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SubscribeThe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to temporarily halt the outflow from Rough River Lake beginning Sept. 18 to assess the impacts that could occur during planned future repairs to the dam’s outlet works. The stoppage will last up to three consecutive days.
Corps officials say a smaller dam located 7 miles downstream should prevent the tailwater from going completely dry.
Dam repairs have been underway for the past several years. The shutdown is a continuation of those efforts to make the dam safe for today and the immediate future, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Louisville District. High rainfall conditions could alter the timing of the shutdown.
Work on the dam’s outlet works will likely occur sometime between fall 2018 and early winter 2019. Engineers will have a better idea of how to facilitate outlet works repairs once the upcoming assessment is complete.
Rough River Lake is a 5,100-acre reservoir located in Breckinridge, Hardin and Grayson counties. Construction of the 135-foot-high earthen dam at Rough River was completed in 1960.
Boating and fishing on the lake will not be affected by the temporary stoppage of the outflow.
Group photo of award winners
The higher education community honored two faculty members and three alumni Tuesday at the 2017 Governor’s Conference on Postsecondary Education Trusteeship conference. The awards ceremony followed remarks by Gov. Matt Bevin.
Council President Bob King said, “This year’s honorees are truly exceptional, and we are delighted to honor them for their many contributions to enrich the lives of our students and campus communities.”
The Acorn award recognizes exceptional teaching and professional achievement. Honorees include:
- Matthew Winslow, Lexington, professor of psychology, Eastern Kentucky University
- Stacy Taylor, Louisville, professor of English and humanities, Jefferson Community and Technical College.
The OAK award honors outstanding graduates for achieving statewide or national recognition in their careers and for exhibiting a lifelong affection for their alma mater and to Kentucky. Recipients include:
- David Beck, Louisville, executive vice president and chief executive officer of Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
- Michael Mountjoy, Louisville, partner at Mountjoy, Chilton and Medley, LLP, CPAs and Advisors
- Richard Boehne, Newport, president and chief executive officer of E.W. Scripps Co.
Recipients were nominated by their university or college president.
The OAK award was first presented in 1987 and the Acorn award was begun in 1992.
BIOS
Matthew Winslow
Matthew Winslow, of Lexington, is a professor for Eastern Kentucky University’s Department for Psychology. Winslow holds a Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College in Minnesota, a Master of Arts from the University of California-Santa Cruz and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. In addition to teaching several undergraduate statistics/research methods courses and multiple sections of social psychology, he has taught several seminars and special topics courses, and serves as research mentor to undergraduate and Honor’s Program students. Winslow was named the Psychology Department’s Advisor of the Year, and is currently serving as chair of the faculty senate.
Eastern Kentucky University President Michael Benson nominated Winslow.
Stacy Taylor
Stacy Taylor, of Louisville, is an associate professor and the department head of English at the downtown campus of Jefferson Community and Technical College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in Literature in English, as well as is working on her doctorate in rhetoric and composition, from the University of Louisville. She teaches several English composition courses, as well as humanities courses, and serves on Jefferson Community and Technical College’s General Education faculty. She serves as the co-chair of the Faculty Council, on several Achieve the Dream committees, the Kentucky Association for Developmental Education Executive Board, and chairs the system-wide curriculum committee for English.
Jefferson Community and Technical College President Ty Handy nominated Taylor.
David Beck
David Beck, of Louisville, holds a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Murray State University. He currently serves as executive vice president and chief executive officer of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. Beck is active in both state and national agricultural organizations, including the Future Farmers of America National Convention Host Committee, Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Kentucky Agricultural Council and Kentucky Fair Council. Beck also assists in recruitment and student initiatives for the Hutson School of Agriculture at Murray State University. He was named Outstanding Agriculture Alumnus, as well as Distinguished Alumnus, of the university.
Murray State University President Bob Davies nominated Beck.
