Laugh with the Village Idiots in October

It's officially Monday, which means back to the grind for most of us. Luckily, I have some news to help brighten this dreary Monday morning, and there's nothing like the promise of a night of laughs to cure those Monday morning blues.

On October 11th and 12th, Village Players Theater will be transformed into the Village Idiots Comedy Club. Some of the Cincinnati area's top comics will be taking the stage for two nights only. Be prepared to laugh the night away without having to leave the Ft. Thomas city limits.

Merchants and Music Festival in PHOTOS

Merchants and Music 2013

Merchants and Music Observations from Festival Goers

Merchants and Music Festival September 28, 2013

To be totally honest, I don’t think that there could be a better day for the Merchants and Music Festival.  It’s warm, sunny and I’ve already finished a beer by 2:30.  The crowd is starting to show up and the food smells amazing.  What a great time for all of the businesses and the people of Fort Thomas.  Cheers!

Matt Ewald 

2:30pm

A Teacher's Point of View: Guest Post

By Lelia Shipp Wendel

One of the unique traits of the digital medium Fort Thomas Matters employs to bring you your local news is that it allows us to interact with our readers and for our readers to share their insights into the Fort Thomas community, either through comments or, occasionally, with a guest post on the site.  Lelia Wendel (Shipp) is a lifelong Fort Thomas resident who asked to share her insight into parental involvement in the childhood education process. 

Highlands thrashes CovCath, 42-6

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

PARK HILLS – They picked an excellent Saturday afternoon to turn in their most complete football game of the year.

The Highlands Bluebirds came out determined from the opening kickoff and dominated the host Covington Catholic Colonels, 42-6 to stay undefeated and earn the valuable leg up in the Class 4A, District 7 race. Highlands (6-0) also avoided a potential second-round road trip to eastern Kentucky and could be playing at home in the first three rounds of the playoffs.

“It was a matter of getting focused for the games that count,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach. “This is a game that counts for us. In reality, we play a 10-game regular season. But CovCath is The Game. I was really pleased with the way the guys played (Saturday).”

Bluebird Notebook: Highlands still not taking CovCath lightly

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands defensive back Jackson Bardo (3) tackles Covington Catholic wide receiver Logan McDowell (18) in the first quarter. Highlands beat Covington Catholic, 42-6 to extend its winning streak to 10 games over its big rivals.

 

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

PARK HILLS – Head Football Coach Dale Mueller and staff do not buy into the argument that the annual Highlands Bluebird-Covington Catholic Colonel game is not a rivalry anymore.

This comes even after Highlands dominated Saturday’s game, 42-6 to stay undefeated. The 6-0 Bluebirds have won 10 straight against Covington Catholic improving to 93-3 since the start of 2007. The Colonels (3-2) are the team Highlands has beaten the most during this run.

“It’s big, big, big, big,” Mueller emphasized. “Every day of my life, I think about playing CovCath. It’s the whole season. Historically, the CovCath-Highlands winner is winning the state championship. This one isn’t the important one. The one in the playoffs, if and when we play in the playoffs, is the important one.”

NewCath snaps four-game slide

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

NEWPORT – That familiar, good feeling of the thrill of victory found its way back to the Hill on Friday.

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds played tough defense the entire game before their offense finished off drives in the second half to beat the visiting Lloyd Memorial Juggernauts, 22-7 in the Class 2A, District 6 opener for both teams. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak for the defending 2A state champions. The Thoroughbreds have won 16 in a row over the Juggernauts dating back to 1991 and lead the all-time series, 31-6.

NewCath (2-4) held Lloyd Memorial to just 163 yards of total offense and five first downs. That included just 27 yards on the ground. Teams from classes 5A and 6A did that to the Thoroughbreds during the losing streak.

Fort Thomas Merchants and Music Round-Up: Everything You Need to Know.

The biggest festival of the year for Fort Thomas is tomorrow from 2-11 at Tower Park. It's going to be 80 degrees and sunny. You do not want to miss it. All of the nuts and bolts for the festival can be found here at their website.

Congrats on the Board, City, volunteers and Chairperson, Ashli Slawter on all your hard work. Ashli will be on FOX19 this morning with Lyndsey Highlander at 10:30. Make sure to watch!

See you at Tower Park!

