Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
KY Transportation Cabinet District 3 has made the following announcement regarding two local state roads for next week: The expected traffic impacts in District 3 for October 7 through October 11 are listed below. All work is subject to change. For more information checkout the new GoKY.ky.gov. Follow District 3 on Twitter @kytcdistrict3 and Facebook @kytcdistrict3. Segal Road KY 655 - Contractors are expected to work on a resurfacing project that will improve roadside features along KY 655 from River Road extending east to KY 70, a distance of 3.22 miles. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic through the work zone. Grassland Road KY 1365 - Contractors are expected to work on a resurfacing project that will improve roadside features along KY 1365 from KY 70 extending north to Holly Springs Road, a distance of 1.4 miles. Flaggers will be present to maintain traffic through the work zone.
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Burn Ban Remains In Effect Darren Doyle, story:
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and the Office of the State Climatologist, in coordination with the Kentucky drought mitigation team, have issued a Level 2 drought declaration for 78 counties and a Level 1 declaration for 42 counties. Edmonson County is listed in the drought 2 declaration. According to the KY Association of Mitigation Managers, or KAMM, A Level 2 drought declaration could lead to substantial agricultural losses, diminished stream flows in small streams and rivers and increases in the occurrence of wildfires. If drought conditions persist, it is expected that some water utilities will have difficulties treating water and may begin issuing conservation advisories or implementing water-use restrictions due to limited water supplies. "The Commonwealth has been experiencing unprecedented dryness, with most locations recording little to no precipitation during the month of September," said KAMM officials in a statement. "This lack of precipitation, combined with record heat, has led to rapidly deteriorating conditions." According to KAMM, public water supplies are not seriously affected at this time, but persistent drought conditions will increase the risk of water shortage conditions, especially for those systems relying on small lakes, small headwater streams and wells located in drought-vulnerable aquifers. Low water levels in lakes can also lead to water quality issues that could present treatment challenges for utilities. KDOW continues to monitor all the state’s water systems and their sources of supply, including notifying the public of any changes that may lead to water shortages. The hot, dry conditions have had a serious impact on agricultural interests, especially when it comes to cattle production. Severely diminished pasture conditions have led to limited fall grazing, and in turn, forced many producers to feed winter hay well ahead of schedule. Numerous county agents are reporting hay yields cut in half, while moisture availability has put a halt to pasture renovations. Matt Dixon, with the UK Ag Weather Center, said data at the weather center showed the state averaged only 0.28 inches of rain during the month. The forecast shows relief from the record heat beginning later this week, but the long-term outlooks indicates below-normal precipitation for the next 30 days. The Kentucky Drought Mitigation and Response Plan defines a tiered approach to classifying drought severity using multiple indicators to assess the intensity and location of a developing drought. These indicators include the Drought Monitor, Palmer Drought Index, Crop Moisture Index, and precipitation and streamflow measurements. A countywide burn ban was issued on September 17, 2019 by Judge Executive Wil Cannon. The ban prohibits all open burning outdoors, period. This includes fire pits and charcoal grills. There has been no significant rainfall in the county for several weeks and above normal temps have increased the dry conditions. More information about drought declaration criteria can be found in the Kentucky Drought Mitigation and Response Plan. Superintendent Pleased With Scores Edmonson Voice Staff Report: Edmonson County Board of Education, contributor: The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released assessment results for the 18-19 school year on October 1, 2019. This year’s results are the first released from the state’s revised accountability system, and, as a result, the data looks quite different from last year’s release. Carol Stice, District Assessment Coordinator for Edmonson County Schools, explained, “This year’s data release is our first look at star ratings (from 1 - 5 stars) for our schools and for each grade band at the district level. The release also gives us individual scores and labels from very high to very low for each indicator at the school and district levels and then an overall score, which we have not had for the last few years.” Elementary and middle schools were scored in the areas of Proficiency (Reading and Math - grades 3-8), Separate Academic Indicator (Science - grades 4, 7; Social Studies - grades 5, 8; On-Demand Writing - grades 5, 8) and Growth (Reading and Math - grades 4-8). High schools were scored in the areas of Proficiency (Reading and Math from the 11th grade ACT), Separate Academic Indicator (Science and On-Demand Writing - grade 11), Transition Readiness (Academic and/or Career Readiness by 12th grade), and Graduation Rate. Similarly to last year, KDE also identified the lowest performing schools in the state by labeling them as Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) Schools. 