Now that the holidays are over and everyone is taking down their tree the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife want to remind you about their annual Christmas with the Fishes program. This program collected natural Christmas trees and recycles them to make underwater fish habitats from the used evergreens.
For the 2024-25 season the Fish and Wildlife department will be accepting the trees at 33 drop-off locations across the state which locally can be found at the Grayson Lake USACE Emergency Spillway on the west side of Launch Ramp Road near the USACE office. Another location is available in neighboring Rowan County at the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery at 120 Fish Hatchery Road in Morehead. Donations will be accepted through the deadline date of Wednesday, January 15th.
Please note that tress should be real, not artificial, and should be free of lights, garland and decorations. Limbs, wreaths, brush or other plants will not be accepted. Fish thrive in an environment that is full of different types of cover including trees and logs. The donated trees will help restore woody structures in lakes that decay over time, providing protective cover and shade for a variety of fish species. Donated trees will be anchored to environmentally-friendly weights and submerged at various depths in different lakes and reservoirs across the state to provide places for fish to feed, shelter and spawn. They make great refuge and feeding habitat for game fish, as well as small fish and invertebrates that are crucial for a thriving ecosystem.
For more information about the Christmas tree recycling program or to find a drop-off location, visit the department’s website at fw.ky.gov. Alternatively, if you have questions about either of your local drop-off locations then please reach out to Tom TImmerman by calling 606-783-8650.
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With the potential for cold weather mounting throughout the Bluegrass state the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has released their annual winter’s guide to help motorists prepare and stay safe on the roadways. Most recently they offered up the advice to keep your gas tank full which will help prevent ice buildup and in turn keep your engine from freezing. Temperature changes are known to cause moisture which collects in the gas tank and may freeze – but the KYTC reminders Kentucky motorists that a full tank leaves no room for ice and just might keep your engine safe.
For more winter safety tips complete with other travel resources like traffic information, priority route maps, and even more then you’re being invited to visit the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Winter themed safety website at snowky.ky.gov.
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The Carter County Solid Waste Department will be back in action with dumpster offerings through the County Cleanup program this week. No dumpsters were opened on the east or west end last week due to the holiday schedule, but things will be fairly normal operations for the end of this week.
It has already been announced that the Carter County Cleanup Campaign will be open on the West end of the county at the Maintenance Garage located along US 60 this week – however it won’t be for their normal 3 days. Instead the Solid Waste Department will make the dumpsters available for the community to use on Thursday, January 2nd and Friday, January 3rd. Normal operation hours of 8am and 2:30pm will be observed on both dates.
The County Clean-Up campaign works on a rotating schedule and alternates between the East and West end of our county on a bi-weekly basis. After their stay this week dumpsters will be returning to the Maintenance Garage in Grayson on the east end of the county on the dates of January 8th through the 10th.
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Carter County Adult Education Skills U believes that education is the key to lasting success and growth of any community. To reach these goals they offer services to help empower active members of our community so that they can receive a strong educational foundation. These services include free GED testing which allows students to work at their own time and pace through an accredited Google Classroom online program, college preparation courses, employment assessments complete with needed certifications, and even a skill upgrade service that can help propel you to the next stage of your life. Please note that all weekly GED testing is administered at the organization’s main site located at 116 West Main Street in Grayson above the Carter County Public Library
If you want to work towards your GED, a college education, or anything in-between – then relax because Carter County’s Adult Education Skills U program is here to help. Their talented and dedicated instructors are eager to help you get started on the next leg of your educational journey.
For more information about any service that is currently being offered by the organization, to speak to one of their instructors, or simply to begin your enrollment process for their programs then you’re invited to give them a call at 606-474-9375. You can also reach out via e-mail to margaret.logan@kedc.org or vickie.stacy@kedc.org.