|
Post by Press Release on Oct 16, 2012 18:12:08 GMT -5
Volunteer to clean Redbird, enjoy scenery & prizes October 27 PRIDE Press Release
The great outdoors and great prizes await volunteers who pick up litter at the second annual Redbird Ranger District PRIDE Cleanup, which will be held from 9 am until noon on Saturday, October 27. All volunteers will enjoy a free cookout after the cleanup, and they will be eligible for door prizes. The featured prizes will be two Sheltowee Trace Outfitters packages for canoe or kayak daytrips and campsites on the Cumberland River. One prize package is for two people and includes box lunches and firewood. The other prize is for four people and includes a wagon ride. For ATV riders who volunteer to pick up trash along the Redbird Crest Trail on Oct. 27, the fee will be waived to ride the trail the rest of the day. “No matter your age or ability level, you can feel confident volunteering for this event because there are a wide variety of sites to be cleaned, all in a gorgeous recreation area,” said Tammie Wilson of PRIDE, which is sponsoring the cleanup along with the Redbird Ranger District, Clay County Fiscal Court and Kentucky Waterways Alliance. “We hope to see families, school groups, scouts, church groups, businesses and ATV clubs,” Wilson said. “After volunteering, you can spend the afternoon together, taking in the scenery.” “Oct. 27 is also national Make a Difference Day, and the Redbird Ranger District PRIDE Cleanup is your chance to do your part, right here in our region,” Wilson added. Volunteer registration will begin at 8:30 am at the work center at the Red Bird Ranger District Office, which is located at 91 Peabody Road, Big Creek, Ky. At registration, volunteers will hear a safety briefing and will receive their trash bags and gloves. Volunteers will be taken by van to the cleanup sites, which include Hwy. 66, Arnetts Fork, Big Double Creek recreation area and Bear Creek Trailhead. Volunteers on ATVs can drive themselves to the trail that begins and ends near the Redbird District Office. All volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately. Sturdy shoes, long pants and work gloves are recommended, along with clothing suitable for the weather. Volunteers riding ATVs must comply with all safety regulations, such as wearing helmets. For more information, please call Chris Reid (Clay County Solid Waste and PRIDE Coordinator) at 606.598.1281, the PRIDE office at 888.577.4339 (toll free), or the Redbird Ranger District at 606.598.2192. DRIVING DIRECTIONS: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/dbnf/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsbdev3_032653 ATV SAFETY REGULATIONS: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5270141.pdf
|
|
|
Post by Local News on Mar 11, 2013 17:07:00 GMT -5
Wife, mother, now teleworker: Kentucky Teleworks allows Courtney Woods to provide for her family with unmatched flexibility
As a foster mother and wife, Courtney Woods already had her hands full. But she was still missing something: a job. Courtney felt she needed to better provide for her family’s needs, but she wanted a job that would not take her focus too far from her family. She had been out of work for close to a year when a friend told her about a Kentucky Teleworks job fair and screening to be held at Daniel Boone Community Action Agency in Clay County. She attended the event, where she was screened and interviewed. Just two weeks later, she was hired and now works full-time—from an office inside her home—for Ipsos, a global research and public opinion polling firm with offices in 67 countries. Click here to read more… ekcep.org/blog/?page_id=398
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 5, 2013 12:02:32 GMT -5
Clay County returns to bottom ten in Kentucky for employment Commonwealth News Center press release
Unemployment rates rose in 96 Kentucky counties between October 2012 and October 2013, while 14 county rates decreased and 10 stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Leslie County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 18 percent. It was followed by Harlan County, 16.4 percent; Magoffin County, 16.1 percent; Letcher County, 14.7 percent; Bell County, 14.4 percent; Knott County, 13.6 percent; Jackson County, 13.3 percent; Clay and Fulton counties, 13.1 percent each; and McCreary County, 13 percent. Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 6.1 percent. It was followed by Grant County, 6.2 percent; Fayette and Scott counties, 6.4 percent each; Boone, Daviess and Oldham counties, 6.5 percent each; Carlisle County, 6.6 percent; and Shelby, Spencer and Webster counties, 6.7 percent each. Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years. Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at: www.kylmi.ky.gov
|
|
|
Post by ClayLive on Dec 9, 2013 5:50:41 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 21, 2013 8:11:13 GMT -5
Donna Fee of the Clay County Public Library named to Kentucky Public Library School Readiness Task Force Commonwealth News Center press release
Research has shown that engaging in early literacy practices such as talking, singing, reading, writing and playing have more of an impact on lifetime success in school than economic status or family education level. Public libraries offer activities in their early childhood programming to learn all of these skills, but many people are not aware that these services are available free of charge in their communities. To promote public libraries as valuable service providers of school readiness and expand literacy programs in the state, the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) has formed the Kentucky Public Library School Readiness Task Force including Donna Fee of the Clay County Public Library. The 54-member task force is made up of public librarians, representatives from the Kentucky Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood, a University of Kentucky professor and staff from KDLA. “Public libraries in Kentucky have provided pre-school literacy services through story time groups and other activities for many years,” said task force member and KDLA children’s and youth services consultant Heather Dieffenbach. “With the governor’s emphasis on early childhood education, we wanted to create awareness that public libraries have long been an important community partner in providing early literacy experiences.” In 2009, Gov. Steve Beshear created the Task Force on Early