Steady rain didn't keep dozens of children and parents from turning out to greet Santa Claus as he arrived in Midway via RJ Corman Railroad right on time at 11 this morning.

Santa waved to the crowd, which had waited in and around Railroad Drug for his arrival.

Mrs. Claus led the way off the train as the crowd awaited eagerly, took pictures and tried to stay dry.

Amarion Reed, 7, of Versailles, was the first in line to meet Santa inside the old bank building. Santa's visit was sponsored by the Midway Business Association. Next week the building will house a model-train display. For a larger version of any photo on the Midway Messenger, click on it.

Message from the Mayor: Thankful for many things

By Grayson Vandegrift
Mayor, City of Midway

As we come to another Thanksgiving I find I’m more thankful than ever. As always, I’m thankful for my friends and family and this wonderful community, but this year I’m also thankful for a few things specific to 2019:

I’m thankful, for example, that the sidewalk cost-sharing program was a smooth success (pun intended), that the street project came in under budget, and that we’re now a debt-free city. I’m also thankful that the council was agreeable to funding these initiatives, although they were not without their tough questions and discerning eyes, as they should be.

I’m thankful we were able to cut property taxes a little bit more, as we restructure our tax revenue stream for the future. I’m also thankful the blighted property and code enforcement ordinances are moving along smoothly and are hopefully headed for passage. And while I’m thankful for much more, I also know I’ve only got your attention for so long, but I’m very thankful we have a plan to give our city what it deserves – options – when its current 40-year contract with Kentucky American Water expires in 2025 and we’re free to go to the Frankfort Plant Board or another competing wholesaler so we can pay lower rates – much lower rates.

I’m also very thankful for our incredible city employees who keep the town running like a finely tuned machine. They deserve the long weekend they have coming up – and then some.

I hope you’re feeling as thankful as I am this Thanksgiving, and I hope you can keep those divisive topics off the table where the food belongs, topics like: “Are we Midwegians or Midwayans?” Some topics are just better left at the front door.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope to see you at the Tree Lighting this Friday night at 6:30.

Bridge placed at Weisenberger Mill; long-delayed project is on target for expected completion in May

Just as a crane lifted the old, dilapidated Weisenberger Mill bridge off its moorings on Aug. 30, one lifted a new one from a stretch truck and placed it on the recently strengthened abutments. Phil Weisenberger shot a video from his family's mill and sped it up for easier viewing. This is one frame.

For long-debated reasons of historic preservation and safety, the new bridge is a one-lane, pony truss, much like the old one. The project is expected to be completed in May, just in time for the summer tourist season. The bridge over South Elkhorn Creek, where a mill and scenic dam have stood since 1865, is a favorite stop in the Bluegrass.

The state's contract with Louisville Paving Co. gives the firm until July 26 to complete the project, but highway officials said after meeting with the contractor that they expected it to be open by May. Natasha Lacy, spokeswoman for the district office of the state Transportation Cabinet, said Tuesday that the project is on schedule and Louisville Paving would like to complete the bridge itself by Jan. 1. She said that is possible with favorable weather, but approaches to the bridge are also part of the contract, and "They take time to pave, and compact fill correctly. Sidewalk and signs have to be installed as well."

‘Sip and Shop’ tests new open-carry policy and promotes holiday shopping, eating and drinking

Donna Ishmael, George Ishmael, Randy Cederquist and Emily Cederquist

said they went into all 20 businesses that offered clues in a scavenger hunt.

Story and photos by Megan Parsons

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

On a rainy Saturday, Nov. 23, downtown Midway held a “Sip and Shop” event, the first big test of the cty’s open-carry policy, which allows drinkers to take alcoholic beverages in and out of licensed premises within the center’s boundaries downtown.

George Ishmael, Donna Ishmael, Randy Cederquist and Emily Cederquist of Bourbon and Nicholas counties said they heard about the event on Facebook. “We enjoyed the scavenger hunt, we went in every shop,” Randy Cederquist said.

The scavenger hunt encouraged people to visit downtown stores and restaurants; 20 had clues that participants could find if they visited. If they figured out the clue they took a picture with it and showed them at the Midway Makers Market, where they were entered to win a gift basket.

A sign at City Hall marked one corner of
the new "entertainment destination center."

Sam Fisher, owner of Fisher Antiques, estimated he had 50 to 60 people come to his store because of the promotion. He said, “everyone had good behavior.” Many who visited his shop were tourists, “There was a couple were staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Midway,” he said. “Although, most were from the surrounded area of Georgetown, Versailles or Lexington.”

Sarah Hurlburst and Blake Nickell of Morehead were celebrating their anniversary at Wallace Station on Saturday when they saw the flier for the Sip and Shop, and decided to take advantage of the open-carry policy for their anniversary weekend. “It was a pleasant surprise,” said Nickell.

