Headline News

Senator Rand Paul will be providing a “Washington Update” public session on Tuesday, May 4,  at the Jim Blair Community Center. The event will start at 9 a.m.

FRANKFORT – The redbuds are blooming and the spring peepers can be heard across the Bluegrass, meaning springtime in Kentucky is upon us, and so is another highly anticipated season of wild turkey hunting.

Resident and non-resident turkey hunters in Kentucky will have their sights set on a healthy wild turkey population and abundant hunting opportunities statewide. The general statewide season begins April 17 and continues through May 9, 2021.

Hunters will want to start with scouting for birds before the season opens.

Zak Danks, wild turkey program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, recommends taking advantage of online tools to virtually scout ahead of time and become familiar with preferred hunting grounds.

“Knowing where you’ll be hunting, such as private or public land, will inform your scouting,” Danks said. “Online topographic and satellite maps of the environment really help to lay out existing trails, open fields, water sources, wooded areas, elevation changes and boundaries such as fences or property lines.”

Virtual scouting comes in handy, though Danks also urges hunters to head afield to scout for bird sightings and droppings, as well as brood behavior.

“With all of our wildlife management areas (WMAs), there’s over a million acres of public land to hunt,” Danks said. “Get to know the woods and fields where you’ll be hunting. Look at the landscape for possible ambush sites. Learn how you should best conceal yourself given the environment and how you can move with the terrain to stay hidden. Knowing what you’re working with will make a huge difference when that big moment comes to take the shot.”

For first-time turkey hunters, Danks always recommends talking to veteran hunters and going afield with a mentor.

“Opening weekend is generally where most of our harvest numbers come from, but many people have a lot of success later in the season, too,” he said. “Watching someone else in action, learning from your time afield and honing the craft is what it’s all about.”

Wild turkey harvest numbers in Kentucky have stayed fairly consistent over the past decade. Last spring, hunters harvested more than 31,700 birds, with Logan County producing the highest harvest of all counties at 655 turkeys.

Kentucky’s spring hunting season is structured to give turkeys enough time to breed before subjecting the birds to hunting pressure. The department monitors turkey reproduction on a statewide scale through annual summer brood surveys.

“We did see a good hatch two years ago, so it’s likely there are more gobblers than usual out there this season,” Danks said. “With all of the public land available to hunt, don’t let the timing detract from going later in the season.”

Both an annual hunting license plus a spring turkey permit are required for hunting turkeys during the spring season. Resident sportsman’s type licenses are a great value and include both, in addition to permits for deer, fall turkey, migratory birds, along with fishing license and trout permit.

All spring turkey permits cover two male or bearded turkeys, the statewide bag limit for the spring season. Youth under age 12, and landowners/legal dependents hunting on their own lands, are license exempt. Licenses and permits are available at fw.ky.gov and at many sporting goods retailers.

All wild turkey harvests must be reported using the department’s “Telecheck” big game check-in system. This can be done online or via telephone at 800-245-4263 (800-CHK-GAME). Telecheck helps ensure lawful harvests and records important biological data for monitoring harvest trends.

T.J. Regional Health along with other national, state and community organizations, are leading a massive effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of April 16 as National Healthcare Decision Day (NHDD).

As a participating organization, T.J. Regional Health is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Kentucky state laws. These resources are available at https://www.tjregionalhealth.org/patients-visitors/patient-information.

“In healthcare, there are situations when we can’t speak for ourselves,” stated Shelly Southworth, Palliative Care Team Coordinator with T.J. Regional Health. “This is a time to decide who you want to speak for you and what you want them to say when you can’t make decisions and speak for yourself. If you have a car wreck, if you have a stroke, if something happens and were suddenly incapacitated, do we want everything? Do we not?”

As a result of National Healthcare Decisions Day, many more people in our community can be expected to have thoughtful conversations about their healthcare decisions and complete reliable advance directives to make their wishes known.

For more information about National Healthcare Decision Day, please visit http://nhdd.org.

