Speaker 1: Now we turn to the Kentucky Standard for news in
Speaker 1: Bardstown and Nelson County. Your reader today is Brian Hunt.
Speaker 1: As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading service intended for
Speaker 1: people who are blind or have other disabilities that make
Speaker 1: it difficult to read printed material. We will begin with
Speaker 1: the addition dated April nineteenth, Nation Mark's second inmates to escape.
Speaker 1: Local law enforcement are now on the lookout for a
Speaker 1: second escape prisoner after Cherry Nation walked off from an
Speaker 1: inmate work crew on Tuesday. Nation forty six was working
Speaker 1: on roadside garbage pickup and was an alternative sentenced state
Speaker 1: inmate held on non violent charges, although he has a
Speaker 1: history of felony charges. Nation was set to be relieved
Speaker 1: November eleventh of this year. Authorities are asking residents to
Speaker 1: be on the lookout for Nation in the Woodlawn Road
Speaker 1: and Northeast Nelson area. He fled on foot, and law
Speaker 1: enforcement have caution residents not to approach him and to
Speaker 1: call nine one one. Other potential locations for Nation include
Speaker 1: Wire Lane and Streamtown Road areas. Nation joined Jaman McKnight
Speaker 1: twenty eight as a subject for pickup by police on
Speaker 1: April tenth. McKnight was being transferred from Spencer County to
Speaker 1: Nelson County and was being held on nonviolent drug charges.
Speaker 1: Before McKnight could be booked into the Nelson County Correctional Center,
Speaker 1: he escaped from the Spencer County Jailed transport View. McKnight
Speaker 1: was never at any point in the custody or supervision
Speaker 1: of Nelson County Correctional Center. People are asking a police
Speaker 1: are asking anyone who c McKnight call nine to one
Speaker 1: one immediately. McKnight was originally believed to be in the
Speaker 1: downtown Bardstown area. Next, Raleigh named a Rotary Champion of Tomorrow.
Speaker 1: Bardstown Rotary Club member Olivia Raleigh was selected as one
Speaker 1: of six individuals for the Rotary People of Action Champions
Speaker 1: of Tomorrow. Earlier this month, Raleigh was selected by Rotary
Speaker 1: International as a Champion of Tomorrow for her work with
Speaker 1: the Yellow Tulip Project. Raleigh is one of six people
Speaker 1: from across the globe selected for the honor and is
Speaker 1: the sole United States representative. Champions of Tomorrow recognizes six
Speaker 1: people under thirty each year for quote their leadership in
Speaker 1: advancing impactful, youth centered initiatives that are helping create the
Speaker 1: foundation for brighter futures. When I got the email about it,
Speaker 1: I had no idea that this was a thing, and
Speaker 1: I almost thought it was spam, Raleigh said with a laugh.
Speaker 1: There are so many community partners involved in this that
Speaker 1: they deserve their flowers too, but it's so much bigger
Speaker 1: than one person. Mental health advocacy is an integral part
Speaker 1: of Raleigh's life and her former role as a social
Speaker 1: service specialist with local aught law enforcement and her role
Speaker 1: as a therapist with a youth residential hospital. Raley is
Speaker 1: also a member of the Community Action Council, a creation
Speaker 1: of Tri County United Way. The work of the organization
Speaker 1: and the council created the Nelson County Yellow Tulip Project.
Speaker 1: It is a local division of a nationwide movement. The
Speaker 1: Yellow Tulip Project is meant to address youth mental health
Speaker 1: in the community, with the goal to smash the stigma
Speaker 1: and remind them there's always hope. Through the work of
Speaker 1: Tri County United Way, the Impact Council, and Welcare of Kentucky,
Speaker 1: the project has spanned county wide. This spring, multiple community partners,
Speaker 1: from local schools, to cific organizations and more have planted
Speaker 1: a Hope garden. These gardens have bloomed with yellow tulips,
Speaker 1: with some having a yellow hope bench to give community
Speaker 1: members space to sit. Raley said it has been amazing
Speaker 1: to se see the variety of partners the project has gained,
Speaker 1: being excited to see so many entities want to come
Speaker 1: and want to aid in combating youth mental health. It's
Speaker 1: so many different pieces of the community that are often
Speaker 1: viewed as separate, Raley said. The jail is over here,
Speaker 1: the schools are over there. No, this connects everyone to
Speaker 1: show that community is built on systems. If you lose
Speaker 1: one system, then the whole thing crumbles. That's what I
Speaker 1: think this really signifies because it's not just one person,
Speaker 1: it is many. Raleigh said. The Yellow Tula Project grows
Speaker 1: every day in Nelson County, especially on the eve of
Speaker 1: Yellow Tulipweek, which begins April nineteenth. The community wide project
Speaker 1: has seen more interest as other businesses and organizations want
Speaker 1: to be a part of it. However, Raleigh says she
Speaker 1: does that want to be the only person recognized for
Speaker 1: their work with the Yellow Tulip Project. She said the
Speaker 1: recognition from Rotary International for herself and the project shows
Speaker 1: the impact someone can have on the community. No matter
Speaker 1: their age, it's highlighting people who are under thirty. So
Speaker 1: I think that really ties into we need to really
Speaker 1: value youth and people who are starting out in their career,
Speaker 1: she said. But it really signifies that people need to
Speaker 1: listen to youth, and people also need to listen to
Speaker 1: people who are just starting their career because change happens.
Speaker 1: You don't have to be over fifty. You don't have
Speaker 1: to be over sixty or in the same career spot
Speaker 1: for twenty to thirty years to make an impact. For
Speaker 1: more information on the Nelson County Yellow Tulip Project, visit
Speaker 1: Try County, kyuw dot Cobb Forward Slash, Youth Dash, Mental
Speaker 1: h Health. Next, State Senate honored Shigden ahead of his retirement.
Speaker 1: The Kentucky Senate honored Senator Jimmy Higden, Republican of Lebanon
Speaker 1: on Wednesday for his decades of public service as he
Speaker 1: prepares to retire at the end of his term in December.
Speaker 1: The final day of the twenty twenty sixth Legislative session
Speaker 1: serves as his final official legislative day in office. Higden
Speaker 1: has represented the fourteenth district since two thousand and nine,
Speaker 1: after previously serving in the Kentucky House of Representatives, building
Speaker 1: a reputation as a respected leader, policy expert, and trusted colleague.
Speaker 1: Senate President Robert Stuivers, Republican of Manchester, that Higgin's career
Speaker 1: reflects both strong leadership and a deep commitment to people.
Speaker 1: Jimmy Higdon is the kind of public servant every community
Speaker 1: hopes to have. Steivers said, he has led on major issues,
Speaker 1: but what stands out most is how he treats people
Speaker 1: and how deeply he cares about doing the right thing.
Speaker 1: Stivers pointed to Higdon's leadership within the caucus and his
Speaker 1: willingness to step forward when needed. He has always put
Speaker 1: the institution and his colleagues first. Steivers said, when leadership
Speaker 1: was needed, he stepped in. When it was time to
Speaker 1: step back, he did that too. That kind of character
Speaker 1: says everything about who he is. He also highlighted Higdon's
Speaker 1: connection to his constituents. Jimmy is known for being present
Speaker 1: in his community. Stivers said. He built really relationships the
Speaker 1: old fashioned way, one person at a time, and that's
Speaker 1: why people trust him. Steivers recalled Higden's strong support at home,
Speaker 1: noting his hands on approach to serving constituents and building
Speaker 1: relationships that extend extended far beyond politics. That's who Jimmy is.
Speaker 1: Stiver says, he cares about people, He shows up, and
Speaker 1: he follows through. During his time in the Senate, Higden
Speaker 1: held several key leadership roles, including Senate Majority Whip, Senate
Speaker 1: President pro Tem, and in recent sessions, he had served
Speaker 1: as chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. As Transportation share,
Speaker 1: Higden help oversees significant investment in infrastructure projects across the state,
Speaker 1: including major highway funding and economic development initiatives aimed at
Speaker 1: growing communities and improving connectivity. He was the driving force
Speaker 1: behind not one but two rounds of transformative funding from
Speaker 1: the state's Budget Reserve Trust Fund to help boost the
Speaker 1: state's road plan and support support counties and cities meeting
Speaker 1: infrastructure needs. A core aspect of road plans crafted under
Speaker 1: Higgin's leadership has been supporting construction ready projects. He also
Speaker 1: played a key role in modernizing Kentucky's vehicle registration system
Speaker 1: and expanding access to driver licensing services. Beyond transportation, Higdon
Speaker 1: became a leading voice on pension issues, shairing the Public
Speaker 1: Pension Oversight Board and working to improve long term financial
Speaker 1: stability for the Commonwealth. Higden's leadership on pension issues, Kentucky's
Speaker 1: state employee and teacher pension systems have witnessed one of
Speaker 1: the most significant financial turnarounds in the nation. Now, retirees
Speaker 1: can telson receiving the benefits they expect for their service,
Speaker 1: and the systems are stable long term for those who
Speaker 1: will retire in the future. Colleagues recognize Higden for his
Speaker 1: bipartisan approach and his willingness to mentor new members of
Speaker 1: the Senate. Senate President pro Tim David Gibbons, Republican of Greensburg,
Speaker 1: said Higden's impact is especially evident in how he supports
Speaker 1: fellow members, particularly those new to the chamber. He saw
Speaker 1: a need for mentorship and stepped into that space, Gibbon said.