FTM Merchants and Music Coverage

Food and Drink

FTM Contest to win a Jeff Ruby gift card

Music Lineup 

The Merchants of The Merchants and Music Festival 

History of M&M 

Chris Janson Rising Star

M&M Cliff's Notes:

1) 471 to Exit 2, Fort St. Thomas.
2) Festival Opens 2:00pm. 
3) Music Starts 2:30pm to 11:30pm
4) Bring $$$ for great shopping (ATM on site)
5) Great food and beer
6) Super fun stuff for kids like tree climbing, bull riding, crafts...
7) Bring blankets / chairs (we will be selling mats $5) 
8) NO pets 
9) NO skateboards

10) NO coolers

Music Schedule:

Main Stage: 

4:30 Lyndsey Highlander

6:15 Chris Janson

7:45 The Kentucky Headhunters

9:30 John Michael Montgomery

Second Stage:

2:00: HHS Sinfonia

2:30 The Carter New Band

3:30 The Sleepin Dogs

7:15, 9:00, 11:00: Aly'an

The Wine Festival:

For the first year, patrons will have an opportunity to purchase a $20 wine tent ticket which includes a commemorative wine glass and 10 tasting tickets. 

Wineries include:

• Atwood Hill Winery
• Baker-Bird Winery
• Camp Springs Vineyard
• Elk Creek Vineyards
• Generation Hill Winery
• Redman’s Farm Winery
• Rose Hill Farm Winery
• Seven Wells Vineyard & Winery
• Stone Brook Winery
• Verona Vineyards and Winery

The Kid Zone - Organized by the Campbell County YMCA:

FTM family member, Artscapade will be there. Check in with Tanith Smith and tell her FTM sent you!

Kids Zone Activities:

• The Highlands High School String Symphony will play Country and Bluegrass hits
• Kaleidoscope Dance Company will teach Line Dancing Lessons
• Stilt Walking Cowboys from Cincinnati Circus juggle and make balloon art
• Bounce House
• Temporary Tattoos
• Face Painting
• Hair Flair
• Games
• Art and Crafts

Highlands seeks 10th straight against arch-rivals

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands defenders Joey Cochran (24) and Bo Hebel (55) converge on Paducah Tilghman running back D.J. Sherrill (25) in Saturday's game in Paducah. The Bluebirds travel to Park Hills on Saturday to face the Covington Catholic Colonels at 1 p.m.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It was a nice, clear summer day in early August.

The Highlands Bluebirds senior captains led warm-ups before a practice. During that time, they shouted the familiar “Beat Colonels” phrase.

That’s how much that annual game against Class 4A, District 7 arch-rival Covington Catholic means to the Bluebirds. Highlands faces its longtime rival Saturday in Park Hills at 1 p.m.

The two Northern Kentucky powers have battled for state championships since the 1980s. Highlands is tied with Louisville Trinity for the most state championships with 22 and CovCath owns six.

New Newport Pavilion Signage, Carothers Road Construction Begins,

Buffalo Wild Wings, henceforth known as BDubs on FTM, was putting their signage up yesterday. BDubs and Chipotle are slated to open this Fall.

With the near completion of this strip of retail and restaurants at Newport Pavilion, the parking lots of this lot and Larosa's have been connected, which provides some relief from bottle-necking, pinch points.

Especially with the construction now taking place on Carothers Road, this is a welcomed site.

Speaking of construction, westbound from 471 Carothers Road is now down to one lane, as construction crews have begun tearing up the sidewalk in order to construct a temporary road so that Carothers can be raised.

According to construction crews, they will be putting gravel down tomorrow and paving will begin next week. Until then, it'll be a mess.

Status quo for the area. Road construction for this area this summer has been one for the books.

Last, but not least, the Dick's Sporting Goods sign is in, assembled, and should be going up soon. I took this picture Thursday afternoon, so it may be erected by the time this story is published.

It just feels real when the signage goes up.

FortThomasMatters Advertising Family at Merchants and Music CONTEST!

Compiled by Jessica Duke. 

1) Print this page 

2) Check in with each FTM Advertising Family Member below

3) Have them initial by their business

4) Return to FTM booth

5) You are entered to win a chance for a $50 gift card to Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse!

Artscapade. Tanith Smith will have her tent in the Kid Zone. There will be painting for the kids and they will be giving away an artist bucket full of their favorite art supplies as well as a free adult workshop.

