it?

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The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, but what does this mean for students? The recent protests are not the first time that student speech has become a public issue, and there are a handful of Supreme Court cases that have established precedent as it relates to student speech. One of the most well known is Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. The case came about when a group of students in Des Moines, Iowa, decided to wear black armbands to school to protest the Vietnam War. The district’s principals had learned about the students’ plans beforehand and preemptively banned armbands, but not other political paraphernalia. When some of the students wore the bands anyway, they were suspended. The students’ families sued the district on First Amendment grounds in federal court, only to be defeated at both the trial court in 1966 and later at the appeals level. The families appealed again, this time to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the students in a 7-2 decision in 1969. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas, who became a justice under the Johnson administration in 1965, famously wrote with the majority that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” This came with some stipulations, though, which would later become known as the “Tinker test” for adjudicating if students’ speech could be suppressed or punished, namely if it would “materially and substantially interfere” with student discipline or operations at the school. Two other later Supreme Court Cases established additional limits on student speech. One from 1988, Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, ruled that districts could censor student newspapers and publications, but only if the publication was run by the school itself or occurred as part of a class. Materials produced by students

The original banner that led to the Morse v. Frederick Supreme Court case, on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Photo provided | Wikimedia Commons

off campus on their own were not subject to the same stricture. A 2007 case, Morse v. Frederick, ruled that schools could censor materials advocating illegal drug use at school events after a student in Alaska displayed a banner with the words “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS” across the street from his high school during a school-sponsored viewing of the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay.

ing to reporting from WVXU. But for the most part, the protests have been peaceful, with one possible exception police are still investigating. According to reporting from LINK nky partner WCPO, North College Hill High School students allegedly connected to a walkout entered a nearby Kroger and were video taped throwing objects and damaging property.

Marcario-Avila described how student organizers communicated with the district to ensure the students’ speech was lawful. For instance, students couldn’t make signs or other literature during the school day.

The North College Hill Police Department has not yet identified those in the video but said they will face criminal charges and school disciplinary action.

“They couldn’t encourage us or discourage us to do it,” Marcario-Avila said, “and it was up to us if we wanted to be a part of the walkout.”

Within the bounds of what is safe and legal, Marcario-Avila encouraged students and other young people to speak out and get more civically involved.

Recent protests

“We need to become more informed of what’s going on in our policies and start showing up to city meetings, county meetings and meeting with our local officials to address our concerns and what we want,” Marcario-Avila said. “We have community, and that’s really what is going to get us through the next couple years.”

The recent walkouts have been of varying length and size. There have been reports of counter protesting and arguments with people who disagreed with the students’ message, such as some that recently occurred at Lakota East High School, accord-

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excited that Boone County was the site of the first Wawa in NKY, with more on the way. Wawa plans to open additional stores in the region, with reported locations in Florence and Alexandria. “We’re excited that the first one in Northern Kentucky is right here in Boone County and here at Graves Road,” Moore said. “What this company is going to be doing — and being employee owned is a key here, they’re privately owned — they’re going to be building 40 stores roughly across Kentucky, but many of those are going to be right here in Northern Kentucky.” Wawa is a Chester Heights, Pennsylvania-based chain of gas stations and convenience stores. Wawa has over 1,100 stores nationwide, with the majority located on the East Coast. Since 2020, the company has embarked on a rapid expansion campaign throughout Greater Cincinnati and, more broadly, across Kentucky. Currently, there are six Wawas open in Kentucky, with stores primarily concentrated around the Louisville and Lexington metropolitan areas. According to a Wawa press release, the retailer plans to build and open four to eight stores in Kentucky each year over the next five to eight years, with the goal of opening more than 40 stores in the state. Wawa’s convenience stores are known for their food service counters, where customers can order items such as hoagies, burgers, breakfast sandwiches, pizza, salads and quesadillas, among other selections. Similar to other convenience store chains like Sheetz, Wawa customers can order their food through a self-service kiosk. “We love competition,” Moore said. “We love the investment they’re making, and they’re going to employ a lot of our local residents, and they do a lot of charitable work — giving back to the community.”

Boone County residents celebrating the grand opening of Northern Kentucky’s first Wawa in Hebron. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

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Boone fiscal court approves $11.38M for new county building

Public Meeting Notice (26001-PMN) Owen County Public Transit will be conducting a public meeting to recommend and update its passenger fare schedule and operating hours, the first proposed fare adjustment since 2016. To facilitate public comment in this process, OCPT is providing two (2) avenues of participation for the public meeting to be held on Monday, March 19, 2026, at 10 AM EST. 1. In-Person: Owen County Courthouse, Second Floor, 100 North Thomas Street, Owenton, Kentucky 40359 2. Virtual Zoom meeting: Topic: Public Hearing - Owen County Public Transit Time: Mar 19, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96916313630?pwd=sCY2sYek0PTILaAYYDEiE8kAGyi5OF.1 View meeting insights with Zoom AI Companion https://zoom.us/launch/edl?muid=051880a0-c7fe-4124-b5e7-0a9c3b3abf09 Meeting ID: 969 1631 3630 Passcode: 950532 One tap mobile +16465588656,,96916313630#,,,,*950532# US (New York) +16469313860,,96916313630#,,,,*950532# US

A rendering of the proposed Boone County emergency management and public safety communications building. Rendering provided | Boone County, SMP

By Kenton Hornbeck oone County settled on a project budget for its proposed emergency management and public safety communications building.

Dowling said that the new facility will cover about 20,000 square feet, with an estimated cost of roughly $500 per square foot. He noted that this price per square foot aligns with other public safety buildings in the area.

Specifically, the fiscal court on Feb. 24 approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price budget, a contractually agreed-upon cap on construction project costs, along with a general project budget.

Regarding the timeline, Dowling said the next step was to issue a notice to proceed with construction in March. If all goes as planned, the project should be completed by spring 2027.

At the moment, Boone County’s Public Safety Communications Department operates out of the Florence Government Center, while its Emergency Management Services is located inside the sheriff’s department building.

Commissioner Cathy Flaig inquired whether there would be any downtime for the county’s emergency management services when moving and reinstalling critical dispatch equipment in the new building.

