PADUCAH –Paducah-McCracken County and Calvert City are two of the fifteen Tennessee River communities selected for the inaugural cohort of the Tennessee River Towns Program. They are the only Kentucky communities in the Program.
Each of these two communities is beginning its journey to become an official Tennessee River Town and part of the Tennessee River Line, North America’s next great regional trail system incorporating a continuous system of paddling, hiking and biking experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652-mile reach. Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless said, “Paducah's involvement in the Tennessee River Towns Program is a game changer. The opportunity to enhance recreational use of the natural resource we've been given has the potential to make Paducah an even better place to live and visit.We are excited to have our neighbors in Calvert City join us on this endeavor. "McCracken County Judge Executive Craig Clymer said, “Through the River Towns.Program, McCracken County is proud to join with Paducah and all our upriver neighbors in promoting and celebrating our mutual fortunes to be located on the great Tennessee River.” To celebrate being selected for the Tennessee RiverTowns Program, join representatives from the City of Paducah, McCracken County, River Discovery Center, and Calvert City on Wilson Stage located on Paducah’s riverfront at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 23. Attendees are asked to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing during the celebration. If rain is in the area, the event will be moved indoors to the River DiscoveryCenter located at 117 South Water Street
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Board members have no plans to fire Shively as KY Dept of Ed learns of racially-insensitive photo10/22/2020 Kentucky Department of Education Commissioner Jason Glass After the racially-charged Halloween party photograph surfaced on social media two days ago, members of the Paducah Board of Education have no current plans to fire Superintendent Donald Shively. The photo of Shively and a friend in blackface has sent outrage throughout the community calling for his resignation from Paducah/McCracken NAACP President J.W. Cleary.
Board Chairman Dr. Carl LeBuhn, member Dr. James Hudson and board vice chairman Dr. Felix Akojie would like to see Shively continue at the Paducah Public Schools as Superintendent. Under Shively’s watch, black students have made academic advancements. According to the Kentucky Department of Education 2019-2020 report, the four year graduation rate for African American students has increased overall. The report shows Paducah Tilghman High School’s college and career readiness rates are one of the highest in the region. After the reveal of the 2002 photo, Shively asked for forgiveness from the African-American community in both a statement and a pre-recorded interview. Shively came forward with the existence of the photo to the Board in February of 2019. He said that he did so after the national media exposed two other prominent figures in blackface namely Virginia Governor Ralph Norman and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The three board members, Dr. LeBuhn, Dr. Hudson, and Dr. Akojie spoke with Shamarria Morrison, a local reporter. During the conversation, both LeBuhn and Hudson said they do regret not reporting the photograph to the public in 2019. Both said they believed it was a mistake that had been made almost two decades ago. In hindsight, things could’ve been handled differently. All three board members felt the photo was wrong and they believe it was one act from a man that has contributed so much more to the school system. The Kentucky Department of Education was made aware of the photo yesterday. In a statement from the Commissioner of Education Jason Glass he said, “The use of blackface is highly offensive and unacceptable for any person to use. I, the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Board of Education condemn such actions and the detrimental effects they have on our communities and schools.” The Education Professional Standards Board will be charged with reviewing all complaints against certified educators for possible discipline against an educators certificate including this particular action. In order for the Paducah Board of Education members to fire Shively, there needs to be a vote of 4 of the 5 members in favor of dismissal. Both LeBuhn and Hudson are up for re-election. Paducah Public Schools Superintendent Donald Shively This afternoon, Wednesday, October 21, Superintendent of Paducah Public Schools Donald Shively spoke with reporters from WPSD regarding a blackface picture of Shively and a woman at a Halloween party in 2002. Both were dressed in caricature figures; Shively with a gold chain around his neck and a Tilghman football shirt and the women with an Afro hairstyle and padded behind.
