__________________________

The Kentucky State Police, Post 10, Harlan, which provides coverage for Harlan, Bell and Knox Counties will be  conducting periodic traffic safety checkpoints at locations approved by the Kentucky State Police Policy and Procedures Manual. These checkpoints will be conducted in an effort to enforce the traffic laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Special attention will be paid to occupant protection (seatbelt adherence), sobriety, insurance and registration violations.

*Merging the 20 community and technical colleges into 16 community colleges.

*Since1998, the KCTCS Board of Regents has ratified and approved more than 600 credit program options that result in certificates, diplomas or associate degrees.

*Under his leadership, KCTCS has become the largest provider of postsecondary education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky representing 51.6 percent of all undergraduate college students.   

*KCTCS is the largest provider of workforce training in Kentucky serving over 6,000 businesses and training more than 56,500 employees annually.

*KCTCS is the state’s largest provider of online learning, offering more than 65 online credentials.

*To meet the unmet need of pursuing higher education in an online, anywhere, anyplace, and anytime environment, KCTCS launched Dr. McCall’s virtual learning initiative entitled KCTS Online that is completely learner-centered and will allow adults to pursue higher education 24/7, 365 days a year.

*Other KCTCS accomplishments include the North American Racing Academy (first college-affiliated horse racing academy in the United States), the Kentucky Coal Academy, Kentucky Fire Commission and the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services.  

Prior to his selection as the founding president of KCTCS, Dr. McCall served as president of South Carolina’s comprehensive technical college system and provided leadership for that state’s economic development training programs. Earlier in his career, he was president of Florence Darlington Technical College in Florence, S.C. and as president of Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, Va. Dr. McCall was also a dean and a faculty member of community and technical colleges in Virginia. A native of Wilmington, N.C., Dr. McCall received his bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, his master’s in physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, and his doctorate in education administration from VPI.  Dr. McCall noted how glad he is to be able to attend Southeast’s 48^th commencement. “I am delighted to have been asked to deliver the commencement address to the graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College,” he said. “I am happy to be able to commend the graduates on their hard work and determination. Also, it will be my honor to share this occasion with Bruce Ayers during his final time of presiding over the graduation occasion at Southeast Kentucky.” The event coordinator, Professor Kathy Guyn, made note that preparations for the 2013 commencement began some months ago. She said seating for the event is on a first come, first serve basis with the tent opening at 4 p.m. in order to accommodate the expected large gathering. Also, she said, while limited parking will be available on the campus, secondary parking will be available at the old Cumberland High School parking lot with a free shuttle bus service between the location, the campus and return.   For additional information regarding the 2013 SKCTC commencement, contact Chris Jones, director of public relations, phone 606/589-3003.

 THREE candidates NAMED IN presidential SEARCH FOR SOUTHeast KENTUCKY COMMUNITY ANd TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Dr. W. Bruce Ayers to retire June 30 after 26 years as SKCTC President 

Versailles, Ky. (May 2, 2013) –  Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) President Michael B. McCall announced today the names of three candidates to be interviewed for the position of president/CEO at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC).   The candidates include: 

• Dr. Vic Adams; Vice President/Chief Workforce Solutions Officer, Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
• Dr. Ty Handy; President, Northwest Florida State College; Niceville, Florida
• Dr. F. Lynn Moore; Vice President for Administrative Services and Student Development, Umpqua Community College; Roseburg, Oregon

  On-campus visits and interviews with the candidates are scheduled for May 7-8 and May 14-15.  During those visits candidates will meet with SKCTC faculty, staff and students.  The candidates will also have an opportunity to meet with community leaders serving on the SKCTC Board of Directors and Southeast Education Foundation Board.  SKCTC President Bruce Ayers will retire June 30 after leading the college for 26 years.  Dr. Ayers has served as president and CEO of SKCTC since February of 1987 and has been an employee of the college since 1969.  During his tenure, SKCTC expanded from one to five campuses, and enrollment has grown from 1,100 students to more than 5,000.  Dr. Ayers has positioned the college among the nation’s leaders in providing access to higher education and in working to promote economic diversity.  In March SKCTC was named among the top 10 community colleges in the nation by the 2013 Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

Looking for family friendly entertainment, check out the 10th Annual KY Black Bear Festival May 10 & 11 … the Black Mountain Thunder Zipline will be back, along with laser tag, the Shriner’s Train, the Mechanical Bull, a Rock Wall, and of course the carnival located at the Rotary Park … and new this year, a 28 foot Pinball Machine, Water Balls, and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (see below for more info) that will be located in the grassy area in front of El Charrito’s Mexican Resturant on Friday at 2pm and 6pm and Saturday at 12pm, 3pm and 5pm … it’s free to the public and a must see at this year’s KY Black Bear Festival! Bring a chair and enjoy the show!

The Cumberland Tourism Commission welcomes everyone to the 10th Annual KY Black Bear Festival held May 10 & 11 … This year it will be set up on Main Street, Cumberland Avenue, Black Bear Plaza and the Cumberland Rotary Park … Events include carnival rides, great festival foods that you love and look forward to every year … and much more! Various vendors, games, and events, and of course, great music both days.  There will also be a Kids Fest on Saturday from 10am til Noon at the new Gazebo.  For more information on becoming a vendor or just for information about the festival, call the Tourism office at 589-5812.

Let the competitions begin! The 10th Annual KY Black Bear Festival offers 2 favorite competitions every year.  On Saturday, May 11, start off your day with the Black Bear 5-K Run beginning in Lynch in front of Historic Lynch City Hall, taking place on US Hwy 160 and continuing past the Historic Lynch High School up to the edge of the Lynch Country Club which is the Oldest Country Club in Harlan County and also the only seven hole golf course still open in the State of KY.  There will also be a walking course of 1 mile.  Proceeds will go for “Relay for Life”.  You can contact the tourism office at 606-589-5812 to pre-register, or download the pre-registration form and Come Run/Walk for a Cure!   Also Saturday, the popular Bear Fest Car, Truck and Bike Show will be back.  Registration begins at 10am, judging begins at 2pm. Entry fee $15.00 with all registration fee proceeds going toward “Operation Camp Unite”.  For more information, contact Larry Boggs at 606-634-0738 or the KY Black Bear Festival at 606-589-5812.

