Adair County Community Voice

Thoughtful, Thorough, and Truthful News Coverage in Columbia, Kentucky

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Rep. Carney was loved by many

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This story appeared in the July 22 issue of the Adair County Community Voice. To keep up with the latest news and sports in Adair County, get your subscription by calling 270-384-9454.

Rep. John “Bam” Carney, Kentucky State Representative for Adair and Taylor counties and former House Majority Leader, died Saturday in Lexington after a long illness. The 51-year-old fought pancreatitis and related medical issues for almost 18 months.

Carney, who was a teacher in Taylor County, had friends and family across the county with roots in Knifley, but his political career earned him respect across Kentucky and the nation as he served his communities and worked his way into House leadership.

“If you look at education policy, you look at someone who was a statesman, who worked well with all parties, who worked well with lobbyists, staff members, Bam Carney was one of the best,” said Sen. Max Wise. “He will truly be missed. His presence has already been missed by not having him in Frankfort.

“He was a calmness, sometimes in the midst of a storm. Bam had the ability to bring people together and I think that’s how we look at things in rural Kentucky. While we were always hoping and praying for him to return to Frankfort, right now I know he is rejoicing. He is no longer in pain.”

Carney, a Christian, was first elected in 2009. He served on the education committee and worked side-by-side with Wise on several legislative issues.

“From the blue jeans to the Brooks Brothers executive suits, Bam could talk with everybody. It did not matter. He never judged people and you always walked away from having a conversation with Bam feeling good about yourself,” Wise said. “In our line of work, it is so easy to get crossways on policy issues. Even when that would happen with Bam, I think our Democrat colleagues would say there was still a level of appreciation and respect.”

Carney’s passing brought words of condolence from elected officials and leaders everywhere.

“Bam was not only a great representative, but also a close friend,” said Adair County Judge Executive Gale Cowan. “I called him for advice many times. He was a true asset to have in Frankfort, but also a true friend who was always willing to help.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rep. Bam Carney,” said Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots. “He cared for his community, his district and serving Taylor and Adair counties. He was a true friend and public servant for Columbia and Adair County.”

Carney Honored on U.S. House Floor

While words of condolences came from near and far, a close, personal friend recognized him on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This past weekend, Kentucky lost one of its best – my dear friend and the former majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives, Bam Carney,” Congressman James Comer told his peers Monday.

“He rose as high as majority leader and remained there and would have remained there as long as he wanted to be majority leader, until he fell ill. And those of us who have kept up with Bam over the last year and a half know that Bam fought a battle that few could have fought.”

Comer said the history books will report on Carney’s leadership and his role as “a great educator and a leader for education in the commonwealth,” but then his comments turned personal about his friend. Comer served in the Kentucky House of Representatives when Carney was first elected.

“He wasn’t like everyone else in Frankfort. Bam was genuine. What you saw was what you got. Bam and I became very close friends. In fact, I consider Bam Carney one of my best friends.”

Comer said Carney didn’t hide from controversial or difficult issues, and he would do what he thought was right for the people he represented.

“Bam Carney is the kind of person we all need in legislative bodies. Someone you can count on, someone that is honest, and someone that is in the legislative body for the right reason,” Comer said.

He talked about Carney’s interest in sports, playing golf, and his faith.

“In fact, one of the last things he said to me was he was ready to go to heaven, and I know that’s where he is right now,” Comer said. “I hope that those of us who knew Bam can learn from the greatness of Bam Carney.”

Others who voiced their condolences include U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

“Bam Carney was a tireless public servant whose devotion to his fellow Kentuckians knew no bounds,” said McConnell, who is Kentucky’s senior senator. “He uplifted the lives of his constituents through more than a decade of hard work and dedication, deeply committed to central Kentucky and its people. It is a testament to his strong character that he was chosen to lead Kentucky Republicans as the House Majority Leader, a role which he passionately embraced.”

Wise said one of the things Carney was known for was being straightforward and hardworking, dedicated to fighting for issues he believed in on his own or in unison with colleagues.

Probably one of Carney’s most important bills was the School and Safety Resiliency Act Bill (SB1) he championed with Wise in late 2017. It increased mental health funding for students and put funding in the budget for increasing the physical presence for arming school resource officers.

“Bam always talked about his roots in Knifley and I think that is something he carried with him until he passed,” Wise said. “He was humble, he had a great personality, and he had a knack for seeing the good in people. I think a lot of people will remember his wink and smile.”

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

Local teen receives liver, community support

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Emily Sneed received a phone call on Wednesday, June 30 that she knew would forever change her life and the life of her daughter.

Fourteen-year-old Isabella Gonzalez would be getting a liver transplant.
Isabella was born with a chronic liver disease called biliary atresia. She spent her first 6 months of life at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, having surgeries and procedures.

Since then Isabella’s life has been riddled with constant doctors’ appointments, checkups, procedures, and daily medications to help give her the best quality of life possible. As was expected, her liver continued to deteriorate, and a few months ago she was placed on the National Transplant Registry in hopes of finding a new liver.

Isabella underwent a 12-hour surgery last Wednesday night. There were complications during the surgery but she is improving daily.

