Website Available to Leave Comments Pertaining To Proposed Hike MAMMOTH CAVE, Ky. –Mammoth Cave National Park seeks public comments on a proposed increase in cave tour, camping rates, and electric vehicle (EV) charging fees which would take effect in 2024. Information on the fee increase, including a list of all proposed fees, is available for review and comment on the park’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website from Monday, June 26, 2023 to Friday, July 28, 2023.
“Mammoth Cave utilizes its recreational fee program to focus on projects that improve the visitor experience,” said Superintendent Barclay Trimble. “We have recently used the funds to replace deteriorated and unsafe benches and equipment at the park’s outdoor amphitheater, repaired handrails at the cave’s Historic Entrance that were damaged during a windstorm, and funded cave guides for our busy summer season. The funds we collect are essential to an investment in services and improvements that are necessary to serve the hundreds of thousands of visitors we receive each year.” One new service covered in the park’s fee approval process is for the use of EV charging stations that will be installed in the visitor center parking lot within the next year. The new stations are planned to be Level 3 chargers which are the fastest on the market today. At least 80% of the fees collected at Mammoth Cave are used to fund projects that address deferred maintenance needs, enhance visitor programs and services, protect resources, and improve and rehabilitate visitor facilities. The remaining 20% helps support projects in other National Park Service units that do not charge entrance fees, like nearby Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville, KY. Recreational fees are collected in the park under the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Expanded amenity fee (campground, tours, day use, etc.) increases require annual comparability studies and are determined by comparing the cost of Mammoth Cave tours, campsites, and EV charging fees with the cost of privately operated businesses of similar duration and visitor experience. The park keeps fees in line with private operators and must not over or under charge for tours and visitor amenities. Comments may be submitted at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/maca_fees_2023, which is the preferred method, but will also be accepted by U.S. mail addressed to “Mammoth Cave National Park, Attn: Proposed Fee Increase, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259.” All mail-in comments must be postmarked by July 28, 2023. Anonymous comments and comments submitted by e-mail will not be accepted. Bulk comments in any format submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
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Darren Doyle, story:
A state of emergency was declared in Edmonson County by the Judge/Executive's Office after severe storms traveled through the area on Sunday night. Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey signed the declaration yesterday, which allows all government agencies to work collectively throughout the cleanup and restoration process. A state of emergency also can speed up any aid from the state or federal level. WRECC has reported that there are still approximately 1800 out of power in Edmonson County with hopes of having all restored by Thursday, with the exception of some isolated areas which could see extended restoration times. Warren Rural Electric released the following statement this morning regarding current power outages in the area:
June 27, 2023 (Bowling Green, KY) 8:50 a.m. Warren RECC staff and crews continue to work alongside visiting crews to fully restore power to our members. As of 8:50 a.m., we have approximately 10,400 members still without power. We have made strong progress and look forward to another productive day. At present, we have a total of 26 additional crews helping us restore power. Crews have each been assigned specific outages to work. Their assignments are part of an overall plan for restoring the remaining outages quickly and efficiently. At this point, we have 98 broken poles across the service territory. We continue to ask for patience as we restore the remaining areas. We are working around the clock to get power restored as soon as possible. Once again, we would like to remind everyone to avoid work areas. We want to keep everyone as safe as possible during our restoration efforts. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. Please remember to stay away from downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, please report it to one of our outage lines: In Warren County call 270-843-9710. Outside Warren County, call 1-888-604-4321. To see current outages, visit www.wrecc.com and click the “Current Outages” icon. Darren Doyle, story: It was a rough night for many residents and emergency personnel once again in Edmonson County as storms ripped through the county, knocking thousands out of power and hundreds more without water service. Damage was reported in every part of the county, ranging as simple as downed trees and tree limbs to destroyed homes and other structures. No injuries were reported, according to both Edmonson County Sheriff James Vincent and Brownsville Police Chief Jeremy Hodges. We received one unconfirmed report of a mobile home that was overturned with the residents inside; however, there were no injuries, according to the report.