You’ll find plenty to sing about at this year’s KY Black Bear Festival where we’ll offer 2 great days of country, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, jazz, rock and gospel music!  On Friday starting at 2pm, we’ll have Ethan Hatfield, at 4pm Big Daddy & The Heat, 5pm the Tony Dean Family and at 7pm, Jessica Bush.  On Saturday start the afternoon off at noon with Harlan Co. Underground, at 1pm Triple X, 2pm Brooklyhn Woods, 3pm the Virginian’s, 4pm Wolf Creek Grass and at 5:30pm, Cumberland River Band.  And, of course, stay around each night for our Headline Bands with Red Roots starting at 7:30pm Friday, and Halfway to Hazard at 8pm on Saturday.  Bringing 2 great days of music to enjoy while also enjoying the events, food and vendors at this year’s 10th Annual KY Black Bear Festival, May 10 & 11 in Cumberland, KY.

Our 2 Headline Bands round out each night of the festival … On Friday, May 10th at 7:30pm enjoy the “Red Roots”.  This band is really talented, a great treat for the entire family!  The lives of three, red-headed, identical triplet sisteres are best summed up in the band Red Roots. With now a second album “Middle of Nowhere” released, Red Roots have developed a sweet, pop-country sound while incorporating an inspirational message. Their journey of growth can be heard and seen through the band, but was ultimately shaped by their “roots” of family, faith, and music. Go to www.theredroots.com.   On Saturday, May 11, Halfway to Hazard will start at 8pm. This American country music duo is composed of singer-songwriters David Tolliver and Chad Warrix.  Though Tolliver and Warrix grew up in different towns in southeastern KY, their band’s origins are in Hazard, KY, which is halfway between their hometowns.  Their debut single, “Daisy”, was a Top 40 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in 2007.  The song was also featured as iTunes’ single of the week on August 6, 2007.  In addition, they toured as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s opening act on their Soul2Soul 2007 Tour. McGraw helped to produce the album.  In May 2008, they were nominated by the Academy of Country Music for the Duo of the Year award. Halfway to Hazard toured again on the Live Your Voice tour with Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean. Warrix released a solo music video, “Rain on the Roof”, in 2013.  Tolliver now writes full time for Tim McGraw’s publishing company, StyleSonic.

The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show: When you want a great Old Fashion, Fun, Family Entertainment, the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show is where it’s at. The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show has been performing and competed at Logging Shows, and Sport Shows for overe 28 years. Including in those years, The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show has also performed at State and County Fairs, Festival, Sport Shows, Theme Parks, and Shopping Centers. They have also performed their lumberjack show in Japan, Europe, and Africa, and many other family venues.  They have Ironjacks that compete in all different lumberjack events, such as logrolling, chopping, crosscut sawing, axe throwing, hot saw competition, and of course tree climbing.  The Paul Bunyan lumberjack Show is similar to an Old Time Lumberjack Show and a great family entertainment, matched by none.  In the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show or Timber Show, they use quality lumberjack competitors, also known as timberjacks from around the world.  The Paul Bunyan Lumberjacks are also the same lumberjacks you see on the Stihl Timber Sports Series, ESPN, and TNN.  So if you are looking for a great Timber Show with real tough Lumberjacks also know as Ironjacks, The Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, is the type of Old Time Lumberjack Show/FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT you want.

Check out the Black Bear Festival Face Book page at Cumberland Tourism!

Highway District 12’s survey crew will be collecting data on the road from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and again from 4-7 p.m.

 Chris James, design engineer for D-12, said that local traffic and emergency vehicles will be accommodated. All other traffic will be re-routed. “We apologize for the temporary inconvenience,” James said. “We are starting at 9 and taking a break at 2 to allow for school traffic, so that this work will cause the least disruption possible. That should also allow early morning commuters to get to their jobs before we close the road.”

UNITE Coalition members, along with law enforcement officials, will staff drop-off locations at Food City stores located at:

            • 330 North Mayo Trail, Paintsville (Johnson County)

            • 2138 South Mayo Trail, Pikeville (Pike County)

            • 28093 Thompson Plaza, South Williamson (Pike County)

            • 102 North 12th Street, Middlesboro (Bell County)

            • 2478 South U.S. Highway 421, Harlan (Harlan County)

            • 429 University Drive, Prestonsburg (Floyd County)

 In addition, all Kentucky State Police Posts will serve as drop-off locations. In this region KSP Posts are located in Ashland (Post 14), Harlan (Post 10), Hazard (Post 13), London (Post 11), Morehead (Post 8), Pikeville (Post 9) and Richmond (Post 7).  

All medication turned in at Food City or other locations will be turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for disposal.  

If you are unable to attend Saturday’s event, and still wish to safely dispose of your medications, Operation UNITE and other agencies have placed permanent medication drop boxes in most southern and eastern Kentucky counties. A list of locations is available on the UNITE website. View list of locations  http://operationunite.org/investigations/med-drop-box-sites/>

 Since October 1, 2012, UNITE has collected 502 pounds of medications from these drop boxes. In the previous two years, UNITE collected and destroyed 1,024,932 pills through take-back days held across the region. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medications, mostly prescription drugs, were involved in nearly 60 percent of the 38,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2010, overshadowing those from illicit narcotics.

 “A vast majority of teens trying prescription drugs for the first time get them from the family medicine cabinet or from a friend’s home,” said Dan Smoot, vice president of UNITE. “Having unused medications sitting around the home is an invitation to trouble.”

 In 2011, more than 4,500 young people a day abused prescription drugs for the first time, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

 “Teens believe that just because drugs are prescribed they are safe, but that is true only when taken according to directions and only by the person to whom the drugs were prescribed,” Smoot said. “Aside from the fact that taking or giving away medicine that is not prescribed to you is illegal, even at small doses the potential exists for serious health effects – including death.”

 For years, the generally accepted method for disposing of old or left over medications was to flush it down the toilet. This practice, however, has been strongly discouraged because of concerns about potential health and environmental effects of antibiotics, hormones, painkillers, depressants and stimulants making their way into our water system and soil.

 National Prescription Drug Take-Back events were initiated by the DEA two years ago to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.

 The DEA, in conjunction with state and local partners, has removed more than 2 million pounds of prescription medications from circulation in five previous take-back events.

 Learn more at 1-800-882-9539 or visit the DEA Take-Back Day

website<http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/>. For

information about Operation UNITE visit their website at

www.operationunite.org<http://www.operationunite.org>.

* * * * *

For more information contact Karen Kelly toll-free at

1-866-678-6483.

