KENTON
SUPER ISSUE REACHING ALL 177,586 HOMES IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY | LINKNKY.COM | VOLUME 4, ISSUE 46 — OCTOBER 16, 2026
Your guide to the candidates, races and issues on Northern Kentucky’s ballot
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Inside LINK: Local elections need local reporters By Lacy Starling, President/CEO, LINK Media
PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling COMMUNITY EDITOR Christian LeDuc SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison The LINK nky Kenton Reader, (ISSN 3064-7460) is published weekly except 1st Friday in Jan & July by LINK Media, LLC., 523 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, Covington, KY 41011. Periodicals postage is paid at Covington, KY. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The LINK nky Kenton Reader, 523 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, Covington, KY 41011. For mailing address or change-of-address orders: POSTMASTER: send address changes to The LINK nky Kenton Reader: 523 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, Covington, KY 41011. 859-878-1669 | www.LINKnky.com
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his fall, more than 270 candidates are running in competitive races across our region. Counting primaries and generals, it’s the eighth election (and fourth election cycle) LINK has covered since our founding in 2021 — and the biggest. This spring, the primary in the 4th Congressional District (the seat Rep. Thomas Massie currently holds) set a record for the most money ever spent on a Congressional primary. This fall is quieter, but I’d argue it’s more consequential. National races get the attention, but the local races decided next month touch every part of our daily lives. Whether it’s the development of our counties, led by fiscal court members, or the tax rates school board members set, the people running in local elections have incredible power in Northern Kentucky. Races like Massie versus Gallrein draw reporters from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. But those reporters don’t stick around to cover candidates for Fort Thomas City Council or moderate forums for the Kenton County Fiscal Court race. They move on to the next big-money race and leave the communities they dropped into. Local people are then left to figure out who deserves their vote on their own.
The Super Issue in your hands is another part of that mission. We mail an election guide, for free, to every household in NKY. Not just the wealthy neighborhoods, not just the most populous. Everyone — because everyone deserves to be prepared to vote in local elections. This coverage is not cheap. Just the printing and postage on this one issue runs more than $75,000. We sell as much advertising as we can, but it doesn’t come close to covering the reporting, editing, printing and mailing of our election guides and the rest of our coverage. That’s where readers like you come in. If you value local reporting that sticks around after the national news moves on, please scan the QR code below to donate. Even $5 a month helps us cover one additional city meeting in NKY. If you can’t give right now, signing up for our newsletter or sharing a story with a neighbor also helps. National news will always find the next big race. We’ll be covering the one on your block.
CONTENTS 04 N orthern Kentucky
murder case helps drive pardon amendment voters will decide in November
06 With McConnell retiring, four candidates vie for Kentucky’s open U.S. Senate seat
10 S trange, Todd court
Massie voters after Gallrein’s GOP primary victory
12 S ample ballots for Kenton County
18 Kentucky 2026 election FAQ: What voters need to know
20 Fall by the hour:
Kentucky adventures for every kind of getaway
22 F amily in town for the holidays? Here are 12 NKY restaurants worth a visit
SCAN ME!
This isn’t just my opinion. Researchers who study communities that lose their local paper keep finding the same pattern: less voter engagement, fewer candidates and less competition on the ballot, and higher borrowing costs for local governments. That’s why LINK exists. Without local reporters covering local government, it goes uncovered, or covered so thinly that voters have no one asking hard questions, profiling candidates or moderating forums where you can hear candidates answer questions in real time. LINK’s in-depth coverage of Flock cameras, for instance, kicked off a region-wide reckoning with surveillance and technology that echoes through this election. LINK does all of that with no additional staff. Our three county reporters — Kenton Hornbeck, Haley Parnell and Nathan Granger — have covered this election on top of their regular beats. For months, they’ve worked tirelessly to gather information on every candidate in a competitive race and to cover the issues on the ballot. This year, LINK went even further. We hosted candidate forums in all three counties and invited every candidate, so voters could ask questions directly, no intermediary required. We wanted you to be able to look candidates in the eye, shake their hands and find out exactly how they’d make the decisions that matter to you. Because LINK is more than a newspaper. It’s more than the website you visit to find out when the new 7 Brew is opening. We are part of the fabric of this community, and we take that role seriously. It would be easier to chase the splashy stories and leave down-ballot races uncovered, but that’s not why we exist. OCTOBER 16, 2026 3
Northern Kentucky murder case helps drive pardon amendment voters will decide in November said she had no warning that anything like that could happen.
By Haley Parnell
“I
t’s been 38 years and three generations of us that have had to be involved in this,” Keri, the niece of Debbie Pooley, told LINK nky. “I was only 15 when my aunt died.”
eri said her grandfather, Pooley’s father, K had to ask her and her sister to watch the case after he died. “I had to read about maggots and the insect activity on my aunt’s body,” Keri said. “I didn’t have to read that when I was 15, but because this has lasted so long, I’ve had to get into those factors of the case. So, in retrospect, I wish that he wasn’t even given the death penalty, because the death penalty is really a life sentence for the family.”
ooley, of Covington, was kidnapped, raped P and murdered in 1987 by Gregory Wilson, who was sentenced to death by a Kenton County jury after being convicted in 1988. Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin commuted Wilson’s death sentence on Dec. 6, 2019, three days before Bevin’s final day in office, making Wilson eligible for parole. LINK nky is only using Keri’s first name in this story per her request for privacy. In 2019, Bevin issued 227 pardons, 418 commutations and 16 combined actions, most during his final weeks in office after losing reelection. Seeking to prevent a repeat of Bevin’s lateterm clemency actions, state Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Republican from Ryland Heights, sponsored Senate Bill 10, which places a constitutional amendment before voters that would bar governors from granting pardons or commuting sentences from 60 days before a gubernatorial election. The prohibition ends on the fifth Tuesday after the election, when the governor is sworn in for the new term. B 10 unanimously passed the Senate in S January. After the House amended and approved it 82-12, the Senate accepted the changes 36-1. Constitutional amendments require three-fifths support in each chamber but do not require the governor’s approval. The proposal will become part of the Kentucky Constitution if it receives a majority of votes cast on Nov. 3. Supporters say the restriction would prevent governors from making consequential clemency decisions without electoral accountability. Critics counter that it could temporarily eliminate an important safeguard for correcting wrongful or excessive
4 OCTOBER 16, 2026
Kentucky Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Republican from Ryland Heights (left) and Debbie Pooley’s former coworker Joe Heil (right) in front of the Kenton County Detention Center. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky
sentences and argue that the Constitution should not be amended in response to one governor’s conduct. The constitutional amendment would apply to every governor during every gubernatorial election period — including a governor who is not seeking reelection and an incumbent who wins reelection. “The important thing in this amendment is not to allow people or parties to be on a ballot, secure an election victory and then pardon people in the dark of night,” McDaniel said. McDaniel, who is not running for reelection in November, first filed the bill in 2020, initially proposing a 30-day window in which governors could not issue pardons or commutations. He subsequently introduced versions in 2021, 2022 and 2024 before SB 10 passed earlier this year. He said that after changes to voting laws expanded the voting window, the 30-day period changed to 60 days, which gives the earliest voter about 30 days’ notice to make a more informed decision about anyone who is pardoned. McDaniel said a governor could still rush
pardons before that 60-day window, but if they were a midterm governor, they would have to run again. If it were an inter-term governor, their party would appear on the ballot again, holding the party responsible. Overall, McDaniel said the goal is to avoid what happened after Bevin’s 2019 loss. “ In his [Bevin’s] case, the voters said, ‘This is not who we want to be our governor anymore,’ and he took advantage of that brief period between the voters making their statement and the new governor coming in to do things that, to me, were unconscionable.”
enton County Commonwealth’s Attorney K Rob Sanders worked to keep Wilson behind bars when he went before the parole board after his commuted death sentence. Before Pooley’s abduction, rape and murder, Wilson had served about 12 years in an Ohio prison for two rape convictions. He had recently been released on parole when he abducted Pooley. “ I was shocked and appalled at former Gov. Bevin’s flurry of pardons on his way out of office, not solely because of the enormous number of pardons that he issued, but because of the shocking cases that he issued them in,” Sanders told LINK nky. anders said that by commuting Wilson’s S sentence to life with the possibility of parole rather than life without parole, Bevin allowed Wilson to seek release and forced Pooley’s family and others like Joe Heil, who employed Pooley at a Barleycorn’s sports bar in Newport in the 1980s, to oppose him before the Kentucky Parole Board.
Kentucky’s Constitution requires governors to file their reasons for clemency decisions and make the applications and explanations available for public inspection. Bevin said at the time of Wilson’s commutation that Wilson was involved in a brutal murder but concluded that the quality of his legal defense made the death sentence unjust. The commutation did not overturn Wilson’s conviction; it changed his punishment from death to life with the possibility of parole.
McDaniel said Heil is the one who got the ball rolling on the constitutional amendment after he texted him about Wilson’s commutation. Heil is running for Cold Spring City Council. That is a non-partisan race. LINK nky did not speak with Heil in his capacity as a candidate.
For Keri, Wilson’s commuted death sentence hit her family “out of left field.” She
Heil said he has followed Wilson’s case since Pooley disappeared in 1987 and
through multiple rounds of unsuccessful state and federal appeals.
defeated Bevin in 2019, have reservations about enacting the change.