Jeri Stull Orthodontics: Jeri will be sponosoring Aly'An, which plays three sets at 7:15, 9:00 and 11:00 on the second stage. Jeri Stull Orthodontics' booth is at the Merchants Showcase.

Tracy Davis State Farm- Tracy Davis State Farm is sponsoring The Sleepin' Dogs. They play at 3:30 on the 2nd stage. Their booth is located in the Merchants Showcase. They will do free temporary tattoos for the kids and have a fun “spin the wheel” game for the adults to give away some cool free giveaways.

The Campbell County YMCA- Stop by the Y’s booth and take a picture with your friends/family in our photo booth.  They will also have some great giveaways, membership opportunities and program gift certificates for all that visit them. The Y organized the Kids Zone this year!

Fort Thomas Coffee- They will have Hot/Iced Coffee and Hot Chocolate and Mexican Pepsi. Perfect for when the sun goes down. They will be located at the Merchants Cafe.

Anita's Mexican Grill - Will be selling food and margaritas. Honestly the best margaritas I've ever had. Anita's will be located at the Merchants Cafe.

Fort Thomas Central- Shop for Charley Harper gift items at also register for a chance to win a Charley Harper serving tray. FTCentral will be located at the Merchants Showcase.

Gallery to Go-  Mobile "Gallery to Go" party. Come paint a masterpiece at their booth and see what the coolest night out is really about. Gallery to Go is located at the Merchants Marketplace. 

Best Furniture- The biggest sale of the year starts TODAY at Best Furniture. Their Tent Sale 27th and 28th 10-8 pm both days. Many items Reduced to Cost. Register to win a Bradington young leather recliner. Best Furniture's booth is located at the Merchants Showcase.

Lewis rises to team captain at Army

Contributed Photo. Army senior soccer player Jason Lewis (12), a 2010 Highlands graduate), kicks the ball ahead in a recent game. Lewis is a team captain for the Black Knights this year. Army is 5-1-1 this year with six shutouts.

 

 

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Jason Lewis headed to West Point (New York) to focus on academics.

The 2010 Highlands graduate was not recruited by anyone despite helping the Bluebirds to a state runner-up finish as a junior in 2008. But he ended up playing club soccer and the itch came back. Lewis ended up trying out for the Army Black Knights NCAA Division I soccer team and earned a spot on the team in April of his freshman year of 2011.

The 6-foot-1-inch, 175-pound midfielder has helped turn around the Black Knights. They are 5-1-1 this year after going 7-10-1 Lewis’ sophomore year and 4-10-3 his junior year. Head Coach Russell Payne is in his fourth year as the Army Head Coach.

Letter To the Editor: Katie Stine Addresses Heroin Epidemic

To the Editor – For over a year, I have read tragically similar stories about families and friends losing loved ones to heroin addictions, overdoses, and deaths. While Kentucky has made strides in reducing illegal prescription drugs, drug abuse remains a scourge that fractures families and hurts our economic health, safety, and quality of life. Police cite heroin as a major contributor to the increase in burglaries, theft, and prostitution. The heroin tsunami has swept over the Northern Kentucky community and inundated our health delivery services as it continues on to flood the rest of the state.

A Day of Free Dentistry To Be Offered as Part of Dr. Sheridan's "Get Your Smile On"

Dr. Dan Sheridan and his team will sponsor a day of free dentistry with the event "Get Your Smile On."

This event  will be held on Friday at their office at 7827 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, KY.

On this day dental services will be provided free of charge to people in need in the community.

Revive the Drive Promises Rolling Lane Closures All Weekend

A new wrinkle in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 6's Revive the Drive project, now culminating its second and final phase of major upgrades to I-471, will hit the road this weekend as overhead signs are replaced for a major portion of the highway's southbound lanes. This will result in weekend-long lane restrictions and periodic rolling closures across all lanes.

Artscapade joins FTM Family

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When we were in high school, my future husband made a pair of pants out of an old burlap sack and he wore them to school on a couple different occasions.  I know what you’re thinking and I don’t know why I still married him.  Perhaps, though, he was just ahead of his time as burlap-based crafting has become quite the trend.  In fact, I just made a burlap banner for a Halloween decoration.

Artscapade in Fort Thomas, a new partner advertiser with Fort Thomas Matters, is hosting a “Burlap & Twine” Girls Craft Night out this Thursday September 26 at 7 pm at Suzie Q’s Inspirations (1049 South Fort Thomas Ave.).  It will be fall-themed crafting with burlap pumpkins.  

