Tagged: Owensboro

Officials in Daviess County have begun making a list of every household without water.

Daviess Judge-Executive Al Mattingly told the Messenger-Inquirer that the move is aimed at making the county the first in the state to have every home connected to water lines.

He said funding is available from the state to help pay for the extensions, and the county hopes to partner with rural water districts and homeowners to get lines extended.

Community Services Director Nate Pagan says he is making a list of homes that aren't connected and is asking those who want service to contact him at 270-685-8424, or npagan@daviessky.org.

The Messenger-Inquirer reports the 2012 General Assembly approved $160,000 in coal severance funds for extending waterlines to homes in Daviess County that are currently reliant on well weather.

A western Kentucky city plans to have a panel determine whether it can make things easier for businesses looking to locate or expand in the area.

Owensboro Mayor Ron Payne told the Messenger-Inquirer that he's heard several complaints from the business community and this is an attempt to see if there are problems and, if so, how best to address them.

"Ever since I've been mayor, I've heard complaints about problems with planning and zoning and other requirements, or difficulties dealing with City Hall, and given the amount of business activity we have and what I anticipate will occur, we want to make sure it is as easy as possible to do business," Payne said recently in calling for the appointment of a Commission on Business Development.

He said the group would talk to developers and business owners to see what kind of problems they have when they attempt to open or expand a business and determine whether issues really exist.

Former President Bill Clinton is coming to Owensboro this spring for a benefit fundraiser. The Messenger-Inquirier reports the event will raise funds to support the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center.

Ford served in the U.S. Senate from 1974 to 1999, and was Democratic Whip the first six years of Clinton’s presidencies.

President Clinton has appeared in Daviess County before—in 2000, he presented an education award to Audubon Elementary School, and he campaigned at Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2008 on behalf of his wife, Hillary Clinton, who was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Ford Government Education Center is located downtown in the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, and has displays of pictures, artifacts, and documents from Ford’s political career.

Based on a study, the Owensboro region needs additional primary care physicians. Owensboro Medical Health System is recruiting  two dozen doctors this year to meet the needs of the hospital's service area in western Kentucky and southern Indiana.

The local economy stands to benefit. 

OMHS spokesman Gordon Wilkerson says physician recruitment is much like starting a small business. 

"A physician is going to, just by effect, bring patients and that creates jobs in other areas like nurses, x-ray technicians, pharmacists, and so forth," said Wilkerson.