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O'Charley's Closes Its Florence Location
O'Charley's shuttered its Florence restaurant at 7414 Turfway Road on Wednesday as part of a nationwide closure of all 52 remaining locations across 13 states. The Cold Spring location at 100 Crossroads Blvd. also closed. The casual dining chain had already shuttered 51 restaurants in 2023. A company representative confirmed the closures but offered no additional explanation. The chain's social media accounts have been deactivated.
Read more → https://linknky.com/business/2026/09/09/ocharleys-closing-florence-cold-spring-restaurants/

Reef Brings Sushi-Grade Seafood to Florence With Grand Opening Thursday
Reef, a new Florence seafood destination at 8640 Haines Dr., holds its grand opening Thursday, September 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant specializes in fresh and sushi-grade seafood sourced daily from premier fisheries in Hawaii, Florida, Alaska, the Gulf Coast, and international waters — often delivered within 24 hours of leaving the dock. A ribbon cutting was held Wednesday afternoon with gift card raffle giveaways. Hours: Mon–Thurs 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m., closed Sundays.
Read more → https://www.reefnky.com

Y'alls Drop Game 1 of Frontier League Playoffs, 8-3
The Florence Y'alls fell to the Washington Wild Things 8-3 Wednesday night in Game 1 of their best-of-three Frontier League playoff series at Thomas More Stadium — the Y'alls' first postseason appearance since 2021. The Wild Things, who finished the regular season 66-35 as Central Division champions, take a 1-0 series lead. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) shift to Washington, Pennsylvania.

Get Your Passport Now If You're Planning Fall Travel
September is National Passport Month, and AAA is urging travelers to act early. Routine passport processing currently takes 4–6 weeks after application receipt, plus up to four weeks of mailing time — and demand is at record levels, with the State Department issuing 27.3 million passports in fiscal year 2025. Some international destinations also require a passport valid at least six months beyond your travel dates. AAA's Lori Weaver Hawkins: "Checking now avoids stress and ensures readiness."
Read more → https://linknky.com/news/2026/09/09/aaa-passport-tips-fall-international-travel/

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

⛈ Thursday — 80° / 66° · Showers And Thunderstorms
🌦 Friday — 81° / 67° · Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
⛈ Saturday — 84° / 68° · Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
📍 Source: weather.gov — Florence, KY 41042

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📍Movie Night - Inside Out 2
https://florence-ky.gov/spend-your-friday-night-with-us-at-neighborhood-night-out-movie-night/

📍Time: September 11 | 5:00 pm

📍 Where: South Fork Park, 9200 S. Fork Park Dr.

🎟 Admission: Free

📍 Glow Night in the Park Returns to England Idlewild Park Sept. 11
Boone County Parks is hosting Glow Night in the Park on Thursday, September 11 from 6:30–8 p.m. at England Idlewild Park, Shelter 2. The all-ages event features glow-in-the-dark games and activities for $10 per person. Registration is required at boonecountyky.org/parks.
Read more → https://boonecountyky.org/parks

📍 Free Community Shred Day Coming To Florence Sept. 12
The 11th Annual Free Community Shred Day comes to 60 Cavalier Blvd. in Florence on Saturday, September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Residents can bring sensitive documents for secure, on-site shredding at no cost.
Read more → https://allevents.in/florence/shred-day-free/200030249410013

📍 Dog And Cat Adoption Event At Florence PetSmart Sept. 12
Looking to add a furry family member? A pet adoption event comes to PetSmart at 1060 Hansel Ave. in Florence on Saturday, September 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Animals available range from puppies and kittens to senior pets.
Read more → https://allevents.in/florence/dog-and-cat-adoption-event-florence-petsmart/200030664535532

