Opinion

Editor:
On behalf of the living soldiers and families of those soldiers now deceased, that were members of “A” Battery 2nd BN138th FA Carrollton National guard, we want to express how grateful we are for the community support of our reunion Oct. 14, 2017.

Judge Thomas Funk

Guest Columnist

from The News Enterprise

Who will pass on the stories of our ancestors? Who will embrace the variegated colors of everyday life and leave a memorably written record of the past?
The responsibility of sharing someone’s life story belongs to family members, friends and all those who realize the treasure of the past and its impact on the future.
Many delightful and moving stories of Owen countians are recalled and recorded  in the “Owen County, Kentucky Family History Book,” available from the historical society for $60.

In May 2015, I was like one of many college graduates that walked across the stage, shook hands with the dean, grasped the diploma cover and walked away. But I was one of the graduates that didn’t have life figured out. I had interviewed at several places both inside and outside of our particular company and didn’t have a full-time job lined up after graduation. The interviews and numerous job applications came to an end early in September when News-Herald Publisher Jeff Moore told me about this opening. It was a glimmer of light in what was otherwise a bleak summer.

We’ve reached a critical point in Kentucky – one where our prisons and jails are full, overdose deaths continue to rise and far too many children have parents who are imprisoned.

We can no longer afford to cling to the outdated idea that prison is the only way to effectively hold people accountable for their crimes. Instead, we need to take a smarter, more measured approach to criminal justice.

BY CASEY ELLIS
Owen County Judge-Executive

As we look forward to nicer weather, school being out for the summer and summer activities, I wanted to inform the citizens of Owen County about the road closure scheduled for June 1-30.

There seems to be some confusion around this subject. The reality is one city block will be closed. That block is from the traffic light at East Adair to the Seminary Street traffic light (and just to the edge of the People’s Bank drive through).

I started my week in Frankfort in the presence of family, friends and my new colleagues in the Kentucky House of Representatives by holding my hand high and swearing an oath to represent the people of Scott, Owen, and Fayette counties to the very best of my ability.

FRANKFORT – With the final weeks of the session looming, we are all too aware of the short timeline and the many important pieces of legislation, including the state’s budget, that we still need to move through the process before session ends.

This week marked the 10th week in an already historic session in terms of the number of bills before the General Assembly. During this 60-day session, there were 937 bills filed with 309 originating in the Senate. This total is the most since the 1,030 filed in the 2008 session.