Oh, Kentucky

Kentucky for sale:

I'm pretty certain I'm not as effective or diligent of a disciple of Christ's as this Hardin County fellow is for what he's discipling.

Ashland revisits the curbside-recycling question, with input from nearby Russell and less-so Paducah.

Prayers for Mr. Howard, and way to go, Benham Schoolhouse Inn.

Turning to sports, hooray for Reggie Warford and the rest of this year's Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame class.

Oh, Kentucky

Corbin's proposed, Kentucky Fried Chicken-reminiscent splash park has a new and apparently better home because the local Economy Inn owner "loves Corbin so much and wants to do something great for the community," Erin Cox reports in what in a fantastic Times-Tribune meeting story that has become typical of today's world of spartan community journalism in Kentucky (All Along™).

Hemp sales surge.

Man, oh, man ... everything's complicated (sun edition). 

Well, not everything: The state education minister gave 10 school districts until close-of-biz yesterday to name names. Bullitt County's superintendent, for one, was "still evaluating," per Shepherdsville's Pioneer News.

Rest in peace, John Horace Cox, born in Madisonville shortly after the Maroons' first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1938, proud member of UK's "Marching 100,"  teacher in every Hopkins County school, Saint Mary's Episcopal organist, organizer of family "caveman suppers" and more.

Oh, Kentucky

Alles Brothers furniture in Henderson to close after more than century in business https://t.co/40NPdfjqCw pic.twitter.com/oiAk7CkPyx

— The Gleaner (@TheGleanerNews) July 25, 2018

 

Don't go back to Pineville.

Bloomberg comes to Wickliffe; Richard Russo calls on West Paducah. Both stories are unhappy.

Oldham County is hiring a full-time security officer (at $32 per hour) for seven public schools, and Pike County has backed off a plan to arm its teachers and school staff (with concealed weapons).

The state's funeral directors got together for their 136th annual convention in Louisville last month. They learned about opioids, toured various vendor exhibits and enjoyed a luau. And Rusty Preston went home to Paintsville as the association's new president-elect.

Good jobs news from Mayfield.

Dress like the Colonel.

Oh, Kentucky

A "sprayground" and Cattleman's Roadhouse are coming to Oldham County--but neither until next year,  reports The Oldham Era, so pipe down.

The headlines on The Kentucky Standard opinion page should make for some lively conversations around Bardstown this week: "I'll explain why you don't need a Straight Pride Parade," "Don't use the Bible, religion to defend prejudices ..."

The end for a house built in Paris by a Revolutionary War officer the year before Kentucky became a state?

A reprieve for the Cave In Rock Ferry.

Oh, Kentucky

A timely and helpful article from Insider Louisville's Darla Carter: "Ways to avoid Hepatitis A during Derby week."

It's Bike Night in Elkton.

You can read away your fines at the Lexington Public Library later this month.

Meanwhile, in Logan County, the library is hiring for an intern to better serve Spanish speakers.

Once "really bustling," Frankfort's Capital Plaza Fountain Place Shops are, at last, out of business.

Oh, Kentucky

Godspeed, 101st Airborne.

Good for Bob White's brother-in-law. Good for Billy Reed. Good for Hurstbourne Christian. Good for the Hoptown assistant coach. Good for the old friend's widow. Good for PRP's state-champ baseball coach. Good for the Mattress Firm dude and the TV people. Good for Mike Fields.

Courier-Journal after Rick Pitino is fired at Louisville pic.twitter.com/QczdLvMp3X

— Sports Front Pages (@SportsFrontPage) September 28, 2017

Oldham County's first brewery looks beautiful.

Good jobs news from Danville.

Doesn't sound like Clark County's coyotes are going anywhere anytime soon.

Beth Smith in Henderson's Gleaner: "No one was injured in the hold-up which occurred when an armed man dressed as a Coca-Cola bottle entered Rally's and demanded money."

I am embarrassed to realize just how little I understand about how the U.S. court system works.

Rest in peace, Ms. Wiley-Mitchell, whom you may have known "as the friendliest cafeteria employee, or simply the fastest swiper at the counter" at WKU. (Good for Noah Moore.)

