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Tri-State residents are navigating abortion updates.

PHOTO: MARY LEBUS Tri-State residents are navigating abortion updates.

PHOTO: MARY LEBUS

Here’s Where Abortion Currently Stands in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Here’s Where Abortion Currently Stands in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana All three states have seen new developments in rules and lawsuits in recent weeks. All three states have seen new developments in rules and lawsuits in recent weeks. BY MADELINE FENING

BY MADELINE FENING

Federal policy changes, lawsuits from pro-choice advocates and freshly-elected judges make for a kaleidoscopic view of abortion care access in the Tri-State. Here’s what to F ederal policy changes, lawsuits from pro-choice advocates and freshly-elected judges make for a kaleidoscopic view of abortion care access in the Tri-State. Here’s what to know in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. know in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Ohio Ohio

A temporary injunction from a Hamilton County Court has kept abortion legal in Ohio up until 21 weeks and six days gestation, but the most recent change in access in Ohio only applies to about twelve square miles of land.

On Jan. 12, the city of Lebanon agreed in federal court to remove certain language from its local ordinance that bans all abortions in the city. e lawsuit was jointly led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Democracy Forward, the National Association of Social Workers and Abortion Fund of Ohio.

To avoid further time in court, the city of Lebanon agreed to a stipulation that removes the rule against “aiding and abetting” an abortion within city limits. Before the ACLU lawsuit, the vague ordinance deputized citizens to report those who help other people get an abortion, including counselors, Uber drivers and friends who simply make an abortion appointment – even if it’s outside city limits – for someone else. Now the scope of Lebanon’s ban only bars health care providers from performing abortions or prescribing abortion medication in the city, even though there has never been an abortion provider in Lebanon.

Court documents also clari ed a patient’s right to ingest abortion pills within Lebanon city limits if they are prescribed elsewhere.

“An abortion where mifepristone and misoprostol are prescribed and dispensed to a pregnant woman outside Lebanon, and then she ingests the misoprostol in Lebanon, does not constitute an abortion in Lebanon,” court documents read.

Physicians who prescribe abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol generally agree the drugs are a safe and accessible option for those choosing to end a pregnancy. e majority of abortions are completed with medication within the rst 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, according to research group Guttmacher Institute.

In early January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would not enforce a rule that pregnant people need to take mifepristone in person, allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the pills. National pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have said they plan to seek the required certi cation from the FDA to dispense the pills where they are legally allowed, but Ohio Senate Bill 260, which was approved in 2021 before the overturn of Roe v. Wade last summer, bans a doctor from providing abortion drugs “unless the

physician is physically present where and when the initial dose of the drug is consumed.” Despite Ohio’s in-person requirement for dispensing abortion drugs, protestors from Progressive AntiAbortion Uprising are planning to A temporary injunction from a Hamilton County Court has kept abortion legal in Ohio up until 21 weeks and six days gestation, but the most recent change in access in Ohio only applies to about twelve square miles of land. On Jan. 12, the city of Lebanon agreed in federal court to remove certain language from its local ordinance that bans all abortions in the city. e lawsuit was jointly led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Democracy Forward, the National Association of Social Workers and Abortion Fund of Ohio. To avoid further time in court, the picket pharmacies in Akron starting in February, the organization con rmed to CityBeat. “We want people to be uncomfortable going into a CVS that has a demonstration going on and to consider going to a di erent pharmacy,” said Caroline Smith, a leader of the group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising in a Jan. 11 Politico article. “We also want to put enough pressure on the companies to retract this decision and not get certi ed to sell abortion pills.” e group said that as of press time, it has no plans at this time to picket pharmacies in Cincinnati. On the same day Lebanon settled with the ACLU in court, the ACLU

city of Lebanon agreed to a stipulation that removes the rule against “aiding and abetting” an abortion within city limits. Before the ACLU lawsuit, the vague ordinance deputized citizens to report those who help other people get an abortion, including counselors, Uber drivers and friends who simply make an abortion appointment – even if it’s outside city limits – for someone else. Now the scope of Lebanon’s ban only bars health care providers from performing abortions or prescribing abortion medication in the city, even though there has never been an abortion provider in Lebanon.

Court documents also clari ed a patient’s right to ingest abortion pills within Lebanon city limits if they are prescribed elsewhere.

“An abortion where mifepristone and misoprostol are prescribed and dispensed to a pregnant woman outside Lebanon, and then she ingests the misoprostol in Lebanon, does not constitute an abortion in Lebanon,” court documents read.

