Richardsville Elementary Going Green

Solar panels have been installed on
the roof of an elementary school in Warren County, a big step in
the school's goal to be a net-zero energy school. The $2.4 million
solar panel project, which was partly funded through a state grant,
will help the Richardsville Elementary School use 75 percent less
energy than other schools.


State Workers on Furlough

One day before state workers must take the
first of six furlough days this fiscal year, a judge has blocked an
attempt to halt the mandatory time off.
     Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip J. Shepherd ruled Thursday
against a request for a temporary injunction that would have kept
juvenile corrections officers and social workers at their jobs
while other workers were furloughed.
     Shepherd did keep the door open for the six plaintiffs to amend
their lawsuit, and denied the state's motion to dismiss the case.
     Governor Steve Beshear furloughed 36,000 state workers for six
days during the fiscal year to save $24 million. Limited exceptions
to the furloughs have already been approved for critical public
safety and mental health care positions.
     Several hundred political appointees in state government have
been laid off, saving $5 million.


Drought Management Counties in KY

Two dozen western Kentucky counties have
been declared drought management areas by state officials after
water supply levels dropped to dangerous levels.
     The Office of the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Energy
and Environment Cabinet issued a Level I Drought Declaration on
Thursday.
     The affected counties are: Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard,
McCracken, Graves, Marshall, Calloway, Livingston, Crittenden,
Lyon, Caldwell, Hopkins, Trigg, Christian, Muhlenberg, Todd, Union,
Webster, Henderson, McLean, Daviess, Hancock and Ohio.
     Officials say a Level I drought indicates moderate drought
conditions have developed, with soil moisture and vegetative health
affected.