Oh, Kentucky

Time lapse of the front as it moved through Ashland a few minutes ago... @SimpleWeatherKY @Kentuckyweather #kywx pic.twitter.com/F0H2s8rFZi

— jcdrums (@howelljc) May 1, 2017

Coca-Cola consolidation is coming to Middlesboro.

The CEO of a company that makes a wearable video system has moved operations back to his native Kentucky.

Hiring in Paducah: planning director, pool manager, sports officials, etc.

Congrats to the Etown High junior who got a perfect score on the ACT, and I wonder how rare that is.

At WKU, per NBC: "Reparations for a 'debt that will never be paid.'"

In Louisville, per The New York Times: "On the verge of making redemptive history."

At Barren County Family Court, per The Courier-Journal: "I stand behind the law I have cited, the matter of conscience I addressed and the decision I have made."

More than $26,000 in federal money is available to expand food and shelter programs in Bell County, reports the Middlesboro Daily News; such funds previously have gone to Cooperative Christian Ministries and the Salvation Army in Middlesboro, Henderson Settlement in Frakes and Lighthouse Ministries Safehaven Shelter in Pineville.

What's next for the Boy Scouts' Wildcat Hollow camp in Logan County?

Hoptown is opening a new visitors center in anticipation of the eclipse.

Top 10 Kentucky high schools, according to U.S. News & World Report:

1. Louisville duPont Manual
2. Goshen North Oldham
3. Fort Thomas Highlands
4. Crestwood South Oldham
5. Fort Mitchell Beechwood
6. Glasgow
7. Louisville Brown
8. Lexington Henry Clay
9. Lexington Lafayette
10. Murray

Oh, Kentucky

Checking in on the playing and player hating in Louisville, ...

Sen. Bernie Sanders in Louisville, opens up talking about Woody Guthrie union tune "Which Side Are You On?" pic.twitter.com/XGFh3xiWAM

— Ryland Barton (@RylandKY) April 19, 2017

... Frankfort (via Fort Knox, New Hampshire and Denver), ...

Heard there was a whine tasting event for socialists at the Palace Theater tonight in Louisville, hosted by @BernieSanders and @TomPerez...

— Matt Bevin (@MattBevin) April 19, 2017

... Harlan ...

Coal trains in Harlan! More proof we voted wisely for Gov. and President. @jmnemes @realDonaldTrump @GovMattBevin pic.twitter.com/ZSOSQTp9mt

— Russell Alred (@russell_alred) April 19, 2017

... and New York (via New York, Morehouse and Versailles) ...

If O'Reilly is fired from Fox for sexual harassment it'll basically mean the standard for a @FoxNews host is higher than President of the US

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) April 19, 2017

The Louisville suburbs per Niche.com:

1. Anchorage
2. Indian Hills
3. Hurstbourne Acres
4. Hurstbourne
5. Crestwood
6. Windy Hills
7. Barbourmeade
8. Prospect
9. Pewee Valley
10. Beechwood Village

Some of the Handmade in Hindman classes are full, but you can still get in on the instrument making, spoon carving and iron casting.

If you're on the market for another of the Greatest Generation's institutions to worry about the future of, you might enjoy WKDZ's report on first two nights of the Hopkinsville Rotarian Auction.

Oh, Kentucky

Thanks to @SenateMajLdr, Neil Gorsuch is on the Supreme Court & Scalia's legacy is preserved. Thank him here: https://t.co/OiNNrI5RXT pic.twitter.com/ra42ElQVgK

— Judicial Network (@judicialnetwork) April 12, 2017

A Henderson man who started using meth as a teen-ager has opened a facility offering medication-assisted treatment, and he is passionate about undercutting the stigma associated with this category of treatment options. "They're not stealing. They're not lying. They're keeping a good job. They have their kids. They feel normal. They're just taking a medication that keeps them from going through withdrawals. Why are they not clean?" 

In London: Can You Escape?

Per the River City News, the KKK has stepped up marketing efforts in Covington and Newport.

Eclipse talk: Madisonville Community College, April 27.

Schmidt Farms on Old Cairo Road in Paducah is readying for its next act, starting this fall.

Crestwood's Veterans Memorial Park has opened but is just getting started on its long-term vision.

Brownsville police are getting new cruisers.