As she continues to heal during the next few months, her mother will be there by her side. That means she won’t be working her normal, busy schedule as a beautician. To help out, friends and family members have started an online auction to help raise money for the family.

“Emily is self-employed and had to navigate 2020 Covid regulations for salons, only to be faced with three months off work to care for Isabella during and after the transplant,” said Shannon Sexton, a local business owner who co-owns a boutique store located inside Emily’s salon, Hello Gorgeous. “The least we can do is step up and help them. That’s what’s great about Adair County. We always step up.”

Emily talks about the mixed emotions they have experienced knowing that the surgery would save her daughter but another family was mourning a loss. She has also been in awe of the support from the community.

“Isabella has made so much progress each day the doctors are just amazed. Right after surgery I couldn’t believe the amount of calls and texts we had started receiving. Everyone was praying so hard for her and prayers are getting answered every day,” she said. “Our community, friends, family, churches and even people I have never met started donating us money, care packages, e-cards (probably 100 + e-cards) and setting up fundraisers.”

A fundraising auction is taking place on a Facebook page named “Belle-A-Thon.” Items are being donated for auction and deadlines to bid will vary but begin on July 10. Locations to drop off donations are also provided on the Facebook page.

Sexton, LaGene Sexton, also a co-owner of the boutique, and Holly Owens, Emily’s cousin, are organizing the fundraiser.

“I couldn’t believe how many of our community have made donations,” Emily said. “It’s so amazing being part of a community that is there for you. I am so proud Columbia is my home. The nurses made comments about all the cards, stuffed animals, and balloons. They said, ‘this girl is loved,’ and the chaplain couldn’t believe the support we had from our community.

“We appreciate everything that everyone has done for us. It’s been amazing seeing the response. We hope everyone continues to pray for Isabella and also for the family of her donor. I hope someday I can personally thank them for giving Isabella the ability to live a full, happy life.”

Isabella is also the daughter of Daniel Gonzalez and is the granddaughter of Ronnie and Connie Stone, of Columbia.

For the latest in local news and sports, get a subscription to the Community Voice. Call 270-384-9454 for more information.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

Grider named school board chairman

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The Adair County school board had a special called meeting Tuesday night and elected Troy Grider as chairman for the remainder of 2021. Terry Harvey will remain as vice chairman.
The election was required to fulfill former chairman Lisa Burton’s term. Burton resigned her post at last month’s meeting.

“I told Lisa that we’re going to blame everything on her,” laughed Grider. “I told her she has led in a very great manner. We understand her reasons for why she resigned, and I would have probably done the same thing. It is a very humbling experience for me, and I just hope I can do as good of a job as she did.

“I didn’t necessarily want or campaign for the position, but if my peers think I can do the best job at it, then obviously that’s what I want to do.”

Grider said he does not go into his new position with any agenda of what he wants accomplished during his term. He just wants to do the best job he can.

“With this board, we have always had some very good cooperation, compromise and ease in working together. Really, I just want to continue that,” Grider said. “We know within boards and especially within schools there sometimes is a lot of old politics. My goal is to try and keep that out. I want to be purpose driven, and that purpose is to do the best job I can for the children.”

The board then went into a working session for a presentation from Sarah Lamere, Brian Buckner, Kevin McCalla, and Greg Hosfield of Ross Tarrant Architects of Lexington. The group, well known for building schools around the state, worked with board members to discuss possible plans for a new middle school in the district and where it would best fit on campus. No decisions were made, but future meetings were discussed.

“We were just looking at potentially where we could build a new middle school,” Grider said. “We’re just excited to look at new ideas, and this firm did a good job of helping us do that.”
The board is seeking applications to fill Burton’s seat in District 3. The appointment will be effective until the 2022 general election. Applicants must be 24 years old, be a Kentucky citizen for at least three years, be a registered voter in District 3, and have a high school education or GED.

Applications are available at the Board of Education, 1204 Greensburg St. The appointment and swearing in are planned for July 22.

For the latest in local news and sports check out the Community Voice each Thursday. For subscriptions, call 270-384-9454.

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

 

City budget includes gas rate increase, employee pay raises

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The city council held two special called meetings this past week to make final adjustments to the budget ending June 30 and approving a budget for the incoming fiscal year.
Mayor Pam Hoots noted that the budget includes more than $494,000 in retirement costs, an increase of $85,000 this year.

Costs have also increased because the city has not been able to use county inmates to help with the sanitation department. In addition, landfill rates continue to increase.
The budget includes a 3 percent pay increase across the board for employees. The increase was not mentioned during the vote on the budget and Hoots said she checked with city attorney Derrick Helm and decided a specific vote on the increase is not necessary. In the past, council members would vote on any pay increases.

The new budget includes more than $105,000 in additional expenses for salaries across all departments compared to the previous year.

Gas rate increase included in budget
The new budget includes a higher rate per unit of gas for the city’s gas customers. The revenue shows an increase of nearly $302,000, based on increasing the unit rate from 33 cents to 44 cents.
The council did not specifically vote on the new rate, and when asked following the meeting, Helm reviewed pertinent documents and said that the council would need to put the increase into effect by a vote during a meeting scheduled for next week.

