A Northern Kentucky Tribune guide points leaf watchers to a Boone County route that starts in Burlington and follows KY 18, the Big Bone Lick Scenic Byway, north to Rabbit Hash, then through Hebron and Petersburg. Suggested stops include Gunpowder Creek Nature Park in Burlington and the Boone County Arboretum in Union, which has paved paths.
Read More →

Kentucky's 2026 school designations show seven Boone County schools kept federal targeted support labels from 2024 to 2025: A.M. Yealey, Ockerman and Rector A. Jones (ATSI), Boone County High and Conner High (ATSI), and Randall K. Cooper High and Florence Elementary (TSI). Ryle High received a new TSI designation for English learners and students with disabilities, while Stephens Elementary dropped its TSI. Boone County Schools did not comment.
Read More →

Crews plan rolling roadblocks of about 15 minutes each on Interstate 275 from 2 to 4 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, for overhead utility wire work east of the KY 20 Petersburg Road overpass, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6 Roadshow.
Read More →

Local painter Robin DeGroff's landscape exhibit runs Oct. 31 to Dec. 4 in the Curt Bessette Art Gallery on the first floor of the Boone County Public Library Main Library. DeGroff, a retired elementary teacher, paints in impasto with brushes, palette knives and acrylic paint.
Read More →

I am looking for businesses to spotlight in the Florence Pulse. Enquire about having your business in the spotlight. Email me at [email protected].

☀️ Friday — 69° / 42° · Sunny
☀️ Saturday — 70° / 44° · Sunny
☀️ Sunday — 72° / 46° · Sunny
📍 Source: weather.gov — Florence, KY 41042

Where is the best neighborhood to trick-or-treat?

Alexis Jones says Triple Crown is her family’s place to go for trick-or-treating.

Respond to this email with your answer.

I am putting together a holiday events guide for Florence and Boone County, covering craft shows, pop-ups, markets and seasonal events in October, November and December. Email [email protected] with the event name, date and time, location, and a link or contact for details. Vendors, churches, schools, businesses and organizers are welcome to send events, including ones hosted by someone else.

Friday, October 23
Boone County Fairgrounds, 6 to 8 p.m.
Register at boonecountyky.org/parks.
More Information →

Saturday, October 24
St. Henry Athletic Complex, 35 Cavalier Blvd., Florence, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $5. More than 100 local craftsmen display handmade items, with free face painting, a fall display for photos and raffle tickets for themed gift baskets.
More Information →

Saturday, October 24
Florence Government Center north parking lot, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, and Kroger Marketplace, 7685 Mall Road, Florence, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free and anonymous. The Florence Police Department partners with the DEA. Tablets, capsules and patches are accepted. Syringes, sharps and illicit drugs are not.
More Information →

Saturday, October 24
Dave & Buster's, 781 Heights Blvd, Florence, 3 to 5 p.m.
Free. Guests in costume can explore the midway for treats and surprises and receive an Unlimited Sim Play Card.
More Information →

Saturday, October 24
Boone County Fairgrounds, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Free for all ages. Visitors walk a trail lit by jack-o-lanterns, take a hayride and end the night with a sweet treat.
More Information →

Saturday, October 24
Turfway Park, 7500 Turfway Road, Florence, 8:30 p.m.
Live concert.
More Information →

Monday, October 26
The 859 Taproom and Grill, 8720 Bankers St, Florence, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Florence Kentucky Pride hosts its second Pride Trunk or Treat, with costume and trunk decorating contests.
More Information →

Tuesday, October 27
7210 Turfway Rd, Florence, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Free. Lender affiliates share practical insights on how they keep preparing their clients. Rob Trump moderates a panel.
More Information →

Wednesday, October 28
Scheben Branch, Boone County Public Library, 8899 US 42, Florence, 6 to 7 p.m.
A Halloween themed family dance party with music and craft activities. Costumes are welcome.
More Information →

