Madison Countians can now see for themselves the areas with high-speed Internet (or “broadband”) by using the Madison County or statewide Broadband Inventory Map recently introduced by ConnectKentucky, an organization dedicated to making Internet access available to all parts of the state.
The map, which can be found at www.connectkentucky.org/Meetings, is color-coded to show the number of homes with broadband access.
The announcement of the new service came last week and was given by ConnectKentucky’s Central Kentucky Manager Sage Cutler.
“This tool enables users to see who the broadband providers are anywhere in the commonwealth,” Cutler said. “The community has a good online presence currently, which is a valuable asset that can be used for improved citizen services in the future.”
ConnectKentucky and Kentucky’s “Prescription for Innovation” program received the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s 2006 Excellence in Innovation Award which recognizes national leaders in innovative strategies for economic development.
Three years ago, Fletcher announced the “Prescription for Innovation” program intended to provide high-speed Internet access to all Kentuckians by 2007.
According to information from connectkentucky.org, high-speed Internet availability has increased approximately 45 percent since the program began.
It is now available in an estimated 352,000 homes and computer ownership has grown by 17 percent. Moreover, the rate of Kentucky’s high-tech job growth is outpacing the national average.
“We now must increase demand for broadband and technology use through awareness, applications and adoption,” said Rene’ True, executive director of ConnectKentucky. “Technology can dramatically improve people’s quality of life. With available broadband, Kentuckians everywhere will soon have access to better health care, education and career opportunities.”
Kentucky leads the nation in its rate of high-speed Internet adoption over the past two years, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
Another goal for ConnectKentucky was to begin implementing the “No Child Left Offline” program that has helped deliver nearly 2,000 computers and printers to middle school students who were living without computers.
The next meeting for Madison County’s eCommunity Leadership Team will be at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at the Business and Technology Center at Eastern Kentucky University.
The goals of the eCommunity Leadership Teams, which have been formed in all of Kentucky’s 120 counties, are to build a shared understanding of the links between the Prescription for Innovation program and the county’s economic development and determining how the new services can make a difference in education, business, government and community-based organizations.
ConnectKentucky is located at 311 West Main St., Frankfort, KY 40601. Call 1-866-923-7501 or send an e-mail to info@connectkentucky.org.
Other features of the Web site include contact information for local technology providers such as Chapel Communications, Wind-stream, the City of Berea, EKU and an online discussion forum.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Do you have access?
Online map shows who’s connected
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
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Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
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Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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