Adventure tourism..hiking in Estill County KY

Estill County has beautiful scenery. Yet we haven't advertised it. We hear much about adventure tourism and hiking trails these days. Many eastern KY counties are bringing visitors to their community. Look at Pilot Knob in Powell County or Indian Fort Mountain near Berea KY.

There are NO public walking trails in Estill County. How about creating some trails near the Fitchburg Furnace, Cottage Furnace, Sweet Lick Knob, Henry Mountain or Rockhouse Mountain. Lee, Jackson or Rockcastle counties have the Sheltowee Trace trails running through them.

Let get Estill County to the forefront of the adventure tourism. Property owners of the mountains behind Broadway should consider selling land for adventure tourism. Think of the out of county ATV riders and cyclists, not to mention hikers, who would come here and spend money. This money would help local businessmen. This money would keep local businesses afloat.

Remind our local officials about adventure tourism. Estill Countians need to change their attitude toward growth, tourism, and look to encourage visitors to the community.

walking across the old Irvine bridge (downtown)

I wished a separate walking bridge had been built. It is so easy for a walker to fall off the side of the green bridge and into the traffic.

How about a separate walking bridge to the left of the current bridge? People downtown would love to be able to walk safely across the bridge and towards the Richmond Road resturants.

We need to make the community more friendly to pedestrians and bikers.

Estill County needs a vocational school

The following counties have local vocational schools. Why isn't Estill County included in the list?

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This list comes from the Kentucky Tech website. Amazing that we bus our youth to Richmond where they don't know their classmates. Ridiculous.
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For School Information, Select the School Link Below:

[Barren County ATC]
[Belfry ATC]
[Bell County ATC]
[Boone County ATC]
[Breathitt County ATC]
[Breckinridge County ATC]
[Bullitt County ATC]
[Butler County ATC]
[C.E. McCormick ATC]
[Caldwell County ATC]
[Carroll County ATC]
[Casey County ATC]
[Clark County ATC]
[Clay County ATC]
[Clinton County ATC]
[Corbin ATC]
[Floyd County ATC]
[Fulton County ATC]
[Garrard County ATC]

[Green County ATC]
[Greenup County ATC]
[Harrison County ATC]
[Hughes-Jones Harrodsburg ATC]
[J. D. Patton ATC]
[Jackson County ATC]
[Knott County ATC]
[Knox County ATC]
[Lake Cumberland ATC]
[Lee County ATC]
[Leslie County ATC]
[Letcher County ATC]
[Lincoln County ATC]
[Madison County ATC]
[Marion County ATC]
[Martin County ATC]
[Mason County ATC]
[Mayfield/Graves County ATC] [Meade County ATC]
[Millard ATC]
[Monroe County ATC]
[Montgomery County ATC]
[Morgan County ATC]
[Muhlenberg County ATC]
[Murray-Calloway County ATC]
[Nelson County ATC]
[Ohio County ATC]
[Paducah ATC]
[Pulaski ATC]
[Rockcastle County ATC]
[Russell ATC]
[Russellville ATC]
[Shelby County ATC]
[Warren County ATC]
[Wayne County ATC]
[Webster County ATC]

Estill County needs a vocational school!

Every day, a bus or two from the Estill County High School will transport students from Irvine to the Kentucky Tech vocational school near the campus of Madison Central High School.

I don't know how many miles per gallon those school buses get but these yellow dogs aren't very economical.

Lots of money is spent and students spend way too much time on the road.

Why can't a vocational school be built behind the Estill County High School? Or maybe convert the old Service Motor Company on Broadway into a nicer facility where auto mechanics, electricity and woodworking classes are taught.

Lee and Jackson counties have vocational schools in their home counties.

Our youth need to be able to enroll in classes that will help them in the working world. Some local educators want to make all local youth college graduates but it isn't going to happen.

Stop those school buses from crossing Drowning Creek each day. We need a vocational school in Estill County. If possible, we need a vocational school on the campus of the Estill County High School. This is more needed than a new elementary school.