 Drug Tip Hotline – 1-866-424-4382    

Michelle Dykes-Anderson is the director of the program at Southeast and noted that a recruitment campaign is currently underway in order to attract eligible as well as capable high school students who are enrolled at either Harlan County High School or Bell County High School. 

The program is required to fill out its roster of 60 students, and, as in past years, will offer a five-week summer program on the SKCTC Cumberland campus. Dykes-Anderson noted that the new program with its newer emphasis will actually be more fun and enjoyable as students will do many “hands-on activities,” spending less time in the classroom as in past years.  

Additionally, students will take an “exciting” and  “educational” trip at the conclusion of the summer term, travelling to Washington, D.C. and to Pennsylvania.    

On Saturday, April 20, informational meetings for prospective students and their parents will be held at sites at the Pineville campus room 124, 9 a.m. until noon; Harlan campus, Administration Building, 1-4 p.m.; and on the Cumberland campus, Chrisman Hall, room 116, 9 a.m. until noon. 

Those interested in enrolling in the new Upward Bound Program are required to meet certain guidelines, and for additional information, contact:  Jennifer Brackett, at 589-3060, jbrewer0014@kctcs.edu or Amanda Farley at 589-3155, afarley0026@kctcs.edu.

Harlan County is eligible for $1,750, and $200 is available to each city.  Letcher County is eligible for $2,750, and $200 is available to each city. The funding levels are based on the number of road miles in the county and cities.

PRIDE also will give the county and cities T-shirts and cleanup supplies to distribute to Spring Cleanup volunteers. 

“The Spring Cleanup is an annual tradition in our region, with thousands of volunteers taking advantage of the chance to serve their community while getting outside to enjoy April weather and scenery,” said Tammie Wilson of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc., the nonprofit organization that sponsors Spring Cleanup Month in 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. 

“We appreciate the local government officials who lead the Spring Cleanup in their communities, and we’re pleased that PRIDE can support their efforts by offering this funding, as well as providing cleanup supplies and T-shirts for their volunteers,” Wilson said. 

“The Spring Cleanup is a great way for officials to promote civic pride, and it’s a cost-effective way to tackle roadside litter, which is one of their top concerns if they want to attract tourists,” Wilson added.

During the Spring Cleanup, local governments recruit volunteers, who pick up litter at no charge. Volunteers receive T-shirts, while supplies last, and may enjoy a meal together or door prizes.

Local governments pay fees to dispose of the litter collected by the volunteers. They also may offer free trash disposal events to encourage citizens to conduct “spring cleaning” on their properties. Local governments also may pay contractors to remove dumps.

PRIDE offers Spring Cleanup funds to offset all those expenses. All local governments in PRIDE’s 42-county service area are eligible for Spring Cleanup funds. The amount available to each county and city is based on its number of road miles. To qualify for its available funds, each local government must attend PRIDE training and comply with funding guidelines.

The region-wide 2013 PRIDE Spring Cleanup is made possible in part by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the following sponsors: Waste Connections of Kentucky (Gold Sponsor), Outdoor Venture Corporation (Silver Sponsor), Walmart (Silver Sponsor), Hacker Brothers, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor), Lightyear Network Solutions (Bronze Sponsor) and Owens Auto & Truck Parts (Bronze Sponsor).

To volunteer to pick up litter during PRIDE Spring Cleanup Month, please call your local PRIDE Coordinator. PRIDE Coordinators’ names and phone numbers are available by calling PRIDE, toll free, at 888-577-4339 or by visiting www.kypride.org/service-area.

“These grants are for homeowners who want to do the right thing but can’t afford a septic system or sewer connection,” explained Tammie Wilson of PRIDE, which is the nonprofit organization offering the grants.  

“A good septic system or sewer service is critical for the health of homeowners and their neighbors,” Wilson said. “They protect the streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater that we all share. They also are required by state law.” 

The septic system grants are intended to improve the quality of life for homeowners and to improve the environment of southern and eastern Kentucky, which is the mission of PRIDE. PRIDE was founded in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers and James Bickford, who was the Kentucky Environmental Protection Secretary.  

PRIDE encourages you to apply for a grant if you meet these criteria:

• You own the home that needs a septic system or sewer connection. (Rental properties, leased properties and land contracts are not eligible for this grant program.)
• You have electrical service at the home. The electric bill must show the physical address of the residence where the system will be installed, not a post office box.
• The combined income of everyone living in the home qualifies under 55% HUD poverty guidelines.

 “Please be sure you give us everything asked for in the grant application,” Wilson said. “For example, the application tells you to include copies of your recorded deed, your last electric bill, and the proof of income for everyone living at the home. The proof of income can be a recent check stub, federal income tax statement, or Social Security benefits statement.” 

To request a grant application, please call the PRIDE office, toll free, at 888-577-4339. Grant applications also are available from local PRIDE Coordinators. In Harlan County, the PRIDE Coordinators are: Lonnie Saylor, 606-573-2600; Mike Thomas (City of Harlan), 606-573-2912; Kristi Lamb (City of Evarts), 606-837-2477; Erica Eldridge (City of Lynch Coordinator), 606-848-2873; James Hagy (City of Loyall), 606-573-6396; Bobbie Gothard (Benham, Cumberland, Lynch), 606-589-5151.

 Grant applications can be printed at www.kypride.org.

David McGill, Harlan County Emergency Management Director, cautioned that such systems are only as good as the telephone number database supporting them. “If your phone number is not in the database, you will not be called.” One of the reasons the CodeRED system was selected is it gives individuals and businesses the ability to add their own phone numbers directly into the system’s database, this is an extremely important feature.

 The CodeRED system provides Harlan County officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire county. No one should automatically assume his or her phone number is included. If you are not sure that you are included in the database, simply log onto the Harlan Online website, www.harlanonline.net, or the Harlan County Emergency Management’s Facebook page, and follow the link to the “CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment” page. It is recommended that all businesses register, as well as all individuals who have unlisted phone numbers, who have changed their phone number or address within the past year, and those who use a cellular phone or VoIP phone as their primary number. Those without Internet access may call the Harlan County Emergency Management & E-911 Office, Monday through Friday, (9AM-5PM) to supply their information over the phone. Required information includes first and last name, street address (physical address, no P.O. boxes), city, state, zip code, and primary phone number, additional phone numbers can be entered as well. 

