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Writers of the North Fork Short Story Contest 1-31-08
The local writer's group—THE WRITERS OF THE NORTH FORK—is conducting a short story contest.
The deadline for entries is February 28, 2008. Anyone who would like to participate should send a
manuscript accompanied with a $10.00 entry fee to the Bobby Davis Museum and Park, 234 Walnut Street, Hazard KY 41701.
The form for the text is type in 12 point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, on one side of paper
and limit of 3,000 words. Send a cover sheet with writer's name, address, e-mail address, and phone number.
Omit all personal identification on the pages of the manuscript. Submissions will be considered based on subject suitability.
Obscenities, etc. are discouraged.
Winning submissions will be notified in advance of the award night on April 24, 2008.
Entries will not be returned unless accompanied with stamped, addressed envelope.
First prize is $250, second is $150, and third $100. Fourth and Fifth places will receive non-monetary recognition.
Sponsors of the writer's contest are City of Hazard, Perry County Fiscal Court, Writers of the North Fork members,
Janet Smith at Farm Bureau, H. A. Spaulding Engineers, and Bill Davis—see or call Bill at Mountain Ford, 436-5239.
The Writers meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Bobby Davis Museum and Park on the last Thursday of every month.
Local writers are invited to attend. For more information contact Martha at the museum, 439-4325.

GOV. FLETCHER DELIVERS FUNDING TO BRING CLEAN, SAFE DRINKING WATER TO LEE COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS
Clean water ‘essential to good health and economic development,’ Governor says
FRANKFORT , Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher today announced a $500,000 Kentucky Infrastructure Authority grant for the city of Beattyville – part of a $1.46 million project to install nine miles of water lines to underserved areas of Lee County.
“A strong community has clean, safe drinking water,” Governor Fletcher said. “Clean water is essential to good health and economic development. Providing important basic services like municipal water service has been a priority of my administration, and this project is another example.”
Five thousand miles of water line has been laid in Kentucky in the last four years. Ninety-two percent of Kentuckians have access to community water systems – a gain of 10 percentage points since 1999
The $500,000 grant will fund water line extensions to the Old Landing area in northeastern Lee County and several other short extensions, including Burton Bend Drive , Airdale Loop, Route 11 North, Bear Den Hollow, Fox Hollow, Big Branch, Pinnacle, Branson Hollow, Rock Lick, Lower Twin Fork and Bean Fork Road . The water line extensions will serve 44 households.
"It’s vital that we provide a clean source of drinking water to our citizens,” said Sen. Robert Stivers (R-Manchester). “I’m extremely pleased this project will go forward and I know the people who live in the rural areas of Beattyville are excited about the upgraded water service.”
“Water service is vital in our rural areas, and this project will improve the health and living conditions of those who benefit from it,” said Rep. Teddy Edmonds (D-Jackson).
The Kentucky Infrastructure Authority is administratively attached to the Governor’s Office for Local Development.

Jobless rates drop in 81 counties from June 2006 to June 2007
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 31, 2007) — Unemployment rates declined in 81 Kentucky counties between June 2006 and June 2007, rose in 31 counties and remained the same in eight counties, according to the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education Cabinet.
Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4.1 percent. Other counties with low unemployment rates were Shelby County , 4.3 percent; Boone and Fayette counties, 4.5 percent each; Gallatin and Oldham counties, 4.6 percent each; Henderson and Henry counties, 4.7 percent each; Franklin, Kenton and Scott counties, 4.8 percent each.
Jackson County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate — 13.1 percent. It was followed by Magoffin County, 11.6 percent; Clay County, 11.2 percent; Wolfe County, 10.4 percent; Harlan County, 10 percent; Owsley County, 9.9 percent; McCreary County, 9.7 percent; Leslie County, 9.5 percent; Muhlenberg County, 9.2 percent; and Bell County, 9.1 percent.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The statistics in this news release are not seasonally adjusted to allow for comparisons between United States , state and counties figures

Hiking in the Red River Gorge
Get ready to “Get Moving Kentucky…as we explore the beauty of the Red River Gorge! Sign up for one or all of the following hikes to the Red River Gorge!
Friday, June 8, Rock Bridge Trail,
Friday June 15, Whittleton Arch or
Friday, June 29, Gray’s Arch
A van will leave from the Breahitt county Extension Office at 1155 Main Street at 8:30 a.m. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring water and a sack lunch or snacks.   Call Martha Yount at 666-8812 to sign up. Each hike is limited to 12 people. There is no charge for these hikes.

4-H Summer Sewing Days
The Breathitt County Extension Office will be having 4-H summer sewing on the following dates and time.
June 12 Doll Tea Party 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00, Ages 8 & up
June 14 Sewing Sampler 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. FREE   Ages 6 & up
June 20 Beach Party 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost: $15.00   Ages 9 & up
June 21 For Men Only! 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00   Ages 9 & up
July 16 Pajama Party 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: $10.00   Ages 10 & up
July 18 Puppet Stage 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Cost: $8.00      Ages 9 & up
Classes may be cancelled if there is low enrollment. Refunds will be given if there is at least one week notice prior to the class date.
Summer Feeding breakfast and lunch will be served on sewing days to all youth ages 18 and under at no charge. Call Martha Yount at 666-8812 to register for these sewing classes.

EX-CLAY COUNTY OFFICIAL INDICTED
Allegedly inflated bids for cleaning up illegal dumps
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 27, 2007) – The former solid waste coordinator for Clay County has been indicted for allegedly misusing information that was the basis for bids submitted to the state for cleaning up illegal dumps in his county.
Joe Swafford was indicted by the Clay County grand jury on March 21 on 19 counts of misuse of confidential information by a public official, a Class D felony, and one count of official misconduct in the first degree, a Class A misdemeanor.
The indictment followed a criminal investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) in 2005. Commonwealth’s Attorney Gary Gregory recently took the case to the grand jury.
The alleged misconduct is in connection with the process for soliciting bids and awarding contracts for open dump cleanups under state Kentucky Pride funding. The fund was established by the 2002 General Assembly with revenue from a $1.75-per-ton environmental remediation fee on waste disposed at Kentucky landfills. EPPC’s Division of Waste Management (DWM) administers the fund. Clay County entered into a memorandum of agreement in November 2004 to clean up 23 dump sites and to be reimbursed from Kentucky Pride funds.
Swafford submitted two contractor bids to EPPC in May 2005 that reflected estimates from the county. For 20 of the dump sites, DWM inspectors arrived at estimates that collectively were $2.2 million below the county’s estimates.

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Det 1 207th Eng Co of Jackson, Kentucky Enlists PFC John W. Rasner
By: Shelly Y. Coomer
Congratulations to PFC John W. Rasner of Booneville, Kentucky for his recent enlistment into the Kentucky Army National Guard. He is the son of Darryl Rasner and Teresa Stamper, and is married to May M. Rasner. He is currently in Fort Leonard Wood Mo attending 21E Training. He received a 20,000 Dollar Enlistment Bonus, Full College Tuition, and over 600.00 dollars a month in incentives. He is enlisted as a 21E (Heavy Equipment Operator). He will be in the Det 1 207th Eng Co. of Jackson, Kentucky and will be attending drill in April. The Recruiter SGT. Brian Curtis and all the staff at the Armory would like to congratulate John on his recent enlistment and completion of basic training on 25- Jan. . If anyone would like to earn extra money, earn a degree at any state or vocational technical college, and pay back student loans, receive the Montgomery G.I Bill if you qualify.   Please feel free to contact SGT. Brian Curtis at 606-666-2441 of Kentucky National Guard and he will explain all the benefits that come along with being a part of a great organization.

Car Saftey Seat
On Wednesday, Feb. 28, the Transportation Cabinet will be sponsoring a free child passenger seat safety check at the Beattyville Fire Department. Attached is a PDF file of a flyer advertising this event. If you have space, we would certainly appreciate you using this ad as a public service announcement between now and the final edition you publish before the 28th.