How I could create several hundred jobs in Estill County

A property owner along KY 89, 82 or 499 could offer some land for sale to Wal Mart. Dozens of jobs would be created.
A better road from Irvine to Hargett (and beyond) would help usher in a new food mart or fast food resturant close to the Estill County Middle & High Schools, industrial park, and new park.
A new prison around Barnes Mountain or Pryse would help provide jobs. This one will be controversial.
A youth center in Ravenna Elementary School.
A vocational school (next topic for this blog).
A community college.

The business climate in Estill County must improve. Local people aren't doing any new building and out of town chain businesses aren't pushing to expand here. So something is wrong. Something must be done. We must keep our best and brightest youth here.

Why "out of town" businesses might spurn Estill County

Why might an out of town business avoid locating in Estill County?
1. Poor roads from Irvine to neighboring towns such as Beattyville, Winchester or Clay City.
2. Anti-growth activists who want to stop any growth or progress from taking place.
3. High rates or welfare dependency.
4. They simply don't know much about the county in general.
5. Rough terrain in eastern and southern county and bottom land prone to flooding.
6. Limited technological advancements such as cell phone coverage, DSL, high speed internet etc..
7. Apathy of the people...lack of highly skilled and trained employees.
8. No decent airport in Estill or even surrounding counties.

Some of these problems cannot be corrected. And you could add other problems to the list. But numbers 1,2, 3, 4, and 6-8 could be improved if more politicians AND local people had the vision, courage and commitment to grow the community.

From Whitesburg's Mountain Eagle: Calla plant

From an anonymous poster: Just Speak Your Piece column from Whitesburg's Mountain Eagle:

I finally figured out why we need an airport so bad. It's because when we get the prison we will need an airport to fly the prisoners to Letcher County. All kidding aside, where is the prison going to be built? We've had a lot of talk about it, but then all of a sudden it's hushed up. Is the prison going to be built, yes or no? If so, when? That's the question of the week. Does anyone really know?

You might ask yourself, 'Where is a lot of Letcher County that's not in Letcher County?' It's sitting down at Calla. That's in Estill County and it's part of the old South East Coal Company. It's part of the gob left over from the old coal prep plant. There are approximately 450,000 to 500,000 tons of gob sitting at the prep plant in Calla which probably will never be recovered. There was supposed to be a steam plant built to use this stuff to burn for power, but it never happened. This process is on the table with James River Coal at Blue Diamond in Leatherwood to burn 400,000 tons of recoverable coal from their silt ponds. It's already being done at the Jim Walter Resources mines in Brookwood, Alabama, which is going to recover 150 million tons of coal from its waste pond site. We've come a long way in mining since the days of the pony mines.

Estill County News: Coal burning plant

From the Lexington Herald Leader September 12, 2008
Plan progresses to build Estill coal-burning plant
By Andy Mead
amead@herald-leader.com
Related Content
Comments

An often-delayed proposal to build a 110-megawatt coal-fired generating plant in Estill County is moving forward, the project manager said Thursday.

Estill County Energy planned to file a permit application with the state Division of Air Quality for the plant, which would burn waste coal, Dell Jaggers said.

The company filed a similar application in 2004 but withdrew it because it could not obtain financing to develop that application and others necessary to get approval to build the plant. Jaggers said he now has that financing.

Another potential hurdle faces the company: The Kentucky State Board on Electric Generation and Transmission Siting gave the company a certificate in 2004, but the agency said the certificate would not become effective until a dispute over portions of the Estill County property is settled.

Estill County Energy is negotiating with another company and a trust that claim ownership of part of the property.

Enough waste coal is on the site to run the new plant for 30 years, Jaggers said. After that, it could burn wood or other fuels to produce electricity.
Reach Andy Mead at (859) 231-3319 or 1-800-950-6397, ext. 3319.

