Kentucky

A restaurant manager flew a Ukrainian flag. Hateful messages followed.

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2022

Ben Ashlock thought he’d settled issues with a buyer complaining in regards to the Ukrainian flag atop the Kentucky steakhouse he manages.

Ashlock had opened as much as the person about his private connection to the war-torn nation: He and his spouse had adopted a teenage son from Ukraine three years earlier and cast friendships within the course of. When Russia invaded, he wished to indicate his assist.

The 41-year-old normal supervisor of a Colton’s Steak Home & Grill franchise figured that was it.

It wasn’t. A couple of half-hour later, hate began coming from all fronts — the restaurant’s cellphone, Fb web page and evaluations on Google. Over the previous week, the firestorm has saved raging in Bardstown, a metropolis of about 13,500 in central Kentucky. Ashlock, describing himself as an uncontroversial individual, stated he had deliberate to maintain the flag up till Russia left Ukraine.

“I might like to take the flag down … as a result of that might imply that they are not at struggle anymore,” he stated.

Adopted from Russia, raised in America, now watching a struggle in Ukraine

Ashlock and his spouse of 19 years, Darrci, cast lifelong friendships in Ukraine whereas there to undertake their son. The 16-year-old is likely one of the couple’s 13 youngsters — eight organic and 5 adopted or within the means of being adopted.

When the Russian navy attacked on Feb. 24, Ashlock felt helpless. The proprietor of the steakhouse, who’d helped Ashlock elevate cash for the adoption and paid for all three of the journeys he took to Ukraine, despatched the nation’s blue-and-yellow flag days later. Ashlock determined to fly it outdoors the restaurant. As soon as it was up, he took pictures and despatched them to his associates in Ukraine.

“You simply allow them to know, even in little outdated Kentucky, we see you, and we’re supporting you,” he stated, including that he didn’t assume it will be an issue.

And for greater than a month, it wasn’t.

Till April 9 — what Ashlock referred to as “that fateful Saturday.”

That afternoon, Ashlock was working when somebody despatched the Colton’s Fb web page a direct message: “My household eats at Colton’s steakhouse, however won’t eat there once more till the Ukrainian flag is changed with our nationwide Flag.”

Ashlock replied about half-hour later, explaining that Ukraine’s flag hadn’t changed an American one however one in every of two Texas state flags the steakhouse makes use of to domesticate the chain’s Wild West, outdated saloon theme. Ashlock additionally advised the person about adopting his son “whose hometown is now in ruins and below occupation.”

“I’m sorry you’re feeling this fashion, although,” Ashlock wrote. “And I hope you’ll rethink.”

He thought that, at worst, they resulted in an agree-to-disagree stalemate.

A pair was in Ukraine to undertake a toddler. As troops closed in and flights received scarce, they narrowly escaped.

A couple of half-hour later, his workers began noticing Fb customers swarming the restaurant’s web page to tar employees as disrespectful and unpatriotic. Some vowed by no means to eat there once more.

Then the cellphone began ringing. Ashlock took the primary name, a person asking why he “took the flag down.” Once more, Ashlock defined what had occurred earlier than meals orders pulled him into the kitchen. He handed off the cellphone.

However it saved ringing. At one level, one of many restaurant’s hosts got here to him crying. “I felt horrible,” he stated.

In the meantime, the adverse feedback saved coming. Many have been eliminated, however earlier than they disappeared, Ashlock took screenshots, a few of which he shared with The Submit.

One stated: “Take that trash flag down! Could Ukraine be leveled to the bottom!”

One other learn: “It appears the one factor you achieved flying this overseas flag is to additional divide your fellow individuals. One can’t even [sit] all the way down to a meal lately with out having politics flown in ones face.”

“I hope that Ukrainian flag is gone,” one consumer stated, including a face-with-monocle emoji. “I choose my steak with out a facet of Nazi.”

Over on Google, somebody left a one-star evaluation of Colton’s: “meals tasted woke, administration is a struggle monger”

“I hate to say it, as a result of I attempt to be thick-skinned,” Ashlock advised The Submit, “but it surely was hurtful.”

Ashlock stated he tried a compromise. After the blowback and misunderstanding that they’d changed an American flag, Ashlock swapped out the opposite Texas state flag for the Stars and Stripes. He consulted with navy associates to verify he was working towards correct flag etiquette by flying it increased than the Ukrainian one.

Doing that wasn’t a “disaster of conscience” — Ashlock stated that’s who he’s. Twenty 5 years working within the service trade has skilled him to be the primary to apologize, to defer to clients, and to confess when he or the restaurant has made a mistake.

“I’ve by no means been in a predicament earlier than the place I could not make somebody comfortable and never, like, violate my conscience.”

Till now. Whereas Ashlock stated he was comfortable to fly the American flag, he didn’t assume it will be proper to collapse to calls for to take down Ukraine’s as individuals there — together with his associates — battle for his or her freedom.

At a steakhouse chain in the course of Kentucky — greater than 5,000 miles away from its mom nation — the Ukrainian flag nonetheless flies.

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Kentucky

Kentucky Women's Basketball getting back on track for a new season

Published

6 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

Kentucky Women's Basketball getting back on track for a new season

Last week, we saw most of the Kentucky Women’s Basketball roster move into their new home on campus, but now, we’re getting a sneak peek at what’s in store for the 2024-25 season following the team’s first week of practice.

In some new flicks released by the team, we get a glimpse into what some of the players have been working on during practice. On the left, 6-foot-5 center Clara Strack is working on post moves, Jordan Obi is chatting with assistant coach Josh Peterson, and Lexi Blue is putting some shots up.

Strack, the Virginia Tech transfer will be vital for the ‘Cats this upcoming season. The sophomore averaged 4.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game her freshman season but didn’t show her true talents until the NCAA Tournament. The center scored 35 points over those final two games on 13-15 (86.7%) from the field.

6-foot-1 guard Jordan Obi transferred from the University of Pennsylvania for her final year of eligibility. Last season, she was named to the 2023-24 All-Ivy First Team and Academic All-Ivy. In 83 games at Penn, she averaged 13.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Obi’s ability to score on the perimeter and in the paint will be especially useful when matching up against SEC opponents.

Incoming freshman Lexi Blue will also play a large role for the ‘Cats. Standing at 6-foot-2, the guard was ranked No. 40 in the 2024 class by ESPN. As a senior at Lake Highland Prep, Blue averaged 13.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Blue’s size and versatility make her extremely valuable for Kentucky. She seems to be the perfect pickup for the Wildcats.

We even got to see Kenny Brooks in on the action in a video posted to social media on Thursday. To me, it seems like players are getting to know each other while working hard for the upcoming season. Chemistry is key, and we saw a glimpse of that at an outside-of-practice hangout the other day. This season is shaping up to be one we’ve dreamed of for years. Hopefully, this early hard work will pay off during the regular season.

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Kentucky

KSP hosts second annual Classics, Customs and Cruisers Car Show

Published

13 hours ago

June 30, 2024

Press Room

KSP hosts second annual Classics, Customs and Cruisers Car Show

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Lovers of classic cars flocked to the Kentucky Horse Park Saturday morning to show off their rides and get to know some state troopers. It was the second annual Kentucky State Police Classic, Customs and Cruisers Car Show. The money raised is supporting KSP’s Kentucky Trooper Outreach Program.

“Which is a somewhat newer nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that we put together to benefit a lot of the community engagement and outreach programs, events, just things that we participate in year-round all across the state of Kentucky to benefit mostly children, but also families,” said KSP Sergeant Matt Sudduth.

Sergeant Sudduth says their work includes hosting community events or initiatives like the Trooper Teddy Project or their Safety Town Exhibit at The Kentucky State Fair.

“Yes, we’ve got a job to do, but also, we’re a part of the Commonwealth, and we’re here not just to serve, but we’re part of that. We’re part of the state of Kentucky, too,” said Sergeant Sudduth.

Dozens of people brought their cars to the show, each one with a different story.

“It’s a 1978 Pace car, the first year that Corvette was ever used for a Pace car,” said Herman Feldman. “This is a 1967 Oldsmobile 442. This was my dating car in high school,” said Ronnie Ray.

For retired KSP Trooper Mark Cool, his car of choice takes him back to his days in uniform.

“I worked out of the Richmond post, and I drove one of the KSP Mustangs as part of my duties as a state trooper. So I had a place in my heart for these old cars,” said Cool.

Cool says KSP bought ten of the Mustangs back in 1985. Unlike your typical patrol vehicle, they were only used for speed enforcement. Because there are so few of them, he had to have one when they hit auction. He’s since fully restored it.

“It’s got all the equipment that it would have had the day it was in service, got radar, VASCAR, radios, blue lights, and the sirens,” said Cool.

To support the Kentucky Trooper Outreach Program, click here.

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Kentucky

John Calipari reflects on Tyler Herro's time at Kentucky

Published

20 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Press Room

John Calipari reflects on Tyler Herro's time at Kentucky

John Calipari saw the early signs of the player that Tyler Herro would eventually become during the guard’s freshman year at Kentucky. When Herro was a freshman on the team in 2018-19, Calipari remembers that he practically lived inside the gym.

The guard would go on to average 14.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in being named to the All-SEC Freshman team. He also helped lead Kentucky to the Elite Eight that season.

Herro was selected 13th overall to the Miami Heat in the 2019 NBA Draft and has carved out a role as a key piece for the franchise since then. Calipari opened up on his experience coaching Herro recently on the Pat McAfee Show.

“His dad told me — and when I listen to his dad I’ve gotta take it with a grain of salt — ‘You’ll have no one work harder than him,’” he said. “And a couple of F-bombs in there if you know his dad, Chris. The kid lived in the practice facility. Literally never left the gym.

“I don’t believe in the McDonald’s game, Four-star or whatever. Ends up being a player that Pat (Riley) absolutely loves in Miami. I was lucky because the dad was the one that said, ‘I want him playing for you.’ When I went and met the dad and mom and saw Tyler, I’m like, ‘I love this kid.’”

Herro has since grown into a starting spot with the Heat and averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists this past season. He is one of many high-profile recruits from Calipari who went on to have success in the NBA along with Julius Randle, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker and several others.

He has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons but never failed to make an impact during the times he was available. He signed a contract extension with Miami in 2022 to keep him through the 2026-27 season, signifying the franchise’s belief in him as a long-term piece.

Calipari has since moved on from Kentucky to take the head coaching job at Arkansas, where he will look to build the same reputation for turning players pro. The Razorbacks are coming off of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019 and have a completely revamped roster with some of the players who Calipari recruited to Kentucky.

We’ll see how well it works out for the coach this coming season, but players like Tyler Herro prove a reminder of the talent he attracts.

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