The event is free to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. (Central Standard Time), Monday, Jan. 16, at Harvest House Church located at 911 Oakwood Drive. The theme for the event asks, “Is the American Dream in Jeopardy?” The event is sponsored by Harvest House Church with its pastor Bishop Robert L. Randolph. There will be special music presentations by choirs and soloists from throughout the region and the church will hold a reception afterward. For questions about the upcoming event in Hartford, call Bishop Randolph at 270.313.5328 or 270.775.2871.

Hartford and surrounding towns in Ohio County lie in Kentucky’s Supreme Court 2nd District, which is represented by Kentucky Human Rights Commissioner Alma Randolph Patton on the commission board. She will participate in the Harvest House service. “The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights is excited about this year’s celebration of the life of Dr. King, and we encourage everyone to attend,” Randolph Patton said.

She is available to the press for interviews about the Hartford event and can be contacted at 270.316.4118. She will also give greetings for the state human rights commission at the Owensboro Human Relations Commission King commemorative march at 10 a.m. (CST) on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The community’s march is from Owensboro High School to Brescia University.

Bishop Robert Randolph of Harvest House said that several officials will participate in the Hartford service where Human Rights Executive Director Johnson will speak. “Kentucky State Rep. Tommy Thompson of Owensboro, Ohio County Judge Executive David Johnston, Hartford Mayor Charlotte Hendricks, and Beaver Dam Mayor Paul Sandefur are some of the officials who will attend in addition to people from all over our region,” Bishop Randolph said. “We look forward to the proceedings and to welcoming our speaker John Johnson,” he said.

John J. Johnson has been the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights executive director since 2007. Johnson began his leadership in civil rights, when at the age of 18, he became the youngest president of any NAACP Chapter. Before joining the commission, he spent 20 years in Baltimore, Md., as an official of the NAACP national headquarters. He served as chief Programs officer for many years and directed a wide variety of initiatives, including Armed Services and Veterans Affairs, Voter Empowerment, Economic Outreach, Labor, Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics, the Prison Project, the NAACP library, and many others.

“Anytime you make a change, there are always adjustments,” Thompson said in a phone interview during a break from a legislative session Wednesday. “Obviously, this system has only been in place since last November, so everybody is still, so to speak, feeling their way through it.

“We’ve gotten a number of inquiries from folks about payment problems and paperwork, and so forth, and as these concerns are expressed to us in our Frankfort office from constituents, we’re immediately contacting the Cabinet (for Health and Family Services) and conveying those concerns to them and asking that they address them as quickly as possible.”

Medicaid is a program that provides health care coverage to eligible low-income Kentucky residents. It covers families with children and pregnant women, medically needy individuals, the elderly and people with disabilities. An MCO is a health plan that coordinates all of someone’s health care, including medical and behavioral care, and, in some cases, dental care.

Kentucky has contracted with three MCOs to provide Medicaid insurance — Kentucky Spirit Health Plan, WellCare of Kentucky and CoventryCare of Kentucky. The MCO model has been adopted by several states and replaces the former model that was funded by taxpayers.

Click here to read the full Messenger-Inquirer editorial.

Click here to read the 2011 KY Lottery Corp. report.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 12, 2011) – Ohio County Fiscal Court has been awarded $23,973 from the state Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) to purchase body armor vests, duty weapons and ammunition for its sheriff’s department, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today.

Under LEPP, administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS), appropriate agencies can seek financial help for certain defensive items essential in the course of their duties.

“LEPP grants not only help protect our law enforcement officers who perform dangerous duties day and night but also increase community and citizen safety,” Gov. Beshear said. “It’s a win-win situation for the Commonwealth.”

“I am pleased when Ohio County receives funds, especially when that money will allow for the purchase of equipment to help law enforcement officers do their jobs more effectively and keep them safer. Being an officer can be a dangerous job,” said state Sen. Jerry P. Rhoads, of Madisonville. “Providing these officers with much-needed equipment is the least we can do to make them less vulnerable as they serve and protect. Ohio County is fortunate to have an outstanding caliber of first-responders and I am pleased that Homeland Security recognizes their service by awarding these funds.”