After the Halloween photo surfaced Tuesday morning, it didn’t take long for social media to reach 270 shares on Facebook. Shively reached out to the television station asking to be interviewed in order to create a dialogue to discuss the picture and to apologize and ask forgiveness. The interview was approximately 45 minutes in length and may still be available on WPSD’s website. During the interview, Shively stated that indeed the photograph is from a Halloween party from the early 2000’s while a teacher at Paducah Tilghman High School. He said, “What you see is horrible, racially insensitive, and hurtful to our African American community. For that, I want to sincerely apologize for that decision.” He continued, “It happened two decades ago and I ask for forgiveness, and I hope and pray for grace.” Shively said that every aspect of how you live your life can show up. He said “that’s not where my heart is or where my heart has been.” It was revealed that Shively reported the photograph to the board members of Paducah Public Schools in February 2019, almost two years ago. He said, “things in the national media” was what spurred him on to disclose the presence of the picture. “It was one instance...I had gone to a Halloween party dressed like that.” National media (regarding racist photos) jogged his memory that he had made that same mistake. Paducah Public Schools Board Chairman Dr. Carl Lebuhn released a statement today saying that the board was notified by Shively in February of 2019 that the photo existed. Though the board didn’t condone the use of blackface and found it deeply offensive, they ultimately decided that Shively’s commitment to ensuring equity to all students is more telling than an incident that happened almost two decades ago. (See Dr. Lebuhn's statement at the bottom of the article). Shively said, “I hope to not be judged on one photo but are judged on a lifetime of actions of how you treat other people and of what you do to make other people’s lives better.” In a school system with a student population that’s 40% black, the question on everyone’s mind is how will this play out for Shively? Shively said he wanted to create a dialogue about the incident, that’s the reason why he contacted the television station. He is asking for forgiveness and wants to continue to do what’s best for each and every child. He would like the students, administration, and the public to “weigh in on what they’ve seen for 24 years when they look at that photo.” Paducah/McCracken County NAACP President J.W. Cleary is calling for Shively’s resignation. Cleary said he realizes the photo was taken in 2002 but, “Racism, however, has no expiration date.” J.W. Cleary’s statement: We have been made aware of the recent surfacing of a disturbing image of the Paducah Public Schools Superintendent dressed in blackface. The NAACP has long been committed to fighting discrimination and this situation is no different. We are aware that the superintendent has offered an apology and that the photograph in question was allegedly taken in 2002. Racism, however, has no expiration date. We are deeply saddened and discouraged by this. This is a terrible representation of leadership and a horrendous breach of the trust of students, parents, and staff. Blackface is a deplorably racist and offensive characterization of African-Americans. Paducah Public Schools has a student body that is largely African-American. What message does this convey to employees, students, and their families? We acknowledge that a public apology is necessary, but in an era of such racial animus it is important that we hold accountable those who are in leadership for such a disregard of racial sensitivity and respect for African-Americans. We therefore call for the immediate resignation of Dr. Donald Shively as superintendent of Paducah Public Schools. It is unfortunate that in 2020 we still have to deal with such an offense, and we hope that going forward Paducah Public Schools will select leadership that is understanding and sensitive to the diversity of it’s student body. Before the television interview, Shively did release a statement Tuesday evening apologizing to the African American community. But he went on record today during the interview saying, “I didn’t just want to give a statement or hide behind a piece of paper...I wanted dialogue.” Shively continued, “I wanted to be honest and lead with my heart.” Shively’s career began as a science teacher at Paducah Tilghman High School and continued from 1997 to 2004. He also served as assistant principal, athletic director and an assistant football coach during this period. He was Ballard Memorial High School’s principal from 2004 to 2011. He became assistant superintendent for Paducah Public Schools in 2011 and Superintendent in 2014 to present. Dr. Carl Lebuhn's statement: Spread the Word: Biologists will set block nets in the #JonathanCreek embayment of #KentuckyLake at U.S Highway 68 and in the Northwest Arm, Nov. 2-13 for Asian carp research. Nets will be marked by buoys and yellow flags. Boaters should use caution while passing over nets in those areas, during this period. Biologists with the U.S. Geological Survey, in conjunction with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Tennessee Valley Authority, are working to inform the public that parts of the Jonathan Creek embayment will be blocked to fish passage for 12 days. The research team will be evaluating a new technique to herd silver carp to desired locations. This work will provide information that will help researchers and managers be more efficient during mass removals of Asian carp. Biologists will capture silver carp, tag them with an internal telemetry tag, and track these fish during herding efforts to determine their response and movements. While the work will block fish from passing between the bay and other parts of Kentucky, boat passage will be manageable with some care. Block nets will be at two locations shown on the map below and will be marked. To pass over the nets in a boat, first turn your motor off. Trim your outboard motor up while passing over the net. If your motor cannot be trimmed, you may push the net down as your boat passes over. Please take care while going over the nets. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to battle the spread of Asian carp. #Kentucky #DOIDelivers For questions, please contact: Robin Calfee--rcalfee@usgs.gov (573-228-1062), Rip Shively--rsshively@usgs.gov (573-875-5399), Kevin Kelly--kevinc.kelly@ky.gov (502-892-4414), Dennis S. Baxter, dsbaxter@tva.gov (865-632-6404). The month of October is a 'shout out' to life's simple pleasures. The kids are in school, if not on a COVID-19 quarantine break. Many hard-working folks have taken their summer vacations (although a fall trip sounds much more appealing as we continue to battle coronavirus concerns). A family trip to one of the pumpkin patch farms puts life into perspective...It's the little things that matter.