“ To have one person with a swipe of a pen have this miscarriage of justice to the judges, the police officers, prosecutors and, of course, the family involved was just incredible to me that that could happen,” Heil said.
“There is no question that Gov. Bevin abused the pardon authority and let violent criminals out of prison, some of whom then committed additional crimes,” said Scottie Ellis, a spokesperson for Beshear, in a statement to LINK nky media partner Kentucky Lantern in June. “The solution should not be to limit a governor’s pardon powers but to ensure we elect good governors.”
anders said Bevin’s slew of pardons also S included another case out of Kenton County involving Micah Schoettle, who was in the second year of a 23-year prison sentence when Bevin pardoned him of rape, sodomy and other sexual crimes. The pardon also removed him from the state’s sex offender registry. Sanders said Bevin pardoned Schoettle, let him out of prison and effectively erased that conviction. He said Bevin never consulted his office, consulted the police, read the police report or watched the trial and heard the testimony and evidence the jury used to convict him. “ His behavior is unbelievably childish and petty,” Sanders said. “Not to mention, it put the citizens of Kentucky at greater danger by turning these killers loose into our community.” In Wilson’s case, Sanders said the parole board gave him a “serve out,” which means he will spend the rest of his life in prison, although a future governor could still pardon Wilson or commute his sentence again. Some, including Gov. Andy Beshear, who
ric King, spokesperson for the American E Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, said in a statement to the Lantern in June that the group is concerned “that limiting the authority of governors’ power in this particular way will erode an important safety valve in an imperfect judicial system. “Further, we are wary of amending the constitution in response to potentially one bad actor in Kentucky’s nearly 250-year history,” King added. The amendment contains no stated exception for newly discovered evidence of innocence, terminal illness or another urgent circumstance. The governor would retain clemency authority during the rest of the four-year term.
eral level issued by Republicans, issued by Democrats; they all have this intervening period where they don’t have to account to the voters, and it doesn’t matter who you are,” McDaniel said. Sanders said he was in support of McDaniel’s proposed constitutional amendment. “There’s no reason that a governor shouldn’t be willing to pardon someone while they are still able to be held accountable, or at least their political party would be held accountable for that governor’s decision,” he said. “The voters ought to know about those pardons before they go to the voting booth.”
The constitutional amendment as it will appear on the ballot: Are you in favor of limiting a Governor’s ability to grant pardons or commute sentences by prohibiting him or her from granting pardons or commuting sentences during the time period beginning 60 days prior to the general election at which the Governor is elected, and ending when the Governor is sworn in for that term by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below? It is proposed that Section 77of the Constitution of Kentucky be amended to read as follows:
Keri said her aunt was warm and funny. She loved holidays. She loved to cook. She loved her and her sister. She loved her family more than anything. “She left a hole that could never be filled, and everything from holidays to birthdays, there was just a sorrow hanging over them,” Keri said. “It’s really sad, and as I said, my grandfather carried that responsibility until the day he died, that responsibility of feeling like he had to stay on top of this case. And who would have thought 38 years later, we’d still be talking about it?”
McDaniel said this issue transcends party lines. “There has been some accusation otherwise, but I will tell you: you can look at issues or pardons at both the state and fed-
(1) The Governor shall have power to: (a) Remit fines and forfeitures; and (b) Commute sentences and grant reprieves and pardons, except: 1. In case of impeachment; or 2. For the period beginning sixty days prior to the date of the gubernatorial election and ending the fifth Tuesday succeeding the election. (2) The Governor shall file with each application therefor a statement of the reasons for his or her decision thereon, which application and statement shall always be open to public inspection. (3) In cases of treason, the Governor shall have power to grant reprieves until the end of the next session of the General Assembly, in which the power of pardoning shall be vested; but he or she shall have no power to remit the fees of the Clerk, Sheriff or Commonwealth’s Attorney in penal or criminal cases. Yes
No
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With McConnell retiring, four candidates vie for Kentucky’s open U.S. Senate seat By Nathan Granger & Haley Parnell
I
t’s been 16 years since a Senate seat opened in Kentucky, one that was filled by the election of Rand Paul in 2010. Now, with the impending departure of Mitch McConnell — who has not only served in the Senate since 1985 but is also the longest-serving Senate party leader ever — another significant opening in the nation’s legislature has occurred. Four candidates are now vying to succeed McConnell in the Senate. Whoever wins will enter the Senate as a freshman member and is unlikely to immediately wield the influence McConnell accumulated over more than four decades in office. But what made McConnell such a significant figure — for both his allies and his detractors? And what do we know about the current slate of candidates looking to take his place? The party leader McConnell’s allies have described him as an effective leader, party builder and mentor, while critics argue that his tactics contributed to obstruction and polarization in Washington. “When I ran for office — my first time running was in 2003 — he recognized something in me and gave me suggestions along the way, gave me a pat on the back when I deserved it and gave me a kick in the butt when I needed it,” said Trey Grayson, a Northern Kentucky native, attorney and former Republican Kentucky Secretary of State from 2004 to early 2011. “He did that for a lot of people.” McConnell endorsed Grayson in the 2010 Republican Senate primary, which he lost to Rand Paul. On the other hand, said Jared Kamrass, a Cincinnati-based Democratic media consultant, “he did help usher in this era of very, very stark polarization and the gamesmanship of politics.”
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell stands in the staging area at the ground breaking of the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project in Cincinnati in early 2026. Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stands in the foreground. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
Kamrass said that McConnell was, at the most basic level, an effective politician. “Mitch McConnell had really built the Republican Party from scratch since being elected senator,” said Darrin Wilson, professor of political science at Northern Kentucky University. “He’s been able to build an infrastructure that has been very powerful and very effective in electing Republicans across the commonwealth.” One way he did this, Wilson said, was by recruiting people for local and state-level offices. He was also integral in fundraising campaigns. During McConnell’s tenure, Kentucky also underwent a dramatic partisan shift at the state and federal levels. Kentucky has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Wendell Ford won reelection in 1992.
“At the national level, it’s still a solidly Republican state, conservative state, which I think makes it difficult for any Democrat in particular to be able to overcome that hurdle,” Wilson said. “Especially as a state that has a very urban-rural divide, where you have Democratic votes very much concentrated in the urban areas, whereas the rest of the state, more rural communities, rural counties tend to vote more Republican at the federal level for federal elections.” That shift, Grayson said, reflects McConnell’s long-running focus on building the Republican Party from the ground up. “We call him the architect of the modern Kentucky Republican Party, and it’s deserved,” Grayson said. “When I would talk to people around the country, and I would tell them how much he still cared about lo-
cal races, local legislative races, things like that, a lot of folks were surprised because so many of the national figures don’t stay as involved in trying to help that.” McConnell was also effective at bringing federal money into the state. One of the most prominent examples was the roughly $4 billion Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, for which McConnell helped secure federal support. But just this year, even as it was clear his time in the Senate was winding down, McConnell and his allies managed to secure roughly $18.5 million in federal money for infrastructure, education and defense projects in NKY. The funding was included in the congressionally approved federal appropriations bill, McConnell touted when he visited Erlanger in April. Continues on page 8
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Continues on page 8
“I’m finishing up 42 years, and my attitude about this has remained the same no matter who was in the White House,” McConnell said during a visit to Erlanger in April. “My job was to help our medium-sized state punch above its weight to be able to compete against California, New York and other big states, and to designate where that funding should go.” McConnell’s role in increasing partisan polarization in the Senate is also a point of disagreement over his legacy. Critics argue that his leadership tactics contributed to that polarization. His repeated use of the filibuster during the years of the Obama administration, for instance, was among the primary roadblocks for enacting that administration’s policy agenda. McConnell declined to advance Obama’s 2016 Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, while the Republican-led Senate confirmed Donald Trump nominee Amy Coney Barrett in October 2020, shortly before that year’s election. “His legacy is going to be very, very complicated,” Kamrass said. “I think there’s no doubt that he was effective for Kentucky. At this point, even his strongest admirers would have to be willing to acknowledge that he did help usher in a part of our politics that is particularly dark.” As for the future of Kentucky’s Senate seat, the role the new senator is going to play, Wilson said, “depends on which party ends up taking the Senate after this election.”
Who’s next? Andy Barr
His campaign has emphasized his experience in Congress and his support for President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. Barr said his priorities include strengthening border security, expanding domestic energy production, including Kentucky coal and natural gas, and pursuing economic policies aligned with the Trump administration.
U.S. Senate candidate Andy Barr speaks during the St. Jerome Picnic in Fancy Farm, Kentucky, on Aug. 2, 2025. Photo by Austin Anthony | Kentucky Lantern
Andy Barr is an eighth-generation Kentuckian, a husband and father of four. Barr, who has represented Kentucky’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2013, said he is seeking a U.S. Senate seat because he wants to continue representing Kentucky at the federal level, according to information his campaign manager provided to LINK nky. He currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee and the Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.