Michael Mountjoy
Michael Mountjoy, of Louisville, holds a Bachelor of Accounting from the University of Kentucky. He is the founding member of Mountjoy, Chilton and Medley, LLP, CPAs and Advisors, the largest Kentucky-based accounting firm. Mountjoy serves on numerous professional and community associations, including University of Kentucky fellow, honorary board of trustee member for the University of the Cumberlands, chair of the Gheens Foundation, Inc., and past president of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mountjoy was named one of CPA Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential CPA’s” and Louisville Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful People in Louisville.”
University of the Cumberlands President Larry Cockrum nominated Mountjoy.
Richard Boehne
Richard Boehne, of Newport, holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Northern Kentucky University. He is the president and CEO of E.W. Scripps Company, a digital media company located in Cincinnati. Boehne serves as Board of Regents chair and on the Foundation Board of Directors for Northern Kentucky University. He has received the Outstanding Alumnus Award and The Lincoln Award from Northern Kentucky University, and the First Amendment leadership Award from the Radio Television Digital News Foundation for his work on free speech.
Northern Kentucky University Interim President Gerard St. Amand nominated Boehne.
The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) welcomed new member Kimberly Halbauer of Fort Thomas at its meeting Monday in Louisville. Halbauer is a senior vice president and investment advisors executive at Fifth Third Bank.
Appointed to the Council by Gov. Matt Bevin in July, Halbauer was administered the oath of office by Jefferson District Court Judge Eric Haner.
In action items, the Council approved Kentucky State University’s proposal to increase tuition and mandatory fee rates 5 percent for in-state undergraduate students, which complied with the ceilings set earlier this year by the Council. The Council also approved market-competitive tuition and fee rates for the university’s graduate students.
The Council approved responses to comments concerning two new administrative regulations dealing with the comprehensive funding model for the public universities (13 KAR 2:120) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System institutions (13 KAR 2:130). No changes were made to the regulations.
Additionally, the Council heard three annual reports. President Jay Morgan presented the report for Morehead State University and President Eli Capilouto presented the University of Kentucky report. The third annual report featured Kentucky Adult Education and was presented by Reecie Stagnolia, vice president for Kentucky Adult Education.
The Council also heard the following reports: CPE President, Commissioner of Education and Committee on Equal Opportunities. Reports from the institutions were also available.
The Council appointed member Shawn Reynolds as chair of the Committee on Equal Opportunities and appointed Robert M. Croft of Louisville to the committee.
Meeting materials are available at http://cpe.ky.gov/aboutus/cpemeetings.html.
The next meeting of the Council is set Nov. 2-3 at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.
Photo: Kentucky Labor Department
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet will host free OSHA training in Louisville from October 2-6. The week-long workplace safety seminar is a part of the Labor Cabinet’s Population Center Training series which are held in various cities across the state throughout the year.
Population Center Training courses are for both employers and employees and are typically given over a one-week period at each location. The courses are designed to outline the requirements contained in the various subparts of the General Industry and Construction Standards, covering both safety and health issues. All classes are free of charge and open to the public.
What: Louisville Population Center Training
When: Monday, October 2, 2017 – Friday, October 6, 2017
Where: University of Louisville Shelby Campus
Founders Union Building, Room 6
Louisville, KY 40218
Register online HERE
Monday October 2, 2017
Overview of the Kentucky OSH Program 8:30am – 11:30am
This course discusses the obligation to provide a safe and healthy workplace free from recognized hazards. Topics of discussion include the operations of the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program, including enforcement and voluntary compliance services, and safety and health topics currently being considered for future standards and policies.
Hazard Communication/Global Harmonization 1:00pm – 4:00pm
This course covers the basic requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200 and the revised provision of the standard as they relate to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Attendees will learn about the revised standard, which will include chemical hazard classification, written program requirements, container labeling and other forms of warning, safety data sheets, and associated phase-in dates for the new requirements under GHS.
Tuesday October 3, 2017
Injury and Illness Recordkeeping 8:00am – 12:00pm
This course is for those persons responsible for maintaining the revised injury and illness records. The forms 300, 301, 300A will be covered. The regulations and guidelines for recordkeeping will be discussed, as well as the compliance directive the Kentucky OSH compliance officer will use to evaluate your records. A recordkeeping example workshop will be part of the course, time permitting. Note: Students will receive an OTI certificate for this class.
