Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer Progress Edition 2021

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WELCOME TO OUR REGION

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he coronavirus pandemic has cast a long shadow over most facets of life in the past year, with the roller-coaster trajector y of case counts in the region making it difficult at times to feel optimism about the path ahead. But while the pandemic has created significant hardships for businesses, schools and individuals, it hasn’t stopped progress from being made throughout the region on several fronts, work that’s expected to have a positive impact on residents for many years — if not generations — to come.

In tr ying times, focusing on positives brings optimism, and there have been many accomplishments and initiatives throughout the region in the last 12 months that make it clear that brighter days are ahead.

In the following pages, we tell the stories of progress from throughout the region, whether it’s how schools are balancing COVID social-distancing and mask protocols with in-person learning to enhance children’s educational opportunities; how county governments are working to attract new industr y, with infrastructure concerns being addressed and strategic plans being implemented; how improved 911 mapping makes communities safer and enhances emergency ser vices; how libraries have become far more than just places to check out books; to efforts to improve tourism, both through top-notch venues to enhanced recreational opportunities.

As we wrote in last year’s Our Region opening letter, “through it all, the spirit of community has never wavered.” That’s never been more true. And this year’s edition of Our Region further illustrates how, even in difficult times, progress never stops when residents of a community are committed to making tomorrow a better day for ever yone.

Thank you for reading.

Messenger-Inquirer

PUBLISHER Mike Weafer

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4 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

C O RO N AV I R U S

Most area businesses survived pandemic

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BY KEITH LAWRENCE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

hen the coronavirus pandemic reached Owensboro in mid-March last year, many businesses had to close for two months or more.

TGI Fridays and Golden Corral closed permanently.

Some other restaurants and stores closed later.

But others opened their doors during the pandemic and sur vived.

Stacy Roof, president of the Kentucky Restaurant Association, said last year, “We’ll lose some of them, maybe 10%. But it will take a couple of years to shake it all out. We’ve already seen some closures. And some will throw in the towel in the future. Are they getting close to retirement? Is their lease about up?”

But most businesses turned out to be more resilient, finding ways to stay open.

Some landlords deferred rent during the pandemic.

And many businesses received aid from the government to keep their doors open.

In Owensboro, Dana Coomes, occupational tax & ABC administrator, said the number of businesses in the city grew last year.

“The number of business licenses issued for the City of Owensboro in 2020 increased 1% compared to 2019,” she said.

Candance Castlen Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said, “Over the past 18 months, our remarkable board leadership and staff have seen first-hand how important a local chamber is to its members in times of economic adversity.”

Jasmine Logsdon carries dessert trays from the kitchen at Lure Seafood and Grille while waiting tables at the restaurant in Owensboro.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

She said, “At information, the beginning for equipment, “Through each change in of shutdowns, for essential regulations we were right we shifted ser vice there, communicating to immediately to designations our members so they would and later, for virtual events, way ahead of always know where to turn.” financing and our peers. We access to relief.” also shifted our Brake said, — Candance Castlen Brake work roles with “Through president of the Greater our membership each change Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and became in regulations an information we were right resource for our businesses who there, communicating to our did not know where to turn for members so they would always

know where to turn. Today, we are a little down in our membership, since so many businesses are still struggling, and we will have a membership drive to regain those who are able to join. We have made it through because the men and women of our leadership team and the Owensboro chamber membership have been consistently innovating, adapting and, yes, pivoting. We have also had to grant each other grace.

No, times have not been easy.

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Nikki Anderson prepares a chicken ceasar wrap while wearing a mask during lunch hour in the kitchen at Colby’s Deli and Cafe on June 10, one day before Kentucky lifted its mask mandate.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

But tough times are when we can show the world who we are.”

In Hancock County, Shanna Nugent, president of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, said, “I would say that we are currently holding steady with our membership post-COVID-19.

Fortunately, I am not aware of any businesses that permanently closed due to COVID-19. I would also say that, at this time, we have gained more businesses membership than we have lost over the past year and a half.”

In McLean County, Ginger Fields, office administrator for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, said, “As far as I am aware, there were no businesses that shut down permanently during COVID in McLean County, which we are thankful for as a community.”

She said, “Our membership has grown in the last year, not by leaps or bounds, but we have had several new business members join. We are small and are always looking for new members, but

will never be a large chamber. We focus strictly on the betterment of and growth for new jobs in McLean County. McLean County, as a whole, sur vived COVID-19 ver y well, something we all should be proud and grateful for.”

The Greater Muhlenberg Chamber of Commerce said, “Our chamber membership has remained steady. All of our business community has made changes to adjust to the needs of the community. Only a small number of businesses have

closed. We have also had several new small businesses open either during COVID or right before COVID started, and most are doing well.”

In Ohio County, Judy Law, office administrator for the Ohio County Chamber of Commerce, said, “Membership is holding steady. We have added several new members with some being new businesses that have opened since Januar y 2020. Not many businesses have closed permanently.”

6 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

C O RO N AV I R U S

Governments spent millions on pandemic, received federal rescue aid

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BY JAMES MAYSE

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he COVID-19 pandemic could have been a disaster for Owensboro and Daviess County governments. But, it wasn’t.

Yes, both governments spent millions of dollars responding to the pandemic — purchasing protective equipment, funneling dollars into relief efforts and keeping their own employees on the job. But, despite that, the city of Owensboro and Daviess Fiscal Court came through 2020 (and much of 2021) in strong financial shape, and with budget surpluses.

Surely, federal relief dollars helped. But city Mayor Tom Watson and county Judge-Executive Al Mattingly say the local governments went into the pandemic with an economy other communities would envy.

“I can attribute it to our business economy,” Watson said.

“They are the ones that didn’t lay people off and made sure people were paid” when the pandemic hit.

“It was the business community,” he said. “It wasn’t anything government did.”

The city spent $2.6 million on COVID-related expenses in fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21, between March of last year and June 30 of this year. That includes expenses like personal protective equipment and funneling city funds into relief efforts for local businesses.

The city contributed $300,000 to the Green River Area Community Foundation’s COVID

Relief Fund, allocated $190,000 reimburse the city for salaries and to small business relief from its benefits paid to police officers and economic development fund and firefighters. Through the CARES created a restaurant and bar grant Act, the city received $5.654 program with $750,000 in city million in reimbursement for dollars. City Finance Director responder salaries.

Angela Waninger said 76 small The city spent $152,142 on businesses received help from the personal protective equipment small business relief grants and and cleaning supplies. The city said the bar and restaurant grants is hoping to get $73,000 of that went to 78 businesses. cost reimbursed from the Federal The restaurant grants “helped Emergency Management Agency, about 1,400 different employees,” Waninger said.

Waninger said.

Daviess County government The city waived alcohol license spent $4.760 million responding fees for bars and to the pandemic, restaurants for through “At so many cities, the 12 months and purchasing hospitals had layoffs. waived commercial protective sanitation fees in Our hospital repurposed equipment, May and June of covering employees to other last year. Those expenses for things. Our businesses waivers reduced the primar y and city revenue by general elections, got creative.” $154,000. providing relief — Angela Waninger funds to the Waninger said City finance director the city’s economy community weathered the pandemic shutdown because relief fund and major industries kept the majority paying salaries for emergency of workers employed. responders.

“The hospital was a major The majority of the funds were player,” Waninger said. “At so reimbursed, so the county was out many cities, the hospitals had just $20,125. layoffs. Our hospital repurposed The county’s biggest employees to other things. Our reimbursement was for salaries businesses got creative.” and benefits for sheriff’s deputies The city’s diverse business and county firefighters. That community was a benefit, reimbursement helped cover Waninger said. overtime for sheriff’s deputies, “Due to that diversification, who were stretched thin during it seems like Owensboro, ever y the pandemic by the inability to time, fares better than most,” he get new hires into the state law said. enforcement academy for training, The federal government did chief deputy Major Barr y Smith

said.

The county also provided relief funds through the Green River Area Community Foundation’s COVID Relief Fund. The county allocated $300,000 to the fund in 2020.

The CARES Act reimbursed the county for protective equipment and for about $113,000 the county spent on the primar y election and November election. Because of the pandemic, the county clerk’s office needed PPE and cleaning supplies, and needed to rent large facilities to use as voting centers.

Mattingly said the county started the fiscal year before the pandemic with a budget surplus and ended the budget year following the first four months of the pandemic with a surplus as well.

“When you strip out that (federal) money, we still came out with a surplus,” said Mattingly, who noted that although occupational tax revenue was affected by the pandemic, other sources of revenue remained strong.

“Our revenues are ver y diverse, so if there’s an issue (with one revenue source), it doesn’t affect us as much,” he said.