Physicians who prescribe abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol generally agree the drugs are a safe and accessible option for those choosing to end a pregnancy. e majority of abortions are completed with medication within the rst 10-12 weeks of pregnancy, according to research group Guttmacher Institute.

In early January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it would not enforce a rule that pregnant people need to take mifepristone in person, allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the pills. National pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have said they plan to seek the required certi cation from the FDA to dispense the pills where they are legally allowed, but Ohio Senate Bill 260, which was approved in 2021 before the overturn of Roe v. Wade last summer, bans a doctor from providing abortion drugs “unless the physician is physically present where and when the initial dose of the drug is consumed.”

Despite Ohio’s in-person requirement for dispensing abortion drugs, protestors from Progressive AntiAbortion Uprising are planning to picket pharmacies in Akron starting in February, the organization con rmed to CityBeat.

“We want people to be uncomfortable going into a CVS that has a demonstration going on and to consider going to a di erent pharmacy,” said Caroline Smith, a leader of the group Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising in a Jan. 11 Politico article. “We also want to put enough pressure on the companies to retract this decision and not get certi ed to sell abortion pills.” e group said that as of press time, it has no plans at this time to picket pharmacies in Cincinnati.

On the same day Lebanon settled with the ACLU in court, the ACLU

announced that Ohioans for Reproducannounced that Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom hired Mission Control Inc. to be the General Consultant to oversee campaign strategy for the initiative to place a measure on the ballot to amend the Ohio Constitution to protect abortion access for Ohioans. Mission Control Inc. is the same group that led campaigns for abortion protection ballot initiatives in Kansas and Kentucky tive Freedom hired Mission Control Inc. to be the General Consultant to oversee campaign strategy for the initiative to place a measure on the ballot to amend the Ohio Constitution to protect abortion access for Ohioans. Mission Control Inc. is the same group that led campaigns for abortion protection ballot initiatives in Kansas and Kentucky during the 2022 election cycle. during the 2022 election cycle.

Kentucky

Kentucky While Mission Control Inc. was sucWhile Mission Control Inc. was successful in campaigning to strike down Amendment 2 in Kentucky – which sought to amend the state’s constitution to exclude abortion protections – access to abortion care in the state remains extremely narrow. As of press time, abortions are only allowed in Kentucky for life-saving measures or if the patient risks serious injury from the pregnancy. e Kentucky Supreme Court, which installed two new justices in January, is now releasing new opinions. At any time, the court could decide whether to temporarily pause the trigger bans that halted abortion access after the overturn of Roe. For now, Kentuckians need to go out of state for abortion care, even though there is a new FDA policy on lling abortion prescriptions. And Kentucky, like Ohio, is part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, a network of states that allow doctors to become licensed to practice medicine in multiple states, including via telehealth appointments. Under the agreement, Kentucky patients would be allowed to get an out-of-state prescription for most drugs and ll it in Kentucky, but the American Pharmacists Association says the “FDA’s action does not change the current restriction on patients’ access to mifepristone in states that have banned or restricted access” to cessful in campaigning to strike down Amendment 2 in Kentucky – which sought to amend the state’s constitution to exclude abortion protections – access to abortion care in the state remains extremely narrow. As of press time, abortions are only allowed in Kentucky for life-saving measures or if the patient risks serious injury from the pregnancy. e Kentucky Supreme Court, which installed two new justices in January, is now releasing new opinions. At any time, the court could decide whether to temporarily pause the trigger bans that halted abortion access after the overturn of Roe. For now, Kentuckians need to go out of state for abortion care, even though there is a new FDA policy on lling abortion prescriptions. And Kentucky, like Ohio, is part of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, a network of states that allow doctors to become licensed to practice medicine in multiple states, including via telehealth appointments. Under the agreement, Kentucky patients would be allowed to get an out-of-state prescription for most drugs and ll it in Kentucky, but the American Pharmacists Association says the “FDA’s action does not change the current restriction on patients’ access to mifepristone in states that have banned or restricted access” to abortion care. abortion care.

