July 2026

Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July


As we gather with family and friends to celebrate Independence Day, the City of Fort Wright encourages everyone to make safety a top priority when enjoying fireworks.


Fireworks can cause serious injuries and fires in just a matter of seconds. If you choose to use consumer fireworks, always follow the manufacturer's instructions, keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby, and never allow young children to handle or ignite fireworks. Sparklers, while popular, burn at extremely high temperatures and should only be used under close adult supervision.


Please be considerate of your neighbors and clean up all debris afterward. Be mindful that loud noises can be stressful for veterans, pets, and others in our community.


The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professionally managed public display. By taking a few simple precautions, we can all help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone.


The City of Fort Wright wishes you and your family a happy, safe, and memorable holiday weekend.

Slow Down. Move Over. Save a Life.


Every time emergency responders, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, highway maintenance crews, or disabled motorists stop along the side of the road, they face the danger of passing traffic. Kentucky's Move Over Law was enacted to help protect those who work and travel on our roadways.


When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or any vehicle displaying flashing lights, drivers should safely move over to an adjacent lane if possible. If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, motorists are required to slow down and proceed with caution. Giving roadside workers and stranded motorists extra space can make the difference between life and death.


The Move Over Law applies to police vehicles, fire apparatus, ambulances, tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and other authorized vehicles displaying flashing lights. Remember, the person working just a few feet from traffic could be someone's parent, spouse, child, or friend.


The City of Fort Wright encourages all motorists to remain alert, avoid distractions, and always be prepared to slow down and move over when approaching vehicles stopped along the roadside. By doing so, you help protect first responders, roadside workers, and fellow motorists while making Kentucky's roads safer for everyone.


Move Over. Slow Down. Save a Life.

Celebrating

America’s 250th Anniversary!

Please proudly display

the American Flag

Vacation Check Program

Sign Up Now!

 

If you are going on vacation and would like to participate in our FREE Vacation Check Program facilitated by the Fort Wright Police Department (FWPD), please complete the Vacation Check Form found here.


The form provides important information, such as how the FWPD can contact you or another designated person in the event of an emergency. The provision of telephone numbers for alarm companies are helpful too. The FWPD will then keep an "extra eye" on your home while you are traveling and can advise you on essential precautions to take before you leave home in an effort to better secure your property.

 

Please submit your completed form to the FWPD via email to rgriffin@fortwrightky.gov or submit it in person at City Hall, located at 409 Kyles Lane, during normal business hours.

Turning 65 This Year?

 

Learn more about how to apply for your Homestead Exemption by calling 859.392.1750 or visiting the Kenton County PVA website by clicking HERE.

Community Fall Yard Sale

Friday, September 11th, 2026 &

Saturday, September 12th, 2026

8:00 am until 1:00 pm


Mark Your Calendars!


Discover a Little Free Library - near you this summer


Have you ever stumbled across a small wooden box filled with books and wondered what it was? Chances are you've found a Little Free Library - a wonderful community resource built on one simple idea: Take a book. Share a book.


Little Free Libraries encourage reading, inspire lifelong learning, and bring neighbors together one book at a time. Whether you're searching for your next great novel, introducing a child to the joy of reading, or simply looking for a new adventure, these neighborhood book exchanges are a fun and free way to discover something new.


Did you know you can easily locate Little Free Libraries near you? The official Little Free Library World Map allows you to search by your current location, city, ZIP code, or even a specific library's charter number. The free mobile app also lets you get directions, save your favorite libraries, and keep track of the ones you've visited.


To start your search, visit the official map:


Little Free Library World Map


Or download the free Little Free Library app to take your book-hunting adventures wherever you go.


The next time you're out walking, biking, or driving around town, consider making a stop at one of these charming little libraries. Bring along a book you've already enjoyed, leave it for someone else to discover, and maybe you'll find your next favorite read waiting for you.


Together, we can help build a stronger, more connected community—one book at a time.

UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS


The Fort Wright City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6 pm. Meetings are held at City Hall in the Council Chambers, located at 409 Kyles Lane. All meetings are open to the public.


Wednesday - July 1st, 2026

City Council Meeting

Postponed Due to Holiday


Wed - July 15th, 2026

Special City Council Meeting


Wed - July 15th, 2026

City Caucus Meeting


Haven't been tuned into your local government's activities lately? No worries, you can catch up quickly and get up to date information by visiting our website, and/or any of our social media pages.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

A small investment

that can save lives!


