A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Kentucky by Heart: Lifelong Kentuckian Tony Wilhoit holds humble view of impressive life of public service

By Steve Flairty NKyTribune columnist Anthony “Tony” Wilhoit was born in Versailles 88 years ago and has mostly lived within three blocks of his current home, a large, majestic brick house built in 1870; he’s a lifer in his town, in tune with its history. Just ask him about all the friends he has made around Woodford County. He also has an impressive resume in the area of jurisprudence, a long-time...

Our Rich History: There was a time when Cincinnati had parrots and a very large flock, but no more

By Steve Preston Special to NKyTribune Imagine sitting on your porch on a pleasant summer evening in Cincinnati. You’re sipping your favorite beverage and listening to the noisy flocks of parrots settling into the trees for the night. Sound crazy? It wasn’t to the residents of the area in the 1800s. Carolina Parrot, by American artist and naturalist, John James Audubon (1785–1851) One would think...

The River: The Great Flood of 1937 as told aboard the BB Riverboat Belle of Cincinnati in 2018

The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders shares the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story. The Ohio River reached 70.99 feet 87 years ago in the Greater Cincinnati area. Capt. Don was reminded of this ’37 story being republished here from 2018. See how to order his The River...

Bishop removes faculties of two Covington priests; Our Lady of Lourdes parish moved to St. Ann mission

By Patricia A. Scheyer NKyTribune reporter Over six hundred faithful parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Park Hills were shocked when they suddenly found out that they can no longer celebrate Mass at their own church. Their parish priests, Father Shannon Collins, pastor, and Father Sean Kopczynski, assistant pastor, could not believe what they were hearing when they were summoned to Bishop...

Keith Taylor: Remembering that first Wildcat basketball love from 40 years ago

Growing up in rural Madison County, we didn’t lack for anything. We had clothes to wear, a roof over our heads and a garden that helped supply food on the table. We didn’t have cable television, because it wasn’t offered in the rural areas back then, but we did have local channels. Those four to six channels at the time provided sports and entertainment. I fell in love with basketball at an early...

Kentucky Youth Advocates hold Children’s Advocacy Day at Capitol to address budget, policy priorities

With the 2024 Kentucky legislative session well underway in Frankfort, advocates across the Commonwealth are joining together to lift kids’ voices during Children’s Advocacy Week. They are advocating for the state budget and policy priorities addressed in the 2024 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children to elected leaders. On Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol Wednesday community organizations,...

Mike Tussey: Baseball and a microphone equals a legend — Waite Hoyt

Every January amid the freezing temperatures with rain, ice and snow, I usually begin thinking about our National Pastime – baseball. For instance, I know that the Reds’ pitchers and catchers will report for Spring Training in Goodyear Arizona February 13-15. I am aware as well, that all 30 MLB teams report for Spring Training February 22. My calendar is circled on February 24 because that’s...

Kentucky by Heart: Bob Snow’s Appalachian Trail adventure comes to an emotional September end

Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part story account of a Kentuckian’s successful hiking of the Appalachian Trail. By Steve Flairty NKyTribune columnist And, oh yes, how must one deal with the call of nature on the Appalachian Trail? The protocol for using the natural facilities of the hiking terrain, according to Bob, is to “dig a hole six inches deep, 200 yards off the Trail,...

Our Rich History: Thomas More University Athletics Hall of Fame compendium, part II

By Raymond G. Hebert, PhD Special to NKyTribune Part two of two parts These talented student-athletes round out a remarkable journey of over 100 + years that has brought athletic recognition for VMC/TMC/TMU to rival the institution’s academic accomplishments. Football Mike Woolf (2002): Woolf set the standard by which all future linebackers at Thomas More were judged. One of the most decorated players...

The River: There is cold, colder, and coldest — and there will always be days on a riverboat in ice

The riverboat captain is a storyteller, and Captain Don Sanders shares the stories of his long association with the river — from discovery to a way of love and life. This a part of a long and continuing story. This story first appeared in February 2021 — it was cold then, too. By Captain Don Sanders Special to NKyTribune As a much younger man, I delighted in blustery winter weather like the...

Spectrum Reach offering small business owners opportunity for ‘Pay it Forward’ campaign

Spectrum Reach, the advertising sales business of Charter Communications, Inc., today announced it will offer 250 underserved small business owners nationwide access to its expert advertising and marketing resources through its 2024 “Pay It Forward” initiative, which is now accepting applications for this year’s program. Local entrepreneurs selected to participate will receive a live and streaming...

The Carnegie to present Broadway’s favorite meddling matchmaker in Hello, Dolly! Feb. 2-18

Hello, Dolly! is a blockbuster Broadway hit bursting with romance, humor, and some of the greatest songs in musical theater history. Boisterous and charming from start to finish, the musical follows the exploits of meddling matchmaker Dolly Levi over the course of one unforgettable day. Audiences will delight in one crowd-pleasing musical number after another including “Put on Your Sunday Clothes,”...

Scott Lubanksy is the ‘money guy’ — a professional fundraiser who started in the field at 14

By Andy Furman NKyTribune reporter Want money? Need money? Just call Scott – Scott Lubansky. And before you start looking for his phone number, Lubansky is founder and President of Professional Fundraising Counsel. “Actually, I started fundraising at 14 years of age,” he told a shocked Covington Rotary Club audience. “I learned early that if you have noble goals and communicate these objectives...

Mike Tussey: There are sergeants, lieutenants and captains and then there are KENTUCKY COLONELS

Across the world, people have heard about the Kentucky Colonels and the wonderful reputation that goes with it all. The name Kentucky Colonel which is a lifetime honor, has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership, and dedication to the welfare of others. You may have read about them, you may have heard your neighbor was now a Colonel, or you may have been commissioned some time ago....

Kentucky by Heart: Lawrenceburg resident Bob Snow shares adventures through-hiking Appalachian Trail

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part story account of a Kentuckian’s successful hiking of the Appalachian Trail. By Steve Flairty NKyTribune columnist A funny thing happened to Bob Snow on the way to completing a 2198-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Springer Mountain, in Georgia, to Mount Katahdin in Maine and covers fourteen states. However, it didn’t seem...