CodeRED Weather Warning is an opt-in only weather warning product that taps into the National Weather Service’s Storm Based Warnings. CodeRED Weather Warning automatically alerts affected citizens in the path of severe weather just moments after a warning has been issued. 

About Emergency Communications Network

Emergency Communications Network Inc. (ECN) provides affordable high-speed notification solutions capable of reaching millions of citizens in minutes. ECN’s sophisticated network supports a web-based product suite featuring CodeRED^® which enables local government officials to communicate time-sensitive, personalized messages via voice, email and text messaging; CodeRED Weather Warning™ which provides automated alerts to citizens in the path of severe weather just moments after a warning has been issued by the National Weather Service; CheckUp Call™ for scheduling calls to check on at-risk individuals, including the elderly, infirm and latchkey kids; and CodeED^® for use by school systems to improve communications with their communities. For more information about Emergency Communications Network, visit emergencycommunications.net

Harlan City Police are warning that a large amount of counterfeit currency has surfaced recently in Harlan County. Counterfeit five, 10 and 20 dollar bills have been showing up more often than usual at businesses around the county.  Harlan City Police Officer John D. Noe said there are ways to detect a fake bill. “We’ve had a rash of counterfeit bills going around,” said Noe. “One in particular is a $20 with a serial number of IG41499389B. They’ve been passed in a lot of the stores around town.”  According to Noe, although there is no definite pattern as to who may receive a counterfeit bill, there are some who seem to be more susceptible.  “They like to target new, inexperienced cashiers that are unfamiliar with handling money,” said Noe. “We have contacted the Secret Service and they advised to go to their website. There will be a blue box that says ‘know your money.’ You can click on that box and it will bring up a web page that will help you identify counterfeit money.”  Noe said there are several features in a bill that may indicate a counterfeit note. “There’s a watermark on the right hand side. There’s special ink on the denomination on the right hand lower side. There’s several other features that cannot be reproduced,” said Noe.  Noe emphasized that there are fake bills showing up all over the county.  “Just today we’ve been made aware of $140 worth of $20 bills,” said Noe. “That was at one particular store. We’ve had reports and have responded to counterfeit money in about every store in the city of Harlan.”  Noe said the increase in counterfeit bills in Harlan began approximately one month ago with five and $10 bills. This has increased to $20 notes with some officers seeing higher denominations.  “One of the signs that somebody might pick up on is if somebody comes in and buys a 25 cents pack of gum and pays for it with a $20, that would be something to look at. They would be getting $19.75 change and they (the business) would be getting a bad bill,” said Noe.  Noe suggests checking bills in multiple ways — even if they pass the “pen” test — as counterfeiters have found a way around the most common method used for checking money.  “They’re coating a counterfeit bill with hairspray or some other type of solution that makes the pen mark show it’s a good bill,” said Noe. “Money is printed on a cloth, it’s not paper. It’s only furnished to the U.S. government. Nobody can get the cloth. The chemicals in the cloth react with the pen to make it mark a certain color. They’ve figured out they can substitute certain chemicals on a counterfeit bill to make that pen mark show that the bill is real.”  The Secret Service website, www.secretservice.gov, suggests a course of action for those that encounter a suspected counterfeit bill. Do not give the bill back to the passer. Delay the passer if possible. Observe the passer’s description and the description of any people with them. Contact the local police or the U.S. Secret Service. Write your initials and the date in the white borders of the bill. Limit handling the note by placing it in a container such as an envelope, and surrender it to a properly identified law enforcement officer or Secret Service agent.  Noe pointed out that so far everybody who has been found to be in possession of a counterfeit bill has been cooperative with authorities and likely got the bills in change without realizing they were fake.  Anybody who believes they may be in possession of counterfeit money should contact police or the U.S. Secret Service.

Story courtesy of the Harlan Daily Enterprise

“Each year we send an important message – make it a habit to check the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change the time on your clocks,” said State Fire Marshal William Swope. “The first line of defense for escaping a fire is early warning. If your home doesn’t have smoke detectors, you should install them. Install one on every floor of your home, including the basement and in each sleeping area,” Swope said.

            Without a working smoke detector to issue an early warning, fire can quickly spread throughout a home, blocking escape routes and filling rooms with deadly smoke, Swope said.

In fact, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

            “The bottom line is that smoke alarms save lives; they should be in every home,” Swope said.

The Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s office encourages Kentuckians to keep in mind the following safety tips: 

*Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

*Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

*Smoke rises. Install smoke alarms, following manufacturer’s instructions, high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer’s instructions for testing and maintenance.

*Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

*Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10-years-old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

*Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

*Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.

*If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has an alarm silencing button. An alarm silencing button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.

*Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.

*Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms.

*Smoke alarms are an important part of a home escape plan.

KSP Director of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Jack Miniard says the unique aspect about Operation R.A.I.D. is that although it will have the same objectives, each post will have a different operational plan based on crash activity in that region.

“Many times, law enforcement will participate in a blanket campaign that may or may not work well in certain areas,” says Miniard.  “Operation R.A.I.D. allows each post to identify targeted areas based on real time crash data and mapping systems for more effective results.”

Miniard says the campaign will have both an enforcement and educational component to assist in getting the message out to motorists.  “We will have more visible enforcement in crash corridors, more roving patrols, and an increase in safety checkpoints across the state,” adds Miniard.  “Posts will utilize best practices for which they have had the most success and combine current crash data to identify targeted enforcement zones.”

“Each post will be challenged to utilize their Public Affairs Officer’s as an outreach tool to the community,” says Miniard.  “Through media and education we can get our message out while providing the public with safe driving resources.”

Miniard says the campaign focus is on reducing the loss of life on Kentucky highways. “This program is not about writing tickets, it is about enforcing traffic laws and bringing awareness to dangerous driving behaviors that cause crashes,” adds Miniard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines aggressive driving as occurring when “an individual commits a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property.”  NHTSA studies show that aggressive drivers cause two-thirds of all fatal crashes and 35 percent of all crashes.

For more information about Operation R.A.I.D. in your area, please contact your local post or call the KSP Public Affairs Branch at (502) 782-1780.

Elementary School: first place, Lexie Burris, Cumberland Elementary School, coach, Allyson Layne; second place, Sydney Layne, Cumberland Elementary School, coach, Allyson Layne;

Middle School: first place, Lainey Cox; Cumberland Elementary School, coaches, Amber Chapel and Jade Marshall; second place, Autumn Dunaway, Cumberland Elementary School, coaches Amber Chappel  and Jade Marshall; third place, Morgan Simpkins, Cumberland Elementary School, coach, Jasmine Dunson.

High School: first place, Lamborghini Holcomb, Harlan County High School, coach, Kelsey Penix; second place, Kaylin Penix, Harlan County High School, coach, Kelsy Penix; third place, Andrew Dozier, Harlan County High School, coach, Brooklynn Woods. 

Additionally, winners of the Swappin’ Meetin’ Math Search and Compute contest were Sarah Miles, Harlan County High School; Christian Boggs, Evarts Elementary School; Kassie Woodard, Rosspoint Elementary School. 

The winner of the Swappin’ Meetin’ Travelling Trophy for participation was awarded to Harlan County High School with 7,285 total points.

The 48th Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ featured several contest that were enjoyed by many. Results of the contests for the 2012 event include:

1^st Annual Pumpkin Race:

First Place winners – Cumberland Lions Club (Michael Corriston & Al Cornett) and Christy York; Second place winners – Christy York and Cumberland Lions Club; Third Place winner – Vicki Keithly; Prettiest pumpkin – Anna Jo Creech; and Best of Show – “Clown” by Brandee Gibson, Jade Marshal, Karl Creech, Christy York and Amy Jefferson.

Baked Goods Contest:

Cakes – First place, Cookies & Cream Cake – Lamborghini Holcomb; Second place – Pineapple Carrott Cake – Dianne Corriston; and Third place – Whoopie Pies – Kaylin Penix. Pies – First place, Butterfinger Pie – Lamborghini Holcomb; and Second place – Butterscotch pie – Sophia Sergent. Pastries – First place, Chocolate Chip Cookies – Bradley Holcomb; Second place, Coffee Cookies – Whitney Halcomb; and Third place, Cinnamon Buns – Faith Clark. Breads – First place, Garlic Cheese Biscuits – Lamborghini Holcomb. Best of Show, Cookies & Cream Cake – Lamborghini Holcomb.

Quilt Contest:

Best of Show: Berry Blakley – “Log Cabin”; Pieced Category – First place, Betty Blakley “Log Cabin”; Second place, Kathy Cook “Costa Maya”; and Third Place, Pauline Brown “Cathedral Window”. Applique Category – First place, Fern Cornett “Ohio Rose”; Second place, Thressa Allen “Dresden Plate”; and Third place, Patsy Parrott “Flower Basket”. Novelty Category – First place, Pauline Brown “Presidents”; Second place, Pauline Brown “States”; and Third place, Glenna Blakley “HHS”. Wall Hanging Category – First place, Glenna Blakley “Blue Flower”; Second place, Delia Parker “States”; and Third place, Patsy Parrott “Christmas Joy”. Baby Category – First place, Frances Cox “Sunbonnet Girls”; Second place, Glenna Blakley “Sunbonnet Sue”; and Third place, Delia Parker “Monkey Wrench”. Beginner Category – First place, Laura Rogers “Horses and Star”; and Second place, Connie Richmond “Elvis Presley”. 

Pickles, Jams & Jellies Contest: 

Pickles (Sweet Pickles) – First place, Lyna Cornett “Bread & Butter pickles”; Second place, Barbara Marsh “Sweet pickles”; and Third place, Lainey Cox “Bread & Butter pickles”.

Dill Pickles – First place, Lainey Cox “Kosher Dill Pickles”; and Second place, Valerie Osborne “Dill Pickles”.

Picked Vegetables: First place, Thressa Allen “Pickled beets”; and Second place, Wayne Yaden “Pickled Corn”. Salsa – first place, Valerie Osborne and Second place, Faith Clark.

Peppers: First place, Barbara Marsh “Hot Peppers” and second place, Angie Bush “Hot Banana Peppers”.

Relish: First place, Lyna Cornett “Squash Relish” and Second place, Thressa Allen “Relish”.

Chow-Chow: First place, Barbara Marsh; Second place, Belynda Banks and Third place, Mary Lou Yaden.

Saurkraut: First Place, Kaylin Penix.

Jellies: First place, Belynda Banks “Grape Jelly” and Faith Clark “Blueberry Jelly”; Second place, Jennifer Hockenberry “Kudzu Bloom Jelly”; and Third place, Angie Bush “Grape Jelly”.

Grand Champion Jams: Betty Jane Fields “Apple Butter”.

Jams: First place, Betty Jane Fields “Apple Butter” and Mary Lou Yaden “Strawberry Freezer Jam”; and Second place, Lainey Cox “Cherry Jam”; and Third place, Lamborghini Holcomb “Caramel Apple Jam”.  

Storytelling Contest:

Youth Division (Elementary/Middle School): First place, David Benning, Rosspoint Elementary School.

High School Division (All winners are from Harlan County High School): First place, Noah Hughes; Second place, Jake Alred; and Third place, Devyn Creech.

College Division (for SKCTC Students): First place, Clint Parsons.

Note: All Youth and High School Division winners will now submit a video to the state committee for consideration to be a Kentucky State Torchbearer (sponsored by the Kentucky Storytelling Association). If they win that, they will submit to the National Youth Storytelling Showcase.

Art Contest:

One of the more popular components of the annual Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ is the art contest. Schools from across the county take part with the art work displayed in Chrisman Hall.

Winners for 2012 include: Cumberland Elementary School – Best of Show, Amber Bailey; First place, Amber Bailey.

Green Hills Elementary – Best of Show – Tori Akers; First Place, Kandace Scruggs, Kay Turner, Madison Belcher, Katie Napier, Amber Blanton and Cassidy Hammond; Second Place, Lonnie Whitehead, Faith Hoskins, Garrett Byrn, Nikki Callahan, Zander Colandria and Arri Bryant; and Third Place, Anna Massingale, Austin White, Emily Helton, Shawn Joseph and Faith Hoskins.

Harlan County Christian – Best of Show – Hailey Foster; First Place, Hailey Foster; Second and Third Place, Madison Cresten.

Harlan County High School – Best of Show – Anna Jo Creech; First Place, Katie Johnson; Second Place, Lindsay Branson and John Saylor; and Third Place, Jason Perkins.

Evarts Elementary School – Best of Show- Taylor Sizemore; First Place, Taylor Sizemore, Cristy Napier, Angel Wynn, Matt Risner, Olivia Freeman, Anna Wynn, Emma Ball and Nick Caldwell; Second Place, JJ Caudill, Summer Brock, Kristen Napier, Gage Caudill and Tracey Mefford; and Third Place, Brenna Hall, Alliyah Dean, Gracie Ewing, McKenzie Middleton and Dalton Riley.

