Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal

Legalization has Fireworks Sales Exploding

Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 17:40:51 +0000

Formerly illegal fireworks are making up more than half of all sales this year, fireworks stand owners say. Will O’Neil, owner of Tennessee Ted’s for the past seven years, is specifically advertising the roman candles, firecrackers and bottle rockets that became legal in Kentucky about three weeks ago. While customers are pleased about the change in the law, some fire officials aren't. “From a personal standpoint, I’m not in favor of making the fireworks laws more lax because of the exorbitant number of fires and injuries across the state that we experience,” Frankfort Fire Chief Wallace Possich said.

Safety Day Revs Up Bikers

Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:06:21 +0000

Temperatures climbed to 90 degrees Tuesday, but the heat didn’t stop nearly 100 motorcycle riders from showing up for the fourth annual “Motorcycle Safety Awareness Event” in Frankfort. In the parking lot of the Kentucky State Police headquarters, police, vendors and citizens gathered to spread the word about motorcycle safety. Officer Larry Farris, with KSP’s commercial vehicle enforcement division, shared his personal story about the dangers of motorcycles with those gathered.

Weekly Mine Protests at Capitol

Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:23:56 +0000

Author Wendell Berry has long protested mountaintop removal, the controversial coal mining method. When Berry spoke at a rally in February in Frankfort, he urged others to continue protesting beyond just one day a year. Little did he know, a local group would take his message to heart – and two months later do just that. For the past eight weeks, environmental activists have set aside one day a week to stage day-long protests outside the governor’s office in the Capitol.

Putting a Bigger Boom in your Summer

Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:12:11 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, do not start your engines. There’s no need to drive out of state to buy fireworks to light up the summer sky. Starting Wednesday, you’ll be able to buy them legally in Kentucky. Roman candles, firecrackers and bottle rockets can be sold and used here, legalized by a bill passed during the last legislative session. Personal use of the larger versions of these fireworks, such as those used at public fireworks shows, will still not be allowed.

Farmers Race for Lost Time

Kristina Betsworth,The State Journal — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 17:36:25 +0000

Farmers breathed a sigh with the clear skies and 90-degree plus weather, but now they face a new challenge. They must make up for time lost because of the wet weather and quickly plant crops that should already be in the ground.Keenan Bishop, Franklin County Agriculture and Natural Resources extension agent, says there is just enough time to get the planting done, but farmers will have to hurry.