Monday April 29, 2024
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Lexington screenprinting artists Sara and Brian Turner have been creating art together since meeting at the University of Kentucky in 1998. In 2003 they opened Cricket Press, and this year they will be able to add the distinction of the Kentucky Crafted brand to their body of work.
The Turners are among 19 artists who were selected for Kentucky Crafted, the Kentucky Arts Council’s adjudicated arts marketing program. In addition to being able to use the Kentucky Crafted brand to promote their product, the Turners and the 17 other artists added to the roster of more than 335 visual and craft artists in the Kentucky Crafted Program will have access to marketing and promotional opportunities and arts business training.
“A lot of people are aware of us, but they don’t really know what we do,” Brian Turner said. “We thought that applying to the program, in the hopes of getting accepted, would help open us up to a wider audience.”
“We have a lot of peers already in the program,” Sara Turner said. “They had many good things to say about it and consider it a well-respected program.”
Sara Turner said she and Brian have never had a period of time, since starting their business, when they were not producing work. She hopes adding the Kentucky Crafted brand to their credentials will help keep that momentum going.
“I think this will be a good thing for Cricket Press, adding another level of integrity to what we do, who we are and what we can provide people,” she said.
Artists adjudicated into the Kentucky Crafted Program, listed by name, business name, city and artistic discipline include:
- Chad Balster, Chad Balster Glass, Louisville, glass
- Robert Clark, Horse & Dragon Studio, Georgetown, painting
- Jessica Daman, Sugar Mountain Jewelry, Florence, metal
- Ray Daugherty, RaysLens.com, Sadieville, photography
- Jennifer Dunham, It’s In The Cards, Versailles, graphics
- Johnny Gordon, Gordon Glass Studio, Louisville, glass
- Amy Henson, Rock Bottom Soap Co., London, natural/organic
- Ernest Hunt, Hunt’s Woodcraft, Lawrenceburg, wood
- Kimberley Mahlbacher, HeirloomCroft Art in Wool, Louisville, fiber
- Laura Poulette, Meadow House Studio, Berea, mixed media
- Gerald Price IV, LeGrand Metalsmithing, Berea, metal
- Al Scovern, West Third Ceramics, Lexington, clay
- Scott Soeder, Scott Soeder Illustration, Louisville, graphics
- Shawnna Southerland, Shawnna Carney Southerland, Berea, fiber
- Jason Sturgill, Xenosketch: the Art of Jason Sturgill, Lexington, mixed media
- Billy Tackett, Billy Tackett Studios, Florence, painting
- Sharon Tesser, Sharon Tesser, Louisville, fiber
- Sara and Brian Turner, Cricket Press, Lexington, printmaking
In addition to marketing assistance, the Kentucky Crafted Program provides business training and exhibit opportunities to participants, such as inclusion in an online directory and exhibiting at the annual Kentucky Crafted: The Market, the arts council’s award-winning fine art and craft showcase.
For more information on the Kentucky Crafted program, contact Dave Blevins, arts council arts marketing director, at david.blevins@ky.gov or 502-892-3120.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arts council is celebrating 50 years of service in 2016.
Governor Matt Bevin has announced a plan to rebuild the state’s Medicaid system. Bevin has plans to apply for a 1115 waiver and if approved, would allow the state government to create its own Medicaid program.
Bevin’s plan is called “Helping to Engage and Achieve Long Term Health” (HEALTH). A complete draft of the proposal is available online. During the Affordable Care Act implementation, the state’s Medicaid program was expanded and saw participation increase by more than 60%. Starting next year, Kentucky tax payers will have to start paying for a portion of that expansion, and the expected cost is $1.2 billion over the next five years. If the HEALTH plan is approved, the plan is expected to save taxpayers over $2 billion.
It estimated that nearly 1.2 million Kentuckians will be transitioned into the new HEALTH plan. The plan is different from traditional Medicaid, it is targeted for individuals that were added in the expansion, by requiring a monthly premium, $1 – $15, depending on income. The monthly payments will be in place of a co-payment when seeking care. For individuals that are 100% or more above the federal poverty level, after two years, the premiums will increase incrementally, to help transition those individuals into private insurance. There will be added incentives to help purchase additional coverage, such as dental and vision can be added for smoking cessation and weight loss.There will not be a work requirement, but able-bodied adults are expected to participate in activities, such as education, community service, or job skills training, to maintain eligibility. Individuals that would have been eligible for Medicaid prior to the ACA implementation will still be eligible for standard Medicaid coverage.
Comments on the proposal are being accepted and can be emailed to kyhealth@ky.gov mailed to :
Commissioner Stephen Miller, Department for Medicaid Services, 275 E. Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621
There will also be three formal, public hearings throughout the state:
- Tuesday, June 28th at 10:00 AM, CT at Western Kentucky University’s Knicely Conference Center Auditorium, 2355 Nashville Rd Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Wednesday, June 28 at 1:00 PM, ET at Kentucky Capitol Annex, 702 Capital Ave. Frankfort, KY 40601
- Wednesday July 6 at 11:00 AM, ET at Hazard Community and Technical College Campus, Room 208, Jolly Classroom Center, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701
Comments must be received by July 22, end of the day. After the comment period has been closed, all comments will be reviewed an revisions may be made before submitting the waiver proposal.
Morgan Cross, along with her parents Craig and Susan, join Gov. Bevin, Sen. Mike Wilson, Rep. Rita Smart, Rep.Regina Bunch, Rep.Derrick Graham and Sen. Dorsey Ridley for ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 228.
