Opinion

 FRANKFORT – With low temperatures and snowy conditions around the state, many Kentuckians could be exposed to harsh winter elements. To prepare for these conditions, Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) officials are emphasizing the importance of limiting exposure to the cold and taking other necessary steps to prevent hypothermia. Meanwhile, parents and caregivers of infants are also advised to follow safe sleep practices to keep infants warm, in order to help prevent injury or infant deaths.

 FRANKFORT – In anticipation of possible electric outages during a coming winter storm, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) is urging residents who lose power to exercise caution when using portable generators or clearing storm debris.

A major storm is expected to bring heavy snow across much of Kentucky, with significant ice accumulations also possible in the southern part of the state. The wintry precipitation, accompanied by strong winds, could bring down trees, limbs and power lines.

 Bullitt Fiscal Court members have two very big decisions on their plates for early 2016.

One has garnered much publicity and the other not as much.

First, the county must make a decision on the future of its public pool system.

Managed under contract by the Bullitt County Family YMCA, the pool at Bullitt Central has repairs of around $200,000. If they are not done, the pool will not open.

That news hit the public in November, three months after county officials were apparently notified.

 Among the several responsibilities that the Board of Education  has delegated to me as BCPS superintendent is the decision to close school when necessary for student safety. 

At any meeting of state superintendents, especially during the winter months, the topic of school closings and the lamenting of the no-win nature of the decision in many -- if not most -- cases when the decision has to be made is a regular topic of conversations in the hallways. 

 Like the first day back to school, the first week of any new legislative session brings mixed emotions -- anticipation and excitement, apprehension and hope. 

To me, it’s also an exceptionally humbling time as I consider the great responsibility you have vested in me as your representative for the 49th District.

I serve in Frankfort to be an active, accessible voice for the people of Bullitt County and this 2016 session of the Kentucky General Assembly will be no exception.

  Bennie E. Underwood was born in 1910 and Virgil Underwood was born in 1915 in Bullitt County, Kentucky. 

Their parents were Willis Underwood and Delia Reed.  Bennie and Virgil had several siblings.  They were Lillian, Mary Jane, George, Bertha, Ella, Zelma, Wesley and Lesley.  Their father was a farmer, so Bennie and Virgil along with their brothers and sisters grew up on the farm.  

 Poverty - even chronic poverty - and being abused cannot be an excuse for antisocial or criminal behavior. 

There are countless examples of heroes and regular people in our country who have overcome the most difficult childhood to lead productive lives.

In schools and in society, we cannot simply allow extremely negative behaviors to go unaddressed. 

It is a form of societal self-defense because, when we do begin to simply tolerate it - either in a school or in a community - the consequences is that we simply get more of it.

 As we began compiling some highlights or lowlights of the first six months of 2015, one thing struck us -- there is a whole of going on in Bullitt County.

There is another thing that struck us -- many of the residents of Bullitt County are uninformed of what happens on a daily basis that can directly affect their lives.

Of course, for you, this is no surprise. You have seen the need to read the community paper and keep up with the events happening in the community.

 As 2015 winds down, we are approaching a festive time to celebrate the birth of Christ and also look back on this past year while developing a sense of optimism for the new year.

Christmas is often time to get together with family and exchange gifts in the same spirit that recognizes the reason for the season.

For many of us, the spirit of Christmas is a time of celebration, reflection on the good and bad of the year, and how our faith helps us celebrate those happy times and get through the low points during the year.