The Daily Independent | Ashland, Kentucky STATE & NATION August 21 and August 22, 2021 A7 Biden pledges to Americans in Kabul: ‘We will get you home’

WASHINGTON (AP) days, about 2,000 people many at-risk Afghan al- ernment has no way to President Joe Biden is were airlifted. lies had not wanted to track how many regis- pledging to Americans With desperate crowds leave the country. But tered Americans may still trapped in thronging Kabul’s air- refugee groups point to have left Afghanistan al- Afghanistan: “We will port, and Taliban fight- yearslong backlogs of ready. Some may have get you home.” ers ringing its perimeter, applications from thou- returned to the United

FILE | AP Biden also said Friday the U.S. government re- sands of those Afghans States but others may State Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, looks over the Leg- the United States is com- newed its advisory to for visas that would let have gone to third coun- islative Record during a legislative session in Frankfort mitted to evacuating all Americans and others them take refuge in the tries. on Jan. 9, 2008. Yonts, a former Kentucky lawmaker Afghans who assisted that it could not guaran- United States. Although Afghanistan who sponsored mine-safety legislation and led a key the war effort — a poten- tee safe passage for any The administration had been a hotspot for House panel during his long legislative career, died Fri- tially vast expansion of of those desperately has also portrayed its the coronavirus pandem- day. the administration’s seeking seats on the contingency planning as ic, the State Department commitments on the air- planes inside. successful after the said Thursday that evac- lift so far, given the tens The ad- Afghan government fell uees are not required to Former Ky. of thousands of Afghan visory much faster than pub- get negative COVID-19 translators and others, captured licly anticipated by ad- results. and their close family some of ministration officials. Yet However, Afghans and members, seeking evacu- the pan- the White House received the Americans trying to lawmaker dies ation. demoni- clear warnings that the help them escape say the Biden’s comments at a um, and situation was deteriorat- Biden administration White House news con- what ing rapidly before the has clung to visa require- after battling ference Friday come as many current evacuation push. ments for would-be evac- the U.S. government BIDEN Afghans The Kabul airport has uees that involve more struggles to ramp up a and for- been the focus of intense than a dozen steps, and massive airlift clearing eigners see as their life- international efforts to can take years to com- COVID Americans and other and-death struggle to get get out foreigners, plete. Those often have THE ASSOCIATED PRESS foreigners and vulnera- inside. It said: “We are Afghan allies and other included requirements ble Afghans through the processing people at Afghans most at risk of that the Taliban sweep Former Kentucky lawmaker Brent Yonts, Kabul airport, rescuing multiple gates. Due to reprisal from the Tal- has made dangerous or who sponsored mine-safety legislation and led a them from a Taliban large crowds and securi- iban insurgents. impossible — such as re- key House panel during his long legislative ca- takeover of the country. ty concerns, gates may White House national quiring Afghans to go to reer, died Friday after battling a COVID-19 in- Biden is facing criti- open or close without security adviser Jake Sul- a third-country to apply fection. He was 72. cism for a chaotic and of- notice. Please use your livan said that U.S. citi- for a U.S. visa, and pro- Yonts, a Democrat from Muhlenberg County, ten violent scene outside best judgment and at- zens are able to reach the duce paperwork showing was first elected to the Kentucky House in 1996 the airport and crowds tempt to enter the air- airport, but face an ob- their work with Ameri- and represented his western Kentucky district struggle to reach safety port at any gate that is stacle in the large crowds cans. until his defeat during a statewide Republican inside. open.” at the airport gates. The head of a U.S. wave in 2016. The GOP took control of the Evacuation flights at While Biden has previ- On Thursday, Taliban refugee organization House in that election, cementing legislative the Kabul airport had ously blamed Afghans militants fired into the working to get Afghans majorities in both chambers. stopped for several for the U.S. failure to get air to try to control the out accused Biden of ig- Yonts was vaccinated against the coron- hours on Friday because out more allies ahead of crowds gathered at the noring repeated earlier avirus, according to former colleagues. He still of a backup at a transit this month’s sudden Tal- airport’s blast walls. warnings to speed up the contracted the virus, was hospitalized for weeks point for the refugees, a iban takeover, U.S. offi- Men, women and chil- evacuations while wind- and eventually was placed on a ventilator. U.S. airbase in Qatar, cials told The Associated dren fled. U.S. Navy ing down the 20-year U.S. In a social media post days before his death, U.S. officials said. How- Press that American fighter jets flew over- combat mission. his daughter, Ellen Yonts Suetholz, wrote about ever, flights resumed in