Indiana

IndianaIn Indiana, lawmakers in the state In Indiana, lawmakers in the state have delayed the implementation of a passed law allowing doctors to participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, meaning that as of press time, Indiana doctors can mostly only practice within the state, where abortion law closely mirrors Ohio’s. Since a county judge issued a temporary block on Senate Bill 1 in September, abortions are allowed in Indiana until 22 weeks and six days gestation. SB1 would ban all abortions in Indiana unless the patient’s life is at risk. Abortion access in Indiana could change soon as attorneys for abortion care providers and the state entered court on Jan. 19. Indiana’s Supreme Court will hear from both sides on the constitutionality of the state’s blocked have delayed the implementation of a passed law allowing doctors to participate in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, meaning that as of press time, Indiana doctors can mostly only practice within the state, where abortion law closely mirrors Ohio’s. Since a county judge issued a temporary block on Senate Bill 1 in September, abortions are allowed in Indiana until 22 weeks and six days gestation. SB1 would ban all abortions in Indiana unless the patient’s life is at risk. Abortion access in Indiana could change soon as attorneys for abortion care providers and the state entered court on Jan. 19. Indiana’s Supreme Court will hear from both sides on the constitutionality of the state’s blocked abortion ban. abortion ban.

Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center Employees Are Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center Employees Are Unionizing for Higher Pay

Unionizing for Higher Pay BY MADELINE FENING

BY MADELINE FENING

"We are having some staffing issues and that's due to pay," Contemporary Arts Center security specialist Brandon Wagner tells CityBeat.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/CINCYCAC "We are having some staffing issues and that's due to pay," Contemporary Arts Center security specialist Brandon Wagner tells CityBeat.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/CINCYCAC T he employees of Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) are unionizing, employees announced Jan. 17. Brandon Wagner, a security specialist for CAC, made the announcement in a video posted to Instagram. “We just nished turning in a letter notifying the interim director that we are now unionizing!” Wagner said to the camera in front of six dancing employees. e video was posted to the account for Ohio’s chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a union representing employees working in public service. Wagner told CityBeat that the main reason CAC employees are seeking to unionize is for increased wages. “ e biggest reason is mostly raises in pay. We are having some sta ng issues and that’s due to pay,” Wagner said. “We are due for some major changes to keep up with the times. e cost of living is rising.” T he employees of Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) are unionizing, employees announced Jan. 17. Brandon Wagner, a security specialist for CAC, made the announcement in a video posted to Instagram. “We just nished turning in a letter notifying the interim director that we are now unionizing!” Wagner said to the camera in front of six dancing employees. e video was posted to the account for Ohio’s chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a union representing employees working in public service. Wagner told CityBeat that the main reason CAC employees are seeking to unionize is for increased wages. “ e biggest reason is mostly raises in pay. We are having some sta ng issues and that’s due to pay,” Wagner said. “We are due for some major changes to keep up with the times. e cost of living is rising.” Major changes are coming to CAC, Major changes are coming to CAC, which is why Wagner said now is the which is why Wagner said now is the best time for employees to organize. e museum is slated to announce a new director in March (CAC’s website lists Marcus Margerum as the current interim director and chief business o cer). Wagner could not disclose to CityBeat who has been named for the role. Wagner and the 30 other CAC employees who have signed union cards want the change in leadership to come with newfound representation. He said he hopes that those currently in management are understanding of the timing. “My biggest concern is that I do not want anyone in any management to take this personally,” Wagner said. “ e intention of unionizing is not at any major discrepancy of failure. e timing is just right.” Wagner said the employees are represented by Jess Reidel, who is listed as a gallery security specialist on CAC’s website. “Now that we are o cially open, I best time for employees to organize. e museum is slated to announce a new director in March (CAC’s website lists Marcus Margerum as the current interim director and chief business o cer). Wagner could not disclose to CityBeat who has been named for the role. Wagner and the 30 other CAC employees who have signed union cards want the change in leadership to come with newfound representation. He said he hopes that those currently in management are understanding of the timing. “My biggest concern is that I do not want anyone in any management to take this personally,” Wagner said. “ e intention of unionizing is not at any major discrepancy of failure. e timing is just right.” Wagner said the employees are represented by Jess Reidel, who is listed as a gallery security specialist on CAC’s website. “Now that we are o cially open, I hope they are willing to talk with us,” hope they are willing to talk with us,” Wagner said. Wagner said. CAC responded to CityBeat’s request for comment on the union e ort. “We value our employees. We are currently discussing the situation internally and look forward to sharing more information when it is appropriate,” Margerum told CityBeat in an emailed statement. In the meantime, Wagner is encouraging museum patrons to support the union by supporting the CAC. “Keep coming, Keep visiting the CAC. We appreciate the foot tra c. Support is support,” he said. e nascent CAC union comes as other unions are forming around Greater Cincinnati, including those at Amazon’s Air Hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and at a downtown Cincinnati Starbucks location. Employees at the Cleveland location of the outdoor goods store REI announced this month that they also are unionizing. O cials at Cincinnati’s REI store did not respond to CityBeat’s questions about possible local union CAC responded to CityBeat’s request for comment on the union e ort. “We value our employees. We are currently discussing the situation internally and look forward to sharing more information when it is appropriate,” Margerum told CityBeat in an emailed statement. In the meantime, Wagner is encouraging museum patrons to support the union by supporting the CAC. “Keep coming, Keep visiting the CAC. We appreciate the foot tra c. Support is support,” he said. e nascent CAC union comes as other unions are forming around Greater Cincinnati, including those at Amazon’s Air Hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and at a downtown Cincinnati Starbucks location. Employees at the Cleveland location of the outdoor goods store REI announced this month that they also are unionizing. O cials at Cincinnati’s REI store did not respond to CityBeat’s questions about possible local union e orts by press time. e orts by press time.

