When citizens complain to the city about poorly maintained properties, they go to Lexington’s code enforcement office. Code violations can include cases of peeling paint, cracked bricks, and unsafe sidewalks. The process for handling those complaints is under review at city. Council member Steve Kay, who co-chairs the committee looking into the issue, says enforcing current regulations is a concern.
More than 400 ideas on ways to improve Lexington have been submitted by its residents. The suggestions, which are being gathered this month, are part of a competition sponsored by the Bloomberg Foundation. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray says these ideas must now be categorized. “Shrink all the suggestions into themes and we’re seeing themes emerge that relate to education, quality of life,” said Gray.
The eighth president of Eastern Kentucky University died over the weekend. Doctor Hanly Funderburk passed away in his native state of Alabama. Funderbunk is remembered for improving access to higher education, library services, and technology. He served 14 years at the helm of Eastern Kentucky University. E-K-U President Doug Whitlock considered Funderburk a mentor, who helped the Richmond-based university grow, despite tight finances.
Water quality continues to trouble several streams in Fayette and Scott counties. The state is taking public comment through early September. Portions of seven streams in two central Kentucky counties flow into the Cane Run Watershed. And, Eric Liebenauer with the State Division of Water, says people should avoid all seven. “All of them are impaired for what’s called primary contact recreation, which is basically full body immersion. In layman’s terms, we think of that as swimming,” said Liebenauer.
A new laboratory complex at the University of Kentucky is expected to earn a high grade for ‘energy efficiency.’ The Center for Applied Energy Research facility hopes to earn a ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’ gold certification. U-K sustainability coordinator Shane Tedder says it’s a multi-stop process. “It’s gonna’ have a tighter building envelope with a more efficient heating, ventilation, and air condition system. It’s gonna’ have on-site recovery of storm water. It’s gonna’ have plumbing features that are more water efficient,” said Tedder.
A more tamper resistant driver’s license will start popping up in wallets across Kentucky. The new dual side laminated card includes a digital watermark, hologram, and very fine print. State Driver’s Licensing Director Bill Heise says the installation of new cameras and computer equipment will prompt a one-day interruption in the processing of driver’s licenses. “We will maximize that time in providing training and swapping out equipment. And then, they will be available to open up to the public the following morning,” said Heise.
August is here and it may be time for a flu shot. Public health officials say it’s not too early for protection against influenza. Two workers at a Lexington pharmacy this week erected a ‘Get your flu shot here’ sign in the parking lot. Getting a flu shot once meant an early-autumn trip to a doctor’s office or a pharmacy. But ,State Epidemiologist Craig Humbaugh says the earlier, the better. “It’s really never too early to get an annual flu shot, so we recommend that, as soon as flu shots are available and people are able to get em, this is a great time for folks to start getting their annual flu vaccination,” said Humbaugh.
Although concerns linger about the economy, Kentucky’s automotive industry appears to be flying above the fray. Mandy Lambert with the state’s economic development cabinet says the more than 400 businesses which comprise the automotive sector were hurt in the recession. But, she says a rebound continues at the assembly plants and parts factories. “With all of our major auto assembly plants, they’re all in the process of making major investments in their plants, which not only creates jobs at those plants, but also overflows to the supplier network,” said Lambert.
In ten weeks, political observers will focus their gaze on Danville. Centre College hosts a second vice presidential debate…its first was 12 years ago. Last night on Kentucky Educational Television, Lucas Weton ,who’s president of the Centre College Republicans, says they learned a lot from that first debate. “This is the second time going around at Danville with the debate. So, I think some things will go smoother, some things we’re seen before. But, of course, this is gonna be in the post nine-eleven era,” said Weton. Centre College Democrats President David Miller believes his college town provides just the right setting for the historic event.
