2022 was a huge year for LINK nky, the paper celebrated its first year of existence, we’ve hired tons of new staff, launched a weekly print edition and published tons of amazing stories online.
We’ve published 3,735 stories online since January 1st with a total of 4.2 million pageviews and 1.5 million users. You guys stopped by our site nearly 800,000 times from social media, about 300,000 times from web searches and almost 250,000 times you found a story directly from our webpage.
If you’re interested in knowing what our readers found most interesting this year, read on to find out our top ten stories of the year.
No. 10: Covington woman killed in hit-and-run on bridge
This August was a truly tragic one for the Northern Kentucky community with two hit-and-runs killing pedestrians within a few days of each other. Our number ten most-read story of the year is that of the hit-and-run death of beloved longtime employee of Roebling Point Books & Coffee, Gloria San Miguel. The same weekend, San Miguel was struck and killed, 32-year-old Matthew-Mina Salama was hit by a pickup truck while standing near the far-eastbound lane of US 42 and Skeets Way, in Florence. Read the Nov. 18 weekly LINK Reader cover story to learn more about how NKY officials are grappling with safety challenges for cyclists and pedestrians.
No. 9: Investigation looms as Highlands wins big in rivalry game at Campbell County
In September we wrote about Highlands conquering Campbell County High 44-13 in a rivalry game, but there was speculation that news of an investigation may have impacted Campbell’s performance. Hours before kickoff, news broke that Campbell County Schools and local law enforcement are investigating the alleged incident that occurred on a football team bus returning from an away game that we wrote about in more detail in our number six most read story. LINK has been trying to confirm information about this incident, but to no avail as our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have been turned down.
No. 8: Bengals to unveil new helmet with help of Boone Co. Distilling co-founder, team executive says
In July LINK nky reported on longtime Bengals suite holder and co-founder of the Boone County Distilling Company, Jack Wells, participating in the unveiling of the new Cincinnati Bengals helmet. What many guessed, but wasn’t announced at the time, the team was getting an all white helmet to match with their all white “snow tiger” uniforms that fans have gone crazy for all season. Read more fan speculation here.
No. 7: Local man shows off private collection of antique vehicles for a good cause
Well, we now know our readers love to read about cool old cars because this story about a local man showing off his private car and truck collection of over 220 vintage and antique vehicles went gangbusters. With tours open to the public every Friday and Saturday, David Hastings offers up his collection of automobiles ranging from the early 1900s to a 1980s DeLorean for the public to view. Read more about his collection and how he is using it to give back to the NKY community here.
No. 6: Campbell County schools, police investigating alleged assault on bus after football game
Campbell County schools and police investigated an incident involving football players on a bus ride home from an away game in August. According to parents familiar with the incident, a member of the football team was forced to the back of the bus by another football player, who removed the alleged victim’s clothes and began assaulting him. Campbell County parents familiar with the incident said the event was recorded by teammates. LINK nky initially reported on this incident in September however we have not been able to confirm any more information since. Read more of our report here.
No. 5: Man awarded $450k after firing over birthday party at Gravity Diagnostics
Kevin Berling had a simple request: He didn’t want Gravity Diagnostics, his former employer, to throw him a birthday party. Berling has an anxiety disorder, said his attorney, Tony Bucher, and his birthday is a source of stress, so his client went to the person at the company who throws the parties and asked them not to. The party was thrown anyway, and Berling began to have a panic attack. Read more about Berling and his lawsuit against Gravity Diagnostics here.
No. 4: Former home of Bengals player on market for $1.8M
We all love to look at houses we can’t afford and our readers really enjoyed the opportunity to see this gigantic house owned by former Cincinnati Bengal Domata Peko. This $1.8 million Crestview Hills property, located at 2515 Legends Way, has a whopping six bedrooms and six bathrooms, an in-home theater, a full bar in the basement, a sauna, and a pool complete with a waterfall and slide. Learn more about this home’s fascinating history that goes beyond its former owner here.
No. 3: Biden calls out Rand Paul for calling infrastructure bill ‘socialism’ then asking for funds
In October President Joe Biden called out several Kentucky legislators in a speech at the Volvo Group Powertrain Operations Facility in Hagerstown, Maryland, over their vote and comments against the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. The bill sets out to improve America’s roads, improve mass transit, and expand internet access. Sen. Mitch McConnell was the only U.S. legislator from Kentucky to vote in favor of the infrastructure bill. Biden also called out Kentucky 6th District Congressman Andy Barr over his comments that the bill was a ‘socialist agenda.’ Find more about Biden’s comments here.
No. 2: Boone County GOP censures Sen. Mitch McConnell, calls for resignation
This September the Boone County Republican Party censured Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell in a symbolic move last week over his support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. While the main part of the bill addresses gun safety issues, it also provides money for mental health resources for schools and communities, along with funds to boost school safety. The Boone County Republican party called on elected officials to oppose what they called unconstitutional gun control efforts. Read more about it here.
No. 1 Here’s how to see if your JIF peanut butter has been recalled
Things got a little sticky with our number one story this year. In May JIF recalled batches of its famous peanut butter that had been linked to a salmonella outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And not surprisingly, our readers wanted to know how they could find out if their jars were recalled. You probably already threw out your jar or ate it without worry because you missed this story but if you want to know more read on.