“With President Trump back in the White House, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seal the border for good, unleash American energy like Kentucky coal and natural gas, rebuild our economy and restore common sense in Washington,” Barr said in a statement. “I’ll also continue to fight for our Second Amendment rights, to protect the pro-life movement and to make sure biological men aren’t in girls’ sports and private spaces.” Barr’s campaign also pointed to more than 160 endorsements it says he has received in the race, including support from U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, Northern Kentucky native Nick Sandmann and former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. The campaign has presented Barr’s congressional record, support for Trump and experience in federal office as central arguments for his Senate candidacy. LINK nky compiled this profile using information and statements provided by Barr’s campaign manager. Charles Booker Charles Booker is a lifelong resident of Louisville’s West End. He became the first Black major-party nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky in 2022. He served in the Kentucky House representing the 43rd District from 2019 to 2021 and was the state’s youngest Black lawmaker during his term. Booker ran for Senate in 2020, losing the primary narrowly to Amy McGrath, then winning the 2022 Democratic primary; he lost the general to Rand Paul.
Trends in seats lost and gained in the U.S. House and Senate midterm elections for whichever major party is in the White House from 1902 to 2022. Graph provided | Encyclopedia Britannica
8 OCTOBER 16, 2026
Booker served as director of administrative services for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, where he worked with communities across the state.
Former Democratic state lawmaker and U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker addressed the “No Kings” rally in Lexington, Oct. 18, 2025. Photo by Tom Ebeln | Kentucky Lantern
In the “why I’m running” section of his campaign website, Booker said, “now more than ever, people need leadership that is committed to the work of ending generational poverty and uprooting structural racism, delivering on system-changing policies like Medicare for All, Universal Basic Income, Reparations and Universal Childcare.” He said his priorities include supporting small businesses, family farms and grassroots organizations, as well as addressing housing affordability and rising utility costs. He also said he supports policies aimed at preventing families from losing housing because of high rents. “The current White House is abysmal,” Booker said on his campaign website. “They have failed to show up for regular people at every possible turn, sold us out coming and going, tanked the economy we were already getting pummeled by, trampled on our rights and freedoms, and only made the swamp worse. “While it is critical that we push back on these wannabe kings and bring accountability to Washington, the movement has always been bigger than the hate we stand against,” said Booker. “I am running for Senate because I know Kentucky is worth fighting for.” Charles Booker did not respond to a request for comment. This profile was compiled using information from Booker’s campaign website.
statement of the federal government, the contract to its citizens. To me, the part about promoting ‘the General Welfare’ includes universal healthcare and is a principle that the federal government needs to uphold.”
Christopher Campbell
He said his first priority, if elected, would be reining in the executive branch. He said that presidents have been given too much slack from Congress to wage wars, issue tariffs and conduct unconstitutional business with zero accountability or repercussions. Thomas Michael Murphy Kentucky Party Senate candidate Christopher Campbell. Photo provided | Campbell for Senate
Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell told LINK nky that he entered the race because he believes officials in the two major parties only seek to line the pockets of their benefactors and ignore the needs of their constituents. He said he got into the race purely by circumstance. Running for the Senate was not on his 2026 bingo card, he said, but the Kentucky Party did not have a candidate to run for the seat, so he stepped up. His primary policy is universal healthcare. “We are the wealthiest nation in history and we cannot guarantee healthcare to our citizens,” Campbell said. “The number one cause of debt and bankruptcy is medical costs. That is a failure of the government, and it is inhumane. I believe that the preamble to the Constitution is the mission
Write-in candidate for U.S. Senate Thomas Murphy. Photo provided | Brave 2026, Murphy for Kentucky
Thomas Michael Murphy filed as a writein candidate with no party affiliation on March 4, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State. Thomas Michael Murphy did not respond to LINK nky’s request for comment and does not have a formal campaign website. This profile was compiled using available information on Murphy. PAID ADVERTISEMENT
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Park Hills City Council – Carl Trinkle
am running for Park Hills City Council again in November, and would like your support. I ran unsuccessfully in 2024, falling about 100 votes short. Since losing, I was appointed to the economic development committee, where I am in my second year of service. I have gotten to know a lot of the people currently serving in city government, and I have a better understanding of our city government. As your representative on city council, I will work hard to get things done and help to make our city even better, including: • Maintaining/improving our independent police and fire departments • Supporting efforts to build a shelter/restrooms at Trolley Park • Maintain the city roads and infrastructure • Enhance communication within the city • Never increase current tax rates • Support things that improve the quality of life for our residents • Encourage volunteering and support our civic organizations • Work to continuously improve all government services
I also believe strongly in honesty, integrity, and avoiding even the appearance of a conflict of interest. I have no business interests in Park Hills. My campaign is 100% financed by me. Any compensation I receive will be donated back to Civic Organizations in Park Hills. I will pledge to spend every tax dollar wisely and to always put the interests of the city and its residents first.
I grew up in rural Boone County, the fifth of six siblings in a 200 sq. ft, two-room house, without indoor plumbing for the first 16 years. My father was a professional inventor. He had a successful business making orthopedic instruments in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. He sold his business and moved from Hyde Park to rural Boone County. Before we were old enough to go to school, we were put to work in his machine shop. I missed out on a normal childhood, but I did learn the value of hard work and a valuable vocation. I graduated from Conner High School in 1980 where I shared the Math award. In 1984, I earned a BS in Math and Computer Science from NKU where I was named the outstanding senior in math.
From there I went on to graduate school at the University of Virginia on a full fellowship. After a brief stint at a startup company with my two older brothers, I completed my master’s degree in Math in 1987 at Miami University. My first professional job was a robot programmer for another startup company that put metal coatings on aerospace components – mostly for GE Aircraft Engines. My position quickly evolved to Quality Assurance Manager, Production Manager, and finally Engineering Manager. I left in 1991 to start a new company with my older brother, designing and building molds for aircraft engine parts. In 2016 we became AS9100 certified to make flight hardware. At our peak, just before Covid, we had 25 employees. From the beginning, I shared all of our quarterly financial statements with our employees, and gave them a generous share of the profits. Over time, key loyal employees were given significant ownership in the company. I believed in hard work, honesty, integrity, openness, and leading by example. My wife Ania (pronounced Anya) and I have been married 41 years. She is orig-
inally from Poland. We met in the Math Department at NKU. We have one son – Zach, who attended Villa Madonna and now is an actuary for a local insurance company. I am retired from the business now. My hobbies include travel, pickleball, bridge, cycling, gardening and spending time with my granddaughters. I hope you will support me on November 3rd, and I look forward to being your representative on city council in 2027.
PAID FOR BY CARL TRINKLE OCTOBER 16, 2026 9
Strange, Todd court Massie voters after Gallrein’s GOP primary victory By Kenton Hornbeck
T
homas Massie won’t be on the ballot this November, but his voters could still shape Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race.
Nearly 48,000 Republicans backed Massie in his May primary loss to Ed Gallrein. Democrat Melissa Strange and Libertarian Jeremy Todd are trying to persuade some of those voters to cross party lines rather than support Gallrein. The contentious May primary, which Gallrein won 57,822 to 47,539, drew national attention and set a new congressional spending record. The campaigns and aligned super PACs spent about $37 million on the race, making it the most expensive U.S. House primary on record. First elected in 2012, Massie had routinely cruised to reelection, building a loyal following since arriving in Congress during the Tea Party era. Trump backed Gallrein in the primary after years of increasingly public clashes with Massie over federal spending and foreign policy. Massie opposed major COVID-era spending measures on fiscal grounds and later broke with Trump over issues including the release of the Epstein files and U.S. military action against Iran. Gallrein, meanwhile, has closely aligned himself with Trump’s agenda. Strange and Todd are now trying to capitalize on some of the divisions exposed by the Republican primary. Strange, a political newcomer, told LINK nky she had personally heard from former Massie voters who are considering voting for a Democrat for the first time. Strange said many of the Massie voters she’s spoken with share her concerns on affordability and housing availability, along with growing concerns over Flock cameras and data center construction. “They want to know more about me, because usually there are things where they
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may not agree on everything, but they can see enough similarities or enough pieces of where I stand on issues that they feel like they can find me as an acceptable alternative to Mr. Gallrein,” Strange said.
attorney to run. Todd and his supporters have pitched his candidacy as an alternative for Massie voters dissatisfied with Gallrein and the national Republican Party’s involvement in the primary.
In addition, Strange said some Massie supporters felt burned by the contentious primary, which at times became deeply personal. She noted that these voters were not suddenly embracing the Democratic Party but were looking to her as an alternative to Gallrein and weighing the issues on which they may share common ground.
Whether those voters can significantly change the outcome is another question. Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District has strongly favored Republicans in recent elections. In the last genuinely contested general election in 2022, Massie received 167,541 votes to Democrat Matthew Lehman’s 79,977, or about 65% to 31%, per election data.
Strange has emphasized the economy, health care, education and government accountability in her campaign. Todd has made a more explicitly libertarian pitch to disaffected Massie supporters, emphasizing limited government, federal spending and opposition to U.S. military involvement abroad. He has pointed to Massie’s willingness to break with Trump on spending and foreign policy as an area of overlap with libertarian voters. Todd, who spoke with LINK nky in June, was more explicit in his criticism of Gallrein and his surrogates, calling it a concerted behind-the-scenes effort to thwart Massie’s reelection.
Strange and Todd also face the challenge of competing for some of the same dissatisfied voters. Todd is appealing primarily to Massie supporters drawn to his limited-government politics, while Strange is asking them to cross a wider partisan divide. How many of Massie’s 47,539 primary voters will actually abandon the Republican nominee remains unclear. Gallrein now has the task of consolidating Republican voters, while Strange and Todd are trying to peel some away in a district that has strongly favored Republicans in recent federal elections. Who’s on the ballot?