Edmonson Voice and WXorNotBG Meteorologist Landon Hampton carried viewers through live video coverage of the event, which proved to be crucial as some TV stations were unable to broadcast. WRECC reported over 27,000 outages within their area last night but crews worked around the clock to put a large dent in recovery by this morning, bringing that number down to 16,500. As of this writing, the current number of outages was around 12,000 total. "Crews from other electric cooperatives and contract crews began arriving early this morning and more are scheduled to arrive this afternoon," said WRECC in a released statement. "We are expecting a total of 26 crews from Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky to help us restore power. The additional help will allow us to cover more ground quickly and efficiently. We are currently working around the clock to get power restored as soon as possible. However, restoration of this magnitude does take time, and we are estimating a multi-day restoration event." WRECC is asking everyone to stay clear of work areas. "We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available," said WRECC. "Please remember to stay away from downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, please report it to one of our outage lines: In Warren County call 270-843-9710. Outside Warren County, call 1-888-604-4321." To see current outages, visit www.wrecc.com and click the “Current Outages” icon. Edmonson Water also reported outages and boil water advisories. All of the Lindseyville, Windyville, and Lincoln tank areas are under a boil water advisory as crews are working to restore service to many parts of the county. Winds as high as 70MPH knocked tree limbs onto power lines, which caused dangerous conditions to emergency workers throughout the night and today. Speeds Available Up to 1G In Areas of County Sponsored by SCRTC:
Glasgow, KY - June 2023 – Fiber optic infrastructures for broadband communication services in rural communities across the United States have become a priority for state and federal governments over the past few years. In June of 2022, South Central Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (SCRTC) was awarded grant funding to invest in Edmonson County. Construction officially began on March 13th, 2023 and should be completed in late fall/early winter of 2023. The goal has been to deploy fiber optic services to as much of the county as possible. To give people an idea where service is already available in Edmonson County, and which areas are pending construction, SCRTC has created a Google map of the county that is accessible online at scrtc.com/edmonson. This map shows two areas. Violet territories are currently serviceable by SCRTC. The territories marked in red are under construction as of the middle of March. Even though it is difficult to predict a specific timeframe when new areas will be ready for installation, SCRTC hopes to be able to provide those residences and businesses in the red territories with broadband service by the end of this year. This Google map is searchable and allows people to zoom in on their home or business to check for availability. While visiting the map on SCRTC’s website, browse the available service offerings including broadband internet. SCRTC offers packages including 300 Mbps (Megabits per second) symmetrical internet, up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit per second). “Symmetrical” speed indicates the download speed is the same as the upload speed. "Digital TV through My Stream TV, traditional land-line telephone service, and an array of residential and business solutions are also part of what SCRTC can offer," a released statement from the company said. "To sign up for service, or for questions about your specific location and availability, please call SCRTC at (270) 678-2111. A customer service representative will be glad to assist you." SCRTC (Smart Rural Community) - South Central Rural Telecommunications Cooperative and its communities throughout the eleven counties it serves is nationally recognized as a Smart Rural Community. This designation was earned through the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA – ntca.org). SCRTC is proud to label itself with this recognition for the communities it serves. It is through SCRTC’s progressive network that communities and businesses have been able to innovate and thrive. This designation and the resources that made this area eligible for a Smart Rural Community can be used to attract and retain businesses and help our communities prosper. Visit us at scrtc.com/src for more details. PUBLIC NOTICE
The Edmonson County Fiscal Court hereby announces that it has held its first reading of EC23-16, which is an Ordinance relating to reducing the speed limit on Orchid Road from 35 mph to 25 mph. THIS ORDINANCE shall become effective immediately upon its passage and publication. This ordinance was adopted pursuant to KRS67.077 in that it was introduced and read first on June 12th, 2023. The second reading and adoption of the ordinance will be on June 26, 2023 at the Fiscal Court meeting at the Edmonson County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m. Darren Doyle, story: Two different law enforcement agencies are warning consumers about two different scams that have been reported locally that involve phone calls and texts. In addition, a Facebook account appearing to be from Facebook's parent company "Meta," attempted to hack the Edmonson Voice. Kentucky State Police Post 3 in Bowling Green have reported that citizens have received calls from someone stating they are a trooper with Kentucky State Police and there is civil litigation against them. The caller then demands an immediate payment over the phone to avoid being arrested, KSP said. "Law enforcement WILL NOT call you to inform of an arrest warrant, KSP said in a released statement. "Furthermore, these agencies will not ask anyone for money, banking/personal information or make threats of arrest. Of course, you may also contact the specified agency yourself if you are in any doubt." KSP added that the agency does not call to collect funds or threaten arrest for unpaid fines or taxes. They also said to never share your Social Security Number or other personal information online or by phone. The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office is also urging residents to be wary of a phishing scam through text messages from someone claiming to be a representative of Passport/Medicare. According to the Sheriff's Office, the text messages come from 833-627-0877 asking for the recipient to confirm health and personal information, but Passport/Medicare said they did not send the texts. "If you receive a text similar to this, please do not respond or give out any personal information," a statement from the Sheriff's Office said. "If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office at 270-597-2157." Just this morning, the Edmonson Voice received a Facebook notice that our account had been temporarily suspended because it had violated copyright laws and was accused of stealing another account's identity. The notice appeared to come from Facebook's business help center, however, it was a notification that another account named "Business Help Center Meta 4," with a Facebook business logo had tagged us in a post. The fake account was created today and had no followers. They offered a link where we could go and "solve the issue," but it was neither a Facebook link, nor a secure one. There, we would be asked to enter our email address and password, which would obviously compromise our account. Our account was never suspended and we immediately reported the fraudulent Facebook page and blocked it. On behalf of everyone in Edmonson County; dear scammers--get a job. Darren Doyle, story: A confusing scene unfolded on Sunday evening in Windyville when an unmanned Amish-owned horse and buggy traveled a long distance, forcing cars off the road and other damage. The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office received a call for service around 5PM on June 18th for a runaway horse and buggy that was traveling on KY HWY 70 (Morgantown Road). According to the Sheriff's Office, the horse and buggy, owned by Isaac Stolzfus of Peace Valley in Brownsville, broke loose from being tied, made it to the highway, and traveled multiple roads, unmanned. The buggy apparently traveled Indian Creek Road to HWY 259, then turned on Morgantown Road for a total of about 5 miles, traveling in both lanes of the highway. The Sheriff's Office reported that Ricky Higgs, (68) of Bowling Green, was traveling eastbound in a 2010 Ford Escape on HWY 70 when he met the buggy, which was approaching in the wrong lane. The horse missed the vehicle but the buggy collided with the rear end of the vehicle, puncturing a tire. John Kiernan witnessed part of the incident and caught it on video: "My son and I turned on HWY 70 and saw a few cars moving very slow with their flashers on," Kiernan said. "I thought it may be a funeral procession but when I got closer, I saw it was a horse and buggy on the wrong side of the road. There were several people trying to catch it or slow it down but they had no luck."