Speaker 1: For many of our newer members, he's been a steady
Speaker 1: voice offering guidance not just on policy, but on how
Speaker 1: to navigate this role and serve effectively. Given said, Higden's
Speaker 1: commitment to others extends beyond the Capitol and reflects his
Speaker 1: personal values. What drives him is his faith and his
Speaker 1: desire to serve. Gibbon says that shows up in how
Speaker 1: he leaves, how he supports others and how he approaches
Speaker 1: every part of his life. He added that Higdon's approach
Speaker 1: to constituent service sets a high standard. If I could
Speaker 1: choose a Senator to be my own, it would be Jimmy.
Speaker 1: Given says he I've never seen anyone more responsive, more engaged,
Speaker 1: or more committed to the people they represent. Givens also
Speaker 1: reflected on Higden's character during both professional and personal moments.
Speaker 1: He has a way of stepping into difficult moments with
Speaker 1: steadiness and grace, Gibbon said, whether in leadership or in life,
Speaker 1: he's someone you can count on. Senator Steve Meredith, Republican Litchfield,
Speaker 1: said Higdon's character and motivation set him apart. He's never
Speaker 1: been a politician in the traditional since, Meredith said, He's
Speaker 1: been a public servant, someone who shows up asking how
Speaker 1: can I help and expects nothing in return. Meredith, who
Speaker 1: has known Higgins for decades, said his commitment to service
Speaker 1: is rooted in something deeper. What drives him is his faith,
Speaker 1: his family, and his desire to serve others. Meredith said
Speaker 1: that's been consistent throughout his life and career. Senator Minority
Speaker 1: floor Leader Gerald Neil, Democrat of Louisville said, Higden's character
Speaker 1: is reflected in how he trusts others treats others. If
Speaker 1: you had to sum him up, it comes down to
Speaker 1: three things. Kindness, decency, and respects. Neil said, that's what
Speaker 1: you see every day in how he works and how
Speaker 1: he treats people. In addition to his legislative work, Higden
Speaker 1: founded Military Kid's Day at the Capital, an event that
Speaker 1: has grown significantly and gained national recognition for highlighting the
Speaker 1: experiences of children in military families. Higden contends this program
Speaker 1: and experience is the thing he holds most dear as
Speaker 1: he looks to retirement from the General Assembly. Lawmakers and
Speaker 1: staff described Higden's legacy as one defined by kindness, respect
Speaker 1: and commitment to public Servicehigdon said he was grateful for
Speaker 1: the opportunity to serve and reflected on the relationships built
Speaker 1: during his time in office. It's been a great ride,
Speaker 1: Higden said. I've tried to do my work with energy,
Speaker 1: treat people fairly, and remember that public service is about people,
Speaker 1: not politics. Higden credited his family, especially his wife Jane,
Speaker 1: for supporting his years in public office. I wouldn't be
Speaker 1: standing here today without her, Higden said, she's spent my
Speaker 1: partner through all of it. He also thanked his colleagues, staff,
Speaker 1: and constituents for their support throughout his career. I'm thankful
Speaker 1: for the friendship, the cooperation, and even the disagreements we've
Speaker 1: had over the years, Higden said, those are the things
Speaker 1: that stay with you. Higden said his approach to service
Speaker 1: was guided by a simple principle. God gave each of
Speaker 1: us gifts, and mine has been helping people. Heigdon said,
Speaker 1: I've been grateful for the chance to use that in
Speaker 1: service to others. He added that while his time in
Speaker 1: office is ending, the impact of those relationships will remain.
Speaker 1: The days come and go, But what least are the
Speaker 1: people you meet and the difference you try to make.
Speaker 1: Higdon said, I leave here with a grateful heart. As
Speaker 1: he enters retirement, Higdon says he looks forward to spending
Speaker 1: time with his wife, their children, and grandchildren. The Senate
Speaker 1: adopted a resolution honoring his career and service to the Commonwealth.