Cincinnati Metro Announces Two Selections for Region’s First Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Routes

BY MADELINE FENING

Instead of traditional Metro buses as shown, certain Greater Cincinnati corridors soon will see Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicles.

PHOTO: NICK SWARTSELL

Cincinnati Metro has announced which two corridors will be the rst in the region to get Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes. e Hamilton Avenue and Reading Road corridors were chosen this month after Metro conducted months of community engagement and analysis. Metro said that the other two corridors that were in the running, Glenway Avenue and Montgomery Road, will still receive “enhanced treatments” as a part of the project.

“We’ve worked diligently to understand where we should begin implementing BRT in the region and believe this decision will launch BRT successfully in Hamilton County, and give us a solid foundation to expand,” Khaled Shammout, chief strategic planning, development and innovation o cer for Metro, said in a news release. “ at said, we also know the Montgomery and Glenway corridors are very important segments of the Metro system. Based on the study, we’ll also boost services and amenities along these two corridors to better serve those communities.”

BRT is part of the Reinventing Metro plan, which was approved by Hamilton County voters in 2020 with the passage of Issue 7, which provides additional funding to support new transit innovations. Metro said construction on the two corridors is scheduled to begin sometime in 2025, with the Federal Transit Administration helping Metro along the way to stay on schedule.

Metro has selected the Hamilton Avenue and Reading Road corridors for BRT lines.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY CINCINNATI METRO

Hamilton Avenue

e Hamilton Avenue Corridor extends 12 miles from the Hamilton Avenue (U.S. 127) and Ronald Reagan Cross County Highway (S.R. 126) interchange to downtown Cincinnati.

Metro’s website says the corridor’s primary roads include Hamilton Avenue, Ludlow Avenue, Clifton Avenue and Vine Street. e corridor’s neighborhoods include College Hill, Northside, Clifton, CUF (Clifton Heights, University Heights, Fairview), Corryville, Mt. Auburn, Over-the-Rhine and Downtown.

Metro routes already along the corridor include Route 17 (Clifton Avenue, between Martin Luther King Drive and OTR), Route 15 (Mt. Healthy to

Northside), Metro*Plus (MLK to Downtown), Route 46 (William Howard Taft Road/McMillan Street to Downtown) and Route 78 (MLK to Downtown).

Reading Road

e Reading Road Corridor extends 12 miles from the intersection of Reading Road (U.S. 42) and S.R. 561/Seymour Avenue to downtown Cincinnati.

Metro’s website says the corridor’s primary roads include Reading Road, Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Vine Street. e corridor’s neighborhoods include Golf Manor, Roselawn, Bond Hill, Paddock Hills, North Avondale, Avondale, Corryville, CUF (Clifton Heights, University Heights, Fairview), Mt. Auburn, Over-the-Rhine and Downtown.

Other Metro routes already along the Reading Road corridor include Route 43 (Summit Road to MLK), Metro*Plus (Burnet Avenue to Downtown), Route 46 (Taft/McMillan to Downtown) and Route 78 (MLK to Downtown).

BRT bene ts

Brandy Jones, senior vice president of external a airs for Metro, explained to CityBeat in October why BRT is di erent from regular buses.

“ e closest comparison is if you’re familiar with taking rail,” Jones said at the time. “It moves faster through a corridor, there’s o -board payment, a lot more convenience to get a long distance, but it has the exibility of being on rubber tires.”

Jones said BRT is more like a train than a bus because of how infrequently it stops, both for passengers and for tra c lights. Any BRT corridor will need its own dedicated bus lane to make the speed and e ciency of the rapid route possible. Because more riders will board BRT at once, they’ll pay their fare in advance, speeding up the process. Even though there will be fewer stops, Jones said riders can expect a BRT bus to arrive every 10-15 minutes. e other BRT di erence that speeds up the route is signal priority, Jones said.