“Just the amount of money that was pumped in, it’s gross,” Todd said. “We need to push back against that and say, no, you cannot buy a congressional seat.” Todd’s campaign manager, Bill Schult, told LINK nky in June that after Massie’s loss, a subset of ideological libertarians in the congressional district wanted to run a candidate they felt better represented their values. “Once Thomas Massie lost the Republican primary, we reconsidered whether it made sense to run a Libertarian for the seat,” Schult said. Todd entered the race after Massie’s primary loss, when libertarians on social media began urging the Kenton County-based
Three candidates are seeking the 4th Congressional District seat in the Nov. 3 general election: Republican Ed Gallrein, Democrat Melissa Strange and Libertarian Jeremy Todd. ED GALLREIN (R) Retired Navy SEAL and Army Ranger Ed Gallrein, a Republican, is facing Democrat Melissa Strange and Libertarian Jeremy Todd in the general election this November after defeating incumbent Congressman Thomas Massie in the GOP primary. Gallrein launched his campaign last October, positioning himself as a close ally of President Donald Trump — a contrast to Massie, who had publicly clashed with
Ed Gallrein. Photo provided | Ed Gallrein campaign
Trump on various issues. Upon entering the race, Trump officially endorsed Gallrein, providing the former military captain an advantage among Trump-supporting Republicans. During his visit to Hebron in early March, Trump invited Gallrein onstage at his rally. Before the May primary, Gallrein’s only electoral experience was an unsuccessful primary run for the District 7 seat in the Kentucky State Senate, where he narrowly lost to now-Sen. Aaron Reed. Gallrein has campaigned as an “America First” Republican closely aligned with Trump, emphasizing tax cuts, reduced federal regulation and lower government spending. On immigration policy, Gallrein advocates stronger border enforcement by completing construction of the southern border wall and expanding funding for Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Professionally, Gallrein served in the military for 30 years, deploying across the globe from Central America to the Middle East. According to Gallrein’s campaign, he received three Bronze Star Medals, an Army Combat Parachutist Badge with a Bronze Star device and two Presidential
Unit Citations during his military career. Later on, Gallrein worked as an executive coach and public speaker. “My passion is about service,” Gallrein told LINK nky. “To give back to the people that have given so much. They deserve that, and I’m going to give that to them.”
Education is another central focus of Strange’s campaign, as she advocates increased public education funding and early childhood programs, including expanded pre-K access. JEREMY TODD (L)
Gallrein, originally from Simpson County, now resides on a large farm in Shelbyville near Louisville.
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MELISSA STRANGE (D)
Call 859-581-6607
Jeremy Todd. Photo provided | Jeremy Todd campaign
Melissa Strange. Photo provided | Melissa Strange campaign
Melissa Strange, a Democrat and first-time candidate, will face Republican Ed Gallrein and Libertarian Jeremy Todd in the November general election for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. Strange defeated fellow first-time candidate Jesse Brewer in the Democratic primary. Strange is a lifelong resident of Northern Kentucky and a graduate of Dixie Heights High School, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University. She lives in Erlanger with her husband and has two sons. She currently serves as a director of supply chain management at Archer-Daniels-Midland in Erlanger. Strange told LINK nky she decided to run because of a long-standing interest in government and concerns about the country’s political division. As a candidate, Strange has framed herself as a community-first pragmatist focused more on problem-solving than on partisan conflict. Strange decided to run after years of complaints from community members dissatisfied with current Rep. Thomas Massie’s tenure, who believed he was not always acting in the best interests of the people in his district. “I felt that if we could present a reasonable alternative, somebody who they felt was rational and just like them and cared deeply about this community, that maybe, maybe, they would be willing to leave the (Republican) party behind and actually make the decision in the best interest of the community,” she said. On policy, Strange’s main focus is tackling the affordability crisis, including rising costs for housing, groceries and daily expenses. She also considers rising healthcare costs a crucial issue, particularly in rural areas, where hospital closures could harm local communities.
Jeremy Todd, the Libertarian Party nominee for Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, entered the race following the defeat of longtime U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican primary. Todd told LINK nky he decided to run because he believes voters who favor limited government — including Libertarians, Independents and former Massie supporters — no longer have a candidate representing their views. He describes both major parties as favoring expanded government, with the Libertarian Party existing as an alternative. Todd’s campaign centers on three primary issues. One is reducing federal spending, which he argues is necessary to address the national debt and the rising cost of living. Todd says excessive government spending has made it increasingly difficult for younger Americans to afford homes and start families.
SARAH FROELICH Kenton County Commissioner
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In addition, Todd opposes continued U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, including recent actions against Iran. He said the United States should avoid foreign conflicts, bring troops home and focus on national defense. Todd also said he wants to reduce the influence of outside money in congressional elections. He cited this year’s Republican primary, arguing that wealthy donors should not be able to determine election outcomes. Todd believes Kentucky’s 4th District is more politically competitive than its Republican voting history suggests, as Massie drew support from independents and Libertarians. He hopes to build a coalition of voters who are seeking an alternative to the Republican and Democratic nominees.
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Sample ballots for Kenton County Each election cycle, Kentucky counties post a sample ballot showing voters what they will see when they vote on General Election Day. These are the sample ballots for Kenton County for the November 2026 general election.
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Candidate profiles for Kenton County election For profiles of every candidate, go online to the LINK nky Election Headquarters at linknky.com/2026-nky-election-headquarters or scan the QR code here:
Kenton County Commissioners County commissioners serve as legislators on county fiscal courts, the elected bodies that govern counties in Northern Kentucky. County commissioners’ primary job is to create budget priorities for tax-funded county services. Fiscal courts are headed by an executive called a judge/executive. County commissioners are elected based on where they live in the county, but they represent the county at large, meaning they represent it as a whole. That means everyone in the county can vote for each commissioner district, regardless of where they live. The Kenton County Fiscal Court has three county commissioner seats and districts.
Kenton County Commissioner District 1 Beth Sewell Beth Sewell is the Republican incumbent county commissioner candidate in District 1 on the Kenton County Fiscal Court. She will face off against Democrat chalKenton County Comlenger Sarah Froelich missioner District 1 Republican candidate Beth in November. Sewell. Photo provided | Beth Sewell Sewell, who lives in
Covington’s Wallace Woods neighborhood, was first elected to the fiscal court in 2010. She’s not from the region, instead growing up on a large, family-owned farm in Indiana. She moved to Northern Kentucky when her husband relocated for work about 30 years ago. Sewell herself has a professional background in
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nonprofit management. “When I filed to run for office nearly 16 years ago, I was well-advised to set foundational principles by which I would govern,” Sewell said. Specifically, she said those principles were to maintain representative government, protect taxpayers’ investment and demonstrate integrity and transparency. Sewell touted several key accomplishments she’s taken part in during her time on the fiscal court. Specifically, she pointed to the establishment of Kenton County Emergency Dispatch, which was formed after its predecessors in Erlanger and Covington merged. “I’ve been blessed to govern through a recession, a global pandemic, an opioid epidemic and even an EF4 tornado,” Sewell said at a campaign event earlier this year. “I’m proud to say that despite these unforeseen challenges, Kenton County remains stable and secure.” Additionally, she touted her support of the Kenton County Detention Center’s substance abuse program, which she described as a “model” program that reduced recidivism. If reelected, she hoped to use opioid abatement funds to expand the county’s police navigator program, which places social workers in police departments to help get people connected to resources. With two commissioners leaving the fiscal court, Sewell said one of her main priorities would be “to establish trusting and healthy relationships with my new fellow elected commissioners.” Sarah Froelich Sarah Froelich is the Democratic candidate to challenge Republican incumbent Beth Sewell for the District 1 seat on the Kenton County Fiscal Court. District 1 occupies the northKenton County Commis- eastern region of the county. sioner District 1 Democratic candidate Sarah Froelich. Photo provided | Sarah Froelich
Froelich is one of several Democratic
candidates running for seats on the county government for the first time in over two decades. She’s a communications professional and is known locally for her time on the Park Hills City Council, where she’s served since 2019. She’s currently the secretary of the Kenton County Democrats Executive Committee and has been a member of the Kenton County Democrats Women’s Club since 2019. She’s originally from Cincinnati but has also called Chicago and New York home. She currently lives with her husband in Park Hills. “My first priority is making sure county business is conducted openly,” Froelich said, “with real discussion about the decisions being made and why. Too much happens without enough public clarity. That changes when I’m at the table.” Froelich specifically called for greater transparency and more communication on major infrastructure and development projects in the region, citing several big projects, such as the IRS site development in Covington, as well as the Site Readiness Initiative in the south county, which served as a way of inventorying land for possible future development.
elected at-large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them.) He will face Democrat Benjamin Bach in November. Niceley graduated from Lloyd Memorial High School in Erlanger and started his business, Niceley’s Heating, Cooling & Appliance Repair, while still in college at the University of Kentucky, where he eventually earned a degree in marketing. He grew up in Erlanger but currently lives in Walton with his wife. His sister, Diana Niceley, is an Erlanger City Council member and mayoral candidate. He is active in animal rescue efforts and is a certified pet therapy specialist who regularly visits senior centers to provide therapy. This will be his first foray into politics. When asked what he hoped to accomplish if elected, Niceley said he hoped he could serve as a general voice for the people, noting that many of the residents he’s spoken with already “feel like they’re not being listened to.” He said he hopes to make himself available and even pitched regular town hall meetings where residents could voice their concerns. Niceley was critical of the SRI initiative in the south county.
