Transcript

2.12.26 · Springfield Sun

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Speaker 1: We now turn to the Springfield Sun to bring you
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news from in and around Washington County. Your leader today
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is Amy Jones Timody leave again with the addition dated
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February eleven.
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Speaker 2: To twenty twenty six.
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Speaker 1: As a reminder, RADIOI is a leading service intended for
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people who are blind or have other disabilities that make
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it difficult to read printed materials. Grant sought to assess
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water supplies by Jane Reid Climb with increasing levels of
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certain undesirables and water coming to Springfield Water for purification
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before being sent out to homes in Washington County Lincoln
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Trail District Health Department is seeking federal funding to assess
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the levels and sources of those contaminant along with development
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of a plan to better manage the water supplies. A
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group of concerned individuals met on Friday, February sixth to
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discuss the grant proposal for funding to assess and maintain
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Washington County's drinking water source. Representatives from the Health Department,
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County Government, Sprainfold Water, Lincoln Trail Area Development District, Washington
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County Conservation District, state agencies, New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future,
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and other community partners met to discuss and finalize the proposal,
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which must be submitted by Friday, February thirteenth. The proposal
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outlines the need for proactive management strategies to prevent adverse
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impact to water quality and public health. Darren Thompson, manager
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of Springfield Water, since some of the recent problems were
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caused by drought followed by heavy rains in twenty twenty five,
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but added there are other concerns that are not weather related.
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He also noted that extra costs associated with cleaning and
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purifying the water when excess sediment and contaminous are present.
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The proposed project will evaluate not only Willisburg Lake but
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also Walmlet Creek and its tributaries. Approved, the project will
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begin by compiling and assessing existing data relevant to the watershed.
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The second step will be to generate new gate and
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identify the sources of pollutants and establish priority areas within
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the shed through water sampling. The project will then move
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on to developing a prioritize list of management strategies and
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creating a plan for future management of the watershed. Planners
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that they want to engage stakeholders and the public throughout
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the process, with meeting, listening sessions, and outreach activity quote
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to increase public awareness of watershed, drinking, water and recreational
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connections and local concerns. They also wish to incorporate community
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input into the final plan for water management. Proposals approved
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for funding will be announced in April or May, and
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if funded, the three year project will begin in October
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twenty twenty six. Thompson also noted to the group that
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the water level in the lake will be lowered this
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summer while work is being done on the dam. He
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said that will increase the amount of sediment and decrease
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the amount of water available from Louisburg Lake.
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Speaker 2: He noted that.
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Speaker 1: During the construction period more water will be available to
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Washington County from neighboring water districts in Danville and Lebanon.
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In other news, WCHS Homecoming Royalty crowns. There is a
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picture of the Homecoming Queen and Homecoming kay and the
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caption underneath that says between the doubleheader home games against
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Nelson County on February sixth, the Washington County High School
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crowned Homecoming Queen Senior Busy Medlake and Homecoming Keen Senior
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Sam Shillitts County unemployment rate continues to decline. WC remains
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in top ten for lowest rate. Washington County remains in
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the top ten for lowest jobless rate, tied for seventh
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lowest rate for December. Washington County also boasts the best
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rate in Lincoln.
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Speaker 2: Trail Area Development District.
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Speaker 1: Unemployment rates fell in all one hundred twenty counties between
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December twenty twenty four and December twenty twenty five, according
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to the Kentucky Center for Statistics or ky Stats, an
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agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. Washington County
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dropped from four point two percent in December twenty twenty
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four to only three point zero percent in December twenty
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twenty five. This is also lower than the county's rate
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of three point eight percent. In November of twenty twenty five,
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Whitford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth
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at two point seven percent.
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Speaker 2: It was followed by.
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Speaker 1: Shelby County two point eight percent, Caldwell, Fayette, Oldham and
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Todd County two point nine percent, and Bourbon, Carroll, Franklin,
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Gray Scott in Washington County three percent. The Golfing County
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recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at seven point four percent.
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Speaker 2: It was followed by Lewis.
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Speaker 1: And Wolff County's seven point three percent each, Martin County
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six point eight percent, and Elliott County six percent. According
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to Kystats, the county unemployment rate and levels are not
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seasonally adjusted.
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Speaker 2: Because of small sample sizes.