Gas customers pay a $12 base rate plus the actual cost of the gas and a “per unit” fee. Ann Marie Austin, an employee in the gas department, provided some examples of the impact of the increase from 33 cents per unit to 44 cents per unit.
As an example, a three-bedroom house in the city used 144 units in February and 30 units in July, so the residents would see an increase of $15.84 in February and $3.30 in July.
A local restaurant that uses gas for cooking uses from 430 to 537 units and would see a rate increase of $47.30 to $59.07 per month.

A large, older home in the city used 320 units in February and would see an increase of $35.20 a month, but would only see a 10-cent increase during the summer.
A dorm on the campus of Lindsey Wilson College used 1282 units during February, which would be an increase of $141.02.

Garbage carryover drops after truck purchase
The garbage fund is showing a revenue of $690,000, up from $550,200 from 2021. The carryover, however, is expected to drop from $274,993 to $128,3488. The budget includes $175,000 in expenses for the purchase of a new garbage truck.
Council member Robert Flowers voiced his concern about the reduction of the carryover, and said another year with another truck purchase “and we are going to be out of business.”

The city recently reviewed usage by commercial customers and adjusted rates based on usage. In addition, they found some customers were not being billed and corrected that.

Other funds
The city received $1,099,000 from payroll tax revenue for the past fiscal year and is estimating $1 million for the new year.
ABC funds – revenue from taxing the sale of alcohol – are expected to stay the same, at $136,000.
The city’s general fund begins with a carryover of $1.3 million and ends with $922,798.

Not built into the budget is any payment toward a $525,000 loan that is part of an economic development project. The city is receiving a $1 million grant and borrowing $525,000 to purchase the former Majestic Yachts property. The land will be leased to Synergy Food Group. Those loan and lease payments are not yet in the budget.
Also not yet in the budget is the first half of more than $856,000 the city will receive through federal relief funds. Guidelines for using the funds are still not complete and Hoots said the funds will be budgeted once it is clear where they can be used. The funds must be used by 2024.

Also during a special called me last Friday, the council approved a 90-day option on property located at 418 Hudson St. The city hopes to receive a grant to use toward purchasing the property for the city’s road department and parks and recreation.
All council members were in attendance except Craig Dean, who joined the second meeting via telephone.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

County works to replace failed air unit at jail

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The fiscal court held a special called meeting last week to purchase an air conditioning unit for the jail but it appears the jail will remain with only one of two units in operation for a major part of the summer.

The court solicited bids to either make repairs to a current unit or to replace the 30-ton unit after learning that one of two units was not working properly.
Last Thursday, the court opened bids and accepted a low bid from Alpha Mechanical Services for $28,632 for a Carrier unit.

County Judge Executive Gale Cowan said the company hopes to have the product installed in six to eight weeks, but units of that size are not built until they are ordered. There is no guarantee when the unit will be ready, given the current difficulty of finding some products on the market.
Meanwhile, the county has purchased two portable coolers, has placed box fans in every jail cell, has added large shop fans in the hallways, and has taken other measures to keep the jail as cool as possible. Ice water is being made available in every cell, Cowan said.

The fiscal court held the special called meeting last week and met again Tuesday for a regularly scheduled meeting.
During both meetings, the need for summer employees on the road department was discussed. The county has tried to hire four different people but none of them accepted the position.

Road crew gets extra hours
At Tuesday’s meeting, magistrate Billy Coffey said he is concerned because the road crew is behind on boom mowing. He made a motion to allow the road department employees who do boom mowing to work 10 hours a day, five days a week. The motion was approved.
Coffey also brought up road department money for blacktopping and magistrate Daryl Flatt said they currently have $900,000 in the road fund, with more coming from the state in July or August. Flatt made a motion to allow each magistrate to use $60,000 in their district for roadwork. The motion was approved.
Judge Cowan urged magistrates to get their road requests into Gaddie Shamrock as soon as possible for the projects to get started.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the court voted to rescind an earlier vote to cancel a contract with Cintas Uniforms. Cowan said they learned it would cost the county more than $15,000 to end the contract early, but they were able to negotiate and cut their cost in half.
A rental agreement for use of the annex basement was approved that would require someone who does not leave the facility clean to pay a $100 cleaning fee.

Cat ordinance discussed
The court discussed what has been dubbed a “cat ordinance,” which has been brought up at several meetings after an apparent issue with cats being fed at a house in a subdivision that is often left unattended.

At the request of the court, County Attorney Jennifer Hutchison Corbin compiled two draft ordinances. One option includes more restrictions, including specifications for the size of kennels, and includes a penalty section.
Flatt first made a motion to accept the stricter ordinance. Magistrate Terry Hadley said the drafts were not in his box prior to the meeting and he had not read them, so any possible action was postponed.

The court approved a $10.6 million budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, which includes more than $3.7 million in federal relief funds. The budget allocates $1.65 million in the general fund, $2.6 million in the road fund, $1.8 million in the jail fund, $504,700 for 911 dispatch, $50,500 from alcohol revenue, $49,700 for parks and recreation, $3.7 million for administration, and $98,200 for the animal shelter.