In 2024, Boone County announced plans to relocate both departments to a new, dedicated building. The new public safety center will be situated at the intersection of Conrad Lane and Bullitsville Road, an area known as the “Public Service Corridor,” which houses the Boone County Jail, Fire Training Center and Sheriff’s Office. The site is currently home to several youth soccer fields. The property’s current zoning designation is public facilities. Deputy County Administrator Matthew Dowling gave a presentation to the legislative body outlining the project’s budget. Pepper Construction, a Chicago-based firm with an office in Cincinnati, was selected as the project’s general contractor in September 2025. In total, Pepper Construction’s Guaranteed Maximum Price budget is $9,691,376, within an overall project budget of approximately $11.38 million. The budget includes a total direct cost of $1,689,033, including $450,000 allocated for contingency — an amount typically set aside for unforeseen expenses. “As you can see, the overall project budget shows Pepper’s Guaranteed Maximum Price of $9,691,376 and the Boone County costs, and this includes contingency, which is important to know, is $1,689,033, so this provides for an overall project cost of $11,380,409 million,” Dowling said.

Boone County Public Service Communications Center employee Daniel Aylor told the fiscal court there would be no operational downtime, as the departments have service plans in place during the transition. “We have established several methods that we can back up our system, and we’re working on that now. We’ll have additional phone lines,” Aylor said. “They’ll work out of a plum case radios through Motorola that we currently have — Kenton County has used them when they have gone to their emergency backup center. We’ll use those radios as well, and we’ll be purchasing new computers for our CAD (computer-aided dispatch) system to put in the new center that we will adjust to make that move from the old center to the new center.”

In addition to attending the meetings listed above, comments may be submitted via email to ptcomment@owencountyky.us, via the customer care line at 502.750-2828. No final decisions have been made. As required by federal regulations, OCPT will conduct an analysis and gather public input through meetings and multiple feedback channels before any fare changes are considered. If approved, the new fare structure will go into effect on July 1, 2026. 1. Operational Hours: a. Proposed operational hours change: Current Hours Hours Days 6am – 4pm EST

Monday-Friday

SFY27 New Hours Hours Days 6am – 6pm EST Monday-Friday 6am – 12pm EST

Saturday

2. Fare Rate Change: a. Proposed fare rate change: Current Fare Rate Structure • All trips up to 10 miles one way $3.00 • All trips over 10 miles one way $3.00 + $ .40/mile • Dialysis and Cancer Treatments $10.00/round trip (up to 85 miles round trip) • Any trips over 85 miles $10 + $.40/mile after the 85 miles maximum $40/week • Multiple out of town trips for work $10/round trip (up to 85 miles round trip) • (Must not have a car or may not have a valid driver's

license; unless prior approval by administration)

SFY27 Fare Rate Structure

• All trips $1.00/mile

• Any trips over 85 miles $10 + $ .40/mile after the 85 miles maximum $40/week • Veteran medical appointments 1/2 off regular price

(If OCPT receives grant money from the State of KY for Veterans, the fare will be free. If we do not have grant money the fares will be 1/2 off the regular rate.)

• Any appointments out of the State of Kentucky $3.00 + $ .40/mile

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore commented that it was an exciting time for the project, as a significant amount of time and effort had gone into reaching this stage. “I know there’s been a substantial amount of time and energy and talent put into getting us to this point tonight, and it is an exciting time,” Moore said. “We do have a timeline we’re trying to accomplish with getting out of the building in Florence, which they (City of Florence) want to repurpose for their purposes, and so this accelerated schedule also plays into pricing as well.”

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Fort Thomas Girl Scouts take pedestrian safety proposal to City Hall

Girl Scout Troop 2231 present their project to the Fort Thomas City Council on Feb. 17, 2026. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky

By Haley Parnell

or Girl Scout Troop 2231, earning a bronze badge means tackling a real-world problem, starting with traffic safety near the city library.

The troop, consisting of fifth graders at Moyer Elementary School in Fort Thomas, gave a presentation to the Fort Thomas City Council on Feb. 17. Troop members petitioned for a solar-powered flashing light and crosswalk at Campbell County Public Library on Highland Avenue similar to the one at Moyer. The girls are seeking their bronze badge. The Girl Scout Bronze Award is the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior (fourth and fifth grades) can earn, representing a significant team-based project to improve their community. The Girl Scouts also asked for

curb extensions and a speed bump to slow people down.

the hill on Highland Avenue. They did not track the cars as they went up the hill.

ple crossed the street without a crosswalk each hour.

“It would benefit the people of Fort Thomas so people don’t get hurt crossing the street and people can use the library without risk,” said one of the troops.

“We took the speeds of many cars, and most of them were speeding,” the Girl Scouts said.

Scouts Janie and Olivia said they walked the city and asked neighbors for their thoughts on installing a crosswalk near the library. They collected more than 150 signatures in favor of the project.

The troops said the crosswalk could be a factor in slowing down cars on Highland Avenue. They even collected data on car speeds on the avenue to back their request. Two of the scouts, Kenzie and Thea, explained the process to the council. “We sat on the side of the road writing down the speeds of the cars they were going,” the girls said. “It took us a week, but we got nine hours of data from different days and times.” They tracked over 2,130 cars traveling down

The average speed they recorded was 28.2 miles per hour on the posted 25-mile-perhour road, but they said some cars were detected exceeding 40 miles per hour. The troops tracked car speeds with the radar on Highland Avenue. The data was collected mostly in the afternoons between 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., with one morning of data from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Girl Scouts said that while they were tracking the cars, there were pedestrians crossing the street and using the sidewalk. They counted an average of 20.5 walkers per hour. The troops said about nine peo-

“I think you guys have brought a great project, because you’re right, it is very hard to cross there because cars are going fast at that time, and having the light indication will give cars a chance to slow down,” Fort Thomas Mayor Andy Ellison said. The troops have a meeting scheduled with Fort Thomas City Administrator Matt Kremer on March 5 to discuss their proposal in depth.

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Airline food company to move into old Covington White Castle plant

The property at 2009 Rolling Hills Drive in Covington. Photo provided | Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator’s Office

By Nathan Granger

nternational airline food producer Marfo FMA will move into the old Covington White Castle distribution plant on Rolling Hills Drive and is expected to bring 78 full-time jobs to the region. Although no official announcements have been made yet, public records indicate that developers and officials have been coordinating to move the food company into the old distribution center, bringing an expected 98 full-time jobs, 78 of which are slated to be physically located in Covington and Kenton County (and will thus be subject to income tax). The 78 local jobs are expected to pay at least $34.61 per hour in wages, according to state records. Covington Mayor Ron Washington first initiated the development at his state of the city address, during which he said, “Soon, we’ll be sharing exciting news about an international company opening its first U.S.based production facility right here.”