“I want to thank the Office of Homeland Security and the Ohio County Fiscal Court for working together on this grant,” said state Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Owensboro. “This money will increase the safety of our law enforcement officers and, as a result, increase safety for all of us.”

In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police (KSP), KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons.  KSP conducts periodic auctions – only to federally licensed firearms dealers – which generate dollars for the LEPP initiative. KOHS then assesses needs and, after prioritization, provides whatever funds are available in the acquisition of body armor, weapons, ammunition and electronic or muscular disruption technical devices often referred to as tasers.

“In today’s economic climate, many city and county governments as well as public universities face limited funding in trying to meet the mounting costs and requirements for their law enforcement officers,” said Gene Kiser, KOHS acting executive director. “We try to help, in some measure, with the dollars available to provide basic protective equipment.”

LEPP support goes to police agencies of cities, counties, charter counties, unified counties, urban-counties and consolidated local governments, sheriff’s departments and public university police departments.

Herald-Leader - FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and many of the state’s leaders, including Gov. Steve Beshear, Senate President David Williams, and House Majority Whip Rep. Tommy Thompson, appeared Wednesday at an event touting Kentucky’s higher education progress during the past decade.

The council released statistics from a consultant saying that Kentucky was tops in the nation in the percentage of improvement in the number of adults ages 25 to 64 with college degrees, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, from 2000 to 2009.

The state also is first in improving the six-year graduation rates at four-year institutions.

The improvements did not propel Kentucky to the top of national standings. In the area of adults ages 25 to 64 with college degrees, the state ranks 45th in the nation, up from 47th in 2000. The state went from 44th to 35th in the category of six-year graduation rates at four-year institutions, which includes private and public schools.

The three-year graduate rate at two-year institutions increased 42.7 percent, moving Kentucky to 16th from 38th nationwide.

Bob King, president of the council, called the results “pleasantly surprising.”

Kentucky is being perceived as having a more educated population, said consultant Aims McGuinness of the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems.

However, Williams said the state still has a gap between education attainment and providing jobs for students once they graduate, which might lead graduates to other states for job opportunities.

“It’s important to know Kentucky is not there yet,” McGuinness said. He cited the Kentucky Community and Technical College system for helping improve degree production in the state, but he said some schools “are still not standing up to the plate.”

Beshear said that while the nationwide statistics were encouraging, “now is not the time to declare victory,” because Kentucky still faces many challenges in education and economic development.

The most explosive growth in Kentucky is in certificates for specialized jobs, which are neither associate nor bachelor’s degrees. The number rose from 1,977 in 2000-01 to 15,767 in 2009-10 at the Kentucky community college system, according to the consultant’s report.

Kentucky’s public universities have struggled under budget constraints, while students have been paying more for their educations because of repeated tuition increases. The most recent tuition increase came in April, when the Council on Postsecondary Education voted to allow the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville to raise tuition by 6 percent, while comprehensive universities such as Eastern Kentucky University were allowed a 5 percent increase, and community colleges’ tuition went up 4 percent.

Speakers at the Wednesday event gave credit to former Gov. Paul Patton, who considered himself the “higher education governor” and was the driving force behind 1997 legislation to change Kentucky’s higher education structure.

To read the full article, click here.

OWENSBORO, Ky. (Aug. 11, 2011) – Governor Steve Beshear today joined community and airport leaders to announce a plan to expand the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) terminal.

The expansion will create additional flights while significantly increasing the size of the waiting area, baggage handling and pick-up areas. The project will add three full-time and several part-time positions.

“The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport continues to experience significant growth, which is good for both economic development and tourism,” Gov. Beshear said. “The Commonwealth is proud to partner with community and airport officials to make further enhancements that will not only improve the terminal, but will also create jobs for Kentuckians.”

Since the time of the airport’s 1993 Master Plan Update, more than $26 million in federal, state and local funds have been invested in improving OWB’s airfield infrastructure. Several runways have been extended, and the airport now boasts the third longest runway in Kentucky.

The improved airfield was critical to the airport’s attraction of Allegiant Airlines in February 2009, which offers flights to and from Orlando, Fla. Allegiant recently announced a new passenger service from OWB to Las Vegas beginning in October.