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Speaker 1: Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such
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as weather changes, harvests, holidays.
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Speaker 2: And school openings, and clothing.
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Speaker 1: Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to
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obserse statistical trends. Ky Stats for Minds readers that unemployment
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statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure
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trends rather than actually count people working. Ky Stats emphasizes
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the data should only be compared to the same month
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in previous years. Central Kentucky Theater presents She Loves Me
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And with this there is a photo of someone who
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is in the production on the set, which has.
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Speaker 2: A window and a door in it.
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Speaker 1: Arpad played by Nicholas Harton arrives to work on his
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favorite imprised possession, his bicycle. During the performance on February seventh.
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That is the caption. This article is by Jenna George.
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The Central Kentucky Theater is back with another hit to
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February as a musical, She Loves Me takes stage with
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a fantastic cast and puts you in the right mood
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for Valentine's Day season. Following a small group of clerks
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from a perfumery located in Budapet, this nineteen thirties based
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musical takes you a long for the ride of a
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love story between two of the six. Amalia and George
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don't know each other at first, but one thing leads
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to another and shortly Amalia has found herself working and
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Marzak's perfumery. Season's pass is. The two works side by
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side along with their fellow clerks Stephen alone and Vladislavs
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and R.
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Speaker 2: Pad. While there are corals.
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Speaker 1: And hiccups along the way, the pair, which once resented
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each other, slowly began to realize maybe what they were
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feeling is well. Yet neither of them could accept that,
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seeing as they each had their own respective dear friend.
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Speaker 2: With a sudden change and pace for the company.
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Speaker 1: Leaving mister Marzak out of commission, George must step up
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into that role and guide the company in the right direction.
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In the new limelight, George and Mammia slowly begin to
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realize each other's stories aligned with the ones they had
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read from their own dear friend. Now there was only
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one place to go from here. There is still another
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weekend of performances for this crew, with the showings being
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at seven pm on both sub Weary thirteenth and fourteenth,
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with the final performance happening at two pm on the fifteenth.
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Adult tickets run fifteen dollars and seniors sixty five and
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older or almost kids twelve and younger are twelve dollars.
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Heading for the show is general admission, meaning it is
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first come first or first meaning it is first come,
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first serve. I think they left serve out of the
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articles there and now for North Washington Students of the Month,
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Congratulations to North Washington's December.
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Speaker 2: Students of the Month.
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Speaker 1: These students lead by example, making North Washington a great
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place to learn. And there are photos of all of
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the children who are winners in this edition of The
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Springfield Sun. First of all, Hattie Sexton Kindergarten, Willard Dixon Kindergarten,
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Raley Chrissinger Kindergarten, Mady Chester Grade one, Alison Gate Grade one,
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Tucker Lewis Grade one, Olivia Bishop Grade two, Zachary Tate
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Grade two, Madison Mackleboy Grade two, Charlie Rose Mitchell Grade three,
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Riley Kirtzinger Grade three, Savannah Hartley Grade three, Peyton Reynolds
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Grade four Excellence in Character, Byron Ingram Grade four Excellence
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and Academics, Tanner Reynolds Grade eight, Excellence and Academics, Lively
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and Cruz Grade five.
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Speaker 2: Excellence and Character.
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Speaker 1: Aiden Kirkpatrick Grade five Excellence and Academic Eli Lawson Grade
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six Excellence and Academics, Isabelle Smith Grade six Excellence in Character,
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Noah Horn Grade seven Excellence and Character, Matinna Deschaser Grade
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eight Excellence in Character, and Carson Secrecy Grade seven Excellence
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and Academics. Turning to a few obituaries, Michael A. Boblet,
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seventy four, of Springfield, Kentucky, passed away at twelve twenty
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six pm Thursday, February fifth, twenty twenty six, at the
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Springfield Nursing and Rehab Center. Harry and Sen's Funeral Home
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was in charge of the arrangement. Jane Rita Clark Wheeler,
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eighty eight of Elberton passed away February third, twenty twenty six,
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surrounded by her family. A funeral service was held on Tuesday,
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February tenth, twenty twenty six, at Hopkins's Funeral Chapel. James
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Andrew Jimmy Lyles, sixty five, entered eternal rest on February third,
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twenty twenty six. Hale Polar Robinson's Funeral Home was entrusted
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with the arrangement. Annie Lucille phil mud Groves, aged eighty seven,
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of Greensburg, formerly of Springfield, passed away at seven oh
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three pm Saturday, January thirty, first, twenty twenty six, at
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Green River Trail in Greensburg. Hale Poland Robinson Funeral Home
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was in charge with with the arrangement. John Thomas Tommy Hutchins,
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eighty five of Springfield passed away Sunday, February first, twenty
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twenty six at Norton Women's and With Children's Hospital in Louisville.
