Columns

Home gardeners look forward to that first ripe tomato or ear of corn they pick from their carefully tended gardens.  But after some vigorous gardening on a hot, humid day, you may wonder if it is all worth it. Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight.  Some weeds, like quackgrass, can chemically inhibit vegetable plant growth. Others host insect pests and disease pathogens.  All of these result in fewer fresh vegetables for your table. There are some preventive practices that effectively combat weeds.  Frequent hoeing or rototilling on a weekly basis helps eliminate weeds when they are small and easily removed. If you plant rows a little closer, vegetable crops provide...

Walking and running may seem like two of the simplest ways to get healthy, but it’s important to remember to stay alert when you exercise on sidewalks and along roadways. Whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, it’s vital for you to be cautious and courteous to others. Remember not one group has sole rights to the road. We must share it with others. Here are some safety tips for drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrians: • Wear bright colored clothing and reflective materials to make sure others can see you, particularly if you exercise at dawn or dusk. • Walk on the sidewalk when available. Walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk. • Cross...

I think I know the key to getting people involved in city government. GARBAGE! It affects everybody and everybody has an opinion on how it should be handled. Judging from comments on Facebook and calls to this newspaper I believe we have enough information to build a camel. (I’m sure you’ve heard the story of a camel is a horse designed by committee.) Some people are reluctant to let and trust the commissioners and mayor do their job of selecting the best way to handle an obvious garbage dilemma in Corbin. I say, calm down. These people are studying the problem and researching the best way to clean up a nasty situation. Trust...

For more than 30 years horses have been roaming the hills and mountains of eastern Kentucky. And it’s not just a few either. “Over the past three years, I, with the help of friends, local horse owners, coal companies and state conservation officer, have actually documented and taken photos of 556 free-roaming horses,” says Debby Spencer, a tourism activist who has worked on projects from one end of Kentucky to the other. “Most are in herds of five to twelve with a few larger herds scattered around.” Spencer is quick to admit that several herds have probably been missed due to the remoteness of the area and difficulty of finding them. “One...

Home gardeners look forward to that first ripe tomato or ear of corn they pick from their carefully tended gardens. But after some vigorous gardening on a hot, humid day, you may wonder if it is all worth it. Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients and sunlight. Some weeds, like quackgrass, can chemically inhibit vegetable plant growth. Others host insect pests and disease pathogens. All of these result in fewer fresh vegetables for your table. There are some preventive practices that effectively combat weeds. Frequent hoeing or rototilling on a weekly basis helps eliminate weeds when they are small and easily removed. If you plant rows a little closer, vegetable crops...

In our growing technological world, Internet use has become a part of regular life for teenagers today. Practically all youth between the ages of 12 and 17 use the Internet, averaging about 17 hours per week on-line, with some spending more than 40 hours per week on-line. With its 24/7 accessibility and lack of face-to-face contact, communicating on-line has led to a new form of bullying in young people known as cyberbullying. Cyberbullying occurs when a teen uses the Internet, text messages, emails, social media websites, on-line forums, chat rooms or other digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate another teen. Since the Internet and cellphones are always at a...

With summer drawing near, it is a good time to start thinking about protecting livestock from inevitable heat stress conditions on the way. “The combination of hot, muggy weather conditions prompts some real concern for humans, as well as livestock and pets,” said Tom Priddy, meteorologist for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “The livestock heat stress index is a combination of air temperature and humidity. That one-two punch makes it hazardous for people and animals. Dew point temperatures above 65 degrees lead officials to declare conditions dangerous for livestock.” The Livestock Heat Stress Index helps producers know when heat stress could create a problem for their...

School is out, which means children are ready to get out and have fun with their free time. Although a full summer schedule can be lots of fun, it can also be very expensive. But do not worry, there are plenty of options so that kids and parents can have a fun summer without spending too much money! Go hiking at your nearest state park. Bike around your neighborhood or city, look for new bike paths your family has not explored before. See a local sports team play on kid’s night. Create an obstacle course in your backyard and have races with the family. See a movie during the week. Some theaters will have...

The way Rodger Bird punished  opponents in football could lead one to believe that he would display that boastful rough guy image. Not so. As his wife Sally stated in the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame (KAHF) program, “He’s always been humble about his accomplishments.” “I remember when our son Paul was a little boy, he came home from school and asked, “Did daddy use to play football?” Yes he did, he really did in a way that made his family and those of us from Corbin proud. Rodger loves to talk about football, but he does not boast or brag. I learned more about Rodger during the two years we recently...

A few thoughts and observations. • As many of you know, I’m a commissioner for the city of Corbin. The decision to end daily service of the Corbin Trolley was a necessary one. I know there are a few detractors who feel as though it should have continued. But consider, the trolley had between two and 10 riders a day. Many days, it didn’t have ANY at all! It was running 13 hours a day. Two full-time drivers were hired to keep it on the road. It’s an expensive luxury that few used. Our city is double taxing the wages of those who work in the Knox County side of Corbin, and the...