West Louisville appears to be getting a YMCA.

Bardstown's getting a new mayor.

Ludlow's apparently getting something big.

You might remember Makayla Epps ... well, she was drafted by the WNBA's Chicago Sky on Thursday, and Saturday is Makayla Epps Day in Marion County!

7 Games Left

Here are the results from yesterday's games:

Lou. Doss 66, Lawrence Co. 57
Taylor Co. 94, Mason Co. 65
S. Laurel 53, (1) Christian Co. 50
S. Oldham 58, Owensboro Catholic 34

By the way, Taylor County took 80 shots, and had 51 rebounds, in 32 minutes.  That is amazing.  If Taylor County and Mason County had continued at the same pace for eight more minutes, Taylor County would have won 118-81.  How often do you see scores like that in college basketball?

We have reached the quarter-finals, and only two of the teams that were ranked in the AP's top 10 at the end of the season are still playing.  Remarkably, they will face each other.  But the other teams all looked pretty good in the first round.  It should be a huge day at Rupp, especially since the fans don't have to worry about keeping track of UK.  Also, we have a good mix of teams from all over the Commonwealth.  There is still one team each from Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky.  We have a team from the Jackson Purchase and a team from the mountains.  And we have a mix of small-town teams, suburban teams, and city teams.  We also have some small schools, some really big schools, and one private school.  It's all very Kentucky.

Here are your quarter-finals (all times Central):

11 A.M.:
Murray (30-5) v. Newport Cent. Catholic (29-4)

Given that NCC's last two wins were over (4) Cov. Catholic and (9) Lou. Trinity, they will really like their chances against Murray.  But what a year for the Tigers -- teams from the First Region don't often win 30 games.

12:30 P.M.:
(7) Lex. Dunbar (30-6) v. (5) Bowling Green (31-2)

No one has had a tougher draw than Dunbar.  This will be their fourth game in a row against a top-10 team, after wins over (8) Lex. Henry Clay, (3) Scott Co., and (2) Mercer Co.  But this may be the toughest test yet, as BGHS went all the way to the State Finals last year, and will not be intimidated on the Big Stage.

5:30 P.M.
Lou. Doss (28-5) v. Taylor Co. (25-8)

Doss has played very well, and should win this game.  But I don't know what to expect from a team that just scored 94 points in a high school tournament where most teams are struggling to break 60.

7 P.M.:
S. Laurel (28-6) v. S. Oldham (29-5)

South Laurel has already knocked off the number-one team in the Commonwealth, and South Oldham was dominant last night.  So both of these teams will like their chances.

Kentucky High-school Football, Class 5A Round of 16

“@adam_whitt: College hoops starts tonight! 👏👏👏”. HS Playoff Football continues...just saying
— Kevin Wallace (@kwallacebg) November 14, 2014

Previous reports:

-- Round of 32 preview and wrap

Kentucky High-school Football, Class 5A First-round Wrap

Beautiful sunset over Letcher Central's football field in Whitesburg. @ShaneWYMT pic.twitter.com/7r0S7FSuFU
— Tanner Hesterberg (@TannerWYMT) November 7, 2014

There were several teams I considered contenders at least for the state semifinals who fell in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs: Elizabethtown John Hardin beat Bullitt East in Mount Washington, 24-6; Anderson County won at home over Taylor Mill Scott, 32-13, despite its pre-game plumbing problems; Letcher County Central simply overwhelmed Berea Madison Southern, 49-18, as the visitors' star running back, Damien Harris, was reportedly still limited by the injury that kept him out for the second half of his senior season, and Franklin County grounded Hebron Conner, 35-13.

Great field conditions here at Franklin Co. pic.twitter.com/EGpTCATV6M
— Conner HS SportsMed (@ConnerATC) November 8, 2014

There were no shockers among the rest of the 5A first-rounders. 

ONE STEP CLOSER--- we all know the END GOAL-- #GCNATION boys let's keep making it HAPPEN! pic.twitter.com/QPsNZHqSiM
— GC Pep Club (@GC_PepClub) November 8, 2014

Graves County got off to a great start in the playoffs, 56-13 over Barren County. It was simply a great evening for the citizens of Christian County, as the County Colonels went over to Bowling Green Warren Central and won, 42-35, and the City Tigers hosted Bowling Green Greenwood and rocked, 41-28. Not all was lost on the Warren County side of U.S. 68/Ky. 80, however, as the defending state champ, Bowling Green, dismissed Owensboro Apollo, 41-0.