The Herald-Leader is pleased to provide this opportunity for readers to comment on stories and issues. However, we urge readers to avoid personal attacks or inappropriate remarks in their postings. Some of the comments may be reprinted in the newspaper. The views expressed here are not those of the Herald-Leader or its staff. Registered user names are posted for comments.
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At least something positive is written about Estill County KY. I am sick of the senseless murders, drug busts and crooked businessmen getting all the press coverage.

Estill Energy? Let's build the plant

Let's build this plant that processes coal dust from the old Southeast Coal Company Coal wash. I hope the job killers won't run down to the courthouse and protest again. We need to stop trying to run off prospective jobs in Estill County. The construction of this plant and the plant itself could help several struggling families. We need this plant. I encourage our more forward thinking people to be just as vocal. IT is time to be heard. A few traditional minded people shouldn't keep this community in poverty. I say JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. Jobs first. Stop sending our best and brightest out of the county! Keep local people here. Let's grow this community.

6th Congressional District, Bluegrass Area Development District

It is time for Estill County to be moved into the 5th Congressional District and into the Kentucky River Development District. We have little in common with our neighbors to the west. Welfare rates are too high for our community to be included with the prosperous Bluegrass Counties.

Too many FOR SALE signs in Estill County

Have you ever noticed as many for sale signs on local property? Just about every home on Main Street in Irvine KY has a FOR SALE sign in the yard. Are people wanting to leave this community?

Local landowners make a mistake by advertising locally. Research some out of town firms who might want to locate a firm in Estill County. Estill County property owners need to visit other towns the size of Irvine and see what kind of businesses operate in towns of similar size.

Let's hope our community moves past the housing crunch and for sale signs and being replaced by COMING SOON signs.

Artrageous building next to the Twin City Dry Cleaners

I wished the side of the Artrageous building next to Twin City Cleaners had one color scheme. Part of the side is white and part of the brick is red. The brick needs to be painted one color. When you view downtown Irvine from the post office and Lewis Funeral Home, you can't help but notice the 2 different colors on this wall.

Estil County needs some luxury apartments for elderly

Many of our elderly people often move to Richmond to such places as Morning Pointe or McCready Manor/St. Andrews retirment place on Tates Creek Road. Some of the widows of our businessmen of the past have moved to Richmond because they couldn't find the housing they wanted in Irvine. Many elderly worry about their safety and need a community with a full time guard on duty.

Out elderly people would just as soon stay in Irvine if they had a place to stay. It would be easier for people to drive in Irvine than Richmond.

Property owners along KY 52, 499 and 89 need to explore various businesses that might be interested in locating in Estill County.
There is a local need for elderly services. Adult Horizon does a good job taking care of the elderly during the day time. But we need better housing for the elderly.

Local and out of town developers need to be aware of the NEED in this area. Lots of Estill natives living in Richmond because they can live somewhere that provides 24/7 care, protection and transportation to doctor or Wal Mart. We are losing these people and we need their business. We need them. They need us.

Irvine or Ravenna need a domestic abuse shelter

Several murders have occured in recent years involving domestic abuse. It is time we look into an EMERGENCY SHELTER to help stop such problems in the future. The old Irvine city hall on Broadway or the old Ravenna grade school would be 2 good locations. Victims of child or domestic abuse need a place where they feel safe and protected.

Community pride-Estill County's image

It is important that people in Estill County take steps to improve community pride by improving Estill County's image both within and outside the borders of the county.

Let's help young people stay here and make our community better. Take pride in the appearance of the county.

Local judicial system should punish criminals so local people feel safe. It is time that we look at social problems and how to correct or reduce such problems. Go after the drug dealers, burgulars, etc.. The more people we put behind bars, the safer the community will be for the decent people of the community.

We need fancy signs at the entrance of Estill County and the Irvine city limits that proudly welcomes visitors to our community.

Let's enhance the activities at the Mountain Mushroom Festival, Ravenna Railroad festival and other events.

