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Photo: Kentucky State Parks, Pennyrile Forest
Learn about the route of the Cherokee Trail of Tears in western Kentucky during Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park’s Trail of Tears Weekend May 12-13.
The event, co-sponsored by the Friends of Pennyrile, will feature a bus tour of the trail in Caldwell, Crittenden and Livingston counties. The bus will take participants to Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, which is an important point on Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.
The Trail of Tears was a series of forced removals of the Cherokee living east of the Mississippi to what is now Oklahoma.
Guests can attend an introductory program on Friday evening and a historical and musical program on Saturday evening by Laura Hunt Angel.
Space is limited to 50 people.
The fee is $45 and includes the bus tour, a boxed lunch, evening programs and a tour guide. The park is also offering a 10 percent lodging discount. Call 800-325-1711.
The rustic wood and stone Pennyrile Lodge, with 24 rooms, sits serenely on a high cliff overlooking Pennyrile Lake. Open year-round, the park has 12 cottages in the wooded lodge area and on the lake’s shores. The restaurant seats 200, including a private dining room for up to 80. The park also offers hiking trails, fishing, basketball, tennis, camping and horse campsites that are available year-round.
“In For The Cure” by Franklin County artist Fran Redmon
Work by 29 Kentucky artists will hang in Frankfort for the Governor’s Derby Exhibit, an annual initiative coordinated by the Kentucky Arts Council.
This exhibit is on display through May 8 in the Capitol Rotunda, 700 Capital Ave. in Frankfort.
“The Kentucky Derby is a time-honored tradition, and so, too, is our celebration of work by Kentucky artists,” said Kentucky First Lady Glenna Bevin. “The Governor’s Derby Exhibit is something we want all Kentuckians and visitors to our wonderful state to come to Frankfort and enjoy as we count down the days until the first Saturday in May.”
The exhibit celebrates Kentucky stories and traditions, including its tobacco heritage, which Frankfort artist Fran Redmon chose to capture in her pastel work titled “In For the Cure,” which shows a colorful rendition of a barn with drying tobacco hanging inside.
“I grew up in Woodford County as the daughter of a tobacco farmer with my five siblings,” Redmon said. “We worked on the farm every year. It was something we were all part of. When I drive down the road in the fall and see tobacco hanging, I remember those days.”
The barn in her piece is one she saw on a fall drive in Franklin County near Switzer.
“I took a picture of it and decided to do a painting,” she said. “I liked the way it was weathered, but the thing that caught my eye was the dramatic lighting of the sun coming across the front. I liked the drama of the light and shadow at that time of day.”
This is the second time Redmon’s work has been selected for the Governor’s Derby Exhibit.
Unlike most Kentucky Arts Council exhibits, which are only open to adjudicated arts council program participants, the Governor’s Derby Exhibit includes art from any Kentuckian age 18 or older.
“One of my goals as executive director is creating more opportunities for Kentucky artists across the state to show work in arts council exhibits,” said Lydia Bailey Brown, arts council executive director. “These exhibits often help us discover even more talent in the state, and gives those artists the confidence to put themselves out there.”
Below is a full list of artists included in the display, their county of residence and title of artwork:
- Bill Berryman, Clark, “The Piper”
- Bill Burton, Daviess, “Keeneland Fall Meet”
- CeCe Butcher, Pulaski, “Tribute to Bill Monroe”
- Robert Clark, Scott, “Mine That Bird’s Derby”
- Laura Eklund, Carter, “Kentucky Sky”
- Darryl Halbrooks, Madison, “Natura Morta 5”
- Jerielle Hanlon, Fayette, “Kentucky Agate and Cloud Abstract”
- Marilyn Holmes, Jefferson, “I Too Sing America”
- Frederica Diane Huff, Jefferson, “A Kentucky Girl and Her Horse”
- Robert Hunt, Madison, “Kentucky Derby Story”
- Shirley Jeter, Fayette, “Tradition”
- Betty Liles, Christian, “The Apple Barn”
- David Neace, Jessamine, “Earth 1946”
- Kevin Osbourn, Clark, “The Rock Bridge”
- Ken Page, Kenton, “The Maestro Takes a Walk”
- Linda Pierce, Christian, “Troop Train”
- Monica Pipia, Fayette, “The Turnaround”
- Fran Redmon, Franklin, “In For the Cure”
- Cassandra Russell Dossett, Jefferson, “My Old Kentucky Saddler”
- Marcheta Sparrow, Franklin, “Intensity – Expression of a Kentucky Champion”
- Wayne Stacy, Franklin, “Faith Abandoned”
- Paula Stone-Buckner, Montgomery, “The Queen’s Court”
- Jason Sturgill, Fayette, “Face Shielded from the Sun Floating Slowly Down the River”
- Billy Tackett, Boone, “Pearl Bryan”
- Susan Tolliver, Jefferson, “Surging Ahead”
- Patty Trujillo, Jefferson, “Uncle Damon”
- Connie Vice, Oldham, “Worthington’s Garage”
- Amy Welborn, Oldham, “Mimosa Sunrise”
- Angela Wells, Jefferson, “Abe’s Last Garden”
The Governor’s Derby Exhibit is open to the public during regular State Capitol building hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
Attorney General Andy Beshear, the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board and the University of Louisville today announced an upcoming special screening of “I Am Jane Doe,” a worldwide documentary on child sex trafficking.
