Fatcow Icon
Pike native to open for Lynyrd Skynyrd
Logan Hall
Logan Hall
slideshow

Julia Roberts Goad

Staff Writer

When Lynyrd Skynyrd plays the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville this week, their opening act will feel right at home - because he is a Pike County native.

Logan Hall is from Virgie, Ky., and won the first annual Country Music Highway Road To Fame in June.

In addition to the concert, Logan will be walking one mile in each of the counties along the Country Music Highway Sept. 12 and 13, ending at the Expo Center before the Lynyrd Skynyrd show. The purpose of “Logan Hall’s Walk for Awareness” is to bring attention to the plight of the coal miners, not just in Eastern Kentucky but all across America.

Since winning the competition this past June, Logan, signed to Unbridled Entertainment, has been busy touring and spending time with Kentucky singer/songwriter Tom T. Hall at his ranch in Nashville to record in his studio. But no matter what happens and where his career takes him, Logan says his heart is with the people of Kentucky, many of whom recently lost their jobs in the mines. He is hoping to use his newfound celebrity to bring awareness to the many who are struggling desperately to provide for their families and to inspire them to never stop believing, to never lose hope.

Logan will be walking one mile in each of the counties along the Country Music Highway: Greenup, Boyd, Lawrence, Johnson, Floyd, Pike and Letcher Counties.

In addition to the walk, Logan Hall will also be releasing his self-penned single “Treasures from the Ground,” with a portion of proceeds being donated to Coal Mining Our Future, an organization made up of coal companies in Southeastern Kentucky with the sole purpose of keeping the people of Kentucky informed about the facts concerning coal mining.

“Treasures from the Ground” will be available on Google Play on Sept. 11.

In addition to being the spark that started Logan’s music career, winning the Country Music Highway Road to Fame contest brought closer to joining the superstars that gave U.S. Highway 23 its famous title. To be eligible to enter the contest, contestants must be residing in one of several Eastern Kentucky counties.

The area the Highway runs through has been home to stars such as Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Tom T. Hall, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus and many more.

Logan is the quintessential artist to carry the torch of Appalachian music laced with hope, heartache and coal dust.

With musical influences as diverse as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Ray Charles, Logan is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and an amazingly talented songwriter. But above all, it is his unique voice that connects him to audiences that are riveted by his heartfelt delivery of soul-searching ballads and uptempo country rockers.

Like his father and grandfather, Logan entered the mines at an early age, working on an auger thenbecoming an electrician on a highwall miner working 70 to 80 hours a week, and playing music every chance he got.

“It’s an honest days work for an honest days pay, a life you can be proud of,” says Logan. He loved his work, the men who’d become family to him. In his dreams he was on the stage singing for his fans but in the real world mining put food on the table and he was content with that. However, an accident in the mines would change all that. Logan’s back was broken in three places and he quickly understood life would never be the same. After a lengthy recovery, Logan resigned himself to the fact that he would never return to the mines again.

Early in 2012 he heard that a contest called The Country Music Highway Road to Fame would soon be coming to the Eastern Corridor of Kentucky. Auditions would be held along Highway 23 looking for Kentucky’s next country music star. The goal was to find the next county music artist from the area and expose the talent in the region as well as revive music education in the public school systems.

After hearing his name called out to a sold out crowd at The Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg as the 2012 winner of The Country Music Highway Road to Fame, he was speechless. Since then it’s been television, radio and newspaper interviews, offers to perform and a lot of love from the people of Kentucky not to mention a lot of believers in Nashville.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet

News
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
Read More News
Sports
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
Read More Sports
Opinion
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
Read More Opinion
Weather
Sponsored By:

RSS Feeds
All articles feed
News feed
Sports feed
Videos feed
Obituaries feed
Opinion feed
Local Features
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
Read More Local Features
Poll
Sponsored By:

download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
View Previous Polls
Special Sections
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.
download June 18, 2013
May Valley gets continued funding for Toyota bornlearning academy
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 715 views | 0 0 comments | 14 14 recommendations | email to a friend | print

FRANKFORT – The success of May Valley Elementary’s first year in Toyota’s bornlearning Academy has secured it extended funding, representatives from Toyota announced this week.

