The Wayne Weekly

07/21/2023

11/01/2022

Main Street In Monticello now reduced to one lane
Traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals
(Oct. 31, 2022) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 8 Office advises motorists that Main Street is now reduced to one lane at mile point 1.65 (Fairview Ave.) in Wayne County as crews perform sinkhole repairs.

Temporary traffic signals will be in place both east and west bound to restrict traffic to one lane until work is completed. Work to repair the roadway is expected to to be completed in four weeks.

The dates and duration of the lane closures may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra time in reaching their destination.

08/29/2022

Utility Commission Service Disruption Tuesday

Due to valve maintenance, there will be a disruption in service on Tuesday, August 30th, for customers starting at the corner of Hwy 1275 to Smith McClees Rd. (All of Circle Drive will be affected.) Anticipated disruption time will be from 8 until Noon. They do apologize for any inconvenience

08/11/2022

MCU Consumer Advisory Lifted
The consumer advisory for the Murl area has been lifted.
The water has been tested and determined safe.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.

08/10/2022

Advisory from Monticello Utility Commission:
A consumer advisory for high chlorine has been issued due to a pump malfunction for the customers in Murl.
From the intersection of Hwy. 1546 & Hwy. 90 to the end of Hwy. 1546 at the Lake Cumberland Boys Camp & all side roads.
DO NOT DRINK OR BATH IN WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

07/29/2022

TeamEKYFloodReliefFund.ky.gov

An online portal for donations to flood victims is now available at TeamEKYFloodReliefFund.ky.gov. The website will allow Kentuckians once again to help their neighbors in a time of desperate need.

"I wish I could tell you why we keep getting hit here in Kentucky. I wish I could tell you why areas - where people may not have that much - continue to get hit and lose everything. I cannot give you the why, but I know what we do in response to it. And the answer is: Everything we can," Beshear said. "We're giving everyone that opportunity to help through the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund."

Donations can be made at TeamEKYFloodReliefFund.ky.gov. The funds will be used to provide long-term relief to individuals directly impacted by this historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky. These donations can help with food, shelter and other necessities of life and supplement emergency funds that come into the area.

Money collected through the donation site will not be used for administrative costs. Credit card and treasury fees may apply. After Western Kentucky's devastating tornados in December 2021, people came together and raised $52 million through more than 150,000 donations to help survivors with their long-term recovery.

If you would like to donate items toward immediate relief in Eastern Kentucky, contact your local shelter, Red Cross or United Way. Immediate needs include water and cleaning supplies.

Governor Beshear has established the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the floods and the severe weather system beginning July 26, 2022. All donations to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt for tax purpose...

07/20/2022

EDA invests $4.1 for Wayne County Gas Line

U.S. Representative Hal Rogers applauds a $4.1 million investment from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to construct a natural gas line in Wayne County to serve the City of Monticello and promote future economic development. Wayne County is one of only seven counties in Kentucky without a natural gas system.

"Tapping into our natural gas is a great way for Wayne County to open new doors of economic opportunity in the Lake Cumberland region, while also providing affordable energy for local families and businesses," said Congressman Rogers, a native of Wayne County. "As we work to revitalize southern and eastern Kentucky, infrastructure improvements like this play a vital role in future business recruitment and opportunities in our rural region. I applaud the EDA for investing in this worthy project."

The project will be matched with $2.3 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain 254 jobs and generate $30,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates. This project was also supported by the regional planning efforts of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.

"I am extremely excited for Wayne County. Receiving this grant is the first major hurdle as we work to develop a natural gas line to support business growth," said Mike Anderson, Wayne County Judge Executive. "We appreciate Congressman Rogers' tireless work on this monumental project for Wayne County." This grant award is part of the Department of Commerce's $300 million Coal Communities Commitment.

07/08/2022

UPDATE: PLEASE SHARE ...
Information Still Needed To Help Locate Ricky Griffis

On Thursday night, the Wayne County Rescue Squad concluded
their search for Ricky Griffis, leaving further investigations up to the
Sheriff's Department - unless other information becomes available
leading to their search and rescue mission continuing.

