[Kentucky News]

Union establishes Sara and Bert Combs Leadership Grant


Sara Combs

Union College presented Kentucky Court of Appeals Chief Judge Sara Walter Combs with an honorary doctor of laws degree May 5 in Barbourville. Judge Combs, who was on hand to deliver the commencement address to the 128th graduating class, was recognized by Union College for her "distinguished judicial record and pioneer legacy as the first woman on the Kentucky Supreme Court." The honorary degree also noted Judge Combs' distinguished legal career, which includes the 1985 landmark case that led to sweeping reforms through passage of the Kentucky Education Reform Act in 1990.

Union College also honored Judge Combs and her late husband, Clay County native and former Kentucky Gov. Bert T. Combs, by announcing the establishment of the Sara W. and Bert T. Combs Leadership Grant. The grant honors their devotion to Kentucky, love of education and civic leadership. It will benefit students who show promise as future civic leaders in Kentucky.

Judge Combs also addressed the 2007 graduating class of the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law on May 12. She earned her law degree from U of L in 1979, where she ranked second in her class and was later honored with a Distinguished Alumni Award. She also earned an undergraduate degree in French from U of L, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1970. She completed a master’s degree in French from U of L as well and was recognized as a Woodrow Wilson Designate. Judge Combs was also valedictorian at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville.

Judge Combs not only made history as the first woman on the Supreme Court of Kentucky, but also as the first woman from Eastern Kentucky to serve as chief judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Judge Combs was first appointed to the Court of Appeals in 1994 to fill a vacancy. She was elected to the court in 1995 and re-elected in 2000.

Judge Combs has taught at the high school and university levels in addition to gaining broad experience in the practice of law. She began her legal career as an associate with Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs in Louisville before serving as corporate counsel to an advertising company. She also practiced law with her late husband, Gov. Combs, established a solo practice in Stanton, and became a regional affiliate with the Louisville law firm of Mapother & Mapother.

She is involved with numerous professional, educational and civic organizations. She is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, the Louisville Bar Association and the University Press of Kentucky. She also serves on the boards of Pikeville College, Lees College and the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. She previously served for seven years on the Kentucky Appalachian Commission.

Fourteen judges, two elected from each of the seven appellate districts, serve for eight-year terms on the Kentucky Court of Appeals. With a few exceptions, most cases appealed from Circuit Court go to the Court of Appeals. The case is reviewed, not retried, at the appeals level, with attorneys presenting the legal issues to the court for a decision. When the Court of Appeals publishes its rulings on cases, those rulings become the governing case law for all similar cases in the trial courts of Kentucky.

The preceding was a press release from....

[Kentucky News]

PSC HONORED FOR EFFORTS TO PROTECT UNDERGROUND LINES
Agency receives “Partner in Safety” award from Kentucky 811



The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has been honored for its efforts to reduce accidents involving buried utility lines and to raise public awareness of 811 as the new number to call before beginning any excavation. Kentucky 811 (formerly Kentucky Underground Protection, Inc.), which operates Kentucky’s call-before-you-dig center, honored the PSC with a “Partner in Safety” award at its recent statewide conference.

“The PSC, especially through its statewide campaign of radio public service announcements, has been instrumental in the very successful rollout of 811 across Kentucky,” said Dan Meiners, executive director of Kentucky 811. “We’re familiarizing the public with the new number and we are seeing more utilities signing up for the service.”

The Federal Communications Commission has designated 811 as the national number to call to have underground utility lines marked prior to excavation. Until now, most states have used 10-digit toll-free numbers unique to each state. Kentucky 811 is a consortium of utility companies, local governments and others with an interest in preventing damage to buried utility lines. All of the major utility companies in Kentucky, along with many smaller companies and municipal utilities, are members of Kentucky 811. There is no membership fee. The PSC works closely with Kentucky 811 and regularly investigates accidents or outages caused by someone digging into a buried utility line.

“The call-before-you-dig program is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when government and the private sector work together to address a problem,” PSC Chairman Mark David Goss said. “Commissioner John Clay and I are very pleased that Kentucky 811 has honored the hard work of the PSC staff involved in this effort.”

Radio spots about the 811 number began airing in April and will continue through September. The PSC is spending $65,000 to air the radio announcements. In addition, the PSC has received a $35,000 grant from the federal Office of Pipeline Safety to work with Kentucky 811 to promote the call-before-you-dig program. Kentucky 811 is undertaking additional outreach efforts, as is the Common Ground Alliance, the national organization that promotes effective damage prevention practices for underground utility lines.

Goss noted that state law requires that, in most cases, anyone using mechanized equipment for excavation must first call and request the marking of any buried utility facilities. However, owners of underground lines are not required to provide information on their location to the 811 call center, so a call to the 811 center may not yield information about every buried line in the area, he said. That is why the PSC is urging any owner of underground facilities that is not a member of Kentucky 811 to join immediately, Goss said. With no fee to join, the only cost is the nominal charge for each request to locate buried lines, he said.

More information on Kentucky 811 is available at www.kentucky811.com. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the commonwealth of Kentucky and has approximately 110 employees.

The preceding was a press release from....

[Kentucky News]

'Quilt Trail' Emerging on Barns in Eastern Kentucky



Kentucky has long been known as a center for the sewing of colorful quilts in many patterns and designs. But over the past several years, painted quilt patterns on the sides of barns in Kentucky have emerged as a new form of self-expression and cultural pride for rural residents. Efforts are getting underway to coordinate the painting and erection of colorful wooden quilt blocks on barns in eastern Kentucky and elsewhere to form trails that can lure travelers off of interstate highways onto back roads, bringing tourists into rural areas that need an economic boost.

“It’s like hanging a painting in an art gallery,” said Dianne Simpson, a fiber artist and native of Knox County in southeastern Kentucky. “But with the quilt barns, the whole community becomes an art gallery.”

Simpson is a leader in the quilt barn movement in Knox County, along with representatives of the Kentucky Arts Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Knox County Extension Service, all of whom are helping organize this grassroots movement to beautify their communities. Judy Sizemore of McKee, regional outreach director for the Kentucky Arts Council in eastern Kentucky, is helping coordinate the selection of quilt patterns to be painted and recruiting barn owners to provide a place for their display. Each pattern that is submitted to the selection committee is associated with a particular local quilter who used the design in her sewing. In some cases, several generations of a family have sewn quilts with the same pattern, Simpson said.

The farmers, many of whom formerly used their barns for tobacco curing, are allowed to choose the pattern that will be displayed on their structures. “This provides a new reason for them to care for their barns,” Sizemore said.

Even electric companies operating in Appalachia have gotten on board with the quilt squares program. They loan their bucket trucks and skilled workmen to mount the 8 ft. by 8 ft. squares high up on the sides of barns. Often the quilt squares are painted by local students who volunteer their time. “Having the opportunity to participate in the quilts project has been the most interesting experience I have ever known,” said Joseph Cross, a Knox County high school student who has worked on painting several quilt blocks.

