All of the region’s House delegation had forsaken Frankfort for the Confederates. So had one senator.

Four Western Kentucky high school programs shared in funds to promote nutrition, physical activity and prevention of tobacco use. Each school received a $500 grant in the Students Taking Charge program.

For a list of recipients, turn the page.

Twins John and Yoko make their appearance in this episode

Part One of Nightmare on Main Street told the sad tale of Anita and Jay, a young couple expecting a blessed event, who chose Vinnie the Genius to do some home remodeling. Vinnie took their money, busted up their bungalow and lit out for parts unknown.

Part Two is a practical guide to avoiding the mistakes Anita and Jay made dealing with a

Part Three finishes the story of Anita and Jay and the Case of the Bungled Bungalow, Stewart recounts the happy ending for Anita and Jay, the comeupance for the evil Vinnie and the triumph of the American justice system.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2012) – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that an underwater inspection team concluded the crash of a cargo ship into the Eggners Ferry Bridge on Kentucky Lake caused “no significant damage” to the bridge’s piers.

Vinnie - good with the breaking- not so good at the fixing

Karen picks up her story of how not to fall victim to Vinnie and his ilk -ready willing and able to take $$ and run.

WARNING! This article not intended for the gullible and lazy. Also not suitable for those with more money than sense.

Part One: In which we meet Vinnie the contractor.

Karen Stewart, an attorney admitted in Kentucky and Wisconsin and a classmate of mine, writes the seriocomic/tragic story of two young people with more money than sense when it comes to hiring a contractor.

With her permission, we serialize the story of Anita and Jay.  Turn the page for Part One.

Aerial view of the Port of Hickman - photo courtesy of Hickman Courier

(Hickman KY, February 14, 2012) - Back on September 29 several congressional leaders including Congressman Ed Whitfield and Senator Rand Paul met in Hickman to discuss the need to dredge the Elvis Stahr Harbor... fast forward several months...

On Friday, Feb. 10 Lawrence Thomas from the Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District contacted Greg Curlin Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority Director informing him that plans were in the works to dredge the harbor in Hickman this summer, sometime after July 1.

MSU has a great basketball team and a cool new chemistry building

Eric Crawford writes about Racer madness for the Courier Journal. Even though the Racers lost one game out of the last 23 or so, fans are not deterred.

And neither, it seems, is ESPN. Veteran sports announcer Dick Vitale is coming to call the game against St. Marys Saturday evening.

Click the link for Eric's story.

MTR - Mountain Top Removal is a target of activists

(Frankfort, Feb, 14, 2012) - For those of us out in the flatlands of Western Kentucky, it is sometimes hard to imagine the passion that drives mountaintop removal opponents - and the sense of embattlement of the coal industry companies and their employees.

Today in Frankfort, both sides showed up to "heart" their side of the argument.

Welcome to a photo essay of "I Love the Mountains" Day 2012.

Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner

(Mayfield KY, Feb. 10, 2012) - On this date in 1862, large numbers of Kentucky troops were about to clash for the first time in a major Civil War battle.

  Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s Union army would win the battle of Fort Donelson, Tenn., fought on Feb. 12-16, 1862. Grant would capture the earthen bastion on the Cumberland River near Dover, Tenn. He would also bag about 12,000 prisoners, including Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, a Kentuckian, the Second and Eighth Kentucky Infantry regiments and Graves’ Kentucky Artillery Battery.

Student Meg Hancock

(Paducah KY - Feb. 7, 2012) -Paducah Middle student Meg Hancock has been selected as one of the state’s top two volunteers for 2012 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. 

C. J. Elliott, photo courtesy of Willard Jones

(Mayfield, KY Feb. 7, 2012) - Graves County High School senior C.J. Elliott has been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. The son of Mike Elliott and Jeanna Elliott, he has been accepted as a student at the University of Kentucky, where he will major in chemical engineering with an emphasis on pre-medicine.

Otis Hensley climbs into his coffin to protest Frankfort.

(Frankfort KY, Feb. 7, 2012) - Cynical political insiders thought they had seen it all - that was until today when Otis "Bullman" Hensley climbed into a coffin and took a few turns around the state capitol.

Steve Rudy has his first GOP primary this spring.

Kevin S. Brown filed today in the Kentucky Secretary of State's Office setting up a primary contest with incumbent First District Rep. Steven Rudy.

Brown, who lives in Hickman County, grew up in McCracken County, graduating from Lone Oak High School. 

Murray State University graduate student Laney Workman rides university stallion Papanita Fantasy (nicknamed “Punk”) in competition

MURRAY, Ky. — Members of the Murray State University ranch horse team will be recognized Feb. 18 at the American Ranch Horse Association Year End Awards Banquet in Nashville, Tenn., for their exceptional performance in the national year end standings..

(Paducah, Ky.) Feb. 6, 2012 —Western Baptist Hospital invites McCracken County residents to share their health concerns in an online Community Health Needs Assessment.

A survey is available at westernbaptist.com until the end of February.

Arts and humanities students are challenged to interview artists

Artist, poet and retired teacher Sheri Roberts recently challenged Hickman County High sophomores to get out of the classroom, find local artists and pick their brains. Then write a short (one page) essay. It's all about the arts - and it's all about winning $$. 

This year's Virginia Jewell Writing Award will go to the students who write the best essay on what role the arts have played in a list of local artists and historians.

2/7/12 UPDATE - All deadlines have been moved to Friday afternoon.

The filing deadline to run for Congress was extended to February 7th.

The filing deadline to run for the General Assembly? 

As this is being written, it's in the hands of Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd.

Ag Commish Jamie Comer and Rep. Rudy.

New Ag Commish James Comer welcomed his former team mates from the Kentucky Legislature to a put on the feedbag at the annual Kentucky Proud Legislative Breakfast on Thursday morning.

And now for the photo op...

The 20th Kentucky received its baptism of fire at Shiloh TN.

(Mayfield, KY, Jan. 27, 2012) - On this date in 1862, the Wallers were maybe the most hated family in Marshall County.

Like the rest of the Jackson Purchase, dubbed "The South Carolina of Kentucky," Marshall County was staunchly Confederate. No matter, the Wallers were devout Unionists; four Waller men donned Yankee blue.

Super-couple Carville and Matalin to be at MSU day before Valentine's

MURRAY, Ky. — The 2012 Murray State University Presidential Lecture Series will feature a duo for the first time this year with political super-couple James Carville and Mary Matalin. Their lecture is aptly named All’s Fair in Love, War and Politics.

Their visit to Murray is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m., in Murray State’s Lovett Auditorium. The lecture is free and MSU students, faculty and staff, as well the general public are encouraged to attend.

Representative Richard Henderson, (D - House 74)

(Frankfort Jan. 19, 2012) – Appearing together in the Capitol Rotunda with dozens of supporters from across the state, state Rep. Richard Henderson and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said today they would work to pass Rep. Henderson’s legislation that would set the stage to make industrial hemp legal to grow in Kentucky.

“The time has come for Kentucky to again take advantage of a crop that has so much potential not just for our farmers, but for manufacturers of hundreds of products that industrial hemp can make,” said Rep. Henderson, D-Jeffersonville. “Kentucky led the nation in its production in the 1800s, and there is every reason to believe we could do the same again if my bill becomes law.”

Paducah Tilghman student Victoria Potter was one of the winners in a recent American Legion speech contest.

Photo above: left to right seated  - Nicole Peters, Lyon County HS; Nick Betts, Calloway County HS; First District Champion Bryant Powell of Mayfield HS; First District Runner-up Victoria Potter of Paducah Tilghman HS; and David Leipzig of Marshall County HS.  Standing behind the contestants are members of Post 73 and the contest judges.

Hickman County seniors got help from former HCHS Falcon Trent Johnson on filling out financial aid forms and scholarship applications. Johnson now works for West Kentucky Community & Technical College.

