Representative Ken Upchurch was scheduled to file for re-election with the Secretary of State’s Office in Frankfort on Tuesday, January 7.

A senior member in the House Majority Caucus, Upchurch was chosen to lead the House Transportation Committee by the Speaker of the House in 2018.

He also serves as a ranking member of House State Government and Banking and Insurance committees.

“I’m so proud that the people of this community have put their trust and faith in me to serve them in Frankfort, and I hope they will continue to do so. It is a responsibility that I take seriously. I’m running for re-election because I’m proud of the work we’re doing to move our state forward and put Kentucky families first,” Upchurch said. “My work as chair of the Transportation Committee is not something I take lightly, but I haven’t forgotten the people of this district are my first priority.

Also, local attorney Rhett Ramsey officially became a candidate for 52nd District State Representative on Friday, January 3. Ramsey, also a Republican, filed his paperwork with the Kentucky Secretary of State.

He will be on the ballot for the May 19 primary election. The district includes McCreary, Wayne, and portions of Pulaski County.

In a statement Ramsey released last week, he said, “I came back home after graduating from law school because I wanted to make a difference, and I believe I can make a difference for our district if given the opportunity to serve as your state representative.

“I have been humbled by the support shown to me over the past several months since I announced my intent to run for this seat. The citizens of our district are ready for a change; it is time for fresh and a new approach,” stated Ramsey.

Ramsey said he plans to spend the next four months meeting and visiting the residents of the district, listening to their ideas, and looking for ways to improve our representation in Frankfort.

—————————

Wayne County joined a handful of other Kentucky counties in passing a resolution as a second amendment sanctuary.

Wayne Fiscal Court met in special session on Friday, January 3, heard and approved the resolution.

The resolution spells out the county’s commitment to the rights of all citizens to keep and bear arms.

It also states its opposition to any law that would “unconstitutionally restrict the rights of the citizens of Wayne County to keep and bear arms.”

County Judge/Executive Mike Anderson noted that Wayne County is the eighth Kentucky county to approve this type of resolution.

He said Frankfort officials had informed him that probably about a third of Kentucky counties will likely approve this type of measure this year.

Organizers of this effort have stated that they feel the second amendment is being threatened by laws on both the federal and state level.

This allows individual counties to express their support for the Constitution and the Second Amendment.

—————————

Tim Bell announced his resignation and retirement as Wayne County Solid Waste Coordinator. In a statement recently, Bell said he officially resigned the position at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31.

Bell stated that he had verbally tendered his intentions to leave the job and also provided the county with written notification.

Bell has served as Solid Waste Coordinator for more than 13 years, under the administration of former County Judge/Executive Greg Rankin. Bell had previously worked at the Wayne County Hospital for 30 years. He was familiar with county government after serving as magistrate for three terms.

Bell founded the local recycling program. The program has continued to grow over the years, as the county purchased a facility to house the recycling center.

They also realized more than $1 million in grant funding during that time, which has provided money to purchase recycling equipment.

Bell noted that he was pleased the program had been able to grow, and so many local residents have embraced the idea of recycling.

“I have had so many people tell me that they are happy to have this program in Wayne County…They want to feel like they are helping,” said Bell.

Bell did not specifically state the reasons why he chose to resign and retire at this time, but noted that he wanted local residents to know that he is no longer in charge of the recycling program.

He added that anyone with questions may contact him at home at (606) 343-0303.

Wayne County Judge/Executive Mike Anderson said that operations at the Recycling Center are continuing as normal.

He has several interviews that he would like to conduct before hiring a replacement for Bell.

He expected that would occur as early as this week.

—————————

A tragic four-vehicle crash in Hart County on Friday, January 3 has claimed the life of a woman with Wayne County ties.

Melissa Coffey, 40, of Bowling Green, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on I-65 southbound in Hart County.

Coffey was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Davontay Baker, 25, of Bowling Green. Police said Coffey was ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

A preliminary investigation revealed that Baker was driving a 2007 Chevrolet SUV traveling southbound on I-65 when he lost control of his vehicle. Baker’s vehicle exited the right side of the roadway hitting a guardrail before reentering the road.

Dennis Julian, 20, of Molly, Michigan, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet pickup when he struck Baker’s vehicle as it re-entered the southbound lanes. Baker’s vehicle was struck by a 2014 International tractor-trailer being driven by 52-year old Ruben Vallanueva-Sasrez, of Tampico, MX.

Villanueva-Suarez’s vehicle continued southbound striking a 2010 Jeep SUV being operated by 50-year old Donna Cook of Shelbyville.

Baker, along with three juvenile passengers, were transported to the Medical Center at Caverna where they were treated and released.

Dennis Julian was transported to the Medical Center at Caverna where he was treated for minor injuries.

Donna Cook and a juvenile passenger were also transported to the Medical Center at Caverna where they were treated and released.

A third passenger in Cook’s vehicle, 41-year old Tonya Smith of Shelbyville, was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital.

The investigation was continuing and being led by Trooper Mike Wathan.