“When a tra c signal realizes that a BRT bus is approaching – say there is a green light – it’s going to stay green longer to let the bus get through the corridor or just give the priority to the bus so you’re not getting stopped at as many lights as a car would,” Jones said. “In some ways, you may be able to get through the corridor faster than you can in your personal car.”

Cincinnati Sues Williamsburg Apartments Owners for Repeated Violations, ‘Substandard Living Conditions’

BY ALLISON BABKA

Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval addresses media in 2022.

PHOTO: FACEBOOK.COM/CITYOFCINCY

Has the Williamsburg apartment complex burst its nal pipe? e city of Cincinnati announced Jan. 10 that it had led a lawsuit against Williamsburg of Cincinnati Apartments & Townhomes for “maintaining substandard living conditions at the premises.” e case will be heard in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas and is one of many lawsuits that the city plans to le this year against negligent property owners, o cials said in several press releases this month.

Williamsburg residents have reported numerous violations, and city inspectors have recorded multiple code violations there over the years. In recent months, residents have taken their concerns to Cincinnati City Council to plead for assistance in getting their landlord to address issues.

Tenants at the property at 200 W. Galbraith Rd. have alleged a variety of bad conditions, including being without heat or water in winter, broken water pipes ooding individual apartments, mold, rodent infestations, sewer issues, faulty wiring and more. Shortly after addressing the council in December, many residents went without heat and water over the Christmas holiday while Ohio experienced heavy snowfall and what the National Weather Service called a “bomb cyclone.” Residents also went without water around anksgiving.

On Jan. 9, a number of residents voted to have Legal Aid Society of Cincinnati represent them in a potential lawsuit, saying that their landlord, noted as BRC Williamsburg Holdings in the city’s lawsuit, had not adequately addressed the apartment complex’s ongoing hazardous conditions. e city agreed.

“While Defendants admit that the premises is in disrepair and there is inadequate sta ng, Defendants have failed to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to addressing the immediate or long-term needs of the property,” the city said in its 52-page ling. “Cincinnati Defendants’ actions and inactions have resulted in destabilizing a signi cant portion of the housing of an entire community, requiring intervention by the Court to ensure the protection of public health and safety.”

In the lawsuit, the city claimed that the Williamsburg complex already was in disrepair when BRC Williamsburg Holdings bought it in 2018 and now has “conditions that present a serious threat to the health and safety of a community.”

Cincinnati also claimed that the owner has ignored routine maintenance. In addition to the issues that residents have been bringing up for years, the city said that the Williamsburg also has roof leaks, units without functioning toilets, broken or missing sidewalks and doors, rusting balconies, a moldy laundry facility and damaged swimming pools. e city also said that the Williamsburg is violating re codes with inoperable hydrants, inadequate exit lighting, accumulated garbage and inadequate re separation between units. e lawsuit also alleged that criminal activity at the apartments has increased, thanks to inoperable security gates, inadequate outdoor lighting and overgrown vegetation.

Moreover, Williamsburg residents have su ered health problems due to their living conditions, the city’s lawsuit claimed.

“ ere is a disproportionate number of cases of asthma among the residents of the complex as compared to the general population,” the city said.

According to the city, BRC Williamsburg Holdings repeatedly has failed to address the issues.

“I want to be clear that we aren’t talking about a one-time violation here. is is a pattern, and we’re ling today’s lawsuit to put an end to that pattern,” Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval said. “Williamsburg Apartments should have been accountable to tenants. ey should have been accountable to the City. And they simply haven’t been.”

“Despite our e orts as a city, we do not believe ownership has shown a strong commitment to quickly and comprehensively responding to this critical situation. It is their responsibility to provide a safe place for these residents to call home. And we are here to hold them accountable,” city manager Sheryl Long added.

In further claims, the city said that BRC Williamsburg Holdings obtained a $74 million loan in 2019 but did not invest a substantial amount of that money into the property. e Cincinnati Board of Health was listed on the lawsuit as a joint plainti with the city of Cincinnati. e lawsuit was served to multiple entities, including a laundry facility company, an asphalt company and a project management o ce, which may claim business interests with the Williamsburg apartments. Many of the contractors previously led suits or liens against BRC Williamsburg Holdings due to nonpayment, the city said.