Transfer station move takes another step
The court will advertise its plans to move a garbage transfer station from its current location on L Willis road. The county signed a 10-year lease for the property at $12,000 a year for the first five years and $15,000 for the remaining years.
While there are several more years left in the lease, the county is taking steps to see if it would be feasible to move the transfer station to land the county owns near Campbellsville Road. Publicizing plans to relocate the transfer station is the next step required in the project.

The court voted to move meetings back to the annex effective in July. All magistrates were in attendance for both the special called and the regular meeting.

By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com

 

Streeval takes CMV battle to Frankfort

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It has been a long process for Sarah Streeval. The Adair County native has fought tooth and nail over the last two years to bring the disease of cytomegalovirus to the forefront of everyone’s attention. The rare disease took the life of Streeval’s young daughter. Bella, in 2020.

Streeval got the chance to bring her story to the state level last week when she spoke in front of legislators at the June interim Health and Welfare Committee meeting in Frankfort. She was there to highlight Gov. Andy Beshear’s signing of a proclamation making June CMV Awareness Month.

“It is a rollercoaster,” said Streeval. “We started with Bella’s Bill during the last regular session. During discussions with the House and the Senate, they suggested we shelf it and come back during the interim. So we went to Frankfort and we were able to take photos, a slide show. We were able to educate them even further.”

Bella was diagnosed with cytomegalovirus at birth. It impacts around one in every 200 births each year.

“Getting the proclamation signed by the governor is a great way to get the word out about CMV,” Streeval said. “I want the legislators to understand this is worthy of their time and effort. A lot of the misconceptions about CMV are out there – that it is so rare, that we can’t do anything about it. I want them to see all the families that have joined us in the battle and let them hear their stories.”

One of Streeval’s greatest advocates has been Sen. Max Wise.

“It was an honor to have Sarah at the June interim Health and Welfare Committee meeting and to hear her share Bella Dawn’s story.  Her strength and story was heartfelt and had every committee member fully engaged,” Wise said. “The advocacy and awareness that she and countless others are doing for CMV is to be commended.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the 2022 session on Bella’s Law and seeing this become a reality in Kentucky.”

Streeval said there is a lot of work still to be done, but she would like to see the creation of a task force that would be able to focus on CMV in Kentucky and how it is being treated. She said her goal for the trip to Frankfort was to give legislators an introduction to the disease. She said she plans to head back to Frankfort during the next regular session.

Until then, Streeval said she’s going to keep telling everyone about CMV and the effects it has on babies and their families.

“We heard from the legislators and they all loved Bella and her story,” Streeval said. “A lot of them have misinformation about CMV, about it being more rare and that they can’t do anything about it. We heard (from the legislators) what’s done is done and that is discouraging.

“CMV attacks in utero, but a lot can be done after birth. Maybe we can’t affect the baby in utero, but we can do something.”

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

Town lacks clear trail to ‘Trail Town’

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An effort to bring more visitors to Adair County seems to be bringing a lot more questions instead.
In 2015, Columbia was certified as a Trail Town destination for outdoor enthusiasts by then Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Bob Stewart.

The move was initiated locally by Ellen Zornes of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce and Jelaine Harlow, health education coordinator for the Adair County Health Department.

“We started working on it around 2012. Adventure Tourism was mapping trails all the way to Mammoth Cave,” said Harlow. “They reached out to us and, since they had Green County, Taylor County and maybe even Russell County, they wanted to complete the triangle, so they encouraged us to work on becoming a Trail Town.”

The health department was working on a community assessment at the time and realized there was a need for locations where people could get exercise at little or no cost.

“We had a lot of people that were kayaking at the time and going places to paddle, so that’s how the idea started. And it fit our health improvement plan,” Harlow said.

While the project got a good start, it soon stalled. Columbia continues to be promoted on a state “Trail Town” website hosted by the Kentucky Department of Tourism, but locally trails can be difficult to find for anyone not familiar with the terrain.

There is no signage at the trails, and access points are overgrown and barely maintained.

The city has been asked to take ownership of the project, and Columbia Mayor Pam Hoots said the city council plans to add oversight of the Trail Town program to the city’s parks and recreation department.

“There is not a good access point at some of the locations, so we’re hoping to create some steps to help with that,” Hoots said.

Drivers heading into Columbia on the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Expressway will pass signs that recognize Columbia as a Kentucky Trail Town and encourage drivers to take Exit 49 to find trails. In Columbia, that means mainly paddling Russell Creek.

After the exit, however, there are no signs to direct drivers to the different locations to enter the water. There is a kiosk near the water fountain on the public square with a map and list of different water trails that are available. However, there is no sign to send drivers to the kiosk.

One location people use for access to Russell Creek is just off Campbellsville Road past NAPA Auto Parts. They can also choose a location off Hwy. 206 just past Green Hills Road on property donated to the city. The third location, one of the older access points on the trail, is near the old city water plant.

“A good place to put in is probably our biggest need,” said Jada Atwood, a city employee and avid kayaker. “Most everyone puts in off Hwy. 206. We have a great thing here, if it would be just more accessible.”

