Mold Remediation in Fort Thomas, KY

The City of Fort Thomas is proud to announce the return of its beloved Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4, featuring a full day of family-friendly events, live entertainment, and community spirit.

The celebration kicks off bright and early with two favorite traditions. The Al Salvato’s Kids Fun Run at 7:40am and then the YMCA Firecracker 5K at 8:15am. Check out MyY.org/Firecracker or contact Nick Heiss at 859-781-1814 or nheiss@myy.org to register.

Later in the morning, residents and visitors are invited to line the streets for the city’s patriotic parade at 10:30am. This year’s parade theme is “Honoring Our History”—a tribute to the people, stories, and events that have shaped the Fort Thomas community. The city is proud to recognize Deanna and Jim Beineke as this year’s Grand Marshals for their dedication and longstanding service to the city.

In the evening, the celebration continues at Tower Park beginning at 5pm with the Kids Zone, live music by Maria Carrelli and The Sly Band, delicious food trucks, West Sixth Brewery will be on-site serving up cold beer, and a variety of fun activities for all ages. The Kids Zone will be packed with family-friendly attractions including a petting zoo, face painting, balloon artist, carnival games, bouncy houses, and circus performers.

The festivities will close with a spectacular fireworks show at 10pm, lighting up the Fort Thomas sky in a dazzling display of patriotic pride.

“We look forward to another exciting celebration here in the Fort! This year, we are excited to be honoring Deanna and Jim Beineke as this year’s grand marshals.” Says Fort Thomas Mayor Eric Haas, “Also make sure you stop by Tower Park starting at 5pm for food, drinks, activities, great music, and an amazing fireworks spectacular.”

Join us for a full day of tradition, celebration, and community pride as Fort Thomas honors its past and looks forward to a bright future.

A proposal to develop a new grocery store on a stretch of land donated to the city of Fort Thomas has been shelved following public opposition. (WKRC)

FORT THOMAS, Ky. (WKRC) - A proposal to develop a new grocery store on a stretch of land donated to the city of Fort Thomas has been shelved following public opposition.

The land, gifted by the Carlisle family in 2021 for park use, was eyed by a Cincinnati-based developer for a potential store from a regional chain. Although city leaders did not disclose the brand, speculation arose that Publix was interested.

The developer proposing the deal, STNL Development of Cincinnati, helped build a new Publix in Owensboro, Ky.

On Friday, the city announced it would no longer consider selling the land. Mayor Eric Haas said in a press release that public input significantly influenced the decision.

Sharon MacKnight, a lifelong Fort Thomas resident, had been vocal against the proposal since its inception.

"I feel that's great. I don't know how it got to this point. I don't know how it got this far. If you knew what the people, community, actually wanted from the comp plan, which is a city and the park atmosphere, it would have never made it this far," said MacKnight.

Several city council members including Mayor Haas, appeared opposed to the deal, which was never formally presented or voted on.

Council Member Jeff Bezold, chair of the city's parks committee, emphasized the city's commitment to its parks.

"The city is known for its parks, we call it a city within a park and we've invested a lot of time and a lot of money into the park system and it shows," said Bezold.

Council Member Andy Ellison expressed relief at the proposal's withdrawal, noting the importance of preserving green space. He said there are no concrete plans for the property, but there's hope it can become more usable with walking paths.

"And giving up green space is permanent. So I would really like to see future generations also be able to call it a city in a park," said Ellison.

"Well, I'm happy. And I believe it was heading that way. And now we can focus on... There is some drainage issues that we have to take care of, but we have plans and we've already been looking into that. And to fix it up where we just plant some trees and for now keep it as green space."

Publix declined to comment and a spokesman said the company doesn't confirm any possible locations until a lease and sale document is signed.

The company has announced plans to open four other new stores in Northern Kentucky including in Hebron, Florence, Cold Spring and Independence.

Representatives from STNL, the developer in question, did not respond in time for this story.

FORT THOMAS, Kentucky — A seventh grader from Kentucky is preparing to represent his state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, nearly a century after another Kentuckian claimed the very first championship.

George Weghorst, a regional spelling bee champion from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, has been studying thousands of words in preparation for the national competition in Washington, D.C.

"I usually like to deal with nerves by studying words. You know, the more you study, the less chance you're gonna get a word wrong," Weghorst said.

Since fourth grade, the Highlands Middle School student has dreamed of making it to the national bee.