The 2017 film chronicles the battle of several American mothers on behalf of their middle-school daughters, who are victims of sex trafficking, against printed and online adult classifieds.
The film, narrated by Academy Award-nominee Jessica Chastain, will play at 6:30 p.m. on May 8 at the Clifton Center’s historic Eifler Theater in Louisville, located at 2117 Payne St. An expert panel discussion introduced by Beshear will follow the viewing of the film.
“We must continue to raise awareness on human trafficking and how it represents the worst form of abuse, often to children, in the Commonwealth,” Beshear said. “Human trafficking is increasing all over the Commonwealth, and as Kentuckians we must recognize the signs because it occurs in all our counties, cities and communities. By helping to bring this film to Kentucky, we have another opportunity to raise awareness about our obligation to prevent, identify and prosecute human trafficking cases.”
The Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board, which is administered by the Office of the Attorney General, is co-sponsoring the film – currently only being shown in larger cities worldwide – through the Child Victims’ Trust Fund.
The Fund last year helped pay for nearly 400 child sexual abuse forensic exams and helped administer $160,000 in statewide grants aimed at teaching parents how to discuss child sexual abuse with children and how to keep children safe on the Internet.
Dr. Jennifer Middleton, director of the University of Louisville’s Human Trafficking Research Initiative, is spearheading the efforts to bring “I Am Jane Doe” to Louisville and is working with
Beshear’s office to raise awareness on human trafficking.
Beshear recently joined Dr. Middleton and her colleagues at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work to announce a study from the school that found that 40 percent of homeless youth surveyed in Louisville and southern Indiana reported being victims of sex trafficking, mostly in exchange for money or lodging.
“Based on the findings of our recent research study, it is clear that child sex trafficking is prevalent in our community, particularly among our most vulnerable children,” Dr. Middleton said. “The good news is that there is a lot that we can do to combat the issue and even prevent it from happening. And it starts with increasing the community’s knowledge and awareness about the issue.”
The Eifler Theater at the Clifton Center seats approximately 500 guests. To obtain admission information and to register for the event, please visit the event page at http://bit.ly/2ogJzkh. The event is free to the public but space is limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. For additional questions about the event, please call the Human Trafficking Research Initiative at 502-852-3651.
At the completion of the film, a panel will discuss with the audience the documentary and the signs of human trafficking. The panelists include: Donna Pollard, survivor and member of Beshear’s Survivors Council; Julie Horen, coordinator of the My Life My Choice prevention program at Catholic Charities Human Trafficking Program; Allyson Taylor, director of Beshear’s Office of Child Abuse and Exploitation Prevention; Michael Littrell, cyber investigator for Beshear’s Department of Criminal Investigations; and Angela Renfro, survivor and director of the Kristy Love Foundation.
“Human trafficking is a crime and its victims are often hidden, which makes awareness especially important and also difficult to achieve,” Renfro said. “It is important for everyone in our community to be aware of the human trafficking problem in our community. Because you can make a difference.”
Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to support the Child Victims’ Trust Fund through private donations, proceeds from the purchase of “I Care About Kids” license plates or donations made through the state income tax refund check-off program. To support victims of child sexual abuse, Kentuckians may visit their county clerk’s office and request an “I Care About Kids” license plate or check the box on their tax returns to designate a portion to the CVTF.