Mattingly said the county coming through the 2020-21 fiscal year with a surplus is because county officials were careful with finances.

“I think it was good financial management I would attribute to the commissioners and the staff,” Mattingly said.

Certainly there were counties

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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Richard House, chief deputy of the Daviess County Clerk’s Office, looks through some remaining mask supplies from the county’s personal protective equipment at the Daviess County election warehouse.

Photo by Alan Warren, Messenger-Inquirer

and municipalities to whom CARES and AAPR (American Rescue Plan Act) was a godsend, said Mattingly, who pointed out that cities and counties that were in financial difficulty before the pandemic will likely be in financial trouble again when the federal dollars run out.

An issue that is looming is how the city and county will spend their American Rescue Plan Act funds. The city will be receiving a total of $13.324 million in two installments, while the county will receive a total of $19.6 million.

There are general categories

for how the funds can be spent: supporting public health response; addressing the negative economic impacts of the public health emergency; targeting low-income communities; replacing lost public sector revenue; providing premium pay for essential workers; and investing in water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

But, city and county officials are awaiting a final rule from the federal government before allocating any funds.

The county went to Facebook

to solicit comments on how the funds should be used. The comment period ended Aug. 16.

“We haven’t made any commitments” with ARPA funds, Mattingly said in early August.

Generally, the county doesn’t want to create any recurring expenses with ARPA funds, while using those dollars to “make a substantial impact on the community,” Mattingly said.

“We are going to look at projects we haven’t done in the past because we didn’t have the money,” he said. “We are going to look at projects where we said,

‘what if?’ and say, ‘we can.’ “ Watson said once the final rules on ARPA funds are released, the city’s administrative staff will make recommendations on how the funds could be used. From there, city commissioners will determine what projects to fund, Watson said.

Waninger said officials don’t want to get ahead of the federal rule before having discussions on ARPA projects.

“We saw the federal government change directions a few times on (the use of) the CARE funds,” Waninger said.

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C O RO N AV I R U S

Schools move forward with students’ education

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BY BOBBIE HAYSE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

erhaps nothing has been more affected by the pandemic than school systems.

As Daviess County’s three school districts prepare to push for ward beyond the tumultuous last year, they are preparing to meet students where they are, and provide support to staff and teachers as they continue educating the area’s youngest minds.

Officials from Daviess County Public Schools, Owensboro Public Schools and the Owensboro Catholic Schools system say educators are excited to move for ward past the turmoil the pandemic caused on education.

They know it’s important to reflect on the deficits born from the past year, but they are committed to doing all they can to provide a road map for students to use to continue learning.

Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Constant said the district’s theme for the year is Care, Repair and Prepare.

Educators always care about kids, he said, but especially after a year like the last, it’s important to pay special attention to student needs.

“Our mental health resources and staff have increased, anticipating kids will need to access those ser vices,” Constant said. “In terms of repair, when we see exactly what we are dealing with in terms of the academic and social emotional needs our kids have, I’m going to give our staff a mission to repair those children one by one in terms of what they need to be really be successful.”

Once educators have an idea what students need, they can then prepare students

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Debbie Castlen, a bus monitor for Daviess County Public Schools, sits in front of a school bus outfitted with wifi in the parking lot at Russell Shifley Park in Owensboro. Castlen was working a 4-hour shift at the bus, which enables students without wifi at home to download their school assignments. accordingly, he said.

OPS educators, like many others, are preparing to meet kids where they are, academically, Constant said, and “understanding they are going to come in with some academic deficiencies as ever y student in the world will.”

“The repair part of the mission of this school year is to look at kids individually and figure out a plan for success to bring them back where they need to be,” he said. “We are committed to doing that.”

Daviess County Public Schools

Superintendent Matt Robbins said preparing for the upcoming school year revolves around several things, one of which is the district’s accelerated learning plans.

“We have different facets to that,” including what is referred to as “just in time teaching,” he said. “The whole idea is not to go back and re-teach a whole year.

The idea is to fill in the gaps with content, so that we can keep accelerating and moving for ward, rather than continuing to look backward.”

He said the district held summer programming successfully, and a lot of students were able to supplement learning, some of which was lost to the fragmented 2020-21 school year.

Each DCPS school has an accelerated learning plan that varies, but all include academic inter ventions in reading and math.

The district is also focusing on behavioral and social emotional needs of students.

Ignite Your Flame is the district’s theme for this school year.

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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A bicyclist rides past senior graduate portraits that have been lined up along the front of Owensboro High School in recognition of the school’s 2020 graduating class.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Owensboro Catholic Schools is in a different boat than the public school districts because its students spent much of the 2020-21 school year in classes, five days a week.

David Kessler, superintendent of the Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Owensboro, said the district was not spared from quarantines of students and staff, so educators expect to see some learning loss. However, the pandemic exposed one thing for certain: students and teachers, and all the district staff, “really stepped up.”

“We will probably not know see where they are individually. the deficits right off the bat, both The pandemic did bring about educationally some positive and mentally,” changes for Kessler said. the district, he “It was just amazing to see “This last school said, including the things our principals year was taxing technological and teachers came up with.” advances it on ever yone.

We have to see forced upon — David Kessler ever yone. this over time.” superintendent of the Catholic Schools He said the Those things for the Diocese of Owensboro school system will stay, he is putting a lot said, and more focus on make Catholic mental health for students, and Schools better. Technology now they’ll will be tested academically allows the district to reach all three times this school year to students and staff, no matter if

they are in buildings or not, and that will be beneficial long after the coronavirus is no longer a threat.

“I’m extremely proud of ever ybody in our organization because of the work they did throughout the last school year,” Kessler said. “It was just amazing to see the things our principals and teachers came up with. If there was a pothole in the road, they found a way to get around it.

They found a way to make sure it was as normal as it could possibly be, even in an abnormal time.

“They did it, they did it well.”

10 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

DAV I E S S C O U N T Y

Daviess Gun Club attracting large number of shooters

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BY KEITH LAWRENCE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he Daviess County Gun Club is the only facility operated by the Daviess County Parks Department that turns a profit.

And it’s continuing to attract more shooters each year, Ross Leigh, parks director, said this summer.

“At our Spring Classic in May, we had 80 registered members of the Kentucky chapter of the Sporting Clays Association from five states,” he said.

“Our Fall Classic is on Sept. 18-19, and we added a Winter Classic on Nov. 13-14.”

The May classic “was our first registered event under our leadership, and it’s been more than 10 “We’ll years since there was one there,” see more Leigh said. and more “They’re a shooters as very unique we approach group of shooters who hunting attend only season.” registered — Ross Leigh events,” he said of those who parks director came to the May event. “The next two classics are for the same group.

They are very competitive.”

Leigh said, “We’re doing very well on a daily basis. We’ll see more and more shooters as we approach hunting season. We have a Dove Warm-Up on Aug. 20-22, just before dove season begins. We had 180 for that last year.”

The goal, he said, is to host the Kentucky State Sporting Clay Championship.

“We have to have three registered events a year to qualify for the state classic,” Leigh said. “It will be a couple of years before we get it. But CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Daviess County Gun Club manager Zach Crisp looks over his Browning 525 shotgun at the club.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

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Daviess County Gun Club manager Zach Crisp shoots from station 14 at the club.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

Bill Hibbs shoots skeet with a group he meets with every Friday for recreational shooting at the Daviess County Gun Club.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

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and surrounding communities.”

Leigh said one of the best parts of being out at the gun club is seeing new shooters trying their hand at the sport for the first time.

“To me, that is a real joy,” he said.

“They may shoot two or three times and never break a target and by the time they get to the fifth target and they have broken it, they just nearly faint because they thought there was no way possible they were going to get that done.”

The Daviess County Gun Club is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

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managed the property until early 2019.

For most of 2019, the club lay dormant until the court voted unanimously on July 22 of that year to give the parks department the reins.

The county reopened it on Oct. 5, 2019.

Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said that in its first full season last year, profits from the club paid off about $35,000 of the county’s $100,000 investment.

“It had been here off and on for years,” he said of the club. “There is a substantially large number of shotgun sports enthusiasts in this community

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when we do, it will bring in 200 to 300 shooters for multiple days and put a lot of people in hotels.”

The club, at 7740 Kentucky 2830, was originally operated by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources until the mid-1980s when it was closed with the intention of developing a bird sanctuary.

In 2003, the state donated the land to Daviess County, with the caveat that it be used only as a recreational shooting facility.

Later that year, Daviess Fiscal Court

agreed to spend $100,000 to build skeet and trap ranges and help fund the renovation of an existing clubhouse.

Retired Daviess County Fire Chief Joe Kennedy and business partner Steve Scott then invested their own money to continue renovations and reopen the facility that had been closed for years.