Jan Ramos, a designer at The Milam House, said “The open-carry policy is good for the whole town. I think it’s fairer for the restaurants too, during the summer when West Sixth [Brewing] and places have their big trucks here for events; now it evens the playing field, because people can buy their drinks from restaurants too.”

Ramos said only 10 to 15 people who had come in to the store before 3:30 p.m. had drinks. “Of course the weather has something to do with it,” she said.

The event’s Facebook page said 121 people were going and 4,400 were interested. Many store owners and managers said the rainy weather kept people away.

Mezzo noted "new open container regulations" on its door.

Cortney Neikirk, bar manager at the Mezzo restaurant, said she wasn’t sure that the open-carry policy will increase sales, but “If a couple comes in and the woman wants to shop and the man wants a beer, well, now they can have both, and that’s a beer you wouldn’t have sold.”

Crittenden Rawlings of Crittenden Clothing said he wasn’t sure how it will help shops downtown. “It’ll help in the summer for the local restaurants, but during those summer concerts downtown when the bands are here, the stores aren’t open.” Some hope the policy will encourage more to stay open.

Kenny Swift of Kennydid Gallery of Gifts and Fine Arts, has long said Midway stores need to keep longer hours. He said the Sip and Shop didn’t really affect his business, besides those coming in for a photo with his big dog Ansel for the scavenger hunt. He said the rainy weather affected the turnout, but he wasn’t sure how well it was advertised.

The open-carry policy is in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. if beverages have a cup with the logo of the name of the restaurant that served it.

Other Midway holiday events include: Community Christmas Tree Lighting, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29; Santa arrives by train, late morning Nov. 30; model train exhibit, Dec. 7; and the Candy Cane Cruise, Dec. 14.

Local magazine proposes 3-month trial partnership with county Tourist Commission, which says it will discuss it

By Dalton Stokes

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Emily Downey gave her first report on her progress this past month as the first executive director of the Woodford County Tourist Commission at Thursday’s meeting.

The commission also planned for the Dec. 7 opening of the new visitor center and heard a proposal from the Woodford Charm magazine for a partnership, which could produce an annual magazine, a mobile app for events, and an online show filmed at rotating Woodford County destinations.

Downey was appointed at the October meeting. “She’s done a lot already,” Commission Chair Maria Bohanan said. “She’s probably earned her keep.”

Downey said, “In about 15 business days we’ve met with over 25 folks.” She said she met with some “tourism colleges” in many of the surrounding counties, the National Tourist Association, Midway University, the commission’s digital marketing contractor, Brainbox; and has talked with the mayors of both Woodford County towns, and that she and Bohanan are prepared to present an update at the fiscal court meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26.

In the midst of Downey’s report, Bohanan suggested an annual Woodford County “stakeholders’ meeting.” She said, “We want to bring all the stakeholders in … We want to hear their needs … Some of the small businesses need to be heard, also.” She said the meeting would most likely be after Jan. 1 but before spring, when Keenland “ramps up.”

Downey also brought up the possibility of doing a restaurant week, but this was only briefly mentioned, and no motions were made.

The magazine's second and latest issue

Woodford Charm proposal: Cory Cooley of the magazine enthusiastically delivered his partnership idea at the end of the meeting. He laid out the proposal in three parts. The centerpiece would be The Woodford Trail, an annual magazine that his written proposal describes as “Woodford County’s first ‘Trade Almanac’” with advertising limited to full pages or two pages.

From that idea, he said, sprang the idea of an "online show" called "Woodford Trail," of about five minutes per episode. He proposed a show similar to Netflix’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” in which comedian Jerry Seinfeld interviews celebrities in cars and coffee shops, but in Woodford County locations.

Cooley said he would be a constant host and have a “revolving cohost” or guest that would change each episode and accompany him to a destination. Woodford County businesses could be destinations or become a guest by buying an ad in the annual magazine. “The options are endless,” Cooley said. “We can do a Midway-centric show, a Versailles-centric show … a horse farm-centric show and tour a horse farm all day.”

The pilot episode, already in the works, will feature Chef Ouita Michel at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, breakfast with her at Wallace Station, then somewhere to shop in Versailles, Cooley said. The Woodford Trail magazine would follow in January or February.

The third prong of Cooley’s proposal is a smartphone application, with what he called a “simple one-stop shop of all things to do in Woodford County,” and an interactive map. Buying one ad would get a business in the show and on the app.

Cooley proposed a three-month trial partnership in which Cooltucky Creative, one of the organizations behind The Woodford Charm, would produce and film three monthly episodes of the show and develop the first issue of the magazine. Cooley said one of the episodes could focus on Woodford County tourism. The partnership would cost the commission an estimated $6,150. Cooley stressed that a lot of the details are not set in stone.