Rosspoint Elementary School – Best of Show – Hannah Hoskins; First Place, Hannah Hoskins, Baili Boggs, Ethan Cornett, Brianna Rogue and Matt Howard; Second Place, Emily Long, Joseph Hatfield, Matia Williams and Morgan Burke; and Third Place, Hannah Gaw, Aubrey Purgitt, Jonathan Hubbard, Logan Skidmore and Tiara Lambert.

James A. Cawood Elementary School – Best of Show – Kindergarten Class; First Place, Michael Torres; Second Place, Jaiden Marlow; and Third Place, Gabe Smith.

Wallins Elementary School – Best of Show – Tyler Duncan; First Place, Joshua Lee; Second Place, Gwyn Turner; and Third Place, Shelby Martin.

Spokesperson for KSP, Sgt. Rick Saint-Blancard says motorists need to take extra precautions when driving during fall months.

“It is extremely important to recognize this ever-present risk, especially at this time of year when nearly fifty percent of all collisions with deer occur,” says Saint-Blancard.

“Last year, we had 2,938 deer-related collisions in Kentucky with three of those being fatal collisions,” adds Saint-Blancard.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are approximately 1 million deer related vehicle crashes each year that kill nearly 200 people, injure over 10,000 and result in over $1 billion in vehicle damage.

Saint-Blancard offered the following tips for drivers:

·       Be extra cautious in the early morning and evening hours. Deer are most active during these low-light periods when humans see worst and reaction time is slow.

·       Stay alert when driving through a known deer-crossing zone. If you see one deer, look for more. They often travel in herds.

·       Drive at a moderate speed, especially on roads bordering woodlands, parklands, golf courses and streams. However, remember that many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities.

·       Use high beam headlights if there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will reflect in the eyes of deer on or near the roadway, providing increased driver reaction time.

·       Upon seeing a deer, immediately slow down. Do not swerve — this could confuse the deer about where to run. It could also cause you to lose control and hit a tree or another car. It is generally safer to hit the deer rather than running off the road or risking injury to other motorists.

·       Deer are often unpredictable, especially when faced with blinding headlights, loud horns and fast-moving vehicles. Don’t expect them to stay where they are. They can dart in front of you at the last moment, stop in the middle of the road, cross quickly and return to the road or even move toward an approaching vehicle.

 ·       Deer whistles on cars provide little help and blowing the car horn doesn’t always solve the problem. Blowing the horn may cause them to move, but not necessarily in the direction you want.

 ·       Always wear your safety belt. Historically, most people injured or killed in deer/auto collisions were not properly restrained.

 Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.

Hundreds of festival-goers are expected to gather at the Swappin’ Meetin’ which pays tribute to the traditions and the culture of those who reside or have deep roots in the Central Appalachian Mountains.

“There is something for everyone at the Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, “ said Michael Corriston, the event’s long-time director. “The event continues to grow and has developed into one of the top festivals in both attendance and content.” He noted how the event has become a “jewel” with people from across the region, state and country coming to the area each fall to participate and enjoy the festival.

“Folks will be here for two days of fun, fellowship and enlightenment,” he said. “We are excited about hosting the festival as we welcome our old friends. We invite all to come see what we have to offer as we reconnect with our Appalachian heritage while enjoying the exquisite autumn in a most magnificent setting.”

As a premier folk and arts event, the Swappin’ Meetin’ continues to attract an impressive lineup of artisans who eagerly demonstrate their craftsmanship. For 2012, demonstrators will include basket weavers Frances Whitaker and Eleanor Smith; flute maker, Bruce Helton; chair caning, Stewart Whitaker; dulcimer making, Payton Manning; chain saw carving, Joe Salyers; scroll saw art by Donald Honeycutt; wood carvers, Robert and Oneatta Smith; spinning by Fern Cornett; lye soap making by Francis Amily; broom making by Larry Counts; sorghum molasses cooking by SKCTC faculty and staff, and Raku pottery creations and demonstrations done by SKCTC staff and students.   

Throughout the two-day event, a variety of music will be presented and will feature beginning Oct. 5, music by Lonnie Burkhart and Zelma Forbes, who will also serve as masters of ceremonies; Marlow Tackett, Roy Harper, Harlan County High School Choir, Brooklyhn Woods, Jim Mullins and Company, Derek Jeffers. On Saturday, Oct. 6 taking the main stage will be Jake and Ruby Ravizee and the Greater Mt. Sinai spiritual group. Additionally, singers Jason Collins, Raymond Smith, Seth Carmical, Tommy White, Anna Jo Creech, Peggy Green, Seth Murphy, Mary Lynn Franks and Tammy Chapman are scheduled to perform.  

During each festival, various individuals are honored for their contributions as artists, workers and supporters, all of whom have played key roles in helping the Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ reach its pinnacle of success.

Southeast  President Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, who began his association with the college as a student in 1964 and who, for the past 27 years, has been president, will be honored as the 2012 Swappin’ Meetin’ Honoree. Ayers, who will retire next June, has been a tireless supporter of the festival and over the years has held countless jobs as a worker, participant and supporter. During his time at the college, the event has enjoyed significant grow, where today the festival attracts several thousand people for the two-day event held along the banks of Cloverlick Creek in Cumberland.  

The Swappin’ Meetin’ Faculty Award for 2012 will be given to Professor Carlton W. Hughes, and the Savannah Delph Award will be awarded to Dianne Corriston, with the Staff Award going to Scotty Carruba. The Quilting Award will be presented to members of the Poor Fork Quilters. Their collective work will be showcased in the gallery of the Edsel Godbey Appalachian Center beginning Friday morning until 4 p.m. Saturday.

No Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ would be complete without contests. Over the years, various contests have given local folks the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise in a wide-ranging spectrum of competitions. Set for this year will be the Pickles, Jams and Jellies Contest, Quilt Contest, Baked Goods Contest, Hog Calling Contest, Great Pumpkin Contest, Story Telling Contest, Checkers Contest, a Cake Walk and the Photography Contest sponsored by the Tri-City News.

“We invite all to come out and enjoy the 48^th Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, “ said Corriston. “It proves to be a fun time, a wonderful time for all. We surely hope to see you there!”

For further details about the festival, contact Corriston at the SKCTC Cumberland campus by phoning 606/589-3137.

