Sept. 6, 2024

Kentucky receives nearly 5,000 applications for medical cannabis business licenses

Thousands of applicants are vying to be among the first businesses in Kentucky licensed to grow, process and sell medical cannabis. By the time the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis closed its business license application portal on Aug. 31, a total of 4,998 applications had been submitted.

"This is significantly more than any initial projection," Gov. Andy Beshear said during his weekly press briefing. "The vast majority of these applications are for dispensaries."

County Priority Projects Program - deadline approaching!

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly passed the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP), which gives lawmakers more oversight of which county road projects are funded. Local governments must submit their road projects for consideration by Oct. 15.

Henderson County enhances workplace safety with dedicated committee

In her 20 years of service with the Henderson County fiscal court, Angela Comer has seen the importance of workplace safety firsthand. As a human resources specialist, she understood the connection that accidents can have on personnel, the ability of county government to effectively serve constituents and the fiscal court’s budget. 

In 2022, with support from KACo Safety and Loss Control Manager Michael Ray, the Henderson County fiscal court took its first steps toward building a formal safety program by creating an internal safety committee. 

Body armor grants program accepting applications

The Kentucky General Assembly created a $15 million grant program in the Office of the Attorney General's Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to help law enforcement and first responders purchase body armor, duty weapons, ammunition, electronic-control devices and body-worn cameras.

2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest

Submissions for the 2024 I Love My KY County Art Contest are now being accepted! We invite all students from kindergarten through 8th grade to express their love for their Kentucky county through creative artwork.

The winning artworks will be proudly featured in the 2025 KACo calendar, and the top three artists will have the honor of being recognized at the 2024 KACo Conference.

The deadline for submissions is Sept. 30.

Kelly sworn in as president of Kentucky Commonwealth's Attorneys Association

Louis Kelly is the newest president of the Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorneys Association.

Sworn in Aug. 22, Kelly takes over for Blake Chambers, who now is the immediate past president of the association. Kelly will assume Chambers' seat on the KACo Board of Directors at its next meeting.

Occupational safety and health training offered this month

KYSAFE Occupational Safety and Health invites you to take advantage of a free, three-day occupational safety and health training event Sept. 24-26 in Ashland.

Counties in the News: Week of Sept. 2, 2024

Counties in the News highlights stories and developments about Kentucky's counties. From county government initiatives to economic progress and community events, here's a roundup of counties making headlines this week.

Featured counties: Mason, Magoffin, Daviess, Warren, Marion and Harlan

Upcoming Training Opportunties

See all training opportunities here

This week in pictures

The McLean County Fiscal Court completed paperwork and other required forms to successfully administer its first Small-Business Revolving Loan, with the help from the Green River Area Development District, to the owners of the soon-to-open Calhoun Pharmacy, Austin and Chelsea Bailey. This new program was created to help new and existing businesses expand services in McLean County.

Christopher Kelley of Mason County has been appointed as commonwealth’s attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Kentucky. Kelley is the former 1st Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit. He replaces J. Kelly Clarke, who has resigned.

Bobby Hall of Greenup County was named Kentucky Emergency Management Association Judge/Executive of the year. He is pictured with Dustin Heiser, Kentucky Emergency Management Asst. Director for Operations, Garth Wireman, Greenup County EM Director and Jon Allen, KEMA President. (Photo credit: Jesse Elbouab, KYEM

The newest graduates of the Kenton County Detention Center's academy program were recognized this week. This group of seven deputies is the 59th to participate in this training opportunity. The intensive three-week program takes participants through a wide variety of topics, from offering first aid and CPR to performing searches and defensive tactics.

Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden hung out with students at Fancy Farm Elementary School this week. After reading to them, he showed them his police cruiser and fielded their questions.

Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman and Gov. Andy Beshear pose with a check capping off Wireman’s five-and-a-half-year endeavor to secure $2.5 million for a clean and reliable water source for residents in the southern and northwestern regions of Magoffin County along state routes 1502, 542, and 378. 

The KACo Listening Tour met with officials from Floyd, Magoffin and Johnson counties during a visit to the Big Sandy region this week.

Floyd County Magistrate Ronnie Akers (left) and Floyd County Sheriff / KACo board member John Hunt

The final stop on the 2024 KACo Listening Tour was the Kentucky River ADD region.

Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander, Leslie County Clerk Onzie Sizemore and Letcher County Judge/Executive Terry Adams

Kentuckians for Better Transportation held a luncheon for new board members and committee chairs. Several county officials are among KBT's board members.

KACo's Jon Kovach with Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson