Gov. Beshear, Dr. Stack: First Vaccine Shipments Arriving Soon

Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH), said the state is expecting to receive approximately 38,000 doses of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as early as mid-December.

“Those will be provided to 38,000 individuals. We can go ahead and provide the first of these shots, and then we will receive the booster shots about three weeks later,” said Gov. Beshear. “We will be ready on moment one that we’re able to provide these vaccines.”

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines both require an initial shot followed by a booster shot.

While the number of doses and allocation plan are subject to change, the Governor said as of today the majority of the state’s initial vaccine shipment will go to long-term care (LTC) facilities; about 12,000 doses will go to hospitals to help inoculate health care workers.

“Every week we do not vaccinate long-term care residents, we lose them. With vaccines, we can provide such better protection to these individuals,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve been taking aggressive steps since the beginning of this virus, committed to fighting back, not surrendering to it or accepting avoidable loss.”

The state’s immediate goal is reducing COVID-19 deaths. With 66% of the deaths coming from LTC facilities, vaccines could help significantly decrease Kentucky’s COVID-19 death toll beginning in January. Also, because LTC residents tend to require the most care, vaccinations in LTC facilities will help reduce COVID-19’s burden on Kentucky’s health care system.

This week, the state is participating in an end-to-end exercise with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Pfizer and McKesson to test one shipment of an empty thermal shipping container and a mock ancillary kit to one clinic site, the University of Kentucky Medical Center. This test run will help the state prepare for the initial vaccine distribution to LTC and health care facilities; the initial distribution will, in turn, prepare the commonwealth for even larger, more complex distributions in the months ahead.

“There is an extensive process in play here. First of all, these companies had to build these vaccines, they had to do the research, they had to demonstrate that they were safe,” said Dr. Stack. “Concurrently, we’ve had to consider how we will use these vaccines when very small quantities are available at the beginning, but there are many, many people who need the vaccine. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is going to have an emergency meeting tomorrow to further refine their recommendations.

“There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re not out of the woods yet. If we all mask up and socially distance, we can buy our hospitals the time they need.”

Kentuckians can visit the KYCOVID-19 website for more information on the vaccines, including the state’s draft plan and FAQs. A public service communication campaign is also expected to launch in December.

Case Information 

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 2,214 

New deaths today: 12

Positivity rate: 9.42%

Total deaths: 1,908

Currently hospitalized: 1,741

Currently in ICU: 421

Currently on ventilator: 229

NKY cases:

Kenton County: 97

Boone County: 73

Campbell County: 43

Grant County: 33

The Governor said this is the second highest Monday COVID-19 case report.

Here's the Skyline that was featured on The Simpsons

290 Clifton Avenue, Skyline Chili. 

Social media has been percolating with screenshots after creators of the longest running scripted show in TV-history "Simpsonized" some local iconic places in Sunday's broadcast of The Simpsons. 

But some social media commenters were wondering which Skyline Chili location was used as inspiration from the fade out shot on the show. 

Creators confirmed it was the Clifton Avenue location, found at 290 Ludlow Avenue in Cincinnati. The depiction is detailed, as you can see above. 

The show (season 32, episode 8)  follows unlikely duo Principal Skinner and Superintendent Chalmers on their "800-mile" voyage to the Queen City for an administrator's convention where Chalmers plans to deliver a keynote. 

The episode features some iconic Queen City spots including the Roebling Bridge, Duke Energy Convention Center and, of course, the Clifton Skyline.

 

There was even a flying pig wearing a Reds uniform — holding a sign which read, "Welcome to Cincinnati: Birthplace of Pete Rose's Gambling Problem."

Apparently, while doing research for the episode, The Simpson's crew scored some "sweet mail-order Skyline Chili," and when the pandemic hit, Executive Producer Matt Selman happily took it home to ride out "the end of times." 

In a more subtle ode to Cincinnati, Selman said "WKRP in Cincinnati" was referenced twice in the episode, in the opening and closing credits. 

The Newport Skyline location, 35 Carothers Road, is running a deal right now: 

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City of Newport launches grant programs for restaurants, bars, gyms/fitness centers

The City of Newport has launched a COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program to provide grants of up to $1,000 to assist eligible businesses impacted by the pandemic. 

 

"The program was created in response to the impact COVID 19 and the state mandate closures is having on small businesses in Newport," said Newport Assistant City Manager Larisa Sims. “It is intended to assist restaurants, bars, gyms and fitness centers.” 

  

Orangetheory Fitness. Located at Newport Pavilion. 