“The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is becoming the new front door for our region,” said Ray Asmar, chairman of the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport Board of Directors. “This terminal expansion will be noticed by visitors arriving and departing Owensboro/Daviess Co. and as such, will be a direct reflection on the immediate region. A mile of highway will take you a mile, but, a mile of runway will take you anywhere!

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved the airport for a no-interest loan to help facilitate the improvements, which will have a positive impact on economic development. The loan will be repaid through entitlement proceeds received from the Federal Aviation Administration.

In addition, the Department for Local Government awarded $500,000 in multi-county coal severance funds to Daviess and Ohio counties in effort to help complete the terminal expansion and improvement project at OWB. Multi-County Local Government Economic Development Funds (LGEDF)/Coal Severance Funds are a portion of coal severance taxes set aside to fund projects benefiting two or more coal-producing counties.

“This is great news for the residents and businesses of the Owensboro area,” said Sen. Joe Bowen, of Owensboro. “This will open new economic opportunities for the area and increase our region’s profile and identity to a wider range of consumers.”

“This airport expansion could not have come at a better time as the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport has just been awarded an additional jet service route,” said Rep. Tommy Tompson, of Owensboro. “The expansion will allow our airport to better serve the needs of its customers and is a great investment. I want to thank Gov. Beshear for his continued support of our community and for his leadership, and I want to thank our local leaders for moving this project from the drawing board to reality. 

“This expansion at the airport is great news and will go a long way in helping to draw even more passengers, which in turn should put us in line to potentially add even more destinations down the road,” said Rep. Jim Glenn, of Owensboro. “I really appreciate the state’s help with this, and the dedication shown by airport officials and local leaders alike. I can’t wait to see what the terminal looks like once it’s finished.”

“We appreciate very much Gov. Beshear’s continued commitment to the economic development of our community,” said Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne. “Great things are happening at our airport and we are excited about its future.”

“This is a wonderful example of two counties working together. I want to thank Judge Johnston and Ohio County for their willingness to partner with Davies County in expanding this important economic development tool for our region,” said Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly.

For more information on the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport, visit www.owb.net.

New and existing companies have announced the creation of more than 1,300 new jobs, as well as the retention of nearly 300 existing Kentucky jobs in Owensboro during Gov. Beshear’s administration.  These economic development projects represent a more than $174 million capital investment in the Commonwealth.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.  Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ThinkKentucky or follow on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/ThinkKentucky.

A detailed community profile for Owensboro (Daviess County) can be viewed at http://thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/cmnty/index.aspx?cw=044.

http://www.labor.ky.gov/dows/oshp/doet/partnership/Pages/SHARPS—Safety-and-Health-Acheivement-Recognition-Program.aspx

BEAVER DAM, Ky. (July 21, 2011) – Governor Steve Beshear today joined community leaders and officials from Dynamic Fabrication in Beaver Dam to announce the company will expand its Ohio County operation.

The full-service steel fabrication facility, which currently serves the mining industry, will branch out to new industries as a result of the expansion – creating 22 new jobs and a $957,000 investment.

“This expansion is great news for Ohio County, bringing new jobs and investment to the community,” Gov. Beshear said. “Dynamic Fabrication, a longstanding corporate citizen, will more than double its employment base over the next few years, as well as diversify its client base into new industry sectors. The Commonwealth is pleased to work with Ohio County officials and Dynamic Fabrication to help make this expansion possible.”

Dynamic Fabrication manufactures material handling and other products used primarily in the mining industry, such as conveyors, chutes, hoppers, bins, handrails and stairs.  Approximately 30,000 square feet will be added to the existing plant, which is located on US HWY 62E. The company currently employs 14 people at the Beaver Dam site.