Kentucky Health News

About 30 percent of Kentucky adults said in late winter that they probably or definitely wouldn’t take the coronavirus vaccine, but half of those people said they would be open to changing their mind if given more time and information, according to a poll taken for the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The poll, among Kentucky adults Feb. 11 to March 12, was taken to learn more about Kentuckians’ opinions on coronavirus vaccines and about their intentions to take one or not. At the time, Kentucky was only vaccinating people over 60 and some others such as health-care workers and first responders.

Now, anyone 16 and older can get a shot, and more than 1.6 million Kentuckians have received at least one dose of a vaccine. That’s about 50% of Kentucky adults, Foundation CEO Ben Chandler said.

The poll found that 19% said they would definitely not get a vaccination and 10% said they would probably not. Those groups were asked, “Once more people in the U.S. start receiving vaccines for the coronavirus and there is more information about it , would you say it is possible you would decide to get a vaccine, or you are pretty certain that you would decide not to get a vaccine?”

Just over half, 51%, said they would. In reporting the results of this question, the foundation and the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati, which conducted the poll, combined the “probably not” and “definitely not” groups and did not provide results for each group.

Chandler called the result good news and said it is key to Kentucky’s chances of reaching herd immunity, which will provide some protection for people unwilling or unable to get a coronavirus vaccine. “We need these folks in order to get there,” he said in a teleconference.

The foundation’s poll is consistent with national polls that have also found Republicans, men and rural residents are more reluctant than other groups to take a coronavirus vaccine.

The combined “probably not” and “definitely not” group in the Kentucky poll was more likely to be male, Republican, and to live in suburban or rural communities.

Among those who said they were willing to change their minds, 47% were Republicans, 50% were suburban, 53% were rural, and 53% were high-school graduates.

The less formal education a person had, the more likely they were to say that they would definitely or probably not get a vaccination.

On the other side of the coin, 76% of women, 87% of Democrats, 70% of independents, 80% of those living in urban areas and 81% of college graduates said they had already taken a vaccine or intended to.

The poll found that 71% of Kentucky adults had already been vaccinated or planned on getting a vaccine. Chandler said if all of them follows through, would get us “right at the edge of what we need to achieve herd immunity here in Kentucky,” with 70% to 85% of the population vaccinated.

Chandler also spoke about the importance of reaching herd immunity before the virus mutates to the point that the vaccine is no longer effective.

“If this virus mutates and is allowed to continue to produce these variants, at some point, there’s a tremendous concern that the variants may outpace the vaccine and inhibit the efficacy of the vaccine,” he said

Looking at motivation, the survey found Kentucky adults were evenly split on whether getting a coronavirus vaccine is a personal choice or is part of everyone’s responsibility to protect the health of the community.

Kentucky Health News

Gov. Andy Beshear warned Monday that Kentuckians need to do what it takes to ward off a likely rise in cases, as has happened every other time the state has been in a plateau, as it is now.

The way to do that, he said, is to get vaccinated. That advice became a bit complicated on Tuesday after federal experts asked states to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after reports of blood clots in six of the 6.8 million people who have received it. Kentucky did that.

“Everyone should still get one of the other two Covid-19 vaccines during this pause,” Beshear said in a news release. “We cannot let this slow us down. The United States is going to get about 1.85 million more doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this week. We should be able to make up any loss of appointments. Stay calm – it looks like the risk here from the J&J vaccine is very, very small versus the really significant risk of being harmed by Covid.”

FRANKFORT – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear and Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, advised all Kentucky vaccine providers to temporarily pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine.

Early this morning, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the pause after extremely rare blood clotting conditions developed in six Americans who received the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, out of 6.8 million total Americans who have received it.

“Everyone should still get one of the other two COVID-19 vaccines during this pause. We cannot let this slow us down. The United States is going to get about 1.85 million more doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines this week. We should be able to make up any loss of appointments,” Gov. Beshear said. “Stay calm – it looks like the risk here from the J&J vaccine is very, very small versus the really significant risk of being harmed by COVID.”