If elected, Froelich said, “my focus will be on the things I’ve been hearing about most: responsible development, protecting green space and making sure county services and spending work for everyone, not just the connected few.”
“At the time he expressed concern about how it would be rolled out (the county has officially concluded the initiative since), noting the potential for ‘increased traffic, the loss of our green space, our rural foundation.’”
Kenton County Commissioner District 2
“I’m just a regular guy that wants to give back to the community,” he added.
Jeff Niceley Jeff Niceley is the Republican candidate for Kenton County Commissioner in District 2, the county’s largest district, which covers much of the southern half of the county. (Note: Kenton County ComAlthough commissioner District 2 missioners’ seats Republican candidate Jeff are divided into Niceley. Photo provided | districts, they are Jeff Niceley
Benjamin “Ben” Bach Benjamin Bach is the Democratic candidate for Kenton County Commissioner in District 2, the county’s largest district, which covers much of the southern half of the county. (Note: Although commissioners’ seats are divided into districts, they are elected at-large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them.) He will face Republican Jeff Niceley in November. This will be the first time Bach has run for elected office. Bach is from the south county and has had various jobs in multiple sectors throughout his career. He current-
ly works in IT as a cloud engineer and lives with his wife and children in Independence.
Kenton County Commissioner District 2 Democratic candidate Ben Bach speaks at an Independence City Council meeting. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
Bach said he’s made it a point to keep up with local politics in the past, but he decided to run after seeing how the county handled the rollout of its Site Readiness Initiative in the south county.
“The pronounced tone and lack of discussion and listening really was emphatic,” said Bach. Other issues he wants to address were improving the water and pipe infrastructure, although he was aware that the fiscal court didn’t have direct control over that. He also thought the county could handle housing in a “more systematic way.” Ditto for transportation. Finally, he expressed concern about the future of the Kenton County Park project, fearing it would turn into “a soft amusement park with lights and a whole bunch of activity,” rather than being maintained as a more natural space.
Kenton County Commissioner District 3 Richard “Scott” Kimmich Richard “Scott” Kimmich is the Republi-
can candidate in the race for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. (Note: Although c o m m i s s i o n e r s’ Kenton County Commis- seats are divided sioner District 3 Repubinto districts, they lican candidate Richard are elected at“Scott” Kimmich. Photo provided | Scott Kimmich large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them.) He will face Democrat Jordan Baldridge in November. Kimmich works in real estate and has had a long career in politics, both at the local and state levels. Most recently, he served as the Republican representative on the Kenton County Board of Elections, a position he resigned from last summer after occupying the position for 11 years. He served as Kenton County deputy judge from 1999 to 2010. He was the Kenton County representative on the District Board of Health for six years and served as chair of the board in 2024 and 2025. He has also served in administrative and appointed positions at both the local and the state level. “Public service should be about policies and ideas, not political platitudes,” Kimmich said. He also stated that he would be releasing a series of policy papers in the coming months, laying out what he hopes to accomplish if elected and “develop a narrative based on ideas.”
“One of my top priorities will be to seek the creation of an Office of Veterans Affairs to provide a conduit at the county level for veterans to get services through partnering with the private sector and officials at the state and federal level,” Kimmich said. He proposes funding such an initiative through mental health taxes. Kimmich plans to release regular platform updates as the campaign progresses. Jordan Baldridge Jordan Baldridge is the Democratic candidate for Kenton County commissioner in District 3, which encompasses much of the northwestern portion of the county. (Note: comKenton County Commis- Although missioners’ seats sioner District 3 Demcratic candidate Jordan are divided into Baldridge. Photo provid- districts, they are ed | Jordan Baldridge elected at-large, meaning everyone in the county can vote for them.) He will face Republican Richard “Scott” Kimmich at the ballot box. This will be the first time Baldridge is running for elected office. He grew up in Campbell County but lives in Lakeside Park with his wife and child. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and currently works in IT. Baldridge told LINK nky that he was mo-
tivated “by the same things that motivate most working families: I want my son to grow up in a community where he can afford to build a life, find a good job and raise a family of his own.” For instance, even though he’s running as a “very progressive” Democrat, he said, he’s explicitly come out in favor of the Second Amendment. Additionally, he expressed concern about the possibility of AI data processing centers getting established in the county, even though he himself sometimes uses AI in his job. Baldridge also said he hopes to cultivate a more forthright relationship between the county government and residents. “My first priority will be rebuilding trust between county government and the people it serves,” Baldridge said. “That starts with making government more transparent, more accessible and more responsive. Major projects should involve residents early — not after decisions have effectively already been made. “That’s how I look at the American citizen, the Kenton County Citizen — they’re the boss,” he added. “They’re the manager. They just need the information.”
Covington City Council Covington will transition from its current city manager form of government to a mayor-council form of government starting in January 2027. As such, whoever wins the election this year will serve as the city’s inaugural city council members. Two Continues on page 16
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missioners.
of the current members of the Covington Board of Commissioners, Tim Acri and Tim Downing, are running for spots on the new six-person council. There are a total of seven candidates, and the mayor’s seat is not up for election this year. The new city council will be largely responsible for setting the city’s budget and casting votes on city ordinances and municipal orders. The new mayor-council form of government will vest greater executive power in the mayor’s seat than it currently holds, including power over the hiring and firing of city staff and administrative operations in the city. The city’s current mayor is Ron Washington.
“I am seeking re-election because there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure our city reaches its full potential,” Acri said. “I want to ensure our small and large businesses have what they need to thrive; the employees who work in our city have the ability to live where they work; our youth continue to have after school options; our first responders have the tools they need to protect our city; and the established budget is adhered to during each fiscal year.” Increasing recreational opportunities for the city’s youth has been one of his key policy priorities during his time on the board, and he said he wanted to continue to prioritize that if re-elected.
Tim Acri Tim Acri is a current member of the Covington Board of Commissioners and a candidate for the new Covington City Council, set to take effect in 2027. There are seven candidates running Current Covington Com- for a spot on the missioner and Covington six-person council. City Council candidate Tim Acri. Photo provided Acri is a Navy vet| Tim Acri
eran who has also worked professionally in construction. He’s currently a VP with O’Rourke Wrecking Company, based out of Cincinnati. He’s served a single term on the board of com-
“I will make the Covington Recreation Commission and the relationship between Covington Independent Public Schools (and other schools within Covington) one of my primary priorities to ensure our youth have other options for recreational activities beyond school-related functions,” Acri said. “I have worked incredibly hard over the past year and a half to bring new initiatives to Covington, and believe I have so much more to give to our residents,” Acri concluded.
“I’m seeking re-election because I want to continue building on that momentum and bring a practical, results-oriented approach to addressing the challenges and opporCurrent Covington Com- tunities facing our missioner and Covington city,” Downing said. City Council candidate Downing is a manTim Downing. Photo provided | Tim Downing ager with Hormel Foods and touted his private sector experience as useful for the role of legislator, which under the new mayor/council form of government will focus largely on budgetary creation. Within the context of government meetings, Downing is often among the more inquisitive of the legislators. “My background in finance, analytics, budgeting and management helps me evaluate issues through both a community and fiscal responsibility lens,” Downing said. “I believe in data-driven decision-making, strong neighborhood partnerships, supporting small businesses and maintaining a city government that is accountable, responsive and focused on delivering results for residents.”
Tim Downing Tim Downing is one of seven candidates for the new Covington City Council and is a current member of the Covington Board of Commissioners.
During his time in office, Downing has supported various city initiatives, including the neighborhood grant programs, the first-time homebuyer program and the city’s small business incentives.
“My first priority would be ensuring Covington continues to grow while maintaining the quality of life that residents expect,” said Downing. “That includes supporting public safety, encouraging responsible economic development, improving neighborhood investment and making sure city government operates efficiently and transparently. As the city continues to evolve with the new form of government, it will be important to balance growth with protecting the character and needs of our neighborhoods.” Jay Fossett Jay Fossett is one of seven candidates running for a spot on the new Covington City Council, which is set to take effect in 2027. There are six seats on the new council. Covington City Council candidate Jay Fossett. Photo provided | Jay Fossett
Fossett has had a long career in local politics, both in Covington and other parts of Northern Kentucky. He served as the Covington city solicitor from 2001 to 2005 and was the Covington city manager from 2005 to 2009. He’s currently the city administrator for Dayton in Campbell County; he will leave that position at the end of 2026. He has a master’s degree in executive leadership and organizational change, as well as a law degree.
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“My primary motivation to serve on Covington City Council and in my past work as city solicitor and city manager was and is to improve the quality of life in our city to make it an even more vibrant and livable community,” said Fossett. His campaign priorities are ensuring the well-being of the public safety departments (i.e. police and fire), managing economic development, improving and supporting the city’s many neighborhoods and deepening the relationship between the city and Covington Independent Public Schools. “At the heart of my value system and my leadership style are two core concepts: honesty and kindness,” Fossett said.
“As I have said on many occasions, our city is doing extremely well, but we must be careful to understand the adage, ‘we must do well in order to do good,’” said Francis. “Financial prosperity is a worthy goal for all organizations and cities, and even churches, but when the doing ‘well’ drowns out the doing ‘good’ for our neighbors, we become nothing more than hollow creatures of greed.”