Second graders stage the story of Johnny Appleseed.

(Clinton, KY) - Debbie Watson’s fifth grade class presented a play to the second graders revolving around the historical period of the 1960’s and the Civil Rights Movement.

Second graders in Ms. Fussell's class performed the story of Johnny Appleseed.

Mayor Teresa Cantrell called a special meeting of the Mayfield City Council for this Saturday to do strategic planning for the City.  

Follow the jump for what's on the agenda for the Pearl of the Purchase.

Delta Mariner with portions of Eggner's Ferry Bridge on its bow.

UPDATE: Impact from ramming by cargo vessel may have caused pier to shift

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2012) – A dive team from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans to place sensors on a pier of the U.S. 68/KY 80 bridge over Kentucky Lake to help determine how badly it was damaged when a cargo vessel rammed the bridge Thursday night.

(Aurora, KY, Jan. 27, 2012) -Thursday evening at 8:10 p.m., the Delta Mariner, a ship belonging to Foss Corporation of Seattle Washington, carrying NASA rocket parts, slammed into Eggner's Ferry Bridge. The ship carried two lengths of bridge steel and blacktop on its bow before coming to a stop.

By some miracle, no one was injured ...

The new KY Senate map

(Clinton KY -Jan. 26, 2012) - ...Redistricting in the House was all about keeping the balance of power.

Redistricting in the Senate was a night of long knives.

Editor's Update: Democrats joined the lawsuit in Franklin Circuit Court. A restraining order was entered freezing the filing deadline (and the General Assembly). It just keeps getting better and better.

GO RACERS!

Murray State University got a serious two page shout out from that venerable home of journalism, the New York Times.

The MSU Racers are undefeated, so a reporter made his way to "wistfully named" Big Apple Cafe. He passed hunting shacks and white picket fences with horses grazing in the fields on his way. (He must have come in through Lexington.)

Other than that, it's a good read. Oh, and that's River Countian Gina Winchester in the foreground of the photo.

UPDATE: MSU won again Saturday night against UT-Martin. They are 23-0 now.

The Hickman County Military Club raised $3061 for the Hugs Project of West Kentucky. The Club donated $2000 to send packages to troops in the Middle East for Christmas. Then they gave an additional $1061 to send care packages in January to the troops.

According to Hugs Director Gayron Ferguson, it was the largest donation received all year.

GRAVES STUDENT-ACTORS PLAY ATLANTA – Graves County Central Elementary School presented Annie Jr. in the district’s Performing Arts Center in April 2011. It’s a condensed version of the legendary Broadway play Annie, which, in turn, is based on the 1930s comic strip and radio show Little Orphan Annie. Teachers Patsy Riley and Amy Murphey took eight students from that cast to the 2012 Junior Theater Festival the weekend of Jan. 13-15 in Atlanta, Ga. Central won the festival’s top team “Spirit Award,” despite the fact that its eight performers constituted one of the smallest groups in attendance.

Pictured, from left, are (front row) Mattison Sullivan, Ethan Murphey, (middle row) Julianna Sims, Tate Keeling, (back row) Kelsey Drew, Maddie Green, Skylar Hargrove, and Maggie Marrs. “Tate and Julianna are still at Central,” Murphey said, “the rest have moved on to the middle school, but they still came back every week to practice.”

Editor's Note: This is Senator Paul's account of his encounter with TSA at the Nashville airport. This editorial originally appeared in The Washington Times 1-20-12.

...I refused an unnecessary patdown and stood up for my rights as an American citizen. This is a battle Americans face every time they fly. It is my firm belief that TSA should not have such broad authority to violate our constitutional rights in ineffective and invasive physical searches, thus I will further push for the reinstatement of traveler privacy and rights. I will be proposing legislation that will allow for adults to be rescreened if they so choose...