STUDENTS ASKED TO HELP CREATE NEW LOGO
Commonwealth Cleanup Week - March 25-31, 2007
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 27, 2006) - Kentucky students in grades K-12 are being asked to help create a new Commonwealth Cleanup Week logo.
Commonwealth Cleanup Week, including cleanup activities, will be March 25-31, 2007. The 1998 Kentucky General Assembly designated the fourth week in March as an opportunity for Kentuckians to participate in “activities that highlight the natural beauty of their communities.”
Logo entries must be submitted to a county extension office by Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. Entry forms and contest details are online at <http://www.waste.ky.gov/>
Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet (EPPC) judges will choose winners from each of four divisions - Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 - and an overall logo winner. Division winners will receive $50 and a plaque, and their designated classroom or library will get $500 for the purchase of environmental materials. The overall winner will receive a plaque and $100, and his or her designated classroom or library will get $1,000.
The winning logo will be adapted and used in 2008 for the 10th anniversary Commonwealth Cleanup Week.
If you have any questions, e-mail waste@ky.gov or call EPPC’s Division of Waste Management, (502) 564-6716.

Press Howard Fork Fire
On Tuesday night August 29th, a home located on Press Howard Fork in Breathitt County caught fire. The entire structure was burnt to the ground. The home was owned by Shade "BoBo" and Nelda Campbell. Mrs. Campbell was at home in bed when the fire first started. She stated that she was wakened when the smoke alarms went off. Neighbors stated they would all pitch in and help the Campbells in their time of loss.

MINER KILLED AT KNOTT COUNTY SURFACE MINE
Highwall collapses on drill operator
HINDMAN, Ky. (July 18, 2006) – A coal miner was killed today when the highwall of a surface mine collapsed in Knott County.
An investigative team from the Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing was dispatched to the site – the Smith Branch No. 1 Mine of Hendrickson Equipment Inc. The mine is near Hindman on Mallie Road.
The victim was identified as Jason Mosley, 28, of Hindman. The highwall collapsed upon a mine drill being operated by the victim.
The fatality was the third of 2006 at a Kentucky surface mine. Nine miners have died in accidents in underground mines.

Not-Guilty Plea By John Whitlock
Kentucky Press Association News Bureau
A not-guilty plea on behalf of Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher was entered Friday to allegations political connections and affiliations were used to secure state jobs.
R. Kent Westberry, Fletcher's personal attorney, appeared in Franklin County District Court to answer the charges. Fletcher was not required to appear and was vacationing in Florida.
Fletcher was indicted in May on three charges related to merit hiring controversy.
Following a 30-minute meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys, Special Judge David Melcher of Cynthiana set a trial date for Nov. 8.
Melcher will hear motions on July 7, including motion by the defense to have Attorney General Greg Stumbo removed from the case.
Although he didn’t issue a gag order, Melcher urged both sides to limit their comments to the media.
Scott Crawford-Sutherland, who has been leading the prosecution for the Attorney General’s Office, said both sides will strive for a fair hearing and will limit their comments outside of court.
"Governor Fletcher is like any other criminal defendant. He enjoys the presumption of innocence,” Crawford-Sutherland said. “It is critical that he receive a fair trial.”
It likely hasn’t been a very restful vacation for Fletcher.
After the governor left last week, Lt. Governor Steve Pence announced he will not be part of his boss’s re-election bid and Brent Hall, Fletcher’s director of communications, stepped down after using profanity in front of reporters and reportedly accusing state Republican Party Chairman Darrell Brock of undermining the governor.
In a brief statement, Fletcher didn’t touch on the reasons for Hall’s departure.
"Brett's broad knowledge has been an asset to me and my administration," Fletcher said. "The first lady and I wish Brett and his family well."
Hall, who was replaced by Fletcher spokesperson Jodi Whitaker, also declined to comment on the reasons behind his resignation.
"Serving Governor Fletcher has been the height of my career," Hall said. "I wish the governor and first lady my best regards."
The troubles forced Fletcher to interrupt his vacation and address party leaders at committee meetings June 3. He later returned to Florida.
At a press conference following Pence’s announcement, Hall confirmed that Finance Secretary Robbie Rudolph would be “at the top of anyone’s list” to replace Pence on the ticket.
At the party meetings, Fletcher announced Rudolph would be his running mate for re-election bid.
Wednesday, Fletcher accepted Pence’s resignation as Justice Cabinet Secretary and replaced him with Brig. Gen. Norman E. Arflack.