The City is also working with local restaurants on options to expand outdoor dining. Restaurants interested in doing so should contact Bev Holiday at bholiday@newportky.gov, for more information.  

The funds from this assistance program may be used to cover the cost of tent rental or other necessary items related to the mandated closures.  

 

859-653-5314

The financial assistance is being offered on first come, first serve basis until the funding is fully committed. More information on the program and an application can be found on the city's website.  

 

Businesses can begin applying Nov. 30. The application period will close Jan. 4.  

 

Eligibility requirements include: 

Sweet Tooth Candy Acquired by Pompilio's Ownership Group

Sweet Tooth Candy & Ice Cream has announced that it has been acquired by another Newport restaurant stalwart. 

In a Facebook post, Sweet Tooth Candy & Ice Cream announced that is now owned by Joe Bristow and Larry Geiger, operators of Pompilio's Italian Restaurant.

Barre3 Fort Thomas. Located in the Fort Thomas Plaza.

"If you have been a Sweet Tooth customer for a while, and many of you have, you may have heard that Bob and Norma Schneider were considering selling the business. We are very excited to announce that Joe Bristow and Larry Geiger, owners of Pompilios Italian Restaurant, have been working with Bob and Norma to purchase Sweet Tooth. You may notice updates to the Sweet Tooth logo and a fresh coat of paint at the store but we are happy to announce that Bob will still be making all of the delicious candy and ice cream that you know and love."

Sweet Tooth's former owners, Bob and Norma Schneider - not to be confused with Schneider's Sweet Shop in Bellevue - had previously announced that they were "working toward retirement." 

The shop, located on 11th Street in Newport, has been open since 1972.

The new owners will keep the popular candy and ice cream recipes that their fans are used to.

KYTC District 6 Snowfighters to Report for First Winter Event

FTM file.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 snow and ice removal crews will report to duty this afternoon at 3 p.m. for the first winter weather event for the Northern Kentucky area. 

KYTC has been monitoring this first threat of precipitation.  Some counties have been spot treating areas as needed. The National Weather Service advises rain and snow mix is expected to change over to snow this afternoon and continue overnight with a possible accumulation of 1-2 inches.  

D 6 Snowfighters will mobilize ahead of the evening rush hour to treat state roads and interstates.   Crews will especially focus on bridges, overpasses and higher elevated roadways that would be more prone to freezing.  Dropping temperatures during the overnight hours may create the potential for slick spots on the Tuesday morning commute. 

Motorists should plan their morning commute by leaving early to allow more time to reach their destination or later to allow the conditions to improve. If you are able, stay and work from home.   If you must travel, motorists should simply remember – When it snows, take it slow.

District 6 starts out with 31,350 tons of salt each winter season stored in the domes located at the state maintenance facilities.  There are 135 trucks available to treat state highways and interstates. 

Maintenance crews in KYTC District 6 have responsibility for clearing over 2,000 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson. That equates to 4,670   “lane miles” – all driving lanes from rural state roads to interstate highways.  District 6 state maintenance crews are prepared to work to keep roads in the best possible condition during winter weather.

In the Northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell, District 6 is responsible for 1,868 lane miles of roadway. Crews have stockpiled 16,500 tons of salt and over 26,000 gallons of brine for de-icing in the three counties. Seventy-five trucks are available for snow and ice removal – With the current Brent Spence Bridge closure, two trucks  will concentrate on the six-mile section of I-75 between Buttermilk Pike and the Brent Spence Bridge that includes the “Cut in the Hill.”

When snowstorms hit, crews in affected counties are assigned 12-hour shifts to plow and treat state roadways on a priority basis – part of the Transportation Cabinet’s mission to keep traffic moving in a safe manner with an emphasis on maintaining mobility along critical corridors.

Priority A routes include critical state routes and those most heavily traveled such as interstates and main roads between counties or to hospitals, which receive the highest priority for snow-clearing efforts. Priority B and C routes include other important but lesser-traveled state routes.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has a webpage just for snow and ice information. The public can visit http://snowky.ky.gov to learn more about priority routes, access helpful winter weather tips and fact sheets and view informational videos on salt application and snow removal.

In addition, the public can monitor winter operations in real time on the state’s interactive traffic system – GoKY.ky.gov – to find out what’s happening on state routes in their local counties.

Every snowstorm is different and presents unique challenges, such as air temperature, pavement temperature, timing of snowfall and ice. Last winter season, 2019 – 2020, District 6 crews used 9,900 tons of salt and 1,175 gallons of liquid chloride.  No brine was needed for snow and ice events. In all, District 6 spent $3.4 million on equipment, materials and labor.

You are an important part!  Safe travel begins with YOU!