The event is BYOB and BYOF (bring your own friend) but be prepared to make new friends and great crafts.

If you’re not familiar with Artscapade, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Artscapade or either of my previous stories about them (you mean, you forgot something I wrote?) here or here for a prior Girls Night Out.

So, make our new FTM family-member feel right at home and take the girls crafting.  As their tag-line says, “Let’s make (burlap) Art”.

Fort Thomas Music and Merchants Festival: The Merchants Buy In

This article was published in the September edition of The Fort Thomas Living

____________

By Jessica Duke

Ten years ago, the Fort Thomas Renaissance Board had a dream: to create a festival that would both entertain residents and grant exposure to local business owners.  Today, that reality is the tenth annual Merchants and Music Festival, highlighted by a performance by Kentucky-native and country music superstar John Michael Montgomery. 

Ashli Slawter, festival Chairman, said, “This is Renaissance creating a platform to help promote the community and our businesses.”

Thousands of attendees are expected at the festival on Saturday, September 28, from 2-11pm at Tower Park.  To better understand the vendors, Fort Thomas Living reached out to a cross-section of businesses that are planning to sponsor a booth and asked them each a series of questions.

Benefits for Fort Thomas Shooting Victim

August sixth was a terrifying day for a promising young woman. Alisha Waters was attacked by her estranged husband as she arrived to work that Tuesday morning. Alisha survived the attack, but she was shot multiple times. As expected, the medical bills for Alisha are compounding daily, which has inspired certain businesses and individuals to step up and lend a helping hand.

Merchants and Music Munchies and Mmm Alcohol

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Some people may come to the 10^th annual Merchants and Music Festival (MMF) on Saturday September 28 for the music but others may come for the alcohol-induced, food-coma, merriment.  After previewing the food and spirits vendors, call me “merry” and below is why.

Highlands pulls away from pesky Paducah Tilghman, 42-25

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

PADUCAH – It does not matter if their schedule takes them to the Jackson Purchase or the deep, dark hills of eastern Kentucky.

Few teams in the country, let alone the Bluegrass State, win as consistently as the Highlands Bluebirds football team. The Bluebirds may not have dominated like usual. But they did put away the pesky host Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado in the fourth quarter, 42-25 on Saturday.

“It was great to see the offense, defense and special teams come through when we needed them,” said Dale Mueller, Highlands Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator. “Paducah Tilghman played a great game and is going to be a real force in the playoffs. Winning is important to our guys.”

Bluebird Notebook: Highlands use road trip to advantage

G. Michael Graham photo. Highlands junior defensive back Kyle Martin (left) takes down Paducah Tilghman's Mikey Davis in Saturday's game. Highlands won 42-25.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

It takes about five and a half hours to get from Fort Thomas to Paducah.

But the Highlands Bluebirds football team made sure they used their time on the bus really well. Road trips often build team chemistry.

That proved to be the case in Saturday’s 42-25 win over the Blue Tornado. Highlands improved to 92-3 since the start of 2007 with the win.

Some teams struggle on the road for various reasons such as not playing in front of friends and family. The Highlands student section is known as the OZone. But the Bluebirds bring their own intensity no matter where they play.

Dixie Heights hands injury-riddled NewCath 36-7 defeat

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

CRESTVIEW HILLS – They may be battling adversity right now.

But the heart of the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds football team is one thing that can’t be questioned. NewCath made the host Dixie Heights Colonels earn a 36-7 non-district victory Friday in rainy conditions.

The Thoroughbreds (1-4) just could not control things in the trenches with their injury-riddled offensive and defensive lines like previous weeks in their four-game losing streak. Dixie Heights (3-1) outgained NewCath, 467-97 in total offense on its way to equaling last year’s win total.

“I can’t fault their effort defensively,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “We battled tooth and nail.”

Duke Energy to Fort Thomas: Inspectors Will Not Be Duke Employees.

Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. will be performing inspections on our gas metering equipment and piping located inside buildings in your area. These inspections are required by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and are necessary for safe natural gas pipeline operations.

The inspection involves the gas piping from the building wall to the outlet of the gas meter. The work to be performed will include an inspection of the exposed gas piping and metering equipment for leakage and corrosion. On average, an inspection should take approximately ten minutes to complete.