TROPHY PLATE UNVEILED AT SALATO CENTER
Transportation Cabinet and Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Present “League of Kentucky Sportsmen” License Plate
FRANKFORT,KY (May 19, 2006) - Kentucky deer hunters now have a license plate to call their own. Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet unveiled the new plate this afternoon at the Salato Wildlife Education Center just outside Frankfort.
The specialty license plate features a trophy buck drawn by acclaimed wildlife artist Rick Hill. The plate will now be available at county clerks’ offices across the state. The cost is $25. Additional money, above and beyond the cost of the plate, can be contributed at the time of purchase to help fund wildlife habitat improvements and purchase more land for public hunting and fishing access.
A law enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2005 required groups requesting a specialty plate to submit 900 applications for that plate before the design process can start. Roy Mundy, commissioner of Vehicle Regulation for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, commended the League of Kentucky Sportsmen for their successful efforts to make the new plate a reality.
“They got the required number of applications together in short order,” Mundy said. “This has to be a proud moment for sportsmen all across the Commonwealth.”
Kentucky, which ranks among the top five states in America for trophy deer, has approximately 190,000 resident deer hunters. “This is the first time that a white-tailed deer has appeared on a Kentucky license plate,” noted Jon Gassett, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “It’s an important recognition of our hunting heritage and the folks who help drive our rural economy. We think that hunters will definitely want this on their trucks.”
Officials with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife worked closely with the League of Kentucky Sportsmen and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to make the new license plate a reality. The League of Kentucky Sportsmen sponsored the plate. League President Ronnie Wells pointed out that the additional proceeds, beyond the cost of the plate, will be used by the League’s non-profit corporation (the Habitat Improvement and Land Acquisition Foundation) to purchase land for public use by hunters and anglers.
“The foundation is an outgrowth of the League and the current Board of Directors’ commitment to the sportsmen of Kentucky to act now, to guarantee that there will always be places available across the Commonwealth open to hunting and fishing,” Wells said. “The League of Kentucky Sportsmen truly has the future of hunting and fishing represented on this license plate.”
More than 1.2 million Kentuckians hunt and fish in the Commonwealth.

Century Coal donates $10,000 to UNITE
SOMERSET – Recognizing that all businesses have a vital role to play in the fight against substance abuse, Century Coal has donated $10,000 to the anti-drug efforts of Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education).
Century officials presented Fifth District Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and UNITE Executive Director Karen Engle with a check for the UNITE Foundation on Monday, March 27.
“It’s a privilege to partner with Congressman Rogers and the entire Operation UNITE team as we battle the scourge of illegal drugs in Southeast Kentucky,” stated Dwight Johnson, president of Century Operations, LLC, which does business under the name Century Coal.
All businesses should be concerned about the potential negative impacts of drug abuse, whether directly on their employees or on the communities they serve, added Johnson, who is also executive vice president of the Denver-based investment firm The Broe Companies, Inc. This is The Broe Companies’ first venture into the energy business.
“We have seen first-hand the grip that illegal drug use has on our fellow Kentuckians; furthermore we are seeing the positive results of UNITE’s efforts,” stated Cecil Lewis, vice president of sales for Century Coal. “Century Coal is delighted to assist UNITE in its endeavor to rid the region of the escalating drug problem. Congressman Rogers and his staff are to be commended for their initiative of implementing the very important program.”
Rogers, who created UNITE in 2003, praised the coal operators for their concern and support.
“Century Coal realizes that the growing scourge of drug abuse, if left unchecked, will consume our communities. This horrible problem, which invades every segment of our society, did not reach epidemic proportions overnight, nor can it be stopped quickly,” Rogers commented. “With the support of businesses such as Century Coal, and commitment of volunteers in our community coalitions, however, the war is winnable.”
Century Coal is a relative newcomer to Kentucky’s huge coal industry, purchasing the former CHAS Coal Company from bankruptcy in early 2005.
The company has since grown from no employees to a workforce of approximately 175 with mining operations in Clay, Leslie and Bell counties, noted Onzie Sizemore, director of human resources and government relations at Century. Currently Century has two surface and three underground mines, two prep plants and one load-out facility.
Sizemore, a former Leslie County judge-executive, said Century already has a strong drug-testing program for their employees but wanted to do more – especially for those who need drug rehabilitation.
“I’ve known Hal Rogers for more than 25 years,” Sizemore said, “and this program (Operation UNITE) is another example of his caring compassion for our region and its people.”
John Boylen, general manager of operations for Century Coal, referred to the struggle of keeping a drug-free workforce in place as “a constant battle.”
Boylen said he appreciates the public dollars -- $32 million over the past three years – that Congressman Rogers has brought to the region and is pleased Century can be a contributing force from the private sector.
To learn more about how your business can become involved with Operation UNITE call 1-866-OP-UNITE (1-866-678-6483).