The Kenton County Fiscal Court approved a PILOT agreement with the company Feb. 24, and briefly discussed the project. Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann described it as a “good project.” Located at 2009 Rolling Hills Drive in Covington, White Castle first purchased the building in 1991, according to Kenton County property records, and operated it until its closure in 2024. Fifty-eight jobs at the building were eliminated following White Castle’s departure. Marfo FMA’s North American HQ is based in Quebec. It also has offices in the Netherlands. Minutes from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority state the company “is considering launching a new specialized product manufacturing facility that will produce high-quality frozen meals specifically designed for airline clients.” “It’s basically the higher-end meals that you see in planes up front there,” Knochel-

mann said on Feb. 24. “That’s what they’re going to be making here in Kenton County.” A representative from Marfo FMA confirmed this and provided more information to LINK nky. The company hopes to begin recruiting for the jobs, which include cooks, line workers, lift drivers and other staff, later this year and open the plant sometime in the second quarter of 2027. The project is “still in its definition phase,” the representative said, but the company plans to release more information as the development progresses. “We are pleased to establish ourselves in the region,” the company wrote to LINK nky in an email. Economic incentives for the development have either already been approved or are in the process of being approved, as evidenced by public records.

Independent Public Schools offered to give the company a 50% property tax waiver for 10 years in exchange for bringing jobs to the region. Neither the school district nor the city have voted on their own PILOTs yet. Marfo FMA bought the property on Jan. 12 for $5.3 million, according to county records, and state records indicate it plans to spend just over $37 million on the project. County records corroborate this: A $37 million bonding package will soon be up for a vote before the Covington Board of Commissioners. The Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, on the other hand, has already approved $200,000 in aid for construction costs and is in the process of approving $1.5 million in state tax incentives. The governor’s office and the city are expected to make official announcements in the near future.

Documents submitted to the fiscal court indicate the county, the city and Covington

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kenton county briefs No violation of ethics code by Covington commissioner, board says

Shops and businesses in Covington off of Madison Avenue. Hailey Roden | LINK nky

The Northern Kentucky Regional Ethics Authority has issued an opinion on alleged violations of ethics codes by Covington Commissioner Tim Acri: Available information “does not establish a violation of the applicable code of ethics.” “The whole thing was just strange, but they’ve rendered their opinion now, and I feel comfortable,” Acri said. The opinion follows rumblings earlier this year that Tim Acri and his family may benefit financially from the establishment of a public drinking area, known officially as a common consumption area, or CCA, in Covington’s Central Business District. The authority argued there was insufficient evidence to establish that conflicts of interest or financial benefit for Acri or his family might arise from the establishment of a CCA. The commissioner initially proposed the idea back in April 2025, purportedly as a defense against the economic downturns likely to afflict Covington businesses during the closure of the Fourth Street Bridge and closures related to the Brent Spence Corridor Project. The Board of Commissioners tabled an ordinance for the CCA in August, indefinitely stalling any legislation.

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The city hosted a public hearing in October to gather community input on the drinking area, where Covington business owners and residents shared their opinions — both positive and negative. Public records LINK nky obtained indicate that members of the

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public had contacted Commissioner Tim Downing with concerns about Acri in the days following the October hearing.

to do anything with it because it wasn’t specific in terms of policies that could have been violated.

Acri’s wife, Kara Acri, owns Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck, a mobile pop-up store that occasionally does business in the proposed drinking area. Kara Acri spoke out in favor of the CCA at the October hearing and concerns from residents suggested that Tim Acri might be using the CCA as a way to enrich his wife’s business — and himself by proximity — even though he does not have any ownership stake in Scarlet Begonia’s.

“Since it is anonymous and does not cite an ethics code that was allegedly violated, it can’t be acted on,” the authority wrote to the city in an email earlier this year.

Tim Acri works for O’Rourke Wrecking Company, based in Cincinnati.

In November, after the public hearing, Commissioner James Toebbe made a motion to direct city staff to investigate the safety and financial costs of establishing a CCA. Toebbe and Mayor Ron Washington voted in favor of the motion. Downing voted against it. Tim Acri recused himself, and Smith did not attend the meeting.

Some also expressed concerns about Commissioner Shannon Smith, who owns Revival Vintage Bottle Shop and Bar. Smith came out in favor of the CCA, and Revival is located in the most recently proposed boundaries of the area. Covington has several ordinances aimed at preventing conflicts of interest between elected officials, city employees, their family members and their business interests. More specifically, as it relates to this case, it bars elected officials, like Tim Acri and Smith, their families and their businesses from directly financially benefiting from a vote or other “discretionary action.” Additionally, under Covington’s ethics code, the city is legally required to report suspected violations to the city’s ethics watchdog, the Northern Kentucky Regional Ethics Authority, which is itself a subsidiary of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. Acri willingly sought an opinion from the authority in the wake of the concerns and had even begun recusing himself from votes related to the CCA to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Smith did not seek an opinion but previously told LINK nky of her intention to recuse herself from any future votes on the CCA. LINK nky has reached out to Smith for additional comment. LINK nky also received an anonymous complaint about Acri in our inbox prior to the publication of our previous story, which was sent to the Ethics Authority, as well. At the time, however, the authority declined

“I was never concerned that I did anything wrong,” Acri said. “But visually, I mean — I don’t know; this is first time I’ve ever been an elected official. I wanted to make sure I did it all right.”

The numbers requested in Toebbe’s motion have yet to be presented to the Board of Commissioners. The Board had hoped to hold special meetings earlier this year about both the city budget and priorities for the city government, but these meetings had to be cancelled due to the recent winter weather. As a result, the position of the CCA on the board’s priority list is still in flux. Even if CCA legislation were to get passed, Acri said, it would be a good six months before it could be functionally implemented.

State to give $1M to Covington to ease access during bridge construction The Covington Board of Commissioners voted on Feb. 24 to approve the receipt of $1 million in state funding for creating infrastructure to ease access to the city during the Brent Spence Bridge Project. “We might want to think about these as gateways into the city corridors that we want to enhance that might be affect-

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ed,” City Manager Sharmili Reddy told the Board of Commissioners Feb. 17. The money itself comes from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, and was approved the same night as a $6 million deal with the cabinet for anti-flooding infrastructure in Peaselburg; the two funding measures were contained in the same agreement. The city has leeway in how it spends the money, and there has been no public discussion yet on plans for specific projects. The agreement remains in effect for seven years, and the money will be paid to the city on a reimbursement basis.

Covington formally opposes short-term rental bill, other proposed legislation

“I’m glad that the ethics board levied the decision the way it did so that we can just keep moving forward on this,” Acri said. “The last thing I want is somebody to think there’s something sketchy going on.”