Encourage our local atheletes and let's get behind the football and basketball programs of our community. Keep these young people here if possible. Show the youth our support.

Old Hargett and Ravenna Elementary Schools

The old Irvine Grade School building on Broadway has been converted into elderly apartments. However, the old Hargett and Ravenna school buildings are abandoned. A school for troubled girls at Hargett closed its doors a few years ago.

How about a youth center or community center for gatherings, reunions, or youth centers in these buildings? Why do they continue to rot and crumble? Who owns these buidings and do they have information about possible uses of these buildings?

No Estill County legislators in Frankfort!

It is too bad we don't have a state representative or state senator from Estill County. I am not trying to be critical of Messrs Edmonds or Jensen. But state legislators from London or Jackson are too far from Estill County to understand or care about local issues. Why has gerrymandering been allowed to happen? We miss Messrs Noland and Brewer who were from Estill County and brought up issues of local concern before the state legislature in Frankfort.

It is time for some serious redistricting so we don't have to continue to be represented in Frankfort by men from Jackson or London...located more than 50 miles from Irvine and Ravenna KY.

Limited parking: Lewis Funeral Home and Irvine KY Post Office

The parking at the post office is pathetic. Cars park along the side and block other cars in the process. If there is a large funeral at Lewis Funeral Home, the parking situation worsens. The location of the new Irvine City Hall has taken away some parking space. How about a new parking lot off court street near the old Gumm's resturant building? And this spot is close to customers from 2 banks.

limited space: Estill County courthouse

The stone courthouse in downtown Irvine is attractive but space is limited in several offices including the Circuit Clerk and County Clerk's offices. In the Septemeber 8 edition of the Lexington Herald Leader, we read about new court houses/justice centers being built all across Kentucky. It is obvious that Estill isn't included in that list. We have seen the court house become more attractive inside and out in recent years. But space is limited.

The County Clerk's office is especially crowded. You try to open the door and hit somone in the back. If the clerks would move to the front of the room (part of the room closest to River Drive) so the customers could line up toward the archive section of the room, the room would be easier to enter and exit. How about moving the office to the little courtroom? Or expanding the room by moving the archive section elsewhere?

Elevators have removed some space from the building. How about putting stone around the jail and locating the jail adjacent to the CV and T building? Then the jail could be used for county offices.

I would hate the see the current stone courthouse torn down. This attractive structure was built from Estill County stone by the CCCs in 1941.

I would like to see more space in the courthouse by possibly adding onto the building. Especially the County Clerk's office.

Tourism

Why doesn't Irvine-Ravenna have a Department of Tourism that promotes our tourist attractions? Why not advertise the Fitchburg/Cottage Furnaces, Pryse oil fields, etc.

When I visit a rest area or welcome center along I 64,71,24 or I 75, I should be able to see a fancy brochure that brags about tourist attractions in Estill County Kentucky. The welcome centers at Florence, Williamsburg, Paduccah, Hopkinsville etc. are stuffed full of travel brochures of communities that have much less to offer the traveler. It is a shame that Estill County remains so hidden and obscure to tourists.

How about a lookout tower at the top of Sweet Lick Knob or Rockhouse Mountain? Why be so shy and reserved about our local scenery?

Lexingtonians spend tourism dollars in the Red River Gorge every summer and we don't do enough advertising about our attractions.

How about our local officials lobbying for a campground at Fitchburg Furnace? How about an ATV park somewhere in southern or eastern Estill County?

How about river boats that offer rided from lock 11 to lock 12? Or from the new park to the resturant under the Irvine bridge?

As a community, we have lost our vision...lost our focus. We are content to lose ground. We need to awaken ourselves to work hard toward growth and progress.

Estill County hasn't got its fair share of tourism and this isn't right. Think of the "economic exiles" in OH, IN, and central KY who would love to visit kin folks in Estill County. Yet we offer these potential visitors NOTHING. No campgrounds, museums, few picnic areas, and refuse to advertise and develop our vast resources. Southern and Eastern Estill counties have scenic landscape yet we won't develop and market this beauty.