(January 23, 2012) -

Mayor Charles Murphy was fatally shot early Monday morning according to a report on WPSD Channel 6. A suspect is in custody.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission was born Jan. 21, 2010

(Clinton, KY Jan. 21, 2012) - Citizens United is two years old today.

Two year olds are known for their propensity to do mischief, insisting on their own way, ignoring the instructions of their parents, throwing a temper tantrums that damage anything in their reach.

Based upon that criteria, Citizens United is a typical toddler.

Jeanie Embry, at left, addresses a meeting at Paducah Public Library.

Paducah native Jeanie Embry filed to run for a seat on Paducah's City Council this past Tuesday. Embry said she wants to bring prosperity to all in Paducah - not just a few.

To view her announcement on WPSD Channel 6, follow the link.

Dana Wyatt auditioned in Metropolis for spot on "Wheel"

Dana Wyatt won $8,200 and a trip to St. Thomas on the nationally-syndicated game show Wheel of Fortune. WPSD/Local 6 aired the program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Wyatt, of Hickory, works as a secretary for the Graves County School District at its special education testing center.

Brent Houseman - GOP representative wants more time with family

Republican Brent Houseman announced today that he is not running for a third term. Houseman serves the 3rd House District in Paducah.

Democrat Gerald Watkins has already filed to run for the seat.

That makes the fourth Purchase representative to hang up his hat - Melvin Henley, Fred Nesler and Mike Cherry also are not running again.

What gives?

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be reserved before planting season.

...One Kentucky CSA is unique in that it is not a farm but a retail store that operates as a cooperative of sorts, minimizing the risk to consumers by utilizing multiple farms.

Healing Harvests CSA is an outgrowth of a family’s health foods store in the western Kentucky city of Paducah. It purchases fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef, poultry, lamb, eggs, baked goods and flowers from about 10 local farms...

(Paducah KY, Jan. 17, 2012) - Paducah Middle Speech Team members brought home several awards from the Paducah Tilghman Tornado Alley speech tournament held at PTHS on January 14.  The team won first place in six categories, along with 2nd and 3rd in Poetry and 3rd in Prose. 

L  to r: Claire Kelly, Maddie Ybarzabal, Michael-Ellen Walden, Emily Hahn, Meg Hancock, Miranda Duong, Helena Icke (not pictured: Samyra Guerin)

QUILTERS’ BLOCK – Graves County High School students Josie Seay, Elizabeth French, and Cyler Sullivan will be honored at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah Feb. 4 for their work in the museum’s School Block Challenge.

The USS Essex - most powerful gunboat on the Mississippi River

In January 1862, Capt. “Dirty Bill” Porter of the Yankee navy was itching to blast Rebel skipper Marsh J. Miller to the bottom of the Mississippi River.

Editor's Note: It's a pleasure to publish another installment of the hidden history of West Kentucky from historian Berry Craig.

Frankfort State Capitol - pain in the budget

Cuts are coming in a big way for Kentucky.

...Many agencies are cut 8.4 percent from their 2012 levels across state government. The following agencies and services are cut at lower levels, according to the Executive Budget:

 Universities and community college system: 6.4%

 Aging and independent living: 6.4%

 Grants to local school districts (non-SEEK): 4.5%

 Career and technical education, Kentucky Educational Television, libraries and archives, vocational rehabilitation, mine safety: 4.2%

 Public safety including state police, commonwealth and county attorneys, juvenile justice, local jail support: 2.2%

For a breakdown of state agencies looking at double digit reductions from 2008, follow the jump..

Sen. Rand Paul Opposes and 

Will Filibuster PIPA Legislation

Google's home page was blacked out Wednesday.

UPDATE: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reed announced on Twitter (irony alert) that a test vote scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled. Google gathered seven million signatures opposing the proposed laws.

Google and other internet sites are protesting SOPAL (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) with their own versions of sit down strikes.  

Rep. Whitfield - long rumored not to live in the First District

Jim Pence has been on the story of First District Congressman Whitfield's residence for quite awhile. He continues to pose the question:

Where does Ed Whitfield really live? Hopkinsville or Washington.

