Dear Readers,
This has been a banner year for Fort Thomas Matters. Let’s review:
– The most stories published (980).
– The most clicks ever by a wide-margin.
– A podcast channel in its second year with downloads increasing every show.Â
– 28 issues printed and mailed of The Fort Thomas Living.Â
– A partnership with WCPO that has been a win-win for both partners.
I love this job because of the people I get to talk to and work with everyday. The businesses, schools and city are my passion and I can’t believe I get to cover them on a daily basis. It doesn’t feel like work to me.
My FTM team: Jessica, Stephanie, Kara, Michael, Amanda, Gina, Nick, Liz, Chuck, Ben, Pat and Hannah, Allen. You guys have been awesome this year. No way FTM continues to improve without you all.
Most importantly, the readers. You realize that there’s been a serious lack of attention to Fort Thomas. I know this because of the voracity with which you help us find stories, the rate at which our clicks continue and the growth of our social media platforms.
It’s impossible to do a recap of what happened locally and only include a few items. That’s why I’ve laid out the top 100 stories we covered this year.
Most are Fort Thomas items, some are podcasts and some are features. The vast majority were breaking right here in our space on Fort Thomas Matters. All of them had a great deal of success. We’ll continue to be your leader for original news and reporting because we are entrenched in the community. People trust us and I take that very seriously.
So again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting us through your readership and engagement on our stories on our social media platforms. Thank you for shopping local and supporting our FTM Family advertisers. Thank you for showing an interest in the community around you.
I’ll continue to keep up my end of the deal,
Mark Collier
January
Mysterious crash in Newport leaves one dead, police searching for answers.Â
First City Council meeting with new members.Â
DUI Crash Damages Business on N. Fort Thomas Ave.Â
FTM/Q102 Partner to Throw 80s Party to Benefit Brighton Center
February
Fort Thomas Man Charged in Connection with Highland Bomb Threat
Small Fire at Ruth Moyer ElementaryÂ
Ruth Moyer Unveils Renovation Plans
Remke Markets to Close in Newport Plaza
March
Fort Thomas Florist Busy in the WinterÂ
OP-ED: Kindergarten Lottery Shouldn’t Be Left to ChanceÂ
Highlands Names New Athletic Director
FTM Best Business Bracket UnveiledÂ
Merchants and Music Headliner Announced
Fort Thomas Officials Attempt Transparency in EmailsÂ
Public Hearing for Street Tax in Fort ThomasÂ
AprilÂ
Wellerhaus Celebrates 25 Years
Franchise Fees to Replace the Street Tax?
Remke Closes, What’s Replacing it?
Southbank Approves Money for River Cities.Â
Renaissance/Economic Development Annual Report
May
Governor Primary with Matt Bevin
Turnover for Leadership Positions at Fort Thomas Schools
FTPD4210Strong – Casey Kilgore
Vehicle Accident on Memorial Leads to Arrest
June
Fort Thomas Residents Express Frustrations to Council about Imperial Apartments
Six Children in 20 Years for One Family at St. Catherine School
Fatal Motorcycle Accident on Memorial Parkway
Highlands State Championship Baseball Bid Falls One Game Short
The Midway Cafe Reboots Under New Ownership
Cobblestone Cafe Celebrates 10 Years
Entire Fort Thomas Street VandalizedÂ
Suspect Arrested After Chase Ends on Big Mac Bridge
Highlands Names First Hall of Fame Induction Class
July
Everything You Need to Know About the 4th of July Parade
Pictures – Fort Thomas 4th of July Parade
The Hiland Building Comes Under New Ownership
SWAT situation unfolds in Alexandria
Pictures – The Storm of the Summer
Car Theft Thwarted by Vigilant  Residents, Quick Response by FTPD
Imperial Apartments Sold to New Ownership Team
Holtman’s Not Coming to Fort Thomas
Flipdaddy’s/Opticare Team Up to Create More “Baby Piper” Moments
Highlands Grad is Hollywood BoundÂ
August
FTIS Lunch Revenue Increases After Opting Out of Federal Program
Fort Thomas Man Arrested, Charged with Sexual Abuse in Front of HighlandsÂ
Highlands Student: Talented Seamstress Turned Designer
Building Finally Continues After Years on Memorial Parkway
Convenient Deli Mart Sells to New Owner
Car Crash at Fort Thomas Farmers Market Almost Turns TragicÂ
Hamel/Bowman Team Up to Help Education Foundation
Top This Donut Bar Negotiating Lease in Fort Thomas
September
Mark Goetz New Achievement CoordinatorÂ
Protestors Descend Upon Fort Thomas in Wake of Kim Davis Decision
City Council Discussed Property Tax Rate
Record Campbell County Marijuana Grow Operation Busted
Fort Thomas Plaza Future BrightÂ
Colonel De Signs Lease for Hiland Building
Fort Thomas Serial Burglars Nabbed in Boone County
October
Minor Earthquake Shakes Kentucky
Police Searching for Missing Fort Thomas Couple
Deer-related Accident Makes Believer Of Fort Thomas Resident
Pet Wants to Open in Fort Thomas
Anita’s Mexican Grill to Close
November
Hold ‘Em to Help ‘Em Fundraiser
A New Restaurant Coming to Newport Plaza
Analysis of How Fort Thomas Voted in the Election
Annie’s Blasts Music Sunday Nights from Midnight-3, Keeps Up Fort Thomas Residents
Ruth Moyer Breaks Ground on Renovations
FTM Radio Podcast: How is Cheryl McCafferty Getting Released So Early?
Adam Meier Accepts Position in Bevin Administration
Motorcycle Chase Through Fort Thomas
OP-ED: Time to Revisit Speed Limits in Fort Thomas
Highlands Football Year-End Recap
December
Four-Car Heroin-Related Accidents Blocks Away From Woodfill Elementary
Cheryl McCafferty Pardoned by Gov. Beshear
Newport Woman Pleads Guilty to Child Abuse
Pictures – Imperial Apartments Transforms into The Grandeur
Highlands Graduate on Beating Cancer
This May Be the Best Light Display in Fort Thomas
Tenants, Landlord at Odds Over Potential New Business Moving In
FTMRadio Podcast: New Concerns for District Court Judge Greg Popovich
More Information on Missing Man, Chad Smith
Community Comes Together for Family of Chad Smith
Council Appoints Chuck Thompson to Vacant Council Seat
Council Brainstorms New IdeasÂ
Meet Sam Shelton, The 18-Year Old Highlands Student Who Wants on City CouncilÂ