“I would like to thank Gov. Beshear and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as, Judge David Johnston and the Ohio County Fiscal Court for the incentives provided to Dynamic Fabrication,” said Brian Law, president of Dynamic Fabrication Inc. “My family and I have been life-long residents of Ohio County, and this is where I want to raise my family. These benefits provided to this company ensure that the Dynamic Fabrication family will be able to grow with Ohio County.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Dynamic Fabrication for tax incentives up to $375,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows the company to keep a portion of its investment over the term of the agreement through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

“I’m very pleased to see Dynamic Fabrication move forward with this investment, which will improve not only their business but the lives of the 22 families who will benefit from these jobs,” said Rep. Tommy Thompson, of Owensboro. “This is great news for Ohio County and the region as a whole and it is further proof that the economy really appears to be improving.”

“The Ohio County Fiscal Court wishes to congratulate Dynamic Fabrication Inc. on its expansion,” said Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston. “We welcome an investment into our community of nearly $1 million, along with 22 new jobs. This company will deliver products throughout the United States, which will only help promote Ohio County as a place to do business. We want to promote Ohio County as business friendly, and our support, along with Gov. Beshear and the Commonwealth, can only be seen as a positive step toward a better and brighter future for Ohio County.”

Hayward Spinks, chairman of the Ohio County Industrial Foundation added, “The Ohio County Industrial Foundation is extremely proud to see one of our own being able flourish in Ohio County and expand, bringing new jobs and a nice investment to our community. We believe with our economy looking more positive, that Dynamic Fabrication sees a great and bright future in Ohio County. Brian Law and Barry Slaton symbolize the true meaning of entrepreneurship, and we wish them the best of luck with their endeavor in Ohio County.”

For more information on Dynamic Fabrication, visit http://dynamicfabrication.net.

Under the state constitution, most new laws take effect 90 days after
the end of the legislative session. Laws passed during the 2011 Regular
Session, which ended March 9, will become effective on June 8, except
for those with emergency clauses or with specific effective dates
contained within the bills themselves.

Among the issues affected by legislation taking effect on June 8 are the
following:

African-American Heritage. Senate Bill 64 creates the Kentucky Center
for African-American Heritage and outlines its board membership.

Carbon dioxide. SB 50 includes pipelines for captured carbon dioxide in
the eminent domain process, allowing such a pipeline to be constructed
through Western Kentucky.

Courts. SB 108 increases the jurisdiction of district courts in civil
cases from $4,000 to $5,000 and the jurisdiction of small claims courts
from $1,500 to $2,500.

Diabetes. SB 63 creates a collaborative group to identify goals and
plans to reduce incidences of diabetes and improve diabetes care. SB 71
creates a licensing process for diabetes educators.

Doctoral programs. SB 130 allows the state’s six comprehensive
universities to offer certain advanced practice doctoral programs within
limits.

Education. HB 425 allows out-of-state veterans to qualify for in-state
tuition at public colleges and universities.

Eye care. SB 110 allows optometrists to perform certain types of laser
surgery, including treatments for glaucoma and cataracts.

Firearms. HB 308 establishes a program for people who have been banned
from purchasing a firearm due to mental illness to recover that right.

Flu shots. SB 40 allows pharmacists to give flu shots to children ages
9-13.

Government publications. HB 33 bans state agencies from mailing most
publications to the public unless they are requested by the recipient.

Homelessness. SB 26 reduces the fee for ID cards for the homeless from
$12 to $4.

Occupational and physical therapy. SB 112 limits health insurance
co-pays on occupational and physical therapy sessions to no higher than
that of regular doctor’s visits.

Prescriptions. HB 311 allows Schedule II prescriptions, including
oxycodone and hydrocodone, to be transmitted electronically or by fax.
The bill also allows Schedule III-V drugs to be transmitted by fax;
those can already be transmitted electronically.

Principals. SB 12 authorized local school superintendents to appoint
principals after consultation with the school-based decision making
council, a reversal of the current procedure.

School board elections. HB 228 increases the contribution limits for
school board candidates to $200 for individuals and $1,000 for
organizations.

Traffic laws. HB 289 adds fines for driving over the 70 miles-per-hour
speed limit and clarifies that vehicle-integrated GPS units are exempt
from the state’s ban on texting or using other communications devices
while driving.

Voter registration. HB 192 requires high schools to provide seniors
information on how to register to vote and related information.

Wellness programs. SB 114 allows private health insurance plans to offer
incentives and awards for wellness programs.