Dan Francis Dan Francis is one of seven candidates running for a spot on the new Covington City Council, set to take effect next year. There are six spots on the new council. Francis is wellknown in the city, especially in the Latonia neighborhood where he served as pastor at Latonia Baptist Church. He retired from pastoral work two years ago. While some ministers prefer to be more inwardly focused while leading a congregation, “that has never been my desire,” Francis said. Covington City Council candidate Dan Francis. Photo provided | Dan Francis
“When I retired two years ago, I found myself wondering about how I could serve in the community and ultimately, after going through the Mayor’s Academy this past year, I realized that the role of a city councilman appealed to me,” Francis also said. Besides learning the basics of city government and understanding the budget, Francis said affordable housing would be among his priorities if elected.
Steve Hayden is one of seven candidates running for a spot on the new Covington City Council. The council will have six seats. Hayden has a background in computCovington City Council er science. He was candidate Steve Hayden. appointed to sit Photo provided | Steve on the Covington Hayden Board of Commissioners in 2023 after former Commissioner Nolan Nicaise resigned before the end of his term. He has also served on various public boards and is active in neighborhood life. “Having already served on the city commission, I know how decisions at city hall impact residents and the importance of staying within budget,” Hayden said. “That experience gives me the perspective and preparedness needed to serve effectively from day one.” He added that he wanted to “contribute to a smooth transition” away from the city’s current government form. Long term, Hayden said, “public safety will always be first. Our police and firefighters must have the equipment and training they need to do the great job that they do,” although he admitted that “ongoing, daily issues often set the priorities in the short term. Analyzing those issues and problems
clearly and play well in the sandbox.” Bill Wells
Additionally, he pointed to affordable housing and increasing revenue for the city as other important goals if elected. Finally, Hayden said, “recurring sidewalk maintenance and snow removal issues require more policy attention.” Maria “Cari” McMurtry Garriga
Francis emphasized that weathering the city’s stresses due to the bridge closures was something that would require “collaboration [emphasis his]. It will not simply take talking (or complaining), it will take listening (and cooperating). So, let’s face this ‘mess’ together!” Steve Hayden
He concluded by saying, “My record shows that I’m someone who knows how to get things done. And that’s what I plan to do if elected to Covington’s newly constituted Board of Council.”
will prioritize the planning process and bring the solutions in the short term.”
Maria “Cari” McMurtry Garriga is one of seven candidates running for Covington’s new city council. The new council will have six seats. Garriga previously Covington City Council ran for the Covingcandidate Maria “Cari” ton Board of ComMcMurtry Garriga. Photo missioners in 2024 provided | Cari Garriga
but lost at the ballot box. Originally from Puerto Rico, Garriga has a doctorate in foreign and second language education, serves in both teaching and administrative roles at Thomas More University and is a National Board-certified health and wellness coach. She also teaches yoga and meditation. “I am running to be a pragmatic, transparent voice for our community. My focus will be on safe streets, attainable housing and fiscal responsibility,” Garriga said. Garriga said that one of her campaign focuses is helping local small businesses by encouraging people to come to Covington, in spite of the region’s many construction projects and closures. “We need businesses to make Covington their home, and we need patrons to sponsor these businesses,” Garriga said. “While the city’s business landscape is robust and growing, the various construction projects surrounding and expanding beyond the Central Business District may deter visitors, especially if they are not familiar with enhanced parking services and the general quality of our city.” “I value the diversity of the city’s neighborhoods and its citizens, and I want to represent diverse viewpoints in city council...,” Garriga added. “I work hard, communicate
Bill Wells is one of seven candidates for the new Covington City Council. He is not currently in office but formerly served on the Covington Board of Commissioners and has remained Covington City Council active in neighborcandidate Bill Wells. Phohood and city life, to provided | Bill Wells even after leaving the commission. He ran for a spot on the current board of commissioners in 2024 but lost at the ballot box. “Accountability isn’t a slogan to me,” Wells said. “It’s something I learned by showing up when it mattered, by earning trust one conversation at a time and by understanding that leadership means answering to the people who built this city long before any of us held a title. Covington is in my bones.” Wells said that one of his key priorities was greater financial transparency from the city. He advocated for the use of a platform called OpenGov, a computer program that allows residents to observe the finances of the city as they change. Several jurisdictions, including Kenton County’s other county seat, Independence, employ the OpenGov platform. “I’m a strong believer in the importance of restoring meaningful communication between city leadership and neighborhood organizations, noting that strong neighborhoods are the foundation of a healthy city,” Wells said. “Strengthening trust between city hall and our neighborhoods is critical.” Wells concluded by saying that his experience in the city’s neighborhood associations strengthened his sense of responsibility towards the community. “That’s why I want to continue advocating for the neighborhoods,” Wells said. “It’s where I come from. It’s who I am. I’m from the neighborhoods, and everything I do is for the neighborhoods.”
OCTOBER 16, 2026 17
Kentucky 2026 election FAQ: What voters need to know By Kenton Hornbeck
A
s Election Day approaches in the Bluegrass State, LINK nky is answering some of the most frequently asked questions about voting to help Northern Kentuckians navigate the process.
Q: When is the General Election? A: The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Q: What are the qualifications to register to vote? A: To register to vote in Kentucky, a person must be a U.S. citizen and have lived in Kentucky for at least 28 days before the election. They must also be at least 18 years old by the next General Election. However, qualified 17 year olds may register and vote in a primary election if they will turn 18 by the general election. A person convicted of a felony must have their voting rights restored through an expungement, executive pardon or executive order before registering. Moreover, a person is also ineligible if a court has judged them either mentally incompetent and removed their voting rights, or if they claim the right to vote outside Kentucky.
Q: Where do you find sample ballots? A: Voters can find sample ballots through the Kentucky Voter Information Center, which is maintained by the State Board of Elections. Because ballots vary by county and voting precinct, voters can also check their county clerk’s website for sample ballots specific to their area.
Q: When and where can you vote early? A: Voters are allowed three days of no-excuse, in-person early voting before Election Day. For the 2026 General Election, early voting will take place Thursday, Oct. 29, Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31.
Q: What identification do you need to bring to vote? A: To vote in person, Kentucky voters must present a valid form of identification that includes their name and photograph. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license or other identification issued by the United States, Kentucky or a local government; a student ID issued by a college or university in the United States; or military identification issued by the Kentucky National Guard, U.S. military or U.S. Merchant Marine.
We put together this timeline to make it easy to double-check key dates. Feel free to share this with anyone who also has trouble remembering all these dates.
OCTOBER Oct. 20, 2026: Online mail-in absentee request portal closes. Oct. 21, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting starts.
Oct. 23, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting. Oct. 26, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting. Oct. 27, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military overseas ballot. Oct. 28, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting. Oct. 29, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting begins.
Q: How do you find your polling place?
Oct. 30, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting.
A: Voters can find their assigned precinct and polling location by entering their information into the Kentucky Voter Information Center. They can also view county-by-county lists of voting locations through the Kentucky State Board of Elections Polling Locations page.
Oct. 31, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting.
NOVEMBER Nov. 3, 2026: General Election Day.
An “I Voted” sticker outside the Fort Thomas Mess Hall. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK nky
VISION: OPPORTUNITY AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL NORTHERN KENTUCKIANS Supporting Northern Kentucky's Expanding Companies in Advanced Manufacturing, IT, Life Sciences and Supply Chain Management
18 OCTOBER 16, 2026
I
n Kentucky, it can be challenging to keep track of what happens during election season.
Oct. 22, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting.
Early voting locations and hours vary by county. As such, voters can check with their local county clerk’s office or visit the Kentucky State Board of Elections for further information about voting locations in their county.
Voters can also contact their county clerk’s office directly to confirm their assigned polling location and available voting options.
ANNOUNCED IN 2026:
Election 2026: A timeline
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Nov. 10, 2026: Deadline for counties to provide certified election results; deadline to request recanvass.
OCTOBER 16, 2026 19
Fall by the hour:
Kentucky adventures for every kind of getaway By Annie Hammock
W
hen the temperatures cool and the trees start showing off, it’s time for fall festivals, frights and foliage. Whether you just have an hour or three, or half a day or want an overnight trip, there are plenty of autumnal activities waiting.
County Arboretum, just outside of Union, has more than 5,500 trees and shrubs just waiting to impress you with their lovely hues. Middle Creek Park is a forested area in Burlington, where dogs are welcome. Pro tip: Trails here are moderate to difficult and unpaved, but fit hikers will enjoy a canopy of color plus a creek and good wildlife viewing.
of Screams. By day, things are a little less frightening at the Sugar Ridge Family Farm with events including live music, pumpkins, hayrides and farm animals.
and may be booked until 48 hours before the start of the tour. Pro tip: The tour covers approximately one mile over some unpaved paths and uneven ground.
The Haunted Hayride at Sandyland Acres in Petersburg is marking 20 years of dreadfilled fun. Pro tip: Bring cash.
The Bernheim Forest and Arboretum in Clermont offers beautiful fall vistas, along with a whimsical collection of forest giants, all natural sculptures that tower over visitors. Also check out the canopy tree walk where you can get as immersed as possible in the radiant colors of the season. There is also a sensory garden along with many art installations.
Fruits of the season: We’ve broken them down by the amount of time required for each. Some are scheduled for specific dates or require advanced planning for reservations and such. Others allow for some spontaneity; just get in the car and go.