If you live in Paducah, October is the month to visit places like Wurth Farms. There are several pumpkin patches in the area, but this particular weekend, it was a Lone Oak pumpkin patch adventure. Over the years, Wurth Farms has expanded it's pumpkin patch fun. This season activities included the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, bales of hay maze, photo ops, food and drink, selections of painted pumpkins, flowers, and other fall items for sell. The day we made the trek to the farm, it was sunny and hot. The place was super busy and Wurth Farms used their rear parking (which I didn't even know existed until last weekend). Most activities observed social distancing protocols. The petting zoo was the most fun. The children really loved it. There were shorthorn cows, rabbits, goats, donkeys, horses, and a camel. Yes, a camel...a bit odd and out of place but we went with it. We arrived shortly after lunch and by this time, the majority of animals had their bellies' full. They either turned their noses up at our handfuls of food or just didn't bother to get up...all except the goats, they were quite eager to lick the corn out of our palms. Everyone was respectful and waited their turn to pet or feed the animals. Tip: If you go to the petting zoo, be prepared to spend $12 for a family of four. There wasn't the traditional hayride to the pumpkin patch. I'm sure it would be difficult to social distance on a crowded trailer. Even if it was an option, it would take all day to pick out a pumpkin and make the ride back to the car. This year, there was a field of pumpkins right around the back corner of the farm. Children were able to run through the rows of pumpkins to fetch their favorite shape, size, and color melon. All in all, it was a good way to spend an hour or so breathing some fresh air, being around other people, and enjoying the sunshine. I hope you make time to visit Wurth Farms or another pumpkin patch on your short list. Here's a few listings for pumpkin patches in our area and across Kentucky. Links are highlighted for direct connection. Kentucky Family Fun The 10 Best Pumpkin Patches in Kentucky Wurth Farms - Paducah Huyck Farms - Paducah (Facebook Page) Cayce's Pumpkin Patch - Princeton, KY A-Maize-ing Farms - Mayfield, KY (Facebook Page) Bring magic into YOUR home with The Wizards of Oakwood Drive! October 17 - 1:30 PM & 3:00 PM via Zoom! The Wizards of Oakwood Drive October 17, 2020 Performances at 1:30 PM & 3:00 PM via Zoom $30 per household. Limit 8 households per performance To purchase, call the Box Office at 270.444.6828 The Wizards Of Oakwood Drive is a live, interactive, online performance for young audiences taking place on Zoom. Two sibling wizards perform spells in a winner-take-all contest, and with a little help from parents in advance of the show, magic will happen in your own home. A short list of items and simple instructions on where to place them will set the stage for the sorcery, and during the performance, the battling wizards perform magic which send kids on a treasure hunt. The panel of kid judges then vote to determine—once and for all—who the best wizard is on Oakwood Drive! Up to eight children at a time participate from all over the world…all you need is a wifi connection and a few household items to make the wizardry happen. PARENTS, YOU ARE ACCOMPLICES TO THE SORCERY! You’ll hide everyday items around your home that will bring this magical adventure to life. Most or all of these you’ll probably already have, and specific instructions will be provided for the setup. Remember, shhhhh. After purchasing your ticket, you will be emailed instructions on items you'll need, what to do with the items around your home, and the Zoom link for the show. Copy and paste the link below in your browser and get a direct link to purchase tickets. https://markethousetheatre.secure.force.com/ticket/?fbclid=IwAR1UeNET1POk_JLLkm5CvIIVCLk45LSAcCjH3amozrnYtFhCqN8YSHWtVos#/events/a0S3i000000KTjlEAG
Mark your calendar...the Paducah Christmas Parade will be a 'one-night only' event. Mark your calendar for the 2020 City of Paducah Christmas Parade. This year, it will be different. The Parks & Recreation Department is planning a reverse parade also called an inverted parade. The floats will be stationary and parade attendees will drive by to enjoy them.