In 2013, the pair ended their agreement with the county and Jesse Pollock, of Rockport, Indiana, took it over.

Pollock announced his intention to retire in January 2017, and Matt and Bethany Schneider, of Lexington,

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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Scott McCain fires his 12-gauge shotgun at a sporting clay from an elevated position at the Home Builders Association of Owensboro’s Sporting Clays Shoot fundraiser at the Daviess County Gun Club in Maceo.

Photo by Alan Warren, Messenger-Inquirer

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

DAV I E S S C O U N T Y

Farmers’ Market growing for 38 years

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BY KEITH LAWRENCE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

n April 1983, the Owensboro City Commission approved an ordinance creating a Downtown Farmers Market.

It was along the riverfront at first, starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Later, the market moved to Courthouse Square.

In 2003, organizers said it had run out of room downtown and moved it to the parking lot of Owensboro Christian Church, the former Lincoln Mall.

And in 2016, the Owensboro Regional Farmers’ Market moved to its current location at West Parrish Avenue and Triplett Street.

Beck Glenn, the market’s first-year manager, said the market has about 40 members this year, selling baked goods, canned goods, craft items made by members, cosmetics from goat’s milk, meat, grapes, wine, craft beer and more.

It’s open from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.

Glenn said members come from Daviess, Henderson, Hancock and McLean counties.

In June, musicians from the symphony performed every Saturday.

And on Thursday nights in July,

Joan Kolok of Owensboro picks up some tomatoes while browsing the vendors under the pavilion at the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

local chefs prepared food from items sold at the market.

In past years, the market has had

several satellite locations.

But there’s just one location this year.

“In April, when we opened, it was hard to know what we would be allowed to do,” Glenn said.

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Members who have been at the matching funds for a downtown market for two or more years get a pavilion that will double as a farmers’ permanent spot, she said, so customers market. can find them easily.

The city at the time planned to The newer members are “floaters,” build a pavilion covering the sidewalk finding a different location each week. along Veterans Boulevard between St. Glenn said, “We’ve continued social Elizabeth and Frederica streets on the distancing to keep from crowding north side of what’s now the Bluegrass booths this year.”

Music Hall of She said the Fame & Museum’s market has been parking lot and “We’ve continued social attracting more outdoor seating distancing to keep from than 2,000 shoppers area. crowding booths this year.” on Saturday The pavilion mornings. would have had — Beck Glenn seating on top for Glenn said the manager market donates outdoor concerts. left-over produce to The city wanted Bountiful Harvest the market to move to take to shelters and help reduce food into the ground level of the pavilion. insecurity.

That scenario would have had room SNAP and WIC recipients can get for 25 to 30 vendors. an extra $20 for fruit, vegetables, meat, The market had 35 members in eggs and dairy, she said.

2010.

In 2010, when downtown But the downtown scenario never revitalization efforts were moving happened. forward, then-County Commissioner And the market has continued to Bruce Kunze proposed that Daviess grow beyond the space that would have Fiscal Court designate $25,000 in been available downtown.

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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18 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

DAV I E S S C O U N T Y Daviess County Fiscal Court officially celebrated the opening of the new, all-inclusive playground at Horse Fork Creek Park on June 11. The playground was installed by Miracle of Kentucky and Tennessee to provide an opportunity for children of all abilities to enjoy the park together.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Horse Fork Creek Park is strong draw for families

I

BY JAMES MAYSE

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

n June, Daviess County of ficials dedicated a new playground at Horse Fork Creek Park on Fair view Drive.

The playground, which was designed to be accessible by people with disabilities, joins other amenities at the park, including a popular spray park

and trails.

County Parks Director Ross Leigh said the additions at Horse Fork Creek Park have made it a major draw for families.

“It’s our Smothers Park, for lack of a better term,” Leigh said, referring to the city’s large river front park, which includes a large,

popular playground and other amenities.

“We get a lot of questions, (such as), ‘Is there a fee?’ “ Leigh said. “It’s all free.”

The new playground cost $150,000, with half of the cost covered by a state grant. The playground, like the spray park, is accessible to people with disabilities.

“For those that are physically challenged, it has given them the oppor tunity to enjoy both sections of the park,” Leigh said.

A bit more work is planned at Horse Fork Creek this year. Jordan Johnson, purchasing director for Fiscal Cour t, said a $152,000 bid was awarded in July

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

19

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Owensboro High School boys’ head basketball coach Rod Drake spends some peaceful time fishing at the lake at Waymond Morris Park. “I try to come out a couple of times a week.“ Drake said. “It’s good relaxation away from the team.”

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Panther Creek Park and other Daviess County Parks and Recreation facilities are used frequently by area residents. to Lanham Bros. to build permanent restroom facilities at the park, which also has a large soccer complex.

The plan, Johnson said, is to have the restrooms finished this year.

Also this year, tennis cour ts at Yellow Creek Park and at the old Stanley Elementar y School proper ty will be conver ted into pickelball cour ts. The

county owns the old Stanley Elementar y proper ty.

Leigh said pickleball has become ver y popular, with people in Stanley using the tennis cour t as makeshift pickelball cour ts. The county will conver t the Stanley tennis cour t to a real pickelball cour t and do the same to cour ts at Yellow Creek Park.

At Yellow Creek, the cour ts “will be the only lit pickelball

20 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

Sarah Patton spends time swinging with her son and and his friends, from left, Max Patton, Mason Walker, Maggie Walker and Molly Walker, on the swing set at Yellow Creek Park.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

“It’s nice to be able to add amenities, but [...] there’s always an opportunity to stop and take care of what you have.”

— Ross Leigh, parks director

cour ts in Owensboro and Daviess County,” so people will be able to play until the park closes nightly at 11 p.m., Leigh said. The hope is to have the pickelball cour ts complete “in late summer, or fall at the latest,” Leigh said.

No other parks projects

are planned, Leigh said. Instead, the parks depar tment and Fiscal Cour t will focus on identifying areas at Yellow Creek Park and Panther Creek Park that need maintenance, such as on trails, at park shelters, at ball fields and at other

Messenger-InquIrer @MessengerInquirer

amenities, such as drinking fountains.

“It’s nice to be able to add amenities, but when you have a facility like Yellow Creek Park, there’s always an oppor tunity to stop and take care of what you have,” Leigh said. “... It’s not a lot of risk, but a lot of reward.”

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

21

DAV I E S S C O U N T Y

Federal, local funds available to revitalize Northwest neighborhoods

Edward Fallivene puts up wall studs for a bedroom on the inside of a home at 112 Sycamore St. Renovation of the home is part of the Northwest Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy.

BY JAMES MAYSE

O

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

Mike

Connie Jo

wensboro city leaders are focusing both federal and local funds on the city’s northwest side, in an effort to create better housing for residents, improve the appearance of homes and businesses and beautify the area in general.

The city’s Northwest Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area is undergoing improvements with the infusion of both public and private dollars. The

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Northwest NRSA is between Ewing Road and Walnut Street and from Fifth Street to the river.

The effort is similar to what the city did to revitalize the “Triplett Twist,” BaptisTown, Old Germantown and Mechanicsville NRSAs. Those projects can have a big impact on neighborhoods.

For example, the “Triplett Twist” NRSA had a $13.8 million economic impact on the Triplett Street area, with $11.3 of that coming from private investments.

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22 OUR REGION

“We have a rich history of NRSAs, and they are very successful,” city Community Development Director Abby Shelton told the Citizens Advisory Committee in April, when the committee approved the Northwest NRSA “Those plan. “Those numbers numbers just just keep keep growing.”

The plan calls growing.” for residents, — Abby tenants, Shelton businesses and prospective city community homebuilders in development the Northwest director NRSA to be eligible for both federal HOME grants and Community Development Block grants for improvement projects.

CDBG and HOME funds will be available for exterior rehabilitation of homes in the area, for down payment assistance, exterior

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 in local funds to create “community catalyst grants” to assist Northwest NRSA developers, without having to go through the red tape of pursuing a federal CDBG or HOME grant.

The city-funded programs provide matching funds for landlords to make interior and exterior improvements to single-family rental properties, funds for new housing or rehabilitation of existing homes and demolition.

Within two months of city commissioners creating the program, almost $120,000 in community catalyst grants had been approved, which were expected to generate almost $300,000 in private investments.