Thursday, October 29
Family Essentials Chiropractic, 8544 U.S. 42, Florence, 5 to 7 p.m.
Free. A family friendly Halloween event with treats for all ages, a bounce house and a live DJ.
More Information →

Saturday, October 31
Unincorporated Boone County, Florence, Union and Walton, 6 to 8 p.m.
Trick or treat is not a county sponsored event. Residents giving out candy can turn on porch lights. Drivers are asked to slow down in neighborhoods and turn on headlights before sunset.
More Information →

Saturday, October 31
Dave & Buster's, 781 Heights Blvd, Florence
Two sessions: the family Boo Bash from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a pancake banquet, from $21 per person, and the Moonlight Mixer for ages 18 and older from 7 to 10 p.m., from $24.99 per person. Prices exclude taxes, gratuity and fees. Both include costume contests, themed activities and unlimited game play for a set time.
More Information →

Friday, October 23: Coffee, Tea, Caffeine, and Thee
Friday, October 23: Air-Dry Clay Ghosts
Tuesday, October 27: Healing Power of Connection
Tuesday, October 27: Fall Tree and Wildflower Hike
Tuesday, October 27: Intermediate Paper Mache
Tuesday, October 27: Wildlife Critters October 2026
Wednesday, October 28: Horticulture Planning Meeting
Wednesday, October 28: Hike the Trails
Wednesday, October 28: Intermediate Paper Mache
Wednesday, October 28: Sleep Smarts: Getting Better ZZZs
Thursday, October 29: Fall Tree Planting
Thursday, October 29: Intermediate Paper Mache
Monday, November 2: Intro to Backyard Poultry
Wednesday, November 4: Hand Lettering and Calligraphy, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, November 4: Sleep Smarts: Getting Better ZZZs
Wednesday, November 4: Hand Lettering and Calligraphy, 2 p.m.
Thursday, November 5: Native Shrubs for the Home Landscape

Date: Every Saturday through Oct 31.
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: 1961 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
Description: About 50 member farm families sell Northern Kentucky-grown produce, flowers and other items. Vendors may also set up on other days, and the market's Facebook page posts pop-ups.
More Info: Boone County Farmers Market

Get your event listed here. Contact me at robert@florencepulse.com to get your event featured in the Florence Pulse.

BCHS Varsity Sports Schedule: Oct. 23 to 25

Friday, Oct. 23: Varsity Boys Football vs. Cooper High School, 7 p.m.

Florence Bowl is hosting the Judy's Crew doubles bowling tournament this October. Teams can still enter on two dates: Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 2026, with 10:00 AM and 12:15 PM start times available each day. Entry fee is $60 per team.

Location: Florence Bowl, 7500 Sussex Dr., Florence, KY 41042

Sign up: https://www.florencebowl.com/judyscrew

Let us know about your sport results. Send to [email protected]

It began with rain. In early January 1937, northerly storms brought gale force rain across the Ohio Valley, and the rain kept coming. From January 1 through January 24, 13.52 inches fell, nearly four times the average for the period. The Ohio, already full from end to end, had nowhere to send the water.

On January 18, the river passed the 52 foot flood stage at Cincinnati. It kept climbing. It broke the 1884 record of 71.1 feet and went on to crest near 80 feet on January 25 and 26, almost nine feet above the old mark. The river did not fall back below flood stage until February 5.

Constance was the hardest hit town in Boone County. Route 8 between Constance and Taylorsport was almost completely covered, with the road under five to fifteen feet of water. Homes on or near the highway were torn from their foundations and swept away. Families who lost their houses were sheltered at a nearby school, where the American Red Cross supplied food. Belleview and much of the surrounding farmland were also inundated. No one in Boone County died in the flood. Across eleven states, the disaster drove people from their homes and claimed at least 335 lives.

Next week, we turn to a chapter Boone County does not always talk about loudly: slavery, and the path to freedom.