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Owensboro Board of Commissioners Meetings
Review the meeting agendas, watch recordings, and find out more information about the Daviess County Fiscal Court. Find a public meeting and have your voice heard.
Owensboro Board of Commissioners Meetings
Owensboro Board of Commissioners Meetings
Owensboro Board of Commissioners Meetings
Review the meeting agendas, watch recordings, and find out more information about the Owensboro Board of Commissioners. Find a public meeting and have your voice heard.
Local News
Edds-Ellis seeking to improve Harwood findings
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer Jun 8, 2024
Daviess County Citizens for Decency recently released information encouraging residents not to support businesses that support the Prism Arts Alliance, which advocates for an inclusive Daviess County community.
“Our intent is to make room for all voices,” Edds-Ellis said. “We are going to work at helping people find what they can agree on to move forward and find their shared purpose.”
DCC4D audited public schools' libraries
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer May 4, 2024
Daviess County and Owensboro public schools cooperated with the DCC4D performing an audit of the districts’ middle and high school libraries.
The DCC4D used a formula system created by Ratedbooks.org — which is affiliated with the Moms for Liberty organization — as a guideline for the audit. The rating system places books on a 1-5 scale based on what it deems its age suitability.
Amazing Cast Revealed for Drag Bingo 2024 in Owensboro, KY
By Chadwick Benefield, WBKR, April 12, 2024
The cast is set for Drag Bingo 2024 at the Owensboro Convention Center. This will be the fourth year of what has become one of the most popular and fastest-selling annual fundraisers in town. This year's event is set for 8pm on Saturday, June 29th and tickets are set to go on sale on Monday, April 15th at 10am CDT. If you've tried to purchase tickets for this event before, you know the drill. They'll go fast and if you want 'em, you gotta get them quickly.
Coalition for inclusivity requests Fiscal Court remove Marksberry as liaison to DCPL
By Ryan Richardson, Owensboro Times,
FEB 27, 2024
The recently established Coalition for an Inclusive Daviess County has requested that County Commissioner Janie Marksberry be removed as Fiscal Court’s liaison to the library. The coalition sent a letter to the other members of Fiscal Court on Monday, primarily focusing on their issues with Marksberry but also mentioning the Daviess County Citizens for Decency (DCC4D) group.
Castlen rejects first 2 candidates for vacant DCPL board position
FEB 22, 2024
Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen has rejected the first pair of candidates that were recommended to fill an unexpired term on the Daviess County Public Library Board. Two more names must be submitted, and if those are rejected Caslten has the ability to appoint someone of his choosing to the seat.
Opposing Views — Groups battle over books, obscenity
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer, Feb 10, 2024
Brown believes the DCC4D’s fundamental claim about the materials in the library being pornography is flawed because they’re only taking excerpts from text without it having context.“
We’re respectful if parents don’t want children reading certain books, but they can’t take that right away from other families.”
Opposing Views — Groups battle over books, obscenity
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer, Feb 10, 2024
The leadership of the Daviess County Citizens for Decency organization remains unsatisfied with changes made at the Daviess County Public Library in response to concerns raised by the group last fall.
William Elkins, the new chairman of DCC4D, said the guidelines for the restricted library card largely render it useless.
Almost $40,000 Spent on DCPL Book Audit
Sydney Davis, Tristate Homepage, Feb 10, 2024
In August 2023, Daviess County Citizens for Decency says they discovered over 200 books they felt contained age-inappropriate and pornographic materials. The Daviess County Library says conducting an audit to address those concerns cost them around $35,000.
AG’s Office: DCPL did not violate Open Records Act when responding to DCC4D request
By Ryan Richardson JANUARY 5, 2024
The Daviess County Public Library did not violate the Open Records Act when it provided all responsive records following a request by Daviess County Citizens for Decency (DCC4D) Chairman Jerry Chapman for specific communications between the library director and board members, according to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office.
Author travels thousands of miles to discuss book ban attempt in Daviess County
Nathan Goble, Tristate Homepage, Nov 17, 2023.
An author living in South Korea traveled to Daviess County to speak at the Fiscal Court meeting on Friday. Ryan Estrada says he decided to come to the meeting after Daviess County Citizens for Decency demanded that one of his books be removed from the Daviess County Public Library.
Waller in process of reviewing books listed in ‘audit,’ recommends no changes so far
Josh Kelly, Owensboro Times, AUG. 21, 2023
Daviess County Public Library Director Erin Waller has reviewed nearly 70 of the 248 titles deemed “inappropriate for developing minds” by the Daviess County Citizens for Decency (DCC4D) group. Waller said she recommends the ones she’s reviewed so far remain in their respective sections.
Citizens group audits teen, juvenile reading material at public library
By Karah Wilson Messenger-Inquirer, Aug 18, 2023
On Wednesday, the group returned a list of 248 books to the library that it has deemed obscene for minors.
