Oh, Kentucky

1st District Basketball, 2010-2019

District tournaments start tomorrow.  As usual, we will be focused on the First and Second Regions.  Here are the last 10 finals of the First District Boys' Basketball Tournament.

2019:  Carlisle Co. 60, Fulton Co. 68
2018:  Fulton Co. 61, Hickman Co. 54
2017:  Hickman Co. 66, Fulton Co. 44
2016:  Carlisle Co. 58, Hickman Co. 46
2015:  Carlisle Co. 59, Fulton City 50
2014:  Hickman Co. 49, Carlisle Co. 45
2013:  Carlisle Co. 51, Fulton City 43
2012:  Fulton City 68, Carlisle Co. 41
2011:  Fulton Co. 76, Carlisle Co. 70
2010:  Fulton Co. 89, Fulton City 64

Carlisle Co:  4 (2013, 2015, 2016, 2019)
Fulton Co:  3 (2010, 2011, 2018)
Hickman Co:  2 (2014, 2017)
Fulton City:  1 (2012)

Oh, Kentucky

Catching up ...

Christmas20 parades: Versailles, Dec. 5.

Oh, Kentucky

You got the wrong DJ's.

In Frankfort, Wilkinson Street School will be no more.

To Taylor Mill, Dunkin' is comin'.

I'm surprised Little League wasn't already in Paducah.

I love deadline extensions.

On the pardons ...

Henderson Police gets creative in how to cost-effectively address its officer shortages.

Turning to sports, our old friend Elijah Sindelar appears to be calling it a career. 

Ninety-one Christmas19 parades: Sharpsburg, Nov. 9; Owensboro, Nov. 23; Central City, Nov. 24; Lebanon and Louisville, Nov. 29;  Greensburg, Guthrie and Pikeville, Nov. 30; Boyce, Dawson Springs, Murray, Salem and Sebree, Dec. 1; Bardstown, Dec. 5; Clay, Fredonia, Harrodsburg, Irvine/Ravenna, London, Maysville, Monticello, Pineville, Richmond, Smiths Grove, Stanton and Trenton, Dec. 6; Arlington, Barbourville, Beattyville, Berea, Bloomfield, Bowling Green, Bromley/Ludlow, Brownsville, Cadiz, Calvert City, Carlisle, Clinton, Columbia, Corbin, Cynthiana, Danville, East Bernstadt, Frankfort, Glasgow, Grayson, Greenville, Hawesville, Henderson, Horse Cave, Inez, Lawrenceburg, Leitchfield, Lexington, Madisonville, Marion, Middlesboro, Morgantown, Munfordville, Murray, Owingsville, Paducah, Prestonsburg, Rabbit Hash, Raceland, Russell Springs, Salyersville, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Somerset, Trenton, Versailles, Whitley City and Winchester, Dec. 7; Auburn, Georgetown and New Haven, Dec. 8, and Augusta, Benton, Burkesville, Burnside, Campbellsville, Cave City, Edmonton, Elkton, Franklin, Hopkinsville, Louisa, Mayfield, Providence, Tollesboro, Williamsburg and Woodburn, Dec. 14!

Oh, Kentucky

The United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, via the Kentucky Baptist Convention's KentuckyToday: "This is not merely happy talk. Your United States Attorney’s Office has dramatically increased the number of federal firearm prosecutions across the district targeting violent trigger-pullers. We are unwavering in our commitment to bring justice to the unsolved murder of fallen Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis. I have staffed the U.S. Attorney’s Branch Office in Paducah at its highest levels ever. The DEA has opened an office in Paducah for the first time and the FBI plans to re-open its office in the Purchase next year. ICE/Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has staffed up 40 percent in Kentucky with real benefit to communities large and small. And I hope to announce similar good news in Bowling Green very soon."

Mary Meadows in the Floyd County Chronicle delivers the interesting goods from a local board-of-education meeting and the back and forth about transportation policy around extracurricular activities.

Abbey Nutter in the College Heights Herald tells me a story I had never heard of WKU's takeover of Jonesville.

We appear to have missed last call at Pazzo's in Lexington.