According to lawsuit documents, the city is requesting a preliminary and permanent judgment that the Williamsburg is a public nuisance, a preliminary and permanent injunction that BRC Williamsburg Holdings “abate the nuisance” along with assorted relief and remedial action. e lawsuit was submitted by city solicitor Emily Smart Woerner.

FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez, Roman Celentano Selected for U.S. Men's National Team's January Camp

BY ALLISON BABKA

FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez is heading to the USMNT's 2023 senior training camp after being named among the top 11 players in Major League Soccer in 2022.

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM.COM/FCCINCINNATI

FC Cincinnati is heading to camp. A big, big camp.

Forward Brandon Vazquez and goalkeeper Roman Celentano have been called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s January training camp, something that had been rumored for Vazquez for quite some time. ey’re among 24 players who will head to Los Angeles to kick o the 2026 FIFA World Cup cycle (As a city, Cincinnati failed in 2022 to secure a World Cup match for 2026). Players from the camp – typically lled with rising talents – often are called upon to join a World Cup roster later. is will be Vazquez’ rst call-up at the senior level, though he previously participated at the U-17, U-19 and U-20 levels. Celentano will head to his rst USMNT camp at any level. According to media materials, they are just the third and fourth players in FC Cincinnati club history to make the camp at the senior level.

Vazquez had a star-making season in 2022. He and attacking mid elder Luciano Acosta were included in Major League Soccer’s 2022 Best XI selections, marking the rst time that FC Cincy players were celebrated among the top 11 players in the MLS. Vazquez notched 18 goals on the season, a personal career high. He led the league in open-play goals (16) tied for the most header goals (six) and set FC Cincinnati records for goals across all competitions, shots and shots on goal while becoming the rst Cincinnati player to score multiple goals in consecutive games. Together, Vazquez and Acosta became the rst pair of teammates with at least 25 goal contributions in a single season since 2018.

Both Vazquez and Acosta were selected for the MLS All-Star Game during the summer. It marked the rst time any member of Cincinnati’s club had been invited to the game in the league’s 26 installments (FC Cincinnati became the 24th team to enter the MLS as a professional soccer team in 2019; before that, the team played in the second-division United Soccer League from 2016 to 2018).

In August, Vazquez signed a contract extension that will keep him with FC Cincinnati through 2025.

“We are delighted to keep Brandon with FC Cincinnati for years to come,” general manager Chris Albright said at the time. “Re-signing Brandon was a major priority for us this summer, as he has proven he can be one of the league’s best forwards. He has been a vital part of our success this season thanks to his character and dedication to the game, and we are excited to have him as a foundational piece going forward.”

Celentano was Cincinnati’s rstround selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and made 27 appearances as the starting goalkeeper in his rookie year. According to media materials, Celentano’s 85 saves, two penalties saved, and 67% save percentage ranked best in MLS among goalkeepers aged 22 or younger.

Preparing for the 2023 season

FC Cincinnati’s pre-season schedule is about to start, with ve friendlies on the slate beginning Jan. 27. e team will return to Cincinnati to train Feb. 21-24 before the Feb. 25 season opener against Houston Dynamo FC at TQL Stadium.

FC Cincinnati had a banner 2022 season, including the team’s rstever MLS Cup postseason berth, a postseason win against a higher seed and a club record for consecutive scoring games. Cincinnati went 12-9 with 13 draws in the regular season, clinching its spot in the playo s with a win over D.C. United during the nal game Oct. 9. e Orange and Blue followed that up with an MLS Cup playo victory against the New York Red Bulls, with the season coming to a close on Oct. 20 with a playo loss to Eastern Conference top seed Philadelphia Union. e 2022 season also marked the rst time Cincinnati did not nish in last place in the Eastern Conference.

According to FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan, 2022’s successes will spur new challenges in 2023.

“Now we’re not surprising anybody in 2023. It’s only going to get more dif cult, which is a good thing,” Noonan said in October. “I’ve been around this league long enough to know that year in and year out is very di cult to maintain success. It’s only going to get more di cult. 2022 was about culture, identity, ways to progress the team to be competitive, and we got there. Now we need to improve on that and have some speci c things that we’re going to target from the very beginning.”

Former Cincinnati Bengals Wide Receiver Chad ‘Ocho’ Johnson Leaves Another $1K Tip at a Local Restaurant

BY ALLISON BABKA

He’s been out of the NFL for a decade, but former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson still knows how to get attention.

Johnson still is a xture in Cincinnati and frequently attends Bengals games at Paycor Stadium, including the Jan. 15 AFC Wild Card win over the Baltimore Ravens. But even before that game, he was making his presence known throughout the Queen City and on social media – and he may even be reigniting a wave of high-dollar restaurant tips.