Kiernan said someone finally blocked the road with their vehicle and forced the horse and buggy into a driveway of a resident. The Sheriff's Office said that the buggy finally came to rest at the resident's carport at 2520 Morgantown Road, where some outdoor furniture was damaged. Kiernan also said he saw multiple vehicles in the ditch along the buggy's route where they had apparently maneuvered to avoid the buggy. "The owner of the horse responded to the scene and took custody of the animal," stated the collision report from the Sheriff's Office. No injuries were reported. Edmonson Voice Report:
A shooting death in Grayson County is being investigated by Kentucky State Police, according to a press release. Just before midnight, June 17, 2023, Kentucky State Police Post 4 stated that they received a call from the Grayson Co. Sheriff’s Office requesting assistance in investigating a shooting that had occurred at the 1200 block of Mount Zion Road in Grayson Co. KSP said Basil Ashley, 48 years old of Fern Creek, entered the residence and forcibly entered a bedroom occupied by the resident, a 45-year-old female. After entering the room, the female shot Ashley multiple times, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Grayson Co. Coroner’s Office, according to police. The deceased's body was taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy at a later date. KSP said the unnamed female was transported to Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center for observation of previous health issues. The investigation revealed Ashley and the female were at one time in a relationship that had a history of domestic violence, according to police. The case will later be turned over to the Grayson Co. Grand Jury. The Kentucky State Police was assisted by the Grayson Co. Sheriff”s Office, Grayson Co EMS, and the Grayson Co. Coroner’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing by Det. Joey Beasley. Madison Doyle, story and photos: Today, June 17, 2023, Alford's Pharmacy had its grand re-opening ceremony hosted by the Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce. CEO Kasey Alford said that he was extremely grateful for each person who came out today in support of his business, and he was "beyond excited" to be doing what he's doing. At today's ceremony was a giveaway of many different prizes, including matching "his and hers" Stanley Cups, a Yeti Cooler, a flatscreen television, a free plane ride over all of Edmonson County, and a free cruise to the Bahamas. Pelicans Snoballs was also set up, where you could get free snow cones, courtesy of Alford's Pharmacy. Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce President Darren Doyle addressed the crowd today.
"On behalf of the Chamber we would just like to say that we need businesses like Alford's to help us do what we need to do, they were recently a big sponsor of the Brownsville Bash, and we are very thankful for that. Also, from a community standpoint, we know everything that Alford's has done and will continue to do for Edmonson County, so again we just want to say thank you." Alford's also donated $5,000 to Santa's Helping Hands. Mark Wardlow, Santa's Helping Hands Board Member, said on behalf of their program, they are so appreciative. "Kasey and his family have always been a major supporter of our charity, whether it's our golf tournament, auctions, or raffles, we can always rely on Alford's to help us out. We are one of the only few charities here where 100% of what we make goes back to Edmonson County only, so we are truly thankful and appreciative of this." Darren Doyle, story and photo: Yesterday, officials from the Edmonson Water District attended the Edmonson County Fiscal Court meeting and gave a report on a meeting that was hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) last week, which was attended by Water District personnel, Rep. Michael Meredith, representatives from Senator Rand Paul's Office, Senator Mitch McConnell's Office, and Congressman Brett Guthrie's Office, as well as the Nature Conservancy and Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey. No media was invited to the meeting. On May 25th, the Water District organized a similar meeting with the aforementioned groups, plus media; however, the Corps did not show and did not give the Water District nor the Edmonson Voice a reason for their last-minute email stating they could not attend. Sanders said the Corps organized last week's meeting, held at the Corps office. Today, the USACE responded to our request for their comments on the meeting that was held last week. Abby Korfhage, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, sent the following statement: Over the last year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and our partners have performed additional surveys, data analysis, and additional modeling to further analyze the effects of the Green River Dam No. 5 removal on water levels in the river under varying conditions. The meeting held June 6 at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nolin River Lake Office was a working-level meeting where USACE and our partner agencies could openly discuss challenges and potential courses of action. We discussed the need to develop a list of feasible solutions and will move forward with a smaller multi-agency team comprised of federal, state and local partners to find a collaborative permanent solution to help address Edmonson County Water District’s (ECWD) concerns. At this time, USACE will remain paused on the Green River Dam No. 5 removal efforts until further notice.
