A slow start in the first quarter ended the five-game winning streak for the Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (7-4 overall) Friday.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Tight Loss for Highlands Bluebirds Girls Basketball
Friday, January 29, 2021
Blue North Announces Board of Directors
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Kenton County Judge Executive, Kris Knochelmann, is the new Board Char of Blue North. |
Blue North, Northern Kentucky’s hub for entrepreneurs, startups, creatives, and small businesses, is excited to kick off 2021 by announcing members of its Board of Directors.
Opinion: The DAV site in Cold Spring is destined for development
Leaving With Love: Longtime Fort Thomas Wedding Designer Retires
40 years in the business! Home building, room additions, deck building, roofing, structural work, concrete, painting. (513) 205-4020 |
by Robin Gee
"When I turned 40, I decided I wanted to leave the business I loved while I still loved what I did," said Kevin Ford, owner of Ford-Ellington Wedding and Event Design, in a post to his customers and friends on Facebook.
Ford, who had recently turned 60, decided the time had come. He was ready to retire from the business—and lifelong passion—after more than 25 years in wedding design and another 10 as a florist in Fort Thomas.
"It’s definitely a job that I have loved. When you own a business, it’s a 24-hour-a-day job. I’d wake up in the middle of the night, designing in my head. I’d be thinking about contingency options like weather conditions... now, for my first few years, I want to relax, maybe look into volunteering."
Always one to stay busy, he said he’s already on the lookout for charities that might need his help.
From florist to designer
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Flowers are a big part of any wedding but so much more goes into the planning from lighting to linens to venue. Ford said he was on site to make sure it all went as planned. |
"I started working full time as a florist in 1986, and after eight months I asked my mom if I could buy her out." She had two locations by that time, so she was happy to sell the Fort Thomas business to her son.
Ford operated his florist business for six or seven years, he said, before moving into wedding event design. In the early 90s, thanks to the popularity of Martha Stewart and better access to information via the Internet, people were becoming interested in and educated about the many aspects of big, creative weddings. It was a good time to be a florist, and he found it was a good time to learn about the wedding planning business.
Yet, it was when he provided the flowers for a large wedding held in the Omni Netherland’s Hall of Mirrors, seeing it all come together, that he decided wedding design was for him. As he learned more, he slowly moved his business exclusively into wedding event and design.
Groundhog Day Family Fun Event Set For Tower Park
Groundhog Day is Tuesday so to honor the furry marmot the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy will sponsor a family friendly socially distanced Groundhog Day event for children in Tower Park on Tuesday, February 2 between 4:00 - 5:00. Prizes will be awarded at 5:30.
Meet at the tennis courts in Tower Park to start the hike. Participants will search for the groundhog shadows that will reveal a bit of information about groundhogs and their special day. When you find the hidden word you win a child’s groundhog day craft.
FTFC Education Director, Trisha Schroeder, will lead the event. “I think it should be a lot of fun, and it is socially-distanced because it is a self-led hike through the woods.”
You can reserve a spot by sending an RSVP by February 1 to Trisha Schroeder at trident@fuse.net.
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Highlands Dominates Bellevue on Senior Night
Bluebirds Hit Century Mark |
PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands freshman Brody Benke runs up-court in a recent game. Benke scored 14 points in the win over Bellevue on Thursday. |
The Highlands Bluebirds boys basketball team (5-3 overall) celebrated Senior Night with a convincing 104-42 win over the Bellevue Tigers (1-5) on Thursday in 36th District action.
Mentoring Plus Music Fest, Saturday January 30
Mentoring Plus, the non-profit mentoring program for at-risk teenagers in Northern Kentucky is presenting its second annual Music Festival, postponed from November and part LIVE and part VIRTUAL, on JAN. 30, 2021, at SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL in Newport at 7 p.m.
The LIVE Show features the LEFTOVERS, with Opening Act, BEN WALZ. Also performing will be TRAUMA ILLINOIS.
Covid-19 cases, positivity rate continue to decline; most deaths ever reported Thursday
Fort Thomas Ice Cream to Become Fort Thomas Parlor
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Fort Thomas Ice Cream will now be Fort Thomas Parlor: Coffee, Ice Cream and Cookie Dough. |
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Over 50 years experience in NKY. Call now, mention FTM. (859) 287-2499. |
by Robin Gee
The address for Fort Thomas' favorite ice cream spot will remain, but the business is changing. The good news is Fort Thomas Ice Cream owner Jason Williams will stay on to continue to bring customers his own special ice cream treats. What's even more good news? Cookie dough!
