After heavy flooding in jap Kentucky, locals and officers are pissed off with the federal authorities’s system for catastrophe support. Individuals say the method is complicated, sending a few of the most susceptible via a bureaucratic maze, and typically requiring documentation misplaced in the course of the disaster.
People have reported points with both being completely denied advantages, or receiving a small fraction of support regardless of their demonstrated want.
The Federal Emergency Administration Company has some new methods to try to velocity up the method — permitting brokers to approve advantages on-site at catastrophe aid facilities, and reaching out to people by way of textual content message.
Advocates are applauding the transfer, however are nonetheless ready to see if the modifications profit individuals within the area.
On the Pine Mountain Grill in Whitesburg, Kentucky, Brenda pulls up a chair to sit down with a volunteer at a small authorized support clinic. It’s staffed by a handful of volunteers from throughout the state — some are regulation college students, others with licenses. Brenda, who didn’t need to use her final title for this story, indicators a type acknowledging she is aware of this isn’t official FEMA recommendation.
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Authorized college students from the College of Kentucky and Tyler Ward, a Whitesburg lawyer, are serving to a flood survivor full their registration for FEMA help. Picture by Justin Hicks/Ohio Valley ReSource
Authorized college students from the College of Kentucky and Tyler Ward, a Whitesburg lawyer, are serving to a flood survivor full their registration for FEMA help.
Brenda is likely one of the greater than 9,000 individuals who’ve utilized for federal support within the aftermath of catastrophic floods. However she solely acquired about $1,000 to assist with momentary housing. Nothing to assist her along with her house the place she says she “misplaced every thing.”
After a dialog with a volunteer lawyer Lindsay Hart, they assume it’s in all probability as a result of Brenda’s home is registered beneath her married title. But it surely’s exhausting to inform, as a result of she’s been locked out of her on-line account.
“I kinda really feel like that [was the problem], however nonetheless it’s simply — and though that man informed me that it’s similar to…” Brenda trails off shaking her head.
“It’s irritating that on prime of every thing else, these little bumps within the highway are going to occur,” Hart says, gently touching Brenda’s hand.
Hart, who lives in Louisville now, however grew up in Whitesburg and drove again to assist, offers Brenda the identical recommendation she’s been telling a number of of us: “attraction, attraction, attraction.”
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Some persons are being summarily denied with out paperwork like deeds or authorities IDs which acquired destroyed within the flood. (Within the weeks for the reason that flood, native governments have begun waiving charges and attempting to make it handy for individuals to get paperwork they want.)
Different native attorneys say individuals can’t even full registration as a result of their deal with doesn’t match authorities databases.
All in all, Hart says the system is just too cumbersome.
“This must be simpler for individuals,” Hart stated. “Individuals don’t must be spinning their wheels worrying about FEMA when they’re frightened about every thing else.”
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FEMA stated, as of Monday, about 63% of the functions for housing help have been accepted. A bipartisan array of politicians from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear to Republican U.S. Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell have referred to as on the company to do higher, and say they’re watching intently to see if latest modifications enhance outcomes.
“I do consider that we are able to get extra individuals accepted, we are able to undo denials, by taking a look at someone nose to nose who has approval authority over the claims themselves,” Beshear stated.
This week it was introduced that FEMA representatives in jap Kentucky can approve or deny claims for help in-person. Authorized helpers and state officers hope that may cut back the quantity of claims which might be denied resulting from inadequate paperwork. Picture by Justin Hicks/Ohio Valley ReSource
This week it was introduced that FEMA representatives in jap Kentucky can approve or deny claims for help in-person. Authorized helpers and state officers hope that may cut back the quantity of claims which might be denied resulting from inadequate paperwork.
Authorized helpers say the on-site approvals and textual content messages are an enormous step in the correct path. However on the spot eligibility selections nonetheless don’t imply individuals will know the way a lot support they’ll get — and the company has been sued previously for that course of being too secretive.
D’lorah Hughes, a professor on the College of Kentucky regulation faculty who’s been sending college students to the authorized support clinic, stated the system wants to enhance.
“If I used to be going to select one thing to alter, it might be the transparency of regardless of the course of is for not solely accepting or denying a declare however then figuring out an quantity of what of us are getting,” Hughes stated.
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In response to an Ohio Valley Useful resource evaluation of the latest public knowledge from FEMA, the median award quantity for jap Kentucky flood victims is $2,200 for housing and different wants.
Bryan Miller, a FEMA liaison, stated if flood survivors get much less support than they anticipated, they’ll attraction the quantity of support — not simply the sure or no resolution.
“If you happen to assume or really feel that one thing is fallacious, get a contractor to come back on the market, file the catastrophe associated damages, you write an attraction letter, [and] you ship that to FEMA,” Miller stated.
Miller stated it’s additionally vital that folks perceive: FEMA is just not an insurance coverage firm. Its support packages are designed for simply the naked minimal. For a one- or two-person family, that may imply only a liveable bed room, a kitchen, a toilet, and perhaps a small TV.
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“FEMA’s program is one which simply gives a little bit bit of cash to get you bounce began in your highway to restoration,” Miller stated. “It doesn’t make you complete.”
For lots of the flood survivors, that highway to restoration could also be a protracted one. And Gov. Beshear stated he’s dedicated to holding FEMA accountable so the help for that first step is distributed successfully.