To apply for a grant, visit the Community Development link on the city’s website, owensboro.org.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer More than 360 programs are Progress continues on renovations of a home at 112 Sycamore St. as part of the expected to have been undertaken city’s Northwest Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. in the Northwest NRSA by 2025, impacting more than 2,500 improvements for businesses, connect to the city’s combined households. The economic impact public and private beautification sewer system and new home in the Northwest NRSA is expected projects in the neighborhoods, construction. to exceed $8.9 million. removal of downspouts that The city also allocated $750,000

Horse Fork Creek Park 3005 Fairview Drive

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

23

HANCOCK COUNTY

Feasibility study could entice national chains

H

BY JACOB LATIMER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

ancock County formed a committee to do a feasibility study on bringing national food chains and stores to U.S. 60. The study was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The committee was planning to start back up, but with COVID-19 numbers on the rise again, it is looking to be delayed even further.

According to Judge-Executive Johnny Roberts, Hancock reached out to a retail consulting “We want to to get some company gauge the guidance best way to capitalize to bring national food on the high chains and traffic stores to U.S. count.”

60, which inspired them — Johnny to start a committee.

Roberts Roberts judge-executive and the retail consulting company decided that they wanted as much normalcy as possible before starting up the committee.

According to Roberts, this decision was made due to people having altered schedules and potential changes in traffic count due to the pandemic.

“We want to get some guidance to capitalize on the high traffic count,” Roberts said.

“But we want normalcy to get the most accurate numbers.”

Hancock County has one of the lowest retail industr y rates in Kentucky. Just 8.66% of Hancock’s residents are

The main plaza on Highway 60 leading into Hawesville has a Subway restaurant.

Hancock County officials would like to see more development of national retail stores and restaurants along the highway.

Photo by Jacob Latimer, Messenger-Inquirer

employed in the retail industr y. employ more Hancock County This committee hopes to residents, Roberts said. bring more national chains of According to Mike Baker, restaurants and stores and director of Hancock increase that number.

County’s Industrial In terms of restaurants, Foundation, creating jobs U.S. 60 has a Subway is a significant priority in and a few local eateries. the county.

According to Hancock “We want to do County’s website, ever ything we can to the county has eight create jobs for residents restaurants. With a of Hancock County,” Mike Baker population of more than Baker said.

8,000, the committee hopes There are currently more to bring more options to the than 90 businesses on Hancock county’s residents.

County’s Chamber Of Commerce Bringing in more restaurants Business Member Director y. and stores would also help to This number could reach the

hundreds once the U.S. 60 committee begins making plans.

Kentucky has 4.8 restaurants per 10,000 residents and is one of the leading states in the U.S. for restaurants per capita.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has made cases spike across the countr y. Roberts said due to the uncertainty of the future of the virus, it is difficult to predict when the committee will be formed and active.

He is hoping it will begin in late summer or early fall.

“I think this will be great for Hancock County once we’re able to get it going,” Roberts said.

24 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

HANCOCK COUNTY

Library’s new Lewisport branch embraced by community

T

BY JACOB LATIMER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he new Lewisport location of the Hancock County Public Library had its grand opening in June and was long-awaited by residents of Hancock County, according to library director Tina Snyder.

The library system in Hancock County was originally established in 1954. The current Hawesville location was built in 2011 and offers a multitude of programs for the community.

According to Snyder, they switch up the programs they offer each quarter of the year to keep people engaged. They offer painting, crocheting, computer classes, drone lessons and more.

“These programs let the community see that the library is more than books,” Snyder said. “We have a lot of entertainment for people of all ages.”

The COVID-19 pandemic affected these programs, but Snyder said they were able to adapt and stay connected with the community.

The library was forced to shut down for eight weeks in 2020. During this time, they decided to start a friendly check-in program to keep in touch with frequent library-goers.

Snyder said patrons were thankful that the library was thinking of them.

The pandemic also caused some minor setbacks in the construction of the new location in Lewisport due to sickness among construction workers and shipping delays.

A new library location for Hancock County has been in talks since the 1970s, Snyder said.

According to Snyder, with Hawesville being more hilly and Lewisport being more flat, it makes sense to open a location in a more accessible location. She said many people like to walk and bike to the

The new Lewisport branch of the Hancock Public Library is pictured. It is located at 400 2nd St. Photo by Michael Philp, provided by HCPL

location in 2005. library, which is Snyder said much easier in “The decision to have this provided Lewisport due to multiple buildings in a more space, the terrain. county our size came from but not enough The Lewisport the need in the community.” for how many branch was people attended established — Tina Snyder its events and in 1972, and library director programs. They the original had to limit the library was a number of people 555-square-foot building connected to the community who could attend certain ones.

For years, Snyder pushed for center. a larger building in Lewisport After pushing for a bigger that could satisfy the needs of location due to a high amount of librar y-goers. It was approved library traffic, the Lewisport library in 2019, and construction began was moved to an 1,800-square-foot

shortly after.

“The decision to have multiple buildings in a county our size came from the need in the community,” Snyder said. “The usage was there.”

Synder, who has been with the Hancock County Public Library since 2000, said the project was overall successful, and that the community has embraced the new building.

“Now it’s time to figure out what’s next,” Snyder said.

The Lewisport branch of the Hancock County Public Library is at 400 2nd St. in Lewisport.

The Hawesville branch is at 1210 Madison St. in Hawesville.

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

25

The staff at the Hancock Public Library, Christopher McCarty, Tina Snyder, Karen Basham, Sherry Hagman and Tammy Sturgeon, are pictured in front of the Hawesville location.

Photo by Jacob Latimer, Messenger-Inquirer

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26 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

HANCOCK COUNTY

Officials hoping to expand broadband internet service after study

I

BY JACOB LATIMER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

n a a recent Kenergy study, Hancock County was deemed its least-ser ved county for internet availability.

With remote work and online learning becoming a new normal, Judge-Executive Johnny Roberts believes this has to change.

“This is the number one issue for all rural counties in Kentucky,” Roberts said.

The county has taken steps aimed at improving its broadband internet connection, including a recently-installed fiber internet ser vice at Hancock “Having those Park. The 1,000mbps speeds at ser vice is home and at significantly work can be faster than the previous very helpful.” average in — Missy Kellor the county, 50mbps.

TDS spokesperson According to Missy Kellor, a TDS spokesperson, this ser vice has offered high-speed internet to over 100 homes in Hancock County.

“Having those speeds at home and at work can be ver y helpful,” Kellor said.

Currently, residents of Hawesville and Lewisport have access to broadband internet.

To Roberts, however, this is only the beginning.

“Our goal is ensuring that ever y person in Hancock County has broadband,” he said.

He said House Bill 320,

Photo by Jacob Latimer, Messenger-Inquirer

TDS installed fiber internet at South Hancock Park in 2020, which is a large step towards getting broadband access to Hancock County’s residents. introduced in early 2021, is a step in the right direction.

HB320 would make it easier for electric companies to provide broadband internet ser vices to underser ved areas.

“That is absolutely imperative to getting broadband in our area,” Roberts said. “Kentucky has got to allow these electric co-ops to get into broadband.”

He said this is a vital piece of

legislation for all rural areas of Kentucky.

“This bill is the best possibility for ever yone to get coverage,” Roberts said.

Roberts said that while this has been an ongoing issue, it is even more relevant with remote work and online learning.

“A lot of kids don’t have access to the high-speed internet they need to get a quality education,”

Roberts said.

He also said that it is essential for people to be able to conveniently access TeleMed ser vices.

Along with the fiber internet upgrade, Comcast internet ser vices were brought to Hawesville in late 2020.

Roberts said that while it is important that the bigger population areas in Hancock are getting

OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

Hancock County Judge-Executive Johnny Roberts is pictured in the courtroom of the Hancock County Administration Building.

We currently host over 27 programs that include inpatient and outpatient services for families impacted by mental health, alcohol and drug addictions and developmental abilities.

Photo by Jacob Latimer, MessengerInquirer

these services, the rural areas are suffering the most.

“Most companies are targeting urban areas,” Roberts said. “They’re leaving rural areas in the dust.”

According to Roberts, Hancock is actively working on the issue.

Roberts called broadband internet the electricity and water of our time. He deems it essential

to the every day life of Hancock’s citizens.

He said that he hopes every citizen of Hancock County, and every citizen of rural Kentucky, is able to get access to broadband in the near future.

“It needs to be sooner rather than later,” he said. “Every day counts.”

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28 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

HANCOCK COUNTY

Officials optimistic about future as industrial leader

H

BY JACOB LATIMER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

ancock County’s industrial leadership status in Kentucky saw some hardships through the height of the pandemic. Things are starting to look up again, said Mike Baker, director of Hancock County’s Industrial Foundation.

He said Hancock’s “big four,” Century Aluminum, Domtar, Southwire and Commonwealth Aluminum, are anchors for the county’s industry.

‘We’re very fortunate that they held up well through the pandemic,” Baker said.

