Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era

Comer Focuses on Farm to School Program

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:43:34 +0000

Hoping to encourage bonds between school districts and farmers, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer recently made Oct. 22-26 Farm to School Week. The Farm to School program, started in 2010, is meant to help schools serve food grown by local farmers. The state released new curriculum earlier this year that is meant to help schools acquire locally grown food and build relationships with farmers.

Officials Encourage Water Conservation

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:37:19 +0000

As dry conditions persist throughout the state, Kentucky Emergency Management is encouraging local officials to plan possible water conservation efforts. Sixty-six Kentucky counties have been classified as experiencing level 1 drought while 24 are under the more severe level 2 drought designation. Level 2 drought has been declared in Christian, Todd, Trigg, Caldwell and Muhlenberg counties.

Replacement Span in Place at Eggners Ferry Bridge

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:37:57 +0000

A replacement span for Eggners Ferry Bridge was lifted into place Tuesday after being transported 30 miles Monday through Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. The 322-foot span was assembled at the Eddyville Riverport and began its journey to the bridge site around 12:30 p.m. Monday. It was transported using a three-barge flotilla, which also carried two cranes needed to move the span once it arrived.

New Standards to Affect School Lunches

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:36:32 +0000

Students will see changes in their lunch and breakfast trays this fall following the approval of new meal standards by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The new standards apply to all schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The new standards require schools to serve fruit and vegetables to students daily, increase the amount whole grain-rich foods and limit calories based on students’ age.

Crews Prep Damaged Bridge for Repairs

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:35:12 +0000

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet crews are performing maintenance work on the remaining spans of Eggners Ferry Bridge. A construction project will soon begin to replace the 322-foot span knocked out by a cargo vessel on Jan. 26. State spokesman Keith Todd said a date has not been set for the start of construction. Engineers are finalizing plans required for fabrication of steel for the new span. Hall Contracting plans to run a crew of about 40 around the clock to meet the May 27 deadline.

Ag Chief Encourages Donations from Farmers

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:16:31 +0000

Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture James Comer visited Hopkinsville on Monday, encouraging donations to Kentucky 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs. Comer met with Christian County Clerk Mike Kem as well as children from local FFA and 4-H programs. He is a supporting a program that asks for a $10 donation from farmers when they renew their farm license plates.

Mild Winter Days May Give Way to Storms

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:33:45 +0000

The galoshes went back into the closet this week as Kentucky has enjoyed temperatures eclipsing 60 degrees. According to Kentucky Mesonet, a research network that compiles climate data from throughout the state, Christian County saw an average high of 67.1 degrees Wednesday. Tuesday saw a high of 62.6 degrees and Monday 61.9 degrees.

Hospitals Fear Bill Could Lead to Overcrowding

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:32:55 +0000

While Kentucky lawmakers discuss limiting access to medicine containing pseudoephedrine, an official at Jennie Stuart Medical Center fears restrictions may lead to overcrowded doctors’ offices. Three bills pertaining to pseudoephedrine have been introduced to the Kentucky General Assembly. House Bill 80, co-authored by Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, and Rep. Myron Dossett, R-Pembroke, would prohibit anyone convicted of a methamphetamine-related crime from purchasing pseudoephedrine without a prescription. The bill is under discussion with the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. John Tilley, D-Hopkinsville.

Kentucky Gas Prices Rise

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:18:25 +0000

Average retail gasoline prices in Kentucky have risen 19.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.28 per gallon on Sunday. On average, national gas prices have increased 8 cents per gallon in the last week, according to the gasoline price website KentuckyGasPrices.com. In Kentucky, prices on Sunday were 27.5 cents per gallon higher than they were the same day in 2010 and 11.2 cents higher than a month ago.

Brigade's Gift Brings Soldier, Father to Tears

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:11:14 +0000

Standing alongside his new Harley Davidson motorcycle Friday, Cpl. Donald Hole wiped away tears as his fellow soldiers crowded in around him. Hole is a member of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, which returned from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in April. In February, Hole’s daughter, Megan, 25, was murdered in Indiana. As Hole flew back to the states, his fellow soldiers pondered a gift for him. Spc. Joseph Catlin, who has been friends with Hole since 2009, said they collected money for flowers, but also wanted to give Hole something else.

African-Americans Reflect on Civil War

Dennis O’Neil, Kentucky New Era — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:55:48 +0000

For 46 years, Dorothy Tolliver has lived down the street from the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site in Fairview. When her two children were young, Tolliver, who is black, remembers playing with them on a swing set next to the site’s monument on sunny afternoons. Tolliver acknowledged the irony of having so many happy moments near a monument commemorating an oppressive figure to some African-Americans. The park was established by Confederate veterans in 1924. In 46 years, Tolliver had never seen an event or program focused on African-American life there.