Restrooms, but that's all, open at I-64 rest areas

UPDATE, May 3: The eastbound rest area is open again closed, due to  now that plumbing issues have been resolved, the state announced at 2:11 p.m..

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced Thursday the east and westbound rest areas on Interstate 64 in Woodford County are open temporarily on a limited basis. A renovation project began in January for both facilities that was expected to be completed Friday.

Temporary restrooms are open at both facilities, but until 7 a.m. Monday, the lobbies in both facilities will remain closed, and vending machines cannot be accessed, the cabinet said.

Council Member Logan Nance revises resolution endorsing resettlement of refugees in Kentucky

Midway City Council Member Logan Nance has revised the resolution he introduced to have the city endorse the resettlement of refugees in Kentucky. The action part of the resolution remains the same, but some of the "whereas" paragraphs giving the reasons for it have changed.

For example, the first paragraph of the original resolution said refugees "are forced to flee their country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group." The new version simply says they "are individuals forced to flee their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster."

The second paragraph, which refers to children, adds that "some [are] traveling alone, and none . . . can return home due to extreme vulnerability." A later passage that said some refugees are "torture survivors, people with severe medical conditions [and] LGBT individuals" no longer appears. Also deleted was a paragraph about few refugees allowed to come from certain countries, all but one with Muslim majorities.

The new resolution removes other material and adds information about the economic benefit of refugee resettlement and says "Refugees who resettle in Kentucky communities are a reliable, eager, legal labor force for employers and industry" and "offer determination, grit, perseverance, and a strong desire to succeed and build a better life for their families."

It also adds that refugees live in Woodford County, says "churches and community members in Midway have sponsored the resettlement of several refugee families in the area," and calls Midway "a welcoming community that celebrates diversity and inclusivity."

Nance explains his thinking in a piece submitted to the Messenger. The council is scheduled to consider the resolution Monday, May 6.

Nance explains why he is sponsoring resolution

By Logan Nance
Midway City Council member

On Monday, May 6, I will be reintroducing a resolution to the rest of the City Council. The crux of the resolution is the following:

“The City Council of Midway, Kentucky, declares its support for the resettlement of refugees no matter their religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or country of origin in Kentucky and calls upon other Kentucky communities to join them in supporting a stronger national effort to resettle refugees around the world in need of a home.”

Logan Nance

This resolution, which I wrote, has the support of Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM), a local organization that coordinates refugee resettlement in central Kentucky and provides integration assistance services for them. KRM believes that such a resolution will go a long way in making refugees in the region feel more welcome and will allow Midway to publicly proclaim that we set the standard for what it means to be a welcoming community.

As a United States Army veteran I have seen up close and personal the plight of displaced persons who are forced to flee their homes to seek refuge because of war, natural disaster, and persecution. When I learned about similar resolutions that have been done in many other cities across the country, but never in Kentucky, I knew that it would be perfect for Midway. The resolution commits us to do nothing more than we are already doing. We have several churches and families in Midway that have sponsored the resettlement of refugees and we have refugee families who have joined churches in our community. Writing and introducing this resolution in Midway made all the sense in the world.

As I researched more about the data behind the refugee crisis I was surprised by several things. I had no idea that refugees granted resettlement in the United States are the most vetted individuals to come into our country. At a minimum it takes three years for numerous government agencies to perform the necessary background checks on refugees selected for resettlement, and often it can take longer than a decade. All through this process the refugees are forced to remain in the country to which they originally fled, often in camps with little access to food, water, and medical aid. I also had no idea that the average refugee pays the U.S government around $21,000 more in taxes than they ever receive through any kind of welfare payments, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

When the resolution was first introduced many people thanked the council for tackling such an important subject, and several people vocalized or wrote their objection to the resolution. Some of the objections I anticipated, while others I did not. A common objection I heard was simply misinformation. For some people they hear or see the word “refugee” and they think “illegal immigrant,” when in fact the two are complete opposites. Another objection was the inclusion of Amnesty International (AI) in the discussion, or the role Midway should play in tackling this topic.

I could never change everyone’s mind to come around to my way of thinking, and that's OK; there are some issues of which I could not be swayed to see differently. That being said, after the public forum on the resolution I took the time to think about some of the comments and rewrite the resolution to better fit Midway and without the assistance of AI. I support the work that AI does in support of refugees, and while I may not support everything they do or believe in, I can at least find good in their desire to help others. As far as Midway’s role in discussing a global issue like the refugee crisis, I believe that our communities’ importance can not be overstated. In times like these I believe that small-town America is more important than ever. Midway is the best community in the world, I truly believe that, and it is up to us to lead the way for the rest of the world by showing them how we treat each other.

The new resolution, which includes some new language, maintains the same "resolved" section as before. I am going to do my best to post the resolution around town so that people without social media can view it before we vote to adopt it, or not adopt it, on May 6.

This resolution was not my attempt to tackle some heavy partisan issue; it just seemed like the right thing to do. Several thousand refugees, predominantly from the Congo, have been resettled in the region, including Woodford County. 25.4 million refugees worldwide are in need of resettlement, according to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees. Only about 1% of those refugees will ever be resettled.

The goal of this resolution was to educate citizens on refugees so that they can better understand their plight and if so moved find an organization like KRM or AI to volunteer with, and for Midway to lift its voice with other like-minded communities to call on a stronger national effort to resettle refugees around the world who are in need of a home.

Woodford County's Ky. Oaks and Derby connections: Oaks' Chocolate Kisses, Lady Apple have Midway ties

The Midway area has a stronger hand in this year's Kentucky Oaks than in the Kentucky Derby, according to a compilation by Tom Bozarth of Midway, a thoroughbred bloodstock agent who served eight years as mayor of the town. His compilation shows the extensive connections that Woodford County has to the horses entered in Saturday's Derby and Friday's Oaks. They are listed by post position, with morning-lineupdated Derby odds from Churchill Downs following Wednesday's withdrawal of the favorite, Omaha Beach.

OAKS

1) Out For A Spin (15-1) – Owned by Stonestreet Stables, which has farms in Woodford County. The dam is by Lane's End stallion Came Home.

Chocolate Kisses (Eclipse Sportwsire photo)

2) Chocolate Kisses (20-1) – Bred, foaled and raised by Pin Oak Stud. By Lane's End Stallion Candy Ride. The dam is by Brookdale Stallion Forest Wildcat. Owned by Debby Oxley, who owns Fawn Leap farm in Midway with her husband John. This is a Woodford County horse from top to bottom.
3) Lady Apple (20-1) – Bred, foaled and raised at Katie Rich Farm right across the creek on Leestown Road, in the Scott County portion of greater Midway.
4) Bellafina (2-1) – By Lane's End stallion Quality Road. The Oaks favorite.
5) Flor de La Mar (20-1) – By WinStar stallion Tiznow. Owned by Godolphin, which owns multiple farms in Woodford County.
6) Positive Spirit (30-1) – By WinStar stallion Pioneerof the Nile.
7) Jaywalk (8-1) – No Woodford County connections.
8) Motion Emotion (15-1) – By WinStar stallion Take Charge Indy. Dam is by Lane's End Farm stallion Smart Strike. Bred, Foaled and raised by WinStar.
9) Liora (20-1) – By Lane's End Farm stallion Candy Ride. Dam is by Ashford Stud sire Giant's Causeway.
10) Champagne Anyone (6-1) – Bred, Foaled and raised at Stonestreet.
11) Jeltrin (15-1) – No Woodford County connections.
12) Street Band (15-1) – By Airdrie Stud stallion Istan.
13) Serengeti Express (8-1) – No Woodford County connections.
14) Restless Rider (6-1) – By WinStar sire Distorted Humor. Bred, foaled and raised at Stonestreet. Owned by Three Chimneys Farm and partners.