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Bray Construction building out phase one of the public infrastructure at the old IRS site. Photo provided | Bray Construction Services, City of Covington

A view of Mainstrasse in Covington. Photo provided | Wikimedia Commons

The Covington Board of Commissioners recently cast votes both approving and opposing several statehouse bills. Specifically, the board cast a vote approving a bill to reform how local occupational tax is collected for certain companies. Meanwhile, it voted to oppose a bill that would mandate additional taxes on alcohol sales, as well as a bill that would preempt

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kenton county briefs local regulations on short-term rentals, mostly Airbnbs. The votes came in the form of city resolutions. Resolutions aren’t binding like ordinances or municipal orders, but they can signal a local elected body’s support or disapproval of particular policies to higher jurisdictions, like the state and federal governments. The recommendations for the resolutions were furnished by Covington’s director of external affairs, Sebastian Torres, who has been lobbying on behalf of the city in Frankfort. Short-term rentals The bill on short-term rentals takes the form of Senate Bill 112, which is sponsored by Kentucky Sen. Craig Richardson (R-Hopkinsville). If passed, the bill would ban local governments from mandating rental licensing requirements, imposing density limits and residency requirements on owners, among other regulations that cities and local governments have enacted as short-term rentals have become more common. The current regulations around short-term rentals in Covington were passed in 2023 and 2024. Several cities in Northern Kentucky, including Bellevue and Fort Wright, have already come out against SB 112. Other local leaders have expressed worries the bill would circumvent local controls over zoning, housing prices and quality of life in their cities. Torres explained some of the worries city residents had expressed about unregulated short-term rentals, namely the limitation of the city’s housing stock and the conversion of neighborhoods designed for conventional residential life getting converted into “boutique hotel districts.” The vote to oppose the bill was unanimous. Alcohol tax House Bill 612, sponsored by Rep. Matt Koch (R-Paris), would impose an additional 4% state regulatory license fee on gross receipts of alcohol sales made by retail sellers. If passed, it would impose an extra 4% fee on all alcohol sold directly to consumers in Kentucky, affecting restaurants, bars, liquor stores and convenience stores. Combined with Kentucky’s 6% flat sales tax, the consumer would pay 10% on their alcohol purchases. A $100 purchase today would cost you $106 after the 6% sales tax. A $100 purchase under the bill would be $110. If passed, it would take effect on July 1, 2027. All of the commissioners voted to formally oppose the bill, except for Commissioner Shannon Smith, who abstained from voting to avoid conflicts of interest (she owns a bar). Abstentions are counted with the majority of votes.

In spite of her abstention, Smith expressed her point of view, making it clear she took issue with the bill. With the 6% flat tax, plus the possible 4% tax, plus any additional taxes that might be imposed — some cities tax as high as 5%, she said — could mean as much as a 15% gross receipts tax on local businesses. Several small businesses have already reached out to the city asking them to oppose the bill, Torres said. He added the bill reflected a plan at the state level to restructure taxation on alcohol. Commissioner Tim Acri asked how. “It’s my understanding that they want to ship taxes off of wholesalers,” Torres said. “The argument is that that shift would then cause the overall price to actually drop on each alcohol and beverage.” Torres said he brought that line of reasoning to some local business owners, who weren’t convinced. “They said, ‘Yeah, sure, the wholesalers are going to keep every single cent of that, and at the end of the day, the consumer’s going to have to pay,’” Torres said. “We don’t need this,” Mayor Ron Washington said. Occupational taxes Finally, the board voted to support Senate Bill 237, dubbed the “Economic Development Incentive Retention Act,” which would create several reforms related to occupational tax collections, especially as it relates to work-from-home policies imposed by large companies. The bill was filed the same day the city voted to adopt its resolution and is a refinement of an earlier bill, House Bill 495, which the legislature recently dropped. If passed, the bill would mandate that companies that have corporate offices in a city, have received a city economic development incentive and that have at least 1,000 employees who spend 30% of their time in the office must always remit their occupational taxes to the city.

that by giving a corporation a reduced tax rate that they are going to be full partners with us in our community when its taxes come to the full rate,” Washington said, “and we’re not seeing that under the current work from home.”

$6M in state funding to help build sewer infrastructure in Peaselburg

The Peaselburg sign. Photo provided | Covington Neighborhood Collaborative

Covington approved a $6 million allocation from the state Feb. 24 to build anti-stormwater flooding infrastructure in the city’s Peaselburg neighborhood. The agreement has been long in the making, stemming from a deal city leaders had secured as part of the Brent Spence Corridor Project. The work will focus largely on Highway and Euclid avenues and will entail the installation of new sewers, separations between storm water and waste water inlets, and a new detention basin. “We will be able to get that designed and implemented as part of this funding allocation from The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet,” said Covington City Manager Sharmili Reddy at the caucus meeting on Feb. 17.

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Flooding has long been an issue in the neighborhood and multiple comparatively piecemeal contracts and projects aimed at mitigating the problem have come down the pike over the years. The Feb. 24 agreement will remain in effect for seven years, and the money will be given to the city on reimbursement basis.

Occupational taxes include payroll taxes and net profits taxes. Typically, those taxes are collected based on where work is being done, rather than where the company’s corporate office is. This means that a remote worker who never sets foot in Covington, even if their employer’s office is in Covington, will be taxed based on the location where they’re actually doing the work. This is especially germane for Covington and its large corporate employers, namely Fidelity, whose employees moved to remote work during the pandemic, affecting how payroll taxes were remitted. Although many Fidelity employees have since returned to the office, the city is still reeling from the decline in tax revenue that resulted. The city had given Fidelity a development incentive when it first set up shop in Covington. “We make a promise to our community MARCH 6, 2026 9

River city school districts streamline kindergarten registration By Haley Parnell

Covington Independent Public Schools

uperintendents from six river city school districts in Northern Kentucky have come together to launch a shared regional resource to help families prepare for preschool and kindergarten registration and support kindergarten readiness.

Preschool/kindergarten registration date: Currently open online Registration time(s): Anytime online or you can call the district enrollment center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During registration, families will have the opportunity to meet teachers, receive information and other materials, ask questions, connect with support staff, and tour the facilities.

The effort includes Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and Southgate public schools. It is also aligned with the Read Ready Network, a community-wide early literacy initiative that connects families, schools, libraries and local partners with resources and tools to build early learning skills and foster kindergarten readiness.

Scan this QR code for more information about registration:

Registration link can be found by scanning this QR code:

Kindergarten information: Kindergarten registration can be completed using this QR code:

Eligibility notes: Children who turn 5 by Aug. 1 and live in Bellevue will be eligible to enroll in kindergarten. Out-of-district students will need to complete the out-of-district application to be reviewed for potential enrollment.

“Kindergarten readiness is a shared responsibility, and it starts long before the first day of school,” said the river city superintendents in a joint statement. “By working together across district lines, we are making it easier for families to access timely, accurate information and connect with the resources that help children thrive.” Read Ready started as a city-based effort in Covington and has expanded significantly in the past year to include Ludlow, Newport, Dayton, Bellevue and now Southgate, creating a unified regional network focused on early learning and community collaboration. This coordinated approach helps children from birth through age 5 build the foundational skills needed for successful transitions into kindergarten and beyond. By creating one centralized, family-friendly set of information, district leaders aim to remove barriers and make it easier for families to take the first step in their child’s education. Families are encouraged to attend registration events in their resident district and bring any required documentation, such as proof of residency, birth certificates and immunization records. Ludlow Independent Schools Kindergarten/preschool registration date is March 4. Registration times: • 8:30-9:30 a.m. • 2:15-3:15 p.m. • 5-6 p.m. Registration location: Ludlow Independent Schools multipupose room on the corner of Elm Street and Adela Avenue. Pre-registration link can be found at this QR code:

Eligibility notes: • Children who turn 5 by Aug. 1 should enroll in kindergarten. • All 4-year-old children who live in Ludlow are encouraged to attend Ludlow preschool. 3-year-old children may qualify. Please plan to attend to learn more. 10 MARCH 6, 2026

Caregivers may also visit the district enrollment center for assistance at 212 Levassor Place (near Holmes High School) or call (859) 292-5864 ext. 1 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Before- or after-hours appointments available by request), walkin open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After the application is submitted the caregiver will be contacted by an enrollment clerk to complete the registration process. Families are encouraged to visit their child’s elementary school for a tour and to learn more. Events for registration: • Glenn O. Swing: Kindergarten Registration and Art show ° Thursday, March 19 ° 5-6 p.m. ° 501 W. 19th St., Covington • John G. Carlisle Elementary: Kindergarten Registration and JGC Sneaker Dance ° Thursday, April 2 ° 5:45-6:45 p.m. ° 910 Holman Ave., Covington • Latonia Elementary: Kindergarten Registration and LES Wax Museum and STEAM Event ° Wednesday, March 11 ° 4-5:30 p.m. ° 3901 Huntington Ave., Covington • Ninth District Elementary: Kindergarten Registration and Read Across America and Read Like a Viking Scholastic Book Fair ° Thursday, March 2 ° 3:30-6:30 p.m. ° 2800 Indiana Ave., Covington • Sixth District Elementary: Kindergarten Registration and the SDE School Carnival ° Friday April 17 ° 5-8 p.m. ° 1901 Maryland Ave., Covington Information on school registration can be found at this QR code

Registration location: Grandview Elementary, 500 Grandview Ave.

Teachers work with students at Newport Independent Schools. Photos provided | Newport Independent School District

Eligibility notes: State law requires children ages 6 to 16 to attend school. Any child who becomes 5 years of age on or before Aug. 1 is eligible for kindergarten in Covington Independent Public Schools. Newport Independent Schools Preschool/kindergarten registration date: Registration kicks off on March 18 Registration time(s): • 5- 7 p.m. Registration location: New enrollments are encouraged to come to the open house on Wednesday, March 18 from 5-7 p.m. to register your child for kindergarten, see classrooms, play games and receive resources for the child’s transition into kindergarten.

Dayton Independent Schools Preschool/kindergarten registration date: Kindergarten: March 31 Preschool screening dates: May 19 through 21 Registration time(s): • 5-6:30 p.m Registration location: Lincoln Elementary School, 701 Fifth Ave. Registration link can be found at this QR code:

Registration link can be found at this QR code: Southgate Independent Schools Preschool/kindergarten registration date: • April 2 Registration time(s): • 5:30-7 p.m. Eligibility notes: Children who turned 5 by Aug. 1 should enroll in kindergarten. Families that are interested in preschool are welcome to attend the open house. Children must be age 4 on or before Aug. 1 to attend. Children aged 3 may qualify based on suspected/identified disability. Speech/ language screenings will be available for all preschool and incoming kindergarten students who come to the open house. This event is open to all Newport families with a preschool or incoming kindergarten student. Bellevue Independent Schools Preschool/kindergarten registration date: March 4 Preschool screenings will take place May 13-15. For more information regarding preschool screening, call (859) 341-2473 extension 314. Registration time(s): • 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Registration location: Southgate Independent School District, 6 William F. Blatt Ave. Eligibility Notes: Preschool: All 4-year-old children who live in Southgate are eligible and encouraged to attend Southgate Preschool, and must turn 4 by Aug. 1. 3-year-old children may qualify to attend. Kindergarten: Students who are age 5 by Aug. 1 are eligible to attend kindergarten. During registration, families will have the opportunity to meet teachers, receive information and other materials, ask questions, connect with support staff, and tour facilities. Preschool screenings will be completed at the end of May. For more information regarding preschool screening, please email Mrs. Scott at courtney.scott@southgate.kyschools.us or Stephanie Watson at stephanie.watson@southgate.kyschools.us

DIVISION I

DIVISION III

CASE NO.: 25-CI-01843

CASE NO.: 25-CI-00705

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR LB-TREEHOUSE SERIES VI TRUST

FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VERSUS}

VERSUS}

MICHAEL E. GERS, ET AL.

YESIKA ARIAS MARTINEZ, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered FEBRUARY 3, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 313 HONEYSUCKLE TERRACE, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042

MASTER COMMISSIONER’S SALE BOONE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT DIVISION III CASE NO.: 23-CI-01549

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 061.08-28-040.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $176,456.41

WYNDS AT OAKBROOK HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

GROUP NO.: 893

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 27, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 10772 GLENEAGLE DRIVE, UNION, KENTUCKY 41091 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 064.06-07-017.06 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $76,542.33 GROUP NO.: 3230

VERSUS}

DIVISION I CASE NO.: 25-CI-01540 MORTGAGE RESEARCH CENTER, LLC D/B/A VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, A MISSOURI LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

VERSUS} KARMA MALONE, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 8, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 2524 WINNERS POST WAY, BURLINGTON, KY 41005 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 050.00-19-021.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $429,937.18 GROUP NO.: 5501

STEPHEN D. VAUGHN, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 21, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 6459 SUMMERFIELD DRIVE, FLORENCE, KY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 049.08-12-017.04 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $2,223.00 GROUP NO.: 1516 THIS SALE IS SUBJECT TO THE MORTGAGE OF J.P. MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., RECORDED ON MARCH 26, 2013, IN MORTGAGE BOOK 3688, PAGE 217, OF THE BOONE COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OWED TO J.P. MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., THROUGH FEBRUARY 10, 2026, IS THE PRINCIPAL SUM OF $24,213.42, MORE OR LESS, PLUS INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES ALLOWED BY THE MORTGAGE AND THE PROMISSORY NOTE IT SECURES, AND KENTUCKY LAW.

