Oh, Kentucky

Again, Pikeville's Mountain Top News does just a fantastic job on covering the conversation in Whitesburg ...

"I have an alternate proposal. Suppose both sides of the story are told."

Midway will celebrate Juneteenth, officially.

The Bowling Green-Warren County Coronavirus Workgroup had a happy surprise on its regular conference call Wednesday.

Bardstown and Nelson County roll out another round of small-biz relief.

A weekend Kentucky Headhunters show at the Beaver Dam Amphitheatre delivered a big boost for the Ohio County food pantry.

Gabe's is (almost) gone.

Fancy Farm is happening.

Mercer County might be getting its second solar farm.

Vanceburg police is hiring. So's the forthcoming Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.

The #ohky desk's DQ beat is blowing up of late. You might remember yesterday's dispatch from Columbia. Well, there are Blizzards in the forecast for Princeton, too.

Oh, Kentucky

It's (almost) a wrap for Mayfield's first Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, and we have until Oct. 1 to sponsor a 2020 display.

The I-65 Mile Marker 0 welcome center in Simpson County, opened in 1974, is closed until probably fall.

Hoptown's Pennyroyal Area Museum targets Feb. 27 for its reopening.

Floyd County is optimistic the resurrection of Wheelwright's prison will take place, even with turnover in Frankfort.

Inez will be down to one grocery after the IGA's Monday closing.

Several Peebles, Goody's and other department stores around Kentucky are converting to Gordmanses this year, such as in Leitchfield and Winchester.

Paducah Police also is hiring.

World Trade Center Kentucky has named an interim executive director.

Kathie Stamps at Smiley Pete Publishing has an interesting report on a married-physicians couple's launch of "membership-based concierge medicine" in Lexington. Excellent name for the new biz: Downtown Drs. Brown. 

Jerry Sparks kicks off a three-part Jackson County Sun series on three people from McKee who were pardoned by former Gov. Bevin: "(M)ost of the pardons issued by the former Governor were not controversial at all. A great deal of the pardons issued were earned by the recipients through years of hard work and dedication toward turning their lives around. Unfortunately, the news cycle tends to focus on the sensational and the negative. In fairness, time should be spent addressing those people that honestly turned their lives around and earned themselves a second chance."

Huge in Kenton County: Liane Moriarity, James Patterson, Mario, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Alvin Schwartz, Lego, Game of Thrones and a bunch of Now That's What I Call Musics.

Oh, Kentucky

The state's fastest internet speeds are found in Jackson and Owsley counties. "It is a gamble that has paid off," writes Kim Kobersmith in The Daily Yonder. "Residents are harnessing the power of the network to improve their lives by accessing well-paying jobs, opening new educational doors, and virtually visiting their doctors for health consultations."

"What's Next EKY?"

And how about for Daviess County's old Airport Fire Station?

Kentucky’s housing market in October: 8.4 percent more homes sold than in October 2018 at a median closing price that was 8.3 percent greater.

Bad jobs news from Paducah.

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, Smiths Grove 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, Horse Cave, Lawrenceburg, Leitchfield, Lexington, Madisonville, Marion, Middlesboro, Morgantown, Munfordville, Murray, Owingsville, Paducah, Rabbit Hash, Russell Springs, Salyersville, Scottsville, Shelbyville, Somerset, Trenton, Versailles, Whitley City and Winchester, Dec. 7; Auburn, Georgetown and New Haven, Dec. 8; Augusta, Burkesville, Burnside, Cave City, Elkton, Franklin, Mayfield, Providence, Williamsburg and Woodburn, Dec. 14, and Tollesboro, Dec. 15.

Oh, Kentucky

Bill Straub in the Northern Kentucky Tribune: "Once you work your way through the briars, brambles, and bushes where a rabbit couldn’t go in Kentucky politics, you’ll discover that elections often come down to just two issues – abortion and guns."

So let's imagine you're in western Kentucky from out of state and trying to figure out how where to take the fam to eat tonight to kick off your #freakinweekend in style. Well, here's some (270) foodie 411 for you:

-- Tapas have come to Owensboro.

-- Tacoholics is expanding again in Henderson.

-- Patti's is not quite back yet in Grand Rivers, but they do now have that new grill named after the town's founder.

Loretto is getting sidewalks!

This interactive map, from Frankfort's Kentucky Center for Statistics, looks like so much fun, and I can't wait to find out what it is that it's teaching me.

Oh, Kentucky

Foes since both took office in 2015, it's Bevin vs. Beshear for Kentucky governor in 2019 https://t.co/iTyE3kS8l8 pic.twitter.com/iKeu3zUTgJ

— The Gleaner (@TheGleanerNews) May 22, 2019

There appears to be a heck of testing mess unfolding at Betsy Layne Elementary School.

Prayers for the 11 puppies fighting to survive in Louisville after being dumped in a Jackson County ravine.

Hooray for the multi-county collaboration that led to a first-of-its-kind rescue atop Natural Bridge!

Good jobs news from Morehead. Bad from (Dressbarns of) Elizabethtown, Florence, Lexington, Louisville, Pikeville and Simpsonville.