Carbon monoxide (CO) is often called the "silent killer" because it is an invisible, odorless, and colorless gas that can build up in your home without warning. It is produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, and generators.


A carbon monoxide detector provides an early warning if dangerous levels of CO are present, giving you and your family valuable time to evacuate and call for help. Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector installed outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home, especially if you have gas appliances or an attached garage.


The good news is that protection is affordable. Basic battery-operated or plug-in carbon monoxide detectors typically cost between $20 and $40 and are widely available at home improvement stores such as The Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, Ace Hardware, Walmart, and Target, as well as through many online retailers.



Taking just a few minutes to install a carbon monoxide detector is one of the easiest and most important steps you can take to help keep your family safe.



Keep Pets Safe:

Don't Let Them Run at Large



Our pets are cherished members of the family, and one of the best ways to protect them—and our community—is to ensure they remain safely under our control at all times.


The City of Fort Wright reminds residents that pets are not permitted to run at large. Whether you're taking your dog for a walk, spending time outdoors, or transporting your pet, they should always be on a leash or otherwise securely confined. Allowing pets to roam freely can lead to traffic accidents, injuries, unwanted encounters with other animals, property damage, and frightened neighbors.


If a pet is found running at large, it may be picked up by Animal Control and transported to the Kenton County Animal Shelter, where owners will need to reclaim their pet. Keeping your pet wearing identification tags and ensuring its microchip information is current can greatly improve the chances of a quick reunion if it ever becomes lost.


Kenton County Animal Services also encourages responsible pet ownership through vaccinations, and spaying or neutering to help keep pets healthy and reduce the number of unwanted animals in our community.


Both Kenton County and the City of Fort Wright have animal regulations in place and it is unlawful for owners to allow their animals to run at large. Animals must always remain on their owner's property or be under the immediate control of a responsible person when off the property.


If you encounter a stray or loose an animal in Fort Wright, or need assistance with an animal-related issue, please contact Kenton County Animal Services at 859.356.7400 or Kenton County Dispatch (non-emergency) at 859.356.3191.


Working together, we can keep our pets safe, protect our neighborhoods, and ensure Fort Wright remains a welcoming community for both residents and their four-legged companions.

GOOD NEIGHBOR PRACTICES AND POLICIES

 

The City of Fort Wright partners with Planning & Development Services of Kenton County to facilitate any Zoning and Code Enforcement Issues and/or Violations reported to us by members of the community.

 

Your local Zoning & Code Enforcement Department collaborates with property owners to guarantee that their properties adhere to the International Property Maintenance Code, local government Zoning Ordinances, and any other applicable Laws and Ordinances in a timely manner. Typically, they handle lots of reported violations of local Ordinances concerning the upkeep of homes, apartment complexes, businesses, yards/lots, and conduct inspections for general structure maintenance, property maintenance, nuisance violations, and zoning violations.

 

With the arrival of warmer weather, sunny days, and pleasant evenings, we all tend to spend more time outdoors. To make sure that we keep our neighborhoods looking nice, we wanted to remind you of a few ordinances/laws in place to help us do just that. On a few occasions, we have found that after being cited for violations, residents were unaware that they were in violation of a City Ordinances. Hopefully, by listing a few of these issues here, we can be pro-active and prevent some common occurrences. 

 

Yard Maintenance: The growth of weeds or grass in excess of ten inches above the surface of the ground on any lot or parcel of real estate that is less than four acres in area and developed with the public utilities of water, electricity and sewers.

 

Commercial Vehicles: It shall be unlawful to park or to keep any truck or commercial vehicle with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 10,000 pounds, at any place on property located in a residential district zone, except in a completely enclosed garage.

 

Inoperable Vehicles: Parked on the street or on your property, all vehicles must be properly licensed and in an operable condition. No inoperable motor vehicle or any motor vehicle parts shall be stored in excess of 72 hours in any residential zone, unless it is in a completely enclosed building. No inoperable motor vehicle shall be parked in the right-of-way of any city street for more than 72 hours.

 

Junk/Debris Storage:The accumulation of any rubbish on any portion of any lot or parcel of real estate outside of any building. 

 

Pods: Portable Storage Container (POD) is a temporary structure designed for storage, less than 169 square feet in size and eight feet in height, that may be delivered onsite by a commercial enterprise, then picked up and removed to a commercial storage facility or the customer’s destination. Portable storage containers are permitted as a non-permanent accessory use to provide temporary storage for moving and similar short-term purposes. One portable storage container may be located at any residence or business for two non-sequential periods, not exceeding 16 days for each period, per calendar year. The portable storage container shall be situated on an improved surface; shall not block any sidewalk, shared-use path or lane; and may not be placed on any public right-of-way, street or road. A portable storage container is not permitted as a permanent accessory storage structure, regardless of the proposed location of the unit on a parcel.

 

Recreational Vehicles (Campers, Motor Homes, Boats, and Trailers): No person shall allow a recreational vehicle to be parked or otherwise located on a public street. The parking of any recreational vehicle, boat or trailer anywhere in any residential area is restricted except for only one of any such vehicles:

 

      (1)   In the rear yard of any lot or parcel of real estate that is paved with blacktop or concrete, provided that no part of such vehicle is within one foot of any point in the nearest boundary line;

 

      (2)   In any area of a side yard that is continuously paved with blacktop or concrete, provided that no part of such vehicle is within one foot of any point in the nearest boundary line; or

 

      (3)   In any driveway during the period after May 1 and before October 15 in any calendar year, provided that:

 

         (a)   There is no more than one of any such vehicles parked, stored or otherwise located in any portion of any driveway on any one lot or parcel of real estate at any one time; and

 

        (b)   No part of any such vehicle is within one foot of any point in the nearest boundary line.

 

      (4)   Under no circumstance may any recreational vehicle, boat, or trailer be permitted to remain in a residential area more than five consecutive days and no more than a total of 25 days per year.

 

      (5)   However, a recreational vehicle, boat or trailer less than twenty feet in length from tongue to bumper may remain indefinitely provided it rests on a paved surface behind the front-most portion of the home. The paved surface may also be in the rear of the house.

 

Please note - it shall be unlawful for any person(s) to live in any boat, automobile, camper, recreational vehicle, or truck in the city limits.

 

Trash Containers: The location of any municipal solid waste container in the front yard of any lot or parcel of real estate in the city at any time other than that period of time that begins at 6:00 p.m. on the day before the day that municipal solid waste is scheduled by the city for collection from that real estate and ends at 6:00 a.m. on the following day. 

 

Any complaints and/or violations can be reported to 859.331.8980 or via email to info@fortwrightky.gov. Once received the complaint process is outlined in the above graphic for more information.

 

A well kept home/property and kind/friendly folks make good neighborhoods and are a deterrent to criminals. Please be conscience of your neighbors and neighborhood, and help us keep our Fort Wright Community a great place to live.

Classic Summer Tomato Pie 🍅


There's nothing that says summer quite like a tomato pie made with fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes. This Southern favorite combines juicy tomatoes, a flaky crust, herbs, and a cheesy topping for the perfect lunch, dinner, or side dish.


Ingredients

  • 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie crust, baked for 10 minutes
  • 4–5 large ripe tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the tomatoes.Slice the tomatoes and place them on paper towels.
  • Sprinkle lightly with salt and allow them to drain for 20–30 minutes.
  • Pat dry with additional paper towels to remove excess moisture.



  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare the crust.Place the partially baked pie crust on a baking sheet.
  • Layer the filling.Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the crust.
  • Arrange half of the tomato slices.
  • Season with pepper and a little Italian seasoning.
  • Add half of the basil.
  • Repeat with the remaining tomatoes and basil.


2.Make the topping.In a bowl, combine:

  • Cheddar cheese
  • Remaining mozzarella
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Mayonnaise
  • Garlic
  • Chives (if using)


3.Top the pie. Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the tomatoes, covering them completely. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbly. Rest before serving. Let the pie cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and makes serving much easier.

Need Further Assistance - Contact Us!

Emergency.........................................................911

City Hall (Non-Emergency)..............859.331.1700


General Info Email.............................info@fortwrightky.gov


CAO, Jill Cain Bailey.......................jcbailey@fortwrightky.gov

Police Chief Jonathan Colwell.......jcolwell@fortwrightky.gov

Fire Chief Steve Schewe..............sschewe@fortwrightky.gov

PW Director Jeff Bethell...............jbethell@fortwrightky.gov


or Visit Us in Person: Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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