“My aim is to be relentless. We want this to work,” he stated. “FEMA’s gotta get it proper. It might take extra steps, however I need to credit score them with taking a pair new steps we’ve by no means seen anyplace else that I feel may assist individuals.”
Beshear stated the proof will solely come out within the numbers, and that’s one thing the state might be watching intently within the weeks to come back.
Two Kentucky Schools Named U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
The U.S. Department of Education announced two Kentucky schools – Arlington Elementary (Fayette County) and Robert D. Johnson Elementary (Fort Thomas) – have earned the 2024 Green Ribbon Schools award.
The award goes to schools that focus on three pillars:
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Reducing environmental impact and cost;
Improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and
Providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates STEM, civic skills and green career pathways.
Arlington Elementary and Robert D. Johnson Elementary are among 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions, and one early learning center being honored for their innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and offer effective sustainability education.
Kentucky Interim Education Commissioner Robin Fields Kinney congratulated the two Kentucky schools for earning the honor.
“Moving to more sustainable practices and improving the overall health and wellness of the people within our buildings is always a priority,” said Kinney. “The work that Arlington Elementary and Robert D. Johnson Elementary have done to become Green Ribbon Schools is truly remarkable.”
The Kentucky Environmental Education Council is the nominating board for Kentucky Green Ribbon Schools.
Kentucky basketball head coach Mark Pope has had quite the busy start in Lexington.
After a monumental introductory press conference and landing Amari Williams — one of the top targets in the transfer portal — Pope has yet another full weekend of recruiting.
Pope and his staff are hosting Aidan Mahaney, Andrej Stojakovic, Andrew Carr, Deivon Smith and Otega Oweh.
Smith, a fifth-year player, has played for Mississippi State, Georgia Tech and most recently Utah. He really found his groove with the Utes, averaging over 13 points and seven assists per game.
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Carr, similar to Smith, has one year of eligibility remaining. The former Delaware and Wake Forest big man had a career-best season last year, averaging over 13 points and six rebounds.
Oweh, a former Oklahoma Sooners guard, is coming off a much-improved sophomore season where he averaged over 11 points per game and saw an increase in both his field goal as well as three-point shooting percentages.
Mahaney, a former Saint Mary’s guard, is also entering his third year of college basketball. He averaged just under 14 points per game each of the last two seasons and started every game this past year.
Stojakovic is the youngest of the group, opting to transfer from Stanford after just one season. He averaged over seven points per game and has the potential to be a multi-year player that could excel in Pope’s offensive system.
While this group is rather guard-heavy, that’s okay. Kentucky is unlikely to land all of them, but if Pope can secure Carr and two or three of the guards then his roster will be in much better shape than it currently sits.
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No surprise here.
Headlines
Cats in the NFL Draft – UK Athletics
A number of former Wildcats are expected to be taken in this week’s NFL Draft.
Brian Robinson Passes More Than Just The SEC Look Test – Vaught’s Views
He has such a high ceiling.
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Alvin Brooks III Joins Kentucky Men’s Basketball Staff – UK Athletics
Alvin Brooks III, regarded as one of the nation’s best assistant coaches, has joined the Kentucky men’s basketball coaching staff as associate head coach it was announced on Thursday.
Bears select QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in NFL draft – ESPN
Like we expected.
Reed Sheppard Has What NBA Teams Like And Want – Vaught’s Views
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Will really miss him wearing Kentucky blue.
59 Wildcats on SEC Winter Academic Honor Roll – UK Athletics
A total of 59 University of Kentucky student-athletes earned a place on the 2023-24 Winter Sports Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Vikings trade up with Jets, get J.J. McCarthy 10th at NFL draft – ESPN
Again, like we expected.
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Amari Williams “like a man among boys on court” – Vaught’s Views
Appears to be a home run.
Michael Penix Jr. taken by Falcons in NFL draft surprise – ESPN
Surprise of the draft.
Bio Blast: Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh – KSR
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Everything you need to know.
Broncos make Bo Nix sixth QB picked in first round of NFL draft – ESPN
Before a huge recruiting weekend officially begins on Friday for Kentucky men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope and his newly hired staff, the Wildcats had a familiar visitor on campus. After playing under Pope at BYU, Richie Saunders visited Lexington.
That visit ended without a commitment after Pope personally welcomed the transfer to town at the Lexington airport. Richie Saunders announced on Thursday night that the junior has withdrawn his name from the transfer portal and will return to BYU in 2024-25.
The 6-foot-5 wing averaged 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 36.4% from three as a sophomore at BYU. After a mission trip following high school, Saunders will be the age of a fifth-year player next season but still has two seasons of eligibility remaining. As time goes on, it looks like Collin Chandler could be the only BYU player who follows Pope to Lexington.
Aly Khalifa was considered a Kentucky lean at one point but ultimately committed to Louisville and announced that he will take a redshirt next season as he recovers from injury. Starting point guard Dallin Hall quickly entered the transfer portal and Kentucky is currently not pursuing. Jaxson Robinson entered the NBA Draft and has not entered the transfer portal yet. The Wildcats worked swiftly to get Saunders on campus, but the bench player in the Big 12 last season is returning to Provo for another year.
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Oklahoma wing Otega Oweh and Wake Forest big Andrew Carr are each visiting Kentucky this weekend. Stanford wing Andrej Stojakovic is finalizing his visit plans with Kentucky. Some other win options are emerging for the Cats after Saunders decided to stay at BYU.
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