Regarding river depth needed for ECWD’s sustained operations, river levels have not fallen below the necessary depth and have remained above the minimal level required for operation of the water intake. Water levels did not drop below the necessary depth when the region experienced low-to-moderate drought conditions last summer. Furthermore, ECWD was provided an auxiliary pump with the capacity to meet the demand of the district if water levels decline to a level below the necessary depth for its intake. USACE is closely monitoring water levels to ensure they do not drop below a critical elevation that would disrupt ECWD from drawing water through its existing intake. We are aware of the community’s concerns with increased sedimentation at the intake location. This sedimentation is likely related to the failure of the upstream Green River Dam No. 6, whose subsequent removal was required to ensure public safety. We will continue to work collaboratively, as USACE and our partners are committed to keeping our stakeholders and the public informed as we collectively move forward. Edmonson Voice Report:
A Cave City man was arrested in Chalybeate and faces multiple charges that include driving under the influence of cocaine with two juveniles in the car. According to Brownsville Police, local dispatch received multiple complaints of a reckless driver on 31W beginning in Warren County to HWY 101 in Edmonson County on Saturday night, June 10th. BPD was dispatched as local sheriff's units were on the north end of the county. Police said that an officer met the suspected vehicle on HWY 101 and the officer saw the car turn onto New Grove Road (HWY 743). The officer stated that he observed the vehicle driving erratically, entering the opposite lane, and driving through the ditch multiple times. Police said emergency lights were activated and the driver continued at a speed of about 5MPH. The vehicle stopped in the 1000 block of New Grove Road and the driver was identified as Anthony Curtis Murrell, (43) of Cave City. Police said that there were also two female juvenile passengers with Murrell. The officer stated that as Murrell exited the vehicle, a plastic bag was seen sticking out of Murrell's pocket, which contained a white power substance that Murrell admitted was cocaine. The officer also said that Murrell admitted to using cocaine while driving and he was placed under arrest. He was charged with:
The juveniles were unharmed and were released to a family member, police said. Murrell was transported and lodged in the Hart County Jail. Brownsville Police said more charges are pending. Water District Says Corps of Engineers Admit to Mistake But Doesn't Have Budget To Fix River Problem6/12/2023 Darren Doyle, story and photo: Edmonson County Water District personnel attended today's Edmonson County Fiscal Court meeting to give an update on a meeting last week with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the current Green River situation that the Water District has described as "critical." Tony Sanders, General Manager for Edmonson Water summarized to the court in a brief oral report that the Corps admitted that their calculations were wrong when removing Lock #6 in Brownsville (2017) as well as the halted removal of Lock #5 in Roundhill (2021), but that the Corps did not have the money to fix the issues that the current condition of the river is causing Edmonson Water. Sanders said the meeting lasted around three hours and was attended by Water District personnel, Rep. Michael Meredith, representatives from Senator Rand Paul's Office, Senator Mitch McConnell's Office, and Congressman Brett Guthrie's Office, as well as the Nature Conservancy and Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey. No media was invited to the meeting. On May 25th, the Water District organized a similar meeting with the aforementioned groups, plus media; however, the Corps did not show and did not give the Water District nor the Edmonson Voice a reason for their last-minute email stating they could not attend. Sanders said the Corps organized last week's meeting, held at the Corps office. "The only thing that I took from the Corps of Engineers, their data in the beginning was not correct, they have no commitment as far as funding or as a solution to the problem that we face here on the Green River with low water levels," Sanders told the court. Sanders said the flow of the river is not the source of the problem for the Water District, but the depth of the river, which affects the river intakes. The intakes transport water to the Edmonson Water treatment plants. Federal legislators and other officials praised the dam removals at the time of demolition. Fish and wildlife experts estimated that the number of canoers and kayakers would double upon completion of their removals. "With the completion of today’s removal, we will finally return the Green River to its original, unimpeded state and reopen a crucial portion of the Commonwealth to boaters, sportsmen, and wildlife,” said U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in 2021. An official government press release from 2021 noted that the dam removal was expected to greatly improve river conditions for nine different endangered mussel species and one type of endangered freshwater shrimp. Six years later and an emergency halt of the demolition of Lock 5, no one has mentioned mussels or shrimp. Signs have been placed along the river noting the danger to canoes and kayaks. Boats have zero access to the river between Roundhill and Mammoth Cave. The Green