Top Five Weather Events Across Eastern Kentucky 2005 12-26-05
As 2005 comes to an end, we decided to take a look back at what happened weather-wise across eastern Kentucky and pick out the top five most significant weather events for this past year.
May is a transition month, and volatile weather can be expected at anytime as the United States quickly moves from winter to summer. The jet stream, polar front and associated storm track lifts north into the Great Lakes region producing some wild swings in temperatures. Often, May will feel more like summertime with warm muggy air.   But cold nights and even snow is still possible through mid May, although the snow events become increasingly rare. The rather large swings in temperatures from competing warm and cold air masses makes it a sure bet that severe weather can be expected whenever a frontal system becomes active with storms. Thus it was for May 19, 2005.
Coming in at the number 5 position ……
May 19, 2005 featured this year’s largest and most significant severe weather outbreak in eastern Kentucky. As a frontal system rolled through the region, thunderstorms were spawned over most of east Kentucky. A total of 33 severe weather events occurred on this day, which included 22 damaging wind events, 10 severe hail events, and 1 weak, short-lived tornado.
One-half of the hail events that took place on this day, featured hailstones of 1 inch diameter. Compared to earthquakes and hurricanes, hail might seem like a minor concern. True, hailstorms don’t usually cause loss of life, but they can destroy agricultural crops, shatter windows, leave pockmarks in home siding, dent automobiles and, destroy or damage roofs. Hailstones of 1 inch are roughly the size of a quarter, which is rare for eastern Kentucky. Stones at this diameter are estimated to fall at speeds which exceed 90 mph.
The vast majority of severe weather reports that occurred on this May 19th outbreak were associated with severe thunderstorm wind gusts. The strongest wind gusts were estimated at 70 mph in 2 different storms. An estimated $10,000 in property damage occurred in Elliott County as a severe thunderstorm downed trees and power lines across the county.
You cannot live in the mountains of east Kentucky without being aware of the dangers posed by flash flood events. A flash flood occurs suddenly, within a short time (from minutes to less than 6 hours) after a causative event. Flash floods are the number one storm-related killer in the U.S. with nearly half of all flash-flood fatalities auto related. Causative events include heavy rains from slow moving thunderstorms, and dam or levee failure. Intense, short-duration rainfall on impervious areas, such as urban areas or certain soils, also causes flash floods. Flash floods are most prevalent on small streams, generally draining areas ranging in size from a few square miles to several hundred square miles. The most dangerous flash floods are usually associated with steep mountain streams where they can manifest themselves as a wall of water traveling downstream. Rainfall intensity and duration affect the potential for flash floods. Other non-meteorological factors that could affect an area's ability to absorb water include the topography, soil conditions, and ground cover.
The most severe flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges, and scour out new channels. However, less serious flash flooding is still capable of taking lives. As little as a foot of moving water is enough to sweep a car into deeper flood waters. Also, children playing in flood waters, especially near culverts and drainage pipes, can be swept away.
The number 4 spot on the top 5 countdown goes to the flood event of April 29th to May 3rd as flash flooding from heavy rainfall evolved into a more widespread flood from the impacted rivers.
This was the costliest weather event of 2005. According to Breathitt County   Judge Executive Lewis H. Warrix, the cost of the flood could be as much as $300,000. Several roads were destroyed and the Peg Fork, Walnut Fork, and Hunting Creek areas were the hardest hit. Roads in the Hwy 1098 area were impassable from Friday night until Sunday Morning.
In Salyersville, Magoffin County, the waters started rising after the area received almost three inches of rain in a 24 hour period. Some streets were covered with nearly 4 feet of water and Ramey Park was completely flooded destroying dugouts and making the tennis courts go from a hard surface to clay.
In Martin County, creeks rose rapidly early on Saturday April 30th, after the region was drenched with 2.5 inches of rain during the previous 12 hours. As a result, roads were covered with water, mud slides knocked houses off of their foundations, and several homes received minimal water damage.
Floyd and Johnson Counties were also under flood warnings and received damage from this flood event.
The Number 3 weather event was the F0 tornado which swept through Wolfe County On May 19th. This storm was included within the other thunderstorms mentioned in the number 5 weather event, but was recognized as a significant event in its own right.
An F0 tornado ripped a short lived path across Wolfe County. This was the first documented tornado in Wolf County since April 15, 1948 when a tornado ripped the roof off of the County Jail. The tornado, which damaged mostly trees, was embedded in a pocket of 70 mile per hour straight line winds. The straight line winds actually did most of the reported damage to a small area of homes on Campbell Ridge. One home had a portion of its roof torn off which then left everything inside soaking wet. A mobile home was lifted off its foundation, rocking the mobile home and nearly destroying the kitchen. Cupboards were thrown open as dishes came crashing to the ground.
What is the difference between a tornado and damaging straight line winds? In one way they are similar as both contain very strong winds associated with thunderstorms, but there are several important differences between the two. A tornado is a rotating column of air that extends from the base of the thunderstorm. They are usually a funnel shape with the narrow part near the ground. Damage from a tornado has a unique signature as debris will be tossed into a convergent twisting pattern. Straight line winds, sometimes called downbursts, are very strong winds that flow out of a thunderstorm toward the ground, and fan out away from the storm. They produce damage similar in character to that of a tornado, but there is a distinct lack of any rotation.
The Number 2 most significant weather event for 2005 was the summertime heat.
The record books will show 2005 as having the warmest fall (September-November) on record and tied for the warmest summer (June-August) on record at the Jackson Julian Carroll Airport. At Jackson the average temperature for the September through November period was 61.4 degrees. During this same time London came in with an average of 59.1 degrees which was its fifth warmest fall season on record. In 2005 The Julian Carroll Airport, which is located atop Sugar Camp Mountain, recorded 26 days with temperatures 90 degrees or greater, while the London airport had the mercury soar to 90 or above 35 times. Jackson also saw the latest 90 degree day ever on September 23rd. Jackson also saw a reading of 80 degrees on both November 8th & November 9th breaking more record highs for the dates.   Before you think that this must be global warming, it is interesting to remember that only last year, Jackson tied the record for the coolest summer on record, and it was the second wettest year on record.
The Number 1 most significant weather event for 2005 was DROUGHT.
September will go down as the driest September on record at the Jackson Julian Carroll Airport. Only 0.51 inches of rain fell for the month, which broke the record for the month, and tied for the driest month on record for all time. Jackson also tied for the longest stretch of dry (non measurable) weather with 25 consecutive days in September. London saw its 3rd driest September on record. When you look at the entire fall (September-November) season, it was the 2nd driest fall on record for Jackson. As a result of the dry weather, soil moisture was 15 to 30% below normal with a serious impact for agriculture. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) in Washington D.C. declared all but Pike County in a severe drought. As a result of the drought many rivers and streams were running at below average values. There were also reports of some wells going dry across the region. The Red River near Hazel Green was running at near record low stream flow levels at the end of October.
That wraps up the top 5 weather events for 2005. Nothing to compare with the 2005 hurricane season along the gulf coast, but for people who had their homes or property damaged from severe thunderstorms or flood waters and for people who were seriously impacted by the heat and drought, 2005 is a year that will be long remembered.