Be prepared:

Highlands Gives Valiant Effort in Playoff Loss at Covington Catholic

Colonels Score 28 Straight to Pull Away in Second Half

Twitter Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds football team lost 38-21 at Covington Catholic in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs Friday.

Editor Note: There will be no video highlights for this game.

The scoreless skid at Wooten Field stopped Friday. But unfortunately for the Highlands Bluebirds football team (5-6 overall), the losing streak against the defending Class 5A state champion Covington Catholic Colonels (9-1) did not.

Highlands took its first lead over the Colonels in two years at 14-10 with 7:26 left in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Charlie Noon scored from 14 yards out and sophomore kicker Davis Burleigh booted the second of three extra-point attempts.

"That was definitely a good feeling," said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. "We worked hard to put ourselves in that position. It was a great play by Charlie on fourth down."

But Covington Catholic responded scoring the game's next 28 points behind the legs of three-year senior starting quarterback Caleb Jacob on the way to a 38-21 victory in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs. Jacob scored all five CovCath touchdowns rushing for 95 yards on 16 carries for an average of just under six yards per carry. Junior running back Brayden Collins rushed for 80 yards on 10 carries averaging eight yards per touch for CovCath.

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"There was no wearing down. (CovCath) found a groove offensively," Weinrich said. "We could never win field position. Their kickoff team did a good job when they did score putting it down in the end zone, putting us on the 20 and made it difficult to drive the field every time."

Federal Judge: Gov. Beshear cannot stop in-person classes at private religious schools

Newport Central Catholic, FTM file. 

A federal judge has struck down a portion of Governor Andy Beshear's executive order requiring private as well as public schools to halt in-person classes until December 7 for elementary schools and January 4 for middle and high schools. 

U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove said in a 22-page order that he was granting a preliminary injunction to 17 private Christian schools that had filed a lawsuit against Beshear’s emergency restriction. He said his order would apply statewide.

The order does still remain in place for public schools.

"There is ample scientific evidence that COVID-19 is exceptionally contagious," the judge wrote in his opinion. "But evidence that the risk of contagion is heightened in a religious setting any more than a secular setting, or in K-12 schools as opposed to preschools, universities or colleges is lacking.”

“If social distancing is good enough for offices, colleges, and universities within the Commonwealth, it is good enough for religious private K-12 schools that benefit from constitutional protection," Van Tatenhove wrote. "Ultimately, the First Amendment protects the right of religious institutions ‘to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine.”

He went on to write that the Governor, nor Commissioner for Public Health, Dr. Steven Stack haven't made an adequate case to close in-person schools. 

“(They) have not adequately explained why K-12 schools must close” while preschools, universities and colleges remain open as long as certain precautions are taken."

Beshear’s order also seems to run counter to CDC recommendations, said the order, noting that CDC Director, Robert Redfield, recently said that school is one of the safest places for children.

"The truth is, for kids (Kindergarten) through 12, one of the safest places they can be, from our perspective, is to remain in school," Redfield said. "And it’s really important that — following the data, making sure we don’t make emotional decisions about what to close and what not to close."

A spokesperson for Governor Beshear said that an appeal has already been filed in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. 

“We are disappointed but not surprised that Judge Van Tatenhove, for the second time, has refused to acknowledge the U.S. Supreme Court decision that found an action like this is both legal and constitutional,” said Crystal Staley, spokeswoman for Gov. Beshear. "Let’s be clear: lives are on the line and everyone must do their part to defeat the virus.”

Tatenhove was the same judge who ruled earlier this year that Beshear could not halt in-person services at houses of worship. The Kentucky Supreme Court earlier this month unanimously upheld the governor’s emergency orders.

Danville Christian Academy, a Boyle County school that serves 234 students in preschool through 12th grade, and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron filed the lawsuit on November 20 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. 

They plan to open in-person instruction on Monday.

Locally, no private schools have announced their plans. 

Last week, Gov. Beshear issued the school-related executive order as well as  new restrictions that apply until mid-December for restaurants, bars, gyms, offices, indoor gatherings, weddings and funerals in response to a third wave of Covid-19 cases spreading across the Commonwealth. 

RELATED: Gov. Beshear: Public, private schools (K-12) cease in-person instruction beginning Nov. 23; more restrictions on gatherings, businesses

NKU opens season with thrilling one-point win over Ball State; NKU women lose in OT to UC

 

The Northern Kentucky men’s basketball team began the season in style by opening with a one-point victory over the Ball State Cardinals on Wednesday night in BB&T Arena. The Norse captured the 74-73 win thanks to major assistance from Adrian Nelson with only several seconds remaining as he nabbed his 19^threbound of the night on an offensive board that eventually secured the victory.  

