2012 Ark Encounter news

Notes

• Article titles in italic indicate the story appeared in the print edition.

• Syndicated stories (Associated Press-AP, United Press International-UPI, AFP, Reuters, etc.) are noted when available. Not all instances of story syndication are listed.

2012

March

• Mar 29. WDRB-TV, Channel 41, Fox. Louisville, Kentucky. Group disputes state-funded exit for Ark project via AP.

• Mar 29. Courier-Journal.com. Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville Courier-Journal website. Group disputes state-funded exit for Ark project via AP.
  "Transportation Cabinet spokesman Chuck Wolfe said the improvements are being funded due to concerns about increased traffic in the area. He says state officials don't want traffic backing up on I-75."

• Mar 29. Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. Funds for road to Ark Encounter opposed by Beth Musgrave. Page A6.
  "The $2 million would be used to purchase right-of-way and pre-construction work on an interchange with I-75."

• Mar 28. Kentucky.com. Lexington, Kentucky. Lexington Herald-Leader website. Group questions $2 million for road near Ark Encounter theme park by Beth Musgrave.
  "A nonprofit group that advocates for the separation of church and state raised questions Wednesday about the legislature's plan to spend $2 million on road improvements near the proposed Ark Encounter theme park in Grant County."

• Mar 28. Bluegrass Politics blog. Lexington, Kentucky. Group raises questions about $2 million for road near Ark Encounter theme park by Beth Musgrave.
  "Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington D.C. nonprofit, is protesting the legislature’s decision to include $2 million for improvements to KY 36, a project included in road budgets proposed by Gov. Steve Beshear and approved by the House and Senate."

• Mar 28. Opposing Views. Beverly Hills, California. Kentucky to Spend $2 Million for Road to "Noah's Ark Park" by AUSCS.
  "The Ark Park, sponsored by Answers in Genesis, would purportedly feature a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark. A ground-breaking for the project, which is intended to promote a fundamentalist understanding of the Bible, has been repeatedly delayed, and media reports suggest the ministry has received less than $5 million of the $24.5 million sought to build the facility."

• Mar 28. Americans United. Washington, D.C. Press release. Kentucky Legislature Should Delete Budget Funding To Benefit ‘Ark Park,’ Says Americans United.
  "Said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, “Legislators are desperately looking for ways to cut the budget, yet they are including $2 million to benefit the Ark Park. That’s an astonishing lapse in judgment. Taxpayers should never be forced to support a religious ministry, and it is particularly appalling to do so when essential public services are being cut.” "

• Mar 28. American United. Washington, D.C. Email blast. Stop Funding for Highway Access to the Ark Park!.
  "Despite an uncertain future for the religious “Ark Park” in Kentucky, the legislature is considering appropriating $2 million in this year’s budget expressly designed to enhance and expand access to the theme park. Item 411 of the committee substitute for HB 267 funds a stretch of Highway KY-36. Although it is simply labeled as funding for “safety” upgrades, this construction was not included in the state highway six-year plan released in 2010 and is clearly intended to benefit the Noah-themed water park (sic). In these difficult economic times, it is particularly fiscally irresponsible to allocate public funds that fostering (sic) religious activity."

February

• Feb 22. USA Today Travel. McLean, Virginia. What do Angry Birds, Noah and Napoleon have in common? by Jayne Clark.
  "Closer to home, the group behind a giant Noah's Ark-themed attraction in northern Kentucky has purchased the final land parcel for the project – 800 acres in all. But fundraising efforts are slowing its progress, the AP reports."
  "Answers in Genesis, the group behind the $150 million Ark Encounter, say they've raised about $5 million thus far, but are seeking $24 million in donations."

• Feb 22. Kentucky Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. Ark park's new plans may alter incentives by Mark Hansel. Pages B1, B2.

• Feb 17. Kentucky Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. Ark park pushes back completion by Mark Hansel. Pages A1, A5. Includes photo.

• Feb 17. Louisville Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Last of land is bought for ark park in N. Ky. Page B4.

• Feb 17. Washington Times. Washington, D.C. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land. Page A9.

• Feb 17. Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. Noah's Ark attraction still years away. Page 3.

• Feb 17. The Independent. Ashland, Kentucky. Ark attraction gets final piece of land via Associated Press. Page A9.

• Feb 17. WSCH-FM, 99.3. Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Ark Park Plans Change.
  “In addition, the completion of complex engineering and architectural work on the Ark structure has allowed for significantly greater guest capacity inside the Ark than originally anticipated. This finding has eliminated the need to build additional biblical attractions simultaneously to accommodate the projected crowds,” the ministry said."