Other 5A winners:

-- Grayson County, 48-19 over Shepherdsville North Bullitt;

-- Louisville Iroquois, 34-9 over Shelby County;

-- Shepherdsville Bullitt Central, 28-7 over Jeffersontown;

-- Crestwood South Oldham, 56-7 over Nicholasville East Jessamine;

-- Union Cooper, 31-7 over Woodford County (and, boy, did they look great doing it; check out those uniforms, below);

-- Somerset Southwestern, 42-0 over Hazard Perry County Central;

-- London North Laurel, 48-34 over Whitley County, and

-- Pulaski County, 42-20 over Harlan County.

.@CooperFootball downs Woodford Co. to advance to second round: http://t.co/vMnLgntz0G #nkyfb @RickBroering @KHSAA pic.twitter.com/APcAoJSXz0
— Enquirer Sports (@ENQSports) November 8, 2014

Here's the updated 5A bracket.

Kentucky High-school Football, Class 5A Round of 32

Long-time Class 5A-observer I wrote last weekend, "On a gorgeous, muddy mess of a Friday night in Somerset, Bowling Green rocked home-standing, 2013-runnerup Pulaski County, 23-7, and then the Purples and Maroons made nice-nice on Twitter. I think BG's (roughly) coasting to another state title." I still agree with me. 

Beyond BluegrassPreps.com No. 1 Bowling Green from Region 1, I think the other final-four contenders are No. 3 Mount Washington Bullitt East and No. 8 Shepherdsville Bullitt Central from Region 2; No. 7 Crestwood South Oldham, unranked Union Randall K. Cooper, unranked Taylor Mill Scott and unranked Hebron Conner from Region 3, and No. 6 London North Laurel, No. 4 Pulaski County, No. 2 Somerset Southwestern and unranked Berea Madison Southern from Region 4. MadSouth opened 5-0, but then its star running back, Damien Harris, got hurt. Harris is back for the 6-4 Eagles' game at 8-2 Letcher County Central.

Kentucky High-school Football, Week 4

I didn't spend much of last weekend paying attention to Kentucky high-school football. Here's some of what happened.

Graves County hosted Mayfield, and the Class A-champion Cardinals beat the home-standing 5A Eagles, 21-0. Mayfield is now 4-1 and remains ranked No. 1 in Class A, with its only loss coming to 6A McCracken County.

Friday morning Devo: What's your legacy?...Live above the standard. #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/MFTGkfP8tZ
— Graves Co. Football (@GCFootballGC) September 19, 2014

The "team up north" that Bourbon County did, indeed, beat was Harrison County--by 49-0. The Colonels of Paris are now 3-1 and remained ranked No. 3 in Class 3A.

It's about that time.... #colonelup pic.twitter.com/O3XDnT2TTN
— Bourbon Co. Colonels (@BourbonColonels) September 19, 2014

I've been calling it "Covington Scott," but it turns out that Scott High is actually in Taylor Mill, south of Covington. After the parade around Taylor Mill, the Eagles whipped Holy Cross (which I think is in Covington), 48-14. Scott is now 4-0-1 and ranked sixth in Class 5A. (Bowling Green, the defending 5A champ, lost, 21-20, to a Tennessee school, McCallie, but remains No. 1 in the AP poll.)

Awesome parade for Scott High School homecoming tonight!! pic.twitter.com/WemuJbehVO
— Chris McDaniel (@kychrismcdaniel) September 19, 2014

Here's a pretty picture from Louisville Saint Xavier's warmups at Archbishop Moeller in Cincinnati. Things were pretty ugly from here on for the visitors; the Tigers lost, 26-0, and slipped to 3-2 on the season and sixth in the Class 6A rankings. (Male, which was idle, remains No. 1.)

Tigers warming up before clash with Moeller #GoTigers pic.twitter.com/cOyWaxihyF
— StXradioSpears (@JohnSpears4) September 19, 2014

The Meade County Green Wave got a history lesson before its game with Jeffersontown. Meade's most celebrated seasons were 1991, when it was runnerup to Bell County for the Class 3A title, and 2013, when it was runnerup to Scott County for the 6A crown. Maybe this season will turn out to be one for the books in Brandenburg. The Green Wave is 4-0 and ranked seventh in Class 6A after beating Jtown, 35-0, last week.

Coach Mofield sharing the history of our football program through introducing our Football Hall of Fame inductees. pic.twitter.com/kX4aV2Fl0k
— Marc Adams (@madams411) September 19, 2014

The Raiders of southern Louisville remain outside the Class 5A AP top 10, but the 'Quois is 5-0 after stomping Kentucky Country Day, 41-0.

It's a packed house tonight at the 'Quois. #RaiderNation #UNITE pic.twitter.com/CJfOqIO2jg
— Chris Perkins (@IroquoisPerkins) September 19, 2014

At Owensboro Catholic's Steele Stadium, it's good--and so are the Aces again. They're 4-1 after beating Hancock County, 60-14, and fifth in Class 2A. (DeSales, the defending state champ, whipped previously unbeaten Louisville Shawnee, 65-16, and remains No. 1 in 2A.)

21-0 @OCAces after @RayZuberer's 3rd TD pass pic.twitter.com/QqvOW2RUWZ
— The Homers (@thehomers1027) September 20, 2014

It really has been an unusually buggy late summer/early fall in western Kentucky. Stuff like that really shakes me up. Also, Trigg County won at Union County, 21-14.

Attack of the Mayflys at Union County pic.twitter.com/B7xhTvTtVb
— Scott Brown (@scottbrown107) September 20, 2014

Pikeville wrestled one of the Class A first-place votes from Mayfield after beating 3A-champ Belfry, 29-20. Pikeville (5-0) is now No. 2 in A. Another Class A team that posted a notable win over a larger school was No. 6 Fort Mitchell Beechwood (2-2), which won at previously unbeaten Franklin County, which had been ranked sixth in 5A, 42-13.

PIKEVILLE WINS! Beat Belfry for the first time since 2000! SO PROUD TO BE A PANTHER! #HailPikeville pic.twitter.com/Y5RCHQ3SHZ
— Dusty Khoshreza (@Khoshreza) September 20, 2014

The new No. 1 in 3A is South Warren of Bowling Green. Belfry dropped to No. 2. 

South Warren defeats Hart County 42-6, improves to 5-0 on the football season. pic.twitter.com/P8JrRVWLgP
— Warren Co Schools (@WarrenCoSchools) September 20, 2014

North Oldham of Goshen won at South Oldham of Crestwood, and that got everybody whipped up in David Wark Griffith country. The AP poll voters took notice, too. North Oldham (4-1) moved into the 4A poll at No. 10 (Fort Thomas Highlands is still No. 1), and South Oldham (3-1) slipped one slot in the 5A to No. 9.

North 28, South 14 #MUSTANGNATION pic.twitter.com/Vc3PgTvXQm
— North Oldham High (@NorthOldhamHigh) September 20, 2014

Finally, thanks, Go Heath, for asking about the best route from Southhaven, Miss., to western Paducah. Here's the route I would take. I don't know much about that drive, but my guess is that it feels a lot longer driving home on a Saturday night after losing a 21-point second-half lead and falling, 52-49, to the 4-0, No. 5 McCracken County Mustangs. 

Last Play https://t.co/5RfITctqhp
— Mustang Gridiron (@MustangRedZone) September 21, 2014

Kentucky High-school Basketball, Boys' Regionals

And now the boys' regional tournaments get rolling. Action is scheduled today for the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and 14th regions. By Saturday, all 16 of the eight-team regionals will be active. The state tournament is scheduled for March 19-23 at Rupp Arena in Lexington.

Heath and 55 other teams have won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association boys' basketball championship since it was first decided in 1918. As of this moment, 128 teams still have a shot at winning the 97th title, but that field starts being pared this evening.