Confined Spaces 1:00pm – 4:00pm
This course explains the regulations regarding entry into and working in confined spaces. Topics include confined spaces found in the workplace and the hazards associated with them, the regulatory impact of the 1910.146 standard, developing a written program, training employees, permit systems, rescue, and employee participation.
Wednesday October 4, 2017
Fall Protection Part 1 8:00am – Noon
This course covers recent changes in the OSHA Federal and State Fall Protection standards for general industry and construction including the new and proposed changes to the ANZI Fall Protection Standards System. Topics include the requirements to provide a fall protection system, the description and requirements for the various types of fall protection systems, training, and associated requirements.
Fall Protection Part 2 1:00pm – 4:00pm
This course provides hands on training in Fall Protection Systems and include the care, use, inspections, cleaning, storage and certification of the components of Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) and Fall Restraint Systems as well as Retractable Life Lines, Lanyards and anchorages. Students should be prepared to don and doff harnesses, ladder belts and attached devices such as retractable lanyards and lanyards. Attendees are encouraged to bring gloves rated for rigging and climbing to use while handling devices. There is no climbing in the class.
Thursday October 5, 2017
Powered Industrial Trucks 8:30am – 11:30am
This course covers the basic requirements of 1910.178. Attendees will learn about the basic aspects of powered industrial trucks (primarily fork lifts), operator training requirements, safe truck operations (including traveling & safety belts), equipment modifications, and associated hazards. This course will not provide operator certification under 1910.178(L).
Bloodborne Pathogens 1:00pm – 4:00pm
This session covers the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1030 and the measures which must be implemented to protect employees from the hazards of occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials containing bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B virus, (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Topics of discussion include applicable definitions; infection control; engineering and work practice controls, including universal precautions, personal protective equipment, and housekeeping; medical evaluations; warning signs and labels; and training of employees.
Friday October 6, 2017
Wage & Hour Overview / KySafe eLearning Overview 8:30am – 11:30am
This session provides an overview of Kentucky wage and hour laws, such as minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, illegal deductions and payment of wages. It also provides an overview of the free training modules and webinars available as part of the KySafe online training resource
In the wake of the U.S. Department of Education calling into question federal Title IX protections, Attorney General Andy Beshear firmly stated his office will continue to seek justice for survivors of campus sexual assault, even if the federal government will not.
Yesterday, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered remarks indicating that the department may not be as aggressive in fighting campus sexual assault and protecting survivors.
In response, Beshear said that his office is committed to maintaining protections for survivors of campus sexual assault, while working to increase reporting, investigations and prosecution of the crime.
“I have made seeking justice for victims of campus sexual assault a top priority for my office,” said Beshear. “Campus sexual assault is a grave and real threat to students’ safety – and I want survivors to know that my office will continue to stand up for their rights and fight to preserve Title IX protections.”
According to statistics, nearly 1 in 5 women on campus will be a victim of sexual assault, and the FBI estimates that between 92 and 98 percent of reports of rape are truthful. Yet, victims face many barriers in being believed, reporting sexual assault and finding justice.
Under Title IX, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights’ current guidance instructs colleges on how to respond to and address sexual assault incidents. The guidance requires the appointment of a Title IX coordinator, mandatory reporting by responsible school officials and the implementation of procedures for handling investigations and hearings.
In a July letter, Beshear and 19 other state attorneys general asked federal education officials to work with them before rolling back protections for survivors of sexual assault on college campuses.
A core mission of Beshear’s is to seek justice for victims of sexual assault and his Office of Victims Advocacy has been at the forefront of this effort in Kentucky.
Over the past year, the office collaborated with the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs to create the #VoiceofJustice video contest to raise awareness for the sexual assault hotline, 800-656-HOPE, and promote reporting and active bystanding.
The office is also providing trainings for campus and community groups, prosecutors and investigators on seeking justice for victims of campus sexual assault, including criminal, civil and administrative rights.
The office also created a Survivors Council, which includes survivors of different crimes including individuals who have survived campus sexual assault, to directly advise and assist the office on matters related to victims of crime, including training, awareness and policy initiatives.