📍 3rd Annual Cops & Joggers 5K Returns to England-Idlewild Park Sept. 12
The Boone County Sheriff's Office hosts its 3rd Annual Cops & Joggers 5K/Fun Run on Friday, September 12, starting at England-Idlewild Park. The event includes a 5K run and a kids fun run. Registration is still open at the link below.
Read more → https://bit.ly/CopsJoggers2026

📍 Florence Marks 34th Year as Tree City USA at Arbor Day Celebration
The City of Florence hosts its Annual Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kentaboo Park (418 Kentaboo Ave.). The free event marks Florence's 34th consecutive year of Tree City USA recognition and features tree-planting activities, a reading of the city's Arbor Day Proclamation, and a free lunch. All ages welcome. For more info, call 859-647-5416.
Read more → https://florence-ky.gov

📍 T.I., Ginuwine, Trina And More Headline Tacos & Tequila Fest Sept. 19
The Tacos and Tequila Festival brings 2000s-era hip-hop to Thomas More Stadium on Saturday, September 19, with a headlining lineup of T.I., Ginuwine, Trina, Chingy, Ying Yang Twins, Yung Joc, Bubba Sparxxx, and Murphy Lee. Beyond the music, the 21+ event features craft margaritas, tequila tastings, locally crafted tacos, lucha libre wrestling, and a chihuahua beauty pageant. VIP gates open at 1:30 p.m., general admission at 2:00 p.m. Tickets start at $84.
Read more → https://tacosandtequilafestival.com/market/cincinnati/

📍Classic Cars And Music At Legacy Living Florence Car Show Sept. 20
The 5th Annual Legacy Living Florence Car Show rolls into 8520 Gunpowder Road on Sunday, September 20, featuring classic vehicles and live music from Velvet Soul.
Read more → https://allevents.in/florence/5th-annual-legacy-living-florence-car-show/200030665155449

📍Boone County 4-H Open House at Florence Extension Office
Boone County 4-H hosts a free Open House on Sunday, September 20 from 1–3 p.m. at the Boone County Extension Florence office, 7111 Dixie Highway. Families with kids ages 5–18 can meet club leaders, explore year-long programs — including Animal Clubs, Horse Clubs, Sharpshooters, Art & Design, Teen Club, and Disc Golf — and enroll on the spot at no cost. Attendees can also enter to win a week of 4-H camp, a Teen Conference, or a Cloverbud gift bag. Call 859-586-6101 or visit extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/boone.
Read more → https://extension.mgcafe.uky.edu/boone

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⚽🏐🏈 BCHS Varsity Games Schedule — Sept. 8–12

Wednesday, Sept. 9 Varsity Girls Volleyball at Villa Madonna Academy — 7:00 p.m. | Away

Thursday, Sept. 10 Varsity Boys Golf vs. Holy Cross (Covington) — 3:30 p.m. | Home
Varsity Girls Golf at Scott High School — 3:45 p.m. | Away
Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Conner High School — 8:00 p.m. | Home

Friday, Sept. 11 Varsity Boys Football vs. Walton-Verona High School — 7:00 p.m. | Home

Saturday, Sept. 12 Varsity Boys Soccer at Tribe Shootout vs. Collins — 11:00 a.m. | Away (Madison Central HS, Richmond)
Varsity Boys Soccer at Tribe Shootout vs. Montgomery County — 5:00 p.m. | Away (Madison Central HS, Richmond)

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

The Jim Beam Stakes at Turfway Park was already considered one of the better Kentucky Derby prep races in the country. Then came four years that cemented its reputation.

In 1990, Summer Squall won the Jim Beam Stakes and went on to win the Preakness. The following year, Hansel ran the race in record time and took both the Preakness and the Belmont. The racing world named him champion three-year-old. Lil E. Tee followed in 1992, winning the Jim Beam before claiming the Kentucky Derby. Prairie Bayou did it again in 1993, taking the Preakness.

Four consecutive Jim Beam Stakes winners. Four horses that went on to win Triple Crown races. All of them ran first at a racetrack in Florence, Kentucky.