Historical markers needed

A historical marker is needed at Pryse-Texola in eastern Estill County to remember the booming times when the Texaco oil refinery was in full swing.

Another marker should be located in Ravenna to remember the 1961 tornado.

On the Beattyville Road near Crystal, the boyhood home of Backstreet Boys singer Kevin Richardson should be marked with a historic register at some point in our history.

River Drive needs a food mart

River Drive (KY 52) between Irvine and Ravenna now only has one gasoline station! In the 1990s, there were 2 food marts along River Drive. Now there are none. The old Fuel Zone lots sits empty. Ownership has changed but it is doubtful if the new owners will build anything on this lot at the intersection of River Drive and Kirkland Avenue.

During the 1980s and 1990s, young people loved to cruise up and down River Drive..about the only entertainment in Estill County at the time. Now with gasoline nearly $ 4.00, cruising River Drive is very expensive.

During the 1980s and into the 21st century, Foodtown/Shopwize/IGA had a grocery store on River Drive and Madison Avenue in the Meade building. Now Meades Do It Center has moved their hardware store into the former grocery store location.

River Drive could sure use a grocery store or food mart. Yet environmental rules make having a gasoline station a very cosly venture.

I wished property owners in Estill County could touch bases with an out of town company that could build a food mart. Few local people have the resources to start a grocery store. A Thorntons or 7 11 would create several jobs.

Estill County stats

Estill County (KY)
2nd Quarter 2008
County Profile Contact (919) 715-6374 Commerce Economic Development Contact (919) 733-4977
Demographics
Population & Growth Population Annual Growth Rate
2012 Total Population 14,752 ( 0.4%)
2007 Total Population 15,012 ( 0.3%)
2000 Total Population 15,307
July 2006 Certified Population Estimate .
July 2006 Certified Population Growth .
July 2006 Certified Net Migration .
Urban/Rural Representation Urban/Rural Percent
2000 Total Population: Urban - inside Urbanized Area 0 0.0%
2000 Total Population: Urban - inside Urbanized Clusters 4,205 27.5%
2000 Total Population: Rural - Farm 751 4.9%
2000 Total Population: Rural - Nonfarm 10,351 67.6%
Estimated Population by Age Pop by Age, % Est.
2012 Median Age 41
2007 Median Age 39
2000 Median Age 37
2007 Total Pop 0-19 3,613 24.1%
2007 Total Pop 20-29 1,939 12.9%
2007 Total Pop 30-39 2,147 14.3%
2007 Total Pop 40-49 2,306 15.4%
2007 Total Pop 50-59 2,000 13.3%
2007 Total Pop 60+ 3,007 20.0%
Working Commuters, 2000 Census
Workers, Travel Time Workers, By Transportation
Avg Travel Time, Not at Home 35 . . Worker Mode, Base 5,351
Workers Not Working at Home 5,273 Work at Home 78
Travel Time to Work: < 5 minutes 219 Drove Car/Truck/Van Alone 4,123
Travel Time to Work: 5-9 minutes 468 Carpooled Car/Truck/Van 1,015
Travel Time to Work: 10-14 minutes 628 Bus/Trolley Bus 16
Travel Time to Work: 15-19 minutes 558 Streetcar/Trolley Car 0
Travel Time to Work: 20-24 minutes 291 Subway/Elevated 0
Travel Time to Work: 25-29 minutes 264 Railroad 0
Travel Time to Work: 30-34 minutes 626 Ferryboat 0
Travel Time to Work: 35-39 minutes 113 Taxicab 0
Travel Time to Work: 40-44 minutes 339 Motorcycle 0
Travel Time to Work: 45-59 minutes 678 Bicycle 0
Travel Time to Work: 60-89 minutes 788 Walked 68
Travel Time to Work: 90+ minutes 301 Other Means 51

Declining population in Irvine, Ravenna and Estill County

Our young people often want to leave this county. Why? Why does Irvine and Ravenna have less people than they did during the Great Depression?