DERBY

1) War Of Will (15-1) – Foaled and raised at Lane's End Farm Oak Tree Division.
2) Tax (20-1) – No Woodford County connections.
3) By My Standards (15-1) – No Woodford County connections.
4) Gray Magician (50-1) – Foaled and raised at Twin Creeks Farm in Woodford County. The sire (Graydar) was raced by Twin Creeks.
5) Improbable (5-1) – Owned by WinStar Farm and partners who won the Triple Crown last year with Justify. By City Zip, who stood at Lane's End Farm, out of an A.P. Indy mare. A.P. Indy stood at Lane's End.
6) Vekoma (15-1) – Foaled and raised at Three Chimneys Farm. By Lane's End stallion Candy Ride. The dam is by WinStar stallion Speightstown.
7) Maximum Security (8-1) – No Woodford County connections. Won Florida Derby, beating fourth-place Bourbon War, owned by Bourbon Lane Stables of Midway.
8) Tacitus (8-1) – No Woodford County connections.
9) Plus Que Parfait (30-1) – By Point of Entry, sired by Dynaformer, who stood at Three Chimneys. Trainer Brendan Walsh has had dinner in Midway on numerous occasions.
10) Cutting Humor (30-1) – By First Samurai, sired by Giant's Causeway, who stood at Ashford Stud. Midway's own Nick Bush works for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher as an exercise rider.
11) Haikal (30-1) – Dam is by Distorted Humor, who stands at WinStar Farm. Foaled at Shadwell Farm in Fayette County but raised at the Shadwell Farm in greater Midway. Bred and owned by Shadwell. UPDATE, May 23: He willmay miss the race due to a foot abscess.
12) Omaha Beach (4-1) – Foaled and raised at Ashford Stud. The Derby favorite. Scratched due to a medical issue.
13) Code Of Honor (12-1) – Foaled and raised at Lane's End Farm. By Noble Mission, who stands at Lane's End Farm. Dam is by Dixie Union, who stood at Lane's End. Bred and owned by W.S. Farish.
14) Win Win Win (12-1) – Dam is by Smarty Jones, who stood at Three Chimneys Farm.
15) Master Fencer (50-1) – Japanese horse with no Woodford county connections.
16) Game Winner (9-2) – By Lane's End farm stallion Candy Ride. The dam is by A.P. Indy, who stood at Lane's End. Foaled and raised just over the Scott County line at Summer Wind Farm. Champion two-year-old last year.
17) Roadster (5-1) – By Lane's End Farm stallion Quality Road. Dam is by Lane's End stallion Silver Ghost.
18) Long Range Toddy (30-1) – By WinStar stallion Take Charge Indy, who is by Lane's End Farm stallion A.P. Indy.
19) Spinoff (30-1) – No Woodford County connections.
20) Country House (30-1) – By Ashford Stud stallion Lookin At Lucky, who is by Lane's End Farm stallion Smart Strike. The dam is by Three Chimneys Farm stallion War Chant.
AE) Bodexpress (30-1) – By WinStar stallion Bodemeister. The dam is by Lane's End farm stallion City Zip.
(Additional entry in case a horse is scratched from the race; the Derby is limited to 20 horses. Those in posts outside a scratched horse move one post toward the rail.)

As you can see, a lot of this year's Derby horses have strong Woodford County connections; 18 of this year's Derby Starters were born in Central Kentucky:
Woodford County
Code of Honor- Lane's End Farm
Vekoma- Lane's End Farm
Omaha Beach- Ashford Stud
Gray Magician- Twin Creeks Farm
Country House- Three Chimneys Farm
Long Range Toddy- Three Chimneys Farm
Fayette County
War Of Will- Lane's End Oak Tree Division
Spinoff- Hagyard Farm

By My Standards- Blackhorse Thoroughbreds
Tacitus- Juddmonte Farms
Maximum Security- Dell Ridge Farm
Improbable- St. George Farm
Haikal- Shadwell Farm (probably spent time at the Midway farm after weaning)
Bourbon County Plus Que Parfait- Oak Lodge
Tax- Claiborne Farm
Cutting Humor- Claiborne Farm
Roadster- Stone Farm
Scott County
Game Winner- Summer Wind Farm

PSC schedules public meeting Monday, formal hearing May 14, on Ky.-American Water rate hike requests

Adapted from a Public Service Commission news release

The Kentucky Public Service Commission will conduct a meeting in Lexington Monday evening, May 6, to provide information on and receive public comments about the rate increases requested by the Kentucky-American Water Co., including a 21.5% increase in wholesale water sold to Midway.