Watch: How Weghorst is preparing for the national spelling bee.

For Weghorst, this trip goes beyond just competing; it’s an opportunity to explore D.C. itself.

"There's a trolley tour where they go all around Washington, D.C. and show you where all the stuff is, like the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol," Weghorst said.

His achievement has earned him local recognition, including walking in the Reds Opening Day parade and performing the pre-game ceremony at TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati.

"They go on the field, pull out the sword. Some of my friends, they came to the game to see it. It's kind of cool," Weghorst said.

Highlands Middle School Principal Erika Volpenhein expressed her pride in George's accomplishments.

"We could not be more proud of George and all that he's accomplished with spelling bee. He has done such a phenomenal job and accomplished his goal," Volpenhein said.

During competition days, Weghorst relies on a special tradition to help him succeed.

"I just wore it on the first class bee in fourth grade, so I just wear it to every one," Weghorst said about his lucky sweatshirt.

As the national competition approaches, Weghorst is managing expectations and simply appreciating being part of the historic spelling event, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

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A seventh grader from Kentucky is preparing to represent his state at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, nearly a century after another Kentuckian claimed the very first championship.

George Weghorst, a regional spelling bee champion from Fort Thomas, has been studying thousands of words in preparation for the national competition in Washington, D.C.

“I usually like to deal with nerves by studying words. You know, the more you study, the less chance you’re gonna get a word wrong,” Weghorst said.

Since fourth grade, the Highlands Middle School student has dreamed of making it to the national bee.

For Weghorst, this trip goes beyond just competing; it’s an opportunity to explore D.C. itself.

“There’s a trolley tour where they go all around Washington, D.C. and show you where all the stuff is, like the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol,” Weghorst said.

His achievement has earned him local recognition, including walking in the Reds Opening Day parade and performing the pre-game ceremony at TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati.

“They go on the field, pull out the sword. Some of my friends, they came to the game to see it. It’s kind of cool,” Weghorst said.

Highlands Middle School Principal Erika Volpenhein expressed her pride in George’s accomplishments.

“We could not be more proud of George and all that he’s accomplished with spelling bee. He has done such a phenomenal job and accomplished his goal,” Volpenhein said.

During competition days, Weghorst relies on a special tradition to help him succeed.

“I just wore it on the first class bee in fourth grade, so I just wear it to every one,” Weghorst said about his lucky sweatshirt.

As the national competition approaches, Weghorst is managing expectations and simply appreciating being part of the historic spelling event, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

This story originally appeared at WCPO.com.

FORT THOMAS, Ky. — The City of Fort Thomas has rejected a development that could have brought a Publix to the Northern Kentucky city.

"We appreciate the feedback we received from city council and residents," said Mayor Eric Haas. "Public input played an essential role in this decision and we are grateful for everyone's input."

The announcement says the city has decided the proposed development will no longer be considered and that the city has decided to inform the developer "it is not interested in pursuing further discussions regarding this project."

Although the city declined to name the business, the project is being handled by Cincinnati-based developer STNL Development, which is currently developing a property in Owensboro for a Publix grocery store.

At the city’s council meeting on Monday, city administrator Matt Kremer announced the deal, a sale of a 6.8-acre parcel of the park for $650,000.

The proposed development would have included a 47,000-square-foot two-story building with a parking lot.

The grocery store would have been on the second floor with a parking garage on the first floor. Also on the first floor would have been a 3,200-square-foot liquor store.

Kremer showed some images from the proposal, noting it would be subject to approval by the planning commission as well as the city’s design review board and board of adjustment. Likely, it would require a zone change or a new zone, he said.

“The expectation of this company is to have 2,000 visitors a day at the retail store,” Kremer said. “They expect to have 15 to 20 deliveries per week with a tractor-trailer, 50 additional weekly deliveries from smaller vehicles like vans and full-size pickup trucks. All deliveries will be made at the rear loading dock."

WCPO spoke with several residents about their thoughts and concerns regarding the possible addition. Every resident we spoke with said they were concerned about the traffic impact to that area.

The property is just off Memorial Parkway, which is a two-lane road. Resident Kelly Booth said that when there is construction or other disturbances, the traffic is already an issue.

“I just worry that when we put a heck of a lot more traffic, trying to get in and out of one spot. Just exasperating all those issues that we already have getting back and forth Memorial Parkway," said Booth.