Turning to sports, the NCAA volleyball tournament gets rolling today, and WKU is the No. 15 seed.

Christmas parades: Sharpsburg, Nov. 9; Owensboro, Nov. 23; Central City, Nov. 24; Lebanon and Louisville, Nov. 29;  Greensburg, Guthrie and Pikeville, Nov. 30; Boyce, Dawson Springs, Murray, Salem and Sebree, Dec. 1; Bardstown, Dec. 5; Clay, Fredonia, Harrodsburg, Hopkinsville, London, Monticello, Pineville, Richmond and Trenton, Dec. 6; Arlington, Barbourville, Berea, Bloomfield, Bowling Green, Bromley/Ludlow, Brownsville, Cadiz, Calvert City, Clinton, Columbia, Corbin, Cynthiana, Danville, Frankfort, Glasgow, Grayson, Hawesville, Henderson, Lawrenceburg, Lexington, Madisonville, Marion, Middlesboro, Morgantown, Murray, Owingsville, Paducah, Rabbit Hash, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Somerset, Trenton, Versailles, Whitley City and Winchester, Dec. 7; Georgetown and New Haven, Dec. 8; Cave City, Dec. 10; Augusta, Burkesville, Burnside, Elkton, Mayfield, Providence, Williamsburg, Dec. 14, and Tollesboro, Dec. 15.

Merle Travis Birthday Miners Strawberries and Cornbread Suppers: Drakesboro, Dec. 7.

Oh, Kentucky

Is steel coming back to Ashland? Is bourbon coming to Somerset?

A fire at Farmington, former home of the blue-and-white Region 1 Wildcats. An auction of McDowell, former home of the blue-and-gold Region 15 Daredevils.

"Our group is an unfortunately growing group that nobody wants to be a part of, or should have to be a part of. But at the same time, once you're a part of it, you're glad it's there."

The next 10 years might be a pretty good time to move to Scott County.

Christmas parades: Sharpsburg, Nov. 9; Owensboro, Nov. 23; Central City, Nov. 24; Lebanon and Louisville, Nov. 29;  Greensburg, Guthrie and Pikeville, Nov. 30; Boyce, Dawson Springs, Murray, Salem and Sebree, Dec. 1; Bardstown, Dec. 5; Fredonia, Harrodsburg, Hopkinsville, London, Monticello, Pineville, Richmond and Trenton, Dec. 6; Arlington, Barbourville, Berea, Bloomfield, Bowling Green, Bromley/Ludlow, Brownsville, Cadiz, Calvert City, Clinton, Columbia, Corbin, Cynthiana, Danville, Frankfort, Glasgow, Grayson, Hawesville, Henderson, Lawrenceburg, Lexington, Madisonville, Marion, Middlesboro, Morgantown, Murray, Owingsville, Paducah, Rabbit Hash, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Somerset, Trenton, Versailles, Whitley City and Winchester, Dec. 7; Georgetown, Dec. 8; Cave City, Dec. 10; Burkesville, Burnside, Elkton, Mayfield, Providence, Williamsburg, Dec. 14, and Tollesboro, Dec. 15.

Rest in peace, Gene Clabes, Kentucky print-journalism serial entrepreneur, online-journalism pioneer and his wife's hero. "What we do know is that there will be a party."

Oh, Kentucky

Here's your new (Distinguished Rural) Kentuckian of the Year.

Here's your new Paxton Media Group president and CEO.

No more Saturday Herald-Leaders.

Bad jobs news from Cadiz. Better from Hopkinsville.

"This Is What The Trade War Looks Like In Bourbon Country." Steve Matthews from Bloomberg's Federal Reserve/economy reporter checks in.

Coal no longer qualifies in Henderson's "least-cost portfolio" for energy. Ryan Van Velzer from Louisville's WFPL brings back the story from down river.

"For those of you who have expressed concerns and a genuine curiosity, I would like to unveil the truth as it pertains to me about the Kentucky Fried Sisters (KFS), Capital Pride Kentucky and the queer community as a whole." The founding abbess of the Kentucky Fried Sisters speaks his piece in Frankfort's State Journal.