All four of those plants started in the 1960s and 1970s and employ anywhere from 400-1,000 people each. Baker said they have been mainstays ever since they were established and play a significant role in the community and economy.

Century Aluminum recently restarted its smelter lines to ramp up production. This will create more high-paying jobs and help Hancock County’s bottom line.

Domtar was recently sold to Canadian paper company Paper Excellence, meaning the Hawesville plant came under new leadership.

Baker said this is not the first time Domtar has come under new leadership.

“They have done a great job at adapting to different market changes,” Baker said.

He said after positive conversations with the new manager, he is looking forward to the future of the plant.

Another development in Hancock’s industry is the ongoing dismantlement of the Big Rivers Kenneth-Coleman Plant in Hawesville.

According to Jennifer Keach, director of communication for Big

Hawesville’s Industrial Park is home to three of Hancock’s “big four” industries: Century Aluminum, Southwire and Domtar.

Photo by Jacob Latimer, Messenger-Inquirer

Rivers, the plant was retired in 2014 and is in the process of being dismantled.

The plant, which sits on 729 acres of land, opens up a large space for potential new industry in Hancock.

Baker said there is high potential for economic development once the plant is dismantled, and that they have been working closely with Big Rivers during the process.

Keach said it was more economically beneficial to tear down the plant rather than leaving it inactive.

“We expect this to be done by June 2022,” Keach said.

Hancock is seeing multiple opportunities for new industry in the future, including a solar farm

that was recently approved.

According to Baker, there currently isn’t an active project, but agreements have been made in the direction of establishing a solar farm in Hancock County.

Baker said there is a 1,000 acre piece of land looking to be used for the solar farm.

“The solar energy movement is gaining momentum across Kentucky,” Baker said. “This is the first indication we’ve seen in Hancock.”

While Baker said a solar farm could be a productive use of the property, he said it wouldn’t create nearly as many jobs as a manufacturing industry would.

“Our job is to make Hancock a

destination for new industry,” he said. “We want to create jobs and new economic engines.”

Baker said his main goal is to make sure the community reaps the benefits of any new industry that comes to Hancock County.

“We want to be environmentally prudent and friendly,” he said. “We are certainly not opposed to a solar project.”

Baker said that while the county is dependent on the local and national economy, and that things can change quickly, he is optimistic about the current state and the future of the county’s industry.

“Hancock County is blessed, as is Kentucky, to be in a very valuable location for industry,” he said.

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

29

MCLEAN COUNTY

County completes 911 remapping process

BY CHRISTIE NETHERTON

M

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

cLean County Dispatch completed a remapping process for its 911 service in June, which will better enable dispatchers to direct first responders to callers.

The remapping, according to director of McLean County Dispatch services Corey Fields, was long overdue.

Many addresses throughout the county, he said, were not mapped properly, having an incorrect address, missing structures and houses, or even missing roads.

“That was a serious issue,” he said. “People would call 911 … but when we’d look at the map, there’d be a dot there, and there’s nothing there, not even a road or anything.”

McLean County Sheriff Ken Frizzell said the issues with mapping came from years of not being updated properly.

Having an updated mapping system, according to Fields, is vital to ensuring first responders are able to be directed to lifethreatening situations as quickly as possible.

Many times, he said, a caller may not be able to talk, whether due to not being able to breath, a home invader or any other issue that could affect communication.

In those situations, he said it is imperative to have a correct mapping system to be able to locate the caller and direct the first responder to the address of the call.

“We run into it all the time, and throughout my entire career as a dispatcher,” said Fields of potential communication issues with callers.

“From time to time, we’d run into an issue where somebody would call 911 and they might not be able to talk well. We’re kind of stuck

McLean County Dispatch Director Corey Fields, left, and Sheriff Ken Frizzell look over the 911 map of the county. The remapping process was completed June 27.

Christie Netherton, Messenger-Inquirer

because we mapping system, “It was a long and drawn out making sure can’t get an address and if every house, process, but it went great.” it’s not on the structure map … we have and road was — Corey Fields no idea where correctly placed McLean County Dispatch director they could on the map. be, especially Frizzell said considering our maps (were) the new system helps streamline several years out of date.” everything and better coordinates The remapping was funded communication between the through a grant from the Kentucky dispatcher and the first responder.

911 Services Board. zFields said that although Fields took around 7 weeks updating will need to be done about driving every road in the county every 18 or so months, it typically with the dispatch service’s new does not need to be done to the

extent of the most recent update.

Most updates, he said, entail driving through the county and ensuring each structure is mapped or paying attention to when new structures are being put up.

To maintain an updated system, Fields said residents will now have to go through the dispatch office when they add new structures to their properties.

“If the citizens of McLean County are going to build or add anything, they need to come through us, and we will run it through planning and zoning,” he said.

30 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MCLEAN COUNTY

Dame: County back and ‘open for business’

BY CHRISTIE NETHERTON

M

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

cLean County is back and “open for business” after experiencing a significant mismanagement of funds in recent years, according to current Judge-Executive Curtis Dame.

Dame took office in November 2019.

The summer before Dame took office, he said the county had $20,000 in its bank account. Now, he said the county started the year with $3.2 million.

“I think that kind of tells you … how far we’ve come,” he said. “It’s taken everybody though, it really has.”

In August 2019, the county was facing a $2.5-million deficit, having opened a $499,999 line of credit in July and having borrowed $80,000 in June of

that year to make payroll payments.

According to Dame, $920,000 of the deficit was money that had been syphoned out of the road department and $190,000 out of fire department funds.

The rest, he said, was inadequate bookkeeping with the county’s former accounting system.

Since then, however, he said the county has sorted out its bookkeeping with the help of a new software system, has paid its owed debt down to about $500,000 and plans to completely replenish what the county owes to the road department fund by July 2022, which will mark the end of the current fiscal year.

“I’m very pleased with the way things have come,” he said. “It’s very strange, because I did not expect it to recover,

but teamwork makes the dream work.

“Everything is trending right, but it has taken all of the water districts to do that, the transfer site employees, the road department … We elected officials are nothing without the employees that care about the county.”

The county has made several changes throughout the last two years to get to where it is now financially stable, Dame said.

This includes the new accounting software system, making significant cuts to the county’s expenses and refinancing a portion of the courthouse, as well as implementing a water meter fee to help fund the county’s 9-1-1 dispatch services.

“It (the water meter fee) has not been totally popular, but it has allowed us to save and not only fully fund

dispatch, but fully staff dispatch, so we’ve added another dispatcher,” he said.

In regards to short-term loans, Dame said everything has been paid off up to this point.

He said there is another project underway to help cut county costs, which includes repairing the roofing at the courthouse, sheriff’s office and working to make the courthouse more energy efficient.

“We look pretty solid right now,” he said. “I’ve been very humbled by everyone coming together to help us fix this problem. Not only at the local level, but our State Representative Jim Gooch and Senator Matt Castlen.

“McLean County’s on the rebound … . We’re back, and we’re open for business.”

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31

McLean County Clerk Carol Eaton looks over the fiscal court records of budgets and claims.

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32 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MCLEAN COUNTY

Tourism progress moving along despite pandemic

BY CHRISTIE NETHERTON

and routes in June, an effort that was in the works for about a year and a half. lthough the coronavirus has Thacker said he hopes to make put a hitch in Livermore’s an annual trails day out of the event Kentucky Trail Town the second Saturday of June “to get certification efforts in some aspects, Livermore Enhancement Foundation the community together for a little Chairman Ralph Thacker said visitors outdoor adventure.”

Thacker said the city has received are still getting plenty of use of the many adventure tourists staying at city’s outdoor tourism spots. the River Trails Inn, opened October According to the Kentucky 2019, who are utilizing the city’s Adventure Tourism Department, natural outdoor tourists spots. some of the benefits of becoming a Thacker said the main thing left trail town are that it creates a trail before the city can become a certified town economy, bringing tourists Kentucky Trail Town is holding a and business into the area and merchant meeting with business encouraging business development.

Trail towns also receive marketing owners to talk about greeting adventure tourists when they visit. and branding from the Tourism, He expects to hold the meeting Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and will by fall and hopes to have a trail town be featured on visitor guides and certification by September. highway maps in addition to other “We’ve been at this for maybe promotional materials. five-plus years,” he said. “I think The Trail Town Task Force has we’ve seen a spin-off from all that been working tirelessly to move we’re doing … . I think sometimes Livermore along in becoming a progress begets progress, kind of like certified trail town and has made many strides in the past two-and-a-half a domino. I think people are more likely to invest if something positive is years by adding tourism signs in the going on.” city, the first of which was unveiled The task force has been working in January, the addition of the canoe for some time to get paddlecraft livery in Southern Outdoors last summer and River Trails Inn opening access points along the Rough River as well, specifically in Ohio County, in October last year.