Photo: Secretary of State Grime’s Office
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes welcomed and congratulated new United States citizens at a naturalization ceremony on Thursday at the national headquarters of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Grimes recognized 97 new citizens from 39 different countries who took the oath of citizenship to become Americans officially. She spoke to the new citizens and their families about the importance of voter participation, civic engagement, and being committed to their communities.
“On this special occasion, we’re celebrating at the Sons of the American Revolution – a conflict which resulted in America’s independence and the building of a country which has become a melting pot of people like each of you,” Grimes said. “All of us are here because of the people who led the Revolution, and today we affirm the ideal that America is a place for everyone.”
Grimes encouraged the new citizens to use one of their newly attained rights as citizens by registering to vote via Kentucky’s online registration portal at GoVoteKY.com. The portal is easy to navigate and it takes just a few short minutes to complete the registration process, Grimes said.
Grimes imparted upon the new citizens the importance of participating in elections and asked them to go to the polls in every cycle.
“I’m counting on you to lead us on a course change when it comes to voting. Each of you must take part in the process. America’s future cannot be built on apathy,” said Grimes.
The Supreme Court of Kentucky will convene April 19-20 in Frankfort to hear oral arguments in civil cases that originated in Bell, Bracken, Fayette, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Proceedings are open to the public and will take place in the Supreme Court Courtroom on the second floor of the state Capitol at 700 Capitol Ave. in Frankfort.
The public may also observe oral arguments via the Supreme Court live stream on the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Oral arguments are available online as they occur in real time and are not available as archives.
The Supreme Court is the state court of last resort and the final interpreter of Kentucky law. Seven justices sit on the Supreme Court and all seven justices rule on appeals that come before the court. The justices are elected from seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. A chief justice, chosen for a four-year term by fellow justices, is the administrative head of the state’s court system and is responsible for its operation. The Supreme Court may order a ruling or opinion to be published, which means that the ruling becomes the case law governing all similar cases in the future in Kentucky.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017
9 AM ET
2016-SC-000008-DG
BIG SANDY REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY V. LEXINGTON FAYETTE URBAN COUNTY GOVERNMENT
“Sovereign Immunity. KRS 441.025. At issue in this matter is whether sovereign immunity bars an action by a regional jail against a county to recover the costs of housing that county’s prisoners, after they were arrested and held pursuant to a warrant from courts of that county. In addition, at issue is whether KRS 441.025 obligates a county to pay for the incarceration of prisoners arrested and held on warrants issued by the courts of that county which are served in the county where the prisoner is incarcerated.”
Discretionary Review granted 9/15/2016
Fayette Circuit Court, Judge Kim M. Wilkie and Judge Ernesto Scorsone
Attorney for Appellant: Nelson Theodore Sparks
Attorneys for Appellee: Michael Keith Horn and Charles Edwards, III
10 AM
2016-SC-000321-DG
KENTUCKYONE HEALTH, INC. V. BENJAMIN REID, JR., M.D.
“Health Care Quality Improvement Act. Rebuttable Presumption of Immunity. At issue in this case is whether the hospital’s actions against the physician constitute “professional review action” to which the rebuttable presumption of immunity provisions of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act apply. Additionally, if immunity did not apply to the physician’s claims against the hospital, was there sufficient evidence to support a summary judgment on the claims for breach of contract, tortious interference with a business relationship and slander.”
Discretionary Review granted 10/13/2016
Jefferson Circuit Court, Judge Audra Jean Eckerle
Attorneys for Appellant: Kathryn Ann Quesenberry and Michael P. Abate
Attorneys for Appellee: Larry B. Franklin, Kelly Jo Brownfield and Patrick John Smith
11 AM ET
2016-SC-000243-DG
ST. AUGSTINE SCHOOL, ET AL. V. JANET CROPPER
“Contracts. Ecclesiastical Abstention. Whether a breach of contract claim by a parochial school administrator involves a matter of internal church governance requiring judicial abstention.”
Discretionary Review granted 10/13/2016
Bracken Circuit Court, Judge Stockton B. Wood
Attorneys for Appellants: Richard G. Meyer and Nicholas Charles Birkenhauer
Attorney for Appellee: Gail Marie Langendorf
THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2017
10 AM ET
2016-SC-000281-DG
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET, DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE V. INTERSTATE GAS SUPPLY, INC., FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF TRI-STATE HEALTHCARE LAUNDRY, INC.