"A belief in the possible." Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and Hawaiian Islands eyes footprint in Kentucky, reports Nina Shapiro of The Seattle Times from across the country.

"Doctors are under tremendous pressure to prescribe, and patients wear you down." Robert Smith with Kaiser Health News--via Valiant News--goes deep and dark into drugs in and around Clay County.

The Courier-Journal is promoting a 24-page special section planned for its Thanksgiving edition that it indicates will show how the tentacles of a crazy Mexican drug gang have reached throughout the United States and specifically Lexington's famous Calumet Farm.

Martin County's water crisis appears headed to a turning point this week.

Turning to sports, I've been doing a lot of deep thinking about these #ohkys and what I should be doing with them, and I think I need to always include one of these turning-to-sports items. Anyway, here's a link back to GoHeath on No. 2,296, and WKU is 4-0.

Christmas parades: Sharpsburg, Nov. 9; Owensboro, Nov. 23; Lebanon and Louisville, Nov. 29; Pikeville, Nov. 30; Boyce, Dawson Springs and Murray, Dec. 1; Bardstown, Dec. 5; Fredonia, Harrodsburg, Hopkinsville, Monticello and Pineville, Dec. 6; Berea, Bowling Green, Cadiz, Calvert City, Columbia, Danville, Frankfort, Glasgow, Henderson, Lawrenceburg, Lexington, Madisonville, Owingsville, Paducah, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Trenton, Versailles and Whitley City, Dec. 7; Georgetown, Dec. 8; Cave City, Dec. 10; Burnside, Elkton and Williamsburg, Dec. 14, and Tollesboro, Dec. 15.

Oh, Kentucky

I was in Munfordville and got to pick up the July 11 Hart County News-Herald. My favorite item was the "Buzz Around Bonnieville" column by Linda Watts: "No matter where you call home, we all have the same basic issues facing our communities today; the lack of affordable housing, small businesses struggling to make it, trying to keep prices competitive while making enough to pay the bills and the older population facing loneliness with family members living miles away to pursue their careers." She used that as a springboard to talk about her thankfulness "that we live in a community that offers so many actives and opportunities for fellowship." She mentioned the recent county fair and an upcoming ribbon cutting and grand opening at Barbour's Fresh Produce in Munfordville.

Ryan Van Velzer of Louisville's WFPL lays out how Owenton avoided water contamination downstream from the Jim Beam spill.

A murder in Hazard has a local homeless shelter and the city reviewing its processes and policies. "Somehow we have to be a compassionate city, but we also have to protect our city," a city councilperson says in Katie Kelley's story in The Hazard Herald.

(Refugee) farm to (Hickory & Oak) table, in Bowling Green. Neat Madison Martin report for WBKO.

Ray Hagerman, president of the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, in the local Messenger: "Madisonville is at a 15-year record for open jobs, and our employers are struggling mightily to find the talent they need in those positions. Economic development has organized two job fairs in the first half of this year, and both had hundreds more available jobs than they attracted job seekers. Studies show that people with military experience tend to have a high rate of civilian work success, and so we see Fort Campbell as a crucial pipeline of talent for our community's prosperity. And we saw Madisonville Military Day as a great start to tapping into that talent."

The National Association of Agricultural Educators nabbed itself a couple of recruits from Caldwell County High.

Mural reveal! Today at 2 Central in the old Clinton Bank lot.

Turning to sports, forget about live racing at Ellis Park today.

Oh, Kentucky

Perry County's fifth-annual fair drew record numbers, and organizers in part credit the new sea-lion show and world-class juggler. Katie Kelley provides a happy recap in the Hazard Herald.

Gina Kinslow of the Glasgow Daily Times delivers a similarly entertaining report from the outset of the Barren County Fair: "Some of my fondest memories are here. My whole family works all week and all my friends I've grown up with are here."

Logan and Woodford, too.

Factoring poverty, percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees and life expectancy, USA TODAY and its 24/7 Wall Street content partner identified McCreary as the worst in which to live of Kentucky's 100 counties with population of at least 10,000.

I had no idea Kentucky has designs on making itself the nation's "Sandbox" for beta-testing "innovative products, processes, methods or procedures relating to the sale, solicitation, negotiation, fulfillment, administration or use" for the "InsurTech" industries, but I am intrigued.