During the 48th Annual Swappin’ Meetin’ , one of the main events this year will be the gospel singing on Friday night, Oct. 5th.  It will be at 5:30pm in the Godbey Appalachian Center on the Cumberland campus.  The event will feature anionted Holy Ghost filled gospel singers from the Harlan County area such as Tammie Chapman from Harvest Worship Center, Seth Carmical from the Coldiron Church of God, Tommy C. White from The Hanson Christian Church, Peggy Green from Mt. Assembly Church of God, Jake & Ruby Ravizee from Rising Star Baptist Church, Jason & Crystal Collins and Jason & Aarin Collett from the Cawood Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Mt. Sinai Spirituals from Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, and two young up and coming gospel artists Anna Jo Creech from Cumberland Pentecostal Church, and Seth Adam Murphy from Loyall Baptist Church.  Come ready tow orship and give praise to God, as these anointed singers minister in testimony and song, to lift their voices and give glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The first annual Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’ 5K run and a one-mile walk will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 8 a.m. on the Cumberland campus of Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College. The event will begin in the lower parking lot of the campus with participants following a course across the city of Cumberland before returning to the campus. The event is being held in conjunction with the 48^th Kingdom Come Swappin’ Meetin’, one of the premier folk, arts and music festivals in Kentucky. 

The entry fee for the 5K or the one mile run is $15 in advance of the race date, or $20 on the day of the event.

The competition is being coordinated by college staff members Chris Hockenberry, Kristen Simpson and Susan Croushorn.   For additional information, contact Mr. Hockenberry at 589-3144 or via email:  chris.hockenberry@kctcs.edu

(FRANKFORT, KY.) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) rolled out the red carpet today at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington as they premiered their inaugural episode of ‘KSP TV.’  KSP TV will consist of short films in documentary style format that will highlight the inner workings of the agency, giving the public an opportunity at a unique look inside of the agency.

 KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer debuted the first episode, ‘A Day in the Life of a Cadet’ on the big screen at the theatre and said it was available for public viewing on the agency YouTube© page (see link at the end of this release).

“These segments will feature the multitude of talent and programs inside the walls of KSP,” says Brewer. 

“Each show will be five to seven minutes in duration and will be linked to our agency website.  Not only will the show generate an incredible amount of public interest, it will act as a catalyst for our recruitment efforts in every section of our agency,” adds Brewer.

Brewer says the topics are endless:  a day in the life of a cadet, what is DNA?, Trooper Island, commercial vehicle truck inspection process, preparing for a murder case, prepping a state police cruiser to be road ready, traffic crash reconstruction, capabilities of our canines, dynamics of the driver testing process, combating internet based crimes, marijuana eradication, and much more.

“With limited advertising dollars we are utilizing social media platforms to get these programs out to the public.  Social media has become a crucial part of how we interact with each other and an important tool for law enforcement.”

Brewer believes the agency’s strong social media following will be a catalyst in promoting KSP TV.  The agency has over 46,000 followers on Facebook©, 3,800 followers on Twitter©, over 46,000 hits on YouTube© and a healthy following on Blogspot© and Flickr©.

 “Social Media is not a fad,” says Brewer.  “It will continue to evolve and it is important for agencies to recognize this in order to stay ahead of the curve.”

If you are interested in checking out the KSP social media sites, you can click on the following links:

KSP TV: http://www.youtube.com/user/kentuckystatepolice?feature=watch

KSP Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kentucky-State-Police/103979825675

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kystatepolice

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckystatepolice/

KSP Blog “Did You Know That?”  http://kentuckystatepolice.blogspot.com/

KSP Website: http://www.kentuckystatepolice.org/

For more information about Kentucky State Police social media sites please contact the Public Affairs Branch at (502) 782-1780.

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The Transportation Cabinet has a wealth of information about the Mandatory Insurance initiative on its website: http://transportation.ky.gov/Mandatory-Insurance/Pages/default.aspx

To kick off the Black Bear Festival Cumberland Tourism will host the “2^nd Annual Black Bear Paw Hop” (sock hop) to be held on Thursday, May 10th from 7 –9 p.m. at the Tourism Office parking lot. Jewell Scott will be our D.J. for the evening spinning the best music of the 50’s & 60’s. Free bounce house for the kids and lemonade for everyone, So come on out and twist your paws!!

Mid-South Carnival will be in the Rotary Park with carnival rides for kids and adults, games and food. All Aboard for the Train Depot in the Rotary park where the Harlan Rotary Club will have their Train Rides for all. Honey Hill Farm will have a petting zoo with about 25 different animals to pet so bring all the kids its Free!, and The Stables at Creekside Glenn will have their pony rides too. The Black Mountain Thunder Zipline will set up a line or two so the kids can get a little taste of what it’s like to ride fastest and highest Zip Line in the state of Kentucky.

David Browning the “Mayberry Deputy” will be there on Saturday walking around all day entertaining the crowds. You better be on your best behavior or he will Nip it !

The 1st Annual Black Bear 5K Run will be on Saturday, May 12 a@ 8:30a.m., starting at the Lynch City Hall, going to the Lynch Country Club, and back. Proceeds go for Camp UNITE. Pre-Register by May 10 for $15, and be guaranteed a shirt. If you wait to register on the day of the race, the fee will be $20 and t-shirts will be first come, first serve basis. Categories for Runners and Walkers are the same. Call 606-589-5812 for more information, or visit harlancountytourism.com for information and forms.

The Black Bear Cornhole Tournamet will also be back this year, Saturday, May 12.  Doubles cost $20/Team to enter, winners will receive $400 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place; Singles cost $10/Team to enter, winners will receive $100 for 1st place, $50 for 2nd place. Check out harlancountytourism.com for forms and information, or call 606-589-5912.

We will offer a variety of music both days on our big Black Bear Stage from country, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, rock, and gospel. Our evening concert will be on Friday May 11th and feature For King and Country this contemporary Christian band has been touring for months across the country with Winterjam 2012; they recently performed in Lexington and Knoxville. You won’t want to miss this performance.

Saturday, May 12 the evening will start out with the side-splitting Lardo & Burley of The Moron Brothers who have been entertaining folks for years with their hilarious stories and original songs. They are a favorite at Bluegrass Festivals across the nation and have shared the stage with greats like JD Crowe, Eddie Adcock, bobby Osborne and Rhonda Vincent just to name a few. Then to end the evening we take a Magical Mystery Tour back to the 1960’s featuring The Sweet Beats who are an authentic recreation of the Fab Four at the peak of their popularity. You will hear over 40 of the greatest songs ever recorded on authentic Beatles instruments, not just a band- Entertainment!