“Kentucky Constitution § 170. Tax Exemption. Institution of Purely Public Charity. The issue in this case is whether an institution of purely public charity should be exempt from payment of a use tax under § 170 of the Kentucky Constitution.”
Discretionary Review granted 10/13/2016
Franklin Circuit Court, Judge Thomas D. Wingate
Attorney for Appellant: Douglas M. Dowell
Attorneys for Appellee: Timothy Joseph Eifler and Stephen A. Sherman
11 AM ET
2015-SC-000489-DG
NAMI RESOURCES COMPANY, L.L.C., ET AL. V. ASHER LAND AND MINERAL, LTD, ET AL.
2016-SC-000235-DG
ASHER LAND AND MINERAL, LTD V. NAMI RESOURCES COMPANY, L.L.C.
“Oil and Gas. Contracts. Fraud. Punitive Damages. Issues involve alleged fraud and/or breach of contract in underpayment of oil and gas royalties pursuant to lease plus the propriety of imposing punitive damages.”
Discretionary Review granted 4/27/2016 and 8/17/2016
Bell Circuit Court, Judge Robert Costanzo
Attorneys for Appellants/Cross-Appellee: Michael D. Bowling, Virginia Hamilton Snell, Donald Joseph Kelly and Benjamin Todd Keller
Attorneys for Appellee/Cross-Appellant, Asher Land and Mineral, LTD: James C. Helton, Darrell L. Saunders and Michael J. Gartland
Attorney for Appellees, Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC and Vanguard Natural Gas, LLC: Mason L. Miller
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Tuesday participated in the dedication of a memorial monument honoring fallen military service members and their families. Grimes and other state and city leaders led the ceremony to unveil the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument at Veterans Park in Lexington.
“Today, we honor the ultimate sacrifice of men and women who stood up and served courageously so that we could live freely,” said Grimes. “And we know that not only have these individuals sacrificed, but so have their families. For that, we are eternally grateful.”
The monument is the 18th of its kind in the nation and the third in Kentucky. The Hershel “Woody” Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Education Foundation assists communities in raising funds and establishing the monuments, including Lexington’s. Williams joined Grimes in the dedication.
As Secretary of State, Grimes has been a steadfast advocate for active military and veterans. Her recommendations to improve military voting resulting from a trip to the Middle East were made law as the first-ever Military Heroes Voting Initiative. The initiative led to a nationally-recognized portal which has successfully assisted thousands of Kentucky military and overseas citizens to cast ballots in elections.
In 2014, Grimes helped several veterans and advocates establish the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame, which honors Kentucky military veterans who have demonstrated exemplary military service as well as military/civilian service to their communities, state, and nation.
Grimes recently pushed for “Boots to Business” legislation in Kentucky’s General Assembly to help veterans start and grow businesses in Kentucky.
“As long as I am able, I will be fighting for those who have fought for us and the families of those who have died for us,” Grimes said.
Trigg County High School emerged from the largest field in the 16-year history of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Kentucky state tournament to win the team competition on April 1 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
The two-day event drew a record 6,071 students from 295 schools across the state.
“The tournament was awesome,” said Lisa Frye, state NASP coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Over 6,000 smiling faces participating in a culminating event showcasing the skills they learned as part of their in-school NASP program. For most archers, it isn’t about competition. It’s all about participating together in a common sport.”
Elementary, middle and high school student archers competed for individual and team honors. After practice rounds, each competitor shot 15 arrows from 10 meters and 15 arrows from 15 meters for a total possible score of 300 points.
Lincoln County High School junior Roby Mullins won the boys’ overall title with a score of 298 and Hancock County High School sophomore Kayla Woodward won the girls’ overall title with a score of 296.
Trigg County’s overall team title was its fifth in the past six NASP Kentucky state tournaments. Madison Central High School and Lafayette High School finished second and third behind the Arrowcats in the high school division.
Pulaski Northern Middle School won the middle school division and Morgantown Elementary placed first in the elementary school division.
The top 10 seniors in the boys’ and girls’ divisions received $1,000 scholarships to apply to any post-secondary education.
Complete state tournament results are available online at nasptournaments.org. Click on “Tournaments” then select “Kentucky” and “Completed This Season” from the dropdown menus.
The next step for many of the archers who competed in the state tournament is the 2017 NASP Nationals scheduled May 11-13 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
