Kentucky
Northern Kentucky Health Department names Elise Sebastian its first-ever Deputy Director – NKyTribune
The Northern Kentucky Health Department is continually searching for ways to improve health in the region, and the new year signifies another step toward that end through a significant organizational change.
Elise Sebastian has started as NKY Health’s Deputy Director, the first Deputy Director in the history of the Northern
Kentucky Health Department.
Sebastian’s duties include overseeing the operations, finance, and systems of the Health Department. By having these roles collectively overseen by a Deputy Director allows the organization to better focus on its public health efforts, and grow both in terms of the quantity and quality of services it provides as it enters the post-pandemic era.
Elise Sebastian (Photo provided)
“Having a Deputy Director will allow us to expand and intensify our efforts in a number of areas,” says Northern Kentucky Health Department District Director Jennifer Mooney, PhD, MS. “Our operations and the systems we use all changed due to COVID. So, as we move into this new era, it makes sense from the business standpoint to adjust organizationally. Plus, being fiscally and financially sound, leveraging organizational capacity, collecting and sharing data, being innovative and adaptable — all of these things are an integral part of our new Strategic Plan, and having someone to partner with in the oversight of these areas will help us fulfill that plan.
“It is our responsibility as a public entity to bring in talent that will help us succeed. We are fortunate to have someone with as much experience and leadership as Elise to fill this role.”
Sebastian joins the Health Department after a career in the nonprofit world, including serving as Program Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association’s 37-county Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and as Executive Director of two Northern Kentucky assisted living communities.
Sebastian earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northern Kentucky University and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Kentucky. She also has a Six Sigma white belt on process improvement and methodology, and was a 40 Under 40 nominee while at the Alzheimer’s Association.
“Let me say how thrilled I am to be part of the Northern Kentucky Health Department,” says Sebastian. “There are really big, important things happening here. To be able to utilize my skills and contribute to that effort is truly an honor. But as Dr. Mooney said, now is the time to shape the way we better meet the needs of the community. What if we change in ways that make a bigger impact?”
Some of the skills Sebastian brings to the Health Department including analyzing previous structures and operations, and seeing if they can’t be streamlined or updated.
“Often we find ourselves saying, ‘We do things that way because that’s the way we’ve always done it.’ That’s where I come in,” she says. “When we say that, we need to take a look at the process and see if there isn’t a better way to accomplish it.”
Process improvement is something she has pursued throughout her career, dating back to her first job.
“I’ve always been interested in the methodology of system change,” she says, “and I think what really interested me was when I was 18 years old and working in a nursing home. We were providing what we thought was care, but it wasn’t. It was outdated. The times changed but the systems did not. I remember thinking, something has to change. We’re caring for human beings.”
While many system changes have technology or process as a base, the key is really being able to look at something from a new angle and understand the people involved, she adds. For instance, at the Alzheimer’s Association, doctors were being inundated with calls from caregivers because they didn’t know where else to turn with basic questions. She was able to get information about the Alzheimer’s Association added to the hospital’s database, so when a new patient was diagnosed the caregiver had a point of contact for questions and assistance.
“You have to think of things in ways you never thought of before. You have to be creative with your resources. A lot of it comes down to understanding people, being able to pull folks together, and creating opportunities for growth and collaboration. That’s why I am so excited about becoming Deputy Director for NKY Health. I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to get my arms around how we can grow and make a difference in the health of the people of Northern Kentucky.”
The Northern Kentucky Health Department provides high quality public health services to more than 400,000 residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties, with a goal of preventing disease, promoting wellness and protecting against health threats.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
Which teams need to nail the NBA Draft the most?
Listing the teams that can least afford to mess up this year’s NBA draft.
LEXINGTON — Otega Oweh will begin his NBA career on the move.
The Miami Heat drafted Oweh in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday, June 24. Oweh was the No. 41 overall pick (and the 11th selection of the second round).
But he won’t remain in Miami: Oweh reportedly is part of a trade that will send him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oweh starred for Kentucky basketball the past two seasons. He was a primary component of the first and second squads of coach Mark Pope’s tenure at UK.
Here’s what to know about Oweh, the Wildcats’ newest draft selection:
Oweh began his time as a collegian at Oklahoma, where he spent two seasons. He played in 32 games (28 starts) for the Sooners in 2023-24, averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1 assist per outing.
But he was a revelation at Kentucky, inarguably the team’s top player the past two seasons.
During his debut in 2024-25, Oweh paced the Wildcats in points per game (16.2) and double-digit efforts (33 times in 36 games). He started the season scoring 10 or more in the team’s first 26 games, which was the longest streak by a Kentucky player since Malik Monk did so 30 times in a row in 2016-17.
After going through the draft process and returning to UK, Oweh entered the 2025-26 campaign as the SEC’s preseason Player of the Year.
He wound up being every bit as consistent as in Year 1, scoring 10-plus points in 35 of the Cats’ 36 games. Oweh, who was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the league’s coaches, averaged a team-high 18.6 points per game.
He finished his Kentucky career with 1,255 points, the most ever by a player in his first two seasons with the program.
Along with his scoring prowess, Oweh also set single-season personal bests for rebounds (4.8), assists (2.7) and steals (1.8) per game.
Despite his standout two-year career with the Cats, Oweh was not a highly touted transfer portal prospect following the 2023-24 season. He was 31st according to 247Sports, while ESPN ranked him 59th and On3 didn’t even include him in its top 100.
Hailing from Blair Academy in New Jersey, Oweh was unanimously rated as a four-star prospect in the 2022 class, earning that ranking from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN.
Oweh was slightly taller than 6-foot-4 (without shoes) at the NBA Draft Combine. During that testing, he weighed 216 pounds. That’s nearly identical to Oweh’s figures on Kentucky’s official 2025-26 roster, where he was listed at 6-4 and 220 pounds.
NBAdraft.net wrote that Oweh’s most logical pro comps are the Harrison twins — ex-UK greats Aaron and Andrew — and Josh Okogie.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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