First Region at Murray State University--McCracken County vs. Calloway County and Graves County (defending regional champion, state quarterfinalist and top Courier-Journal Litkenhous rating in the region but not in the top 20 statewide) vs. Carlisle County on Friday and Hickman County vs. Mayfield and Marshall County vs. Paducah Saint Mary on Saturday

Second Region at Madisonville-North Hopkins--Trigg County vs. Hopkinsville University Heights and Henderson County vs. Caldwell County on Friday and Hopkinsville (defending regional champ, state semifinalist and Litkenhous No. 5) vs. Union County and Madisonville-North Hopkins over Crittenden County on Saturday

Third Region at the Owensboro Sportscenter--Owensboro (Litkenhous favorite but not in the statewide top 20) vs. Meade County and Butler County vs. Ohio County (defending regional champ) on Friday and Hancock County vs. Grayson County and Muhlenberg County vs. Daviess County on Saturday

Fourth Region at Barren County--Bowling Green vs. Franklin-Simpson and Barren County vs. Russell County on Friday and Clinton County vs. Bowling Green Warren Central (defending regional champ and Litkenhous No. 17) and Russellville vs. Monroe County on Saturday

Fifth Region at Marion County--Elizabethtown (Litkenhous No. 15) vs. LaRue County and Taylor County vs. Bardstown Thomas Nelson on Thursday and Green County vs. Elizabethtown John Hardin (defending regional champ and state quarterfinalist) and Bardstown vs. Adair County on Friday

Sixth Region (semifinals and final at Louisville Valley)--Hebron Estates North Bullitt at Louisville Doss (Litkenhous No. 12), Louisville Fern Creek at Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park (defending regional champ and Litkenhous No. 7), Louisville Fairdale at Shepherdsville Bullitt Central and Louisville DeSales at Mount Washington Bullitt East today

Seventh Region (semifinals and championship at Louisville Valley)--Middletown Eastern at Louisville duPont Manual (Litkenhous No. 18), Louisville Trinity (Litkenhous No. 2) vs. Louisville Saint Xavier at Bellarmine University, Louisville Central at Louisville Male and Louisville Ballard (defending regional champ, state runnerup and Litkenhous No. 1) vs. Louisville Waggener at Valley

Eighth Region at Henry County--Grant County vs. Shelbyville Martha Layne Collins and Owen County vs. Crestwood South Oldham (defending regional champ and Litkenhous favorite but not in top 20 statewide) on Thursday and Shelby County vs. Independence Simon Kenton and Oldham County vs. Henry County on Friday

Ninth Region at Northern Kentucky University--Union Larry A. Ryle vs. Covington Catholic (Litkenhous No. 8) and Newport Central Catholic (Litkenhous No. 4) vs. Erlanger Saint Henry today and Edgewood Dixie Heights vs. Hebron Conner and Covington Holmes (defending regional champ, state quarterfinalist and Litkenhous No. 11) vs. Fort Thomas Highlands on Friday

Tenth Region at Mason County--Campbell County vs. Bracken County and Harrison County vs. Winchester George Rogers Clark on Thursday and Montgomery County (defending regional champ, state semifinalist and Litkenhous favorite but outside the statewide top 20) vs. Alexandria Bishop Brossart and Augusta vs. Robertson County on Friday

Eleventh Region at Frankfort Convention Center--Richmond Madison Central (defending regional and state champ) vs. Franklin County and Lexington Catholic vs. Scott County (Litkenhous No. 3) on Thursday and Lexington Henry Clay (Litkenhous No. 19) vs. Lexington Lafayette (Litkenhous No. 9) and Woodford County vs. Berea Madison Southern on Friday

Twelfth Region at Pulaski County--Pulaski County vs. Somerset Southwestern (Litkenhous No. 16) and Lincoln County (Litkenhous No. 13) vs. Nicholasville East Jessamine on Friday and Nicholasville West Jessamine vs. Boyle County and Wayne County (defending regional champ and Litkenhous No. 6) vs. Casey County on Saturday

Thirteenth Region at Corbin--Clay County (defending regional champ and Litkenhous favorite but not in statewide top 20) vs. Middlesboro and Barbourville Knox Central vs. Williamsburg on Thursday and Bell County vs. Barbourville and Corbin vs. Jackson County on Friday