Kentucky's jobless rate goes up in October
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2005) - Kentucky's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to a preliminary 6 percent in October 2005 from the September 2005 rate of 5.7 percent, according to the Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education Cabinet. October's rate was above October 2004's rate of 4.8 percent. The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate went fell from 5.1 percent in September 2005 to 5 percent in October 2005, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Kentucky was one of nine states that reported higher unemployment rates in October 2005 as compared to October 2004. "Kentucky was one of 21 states plus the District of Columbia that reported an unemployment rate above the U.S. jobless rate in October 2005," said Carlos Cracraft, the department's chief labor market analyst. "This year we've seen some unusual movements in Kentucky's labor force.
While the unemployment rate has increased in eight of the first 10 months of 2005, we've also seen the number of people employed increase in seven of those 10 months. As a result, Kentucky's labor force broke the 2,000,000 mark for the first time ever in September and October," Cracraft said. "In addition, the number of people in Kentucky filing unemployment insurance claims has declined from an average of 35,500 per week during 2004 to an average of approximately 31,700 per week during 2005 to date."
Four of the 10 major nonfarm job North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) sectors had employment increases in October, while five decreased and the remaining one stayed the same, Cracraft said. A drop of 400 workers brought Kentucky's nonfarm employment to a seasonally adjusted total of 1,822,500 in October 2005.
According to the seasonally adjusted employment data, the professional and business services sector reported 900 more jobs in October 2005 than in September 2005. This sector recorded 4,500 more employees in October 2005 than October 2004.
The state's construction sector rose by 300 jobs in October 2005. Since October 2004, employment in this sector has risen by 3,600. Kentucky's manufacturing sector gained 300 jobs in October 2005. Compared to October 2004, the sector had 300 more employees in October 2005. The educational and health services sector reported 100 more jobs in October 2005 than in September 2005. Since October 2004, the sector has jumped by 4,200 jobs.
Kentucky's trade, transportation and utilities sector recorded the same employment in September 2005 and October 2005. This sector includes retail and wholesale trade, transportation and utilities businesses, and warehousing, and is the largest sector in Kentucky with 376,100 employees. Since October 2004, the number of jobs in this sector has jumped by 3,000. "Most of the over-the-year gain in the trade, transportation and utilities sector was in the transportation and warehousing industries," Cracraft said. On the negative side, the government sector, which includes public education had 1,100 fewer jobs in October 2005. Since October 2004, this sector has gain of 1,000 jobs over the year.
The state's leisure and hospitality sector fell by 600 jobs from September 2005 to October 2005. Since October 2004, the sector's employment has gone up by 4,900 employees. The sector includes arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodations and food services and drinking places industries. Kentucky's information sector employment went down by 100 jobs from September 2005 to October 2005. This sector, which includes firms involved in publishing, Internet activities and broadcasting and news syndication, has 700 fewer jobs since October 2004. Kentucky's financial activities sector fell by 100 jobs in October 2005.
This sector, which includes establishments involved in finance, insurance, real estate and property leasing or rental, has decreased by 1,700 jobs over the past 12 months. Employment in the other services sector, which includes such establishments as repair and maintenance places, personal and laundry services, religious organizations, and civic and professional organizations, decreased by 100 jobs from September 2005 to October 2005. Over the past 12 months, the sector has added 1,200 positions.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's monthly estimate of the number of employed Kentuckians for October 2005 was 1,901,229 on a seasonally adjusted basis. This figure is up 3,906 from the 1,897,323 employed in September 2005, and up 28,235 from the 1,872,994 employed in October 2004.
The monthly estimate of the number of unemployed Kentuckians for October 2005 was 121,615. This figure is up 6,434 from the 115,181 unemployed in September 2005, and up 26,173 from the 95,442 Kentuckians unemployed in October 2004.
The monthly estimate of the number of Kentuckians in the civilian labor force for October 2005 was 2,022,844. This figure is up 10,340 from the 2,012,504 recorded in September 2005, and up 54,408 from the 1,968,436 recorded for October 2004.
Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks.