Farms to check out: Versailles is home to Eckert’s Orchard, which offers all the usual seasonal fruits. Weekend visits will get you into the Pumpkin Jamboree with live music in the afternoons and bonfires and a spooky hayride in the evening. Trick-or-treating and a costume parade are scheduled for Oct. 25.
One-hour jaunts Fall foliage options: Neltner’s Farm in Camp Springs. Photo by Keith Neltner
Neltner’s Farm in Camp Springs offers a fall festival with horse-drawn wagon rides, a model train display, a corn maze and pick-your-own pumpkin patch, along with a petting zoo, homemade food and ice cream, farm shop, seasonal apples and a barrel train.
The Boone County Arboretum in autumn. Photo provided | Boone County Arboretum
Hop on to the Mary Ingles Highway (State Route 8) in Silver Grove and take in Northern Kentucky’s beautiful scenery from the comfort of your car, with colorful trees to your south and the Ohio River to your north. Simply turn around at the half-hour mark (Augusta would work) to give yourself a substantive taste of the season’s offerings. If you’ve got more time, approximately three hours, keep going until you reach Cummins Nature Preserve in Maysville. Take some time to hike the six miles of trails, then head back for a second helping of autumn goodness. Pro tip: Check out Explore Fall’s Kentucky Fall Foliage Map to find the perfect timing for your journey. Several places in NKY let you immerse yourself in the season by getting up close and personal with the changing leaves. A.J. Jolly Park in Alexandria offers 950 acres with 16 miles of trails to enjoy. The Boone
Country Pumpkins in Dry Ridge has special events most fall weekends, including a bonfire night and touch-a-tractor day. Activities also include hayrides, a barrel train for kids, a corn maze and petting zoo.
Evans Orchard and Cider Mill in Georgetown is a fifth-generation family farm that offers an expansive play area featuring a mega slide, zip line and a pedal cart track. There’s also a petting zoo with goats, cows, chickens, pigs and more. Pumpkin season runs to the end of October. Mulberry Orchard offers everything from wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, u-pick apples, corn maze, and a huge play area with over 25 activities. Pro tip: The farm is closed on Mondays.
Six-hour trips
Three-hour excursions Eerie activities:
The Kentucky Castle. Photo provided | The Kentucky Castle via Facebook
A character at Scream Ridge in Walton. Photo provided | Scream Ridge via Facebook
Scream Ridge in Walton chills you with three haunted attractions in one place: The Killing Fields, Torture Barn and Carnival
Tour the Kentucky Castle and its farm in Versailles and then stick around for the murder mystery dinner theater (October weekends are sold out, so it will have to be a Wednesday). The tour of the castle and grounds then ends by introducing guests to many of the farm’s animals. Tickets are posted one month prior to the tour date
Overnight stays
Red River Gorge in November. Photo by Maggy McDonel | LINK Media
An extremely popular overnight activity is catching the “moonbow” at Cumberland Falls on the nights of the full moon (Oct. 26 is the Hunter’s Moon and Nov. 24 is the Beaver Moon). Park lodging and nearby rentals sell out quickly on these weekends, but some are still available. If you want to skip those crowds, the falls are gorgeous anytime. Pro tip: Book a horseback riding tour of the countryside while you’re there. If you want to check out the beauty of the region, plus catch some beautiful fall foliage, take the two-and-a-half hour drive down to Red River Gorge. The Gorge is one of Kentucky’s most visited state parks and offers a bevy of outdoor activities. Once you’ve moved into your cabin or finished setting up your campsite, your outdoor adventure is about to begin. Featuring stunning rock formations and thick forests, Red River Gorge is a perfect place for rock climbing, hiking, ziplining and kayaking. After you’re tired out, stop into Miguel’s Pizza in Slade for a bite.
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Family in town for the holidays? Here are 12 NKY restaurants worth a visit By Braden White
T
he holiday season is approaching quickly, bringing with it a laundry list of things to do. From planning gatherings and shopping for gifts to preparing meals for family and friends, there’s plenty to keep you busy. If you’d rather spend less time in the kitchen and more time making the most of your time with loved ones, these 12 Northern Kentucky restaurants are ready to help. Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or simply looking for an easier meal, they’ve got breakfast, lunch and dinner covered.
Whether you’re catching a flight or have some time to spare with a loved one before heading home, The Hive’s location just minutes from CVG Airport makes it a convenient stop when hunger hits. The Erlanger favorite offers several menu items worth trying, including the signature Beekeeper’s breakfast bowl and Grace’s Honey Butter Waffle.
Greyhound Tavern’s comfort will make you feel right at home. Photo provided | Greyhound Tavern
The Hive — Erlanger 859-495-5655 480 Erlanger Road, Erlanger Bellevue Bistro has breakfast favorites your entire family will love. Photo provided | @bellvue.bistro via Instagram
22 OCTOBER 16, 2026
Greyhound Tavern — Fort Mitchell 859-331-3767 2500 Dixie Hwy., Fort Mitchell
Bellevue Bistro — Bellevue 859-581-5600 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Breakfast and brunch
The Hive in Erlanger serves up a variety of breakfast favorites. Photo provided | Beehive
neighborhood favorite offers plenty of reasons to stop by, including its popular Bellevue Hot Brown and Bistro French Toast.
Situated along Fairfield Avenue at 313 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue Bistro is a must-visit for those looking to treat family and friends to a quality breakfast or brunch. Whether you’re spending the day exploring all that Bellevue has to offer or searching for a meal you’ll want to come back for, this
For generations, Greyhound Tavern has been a staple in Fort Mitchell and a favorite gathering spot for NKY families. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or looking for a meal worth coming back for, the longtime restaurant offers plenty of reasons to pull up a chair, including its famous fried chicken, world-famous onion rings and award-winning Sunday brunch. Otto’s — Covington 859-491-6678 521 Main St., Covington Located just steps from MainStrasse, Otto’s has become a go-to spot for just about
Otto’s continues to be a favorite stop when you’re visiting Northern Kentucky. Photo provided | Otto’s
any occasion. When you’re seeing all that MainStrasse has to offer or searching for a restaurant you’ll be eager to visit again, Otto’s offers plenty of reasons to stop in, including its famous fried green tomatoes and beloved weekend brunch.
Lunchtime Cedar — Covington 859-360-1187 701 Main St., Covington Cedar calls Main Street in Covington home and offers the perfect place to start your day with family and friends over a great meal. Its location makes it an easy stop
Walt’s Hitching Post — Fort Wright 859-360-2222 330 W. Dixie Hwy., Fort Wright
Tousey House Tavern offers plenty of reasons to pull up a chair and stay awhile. Photo provided | Tousey House Tavern via Facebook
Cedar’s scratch-made menu will scratch just about any itch you have for a great place to eat and make memories with your family. Photo provided | @cedarmainstrasse via Instagram
while exploring the city, and the scratchmade food gives you more than plenty of reasons to come back, including favorites like the chicken & waffles and the Cedar Burger.
House Tavern, where good food and smalltown charm go hand in hand. Whether you’re gathering with family or looking for a meal worth obsessing over, this longtime favorite gives diners plenty of reasons to stop by, including its famous fried chicken, Kentucky Hot Brown and fried green tomatoes. Camporosso — Fort Mitchell 859-331-0155 2475 Dixie Hwy., Fort Mitchell
Walt’s Hitching Post has all the smoked meats and barbecue favorites your family could ask for. Photo provided | Walt’s Hitching Post via Facebook Libby’s Southern Comfort will make you feel right at home with its Southern classics and comfort food favorites. Photo provided | Libby’s Southern Comfort
ern Comfort serves up exactly what its name promises. From fried chicken and shrimp and grits to other Southern-inspired favorites, it’s a great place to gather with family for a meal that’s both familiar and flavorful.
Behle Street by Sheli — Fort Mitchell 859-341-8888 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell
Walt’s Hitching Post has been around for ages, and its famous smoked meats, barbecue specialties and legendary ribs make it an easy choice for a place to pull up a chair and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. Bouquet — Covington 859-491-7777 519 Main St., Covington
The Baker’s Table — Newport 859-261-3464 1004 Monmouth St., Newport
Behle Street by Sheli has got lunch favorites down to a science. Photo provided | Behle Street by Sheli
Behle Street by Sheli has become a go-to lunch destination in Fort Mitchell for those looking to enjoy a quality meal with family and friends. Whether you’re catching up with loved ones or taking a break from a busy day, this local favorite offers plenty of reasons to stop in, including its popular capellini meatloaf and parmesan-crusted grouper.
Camporosso is the perfect spot to get your Italian food fix. Photo provided | Camporosso
If you or your loved ones are pizza lovers, Camporosso in Fort Mitchell deserves a spot on your holiday dining list. Whether you’re gathering for a casual lunch or looking for a meal everyone can agree on, this local favorite has fantastic wood-fired pizzas, house-made meatballs and fan-favorite sopressata hot honey pizza.
Dinner
Tousey House Tavern — Burlington 859-586-9900 5963 N. Jefferson St., Burlington
Libby’s Southern Comfort — Covington 859-261-3106 35 W. Eighth St., Covington
Happen to find yourself in Burlington? Make sure to carve out time for Tousey
Need a break from turkey and mashed potatoes this holiday season? Libby’s South-
Bouquet serves up locally sourced dishes in the center of it all in MainStrasse. Photo provided | Bouquet The Baker’s Table has all the sweet treats you and your family could ask for. Photo provided | The Baker’s Table
Over in Newport, The Baker’s Table is the spot for those looking to slow down and make the most of your loved ones in town. This gem offers plenty of reasons to stop in, including its fresh-baked breads, pastries and seasonally inspired menu offerings.