On Jan. 14, Johnson posted a photo of his receipt from Holy Grail, a tavern at e Banks in downtown Cincinnati. e initial amount charged was $78.09, but he added a $1,000 tip, bringing his total to $1,078 for the bar. He had a message for tavern sta , too.

“ ank you! Who Dey!!!” Johnson wrote next to the credit authorization. He also added, “Ravens don’t stand a chance tomorrow! Who Dey!!” near the bottom.

He posted the receipt to Twitter with the caption, “Proverbs 11: 25 (Bengals Edition).” According to the New International Version of the Christian Bible, the passage Johnson referred to says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Johnson is a frequent diner around town and often leaves generous tips. In 2021, he added a $1,000 tip for employees at the Redlands Grill in Rookwood and referenced Married... with Children character Al Bundy’s football career on the receipt.

“I once scored three touchdowns in one game. at is one less than Al Bundy at Polk High!!” he wrote at the time. at $1,000 tip appeared to be unrelated to the viral “tip war” between local rival fans of the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University, who left hefty tips for restaurant workers during the rst years of the di cult COVID-19 pandemic.

Love for McDonald’s and Je Ruby’s Steakhouse

Johnson’s big plans during the Wild Card weekend included hitting up the McDonald’s in Covington.

“I’m so happy i could hug & kiss every person on this ight to Cincinnati, rst order [of] business when i land. McDonald’s in Covington, Strauss Cigars to get a few sticks & relax with @housh84,” Johnson said during his ight on Jan. 13.

He proceeded to say “I’m lovin’ it” at one of Cincinnati’s most popular restaurants. Johnson shared a photo of himself sitting at a table at Je Ruby’s Steakhouse – “the best steak house in the world,” Ocho claimed. Along with typical dinner delights, Johnson apparently enjoyed a McDonald’s Happy Meal, according to a photo he’d posted.

“McDonald’s Happy Meal < Japanese A5 Wagyu Steak strips was the highlight of my night at @ eRealJeffRuby,” Johnson said on Jan. 13.

Johnson and former Bengals and Oregon State University teammate T. J. Houshmandzadeh hit the town in the days before the game, enjoying Bengals fans’ newfound optimism along with both premium and fastfood meat.

“ e overall energy of this city is amazing. e way they’ve treated myself and Chad, it’s unbelievable,” Houshmandzadeh told Bengals writer Geo Hobson in an interview during Wild Card weekend. “It wasn’t like this when we were playing, unless when you’re playing you just don’t realize it. It’s kind of numb. We’ve been at Je Ruby’s [restaurant] the last couple of nights and the love is true.”

On Jan. 14, Johnson posted a video in which he hungrily ate a McDonald’s sandwich while driving (immediately before that, he posted a photo of his burger and fries in a Mickey D’s bag). is one was all his, though.

“Not sharing my McDonald’s w/ @ housh84 ,” Johnson wrote. e wide receiver has posted about the Golden Arches a number of times, including as a recommendation when current quarterback Joe Burrow claimed that there “wasn’t a lot to do” in Cincinnati at the end of 2021.

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson loves local steakhouses as much as he loves fast food franchises.

PHOTO: TWITTER.COM/OCHOCINCO

Paying Joe Mixon’s ne

Johnson also recently defended running back Joe Mixon, who received a $13,261 ne for celebrating a touchdown with a coin ip during the nal regular-season game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 8. Mixon’s action was a response to the NFL’s moves after suspending the Jan. 2 game between the Bengals and the Bu alo Bills due to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest. e Bengals needed to win week 18 against the Ravens to avoid a coin toss to determine the site of the rst playo game, the NFL decided.

Mixon, head coach Zac Taylor and others voiced opposition to the NFL’s decision to no avail. But Johnson had the team’s back.

“Dear Bengals players, if you love me the way I love you guys when you score tomorrow someone has to ip a coin as their celebration & call tails,” he tweeted.

When Mixon produced a coin from his glove and threw it into the air to celebrate scoring against the Ravens, the NFL hit him with the ne.

“@NFL since y’all all about the coin ipping let’s do this. Let’s have a coin toss to pay this crazy ne for expressing myself. If it’s heads I’ll pay. If it’s tails Roger G pay the money to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Cincinnati. #AllAbout eKids #WhoDey,” Mixon posted on Jan. 13 after the ne was handed down.

Johnson backed Mixon up in his own way.