Beshear’s office is also working to increase transparency in the reporting of sexual assault on Kentucky’s college campuses.
Beshear said students and survivors of campus sexual assault should know they are not alone and that his Office of Victims Advocacy is here to help.
To contact the Office of Victims Advocacy call 502-696-5320 or email Executive Director Gretchen Hunt at Gretchen.Hunt@ky.gov.
Photo: Secretary of State website
The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is conducting its second meeting this morning in New Hampshire. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes released the following statement:
“As the President’s election integrity commission meets for the second time today, I remain vehemently opposed to its early actions to suppress voters and its leaders’ blatant peddling of lies regarding our elections. This continues to be a commission seeking fiction rather than fact to support the myth that ‘millions’ voted illegally in last year’s election.
“It’s time for the President to either decide to work with the dedicated election officials across this country who seek to improve our elections and make it easier for all Americans to access the ballot box or to put an end to this sham. If the President is truly interested in solving the issues facing elections, he should start with Russian interference, which is undisputed by U.S. intelligence; harmful voter suppression laws and proposals; and a true effort to end the gerrymandering that negatively impacts all voters, but especially minorities.
“We will soon learn the real truth about whether the President and his commission are interested in real election integrity or obstructing the voting rights of millions of Americans.”
Gov. Matt Bevin last night welcomed a new class of Kentucky AmeriCorps members pledging to “get things done” as they embark upon a year of service to the Commonwealth.
The swearing-in ceremony was part of the Service for Peace “9/11 Salute to Our Heroes” event at Fourth Street Live! in downtown Louisville, which also recognized Kentucky’s first responders and military heroes on the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.
“Tonight is an amazing evening of reflection and celebration of the American spirit,” said Gov. Bevin, a U.S. Army veteran. “We are truly grateful to all of our servant leaders who are gathered here—military personnel, first responders and AmeriCorps volunteers.”
Gov. Bevin praised Kentucky AmeriCorps members for committing to work to improve the lives of citizens across the Commonwealth.
“Thank you to each one of you who have stepped up and are willing to serve,” he said. “You have taken in the greatness of America and chosen not to keep it to yourselves, but to give it back to others. You will leave these communities that you are a part of different—you will leave them better.”
Kentucky AmeriCorps members address critical issues across the state—like teaching and tutoring students, combatting the effects of opioid abuse, providing drug resistance education, serving veterans and military families, empowering victims of domestic violence and assisting low-income senior citizens. During their service, AmeriCorps members will expand opportunity for themselves, gain skills and experience to jump-start their careers and earn education scholarships for their service.
The Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS), part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), administers the Kentucky AmeriCorps program and coordinated last night’s celebration in Louisville.
“Kentucky AmeriCorps lives up to its mission of ‘getting things done,’ and I salute new, returning and alumni members for their service,” said CHFS Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson. “You have shown a focus on helping communities build a better future for all of Kentucky.”
KCCVS executive director Joe Bringardner administered the AmeriCorps pledge to the more than 400 members from 96 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. In total, there are 804 new and returning AmeriCorps members serving the Commonwealth this year. Kentucky AmeriCorps currently receives more than $6.5 million in federal funding for 23 programs.
“AmeriCorps is so effective because it helps nurture the skills and talents of civic-minded Kentuckians, giving them more educational and economic opportunities. Our members learn that service is vital to a community’s growth, and they realize this is an investment in their future,” said Bringardner. “Serving can mean the difference between getting a degree and becoming a local leader. It’s an investment in community stability and yields higher earnings for the members along with a ready network of volunteers for the community.”
Since 1994, more than 1 million men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1.4 billion hours of service addressing critical challenges from poverty and hunger to disasters and the dropout crisis. AmeriCorps members have earned more than $3.3 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or pay back student loans.
In the Kentucky, more than 11,000 Kentuckians have served more than 17 million hours and have received education awards totaling more than $40.8 million.
For more information about Kentucky’s AmeriCorps programs, call KCCVS at 502-564-7420 or visit www.chfs.ky.gov/ServeKY. You can also connect with Kentucky AmeriCorps on both Facebook and Twitter.