The commission discussed the idea with Cooley for 12½ minutes. Member Ken Kerkhoff said "You might be able to rationalize it" by saying the $6,000 would provide content that could be used for tourism promotion, and he said Cooley could have access "to use any of our B-roll," or supplemental video, from the commission's previous video efforts.

The commission made no decision on the proposal, and Bohanan said the members would discuss it. The members set their next meeting for 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Versailles Municipal Building. Bohanon said afterward that there would be no special meetings before then.

Visitor center: Bohanan talked about the things needed to put the finishing touches on the new Woodford County Visitor Center and said, “Give us another week and the visitor center will look very nice.” The open house for the center and the unveiling of the new horse farm mural will be Dec. 7 starting at 3:30 p.m. right before the Christmas parade at 5 p.m., said Downey.

The event will include a mural signing by artist Stephen Sawyer at Corner Drug and move over to visitors center in the Amsden building. Light refreshments will be provided at the open house.

The commission has $650 leftover from its budget for murals. It unanimously approved up to $650 to be used to create a postcard featuring the new mural, with Woodford County tourism-related QR codes on the back.

The commission’s contract with Brainbox ends in January and Bohanan said the commission will be discussing revisions for the contract.

Leaf pickup resumes after machine is repaired; put leaves between sidewalk and street, without branches

Leaf pickup in Midway has been delayed because the necessary equipment has been out of commission, but it has resumed, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said in an email today.

“We’ve received quite a few calls at city hall about leaf pickup,” he wrote, “so I want to let everyone know that the leaf machine has been under repair but is now back up and our employees are going to work on getting caught up all day today. I’ve also approved for them to work Saturday on leaf pickup as well.”

Vandegrift said in an interview that leaves need to be placed between the sidewalk and the street, not in the street, where they may be washed into the sewer system. He also warned against putting branches in with leaves, because branches can tear up the leaf machine.

City Council votes to make Midway debt-free

Midway, call Dave Ramsey. You're about to be debt-free, just like those happy callers to his financial-advice radio show.

The City Council voted Monday night to pay off the city's remaining debts, totaling about $184,000. "Anytime you can be debt-free, it's good," said Council Member Bruce Southworth, who made the motion for the payments.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Foster suggested that the city pay off its remaining two debts, $176,311 for a sewer project and about $8,400 on a fire truck. He said the city's "number are good, and they're going to get better," with jobs to be added at Midway Station. "We've got more than enough rainy-day funds."

Nationally, local-government "rainy day funds" average about one-third of spending, according to a 2013 article in Governing magazine. The City of Midway's bank balances total $1,182,490, according to a list Vandegrift provided. Its budget for the fiscal year that will end June 30 calls for General Fund appropriations of $1.9 million and a projected surplus of $488,601. That surplus is expected to be larger.

The city's finances have been boosted by its occupational tax on wages and net profits, mainly through the approximately 250 jobs created at Midway Station by the Lakeshore Learning Materials distribution center, which is starting an expansion that is to add 100 more jobs.

Vandegrift said the city collected about $300,000 in occupational taxes in 2015, the first year he was mayor, and "It's only a matter of time before our occupational-tax revenue is $1 million a year." In response to a question from Council Member Stacy Thurman, he said he didn't see any downside to paying off the debts and eliminating the city's interest payments.

In other business, the council heard first reading of an ordinance for an industrial revenue bond to finance the Lakeshore expansion. In an arrangement typical for local governments, the city will take title to the property, thus exempting it from property taxes, and lease it back to Lakeshore. (The company makes payments to the county schools equal to the amount it would pay in taxes.) The lease payments will be the sole source of revenue to pay off the bonds, and "The city's not pledging its taxing authority," Tim Eifler, a Louisville lawyer representing Lakeshore, told the council.

"Lakeshore's already turning dirt," Vandegrift noted earlier.

Amanda Glass wins Midway Charity Chili Cook-Off

Cathy Elam gets some of Amanda Glass's winning chili.

Armed with spoons and cups, residents and visitors prowled the sidewalks of East Main Street today in search of the best chili among 14 entries in this year's Midway Charity Chili Cook-Off. The winner was Amanda Glass, who said one of the key ingredients in her spicy chili was pulled pork. She won $50 and a trophy.

Chip Guillot stirred with a paddle.

Second place went to Chip Guillot, manager of Southern Equine Farm, who won the cook-off last year. He said his new touch was beef grilled over black walnut logs. He received $30 and a medal.

Placing third was Karissa Arnold of Elkhorn Oaks Farm, who had two entries, one of them vegetarian. "I chopped vegetables until I thought my hand was bruised," she said. She received $20 and a medal.

The winners were chosen by eaters who paid $5 for a spoon, cups, napkins and three tickets to put in voting bowls.

Attendance was up over last year, said Zachary Rankin of Midway Renaissance, which assisted with the event, part of the Midway Business Association's series of holiday promotions. He said it raised more than $800 for the Midway Ministerial Association.