“This meeting will allow the public to learn about the PSC’s ratemaking process and Kentucky American Water’s application and to present their views directly to members of the Commission as we prepare to consider whether the proposed rates are fair, just and reasonable,” PSC Chairman Michael Schmitt said.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 6 at Bryan Station High School, 201 Eastin Road.

The formal hearing of the case, with presentation of evidence, will be held at the PSC offices at 211 Sower Blvd. in Frankfort, beginning at 9 a.m. May 14. The hearing, which may last several days, will be open to the public. Written comments will be accepted through the conclusion of the hearing. The evidentiary hearing may be viewed live on the PSC website.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said when the rate hike was proposed in November that it was "absurd" and he planned to protest it.

Kentucky American says it needs the added revenue to recover increased operating costs, continue replacement of aging infrastructure and bolster sagging rates of return for its investors.

The company is also seeking authorization for an annual rate-adjustment mechanism that would impose a surcharge to cover the cost of infrastructure repairs and replacement. The annual adjustments, which would be a separate line item on customer bills, would be subject to PSC review and approval, but through a process less extensive than that in a rate case. In its application, Kentucky American Water says the adjustment mechanism would lead to less frequent and smaller base rate adjustments. The PSC, in a 2013 rate case, rejected the idea, saying it would not accelerate the pace at which the company is replacing aging water lines. The proposal was removed as part of a settlement agreement in the 2016 rate case that increased average residential bills by about 8.5 percent.

In August 2018 the PSC decreased Kentucky American’s rates to reflect the reduction of the federal corporate income-tax rate which took effect in January 2018.

The Kentucky American application and related documents are available on the PSC website, psc.ky.gov. The case number is 2018-00358. Written comments will be accepted at the meetings. Written comments also may be mailed to the PSC at P.O. Box 615, Frankfort KY 40602, faxed to 502-564-3460 or e-mailed from the PSC website.

Dr. Jim Roach's second book, Vital Strategies in Cancer, reflects his integrative-medicine approach

Dr. Jim Roach

By Kristi Fitzgerald
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

“Wow, I’m a doctor now. Now, what?” So said Dr. Jim Roach when he got the title. He wanted to be more than just a typical physician, so he became active in Habitat for Humanity, then focused on smoking, a sensitive subject in a big tobacco state. “The next decade was philosophy, and finally I’m headed on this pathway.”

That pathway is integrative medicine, a form of medical therapy that combines practices and treatments from alternative medicine with conventional medicine. It led him to write his latest book, Vital Strategies in Cancer, which focuses on integrative medicine strategies to combat cancer.

It dives into the spiritual and holistic methods of healing, characterized by the treatment of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Roach places emphasis on de-stressing, cultivating a sense of peace within oneself, forgiveness, energy work, proper nutrition, botanicals, and more.

“Learning those strategies and connecting in spiritually can be transformative and that’s what I try to do with all my patients,” Roach told the Midway Messenger. He called Vital Strategies in Cancer  “the most comprehensive book, to date, that has been written on this topic.” It is available on Amazon.

“This book has 630 references, 458 pages so it’s very comprehensive, but perhaps the most important aspect is the incorporation of spirituality,” said Roach. That connects with his previous book, God’s House Calls, about his patients’ near-death experiences.

He explained why spirituality can be such an important component to healing: “My mother died in a car wreck New Year’s of 1994 and I didn’t get to say goodbye to her. I’ve been able to spiritually work through that and I’m fine with it now, but at the time it was tough,” said Roach. “With cancer, you have a chance to mend fences; you have the opportunity to share with special loved ones and with family how much you care about them. You can live in the moment.”

