Oh, Kentucky

Here's a fantastic, inspiring Dennis K. Brown feature in the Lewis County Herald on a lifelong resident who didn't think he had time to an organization aimed at attracting industry and employers to northeast Kentucky--until he was paralyzed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) more than two years ago. Since then, the construction contractor he founded has experienced two of its busiest years, and now Northeast Kentucky Development has launched.

Pugh's Midway of western Paducah (but not quite West Paducah)--a prime supplier of soft drinks, microwaveable breakfast sandwiches and apple fritters to lollygagging first-period English students in the Heath High School Class of '86 (among others, I'm sure)--has been swallowed by Madisonville's Rocket Oil empire and is being rebranded as Ideal Market Number 19.

Good jobs news from Pikeville.

Oh, Kentucky

Save the Children says childhood "ends" latest in New Hampshire (No. 1) and earliest in Louisiana (No. 50) among the 50 states. Kentucky comes in No. 33 on the list.

Williamsburg has its first liquor store.

The state's community lakes are stocked and loaded for this weekend's children's derbies and other free fishing.

Labor Cabinet secretary Derrick Ramsey--quarterback of the 1976 SEC- and Peach Bowl-champion UK Wildcat football team, walk-on with the '76 basketball 'Cats and my all-time-favorite Oakland Raider and New England Patriot--and Gov. Bevin visited Heaven Hill to celebrate the distillery's workplace-safety performance.

Improvements at Fleming County, Robertson County and Caverna schools might be bringing an end to state oversight of the districts.

NKU is offering a workshop on teaching about climate and environment in middle and high schools.

The Franklin County Humane Society rescued about 200 animals from an apparently abandoned Frankfort pet store.

Good jobs news from Louisville.

NASA reportedly says all of us out here in western Kentucky are greatly underestimating the coming eclipse crowd.

Oh, Kentucky

And the campgrounds open tomorrow.

Kentucky for sale:

Hiring at Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and My Old Kentucky Home. 

"Rattlesnake Trail," yes. "Copperhead Trail," no. 

Oh, Kentucky

"We have these powerful tools. Cameras and computers and broadcast licenses. And we can use them for a lot of meanness. To divide people and to make them feel like they were never made in the image of God. Or we can use them for healing, to pull people together, and to help give people faith in what they might find when they get around the bend."

There are conflicting reports on the future of Google Fiber in Louisville.

The Logan County jail is excited about its new website.

Tarter Gate had the need; the local independent Christian Church, and, so, Dunnville has a new daycare.

A U of L study projects population decline for 79 of Kentucky's 120 counties between now and 2040, and, yet, the state population is predicted to grow by 10 percent.

For some, the much-celebrated Battle of Leatherwood Reenactment is a year-around deal.

Traffic fatalities around the state are up.

The UPike Kentucky College of Optometry Class of 2020 is being educated.

The Kentucky Music Educators Association marching-band state semifinals and finals are this weekend.

Got my first copy of the book today. Excited for everyone to have a chance to read it. It comes out Nov. 15. Pre-orders available now online pic.twitter.com/ckLsSb7fPJ

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) October 26, 2016

Oh, Kentucky

Sporting News: Ky. the best college hoops state http://t.co/6Mwa8Hxmvc @JonathanLintner @GoCards @UKCoachCalipari pic.twitter.com/VaGhATJp96
— Courier-Journal.com (@courierjournal) January 16, 2015

Good jobs news from Louisville.

Hardin and Pembroke distilleries are expanding distribution through a forthcoming George Jones museum.

"Four of the most popular cycling events in Kentucky"? Per the state, they include the Redbud Ride, in London; the Horsey Hundred, in Georgetown; the Preservation Pedal, in Frankfort, and the Hub City Tour, in Elizabethtown.

"When the URL one of the local plaintiff groups is 'TaxlessSociety.com', they will be back.  They are on a mission."

"Celebrate Valentine’s Day at a Kentucky State Park this year with your special someone!"

Oh, Kentucky

I love Oprah.

Becoming Mustangs.

Excellent point from Mark Maynard in Ashland's Daily Independent: J.R. "VanHoose may be the only non-UK player to receive two standing ovations in Rupp Arena."

Deming High survived an attack on its Black Devils nickname and a consolidation bid, but a July 17 fire was especially devastating.

Good, wonkish story from Amelia Holiday in The Hazard Herald about the Dustbowl League basketball played for 25 years on the city's bright blue, downtown, outdoor courts.

Madisonville's city clerk of more than 30 years says when.

Good jobs news from London and Louisville.

Mariott is coming to Murray, and Glasgow (and the gov) cut the ribbon on the state's new nursing facility.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park is becoming part of Pineville, paving the way for booze to come to Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

Accolade parade: Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken Franchisee of the Year goes to a Bardstown entrepreneur! ... Kentucky's fastest-growing city is Hoptown! ... Owen Countian of the Year goes to a volunteer firefighter of more than 40 years!

Phew! The U.S. 60 desk needs a vacation ... route news from Ledbetter and en route to Hinkleville.

Beautiful crisp morning @wfpark http://t.co/nMIxXEMrN5
— Downtown Louisville (@Downtown_Lou) July 24, 2013

Oh, Kentucky

It's morning in Hardin County again.

Some of my wife's family moved from western Kentucky to Detroit during the Great Depression, too.

Paducah Tilghman High product George Wilson, the strong safety of the 4-1 Buffalo Bills, continues to excel.

Meanwhile, a Kentuckian has already qualified for the Puppy Bowl.

The HistoryMobile rolls on. As does the Historical Marker Program. The Kentucky Historical Society gets around.

Not County?

The Hoptown paper has a new editor, new production schedule and new opinion-page focus.

The Kentucky desk will be monitoring the development of the Oak Grove Outlaws.

Oh, Kentucky

Flags are at half-staff today around the commonwealth. and Cynthiana has come to a standstill just about now.

Toward the goal of celebrating home, Kentucky and passions ...

Rev. Beachey (and Rev. Wallis) vs. Sen. McConnell (as well as Sen. Reid and Rep. Boehner).

Says the governor: No harm, no foul.

Does Sup. Webb have the votes?

GOP doings around Fancy Farm.

Hotel Metropolitan doings around Emancipation Day.

Why Tiffany picked Lexington.

Bookmobile love.

The Racers have new helmets.

This story is not really in keeping with the "ah-most" theme, but there's too much here to love--the player's name, the dewey-grass-smell-inducing photograph, the opportunity to log a Hi Hat label--to leave on the shelf.

#FreeJoeB!

Oh, Kentucky

Madisonville is on the march!

Richardsville is realizing the smart grid.

Covington is growing upstream.

Mount Olivet is home to a 25-year "symbol of hope and stability."