Rev. James Bolen, in black, leads marchers in 2012 MLK march

(Clinton KY - Jan. 16, 2012) - A small group gathered at Moore’s Chapel AME Church in Clinton for a march in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Day. The combination of threatening weather, whipping winds and no school for several days before the Monday event contributed to the smaller than usual turnout.

Marchers were undaunted as they walked from the church to the Hickman County Courthouse singing hymns and carrying signs.

New Commish James Comer - cleaning out the stable at Ag

The newly minted and elected Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Agriculture just got tough. He ordered an air strike on his own position. In one bold action, James Comer defined the Rules of Engagement for the 2015 Governor’s Race.....

...By calling attention to the wild side of Richie Farmer and the whole culture of UK sports worship in Kentucky, he fired the first salvo across the bow of the Governor, legislators, and special interests that he will be a force to be reckoned with...

The book on a small school's triumph is still on sale through Amazon.com

GRAVES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

OF 1952 CUBA CUBS STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sen. Paul took questions for an hour and a half from audience.

Q & A – Senator Rand Paul Town Hall Meeting – Murray State University January 11, 2012

Eighteen questions - and no two alike.

Editor’s Note – Questions and answers are as I heard them – either or both may be incomplete. Do not consider this an official transcript, but a sampling of the issues raised and the answers given.

Pfc. Dustin Napier

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 10, 2012) – Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Kentucky soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

According to the Department of Defense, Pfc. Dustin P. Napier, 20, of London, KY, died Jan. 8 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from enemy small-arms fire.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

TOWN HALL MEETING

UNITED STATES SENATOR RAND PAUL

Please join us for a Town Hall meeting with United States Senator Rand Paul.

What: Town Hall Meeting

When: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 @12:30 P.M.

Where: The Murray Room @ the CFSB Center

This event is free and open to the public, look forward to seeing you there!

Gatewood stood tall for Kentuckians

A warrior has fallen! A man driven by the truth and the dream of social justice for all has left the battlefield. His name was Gatewood Galbraith and he died in his sleep last week. Final peace be to the warrior.

I knew him in good and bad times for over 40 years. He was a part of the political debate and power struggles that have defined Kentucky’s struggle to be a modern state over the past four decades. Gatewood was a loud and important voice in the tapestry of debate over protecting civil rights, promoting alternative energy, and bringing a Marine’s sense of common justice to state government.

As Ryan Alessi predicted in November, Speaker Stumbo released his plan for congressional redistricting. Owensboro will come into the first District fold.

Jack Brammer has the story on Kentucky.com

...USEC was not the only nuclear company that felt the tremor from Japan. NRG wrote off a half billion dollar investment in South Texas. Germany halted its nuclear program and, according to published reports, countries around the world slowed or halted their own nuclear power programs.

West Kentucky may soon feel the tremor from Japan. USEC employs approximately 1200 workers in Paducah at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant. It sent a letter to the Department of Energy (DOE) informing the regulatory agency that it may end its involvement in Paducah and return management of the site to the government if three of its issues are not met...

Christmas 2011 will be remembered as the year of receiving homemade gifts and finally getting my sewing machine out and using it.

At right, our front door was the beneficiary of some wonderful local artistry. It was a blue year for us. Katie Beck, master gardener, made the wreath. BussPress, aka Nyle Buss, made the snowflake hangings. The gourd Santa came from folk artist Pinke Spencer. 

Election years are always wacky and 2012 promises to out-wacky all on record. Combining a presidential election, redistricting in every state in the Union and a prediction that the world will end makes for a heady concoction. One swings wildly between laughter and tears.

Every month promises to have some political tidbit to share.

Rep. Ed Whitfield with Sen. McConnell and Mrs. McConnell.

Congressman Ed Whitfield is planning to run again in 2012. That's not surprise. What may be a surprise is where the Congressman had his fundraiser last January and who came to give him $$. Hint: it's a place most Kentuckians can't afford to visit.