The “Christmas in the Trees” Parade at Noble Park will be one night only: December 5 from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. Attendees will enter the park at the H.C. Mathis Drive entrance, continue along the road observing the floats, and exit at Cairo Road. Presentation of BUILD Grant Excursion Boat Landing Concept Drawings
City Engineer Rick Murphy presented to the Paducah Board of Commissioners concept drawings for the riverboat boat landing facility that would be funded by the BUILD grant. Last November, the City received news that we would be receiving $10.4 million in Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) funds. The City’s approved application includes building a riverboat excursion pier and plaza. The concept drawings presented at the meeting show the riverboat landing facility parallel to the riverfront. This fixed construction facility would provide a safer and easier docking area as we continue to grow our tourism economy as a destination. Murphy also showed artistic concepts for the two concrete foundations located along the riverfront. Those structures are remnants of a conveyor system to offload materials from barges. To view BUILD grant information including the concept drawings, visit http://paducahky.gov/build-grant-2019. Greater Paducah Economic Development (GPED) Update Greater Paducah Economic Development’s President/CEO Bruce Wilcox updated the Paducah Board of Commissioners on GPED’s activities since mid-June. Wilcox outlined several of GPED’s accomplishments including the negotiations for the sale of the Genova building, the installation of new signage at Industrial Park West, the brokerage and option agreements for several properties at the Triple Rail site, discussions with the Riverport regarding container-on-barge initiatives, the launch of a new website, and work with local partners including the Industrial Development Authority and Sprocket. Wilcox says GPED is working with 20 projects in various stages of development. Employee Benefit Plans Briefing Benefits Advisor DJ Story with Peel & Holland provided an overview of the City of Paducah’s 2021 health insurance plan through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield as the City’s third-party administrator. Those who participate in the City’s health plan will have no change to their health insurance premiums as compared to this current year. The City has maintained the same health insurance premium rates for nine consecutive years which is quite unusual and an indication of the good management of the health plan and the City’s dedication to employee wellness. The City of Paducah has a self-insured health insurance plan which means the premiums paid into the plan by the employees are used to pay the claims. Story commended the City for focusing on health and wellness and being able to keep the rates flat. Story said, “What the City has been able to do is remarkable. It shows a financial focus on wellness.” Actions taken by the Paducah Board of Commissioners regarding health insurance are as follows:
Quick Highlights
Paducah City Commissioners Sandra Wilson, Gerald Watkins, Mayor Brandi Harless, Commissioners Brenda McElroy and Richard Abraham Commission Meeting in Paducah, Tuesday, October 13 at 5:30 pm
Agenda items: BUILD Grant Boat Landing Concept Update from Greater Paducah Economic Development Employee Health and Insurance Benefits Tuesday’s Paducah Board of Commissioners meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be conducted entirely by video and/or audio conferencing. The meeting is available on the City’s public access channel, Government 11 (for Comcast subscribers), and will be streamed live for the public’s convenience on Youtube at https://youtu.be/2lF2de2P6ck. For those who want to comment on an agenda item virtually, submit a Public Comment Card by 3:30 p.m. and a link/phone number to access the meeting will be provided. The agenda, packet, and public comment card can be found at http://paducahky.gov/2020-city-commission. PADUCAH – The City of Paducah has been reviewing guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Kentucky in order to provide information to the local community about celebrating Halloween safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
First and foremost, those who are sick, have a fever, or are not feeling well should stay home. The City of Paducah asks citizens to limit their trick-or-treating from 5 to 8 p.m. on Halloween and to stay in their own neighborhoods. City Manager Jim Arndt said, “Halloween is such a fun holiday for all ages, but we want our citizens to be thoughtful about how to celebrate and consider making new, lower risk traditions. Halloween will look different this year as social distancing and the wearing of facial coverings need to be incorporated into the evening’s plans.” Arndt added, “Traditional trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating are not recommended due to their higher risk of exposure to COVID-19. But with adaptations, these activities can be modified to lower their risk. Furthermore, as you are planning celebrations, consider the location, duration, and number of people at the gathering. Events that are outdoors with a small number of people pose a lower risk.” For those who will be driving Halloween evening, please reduce your speed in neighborhoods and watch for children at intersections, on medians, and at the edge of yards. Use extra caution when entering and exiting driveways. Below are various guidelines, information, and ideas for the community to incorporate and consider in planning Halloween activities. Guidelines for trick-or-treaters:
Guidelines for parents or guardians during trick-or-treating:
Guidelines for homeowners during trick-or-treating:
Guidelines to organizers of trunk-or-treats: Typical trunk-or-treat events are considered to be high risk activities; however, there are ways to reduce the risk.
