FRANKFORT – No longer in its infancy, Kentucky’s wine industry is maturing and thriving, a state agriculture official told lawmakers during today’s meeting of the Licensing and Occupations Committee.

Kentucky wines earned 11 honors, including two gold medals, at the recent Indy International Wine Competition, one of the nation’s premier wine festivals, said Mac Stone, executive director of the Office of Agriculture’s marketing office. He also noted that the number of Kentucky wines entered in Kentucky State Fair competitions has doubled, from 100 to 200, within the past two years.

Kentucky wineries have expanded beyond the central part of the state to areas including Owensboro, Paducah, Morehead and southeast Kentucky, Stone said. In addition to making wine, 42 wineries have tasting rooms, five have restaurants, 21 host special dinners, and 28 host concerts or music.

“That shows that it’s not just selling wine,” Stone said.

FRANKFORT, KY (FOX19) - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet today announced the beginning of the 2011 Adopt-a-Highway Poster Contest. Students from across the Commonwealth are invited to submit creative works for use in the Adopt-a-Highway calendar for 2012. The contest is open to all Kentucky students of elementary, middle and high school age.

Exposure to the contest and to the Adopt-a-Highway program provides young people with a sense of ownership in Kentucky's highways and stresses the importance of keeping Kentucky's highways clean and free of litter.

WILDER, KY (FOX19) - Two basketball programs for kids are being offered soon at Town & Country Sports & Health Club in Wilder.

The Kings First Dribble (KFD) creates a fun, fast-paced learning environment for the youngest of basketball players (3-5 year olds). The goal of the KFD is to expose children to the game of basketball, while developing a variety of skill sets; physical, mental and social.