Third prize winner Karissa Arnold used sweet potatoes in her two chilis.

Life celebration for Midway couple tomorrow; memorial gifts suggested to fund for grandson battling cancer

A celebration planned for one life tomorrow will instead be a celebration of two.

Madge Savage, 83, of Midway, died Friday, 20 days after her husband Curt, who was 85. A celebration of their lives will be held at Clark Legacy Center, 3000 Versailles Rd., Frankfort, Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the fund for Jack Curtis Savage, their grandson, who has been battling a rare form of cancer and is due for a bone-marrow transplant. Donations may be made to: gofundme.com/f/JackSavage.

Curt and Madge were married in his native Maryland in 1957. After two years in the Army, he became a salesman for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. They moved to Versailles in 1972, and Curt became general manager of Commonwealth Tire/Multi-Mile, then part-owner and president. They moved to Lexington, and, in 2005, to Midway, which Curt called "the greatest little town anywhere." He was a stout Republican who loved to talk politics with anyone, and ran for Fiscal Court magistrate in 2010, losing to Democratic incumbent Larry Craig.

Their four children graduated from Woodford County High School: Michael Savage (deceased, wife Elizabeth), Jeff Savage (wife Melissa), Carol Savage Yankey (husband Scott), and John Savage (wife Lisa). Their nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren also survive. For Curt's full obituary, click here. For Madge's, click here.

Holly Hill Inn marked its 40th anniversary Sunday

Sunday, Nov. 10, marked 40 years since the Holly Hill Inn hosted its first public reception. It began in 1979 as a modern country inn and fine dining establishment owned by Honeywood Parrish Rouse and her son, Isaac Parrish Rouse, and operated by Rex and Rose Lyon. In 2000, Ouita and Chris Michel bought it, and in 2001 opened their restaurant. It has been a Midway landmark much longer.

According to the history on the restaurant website, the first building on the site, around 1800, was Stevenson's Tavern, a stone-and-brick building overlooking the crossroads of the Georgetown and Leestown roads. It was home to the area's first post office, established as Stevenson's in 1832, just before the Lexington and Ohio Railroad began buying land for Kentucky's first railroad.

A fire in the early 1840s destroyed the tavern, which had been bought by Hancock W. Davis in 1839. He built the Greek Revival structure that stands today, "incorporating some doors, walls, windows and fireplaces from the earlier building into the new home," the history says. "Davis lived in the house until 1854, when it was sold to Squire William A. Moore, a local magistrate and president of the Midway Paper Mill Company. Moore and his wife added some Victorian touches to the house, and they lived there for several decades."

Isaac Parish bought the home in 1903 and did major renovations, including a large Colonial-style veranda. "Its design was intended to provide Mr. Parrish's children with ample room to play, and a concrete deck was poured so the children would have a place to roller-skate," the history says. "The house was named Hermosa after an English rose found growing on the grounds. The house and grounds were a well-run, self-sufficient community with orchards, chicken yards, servants' quarters, stables, and even a mushroom growing operation housed in an old ice house. The Parrishes were well known for their hospitality, and the home was the center for many festive gatherings."

Water company tells us how to keep pipes from freezing

Press release from Kentucky American Water Co., Midway's wholesale water supplier
     With colder weather arriving here in the Bluegrass, Kentucky American Water reminds customers of ways to help prevent their water pipes from freezing this winter.
     “We want our customers to understand the importance of protecting the pipes in and around their homes before extreme weather or below freezing temperatures set in,” said Kentucky American Water Vice President of Operations David Farrar. “By taking a few simple steps, customers can prevent serious and costly damage to their homes this winter.”
     Frozen water lines typically occur in areas such as crawl spaces or along the outside walls where unprotected plumbing tends to be more vulnerable to the elements. Following these tips now can help avoid headaches later:
• Make sure you have disconnected garden hoses from your home. If you have an irrigation system or sprinklers, make sure it is turned off and drained.
• Search your house for un-insulated water pipes, especially in unheated areas. Check attics, crawl spaces, and outside walls. Consider wrapping pipes with insulation sleeves. Another option is electric heating tape but follow manufacturers’ instructions carefully to avoid a fire hazard.
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations with caulking to keep cold air away from pipes. ow to Prevent Frozen Pipes
• Drain and shut off entirely the water to any unoccupied residence such as a summer or vacation home. A loss of power during a winter storm could cause pipes to freeze.
• Set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees if you’re going out of town. Although you may be able to get away with a lower temperature, this setting is safe for pipes.
• When below-freezing temperatures occur, keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets supplied by pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces. This will help prevent the water in them from freezing. Also, keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Make sure you know where your main water shut-off valve is located inside your home so that you can shut off your water quickly in the event of a water pipe leak. This valve is often located in a utility room or closet or in the basement.

