Local News
'Christmas' back in state tree title
Officials from Gov. Steve Beshear's office have issued a statement saying that the tree on the capital grounds shall be referred to as a Christmas tree.
“The 'holiday' tree is just something that was a title used in the press release we were using to solicit a tree to be donated to stand on capital grounds during the holidays,” said Director of Communications for the State Finance and Administrations Cabinet Cindy Lanham. “It's just a misunderstanding more than anything. A lot of people got really offended by the 'holiday' tree but it's whatever the tree represents to you. The most important message is being overlooked here is that the holidays are for family and for giving to the needy. Once again the Beshears are Christians and they celebrate Christmas.”
The confusion may have occurred after the Finance and Administrations office spokesperson told The Morehead News in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 edition that:
“For the tree that stands on the capital it will be referred to as a holiday tree,” Lanham said. “It is not new terminology and it's not meant to offend anyone or exclude anyone but meant to include everyone. It's meant to unite Kentucky not divide it.”
“But the Beshears also realize that other beliefs make up citizens of the state and this one is the Commonwealth's tree and is on state property.”
According to state officials the tree on the state grounds was never called a holiday tree but confusion was the result of a press release in which the holiday tree terminology was used.
“People got so caught up on the tree to say that Christ is being taken out of Christmas because of what a tree is called,” Lanham said.
“I commend Gov. Beshear regarding the reversal of his earlier decision to rename the capital Christmas tree a holiday tree,” Slaty Point Baptist Church Pastor Rusty Hedrick said. “It is good to see our politicians realize the level of 'political correctness' in our society has gotten out of hand.”
- Local News
-
-
Hero comes home
A U.S. Navy honor guard carried the remains of SOC Collin T. Thomas from a chartered aircraft that landed Friday at the Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport.
-
CHER dedication attracts overflow crowd
The new $30 million Center for Health, Education and Research at St. Claire Regional Medical Center was dedicated Friday in a joyful celebration that attracted more than 400 persons, including two governors.
-
Nineteen indicted by grand jury
A Morehead man was indicted by a Rowan County grand jury Aug. 20 for the alleged sodomy of a juvenile under age 12 more than two decades ago.
-
Pharmacy burglar pleads guilty
A Clearfield man pled guilty last month in Rowan Circuit Court to the 2007 break-in of Holbrook Drug store. Kenneth Eldridge, 20, of Clearfield was sentenced to six years in prison probated for five years.
-
Sex offender gets two years behind bars
A former Morehead Inspiration Center Program Director and Pathways employee was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for child pornography.
-
Fallen officer remembered by daughter
The daughter of one of Morehead’s law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has fond memories of her father.
-
MSU basketball program on probation
Morehead State University’s men’s basketball program has been placed on probation for two years after the NCAA determined the program had committed violations in its recruiting related to a booster activity.
-
Motorist charged with murder
A Lewis County man was indicted by a Rowan County grand jury Friday on two counts of murder, accused of killing a Clearfield couple in a car accident.
-
'Bigger and better': Poppy Mountain back to tradition
The legend of the third weekend in September continues this year as, after a short time away, Marty Stevens returns as the owner and promoter of Poppy Mountain.
-
Former jailer pleads guilty to DUI
Former jailer Tim Bryant has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle.
- More Local News Headlines
-