Ideas for fun, creative, and lower risk ways to celebrate Halloween:
Pictured: Jefferson Street in Paducah will have a Halloween Costume Contest and five winners will receive a Mega-filled pumpkin treat. Jefferson Street Neighborhood:
City staff have been in contact with residents from the Jefferson Street neighborhood regarding its traditional event that often attracts thousands of trick-or-treaters along several blocks of Jefferson Street. To keep everyone safe during the pandemic by eliminating large social gatherings, the community is encouraged to remain in small groups within their own neighborhoods with their friends and family and not visit the Jefferson Street neighborhood. In a Facebook post, the Jefferson Street Neighborhood states, “We feel the health risk of our community is more important than risking one night. But we do not want to discourage our neighbors as we love the holiday just as much as you. This was not an easy decision for our street to agree on, but just like other communities who made the same decision, we want to ensure the safety of our children and allow them to be healthy while keeping our schools and businesses open.” Jefferson Street will be holding a virtual Halloween costume contest in which people are able to share their children’s costumes via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonStreetPaducah/. Jefferson Street residents will vote and award five mega pumpkins that are full of candy. Plus, the Jefferson Street residents are decorating their homes and encouraging people to drive by the week of Halloween to view the decorations. The Market House Theatre Ghost Tours are back and begin this weekend! Join the MHT Ghostly Guides for lantern-lit walking tours of downtown Paducah and Oak Grove Cemetery filled with stories of misfortune, murders, and the eerie cases of unsolved deaths! Ghost tours are an oral history of many of the legends and lore of Paducah and Western KY’s darker history drawn from newspaper accounts, books, letters and eyewitnesses to events. Market House Theatre presents: The River City Walking Downtown Ghost Tours & The Oak Grove Cemetery Lantern Tours River City: Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 Oak Grove: Oct. 29 & 30 Tours begins at 6:30 PM, 7:15 PM, & 8 PM. Tickets are $15 adults and $8 for children over 8 years old. All tours will go on regardless of rain. Attendees should bring a jacket, your mask, an umbrella and comfortable walking shoes! Social distancing will be required. Tours are limited to 10 people. Learn more: https://www.markethousetheatre.org/shows/2020-ghost-tours For tickets: call the MHT Box Office at 270.444.6828 or go online at https://markethousetheatre.secure.force.com/ticket/#/ Panama City Beach, Sandestin, Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Seagrove Beach, Miramar Beach, Seacrest
Paducah Innovation Hub Tour
Tomorrow, October 1 at 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Paducah Tilghman High School Public · Hosted by Paducah Innovation Hub Tickets are FREE Enjoy the tour and see everything that the Paducah Innovation Hub has to offer. Learn about the opportunities available to the community. Your tour guide will be with Assistant Principal Corbin Snardon. Snardon transitioned to Title One Counselor for Paducah Public Schools in 2017. In this role he was responsible for oversight of the federal Title One funding for the district, which included budgeting assisting school with Title One programs, and assistance with students who qualified for Title One services. In addition to his undergraduate degree, Snardon has earned a MAE in School Counseling and a MAE in Education Administration from Murray State University. He currently serves as second vice-president and education chair for the Paducah McCracken County NAACP. He was named NAACP member of the year in 2018. "We are excited to add someone of Corbin's quality to our leadership team at the Paducah Innovation Hub," said Superintendent Dr. Donald Shively. "He's passionate about reaching students, and dedicated to making our community a better place to live and work, We look forward to seeing what he will accomplish on behalf of our students and the Innovation Hub." This event is for all grade levels. Free tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com/.../tour-the-innovation-hub. The Children’s Memorial Garden in Bob Noble Park will relocate to the Peck Educational Trail9/30/2020 The Children's Memorial Garden honoring the children killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City Federal Building bombing will be relocated to the Peck Education Trail along with 19 new dogwoods at Bob Noble Park in Paducah.