The Parlor Ice Cream, with locations in Pendleton, Milford, Mt. Washington and Ludlow, recently purchased the Fort Thomas location from Williams, who will stay on making his ice cream for the new owners Keith Hazelwood and Joshua Bolin.
Hazelwood and Bolin will bring the Parlor branding and popular menu of soft serve ice cream, espresso drinks, edible cookie dough and more.
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Fort Thomas Ice Cream owner, Jason Williams, with Joshua Bolin and Keith Hazelwood. |
A chain of events—and people
Parlor Ice Cream can trace its roots back to Nick Ganim, whose family opened a bakery and ice cream shop in Mt. Washington in 1957. This became Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery. From there Ganim opened the Old Milford Ice Cream Parlor.
For his next venture, he joined with Adam Sommers to open a location in Pendleton. Things were going great. Sommers brought in his friend Bolin to explore opening another location across the river in Ludlow. Plans were in motion, and they were all set to launch in spring of 2020, but then COVID hit. They put their plans on hold.
This is where Hazelwood came in. Ludlow is his hometown, and he had just retired and returned there after living 30 years in Fort Thomas. He had heard there was an ice cream parlor opening in Ludlow, but when nothing happened, he investigated. He got in touch with the owner of the building and asked him to arrange a meeting with Bolin and Sommers.
Hazlewood was able to convince them to partner with him and to open up the Ludlow Parlor despite the virus. The three worked on the project all summer and opened up on election day November 3, 2020.
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Barre Fort Thomas. 90 Alexandria Pike. |
It was Hazlewood’s next suggestion that led to the Fort Thomas Parlor.
"Fort Thomas is my second home. I go there often. My aunt had a house there, and I have friends at Midway Cafe. In fact, I go there almost every week for the wings. I don’t know what possessed me to ask, but I was in Fort Thomas Ice Cream, and I asked a staff member if he thought Jason might be interested in a collaboration with another ice cream/cookie dough business," he said.
He got Williams contact information, and Sommers followed up to ask he would indeed be interested.
Williams said yes. He told Sommers what he really enjoyed most was creating the flavors. Sommers, Bolin and Hazelwood could bring their expertise to the marketing side of things. The match was made, and Fort Thomas Parlor was born.
The next step for the business will be to secure approval from the city’s Design Review Board for a few changes they plan to make to the outside of the building. They will bring in The Parlor branding, including their iconic mustache and monocle logo and a modern upbeat decor.
Fort Thomas Parlor is located at 1013 South Fort Thomas Avenue. Opening date is set for March 1.
John A. Roebling Bridge Restoration Project to Begin Nine-month closure
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists the John A. Roebling Bridge will be reduced to a single lane of traffic beginning Monday, Feb. 1, and completely closed to vehicular traffic two weeks later, Feb. 15, for a lengthy restoration project to preserve the 154 year-old historic landmark.
The bridge was closed in April 2019 as a safety precaution after sandstone fragments broke from the east side of the north tower. Temporary netting was installed, and the bridge was re-opened in August 2019. KYTC and representatives of the State Historic Preservation Office have been working to develop a project that will address several issues and help preserve and protect the structure for future generations.
Cold Spring Moves Ahead With DAV Purchase, Offers Schools Assistance on Finding Alternative Sites
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A new development in the battle over the Disabled American Vets property may bring Cold Spring city and Campbell County School Board officials to the table. |
by Robin Gee, city council beat editor
The friction continues between the city of Cold Spring and the Campbell County School Board over the Disabled American Veteran’s (DAV) property. Actions and reactions to recent developments were the focus of the January 25 city council meeting. Yet, it appears the city has extended a hand.
While city officials approved agreements related to the city’s purchase of the property—as well as a motion to file a complaint against the school board—they also gave the go ahead to an item under "new business" authorizing the mayor to reach out to school officials to offer some alternatives and assistance in the quest for a second middle school.
Voted best Yoga Studio in Kentucky by Best Things Kentucky. 18 N. Fort Thomas Ave. |
Escalating tensions
While the school board awaits a determination by the Campbell County Circuit Court on whether it can use eminent domain to seize the DAV property, the city has been continuing with its plan to purchase the property through an agreement between the city and developer Al. Neyer, and between the developer and the DAV.