Message from the mayor: Be careful as we go through the winter’s first snowfall

Hello everyone,
     This is just a friendly reminder that the first snow of the year tends to lead to a lot of accidents, likely because we haven’t been driving in those conditions for some time.
     While this weather event may turn out to be little, the conditions are right for potential ice overnight and in the morning on your commute. Wright Farm Services is prepared to respond if conditions necessitate, but don’t count on roads outside of Midway having been treated thoroughly.

     Please take extra caution; we’ve been driving on mostly dry roads lately.
Stay safe,
Grayson Vandegrift, Mayor
City of Midway

Monday is deadline to enter Nov. 16 chili cook-off

Last year's winner: Chip Guillot (Photo  by Ana Neal)

The 2019 Midway Charity Chili Cook-Off is still seeking contestants, and the deadline is Monday.

The cook-off will be held from noon until 3 p.m. (or until supplies last) on Saturday, Nov. 16, as part of the Midway Business Association's series of holiday promotions. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Midway Ministerial Association and Midway Renaissance.

Samplers of chili will pay $5 for the privilege, and will have the opportunity to vote for their top three contestants. The MBA will provide each taster a spoon, cup and napkins.

Votes will be counted and prizes awarded at 3:30 p.m. First place will receive $50 cash and a trophy; second place will get $30 cash and a medal; and third place will receive $20 and a medal.

Contestant Information

• Register online at http://bit.ly/MidwayChili2019.
• Prepare and bring six to 10 quarts of chili in your own crockpot(s); you are welcome to make more.
• Enter no more than two chili recipes.
• Check in at City Hall, 101 E. Main St. You will have assigned outdoor spaces in which to set up along the sidewalks. In case of inclement weather, an indoor location will be determined.
• Set up by 11:45 a.m. and be ready to serve at noon sharp.
• Access to an electric outlet will be provided, but you must provide your own table, which must be draped, as well as chairs, a serving spoon or ladle, and an extension cord.
• You may also bring toppings such as cheese, crackers, hot sauce, etc. These are optional.

Midway voters offer widely varying reasons for their choices Tuesday, many contrary to party registration

By Kennedy Sabharwal and Grant Wheeler
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

As voters left the polls at Northside Elementary School before lingering clouds finally dispersed Tuesday, many were wrapped up in their winter coats ready to brave the cold weather. Asked how they voted, they had widely varying reasons for their votes in the race between Attorney General Andy Beshear, who carried Midway, and Gov. Matt Bevin.

Beshear and Bevin at their final debate, in Northern Kentucky Oct. 29

The election turned out to be a referendum on the governor and his personality, and even his supporters acknowledged his problems. “I don’t always agree with what he says but I agree with enough,” said Candace Barnes, 60.

Ben Patton, 22, said he “voted for Beshear because I want to be a teacher, and also want to have a pension.” His friend Isaac Hamilton, 21, said likewise: “I also plan on being an educator.”

Some voters spoke only with the guarantee of anonymity, A 72-year-old registered nurse said she voted for Bevin in 2015, but today “I voted for Beshear because I am a retired teacher.” Beshear credited teachers' activism for his victory.

Though she is a registered Democrat, the woman said she voted for Republican Daniel Cameron over Greg Stumbo for attorney general because “My husband knows Stumbo, because he was a lobbyist, and we know he is not very honest, and I just would like to see a young black man in office.”

She said she voted for Heather French Henry for secretary of state “because I have met her personally and she is a woman of dignity and honesty.” Henry won Midway but lost the county and state; Stumbo carried the city precinct but lost the rural one, the county and the state.

A registered independent who is a marketer said, “I voted for Beshear because I don’t like Bevin and what he has done and how he has treated teachers.”

The woman said that her vote for attorney general was somewhat influenced by President Trump, but to the contrary; she said she voted for Stumbo because Trump supported Cameron.

Several said they voted contrary to their party registration. A 68-year-old retired City of Frankfort employee said he is a registered Democrat, but “believe it or not, I voted Republican all the way. … They fuss about Bevin causin’ so much trouble, but sometimes you gotta stir it up.”

His wife, a 69-year-old retired state worker, said she also voted to re-elect Bevin “because he is trying to straighten things out.”

On the other hand, a 25-year-old man who manages a restaurant in Woodford County said he used to be a registered Republican but became a Democrat because his thoughts aligned more with the Democratic Party and “I voted straight Democrat.”

A man in his 30s said he voted for Democrat Jack Conway against Bevin in 2015, but was for Bevin this time. “I’m in the horse industry,” he explained. “Bevin has hired people that he knows that know the business.” The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has allowed "instant racing," a form of betting that closely resembles slot machines.

Beshear wants to raise revenue by expanding gambling further, which worries the voter. “The sitting governor has the ability to do away with instant racing,” he said. “Once you do free-standing casinos, the horsemen and the farm stuff get none of that funding” from the state.

The man said he likes Bevin's frankness, likening it to the approach of President Trump, but for some other voters, Trump was a negative.

A 74-year-old Democrat from Midway said she voted for Beshear, called Bevin “mean and thoughtless” and added, “Trump's been in the picture for him; we are Kentucky; it’s about us.”

A 51-year-old registered nurse Bevin's ties to Trump made her “far less likely to vote for him.” She and a University of Kentucky student said they voted for Beshear “He’s screwing over teachers, and I want to be a music teacher eventually,” the student said. “I don’t like his personality or his policies and I want him out.”

On the other hand, a 73-year-old man said he likes Bevin because he is “straightforward and has the guts to say somethin’ like how we shouldn’t have sanctuary cities.” Kentucky has no such cities, Beshear cited that in saying that he saw no need for a law banning them.

The man said voted straight Republican. “What the left says, which is primarily Democratic, is not feasible,” he said. “Everything they say is just an attempt to get votes.”

Information for this story was also gathered by UK journalism student Garrett Burton.

Midway area favors Beshear over Bevin, and Henry over Adams; city voters favor Stumbo over Cameron

By Al Cross and Garrett Burton
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway voters favored Attorney General Andy Beshear for governor and all but one other Democrat for statewide office in Tuesday's election. Those in the rural Midway precinct, which includes some areas near Versailles, supported Beshear and one other Democrat but otherwise voted Republican.

Beshear precincts in blue, Bevin in red

Beshear won the city precinct with 494 votes, 54 percent of the total, to 252 for Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and 15 for John Hicks, who ran a very limited campaign on the Libertarian ticket. In the rural precinct, Beshear won 283 to 226 to 15. He carried Woodford County with 6,235 votes, 53.1% of the total, to Bevin's 5,277 and Hicks' 227. Bevin carried the county by 100 votes in 2015.

Voters interviewed at the polls, who generally declined to give their names, had more to say about Bevin than about Beshear. A woman in her 30s said she voted against Bevin “mainly because he is so disrespectful to many people on many levels, and I don’t like that representing Kentucky.”

A Republican in his 30s said he voted for Beshear, and Democrat Jack Conway in 2015. “Mostly, I don’t care for Bevin,” he said. “There’s definitely a personality component to it, but I disagree with a lot of the policy decisions.”

On the other hand, a 72-year-old Democrat said he voted for Bevin because “I believe he is a better person” and things overall have been going well for the state.

Bevin was the only Republican to lose a partisan race in Kentucky on Tuesday. Woodford voters favored Democrat Heather French Henry for secretary of state, 6,067 (51.9%) to 5,622 for statewide winner Michael Adams. Henry carried the county by the same percentage, 6,067 to 5,622. She won the city precinct 485 to 273 and the rural precinct 282 to 239.

Republican candidates Daniel Cameron and Ryan Quarles
campaigned in the Foothills Festival parade in Albany Oct. 18.

In other races, Woodford voters favored Republicans. However, in the race for attorney general in the Midway city precinct, Democrat Greg Stumbo ran ahead of countywide and statewide winner Daniel Cameron, getting 434 votes to Cameron's 312. Cameron won the rural Midway precinct 270 to 248.

City voters also favored Sheri Donahue over state Auditor Mike Harmon, 416 to 302, and Michael Bowman over state Treasurer Allison Ball, 384 to 358. The Republican incumbents won the rural precinct, Harmon getting 52% and Ball 59%. Ball got the most votes of any statewide candidate.

The partisan allegiances of the two precincts were further indicated by the number of voters who cast straight-ticket ballots. In the city, straight-party voting was 232 Democratic, 159 Republican and 4 Libertarian. In the rural precinct, it was 129 Republican, 120 Democratic and 3 Libertarian.

Robert Haley Conway

The sole Republican winner in the city was Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, who defeated fellow Georgetown resident Robert Haley Conway, who attends Midway Presbyterian Church. It was close; Quarles won the city precinct with 382 votes to 348 for Conway and 16 for Libertarian Josh Gilpin. Quarles won the county precinct 340 to 174 to 6. The countywide results were Quarles 7,158 (61.8%), Conway 4,106 (35.46%) and Gilpin 316 (2.7%). Statewide, Quarles won 58.2% to 38.6%.

Turnout in the election was much higher than expected: 42 percent statewide and 54.6 percent in Woodford. Asked why, Midway precinct officer Helen Rentch said, "Competiton." The governor's race was known to be close (Beshear won by fewer than 5,000 votes in unofficial returns) and both sides mounted major efforts to get out the vote. Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said turnout in the city precinct was 56 percent.

Vandegrift tells council sewer project will have less video, more repairs; blight ordinance session Wed.

