Help is available to keep the cool air flowing this summer with the summer heat cranking up, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program—better known as LIHEAP—is once again stepping in to help Kentucky residents stay safe and cool.
The LIHEAP Summer Subsidy Program kicks off July 28 and runs through September 12, 2025, offering one-time electric bill assistance to income-eligible households. This benefit doesn’t require a past-due or disconnect notice and can be applied as a credit to your utility account.
To qualify, you must be responsible for your home’s electric costs and fall within the program’s income guidelines. For example, a family of four can earn up to $4,019 a month and still be eligible.
When applying, bring: Social Security cards or Permanent Resident Cards for each household member, proof of all income for the previous month, and your most recent electric bill or a statement from your landlord if utilities are included in rent.
You can apply at your local Community Action Agency—there’s one in every nearby county, including at 539 Hitchins Avenue in Olive Hill. Boyd, Elliott, Greenup, and Lawrence counties are also taking applications.
Call 1-800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org/network to find your nearest office. Help is available—but it’s first-come, first-served—so don’t wait to get the relief your household may need this summer.
==================
It’s time to get graceful and ready because the Carter County Fair Pageant is coming to West Carter High School on Sunday, August 3rd at 2 PM.
This year’s pageant is open to contestants from across our region, including Carter, Bath, Boyd, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Menifee, Morgan, and Rowan counties. From the tiniest tykes to poised pre-teens and graceful teens, there’s a place on stage for everyone including the categories of: Baby, Wee, Tiny, Mini Miss/Mr., Little Couple, Pre-Teen Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss.
Looking to enter your little one — or yourself? Application forms are available now at Violet’s by Dianne Dress Shop. Or, click the link shared in the pageant announcement on Facebook for all the details.
Whether you’re stepping onto the stage or cheering from the crowd, this event promises an afternoon full of smiles, stitches of talent, and small-town sparkle. We’ll have updates as the fair approaches, but for now — save the date, shine on, and let’s celebrate our community’s next generation of stars.
==================
Artists, it’s time to shine as the Grayson Gallery & Art Center is hosting an open show this month, and you’re invited to submit up to three original pieces—all with no entry fee.
Artwork must be ready to hang or display, and each piece should be tagged with your name, title, medium, and price—or marked NFS for Not For Sale with a value. If you need help getting your piece presentation-ready, the gallery has supplies and support available!
Today is the second and final drop-off date are from 10 AM to 2 PM at the gallery on East Third Street in Grayson.
The opening reception happens Friday, July 25th from 6 to 9 PM, with live music from REDEFYNED and four $50 art awards, including People’s Choice and more.
Get your art in, get recognized, and celebrate the local art scene.
==================
The summertime always runs the risk of the nation’s blood supply running dangerously low, and this year the American Red Cross is urging all donors to give blood now to keep the blood supply strong. Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves – especially in the face of summer challenges that can quickly cause blood and platelet reserves to drop.
In addition to summer fun and holidays, severe summer weather can have a sudden impact on the ability to collect blood and platelets. Scheduling and keeping donation appointments are crucial this month to ensure blood products are constantly available in the weeks to come for all patients, including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions.
All blood types are needed, and donors who don’t know their blood type can learn it after donation. Book a time to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. For those who come to give July 15-31, 2025, the Red Cross will say thanks with a Fandango Movie Reward by email. Use it to catch a summer blockbuster on the Red Cross! See RedCrossBlood.org/July.
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