Childhood Development and Education, which is now a part of the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Education. This task force created a definition for school readiness for Kentucky, which states, “In Kentucky, school readiness means that a child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success.” The task force also found that “families, early care and education providers, school staff and community partners must work together to provide environments and developmental experiences that promote growth and learning to ensure that all children in Kentucky enter school eager and excited to learn.” Paul Sawyier Public Library youth services specialist Lynn Baker was instrumental in creating the Kentucky Public Library School Readiness Task Force. “As a public service organization connected to early childhood literacy, public libraries in Kentucky are in the perfect position to help families, children, schools and communities prepare for success in kindergarten,” said Baker. “While the public library has long been at the forefront of early literacy services within state and local communities, traditional programs (such as story hour and outreach services, which are rich in early literacy experiences) have not been universally recognized as services meant to help prepare children, families and communities for school,” said Dieffenbach. “The Kentucky Public Library School Readiness Task Force will educate officials and parents of the important role of public libraries in school readiness.” KDLA provides equitable access to quality library and information resources and services, as well as helps public agencies ensure that legislatively mandated documentation of government programs is created, efficiently maintained and made accessible. For more information on KDLA resources, programs and services visit www.kdla.ky.gov or call 502-564-8300 ext. 315.
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 26, 2013 18:52:23 GMT -5
Clay County jobless rate is 10th highest in state Commonwealth News Center press release
Unemployment rates rose in 96 Kentucky counties between November 2012 and November 2013, while 16 county rates decreased and eight stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Leslie County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 16.4 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 15.8 percent; Harlan County, 15.6 percent; Letcher County, 15 percent; Knott County, 14 percent; Bell and McCreary counties, 13.6 percent each; Jackson and Perry counties, 12.8 percent each; and Clay County, 12.2 percent. Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.9 percent. It was followed by Daviess and Fayette counties, 6.1 percent each; Scott County, 6.2 percent; Boone County, 6.3 percent; Caldwell, Oldham and Warren counties, 6.4 percent each; and Jessamine, Madison, Ohio, Shelby, Simpson, Spencer and Union counties, 6.5 percent each. Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years. Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at: www.kylmi.ky.gov
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 30, 2013 20:04:30 GMT -5
Henria Bailey-Lewis and Renee H. Muncy participate in judicial college Commonwealth News Center press release
District Court Judges Henria Bailey-Lewis and Renee H. Muncy joined District Court judges from across Kentucky participated in the 2013 District Judges Fall College that took place Nov. 4-6 in Lexington. Muncy and Bailey-Lewis serve Clay, Jackson and Leslie counties. The Administrative Office of the Courts provided the judicial education program for the state’s district judges. The District Court judges attended courses about Veterans Treatment Courts, juvenile justice, human trafficking, cybercrime, substance abuse, court technology, and court interpreting for individuals who are deaf or non-English-speaking. The judges also heard from Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. about trends in the state court system. “Much about how the courts operate is different from when I took the bench 15 years ago,” said District Court Judge Donald E. Armstrong Jr., who was elected president of the Kentucky District Judges Association at the college. “Changing demographics, the budget crisis and new technology are affecting how judges carry out our work. It’s important for us to adapt to better serve the public and the legal community.” The college also covered emergency protective orders and domestic violence orders, the bail schedule under House Bill 463 and new legislation and case law. District Court judges handle juvenile matters, city and county ordinances, misdemeanors, violations, traffic offenses, probate of wills, arraignments, felony probable cause hearings, small claims involving $2,500 or less, civil cases involving $5,000 or less, voluntary and involuntary mental commitments and cases relating to domestic violence and abuse. In Fiscal Year 2012, 752,821 District Court cases were filed statewide. The college included 17.75 hours of continuing education credit for the district judges. The AOC Division of Judicial Branch Education provides continuing education for the elected officials. Administrative Office of the Courts The AOC in Frankfort is the operations arm for the state court system. The AOC supports the activities of nearly 3,300 court system employees and 403 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 30, 2013 20:05:38 GMT -5
Clay County writers can apply for Al Smith Fellowship, Emerging Artist awards Commonwealth News Center press release
Applications are being accepted by the Kentucky Arts Council for the Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship and the Emerging Artist Award for individual artists. The current application cycle is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenplays and plays. The Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship program supports Kentucky artists engaged in creating work of high quality and recognizes creative excellence among professional artists. Fellowships are unrestricted $7,500 awards. The Emerging Artist Award is a $1,000 unrestricted award to early career, professional Kentucky artists who demonstrate excellence and creativity in their work. "Many of Kentucky's best-loved and most accomplished writers are recipients of an Al Smith Fellowship or Emerging Artist Award," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "The arts council is glad to have the opportunity to provide this support for Kentucky writers whose work has contributed to the rich culture of the Commonwealth since our earliest days." Guidelines for the Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship and the Emerging Artist Award applications can be found at the arts council's website. Applications are judged by a panel of independent arts professionals on artistic excellence and professional achievement. The application deadline for both awards is Feb. 15. To assist in the application process, the arts council will provide informational workshops about applying for the awards to groups of 15 or more. Interested parties, or those who have questions or need more information, should contact Tamara Coffey, individual artist director, at 502-564-3757, ext. 479, or tamara.coffey@ky.gov. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Dec 30, 2013 20:06:06 GMT -5