Speaker 1: Next legislatures secure one hundred and five million for Nelson
Speaker 1: County Transport and Infrastructure of Representative Candy Maseroni, Republican of
Speaker 1: Barstown and Senator Jimmy Higdon, Republican Lebanon have secured more
Speaker 1: than one hundred and five point seven million dollars to
Speaker 1: support road, bridge and infrastructure improvements in Nelson County through
Speaker 1: the Nation States Annual Transportation Legislation. The funding is a
Speaker 1: product of a shared, coordinated effort to improve safety, reduced congesting,
Speaker 1: and strengthen transportation infrastructure across Nelson County. Major investments were
Speaker 1: secured to the state's by Anneal Highway Construction Plan house
Speaker 1: built five oh two and related legislation. The plan is
Speaker 1: anchored by significant investments along some of Nelson County's busiest
Speaker 1: and most economically important corridors, including US Highway one fifty
Speaker 1: and Kentucky Highway two forty five. These projects were top
Speaker 1: priorities for Massaroni and Higdon as they worked to shape
Speaker 1: the next two year state road plan. Key projects include
Speaker 1: fifty four million dollars in the next two years and
Speaker 1: six year road plan for construction to improve safety, mobility,
Speaker 1: and roadway geometry along US Highway one fifty from the
Speaker 1: Bluegrass Parkway to the Nelson Washington County line. Eight point
Speaker 1: four million dollars for right of way utility work, and
Speaker 1: construction to improve safety and traffic flow along Kentucky Highway
Speaker 1: two four five near flage A Hospital and Hall Loop,
Speaker 1: five point five eight million dollars for right of way
Speaker 1: and utility work to widen US Highway one fifty between
Speaker 1: Kentucky Highway forty nine and the area near Kentucky Highway
Speaker 1: two four five, two point nine four million for design,
Speaker 1: right of way and utility work to improve traffic operations
Speaker 1: and mobility along US Highway thirty one E from Kentucky
Speaker 1: Highway five of nine to the Bullet County Line. One
Speaker 1: hundred thousand dollars for design to address congestion along US
Speaker 1: Highway sixty two in Barstown, one million dollars for preliminary
Speaker 1: design to improve safety congestion along Kentucky Highway two four
Speaker 1: five near Kelley Drive, three hundred eleven thousand dollars per
Speaker 1: guardrail installation along Kentucky Highway four five eight to improve
Speaker 1: roadway safety. And more than twenty four million dollars combined
Speaker 1: to improve conditions along multiple segments of the Martha Lane
Speaker 1: Collins Bluegrass Parkway, enhancing a critical regional corridor. Heaton, who
Speaker 1: serves as Senate Transportation Chair, said these investments reflect a
Speaker 1: continued focused on improving safety, mobility, and economic opportunity in
Speaker 1: one of CA Kentucky's fastest growing regions. These dollars from
Speaker 1: our state Road plan are going to play a big
Speaker 1: role in making our road safer, commutes easier, and more
Speaker 1: opportunities possible for the families who call Nelson County home.
Speaker 1: Higgedon said Representative Masaroni and I made a point to
Speaker 1: focus on key corridors and high volume traffic areas across
Speaker 1: the county and really looking at how to support the
Speaker 1: kind of projects that help communities and the local economy.
Speaker 1: I want to give a really special thank you to
Speaker 1: Representative Masaroni for her leadership. Masaroni, who represents Nelson County
Speaker 1: in the State House of Representatives, said the funding reflects
Speaker 1: strong collaboration between state and local leaders. There's no way
Speaker 1: good work like this gets done without everyone rowing in
Speaker 1: the same direction. Massaroni said, I'm grateful for our local
Speaker 1: leaders for helping identify the biggest areas of needs, and
Speaker 1: I appreciate Senator Higden's leadership and making sure Nelson County
Speaker 1: continues to see strong investment in roads, bridges, and infrastructure
Speaker 1: that support our growth and quality of life. Higdon will
Speaker 1: conclude his time as State Senator for Nelson County and
Speaker 1: the fourteen Centate District when his term of office ends
Speaker 1: in December. In addition to major highway investments, Maceeroni and
Speaker 1: Hichton note that targeted funding secures through the Local Road
Speaker 1: Assistance Program House Joint Resolution seventy six, which provides one
Speaker 1: hundred and thirty one thousand dollars for resurfacing and safety
Speaker 1: improvements on locally maintained roads. Projects include sixty thousand dollars
Speaker 1: to resurface Hagen Road, twenty nine thousand to resurfs North
Speaker 1: Fifth Street, twenty two thousand to resurface Old Pilia Troll Lane,
Speaker 1: and twenty thousand dollars to serve resurface Morton Avenue. One
Speaker 1: of the things we hear about most from Nelson County
Speaker 1: Judge Executive Tim Hussins, other local officials and constituents is
Speaker 1: the need for more blacktop. Higgins said, I'm happy that
Speaker 1: what we were able to do for all one hundred
Speaker 1: twenty Kentucky counties this year in that regard, when you
Speaker 1: see blacktop being laid down in Orange Cones, just know
Speaker 1: that's a sign of progress and is also a sign
Speaker 1: that your local road departments, judge executives, magistrates, and neighbors
Speaker 1: played a part in those improvements being possible. Included in
Speaker 1: the twenty twenty six to twenty twenty eight State Road
Speaker 1: Plan is a two hundred and thirty million dollar investment
Speaker 1: from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund, which helps stabilize the
Speaker 1: highway construction program and accelerate shovel ready projects. The infusion
Speaker 1: of one time general Fund dollars aids in boosting projects
Speaker 1: across the state. Like the twenty twenty four State Road Plan,
Speaker 1: Higgdon successfully advocated for the infusion of these one time dollars.