DIVISION III CASE NO.: 24-CI-01700 PLANTATION POINTE MASTER ASSOCIATION, INC. VERSUS} MICHAEL R. HOWARD, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 27, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit: ADDRESS: 1829 WAVERLY DRIVE, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042 PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 062.00-36078.00 AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $6,605.08 GROUP NO.: 4481

DIVISION I

DIVISION III

CASE NO.: 23-CI-00515

CASE NO.: 25-CI-02047

CASE NO.: 25-CI-02050

TARA AT PLANTATION POINTE COUNCIL

HERITAGE BANK, INC.

KENTUCKY HOUSING CORPORATION

VERSUS}

MERLITA WHITE, ET AL.

MASON JONES

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered FEBRUARY 10, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 21, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

ADDRESS: 1800 HAMILTON COURT, FLORENCE, KY 41042

ADDRESS: 3229 FEELEY ROAD, BURLINGTON, KENTUCKY 41005

ADDRESS: 9 SWEETBRIAR AVENUE, FLORENCE, KENTUCKY 41042

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 062.00-34-101.41

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 025.00-00-017.14

PVA PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 061.06-26-017.00

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $152,798.90

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $83,073.47

AMOUNT OF JUDGMENT: $208,823.83

GROUP NO.: 4709

GROUP NO.: 2018

GROUP NO.: 260

OF CO-OWNERS, INC. VERSUS} DAVID S. SPINNER, ET AL. By virtue of a judgment and order of sale of the Boone Circuit Court rendered JANUARY 8, 2026 the above case, I shall proceed to offer for sale at the Justice Center Building in Burlington, Kentucky, to the highest bidder, at public auction on THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. or thereabouts, the following described property to-wit:

The complete legal description is particularly set out in the Judgment and Order of Sale entered in this case. TERMS OF SALE: The property shall be sold as a whole. The purchaser may pay all or part of the purchase price in cash, and may pay the balance of the purchase price on a credit of 30 days after date of sale; said credit shall be granted only upon the execution by the purchaser of bond, with surety thereon, and said surety shall be a lending institution authorized and doing business in Kentucky, or a reputable fidelity or surety company, authorized and doing business in Kentucky, and only if said surety be acceptable to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court; and an authorized officer of the surety must be present at the sale or must have given the Commissioner adequate assurance of its intent to be surety prior to or at the sale; and said Bond shall be, and shall remain, a lien on the property sold as additional security for the payment of the full purchase price, and shall have the full force and effect of a Judgment; and said Bond shall bear interest at the rate provided by the Judgment up to Twelve (12%) Percent per annum until paid. The purchaser shall be required to pay the sum of 10% of the bid amount in cash or certified check on the purchase at the time of sale. The successful bidder at the sale shall, at bidder’s own expense, carry fire and extended insurance coverage on any improvements from the date of sale until the purchase price is fully paid, with a loss payable clause to the Commissioner of the Boone Circuit Court. Failure of the purchaser to effect such insurance shall not affect the validity of the sale or the purchaser’s liability thereunder, but shall entitle, but not require, a lien holder herein, after giving notice to the Commissioner, to effect said insurance and furnish the policy or evidence thereof to the Commissioner, and the premium thereon or the proper portion thereof shall be charged to the purchaser as purchaser’s cost. The property shall be sold subject to ad valorem taxes for the year 2026 and all subsequent years thereafter; easements, restrictions and stipulations of record; assessments for public improvements levied against the property, if any; existing zoning ordinances, statutes, laws, or regulations; and any facts which an inspection and accurate survey of the property may disclose. BIDDERS SHALL BE PREPARED TO COMPLY WITH THESE TERMS. All sales are “as is” and the Plaintiff, the Master Commissioner, and the Court shall not be deemed to have warranted title of the real estate to the purchaser. FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THESE SALES AND OTHER UPCOMING SALES CAN BE FOUND AT www.boonecountyky.org (Link to Department/Agencies to Master Commissioner) PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS ARE ADVISED AND ENCOURAGED TO REFER TO THAT WEBSITE FOR ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS.

MARCH 6, 2026 11

sports Lynn Ray to be inducted into KHSAA Hall of Fame

Former Covington Catholic Head Football Coach Lynn Ray will be inducted into the Dawahares/ KHSAA Hall of Fame 2026 Class. Photo provided | Covington Catholic High School

The man who built Covington Catholic High School into a football powerhouse is headed to the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame. Lynn Ray is among the inductees for the 2026 class to be inducted April 26, at the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington.

Ray began his coaching tenure at Covington Catholic in 1975 as a program still somewhat in its infancy, having won 34 games since it started up the program in 1966. After being an assistant at Bryan Station, Lloyd Memorial and CovCath high schools, Ray took over the reigns at 28 years old. His first season at the helm, the team had just 27 players. It took a little bit, but once the Colonels got going, they were a machine starting in the late 1980’s. Ray would win 234 games in a 30-year run, during which Covington Catholic became not only a state title contender but also won a pair of backto-back Class 3A state championships in 1987 and ’88, again in 1993 and ’94, with his final title in 1997. Ray’s long list of accolades, on top of being the winningest coach in program history, were being selected to coach the Commonwealth All-Stars in the 1990 Kentucky-Tennessee All-Star game, being named the 1992 Coach of the Year in Kentucky by Louisville’s Courier-Journal, and being among the coaches who first organized the Kentucky Football Coaches Association in 1993. Ray went 5-0 in state title games and won over 60% of his games for a program that at the time had no practice field and no stadium. Ray retired after the 2004 season. As a player, Ray was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball at Boone County High School. He earned 1962 AllState Honorable Mention at running back and was voted the school’s overall Most Valuable Athlete for all sports in 1962 and ’63. He earned a football scholarship and played football at Eastern Kentucky University under Roy Kidd, graduating in 1968. Ray is part of a 13-member class.

Sponsored by

Others to be inducted include: Makayla Epps (Athlete / Marion County), Gwen Doyle Howard (Athlete / duPont Manual), James Haire (Coach / Elizabethtown), Jody Hamilton (Coach / Raceland, Boyd County, West Jessamine, Owensboro Catholic), Chuck Medley (Coach / Saint Xavier), Joe Morris (Coach / Mayfield), Glenn Napier (Athlete / MC Napier), Larry Pursiful (Athlete / Lone Jack/Bell County), Riherd Family (Contributor/Riherds Sport Shop, Riherds.Com, KHSAA/Riherds Scoreboard), Bill Mike Runyon (Coach / Paintsville), Emma Talley (Athlete / Caldwell County) and Curtis Turley (Coach / Warren Central, Greenwood, Henderson County, Daviess County). With the introduction of this year’s 13-member class, the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame has grown to 542 alltime members since its inception in 1988. Tickets to the Induction Ceremony will be available for purchase at a later date on khsaatickets.org.