Other trained volunteers like Simpson record the oral history of the quiltmaker whose pattern is being painted. The goal of the oral histories eventually is to provide a narrative for an audio driving tour of the region’s quilt barns, similar to the Country Music Highway audio tour guide of eastern Kentucky’s famous musicians’ birth places, Sizemore said.

Quilt squares also are cropping up on barns in other parts of Kentucky. Sizemore estimates there are 20 to 30 counties that now boast quilt barns. Elliott County in northeastern Kentucky probably has the most, with about 60 barns adorned with the patterns, she said. In western Kentucky’s Pennyrile region, innovative quilt painters have started using metal to provide a longer life span for their patterns, said Cheryl Cook, executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Other states are getting involved with the quilt barn movement, including Ohio, Indiana Tennessee and Iowa. The materials necessary to create an 8 ft. by 8 ft. quilt square, including plywood, paint, and 4 by 4’s and bolts for mounting, usually don’t exceed $150 in cost, Sizemore said. Several government agencies are helping quilt square painters get started with matching grants.

Participants in the quilt barn movement in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia, are presenting Quilt Trail Workshops and Tour in Ashland Friday and Saturday Nov. 2-3. Donna Sue Groves of Adams County, Ohio, regarded as the founder of the quilt barn movement about six years ago, will be among the special guests participating in the workshops. For more information about the conference, contact the Boyd County Extension Service at 606-739-5184.

For more information about the Kentucky quilt trail program, contact Sizemore at 606-364-5831 or email [e-mail].

[Kentucky News]

KKK activities in Kentucky



Media in Kentucky this week have contacted Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR) Executive Director John Johnson about alleged recent activity of the Ku Klux Klan in Morgantown, Owensboro and Bowling Green. According to a Public Radio reporter, the KKK in the last few weeks has been leaving business-type cards in front of residents’ properties near their mailboxes saying, “I was watching over your neighborhood last night while you slept.”

A a recipient of one of the cards called the KCHR to report that on one street block, residents believed only individuals recognized as supporting civil rights work and black families received the cards. The caller expressed feelings of fear and intimidation.

In response to these incidents, KCHR Executive Director John Johnson states: “The KKK has historically promoted hatred and divisiveness, and this type of organization is a dying breed. The overwhelming majority of Kentucky’s people are striving for understanding, tolerance and unity, and our state’s young people deserve better than the legacy a group like the Ku Klux Klan would attempt to force upon them.”

Executive Director Johnson urges anyone who feels he or she is a victim of fear and intimidation to contact local law authorities immediately for protection. He further advises that if residents receive this type material inside their mailboxes or directly on their properties, to contact the FBI to report possible violations of federal law.

“If you believe you may be a victim of illegal discrimination because of your race, color, gender, age, disability, national origin or religion,” Mr. Johnson continues, “please contact the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights or our local human rights commission partners in your area to file a complaint.”

KCHR is the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky Civil Rights Act and policies of federal civil rights laws. It initiates, receives, investigates, conciliates and rules upon jurisdictional complaints. KCHR has jurisdiction in housing, employment, public accommodations, and financial transactions. The Kentucky Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status in housing, disability, age (40 or over) in employment, and smoking status in employment. Complaints not dismissed, settled or conciliated go to administrative hearing where commission rulings have the authority of a court of law.

The preceding press release was from the Commonwealth News Center.

[Kentucky News]

Kentucky receives $100,000 grant
To help seniors access legal services



Older Kentuckians will have improved access to legal services thanks to a federal grant to the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. DAIL has received a $100,000 grant from the federal Administration on Aging (AoA) to improve access to affordable legal services for eligible senior citizens. Kentucky is one of seven states sharing $700,000 in first-year federal program funds.

In Kentucky, the grant will be used to expand state participation in the Model Approaches to Statewide Legal Systems Program established by the AoA earlier this year. The cabinet will partner with Lexington’s Access to Justice Foundation to promote and coordinate delivery of legal services, including legal help lines; free legal services offered by private providers; law school information and education clinics; and self-help Web sites. The nonprofit foundation has operated the Legal HelpLine for older Kentuckians since 1998 and will serve as a single point of contact for older Kentuckians seeking legal assistance under the program. The Legal HelpLine also will provide program training and technical assistance to staff of the Kentucky Resource Market, a DAIL project that provides one-stop information about and access assistance and referrals to aging and disabilities programs.

One of Kentucky’s project goals is to identify consumer service needs and existing legal service providers in the state to enhance access to services by older residents in underserved areas of the state. In addition to public and private legal service providers, the state’s 15 Area Agencies on Aging will play key roles as liaisons with service providers, developing regional service networks and responding to client inquiries about available services. Training for legal professionals also will be provided to familiarize them with the needs of elder Kentuckians and their caregivers.

“This grant will help Kentucky better coordinate legal services for seniors and help match the best possible low-cost legal services with at-risk seniors whose legal issues could threaten their independence,” said Deborah Anderson, DAIL commissioner.

At the end of the three-year grant period, Kentucky and other grant project states will report on the cost-effective, well-integrated legal services systems and strategies developed to increase access to legal assistance for elders. For more information about Kentucky’s low-cost legal services for eligible seniors, contact Whitney Hayse with DAIL at [phone] or e-mail [e-mail].

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

KHS Now Accepting Kentucky Historical Highway Marker Applications



The Kentucky Historical Society is pleased to announce that applications for the Kentucky Historical Highway Marker program are currently being accepted. The application deadlines for 2008 are April 1 and October 1.

The Kentucky Historical Highway Marker Program, administered by the Kentucky Historical Society in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, commemorates historical sites, events, and personalities throughout the commonwealth.

Through the program, the wealth of history which is Kentucky's past is made accessible to the public as they travel along the state's roadways on markers which stimulate an interest in the history of local communities. The markers are on-the-spot history lessons that add drama and interest to the countryside for native Kentuckians as well as tourists.

The goal of the Kentucky Historical Highway Marker Program is to connect events and personalities with their place, to bring the past to life, and to increase the awareness of what we owe to those who came before us. The subjects of the more than 1900 markers in Kentucky are varied. There are markers that tell of a duel of honor, a seven-year-old boy who served as a drummer in the Revolutionary War, and the 1937 Ohio River flood. Others highlight Moonlight Schools that were established to combat illiteracy, an Indian academy, and the first state-supported school for the hearing-impaired in the U.S.

