Local News
State wage increase takes effect
Staff/Wire Report
Jessica Newell said an increase in Kentucky’s minimum wage might provide her with extra money, but because the cost of almost everything is going up, the increase may not be that significant.
Newell is a single mother with two young children, and as of Tuesday, she was making $6.55 an hour working at Philly Connection in Corbin.
Starting Wednesday, her salary jumped to $7.25 per hour when a new Kentucky state law took effect.
Kentucky Labor Secretary J.R. Gray says the state rate increase takes effect earlier than a federal minumum wage increase of the same amount set for July 24.
The minimum wage for tipped employees, including waiters and waitresses, remains at $2.13 per hour.
“It might help put a little more money in your pocket, but everything else will be raising, too,” Newell said.
Newell said she makes $200 a week, and that she first pays her bills and then buys food for her children. She said it’s not a lot, but she makes it work.
“I’m the only one caring for my kids. The only one they have is me,” Newell said.
Newell held an assistant manager’s position at McDonald’s in Ohio before coming to Kentucky, and said she was making $7 an hour there.
She said she thinks Kentucky should have raised its minimum wage sooner to keep up with surrounding states. She also said that Kentucky should be raising their minimum wage higher to offset the rising cost of living.
“It would be good if they raised it higher (minimum wage), but everything (cost of living) will jump up higher,” Newell said.
But William Davis, chairman of the economics department at Western Kentucky University, said the wage hike could mean higher labor costs for employers, which could lead to fewer work hours and less job opportunities.
Ivy Brashear and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
- Local News
-
-
Woman cut from car after wreck on Fifth St.
A 63-year-old woman was trapped in her SUV following a two-car crash Tuesday along Fifth Street Road east of its intersection with KY 1259.
-
Truck with satellite dishes tumbles on Tobacco Road
A tractor-trailer loaded with 40,000 pounds of satellite dishes turned over in east London Tuesday morning.
-
Dogs removed from home put down
Three dogs removed from a Highland Park home on March 11 were in such poor health that the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter had to put the dogs down, according to police.
-
Man knocked out by falling tree
A North Corbin man was flown to University of Kentucky Medical Center Wednesday night after being struck by the snapping trunk of a falling tree.
-
Nighbert again advising Republicans on road plan
By Ronnie Ellis
CNHI News Writer
Bill Nighbert, the former secretary of the Transportation Cabinet (and former Williamsburg mayor) who was tried — and acquitted — on charges of bid-rigging, is again advising Senate Republicans on transportation matters. -
Stivers’ bill aims to curtail meth production
FRANKFORT (AP) — A Senate panel approved a bill Tuesday in the latest push to combat methamphetamine production in Kentucky - this time by blocking drug offenders from purchasing popular cold medicines with ingredients used to make the illicit drug.
-
Fiery crash ties up I-75 for three hours
Tuesday morning at about 2:20 a.m., the southbound lane of I-75 was blocked about three hours, when a tractor-rig reportedly collided with a slower moving Ford van in south Whitley County.
-
Whitley Fiscal Court pays for deputies’ cruisers, learns of spring cleanup events
The Whitley County Fiscal Court approved relatively routine measures, such as accepting road petitions and approving various agreements, during its monthly meeting Tuesday evening.
-
Churches, schools and 2-minute commutes among allure of small towns
Small towns can have a unique appeal that fosters economic development and provides good lives to residents.
-
Poetry Out Loud
A Knox Central freshman will be competing at the state finals of the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest today in Frankfort.
- More Local News Headlines
-