• Feb 17. Christian Post. Washington, D.C. Life-Sized Noah's Ark Attraction Acquires Land by Alex Murashko.
  " "We have decided to stop trying to predict the U.S. economy so we will announce ground breaking/construction as soon as we are funded," Mike Zovath, sr. vice president with Answers in Genesis, Special Projects, who is overseeing the Ark Encounter project, told The Christian Post via email."

• Feb 17. Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 17. Journal and Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. Noah's Ark attraction has land, needs cash.

• Feb 16. WKRC-TV, Channel 12, CBS. Cincinnati, Ohio. Final Land Bought for Biblical Ark Attraction via Associated Press.
  "Organizers are attempting to draw about $24 million in donations to partially fund the building of the massive ark, which will be the park's centerpiece. About $5 million of that has been raised so far, according to the Ark Encounter website."

• Feb 16. CBS - Money Watch. New York City, New York. Ky. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land via Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Daily Reporter. Greenfield, Indiana. Final tract bought for Noah's Ark-themed park in Ky. but fundraising hurt by economy by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. WTVQ-TV, Channel 36, ABC. Lexington, Kentucky. Noah's Ark Coming To Kentucky.

• Feb 16. WFPL-FM, 89.3, NPR. Louisville, Kentucky. Ark Park Land Purchase Complete, Groundbreaking Not Scheduled by Stu Johnson, Kentucky Public Radio.

• Feb 16. Cincinnati.com. Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati Enquirer website. Funding forces change in Ark park plans by Mark Hansel.
  "Apart from $5 million in donations to build the Ark itself, Answers in Genesis is also offering lifetime boarding passes to the attraction.has surpassed which would be included in Phase I of the project.
  Joe Boone, advancement director for Answers in Genesis, said to date 638 family memberships at $3,000 each and 113 individual passes at $2,000 each, have been purchased.

• Feb 16. Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Final tract bought for Noah’s Ark-themed park in Ky. but fundraising hurt by economy by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Louisville Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Ky. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.
  "The group has acquired a 556-acre tract, the last piece of the 800-acre site set on rolling farmland in Grant County, project manager Mike Zovath said Thursday. But a groundbreaking originally set for last year won't be scheduled until the ark's construction is funded, he said."

• Feb 16. WTOP-FM, 103.5, CBS. Washington, D.C. Ky. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Saint Louis, Missouri. Ky. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina . Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Telegram & Gazette. Worcester, Massachusetts. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, California. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. KyPost.com. Kentucky. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.
  "The ark would be built and opened to the public first but other attractions like a village, amphitheater and a Tower of Babel would "be built in multiple phases over many years," Answers in Genesis said Thursday. Zovath said last year that planners had hoped to break ground on the project in August 2011, but that date passed. On Thursday the group said it has a groundbreaking "in its sights" but no date was given."

• Feb 16. Las Vegas Sun. Las Vegas, Nevada. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. WRJT-TV, Channel 12, ABC. Flint, Michigan. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. Noah's Ark attraction gets final piece of land by Dylan Lovan, Associated Press.
  "Gil Lawson, a spokesman for the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, said the state's tax rebate offer ends in May 2014, but project costs spent before that date would count toward the potential rebate."

• Feb 16. WKYT-TV, Channel 27, CBS. Lexington, Kentucky. Final land bought for Ky. biblical ark attraction via Associated Press.

• Feb 16. Cincinnati Business Courier. Cincinnati, Ohio. Ark Encounter buys last piece of land for theme park by Lucy May.
  “This approach will reduce the initial construction period and funding requirements. It will also allow the utility infrastructure to be able to grow with the Ark Encounter’s expansions at a reasonable pace,” the release said. “Phased-in construction is also a safe way to proceed in a difficult economy. Even then, over $5 million in donations have already been received for the building of the Ark itself. In addition to that milestone, many more millions of dollars in memberships and private funding have been raised or committed for the construction of the other attractions surrounding the Ark, the centerpiece of the project.”

• Feb 16. WLKY-TV, Channel 32, CBS. Louisville, Kentucky. Final Land Bought For Ky. Biblical Ark Attraction via Associated Press.

• Feb 16. WLWT-TV, Channel 5, NBC. Cincinnati, Ohio. Final Land Parcel Bought For NKY Ark Park via Associated Press.

• Feb 16. TPMMuckraker Livewire. New York, New York. Creationist Theme Park Group Purchases Final Piece Of Land For Ark Encounter reported by David Taintor.

• Feb 16. Business First. Louisville, Kentucky. Final piece of land purchased for Ark park.

