Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd receives Freedom of Information Award
Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd has won the Barry Bingham Sr. Freedom of Information Award for his work in opening records to the public on children who died or were badly hurt due to abuse and neglect. He received the award from the Louisville Courier-Journal on Jan. 20 at the annual Kentucky Press Association convention in Lexington. Judge Shepherd ruled several times between 2010 and January 2012 that the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services improperly withheld records on children who died or were injured because of abuse or neglect and that the records should be open under the state open-records law. The Courier-Journal, Lexington Herald-Leader and Todd County Standard sued the cabinet to gain access to the records. The Bingham award, named in memory of the late publisher of The Courier-Journal, is given periodically to a person who exhibits tenacity in fighting for the public’s right to know. Judge Shepherd was the first person to receive the award since 2004.
Court of Appeals to hear Powell County civil case Jan. 30 in Stanton
The Kentucky Court of Appeals will hear a Powell County civil case on appeal when it convenes Monday, Jan. 30, in Stanton. Proceedings are open to the public and will begin at 11:45 a.m. EST in the Circuit Courtroom of the Powell County Courthouse at 525 Washington St. Court of Appeals Judges Sara Walter Combs, Michelle M. Keller and Janet L. Stumbo will hear oral arguments in the cases.
Volunteers needed to assist children in foster care in Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards in Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. Contact: Amy Smitha or Kirstie Willis, 502-595-3498 or amys@kycourts.net or kirstiewillis@kycourts.net.
Volunteers needed to assist children in foster care in Northern Kentucky
The Northern Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Boards are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care, especially those in Harrison, Grant, Nicholas and Pendleton counties. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. Contact: Jamie Bergman at 859-334-3245 or jamiebergman@kycourts.net.
Volunteers needed to assist children in foster care in Breckinridge, Butler, Muhlenberg counties
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards for Breckinridge, Butler and Muhlenberg counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. Contact: Skye Lindsey, 270-298-9055 or skyelindsey@kycourts.net.
Volunteers needed to assist children placed in foster care in Bath, Boyd, Clay, Jackson, Lee, Menifee, Owsley and Pike counties
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards for Bath, Boyd, Clay, Jackson, Lee, Menifee, Owsley and Pike counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. For more information, contact Shawna Wathen at 606-287-6029 or shawnawathen@kycourts.net
Volunteers needed to assist children in foster care in Bracken, Kenton and Mason counties
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards for Bracken, Kenton and Mason counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. For more information, contact Jamie Bergman at 859-334-3245 or jamiebergman@kycourts.net.
Volunteers needed to assist children placed in foster care in Bell, Knox, Laurel, Lincoln, McCreary and Rockcastle counties
Citizen Foster Care Review Boards for Bell, Knox, Laurel, Lincoln, McCreary and Rockcastle counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. For more information, contact Shan Sears at 606-451-4303.
Volunteers needed to assist children in foster care in Fayette County
The Fayette County Citizen Foster Care Review Boards are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets. For more information, contact Shelli Rapier at 800-928-2350 or shellirapier@kycourts.net