Louisa--Taco Bell territory since 1995--is getting a first-of-its-kind "Explorer" prototype store with multiple levels, self-serve kiosks and two fireplaces.

Good jobs and (intriguing healthcare/mall) news from South Williamson.

Pink Lily's community impact in Bowling Green has been hailed nationally.

The Hacks Crossroad Market facelift is complete, and the Butler County store is grandly reopened (and serving homemade cheesecake).

More shelter for the animals at the Bell County Animal Shelter, thanks to someone's inheritance gift and  volunteer labor from Bell County Area Technology Center carpentry students.

Hiring in Clinton, Mayfield and Paducah (maybe you could be Channel 6's next meteorologist!).

Christmas parades: Murray, Dec. 1; Hopkinsville, Dec. 6, and Henderson and Scottsville, Dec. 7.

Oh, Kentucky

Good jobs news from Campbellsville and Chavies.

Hiring in Clinton (for a full-time secretary for the Hickman County schools guidance counselor).

The Price Is Right and, this October, live from Rupp.

Greetings from Paducah (maybe Stanley Kubrick visited the Paducah City Hall, designed by Edward Durell Stone and completed in 1964, before figuring out 2001: A Space Odyssey):

Happy 80th to "a Covington hot spot."

Fifty years of hospitality in Liberty.

The African American Coalition of Hopkins County is, at last.

About 16 percent of all Kentuckians are said to be deaf or hard of hearing.

Christmas parades: Murray, Dec. 1, and Henderson and Scottsville, Dec. 7.

Oh, Kentucky

Out of Freida Smith's experience, grief and compassion grew a statewide effort to help Nebraska's flooded farmers. Just a beautiful story out of Owen County by Carol Lee Spence with the University of Kentucky, via the Northern Kentucky Tribune.

Lashana Harney of The Winchester Sun peeks in on what's happening at Robert D. Campbell Junior High. "Be prepared for greatness."

"I believe this kid has been called to play music." Will Perkins of the Glasgow Daily Times has the good word from Kindergarten Career Day at Highland Elementary.

University Magazine (of Canada) says Louisville-based Sullivan University is the 10th-best culinary school (in the United States).

Check out some of our senior photographers' favorite shots from this year: https://t.co/nbno7gM55L

— WKU Herald (@wkuherald) April 30, 2019

The bad news is you missed QuiltWeek. The good news is QuiltWeek is coming.

"Suit Up & Get Hired!" In Lexington next month. Or "ID The Missing & Unidentified" in Campbellsville on the same date.

Oh, Kentucky

Christmas parades: Owensboro, Nov. 17; Ashland, Nov. 20; Brownsville, Nov. 24; Cumberland and Fredonia, Nov. 30; Arlington, Berea, Cadiz, Calvert City, Clinton, Columbia, Hawesville, Jenkins, Lawrenceburg, Leitchfield ("A Very Candy Christmas"), Lewisport, Madisonville, Marion, Murray ("there will be no marked detour; however, motorists may self-detour around this section of KY 94 via KY 2594/Industrial Road, US 641-Business/Chestnut Street, and US 641/12th Street"), Paducah, Somerset and Whitley City, Dec. 1; Bowling Green, Dawson Springs, Glasgow and Salyersville (rescheduled because of expected bad weather), Dec. 2; Lexington, Dec. 4; Greenup, Dec. 6; Frankfort, Monticello and Richmond, Dec. 7; Benton, Elkton, Eubank, Harlan ("after consulting with meteorologists and officials, we feel like this is the best choice for our celebration"), Hopkinsville, Horse Cave, Louisa, Munfordville and Stamping Ground, Dec. 8; Whitesburg, Dec. 14; Burnside, La Center and Neon, Dec. 15.

I (heart) expungement fairs.

10 years and about 400 students and counting for the exchange program between Bowling Green's Warren Central High and the Anne Frank School in Werne, Germany.