It’s ironic how pills designed to heal can be pills that kill. Prescription drug abuse kills more of Kentucky’s teenagers than auto accidents. Efforts to reduce those fatalities are underway within law enforcement, the medical community, and the victims of abuse. 57 year old Kathy Bell of Lexington has been treated for prescription drug abuse for four years at the University of Kentucky. Her addiction began by free basing cocaine in her western Kentucky hometown. Later, Bell was prescribed medication for pain. Over the next 20 years, she abused both cocaine and pills. Her physical health came to depend on her abuse of prescription drugs. “If I went to bed at night and did not have a pill for the next morning, I couldn’t function. Non-functional. I would get diarrhea and I just couldn’t function,” said Bell.
Repair work on dams along the Kentucky River should fix leaks and ensure stability, but there should be no significant increase in the region’s supply of water. David Hamilton with the Kentucky River Authority says dams three and nine have been rebuilt with plans to rework dams eight and ten later on. “Those plans don’t call for raising of the dams at this point. They are designed so in the future they would have the stability to accommodate a raise. At this point, there is no raise incorporated into those designs,” said Hamilton.
One week from today , courthouses across the commonwealth will be closed. The closures are part of a cost saving measure. The Kentucky Judicial Branch shuts down on August sixth for the first of three furlough days this year. Leigh Ann Hiatt with the state Administrative Office of the Courts says the furloughs are part of the state’s budget reduction plan. “No judicial center or courthouse in Kentucky will be open that day. It also means, just in general, you can’t get a new driver’s license or one renewed,” said Hiatt.
Pertussis, more commonly known as ‘whooping cough,’ continues to show up at doctors’ offices across Kentucky. It could be a record setting year in the Commonwealth…Five years ago, in 2007, State epidemiologist Craig Humbaugh says there were fewer than 50 whooping cough cases in Kentucky. Just over six months into 2012, Humbaugh says the number of cases exceeds 170
40 years after one of the most controversial sporting contests in Olympic history, members of the 1972 U-S-A basketball team will re-unite in central Kentucky. The Olympic gold went to the Soviet basketball team in 1972. Some 40 years later, the outcome of the game is still disputed in the United States. At its finish, as the U-S team celebrated what it thought was a victory, the game clock was turned back and there was time for one more play.
Work to refurbish two locks on the Kentucky River could increase recreational traffic along the waterway and provide an economic boost to riverfront communities. Work this summer focuses on locks three and four, and rehabilitation is scheduled for 2013 on locks one and two. David Hamilton is an engineer with the Kentucky River Authority. “Once that is complete, that will open up river traffic from the Ohio River you could navigate all the way up to lock and dam number five,” said Hamilton.
To meet growing demand, a second school for students interested in Chinese language and culture will be established in Lexington. Beginning in mid-August, three hours of class will be held each Saturday at Beaumont Middle School. The classes are designed for children and adults…both Chinese and American-born. Wei Luo is president of the Kentucky Chinese American Association. “One reason is cultural interest. Another reason is some people will travel to China and also they want to do some business in China. They really want to know Chinese,” said Luo.
Two social media town hall meetings are on tap in Lexington today. The conversations with Lexington Mayor Jim Gray will occur on Facebook and Twitter. There are two opportunities to engage in the dialogue. The first begins at 11:30 this morning and runs until 1:30. The second chance to take part in the virtual conversation comes at 6:30.
A former Kentucky school administrator has entered a guilty plea for his role in a vote buying scheme. The plea came from former Breathitt County Schools Superintendent Arch Turner. The charges against Turner were the result of a joint investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and the FBI. The 66 year old Turner pled guilty in federal court to conspiracy to buy votes and admitted that during the spring of 2010 he provided money to individuals to buy votes for candidates.
Teachers from across the state are at Eastern Kentucky University this week to learn new teaching methods for at-risk kids. One of the participants is Brad Winkler, the Director of the Bellevue Education Center. It’s an alternative learning center in Richmond. The center is funded through the state, and Brad is here to find out what’s new in the field of alternative education.
A highway making the trip from Jessamine County to interstate 75 a shorter, straighter route could bolster economic development in the Nicholasville area. The transportation proposal under review would link Jessamine County to Madison County at Interstate 75. Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Director, Amy Cloud says little residential and commercial development is currently found east of Nicholasville.
