This story originally appeared in the June 7, 2024 edition of the LINK Reader. To get stories like this first, subscribe here. On a recent Tuesday night at Longnecks Sports Grill in Wilder, patrons filtered into the dimly lit dining room. They ordered food and drinks as the clock neared 8 p.m. – the start […]
Author Archives: Killian Baarlaer
Killian Baarlaer is a 2024 Northern Kentucky University graduate who grew up in Cincinnati. He got his start in journalism at NKU’s student newspaper, The Northerner, and has since freelanced his work at other outlets in the Greater Cincinnati region. He plans to work in the field for years to come.
For LINK nky, Killian covers Villa Hills City Council meetings. He’s interested in working in local journalism to help communities stay connected and informed. He firmly believes that sound journalism can help people discover pertinent information that enriches lives and sparks important conversations. He has a wide range of writing interests. He loves to write stories that focus on how people use creativity and self-expression to solve today’s problems. He’s also interested in taking on stories about local businesses, music and popular trends.
Outside of school and work, Killian is usually exercising, reading or hanging out with good friends.
Posted inNews
Villa Hills discusses restricting medical cannabis operations
Villa Hills City Council discussed an ordinance Wednesday evening that would bar medical cannabis facilities from operating within city limits. Kentucky’s medical cannabis program was formed in 2023 via Senate Bill 47. The legal sale of medical marijuana is set to begin Jan. 1, 2025, but the passage of House Bill 829 in the 2024 […]
Posted inNews
Bid for new salt bin in Villa Hills forces city to pivot
Villa Hills City Council has voted to reject the bid for a $940,000 salt storage facility, and to re-bid the project with amended language to reduce the price.
Posted inNews
Date, route announced for Chase and Cole Fischer Memorial Race
Villa Madonna students Tommy Wenning, Adam Kolar and Sydney Short have announced a 5K Run and Walk in memory of Cole and Chase Fischer, who died in a jet ski accident last year, to be held on June 22.
Posted inNews
Villa Hills City Council mulls 4% property tax hikeÂ
Villa Hills City Council is considering a 4% property tax hike in their fiscal year 2025 budget to hedge against potential deficits if anticipated revenues fall short.
Posted inNews
NKU programs attract non-locals with strong local demands
This story originally appeared in the March 1, 2024 edition of the LINK Reader. To subscribe and get stories like this first, click here. Logan Pendleton was shocked, when she first started at NKU as the director of admissions, at how supportive everyone at the university was. “One of the things that stood out to […]
Posted inNews
Fifth-graders run the show at Villa Hills City Council meeting
The Villa Hills City Council meeting looked a little different Wednesday evening. Not only was it held at Villa Madonna Academy instead of the usual police department, but fifth-grade students from River Ridge Elementary School, St. Joseph Catholic School and Villa Madonna Academy presided over the meeting for the city’s annual “shadow night.” “Our hope […]
Posted inBusiness
How Incubator Kitchen Collective helps local food entrepreneurs succeed
When Incubator Kitchen Collective’s founder, Rachel DesRochers, created the membership-based community and commercial kitchen, she planned to confront a shared problem by forging a shared solution. Incubator Kitchen Collective gives food-focused startups and small businesses a commercial-grade and health-code-certified facility to produce their goods. The idea sprouted because DesRochers felt the need for the resource […]
Posted inCulture
Villa Madonna Academy students propose race to honor Fischer brothers
Three Villa Madonna Academy students asked Villa Hills City Council for their support in organizing a 5k walk and run to honor their two friends, Cole and Chase Fischer, who died in a jet ski accident on Lake Cumberland in July. Chase Fischer, 18, was a recent graduate from Villa Madonna Academy. Cole Fischer, 14, […]
Posted inNews
Villa Hills approves resolution for full-time fire department staff
Villa Hills City Council approved a resolution authorizing the Crescent Villa Fire Authority to hire full-time staff members at their meeting Wednesday evening. Villa Hills and Crescent Springs run a joint fire department that serves both locales. Currently, the station operates with a staff of part-time employees and volunteers, but staff retention struggles have prompted […]