Located in the heart of MainStrasse, Bouquet has become a favorite spot for families looking to enjoy a memorable meal together during the holiday season. Whether you’re out and about in Covington with your guests or searching for a dinner worth slowing down and savoring, this local favorite offers plenty of reasons to stop by, including its farm-to-table menu and locally sourced ingredients.
OCTOBER 16, 2026 23
Camp Spring’s Forgotten Gods invites visitors to discover mead By Haley Parnell
The branding of Forgotten Gods stems from his love of mythologies and old stories from his childhood.
J
ason Catanzaro taught himself how to make mead when he was 10.
“I’ve always liked things that were really, really old in school,” he said. “I loved learning about Greek mythology and all the different gods and goddesses. It was all just so fascinating to me, and just learning how people used to think thousands of years ago.”
atanzaro is the owner of Forgotten C Gods Meadery, located in Camp Springs. Mead is made similarly to beer or wine, but instead of fermenting grains or grapes, it’s made by fermenting honey, water and yeast. When Catanzaro was 10, he owned a Mr. Root Beer kit, which he used to brew his own root beer at home and then distribute it to friends and family. Eventually, though, the kit ran out of ingredients. Catanzaro said he begged his mom to call for more ingredients (you couldn’t hop on Amazon for that kind of thing then), but it never happened. “I was really into all the fantasy genre type stuff, ” Catanzaro said. “I was reading the story of Beowulf at the time, mainly because people said it would be too much for me as a 10 year old. I’m like, I can do it. I’ll figure it out.” While reading those stories, he was introduced to mead. Catanzaro said he thought to himself, if he couldn’t make more root beer with his kit, he would make mead, not understanding at the time that it was a type of alcohol. He went into his mom’s pantry, got all of her honey bears out, squeezed them into
Catanzaro comes up with a flavor for every god he can think of. The meadery has 30 meads on tap. If someone is new to mead and walks through the door, Catanzaro said he usually recommends their “Blood Oath,” a cherry-and-spice mead that he said tastes like cherry pie. Or he might recommend their flagship mead, which is “Odin,” a clover mead aged on French and American oak.
Forgotten Gods Meadery in Camp Springs. Photo by Haley Parnell | LINK nky
a big 2-liter bottle, added some water and some yeast, and followed the same process for the root beer kit.
what mead even was, and said it tasted like honey beer. Catanzaro said he knew it had worked after that.
Just like that, Catanzaro had his first batch of mead.
“In the back of my head, I’m thinking, ‘Oh my God, am I in trouble now? What did I just do?’” he said. “But he just took the cup, walked into the other room, and drank it with his dinner. Never heard another word from him, so I kept making it.”
“The problem was I’d never had alcohol before,” he said. “I wouldn’t know what it was supposed to taste like. If it was good or not. So I waited for my dad to get home. I’m like, ‘Dad drinks beer. Dad’s had wine before. He knows what it should taste like.’” His dad gave it a try, not understanding
Forgotten Gods opened its tasting room in May 2025. Catanzaro makes all of the meads himself.
Catanzaro grew up in Western Hills and now lives in Florence. He chose Melbourne as the location for his meadery after hearing about the opportunity by chance. Catanzaro said at the time he concluded that if you want to start a winery, brewery or meadery in the area, you need to have family land, or at least a million bucks. He didn’t have either. Catanzaro said he was sitting on the patio at Fabled Brew Works in Erlanger having a flight of mead with his brother, and they Continues on page 26
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nkyhealth.org/vaccines (Or scan the QR code and impress your grandkids.)
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Continued from page 24
were talking about how difficult it was to open a meadery. “You go to a bank, and you ask them to invest $1 million into a meadery, and most of them are like, ‘What is mead? Are you making hamburgers and steaks?’” he said. Catanzaro said he left their table, and when he came back, another couple was sitting there speaking with his brother. They overheard the conversation about mead and honey and told him to go to Camp Springs Winery and check out their honeysuckle wine— and by the way, they were closing. He started emailing the owners asking if they would consider renting the space to him. Catanzaro said they were usually short in their responses, with no thankyous. He tried calling them, but could never reach them. He gave it one last shot and decided to show up in person during the closing weekend. Catanzaro and his wife stood at the bar, tried all the wines they offered and bought a case. “So the bartender’s in a good mood, and we just had a bunch of wine,” he said. “We’re getting ready to leave, and I say, ‘Hey, you know that guy that keeps calling and emailing you about helping out with the winery or taking it over? Yeah, that’s me.’” The bartender was the owner’s son, and Catanzaro secured a meeting with them and won them over to rent the location. Forgotten Gods Meadery originally started as AllFather Meadery, but Catanzaro ran
into trademark issues with the name. He said there is another meadery in Texas that had a trademark on one of its mead flavors called “Allfather.” Catanzaro said the name change almost broke the business because he had it branded on everything. Catanzaro said he and his wife Lori Catanzaro have been through a lot with the endeavor. He joked that he has fired her at least a dozen times so far, but she keeps coming back. Lori Catanzaro said the most rewarding part about the business has been seeing people discover a passion for mead and become part of their community. She also said she was especially proud of her husband for making his dream a reality. “We spent so many years pouring our time, energy and love into raising our kids,” Lori Catanzaro said. “Now that they’re independent, he’s had the opportunity to refocus on his creative side and build something that’s truly his own. My favorite part is seeing the joy it brings him and the meaningful connections he’s made with people who share the same passion for mead.” Her favorite mead that Catanzaro makes is “Hel,” the meadery’s Blackberry Merlot Mead. Lori Catanzaro said she and her husband want Forgotten Gods to be a place where people can relax, connect and share an experience that they’ll want to come back to. Those wanting to try Forgotten Gods mead can do so at the meadery’s tasting room located at 6685 4 Mile Road in Camp Springs.
Forgotten Gods Meadery in Camp Springs. Photos by Haley Parnell | LINK nky
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The Crossword Edited by Weekly Margie E. Burke
SUDOKU
ACROSS
Difficulty: Easy
1 7
6 9 5 8 8 7
2
3 2 8/3/26 - 8/9/26 6 4 8/3/26 - 8/9/268 6
5
5 7 8 1 4 Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate
Edited by Margie E. Burke Edited by Margie E. Burke
HOW TO SOLVE: TO SOLVE: EachHOW row must contain the
5 88 8 77
2
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2
55
Each1row must contain themust numbers to 9; each column numbersthe 1 tonumbers 9; each column must contain 1 to 9; and contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must each setthe of 3numbers by 3 boxes must contain 1 to 9. contain the numbers 1 to 9.
Answer to Previous Sudoku: Answer to Previous Sudoku:
22 88
55 11 22 44 33 77 6 9 6 8 8 9 77 44 99 88 11 66 3 5 3 2 2 5 66 88 33 22 99 55 4 7 4 1 1 7 44 33 77 99 55 88 1 2 1 6 6 2 11 66 88 77 44 22 9 5 3 99 22 55 33 66 11 7 4 8 88 77 66 11 22 99 5 3 4 33 99 11 55 88 44 2 7 6 22 55 44 66 77 33 8 9 1
8
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3
26
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4
5
6
7
8
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Answer to Previous Sudoku:25 16 Word with ditch
1 2
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1
HOW TO SOLVE: 1 Sultan's ladies 14
by Margie E. Burke 11
12
13
33
34
55
56
16
18
19 22
21 23
24 28
27 30 36
31
32
37 42
41 45
38
39 43
46
44
47
48
51 53
54 59
58 61
62
64
65
Copyright 2026 by The Puzzle Syndicate
DOWN 1 March leader's command 2 Sheltered, in a way 3 Authentic 4 Anticipate 5 Lillard or Modine 6 Knotted neckwear 7 Larger-life link 8 "Days of ___ Lives" 9 Showy bird's mate 10 Sirens, say 11 Seaport of Chile 12 Archipelago part 13 Squirrel away 19 Food from heaven 21 Dr. ___ Baker of "Little House…" 24 Spinal parts 25 Priest in Paris 26 Harbor bobber 27 Covenants 28 Born in Cardiff, e.g.
31 "You'll never ____!" 33 Picture problem 34 Male heirs 36 Severity 38 Prefix with centric 41 Dane's "Grey's Anatomy" role 43 Female goats 46 Part of the foot 48 Lebanese capital
49 Panama, e.g. 50 Home of the Black Bears 51 Secret rendezvous 53 Suffix with social 54 Give a hoot 55 Proton's place 56 More or ___ 58 Presidential nickname
Answers to Previous Crossword: S H A R P B I D S S M U G L O U T P I T A L E V E R A R I S E A N N O T A T E S G A R N I S H M O D I C U M G E N E R A T I N G B L U N D E R E R B E A S T D E S E R T E R R I N S E S C A D E T I V E I D I N O T A L O N E O L I V E S E N A T E D E C L I N E R S R E D H E R R I N G A V I A T O R A D D E D U P S N A R L Z E A L O U S L Y R O B O A U D I O O R N O I N O N Y E A S T V A S T
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