Today's News

University of Kentucky fans may have witnessed a break-through moment last week. Says here, didn’t happen in Knoxville.

Scene: Second half against Georgia. UK had a large second half lead when Jodie Meeks broke free on a three-on-two fast break. In front of family and friends, the native Georgian fresh off 54 five days ago was clear for a pull-up jump or drive to the hoop.

Instead, Meeks slipped a bounce pass through traffic across the lane to a teammate coming from the left. Result: Michael Porter lay-up and one.

Team play moment.

While the rest of America spent the last several days focusing their attention on the inauguration of President Barack Obama, many Spencer Countians seem to have another American idol on their minds – someone right here in our own backyard.

Agriculture Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Douglas L. Faulkner announced recently that USDA is accepting applications for $45.8 million in loans and grants to support rural communities and spur economic development through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program.

In half a century, Kentucky’s white-tailed deer herd grew from 1,000 animals to a million today. Wild turkeys increased from about 800 birds to a quarter-million, and we are now home to 10,000 free-ranging elk, the largest elk population east of the Rocky Mountains. All are now hunted in Kentucky.

A new big game species came closer to joining that list this week when legislators approved a pending regulatory amendment that will create Kentucky’s first black bear season in more than 100 years.