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Constituents visit Frankfort as wallmakers continued budget work by Kim
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King State Presentative. The Capital Annex has been especially busy
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in recent weeks with individuals and advocacy groups from across
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Kentucky visiting Frankfort to meet with legislators and share their priorities.
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These conversations are a vital part of the legislative process
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and helping sure the voices of communities, families, and industries
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are heard as policy decisions take shape. Of course, so
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in the email, calls and letters that lawmakers received comes
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from constituents. So I hope you will continue to reach
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out regarding the legislation filed for consideration this session. The
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House continues its work on the state budget. I am
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disappointed to share that we are still waving on key
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information from state agencies and programs. However, budget subcommittees are
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continuing to meet to discuss funding requests, and here are
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some brief notes from each one that meant to seek
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dr on economic development, public protection, tourism, and energy.
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Speaker 2: Members meant to hear from.
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Speaker 1: The State Fairboard on the development and expansion of the
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Kentucky Exposition Center. The committee also heard from the Department
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of Housing, Buildings and Construction in the Public Protection Cabinet
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on the licensing process for plumbing, hpad technicians and electricians
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in our commonwealth Compared to surrounding state. Members heard reasoning
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and explanation for additional funding requests. A central part of
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this work is reviewing the budget base the funding level
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carried forward from previous years. Because significant dollars are often
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included simply because they were funded before, it is critical
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that we determine if a federal or if a program
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SIH is receiving federal funding is still necessary or effective,
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and how it might be improved to make it more efficient.
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Good government requires more than maintaining the status quo. It
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means continuously analyzing spending, asking hard questions, and ensuring taxpayer
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dollars are aligned with.
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Speaker 2: Today's use and priorities.
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Speaker 1: Dr and Health and Family Services members first heard from
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the Cabinet for Healthy Family Services EHFS about the budget
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request for the Department for Public Health DP eight and
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the Department for Community for Community Based Services DCDS. Highlighted
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topics within the budget request included the Kentucky Rural Health
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Transformation Program, funding and implementation Phase two of the CCHFS
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DPH Central Lab Expansion, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are snapped,
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and relative and stictive TIN care. Members also discussed the
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budget request related to a certified community behavioral health clinics
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which provide mental and substance these services to Kentucky Er
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and Justice.
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Speaker 2: Ju Dictuary and.
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Speaker 1: Public Safety members reviewed funding and operational needs across several.
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Speaker 2: Public safety agency.
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Speaker 1: Members discussed funding considerations for the Department of Corrections related
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to the Lead Adjustment Center, as well as staffing challenges
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and facility operations within the Department of Juvenile Justice. In addition,
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the committee explained operating cost needs for the Department of
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Criminal Justice, Training and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, focusing
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on continued support for law enforcement training and readiness across
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the common Law. Dr on post secondary education members discuss
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budget request with Northern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.
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NKU requested an increased funding base, reforming and funding for
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several renovation and construction projects. The University of Kentucky highlighted
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their work across the healthcare field and the success of
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their research and development projects, which are projected to contribute
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more than one billion dollars to the Commonwealth's economy. DRE
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on Primary and Secondary Education members heard from the Office
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of Career and Technical Education. The office presented as budget
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request of twenty nine million dollars over the yannium to
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support the growth and operations of career and technical education
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in our public school system. The committee also heard from
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the pre K for All program, which detailed their budget request.
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The program requested ten million dollars for program startup cost
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and forty million dollars in the second year to support
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program implementation.
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Speaker 2: They also requested a change.
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Speaker 1: To eligibility requirements for public preschool programs to raise the
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eligible household Federal poverty line to two hundred fifty percent.