Hiring (fairs) in Louisville, Madisonville and West Liberty.

Godspeed to the forthcoming Carlisle Restaurant's operators as they hustle to beat the Blackberry Festival clock.

The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, launched in 1931, puts on No. 89 in and around Pineville, starting Thursday.

Oh, Kentucky

“While shared meals have been part of the religous practice of numerous groups for thousands of years, they are being given a new focus in Christianity through the ‘dinner church’ movement—churches that have a shared meal at the center of congregational life,” writes Henry Brinton at Read the Spirit. “… At Potluck Churh in Kentucky, every participant brings something to the table, and a former mayor worships alongside people who struggle to pay their monthly rent.”

"This is the first statewide program of its kind where all hospitals in Kentucky collaborate together to combat the opioid crisis at its root – inappropriate or excess opioid prescribing," says Dr. Phillip Chang, chief medical officer at UK HealthCare, in an encouraging story at The Lane Report.

Thanks, Feds, for the $25M for jobs projects in eastern-Kentucky coal communities.

Kentucky's governor's race made ProPublica (via The Courier-Journal).

Dave Spencer of Owensboro's WBKR wished us a happy Mother's Day, and we almost missed it.

Oh, Kentucky

In light of the intentionally-exposed-his-kids-to-chickenpox news from the New Hampshire vice-presidential hopeful who has been campaigning in Kentucky since 2013, Lisa Gillespie with WFPL whipped up a terrific overview of the vaccination sitch here. It turns out that, while Kentucky kindergarteners are required to be vaccinated for chickenpox, it's up to the local school districts to enforce that. And, so, for example, only 68 percent of the kids in Garrard County are vaccinated. County-by-county maps of Kentucky showing rates of most anything today tend not to be interesting (though still always beautiful) because they generally just provide a same-song-different-verse amplification of what we already know about the culture wars we find ourselves in. But I found WFPL's map about the vaccinations to be genuinely eye-opening. Take neighboring Daviess (with city Owensboro) and McLean (rural, more western) counties, for example; OK, go ahead, and take a guess which one has a higher rate ... WRONG! Daviess's rate is 69 percent, per WFPL and the Kentucky Department of Public Health; McLean's, 99 percent.

Back to the culture wars, here's another guessing game for you: Which three among the City of Martin, Kentucky Attorney General's Office, an informal Martin citizens group called "We the People" and the Floyd County Chronicle and Times are aligned against the fourth? ... OK, yeah, you got that one right.

Rebuttal from McKee:

With the Martin County Sheriff's Department short-staffed, Lexington-based Compliant Technologies has donated four of its glove products that sends electrical charges to suspects. "The protection of our citizenry is becoming more dangerous and demanding. As more and more people are demonizing our men and women in uniform through political agenda, social media and one-sided video we want to help change public perception. Compliant Technologies, with its tools like The G.L.O.V.E. (Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter) enables our public servants in many instances to rapidly, effectively and, at times, unassumingly bring individuals into compliance or restrain them from further violence. We believe this technology can help lower liability, lessen risk, and create a more amiable atmosphere between the general population and those who protect and serve us. We look forward to providing you with non-lethal alternatives that will help you to accomplish your mission more safely and effectively as well as improve community relations."

Richmond's, like the rest of the Lifeway Christian Resources bookstores. is closing.

"She noticed a need a few years ago for women to receive housing, training, and counseling after leaving the Christian County Jail," and now, WKDZ reports, the director of Hoptown's Grace and Mercy Center, Joanna Mack, is the 2019 Fannie Bronson Postell Woman Of the Year.

Central City Elementary benefits from First Kentucky Bank's computer upgrade.

Madisonville is became an international center of hydroponics R&D and production, and some of us were so busy thinking about the 1973 final episodes of The Doris Day Show and the 1954 Rose Bowl (stand by at HP!) that we hardly even noticed.

Rest in peace, Todd Reisz, 50-year-old Owensboro native, "history and geography buff," music and Cowboys lover, barbershop favorite and sweet and familiar face of customer service for 28 years at the Wesleyan Park Plaza Kroger. (And prayers for his mom and other loved ones.)

Oh, Kentucky

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

25. Floyd
23. Jackson
20. Martin
16. Knox
10. Harlan
9. Bell
8. Leslie
7. Breathitt
6. Clay
5. McCreary

Thursday morning at Paducah's Kentucky Career Center: "Come join us and bring a friend! We are working on improving reentry into our community and improving public safety. If you cannot attend, see if someone you know or work with can come in your place."

Tomorrow morning at Lexington's UK Gatton Student Center: "The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are requested, as space is limited. Participation is highly recommended for elected officials, community and economic development leaders, existing businesses within Opportunity Zones and those looking to develop projects in Opportunity Zones."

Cincinnati's Buffalo Wings & Rings eyes rollout of 25 Kentucky stores in the next five years, and you could be their person in Winchester.