52 schools in Kentucky were labeled as CSI schools. Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) schools were also identified. These schools were identified last year as TSI schools due to having at least one student group performing as low as all students in CSI schools and failed to meet the exit criteria for the 19-20 school year. Last year there were 418 TSI schools in Kentucky. All but 11 of those schools exited that classification by demonstrating progress in the area that served as the basis for identification in 2018. This year schools could also lose a star from their overall rating if they have a statistically significant achievement gap. The tables below show each school’s results for each indicator and their overall scores and star ratings. Scores are listed for all students that were accountable to the school. As you can see from the tables above, Edmonson County had no schools that fell in the bottom 5% or 10% of the state and no schools were identified as having significant achievement gaps. In 2018, South Edmonson Elementary School, Edmonson County Middle School, and Edmonson County High School were labeled as TSI schools for their Students with Disabilities group. This year, all three schools exited that identification by showing improvements within the Students with Disabilities group. The tables below show the district’s scores at each grade band compared to the state average for each grade band. Patrick Waddell, Superintendent of Edmonson County Schools it, said, “We are pleased with the test scores we received from the state. Less than 23% of schools received a four or five star rating. Two of our schools earned four stars and three others earned three stars. We are also proud that none of our schools received federal classifications or showed a significant achievement gap this year. I know our teachers and students worked very hard to see all of this come to pass.”
Waddell also stated, “Our scores are above the state average at all levels and when we compared our scores to other districts around the region, we were excited to see how we performed in comparison. Now that we have a better understanding of this new system, I am confident we will continue to improve on this new rating scale. Edmonson County has a lot to be proud of.” Individual student reports will be available in the coming weeks. For more detailed information on the release of state assessment results, you may access the following links: Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
The Edmonson County Water District has announced a temporary shutoff of the water on Sulphur Road in Chalybeate for Wednesday, October 2, 2019 beginning at 9AM. The shutoff will be due to a repair in the main line on the road. Water will be temporarily unavailable from HWY 743 (Chalybeate School Rd) to the end of the line. Customers are encouraged to care for water heaters while this repair takes place. A boil water advisory will follow once the repair is made and water service is reconnected, according to the district. Edmonson Voice Staff Report: Three Sweeden residents have been arrested and now face multiple felonies after Edmonson County Sheriff's Deputies attempted to serve an active indictment warrant, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. The press release stated that on Monday evening, September 30, 2019, Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office arrived at 5101 Blackgold Road in Sweeden to serve Westley Moyer (33), with an active indictment warrant for:
According to the sheriff's office, after locating Moyer at the residence, deputies observed drugs and guns in plain view, which resulted in law enforcement serving a search warrant for the property. In the homeowner’s bedroom, officers reportedly found multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine, with drug paraphernalia officers said was commonly used for measuring and bagging meth with intent to sell. Also found in the homeowner’s bedroom were multiple (suspected) Hydrocodone pills, numerous other unidentified pills, multiple bags with suspected methamphetamine residue, and other additional forms of drug paraphernalia, according to the press release. Deputies said there was also a bottle of suspected Tramadol (Ultram) prescribed to someone else not living at the residence. Inside the house, law enforcement reportedly found multiple long guns and two different handguns. Law enforcement also reported that they found an open container beside the bed in a room identified as a child's room, with multiple (suspected) Tramadol pills inside of it. Behind the house, officers reportedly found a container with multiple marijuana plants, along with paraphernalia officers said was commonly used for cultivating marijuana. Jennifer Elmore (40) and Sarah (34) and Westley Moyer (33), all three residents of the 5101 Blackgold Road property, were charged with:
Jennifer Elmore and Sarah Moyer were arrested and lodged in Butler County Jail. Westley Moyer was arrested and lodged in Hart County Jail. This investigation is ongoing, with further charges and arrests pending, the sheriff's office reported. Edmonson County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Brownsville City Police. Annual School Christmas Angel Tree Program Revamped: Renamed Edmonson County Affordable Christmas10/1/2019 Changes Meant To Instill Pride Back To Those In Need Darren Doyle, story:
For many years, Edmonson County Family Resource-Youth Services Centers have overseen a benefit Christmas program for local students in need called The Angel Tree. This program provides Christmas gifts and necessities to Edmonson County school students of all grades that are in need. The program is funded strictly from donations and many of the workers that make the program a success are volunteers; however, after a deep look at the program and a desire to improve the way it works, local school officials, community leaders, and a host of volunteers have joined together to better serve families in Edmonson County. The program will now operate under the name "Edmonson County Affordable Christmas," and will work the same when it comes to receiving monetary gifts and donations; however, the revamped program has undergone some other major changes. Family Resource Center Coordinator for Kyrock Elementary and South Edmonson Alicia Edwards says the program changes are intended to empower low income families with the opportunity to purchase gifts at a cost of only $5 per child; the purpose of which is to allow parents to shop for gifts for their children with dignity, not simply participate in a handout program. "Put yourself in the parents' shoes," she said. "Imagine being handed gifts that you didn't choose, that you didn't purchase, and have someone say, 'here, these are for your kids.' While parents are thankful to receive these gifts, we want to put the power back into the hands of parents that need a helping hand but instill some pride into the process." Brownsville Missionary Baptist Church, a co-sponsor of the program, has taken an active role in helping with the setup of the program. "Parents will be able to purchase their own gifts and see to the individual needs of their own children," said church pastor John Chidester. "The system we have now is not working as it should. The whole purpose is to help families, but we feel like we can help them better if we allow them to help themselves." Donations of cash, toys, school supplies, personal hygiene, and clothing will be accepted in the same manner as always, and there will be an annual shopping date for program workers and volunteers (to be scheduled) to purchase additional items using the cash donations, however, those items won't be handed out like in times past. The items will be compiled in the first-ever "Affordable Christmas Store," which will be assembled at the EC 5/6 Center and is currently scheduled for a December 7th shopping day. Inventory will be assorted on tables and racks just like any other store. For $5 per child, a qualifying parent can shop through the store and buy gifts up to $125 value, which will include three $10 toys, two $20 toys, and one $30-$40 toy, in addition to underwear, socks, shirt, pants, and a coat. If donations allow, the child will also receive a pair of shoes. Coordinators say this will eliminate the inconsistencies in the way the former program worked. "There will be the same quality and quantity of gifts as always," said Edwards. "But kids in the same households will now receive equal gifts because the parents will be choosing those, not volunteers or program workers. This will allow much more of a level playing field." In addition to the local FRYSC and Brownsville Missionary, other co-sponsors of the annual program are:
All co-sponsors are local groups and organizations; however, the Edmonson County FRYSC wanted to be clear that this program will not affect other local charity programs. On the shopping day for parents, kids will be brought into a play/activity area while parents do the shopping and will be provided snacks and child care. In addition to monetary and item donations, the FRYSC is also asking for gift wrap, boxes, gift bags, and tape, as parents and volunteers will also wrap the gifts after purchasing. Morgan Esters, Youth Services Coordinator for ECMS-ECHS said the program requires a minimum of $20,000 in donations to serve the 100-150 Edmonson County kids that benefit. For more information about donating items, cash, or your time to the program, you can email: Alicia Edwards: alicia.edwards@edmonson.kyschools.us Morgan Esters: morgan.esters@edmonson.kyschools.us Sharon Brooks: sharon.brooks@edmonson.kyschools.us *10/04/19: this article was edited to clarify quotes from program administrators Edmonson County Voters to choose Governor, Sec of State, Supreme Court, More Edmonson County Clerk Kevin Alexander has released the ballot for the General Election that will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019.
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