The task force also held a trial run to offer a more challenging route for more avid canoeists and kayakers. of the biking and paddlecraft trails

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reenactment, which has been taking place since 1995, would come to an end in April after the 2020 event had to be canceled due to COVID-19.

The pandemic is not the only reason the board decided to put an end to the annual event, however.

According to board chairman Wendell Miller, many of the battle’s reenactors are reaching a point where they have to stop due to age, and there are not as many new people taking up the roles.

He said, despite reaching a record number of people in attendance in 2001 with around 1,600 reenactors and 30,000 visitors, the number of reenactors have begun to decline for the event.

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The efforts in gaining some of the access points, however, could take some time. Thacker said the access points are located on private property, so the task force must have signed agreements from landowners before officially enabling paddlecraft access in those specific locations along the Rough River.

“We’re working on some of those things,” he said. “I think it’s just a process, but it won’t be long, I think, before we see more victories. It’s already been an economic benefit. I think it’s put Livermore on the map already.”

Additionally, the Battle of Sacramento Reenactment Board is considering converting the event into a “Living Heritage Celebration.”

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young ones coming in to do that,” he said. “I think it was just inevitable that this was going to happen.”

Miller said the board would like to see the event transformed into a “Living Heritage Celebration” where visitors and residents can still learn about the “Battle of Sacramento” and the history of the town.

Currently, however, the board does not have enough information to say what that might entail or when it will begin.

“Everything’s in such a transition right now and with the pandemic, it’s thrown everything off,” Miller said.

“I really don’t have anything that’s in concrete of what will or won’t be done right now.”

He said he hopes to have further discussions with the board and the city over the next several months and potentially have more information about the future of the reenactment and the celebration by the beginning of next year.

“I hope that we do get to continue doing something because it is part of our heritage and trying to tell a little bit of history,” he said.

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

Livermore unveils its first tourism sign in January 2020, funded by Independence Bank.

Christie Netherton, Messenger-Inquirer

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MCLEAN COUNTY

COVID-19 confirms need for digital works project

BY CHRISTIE NETHERTON

W

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

hile COVID-19 has pushed back progress on the McLean County digital works project, it has also confirmed the need for it, according to Judge-Executive Curtis Dame.

The county received a $99,000 grant in June 2020 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development to renovate the Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center loft to accommodate a Digital Works training facility.

The facility, according to Dame, would allow residents to train with either a hired employee or third-party vendor, Digital Works, to learn how to work from home carrying out fulfillment services — such as customer service — for contracted companies.

Dame said the reason he initially pushed for the project was because he thought there might be interest from the community in acquiring more positions that would enable a person to work from home, whether because they do not have child care or are in need of extra income.

If anything, he said the project is needed more now than ever with the COVID-19 pandemic pushing many people into working from home.

The McLean County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center loft is in the process of being transformed into a digital works space.

Christie Netherton, Messenger-Inquirer

CONTINUES ON PAGE 34

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Currently, plans include a catering kitchen and bathroom “Vindication sadly came in the facilities in the loft, as well as a form of COVID-19, so if anything, small shop front, meeting room the local push and the need for that area and classroom area, which will work from home environment has be multi-use for large meetings, a been amplified,” he said. “Now, classroom or a vendor space. we have the technology because “It’s a ver y fluid design that of COVID with Zoom meetings, allows for a multitude of different expansion of FaceTime capabilities. events to be housed in the facility,” The technology now I think is he said. in place to facilitate the need for The timeframe of the project this center more so than when we right now lies in finding a applied for the grant.” contractor to do the work and With COVID-19 cases on the rise bidding out the project, according once again, he said it is possible to Dame. people might begin moving back He said once the project gets to a work-from-home status soon, under way, he hopes to eventually with some employers considering incorporate training for advanced moving to work-from-home status work capabilities and how to permanently, making it more perform those duties at home, imperative to make progress in the as well as scanners, printers and project. other forms of technology that Dame said there are some might be useful in performing design plans in place for the work-from-home duties. project, which will be built in the “I think we’ve seen that there is upstairs loft of the Chamber of availability of these types of jobs Commerce building at 297 Main St. here,” he said. “I think the validity in Calhoun. of having the facility is there.”

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MUHLENBERG

37

COUNTY An artist rendering of the new Kentucky Fire Commission, Fire Rescue Training Center.

Rendering submitted

Expansion still in works at fire training center

W

NATHAN HAVENNER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

hile a planned expansion at the National Responder Preparedness Center in Greenville is seeing some delays, Kentucky Fire Commission Director Larry Potter said the planned classroom and burn tower will be built at the site.

Potter said the plans include a roughly 12,000 square-foot classroom addition and a five-story burn tower that will be utilized to train firefighters from across Kentucky.

“We do some training down there in that, but we wanted to expand and have some different types of training down there that our firefighters need in the state,” Potter said.

While the Kentucky Fire

Commission was when a projected “We were hoping to be approved for $6.4 completion date million in funding finished with our classroom would be. from the state Having served building and burn tower by legislature, Potter as a fire chief at around August 2022.” said the bids for two different fire the project came departments, — Larry Potter Potter said he back higher than Kentucky Fire Commission director expected, which can see the has forced them need for having to reevaluate the a facility that plan and their timeline. can be utilized by firefighters from “Right now we are going through across the state. While larger fire that process to see when we will get departments in major cities such as going,” he said. “We were hoping Louisville and Lexington have their to be finished with our classroom own training programs, small- and building and burn tower by around medium-sized departments have August 2022.” to host their own classes for new Potter said the commission is still firefighters, something that requires trying to determine if it’s required to both time and resources. re-bid the project, and he isn’t sure “This is our approach to try and

have an academy to take care of those departments that have those needs,” Potter said.

The expanded facility will also be able to ensure firefighter training is more consistent throughout the state.

“If you hire somebody in Owensboro and they got them from Winchester, Kentucky, then their training that they came into the fire department with is going to be different,” Potter said. “We are trying to add consistency also.”

While the timeline for the project is in limbo, Potter said it will be completed.

“As a fire chief, I see the importance of it, and now as director, that is a vision that I have to be able to provide for the fire service,” he said.

38 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MUHLENBERG

COUNTY

County libraries adapt in unprecedented times, serve residents

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NATHAN HAVENNER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he COVID-19 pandemic presented public libraries with many of the same challenges that affected an untold number of businesses since March 2020; how to provide the goods and ser vices that patrons have become accustomed to while adhering to state and federal mandates.

For Muhlenberg County Public Libraries, that meant introducing a variety of new ideas at its Harbin Memorial Librar y, Thistle Cottage Histor y and Genealogy Annex in Greenville and Central City Pubic Librar y.

“We did curbside ser vice for anyone who did not feel comfortable in the building once we reopened, basically we did porch drop-offs,” librar y director Janet Harris said.

The librar y also offered a book-drop ser vice to local nursing homes and the local hospital, as well as take-and-make activity kits for both children and adults.

According to the official State of America’s Libraries 2021 report by the American Library Association, public libraries “extended necessary lifelines to community members facing job losses, healthcare crisis and remote work and learning during an unprecedented and uncertain time.”

Harris said Muhlenberg County Libraries closed after the pandemic began in March 2020 and reopened to the public in June.

The Harbin Memorial branch of the Muhlenberg County Public Library in Greenville joined the county’s other branches in adapting to provide library services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer

No in-person event “So many people think that since 2020, modifications to the librar y staff libraries are just books, but but those will had to be made, have to be libraries are much more, she said. suspended especially now.”

“Really, it did again because not affect our Muhlenberg — Janet Harris County is again staffing because library director we do not have in the state’s a large staff, and COVID-19 Red we were able to Zone. social distance,” she said. “We The ALA report said the have worked masked throughout events of the past 18 months the pandemic.” have shown their worth time Harris said the librar y and time again: “As we assess recently hosted its first live the state of America’s libraries,

we find 2020 was a year when librar y professionals answered the call to ser ve amid multiple emergencies and a year when librar y workers again proved to be essential ‘first restorers’ or ‘second responders.’ ” Harris said a librar y is not only a nice ser vice to have in a community, but is an essential asset.

“I feel like we offer many different things,” she said. “So many people think that libraries are just books, but libraries are much more, especially now.”

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The Harbin Memorial branch of the Muhlenberg County Public Library in Greenville joined the county’s other branches in adapting to provide library services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MUHLENBERG

COUNTY

County officials expect strategic plan to guide success M

NATHAN HAVENNER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

uhlenberg County of ficials are hoping a new strategic plan initiated by Fiscal Cour t Judge-Executive Cur tis McGehee earlier this year will help guide the county as it looks toward the future in areas such as economic development, infrastructure and community pride and appearance.

Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg County Fiscal Cour t magistrate, said employment in the community has shifted away from the coal mining jobs and fuel plants that previously operated in the area.

“The driving engine for us now, that has changed significantly,” Benton said. “We have a lot of small businesses compared to a lot of other cities around.”

While county of ficials are tr ying to attract larger industr y to the area, it also wants to cultivate the small business community to help it grow and succeed, he said.

Christopher Clifton, Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress’ director of business development, said to his knowledge, this will be the first strategic plan of its kind for the area.

According to its website, the Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress does core economic development functions,

Christopher Clifton, Muhlenberg Alliance for Progress’ director of business development, said to his knowledge, this will be the first strategic plan of its kind for the area. including business marketing to attract new companies to the area, research and information development, business retention, expansion and entrepreneurship and site and building searches.

Clifton said an accurate and up-to-date strategic plan is critical for a community to be able to track its progress towards its future goals.

“If you really take into account that if you really don’t have a plan as to where you are going to go, any road will take you there, I think the counterintuitive component of that would be you need to plan out what it is that you think are your competitive advantages, your strengths and weaknesses,” Clifton said.

Other factors include human capital, engineering design and the ability to develop something for a company that would want to locate to the county and also maximize the available labor force.

“So really that encompasses, I would say, most of the seeds of economic development strategy,” Clifton said. “It is a pretty comprehensive process.”

Once the data is put into place, a community can pick some underper forming and

high per forming peer cities that are similar in population and characteristics and use those as a benchmark to develop and market the area.

Clifton said MAP will most likely reach out and have a local university that will ser ve

as a “score keeper” of the data as a way to accurately measure the county’s gross domestic product on an annual basis.

In developing the plan, committees were formed, which are still active in creating new city ordinances, working on a county-wide beautification project and working to ensure Muhlenberg County provides oppor tunities for individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels.

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

41

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer

Muhlenberg County officials have introduced a new multi-area strategic plan aimed at addressing the needs of the community as it looks towards the future.

42 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

MUHLENBERG

COUNTY

County introduces beautification initiative

B

BY NATHAN HAVENNER MESSENGER-INQUIRER

eautification is the name of the game in Muhlenberg County, as officials decided it was time to ensure both county residents, visitors and perspective businesses can see the pride that goes into keeping the area clean and free of debris.

Darrin Benton, Muhlenberg County Fiscal Court magistrate, said the plan to clean up the county after seeing years of increasing litter and debris was done with future economic development in mind.

“The appearance of a county says a lot about a lot of different areas, not only quality of life, but

economic development, attracting industry,” Benton said. “One of the things that was brought to our attention was just the appearance of our community as it relates to attracting industry, and I think that was the driving force behind recognizing that it needs to be addressed.”

Benton said that while some of counties in Kentucky offer curbside garbage pickup, Muhlenberg doesn’t currently offer that service, which could be contributing to some of the issues the community is trying to address.

Muhlenberg County residents purchase trash bags through the county government to dispose of household garbage and then take

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them to a waste collection site.

“We reduced the cost of the bags, and I do know that we have an increase in bag purchases, and we hope that will in turn mean more people will dispose of their garbage in an appropriate manner,” he said.

Benton said the beautification projects are an extension of a new strategic plan initiated by county Fiscal Court Judge-Executive Curtis McGehee earlier this year.

A separate committee was set up, and the decision was made to hire a deputy jailer to oversee a second crew of prison inmates to pick up roadside debris, mow grass and clean the county’s parks.

Another aspect of the beautification initiative is a new

county ordinance directed at trash haulers in an effort to limit the amount of garbage spilled onto the roadways.

Benton said that while he has not seen the final version of the ordinance yet, the county attorney is actively working on it.

“I would say it is probably more in line with those who are hauling for a fee, just to make sure that they don’t lose garbage on the road or when going to the landfill,” he said.

Benton said he believes elected officials have an obligation to try and improve the appearance of the community they serve for a variety of reasons, including “just an overall self-pride to be better than you were.”

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

43

Nathan Havenner, Messenger-Inquirer

An urban park located near the Muhlenberg County Courthouse in downtown Greenville welcomes tourists and townspeople alike with blooming flowers and comfortable park benches.

44 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

45

OHIO COUNTY

Beaver Dam Amphitheater is a staple W

BY BOBBIE HAYSE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

hen Beaver Dam Mayor Paul Sandefur observed the construction of the city’s 33-acre park about 10 years ago, he looked at a hillside in the southeast section of the grounds and thought it would be a perfect spot for an amphitheater.

At that time, he and other planners were thinking of something small — a place where local acts could perform and maybe a spot for schools to hold performances.

His quest to build a public performing space in the city’s new park spawned a world-class stage that has hosted such legendary acts like John Prine, Sheryl Crowe, Shooter Jennings, the Beach Boys and more.

“We jumped in and just did it,” Sandefur said. “Of course, we had the luxury of that restaurant tax that paid for it, but I’m a firm believer that if we had money coming in, we needed to utilize it somehow to make an impact.”

The amphitheater, and its continual booking of professional and well-known acts, is funded by the city’s restaurant tax that was passed in 2013. The tax can only be applied toward tourism efforts, and it garners from $500,000 to $550,000 per year, Sandefur said.

What the means for Beaver Dam, however, is that when the amphitheater brings in bigger acts, they spend money locally at restaurants, which then generates more funds for the tax.

It creates a snowball effect, Sandefur said, adding that he initially thought it would take about five to seven years to “get on its feet.”

“We are now at that mark,” he said. “I see us turning the corner with things.”

The amphitheater opened in 2014, with Lonestar and Joe Diffey being the first acts to grace the 2,000-square-foot stage. Since then, Sandefur says the

teamwork, reputation, funding (and) professionalism to make those acts happen.”

He said the city of Beaver Dam, and its tourism commission, were wise and “forward-thinking” to take advantage of the restaurant tax option when it was available. Through those funds, concerts are able to take place, thus positively impacting the economic base and directly going back to the community.

The amphitheater has also been good for the region, Sandefur said, as it has inspired cooperation and collaboration with other area cities.

“We have two hotels in the town, and we know we can’t handle everybody that’s coming in for these shows, so we have been working with hotels in Owensboro and Central City,” Photo by Kellen Fleener Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater. Since he said, adding that the packages for its opening in 2014, the Beaver Dam Amphitheater has hosted several perfor- concerts, hotels and shuttle services mances, including shows by John Prine, Tanya Tucker and Confederate Railroad. have been “kind of one-stop shopping that is regional.” city’s tourism Trace Adkins “We can all work together,” he said.

“Beaver Dam has that — that commission is and comedian Eric and the commission are in the able to book Leanne Morgan process of booking the 2022-23 concert magical perfect combination larger acts perform on the season, and work on that began in of teamwork, reputation, because they see stage, along May. They are all hopeful it will flourish funding (and) professionalism with Sebastian post-pandemic. the success of other shows.

Bach, George While concert offerings were able to make those acts happen.”

Concerts draw Thorogood and to shift and continue throughout the — Heath Eric Steve Earle. in crowds from all last year, the potential for growth is over the country.

Others are ever-evident, Eric said.

When Prine scheduled.

One of the biggest concerts held performed a few years ago, Sandefur Eric also said as the years go on, at the amphitheater was John Prine, recalls tickets being sold to individuals and performers attest to the quality of with special guest Tyler Childers, in from 40 states, 102 of Kentucky’s the facility, Beaver Dam attracts more 2018, which brought in about 4,500 counties, Canada and Australia. acts. people.

Heath Eric’s company, the Eric What’s more, while Beaver Dam The Beach Boys concert this season Group, is contracted by the Beaver does have the funds to pay for these was another big one, Sandefur said, Dam Tourism Commission to be the shows, they have the facilities to back it though this year the venue has been booking agent and promoter for shows up, Eric said. limited with ticket sales and capacity at the Beaver Dam Amphitheater.

“You have to have the facility, you due to the coronavirus.

He works hand-in-hand with the have to have the professional team on Stay tuned to the Beaver Dam mayor, and the tourism commission, the ground that has those relationships Amphitheater on social media, or its to bring a variety of shows to the with those acts to successfully pull it website at beaverdamamp.com, for area that will appeal to all audiences. off,” he said. “Beaver Dam has that — more information about its upcoming So far this season they’ve had that magical perfect combination of season.

46 OUR REGION

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

OHIO COUNTY

County paddling its way to a recreational future

M

BY BOBBIE HAYSE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

embers of the Ohio County Economic Development Alliance have been busy the past few years.