Thirty marker applications will be accepted in 2008. Fifteen applications will be accepted after the April 1 spring deadline and fifteen applications will be accepted after the October 1 fall deadline. Prospective applicants can download the Kentucky Historical Highway Marker application from the Kentucky Historical Society Web site by clicking on the "Community Historians" link.

www.history.ky.gov

For more information, contact Becky Vittetow, Kentucky Historical Highway Marker Program Coordinator, at 502-564-1792, ext. 4474.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Oral History Commission Collects WWII Veteran Stories



America loses hundreds of World War II veterans every day. With them go invaluable eyewitness accounts of a pivotal time in history. The Kentucky Historical Society is working to preserve stories of the WWII years, both from combat and from the homefront.

"Through the work of the Kentucky Oral History Commission, a network of trained oral historians has been talking with Kentucky veterans and recording their stories," says Sarah Milligan, the Kentucky Oral History Commission program coordinator at the Kentucky Historical Society. "These stories will become part of the Kentucky Oral History Commission archive and will be accessible through the Historical Society Web site."

In addition to the 30 interviews being collected as a part of this recent initiative, the commission holds about 100 interviews which discuss WWII topics. Those interested in WWII interviews can also share their stories through the Veteran's Oral History projects conducted through the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville oral history programs. Kentuckians interested in partnering with the Commission for Veteran's Oral History documentation at a local level may contact Sarah Milligan at 502-564-1792, ext. 4434. Veterans can also participate in the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, which collects materials for the national historical archives in Washington, DC. For more information, visit the Library of Congress Web site.

On Saturday, January 12, oral history will be the focus of KHS's monthly family-history workshop at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort. At 10:30 a.m. EST, participants will learn techniques for conducting good oral histories including how to create a list of questions and tips for handling equipment. At 12:30 p.m. EST, Sarah Milligan will discuss in more detail this new project to record the stories of Kentucky's WWII veterans and will talk about other oral history resources held by KHS. A light lunch is available at a cost of $5, payable at the door. Registration by noon on Friday, January 11, is required. For information or to register, contact the Kentucky Historical Society library reference desk at 502-564-1792, ext. 4460.

The Kentucky Oral History Commission is a nationally recognized program that has provided for the collection of more than 25,000 oral history interviews. From tenant farmers and lay midwives to political leaders and nationally acclaimed authors, the Kentucky Oral History Commission (KOHC) reaches across the state to record and preserve the diverse stories that are a part of Kentucky's rich and colorful history. A grant program that provides financial and technical assistance to academic and community oral historians is responsible for the collection of the majority of interviews. The commission also offers workshops, sponsors state conferences, and participates in collaborative projects with other agencies and institutions. For more information, visit the KHS Web site.

An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty- million- dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit our Web site.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Kentucky Sets Record for Mine Safety

Kentucky coal mines have experienced the safest year in Kentucky’s mining history. The past year has been significant in mine safety for two reasons. For the first time, there were no mining fatalities in an underground mine. Secondly, the two surface mining fatalities that occurred in 2007 are the lowest number of fatalities on record.

Kentucky leads the nation in the number of coal mines and is the nation’s third largest producer of coal. Kentucky miners and their families have long paid the ultimate price for mining the black gold that has fueled America’s economy for over a century. Records back to 1890 indicate that the deadliest decade in mining was in the 1920s when 1,614 mining fatalities were recorded. Since that time, the number of fatalities has steadily decreased with each decade-242 fatalities in the 1980s, 117 fatalities in the 1990s and 61 fatalities since 2000.

“This is a positive indication that the new mine safety laws, including Kentucky’s new drug testing program, are having the desired effect. Of equal importance is the focus that our coal industry and Kentucky miners have placed on safety and the heightened sense of awareness of every miner to work safely every day,” said Commissioner Susan Bush. She added, “While this historic decrease in fatalities is very encouraging, we cannot let down our guard or lessen our efforts to ensure that every miner returns home safely every day. The goal remains zero fatalities.”

The Kentucky General Assembly passed major mine safety legislation in 2006 and 2007, and launched the first drug testing program for miners in the nation. Since the new drug testing program went into effect in July 2006, 443 certified miners have been suspended.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Governor Steve Beshear Addresses Budget Reduction Plan for This Fiscal Year


Governor Steve Beshear

Steve Beshear today announced a budget reduction plan for the Commonwealth by signing a General Fund Budget Reduction Order and an Executive Order directing cost-saving measures for the Executive Branch of Government.

"Today my purpose is to discuss ways in balancing the current budget and how getting over this mountain doesn’t solve our long-range predicament," Beshear said. "There won’t be enough income during the next biennium to cover expenses in the current budget, much less any additional monies requested by a multitude of organizations both inside and outside state government."

Last week the Gov. announced that the Commonwealth’s financial condition, as discovered upon his taking office December 11th, was much worse than anticipated.

"In round figures, the Commonwealth’s budget shortfall for Fiscal Year ’08 that I am addressing today is $265 million,” said the Governor. “This does not include the $166 million in additional spending needs previously cited by various state agencies that I will address in my budget recommendations at the end of the month."

The General Fund Budget Reduction Order signed today includes cuts or reductions in state activities and services. For FY ’08 this amounts to only $78 million of the $265 million previously mentioned. The balance of the $265 million will come from:

• FY ’07 budget surplus of $145 million

• Unbudgeted/excess funds of $42 million

"Unfortunately', the FY ’07 surplus does not begin to cover the overall budget deficit," said Beshear.

The projected shortfall for the remaining FY ’08 Budget will be managed through the following measures executed by all government agencies:

• Reduction in the state workforce through attrition. Any hiring actions must be justified as crucial in governmental performance. Funds must also be available to sustain the position within reduced budget amounts and be approved by the Secretary of the Executive Cabinet prior to submission to the Personnel Cabinet for processing.

• Contracts will be reviewed for cost savings.

• Travel expenses will be reduced.

• Printing costs must be lowered in every agency.

• A moratorium is being placed on all purchases of furniture and equipment by state agencies.

• Acceleration of the sale of surplus property.

• Discretionary spending must be reduced. No area of spending is immune.

• Energy savings will be maximized.

"Finally, let there be no question that our resolving the FY ’08 budget does not mean we are out of the woods," said
Governor Beshear.

"A much greater obstruction awaits all of us. Daunting revenue projections over the next two years will translate into unnerving and unpleasant decisions. To meet this challenge we will have to look at all areas of state government for reductions. Nothing is off the table."

Gov. Beshear will present his proposed 2008-2010 budget to the Kentucky General Assembly on January 29, 2008.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Transportation employees earn ‘Roads Scholar’ and ‘Road Master’ designations
28 District 11 employees graduate from training

MANCHESTER, KY - Twenty-eight employees of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s District 11 office have completed specialized training designed for transportation workers. A graduation ceremony honoring the new “Roads Scholars” and “Road Masters” was held recently at Cumberland Falls State Park.

“We applaud these dedicated employees,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Joe Prather. “They have demonstrated their commitment to excellence by completing very formidable training programs. They are also devoted to the cabinet’s mission of maintaining safe and reliable roadways throughout the commonwealth.”

Roads Scholar and Road Master training is offered annually by the Technology Transfer Program at the University of Kentucky’s Transportation Center. To obtain the Roads Scholar designation, an individual must successfully complete a training course presented by the center in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The Road Master designation is earned by successfully completing an additional training program that provides a higher level of technical information and is targeted toward individuals who want to become managers. Training covers topics such as traffic management, communications, drainage and basics of hot-mix asphalt, among others. The combined programs total 96 training hours and serve individuals from local and state transportation agencies as well as private businesses.

More than 150 Roads Scholars and nearly 80 Road Masters completed the 2007 training series. Since it began in 1988, the program has produced more than 1,400 Roads Scholars. There are currently 893 local and state government employees who have earned the Road Masters designation. In the eight-county District 11 area, the following Department of Highways employees, listed by county, were honored for successfully completing the program:

• BELL: Chris Collett, Shawn Hensley, David Sproles and Vance Heck

• CLAY: Edward Brock, Tim Burns, Jerry Sams, Tim Sizemore, Timothy Gibbs, Charles Walker and Tammy Weaver

• HARLAN: Donald Arvin, James J. Ball, Mike Middleton, Michael Grubbs and Kevin Hayes

• JACKSON: David P. Spurlock

• KNOX: William Cornelius, Silas Mills and Johnny Bright

• LAUREL: Carl Smith and Andrew Truty

• LESLIE: Randy Collett, Kathy Mattingly and Elizabeth Sizemore

• WHITLEY: Kenny Angel, Jody Bundy and Keith Rains

“We are extremely proud of our employees who dedicate themselves daily to improving the district’s roadways,” said Michael Calebs, chief district engineer for District 11. “We commend those who strive to improve themselves by taking advantage of these training programs.”

Information on the Technology Transfer Program at the Kentucky Transportation Center can be found at www.kyt2.com or by calling [phone]. More news from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is available online at www.transportation.ky.gov.



Recipients, front row L to R: Shawn Hensley, Vance Heck, Johnny Bright, David Sproles and Elizabeth Sizemore. Second Row, L to R: Barbara Morgan-Training Coordinator, Michael Grubbs, Michael Middleton, Chris Collett, Edward Brock, Jody Bundy and Marcie Mathews, State Highway Engineer. 3rd row, L to R: Randy Collett, Kenny Angel, Keith Rains, S.T. Mills, Bill Cornelius and Steve Farmer, Acting Exec. Director for Systems Preservation and Operations. 4th row, L to R: Jerry Sams, Kevin Hayes, Kathy Mattingly, Jimmy Joe Ball, Carl Smith, Don Arvin and Tim Burns. Absent from the photo: Timothy Gibbs, David Spurlock, Andrew Truty, Charles Walker and Tammy Weaver

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

PSC REMINDS CONSUMERS OF DO-NOT-CALL LIST CHANGES
Issues instructions to telephone companies regarding consumer information



The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is reminding residents that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has assumed responsibility for maintaining the list of telephone customers who do not want to receive calls from telemarketers. In an order issued Tuesday, the PSC instructed telephone service providers on the steps they must take annually to inform their customers of the provisions of Kentucky’s telemarketing laws.

Under a bill passed by the 2007 Kentucky General Assembly, names already on the Kentucky do-not-call list were transferred last year to the FTC’s national registry. With that change, Kentucky customers wishing to sign up for the do-not-call list in the future must do so by contacting the FTC, either online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free, 888-382-1222 (TTY 866-290-4236), from the number they wish to register. A link to the FTC site is available on the Kentucky Office of Attorney General’s do-not-call Web site, www.nocall.ky.gov. PSC Chairman Mark David Goss noted that the do-not-call list has been the subject of a number of rumors in recent months.

“Contrary to some of the information circulating in cyberspace, telemarketers are not about to receive unrestricted access to wireless phones,” Goss said. “All a consumer needs to do to protect his or her wireless phone number is to place it on the do-not-call list.”

Goss also noted that the there is no truth to the rumor that the FTC will begin removing numbers from the list if they were registered more than five years ago. The FTC has announced that it will not purge numbers until either it or Congress makes a final decision on whether to impose an expiration period, he said.

“If phone numbers were on the Kentucky list as of June 2007, there is nothing a customer needs to do at this point to remain protected against unwanted telemarketing calls,” Goss said.

The Kentucky law bars telemarketing calls with the exception of those soliciting donations for charities; those made by companies with whom the recipient has a prior business relationship, debt or contract; or those made at the recipient’s request. Complaints regarding possible violations of Kentucky or federal do-not-call statutes may be filed with the Kentucky Office of Attorney General (www.nocall.ky.gov or 866-877-7867) or the FTC (www.donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222).

Telecommunication providers in Kentucky must notify their customers of the do-not-call provisions through bill inserts, bill messages or the customer guides in their telephone directories. A brochure explaining the do-not-call law, as well as today’s order, may be found on the PSC’s Web site, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2007-00506. The PSC is an independent agency attached for administrative purposes to the Department of Public Protection in the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. It regulates more than 1,500 gas, water, sewer, electric and telecommunication utilities operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has approximately 110 employees.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Senate Passes Much Needed Campaign Finance Legislation
Millions spent by casinos to elect Beshear would have been exposed


Trey Grayson

Last year, Kentuckians got an up close view of why the General Assembly needs to pass comprehensive campaign finance reform. Interested citizens who wanted to know who financially supported candidates for Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, as well as all other state-wide elected constitutional officers had to wait until just one month before the election before campaign finance reports were filed by the candidates. In many instances, there was an even greater delay because the candidates did not file electronically, requiring the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to hand-key in donor information further delaying the availability of the report online. All that would change under Senate Bill 8, sponsored by Senator Damon Thayer (R-Georgetown), which passed unanimously in the Kentucky State Senate.

“It is past time for the General Assembly to act on this legislation which represents the most comprehensive and significant proposal in years to increase the transparency of the elections process in our Commonwealth,” noted Trey Grayson, the state’s Chief Election Official. “This bill served as a beacon of light onto how campaigns are funded in our Commonwealth, all the while providing the information in a hassle-free and efficient format for citizens.”

Thayer, who serves as chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, which handles such legislation, has shepherded the bill through the legislative process before. Senate Bill 159 passed the Kentucky State Senate unanimously during the 2007 regular session of the General Assembly but failed to receive a vote on the floor in the House of Representatives.

“Kentuckians deserve a campaign finance system where transparency and access to financial information allow citizens to keep candidates and elected officials accountable for their campaign fundraising,” said Senator Thayer. “This legislation not only strengthens transparency and access, but also emphatically states that they are priorities of Kentucky.”

The bill calls for a number of recommendations from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) Task Force which issued a report to the General Assembly nearly two years ago. The task force featured bi-partisan representation from a variety of election related parties and included Secretary Grayson. The task force met for eight months and had over 20 hours of public debate before it made its recommendations.

Two of the task force’s top priorities, increased reporting and more electronic filing of reports, are major components of the proposed legislation. The Campaign Disclosure Project, which has lowered Kentucky ten spots in its annual ranking of "States with the Best Campaign Finance Laws" over the last few years, specifically cited Kentucky’s lack of required electronic filing as a major reason for its downgrade. Kentucky scored an “F” for its low rate of electronic filing of fund-raising and spending reports.

“Kentucky needs to regain its status as a national leader in campaign disclosure,” said Senator Thayer. “We have studied this issue in depth for the last few sessions, and it is time we pass this legislation in order to further improve Kentucky’s lauded elections process.”

The bill calls for increased reporting by adding an additional report due sixty days before primary elections for statewide elected officials, as well as an additional report due sixty days before general elections for all candidates. It also requires all candidates who raise over $25,000 in one election cycle to file their reports to the KREF electronically.

Kentucky’s existing election finance laws have been challenged by observers and participants of the system as confusing, lengthy, and legally problematic. A recent series of legal challenges invalidated several portions of the existing election finance statutes. Senator Thayer's legislation addresses many changes in election laws that resulted from those decisions.

“Senator Thayer has been a tireless advocate for this important legislation,” remarked Secretary Grayson. “I am hopeful that the House will follow Senator Thayer and the Senate’s leadership and pass this bill expeditiously.”

Craig Dilger, Chair of the Registry of Election Finance, the agency charged with enforcement of Kentucky’s campaign finance laws, applauded Senator Thayer’s efforts to move Kentucky’s campaign finance laws into the 21st century. Noting that many of the changes proposed in the legislation are the result of careful study by legislative committees following a 2005 final report issued by the KREF’s Advisory Task Force, Dilger predicted the legislation will receive serious attention this session.

"The Registry is committed to maintaining a fair and level playing field in the political process in Kentucky. For that to happen we must continually update and refine our election finance laws. Senate Bill 8 will give the Registry the tools it needs to maintain that balance. Senator Thayer and the Senate have moved these needed changes to the next step. I join Secretary of State Grayson in urging the House to support this Bill and work for its passage."

Secretary Grayson and Senator Thayer have effectively worked to enact other major election reform legislation. In 2005, they successfully advocated for the repeal of the ill-advised and failed taxpayer-funded political campaign legislation of 1992, and in June, they announced legislation to repeal the gubernatorial runoff.

For more information about the 2005 Registry Task Force recommendations, please visit:

www.kref.ky.gov/otheritems.htm.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

After mafia style power grab, house committee approves casino bill
Richards kicks "No" votes off committee under pressure from Govoner



Rep.Darryl Owens, D-Louisville, chair of the talks to the media after the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee voted on a committee substitute to an expanded gaming bill. Photo by Bud Kraft, LRC Public Information.

---

After democratic house leader Jody Richards, under intense pressure from Govoner Steve Beshear and the casino industry, kicked a democratic "no" vote out of the room a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow up to nine casinos in Kentucky was approved by the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee.

The version of the legislation approved by the committee would not guarantee a certain number of casino licenses to horse tracks, as Gov. Steve Beshear's original proposal did. Under the committee-approved measure, up to five casinos could be located at Kentucky race tracks. Race track casinos would need approval from the local legislative body. Casinos that aren't operated at race tracks would need to be approved by local voters.

The legislation states that taxes earned from casinos would be used for education, human services including health care, local government, the support of horse breeding and horse racing industries, and the treatment and prevention of compulsive gambling and alcohol and drug abuse. The measure now goes to the full House for consideration. If approved by both the House and Senate, the measure would be placed on the ballot to be decided on by Kentucky voters.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Legislature Home Page. For more information on items before the Kentucky Legislature contact your local senator Robert Stivers and/or representative Tim Couch.

[Kentucky News]

Building Community: Traditional or Virtual, Libraries Thrive in All Dimensions
by Wayne Onkst, Kentucky State Librarian

Are books passé? Have library stacks been outpaced by memory sticks? Are large echo-laden library halls just for get-togethers?

Some would say our libraries are obsolete, a quaint vestige of our past. This is not a view held by anyone who has visited a library lately. Use of Kentucky libraries continues to increase dramatically every year, serving more people in more ways than ever before.

April 13-19 is the 50th anniversary of National Library Week, a time when libraries of all types and the people who use them come together with the American Library Association to celebrate the contributions of all libraries, librarians and library workers in our nation’s schools, campuses and communities. It is also a great opportunity to get to know the library of the 21st century. This year’s theme, Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library, is an invitation to do just that.

By using a variety of approaches to meet customers expressed needs and offering programs and services that offer something for everyone, libraries today have transformed not only themselves but the communities that they serve. Public, school, college and university libraries are flourishing not only within the physical confines of bricks and mortar, steel and glass, but also in the continuously expanding Internet universe. Rather than threatening our libraries, the age of technology has complemented libraries’ services and expanded their reach.

Today’s libraries bridge the computer and technology divide. Kentucky public libraries provide free Internet access and over 2,900 public access computers. For many who don’t have computers or high-speed Internet access at home, our public libraries make the difference between decent wages and economic disenfranchisement.

The facts speak for themselves: library use is up nationwide. More than 2 billion items were checked out last year, and librarians serve nearly 1.8 billion visitors annually. In Kentucky over 2 million people hold library cards. Last year alone, more than 1 million people participated in children’s programs across the commonwealth. This success speaks to the fact that libraries are about more than information and data sharing. Libraries are about community.

At the library, people from diverse backgrounds can come together for meetings and lectures, do research with personalized assistance, apply for jobs or get homework help. Free computer classes for youth through seniors are offered, as well as summer reading programs for children, teens and adults, and workshops on topics from ice sculpture to photography to effective parenting. Trained information professionals – librarians – foster inquiry, assist with interpretation of information both onsite and online, and support the education and literacy efforts of the educational community. Given all of this, it’s easy to see why libraries have become vital community centers.

Additionally, libraries are leading the way in forging creative public-private charitable partnerships with a new generation of supporters like the Bill & Melinda Gates Library Foundation, this year celebrating 11 years of major financial support for computer equipment, software and training at our nation’s libraries.

These efforts aren’t simply charitable. Education and literacy are essential to staying competitive in a global society. Recent studies indicate we’ve got some serious distance to travel.

More than eight million American children, grades 4-12, struggle to read, write and comprehend on the most basic levels, according to federal studies, and only three out of 10 eighth-graders are reading at or above grade level, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Society as a whole pays, according to the National Governors Association, whose “Reading to Achieve” report indicates that deficits in basic literacy skills drain as much as $16 million annually from businesses, universities and under-educated workers themselves in lost productivity and other costs.

Libraries are part of the solution. According to a recent study by the University of Kentucky Survey Research Center, nine out of 10 people saw libraries as a “key educational asset in the community” and agreed that libraries help people learn new things.

Research in 14 states has found that students with well-developed school libraries consistently score 10-18 percent higher on reading and other tests. Librarians help students conduct research, either in person or online through “ask-a-librarian” services. In fact, they answer almost 73 million reference questions each year – about twice the attendance at college football games.

Libraries and librarians are more relevant than ever, providing a 24/7 information delivery service. Our multi-faceted, multicultural, multilingual resources are providing a path to their best conceivable future for millions nationwide. And, of course, admission is free.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Panel adopts report on retirement systems improvement



Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Crestwood, discusses the investment performance of state retirement systems during the June meeting of the Program Review and Investigations Committee. Photo by Bud Kraft, LRC Public Information.

---

State retirement systems are meeting their investment objectives, but still lag when compared to other states' plans, according to a report adopted by a legislative oversight panel today. The report was approved by the General Assembly's Program Review and Investigations Committee. The report, first requested in October, presents an overview of the Kentucky Retirement Systems and Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System. It presents seven conclusions for lawmakers to consider regarding the pension and retiree health insurance systems.

"This report comes at a perfect time... especially with the special session coming up," said Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Crestwood, who co-chairs the panel. The governor has talked about a possible legislative session later this month to solidify the financial future of KRS. The governor is also convening a group to study further changes. "I'm sure that this report will serve as a starting point for their discussions," Harris said.

Research suggests that asset allocation — the broad categories in which investments are made — can account for as much as 92 percent of the differences in portfolio outcomes, the report stated. Because the systems are limited in how much they can invest in any one sector — stock, bonds, or other areas — they may not be able to yield as much return as otherwise possible.

Both KRS and KTRS officials noted that they have begun shifting more investments toward international stocks, which have outperformed U.S. stocks recently. "Assets are shifting outside the U.S.," said Adam Tosh, KRS' Chief Investment Officer. "There are opportunities outside the United States. That trend will likely continue." Gary Harbin, KTRS Executive Director, noted that until 2004 that system had no international investments.

Still, they noted, they set benchmarks for comparison purposes in the various asset classes. Results are mixed when compared to those benchmarks, analysis showed. In some cases, returns fell below benchmarks in numerous categories for a given time frame but overall fund performance beat its benchmark. One conclusion, the report suggested, is that each asset class should have a clearly defined benchmark, allowing for easy comparison for all investments.

The report also noted that members of the systems' boards of trustees are not required by statute to have investment experience. KRS Executive Director Mike Burnside said that despite the lack of prerequisites, several board members do have backgrounds in finance and banking.

Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Russell, said the General Assembly might consider more oversight regarding appointments and elections to the boards, similar to that over other boards and commissions. Noting that board members receive extensive on-the-job guidance, "we don't have the luxury of being a training ground," he said.

The preceding was a press release from Kentucky Legislature Home Page. For more information on items before the Kentucky Legislature contact your local senator Robert Stivers and/or representative Tim Couch.

[Kentucky News]

Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Kentucky Statesman Gross Clay Lindsay


Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, June 28, in honor of former state Rep. Gross Clay Lindsay who died June 25 of natural causes.

“The people of Henderson and Henderson County have lost their senior statesman,” said Gov. Beshear. “His ability and willingness to reach across party lines to find both friends and collaborators was clear evidence of his determination to serve all Kentuckians.”

Lindsay represented the state’s 11th House District from 1970 to 1980 and from 1993 to 2006. He served as House Judiciary Chairman and was key in modernizing Kentucky’s laws and court system. The governor also directed earlier this week that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, June 28, in honor of Captain Eric Daniel Terhune, of Lexington, who died June 19 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom while conducting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.

Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute by lowering flags to half-staff.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Low-income Families Can Get Home Energy Assistance
Kentuckians facing heating crisis may apply for funds through March 31



Kentuckians reeling from near-record low temperatures this week are reminded that assistance is available to families in need of help paying their heating bills. The state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a short-term aid program that is now in its “crisis” phase. Assistance during this component helps families facing home heating emergencies.

Community Action Kentucky (CAK) administers LIHEAP benefits through its network of 23 community action agencies (CAAs) under a contract with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Every county has at least one CAA office.

“LIHEAP funds save lives and energize Kentucky during the colder months,” Gov. Steve Beshear said. “Along with local charities and advocacy centers, this program helps significantly to keep families warm every winter.”

The crisis component runs through March 31 or until funds are depleted. In the crisis assistance phase, maximum benefits vary depending on families’ fuel source. More than 49,500 applications have been approved for crisis assistance so far. Assistance may take the form of utility payment, service reconnection, blankets, space heaters on loan or deliveries of fuel like firewood, coal or propane. Relief is provided within 48 hours, or 18 hours in an emergency.

CAAs are accepting applications for LIHEAP assistance. Log on to kaca.org/ for a listing of local offices. Eligible clients must be within four days of exhausting fuel or have received a disconnect/past due notice from their utility company. Applicants should bring the following items:

• Most recent heating bill or verification that heating expenses are included in the rent;

• Social Security Numbers or Permanent Residence Card Number for each member for the household; and

• Proof of all household income from the preceding month.

• Applicants whose rent includes heat must bring an eviction notice from the landlord.

Kentucky received more than $68 million in federal funds this fiscal year, more than double the anticipated $30 million Kentucky was to receive. Many families avoided a heating crisis by seeking help during LIHEAP’s “subsidy” phase at the end of 2008. During the two-month subsidy period, 119,326 applications for subsidy were approved. Learn more about LIHEAP online at

chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/LIHEAP.htm

Heat Homes Safely

Families should also be mindful of safety when heating their homes. Prepar­ation and maintenance can save lives by preventing or providing early warning of a house fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), December, January and February are the leading months for home fires. Home heating fires are preventable with proper maintenance and preventive measures.

No matter the home heating system, families should always make sure they have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Low-income Kentuckians can get help heating their homes safely and more efficiently from the state Weatherization Program, which aims to reduce utility costs and consumption through energy-saving repairs. For more information about and eligibility requirements for the Weatherization Program, log onto

chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/Weatherization.htm.

Home Heating Tips

The National Fire Protection Association suggests these tips for home heating safety:

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment, such as the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable heater.

• Only use heating equipment that is labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.

• Never use your oven for heating.

• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

• For fuel-burning space heaters, always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room and burn only dry, seasoned wood.

• Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container, which is kept a safe distance from the home.

• For wood-burning stoves, install chimney connectors and chimneys following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.

• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning.

• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not attempt to light the appliance. Turn off all the controls and open doors and windows. Call a gas service person immediately.

• Test smoke alarms at least monthly.

