Residents of one rural community in Wayne County have asked the fiscal court to allow them to use golf carts or other ATV type vehicles on roads in that area.

Several residents from Clearwater Subdivision, which is located on the north side of Lake Cumberland, attended the fiscal court meeting February 13 to make the formal request.

Members of the Golf Cart Ordinance Committee addressed the issue, enumerating the reasons for using golf carts on the roadways in their community.

Sharon Potts noted there are 204 homes in that area, and many people use golf carts or other type vehicles to travel to a community mail box to pick up their mail.

Shelby Johnson, who owns a boat storage in the community, explained that with few parking spaces available near the boat ramp, people come back and park their vehicle and take a golf cart back to the ramp to get aboard their boat.

Wayne County Judge/Executive Mike Anderson said that he had talked about the issue with County Attorney Tom Simmons and District Four Magistrate Jonathan Dobbs. He indicated that they would prepare an ordinance that would allow golf cart use in the community and it will probably be ready for a first reading at the court’s meeting in March.

“We understand your problems and we are trying to look at this the best way we can,” Anderson said.

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Some changes are coming to the Wayne County Schools, as several projects on campus have received preliminary approval by the school board.

The board approved the BG1 form for the construction of a new track and soccer field during a meeting held on February 12. Wayne County currently does not have a track facility. It has a soccer field, which is located off KY 90, east of Monticello.

This project would move soccer games to a more central location, as the field would be located across from the building currently being used as the Area Technology Center.

Superintendent Wayne Roberts said that the plan is to proceed as soon as possible with this project.

The board also took the first step toward two renovation projects, as it authorized DECO Architects to prepare BG1 forms for work at the building being used as the ATC and the older portion of Monticello Elementary School.

The Local Facility Planning Committee met recently and recommended that the building now housing the Area Technology Center become a district-wide building. It would house central office staff, the technology department, as well as maintenance. That recommendation was approved during the board meeting.

The older portion of the Monticello Elementary School will undergo renovation and be upgraded, according to discussion at the meeting.

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A cell search at the Wayne County Detention Center resulted in several people being charged, according to Jailer Ronnie Ellis.

Christopher Sams, 38, of Science Hill, was charged with promoting contraband first degree; Brandon Mayfield, 29, of Somerset, was charged with promoting contraband first degree; and Christopher Wright, 45, of Monticello, was charged with promoting contraband first degree, possession of a controlled substance first degree (meth) and promoting contraband second degree.

All items found were turned over to the Monticello Police Department for further investigation.

Ellis stated the detention center will continue to work with law enforcement to charge any individual caught with contraband at the detention center.

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The U.S. Senate has approved the National Resources Management Act, which includes a provision by Senator Mitch McConnell, to designate two Kentucky Civil War sites as National Monuments.

Designating Camp Nelson and the Mill Springs Battlefield as National Monuments ensures their rich history will be preserved for the education of future generations.

Representatives Andy Barr and Hal Rogers are leading these efforts in the House of Representatives and have introduced legislation in that chamber.

On January 19, 1862, the Battle of Mill Springs spilled across Pulaski and Wayne counties in southeastern Kentucky. It was the second-largest battle to take place in the state, and involved over 10,000 soldiers.

More importantly, it was the first significant Union victory in the western theater of the Civil War. The Union’s victory meant that the main Confederate defensive line that had been anchored in eastern Kentucky was broken, freeing Union soldiers to move through Kentucky and into Tennessee. One hundred fifty years later, this battle is still a vital story in our nation’s history.

Camp Nelson was established in 1863 in Jessamine County. It would become Kentucky’s top recruiting station and training facility for the Union’s African-American soldiers. In later years, those seeking freedom from slavery fled to the camp.

“I want to thank my colleagues in the U.S. Senate for passing this bill to give these treasured lands the recognition and protection they deserve,” said McConnell.

“The measure preserves and protects, for present and future generations, Camp Nelson and highlights its important role in the Civil War, Reconstruction, and African American history and civil rights. I was proud to work with Congressman Barr and applaud his leadership in the House to ensure that Camp Nelson gets the recognition it deserves.”

“The Mill Springs Battlefield Association has worked hard to preserve hundreds of acres of battlefield property and to educate the public about the history of the American Civil War and the Battle of Mill Springs,” Senator McConnell added.