Speaker 1: Lawmakers have prioritized using available funds from the State Budget
Speaker 1: Reserve Trust Fund to support local transformative projects that serve
Speaker 1: to yield a return on investments. Higgdon believes the use
Speaker 1: of these available funds for the road Plan are multipurpose.
Speaker 1: When you look at our road fund revenues, they aren't
Speaker 1: just keeping pace with the high cost of construction. Higdon says,
Speaker 1: the fact of the matter is you want to have
Speaker 1: business investments here in our communities, we have to have
Speaker 1: infrastructure to support that. That's why it was so important
Speaker 1: to get at four hundred and fifty dollars million dollars
Speaker 1: from the Rainy Day Fund in twenty twenty four to
Speaker 1: boost high growth region road projects. And this new two
Speaker 1: hundred and thirty million dollars will boast our road plan,
Speaker 1: bolster our road plan again to help meet our goals.
Speaker 1: I'm grateful to House and Senate leadership and all my
Speaker 1: colleagues in the fourteenth Senate District for supporting these investments.
Speaker 1: It doesn't get done without good, hardworking people around the table.
Speaker 1: Additional funding opportunities for local governments. In addition to project
Speaker 1: specific funding, the budget includes several grant opportunities available to
Speaker 1: local government, such as fifty million dollars over the next
Speaker 1: two years for the County City Bridge Improvement Program, twenty
Speaker 1: four million dollars in fiscal year twenty twenty seven for
Speaker 1: a new matching grant program for counties and cities, and
Speaker 1: additional funding in twenty fiscal year twenty twenty eight through
Speaker 1: the state's revenue sharing formulas for counties and municipalities. The
Speaker 1: state road plan includes a four point six billion dollars
Speaker 1: by annual road plan alongside a seven billion dollar transportation
Speaker 1: operating budget, ensuring that projects can move forward without delays
Speaker 1: or over promising state resources. These two major pieces of
Speaker 1: transportation related legislation maintained a disciplined approach focusing on delivering
Speaker 1: projects ready for construction and improving infrastructure across communities statewide.
Speaker 1: The Biennial Plan road Plan is fully funded with no
Speaker 1: overprogramming of state dollars, which increases the likelihood that projects
Speaker 1: included in the plan can be completed within the budget cycle.
Speaker 1: Next in Community Notes, the Stephen Foster Music Club invites
Speaker 1: the community to a special evening celebrating the birthday of
Speaker 1: William Shakespeare. Local professional actors from the Bard's Town Shakespeare's
Speaker 1: Society will join music Club members to present If Music
Speaker 1: Be the Food of Love, a lively concert of song,
Speaker 1: scenes and a touch of silliness inspired by the Bard himself.
Speaker 1: The free concert will be seven thirty pm on Monday,
Speaker 1: April twenty seventh at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, Bardstown,
Speaker 1: which is at the corner of North third Street and
Speaker 1: East John Brown Boulevard. Join us as we explore fresh
Speaker 1: interpretations of Shakespeare's work and celebrate the endearing influence of
Speaker 1: his words on modern life. This is all the time
Speaker 1: we have for reading of recent adations of the Kentucky Standard.
Speaker 1: If you've enjoyed hearing this, please call us at eight
Speaker 1: five nine four two two six three nine zero and
Speaker 1: let us know. On behalf of everyone here at Radio Eye,
Speaker 1: this is Brian Hunt. Thank you for joining me, and
Speaker 1: now please stay tuned for continued programming here on Radio Eye.