NKBBCA releases All-Conference teams The Ludlow girls basketball team is the LINK nky Team of the Week winner presented by OrthoCincy. Photo provided

LUDLOW GIRLS BASKETBALL 12 MARCH 6, 2026

The Northern Kentucky Boys Basketball Coaches Association has released its Northern Kentucky All-Conference selections. The teams compete within the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference, or NKAC, which is divided into three classifications based on school enrollment. Division I includes the conference’s largest schools, followed by Division II and Division III.

career-high averages and is a key part of a Holmes team that has won 12 games this season, including six against 9th Region opponents. He has totaled 1,577 points and 790 rebounds over his career. Defensive Player of the Year: Luke Getsy, Calvary Christian Mr. Hustle: Jay Meyers, Villa Madonna Lloyd Memorial’s Anthony Blaackar is the NKBBCA Division II Player of the Year. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

The full list of selections below: Division I Anthony Coppola and Holden Smith (Ryle), Athens McGillis, Braeden Myrick, Cash Harney and Donovan Bradshaw (Covington Catholic), Austin Davie (Campbell County), Bray Bilton (Simon Kenton), Finn Louden (Conner), Max Rubemeyer (Dixie Heights), Tayden Lorenzen and Vinny Listerman (Highlands).

Academic: Drew Thomas, Villa Madonna Highlands preseason

9th Region softball favorites

Player of the Year: Athens McGillis McGillis was also named the KABC 9th Region Player of the Year and is a Mr. Basketball candidate. He has led his team to a 26-2 record, including a 10-0 mark against 9th Region opponents, and an undefeated run through district play, solidifying their place among the top teams in the state. Defensive Player of the Year: Blake Broz, Ryle Mr. Hustle: Vinny Listerman, Highlands Academic: Nathan Rickard, Highlands Division II Anthony Blaackar and Isiah Golsby (Lloyd Memorial), Ben Brown and Jordan Clemons (Scott), Brady Gabbard, Luke Arlinghaus and Nate Rominger (Holy Cross), Dylan Topmiller, Owen McCormack and Kingston Brockett (Beechwood), John Luhn (Newport Central Catholic) and Tyler Detzel (St. Henry). Player of the Year: Anthony Blaackar Stepping into the lead role for Lloyd this season, Blaackar has helped his team remain one of the top squads in the region, posting a 20-4 overall record, 12-2 in region play, and 4-0 in district competition. He had a standout 51-point game against Mason County and knocked down 10 three-pointers versus Cincinnati Trailblazers. Defensive Player of the Year: Kingston Brockett, Beechwood Mr. Hustle: Tyler Detzel, St. Henry Academic: Brycen Herald, Boone County Division III Amontae Lowe (Newport), Arion Stuckey (Bellevue), Collin Duty and Luke Getsy (Calvary Christian), Jaylen Stone and Logan Day (Ludlow), Malachi Kennedy (Dayton), Mark McCutchen Jr. and Rashad Whitfield (Holmes), Michael Popham (Villa Madonna), Oscar Kawanishi and Trent Stone (Heritage). Player of the Year: Mark McCutchen Jr., Holmes McCutchen Jr. is averaging nearly a double-double in points and rebounds, both

The battery of Payton Brown (left) and Kaitlyn Dixon (right) has Highlands at the top of the region once again. Photo provided | Charles Bolton

Winners of three of the last four 9th Region softball titles, Highlands is once again the team to target for the upcoming season. Kentucky Prep Softball has been polling coaches from their respective regions and released the 9th Region poll on Feb. 23. Voted on by seven coaches, Highlands is in the top spot. Here is the top 10: • Highlands • Conner • Cooper • Ryle • Notre Dame • Holy Cross • Dixie Heights • Beechwood • Boone County • Villa Madonna The top 10 players were also voted on: • Kaitlyn Dixon, Highlands • Averie Lightner, Conner • Payton Brown, Highlands • Sydney Schumacher, Dixie Heights • Ainsley Scroggie, Cooper • Kayla Ortiz, Conner • Morgan Pompilio, Highlands • Brooke Moore, Beechwood • Kaitlyn Furnish, Cooper • Sadie James, Cooper • Kiley Patterson, Ryle Others receiving votes: Allison Meyers (Highlands), Bre Meredith (Conner), Cam Kratzer (Villa Madonna), Cam Markus (Highlands), Emily Gehring (Ryle), Rayne Patsel (Ryle), Shelby Ralston (Ludlow), Sophia Preston (Beechwood) The KHSAA softball season gets underway on March 16.

COMMISSIONER’S SALE CAMPBELL COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00853

CASE NUMBER 23-CI-00452

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00308

DIVISION 1

M&T BANK

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

AMERIHOME MORTGAGE COMPANY, LLC

VS.

PATRICIA THOMAS, ET AL.

KENNETH URLAGE A/K/A KENNETH E. URLAGE, ET AL.

ROBERT TAYLOR, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 2/17/2026 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 10/23/2023 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 2/6/2026 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 3/17/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 234 Evergreen Avenue, Southgate, Kentucky 41071 Group No: 41263/A1

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 3/17/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 45 Burney Lane, Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075 Group No: 30385/F2

PIDN: 999-99-10-957.00

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 3/17/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit: 707 Walnut Street, Dayton, Kentucky 41074 Group No: 30458/A3 PIDN: 999-99-10-009.00

PIDN: 999-99-16-859.00

CASE NUMBER 25-CI-00852

CASE NUMBER 24-CI-01154

CASE NUMBER 23-CI-00060

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 1

NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC

DONALD H. JOHNS AND DOROTHY H. JOHNS

KEVIN SCHULENBERG

VS.

PHILLIP ROY AKA PHILLIP C. ROY, ET AL.

CLIFFORD REEKERS III, ET AL.

BRADLEY J. CULL, ET AL.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 2/16/2026 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

BY VIRTUE OF A JUDGMENT RENDERED 1/23/2026 BY THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURT, IN THE ABOVE CAUSE I SHALL PROCEED TO OFFER FOR SALE AT THE CAMPBELL CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE, 330 YORK STREET, NEWPORT, KENTUCKY 41071, OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.