diplomats had formally head, a standard mili- “The administration’s her father's battle with the virus. the afternoon. urged weeks ago that the tary precaution but also failure to heed the call of "We are all heartbroken and continue to pray As many as three administration ramp up a reminder to the Tal- veterans and advocates for peace and healing for my dad," she wrote. flights out of Kabul were evacuation efforts. iban that the U.S. has months ago has put our "As we've not been able to be with him to com- expected in the next few In July, more than 20 firepower to respond to a nation in this uncon- fort him, we especially pray he knows he is not hours, going to Bahrain diplomats at the U.S. combat crisis. scionable position. It alone. When we were able to talk to him, we and carrying perhaps Embassy in Kabul regis- Sullivan acknowl- cannot let innocent were sure to let him know how many of you 1,500 evacuees in all, said tered their concerns that edged that there is the Afghans die by bureau- asked about him and prayed for him. He teared an official, speaking on the evacuation of possibility of a hostage cracy,” Krish O’Mara Vi- up every time we mentioned one of you." condition of anonymity Afghans who had situation or terrorist at- gnarajah, president of Yonts, an attorney, was a Frankfort fixture to discuss military. worked for America was tack, and said the gov- Lutheran Immigration for decades in an era when Democrats con- In Washington, some not proceeding quickly ernment is working for and Refugee Service, trolled the House. He was known for his color- veterans in Congress enough. safe passage for U.S. citi- said Friday. ful jackets, clever wit and jet-black hair. were calling on the In a cable sent through zens. The administration Additional American In a social media tribute Friday, Gov. Andy Biden administration to the State Department’s has committed to ensur- troops continued to ar- Beshear said Yonts "worked to better the lives extend a security dissent channel, a time- ing that all Americans rive at the airport to of Kentuckians." perimeter beyond the honored method for for- can leave, even if that safeguard and run the Yonts' legacy drew praise from both sides of Kabul airport so more eign service officers to means staying past the U.S. part of the evacua- the political aisle. Republican House Speaker Afghans can make it to register opposition to ad- August deadline. tion. As of Thursday David Osborne called Yonts a "respected col- the airport for evacua- ministration policies, “This is a risky opera- there were about 5,200, league." The speaker said he hoped Yonts' fami- tion. They also wanted the diplomats said the tion,” Sullivan told NBC including Marines who ly is "able to find comfort in his many accom- Biden to make clear an situation on the ground Nightly News Thursday. specialize in evacuation plishments and the knowledge that Kentucky is Aug. 31 deadline for was dire, that the Tal- “We can’t count on any- coordination and an Air a better place because of his service." withdrawing U.S. troops iban would likely seize thing.” Force unit that special- In a joint statement, the House Democratic was not a firm one. control of the capital There is no firm figure izes in emergency air- leadership team — Reps. Joni Jenkins, Derrick The deadline “is con- within months of the of the number of people port operations. Biden Graham and Angie Hatton — praised Yonts for tributing to the chaos Aug. 31 pullout, and — Americans, Afghans has authorized a total his stint as chairman of the House State Gov- and the panic at the air- urged the Biden admin- or others — who are in deployment of about ernment Committee, saying he "helped guide port because you have istration to immediately need of evacuation as 6,000. several critical laws strengthening our public Afghans who think that begin a concerted evacu- the process is almost en- they have 10 days to get ation effort. That’s ac- tirely self-selecting. retirement systems." PUBLIC NOTICE The Democratic leaders called for intensified out of this country or cording to officials famil- The State Department efforts, in Yonts' memory, to combat the pan- that door is closing for- iar with the document says that when it or- ever,” said Rep. Peter who spoke on condition dered its nonessential demic. LEGAL NOTICE "On his behalf, we urge eligible Kentuckians Meijer, R-Mich., who of anonymity to discuss embassy staff to leave KIM’S NAILS INC, DBA to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if they have served in Iraq and also the internal debate. Kabul in April after worked in Afghanistan Biden has said that the Biden’s withdrawal an- NAILS PRO, is applying for a not yet and to take whatever other steps are Quota Retail package license necessary to put this terrible pandemic behind to help aid workers pro- chaos that unfolded as nouncement, fewer than and NQ retail Malt beverage us," they said. "The virus has taken so much vide humanitarian re- part of the withdrawal 4,000 Americans had reg- package license no later that from so many, and the breakthrough case of lief. was inevitable as the istered for security up- September 1, 2021. Brent, who was vaccinated, is another tragic ex- Tens of thousands of nearly 20-year war came dates. The actual num- The licensed premises will be ample of that." people remain to be to an end. He said he was ber, including dual U.S.