STATS LEADERS 

• Nelson had a career-night with an impressive 19 rebounds, 10 on the offensive end of the court and nine on the defensive. His second-career double-double was rounded out by adding 10 points for the Norse off 4-for-8 (50 percent) shooting from the floor and 2-for-8 (25 percent) shooting from the charity stripe.  
• Trevon Faulkner tallied a team-best 17 points on the night, going 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) from the field and 1-for-3 (33.3%) from three-point range. He added four boards in his 24 minutes of play.  
• Marques Warrick contributed 14 points, all of which were counted in the first half. Warrick was one of three Norse, along with Bryson Langdon and Trey Robinson, to dish out four assists. 
• Robinson and Adham Eleeda also reached double figures in scoring with 11 and 10, respectively. 
  

TURNING POINT 

• With 22 seconds remaining on the clock, Langdon received a pass at the left wing from Robinson and knocked down a vital three-pointer as the Norse reclaimed the lead in what would eventually mark the final score of the game.  

FIRST HALF SUMMARY 

• NKU opened up the 2020-21 season with a hot 7-0 start against Ball State. The Norse maintained the lead until the 10:33 mark in the first half, until the score was tied at 19 apiece.   
• The Norse and the Cardinals doubled up on field goal percentage, both going 50 percent from the field. The two teams were not far apart from each other in attempts and makes as the home team went 16-of-32 and Ball State shot 15-of-30. 
• NKU dominated time spent with the lead, only allowing Ball State to capture 47 seconds with the outright lead.    
• Faulkner ended the first half with 13 points upon shooting 4-for-8 (50 percent) from the field and nabbing a solo three from beyond the arc. 

SECOND HALF SUMMARY 

• Despite the Cardinals taking a six-point lead late in the second half, the Norse rallied a victory thanks to key rebounding efforts. NKU outrebounded Ball State 25-24, with two offensive rebounds helping to secure the win in the final seconds of the game. 
• The lead was also overcome by impressive shooting from deep range as both Eleeda and Langdon sank three-balls to tie up the game and take the lead, respectively.   
• NKU bested Ball State in 3-point field goal percentage for the second half, with the Norse shooting 20.0 percent compared to the Vikings 16.7 percent performance.   

GAME NOTES 

• Nelson earns his second career double-double with 19 rebounds and 10 points, and his 10^th career double-digit rebounding game. Nelson’s last career-high rebounding night and first career double-double both took place at UIC on January 10, 2020, where he snatched 15 rebounds and added 13 points. He ended his season last year with nine games in double-digits in the rebounding column. 
• NKU went 4-2 last season in games decided by four or fewer points and the team went 10-1 last season when scoring between 70-79 points. The Norse add on to those statistics in the win column with this one-point, 74-73, dub over Ball State.  
• This is the second-straight season opener with a freshman breakout performance. Warrick’s 14 points and four assists stack up against Langdon’s debut last season as he scored 20 points and picked up two assists against UC Clermont on November 5, 2019.   
• NKU finished the game with a total of 43 rebounds obtained. The Norse averaged 36.6 rebounds per game last season. 

________

The Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team lost a close overtime game to Cincinnati in its season-opener, 67-73. NKU falls to 0-1 for the season, while the Bearcats start their season 1-0 on the year.  

STATS LEADERS 

• Ally Niece led the Norse with 17 points on 7-for-14 shooting (50 percent). Niece also chipped in two assists in her 35 minutes of play.  
• Grayson Rose dropped two three-pointers on the Bearcats to score 8 points, going 3-of-8 (38 percent) from the field.  
• Kailey Coffey led the team with 8 rebounds, four of which were from the offensive glass.  
• Ivy Turner contributed nine points and had a steal on the defensive end. 
• In her NKU debut, Lindsey Duvall contributed 13 points behind 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe.  

FIRST HALF SUMMARY 

• Carissa Garcia notched the first points of the new season with a fast-break layup 30 seconds into the game.  
• Niece and Emmy Souder put up four and three points, respectively, from there to go up 9-8.  
• Turner finished off the close first-quarter with a layup, giving NKU an 11-8 lead.  
• To kick off the second quarter, NKU went on a 9-0 run fueled primarily with six points by Turner.   
• The Norse lead held steady from there after both sides traded buckets. NKU went into the break leading, 26-17, with 13 of their points coming off of Bearcat turnovers.  
• NKU shot 36 percent in the first half through a 10-for-28 (36 percent) mark from the field.  