Hoots said the work she wants done at the access points may start within the next six months.
“It is very important for economic development because people that come to town look for things they can share with their families. We want to make sure people have a place to go,” Hoots said.

Hoots said the first priority will be a ramp at each access point.
“It is something we’re going to have to allow in our budget, though we are looking at applying for a grant for this,” she said.
More information about the Trail Town Program can be found at kentuckytourism.com/ky-outdoors/trail-towns.

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

 

Burtons treasure lessons learned from dairying dad

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June is Dairy Month and for the Burton household in Adair County, that’s like a family tradition. Otis Burton, the family’s 87-year-old patriarch, made his living as a dairy farmer for well over 60 years. His two sons, Benny and Jeffro, carry on the tradition with dairy farms of their own.

This year’s annual celebration is not the same because the Burtons lost both their parents earlier this year.

Otis died on May 29 from injuries he sustained in an accident on his way to visit his wife’s grave. For Benny and Jeffro, and their sisters Bessie Judd and Mary Betty Helm, their parents will always be a big part of the farming operation.

“Daddy farmed probably all his life. I am 63 and he started farming before I was born,” said Benny. “And the thing is he did it all by hand (back in the day).”

Though no official records can be found, Benny believes his father was the oldest and longest running dairy farmer in the state, possibly the United States.

Jeffro and Benny said they have had a great life growing up on the farm. They, along with their sisters, were usually up around 5 a.m. each day because there was work to do before they headed out to school.

They learned a lot about hard work from their dad because Otis had work assignments for each of them, and getting the job done was everyone’s top priority.

“We learned a lot about honor, respect, character, discipline and love from him,” Jeffro said. “You also learned about how to survive on a farm. We didn’t have all this big high tech stuff, so we learned the simple things. Why buy a rope when you can tie some grass together and make your own. You did what you had to do to get the bottom line, get the job done.”
Benny and his siblings said they have plans for their father’s farm, but they’re in no hurry to make those decisions. They’re still trying to get back on their feet after their tragic loss.

Jeffro has about 80 head of cattle on his farm and Benny takes care of about 70 head of cattle. Combined, they work to take care of their father’s some 20 cows. A life they appreciate.

“This job of farmer is very labor intensive,” Jeffro said. “Especially when you do it yourself. There is a lot of work to do on the farm, but I love being at home and being self-employed.”
“People don’t realize just how much hard work goes into it,” said Benny, who even battled the coronavirus this year. “A dairy farm is a great place to raise kids. I raised three daughters here, and they were all good kids. Being in a farm environment offers a lot.”

Benny said the costs of operating a dairy are now probably the biggest obstacle facing a farmer. He gave an example of earning $14 per hundredweight of Grade B milk 40 years ago, and just last summer farmers were earning $14.50 for Grade A milk. He also mentioned the constant battle with mega-dairies.

“The preliminary incubation on milk starts to grow as soon as it leaves the udder. Our milk is picked up every other day, so some of the milk is 48 hours old before it leaves my farm,” Benny said. “Then they put it on a truck and take it somewhere and it might set there for a day. So, once they get it to the plant, it could be 72 hours old.”
Milk with long preliminary incubation has the chance of going bad. Farmers want to get the milk to the plant as soon as possible.

“Milking is not really a winning situation,” Jeffro said. “In Adair County, the farms that milk 250 cows are struggling just like we are. I think the government has good intentions, but the dairy industry has never had anyone to stand up for it.”
Benny said he has had a lifetime of dairying, and he doesn’t want to stop.
“I am set up to milk, so I can get by even though there isn’t much money in it. I just need to be able to take care of my family. The life of a dairy farmer just kind of gets in your blood,” he said.

The Burton brothers are really not sure what the dairy industry will look like 10, 15 or 20 years down the road. However, they said to expect many more changes.

“I don’t think the dairy industry will be here in 15-20 years,” Benny said. “People will be getting their dairy products from the large companies, and the smaller dairies will have it rough. I was told by a milk inspector there used to be over 200 dairies in Adair County. Now, we have 24.”

Benny believes improved government regulations could help dairy farmers, but at the end of the day, dairy producers need to be paid more for their product.

“And, there should also be incentives for farmers that do it themselves – like dad,” Benny said. “Our dad was motivated and a hard worker. He may not have had a lot of money, but he sure was a successful man.”

By Scott Wilson
scott@adairvoice.com

 

‘Paint the Town’ set for Aug. 4-5

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The City of Columbia will be sponsoring the second annual “Paint The Town” event on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 4-5.

The community is being asked to use chalk to design the sidewalks around the courthouse square, along with areas immediate off the square.

‘We would like families, businesses, churches, and organizations to come to town and paint a square,” said Columbia Mayor Pamela Hoots.

People will be asked to do their chalk design(s) Aug. 4-5 and in case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled. Mayor Hoots will be sponsoring a gift basket for the winner.

If you would like a square of sidewalk, please call city hall at 270-384-2501.

The sidewalks will be for public view for the second annual “Truck It Up,”  event, scheduled Aug. 6.

CPD releases activity report for May

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The Columbia Police Department has released its activity report for May, 2021.