DCC4D has also sent open records requests to Owensboro and Daviess County public schools for a list of all “books and other media available to students” in every school’s media center.
Riverpark Center going through interim management transition
Hunter Wade, Tristate Homepage, Aug 15, 2023
Officials say they are temporarily teaming up with OVG 360 to get new management and leadership installed to help with the growth of the programs. The county cut funding for the Riverpark Center in June. Some Daviess County residents were also upset with the drag shows being held at the venue.
Here’s a breakdown of the new Kentucky education laws taking effect this week
Story by Bode Brooks, June 27
In addition to banning transgender-related health care for minors, the wide-reaching law affects schools by introducing parental disclosure and consent in areas like sex education and health services, gives legal protections for teachers who do not use a student’s chosen pronoun, and has school boards deciding on new bathroom policies for transgender students
GhostLight pauses programming to 're-evaluate' funding
By Karah Wilson Messenger-Inquirer, Jun 28, 2023
The RiverPark Center board has decided to pause programming at the GhostLight Lounge.
“We’re just taking a pause to re-evaluate and look at our financials,” said Rich Jorn, executive director of the RiverPark Center.
Library board hears from both sides about LGBTQ+ materials
James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer, Jun 22, 2023
People concerned about LGBTQ+ materials at the Daviess County Public Library were met by an equally vocal group Wednesday who want the library to keep books about gays and lesbians on the shelves.
After the meeting, library Director Erin Waller said the library’s practice of providing an “inclusive collection” had not changed.
The debate over materials at the library began earlier this month, which is “Pride Month” for the queer community nationally.
Group protests DCPL’s celebration of Pride Month; counterprotestors show support for LGBT community
By Ryan Richardson, JUNE 14, 2023
Approximately 25 people representing the Daviess County Citizens for Decency group protested outside the Daviess County Public Library on Wednesday, voicing their displeasure the library is celebrating Pride Month and providing LGBT+ information to teenagers. Roughly 100 people showed up to counterprotest, supporting the LGBT+ community and the library’s efforts.
'Citizens For Decency' plan to protest ahead of the Daviess County Public Library board meeting
Tommy Mason, Jun 13, 2023
The group plans to protest the "Read With Pride" events planned for this Wednesday, June 14. The protest is expected to begin outside at 4:00 p.m.
Community members express opposition to Fiscal Court’s proposed defunding of RiverPark Center
By Josh Kelly May 5, 2023
Community members packed the courtroom Thursday evening for the first reading of the 2023-24 Daviess County Fiscal Court budget.
LGBTQ community spokesman tells Fiscal Court its 'devaluing diversity' (sic)
By James Mayse May 5, 2023
Members of Daviess County’s LGBTQ community filled the Fiscal Courtroom on Thursday evening to voice their opposition to the county cutting funding to the RiverPark Center.
Daviess County residents discuss funding to RiverPark Center
By Desherion McBroom May 4, 2023
Updated: May 5, 2023
Budget cuts in Daviess County could have an effect on the RiverPark Center. The Center host many events including Drag Shows inside the Ghostlight Lounge.
New Daviess County budget proposal may affect local drag shows
By Josh Myers Publishd May 4, 2023
Local advocates packed the courtroom on Thursday evening at the Daviess County Fiscal Court meeting in protest of a new budget ordinance.
Drag shows debated after Daviess Co. leaders exclude RiverPark Center from budget draft
Published: May. 4, 2023 at 11:19 PM EDT
As the draft was presented on Thursday, members of the public were present and debated drag shows at The GhostLight Lounge.
Letter to the Editor: Owensboro’s hospitality is lacking for all people
By Letter to the Editor Aril 27, 2023
If you agree with us, please join us May 4 at 5 p.m. at the Fiscal Court as it reviews the budget. We will be there to let them know that we care about LGBTQ programming.
Fiscal Court proposes eliminating funding for RiverPark Center, drastically lowering EDC allocation
By Josh Kelly Owensboro Times. April 20, 2023
Daviess County Fiscal Court cut funding to the River Park Center citing opposition to the drag shows held at the GhostLight Lounge.
City officials oppose defunding RiverPark
By James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer. Feb 24, 2023 Updated Apr 5, 2023
Owensboro city commissioners and Mayor Tom Watson said they do not support cutting funding to the RiverPark Center over opposition to drag shows at the GhostLight Lounge.
Kentucky LGBTQ+ residents discuss anti-trans bills
By Brady Williams Published: Mar. 18, 2023 at 12:16 AM EDT
KENTUCKY (WFIE) - On Thursday, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Bill 150, a bill that targets gender orientation.
City ‘blindsided’ by inclusivity report by LGBT organization
By Josh Kelly Owensbor Times. Published: Feb. 16, 2023 at 12:10 AM
UPDATED Feb. 15, 2023 at 11:07 PM - Owensboro recently scored the lowest of eight Kentucky cities rated in a report on LGBTQ+ inclusion.