During a media briefing Tuesday morning, Gov. Beshear said the president’s chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky indicated the chance of developing blood clots after the J&J vaccine was less than 1 in 1 million. In contrast, 1 in 558 Americans has died of COVID-19 in just over 13 months.

The Governor reported 1,586,411 Kentuckians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose so far. Yesterday, the Governor reported that vaccination data would update over the next two to three days after the state’s reporting system completed a security upgrade.

Two women and a man were injured April 12 in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 55 South, near Columbia.

Adair County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of an accident at approximately 5:10 p.m., four miles south of Columbia.

The accident occurred when a vehicle driven southbound by Joann Shaw, 42, of Columbia, dropped off the right shoulder of the road. She over corrected and crossed into the northbound lane of Highway 55.

She was struck by a 2013 Fiat driven by Ruth Ware, 58, of Columbia. The passenger in the car was William Ware, 59, also of Columbia.

Adair County EMS responded and transported all parties to T.J. Health of Columbia for suspected injuries.

Deputy Brandon Hitch was assisted on the scene by the Adair County Fire Department.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone Thursday, April 15, at 4 p.m. will be the last day the sheriff’s office will collect property taxes for 2020.

Outstanding tax bills will be transferred to the Adair County Clerk’s Office .

Chris Cundiff of Dunnville was arrested April 9 after a search of a residence yielded a firearm and numerous drugs.

Adair County Sheriff Josh Brockman and Casey County Sheriff Chad Weddle were continuing an investigation around 9:15 a.m. on Dunnville Road near the Adair County/Casey County line.

During the investigation, they found methamphetamine, marijuana, pills, drug paraphernalia and a firearm.

Cundiff, 30, was arrested by Brockman on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, first degree; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of marijuana; and possession of a controlled substance, third degree

Adair County Sheriff’s deputies Brandon Hitch, Derek Padgett, and probation and parole officers assisted on scene.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 2.81%.

Deaths: We regret we must report 2 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 384 deaths resulting in a 1.79% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.44% mortality rate at the state level and a 1.81% mortality rate at the national level. Our hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 25 cases in the hospital. This is 1 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,193 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.56% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.88%. The latest data shows that 93.33% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 24.59% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 21,476 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 10.28% of our total population has been a confirmed case. However, we do not know how many additional people may have had COVID-19 and were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and never tested. Of our total cases, 0.41% are reinfections.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 31 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 5; Casey: 3; McCreary: 6; Pulaski: 7; Russell: 2; Taylor: 3; and, Wayne: 5. In all, we have released 97.5% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 11 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 151 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 12/10/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 1,342.

Where Did Cases Visit Prior to Isolation: The most common places cases visited prior to isolation are (in descending order): Family, Businesses, Medical Facilities, and Schools. Of our active cases, 3% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 22 today: Adair: 1; Casey: 3; Cumberland: 1; McCreary: 2; Pulaski: 11; Russell: 2; and, Taylor: 2. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.001. This means our total case count is projected to double every 673.64 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 12/30/2020 when we added 301 cases. Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 76-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 29-year-old male who is hospitalized, Asymptomatic;
Casey: A 41-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Casey: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Cumberland: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
McCreary: A 57-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
McCreary: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 29-year-old female who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 58-year-old male who is self-isolated, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 25-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 66-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Pulaski: A 44-year-old male who is released, Asymptomatic;
Pulaski: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Pulaski: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Russell: A 73-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Taylor: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

Now the COVID-19 vaccinations are open to everyone! Let’s finish strong and everyone get the vaccine as soon as you can.

The deaths we report today are: an 88-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized; and a 92-year-old individual from Pulaski who had been hospitalized.

A close look at the data may appear that McCreary’s numbers are off today. This is because we removed one case that did not end up meeting case definition.

Today, for Lake Cumberland, we added fewer cases than for the same period last week, so our 7-day-average incidence rate went down. Keep in mind, some of our 7-day-incidence data will be skewed over the next few days as we are reconciling our data against the state data. Our 7-day incidence chart is showing 7 counties in the “yellow-community-spread” category, Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Russell, Taylor, and Wayne; 2 counties in the “orange-accelerated” range of community-spread: McCreary, and Pulaski; 1 county in the “red-critical” range: Casey.

Don’t forget that at both the world level and in several states, we are seeing sharp increases in new COVID-19 cases. Therefore, please do not assume that the pandemic is completely behind us and take the vaccine as soon as you can. Also, until the vaccine is widely available, and a significant percentage of the population has taken it, let’s all do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding touching our faces.

Adair County School District officials recently released an informational sheet for parents on a new law signed by Gov. Andy Beshear. The law, Senate Bill 128 proposed by Sen. Max Wise, would allow students in grades K through 12 to use 2021-22 as a supplemental year in their educational journey, if they feel they have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus. Parents have until May 1 to make the request for their children.

Adair County Schools SB 128 info sheet[1]

Adair County School District Superintendent Dr. Pam Stephens has released the district’s latest coronavirus numbers.

Dustin Stone of Columbia was arrested Monday and is facing multiple felony charges after leading several law enforcement units in a pursuit.

Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Derek Padgett observed a 2005 Black Tahoe on Bliss Road at approximately 12:05 p.m. Stone, who was wanted on several felony warrants, was believed to be behind the wheel. He was also believed to be in possession of a stolen firearm.

Padgett attempted to initiate a stop, but Stone ignored the directive and led a pursuit toward Highway 61 North. Speeds reached 70 miles per hour, but Stone’s vehicle began to experience mechanical issues. Several Columbia Police officers and sheriff’s units joined in the pursuit and eventually stopped Stone on Milltown Road, near Portland.

K-9 Officer Evan Burton and K-9 Matt conducted a walk around on the vehicle and Matt alerted to narcotics in the vehicle. A quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, pills, cash, a stolen handgun, scales, and additional paraphernalia were located.

Stone, 32, was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail on charges of two felony Adair Circuit warrants, fleeing and evading police, first degree; trafficking in a controlled substance, first degree, methamphetamine; possession of a controlled substance, second degree; possession of a controlled substance, third degree; possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of stolen firearm, reckless driving, and wanton endangerment, second degree, four counts.

Adair County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.

Jacob Stotts of Columbia was injured April 4 in a motorcycle accident on Highway 55 south, near the Glensfork Community.

Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Cross was dispatched to a motorcycle accident at approximately 4 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, Cross found the motorcycle had left the roadway and the rider was ejected.

Further investigation found Stotts was operating a 2000 Kawasaki when he dropped off the shoulder of the highway, struck a tile and lost control of the motorcycle.

He was treated on scene by Adair County EMS, and then airlifted to the University of Louisville for additional treatment.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.

Curtis Keith, 33, of Campbellsville, was arrested April 1after a traffic stop just north of Columbia.

At approximately 5:35 p.m., Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Chandler Staten and K9 Nitro initiated a stop on a 2000 Toyota, found to be operated by Keith.

After an investigation of the vehicle, Keith was arrested on charges of reckless driving, possession of a controlled substance, first degree, methamphetamine; possession of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Keith was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

As of 2:15 p.m. on April 2, 2021 the boil water advisory for customers starting at 7993-12158 Knifley Rd and all side roads in between has been lifted by the Division of Water Columbia Office.

This means your water is safe for human consumption. You no longer have to boil your water.

Adair County High School’s baseball and softball games with Green County and Clinton County, respectively, scheduled for today at home have been cancelled.

Don’t forget enrollment has been scheduled for children entering Headstart, Preschool and Kindergarten next fall. Officials will be taking registration on Wednesday, April 14, at the Adair County Primary Center.

Jordan Wheat of Columbia was taken into custody and is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop April 1 on Highway 55 North.

Columbia Police Officer Josh Durbin stopped wheat, 25, while Wheat was operating his motorcycle. Further investigation showed Wheat had an outstanding warrant from Casey County, and was found to be in possession of suspected heroin.

Wheat was taken into custody and is now facing charges for multiple traffic violations as well as possession of heroin, a class D felony.

Officer Drew Conn and Adair County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Cross assisted Durbin on the scene.