According to the Rescue Squad's Assistant Chief Vincent Decker,
No search will be conducted today (Friday, July 8th), because the
Squad could not find anything to go on.

Decker said, "The car was found just past the area called 'The
Playground' on the road that comes out at the Dodson's on Hwy
776. Squad members followed tracks around the vehicle, but
could find none leading off into the woods."

The Assistant Chief further stated, "We walked the road all the way
out to Dodson's with nothing found and checked the area all around
the car." Decker told of the Rescue Squad also running ATV's on
all the roads leading to Ritner, Concord and East 92 multiple times
and checking all trails and side roads.

SRT Special Response Team from Somerset ran heat sensing
drones after being called in. Two search dogs combed the area to
see if Griffis had gone into the woods and KY Department of Fish
and Wildlife personnel also brought in drones, but nothing was found
by all involved.

Decker added, "We extricated the automobile out of the mud Thursday
and turned it over to the family. Squad members went back on July 7th
and walked a wide circle completely around the area looking for any
sign or trail leading away from the area and found nothing."

With nothing to indicate Griffis had gone into the woods, Decker said,
"We stopped searching Thursday night and have left further investigations
to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Ricky Griffis or
his disappearance is asked to respond immediately by contacting the
Sheriff's Department at 606-348-5416 or call the Monticello Wayne County
Communications Center at 606-348-9111.

07/07/2022

Missing Person!!! Share Please!!!

ALERT: Public's Assistance Needed In Locating Ricky Griffis

Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron is requesting anyone who may know the location of Ricky Griffis of Monticello to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately.

On Wednesday, July 6th, Deputy Joe Horne responded to a call from Ricky's family stating they had not seen or had they heard anything from him since Monday, July 4th which was uncommon for Ricky and he did not show up for work.

The family received a returned text message from Ricky on Tuesday, July 5th at 9:29 a.m. with him saying he was stuck in the woods. No other contact has been made with Ricky since.

On Wednesday, July 6th, Ricky's vehicle was located in the Coopersville strip mine area of Wayne County. A search of the area by the Sheriff's Office and an extended search by the Wayne County Rescue Squad, along with family members has still not accounted for Ricky being located. The investigation is ongoing.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Ricky Griffis, call the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 606-348-5416 or the Wayne County 911 Dispatch Center at 606-348-9111.

Search efforts are continuing at this hour by the Wayne County Rescue Squad. His vehicle was removed from the Coopersville strip mines area off of East KY 92 this Thursday, July 7th.

Ricky Griffis description is as listed below.
6'0
180 lb
Brown Eyes
Brown Hair

07/07/2022

Message from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office

Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron is requesting anyone who may know the location of Ricky Griffis of Monticello, Ky. to contact the Wayne County Sheriff Office ASAP.

On Wednesday July 6, 2022, at Deputy Joe Horne responded to a call from Ricky’s family stating they had not seen, or had they heard anything from him since Monday July 4, 2022, which was uncommon for Ricky. Ricky did not show up for work either. They family received a returned text message from Ricky on Tuesday July 5, 2022, at 9:29 am with him saying he was stuck in the woods. No other contact has been made with Ricky since then. On Wednesday July 6, 2022, Ricky’s vehicle was located in the Coopersville strip mine area of Wayne County. A search by of the area by the Wayne County Sheriff Office and an extended search by the Wayne County Rescue Squad along with family members with Ricky not being located. The search and investigation is continuing.

Again, if anyone knows the whereabouts of Ricky, please call the Wayne County Sheriff Office at 606-348-5416or the Wayne County 911 Dispatch Center at 606-348-9111.

04/09/2022

UPDATE AS OF 1:45PM
Inquiries about this opportunity are now CLOSED. We are so excited to have so much interest and would love to have your school groups on a trip to the park in the future!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Attention 4th Grade Educators! 📕

We have a special announcement for you! We want your 4th Grade class to come and visit us here at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace!

This spring we are offering a FREE trip to our site! You read that right – we will pay for your school’s bus fee to visit the park. If you are interested in bringing your classroom on a fieldtrip to the park, please contact the park at: 270 358 3137. Bus payments will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that this funding only applies to current 4th Grade classes.

For general information on the park, please visit our website: https://www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm