Saying it was tired of waiting for Congress to take action, the U.S. Postal Service on Wednesday announced it plans to stop delivery and collecting of letters on Saturdays effective Aug. 5. But packages will continue to be delivered.

The postal service said the move would save $2 billion a year, according to CNN.

"It's a responsible decision. It makes common sense," said Patrick Donahoe, postmaster general and CEO of the postal service.

Feb. 25 deadline looms for participation in brief, confidential survey

Time is running out for Kentuckians to share opinions and make their voices heard in a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) initiative to update the Long Range Transportation Plan of the Commonwealth.

Members of the public have until Feb. 25 to take a brief, confidential survey designed to gauge opinion on Kentucky’s transportation system and what it should offer in decades to come.

To date, more than 8,200 people have taken the “Your Turn” survey, which is offered online and also in paper form.

The “Your Turn” survey consists of 19 questions concerning demographics, transportation needs and desires, and funding options. Public input will be used to gauge the expectations of those who travel the state and to plan for the future transportation system.

In addition to the survey, the updated plan will consider changes in communities, freight movement, financial resources, economic development, rural and urban transportation, the environment and other transportation issues.

The “Your Turn” survey is available in English and Spanish. A link to the survey and other transportation information can be found at www.transportation.ky.gov. A direct link is yourturn.transportation.ky.gov. The direct link will also provide compiled survey results in late 2013 as well as other information throughout the update of the Long Range Plan.

Paper surveys are available at:

• KYTC highway district offices

• Area Development District offices

• Metropolitan Planning Organization offices

• Transportation Cabinet Office Building, 200 Mero St., Frankfort

Call (502) 564-3419 weekdays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern, for information or to request a survey.

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By Greg Stotelmyer

The idea of deregulating telephone service is back before Kentucky lawmakers. A bill filed Tuesday would free phone companies from having to provide landline service in most areas.

Scott Wegenast, AARP Kentucky communications director, said the landline remains a lifeline for many seniors.

"It's too early to cut the line on these landline telephones for seniors," he said. "It's a basic, no-frills way for these individuals to stay in touch with their family and their doctors."

Wegenast says AARP wants the Kentucky Public Service Commission to continue regulating the phone industry to protect access to traditional home phone service.

In an effort to improve Kentucky’s ongoing transition to Medicaid managed care, Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo is filed House Bill 5 to streamline disputes between the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the managed care companies and medical providers.

“Now that we are more than a year into Medicaid managed care, we’re seeing where things are going well and where improvement is needed, and one major roadblock is the backlog of complaints we’re hearing about payment,” said Speaker Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg. “My bill will give the Department of Insurance, which has an extensive history of resolving disputes in the private insurance market, the ability to do the same thing when it comes to Medicaid.  It’s a clean resolution, and one already well understood by the managed care companies and medical providers alike.”

By: Stephen Gray Wallace, M.S. Ed.

The alcohol fueled alleged serial rape of a sixteen-year-old Ohio girl by two of her similarly impaired classmates - not to mention the drunken videotaped commentary of others – points yet again to the imperative that adult America renews its commitment to address as a true national community those issues that most threaten the health, safety, and forward development of youth.

It is a priority that carries with it, in Dr. Martin Luther King’s words, the fierce urgency of now. Indeed, is there a task more pressing than protecting the generation that will follow us as custodians of the future?

Probably not.

Senator Katie Stine (R-Southgate) serves as the president pro-tem of the State Senate.  She represents the 24th District including Pendleton and Campbell counties.

In our first week back, the Senate passed several pieces of legislation that reflect our priorities.

Much has been said about the huge unfunded liability in our public employee pension system. In fact, Standard & Poor’s rating agency has downgraded our bond rating because of its condition. Senate Bill 2 is step one in addressing this enormous challenge. It is important to note that this bill makes no changes to teachers’ retirement, does not impact those currently employed or retired, and does not create a new tax on pension income of either private or public employees.

When the General Assembly meets in odd-numbered years, it has a much different schedule than it does in those ending in an even number.

The meeting time is 30 rather than 60 days, and the first four of those are set aside just to elect legislative leaders and appoint members to committees.  The bulk of our work doesn’t begin until early February, and it effectively ends a little more than a month later.

That tightened time frame means our schedule fills up quickly, and that was certainly the case last week when my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Capitol on Tuesday.

By the time we had wrapped up our first week of work on Friday, two major priorities were on their way to the state Senate, where they are expected to be received favorably.

On Thursday, the House voted overwhelmingly for legislation that would give many of our public four-year universities the ability to use their own revenue to build a wide array of new or updated facilities.  A significant portion of these projects, which top $360 million, will take place at the University of Kentucky, including major upgrades at Commonwealth Stadium.  Combined, these projects are expected to generate about 5,000 jobs.

Pendleton County Fiscal Court meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., February 12, 2013.

Tentative agenda will go as follows: Call to order, prayer, pledge, approval of agenda, approval of minutes, presentation of treasure's report, approval of purchase of dump truck bed, approval of estimate to upgrade electric entrance at county barn, approve county clerk's excess fees for 2012, approve resolution supporting HB79 dealing with heroin, Catawba Road Bridge, transfers, pay bills, closing remarks by Judge Bertram/magistrate and adjourn.

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GO RED for Women campaign is designed to educate and raise awareness of issues affecting women’s heart health.

PHI Air Medical announced today a major community wide effort to educate the community and raise awareness for heart disease, especially as it relates to women’s heart issues.

“As a company, we understand first hand the devastating impact heart disease has on the women and families of our community,” explained, Erik Rohde, Regional Director. “We are committed to doing everything we can to raise awareness on this important issue. Our entire focus is to be proactive for the health of our community so that we don’t have to be called to transport another victim of heart disease.”

The Butler City Council was presented with the financial statement, which was accepted, at their regular meeting on February 4, 2013.

Council persons in attendance were: Dave Hopkins, Aaron Bonar, Gerald McElfresh, Paul Vanlandingham, Pat Taylor and Bonnie Bonar. The fire report was given by Chief David Marquardt. He reported there were no runs at Williams Place in January.

Council went into closed session. Council returned to regular session and discussion about sewer options. Motion by McElfresh, second by Taylor to go with Alternative 1.

Council person Taylor again thanked the fire department for their participation in the Christmas parade.