In short, the developer has a purchase agreement with the DAV, but at the same time has an agreement to assign the purchase to the city, resulting in the city becoming the official owner of the property and Neyer remaining on as the developer.
City council gave final approval to these agreements clearing the way to proceed with the purchase of the property. They also approved the filing of an "Intervening Complaint" asserting the city’s right to be involved with the DAV purchase. This comes after several weeks of correspondence and complaints by both sides.
In the intervening complaint, the city claims the school board went ahead with filing for condemnation to allow the taking of property under eminent domain, despite knowing of the city’s interest in the property and in an effort to block the city from purchasing or being involved with the purchase.
The complaint outlined the city’s interests in the property for economic development. It also laid out why the city felt the school board did not have the right to condemn the property under eminent domain.
RELATED: Cold Spring to File Suit Against School District Over DAV Property
The latest volleys
Fort Thomas Matters has obtained a packet of information about the dispute including correspondence between the city and the school board.
In an email sent December 30, City Attorney, Brandon Voelker, informed Board of Education Attorney, Jason Reed, that the city was filing suit against the Board for interfering with the city’s purchase contract and for ignoring a 1965 restriction on the original deed for the property that assured the city a say in the future uses of the property for economic development.
Voelker also noted the reasons he felt the school board had not followed the letter of the law in terms of the condemnation, in particular that the Kentucky Department of Education had not approved the purchase of the property and, therefore, the board did not have the right to interfere with the city’s purchase of the property.
"As you know, I filed to intervene in the case to protect the city’s rights and instead the District responded Cold Spring does not have an interest in the property, regardless of the contract to purchase and the deed restriction. While I do not agree with the Board’s response, the response also accused the City of collusion and other acts, essentially said 'sue us.' In as much, the City authorized such a suit."
In response to Voelker’s letter, on January 4 Reed said, "There is nothing in the response which 'essentially said [to the City] sue us.'...To the contrary, the overwhelming point of the response is that the city has no legal claim to assert against the Campbell County Board of Education in connection with the condemnation action, and any substantive objection the city has with the condemnation can be raised by Disabled American Veterans."
He went on to say the school board was not prepared to purchase the property at this time, and that condemnation (the taking of property under eminent domain) was not a purchase anyway. And, because it is not a purchase, final KDE approval is not necessary at this point in proceedings.
He went onto explain the condemnation would give the board time to explore and research the property before determining whether or not to proceed. The question of whether the school board can condemn the property will be determined by the courts within the next 90 to 120 days, he said.
He noted the DAV has not vacated the property yet, and that any plans for the building would not come to fruition for nearly a year. He suggested the city wait for the ruling.
Is ice beginning to thaw?
Despite the contentious language and filing of motions between the city and school board, city officials approved a move that could go a long way to mend the relationship between the two entities.
Under new items on the meeting agenda was a request to authorize the mayor to negotiate with the Campbell County School Board to help find another parcel of land for a new middle school and for the city to provide some infrastructure or financial assistance to aid in building a new building. The most promising candidate would be land adjacent to Crossroads Elementary, but council members made additional suggestions on potential properties.
The measure passed, and Voelker sent the offer to school board officials after the meeting. In the email, obtained by Fort Thomas Matters, he described the 28 acres available near Crossroads and noted that the owners of the property, CMC, recently outlined plans to extend Crossroads to the AA highway, which would be a plus for the school.
He also noted that the city would be willing to "help financially offset any additional monetary requirements associated with other sites in Cold Spring."
He extended an invitation to meet to Superintendent Dr. David Rust who has since responded that he would be happy to meet and requested some figures from Neyer on property values.
The city is finalizing its purchase while the school board awaits the eminent domain decision, but the two sides said they are ready to sit down together to open discussion.
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Merk & Gile Injury Attorney. 526 York Street, Newport. Free consultation 513-713-0862 |
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Highlands Girls Hoops Wins Fifth Straight
Orangetheory Fitness, Newport Pavilion. |
The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (7-3 overall) ventured south and came away with another county rivalry win Wednesday downing the Campbell County Camels (1-6) by a 43-34 count.
