Good morning, 270. It’s Thursday, October 24th. This is the 270 Daily News. Yesterday’s article on the local economy and job market got mixed reviews in the poll. Though the majority voted the article was “right on the money”, there were still several that didn’t agree completely.

If you don’t fully agree, we’d love to get your opinion on the subject! We are working on a few other articles on the topic of jobs and economic growth in WKY and we’d love to get your perspective. 🙂 

In today’s news:

• WKY gets nearly 2 million dollars in federal funding

• Man hits girlfriend with car in Kuttawa

• Downtown Paducah getting a Marriott Aloft hotel

Let’s get into it.

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Weather Report

Thursday:☀️High- 75 Low- 48

Friday: ☀️ High- 81 Low- 57

Saturday: ☀️ High- 70 Low- 50

News

Western Kentucky Secures Nearly $2 Million in Federal Funding for Infrastructure and Workforce Development

Governor Andy Beshear has announced that six projects in Western Kentucky will receive nearly $2 million in funding from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). The funding, part of the DRA’s States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), aims to improve local water infrastructure and support workforce development across several counties.

“This funding is an important step toward improving infrastructure, investing in our workforce, and enhancing the quality of life for Kentuckians,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are in an important period of growth, and these projects will help ensure we continue making progress.”

The SEDAP program, which provides direct investment for public infrastructure, transportation, and workforce development, coordinates with Kentucky’s Area Development Districts to implement these projects.

Breakdown of Funded Projects

The $1.97 million investment will fund a range of initiatives, from water system upgrades to job training programs.

Hanson: The city of Hanson will receive over $190,000 to expand its waterline infrastructure. The project is aimed at preparing the community for future business development and increasing economic opportunities.

Henderson County Water District: More than $227,000 will be used to upgrade the county’s water monitoring system. The improved technology will allow the district to detect and address water loss more efficiently, ensuring more reliable services for local residents and businesses.

Henderson County Riverport: The riverport will receive over $150,000 for equipment upgrades. The new machinery is expected to improve operational efficiency and contribute to continued economic growth in the area.

Murray-Calloway County Industrial Authority: This project will receive $509,000 to construct an adult training facility, which will focus on helping unemployed and underemployed individuals develop essential skills. The facility will play a key role in addressing the shortage of skilled labor in the region, particularly in tornado recovery efforts.

Crittenden-Livingston Water District: Awarded $408,000, this project will expand the district’s water treatment plant by adding a clear well to increase storage capacity. The additional storage is expected to alleviate the water shortages currently affecting the area.

Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville: The hospital will receive more than $485,000 to upgrade its medical equipment. The funding aims to enhance the quality of care provided to the community by modernizing outdated equipment.

Economic and Workforce Impact

According to DRA Federal Co-Chairman Dr. Corey Wiggins, the projects funded under this program are designed to create long-term economic benefits for the region.

“As a result of this investment, over 300 jobs will be created or retained, over 200 people will receive training, and more than 10,000 residents will benefit from improved infrastructure and services,” Wiggins said.

The projects are part of a broader effort to strengthen the economic resilience of the region, improve public services, and increase workforce readiness. The funding is supported in part by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to invest in local economies and improve infrastructure nationwide.

Man Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Girlfriend with Vehicle in Kuttawa

A Marion man was arrested after allegedly hitting his girlfriend with a vehicle during an argument in a Kuttawa business parking lot on Monday, October 21, 2024. Lyon County Sheriff Brent White responded to a disturbance call at 12:49 p.m., where his investigation revealed that Austin Daniel Story, 29, drove to his girlfriend’s workplace, engaged in a verbal altercation, and then struck her with his vehicle. The victim landed on the hood, and Story reportedly reversed and turned sharply, throwing her onto the pavement and causing multiple injuries.

Witnesses said Story placed the injured woman in his vehicle, claiming he would take her for medical care. Both left the scene before law enforcement arrived. The Marion Police Department and Kentucky State Police later located Story and the victim at a residence in Marion. The woman was taken to a hospital and later transferred to another facility for further treatment.

Story was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, first-degree wanton endangerment, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence). Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues. He is being held at the Crittenden County Detention Center.

Marriott Aloft Hotel Planned for Downtown Paducah

Paducah Mayor George Bray announced that National Hospitality, LLC has secured an agreement with Marriott to build an Aloft hotel at 519 North 3rd Street. The $15 million project is expected to bring a modern, four-story hotel with 120 rooms, an indoor pool, and a dining area to downtown Paducah.

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved the development agreement on September 30, which allows the city to transfer the property to the developer. The hotel will be near the Paducah Convention Center and adjacent to the Holiday Inn Paducah Riverfront. Completion is expected within 24 months after construction begins.

The Agenda

Paducah Water Begins Water Main Replacement Project on North 34th Street

Paducah Water has started a new infrastructure project aimed at improving water service and reliability in a local neighborhood. The project involves replacing aging 6-inch water mains along North 34th Street, between Pines Road and Jefferson Street, as well as portions of Monroe, Madison, and Harrison Streets between North 32nd and North 34th Streets.

The existing water mains in this area have been prone to breaks and low hydraulic performance, making the upgrade necessary to ensure consistent service. Contractors will install new water mains, update meter settings, and replace service lines connecting the new mains to individual meters.

The project is expected to take several months, with completion anticipated by April 2025. During the construction period, residents may experience brief disruptions in water service when connections are made. Landscaping and yard areas disturbed by the work will be restored as closely as possible to their original condition, according to Paducah Water.

Paducah Commission Approves 911 Service Reforms and Funding Changes

The Paducah Board of Commissioners has approved two ordinances related to 911 services. The first updates the interlocal agreement with McCracken County, creating a joint 911 Parcel Fee Appeals Board to handle property classification disputes. The five-member board will be made up of appointed citizens who are not government officials or employees. The second ordinance repeals and replaces the previous real estate parcel fee, aligning with the new appeals process and providing a one-time rebate of $22.50 per unit for owners of occupied residential rental units.

Local Links

🎄 Planning on being in the Calvert City Christmas Parade? Fill out this year’s form here.

🚔️ Benton Police, with help from Calloway County and Marshall County Sheriffs Offices, arrested two Tennessee suspects for first-degree meth and cocaine trafficking during a traffic stop on West 13th Street.

🚨 Benton Police release list of 6 recent arrests for various charges

Princeton man arrested Tuesday for disorderly conduct 2nd degree and public intoxication.

🛻 Two Trigg County men arrested trying to steal a truck from Wildcat Chevrolet, had a device that could start any vehicle without a key fob.

👩‍⚖️ A woman from outside of Louisville pleaded guilty to murdering her two sons

Kentucky lawmaker dies weeks after accidentally driving a lawnmower into an empty swimming pool.

Sports

Friday Night Lights Matchups! 🏈 

High School

Caverna @ Ballard Memorial

Calloway County @ Paducah Tilghman

Russellville @ Fulton County

Graves County @ Muhlenberg County

Marshall County @ Apollo

McCracken County @ Daviess County

Crittenden County @ Caldwell County

College Football

Friday: Louisville @ Boston College, 6:30pm

Saturday: North Dakota State @ Murray State, 1 pm

Saturday: Auburn @ UK, 6:45pm

📸 270 Cam

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