Calls for service – 798

Citations – 128

Motorist assists – 11

Escorts – 29

Accidents investigated – 29

Injury accidents investigated – 4

Cases opened – 16

 

Free fishing weekend starts Saturday

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all rights JIM GALLOP

FRANKFORT – Try your hand at fishing in Kentucky at no charge June 5-6, 2021 during free fishing weekend.

With summer nearly here, the first weekend of June is a great time to grab a fishing pole and enjoy spending time with family and friends at the state’s beautiful lakes, streams and rivers.

Whether you are visiting from outside the state or you live in Kentucky, free fishing weekend is open to all. You won’t need a fishing license or a trout permit, but make sure you still follow the size and number limits on what you catch.

Need help getting started? Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ website at fw.ky.gov and type, “Learn to Fish,” in the search box. Here you’ll find instructional videos covering gear, tying knots and preparing a fish for the table.

Don’t know where to fish? Click the “Fishing” tab on the department website to access the fishing forecast for tips and places to try.

The fishing page also includes a link to the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINs) lakes. FINs offers dozens of easily accessible, specially stocked lakes near population centers throughout the state. Several of these locations will host special fishing events on Saturday, June 5.

Rain causes area road closures

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The office of Adair County Judge Executive Gale Cowan has announced that per road foreman Barry Hamlett, Charlie Morrison Road and Greenbriar Road are closed to flooding until further notice.

Worldwide Technologies to create 25 Jobs with Green County facility

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Franklin-based precision machined parts manufacturer plans second Kentucky operation

FRANKFORT (April 15, 2021) – Kentucky companies continue to grow and create future job opportunities for residents, as today Gov. Andy Beshear and leaders of Worldwide Technologies LLC, a manufacturer of precision machined parts, shared plans to open an operation in Greensburg, creating 25 full-time jobs with a $1.42 million investment.

“Kentucky’s manufacturers will be a driving force behind our effort to bounce back stronger than ever in the post-pandemic economy,” Gov. Beshear said. “Homegrown companies like Worldwide Technologies sit at the center of that effort. If we are going to continue to grow as a state, we need to support existing industries, particularly those in areas that have been underserved in the past. Worldwide Technologies will make a great addition to the Green County community, and I thank the company for its commitment to the commonwealth.”

Worldwide Technologies plans to purchase and renovate an existing spec building at 1 Tech Way in Greensburg to support its production of precision-machined parts, including heavy truck, defense and medical parts, in addition to job shop services. Worldwide Technologies’ services include designing and building of parts, precision milling and turning, heat treatment, mechanical assembly, maintenance and other services. The company supplies parts to industries in Kentucky and throughout the United States.

Co-founded by Kenny Whitworth and Mike Jones, Worldwide Technologies has operated in Kentucky for the past 15 years.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity to broaden our manufacturing base in Greensburg, Kentucky,” Whitworth said. “Mike and I look forward to creating good jobs here.”

Worldwide Technologies got its start with a single warehousing operation in Bowling Green employing five people and quickly grew to create over 50 jobs for residents in Southcentral Kentucky. In 2010, the company moved to a 27,000-square-foot facility in Simpson County, which has since served as its headquarters. The company since has expanded the Simpson County plant to over 58,000 square feet with the potential for further expansion in the future.

Manufacturers in Kentucky operate approximately 4,500 facilities, employing 260,000 people. Last year, manufacturers made 156 project announcements, representing plans for more than 3,800 new jobs and nearly $1.56 billion in new investment.

Green County Judge/Executive John Frank said an announcement such as this has been a long time coming for the community.

“We are beyond thrilled that Worldwide Technologies chose Greensburg and Green County as they continue to expand their operations,” Judge/Executive Frank said. “Their multimillion-dollar investment here will certainly have a significant impact on our economy and is something we’ve desperately needed for several years. We look forward to their continued partnership for years to come and are very excited about the future. We also appreciate the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for their assistance throughout the entire process.”

Greensburg Mayor John Shuffett shared his eagerness to see the facility up and running.

“Worldwide Technologies has a proven track record of excellence in multi-axis CNC machining and other services, and we are fired up for them to expand here in Greensburg,” Mayor Shuffett said. “These will be the first manufacturing jobs created in Green County in 20-plus years, and the community is eager to give them our full support.”

Mike Griffiths, president of the Greensburg/Green County Industrial Foundation, welcomed Worldwide Technologies to the community.

“As the president of the Greensburg/Green County Industrial Foundation, it is a great honor to have Worldwide Technologies locate in Greensburg/Green County,” Griffiths said. “We feel with their addition, the economic impact to our community is unlimited and will spur further growth. It has taken several years for the right fit to make a commitment to Greensburg, but we feel this is a great step in the right direction.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) approved Worldwide Technologies for up to $30,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA). KEIA allows approved companies to recoup Kentucky sales and use tax on construction costs, building fixtures, equipment used in research and development and electronic processing.

By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments.

In addition, the company can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.

Post 15 to conduct safety checkpoints

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Kentucky State Police Post 15 will be conducting periodic traffic safety checkpoints in the Post 15 area, which includes Washington, Marion, Taylor, Green, Casey, Russell, Adair, Metcalfe, Monroe, Clinton, and Cumberland counties.

These checkpoints will be conducted as part of Post 15’s highway safety efforts. Troopers will be checking for violations of Kentucky traffic and regulatory laws relating to motor vehicle equipment safety, licensing of drivers, motor vehicle registration, and operation of motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants.

Students and staff no longer have to do temp checks before bus, schools

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March 31, 2021

(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), in consultation with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), has updated the flagship Healthy at School guidance based on the latest information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Temperature screening expectations have been changed to state that only symptomatic students need to be screened for fever. These criteria also must be in place for staff.

The updates, found on Pages 14 and 17, indicate that routine temperature screenings prior to school or bus entry are not required. Students who exhibit symptoms of illness while at school should have their temperature taken as part of a physical assessment completed by school staff.

Students with a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees should follow the isolation criteria as described on Page 16 of Healthy at School. School health policies should include instructions for parents to keep students at home if they meet any of the exclusion criteria for COVID-19 listed on page 15 of Healthy at School.

The new guidance has also been updated in the “KDE COVID-19 Guidance 2.0,” which presents the most up-to-date guidance for teaching, learning, and operating schools and districts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Language was changed throughout the document to reflect new guidance related to temperature screening. Schools are no longer expected to screen students for temperatures before entering buildings or riding the school bus. Schools should continue to monitor student temperatures as part of the standard physical assessment given to students displaying symptoms of infectious disease. These updates can be found on Pages 107 to 109.

Language also was changed throughout the document to clarify minor inconsistencies related to quarantine procedures. Schools and districts should defer to the discretion and judgement of local health departments when creating quarantine protocols. These updates can be found on Pages 10 and 11.

Guidance from the CDC may continue to change as the pandemic evolves, and as it does, KDE and DPH will continue to update Kentucky’s Healthy at School guidance and other COVID-19 guidance documents.

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Live Auction Will Support Fight Against Cancer

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Facebook Live – Benefit Auction, Saturday, April 10, 12:00pm – til all items are sold. Columbia Church of God Fellowship Hall, 708 Mitchell Street.  Held for Pamela Conover-Popplewell to help with medical bills. For more information call 270-384-4590.

 

Pam Conover flyer

 

McConnell, Comer Announce Nearly $1.9 Million for Russell County Agribusiness Training Facility

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Programs will serve high school and technical college students in Adair, Casey, Clinton, Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman James Comer (KY-01) announced Monday, March 22 the Russell County Industrial Development Authority received a $1,854,972 competitive federal grant to build a new agribusiness training facility. The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded funding to support the construction of a 12,815 square foot building with classrooms, a laboratory, a media room, administrative space, and a 1,250 square foot greenhouse. In its first three years, the facility will host classes for an estimated 870 high school and community and technical college students and will serve Adair, Casey, Clinton, Pulaski, Russell and Wayne counties.

Senator McConnell’s and Congressman Comer’s offices contacted ARC in support of their constituent’s grant application and its mission to strengthen the area’s agricultural economy.

“Kentucky is at the center of our nation’s agribusiness innovation. With this federal investment, a new generation will have the opportunity to become leaders in this growing field,” said Senator McConnell. “It’s a privilege to work with Congressman Comer as we deliver for Southcentral Kentucky students and families. I look forward to students taking the education they receive in this facility to transform the future of Kentucky agriculture.”

“As a career farmer and Kentucky’s former Commissioner of Agriculture, I understand that agriculture education goes hand in hand with workforce development in rural Kentucky. This grant will boost our economy by providing Kentucky students with access to a quality regional training center in Russell County,” said Congressman Comer. “I was proud to work with Senator McConnell and the Russell County Industrial Development Authority to secure this vital federal funding that will enrich the lives of countless students.”

“Agribusiness is a driver of economic growth in Russell County and the surrounding area, and the facility and programs supported by this investment will ensure a ready workforce is available for that growth to continue,” said ARC Federal Co-Chairman Tim Thomas. “ARC is proud to work with leaders such as Senator Mitch McConnell and Representative James Comer to support projects like this, that can have significant impact on economic development in Appalachian Kentucky.”

“On behalf of the board of Directors of the Russell County Industrial Development Authority, I would like to express our deep appreciation to Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman James Comer for their support of grant funds to develop the Lake Cumberland Regional Agriculture Technical Training Facility in Russell County,” said Bennie Garland, Russell County Industrial Development Authority Executive Director. “This facility, which will be under the Russell County Board of Education’s management, will provide the curriculum and instructors to teach high school vocational students agriculture growing and management techniques. Students attending this facility will come from surrounding counties to learn new state of the art technologies that ensure they will have the technical skills to enter into employment fields of animal and plant food production. With the recent developments that are now currently ongoing in Appalachia Kentucky by AppHarvest to build multi-million dollar greenhouses, this training facility will produce a well-trained and qualified workforce.”

Kentucky Individual Income Tax Return Filing Deadline Extended to May 17

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 18, 2021)–At the direction of Gov. Andy Beshear, the Kentucky Department of Revenue will extend the 2020 Kentucky individual income tax filing deadline to May 17, 2021.

