Kentucky Dam and electric energy played a key part in economic development.

Editor's Note: The Fall of Kentucky's Rock: Western Kentucky Democratic Politics Since the New Deal was selected for a 2022 Kentucky History Award, presented by the Kentucky Historical Society. Congratulations, George!

George G. Humphreys' new book, The Fall of Kentucky's Rock: Western Kentucky Democratic Politics Since the New Deal, examines the roots of a region once believed an impregnable stronghold for the Democratic Party fell. ..."The development of the public power system in western Kentucky was critical to the development of the region. The availability of cheap, abundant electricity was a key to the federal government's location of the massive uranium enrichment (atomic bomb) facility outside Paducah in the early 1950s. Some suggest the choice to locate in Paducah was influenced by Vice President Alben W. Barkley, the former US senator from Paducah..."

Teen pregnancies by Area Development District - 2008

There is a financial cost to teen pregnancy to the taxpayer. Teen moms who need government assistance because they cannot work, children who have special needs because their mom didn't get prenatal care early on, court systems and paternity enforcement agencies going after dads, schools that won't get the average daily attendance money for moms that drop out, the costs go on.

Editor's Note: this article was published January 17, 2009.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu urged reporters to find good things to report on young people

Editor's Note: Bishop Desmond Tutu passed away in late December 2021. When I saw him at this MSU press conference, he taught me saints can be funny and being chided by a saint is not so bad.

At a press conference preceding a speech at MSU, Bishop Desmond Tutu chided reporters for their reporting on young people. The press focuses on the negative too much.

"It is not such a wonder how many young people go off the rails - but how many do not."

Two Hispanic children received masks. Mayfield has a large Hispanic population.

Following the December 10^th tornado that devastated towns in western Kentucky and Tennessee, help has flooded in... Not all the help has been the same.

One group, Four Rivers Indivisible, has distributed over 1500 quality high filtration masks in January to Mayfield residents.

They can use your help to meet more needs.

Mayfield was a vibrant city before December 10, 2021 and it will be again.

(July 2011) Graves County Kentucky will become central Kentucky for politicos and their supporters. The St. Jerome's Picnic in Fancy Farm on Saturday will be the culminating event of a week of picnics, bean suppers, fundraisers, private meetings, golf outings and breakfasts held around the region.

Carr's Restaurant was a popular dining and watering hole for locals and visitors. Staff and guests escaped before collapse.

June 14, 2012 (Mayfield, KY) The second mural in the new series of murals planned by Mayor Teresa Cantrell will be completed this Saturday. The mural will be located on the west side of the D&D Shoes Building (formerly the Merit Clothing Company).

...Prints of the mural will be available for purchase at a special area set up on the courthouse lawn on Saturday evening during the Cruise-In and Summer Music Fest Concert. Prints are numbered, and Rudy Holmes will be on hand that evening to personally sign any prints that are purchased. The sale price for the prints is $25.00 and they are 11" x 17". Additionally, notecards with the mural design will be available for purchase as well

Melanie Halliman\'s gourd art "Moby Richard"

2010 - The Ice House Gallery in Mayfield is featuring one of kind constructed art using gourds, paint and a whole bunch of imagination.

The Gourd Festival is an amazing show of artistry in vegetables. Hopefully, it will happen next year.

Murray - a downtown corner collapses

...Extreme weather: heavy rains, ice, snow, and fierce winds attack the roofs of old buildings. Once the integrity of the roof is compromised, it is only a matter of time before the water and other extreme elements of Mother Nature take the building down.

Editor's Note: This analysis from 2018 feels prophetic. Many of the downtown buildings in Mayfield were heritage brick buildings.

MVP of Mayfield adding jobs, increasing investment

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 24, 2011) - Governor Steve Beshear today announced MVP Group International, a manufacturer of candles and home fragrance products, will expand its Mayfield operations. The company will add 16 new jobs to its existing employment base of 110 in Mayfield.

Yes. This is THE candle factory that collapsed. Present Governor Beshear's father celebrated its opening.

December 2016 - a sense of community

Graves County High School Chamber Choir members, from left, Elizabeth Rhea, Maddi Green, Ashley Mohler, Messina Ortega, Leeanne Chapman, Jack Peters. Ethan Murphey. and Evan Williams sing Christmas carols to residents of the Mayfield Plaza Apartments.

A portion of Murray Hudson\'s collection will be on display at the Discovery Park of America

Discovery Park of America released details today about the upcoming temporary exhibit premiering at the museum and heritage park that will shine a spotlight on one of the most unique collections of globes and maps in the world. "The Fascinating World of Murray Hudson's Globes and Maps" will be on display in the museum's ATA Traveling Exhibit Hall Dec. 2, 2021-March 1, 2022.

Editor's note - Go. Go. Go to see this exhibit.

Ivan and Mary Potter shopping in Hazel KY

Meet the husband and wife team responsible for West Kentucky Journal.

Editor's Note: Updated - Ivan Potter retired from the Clinton City Council as of January 1, 2017.

WKJ now has over 6000 articles and 2.5 million yearly views.