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As always, I can be reached any time through the
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toll free message line in Fraikert at one eight hundred
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three seven two seventy one eight one. You can also
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contact via email at ten dot k at ky legislature
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dot gov and keep track through the Kentucky Legislature's website
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at Legislature dot Ky dot gov. Week five of the
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twenty twenty six Legislative Session by Jimmy Higden State Senators.
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The fifth week of the twenty twenty sixth Legislative Session
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found the Senate working steadily on behalf of families across
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the Commonwealth as week passed the one third mark of
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the sixty day session.
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Speaker 2: By week's end, committee.
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Speaker 1: Hearings for debate and thoughtful deliberation continued in freakfirt. The
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Senate's priorities are well in order. Lawmakers from all corners
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of the state are focused on addressing the issues Kentucky
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and care about most, including housing, affordability for families, accountability
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for your tax dollars, and more. Budget and road plan update.
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The House of Representatives has not yet finalized or delivered
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its road plan or budget proposal to the Senate. This week,
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the Senate Transportation Committee met to hear directly from Kentucky
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Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray regarding the Governor's proposed road
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by land and Cabinet budget proposal. Gray and his team
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walked us through how rising construction costs, aging infrastructure, and
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declining gas formula revenues are putting real strain on our
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ability to maintain roads and bridges while still advancing long
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planned projects. We discuss the scope of the Fixture Highway Plan,
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which includes more than thirteen hundred projects statewide, with a
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lot of emphasis on taking care of what we already
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have first. I also raised concerns about long delays in
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project delivery the need for additional truck parking, and the
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challenges fight facing cities and counties as funding titans. While
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the Cabinet has done a good job stretching limited resources,
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it is clear that we cannot keep asking for more
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roads with fewer dollars. Tough conversations lie ahead, but my
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focus remains on safety, fairness, and making sure our transportation
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dollars work as hard as the people who pay into
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the system. The revenue streams of fund our roads, bridges,
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and highways are different from those that provide for essential services.
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The operating budget is primarily funded through sales taxes and
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income taxes. A bill for a two year biennial budget,
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which allocates approximately fifteen billion dollars each year, has been
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filed regarding the executive branch budget, House Bill five hundred.
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It must still complete the full House process before the
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Senate can formally take it up. In the meantime, members
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of the Senate have begun reviewing documents and preparing comparisons to.
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Speaker 2: Guide the work ahead. There is still.
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Speaker 1: Significant work to be done, and I will continue to
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keep you informed as the process moves forward. Initial proposals
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are available at Legislature dot Ky dot gov. Update on
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priority legislation those passed in the Senate. This speek includes
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several Senate priority boils, six of the top ten priority
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bost file. Discussion focused on education, and this week we
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saw movement on measures designed to improve governance, transparency, and
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accountability in school districts. Senate Bill or SB three improves
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transparency and local school budgeting. It creates a defined timeline
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for budget development, requires public presentations of district budgets, expands
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online access to financial data, and mandates disclosure of superintendent
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compensation and new policies. It also sets the minimum budget
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reserve requirement of two percent for school districts. I offered
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an amendment to SB three that added transparency by requiring
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a direct link to the Kentucky Department of Education website
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where superintendent compensation information is posted. SB one addresses governance
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in Kentucky's largest school districts. It clarifies responsibilities by strengthening
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school boards goals and strategic oversight, and reinforcing the superintendent's
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authority over daily operations. The bill is designed to improve
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long term accountability without initiating a state takeover. SB five
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makes it easier for Kentucky schools to buy fresh, locally
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grown food by removing certain procurement and bidding requirements that
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have fluid or blocked form to school purchases. The bill
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defines what qualifies as a quote Kentucky grown agricultural product
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and lets school boards, local boards, and districts work more
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directly within state farmers to bring nutritious food into school mills.
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The measure supports student health, strengthens local agriculture, and advances
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the broader Food is Medicine effort led by Agriculture Commissioner
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Jonathan's Show. In addition to these measures, SB nine, another
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Designated Priority bill was file to support housing growth across Kentucky.