One Dead after tragic accident 10-4-05
Approximately 5:45pm Tuesday October 4th, Breathitt County Coroner Bobby Thorpe Jr. Pronounced 35 year old Judy Combs deceased from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on HWY 15 at the Rock House Loop near Haddix KY. Combs was an apparent passenger of a Oldsmobile car that attempted to make a left hand turn in to the path of a Log truck driven by Bill Brown. Mr. Brown as well as two others from the Oldsmobile were all remove from the scene and transported for medical care. The accident is still under investigation by the Kentucky State Police and the Breathitt County Coroners Office. PHOTOS HERE

LEE COUNTY TRUCKING COMPANY OWNER CHARGED WITH FRAUD
Application to workers' comp insurance carrier omitted logging operations
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2005) - The owner of a trucking company in Lee County has been fined $10,000 and ordered to pay over $43,000 in restitution for submitting false information to the company's workers' compensation insurance carrier.
Gary W. King, owner of Gary King Trucking at Zoe, pleaded guilty last week in Lee Circuit Court to one count of insurance fraud. King admitted giving false information to Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (KEMI) by omitting details about his logging operations when applying for workers' compensation insurance.
King has paid $43,412 in restitution to KEMI and will be required to pay a $10,000 fine to the Kentucky Office of Insurance's (KOI) Fraud Investigation division at sentencing on Nov. 8.
The investigation was a joint effort of KOI, KEMI and the Lee County commonwealth's attorney.
KOI is an agency of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.