Construction of the Peck Education Trail will begin Thursday, October 1. In September, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Youngblood Excavating & Contracting for the project which will extend the existing nature trail behind the Noble Park Amphitheatre next to Shelter 17, cross a drainage area with a boardwalk, and stretch toward the park entrance off Cairo Road. The trail addition is in the wooded area next to the existing nature trail and the Cairo Road entrance to Noble Park. During the 90-day construction period, there will be intermittent closures of the Cairo Road entrance to Noble Park and the roadway and limited accessibility to the Amphitheatre and Shelter 17. The Peck Education Trail will be more than a half mile in length and will designate trees, fauna, and nature areas to give the community information about local ecology and habitats. Parking areas will be added off Noble Park Trace, the road that enters the park from Cairo Road. This project is funded entirely by the estate of J. Lane Peck through the Community Foundation of West Kentucky. Paducah, Kentucky - Just as BBQ OFF the River gets ready to raise money for local charities, BBQ on the River former Executive Director pleads guilty Monday during a Zoom pretrial conference.
David Boggs stole nearly $25,000 from Barbecue on the River and fled town in November 2018. Admittedly, he had stolen money and written checks to himself to pay-off a blackmailing social media scheme. Boggs said he sent inappropriate pictures to someone over social media and they demanded money. According to Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird, it's a common scam. Boggs was faced with a charge of theft by unlawful taking. The prosecution is recommending an eight year sentence. Boggs will be sentenced on November 2nd at 1:30 pm. Mayfield, Kentucky - Jesse Perry, Judge Executive for Graves County suggested Monday that closing the Graves County Jail may be a way to save money. He said the general fund for the jail is $1.4 million dollars and as it stands, the jail brings in only $966,000.
"We would be a lot better off to do away with the jail and sub-out all the inmates to other counties. It would be a lot better for the taxpayers for Graves County and we wouldn't need to have a tax increase this year or next year. The jail is costing our county so much money. Who benefits from that? Not the taxpayers of Graves County. All the services will continue on. We got to pay to keep the roads up, public safety with and the sheriff's department funded. " expressed Perry. Perry implied Hickman County as an alternative. He said, "it was the best thing that could happen to their county in a long time which would save the taxpayers a lot of money." The matter will be looked into. The instruments are ready to play. Enjoy the sounds of children laughing and chimes ringing at Bob Noble Park in Paducah. Now open for everyone's musical pleasure. PADUCAH – The public is invited to a ribbon cutting celebration on Monday, September 21 at 11 a.m. for the Music Garden at Bob Noble Park. This interactive playground is located on the west side of Lake Montgomery. Attendees are asked to wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing during the celebration.
This musical playground is the result of a public-private partnership. The City of Paducah prepared the concrete base and installed the outdoor musical instruments. Seven garden clubs of Paducah and several private donors raised more than $30,000 to purchase the instruments including drums and chimes that inspire musical joy for all ages. The garden clubs that provided funding toward this project are El Arbol Garden Club, Fleur de Lis Garden Club, Four Seasons Garden Club, LaPetite Fleur Garden Club, Paducah Garden Club, Prestwick Garden Club, and Potting Shed Garden Club. Private donations were received from the following generous members of the community: Molly and Lars Blythe; Shelia and Den Johnston; Susan and Jeff Golightly; Teddy Fiorita Day; Christy and Mark Meisenheimer; Janice and Craig Housman; Jennifer and Gary Gay; Sandy and Dwight Swann; Brenda and Brad McElroy; Patricia and Lynn Habacker; Debbie and Ted Davies; Sharon and Lee Powell; and Jeane Framptom. All of the instruments have been installed, and the Music Garden is open to the public. Photography by Michelle Wells earlier this morning at Panama City Beach, Florida. Video shot this morning as well as Sally made herself known on the Gulf Coast. Time for walks on the beach, ocean air, and plenty of sunshine. That’s what Michelle Wells thought as she headed to Panama City Beach, Florida this past Saturday. The car was loaded up and the wheels set in motion. Wells knew she was ready for a break. So ready for a break that she didn’t check the extended forecast until she was well on her way.