According to officials, May Valley Elementary will receive continue receiving funding from Toyota’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky to operate the Toyota bornlearning Academy launched in 2012. May Valley is one of 21 schools – 12 of which are new this year – receiving funding for these early childhood education programs in the state. Toyota announced the new school locations, as well as continued funding for Academies launched in 2012, as part of a commitment to doubling its $1 million investment in early childhood education in the Commonwealth.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America are providing funding to United Way of Kentucky to expand the Toyota bornlearning Academies. Through 2016, Toyota bornlearning Academies will be established at 62 schools. The academies teach parents and caregivers of children from prenatal to five years old how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Floyd County Supt. Henry Webb said Tuesday that we is pleased that Floyd County Schools would continue to benefit from the bornlearning Academy.

“We’re excited about the bornlearning Academy being funded again for 2013-14, as 140 parents and caregivers attended this past year,” said Webb. “About 65 percent of our children in Floyd County aren’t in structured educational or child care environments, and we want to see every child have every opportunity possible.”

“The team is developing a plan to include those who attended the first year as well as offering the same sessions to new attendees. And this means that more and more kids will have the chance for everyday experiences to become learning opportunities and allow them to be better prepared for Kindergarten,” said Webb.

Toyota bornlearning Academies are open to anyone in each community, not just those with children enrolled at the schools. The 12 new elementary schools receiving funding this year are: Lacy Elementary School (Hopkinsville), Foust Elementary School (Owensboro), Clark County Preschool (Winchester), Paris Elementary School (Paris), Garth Elementary School (Georgetown), Wingo Elementary School (Wingo), South Heights Elementary School (Henderson), J.A. Caywood Elementary School (Edgewood), Campbell Elementary School (Raceland), Murray Elementary School (Murray), Highland Elementary School (Waynesburg), and Trigg County Primary School (Cadiz).

In addition to May Valley Elementary, programs launched at other schools in 2012 will continue at Hiseville Elementary in Glasgow; Crabbe Elementary in Ashland; Grandview Elementary in Bellevue; East Calloway Elementary in Murray; H.W. Wilkey Elementary in Leitchfield; Berea Elementary in Berea; Farley Elementary in Paducah and Boston School in Boston.

According to the Kentucky Board of Education, only one in four Kentucky children is prepared for kindergarten.

“As a community, we must join together to turn around these statistics and the Toyota bornlearning Academies help do just that,” said Mike Price, vice president of administration, TMMK. “Toyota is committed to education and we are proud to bring this innovative program to even more young children and families across the state.”

The bornlearning Academy offers an innovative approach to early childhood development and parent engagement. The Academy utilizes bornlearning materials created by United Way Worldwide and a workshop model developed by Tim Hanner, retired school superintendent, United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University. The partnership grew to include the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and United Way of Kentucky.

The Toyota bornlearning Academies serve as a fun and innovative community resource which engages parents and teachers to collaborate in early childhood development and explore ways children can learn through everyday interaction. Monthly school-based workshops will provide parents with tools to help their children succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Connecting children to formative experiences in their early years is vital to future success. Children who are not prepared for kindergarten start out at a disadvantage and, without intervention, may continue to lag behind. According to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, students who do not read proficiently by third grade are four times less likely to graduate high school than those who read at a proficient level.

“We must recommit as a community to our youngest citizens,” said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. “By improving early education opportunities now, we can help ensure the future success of our students in the classroom and beyond, as they enter college and prepare for the work force.”

The Toyota bornlearning Academies coincide with Gov. Beshear’s emphasis on early childhood education. In 2011, he created the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council to unite stakeholders behind common strategies, standards and goals for Kentucky’s early childhood system and to advocate for improved quality of early childhood services and improved school readiness.

Doug Eberhart, president of United Way of Kentucky, said Toyota’s commitment to creating 62 academies in Kentucky is an important step in raising the state’s overall educational attainment.