• Feb 16. God Discussion blog. Kentucky governor's budget proposal cuts education and public services, but gives Noah's Ark theme park $43 million tax break by Deborah.
  "Kentucky is the home to Ken Ham's "Creation Museum" and, in 2014, is expected to open the doors to another of Ham's creations, the religiously based Noah's Ark theme park that will feature a replica of the biblical ark and the Tower of Babel."

• Feb 15. Goon Squad blog. USA. "Who Would Jesus Tax?" by Greg Bacon.
  "Or will they let you dress up and pretend you're 'Noah,'--or was it 'Lot' or both?-- get drunk on some wine...

• Feb 8. The Eastern Echo. Ypsilanti, Michigan. Eastern Michigan University student newspaper. Creationist theme park shouldn't get backing by James Tatum.
  "The Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind historically-themed attraction,” reads the company Answer in Genesis’s website. “In an entertaining, educational and immersive way, it presents a number of historical events centered on a full-size, all-wood Ark, which should become the largest timber-frame structure in the USA."

January

• Jan/Feb. North Kentucky Magazine. Cincinnati, Ohio. Beyond the Creation Museum by Julianna Roche. Pages 32-33. Includes photos.

• Jan 31. Louisville Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. Editorial cartoon by Marc Murphy. Page A6.

• Jan 26. DefendingGenesis.org blog. Nitro, West Virginia. Ark Wars: No, Kentucky Is Not Taking Money From Public Schools And Giving It To the Ark Encounter by Tony Breeden.
  "Now the claim is being made that Kentucky is cutting funding to education and giving that money to the Ark Encounter. This is a blatant misrepresentation of the truth; in fact, it is simply a spin on the very same lie Barry Lynn spread via his “Ark Park” snark video."

• Jan 26. The Evolving Scientist - The most mature science blog on the interwebs blog. Lexington, Kentucky. Ark Park sinking, Governor still likes roads of gold by Dustin.
  "Friend of the blog and Rachel Maddow show stopper, Joe Sonka, wrote an article for the Leo Weekly a few days ago that may answer the final question we had for him during our Ark Encounter Podcast. The article outlines over 280 million dollars in budget short falls for the Bluegrass State, including a $50 million cut in education. Still included in the state budget is an allocation of $11.1 million for revamping an exit off I-75 in Williamstown, KY for the 3,500 people that live there. Why so much you ask? Ky-36 is how you and the rest of the Duggars find your way to the proposed sight of Ken Ham's Ark Encounter --scheduled to open sometime before the second coming."

• Jan 25. Constitutional Daily. USA. Raiders of the Lost Ark Encounter Tax Subsidy by Staff.
  "Forbes writer Alex Knapp (pronounced "ka-nap") has his britches all in a bundle over the state of Kentucky providing a subsidy to a creationist theme park, Ark Encounter, while at the same time cutting education spending."

• Jan 25. Leo Weekly. Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO), an alternative newspaper. Louisville, Kentucky. Ark over troubled waters by Joe Sonka.

• Jan 23. Forbes blog. New York City, New York. Kentucky Cuts Education; Preserves Tax Breaks For Creationist Theme Park by Alex Knapp.

• Jan 21. Huffington Post. New York City, New York. Ark Encounter, Kentucky Creationist Theme Park, Gets Generous Tax Breaks In Budget Proposal.
  "Ark Adventure (sic) is the brain child of Answers in Genesis, an evangelical group also behind the Creation Museum, another Kentucky attraction that has drawn millions of visitors since its opening in 2007."

• Jan 19. Florence Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Creation Museum employee responds by Georgia Purdom. Page A9.

• Jan 19. Boone Community Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Creation Museum employee responds by Georgia Purdom. Page A13.

• Jan 16. Leo Weekly. Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO), an alternative newspaper. Louisville, Kentucky. Ark Encounter is spiking! by Joe Sonka.

• Jan 12. Grant County News. Dry Ridge, Kentucky. Ark Encounter - Is It Coming? Mayor Says Yes!. Page 1.

• Jan 12. Boone County Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Curb foolish talk about science by Nancy Rowles. Page A10.

• Jan 12. Boone Community Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Curb foolish talk about science by Nancy Rowles. Page A10.

• Jan 12. Florence Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Curb foolish talk about science by Nancy Rowles. Page A8.

• Jan 5. South Kenton Recorder. Cincinnati, Ohio. Curb foolish talk about science by Nancy Rowles. Page A6.

See Also

• 2012 Ark Encounter news
• 2011 Ark Encounter news
• 2010 Ark Encounter news
• Creation Museum news
• Creation Museum Date Night controversy
• Grand Canyon book controversy
• Freshwater vs Mount Vernon Middle School
• Gaskell vs University of Kentucky