Midway's $200,000 sewer improvement project will have more repairs and less inspection, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the City Council Monday night.

Vandegrift said he had accepted the suggestions of Jack Blevins, the city employee who oversees the sewer system, for changes in the plan offered early this year by HMB Professional Engineers, a consulting firm based in Frankfort, for the sewers east of Winter Street.

The HMB plan calls for a truck-mounted camera to enter sewer mains through manholes, record video to show what the sewers look like and what repairs are necessary. A high-powered water nozzle spraying inside the lines would remove sludge, tree roots, and other obstructions.

Chris Stewart of HMB told the council in February that the project would “figure out what repairs need to be made, where they need to be made, when they need to be made and kind of prioritize the issues that we find.”

Vandegrift said the city doesn't need to video all the lines, because it knows where most of the problems are, and can use the savings to install "cured-in-place piping," using a heavy epoxy to repair breaks in the lines, including some along and west of Winter Street.

"I commend Jack for coming in and saying 'I've got another idea'," Vandegrift said.

Council Member John Holloway said "it makes a whole lot more sense to fix some things" when they can be fixed, but Member Sara Hicks asked, "Would we still get a comprehensive view?"

"You would see less," Vandegrift said, but more video work can be done later. He said Blevins knows the lines, and "a lot of them are working great, but there are serious problems with some of them."

Council Member Logan Nance said it would be good to get an overall look at the system, and asked if the proposed repairs would be "just putting a Band-Aid on it." Vandegrift said no, that the epoxy method is "a serious industrial process" that has become "fairly common."

Vandegrift said the project is likely to start in the spring. He can spend the project's $200,000 budget as he pleases, but he said a budget amendment will be needed to reflect the project's revised cost estimate of $186,000. HMB's rough estimate for its plan was $180,000, but the council budgeted $200,000 to be safe. Vandegrift said the revised project includes $18,000 for curb work.

The mayor said the repaving, sidewalk and other infrastructure work on Stephens Street has been "a great success," with double yellow center lines and white edge lines to subtly encourage motorists to slow down. He said the edge lines couldn't go to the city limits because the street narrows eastward.

Vandegrift announced that the council's second workshop on blighted-property ordinances would be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 at City Hall.

Benefit for Katy McDaniel raises almost $3,000; GoFundMe page started for those who couldn't attend

The band Veljeeta was part of the entertainment at the benefit at Northside Elementary School. Dan Trisko is at left.

Story and photos by Megan Parsons
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway residents, friends and family of Katy McDaniel gathered Sunday for a benefit at Northside Elementary School. McDaniel was stabbed 26 times at her home on Oct. 6 and faces a challenging recovery.

Organizers estimated the attendance at about 150.

“This is another great example of what this community does,” Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said in an interview.

The event raised almost $3,000, according to the mayor’s wife, Katie Vandegrift. She estimated that around 150 people showed up in support of McDaniel.

The benefit included a blood drive by Kentucky Blood Center, concerts by Veljeeta featuring Sherri Dan and Jeff from Velvet Elvis, musician Maggie Lander and band Boogie G and the Titanics; a card creation station for Katy and her daughter Lily, set up by the Woodford County Library; and an ice cream cone station provided by Railroad Drug & Old Time Soda Fountain.

Dan Trisko, a member of the band Velvet Elvis, and friend and former bandmate of McDaniel’s father, Scott Stoess, was one of the organizers of the event, along with Katie Vandegrift.

Children and adults made about a dozen cards for Katy McDaniel
and her daughter, Lily, at a station set up by the Midway library.

“As soon as I heard about it, I immediately thought I’m going to call all my friends and let’s put on a show to raise some money for Katy and her family,” Trisko said. “I was just like everybody else, gob-smacked when this happened and knew I just wanted to do something to help.”

Stoess, McDaniel’s father, said in an interview that McDaniel is “improving every day” and he hopes she will be able to come home soon, but will need some outpatient procedures even after her release.

“Katy’s mother, Ilene, and I would like to thank Midway residents for their generous support,” Stoess said. ”It’s been overwhelming. We’d also like to thank the local fire and police departments, as well as the hospital staff for saving our daughter’s life.”

The Midway Branch of the Woodford County Library set up a station for adults and children to make cards for McDaniel and her daughter, Lily. A few dozen cards and crafts were made, organizers said.

“Katie Vandegrift asked if we wanted to set up a table to make cards,” said branch manager and City Council Member Stacy Thurman. She noted that Katy and Lily are patrons of the library: “We know them and would love to do that for them.”

Many conversations at the benefit included how great a person Katy is and how shocked the community was to hear about the attack.

Katy McDaniel (Photo from benefit concert poster)

“Katy is a great person, a loving mom and always would stop and chat. It was a big shock to us and the community that this happened,” said neighbors Nathan and Hope Craig. “It just proves that there are no warning signs for something like this and it’s made our community more aware, to always check on your neighbors.”

McDaniel’s husband, Doug McDaniel, has been charged with attempted murder.

Mick Barfield, who was a co-worker of McDaniel’s at the Origin Hotel Lexington, said she is a great manager of the restaurant 33 Staves in the hotel.

“She is a great leader, very efficient and great with the customers,” Barfield said. “When I first heard, it didn’t seem real I thought it was a rumor. I called Dan, one of the band members performing tonight, immediately to see if it was real.”

The Kentucky Blood Center also conducted a blood drive during the event. The drive had between 25 to 30 donors, which is maximum capacity, Katie Vandegrift said.

One donor was a friend of McDaniel’s, Mark Morrow. He said, “I can’t do much for Katy, but donating blood was a way I felt like I could help.”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for McDaniel, for those who were unable to attend the benefit. As of 10:45 p.m. Sunday, it had raised more than $69,000 of its $75,000 goal.

Northside principal, teacher and parent credit school's approach to student behavior for its high ranking

Story and photos by Megan Parsons
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

What makes an effective elementary school? “Most of the time, it’s about reinforcing good behavior,” says Northside Elementary Principal Ryan Asher.

Northside received four of five stars in the Kentucky School Accountability Report for the 2018-19 school year, and Asher and others say good behavior is a big reason.

A reading class at Northside Elementary School

Northside was the only Woodford County elementary school to receive four stars this year, while the other elementaries received three stars. The high and middle schools also received four stars.

The report, issued by the Kentucky Department of Education Oct. 1, includes reading and math rankings by student demographics, and the change from the 2017-18 school year to the 2018-19 year.

Northside’s overall math scores increased by 10 points, and reading scores rose by 7 points. The improvement was even greater among economically disadvantaged students (+13.2 in math and +11.3 in reading); those who speak English as a second language went up :10.1 in math and 5.6 in reading.

Asher credits the school’s “MTSS, or multi-tier system of support,” for the gains. “It’s a structure that involves systems of support for students with different needs,” he says. ”Whether they are a free-and-reduced lunch student, a high-achieving student or an English Second Language student, there are multiple people to put those supports in place.”

MTSS gives additional help to students in areas of need: mental, behavioral, physical, or within certain subject areas.

The behavior scale

Another key aspect for Northside’s success in the last school year, Asher said, is by reinforcing good behavior. In the past, elementary schools around the nation used clothespins or colored cards with three describing factors for each student’s behavior that day: green for good, yellow as a warning and red meaning they are in trouble.

Today at Northside, Asher notes, teachers are applauding good behavior through several options on a new scale, ranging from “outstanding” at the top to “think about it as students approach the bottom of the scale” to “teacher’s choice” and “parent contact or office, at the bottom of the scale.”

Asher says Northside’s use of a national program called Positive Behavior Intervention Supports played a major role in the school’s success last year. Northside uses the program as a code with four major themes: be safe, be kind, be responsible, and be a leader.

If a child misbehaves, a teacher or administrator asks the child to reflect on what part of the code he or she has broken. “Ten out of ten times,” says Asher, “a student will immediately know which part of the code they broke.”

Liz Perry, a third-grade teacher, agreed with Asher in a separate interview.

“I think it is so beneficial because it’s universal across all of our staff members,” Perry said. “That includes not only teachers but the cafeteria monitors, instructional aids and office staff. The kids know that these high expectations behavior wise need to be followed in front of everyone they see throughout their day. It’s held our kids accountable for their own behavior and I think it helps them make better choices in the future.”

For a larger version of any photo, click on it.

The hallways and classrooms are filled with reminders of the code. Even when entering the bathroom or eating lunch at the cafeteria, posters are displayed to remind students of how to be safe, how to be kind, how to be responsible and how to be a leader.

Amanda Glass, a parent of a Northside student and president of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization, said “Northside reiterates those same things we are teaching at home. . . . Sometimes, when you hear it from your teachers or your principal, it has a little bit more clout than when mom and dad say that. . . . It’s good that the school also models that good behavior you’re trying to teach at home.”

Glass added, “Northside is such a small community in itself, it’s almost like a private public school. Northside nurtures the whole child. They do a great job of examining strengths and weaknesses and working on those for each child. . . . Not every child has the same social skills or emotional health other children do, and it’s comforting knowing my child is safe and loved when I can’t be there.”

Students at the school aren’t just viewed as students, they are thought of as “my kids,” Perry said. “It’s a part of what makes Northside so special. Even if they don’t work with them, we don’t view kids as Ms. Perry’s third grader, but as a student at Northside and everybody is on their team and everybody is in their corner.”

Northside Elementary School has 48 people on its staff, including 23 teachers. There are 334 students, excluding preschool, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1.


A sign in a hallway at Northside reminds readers of the four main themes of the behavior code.