It's hard to believe we launched the Chronicles nearly two years ago as a way to connect our employees and highlight the fantastic work they do each day to improve the lives of our residents. If you ever have suggestions on how to make the Chronicles, send them along to communications@kentoncounty.org.

Now, let's dive into this month's issue.

Need support? The Employee Assistance Program is here for you

Protecting your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. It impacts how you think, feel, work and connect with others—serving as the foundation for your overall well-being and resilience in everyday life.

Kenton County partners with St. Elizabeth Healthcare to offer a confidential, no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP)—a valuable resource for when life feels overwhelming.

What is the EAP?

The EAP provides short-term, outpatient counseling for Kenton County employees and anyone living in their household. Whether you’re navigating stress, anxiety, grief, addiction, relationship issues, or parenting struggles—professional support is available.

Is there a cost?

No. The EAP is completely free to employees and their household members. It’s separate from your County health insurance, so there are no co-pays, deductibles, or forms to worry about.

Is it confidential?

Absolutely. Your privacy is protected. St. Elizabeth Business Health must comply with HIPAA’s privacy and security rules. To ensure discretion, all appointments are held off-site at:

St. Elizabeth Business Health

4123 Olympic Blvd., Suite 151

Erlanger, KY

Do I need a referral?

No referral needed. You can call (859) 301-2570 directly to schedule an appointment or learn more.

When can I get help?

Appointments are available:

🕘 Monday–Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

🕘 Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

For emergencies, a clinician is on call 24/7. After hours, the answering service will page the on-call provider, who will return your call within 10–15 minutes.

Meet our Employee Spotlight: Lauren Heck

From extending job offers that launch meaningful careers to welcoming new employees with warmth and enthusiasm, Lauren Heck brings heart and purpose to her role in Human Resources.

Drawn to public service and inspired by the impact local government has on everyday life, she sees her work at Kenton County as more than a job—it’s a chance to serve and uplift others.

With a passion for connecting people to opportunities and a deep respect for the work happening across every department, Lauren reminds us that HR is not just about policies—it’s about people.

Learn more about Lauren here.

Team member highlights

Detention Center honors legacy of Ethan Fields

On June 10, the Kenton County team lost one of our own, Ethan C. Fields.

Ethan was a beloved father and son, who served our team at the Kenton County Detention Center as a member of our tactical response team and as a field training officer. 

Ethan was a valued part of our team, and his generous and caring spirit will be truly missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. In his honor, the Kenton County Detention Center will retire his call sign, Zulu 18.

Oldiges wins Date Night Challenge

Last month, we asked for tips on how to improve our Employee Portal, with all those who sent in ideas entered to win a one-night say at the Marriott RiverCenter and a $50 gift card to Smoke Justis. Our giveaway winner was none other than Tricia Oldiges, of Kenton County Public Works.

Thank you to all who participated. We're committed to making our site as helpful as possible for our team.

Detention Center welcomes new faces to leadership ranks

The Kenton County Detention Center team recently promoted several team members within its leadership ranks, including:

Sergeant

• Shawn Sims (2 years of service)
• Fred Ruebusch (2 years of service)

Lieutenant

• Billie Jo Kiser (10 years of service)
• Alexander Kelly (12 years of service)

Congratulations on your promotions. We look forward to watching you grow in your new roles. 

Kenner named KCPD's newest sergeant

Congratulations to our very own Andrew Kenner, who was sworn as the Kenton County Police Department's newest sergeant on June 10 by Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann.

A Kenton County native, Andrew joined our team in 2020, most recently serving as a detective among our investigations unit. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Excellence in Criminal Investigations Award from the Northern Kentucky Police Chiefs Association for 2024. The award highlights an investigator that displayed exceptional effort and management of a unique or long-term criminal investigation.

We look forward to seeing Andrew continue to grow his skills and help our force get better each day.

Meet the our newest graduate

Last month, we celebrated Kenton County's newest high school and grade school graduates, and this month, we're celebrating a different type of graduate.

On June 18, Officer Matthew DePeel of the Kenton County Police Department graduated from the Kentucky Department of of Criminal Justice Training's inaugural basic training class in Western Kentucky!

Officer DePeel must now complete his field training with our team to help transition what he's learned in the classroom to real-world law enforcement scenarios.

Welcome to our team

The Fiscal Court approved one new hire in June. 

• Jerry Hollingsworth, part time Solid Waste technician, Kenton County Public Works

Three people also celebrated their six-month anniversaries at the Detention Center.

• James Wright, deputy
• Asaad Tillman, deputy
• Caleb Duke, booking clerk

Check out our staff directory to connect with your fellow employees.

Fiscal Court highlights

It was another busy month for the Fiscal Court. The Fiscal Court kicked off June by unanimously approving its budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year. The $422 million budget includes major investments in public safety, long-term economic growth and public amenities.

And later in the month, the Court green lit allocating $1.3 million from its recently established Community Redevelopment Fund to the City of Erlanger. 

The City of Erlanger will use the funding to acquire and develop underperforming assets within its jurisdiction and redevelop them.