Duke Energy Kentucky wants to inform your office of the DOT-required inspection and that we have contracted Southern Cross Corp to complete these inspections at residences and businesses with inside gas meters. The Southern Cross technician will be readily identifiable by:

• Wearing a visible Southern Cross picture ID on the outside of the uniform; and
  
• Having a contact phone number for the customer to call for verification of the Duke
  Energy Kentucky inspection
  Southern Cross technicians will be driving Southern Cross or personal vehicles with a Southern Cross logo, so you and members of your community should not expect to see the technician in a Duke Energy vehicle.
  
  We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and your community, so please do not hesitate to contact our office should you have any questions concerning these inspections.
  Regards,
  Chris Lange
  Manager, Contractor Construction Management Gas Operations
  513-287-2588 
  

Road swing takes Bluebirds to Paducah

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands junior wide receiver Beau Hoge looks for running room in Saturday's game at John Hardin. The Bluebirds meet Paducah Tilghman on Saturday for the first time since 1994 at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time in Paducah.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The next opponent may not be familiar to the current football players.

But the name brings back many memories of great games, especially during Tom Duffy’s time as the Head Coach of the Highlands Bluebirds. The Bluebirds and Paducah Tilghman Blue Tornado met five times between 1989 and 1994.

Highlands claimed both Class 3A titles under Duffy against Tilghman at Louisville in 1989 (27-3) and 1992 (15-6). But what some people might forget is Highlands and Tilghman also met during the regular season in both years. Tilghman beat Highlands, 25-24 in the Hall of Fame Bowl at Hendersoun County in 1989 for its lone win in the series in five games and the Bluebirds beat the Blue Tornado, 25-19 in the Thoroughbred Bowl at Lexington Takes Creek in 1992.

NewCath looks for momentum-swing at Dixie Heights

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic defenders Jacob Smith (3), Logan Neff (diving) and Kole Zenni (9) chase Simon Kenton quarterback Brenan Kuntz (26) in Friday's game in Independence. The Thoroughbreds hope to break their three-game losing streak Friday at Dixie Heights. Game time is 7 p.m.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The defending Class 2A state champions would love nothing more than to go into District 6 action with a win.

But the run through the Class 6A, District 6 has been tough so far and will not get any easier on Friday. The 1-3 Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds travel to Crestview Hills for the second time in four weeks to face the improved Dixie Heights Colonels.

This marks the third straight week facing a team from that district. NewCath lost 31-22 to 2012 Class 5A runner-up Cooper in the annual Crosstown Showdown on Aug. 30 before suffering consecutive losses at Campbell County (21-20) and Simon Kenton (30-7).

NewCath is facing a rough stretch like last year. The Thoroughbreds started last year 2-4 before reeling off nine straight wins to capture the fifth state championship in school history. All four losses also came to bigger schools.

“Dixie Heights is a quality opponent,” said Dan Wagner, NewCath Head Coach. “Getting a quality win would be huge for us. We’re going through growing pains. But they’re learning and staying aggressive. You can’t fault their effort at all.”

Police Round-Up: Burglary Investigation Continues, Phantom Gun Shots (pt. 2)

Here's the news out of the Fort Thomas Police Department from this past week:

Daytime Burglaries

While there have been no new cases of daytime burglary or vandalism over the past week, the FTPD continues its investigation of this crime trend that has swept across all of Northern Kentucky this summer.

"We are working on a leads here and there," said FTPD Lt. Rich Whitford. "The burglaries are still our primary focus."

Lt. Whitford reminds residents to be diligent about locking their property and to report suspicious activity.

Phantom Gun Shots

Reports of a suspected shooting on Midway Court on Tuesday morning brought police officers to the scene to investigate, but they ultimately found no evidence of a shooter or gun activity.

"This is an example of a concerned resident reacting to what could have been anything sounding like a gun shot, such as a car backfire," said Whitford.

False alarms like this are not uncommon, Whitford explained. Gun runs are a regular occurrence for FTPD patrol officers, but often result in situations like Tuesday morning.

City Council Round-Up: Deer Hunting Discussion Delayed, VA Homes Update

There were several key topics facing city officials this week slotted for discussion. Unfortunately, this week's City Council meeting saw most of those topics tabled or delayed for further review. Here's a rundown of what Council was willing to discuss this week:

Deer Hunting Ordinance

The bow hunting issue provoked another round of debate, and confusion, amongst council members this week, resulting in a tabling of the issue.