Fourteenth Region at Hazard Perry County Central--Breathitt County vs. Estill County and Hindman Knott County Central (defending champ, state quarterfinalist and Litkenhous No. 10) vs. Perry County Central (Litkenhous No. 20) today and Hazard vs. Cordia and Powell County vs. Wolfe County on Thursday

Fifteenth Region at Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville--Pikeville Pike County Central vs. Prestonsburg, Paintsville Johnson Central (defending regional champ and Litkenhous favorite but not in statewide top 20) vs. Lick Creek East Ridge, Betsy Layne vs. Lawrence County and Inez Shelby Valley vs. Belfry on Saturday

Sixteenth Region at Morehead State University--Fleming County (defending regional champ and Litkenhous favorite but not statewide top 20) vs. Elliott County, Boyd County vs. Lewis County, Rowan County vs. Greenup County and Ashland Blazer vs. Grayson East Carter on Saturday

Oh, Kentucky

From Russia with love ...

pic.twitter.com/NakGoj2jgD
— Dallas Robinson (@DRobUSA) February 23, 2014

To Morganfield with hardware ...

STATE CHAMPS! @UC_Wrestling @UnionCountyHS @UCHSathletics pic.twitter.com/9ntDepSLbn
— Mr. Evan Jackson (@MrJacksonUCHS) February 23, 2014

To Lexington for horses.

To Owensboro for hockey.

The district tournaments for KHSAA basketball (both boys and girls) have gotten going this week around Kentucky, so we're going to read a lot of good, fun stuff over the next few weeks about hoops in Kentucky--but nothing is going to be any better or more fun than this Park City Daily News story by Chad Bishop about Darel Carrier.

The gov is feeling his oats.

The conversation in the comments about finding a good steak in Muhlenberg County is intriguing--with a hint of romance.

"The building at the corner of 4th and Main streets saw businesses come and go amidst one of Murray’s most commercially rich districts before it suddenly collapsed in the night Saturday, sending little pieces of history careening into the streets."

"I’d like to see East Kentucky give some thought to a strategy that makes the most of our native population, our fascinating and eclectic heritage, and the natural areas that have facilitated both."

Rest in peace, U.S. Marine Master Sgt Aaron Torian, originally of Paducah.

Oh, Kentucky

The Marching Maroons face the prospect of Class 4A semifinals and finals competition on the same Saturday in separate towns. 

Speaking of bands, here's a great photo of the Columbia High 1939-40 outfit.

KET News Quiz!

Obamacare and clean energy in Kentucky.

"It is this kind of new economy which encourages locally owned business, historic preservation, and landscape preservation."

Paving the way to economic growth in and around Hazard?

"Niagara of the 'South'?"

Bourbon County eventually was carved into 33 present-day Kentucky counties. But back when it was one, Paris's "Goddess of Liberty" was the happening place.

Christmas parades: Owensboro, Nov. 23; Ashland, Nov. 26; Inez, Nov. 30; Maysville and--in a reporting exclusive from the HP Christmas-parade desk!--Elkton, Dec. 6, and Marion, Dec. 7. Will advise as events warrant (in Alexandria and elsewhere).

The WKU Mountain Workshop just finished up in Owensboro, and I can't wait to see the new book.

Rest in peace, Dan Haley, who coached state football championships at Bowling Green and Paducah Tilghman. (No hard feelings for cutting my brother from the 1973 Blue Tornadoes, Coach.)

So many great people have had an impact on my life. Like many others, I'm so blessed that Dan Haley is included in that list. RIP
— Kevin Wallace (@kwallacebg) October 19, 2013

Wednesday at the KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen

Wayne County is in the house twitter.com/CarsonStaples2…
— Carson Staples (@CarsonStaples22) March 6, 2013

Band is already rocking Rupp!! twitter.com/MCHSNews/statu…
— Madison Central HS (@MCHSNews) March 6, 2013

The 2013 KHSAA Boys' Sweet Sixteen® State Tournament tips off in a little more than an hour. Today's games at Rupp Arena in Lexington are Wayne County vs. Richmond Madison Central at 11 a.m. Central, Covington Holmes vs. Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park at 12:30 p.m. Central, Graves County vs. Ohio County at 5:30 p.m. Central and Hopkinsville vs. Crestwood South Oldham at 7 p.m. Central.

Comments flow!