Speaking of (No. 25) Floyd County, bravo to Prestonsburg's Girl Scouts Troop 5185 and everyone else who spent their Saturday mornings cleaning up around Jenny Wiley State Resort Park--which, by the way, is awesome:

Oh, Kentucky

The Madisonville fire department helped us get our cat out of a tree a few years ago. Once the truck pulled onto our street, River got scared by the sound and leapt probably about 20 feet to the ground and scampered to the backyard. The Bardstown fire department had a more challenging time with Kitten, per Spencer Harsh's reporting in The Kentucky Standard.

I have never been to Red River Gorge, and I have never been to Miguel's Pizza near Slade, and, now when I do get there, it's going to look like I was just jumping on the Food & Wine bandwagon.

No fees at McCreary County's Natural Arch Scenic Area for National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday.

Eighteen bicyclists retracing the northern Trail of Tears route are due in Princeton tomorrow.

Bad Marco Polo news from Lucas.

Good jobs news from Bowling Green.

Hiring aplenty in and around Paducah.

Hoptown's forthcoming Tacos El Papi had me at "homemade tamales."

Hardin County Schools takes its summer-meals program to the streets.

Voter turnout for last month's primaries reportedly was highest in Grayson (33.2 percent) and lowest in Kenton (10.0 percent), among Kentucky's 120 counties.

Oh, Kentucky

Good jobs news from Lexington and Louisville.

The Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corp. spec building at long last has a tenant: Alliance Coal.

Sugar Daddy's is done in Dry Ridge, as is Elder-Beerman in Paducah's Kentucky Oaks Mall.

It's reportedly a total loss for Groomfield pet grooming and Bloomfield Electronics.

Maysville's Ledger-Independent has been sold by an Iowa publisher to a North Carolina one.

A dissenting vote (from WDJX in New Albany, Indiana) on Kentucky's most-dangerous intersection.

Paducah is getting a Global War on Terrorism memorial.

Toward 10-grand worth of pride in Frankfort.

A shortage of a child-safe flu medicine in northern Kentucky.

A Marshall Strong Bluegrass Benefit in Draffenville, A Beautiful Mess in Madisonville, Little Free Libraries across Knox County, Green County High School Track and Field Day at Los Agaves in Greensburg and Jackson County Wagon and Saddle in McKee.

A self-described "little, gay, hillbilly nerd" from Phelps to Survivor: Ghost Island.

Oh, Kentucky

There's an alleged (balding) stereoscope thief on the loose in or around Paducah.

Jacob Ryan with the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting dives into the link between availability of public trash cans and poverty across Louisville.

Bad jobs news from Winchester.

The WKMS Battle of the Bands entry deadline is March 4.

Hiring in Madisonville (production technician starting at $15.36 an hour or receptionist for $10-$12 per).

Rep. Toby Herald (R-Beattyville) has proposed a 54-county Kentucky, and Ralph B. Davis with EKB-TV gives us the 411 of what that would look like.

Eighty-nine women filed to run for seats in the state legislature.

Oh, Kentucky

This deal with the vulgar message, U.S. Rep. James Comer and the fired chief clerk of the state house now appears to connect with the sexual-harassment investigation into Kentucky's former house speaker, Jeff Hoover. Here's the story so far--from Joe Gerth of the Louisville Courier-Journal, Melissa Pettitt of the Hopkinsville Kentucky New Era and Randy Patrick of the Bardstown Kentucky Standard.

Underpants donations for the Butler County public-schools kids will get your fines scrubbed at the Butler County Public Library.

Jackson County is getting together tonight to talk more ATV trails.

Overflowing chamber and 4-1 in favor of expanding LGBTQ protection in Paducah.

A Calloway County farmer who rescued a 5-day-old calf from a frozen pond credits in part his background in competitive water skiing for his success. John Wright drops the knowledge in the Murray Ledger & Times.

Good jobs news in Alabama (not Elizabethtown).

Oh, Kentucky

"In Paducah, we will be proactive and do the uncomfortable work of having honest dialogue about our own history, biases, and challenges."

One petition for, two against.

Acclaimed, Madisonville-based cartoonist and writer Chris Schweizer recalls Robert E. Lee of Virginia ...

Maligned, Louisville-educated U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell decries the white-supremacist terrorists' plans to converge on Lexington.

CNN visits Paris.

The "a time of reflection and prayer to show our unity, love and respect for all people regardless of race, faith, gender, nationality, language, economic status, etc." is noon Eastern today in Campbellsville.

This sounds to me like a totally great way to limit our freedoms.

Bad jobs news from West Paducah.

Jackson Energy tells Jim Wilson of The Manchester Enterprise that the eclipse will illustrate why having a diversity of energy sources is so important.

He "hated it at the time," but all of that antique shopping on camping trips to London has paid off for the operator of a new antique shop in Latonia. Good, little staff biz feature Covington's River City News.

Big Rivers Electric is demo-ing solar in Draffenville.

Hopkinsville lights its new Alhambra Theater marquee.

"Jenkins 'pushes' new fire truck into service."

Oh, Kentucky

An exciting afternoon with President @billclinton in Harlem!! pic.twitter.com/kjVO8TLL7t

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 9, 2017

The Internet Is Amazing.™ Just ask JonathanHuston of London-based Troll and Toad.

What else might be done in the spirit of Moving Eastern Kentucky Forward with Broadband?