River Ferry at Mammoth Cave is constantly closed due to problems with river levels. The dam removals were supposed to help Edmonson County Tourism with the attraction of water sports and activities but the river is currently a wreck. Swift currents and rocky paths around Lock 6 do not attract anyone, the Nolin River looked like a war zone thanks to erosion and fallen trees after Lock 6's removal, and local water customers still couldn't care less about how many species of mussels are in the river, endangered or not. The experts bragged about the dam removals bringing the river back to its natural flow. That flow has caused sediment build up on the bottom of the river, and as the level of the river has dropped, the sediment is causing the bottom of the river to come up, for a double danger of water depth for the Water District. "We're not only losing elevation on top, we're losing elevation underneath, because of the sand and sediment," Sanders said. "The issue of water flow is not the problem. It's the water depth and therein lies the million-dollar question, or the several-million-dollar question, is how are we going to address the problem to get it took care of to get us back in a depth sustainable to treat water and not have a problem with maintenance issues." "We're going to ask our attorney in the morning to write up a resolution for support of building a structure here below the creek. There is a riffle there that is supposed to hold water at a certain depth and my board feels that if we were to build that up, sort of like they have in Bowling Green for their intake system, to give us that six or seven feet back in our pool, we'll be alright. The only other issue is the sediment. That's an unanswered question..." Sanders said that Sen. Paul's office is writing a letter to the Corps to assure no further demolition to Lock 5 will take place. "The Corps didn't offer a whole lot of help, and that was my take on it," Sanders said. "They had mentioned that their study was wrong but they don't have any answers. When it come down to paying for it, they basically said they didn't have it in their budget and they were not authorized to do any of that type of work." Judge/Executive Lindsey agreed. "They basically told us that they made a mistake but they didn't have the authority to fix it for us, or the funding," Lindsey said. Judge Lindsey also said that while Senator McConnell supported the removal of the dams, it was support based on incorrect information from the Corps of Engineers. Lindsey said he was in favor of putting full fiscal court support forward for a solution to the problem. "What they presented to him (McConnell) was that even if they took those dams out, we'd still be well above any kind of critical situation, and that's not the case at all." Lindsey also said that at one point the Corps suggested to the Water District that they just needed to raise their rates. Lindsey said one thing the Corps offered was to put together a task force that included themselves, the Wildlife Federation, Ky Fish and Wildlife, Edmonson Water, Judge Lindsey, Judge Choate from Hart County, and Judge Henderson from Grayson County. Lindsey said he had been assured at the national level that no more dam removal would take place until a solution was in order. Local Water Commissioner Greg Nugent credited fellow Commissioner Barry Rich for the demolition halt at Lock 5. He said Rich crossed the bridge on the morning of removal but as he crossed again that afternoon, he saw a noticeable level drop in the river. Nugent said Rich immediately contacted Water District personnel and they took action. "They went to the site where they were taking the lock out and asked them if they would halt, and they did halt it at that time," Nugent said. "We may have been hours away from not being able to pump water, so I want everybody to understand it's out of our hands. We can't control the river but if it hadn't been for the actions of these people noticing the problem, we very well could be without water." Even though everyone that spoke today felt like the Corps offered little help at the meeting, Rep. Michael Meredith did point out some positives. "I think that leadership at the Corps gained a better understanding of our position and an understanding of all of the negative affects this has had: water, roads, boat ramps, ferry operations and how those things are impacting our people, he told the Edmonson Voice. "I also think they better understand the mechanics of what’s happening in the river at the water plant. They obviously understand the water being shallower, but didn’t fully understand the affects of the sedimentation that is basically raising the floor of the river so that the water intakes are being squeezed in both directions. We did get a firm commitment to no further removal of the dam until a solution is actually in place, which was a positive. The Corps agreed to engage in a working group with the water district and the Nature Conservancy, and their engineers, to meet more regularly about potential engineering solutions, and the Congressional delegation is fully aware that whatever solution is decided upon will require federal funding to be implemented. The Corps also was willing to look creatively at their grant programs to see what opportunities are available to mitigate the issues that have been caused by the dam removals." Commissioner Rich said he hoped the structure that Sanders had discussed could be built and that the problem would be solved, despite what his take was from the meeting with the Corps.
