There were 834 fatalities in 2016, 73 more than 2015.

“We are greatly concerned with the number of people who lost their lives on our roadways,” said KOHS Executive Director Dr. Noelle Hunter. “These figures are unacceptable to us and they should be unacceptable to every driver – every person — in our state. We all have to be much more vigilant about personal safety and personal responsibility behind the wheel if we are going to reverse this trend.”

Of the 834 highway fatalities last year in Kentucky, 50.9 percent were not wearing a seat belt and 16.8 percent involved alcohol. More than 36 percent involved speeding or aggressive drivers and 23 percent involved driver distraction. Motorcyclists accounted for 90 fatalities, with 60 percent not wearing helmets.

“With growing social acceptance of dangerous driving behaviors, such as texting while driving, speeding, driving impaired and not wearing a seat belt, we face a great challenge,” said Dr. Hunter.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 90 percent of crashes are due to human error.

“Driving is not a right,” said KSP Trooper Josh Brashears. “It is a privilege that may be taken away if responsible choices are not made behind the wheel.”

Trooper Brashears emphasized law enforcement’s role in saving lives.

“Traffic laws are in place for a reason, and we will cite anyone we see violating the law,” said Trooper Brashears. “We would much rather write a ticket than make a death notification.”

The highway fatality increase is not an issue solely for Kentucky. According to the National Safety Council, preliminary estimates indicate motor vehicle deaths totaled 40,200 last year, up 6 percent from 2015 and the first time fatalities exceeded 40,000 since 2007.

“While national fatality rates are similar to ours, this is not a case in which we should follow the national trend,” said Dr. Hunter. “We have to buckle up, put the cell phones down and drive like our lives depend on it – because they do.”

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that seat belts, when worn correctly, reduce the risk of fatalities by 45 percent for front-seat vehicle occupants and by 60 percent for pickup truck, SUV and minivan occupants. Also according to NHTSA, regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect against and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.

So far in 2017, preliminary numbers indicate there have been 210 roadway fatalities – down from 226 compared to the same time last year.

​Story courtesy of lakercountry.com

According to the Commonwealth Journal Glen Austin Blankenship, 19, of Jamestown and Jordan Austin Jackson, 18, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, have each accepted plea agreements involving 10 years for second degree robbery (amended down from first degree) plus two years for tampering with physical evidence for a total of 12 years to serve.

A Pulaski County grand jury returned a joint indictment against Blankenship and Jackson last February. In exchange for Blankenship’s guilty plea, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney David Dalton is recommending that a third count against him- second degree Unlawful Transaction with a Minor to be dismissed.

According to the newspaper, Blankenship has been lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center since the robbery. Jackson was not booked into PCDC until February 2nd.

Both defendants are scheduled to be formally sentenced on May 18th before Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffery Burdette.

​Story courtesy of lakercountry.com

FRANKFORT, KY. (April 29, 2017) – Kentucky’s legal community has raised more than 350,000 pounds or 175 tons of food through donations for families and children across the state, Attorney General Andy Beshear said today.

The effort is part of the inaugural Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy that takes donations of food, money and volunteer time during the competition announced in February by Beshear and partners.

Lawyers and staff competed outside the courtroom for two weeks – March 27 to April 7 – to raise food and funds for Kentucky’s food bank network.

A total of 125 law firms and legal organizations representing more than 2,500 attorneys and staff competed for the grand prize – the Attorney General’s Cup – Beshear said.

GE Appliances’ legal department won the grand prize by raising the equivalent of 33,379 pounds of food. Paducah’s Bryant Law Center, who won the Small Firm Award, missed winning the grand prize by 156 pounds of food; they donated 33,223 pounds total.  

The Office of the Attorney General, the Prosecutors Advisory Council (PAC) and several local prosecutors joined the competition to raise food and funds for local food banks. The Office of the Attorney General donated the equivalent of 6,792 pounds of food, and PAC and the offices of county and commonwealths attorneys combined donated the equivalent of more than 51,000 pounds of food.

Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Lou Anna Red Corn and her staff won the Government and Public Service Award by donating 16,109 pounds.

Kentucky’s three law schools held their own competition. Northern Kentucky University’s Chase College of Law won the division title this year by raising the equivalent of 1,610 pounds.

“Congratulations to the Attorney General’s Cup winner GE Appliances’ legal department, NKU Chase College of Law and all of the 2017 Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy winners,” Beshear said. “I could not be more proud of Kentucky’s legal community for its generosity toward those in need in our state. The true winners of this competition are the children who will receive healthy, balanced meals this summer.”

Tamara Sandberg, Kentucky Association of Food Banks executive director, said Beshear issued the challenge to the state’s legal community to take action against hunger, and “the Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division answered that challenge with zeal.”

“On behalf of Kentucky’s food bank network, I want to express our gratitude to the Young Lawyers Division, Attorney General Beshear and all the firms, legal organizations and law schools that worked hard to help stock the shelves of food banks,” Sandberg said.

The Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy, a partnership between the Office of the Attorney General, Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Kentucky Association of Food Banks, is timed to help food banks prepare for increased demand during the summer months when children do not have access to school meals.

Nearly all (94 percent) of Kentucky’s food bank client households with school-aged children receive free or reduced-price school lunch through the National School Lunch Program.

Only one in 13 school-aged children who receive free and reduced-priced lunch during the school year, however, have access to such meals during the summer months when school is out.

Kentucky’s seven regional food banks serve 53,000 Kentuckians each week. All of the food and funds collected during the Legal Food Frenzy benefit the regional food bank that serves each competitor’s community.

Beshear said a large part of the campaign’s success was the leadership behind the competition. 
“I would like to thank the Kentucky Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Chair Rebecca Schafer and campaign co-chairs Lee Metzger and Miranda Click of the Young Lawyers Division as well as Susan Rieber in my office,” Beshear said. “Their hard work and dedication made the inaugural Legal Food Frenzy a success. I appreciate the generosity of all Kentucky lawyers and legal staff who contributed to this important effort.”
​
Winners of the 2017 Kentucky Legal Food Frenzy

• Corporate Legal Department/Grand Prize Winner: GE Appliances: 33,379 pounds. (Louisville)
• Small Firm: Bryant Law Center: 5,537 pounds per attorney (33,223 pounds total) (Paducah)
• Large Firm: Wyatt Tarrant & Combs: 165 pounds per attorney (19,645 pounds total) (Lexington and Louisville) 
• Government and Public Service: Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office: 16,109 pounds (Lexington)
• Medium Firm: Graydon: 386 pounds per attorney (9,640 pounds total) (Fort Mitchell)
• Solo Firm: The Risk Firm: 2,063 pounds per attorney (4,125 pounds total) (Covington)
• Law School: NKU Chase College of Law: 1,610 pounds (Highland Heights)

“My first priority is to protect Kentucky families and children, and each day far too many are struggling to obtain enough food for a healthy, active life,” Beshear said. “The Legal Food Frenzy will continue to be an opportunity for the state’s legal community to challenge each other outside the courtroom for the noble cause of reducing hunger.”

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 28, 2017) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC (KAAP) will expand for a seventh time in Bowling Green, investing more than $51 million and creating 129 full-time jobs.

“This expansion by Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products is a shining example of growth among advanced manufacturers in Kentucky,” Gov. Bevin said. “Since establishing its Bowling Green plant in 2004, KAAP has proven itself an excellent corporate partner in the Commonwealth’s automotive industry. We are grateful for the company’s dedication to the state and are excited to see this remarkable success continue.”

KAAP will add more than 108,000 square feet to accommodate new production lines and equipment, including a melting furnace, forging presses and heat-treatment, casting and machining lines. The additional capacity will allow the company to meet increased sales goals. Company leaders expect the project to take approximately one year, with the start of production targeted for fall 2018.

“This is our 12th year producing aluminum automobile suspension parts in Kentucky. Two years ago we decided to make our sixth investment, and due to the increasing necessity of lighter vehicles, we have decided to make another investment,” said Toshihiro Katsura, KAAP president and CEO. “This will be our seventh additional investment, and we are truly grateful to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for all of the support and incentives we have received.”

The plant’s previous expansions total $293 million and it currently employs 500 Kentucky residents full-time. KAAP manufactures lightweight aluminum parts, including upper and lower control arms and steering knuckles. Lighter parts help reduce overall vehicle weight, which contributes to greater fuel economy and lower emission levels.

KAAP, based in Kobe, Japan, has served is home country’s aircraft and automotive industries since 1937, primarily manufacturing forged aluminum suspension products. The company is part of the Kobe Steel Group, known internationally as KOBELCO.

Kentucky’s automotive industry includes more than 500 facilities employing 100,000-plus residents full-time. The state ranks first nationally in light-vehicle production per-capita and is one of the top automotive production states overall.

The KAAP announcement brings the state’s 2017 automotive-sector total investment to more than $1.43 billion with nearly 280 new full-time jobs.

Sen. Mike Wilson, of Bowling Green, said the company has had an ongoing impact on the community.

“The expansion of Kobe Aluminum here in Bowling Green marks a great day for both our city and our Commonwealth,” Sen. Wilson said. “KAAP has successfully expanded in previous years, and this newest expansion will create more than a hundred new Kentucky jobs. I thank KAAP for its dedication to Kentucky’s workforce and look forward to the company’s continuous growth in our region.”

Rep. Jim DeCesare, of Bowling Green, noted KAAP’s importance to the local economic and workforce.

“Kobe Aluminum continues to invest in our region to the tune of nearly $52 million and 129 new jobs,” Rep. DeCesare said. “Since 2005, they have expanded six times for a total of $293 million pumped into our region. I commend them for this recent investment, and am proud to continue to support pro-business initiatives to encourage this exact type of growth.”

Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon welcomed the expansion and its economic impact.

