Latest news with #AlanKeck
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kentucky artists perform tornado benefit concert in downtown Somerset
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — United through the sound of music. 'It's just a chance for us to all get together, heal and rebuild,' said Tiffany Finley, executive director of the Master Musicians Festival. Master Musicians Festival and The Virginia [in downtown Somerset] put on the 606 Strong Benefit Concert. In a region that is hurting, Tuesday's concert at the theater was all about uplifting people from Laurel and Pulaski counties after an EF-4 tornado caused destruction a week and a half ago. 'And know that they are doing it for a good cause, that somebody will be blessed by them buying that ticket tonight, but there is going to be a smile on their face for giving up that money, but also hearing some amazing music,' said Mayor Alan Keck. Man agrees to Alford plea in connection with 2016 Lincoln County death Kentucky artists perform tornado benefit concert in downtown Somerset Fayette County schools vote to move forward with tax increase plan More than 500 tickets were sold as seven performers took the stage. 'I know a guy who had a tattoo shop that it came down. I just want people to know that its somebody out there that is going to lend a helping hand, because that's what we do as Kentuckians,' Spooky Fox, a performer, said. Tommy York, an attendee, said he and his friends were excited to hear some local music. They were also supporting their buddy who lost his grandmother because of the tornado. 'We came out for the tornado relief, helping out with that, came for a good time as well, ready to listen to some good music,' York said. Laurel Lewis, a Laurel County native, said she took her name after her beloved county. The artist now resides in Nashville and made the trip down for the concert. She said she is hurt by what her community had to endure. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'When I received word that I was asked to do this, I just couldn't have been more happy because I had wanted to give back to my community in a way that feels good to me and that I know I can do, and what I know I can do is music,' Lewis said. Tuesday's concert raised more than $10,000, with proceeds going to the United Way of South Central Kentucky and the United Way of Laurel County, who are already helping those affected. 'We've already had phone calls from people who already know they are going to have long-term recovery needs, and we're excited to have those funds to provide for those,' said Reci Shook, Board President of United Way of South Central Kentucky. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cleanup begins in Pulaski County
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — Residents in Somerset are beginning what could be a long rebuilding process. After storms ripped through the area, they left behind devastation. Mayor Alan Keck said it's been all hands on deck to clean up the damage. 'Crushed a lot of the businesses. We sort of triaged and set up command there at the area technology center. Wild experience, because almost an hour later, we got more warnings that another wave was coming, so we ended up going inside,' he said. 28 killed by severe storms in Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia Cleanup begins in Pulaski County Local, state officials deliver message of hope after tornado rips through southern Kentucky Treven Mounce said his mom was home alone when the storm moved through the area near Bourbon Road, leaving debris scattered. 'I mean, it was all over the place. You could tell it. It got really bad through here. I mean, all this right here was scattered all over the basement. Their garage over there, it had the roof completely ripped off of it. And it's a quarter mile away,' he explained. Mounce said the community is rallying together. 'And we've spent the day, you know, moving stuff that, you know, would have been out in the, you know, rain and such in the different storage areas,' he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Somerset proposes increase to Occupational Tax rate
City Council Pictured are Somerset City Clerk Nick Bradley, left, Mayor Alan Keck, center, and City Attorney John Adams, right. Should Somerset City Council approve, the city's Occupational Tax rate will be going up. The council held the first reading Monday on an ordinance that would see the Occupational Tax go up in increments to 1.2%. The current rate is 0.6%. Mayor Alan Keck's proposal is to have the rate go up 0.9% on July 1, then up to 1.2% on January 1, 2026. That means anyone who is employed at a business located within the city limits will see the Occupational Tax rate increase. Keck said the January 1 date is also when the state Income Tax rate is set to be lowered from 4% to 3.5%, meaning that the impact of the Occupational Tax raise should be minimal. The reason for the Occupational Tax increase is that, as was stated in the ordinance itself, 'historical inflation has caused the need for the city to increase revenue to ensure future budgets that are beneficial to the city and preserve the level of public services produced by the city.' When discussing the city's budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Keck noted that the proposed budget is around $8 million lower than that of the current fiscal year. 