SECOND HALF SUMMARY 

• Cincinnati had scores on three-straight possessions to open the new half, but NKU kept the bearcats in check with a layup by Garcia and a jumper from Niece, followed by two more free throws by Garcia.  
• The Bearcats trimmed the Norse lead from eight down to three with 6:45 left in the quarter. Fortunately for the Norse, they rebounded with a pair of layups and a free throw by Souder, bringing the NKU lead back to eight points with 4:50 to go in the third.  
• Duvall ended the third quarter with a shot from down low, putting the Norse up 44-37 heading into the final ten-minutes.  
• Cincinnati broke out to a 7-2 mini-run to kick off the fourth quarter. Duvall and Niece stopped the bleeding with three free throws and a made jump-shot, respectively.  
• The Bearcats continued their creep and eventually tied things up at 51 at the final media timeout.  
• Rose had a pair of clutch shots fall in the final minutes, but Cincinnati answered to tie the game up at the end of regulation. 
• The Norse forced the Bearcats into 10 turnovers in the second half. 

OVERTIME SUMMARY 

• The Bearcats stampeded through a 12-3 run to begin overtime, giving them the 68-59 edge with 1:56 left. NKU’s only points in that span came through a layup by Duvall and a free throw by Coffey.  
• Niece and Duvall contributed another pair of buckets to make it a two-possession game with 1:04 to go in the period.  
• The Norse brought it to a three-point game after makes by Turner and Duvall, but Cincinnati held on with an and-one bucket in the final seconds to win the game.  

GAME NOTES 

• The final half proved to be the most impactful, NKU scored 41 points in the third quarter, fourth quarter and overtime, while the Bearcats scored 56.  
• Duvall’s 13 points is a new career high. Her last best was nine against Tennessee State on December 12, 2017, when she played for Louisville. 
• The last time NKU had an overtime matchup was in 2018, where they had back-to-back overtime contests against UIC (Jan. 21, W, 61-53) and Wright State (Jan. 28, L, 68-63).  
• NKU had 21 points off the bench, 42 of its 67 points in the paint and 16 points off of turnovers. 

UP NEXT 

The Norse travel to Akron for their second game of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 1.  

Highlands Hopes to Play Loose in Playoff Rematch at Covington Catholic

Bluebirds Searching for Ways Break Scoreless String Against Arch-Rivals

PHOTO: Ed Harber. Highlands players Dominic Robinson (19), Charlie Noon (1), Charlie Moore (53), Adam Bowman (51), Chase Gordon (75) and Jake Arthur (71) wait on the play call Friday in the playoff win over Conner. The Highlands offensive line has been key to allowing skill position players such as Noon and Robinson do their thing in recent weeks.

Aside from the usual Beat the Colonels chants, the Highlands Bluebirds football team could add another rallying cry this week.

Discover how much bluer the turf is in the end zones at Wooten Field, prevent the hosts from doing it as much and a whole lot more.

Highlands (5-5) earned another shot at the Covington Catholic Colonels (8-1) in Park Hills with a 27-16 win at Conner on Friday to open the Class 5A playoffs. The blue Colonels took out Cooper, 32-8 in the first round of the playoffs in Park Hills. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday.

"There's been a lot of energy, a lot of focus these past few practices," said Brian Weinrich, Highlands Head Coach. "It's been very spirited. It's been a good couple days."

Buying gift cards for local NKY businesses just got easier

The Midway Cafe, Fort Thomas, Kentucky. 

A campaign to support Northern Kentucky small businesses during the holiday season by encouraging shoppers to purchase gift cards at local shops, restaurants, bars and more launched yesterday and will last through the end of the year.  

Support local! Located at 1017 S. Fort Thomas Avenue. 

Operation Winter is Coming is designed to influence consumers to buy holiday gift cards at Northern Kentucky businesses. The effort is an initiative of OneNKY Alliance and is being led by meetNKY l Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau and being supported by OneNKY Alliance members including the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

"The effort is unique because the mission of meetNKY is outside of Northern Kentucky, but the most important thing we can do right now is support small business and drive as many much-needed customers and sales as possible," said meetNKY Interim President & CEO Julie Kirkpatrick.

A list of favorite local experiences, including restaurants, bourbon and wine bars, coffee shops, breweries, family-friendly attractions, museums, sweet shops, and more, can be found at www.NKYshoplocal.com.  The list is designed to help a gift-giver identify local businesses to support while tailoring their gift-card purchases to the recipient’s interests.  Links are included for online gift card purchasing where available.

"This year more than ever, Northern Kentucky businesses need our help to survive the holiday season," Kirkpatrick said. "Gift cards make wonderful gifts and purchasing them right now is a great way to support the businesses that make our communities diverse, thriving places to live and visit."