To the highest or best bidder at public auction on 3/17/2026 at 3:00pm, the following property, to-wit:

79 Southview Avenue, Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075

4134 Greis Road, Melbourne, Kentucky 41059

2 Beverly Circle, Wilder, Kentucky 41071

Group No: 41004/A1

Group No: 70334/Z

Group No: 41372/AA2

PIDN: 999-99-16-647.00

PIDN: 999-99-27-821.00

PIDN: 999-99-38-124.00

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

MARCH 6, 2026 13

real estate

Updated three-story home in Covington Address: 1406 Greenup St., Covington Price: $449,000 Bedrooms: Three Bathrooms: Three (plus one half bath) Square footage: 3,000 School district: Covington Independent County: Kenton Special features: This Covington home is located within walking distance to local events, restaurants, shops and entertainment. The renovated three-story brick home blends historic character with modern updates and industrial design elements. Offering approximately 3,000 square feet of flexible living space, the layout can accommodate three to four bedrooms plus an office, with options for primary suites on the main or second level. Each floor includes a full bathroom, along with an additional half bath for guests. Recent improvements include a brand-new kitchen, updated bathrooms, exposed brick accents, spiral ductwork, high ceilings and zoned heating and cooling.

A look at this home’s kitchen.

The exterior of this Covington home. Photos provided | Holly Nally with Huff Realty

This home’s living room.

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

HIGHLAND HILLS PARK TURNAROUND LEGAL NOTICE – INVITATION TO BID CITY OF FORT THOMAS, KENTUCKY Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the City Clerk, Municipal Building, CITY OF FORT THOMAS, 130 NORTH FORT THOMAS AVENUE, FORT THOMAS, CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY, 41075 until 11:00 AM. local time on THURSDAY MARCH 19, 2026, for furnishing all labor, materials, and equipment necessary to complete project known as HIGHLAND HILLS PARK TURNAROUND and, at said time and place, publicly opened and read aloud. Bids must be in accordance with drawings and specifications and on forms available from Verdantas LLC at a non-refundable cost of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for mailed hard copies and $45.00 for electronic files. Documents may be ordered by registering and paying for the documents online at https://bids.verdantas.com. Please contact planroom@verdantas.com or call 440-530-2351 if you encounter any problems registering or paying for the documents. The bid specifications, drawings, plan holders list, addenda, and other bid information (but not the bid forms) may be viewed and/or downloaded for free via the internet at https://bids.verdantas.com. The bidder shall be responsible to check for Addenda and obtain same from the web site. Proposals must contain the full name of the party or parties submitting the same and all persons interested therein. It is the intent and requirements of the owner that this project be completed no later than AUGUST 10, 2026. The City Council of the CITY OF FORT THOMAS, reserve the right to waive irregularities and to reject any or all bids. The City Council of the CITY OF FORT THOMAS shall authorize acceptance of the bid made by the responsible bidder who, in Council’s judgment, offers the best and most responsive proposal to the City, considering quality, service, performance record, and price; or Council may direct the rejection of all bids. The City may award based on “functional equivalence” concerning specified work or products. By the order of the City Council of the CITY OF FORT THOMAS. Publishing Date: LINKNKY.com – FEBRUARY 26, 2026

14 MARCH 6, 2026

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SUDOKU

Edited Margie E. Burke Theby Weekly Crossword

Difficulty: Easy

7 1

1 4 2

9 5

29/25 -61/4/26

9 8 2

7 3 4

3 6 1 3

7 4 9

Edited by Margie E. Burke

HOW TO SOLVE:

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

Answer to Previous Sudoku:

2 7 5 6

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

2 7 5 6

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS HOW TO SOLVE: 1 Yeshiva leader 14 15 16 6 Casino cubes Each row must contain the 18 19 17 must numbers 1 to 9; each column 10 Campbell of the contain "Scream" the numbers 1 to 9; and 22 23 21 each set of 3 by 3 boxes20must movies contain the numbers 24 25 14 Indian, for one 1 to 9. 15 Twin sister of 29 26 27 28 Ares Answer to Previous Sudoku: 16 Line on a graph 30 31 32 33 34 35 7 417 1Outbuildings 2 5 8 3 6 9 36 37 38 39 40 2 818 3Entree 6 item, 9 1 7 5 4 often 42 43 44 45 9 619 5Gift4add-ons 7 3 241 8 1 48 49 1 720 2Lawn8 improve3 9 5 4 6 46 47 ment process 52 6 922 8Musical 5 4Keys2 150 351 7 54 55 56 57 3 524 4Astutely 7 1 6 953 2 8 L.A. hoopster 59 60 61 9 3 6 5 858 7 2 4 126 29 Allude (to) 63 64 5 230 6Winning 1 8streak 7 462 9 3 66 67 2 4 665 1 5 8 331 7Most9secure 33 Mooch Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate 36 Corby of ''The Waltons'' 38 Vacation rental 2 Longing 35 Tiara inlays 51 Flower for Tiny 39 Forestall, with 3 Ballpark 37 Gunpowder Tim "off" beverage ingredient 52 "The Color 41 Actor Wallach 4 Spoiler of a sort 40 Dyeing Purple" protago42 Footnote word 5 Marching substance nist 45 Line-___ veto together 43 Swollen 55 Arabian gulf 46 Bibliography 6 U.S. and others, 44 Pout about 56 Word with birth entry politically 47 Pressed or interest 48 Rectangle's four 7 "Goodnight" girl 49 Heavier, as a 57 Winter coat? 50 Like old 3D of song dessert 60 Crude metal images 8 "The Recruit" 50 Gives the axe to 53 ____ borealis org. 54 Ones putting up 9 They're left Answers to Previous Crossword: buildings behind S E C T S S A P S A V A S 58 Extended family 10 Lifelong local I L I O B I B I A C O R N 59 "I ___ you!" 11 Make worse A R N I E G L O S S O V E R 61 Kind of being or 12 Close watch O V A T E B U T T E R N U T race 13 English R O D E O D R I V E 62 Stringed flyer assignment A B A N O R E M I A S M A 63 New York canal 21 Tees off C R E S M E L T E R M A S 64 Daugher of 23 Certain shoe B U T L E R S I N T R O I T Zeus inserts S T E E L E T O N S E C O 65 Risked a ticket, 25 Like robocalls H U D S O N O B I A P I N say 26 Chief Big Bear, I N T E R S T A T E 66 Property title for one H E I D I P O L Y G O N A L 67 Begin again 27 Droop laxly A N I L E I N D E C L I N E 28 Unable to read E S T D P A N D A L Y O N DOWN 32 Pet rocks, once N C O S E L G I N L A S T 1 Santa ___, Calif. 34 Veer anagram

THE WEEKLY COMIC by Andrew Buchanan

MARCH 6, 2026 15

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