News briefs: Oct. 3, 2012

Bridge replacement complete

and KY 1779 is open again

KY 1779 in eastern Shelby County, closed several weeks for replacement of a bridge that was below state safety levels, has been reopened.

State Transportation Cabinet officials said that the road reopened on Wednesday, but there was no announcement to the public because engineers did not pass the word forward for release.

The bridge spanned the Dutch Fork of North Benson Creek. The highway – called Hatton Road in that area – was closed between Beechridge Road and Quisenberry Lane. School officials had to change bus schedules to accommodate about 15 students.

The bridge was to have been replaced this summer, but the contractor, RGF Inc. of Flemingsburg, also has been working on a bridge project on KY 193 in Henry County, had determined to complete that project and delay the work on Benson Road, despite a completion date specified by its contract.

RGF was to be fined $750 per day for every day the road is closed past Aug. 7.

Other road projects under way:

I-64: Lane closures and delays are possible from the welcome center near Simpsonville to a half-mile east of KY 55 because of roadway widening. Lane closures are possible Sunday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning and on Saturdays from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m.

Rain doesn’t deter burn ban season

Fall burning season is upon us, and the Kentucky Division of Forestry said it is once again preparing for an active wildfire season as lack of rain this summer and increased fuel loads from spring storms could pose problems for fighting fires.

“Despite recent rainfalls, most of Kentucky is still very dry, especially the western part of the state,” Leah MacSwords, director of KDF, said in a news release. “In addition to the drought, the spring tornadoes have left many of our woodlands damaged. The accumulation of storm-damaged trees and limbs not only create additional ‘fuel’ for wildland fire, it increases the danger to our firefighters.”
Fall fire season officially began Monday and runs through Dec. 15. During this time, it is illegal to burn anything within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Forestry officials say that taking extra precautions with fires around homes and camp fires as well as being alert to forest arson can eliminate the majority of wildfires that occur in Kentucky.

Residents are encouraged to be aware of all outdoor burning restrictions, including forest fire hazard seasons, air quality and waste management regulations, restrictions imposed by local ordinances and county burn bans.

That includes avoiding burning anything during fire hazard seasons and during times of dry, windy conditions.

Shelbyville Fire Department holding toy drive

Employees of the Shelbyville Fire Department and their families will conduct a holiday toy drive this year for families who may not have the means to provide toys and necessities for their children. They will be placing toy drop-off boxes at Shelbyville businesses as well as collection boots and cans for monetary donations.

They are asking any business who would like to assist them by providing them with a location for either a drop off box or fire boot to contact them and they will provide them with one. The toy drive chairperson/contact is Firefighter Dwayne Davis. Anyone wishing to participate may contact him or Assistant Chief Spaulding at (502) 633-7101.

Bagged leaf pickup

The Shelbyville Department of Public Works will offer leaf pickup Oct. 22 through Dec. 30 within the city limits. Leaves must be bagged in strong garbage bags and tied with a 50-pound weight capacity. They should be placed on the curb, not blocking the sidewalk or street. Residents must call this department, 633-1094, to get on the list for pick-up.

Voter registration deadline: next Tuesday

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election is next Tuesday. The Shelby County Clerk’s office will accept voter registration cards until close of business on that date, and mail-in voter registration applications must be postmarked by that date.

Voters who have recently moved must update their registration information by Oct. 9. According to state law, individuals who move from one county to another county while the voter registration books are open and fail to update their registration information before the registration books close will not be permitted to vote in the election, according to a news release from Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.
Individuals can access the Voter Information Center, check their registration status and obtain a registration card at www.sos.ky.gov or through links on the secretary of state’s Facebook page.

SCHS band to have alumni event

The Shelby County High School marching band is hosting an Alumni Night on Friday before the school’s home football game. All former band and color guard members are invited to the band room from 5 to 6:00 p.m. for refreshments, to meet the 2012-2013 SCHS Marching Rockets and to tour the newly remodeled band room.

There will also be trophies from past years and other band memorabilia for sale. All alumni musicians are invited to bring their instruments and play with the band in the stands during the game.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Kendra Hayes at kendra.hayes@shelby.kyschools.us.

Multi-Purpose launches energy assistance program

Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency, Inc. will begin on Nov. 5 the “subsidy” portion of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program that provides heating assistance to eligible household. Last Year, Multi-Purpose was able to assist 401 households in Shelby County with this program.

To qualify, a household must be responsible for home energy costs, directly or as an undesignated portion of their rent; have a combined household income, for the calendar month before the month of application, not in excess of 130 percent of the federal poverty level; apply and reside in Shelby County; and not have liquid resources in excess of $2,000 or $3,000, if at least one person in the household is 60 years old or disabled, ($4,000 if resources are being used for living expenses due to catastrophic illness).

Applications will be taken at the office at 1145 Washington St. in Shelbyville between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., through Friday. Call 502-633-6371 to make an appointment.

The Kentucky Press News Service contributed to this report.