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The bill would provide new tools for local gould, governments
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and developers to partner on infrastructure and redevelopment, thereby lowering
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housing costs and accelerating construction. While not yet passed, it
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reflects ongoing work to address housing needs statewide. I enjoyed
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working with colleagues in the Housing Task Force for the
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past couple of years. In addition to this bill, I
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hope to see further progress on the issue through other
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legislative proposals. Additional bills delivered to the House s b
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twelve updates Kentucky's trauma care statutes to allow Level four
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trauma centers to provide twenty four to seven emergency room
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coverage using physician assistance or advanced practice registered nurses, so
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long as they are supervised by a physician on or
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off site. The bill assigns quote advanced practice provider in
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law and directs the Department of Public Health to update
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its regulations. Supporters say this will help address critical work
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for shortages in rural Kentucky, where forty three percent of
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the population lives but only seventeen percent of providers practice.
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The goal is to ensure that small hospitals can maintain
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access to emergency care without being forced to close.
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Speaker 2: Critics argue it could.
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Speaker 1: Lower care standards, while the sponsor says that will improve
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outcomes by keeping more facilities open and aligning Kentucky with
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neighboring state. Kentucky currently ranks forty ninth in trauma related deaths.
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Hospitals are truly lifelong for our communities. When a hospital
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struggles or closes, the entire regions fills. It not just
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patients that families employers in versus responders. I appreciate the
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passion shown in the debate on this bill, which seeks
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to protect access to these facilities and their importance to
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the people we represent. I also want to take my
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colleagues who team to the floor with an open mind
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on this bill, listen to the discussion and weigh the
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facts before making a decision.
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Speaker 2: That is how the legislative body works best.
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Speaker 1: I think SB twelve recognizes the reality facing our hospitals
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and takes a responsible step to support them and the
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communities that depend on them. Other bills included SB eighteen
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modernizes Kentucky pedietary laws by updating definitions, licensing standards, and
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supervision rules for pedietry residents assistance and their role in
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physician assistant oversites. SB forty eight strengthens Kentucky's re entry
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supervision law by clarifying eligibility using risk based assessments and
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requiring regular reporting of outcomes to improve public safety and accountability.
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SB seventy three expands the state's home based processor laws,
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who include tallow based cosmetics like soaps and bombs. I
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would allow small producers to sell these idle under existing
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health and labeling regulations.
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Speaker 2: I think he meant to stay. It would allow not I.
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Speaker 1: SB one O two allows retired R Class Kentucky State
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Police and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers to return to service
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within one to sixty months of leading helping address stapping
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shortages with experienced personnel. SB one thirty two authorizes local
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governments to regulate massage therapy businesses and increases the penalty
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for unlicensed practice from a Class B to a Class
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A misdemeanor. If you have questions or concerns, I'm just
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a call or an email away. You can reach my
25:46
office at five zero two five six four eight one
25:52
zero zero, or email me at Jimmy dot Hickton at
25:58
k Y Legislature dot gov.
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Speaker 2: Simple Steps to.
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Speaker 1: Protect your Heart by Daniel McKay HEEO of Ephram McDowell Health.
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February is American Heart Month, the time to focus on
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the health of your heart and raise awareness about the
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nation's leading cause of death at YPRA mcdoll Health. We're
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dedicated to helping our communities understand the importance of heart
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health and offering guiding some on how to reduce risk
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through prevention and healthy lifestyle choices. Heart disease a serious
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issue in Kentucky. Heart disease remains the number one cause
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of death in Kentucky, accounting for about twenty percent of
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all deaths in the state in twenty twenty two. That
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means roughly one in every five deaths in Kentucky is
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due to heart disease. Kentucky also consistently breaks among the
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states with some of the highest heart disease these death
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rates in the nation. In recent data, Kentucky was along
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the top ten states for heart disease mortality, with more
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than two hundred deaths per one hundred thousand residents, significantly
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higher than national averages.
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Speaker 2: Know your number.
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Speaker 1: One of the most impactful ways to protect your heart
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is to track and manage your health numbers. Your doctor
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can help you monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar,
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and body mass index. Early detection of high blood pressure
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or cholesterol can help you make changes before heart disease develops.
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Speaker 2: Move more, sit less.
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Speaker 1: Regular physical activity strengthens the heart, help control weight, and
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improves overall well being. Adult should aim for at least
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thirty minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
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This could be as simple as brisk walking, guarding, or cycling.
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Every bit counts. This can p Excerpts from recent editions
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of the Springfield Sun. Your leader has been Amy Jones
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Timmony On behalf of everyone here at REDI thank you
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for listening, keep on listening, and have a good day.