Sally or no Sally, the planned vacation was freeing for Wells. After seeing the weather forecast, Wells said, “I wasn’t scared of Sally as I knew she was a tropical storm. Emotionally, I was disappointed to find out half of our vacation would be spent inside after spending so much time indoors at home due to COVID-19." Wells said, “We started seeing pieces of Sally when we arrived on Saturday.” Knowing they would need supplies, the family went shopping as soon as they got there. They bought extra water and groceries to last for a couple of days. Wells had booked a condominium from a friend on the 20th floor at the beach. She said, “I’ve been in tropical storms before but not like this one. It’s different on the 20th floor. The noise has made me nuts.” As the wind continued to howl, Wells expressed an attraction to storms. “Friends and family call me “Mrs. Cantore” during our bad weather back home. I call my kids to remind them to be aware of their surroundings. Mother nature fascinates me.” “Last night was a little scary,” Wells admitted. “The noise was deafening. My phone alarm went off all night with tornado alerts.” Several times, the family took shelter in the bathroom during the warnings. The ocean was ferocious. Wells said "it (the ocean) was churning and churning. I’ve never seen waves this high before in Florida.” After speaking with Wells this afternoon, she said the worst was over but expects to have more warnings continue throughout the day. “Tomorrow we should be able to get on the beach and relax,” she said. “I’m ready for some sand between my toes.” In the video shot by Wells Wednesday morning, there were people walking around at the edge of the water. Wells said, “We thought about getting out and walking on the beach but one minute things were fine and the next you couldn’t see two feet in front of you.” The family has been going to Destin and Florida for many years and have only been told to evacuate twice due to hurricanes. “It’s not fun being evacuated," said Wells. As Sally makes her way through Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and out to the Atlantic, the rain, surge and wind has definitely caused some damage. Just up the coast closer to the epicenter of the hurricane is Pensacola, Florida. Mayor Grover C. Robinson spoke with one of the Weather Center meteorologists about the storm. He talked about the howling wind, the crashing waves, and the endless rain. He said that the rain was the worst part. “One of the things about living on the gulf coast is understanding resiliency. Mother nature needs to be respected.” PADUCAH – The City of Paducah Compost Facility located at 1560 North 8th Street now is accepting brush, leaves, and yard debris from Paducah residents. There is no charge for this service; however, a photo identification with the current city address is required. At this time, the facility is NOT accepting brush, leaves, or yard debris from commercial contractors or non-city residents.
The Compost Facility which also sells compost by the bucket load is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Compost Facility has Premium Compost for $20 per two-yard bucket load. Wood chip compost, which is not as homogeneous as the premium compost, is $5 per bucket load. An approximately two-yard bucket load fills the back of most pick-up trucks. Until supplies diminish, the Compost Facility also is selling raw wood chips for $10 per bucket load. For the safety of the employees and public due to the COVID-19 situation, customers must adhere to the following guidelines:
PADUCAH – The Paducah Parks & Recreation Department is reopening the Transient Boat Dock and accepting reservations from boaters. The dock has been closed for the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period of closure, crews have been working on maintenance projects including replacing damaged fascia boards on the sides of the dock, installing new rubber bumpers, and replacing tie-off cleats.
Paducah’s 340-foot long Transient Boat Dock is located downstream from the heart of historic downtown Paducah and provides space for transient boaters to enjoy Paducah by spending a few hours or several nights. It’s a popular stop for Loopers, boaters who are travelling America’s Great Loop, the 5,500-mile water route around the eastern half of the United States. Amenities include fuel (diesel and marine grade gasoline) and power pedestals. The availability of water and the sewer pumpout station is seasonal. Paducah’s Transient Boat Dock has received the Boaters’ Choice Award from Marinas.com for three consecutive years. The award honors marinas and docks that consistently provide an excellent home for the boating community and received the most praise throughout the year from boaters. For more information on making reservations go to: http://paducahky.gov/paducah-transient-boat-dock. |
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