“On my ight headed to Cincinnati & that makes me happy, i have my checkbook so i can reimburse Joe Mixon on whatever ne amount was handed down from the league o ce,” Johnson said.

Cincinnati Bengals to Face Kansas City in AFC Championship Again

BY ALLISON BABKA

Cincinnati is heading back to the AFC conference championship again – and there’s a little déjà vu happening with it. e Cincinnati Bengals beat the Bu alo Bills 27-10 in the AFC divisional round on Jan. 22, and the game – and, to an extent, this playo series – had some extra poignancy thanks to the Bengals’ o ensive line, Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s continued recovery from cardiac arrest, a looming AFC rematch with Kansas City and some magical snow.

Love for Damar Hamlin

But before any of the on- eld heroics happened, fans already were in a frenzy as Hamlin entered Highmark Stadium in Bu alo to attend his rst game in person since a serious injury earlier this month. Escorted by security, Hamlin rode a golf cart into the stadium, followed by his mother Nina and little brother Damir.

Later, Bills and Bengals supporters alike cheered for the safety as Hamlin appeared on the big screen toward the end of the rst half, forming a heart with his hands followed by the number three – his Bills jersey number – from the suite where he was watching the game. e Bengals and Bills last met in Cincy on Jan. 2, with Cincinnati up 7-3 in the rst quarter when Hamlin collapsed from cardiac arrest after a play. Hamlin was given CPR for nine minutes before being taken away in an ambulance and intubated at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. e NFL rst suspended and then canceled that game after a meeting among o cials and both teams’ coaches. Hamlin continued recovering at UC Medical Center and recently returned to Bu alo, where he’s been chatting with teammates and visiting the Bills’ facilities. He has not yet been cleared to play.

Bengals hold the Bills

e Bengals are heading back to the AFC championship round due in part to continued leadership from the Joe Burrow/Ja’Marr Chase/Joe Mixon triumvirate. As sparkly snow fell, quarterback Burrow threw 23 of 36 attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Mixon had 105 yards on 20 carries, allowing him join Cedric Benson and Ickey Woods in the small franchise club for 100+ yards in a postseason game. In the process, Mixon also notched his personal highest total yardage in any of the Bengals’ recent postseason games.

Meanwhile, wide receiver Chase had his own memorable turn with 61 receiving yards and a touchdown that suddenly wasn’t a touchdown. Toward the end of the second quarter, Chase caught Burrow’s 10-yard pass at the Bengals’ end zone, planting his feet at the snow-covered boundary before going down.

However, upon review, o cials said that Chase hadn’t maintained control of the ball while completing the catch and did not award the touchdown. In game footage, Bills linebacker Matt Milano knocked at the ball in Chase’s hands as Chase went down over the line, which o cials said constituted the Bengals wide receiver not controlling the ball.

After the call, Bengals’ kicker Evan McPherson knocked in a 28-yard eld goal. And regardless of the refs’ call, Chase is now tied for the most touchdown catches in the club’s postseason history.

But the big names weren’t the only heroes on the snowy eld. Burrow gelled with an o ensive line full of understudies as the Bengals continued to produce wins without some injured starters. Left tackle Jackson Carman, right guard Max Scharping, right tackle Hakeem Adeniji and center Ted Karras pierced the Bills’ lauded defensive line as La’el Collins, Alex Cappa and Jonah Williams continued to rehab. Journeyman Karras even pushed through a knee injury in the rst half to help propel the Bengals to a win. e Bengals ultimately held Bu alo to just 10 points – a season low for the Bills. Burrow and company now have a streak of 10 straight wins since Nov. 6, not including the previous postponed/canceled Bills game and a bye week. Several Cincinnati players celebrated by making snow angels in the end zone.

Joe Burrow (9), Jackson Carman (79) and the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 22, 2023.

PHOTO: BENGALS MEDIA ASSETS

Cincinnati Bengals celebrate the AFC divisional win by making snow angels at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo on Jan. 22, 2023.

PHOTO: BENGALS MEDIA ASSETS

Preparing for the Kansas City Chiefs

e Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs will duke it out in a backto-back AFC championship bout. Kicko is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. e game will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

Last season, the Bengals knocked o the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime after overcoming an 18-point de cit in a tense AFC championship round. Cincinnati had trailed 21-10 at the half but later rallied to tie it up and then take the lead. e Chiefs then tied again at the end of the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime.

And then came McPherson, who did what he’s now known for – a last-minute, game-winning, 31-yard eld goal that glided right through the posts. e win sent the Bengals to the Super Bowl for the rst time since 1989.