Good morning, this is Lexington Local Pulse for Monday, December 30, 2024. We're starting the week with a look at some significant developments in our city.

First off, officials with One Lexington are planning a series of open forums to address gun violence across the city. These forums aim to bring the community together to discuss solutions and strategies to reduce gun violence, a pressing issue that affects us all.

In other news, the job market in Lexington is showing promising signs. The cybersecurity sector is particularly booming, with a projected 33% increase in analyst positions for 2024 and over 3,500 current job openings. Major employers like Lexmark, Link-Belt, and Valvoline are actively recruiting, offering competitive salaries averaging around $92,000, which is 6.7% above the national average[2].

Moving on to real estate, there haven't been any major announcements in the past few days, but we're keeping an eye on new development projects and construction updates. The weekly median home prices and inventory levels remain stable, with no significant changes reported recently.

From city hall, we have updates on decisions that affect our daily lives. The Lexington Police Department has issued an alert for a missing child, 10-year-old Nemas Vasquez, who was last seen around 7:30 p.m. in the area. We urge everyone to be vigilant and report any information to the authorities.

Weather-wise, it's a cold start to the day, but temperatures are expected to improve by the afternoon. If you're planning to head out, make sure to bundle up and check the latest forecasts for any updates.

In new business activity, we have some exciting openings and changes. The University of Kentucky is hosting its December commencements today, with two ceremonies at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington. Additionally, the Jannings family in Winchester is taking the holidays very seriously, with their impressive light displays attracting visitors from all over.

Looking ahead to community events, we have a few notable happenings in the next few days. Santa Claus made his annual stop in the Bluegrass before Christmas, visiting with the best college basketball fans in the country. Also, the Kentucky Humane Society has rescued three horses involved in a severe neglect case in Franklin County, thanks to assistance from local authorities.

In local school achievements, the Morehead State football team had a successful season, with Head Coach Jason Woodman signing a deal to keep him coaching the Eagles through 2028. The team achieved its third seven-win season since 2008, a testament to their hard work and dedication.

For our feel-good community story, we highlight the generosity of a Nicholasville restaurant that offered a free Christmas buffet to the community, spreading joy and warmth during the holiday season.

Finally, in today's crime report, we have a few significant incidents to report. A Laurel County man is facing multiple charges after suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were allegedly found in his vehicle during a traffic stop. The London Police Department reports that 30-year-old Derek Rains was arrested and is currently in custody. Additionally, the Georgetown Police Department has provided an update on the investigation into the disappearance of Emma R. Smith, a 21-year-old Georgetown College student.

This has been Lexington Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI