Even though it has rained a few days since the flood earlier in the year, it apparently hasn’t been enough to keep us from being in a Level 1 drought (see the article in this issue).
As has been reported before, crops in Trigg County and other counties across western Kentucky have been affected by the lack of rainfall and the record heat that is only now ending, so much so that Gov. Beshear has asked for federal assistance.
It’s fortunately not bad enough yet that water rationing measures have to be put in place, and thankfully the lake hasn’t been affected too much. And hopefully there will be more rain starting next month.
On a related note, it’s almost October and we’re still seeing temperatures in the 90s., which I’m sure isn’t helping at all with the drought conditions. That too will pass soon, I reckon. Hopefully in time for the Ham Festival.
***
Monday evening, the Trigg County Fiscal Court approved a list of six roads that will be repaved using state money (see the story on the front page).
At that same meeting, Trigg County Judge Executive Stan Humphries said that as far as he knew, the proposed new bridges across Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake are still on schedule.
I, and most people in this county, will be glad when those old, narrow bridges are finally replaced, and it leads me to what I’m about to talk about next: infrastructure.
While all the talking points and wedge issues beaten like a pasture full of dead horses, infrastructure is sometimes overlooked in the national media, although it became somewhat more newsworthy when the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis collapsed a little over three years ago.
Infrastructure, like repaved roads or improved bridges or better sidewalks and walking paths, is important for any community, and we ignore it at our own peril.
The San Bruno, Calif., gas main explosion may turn out to be another example of that.
***
And now for something completely different.
When and if it comes to fruition, I’m looking forward to what the Business Incubation project can do to help small businesses open and stay in open here.
The fact that two perfectly good small businesses, Eldora’s and Hidden Treasures, have closed in a month is why I bring this up.
I’m also reminded of the fact that space that was most recently occupied by Uptown Steakhouse has been at least two or three restaurants since I first moved here. The local economy doesn’t seem to have improved that much.
Let’s hope those two Business Incubation projects can get off the ground and can create some much-needed jobs.
Franklin Clark is a reporter for The Cadiz Record and can be reached by email at fclark@cadizrecord.com.
