Northern Kentucky high schools averaged a 5.9 point gain in career and postsecondary readiness, the largest of six report card metrics, compared with a 4 point gain statewide. Dayton High and Bellevue High each improved by 20.7 points, and Lloyd High in Erlanger by 15.7. The region's average reading and math score was 67.7, compared with 61.5 statewide, and it improved by 1 point, compared with 0.1 statewide.
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding residents and campaigns that signs should not be placed on state highway rights of way. Where markers are not visible, the right of way generally runs 15 to 30 feet from the edge of pavement, and signs should sit behind sidewalks or the ditch line. KYTC's Jake Ryle said crews have removed "easily hundreds" of signs this season, adding, "This is not a political issue; this is a safety issue."
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United Airlines began daily nonstop service between CVG and San Francisco this week, with a gate celebration and ribbon cutting for the first flight. Larry Krauter, CEO of the airport, called San Francisco "an important business, technology and tourism destination." The route is projected to add about $36.5 million a year to the region and raises United's nonstop destinations from CVG to six. Local 12 reports the flights use a 166 seat Boeing 737 800.
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I am looking for businesses to spotlight in the Florence Pulse. Enquire about having your business in the spotlight. Email me at [email protected].

☀️ Wednesday — 75° / 52° · Sunny
☀️ Thursday — 76° / 55° · Sunny
☀️ Friday — 75° / 55° · Sunny
📍 Source: weather.gov — Florence, KY 41042

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.

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 →

Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31
Prime Car Wash, 7600 Burlington Pike, Florence. Friday 7:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday 8 to 11 p.m.
A drive through haunted car wash with costumed characters. Tickets are $25 per car and include a Basic Wash, and each car receives a goodie bag with a free Elite Wash coupon. Tickets can be purchased in advance.
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.
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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.
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Sunday, November 1, through Wednesday, November 11
Boone County Veterans Memorial, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, Florence, 8 a.m. daily
The City of Florence and Florence Christian Church hold an 11 day observance honoring veterans and raising awareness of veteran mental health. Each 15 minute ceremony includes readings, reflections and a moment of remembrance, and adds 22 dog tags to the Witness Tree, 242 in all by Veterans Day. The public may attend any or all.
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Monday, November 2, through Tuesday, November 17
Florence Government Center lobby, 8100 Ewing Boulevard, Florence, during regular business hours
The City of Florence is collecting food for Boone County Family Resource Centers. Requested items include peanut butter, canned fruit, fruit cups, canned tuna and chicken, dried beans and rice, and tomato sauce. Call 859 647 8177 for details.
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Saturday, November 7
Florence Mall, 2028 Florence Mall Rd, Florence, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission. Sports cards, memorabilia, Pokémon and trading card games, and singles and sealed product, with vendors buying, selling and trading.
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Saturday, November 7
Hilton Cincinnati Airport, Florence, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free admission and free parking. A full ballroom of vendors with sports cards, Pokémon, trading card games and collectibles. A bar is open.
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Sunday, November 8
Florence Lions Club, 29 Lacresta Dr, Florence, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A sports card show hosted by the Northern Kentucky Card Show community.
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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: Create A... (afternoon session)
Thursday, November 5: Create A... (evening sessions)
Thursday, November 5: Native Shrubs for the Home Landscape
Saturday, November 7: Guided Bird Hike at the Nature Center
Monday, November 9: Plan Today, Protect Tomorrow
Monday, November 9: Upcycled Piecework Sweatshirt for Adults
Tuesday, November 10: Pest Problems on Indoor Plants
Wednesday, November 11: Sleep Smarts: Getting Better ZZZs
Wednesday, November 11: Introduction to Hydroponics & Aquaponics

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. 28 to 30

No BCHS varsity games are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 28, or Thursday, Oct. 29.
Friday, Oct. 30: Varsity Boys Football vs. Lloyd Memorial High School, 7 p.m.

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

For an enslaved person in Boone County, the Ohio River was close, and on the far side the law was different. Crossing it did not make a person safe, but it changed the odds. Ohio and Indiana had both outlawed slavery, and towns along the north bank, including Rising Sun, Indiana, directly across from Rabbit Hash, became destinations for people seeking freedom.

Crossing was dangerous. Slaveholders and their neighbors pursued freedom seekers across the river, and the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 gave owners the legal right to reclaim people who escaped.

In November 1852, three enslaved people left Federal Hall, a plantation on the river northeast of Petersburg, crossed into Indiana, and reached Cincinnati. Abolitionists there reportedly helped them board a train north. Their owner and his relatives followed. A judge in Ohio later ruled the three were free to go where they pleased, and they reached Canada by steamboat. Thursday, we look at the people who made such journeys possible.