Clark County

“Imagine a world without child abuse. Together, we can make it happen.” Conkwright Middle School student Luke Martin read those words from “Blue Ribbon Story,” highlighting the history of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Martin was just one of several dozen Conkwright and Clark Middle students participating in Tuesday's annual Clark County Child Abuse Memorial Service in front of the courthouse. Each April, the event is organized by the Clark County Family Resource and Youth Service Centers to honor victims and help prevent child abuse.

While the fiscal year 2006 budget was the toughest he has faced during his administration, the proposed 2013-14 budget, which currently has a more than $800,000 deficit, has all of the indications of being second-worst, Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham said Tuesday. After pulling funds together, the cash balance for the fiscal year 2014 is $648,617, Branham said at the Fiscal Court budget workshop session. After lowering projections on how much the county would receive in insurance and city payroll taxes for the rest of this fiscal year, the budget is still about $801,000 short.

The Clark County Board of Education has stuck to its guns. What repercussions might come from that remain to be seen. During its regular meeting Tuesday, the board revisited the middle school merger and the renovations to two schools that would help the district remove Category 5 schools, or those deemed to be in a state of urgent need of replacement or repair. After hearing from members of the community and two representatives from the state, the board continued to delay the merged middle school as part of the current facilities plan.

The Kentucky Department of Education will have a presence at tonight's Clark County Board of Education regular meeting, officials said. Clark County Superintendent Elaine Farris said KDE's Kay Kennedy will attend the meeting. The agenda includes discussion of the renovation of George Rogers Clark High School as an item. The school board voted to delay the merger of middle schools into a renovated GRC building, as those students move into the new high school in August. Conkwright Middle School students will still move into the current high school building, but the rest of the current facilities plan involved with the merger of the county's middle schools will be stalled.

Milton “Dan” Daniel Redding, 73, of Clark County, husband for 15 years to June Dame Farris Redding, passed away Saturday at his home. A native of Lexington, he was born July 28, 1939, to the late George and Marjorie Bolden Redding. He retired from the West Orange Consolidated School District in Orange, Texas. He was a United States Navy veteran, member of the Christ Church, and was active in the American Red Cross since the 1960s, helping during national disasters. He also taught at the Red Cross.

The George Rogers Clark track teams competed in the 37th annual Lake Cumberland track meet Saturday in Somerset. Out of 24 teams attending the boys team placed 12th and the girls team finished 16th. In the distance events, the Cardinals and Lady Cards posted several personal best times. Ben Petrey led the 4x800 relay team with a first leg run of 2:12, a personal best. Brandon Burris, Brandon Bailey and Austin Richards rounded out the relay, which placed fourth overall. In the 1600 meter run, Grayson Brookshire placed fifth with a personal best time of 4:42.77.

WINCHESTER POLICE Charged - Shawn A. Baker, 30, was charged Saturday with theft by unlawful taking and was served a warrant. - Mark A. Darosett, 27, was charged Saturday with fourth-degree assault and alcohol intoxication. Reports - At 3:56 p.m. Friday, officers took a report concerning a theft at O'Reilly Auto Parts. - At 3:27 a.m. Saturday, officers were called to 16 Magnolia St. after someone broke into a garage and screen porch before taking several items. - At 10:45 a.m. Saturday, officers were called to 50 N. Main St. concerning an assault.

Kentucky Gives Day is an opportunity for Kentuckians to support charitable nonprofits across the state. The event runs entirely online April 24 for 24 hours and is organized by the Kentucky Non Profit Network. While the day is a chance for Kentuckians to donate, is it also a way for local charities to get the word out about their activities and needs. One of those groups is Clark County's Partners in Education (PIE). Since 2006, PIE has been helping facilitate partnerships between Clark County schools and local businesses in an effort to enhance the quality of educational services provided to students.

Randy A. Baber, 51, of Paris, formerly of Winchester, husband of Jennifer Edwards Baber, passed away Saturday in Bourbon County as the result of a motor vehicle accident.  A native of Clark County, he was born July 27, 1961, to Daniel and Margaret Bond Baber. He retired after 20 years of service from the City of Winchester Fire Department and has worked at UK since 2006.  Other survivors include a step-daughter, Raegin Johnson of Paris; brother, Michael Baber of Powell County; niece, Kelsey Baber of Winchester; aunts and uncles, Alice and Marshall King, Charlie and Terrie Bond, and Robert and Juanita Burkhart, all of Clark County; cousins, Eddie and Denisa King, Oliver Bond, and Whitney Bond, all of Clark County; and brothers and sisters of Fire and Iron.  Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 16, at 1 p.m. at the First Church of God, 2500 Colby Road, with Chapelman Bryan Basford officiating.