Prescription pain killers are sometimes the first choice of drug abusers. Other times, an addiction to popular hard drugs leads to prescription drug abuse. After recovering from years of addition, a Lexington woman says she went free basing cocaine to prescription pain killers. Kathy Bell says she used cocaine, prescription drugs, or both together. Bell says attaining prescription pills was accomplished in many ways. “I got involved with this clique of people that either sold theirs, or traded theirs, or they wanted something I had, and that’s the way I played my addiction back and forth,” said Bell.
When it comes to rainfall, it may be a case of ‘too little-too late’ for Kentucky’s corn growers. This summer’s drought hit western Kentucky corn fields first and hard. In Union County, which is the leading corn producer in the Commonwealth, Extension Agent Rankin Powell says soils are very deep and hold water well. It gives Powell reason for hope, but he still worries, any improvement in this year’s corn crop is unlikely.
Kentucky’s largest county in geographic terms is also a top producer of coal and natural gas. Now, Pike county officials want to offer a natural gas service station for public and private motorists. It’s not something likely to occur anytime soon. But, Pike County Public Information Director Brandon Roberts is confident it will happen. Roberts admits some residents in coal-rich eastern Kentucky may find natural gas as a motor fuel a hard pill to swallow.
Disability claims in Lexington’s police and fire divisions are under review at city hall. A Council committee this week discussed the high rate of retirements due to disabilities. Council member Kevin Stinnett says tougher requirements may be needed. “Look at keeping them in their same job now, but have them perform a physical fitness test. If they can pass that, then they can stay on, even though a doctor may say they could be disabled. I mean we have guys working now that haven’t filed for disability, that probably could get it. That’s my point. So they’re already doing the jobs anyway. So, let’s see that standard as well,” said Stinnett.
It seems Kentucky’s interested in hosting a professional women’s golf tournament and the L-P-G-A is interested in coming to Kentucky. Ally Kicklighter is senior communications coordinator for the Ladies Professional Golf Association. “On the LPGA level, we’re always looking for different markets and always looking for opportunities for more tournaments,” said Kicklighter. Matt Sawyers is a deputy secretary in the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet. “Well yes, there is interest in bringing an LPGA tour event here,” said Sawyers.
Federal changes in disaster designation procedures could benefit drought stricken farmers across Kentucky. Governor Beshear says he applauds U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s work to speed up the process. The Ag secretary says the process for disaster declarations will be simplified and cut the processing time nearly in half for most counties.
An expansion in Lexington’s fleet of vehicles powered by natural gas could come sooner than later. Natural gas supplies are currently high, and as a result, the price tag is low. So, council member Bill Farmer says it might be a good time for a switch from gasoline. “I think the opportunity to use natural gas to power potentially our bus system, the school buses our sanitation vehicles, any of our fleet vehicles including personal vehicles. It’s an opportunity we can look forward to,” said Farmer.
A question about collective bargaining led to a sometimes emotional discussion at Lexington city hall Tuesday. Urban County Council member Doug Martin asked if recent action by the council could pave the way for workers in the Division of Waste Management to collectively bargain. “If in the process of gaining more understanding about this ordinance and what this involves, the council wishes to take some action, then that’s gonna be up to the council at that time,” said Martin. Law Commissioner Janet Graham told members the ordinance does not call for collective bargaining for waste management workers. She says it does allow for what’s termed ‘meeting and conferring’ with the administration.
A ‘telephone town hall’ opportunity comes to Lexington residents this evening. It’s being billed as kind of a ‘party line in cyberspace.’ Citizens can join in the conversation by signing up at the telephone town hall web site before one p.m. today. During the call, lines will be open for questions and suggestions. The telephone town hall tonight launches the city’s search for the best ideas for Lexington. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray says it’s all part of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Mayor Challenge.
The 2010-2011 accountability report by the state’s Council on Postsecondary Education shows gains in degrees and credentials conferred. The improvements were seen particularly at the undergraduate level. The report measures 31 performance targets in college readiness, student success, research, economic and community development, and efficiency and innovation.