For this and more, follow the link to Ryan's story and video footage.

Tangerine Tango is THE color for 2012.

For fun, watch the next twenty TV commercials and count how many times the color of orange is located within the commercial...

...Like it or not, you and your family are being directed by colors of large corporations and political action committees (PACs).

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 27, 2011) – Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Fort Knox soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. 

According to the Department of Defense, Spc. Mikayla A. Bragg, 21, of Longview, Washington, died Dec. 21 in Khowst province, Afghanistan.  She was assigned to the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky.

Sen. Mitch McConnell achieved national prominence in the past year. Few days go by that politicians, pundits and partisans don't mention McConnell's name-many referring to McConnell's statement that his top priority is to make Barack Obama a one term president.

His rise to the heights of Washington power should be bringing up some memories of a ghost from his past.

We remember...

I do not apologize for my views.

I do not apologize for your views.

I do not apologize for the turn of events and flow of history we call modern times.

I do not apologize for the coming darkness of civilizational ignorance.

I do not apologize for those among us who feel neither passion nor peace.

Jack Abramoff will talk ethics to KY Legislature

FRANKFORT, KY. — Jack Abramoff, recently described by "60 Minutes" as perhaps "the most notorious and crooked lobbyist of our time," will help teach ethics to Kentucky lawmakers during the opening week of the 2012 General Assembly.

The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission is paying Abramoff a $5,000 speaking fee, plus expenses, to tell legislators how his corrupt actions helped him rise to the top of Washington’s lobbying world — and end up serving 3½ years in prison after pleading guilty in 2006 to corrupting public officials, tax evasion and fraud.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 22, 2011) — More than 63 percent of Kentucky’s public high school Class of 2010 has enrolled in college – the highest percentage on record, the Kentucky P-20 Data Collaborative announced today. The P-20 Data Collaborative used a more comprehensive set of data to calculate the rates, which revealed that of the more than 43,000 public high school graduates in 2010, 63.1 percent enrolled in some form of higher education.

Shamelessly Proud Editor's Note: Follow the link in the story to check out how your local high school scored. We did and were happy to find that Hickman County High had an 81.4% college going rate - 20 points above the state average. Go Falcons!

Hopkinsville Band turns out in Christmas red for parade.

Bands from Dawson Springs, Marshall County, Reidland, Hopkinsville and Livingston County were among the fifty four bands strutting their stuff up the long parade route from the Kentucky River to the State Capitol. Sixty seven units were in the Parade with over 4,000 participants.

NORTH POLE CHRISTMAS – Sedalia Elementary students presented “North Pole Christmas” to a packed gymnasium twice in one day just before Christmas break. Teacher Carol Ann Phillips wrote it and music teacher Stephenie Wheeler (seen at right) directed it. Performing here are third and fourth graders.

Fred Nesler, the long serving representative from Mayfield announced he will not seek an 11th term. Instead, it is rumored he will run for Graves County judge executive according to a report on West Kentucky Star.

One name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the 2nd district seat- that of Graves County School Board member Kelly Whitaker.

Hal Kemp and his wife Leslie own the Murray Dairy Queen.

(Murray, KY Dec. 21, 2011) - Calloway County businessman Hal Kemp announced today he will seek the seat being vacated by 5th District Representative Melvin Henley, who is retiring.

Rep. Melvin Henley of Murray

Rep. Melvin Henley told the Murray Messenger that he didn't think any representative should serve more than eight years - and he's following his own advice.

Henley, who represents Calloway County and a portion of Trigg County, joins another West Kentucky Democrat in hanging up his spurs. Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton announced recently that he also is retiring.

The filing deadline is the last Tuesday in January - the 31st.

(Mayfield KY Dec. 19, 2011)– The Graves County Board of Education at its Dec. 15 meeting nominated one of its own, board member Kelly Whitaker, for a statewide at-large directorship with the Kentucky School Boards Association.