- located at 372 Diederich Blvd., evacuated ahead of the following the advice of Afghan citizens along Ashland, KY 41101. The sole Yonts also was remembered for playing an in- owner and president is KIMTY strumental role in passing mine-safety legisla- United States’ Aug. 31 Afghanistan’s U.S.- with family members, is CHHUN, 29 Chase Ct., tion. The measure included provisions that ex- deadline to withdraw its backed president, Ashraf likely much higher, with Flatwoods, KY 41139. Any per- ceeded the requirements of federal law in re- troops from the country, Ghani, in not earlier ex- estimates ranging from son, association, corporation, sponse to mining accidents in Kentucky, mine although the pace had panding U.S. efforts to 11,000 to 15,000. Refugee or body politic may protest the picked up overnight. A fly out translators and advocates estimate granting of the licenses by safety advocate Tony Oppegard said Friday. writing the Department of The measure increased inspections of under- defense official said other Afghans in danger about 100,000 Afghan al- Alcohol Beverage Control, 500 ground Kentucky mines, gave the state subpoe- about 5,700 people, in- for the past work with lies and family members Mero Street 2NE33, Frankfort, na power to investigate unsafe working condi- cluding about 250 Ameri- Americans. Ghani fled also are appealing for Kentucky 40601, within thirty cans, were flown out of the country last week- seats on the U.S. airlift. (30) days of the date of legal tions in mines and required that all electrical publication. work underground be performed by certified Kabul aboard 16 C-17 end as the Taliban seized Compounding the un- Published: August 21, 2021 electricians, he said. transport planes. On the capital. certainty, the U.S. gov- "He was the rare legislator whose beliefs did- each of the previous two Biden also said that n't shift with the political winds," Oppegard PUBLIC NOTICE said. "He was a champion of coal miners and all working people." PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the City of Ashland, Kentucky on PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING the following item(s): Pursuant to KRS 132.027, as enacted by the Kentucky General Assembly THE CITY OF ASHLAND IS REQUESTING BIDS FOR Extraordinary Session of 1979, the City of Bellefonte, Kentucky, will hold a THE REPAIR OF 10TH STREET AND 18TH STREET PUBLIC HEARING on Monday, August 23, 2021 at 6:15 pm at the City OUTFALLS FOR THE DIVISION OF FLOODWALL, Building, Bellefonte, Kentucky to hear comments from the public regarding NOTICE OF REQUIRED ROAD CLOSURE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES. FOR FEMA REPAIRS the proposed 2021 Tax Rate on Real Property. As required by law, this notice includes the following: Specifications and bid instructions may be seen and obtained in East Williams Drive a road maintained by Boyd County Road De- 1. Preceding Tax Rate and Revenue 0.3510 $293,037.19 the Offices of Public Services and Utility Operations, City partment, located in the Summit area of Boyd County sustained 2. Tax Rate Proposed for Current Year and Building, Ashland, Kentucky, during regular office hours or tele- damage as part of a federally declared disaster (FEMADR4595) Expected Revenue 0.3660 $308,067.75 phone (606) 385-3332. earlier this year. 3. Compensating Tax Rate and Expected Bids will be received by the City Clerk until 3:00 P.M., EST., Repairs to this road will begin August 23, 2021. For the public’s Revenue 0.3660 $308,067.15 AUGUST 31, 2021. At 3:15 P.M., EST., AUGUST 31, 2021, safety as well as the safety of work crews, EAST WILLIAMS 4. Revenue Expected from New Property 0.3660 0.00 the bids will be opened and publicly read in the Commissioner’s DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED FROM AUGUST 23, 2021 to Chambers, Third Floor, City Building, 1700 Greenup Avenue, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021. Local residents will have limited access The City Commission of Bellefonte, Kentucky may propose to ex- Ashland, Kentucky. which will vary as the work progresses. Through traffic, emergency ceed the Compensating Tax Rate by levying a Proposed Tax Rate of 0.3660 per $100.00 of Assessed valuation which will be spent The City of Ashland through its City Manager reserves the right to vehicles, as well as any local resident large vehicles will not be able in the following area of City Government: accept all or to reject all or any part of the bid should it be deemed to use the road at any time due to the size and type of repair equip- to be in the best interest of the City of Ashland. ment that will be on the road. THE CITY’S GENERAL FUND THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS REQUIRED THE JACK HUNTER Please use alternative routes during this time. PUBLICATION OF THIS ADVERTISEMENT AND THE INFOR- DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES Any questions, please contact the Boyd County Special Project MATION CONTAINED HEREIN. PUBLISHED: ONLINE AT WWW.ASHLANDKY.GOV Coordinator Jason Queen (606) 694-0715 Thomas R. Bradley, Mayor ON AUGUST 18, 2021 AND ADVERTISED ON City of Bellefonte, Kentucky AUGUST 21, 2021 Published: August 20 & 21, 2021 Published: August 20 and 21, 2021 Published: August 21, 2021