Gene Clark and Oscar Gayle House participate in judicial college Commonwealth News Center press release
Family Court Judge Gene Clark and Circuit Court Judge Oscar Gayle House joined Circuit Court judges from across Kentucky participated in the 2013 Circuit Judges Fall College that took place Nov. 18-20 in Lexington. Both Clark and House serve Clay, Jackson and Leslie counties. The Administrative Office of the Courts provided the judicial education program for the state’s circuit judges. The judges received updates on case law and legislation and attended sessions on court technology, bail, e-discovery, and court interpreting for individuals who are deaf or non-English-speaking. The judges also heard from Chief Justice of Kentucky John D. Minton Jr. about trends in the state court system. “While justice remains as the core of what we do, certain aspects of being a judge have changed since many of us took office,” said Jefferson Family Court Judge Stephen M. George, who was elected president of the Kentucky Circuit Judges Association at the college. “Today, the makeup of our citizenry is different, technology is part of everyday life and we’re operating under a budget crisis. These factors affect the way judges carry out our duties, and it’s important that we use the resources that are available to us to help us better serve the public.” Circuit judges also had the opportunity to attend courses about problem-solving courts such as Veterans Treatment Courts and Drug Court, substance abuse issues, search and seizure, tax delinquency, and bankruptcy’s effect on state court rulings. Another session focused on a judge’s responsibilities in appointing counsel for defendants and in considering waivers of counsel from defendants who want to represent themselves. Circuit Court is the court of general jurisdiction that hears civil matters involving more than $5,000, capital offenses and felonies, divorces, adoptions, termination of parental rights, land dispute title cases and contested probate cases. The college also offered sessions specifically for Family Court judges about child traumatic stress and recent federal legislation on child abuse and neglect and children in foster care. Family Court is a division of Circuit Court. In counties that have a Family Court, the court has primary jurisdiction in cases involving family issues, including divorces, adoption, child support, domestic violence and juvenile status offenses. The college included 18.75 hours of continuing education credit for the circuit judges. The AOC Division of Judicial Branch Education provides continuing education for judges and circuit court clerks. Administrative Office of the Courts The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort is the operations arm for the state court system. The AOC supports the activities of nearly 3,300 court system employees and 403 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. As the fiscal agent for the state court system, the AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget.
|
|
|
Post by Kentucky News on Jan 8, 2014 18:04:18 GMT -5
Clay County part of one of five Promise Zones in nation this year Commonwealth News Center press release
Governor Steve Beshear received word Tuesday night that an eight-county region of Eastern Kentucky will be among the areas named as “Promise Zones” by the White House. The designation means the federal government will partner with these zones to accelerate public-private partnerships, promote job creation and education opportunities, and improve access to federal grant programs. “As we know, there is no single solution to the many challenges facing eastern Kentucky; rather, any meaningful plan will require a broad combination of efforts to transform the economy of this region. The Promise Zone is a very exciting and important component of that path for success that will make an accelerated positive impact on the future of Appalachia,” said Gov. Beshear.
“The Promise Zone is just the kind of partnership that will spark new innovative efforts to grow the economy, empower new leaders and support families in eastern Kentucky. The project’s focused efforts to partner with local citizens to revitalize their communities through strategic, regional approaches dovetail perfectly with our work in the SOAR initiative (Shaping Our Appalachian Region). This is a rare opportunity, and I am excited about the prospects for our people and our state.”
|
|
|
Post by Press Release on Apr 26, 2014 5:05:11 GMT -5
Clay County in top ten in Kentucky in highest unemployment rate Commonwealth News Center press release
Unemployment rates fell in 69 Kentucky counties between March 2013 and March 2014, while 43 county rates went up and eight counties stayed the same, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet. Jackson County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 19.3 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 17.1 percent; Leslie County, 17 percent; Harlan County, 16.8 percent; Letcher County, 15.8 percent; Bell County, 15.2 percent; Knott County, 15.1 percent; McCreary County, 14.7 percent; Menifee County, 14.3 percent and Clay County, 14.1 percent. Boone County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 5.7 percent. It was followed by Campbell County, 6.3 percent; Kenton County, 6.4 percent; Gallatin County, 6.7 percent; Grant, Oldham and Shelby counties, 6.8 percent each; Simpson, Warren and Woodford counties, 6.9 percent each. Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted because of the small sample size for each county. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.
|
|