"That meeting we had the other day, to me, was just a waste of our time," he said. "All they did was lay the burden on us. They said 'y'all hire you an engineering firm and come up with some solutions, bring them to us and we'll see if we okay one of them, but then y'all foot the bill.' We ain't got the money to foot that bill." After sharing more thoughts on the matter, Rich concluded with "The Edmonson County water system is in critical shape." Sanders discussed funding as the discussion came to a close. "Somebody's going to have to pay for it and the Water District feels, and I think most of the people in Edmonson County do, we didn't cause this problem and we feel shouldn't have to pay for it. Of course, the Corps of Engineers say they don't have the funding or the authority, the Nature Conservancy--and I will say this--they've worked with us. They've funded some of our cleanouts and helped us, but it's still going to cost a lot of money to get it took care of. If it cost five million dollars, even though it's a full grant, and it comes through the Water District, our customers are going to end up paying for it, because anything the Water District pays for on a big capital expenditure like this, the Public Service Commission makes us cover depreciation, and they'll count that in with our depreciation. So the customer will wind up paying this depreciation on this dam, or whatever the solution is, you know. So we feel it would be best if whoever funds it, whether it's the federal government, the Nature Conservancy, Corps of Engineers, that way the citizens of Edmonson County, Hart County, Grayson County, and a few customers in Warren County wouldn't have to be paying for something they didn't cause. That's our take on it." A request sent to the Corps of Engineers from the Edmonson Voice was not immediately answered. A Bee Spring woman was sent to the hospital after a rollover crash yesterday. According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, Agnes Hudson, (73) of Bee Spring, was traveling north in a 2013 Buick Encore on KY HWY 259 N when she attempted to turn onto KY HWY 238. The Sheriff's Office said that the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the bank on the left side of the road, which caused the vehicle to overturn. According to the Sheriff's Office, Hudson was assisted out of the vehicle by emergency personnel. Hudson was then transported to the Medical Center in Bowling Green by Edmonson EMS.
Also responding were the Kyrock and Brownsville Fire Departments. Taxpayers Can Inspect Their Property Tax Assessment From June 5, 2023 until June 19, 2023 Edmonson Voice Report:
Edmonson County taxpayers can assess the values of their properties each year, during a limited period before annual taxes are due. This year's inspection period will run from June 5, 2023 until June 19, 2023. Under the supervision of the property valuation administrator or one of the deputies, any person may inspect the tax roll. "We encourage everyone to double check their assessment," said PVA Kyle White. "After this period closes, there can’t be any assessment changes to the tax roll. That’s why it is so important to correct assessments now, not in the fall when people receive their tax bills. Once Edmonson County’s tax roll is certified by the Department of Revenue, there can be no assessment changes." This is the January 1, 2023 assessment on which state, county, and school taxes for 2023 will be due on November 1, 2023. The tax roll is in the office of PVA in the Edmonson County courthouse and may be inspected between the hours of 7:30am to 4:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (open until 5pm on Fri), and from 8:00am to 12 noon on Thursday and Saturday. Any taxpayer desiring to appeal an assessment on real property made by the PVA must first request a conference with the PVA or a designated deputy. The conference may be held prior to or during the inspection period. Any taxpayer still aggrieved by an assessment on real property, after the conference with the PVA or designated deputy, may appeal to the county board of assessment appeals. The taxpayer can appeal his assessment by filing in person or sending a letter or other written petition stating the reasons for appeal, identifying the property and stating the taxpayer's opinion of the fair cash value of the property. The appeal must be filed with the county clerk's office no later than one work day following the conclusion of the inspection period. Any taxpayer failing to appeal to the county board of assessment appeals, or failing to appear before the board, either in person or by designated representative, will not be eligible to appeal directly to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. Appeals of personal property assessments shall not be made to the county board of assessment appeals. Personal property taxpayers shall be served notice under the provisions of KRS 132.450(4) and shall have the protest and appeal rights granted under the provisions of KRS 131.110. The following steps should be taken when a taxpayer does not agree with the assessed value of personal property as determined by the office of PVA. (1) Property owner must list under protest (for certification) what he believes to be the fair cash value of his property. (2) Property owner must file a written protest directly with the Department of Revenue, Office of Property Valuation within 30 days from the date of the notice of assessment. (3) This protest must be in accordance with KRS 131.110. (4) The final decision of the Department of Revenue may be appealed to the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals. Homestead and Disability Exemptions. The homestead and disability exemption amount has increased for the 2023 and 2024 tax years from $40,500 to $46,350. This is the amount that comes off the top of the taxpayer’s assessment if they qualify. At the new exemption amount taxpayers will save an estimated $425. To receive the exemption, they must be age 65 or 100% disabled for the entire year, own, and occupy the residence. Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Congressman Brett Guthrie and U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act in the House and U.S. Senate, respectively. This bill would expand Mammoth Cave National Park to protect wildlife, preserve cultural heritage, and bring more tourism to this national park in Kentucky’s Second District. The legislation authorizes 980 acres of land expansion that includes the Green River watershed and the expansion on the southern boundary specifically includes the coordinates 135/177, 967 in Edmonson and Barren counties. “As the world's longest known cave system full of biodiversity and history, Mammoth Cave National Park is not only a treasure to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but also a treasure to the entire world, Rep. Guthrie stated in a press release. "After discussions with Mammoth Cave National Park leadership and the local community, I introduced a bill to allow the park to acquire specific land to put cultural heritage artifacts and habitats under the care and expertise of the Mammoth Cave National Park Service. I’m proud to partner with Leader McConnell on this effort to expand Mammoth Cave National Park for National Park Service employees and volunteers to conserve and people to enjoy for generations to come,” said Guthrie. The legislation also allows the Mammoth Cave National Park Service to acquire critical habitat land owned by The Nature Conservancy that specialists with Mammoth Cave National Park are equipped to maintain. The Nature Conservancy is currently in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Private property owners are said not to be affected in the expansion. “Kentucky is lucky to be home to an abundance of natural treasures, among them, Mammoth Cave National Park, said Senator McConnell in a released statement. "This extensive cave network has been inspiring Kentuckians and drawing visitors from all corners of the globe for generations. Beyond its role in driving tourism to our Commonwealth, the park also plays a crucial role in the region’s economic growth, supporting good jobs for the people of Kentucky. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Guthrie on this important initiative once again which will expand the critical habitats that the National Park Service protects and preserves in the park.” The property, which begins near Park Mammoth in Edmonson County, includes numerous cave passages, including Coach Cave and James Cave in the Park City area, that have prehistoric and historic artifacts that the National Park System can conserve and manage, according to Rep. Guthrie's office. Madison Doyle, story and photos: The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its second annual Big Brownsville Bash with multiple events starting Thursday and running through today. Many families came out to the square to see all the fun, such as a car show, several food trucks, a crafts and vendor fair, art exhibits, and face painting. There was also a 5K, a kayak challenge, cornhole tournaments,and a one mile walk. Below is a slideshow of different events and exhibits: Darren Doyle, story:
The Edmonson County Water District has lifted the boil water advisory to all customers south of the Green River that was issued on June 1, 2023. The full statement below: “The Edmonson County Water District has lifted the boil water advisory that was issued on June 1st., 2023 for customers south of green river, which included the communities of Chalybeate, Cedar Springs, Wingfield, Rocky Hill, Arthur, Pig, Otter Gap, Shadyland, Chaumont, Fairview, Mohawk, Upper Smiths Grove area, and Rocky Hill. Samples that were taken were negative and the water has been deemed safe to drink by the Environmental Protection Agency. If there are any questions you may call the Edmonson County Water District at 270-597-2165.” Madison Doyle, story and photos: The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce Big Brownsville Bash second annual beauty pageant was held last night in the ECHS Auditorium. The event was organized by Lori Alexander, and was sponsored by the Bank of Edmonson County. Katherine Kinser, of Bowling Green, was named Miss Brownsville. The rest of the winners are as follows: Tiny Miss: Overall Winner: Sadie Jane Minor Local Winner: Lyla Jane Massey 1st Runner Up: Kimber Jo Swift 2nd Runner Up: Kaylee Garrett 3rd Runner Up: Lexi Phillips Little Miss: Overall Winner: Lynna Karoline Dennison Local Winner: Ava Caroline Kemble 1st Runner Up: Marlee Martin 2nd Runner Up: Abby Phillips Miss Preteen: Overall Winner: Jocelyn Kate Kemble Local Winner: Emma Kay Jaggers 1st Runner Up: Bryleigh Elizabeth Self Miss Teen: Overall Winner Hannah Claire Cassady Local Winner: Abigail Elizabeth Hogg Miss Brownsville: Overall Winner: Katherine Kinser Local Winner: Skylar Hawks 1st Runner Up: Haley Wallingford 2nd Runner Up: Makayla Gillis Hogg Madison Doyle, story and photos: The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce Big Brownsville Bash second annual baby show was last night, June 1, 2023 at the Edmonson County Community Center. The event was presented by the Edmonson County Homemakers, and sponsored by Scott Skaggs Photography and the Hidden Homestead. The overall girls division winner was Luna Richmond, daughter of Page and Dakota Richmond of Pig. The overall boys division winner was Kacen Findley, son of Alyssa Findley from Grayson County. The rest of the winners are as follows: 0-6 month girls: Winner: Madeline Harper Casey, daughter of Lauren and Josh Casey. 