New Signage at Newport Pavilion/Plaza

Chipotle Mexican Grill has won the race to get their signage up first in the development that borders Carothers Road. BW3 and Chipotle are on schedule to be opened this Fall. 

Woodfill Big Top Festival This Weekend

by Kara Gebhart Uhl

When my husband and I moved to Fort Thomas in 2005, we heard Woodfill Elementary's Big Top Festival—a combination of music, and distant adult chatter and children's laughter—before we ever saw it. We lived on Grant Street then, behind the school. It sounded fun, but at the time we considered it part of our future life.

Fast forward five years. Our daughter was 2, our twin boys were 6 months old and the weather was beautiful. A neighbor told us the festival was open to the public. So we walked over. Sophie was thrilled with the area designed for kids just her age—she won lollipops and Smarties and a little purple ball and a little plastic pinball game and sported an airbrushed butterfly on her arm for the rest of her day (total cost? a couple dollars). I loved the old-fashioned carnival games, the many happy children and the sense of community I felt while there.

We've since gone every year. All three of our children love it. We love it. The games are fun. The prizes are fun. The cost to play and eat is reasonable and all the money benefits the school. 

This year, our daughter started kindergarten at Woodfill and I've witnessed firsthand the amount of time and energy that goes into planning the annual Big Top Festival. Please consider rewarding your community with your presence at such a fun event. Money from this year's festival will help buy a protective cover for Woodfill's gym floor and technology for the school's K-5 students.

Saturday, September 21, 4:30pm to 7:30pm: Join your friends and neighbors for a spaghetti dinner and family movie (complete with fun concessions).

Sunday, September 22, noon to 6pm: Play old-fashioned carnival games, take part in a cake walk, participate in a raffle drawing to win big money, watch your kids jump around inflatable bounce houses, eat fun festival food and bid on themed baskets put together by classes at the school. 

All events will take place at Woodfill Elementary, 1025 Alexandria Pike.

Midway Court "Shooting" Ruled False Alarm

Reports of a suspected shooting on Midway Court, posted to our Facebook page earlier this morning, have been ruled out as a false alarm.

FTPD Lt. Rich Whitford told FTM that a resident of the area called the police, reporting what she believed to be gun shots. No other calls were made to dispatch to report the incident.

Police arrived on the scene, investigated, but did not find any evidence of a shooter or gun activity, according to Lt. Whitford.

"This is an example of a concerned resident reacting to what could have been anything sounding like a gun shot, such as a car backfire," said Whitford.

False alarms like this are not uncommon, Whitford explained. Gun runs are a regular occurrence for FTPD patrol officers, but most often result in situations like this morning.

Recent discussion of the bow hunting ordinance may also have residents on heightened alert.

"If you're concerned or worried, call it in," Lt. Whitford assures, both regarding suspected gun activity as well as the current string of daytime burglaries that has recently hit Fort Thomas.

Humor Meets Creativity - 5TTK Presents Biff Tees

~5 Things to Know~

Take a look down at your washed out t-shirt. Ask yourself a couple questions: "Could I use a more creative t-shirt?" "Could I afford a new shirt that also supports a local business?" "Do I want a custom made t-shirt that adds character and personality to my wardrobe?" If you answered, “yes” to any of those questions Fort Thomas Matters has found the perfect business for you. Our advertiser and t-shirt savant, Biff Tees, has got your every t-shirt need covered! I reached out to Mitch Deters at Biff Tees for this week’s installment of Five Things to Know. Here are some interesting facts about Biff Tees:

• Their local shop is located in Dayton, Kentucky.
• Biff Tees has over 100 local based and funny designs for customers to choose from
• The retail shop is unique because their shirts are made to order. A customer can come in and get any design they offer on any color shirt and size. The shirt is made on the spot in a matter of seconds.
• Biff Tees offers custom design and printing for larger orders for local businesses, schools, walks, marathons or charities.

Some of my favorite t-shirt designs include the following:

 Biff Tees is an outstanding business that offer a great product. They have hundreds of creative designs to choose from or you can custom create your own shirt for a special event. There is no longer any excuse to be seen out in Fort Thomas wearing a worn out t-shirt anymore! Get down to Biff Tees, ask for Mitch Deters and tell 'em Fort Thomas Matters sent you!