The group, along with others in McLean County, have been working to make better use of one of Ohio County’s key water ways: Rough River.

Through a recreation and trails grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the group has, so far, installed several kayak and canoe access ramps along the river, including one at Dundee Narrows, one each at Sunnydale and Combs bridges and one at the bottom of the Hartford weir. There has also been one built at the end of Union Street in Hartford.

It’s great progress for the group that wants to keep the river clean and to encourage people to be more active, said Jodi Ashby, OCEDA executive director.

Ashby said this work, along with the partnership with the Livermore Trail Town Task Force, has been beneficial for the cause.

“Our trail goes all the way from Dundee Narrows to Livermore,” she said.

A few more access points need to be added, she said, to help shorten the float time from Hartford to Livermore, however.

“We are going to tr y to get more farmers on board with the idea,” she said, adding that most of the land between the two cities is rural.

“We want to debunk the misunderstandings that people will vandalize property and things like that.”

She said most of the time, users of kayaks and canoes are engaging in family-friendly fun.

Providing more access points

Trent Hillard makes his way down the Rough River.

Photo by Ralph Thacker

and encouraging usage of the river for recreation could also generate more tourism, she said, and increase livability in the area.

Through this, more of a work force, and thus business and industr y, could be attracted to the area.

“You have to have recreational things to do to make a place a good place to live and provide a quality of life, and create good jobs for people,” she said. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

Another recent topic of conversation has been the dredging — the cleaning out of a bed of water — of Rough River.

That seemed like a pipe

dream at first, said Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston, but now that individuals involved have seriously begun looking into the matter, it seems a little more feasible.

Johnston said within the last few months a meeting took place that included interested parties, including those from Ohio, McLean and Butler counties. Also invited were engineers and individuals who are capable of making such a feat attainable.

“We don’t know how, but we are determined to find a way of cleaning out the Rough River,” he said. “It’s going to be a long, drawn-out process, but we are

tr ying to organize an agency to handle it.”

That project is in the ver y beginning stages, he said, but there are hopes the counties along the Rough River can tr y for some federal money to assist in the project. He said the fact that such a task would help agriculture drainage may help the cause, as well.

Ashby said that project is ambitious, but may be doable.

“We are hoping that we can do it,” she said. “For sure having paddle craft on the river will help.

The more traffic we have along that river, the better it will be as far as that sort of things goes.”

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

47

OHIO COUNTY

Water district reaching as many as possible

T

BY BOBBIE HAYSE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he 20-year project of the Ohio County Water District to connect water lines to rural residents is slated to be completed within the next year.

Delays have caused the project to slow over the last year, but since 2000, the water district has increased its number of customers from 4,479 to 6,066.

There are still a few residents out in Ohio County’s Chiggarville area that need service. But they may soon be able to connect to county lines due to some funds coming in through the America Rescue Plan Act that was passed by congress earlier this year.

Eric Hickman, Ohio County Water District general manager, said the biggest holdup with running lines to those few residents is cost.

“The cost estimate for this project is $850,000,” he said, to run five miles of water line.

Ohio County is the commonwealth’s fifth-largest county, according to land-mass.

However, population in the county is down and continually decreasing.

“So the more lines you build, the more infrastructure costs rise,” he said.

Still, with the $250 million in funds appropriated for clean water in Kentucky through ARPA, Hickman said running that water line could become a reality.

In June, Gov. Andy Beshear announced a Better Kentucky plan that includes the funding for improving water infrastructure in the commonwealth. Representatives from Kentucky’s 15 Area Development Districts and Area Water Management Councils were asked to submit project profiles to

Chad Smith, a distribution operator for the Ohio County Water District, tries to locate a water line in Ohio County. The water district is nearing completion on its 20-year project to run water lines to county residents.

By Bobbie Hayse, Messenger-Inquirer

indicate their said. “It’s a real “This is a chance for us to interest in some chance to be of the Cleaner transformative.” upgrade our systems without Water Program raising costs on Kentuckians.” saidHickman funds. the county Eligible would be the — Gov. Andy Beshear government recipient of agencies, such a grant, including city-owned water or and would administer it. Plans are sewer utilities, water commissions still in the beginning stages, with and water and sewer districts and a lot of things still up in the air, counties, were encouraged to apply. but “there’s a lot of money coming Beshear said in June that down” for improvements to county typically completing large-scale water districts. projects would mean an increase to All in all, Hickman said, the a water bill. county has had success providing “This is a chance for us to access to its water lines to residents upgrade our systems without in far-reaching points in the county. raising costs on Kentuckians,” he Hickman, who has been with the

water district since last December, attributed this success of this project to the hard work of his employees and the former water district general manager, Walt Beasley.

“It’s been the county’s goal, and the water district’s goal, to reach as many people as we can,” he said. “We have done a pretty good job, and that’s a testament to the previous general manager and the commissioners of the board being able to serve so many people.

“We built a lot of water lines over the years and have done an excellent job of getting water out to as many residents of Ohio County as possible.”

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Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

OHIO COUNTY

Bluegrass music’s history runs deep

BY KEITH LAWRENCE

Bill Monroe’s grave in Rosine Cemetery, which is topped by 20-foot obelisk made of 14 tons hio County has been of white North Carolina granite, drawing fans from all over continues to draw fans from around the world for decades as the world 25 years after his death “The Home of Bluegrass.”

That’s because Bill Monroe, “the on Sept. 9, 1996.

On September 13, 1973, Monroe father of bluegrass,” was born just unveiled a monument to Vandiver outside Rosine on Sept. 13, 1911. in Rosine Cemetery with the words In 2001, Monroe’s boyhood to the song “Uncle Pen” engraved home, 1.5 miles west of Rosine on U.S. 62, was rebuilt with $390,000 in on it it.

It has attracted bluegrass fans state help and opened to the public.

It’s currently open from 10 a.m. to 4 from around the world for 48 years.

Vandiver, who died in 1932 at age p.m. seven days a week.

63, was the brother of Bill Monroe’s Jody Flener, executive director mother, Malissa Vandiver Monroe. of Ohio County Tourism, says Monroe lived for brief periods there’s no charge to tour the house.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer with his Uncle William Monroe “Most of the days, there’s a Bluegrass fans sit on a hill at Jerusalem Ridge and listen to Jesse & Noah perand, then, his Uncle Jack Monroe. tour guide available,” she said. form during the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass festival in Rosine.

When Jack’s house was placed “If there’s no one there, people under a measles quarantine, are welcome to look through the RiverValley Behavioral Vandiver invited Monroe to “batch windows.”

In 2002, Ohio County welcomed it” at his cabin, according to music Health's is the historian Ralph Rinzler. bluegrass fans to the Homeplace designated Monroe later immortalized with its Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass regional Community Vandiver in a bluegrass classic, Festival. This year’s festival is scheduled for Sept. 9-12 with Larry “Uncle Pen.” Mental Health For Behavioral Health Services Rosine is also home to the Sparks, Gary Brewer, David Center. RiverValley Rosine Barn Jamboree, which Davidson, Fast Track, Joe Mullins Behavioral Health is has bluegrass performance free and more slated to perform. every Friday night from April to Flener said, “We try to always the Commonwealth's have it as close to Bill’s birthday as mid-December. Musicians began designated regional playing there in 1992. Flener said we can.” behavioral healthcare the music begins at 5:30 p.m. every The full lineup for this year’s Friday with an open mic. festival can be found at https:// provider in Western “People can stand in Bill’s www.jerusalemridgefestival.com/ Kentucky for over 50 footprints and sing,” she said.

In 2012, Monroe’s son, James years, serving Daviess, The Jamboree itself cranks up at Monroe, began rebuilding his 7 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. great-uncle James Pendleton Ohio, McLean, Hancock, Ohio County opened its Bill Vandiver’s cabin on 2.5 acres Webster, Union and Monroe Museum in Rosine on atop Tuttle Hill above Rosine for Henderson counties.

April 20, 2018. It features Monroe bluegrass fans to visit. memorabilia including instruments, “This was the last place my clothing and a Cadillac owned father lived in Kentucky,” Monroe

by Monroe. Flener said it’s open said. “I think bluegrass fans will Ohio County from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday want to see it.”

1269 Duvall Road through Friday “and occasionally Flener said the cabin is open Beaver Dam, KY 42320 2021 on Saturday.” Admission is $5 for from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $3. adults and $3 for children under 11.

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Carl Caldwell sings “This Old Old House” while playing the mandolin and performing with Terry Hand & the Step Ahead Bluegrass Band on Sept. 13, 2019, on a stage in the hollow beside Bill Monroe’s boyhood home during the Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival in Rosine.

Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer

Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021

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