Posted by John Humphress on Dec 22, 2010
Kentucky State Police (KSP) is preparing for January 1, 2011 when they will begin issuing citations for violations of the texting law that went into effect July 15, 2010. The law (KRS 189.292) prohibits drivers from texting while their vehicle is in motion. For drivers who are under eighteen, the law (KRS 189.294) goes a step further by prohibiting both texting and cell phone use for this age group.
KSP Public Affairs Branch Commander Lt. David Jude says that the new law was designed to place the drivers’ focus back on the road instead of an electronic device.
“Texting or using a cell phone takes the drivers focus off the road.” says Jude. “For instance, every second that you take your eyes off the road when your speed is 70 mph, your vehicle travels 102 feet.”
Drivers who violate the new law will be fined $25 for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense, plus court costs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is leading the effort to put an end to distracted driving behaviors, such as texting and cell phone use. Their key focus is to get motorists to stop engaging in other activities while driving. Just “Put It Down” and concentrate on the road, is the new strategy (http://www.distraction.gov/stats-and-facts/index.html) they are promoting across the country.
“Everyone needs to be a part of this strategy through public education and enforcement of the law,” says Jude. “Eliminating texting and cell phone use while driving will reduce crashes and more importantly, reduce the number of deaths on Kentucky highways.”
“A text message or cell phone call can wait – but the safety of you, your family and other motorists on the road is much important,” added Jude.
Jude says all KSP public affairs officers across the state will be blitzing the airwaves, internet and print media in an effort to get a uniform message out across the state about the law.
Citizens can contribute to highway safety by reporting erratic drivers to the Kentucky State Police toll-free at 1-800-222-5555. Callers will remain anonymous and should give a description of the vehicle, location, direction of travel and license number if possible.
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 22, 2010
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The graphic above illustrates where snow is expected to develop on Christmas Eve. The most likely locations for snow to fall early on Christmas Eve would be west of I 65
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The bulk of any accumulation is expected to fall early Christmas day. The graphic above indicates a widespread potential for light accumulations.
A trough will move over the southern plains tomorrow, and will then approach the northern Gulf of Mexico by Christmas Eve. Another trough will approach from the northwest at the same time, bringing light snow west of I – 65 by afternoon on Christmas Eve.
As the storm system passes to the south late Christmas Eve, light accumulations are likely beginning Christmas Eve night and continuing into Christmas Day. Below are graphics illustrating how the system will progress with regard to timing.
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 21, 2010
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The above image depicts what precipitation type should be expected during the daytime hours of Christmas Eve.
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The abave image depicts precipitation changing to all snow by late Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.
A strong low pressure system will develop across the southern plains Thursday, and will move toward the Tennessee Valley by Christmas Eve morning. The low is forecast to track across the gulf coast states. This scenario would bring a gradually increasing wintry mix of rain and snow to southern Kentucky and snow across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky throughout Christmas Eve. With cold air rushing in behind this system, any precipitation would change over to snow late Christmas Eve, increasing our chances for a white Christmas!
The system is still 4 days away, so any slight change in the timing and track of the low could greatly alter precipitation timing, type, and amount. But at this point, this system looks to bring a wintry mix along and south of the Cumberland Parkway for Christmas Eve, with likely snow accumulations for much of the area by Christmas morning.
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 18, 2010
The Kentucky State Police are investigating a fatality that occurred on Friday, December 17th that resulted in 4 fatalities. The collision happened at approximately 3:40 PM CST 6 miles west of Albany on KY 0090. A Red 2000 Chevy Pickup operated by 54-year-old Ricky Brinkley of Bowling Green, traveling eastbound, attempted to overtake another eastbound vehicle and struck a westbound 1999 Plymouth Van head on in the westbound lane. Ricky Brinkley was pronounced deceased at the Clinton County Hospital.
The van was operated by 36-year-old David Moreland who was pronounced deceased at the scene. Van passengers, 25-year-old Amanda Moreland was pronounced deceased at the scene and 7-year-old McKenzie Moreland of Albany was pronounced deceased at the Clinton County Hospital. 5-year-old Haylee Moreland of Albany is in stable condition after being transported to University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington.
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the collision and no seatbelts were in use in either vehicle. The deceased were pronounced by Clinton County Coroner Steve Talbott. Tpr. David Long is investigating and was assisted at the scene by additional units from Post 15, Clinton County Sheriff’s Dept., Clinton and Cumberland County Fire, EMS and Rescue personnel.
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 17, 2010
Editor’s Note: Preliminary November and revised October labor market information are included in this release.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent in November 2010 from a revised 10 percent in October 2010, according to the Office of Employment and Training (OET), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.
The November 2010 jobless rate is .5 percentage points lower than the 10.7 percent rate recorded in November 2009 for the state. The 10.2 percent rate recorded in November 2010 is the highest rate since May 2010 when it was 10.4 percent.
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 17, 2010
This map shows the probability of having at least one inch of snow on the ground on Christmas morning.
Posted by John Humphress on Dec 17, 2010
Campbellsville Schools Running on a One Hour Delay
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 17, 2010
Taylor County Schools Running on a One Hour Delay
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Posted by John Humphress on Dec 15, 2010
With the first serious winter storm of the season expected to hit Kentucky tonight, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is urging residents to exercise caution in the event their electric service is interrupted.
The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting that a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain will move into Kentucky later today. Some areas of Kentucky might see ice accumulations of as much as half an inch, forecasters say.
That much ice can break weak tree limbs and bring them down on power lines. Some scattered power outages are possible, the PSC said.
Customers who lose power should follow proper safety precautions if they use portable generators or heating appliances, PSC Chairman David Armstrong said.
“As we learned during the record-breaking ice storm in 2009, improper use of portable generators and heaters can be extremely dangerous,” Armstrong said. “Many Kentuckians lost their lives, and many more were hospitalized, as the result of being poisoned by carbon monoxide emitted by portable generators that were not used correctly.”
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