Roofing, siding, gutters, painting. Call Matt. 859-393-5264. 

"The holidays are a time when Northern Kentucky always comes together as a community," said NKY Chamber President and CEO Brent Cooper. "With all the challenges our local businesses continue to face, it is so important for consumers to remember that when they do their holiday shopping to purchase gift cards from a Northern Kentucky business. Gift cards not only make great gifts, but they help our local businesses owners and operators continue to weather what has been a very tough year." 

At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Fort Thomas Matters launched SaveFT.org, a similar program dedicated to Fort Thomas businesses, which raised nearly $10,000 for local businesses. 

Scuba Santa Returns to Newport Aquarium This Friday

Scuba Santa returns to Newport Aquarium this Friday November 27. For the 18th year, kids and adults alike can enjoy this unique tradition where Scuba Santa swims with a tank full of sharks and other sea life. Guests can even talk to the jolly man underwater and tell him what they want for Christmas. Plus, they’ll discover festive lights and holiday music throughout the aquarium all running through December 24, 2020.

Pick up and go! Located at 14 N. Grand Ave. 

“Meeting Scuba Santa is magic,” said Eric Rose, Newport Aquarium’s Executive Director. “There’s no other way to describe it when you see him in his aquatic world surrounded by fish and having a moment with a child they will never forget. It’s so special.”

Guests will notice many of the animals are excited to see Scuba Santa and his elves. Denver the loggerhead sea turtle can be seen curiously trying to get a look at Santa’s list. The shark rays also enjoy swooping and soaring past the giant Shark Ray Bay Theater window, where Scuba Santa makes his appearances.

In Other Words: CORA Makes Trails and Us Better

 

Jen Kirst, Nathan Kirst, Mike Lehrter, and Sherman Butler work the trail. 

Things don’t happen by themselves and when a group shares a vision then something big can happen. 

The bike trails in Tower Park are getting some long needed attention from the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) in partnership with the city of Fort Thomas. 

Olivia Birkenhauer the Vice-President of CORA says, “Our plans for Tower Park Mountain Bike and Hike Trails are to fix the erosion issues we have, to repair and maintain what trails are currently there....so that they are all more sustainable....The city is a great partner, supplying us with gravel to help us ensure trails are more sustainable for hikers and bikers."

Maria Bozeman, one of CORA’s organizers says, “CORA maintains the mountain bike trails in Tower Park but it takes an army of volunteers on community trail days to see the work done. We had over 40 on our last trail day, November 14!… We are working towards the short term goal of creating a well-signed beginner ‘green’ loop of approximately 2.5 - 3 miles. We would like to see way-finding for folks who do not know the trails well, so they can ride, hike, or run a continuous loop without getting turned around or lost. A long term goal would be to sign a ‘blue’ or intermediate loop as well as the difficult ‘black’ trails. Riders who ride the advanced trails know their way around well enough, so that’ll come last!” 

And the vision is clear. Maria Bozeman says, “The vision is to have a wayfinding system for different levels and types of trail users throughout the park; a map at trailhead with loop mileage and well-signed loops.”

CORA organizer, Brian Bozeman, Maria’s husband, notes that trail maintenance can be tricky. “Managing water and the way it flows over the trail is the largest concern to creating and maintaining sustainable trails. Locally, we also have the challenge of the clay content of our soil acting as a sponge that holds water. Erosion from users is very high when water is being held in the tread of the trail. Re-routing and fixing drainage issues should help, but the Trail Steward also notes on the Facebook page when the trails are closed. Users should consult this before heading out, it is a color coded system, green means go, red means enjoy the sidewalks today, yellow means it’s slick but usable, blue (used in winter) indicates freeze/thaw in effect and only usable if trail is frozen.”  

He adds that, “We are being careful to avoid the NKU Ecological Restoration Areas.” That’s a lot of attention to details that users of the trails don’t see.

CORA’s community work days are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM. Check the Ft Thomas Trails—CORA page for location details each month. Bozeman says, “We are asking folks to follow all COVID protocols when working during a community day, as well as limiting the use of tools to adults and older children.” 

Maria Boseman says, “It is a perfect winter-Covid-family activity!” 

You know, lots of people in various civic organizations work quietly and joyfully to make the city more enjoyable. They don’t do it for recognition or for money. They do it simply because it’s the right thing to do. It’s enjoyable and it builds community. 

Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Continues to See Exponential COVID-19 Growth

Today at his press conference, Governor Andy Beshear implored Kentuckians to adhere to new restrictions and guidance that will help stop the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the commonwealth.

He said the number of Kentuckians diagnosed with COVID-19, hospitalized with the disease, admitted to the ICU and put on a ventilator because of complications from the virus continues to rise week over week, reporting that today’s case report is the highest ever for a Monday.

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“Day in and day out, our health care workers are doing what it takes. So day in and day out, we have to, too. Think about their sacrifice, every day going into a unit where they could contract this virus that they see people die from,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are at war."

Beshear said that wearing masks continues to be the most effective action Kentuckians can take to protect themselves and others. A recent study in Kansas from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that on average, counties that mandated mask-wearing saw a 6% reduction in cases; in contrast, the counties that opted out saw a 100% increase in cases.

Case Information 

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

Boone County: 85 cases

Kenton: 77

Campbell: 39

New cases today: 2,135

New deaths today: 5

Positivity rate: 8.97%

Total deaths: 1,792

Currently hospitalized: 1,573

Currently in ICU: 391

Currently on ventilator: 203

Those reported lost to the virus today include a 73-year-old woman from Fayette County; a 73-year-old man from Harlan County; two men, ages 85 and 88, from McCracken County; and a 77-year-old man from Webster County.

Campbell County FOP #10 Cops and Kids Event benefits record number of children this year, despite pandemic

James McKenna, Jimmie Poyter and Nick Heiert, at a past Cops and Kids event. FTM file. 

A fundraiser that police departments across Campbell County undertake each year will continue this year despite the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Campbell County FOP #10 announced that over 90 children will be served this year - a record number - even with fundraising programming through the year being hampered.  Local schools helped identify  students who would most benefit from the program. 

FOP #10 represents every law enforcement agency in Campbell County, Kentucky with exception of Newport Police Department, which has its own union. 

This is the 26th year of providing Christmas to local children. Over 2,000 children have benefitted from FOP #10's efforts through the program's history. 

FTM file. 

This year, in order to follow social distancing guidelines, shopping with take place without the children, but kids will meet officers at the gift wrapping and pick-up location. 

"We know the need is even greater this year so we have worked hard to make this event happen while keeping everyone involved safe," said Officer Jimmie Poynter, event chairman.

Shopping will take once again at Meijer Cold Spring. Campbell County FOP #10 will also shop for the Marine Corps Toy for Tots program again with the help of the NKY Young Marines.

FTM file. 

NKU Serving Students Thanksgiving To-Go Meals

Northern Kentucky University’s on-campus food pantry and student community center, FUEL NKU, hosts its third annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Nov. 25 with plans to serve to-go meals for nearly 200 students staying on or near campus through the holidays.

 

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FUEL NKU hosts a family-style feast each year to help students give thanks and share a special meal together. With the university’s transition to remote operations and learning through winter break, FUEL NKU is teaming up with the campus community to make sure students have consistent university support they need.

 

“The holiday season is right around the corner, and the pandemic has brought an increase in food insecurities on campus,” said Dr. Jessica Averitt Taylor, FUEL NKU founder. “No one should be hungry, especially on a day that typically celebrates time with loved ones. We will be ready outside the Student Union with meals ready for you to grab and go.”

 

FUEL NKU is partnering with several community partners to provide the Thanksgiving meals for students. The Kroger Co. provided turkey for 200 meals, and Busken Bakery donated pumpkin pies. Chartwells, NKU’s external food services partner, pitched in to cover an array of side items and help with coordinating the event logistics. Along with the to-go meals, students can also request other food and essentials to support them through the upcoming Thanksgiving and winter breaks.

 

What: FUEL NKU Thanksgiving Celebration To-Go Dinner

When: Nov. 25, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: The James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union

 

The number of students in need of FUEL NKU support continues to expand. Since 2016, the student community center has welcomed 15,067 visits and provided 85,706 pounds of food and toiletries to students over the last year.

Christmas Tree Seller Celebrates 50 Years Bringing Holiday Joy

 

Paul Stuempel and his wife, Rose Anne. 

by Robin Gee

Ahhhh...there is nothing more evocative of the holiday season than the smell of fresh pine trees and wreaths! And, there is nothing quite like a real Christmas tree, said Paul Stuempel, who is setting up his seasonal shop again this year at the Fort Thomas Plaza.

Stuempel grew up in Fort Thomas, but now lives in Dayton with his wife, Rose Anne, who helps with the business. The couple work with about 12 people on site each season, many of them high school students from Highlands and the surrounding area.

Paul Stuempel, owner of Natural Green, outside his Wreath workshop. He is about to open up his Christmas tree business for the season at the Fort Thomas Plaza.