Gov. Matt Bevin, joined by the Guess family and co-sponsors Sen. Dorsey Ridley and Sen. Mike Wilson, today held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 228. The bill, which was passed into law April 9, gives a statewide definition for bullying in the K-12 school system.
“It’s always a great day when we can pass legislation that protects our children,” said Gov. Bevin. “No child should ever fear going to school or participating in events because of a bully. This law ensures all public schools in Kentucky have a common definition of bullying, allowing them more freedom to prevent and discipline this unacceptable behavior.”
Senate Bill 228 defines bullying as “any unwanted verbal, physical or social behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has the potential to be repeated.” This law is effective at school, in the classroom, any school transportation, school-sponsored event or any place that disrupts the education process of the student.
Morgan Guess, daughter of Craig and Susan Guess, was bullied by a classmate when she was eight years old. Morgan didn’t tell anyone and suffered in silence. Her mother discovered it but not before Morgan started experiencing stomach spasms and panic attacks. Morgan’s pediatrician diagnosed her as clinically depressed and prescribed anti-depressants.
Susan Guess told her that bad things are going to happen in life and that Morgan could choose to ignore it, blame others or be part of the solution.
The duo decided to start the Guess Anti-Bullying foundation and have since been nationally recognized for their work. They have raised nearly $50,000 and have used the funds to bring speakers to local schools, among other projects like hosting the international Inside Out Project.
Today, in light of areas of serious concern dealing with potentially illegal and unethical contracting processes during the previous administration, Governor Matt Bevin announced a special investigation.
Governor Bevin has asked the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, Col. Bill Landrum, using the extensive investigative powers given to him in KRS Chapter 45, to prepare and issue an RFP for a thorough, in-depth investigation and report by an attorney or law firm with experience in investigating activities and contracts.
Once selected, this firm will work closely with Secretary Landrum and his staff, including the Cabinet’s new Inspector General, whose appointment will be announced in the coming days, to make findings and issue a report.
Under KRS Chapter 45, such investigation will include the ability to subpoena witnesses and records as may be necessary to accomplish the investigative goals.
“A thorough, independent investigation like this can expose and cast light upon prior unsavory — and perhaps illegal — practices, but can also provide the public a degree of confidence in a fair and transparent governance that was so glaringly absent in the past administration,” said Governor Bevin.
Please find attached the Governor’s full remarks as prepared for delivery.
Today, Governor Matt Bevin, joined by Senate President Robert Stivers, Sen. Whitney Westerfield, Rep. Darryl Owens, Rep. David Floyd, Justice and Public Safety Sec. John Tilley and many other legislators and advocates, signed House Bill 40 into law, giving non-violent felony offenders who have paid their debt to society a second chance.
“It is a great day when doing the right thing transcends all political boundaries and all ideologies,” said Governor Bevin. “It’s an honor and privilege to be able to sign House Bill 40 into law. It is critical that there is an opportunity for redemption and second chances because America is a land that was founded on these principles. The greatness, uniqueness, beauty and extraordinary nature of America is based on the fact that we do give people an opportunity for redemption.”
House Bill 40 will allow Kentuckians convicted of certain Class D felonies who have paid their debt to society, stayed out of trouble as required by the law, and have shown that they are indeed trying to get back on track to erase their criminal records and get a second chance at jobs, housing and other opportunities sometimes denied felons.
“This bill is about redemption, good policy and workforce development,” said Justice and Public Safety Sec. John Tilley. “But if you’ve ever spoken with someone who’s been given a second chance and have had a piece of their dignity restored, you know immediately why this bill goes far beyond any policy measure, job or economic development success.”
“I’m grateful to see the passage of a bill that gives hope to tens of thousands of Kentuckians looking for a new start in their lives,” said Sen. Westerfield. “This is one of a handful of enormously consequential days I’ve had the privilege to experience while serving in the Senate, and I’m thankful for the many hands that worked to bring this to fruition.”
“I can’t say enough about how this is going to be a life-altering piece of legislation,” said Rep. Owens. “I think this is probably one of the most consequential pieces of legislation to come out of the legislature this year. The Governor’s endorsement was critical.”
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has issued a public statement regarding the recent decision on the fate of the Jefferson Davis statue in the state capitol building’s rotunda.
Beshear had this to say:
The Historic Properties Advisory Commission by law has control over the statues in the Rotunda of the State Capitol, and recently I asked the Commission to review the appropriateness of the Jefferson Davis statue remaining in the Rotunda.
The Commission received thousands of public comments and consulted with state historians. After reviewing all the information, the consensus it reached is that the Jefferson Davis statue represented a part of the state’s history and will remain in the Capitol. However, the panel voted to establish a committee that would determine ways to ensure the statues, including Jefferson Davis, are displayed in the appropriate historical context.
While many Kentuckians feel that it would be preferable for the Jefferson Davis statue to be in a museum setting, the addition of this educational and historical context is critical. The generations to come must understand the enormous toll of the Civil War that tore apart this nation and the tragic issue of slavery at the root of that war.
Kentucky played a unique historical role as the birthplace of the presidents of both sides of the conflict. We must ensure that dark chapter of our nation’s past serves to educate in ways that ensure such a tragedy can never happen again.
Davis, the only president of the Confederacy, was born in 1808 in what is now the community of Fairview, Kentucky, on the border of Christian and Todd counties and was the last of ten children born to Samuel and Jane Davis.
