Fireworks

The Winchester Board of Commissioners will draft an updated ordinance to set specifics for the use of civilian aerial fireworks, including when they can be sold and when they can be set off. Police Chief Kevin Palmer, Fire-EMS¿Chief Eric Hunter and Fire Marshal Rob Carmichael spoke to the commission Tuesday and expressed safety concerns because of the high level of complaints they received over the Fourth of July, when HB¿333 allowed a higher grade...

Jessamine County government and fire officials have elected not to ban fireworks despite extremely dry conditions throughout the region. The decision came after a 45-minute meeting in Jessamine County Judge-Executive Neal Cassity's office Tuesday morning. Officials released this joint statement through Cassity's office: “Local officials met this morning at the Jessamine County Courthouse to discuss the issue of fireworks in Jessamine County. Officials strongly encourage individuals to refrain from using fireworks in Jessamine County due to the extremely dangerous conditions.

Dear Editor, Since June 1, the county landfills are being operated on a four-day week. This is an inconvenience to the many who bring their own garbage there. When it is a holiday, that person has to let garbage accumulate until there is a day that is open. Home pick-up garbage has raised prices until not everyone can afford it. Gas prices as high as they are, the ordinary individual has to stretch his dollars as far as they will go. On a brighter note, special thanks to Ernie Holman and his helpers for the beautiful fireworks display that we get on the Sunday night before the Fourth of July every year.

Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham issued an executive order today banning use of all fireworks and outdoor burning. The order includes campfires, warming fires and open pit cooking. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

A proposed county fireworks ordinance sizzled out Tuesday when the Jessamine County Fiscal Court failed to make a motion for its approval. The proposed ordinance, which was presented to the court last month by Jessamine County Fire Chief Mike Rupard, would have restricted the sale and use of Class C fireworks, which basically are fireworks that shoot up in the air, Rupard said. After a lengthy discussion that dominated a special-called meeting last week, the court voted 5-1 to have county attorney Brian Goettl prepare the proposed ordinance, which would have mirrored the city of Nicholasville's, and bring it back to the next meeting.

Effective at about 10 a.m. Friday, Judge-Executive Henry Branham issued an executive order banning the use of fireworks in Clark County until further notice. The order was issued upon recommendation by Clark County Fire Chief Ralph Ladson, the signed order states. "A ban has been issued for all of Clark County ... on the following: use of fireworks, any and all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires and open pit cooking," the order states. Anyone with questions should call the Clark County Fire Department at 745-0260.

The Nicholasville City Commission's decision to regulate what types of fireworks could be sold and set off within city limits was a tough call, and The Journal feels it was the correct one. On one hand, city leaders had to weigh the right of those wishing to sell fireworks, including Class C's, to make money. But the city also had to take into consideration the many Nicholasville residents who complained about the fireworks that were being set off at all hours of the night. The original ordinance allowed fireworks to be set off during certain days and hours, but not in the wee hours of the morning.

Despite objections from a local fireworks seller, the Nicholasville City Commission passed the second reading Monday of an ordinance that bans Class C fireworks from being sold or set off within the city limits. Class C fireworks include bottle rockets, Roman candles and larger items that shoot exploding fire balls into the air. The city commission felt the need to revise its ordinance, which it passed in May 2012, after receiving numerous complaints from residents following the 4th of July in 2012.

The Winchester Board of Commissioners approved three ordinances during its regular meeting Tuesday night that alter the city's regulation of fireworks, fire lanes and firearms. Commissioners approved second readings of the ordinances during the meeting, and the first ordinance amends the regulation of sale and discharge of fireworks. The changes stem from discussions in the fall concerning the time fireworks could be sold around the Fourth of July. The ordinance changes the dates of fireworks sales from June 26 through July 5 to June 27 through July 6. It also changes the time that fireworks can be sold each day from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. This also extends the time for the Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 sales to 11 p.m. The amendments also allow the discharge of fireworks until 11 p.m. on those dates and prohibits fireworks to be sold in multi-tenant buildings.

Effective as of about 10 a.m. Friday, the use of fireworks is banned in Clark County until further notice - the latest response to the intense heat and dry conditions. Judge-Executive Henry Branham issued the executive order, signed and dated Friday, to include the use of fireworks in the previously issued burn ban for Clark County. The order was issued upon recommendation by Clark County Fire Chief Ralph Ladson, it states. “A ban has been issued for all of Clark County ... on the following: use of fireworks, any and all outdoor burning, including campfires, bonfires, warming fires and open pit cooking,” the order states.

The Winchester Board of Commissioners approved three ordinances during its regular meeting Tuesday night that alter the city's regulation of fireworks, fire lanes and firearms. Commissioners approved second readings of the ordinances during the meeting, and the first ordinance amends the regulation of sale and discharge of fireworks. The changes stem from discussions in the fall concerning the time fireworks could be sold around the Fourth of July. The ordinance changes the dates of fireworks sales from June 26 through July 5 to June 27 through July 6. It also changes the time that fireworks can be sold each day from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. This also extends the time for the Dec. 30 and Jan. 1 sales to 11 p.m. The amendments also allow the discharge of fireworks until 11 p.m. on those dates and prohibits fireworks to be sold in multi-tenant buildings.

A proposed county fireworks ordinance sizzled out Tuesday when the Jessamine County Fiscal Court failed to make a motion for its approval. The proposed ordinance, which was presented to the court last month by Jessamine County Fire Chief Mike Rupard, would have restricted the sale and use of Class C fireworks, which basically are fireworks that shoot up in the air, Rupard said. After a lengthy discussion that dominated a special-called meeting last week, the court voted 5-1 to have county attorney Brian Goettl prepare the proposed ordinance, which would have mirrored the city of Nicholasville's, and bring it back to the next meeting.

Discussion of a proposed fireworks ordinance dominated a special called meeting of the Jessamine County Fiscal Court on Tuesday. The proposed ordinance, which was presented to the court last week by Jessamine County Fire Chief Mike Rupard, is identical to the one passed recently by the Nicholasville City Commission. The ordinance would restrict the sale and use of Class C fireworks, which basically are fireworks that shoot up in the air, Rupard said. It would not prohibit organizations that want to put on a fireworks show, using a licensed person to set off the fireworks, from doing so, he told the court.

On Sunday, the University of Kentucky will say goodbye to its women's basketball program's winningest senior class in history: A'dia Mathies and Brittany Henderson carry a 104-28 record into Thursday's game against Mississippi, their second-to-last of the regular season. But even more than that, Coach Matthew Mitchell and the rest of the UK Hoops squad will be saying goodbye to two women they now consider family. Henderson, for example, is known as “Grandma Betty” by her teammates.

Aproposed  county ordinance banning the sale of Class C fireworks was presented Tuesday to the Jessamine County Fiscal Court. The court did not take any action on the ordinance, which would require two readings before approval. Jessamine County Fire Chief Mike Rupard said the ordinance is identical to one passed recently by the Nicholasville City Commission but would apply to the county. “If we don't adopt it, a person can simply step outside the city limits and sell whatever they want,” he said.

Despite objections from a local fireworks seller, the Nicholasville City Commission passed the second reading Monday of an ordinance that bans Class C fireworks from being sold or set off within the city limits. Class C fireworks include bottle rockets, Roman candles and larger items that shoot exploding fire balls into the air. The city commission felt the need to revise its ordinance, which it passed in May 2012, after receiving numerous complaints from residents following the 4th of July in 2012.

The Nicholasville City Commission's decision to regulate what types of fireworks could be sold and set off within city limits was a tough call, and The Journal feels it was the correct one. On one hand, city leaders had to weigh the right of those wishing to sell fireworks, including Class C's, to make money. But the city also had to take into consideration the many Nicholasville residents who complained about the fireworks that were being set off at all hours of the night. The original ordinance allowed fireworks to be set off during certain days and hours, but not in the wee hours of the morning.

It's back to the drawing board in regards to the city of Nicholasville's fireworks ordinance. During Monday's city-commission meeting, Nicholasville officials heard from three residents voicing their displeasure over the nonstop fireworks in the days and weeks leading up to and after the Fourth of July. Burt Jones said he understood the city's dilemma but wondered why the city allows fireworks on the weekend. “My concern is, why are we allowing it to go on year-round on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6-9 p.m.?

The Winchester Board of Commissioners took care of some house-cleaning Tuesday night in its regular meeting. The commissioners approved the transfer and donation of items, including a Ford Crown Victoria to the Clark County Board of Education and obsolete radios to the Camp McKee Scout Reservation of Boy Scouts of America. The Commission also received the list of streets scheduled to be included in the milling and paving program for the current fiscal year. Ken Lysaker of 12 Linden Lane addressed the Commission with his concerns over the conditions of Linden Lane.

To the editor, If the days since July 4th are any indication of the effectiveness of the new city fireworks ordinance, I don't believe it will work. Fireworks in our neighborhood have been going off all hours of the day and night. It is my understanding the acceptable hours are 6-9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as certain holidays. On Friday, July 6, which according to the ordinance is an allowable evening for fireworks during the hours of 6-9 p.m., fireworks were still going off in our neighborhood well after midnight.