Terms of Service for WebSite Users
Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions govern access to and use of Kentucky Colonel News (news.kycolonelcy.us), including its pages, posts, newsletters, subscriptions, embedded components, and related services. They are written as public-facing consumer information, and they are intended to operate alongside our publishing framework and corrections practice. For privacy, cookies, and data rights, see Privacy Policy. For editorial standards, see Publishing Principles, Policies and Standards.
1. Acceptance of terms
By using this site, you agree
By accessing, browsing, or using Kentucky Colonel News (the “Site”), you agree to these Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”). If you do not agree, do not use the Site. If you are using the Site on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms.
These Terms apply to all Site visitors, readers, newsletter subscribers, contributors, and anyone interacting with Site features, including embedded media, comments where available, and subscription products where offered. Some features may require additional terms presented at the point of use; those feature terms supplement (and do not replace) these Terms.
2. Who we are (publisher and publication)
Publisher identity
The Site is published as Kentucky Colonel News and operated within the Kentucky Colonelcy publishing network. References to “we,” “us,” or “our” in these Terms refer to the publisher and editorial desk responsible for the Site. Our About page is the primary public explanation of our publisher identity, scope, and disambiguation practices: About Kentucky Colonelcy.
Kentucky Colonel News is a documentation-first publication. We publish original reporting, historical research, civic references, backgrounders, explanatory pages, and other editorial material intended to be verified, cited, and understood in context.
3. Purpose of the publication
Public-interest publishing
The Site exists to document and publish material related to Kentucky Colonel history, civic terminology, and public records. This includes: (a) original editorial work, (b) cited summaries of sources, (c) public-domain materials, (d) commentary and advocacy where clearly framed, and (e) structured, verifiable references designed for durable citation.
The Site is built to support reader trust through transparency: clear definitions, clear corrections, and clear separation between reporting, commentary, and historical narrative framing. We publish consumer-facing pages (like these Terms and our Privacy Policy) as part of that trust infrastructure.
4. Journalistic purpose and legal rights
Self-declared journalism and editorial independence
Kentucky Colonel News is a journalistic and editorial publication. Our authors and editors publish as journalists in a self-declared capacity, exercising rights associated with news gathering, analysis, commentary, and public-interest documentation. Nothing in these Terms should be read to waive lawful rights of editorial judgment, fair comment, or the publication of accurate, sourced information on matters of public interest.
We do not offer legal advice, and we do not promise that any reader’s use of the Site will create a professional relationship (such as attorney–client). However, we do recognize the practical reality that journalism requires lawful latitude: investigation, citation, quotation, criticism, historical analysis, and the good-faith correction of the record when better evidence emerges.
Civic language and “ambassador” framing
In our editorial vocabulary, the Kentucky Colonel title is treated as a civic honor conferred by a head-of-state (the Governor of Kentucky) by commission and letters patent. In public-facing explanations, we may describe the Kentucky Colonel as a form of civil goodwill ambassador (a community-facing, civic, and ceremonial role) to help readers understand how an honorary title functions in common-law civic life. Where we use analogies (for example, comparisons to an “honorary consul” concept), those are explanatory comparisons—not claims of identical legal status, and they should be read in context with our defined terms and sourcing.
5. Content ownership and licensing
Original content
Unless a page or post states otherwise, the Site’s original text, editorial structure, page layout, and compilation of materials are protected by applicable law. You may read, download, and print Site pages for personal, noncommercial use. You may also link to Site pages. Any other reproduction, redistribution, or commercial reuse of original Site content requires permission unless a separate license is stated on the relevant page.
We publish in a modern web environment where quotation and reference are normal. Responsible reuse is welcome: cite the page you relied on, link to it, and quote only what is necessary. If you want to republish substantial portions of an original piece, contact us for permission and licensing options.
Names, marks, and identity
The names “Kentucky Colonelcy” and “Kentucky Colonel News” and the Site’s visual identity may function as brand identifiers. Use of those identifiers in a way that is likely to confuse readers about source, affiliation, or endorsement is not permitted. This restriction does not limit nominative use, criticism, or reporting about the publisher or publication.
6. Public domain, quotations, and attribution
Public-domain and licensed materials
Some Site material may be republished from public-domain sources or used under license (including Creative Commons where stated). When we republish or excerpt, we aim to provide attribution, citations, and context so that readers can verify independently.
If you believe a piece of content is incorrectly labeled as public domain or is used outside a license, contact us with specific details (URL, work, claim, and supporting documentation). We take rights questions seriously and will review promptly.
Quotations and fair use principles
The Site may quote sources for purposes such as reporting, criticism, commentary, scholarship, education, and historical explanation. We work to quote accurately, identify the source, and avoid misleading presentation. If you believe a quotation is inaccurate or out of context, submit a correction request with the specific text and your evidence.
7. User submissions, tips, and correspondence
What you grant us when you send material
If you send us tips, messages, documents, or other materials (“Submissions”), you grant us permission to review and use them for editorial purposes consistent with the Site’s mission, including verification, citation, and publication of factual claims where appropriate. You represent that you have the right to send the material and that doing so does not violate a lawful obligation you owe to someone else.
We do not guarantee publication of any Submission. Editorial discretion includes selecting what to publish, when to publish, how to frame it, and whether it requires additional verification. If you require confidentiality, say so clearly at the time you submit (and do not submit sensitive material through channels you do not trust). See Contact for preferred pathways.
Prohibited conduct
Do not use the Site to submit unlawful threats, harassment, malware, or content that violates the rights of others. Do not attempt to interfere with the Site’s operation, scrape it in a way that harms service, or circumvent access controls. We may limit or block access when necessary to protect readers, the editorial desk, and the integrity of the published record.
9. Analytics, cookies, third-party scripts, and embeds
Google Analytics and measurement
The Site uses measurement tools to understand readership, improve content, and maintain quality. This includes Google Analytics where configured. Analytics may involve cookies or similar technologies, and it may collect information such as device identifiers, approximate location, referrers, pages viewed, and time on page. For details, lawful bases, and controls (including consent and opt-out where applicable), see Privacy Policy.
Third-party scripts
Our intended third-party scripting footprint is narrow: Google publishing and subscription services used for distribution, news indexing, and reader revenue. Other functionality is primarily provided by Blogger-native components. Some embedded components (for example, maps or documents displayed in iframes) may set cookies or load resources from their providers. We treat those embeds as “requested by the user” interactions when you choose to view them.
If you are in a jurisdiction that requires consent for non-essential cookies or tracking, we aim to provide a consent mechanism and a clear privacy notice. If you believe the Site is not meeting an applicable consumer expectation (for example, a missing disclosure or broken preference), contact us and include the URL and your region.
10. EU/UK/EEA consumer and data-rights notice
If you access this Site from Europe
If you access the Site from the EU/EEA, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or other jurisdictions with enhanced consumer and privacy protections, you may have additional rights. Our Privacy Policy is the primary document for data processing disclosures, including cookies, analytics, consent, and your choices. These Terms complement that policy by describing the rules of Site use, publication, and editorial operations.
In consumer-rights frameworks, clear disclosures matter. We aim to disclose: (a) what we publish, (b) how to contact us, (c) how we correct errors, (d) what measurement tools we use, and (e) how a reader can control cookie preferences where legally required. If a conflict exists between these Terms and mandatory consumer law in your jurisdiction, mandatory consumer law controls.
11. Disclaimers and limitation of liability
General disclaimer
The Site is provided for informational, educational, and editorial purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we do not warrant that the Site will be error-free, uninterrupted, or complete. Use of the Site is at your own risk.
Some content is historical in nature. Historical interpretation evolves when new sources are found or better documentation becomes available. We may update pages to reflect improved evidence. Where practical, we include “Last updated” timestamps and stable URLs.
Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of (or inability to use) the Site, including reliance on content, links, or third-party services. Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations; in those jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the minimum extent permitted by law.
12. Indemnity
If your conduct causes harm
To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher and editorial operators from claims, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your unlawful use of the Site, your Submissions, or your violation of these Terms.
13. Termination, suspension, and access controls
Protecting the record
We may suspend, limit, or block access to the Site (or particular features) where necessary to protect readers, the editorial desk, Site security, or the integrity of the published record. We may remove or refuse Submissions that violate these Terms or that we reasonably believe present legal or safety risks.
14. Governing law and venue
Kentucky governing law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising from the Site or these Terms shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in Kentucky, unless mandatory consumer law requires otherwise.
15. Changes to these terms
We may update these Terms
We may update these Terms to reflect changes in Site functionality, publication standards, or legal requirements. When we update them, we will revise the “Effective Date” and “Last updated” information on this page. Continued use of the Site after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
16. Contact
Contact pathways
For questions about these Terms, corrections, or editorial matters, use: Contact Kentucky Colonelcy. Email: contact@kycolonelcy.us.
Effective date: · Last updated: · URI: https://news.kycolonelcy.us/p/terms-of-service.html