"In this era of extreme political division in our nation, we reflect on the promise of our democracy, as well as the ongoing struggle to live up to its unrealized potential. We honor the long history of social justice work through small networks, largely unseen and unrecognized, often led by women of color, to secure voting rights for women and access to full participation in our democracy.  We also recognize that this struggle is far from over. This moment provides an opportunity for feminist artists to use an intersectional lens to imagine a world where all women and girls and gender-nonconforming people can engage equitably. With this grant, we invite you to imagine how your art (visual, performing, media or literary) can inspire action towards building power for women and girls, sharing power among and within your communities and wielding power towards fulfilling the promise of an equitable democracy. Individual artists and nonprofit organizations based in Kentucky who are using arts-based activities to address democracy and power for women and girls may apply.  Deadline to apply is March 1, 2019."

"The first-ever, peer-to-peer site for handcrafted hunting, fishing, and camping gear, as well other outdoor apparel and accessories."

Rest In Peace, John W. Allen (1934 - 2018)

So when the Cuba Cubs won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association boys' basketball championship in 1952, they advanced to the state tournament by beating the Wickliffe Blue Tigers, 54-42, in the final of the First Region tournament at Murray College. Per (indispensable) Bob Mays, here were the scores leading up to that championship:

-- Symsonia Rough Riders 42, Brewers Redmen 38 (quarterfinals)
-- Cuba 74, Clinton Central Red Devils 39
-- Wickliffe 62, Bandana 47
-- Bardwell Indians 71, Sharpe Green Devils 58
-- Cuba 61, Symsonia 34 (semifinals)
-- Wickliffe 74, Bardwell 62

Wickliffe's first-round win over Bandana followed a 63-55 win over the same team in the District 2 tournament championship at Paducah Tilghman High. This was the "(l)ast year for Bandana, Barlow-Kevil, Ballard County, Blandville and Wickliffe (highs, as) they became known as Ballard Memorial the next year," per (again) (really, super) Bob Mays.

One of the players on the Bandana team was John W. Allen, a boy originally from Guthrie, all the way over in Todd County. And he must've been pretty good, because then he went on to play three seasons for the Paducah Junior College Indians (including one for future trail-blazing Vanderbilt University coach Roy Skinner). He completed his degree at East Texas State Teachers College, and then he moved back home to western Kentucky and coached the Ballard Memorial Bombers (it appears he might've been an assistant coach). 

By 1957, things were coming together for the consolidated Bombers of Ballard County. The team failed to win even a single Second District tournament game in its first four seasons of existence. In 1957, however, it played Tilghman to triple overtime before losing, 67-65, in the district final, and advanced to the semifinals in the First Region. Things were looking up in La Center.

But life happens. Back when he was in Texas, John W. Allen had met a woman, Wanda Boyd. In 1957, they married, and, that fall, John W. Allen began a 35-year career of coaching and teaching in Texas high schools. He never moved back. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Texas, and he embraced the new teams of his adopted home--the Dallas Cowboys, launched in 1960, and Texas Rangers, arriving in 1971--while staying true to his old-standby University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Mr. Allen died a week ago today. He was 83. Rest in peace.

HP SPECIAL REPORT: Back In Business In Beaver Dam

This is an HP Special Report ... the old "Arby's Island" Beaver Dam rest area along the Western Kentucky Parkway has reopened as a Huck's, and it's fantastic!

My wife and daughter and I stopped through there on our way back from Louisville this evening.

One of the things that really impressed us was the huge array of drink machines--a whole assortment of coffees and soft drinks, slushy drinks and hot chocolates, etc. I do really appreciate that Huck's offers the flavor additives you can spurt into your fountain sodas. I almost always at least throw a couple of vanilla squirts in with whatever I'm drinking.

In the old Arby's area, they've opened a large hot-food bar, with a strong emphasis on fried chicken and Godfather's Pizza, which, as reported way back in 1969, is huge in convenience stores across Kentucky.

Huck's is based in Illinois, and one of the oddities about the Beaver Dam store was that Illinois (but not Kentucky) gazetteers were available at the store in Beaver Dam.

Overhead, the store played what it called "Huck's Radio," and we heard a couple of oldies but goodies.

The restrooms were delightfully clean, and I, for one, support the old-school handles and push buttons on the fixtures (as opposed to the sensor triggers to get soap, water and towels, which always seem to frustrate me).