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

Child Care Centers Urged to Practice Disaster Preparedness



Having disaster and emergency preparedness plans and knowing how to put them into practice are important for child care centers. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) helps keep Kentucky’s children safe by performing inspections and investigations of child care centers. The OIG is responsible for certifying around 800 homes and licensing more than 2,400 day care centers throughout Kentucky. One aspect of the licensure process includes verifying that a child care center has documentation of practiced emergency drills and procedures.

“In the event of an emergency or disaster, whether natural or manmade, good and well-practiced planning may be the crucial difference between a good outcome and a bad one,” said Inspector General Sadiqa N. Reynolds. “Parents want and should expect from a child care provider a plan of action in emergency situations so they know their children are safe and protected when not in their direct care.”

By law, child care centers in Kentucky are required to have written records of practiced fire, earthquake and tornado drills. In addition, child care centers must have written plans and diagrams outlining the course of action in the event of a natural or manmade disaster.

It is also important for child care centers to develop reunification plans for parents and their children in case staff and children have to evacuate a center because of an emergency. “I encourage parents to ask child center staff about drills and the procedures that a center follows during disaster situations, including a designated place to meet in the event the center must be evacuated,” said Reynolds. “Parents should never hesitate to speak up on behalf of their child regarding emergency safety matters.”

Tips for child care centers regarding emergency and disaster preparedness planning include:

• Develop clear and concise evacuation plans and diagrams.

• Speak with local or county emergency and disaster officials about preparedness planning information specific to your geographic area.

• Train all center staff on the appropriate procedures.

• Ensure that all children enrolled at the child care center practice emergency drills.

• Keep first aid supplies in an easily accessible area.

• Develop reunification procedures for parents and children.

• Designate a specific evacuation location.

• Review children’s emergency contact information on a regular basis for accuracy.

• Practice emergency drills frequently and keep records that document the names of children who participate in drills.

For further information about developing disaster and emergency preparedness plans for child care centers, contact the local child care council at 877-316-3522 or visit

chfs.ky.gov/os/oig/drcc.htm

The preceding press release was from

[Kentucky News]

March Proclaimed Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Contributions to violence prevention and education honored



The work of several individuals and programs was recognized today as part of the kickoff of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“The programs and people we honor today are making such progress in the prevention of sexual assault,” said Janie Miller, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). “They are teaching, with significant results, that sexual violence toward anyone is not acceptable.”

Gov. Steve Beshear has signed a proclamation marking March as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“We take this action as a way to bring the Commonwealth's attention to the prevalence and the devastation of this crime,” Beshear said.

The Capitol rotunda event was cosponsored by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) and the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs.

“We are especially glad to highlight the community-based work and innovative approaches of the advocates we honor today,” Miller said.

The Green Dot Initiative was recognized with the Innovative Program Award. Representatives from each of the state’s 13 Regional Rape Crisis Centers were honored for their work in advancing the initiative. As part of the Green Dot Initiative, every act of sexual violence – stalking, partner violence, rape, child abuse -- is considered a “red dot.”

Each “Green Dot” represents a single incident that can be used to support the victims of sexual violence or decrease the incidences of sexual assault.

“By simply raising the topic of sexual assault, we have placed a huge ‘Green Dot’ on the map of Kentucky today,” Miller said. “Discussion is the first step to educate men, women and children that sexual assault hurts us all. Talking about it, or just listening, makes us part of the solution.”

In Kentucky, one in nine adult women – more than 175,000 women -- has been forcibly raped. This conservative estimate does not include rape facilitated by alcohol or drugs, attempted rape, statutory rape (sex with someone under age 16 without explicit force) or other forms of sexual violence.

“Green Dot is a fairly new initiative, but we’ve already seen its progress,” said Phyllis Millspaugh, a program administrator for the CHFS Division of Violence Prevention Resources. “The effort to end the continuing cycle of abuse is more than enough reason to invest in Green Dot. It can be as simple as having a conversation with a teen boy or girl about how important it is to end violence.”

At a Frankfort awards dinner, four people will receive the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Award for their contributions to end sexual violence. The winners, who also were recognized at the rotunda event, are:

• Margaret Banks, Flat Gap

• Tammy Hatfield, Columbia

• Sharon LaRue, Louisville

• Marta Miranda, Richmond

For more information about the Green Dot Initiative and other sexual assault programs and services and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please visit:

chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dvpr/ or www.kasap.org.

The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov

[Kentucky News]

Governor Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of Fort Campbell Casualty


Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Fort Campbell soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, Spc. Eduardo S. Silva, 25, of Greenfield, Calif., died June 9 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Gov. Beshear will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Spc. Silva’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.

The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov

[Kentucky News]

Governor Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of Kentucky Casualty


Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Kentucky native solider who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, First Sgt. John D. Blair, 38, of Calhoun, Ga., died June 20, 2009 in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when a rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle. He was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Gov. Beshear will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of First Sgt. Blair’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.

The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov

[Kentucky News]

Governor Beshear Orders Flags to Half-staff on July 1


Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 in honor of a Kentucky native soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, First Sgt. John D. Blair, 38, of Calhoun, Ga., died June 20, 2009 in Mado Zayi, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when a rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle. He was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Lawrenceville, Ga.

Burial services for 1st Sgt. Blair will be Wednesday, July 1 at Georgia National Cemetery in Canon, Ga. Gov. Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on that day. Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute.

The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov

[Press Release]

EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE IN KENTUCKY
PREPARING FOR THE BIG ONE!



FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 1, 2011) - (Special Note: This information pertains to an earthquake EXERCISE).

As part of a national level EXERCISE on May 16, 2011, a major earthquake will rock the mid-South and unleash an unprecedented level of destruction upon more than eight states. Unlike other forecasts of doom, this prediction is based on the certainty of a National Level Exercise (NLE) scheduled to put local, state and federal officials through the paces of responding to a catastrophic earthquake in the heart of the United States.

Unlike the weather, experts cannot predict when and where an earthquake may occur. However, we can tell you with certainty what will happen in Kentucky during the EXERCISE on May 16, 2011:

* A 7.7 earthquake will strike the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Western Kentucky and the impact on the Commonwealth during the EXERCISE will include:

Approximately 235,000 people will seek shelter

330,000 households will be without power

Approximately 6,500 will be injured

Approximately 300 deaths will occur

68,500 buildings will be damaged

Critical infrastructure will be damaged or destroyed

250 bridges damaged or destroyed, limiting transportation into and out of the impacted area

Communications will be greatly impaired or fail

Emergency responders will scramble to get information from the area and local emergency management will be limited getting information out

Scary scenario isn't it? That is the scenario Kentucky will use to drive the upcoming National Level Exercise 2011 (NLE 2011) scheduled this May 16 through 20.

The Tier I exercise, known as NLE 2011, will simulate the decisions and actions that top officials should be prepared to take in the first 96-hours after such a devastating earthquake. This is the first NLE to focus on a
natural hazard, rather than a terrorism-focused scenario.