At one time, Irvine had more people than either Morehead, London, Williamsburg, Grayson, Versailles, Berea, Lawrenceburg, Monticello, Stanford, Lancaster and many other towns across the commonwealth of KY. What happened? Why are we falling behind? What are we going to do about it? Do we want to continue to fall behind? Hey, we are as close to the Lexington metropolitan area as some of these towns. We can do better. Not by campaign promises but action.

Where are these economic exiles relocating to and why are they doing so. Are these growing central KY towns doing that much to attract business. NO. People seem to be more satisfied in driving from Lancaster to Lexington than they do from Irvine to Lexington. Maybe we need to look at the image of our community and work together to correct some of the societal wrongs. Irvine is as close to the booming Lexington metropolitan area as Lawrenceburg, Lancaster, Berea, Stanford, etc.. Somehow Estill County's youth want to get out of here. Why? We the people and the politicians need to figure this out.

A prison would help Estill County

Many of our local people howl and scream when someone comes up with the idea of buiding a prison somewhere in Estill County. Folks I am less concerned about the criminals in prison as I am with the criminals on the streets.

LaGrange KY is a booming city and yet has a prison. West Liberty, Manchester, Beattyville, and other towns have created jobs by building maximum security prisons. A prison near Crystal or a remote section would pose no risk to the people of Estill County. It bugs me how some local people love to protest anything that would make Estill County a more prosperous place. Some of these job oponents live on welfare or Social Security so why should they care.

You tell me that a prison would hurt the image of this county? Has it hurt the image of Oldham County? Huh? Speak a little louder as I can't hear you!

More jobs in the county would REDUCE crime. As long as traditionalists spout off at local forums and get media coverage, the economic future of this county remains in jeopardy.

poverty, ignorance, apathy and unhappiness

I feel sorry for the lower income people of Estill County. The ones who frequent the grocery store in their 85 Escort with plywood around the back window. They often have rock bottom self esteem. Generations of poverty and ignorance have taken their toll on the individual. There is a better life out there but many of these people are apathetic. Satisfied to live in poverty. Addicted to social welfare programs.

It is time to look at ways of reducing poverty in Estill County.

1. Advertise programs aimed at ending cigarette addiction.
2. Locate a computer lab with websites advertising work in Lexington and Richmond KY. Many of our local people are unaware of the job potentials that exist beyond Drowning Creek and Red River.
3. Accept the fact that prisons don't lead to increase crime. Better jobs reduces crime. Lagrange is a booming city. I would rather have more prisons to house prisoners that have the renegades out on the streets causing damage. Folks, we need to stop dreaming of some company coming in here and providing thousands of high paying jobs.
4. We need to make sure the students at Estill County High School are offered business courses meant to help local youth become successful enterpreneurs. We expect others to come here and create jobs for us. It isn't going to happen. We need to have the services and products that other people buy. Consider the lumber companies on Cow Creek Road as an example of local enterpreneurship.
5. Make sure our school aged children have the skills needed to compete in the ever demanding workplace. Social skills are needed as well. Poverty, ignorance, and criminal behavior can limit one's ability to function on the workplace.
Let's set reasonable goals to reduce welfare dependency, substance abuse, high school dropout rates, and the declining local business community.

no development along the Joseph Proctor Bypass KY 499

Eight years have gone by since the construction of the new Joseph Proctor bypass. As of the summer of 2008, not one business has located along this new road. While it is nice to be able to cruise the bypass free of stop lights and congestion, the once anticipated bypass hasn't created one new commercial job!

The new access road to the Estill County industrial park hasn't been built.
For sale/lease signs have rotted or rusted. Lots more FOR SALE or FOR LEASE signs than COMING SOON signs.