“By ensuring that young learners get an early start to their education, we are focusing on quality education that will prepare them for success in life,” said Eberhart. “We are grateful for Toyota’s investment in, and long-term commitment to, education in Kentucky.”

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
Judge: Criminal drug element filling prescription void
by Jack Latta
jlatta@civitasmedia.com
Jun 18, 2013 | 1031 views | 0 0 comments | 12 12 recommendations | email to a friend | print

PRESTONSBURG — As state and federal agencies tighten their grips on pill pipelines, other serious drugs, with their own unique problems, are beginning to see resurgence in Eastern Kentucky, warned Floyd District Judge Eric Hall, during a meeting Tuesday of the Communities Against Drug Addiction.

Hall was the guest speaker during Tuesday’s meeting of Communities Against Drug Addiction (CADA), and took time to discuss current law enforcement concerns, as well as the benefits of drug court.

Hall said that it is tough to determine if the law enforcement and judicial communities are making any real progress in the war on drugs. “It ebbs and flows,” Hall said. “It’s hard to say whether it’s getting worse, better or anything like that.”

However, Hall says recent work by state and federal law enforcement communities has tightened the grip on “pill mills” and interstate drug trafficking in prescription medications. But Hall warned, “Drug addiction is kind of like trying to grab a hold of a wet bar of soap. You grab it and it squirts somewhere else.”

Drugs typically associated with urban areas may be making their way into Floyd County, Hall said, as the ease of access and affordability of so many prescription narcotics has been choked off. He said the vacuum created by a reduction in prescription drugs being brought into the region has created a fertile area for outside criminal elements to bring in other, potentially devastating drugs.

“We’re seeing the return of some very, very destructive drugs. Heroin, mainly,” Hall said. “We’re seeing cartels out of Ohio and other places that are developing. We’re seeing connections with Mexican drug gangs, and I can tell you, folks, you don’t want those guys to be your neighbors. These are violent folks who stop at nothing.”

Hall says conversations he has had with local and regional drug interdiction units indicate drug battles are on the horizon.

“That’s a looming battle,” said Hall.

More and more methamphetamine labs are also springing up, Hall said. Meth labs that employ the “shake and bake” method of creating crystal meth have been steadily increasing.

“We’re making progress in a lot of our drug issues, but that doesn’t mean it’s being eliminated. So many times, it just rolls off into some other direction.”

Recovery programs are also making progress, said Hall, who announced the graduation of another eight drug court participants during a ceremony to be held in September. “It will be our largest graduation,” Hall said.

Drug court is a three-phase program, which provides recovery meetings, structured drug testing, and access to education and employment opportunities. Optimum participation takes at least 15 months to complete, though Hall admits that is very rare. Hall says drug court officials understand the difficulty in weaning a community off drugs, and provide every opportunity for participants to succeed. The participants’ success is the program’s success, says Hall.

“It works. It absolutely works. Better than anything I’ve seen,” Hall said. “There’s one truth, and that’s: Jail does not solve alcoholism or drug addiction.”

According to Hall, criminal offenders who serve time in jail without receiving any treatment will most often repeat offend within 30 days.

There are also other programs, such as Pretrial Substance Abuse Program (PSAP), a lock-down program that Hall says has been beneficial to people before they move into drug court.

“Were integrating several of those folks who come out of PSAP into our drug court program.” said Hall. “Those that do seem to have some element of treatment before coming into drug court, generally do better. It’s not an overall rule, but it seems that they do a little better job.”

According to Hall, the Floyd County Drug Court is on par with the national average of about 15 percent recidivism. “Our drug court graduates are from all over the country and in very good paying jobs now.”

Hall says the drug court program will mark its 10-year anniversary in Floyd County in March of next year.

CADA holds monthly meetings at the First Presbyterian Church in Prestonsburg, which regularly features guest speakers from law enforcement, judicial, or health and recovery related fields. There will be no meeting of the group in July.

Comments
(0)
Comments-icon Post a Comment
No Comments Yet
shuttner
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you wholeheartedly Mr. Cann Isaacs.