Kentucky
Kentucky organizations preparing to aid southeastern US in Debby recovery
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Some Kentuckians are preparing to send crews to Georgia and Florida to assist with relief efforts in the wake of tropical storm Debby.
“Our crews will be on standby for those who are going down to help with mutual aid. And then after that water subsides, and you see all the damage left behind, they will begin rebuilding the electric system that was wiped out by that big storm surge,” said Joe Arnold, Vice President of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives is just one of the organizations from Kentucky on standby to head to the Southeast.
The American Red Cross Bluegrass Chapter and Lexington-based company Emergency Disaster Services are also ready to step in.
Kentucky Utilities is sending 50 of their people down to help.
With some forecasts projecting upwards of 20 inches of rain in part of the south, electrical grids will take a huge hit.
“You do not rebuild an electrical system in water. The same way as the winds will come in with a hurricane and take trees down and power polls down or power lines down, water can have that same effect. So after that storm surge subsides, that’s when our crews can go in and rebuild the system,” said Arnold.
When Hurricane Idalia hit in 2023 with a track similar to Debby’s, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives sent crews to South Carolina and Georgia and crews say they’re ready to do it again.
“It looks like Georgia is going to be our best match in terms of where our equipment can be the most effective and the conditions we are expecting them to hit,” said Arnold.
“These line-workers are heroes. They are people who are leaving their families and the safety of the job behind to go into areas that are in terrible shape,” Arnold said.
As of now, Kentucky electric cooperatives have around 8-10 co-ops who are able to spare crews to Georgia to help with relief
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Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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