Asked why more medical professionals don’t take a holistic or spiritual approach to cancer, he said, “There are financial incentives to go the pharmaceutical route, to go the chemotherapy route because it makes money for hospitals.”

Roach says he has seen the results in numerous patients that he has treated over the years and would like to share his cancer-fighting methods with cancer patients, doctors, and anyone who would like to learn about preventative measures one can take to live a healthier life. “If you stop worrying about dying,” he said, “that’s the perfect catalyst for healing.”

Roach said he has cancer patients from Rhode Island, Maryland, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. “Overall, I have had patients with many different health conditions from perhaps 30 states,” he said. “Having twelve years of clinical experience, I have seen the results with my patients.” He operates the Midway Center for Integrative Medicine.

Roach said he has “trained under some of the top cancer specialists in the country,” been published in Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal and the Cancer Strategies Journal, spent over 13,000 hours studying and researching various topics, and seen over 10,000 patients, who have granted him a deeper understanding of cancer and how to heal people, according to the book's website. “I want to see what other doctors can’t fix because by being thorough you can accomplish so much more,” he said.

Roach said Vital Strategies in Cancer can be beneficial for everyone: “This book helps you to appreciate life while you’re here, how to get the most out of life, and how to stop worrying.”

At 67, Roach, says he has no plans for retiring. He continues to work to create better lives for his patients and to inform the public about spiritual and holistic ways to live a healthier and happier life through his book and medical practice.

Midway University Spotlight Awards May 30 will raise money, honor chef Ouita Michel and engineer Lyle Wolf

By Akhira Umar
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway University’s annual Spotlight Awards is “under construction” and will be unveiled May 30. This year will mark the school’s sixth time hosting its largest annual fundraiser.

The theme for this year is “under construction” because arriving guests will be led through a “living construction gallery” showing short videos of the various projects the university is undertaking. It is hoping to get visitors to embrace the renovations underway around campus, said Ellen Gregory, the university’s vice president of marketing and communications.

Ouita Michel

As its name implies, the Spotlight Awards is an award ceremony as much as it is a fundraiser. Two active community members will be honored at the event. This year the honorees are Midway chef and restaurateur Ouita Michel and civil engineer Lyle Wolf.

Michel will receive the Pinkerton Vision Award, given to someone who has had a positive impact on improving women’s lives either directly or as a role model who displays great leadership, innovation and influence.

As the owner of multiple Kentucky restaurants, including Holly Hill Inn in Midway, recipient of local and national accolades, and an active member in several organizations, Michel is an easy fit for the Pinkerton Vision Award. Gregory said the school is honoring Michel for “all that she’s done in her career, as a mentor to others, and as a strong female leader in our community.”

Lyle Wolf

Wolf, co-founder and former president of Lexington-based GRW Engineers and 35-year trustee of the university, will receive the Midway University Legacy Award. This is an honor given to someone who has “given of time, money, service to the university over the years,” Gregory said.

As president of his company from 1967 to 1991, Wolf grew the firm to a multi-million-dollar business regularly listed in the Engineering News Record’s Top 500 Design Firms. He has served on the board of numerous organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club. He joined the university’s Board of Trustees in 1983 and is one of the longest-serving current trustees. Five other Midway University committees have had Wolf as a member, and he also served as vice chair of the campaign that helped raise funds for the construction of the Anne Hart Raymond Mathematics and Science Building.

The Spotlight Awards invitation calls for all the university’s supporters to come enjoy a night of food and socializing while also encouraging them to continue contributing to the community.

“It’s to raise funds for the university, for student support, student scholarship,” Gregory said. “You know, Midway, we rely on our donors and our partners to fund our scholarships and help us.”

The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Piper Dining Hall, located in the McManis Student Center. A buffet-style, sit-down dinner will follow with the award ceremony starting at 7 p.m. A live auction will accompany the event, offering “experiential” items like a two night stay in Boca Grande, Florida, and a dinner for eight made by Spotlight Award honoree Michel and her chef friends.

Tickets are on sale for $150 each and $1,200 for a table of eight, payable through online registration, which ends May 15. More information about the event is on its website and its Facebook page.