Judge's Corner

From Judge-Executive Harry Clark

It’s been another productive and encouraging period here in Rowan County, and I’m proud of the progress we continue to make together as a community.

One of the highlights recently was our City-County Christmas Dinner, where we were able to serve between 550 and 600 people. It was a wonderful evening of fellowship, and I want to specifically thank the Rowan County Detention Center, especially Penni and Karen, for their hard work and dedication in helping make the dinner such a success. I’m also grateful to everyone who volunteered and contributed to making the event possible. Seeing our community come together in that way is what makes Rowan County special.

As part of the dinner, we also held our annual award ceremony. Karen Dehart and Penni Adkins were honored with the Dedicated Service Award, Jarred Moore was named Citizen of the Year, and Rowan County Christmas was recognized as Organization of the Year. Congratulations to all recipients for their outstanding contributions to our community.

We’re also seeing steady progress on major projects across the county. Construction on the Senior Center is moving along well, with trim delivered and cabinets installed. The building is closing up quickly, and we remain on track for an anticipated opening in March 2026. This facility will be a valuable resource for our seniors, and it’s exciting to see it taking shape.

Housing development continues to move forward as well. The Park View Apartments recently held a ribbon cutting, officially adding 40 new apartments for families to our community. Projects like this help meet local housing needs and support continued growth.

I’m pleased to share that Governor Andy Beshear approved a grant of over $200,000 to address the slip on Bluestone Road, an important improvement that will enhance safety and protect a key roadway for residents in that area.

Another significant milestone for Rowan County is the award of a $2.6 million SWIFR grant, received through the efforts of Fiscal Court, Environmental Services Director Tyler Brown, and the Gateway Area Development District. This funding will allow for expansion of the recycling center, not only benefiting Rowan County but also providing recycling services to surrounding counties that previously did not have access.

We’re also preparing for upcoming operational changes, as Rumpke has acquired Waste Management. We are currently awaiting final paperwork, with an expected start date in the second week of January, and we will continue to keep the public informed as the transition moves forward.

Finally, we celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Baby Box at our EMS Center, an important addition that reflects our continued commitment to public safety and community well-being. This Safe Haven baby box is located at 200 American Legion Way.

There’s a lot happening across Rowan County, and it’s only possible because of strong partnerships, dedicated employees, and an engaged community. I appreciate everyone who plays a role in moving our county forward.

Harry Clark
Rowan County Judge-Executive