I thought about picking up an Ohio County Times-News to check out that Bill Monroe story, but I didn't.

My wife thought about picking up some Harper's Country Ham, but she didn't.

We didn't really much consider getting donuts, though I am sure they would've been delicious.

And we didn't get any too serious about purchasing any Kentucky (but not Illinois) souvenir shot glasses, coffee mugs or Christmas ornaments.

But my daughter did get a cereal bar, for which we would've gladly paid the posted $1.29. But, alas, the gentleman at the counter remembered that the store was offering some 20-cents off coupons on that product and took it upon himself to go find one and apply it to my daughter's order. It was a good opportunity for us to all talk about the everythings of our lives and being creative and bold to do to others what we would have them do to us, and that turned out to be the very best part of a wholly satisfying visit to the new Beaver Dam Huck's Island.

Oh, Kentucky

State!

Good jobs news from Bardwell.

The projected completion date for Madisonville's miniature-golf course is late summer, and I am thrilled.

Franklin's Kentucky Downs plans a grand reopening.

The graphics illustrating the possible I-69 Ohio River bridge options at Henderson are magnificent!

The governor's former adoption "czar" reportedly got a $60,000 golden parachute.

The downtown Covington Skyline Chili is no more.

Oh, Kentucky

Paducah Sen Danny Carroll, whose district includes Marshall County, says gun control won't stop school shootings "these go beyond things we can solve in Frankfort."

Says people need to change the way they talk to each other. pic.twitter.com/F4RZHtxgea

— Ryland Barton (@RylandKY) January 24, 2018

 

Standing with the Marshals.

On tourism in Elkton.

Bullitt County: "an exciting mix between 'No Country For Old Men,' 'Deliverance,' and 'The Shining.'"

Louisville is amid a Community Mikvah crisis.

Good jobs news from Guthrie.

Jerry's is no more in Bowling Green, but this might not be the end of the story.

Pennyrile is souping up for spring.

Wipes of all types — even ‘flushable’ ones — wreaking havoc in city sewer system https://t.co/Eo40tR2OuX pic.twitter.com/lAWiFaddGC

— Nelson Co. Gazette (@NCGBreakingNews) January 22, 2018

Oh, Kentucky

Good jobs news from Carrollton.

You know, until about 10 years ago, I had never even heard of "heirloom seeds," but now I have a bunch of them in the garage freezer.

No, I did not know how Hart County got its name.

They're planning to get together in Kevil on Oct. 24.

The eighth-graders are celebrating at Hickman County High.

KY Poet Laureate Frederick Smock works with AP students. #Royals #amwriting @MCHSRoyals1 pic.twitter.com/yRzdJ2ieoj

— MCHS Royal Decree (@MCHSRoyalDecree) September 29, 2017

Meanwhile, in other news from the University of Louisville, ...

Oh, Kentucky

"Not everyone gets a supportive family to go to during the holidays ..."

Here's how they harvest the pecans in Kevil.

Christmas parades: Owensboro, Nov. 19; Ashland, Nov. 22; Lebanon (still time to enter a float), Nov. 25; Sebree, Nov. 26; Bardstown, Dec. 1; Maysville, Monticello and Richmond, Dec. 2; Arlington, Beaver Dam (I've got to check out this Ky. Wildflour Cakes place), Berea, Bowling Green, Clinton, Frankfort, Glasgow, Harlan, Henderson, Madisonville, Manchester, Paris, Somerset and Winchester, Dec. 3; Boyce, Owenton and Schochoh, Dec. 4; Hickman and Lexington, Dec. 6, and Augusta, Cave City, Elkton, Hopkinsville (entry deadline extended), La Center, Nicholasville and Pikeville, Dec. 10.

Somebody in or around Hoptown's getting coal in her or his stocking.

Ky Forestry Official Calls Fire Control ‘Mop Up Stage.’ https://t.co/9AsCYhL8jO

— WEKU Newsroom (@WEKUnews) November 22, 2016

A Hazard homeless shelter needs more revenue if it's going to start staying open again during the day.

This week in Ballard County ...