1st place: Kinlee Brooks, daughter of Megan Mercer. 2nd place: Naomi Logsdon, daughter of Josie and Kenny Logsdon. 0-6 month boys: Winner: Kacen Findley, son of Alyssa Findley. 1st place: Maverick Oller, son of Austin and Taylor Oller. 7-12 month girls: Winner: Abby Sue Marie, daughter of Sarah and Timmy Garner 1st place: Emery Heaverin, daughter of Kaylee and Nick Heaverin. 2nd place: Thea Mae Frederick, daughter of Hunter and Emily Frederick. 3rd place: RaeLynn Lavon Lamastus, daughter of Jacob and Heather Lamastus. 7-12 month boys: Winner: Atlas Gauge Minor, son of David Lee and Cherokee Minor. 1st place: Zeke Dewayne Roof, son of Josh and Janna Roof. 13-18 month girls: Winner: Callie Sowders, daughter of Haley and Casey Sowders. 1st place: Kassie Garrett, daughter of Brittany Davis and Josh Garrett. 2nd place: Emaline Meredith, daughter of Drew and Brianna Meredith. 13-18 month boys: Winner: Maverick Hennion, son of Ryan and Destiney Hennion. 19-24 month girls: Winner: Olivia Gentry, daughter of Dalton and Shana Gentry. 1st Place: Charlotte Girard, daughter of Josh and Samantha Girard. 19-24 month boys: Winner: Eli Avery-Woodcock, son of Kaelynn Woodcock. 2 year old girl: Winner: Luna Richmond, daughter of Page and Dakota Richmond. 1st place: Marley Jones, daughter of Isaac and Julie Jones. 2nd place: Harper Kate Cassady, daughter of Kyle and Staffane Cassady. 2 year old boy: Winner: Abel Neal Hennion, son of Ryan and Destiney Hennion. 1st Place: Rowan James Minor, son of Cherokee and David Lee Minor. 3 year old girls: Winner: Tilly Jo Massey, daughter of T.J. and Alex Jane Massey. 1st place: Adalee Cait Minor, daughter of Cherokee and David Lee Minor. 2nd place: Amelia Phillips, daughter of William and Amanda Phillips. 3 year old boy winner: Jonathan Kane Kemble, son of Josh and Courtney Kemble. **UPDATE JUNE 3, 2023: THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS LIFTED AT 11:50AM**
The Edmonson County Water District has issued a boil water advisory to all customers south of the Green River, excluding Brownsville Water customers. The full statement is published below: This is a message from the Edmonson County Water District on June 1st, 2023. The Edmonson County Water District has issued a boil water advisory because the potential exists for bacteriological contamination due to low pressure or no pressure because of a main line break. The areas affected are all customers south of Green River but not including the city of Brownsville. The areas impacted include, but are not limited to, the communities of Chalybeate, Cedar Springs, Wingfield, Rocky Hill, Arthur, Pig, Otter Gap, Shadyland, Chaumont, Fairview, Mohawk, Upper Smiths Grove area, and Rocky Hill. The advisory will remain in effect until water samples have been taken and the threat of contamination has been eliminated to the satisfaction of the Environmental Protection Agency. You must bring your water to a rolling boil for at least three minutes. If there are any questions you may call the Edmonson County Water District at 270-597-2165. Smiths Grove Man Faces Over a Dozen Charges Darren Doyle, story:
A Smiths Grove man is in jail after a pursuit that stemmed from a domestic incident, which also led to a Grand Jury Indictment that included a host of charges. According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was dispatched to a residence in Brownsville on April 16, 2023 as a result of a disturbance where a male subject was throwing things around. The deputy reported that the male subject, Kevin D. Miller, (42) of Smiths Grove, would not identify himself but said he was only getting some personal items and would be leaving. The deputy stated that there was no reason for further investigation and the deputy left. The deputy then reported that he was dispatched back to the same residence a few minutes later where the situation had escalated into Miller throwing a knife and arming himself with a shotgun. The deputy reported that he blocked the driveway of the residence as Miller attempted to leave, but Miller drove around him over the sidewalk and fled on Veterans Memorial HWY at a speed of over 100MPH. The deputy reported that Miller turned onto HWY 743 (Chalybeate School Road) and continued driving erratically. The pursuit eventually continued onto Pine Grove Church Road, Henry Meredith Road, then other small roads when the deputy lost sight of the subject and the pursuit was temporarily terminated. Edmonson County units notified KSP and soon met up with Warren County units during the pursuit. According to the Sheriff's office, law enforcement received a tip that Miller could be found at a residence on Penns Chapel Road and both Edmonson and Warren County deputies, and the Edmonson County Sheriff, found Miller at the residence. The deputy reported that after a brief struggle, Miller was subdued and arrested. A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana, unknown pills, and a sawed-off shotgun. It was also discovered that Miller was a previously convicted felon. Miller was transported to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office where he became uncooperative and disorderly, according to the Sheriff's office. It was also reported that Miller exposed himself to a minor female, the Sheriff's Office stated. He was then transported to Caverna Hospital after he requested to see a doctor, then on to Hart County Jail, the Sheriff's Office stated. Miller was recently indicted by an Edmonson County Grand Jury on multiple misdemeanors and felonies. He faces the following charges:
Miller is currently being held on a $7500 cash bond. |
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