'Some of that is a reduction in major infrastructure projects, but I think it shows another signal that when we can, we're going to cut and we're going to get lean in certain departments,' Keck said. The issue is that, with cost of living increases for City employees, along with a 12% increase in health insurance and more increases in workers compensation rates, the city's 'cost of doing business is just increasing,' Keck said. He told the council, 'In the last six years, due to wage inflation – and some of that I'm proud of because we're taking care of our employees in a better way, some of that perhaps is regrettable because of inflation nationally – our payroll is up over $6.4 million. And when I say payroll, that includes benefits and retirement. That's a huge number. But that number is with fewer total people, and with more first responders. We are quite literally accomplishing more with fewer people. '...The reality is, that $6.4 million-and-growing has to come from somewhere.' Keck then said that the reason he chose increasing Occupational Tax over Property Tax was that he felt collecting more taxes on property unfairly hit elderly property owners and those on a fixed income. He also read a list of cities that Somerset 'competes with' and their current Occupational Tax rates. Cities like Richmond, Ashland, Bowling Green and Berea all have a 2% tax, and Danville's is 1.9%. In addition to the Occupational Tax increase, the ordinance would raise the Net Profits License Fee of all Somerset-based businesses from 0.6% to 1.2%. A second reading and vote will take place at the council's next meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 29. The meeting was moved from its regular Monday schedule due to Monday being Memorial Day. As part of this week's meeting, council held the first reading of the city's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Revenues and expenditures for the 2025-2026 budget are: –General Fund: $33,090,900 –Sanitation: $8,323,200 –Water: $15,126,300 –Gas: $13,472,700 –Wastewater: $16,655,900 –Waterpark: $3,095,000 –Fuel Center: $1,169,850 –Tourism: $383,450 –EMS: $10,372,400 –The Virginia: $961,700 – MAP Funds: $295,642 –Horse Soldier Tax Incremental Financial (TIF) District: $21,050 Total: $102,968,092 Like the tax ordinance, a second reading and vote is set for the next council meeting. Keck and firefighters Mayor Alan Keck, left, swears in new firefighters for the Somerset Fire Department. Those firefighters were, from left: Brett England, Joey Vaughn, Byron Gregory, Morgan Quick, and Tucker Robinson. Also at Monday's meeting: – Alan Keck conducted the swearing in of five incoming firefighters: Brett England, Joey Vaughn, Byron Gregory, Morgan Quick, and Tucker Robinson. – Jody McRoberts with Pulaski County Strong Towns informed the public that the next Strong Towns meeting will be held this Thursday in the City Council Chambers at the Energy Center. The public is invited to attend, and it will feature special guest speaker Michael Huston, who is an urban planner from Lexington. Roberts said that Huston will be leading attendees on a walk around downtown Somerset and giving his insights on what he sees in terms of city planning. A light lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m., with the meeting beginning at noon. – Council approved the dedication of streets within the SPEDA Commerce Park into the city street department. Those roads are Innovation Avenue, United Drive and Progress Lane. – Council also voted to approve a zone change for property located at 100 Mardis Street from an Industrial-2 zone to a Residential-3 (multi-family units).
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Several Pulaski cities receive KLC Liability Grants
Four local cities have received liability grants from the Kentucky League of Cities grant program. It was announced this week that Somerset, Ferguson, Burnside and Eubank have received the grants. The City of Somerset received a $3,000 grant. Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, who is also an executive board member for KLC, said the grant would go towards buying equipment for the police department and the water department. 'By supporting the purchase of gun safes for our police department and additional radio read meters for our water team, KLC is helping us build a safer and more efficient Somerset through its liability grant program,' Keck said. 'We deeply appreciate KLC's partnership and commitment to improving local communities.' Mayor Robert Lawson of the City of Burnside had this statement about receiving the grant: 'We are honored to be selected as a recipient of one of KLC's many city-first funding initiatives. The KLC Liability Grant allows my employees to feel more prepared to serve their community and develop a progressive skill set for future training opportunities. We utilize many of KLC's offerings to run our city, including but not limited to their training courses, insurance services, legal department, and legislative voice. The City of Burnside is grateful to be a member of KLC and we look forward to many more years of collaboration.' The City of Ferguson received a $1,500 grant, which City Clerk Kristi Phillips said would go towards sidewalk repair. The grant received by the City of Eubank was put towards the purchase of a body camera for the Eubank Police Department, said City Manager Bobby Dawes. Eubank received a $1,500 grant. 'We just thank the Kentucky League of Cities for what they do for smaller cities,' Daws said. KLC Executive Director/CEO J.D. Chaney congratulated each city for their dedication for improving their communities. 'The Kentucky League of Cities is proud to provide our members with liability grants,' Chaney said. 'Collaborative efforts between the League and our members are vital to promoting community safety and enhancing the quality of life in Kentucky cities.' KLC stated that it has awarded more than $6.5 million to city members since 1999 to help fund initiatives that reduce liability.