"Is Kentucky ready for a 7.7 earthquake? No. Are we more prepared than we used to be? Absolutely!" said John Heltzel, director for Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM). He continued, "The ice storm of Jan. 2009 taught us many valuable lessons which we have continued to build from. One in particular is Resource Management. In Kentucky we now have a fully staffed resource management section - prior to the 2009 Ice Storm, we didn't."

To assist the federal government with prioritizing resources for impacted areas, Kentucky and the other seven states in the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) have participated in numerous workshops and
planning sessions, including the Resource Allocation Workshop (RAW) held in Nashville last November with more than 400 participants from federal and state agencies.

The NLE 2011 will include activities with local responders, federal and state emergency management officials, private sector partners at multiple venues around the region, as well as in Washington D.C. and various FEMA regional offices.

The exercise is designed to assess response and recovery capabilities both nationally and regionally. Kentucky will use the exercise to update and rewrite the Commonwealth Catastrophic Earthquake Response Plan. The NLE 2011 is expected to be the largest joint exercise in United States' history, and for the first time it is being based on a natural event. Everyone from private citizens, businesses, all private sector and centers of government are invited to participate and exercise their own earthquake preparations.

For more information on the NLE 2011 and to register as a participant, visit www.kyem.ky.gov/nle2011. You will also find external information, related social media sites and links to Kentucky's Earthquake Preparedness Program.

---

[Press Release]

Governor Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of Fort Campbell Casualty



FRANKFORT, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear recognized the sacrifice of a Fort Campbell soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Jeremy P. Faulkner, 23, of Griffin, Ga., died March 29 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Konar province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

The Governor will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Pvt. Faulkner’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.

---

[Press Release]

Gatewood Galbraith files statement of candidacy (again)


Gatewood Galbraith

Frankfort, KY – Two candidates filed statement of candidacy forms to run for political office as either and independent or political group candidate. Gatewood Galbraith filed his statement of candidacy form seeking the office of Governor as an independent candidate. Dea Riley is listed as his running mate. Kenneth C. Moellman, Jr. filed as a Libertarian Party for the office of State Treasurer.

Failure of candidates required to file the Statement of Candidacy shall result in the rejection of any nominating petition submitted to the appropriate filing official by the August 9, 2011 deadline for attaining ballot access in the November 8, 2011 general election.

In order to be placed on the ballot for the November 8th general election, these candidates must still file the appropriate nominating petition by 4pm on August 9, 2011. The Statement-of-Candidacy form for independent candidates is required by KRS 118.365(5) which was enacted by the 2003 General Assembly.

---

[Press Release]

Governor Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of Fort Knox Casualty



FRANKFORT, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Fort Knox soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, 1st Lt. Robert F. Welch III, 26, of Denton, Texas, died April 3 in Khost province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his base with indirect fire. He was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky.

The Governor will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of 1st Lt. Welch’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.

---

[Kentucky News]

New "I Care About Kids" License Plate
Kentucky.gov Press Release


The new "I Care About Kids" License Plate will be available at the Clay County Court Clerk office.

Attorney General Jack Conway is pleased to announce a newly designed 'I Care About Kids' license plate in Kentucky. Proceeds from the sale of the license plate will go to the Child Victims' Trust Fund (CVTF) to assist in funding child sexual abuse prevention programs and to help offset the portion of child sexual abuse medical exam expenses not covered by private insurance or Medicaid.

"When it's time to renew your car tags, please consider purchasing our redesigned 'I Care About Kids' license plate," said General Conway, chairman of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, which oversees the CVTF. "The proceeds from these license plates help fund programs that are truly making a difference for Kentucky's most vulnerable children. With your assistance, we can help keep Kentucky families safe."

Nationally, rates regarding child victims of rape or sexual assault range from 1.2 to 1.9 children per 1,000. Approximately one-third of all sexual assaults reported to law enforcement involved a victim under the age of 12, and it's estimated that only one in 10 victims of sexual abuse ever discloses the abuse.

"Children who have been sexually abused are more likely to abuse alcohol and are 3.8 times more likely to develop drug addictions," said General Conway. "The consequences of child sexual abuse are significant and can last a lifetime."

The new "I Care About Kids" license plate is expected to be available this summer and can be purchased through local county clerk's offices.

Kentuckians can also support child sexual abuse prevention initiatives through private donations or through the Kentucky Income Tax Refund Check-Off. For more information on the CSAEP Board and Child Victims' Trust Fund, visit:

ag.ky.gov/cvtf.

[Kentucky News]

Governor Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of a Kentucky Casualty
Kentucky.gov Press Release


FRANKFORT, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Kentucky native soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Brandon T. Pickering, 21, of Fort Thomas, Ky., died April 10 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire and a rocket propelled grenade in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 8. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.

The Governor will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Pvt. Pickering’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.

Flag status information is available at:

www.governor.ky.gov/flagstatus.htm.

[Kentucky News]

CLAY COUNTY NATIVE SPEAKS ON STUDENT SUCCESS AND INTERNATIONALIZATION IN THE NETHERLANDS
Kentucky.gov Press Release


Dr. Aaron Thompson

Clay County naitve, Dr. Aaron Thompson, senior vice president for academic affairs at the Council on Postsecondary Education, presented two keynote addresses at the Education Conference at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA), University of Applied Sciences, in the Netherlands recently.

Thompson is a leading authority on student success and diversity. Conference planners tapped him because of his specialized expertise and their need to promote student success in a multicultural and global environment. No state funds were used to pay for the trip.

“This is an exceptional honor for Dr. Thompson and for Kentucky. It is particularly gratifying that the caliber of our staff and our efforts to promote student success are being recognized both nationally and internationally,” said Council President Bob King.

Thompson’s keynote session was titled “From Diversity Awareness to Cultural Competence.” Thompson also was a guest lecturer at the School of Sports and Nutrition. Conference participants included all university faculty, staff and students.

One of the outcomes of Thompsons’s participation was that senior administrators of the school plan to work out arrangements with Kentucky universities for exchange programs in the areas of education, physical education, sports management and nutrition.

HvA is one of the largest institutes for higher professional education in the Netherlands.

To learn more about Stronger by Degrees, visit:
cpe.ky.gov/strongerbydegrees.

[Kentucky News]

Governor Beshear Orders Flags to Half-staff on April 22



FRANKFORT, Ky.– Gov. Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Friday, April 22, 2011 in honor of a Kentucky soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Brandon T. Pickering, 21, of Fort Thomas, Ky., died April 10 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire and a rocket propelled grenade in Wardak province, Afghanistan, April 8. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.

Funeral services for Pvt. Pickering will be held on April 22 at 10 a.m. Eastern time at the Bank of Kentucky Center at Northern Kentucky University. Burial services will immediately follow at Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Ky. Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute.

---