So for some good family entertainment come to Cumberland for the 9th Annual Kentucky Black Bear Festival. For more information on becoming a vendor or just for information call the Tourism office at 606-589-5812.

 The seven facilities selected for funding through the Capacity Development Assistance Program for Small Systems include Bronston (Pulaski County) Water Association, Calhoun (McLean County) Water Works, Horse Cave (Hart County) Water Company, Monroe County Water District, Morgan County Water District, Wallins (Harlan County) Water System (managed by Black Mountain Utility District) and Williamsburg (Whitley County) Water Department.

 The funding program, which is in its first year, is a cooperative venture of the Kentucky Division of Water and the nonprofit Community Action of Kentucky (through the Rural Community Assistance Program). The two agencies worked together to identify small drinking water systems in need of capacity development assistance based on factors that are not regulated, such as equipment, training and office management.

 “Many small water treatment facilities are at a disadvantage because of their budget and personnel limitations, yet they face the same challenges as larger plants that have more money and specialized staff,” said Julie Smoak, supervisor of the DOW Drinking Water Capacity Development Section. “The goal of this funding program is to allow the smaller plants to complete critical, but non-regulatory projects they might not be able to pursue otherwise.”

 John Thompson, manager of the Horse Cave Water Company, said the grant will enable the city to make critical infrastructure repairs.

 “In our older communities there is little record of where pipes were placed as homes and businesses were built,” said Thompson. “This grant will allow us to map our distribution lines, which in turn will allow us to perform preventive maintenance and make repairs promptly when leaks occur.”

Project Awards

 Bronston Water Association – $3,200 for interior and exterior tank inspection.

Calhoun Water Works – $2,000 to perform two tank inspections using a remotely operated vehicle to evaluate interior condition, corrosion areas and other deterioration problems.

Horse Cave Water Company – $25,000 to perform mapping of the distribution system to locate all lines and valves to enable effective leak detection.

Monroe County Water District – $16,985 to purchase leak detection equipment for locating leaks within the distribution system.

Morgan County Water District — $18,700 to purchase leak detection equipment for locating leaks within the distribution system.

Wallins Water System — $19,200 to obtain assistance with leak detection within the distribution system.

Williamsburg Water Department — $18,500 to develop procedures to identify and repair water line leaks and to identify and monitor unmetered water usage.

 Funding for the Capacity Development Assistance Program for Small Systems is made possible through funds set aside by the Commonwealth of Kentucky from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) capitalization grant. The DWSRF program was established by the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996 to provide low-interest loans to public water systems for infrastructure improvements needed to produce safe drinking water. The program emphasizes the prevention of drinking water contamination by allowing states to reserve a portion of their grants to fund activities that encourage enhanced water system management and source water protection.

Lt. David Jude, Spokesperson for KSP, says the agency wants the children to have a fun but safe trick or treating experience.

“Halloween is traditionally a time for children to have fun, but most often it is the children who can be injured by situations that are avoidable,” says Jude. “Be sure your child’s costume does not obstruct their vision and is not so cumbersome that they can trip over it.”

“On Halloween evening, we’re placing our children in probably some of the most dangerous traffic situations you could imagine,” adds Jude. “Our children are outside after dark, they walk along and cross unfamiliar streets and they often wear dark colors which are difficult for motorists to see.”

Below are some safety tips for adults and youngsters so you can enjoy this special night:

•  
  • Make sure your child carries a flashlight, glow stick or has reflective tape on their costume to make them more visible.
  • Younger children should be accompanied by an adult or older sibling.
  • Instruct your children not to eat any treats until they have been checked by an adult.
  • Make sure your child is able to see out of their mask properly and can walk in their costume without tripping.
  • Remind kids not to enter a strange house or car.
  • Inspect your child’s candy before they eat it. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious looking goodies. If your child does get sick, call your doctor or the hospital emergency room immediately and save all wrappers. It is also helpful to determine what he or she ate and where it came from.
  • Talk to your children about ‘stranger-danger’ and the safety precautions when around someone they do not know.

The KSP also wants to remind those driving on Halloween to be extra cautious of our small pedestrians.

For more information about safe trick or treating please contact Kentucky State Police at (502) 782-1780 or www.kentuckystatepolice.org.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Aug. 23, 2011) – Highway construction and repairs across the Southeast would have to be canceled or delayed if Congress allows the nation’s federal surface transportation funding program to expire, Kentucky Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said today.

Hancock is president of the Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO), which concludes its annual meeting today in Louisville. He joined other state transportation CEOs, including Susan Martinovich, of Nevada, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), in calling on Congress to act before the nation’s surface transportation program, known by the acronym SAFETEA-LU, expires Sept. 30.

Funding to states will cease if Congress fails to extend SAFETEA-LU or to pass comprehensive legislation to reauthorize the program. 

“We urgently need for Congress to pass a reauthorization bill – one that sustains funding at current levels and adjusts revenues for inflation,” Hancock said in a news conference. “States need certainty. Effective planning is impossible otherwise.”

Federal highway funding is actually a reimbursement arrangement. States first put up their own money, and then are paid back by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) from the Federal Highway Trust Fund. If the federal program is allowed to lapse and reimbursements cease, state-funded road work – not just projects that would receive federal dollars – also will be in jeopardy, Hancock said.

The expiration of SAFETEA-LU also would result in the loss of funding for public transportation systems on which many the nation’s most vulnerable citizens depend.  Public transit programs collectively employ 1,200 Kentuckians.

“It would be devastating to communities large and small throughout the southeastern U.S. to lose those public transit programs,” Hancock said.

AASHTO President Martinovich said 500,000 jobs and countless transportation projects nationwide are at stake.

“We’re here today to sound the alarm,” she said., “Congress must take action by September 30^th, or the federal highway and transit programs that support thousands of jobs in every state will shut down.”

In Kentucky, 2,200 federal-aid projects are currently under way – projects to give motorists smoother and less congested roadways, and modern or refurbished bridges.  Hancock said the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet had tentatively scheduled to take bids on 33 federal-aid projects, totaling $447.2 million, from September through December. The bid letting for Sept. 23, a week before the expiration deadline, will go on as scheduled, but the cabinet could be forced to hold off on awarding contracts, he said.