Unlike other bypasses around the state, this bypass looks no different than it did 8 years ago. It is time for Estill County official to examine why real growth hasn't occured along this new road.

West Irvine Elementary School

The local Board of Education wants to build a new elementary school in Estill County. I always wondered why South Irvine Elementary School wasn't enlarged and include students from Red Lick, Wisemantown and Doug Hill. We need 3 elementary schools in the county. Move some of the West Irvine students to South Irvine Elementary School and enlarge that facility a bit.

I am a proud alumni of West Irvine Elementary School. I believe a few inexpensive changes could make this school a state of the art facility. Consider the following changes:

1. Build a new cafeteria, gymnasium and office space.
2.Tear down the 5th grade outside addition and build a new wing with pods connected to the main building.

3. Convert the gym/cafeteria into a new library. Build a second story computer lab with an elevator on top of the current gym/cafeteria.
4. Build a new canopy around the bus area.
5. Convert the current kitchen into a music classroom.

This proposal would be much cheaper than a new school. Yes a new school similar to the Madison County schools such as Kirksville, Shannon Johnson, Glenn Marshall or Kingston would be nice. Expensive.

West Irvine needs more office space, new cafeteria/gymnasium and the current cafeteria converted into a library and computer lab. Kitchen could be converted into a music room.

Let's make this school a state of the art facility without the expensive site preparation. We don't need a totally new elementary school. Just upgrades to the current facility.

Winston needs a volunteer fire department

The Estill County Fire Department off Stacy Lane Road is too far from the growing western part of Estill County. There are some nice homes on Sandhill, Reges, Winston, Opossum Run and Trotting Ridge Roads. How about another small fire station near Winston?

Hargett and Cobhill Roads have fire stations. In many rural Eastern KY counties, most small hamlets have volunteer fire departments. Between Mt.Sterling and Frenchburg KY along US 460, Means, Jeffersonville and Camargo all have fire stations.

Why not a small station with one truck. If your house becomes engulged in fire, you need immediate assistance.

Winston needs a fire station. A fire station would serve the only area of growth in Estill County.

Will the Irvine Fire Department ever be built?

Next to the new Irvine City hall, you will find several steel beams laying around. When will the funding be possible for this new building?

Blinking light needed at Winston KY

Several wrecks have occured along the Richmond Road between Drowning Creek and Rice Station in recent years. It is time to evaluate the situation.

The intersection of KY 52 and 3325 at the intersection of Richmond, Winston and Trotting Ridge Roads needs a blinking caution light. Dangerous intersection. Traffic moving fast. I would love to see a stop light like the ones at Moberly and Waco but I doubt that will occur anytime soon. Several new subdivisions on Opossum Run, Trotting Ridge and Picnic Hill roads have increased traffic.

No cell phone service..Ravenna, South Irvine & elsewhere

Western and northern Estill County has decent cell phone coverage. But oh the southern and eastern parts of Estill County! Too many people in the area aren't complaining enough! River Drive or Ravenna should have a cell tower installed ASAP!

When you leave Main Street in Irvine and head east on River Drive, you get NO cell phone service. Nada. None. River Drive and downtown Ravenna has no cellular service. Ditto to Pitts, Cow Creek, Ticky Fork or Crystal. There is NO cell phone service on the South Irvine Road or communities such as Wagersville, Barnes Mountain etc..

Estill County cannot continue to be in the informational "dark age" if we want to attract business and growth. Local people would love to have improved cell phone service.

Open up the old Mack Theater in downtown Irvine

There is no reason for this old landmark to be vacant. This building could be used to musical performances, visits from politicians, reunions, opera house etc.. During the second world war, local people tuned into the movies to escape the realities of war. We need local enterpreneurs like the McClanahans of old who saw local needs and responded to those needs.

Hazard has The Forum where musical groups perform. Parking is a real problem. Westcare needs a parking lot where Perry's Auto Supply is now located.

There has to be some profitable useage for this building.

Keep Estill County clean and green

The trash along the roads is disgusting. Some of the worst dumps on Tipton Ridge, Pea Ridge, Stacy Lane and Millers Creek have been cleaned up but roadside trash remains a real problem. Trash effects the image of Estill County.

Report ANYONE who throws trash outside their car window.

Thanks to the Estill Countians who help clean up the roadside. Cleaning up the roadsides is a thankless job.

I wished our local landfill would lower the rates of garbage for local residents. If we have to put up with everyone else's trash, then at least we the people of Estill County could get cheaper dumping rates. More free days of dumping at the landfill would help clean up the county.

Let's have a REAL COUNTY CLEANUP DAY. Actually let's have several days annually. If we are really serious about cleaning up the county, let's do something instead of talking about cleaning up the county.

Don't make people bag up their garbage. Allow Estill Countians to place their trash in a pile somewhere along the roadsides and send trucks around to pick up the garbage. During the 1990s, you didn't have to BAG UP your garbage and send it to the landfill. After all, people don't HAVE to clean up the roadsides. Don't worry if they bring household garbage to the landfill. Every bit of garbage placed in the landfill helps clean up our roadsides.

One clean up day isn't enough. And you have the traffic congestion near the landfill making it less likely you will consider the free day next year. Let's have several free dumping days or LOWER the rate for local people to dump garbage in the landfill located on the Winchester Road in Estill County!

Tobacco has cost Estill County in many ways

Too many Estill Countians are lighting up their cigarettes. Think of the money that the poorer people of the county WASTE on tobacco. Yes it is your right to smoke. But it is a silly habit that costs you dearly.

I see some of our lower income people at the Save A Lot store on Richmond Road on the first weekend of each month. I see someone in an 80s model car with a driver smoking cigarettes while his wife is inside buying stuff with their "food stamp" card.

If anyone knows any local organizations or agencies meant to curb this local epidemic, please post a comment to this thread. We must reduce this harmful addiction.

New turning lanes to be installed near Reges Road

I am glad to see the pine trees being trimmed and removed near the Richmond Road acess points of Rice Station and Reges Roads. Never place pine trees to close to roads or homes as visibility is an important issue. Yes, the pine trees looked stately and all but the safety of local residents is more important. We don't need to lose young people to automobile accidents.

It is time for a local study about automobile safety is Estill County. Remove blindspots and warn people about dangerous intersections.

something for the young people of Estill County

When I was a high school student at Estill County High School in the mid 1980s, students complained about the fact that there was NOTHING for the young people to spend their spare time. It is worse now.

In the early 1980s, we had Fain's Skating rink , swimming pool, and the Mack Theater. Today, one must get into their automobile, fill up on $4.00 gasoline and head to the Richmond Mall some 20 plus miles away.

Many of our pool rooms have been frequented by lawless individuals. People have been shot and killed at several pool rooms across town. In 2003, a man was gunned down at a pool room in Ravenna Ky forcing the room to be closed down for awhile.

Estill County has lost many bright individuals who could have made our county a better place. These "economic exiles" have contributed to the success of communities in other places. The absence of clean fun has made our youth develop a sour attitude about the community. As soon as many of our best and brightest leave home, they want to move elsewhere.

Somehow efforts by local people to promote recreational activities for the youth have failed. Some dreams never see implementation. The proposed YOUTH CENTER near the Estill County High School never saw the light of day and the COMING SOON sign has rotted!

How about a new swimming pool on the middle or high school campus?
Let's hope the new park addresses some of these concerns. Even if the new park isn't centrally located, maybe it is a step in the right direction. Even if we wished we had several smaller parks scattered around the county, at least maybe something will happen to make the community a better place.

We need to stop losing our better and brighter ones to other towns. We have a brain drain. We don't want to see good people leaving. The druggies and welfare recipients won't leave. Stop the brain drain. Keep bright young Estill Countians from crossing Red River or Drowing Creek to find greener economic pasture.