An unplanned direction turns into a lifelong passion

This marks Stuempel’s 50th year selling trees. Back in 1970, when he first started, he had no idea he would fall in love with the business and that he would develop a real passion for what started as what one might call an act of desperation, he said.

When he was in his early 20s with two small kids and a wife, he found himself out of a job. He decided to try his hand at selling ice cream and purchased a truck for a season, but there were a lot of other competitors, and it seemed every time he pulled into a neighborhood, another seller had just left.

So, after a disappointing summer, he was again broke and without a job. His father, a bit frustrated with the situation, told him, face up to it, go get a job now. Fall was fast approaching. His dad was likely joking when he threw out a few ideas — why don’t you go get some turkeys or Christmas trees to sell?

Little did Stuempel, or his dad, know that the casual comment would turn into a lifelong business. "Christmas trees? I thought, I’m going to look into that! But, I really knew nothing about it. I even had a fake tree at home," he said. 

How it all began

Stuempel had a buddy in real estate who just happened to own an old empty lot across from Krogers in Bellevue. "So I rented it, fixed it up and that was my first Christmas tree lot...I ran electricity from the gas station next door and made a few trees into light poles."

Of course, the next step was to find trees. Back then, before Paul Brown Stadium was built, all the produce wholesalers had open-air markets along the river on the Cincinnati side, in a section known as "the bottoms," and everyone carried trees, he said.

At the time, business was booming. "My lot was in the middle of six other Christmas tree lots. You couldn’t pass a church parking lot or see a boy scout troop who was not selling trees," he said.

In the bottoms, trees were going for $1.25 to $2 per tree. He found an ad in the newspaper from a guy who was selling trees for 75 cents each. The man had harvested leftover trees from fields in Ohio, cut them down and brought them back to sell.

"So, I bought 75 to 100 trees from him, enough to be able to get started," Stuempel said. He continued to buy trees from the seller and from the big produce houses like Castillini and Fries Brothers.

"About 15 years into it, though, I started buying direct from tree farms," he said. For the past 35 years he has purchased from a farm in Michigan.

"The one thing I decided from the start is I would never have a cheap tree on my lot," he said.

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Hard times for tree sellers

As the years progressed, he noted, fake trees began to rise in popularity. Despite this, the market was strong up until the recession of 2008-2009. “The year 2005 was my highest sales. I sold about 1,450 trees.”

Yet, by 2007, the economy had started to unravel and when the downturn hit, things came undone, he said. On top of that, more people were turning to artificial trees for convenience. He has a theory that a reason for this may be that Boomers, who grew up with real trees, are becoming less able or willing to handle them or may be downsizing their homes.

Sourcing trees also became a bit harder after the big produce wholesalers were forced out of the bottoms, but it was the economic downturn paired with the growth of artificial options that took a toll on the industry, especially over the last decade. Fewer wholesalers are handling trees these days, he said.

The business can be volatile anyway, as tree growers are subject to the same issues that can plague any farmer — drought, insect infestation, high winds. Despite all that, Stuempel’s business has been steady, and he’s selling about 1,100 trees a season.

The season for Christmas tree sales is brisk and intense. It begins just after Thanksgiving and goes through mid December.

Getting the word out

Over the years, he said, he’s gotten more savvy about marketing. He’s added handmade wreaths and swags as well as tree-related items he sells from a trailer on his lot.

Pick up and go! 14 N. Grand Avenue. 

While he admits he prefers old school marketing over social media, one service he added in 2000 as a little "extra" for his business increased his sales by 30 percent and has turned into a holiday tradition for many Fort Thomas families.

Each year, when a family picks out a tree, Stuempel takes a photo of the family with their tree. As the season approaches, he sends out the photo and a reminder that Christmas tree time is coming. Many families have included these photos on social media and in their own holiday greetings.

Stuempel’s operation is a brisk and intense one. Although, he said the “season” for tree-buying has shifted earlier in recent years, the main sales period runs from the day after Thanksgiving through the beginning of December. "By December 15, most of the trees are gone. We generally close up between December 15 and 17," he said.

Trees and tree grades

When asked about what types of trees he handles, Stuempel mentions a wide variety including Scotch pines, Frasier Fir, Balsam Fir, among others. He likes to keep a wide variety, but the common denominator is the quality. He strives for premium and top-graded trees.

Trees are inspected and rated by the Department of Agriculture, he explained. The rating for top quality trees is premium, followed by US 1 and US 2. Below that are field grade trees and those that are ungraded. If a seller feels the trees he or she has purchased are not the grade they paid for, they can call in the government for an inspection.