New Covid-19 Variant Strain found in Northern Kentucky
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Dr. Steven Stack details new strain and how this will affect Kentucky. |
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Phone: 859-905-0714 - Email: josh@joshmcintoshlaw.com. This is an advertisement. |
Case Information
Nominations open for 2021 Kentucky Teacher Awards; get form here — deadline is February 20
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FTM file. |
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Kentucky Teacher Awards, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc.
Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching peers, principals, superintendents or anyone from the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.
Kentucky Lottery closes first half of fiscal year on record pace with more than $710 million in sales
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@Dylan_Nolte, via Unsplash. |
The Kentucky Lottery reported Friday that sales for the first half of FY21 (July 2020 through December 2020) were higher than the first six months of any other fiscal year in the company’s history.
Overall sales for the period were $710.3 million, which is $169.5 million (31.3%) more than the same period in the previous fiscal year. This was led by a 33.1% jump ($107.5 million) in sales of Scratch-off tickets to a total of $431.9 million. Draw games were also up $30.7 million (14.9%) to $236.6 million.
Campbell County Attorney: It's not too late to avoid delinquent property taxes
If you own property, you must pay taxes on that property every year. While the 2020 tax bills for property located in Campbell County were due on December 31st, you have until April 15th, 2021 to pay your balance before the tax bill becomes delinquent. The consequences for delinquency are costly. State law mandates that delinquent tax bills incur penalties and interest. Fees as much as 30% of the face tax amount are added to the tax bill in addition to 1% per month or 12% per year in interest. Ultimately, the longer the delinquent tax bill goes unpaid, the more expensive it becomes.
Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky: 2020 a year of notable growth for construction
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Construction near the Ovation site in Newport, Kentucky. FTM file. |
Residential single-family construction grew 23 percent over 2019 as homebuyers enjoyed the lowest interest rates on record. The pandemic changed day to day life for many, with homeowners spending more time at home, bringing them a heightened awareness of inadequacies in their living arrangements. For the first time since the Great Recession, we ended 2020 above 1,000 building permits, with a total of 1,140.
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Local, efficient, reliable. Call Adam for your electric needs today. (859) 628-8304. |
Multi-family residential building slowed in 2020 when compared to 2019. That comes after a year of substantial pullback in multi-family building from 2018. This represents a decline of 38 percent over two years; a reduction mimicking the national trend.
Tuesday Round-Up: Highlands Boys Hoops Blitzes Scott
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Saint Thomas School Open House This Weekend
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St. Thomas School located at 428 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, KY. |
Saint Thomas School will be hosting their annual Open House, this weekend.
Gov. Beshear: President’s COVID-19 Team Increases Kentucky’s Vaccine Allocation
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear said he had a call today with the President’s COVID-19 team where he learned the federal government will increase each state’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines by 17%.
“That is a great start,” said Gov. Beshear. “The other thing they are doing is guaranteeing a minimum supply for three straight weeks. One of the tough things we’ve been dealing with is only knowing on a Tuesday what we would have the next week and not knowing what we would have in the weeks after.”
New St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky Food Pantry and Thrift Store Coming to Cold Spring
St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky is bringing a new Campbell County food pantry and thrift store to Campbell County.
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Voted Best Wings in Greater Cincinnati. 1017 S. Fort Thomas Ave. |
The store is located at 3970-3972 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring, Kentucky.
St. Vincent de Paul already operates three other thrift stores in Erlanger, Florence, and Falmouth and two food pantries in Erlanger and Falmouth, operating solely on the donations of generous Northern Kentucky donors. The new location will be a place where residents of Campbell County can more easily receive help with basic necessities, with plans for the store to carry clothing, household goods and furniture. The location will also serve as a donation drop-off site, where supporters can donate gently used clothing, furniture and housewares. Lastly, the organization welcomes those who enjoy thrift store shopping as all purchases help support St. Vincent de Paul’s programs.
Meredith Brewer named Kentucky Department of Education’s director of education policy
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Roofing, siding, gutters, painting. Call Matt. 859-393-5264. |
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Commissioner Jason E. Glass announced on Jan. 26 the hiring of Meredith Brewer as the department’s director of education policy. She will continue to serve as director of KDE’s Division of Educator Recruitment and Development until officially beginning her new role on Feb. 1.
Highlands Hoops Pulls Away from NCC
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14 N. Grand Ave. |
The hosts knew anything could happen in this rivalry game if they allowed the visitors from the hill to stick around.