“We are proud that KAAP continues to call Warren County home,” Judge-Executive Buchanon said. “Seven expansions in 12 years is a great testament to their success as a leader in an industry primed for growth. I extend our sincerest gratitude to KAAP for being such an important part of our local economy.”

Bowling Green Mayor Bruce Wilkerson said the new jobs and investment build on the company’s long partnership with the city.

“KAAP continues to have a tremendous impact on the city and our local economy,” said Mayor Wilkerson. “Their growth and success since locating to Bowling Green in 2005 is astonishing and we are grateful for all KAAP does for our community.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in April preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

Additionally, KEDFA approved KAAP for up to $200,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

In addition, KAAP can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2016, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for nearly 95,000 Kentuckians and 5,000 companies from a variety of industry sectors.

For more information on KAAP, visit www.kobeal.com.

A detailed community profile for Warren County can be viewed at http://bit.ly/WarrenCoKY.
​
Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at ThinkKentucky.com. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook or follow on Twitter. Watch the Cabinet’s “This is My Kentucky” video on YouTube.

​By Wes Feese
Media Relations, Adair County Schools
 
Seven local students and one recent graduate were part of a group recognized Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy’s (KCSP) annual conference in Lexington, Ky.  The Adair County contingent received the award for Outstanding Youth Advocacy for its work with the Adair County Smoke-free Coalition.  The students helped create a public service announcement calling for a countywide anti-smoking ordinance.
 
“Adair County is blessed with a talented group of young people and it is a privilege to work with them,” says Jelaine Harlow, a health educator with the Lake Cumberland District Health Dept., who spearheaded the campaign.  “Their work was fantastic so I’m glad they were recognized for that.”
 
Student award winners included representatives from all four Adair County schools:  Zane Greer and Addison Phillips from ACPC, Camden Burton and Maddox Phillips from ACES, Austin Lawhorn and Amber Loy from ACMS, and Michaela Walker from ACHS.  Others in the Adair County group included Harlow; ACHS health sciences teacher Jennifer Carter; Ramie Hutchison, owner of Hutch Digital, who produced the award-winning video; ACHS college and career readiness counselor Robin Loy; ACHS Class of 2016 graduate MaKayla Matthews; and Destiny Greer, an RN and diabetes educator with the health department.
 
Before the Adair students received their award, Harlow – who was also nominated for the Outstanding Smoke-free Advocate award – spoke to the conference attendees about the benefits of a youth-led initiative.  In addition to the seven students in attendance, several more worked on the video and with corresponding projects like signature collection in support of an ordinance.  Groups participating included the ACHS GRIT team, health sciences students, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and ACMS Beta.
 
“We got kids who were interested in a smoke-free community and who wanted to encourage healthy lifestyles,” Robin Loy explains.  “I’m proud of the kids for taking an active part in promoting community health.”
 
The PSA that earned the group its award can be seen during commercial breaks on Duo-County cable.  The ACHS media arts class is currently working on more video projects for the initiative.  “It’s always great to see students get involved in something they believe in,” Loy says.

Frankfort, Ky. (April 28, 2017) – The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) is teaming with the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County (MHHCC) to better document the shared histories of African Americans and Jews in that part of Western Kentucky.

Hopkinsville is one of the most racially diverse communities in the state. The African American community possesses a rich heritage that has had a deep impact on the culture of this area. In addition, Hopkinsville once had a thriving Jewish community.

“We want to collect as much information about these communities from the 19th and 20th centuries as we can before the history disappears from local memory,” said Sara Elliott, grant project director and KHS director of historical resources.

KHS and MHHCC will host “Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 1,” an event for residents and former residents of Hopkinsville-Christian County who have documents or items to share. KHS staff will scan and digitize photos and other documents on site and take photographs of any small three-dimensional items people bring. The scanned material will be included in the digital collections of KHS and MHHCC.

“Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 1” will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 20 at Virginia Street Baptist Church, 209 S. Virginia St., Hopkinsville.

“Integrating Segregated Histories: Part 2” will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21. The times and location will be announced closer to the event. It will include panel discussions and workshops on conducting oral history interviews and preserving family documents and photos. KHS and MHHCC will present the information gathered at the May event.

This project is made possible by a National Endowment for the Humanities Common Heritage grant.

The items will be surplus and confiscated items and will take place on Monday, May 1st at department headquarters, 1 Sportsman’s Lane in Frankfort.

Surplus auction items include: Polar Kraft and Alumacraft boats, Mercury boat motors, four wheel drive Chevy, Ford, and Dodge trucks, a case track hoe, office equipment and more. Bidding on surplus items is open to everyone.

Confiscated auction items include: shotguns, rifles, pistols, bows, hunting equipment, fishing poles, and more. Firearm brands being offered for sale include Sig Sauer, Glock, Beretta, Browning, Sako, Remington, Benelli, and more. Under state law, only qualified Kentucky residents may bid on confiscated items.

A list of all items to be offered at the auction is available online at fw.ky.gov, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website. The list also includes the terms and conditions of the auction. All items are sold as it.

​Story courtesy of lakercountry.com