This extension follows the income tax relief provisions issued March 17 by the federal Internal Revenue Service in response to delays and disruptions caused by the ongoing response to the novel coronavirus worldwide health pandemic. Individual taxpayers can also postpone Kentucky individual income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This postponement applies to individual taxpayers only. Penalties, interest and additions to tax will begin to accrue on any remaining unpaid balances as of May 17, 2021. Individual taxpayers will automatically avoid interest and penalties on the taxes paid by May 17. This relief does not apply to 2021 estimated tax payments that are due on April 15, 2021.

Individual taxpayers do not need to file any forms or call the Kentucky Department of Revenue to qualify for this automatic individual income tax filing and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request a Kentucky filing extension until Oct. 15 by filing Kentucky Form 740EXT. Filing Form 740EXT gives individual taxpayers until October 15 to file their 2020 tax return but does not grant an extension of time to pay taxes due. Taxpayers should pay their Kentucky income tax due by May 17, 2021, to avoid interest and penalties.

“As Kentucky families and businesses continue to faithfully follow public health guidance to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus while many are also recovering from widespread natural disasters that have impacted the Commonwealth over the last month, I am pleased to grant some extra time to prepare, file and pay state taxes,” Gov. Beshear said. “Families who are expecting a refund can be assured that our Department of Revenue staff are diligently working to swiftly process returns and get those dollars back to Kentuckians as quickly as possible.”

Individual income tax 2021 estimated payments are still due on April 15. Taxes must be paid as taxpayers earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments. In general, estimated tax payments are made quarterly to the Kentucky Department of Revenue by people whose income isn’t subject to income tax withholding. Most taxpayers automatically have their taxes withheld from their paychecks and submitted to the Kentucky Department of Revenue by their employer.

Kentucky’s tax filing relief applies only to individual income taxes that normally would be due April 15, 2021. It does not apply to corporation income tax, limited liability entity tax, withholding tax, sales and use tax, or other types of state taxes.

Additional guidance on Kentucky’s income tax deadline extension soon will be available on DOR’s website.

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State releases county unemployment data for January 2021

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 18, 2021) – Unemployment rates fell in 66 Kentucky counties between January 2020 and January 2021, rose in 48, and stayed the same in six counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Todd County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the Commonwealth at 3.6%. It was followed by Logan County, 3.7%; Oldham and Woodford counties, 3.8% each; Washington County, 3.9%; Cumberland, Green, Scott and Taylor counties, 4%; and Bourbon, Clinton and Monroe counties, 4.1% each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 14.3%. It was followed by Harlan County, 9.9%; Elliott County, 9.5%; Martin County, 9.1%; Leslie County, 9%; Lewis and Menifee counties, 8.9%; Carter County, 8.7%; and Johnson and Letcher counties, 8.2%.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 5.3% for January 2021, and 6.3% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted January 2021 unemployment rate was released on March 11, 2021, and can be viewed at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=EducationCabinet&prId=478. In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm#why.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.

Learn more about Kentucky labor market information at https://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI.

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T.J. Regional Health accepting appointments for all persons with any medical condition for vaccine

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Phase 1C Expanded – CALL 270-659-1010

T.J. Regional Health is accepting appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine for individuals that fall into the category of Phase 1A, 1B and 1C.  Phase 1C has just been expanded to include all persons ages 16 or older with any medical or behavioral health condition or conditions that the CDC reports ‘are’ or ‘might be’ at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.  The Moderna vaccine is approved for ages 18 and older.  If you would like to receive your first vaccine dose, please call the T.J. Regional Health vaccine hotline at 270.659.1010 to schedule your appointment.

 

Read more of the latest headline news: https://adairvoice.com

Hospice home opens in Glasgow

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The T.J. Community Mission Foundation Board members are pleased to announce the opening of the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home.  The 10,400 square foot facility is located at 1020 Glenview Drive in Glasgow and includes eight inpatient rooms with the capacity to expand to 12 rooms if needed, kitchen and living spaces, private areas for families and guests along with access to a private patio.  The hospice home is designed to provide comfort, counseling and support to a patient with life-limiting illnesses and their family.

In 2015 the board of directors of the T. J. Community Mission Foundation identified a critical need in our community for a residential hospice home for patients facing end-of-life care and where families can seek a place of comfort, counseling, and compassionate treatment in a home-like setting.

The name Shanti Niketan was selected by lead philanthropic supporter, Dr. Bharat Mody. In his native language, Shanti means “inner peace.” The full name translates to “a peaceful place.”

Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health stated, “I’m excited about opening this wonderful resource that was made possible by a community committed to caring and I would like to thank all those people that made this a reality.  In addition to Dr. Mody and the hundreds of other donors who have made gifts in support of this project, we also want to be sure to thank the USDA for their belief in our vision and provided us with a $2 million, zero percent interest loan that allowed us to be able to begin construction of the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home.  We look forward to continuing to work with individuals and families to fully meet the capital costs associated with the construction of the incredible facility.”

“Shanti Niketan Hospice Home gives people who need hospice services and their families a way to receive that care away from home,” says Karla Turner, RN, BSN, Hospice Clinical Coordinator.  “People at the end of life typically rely on family caregivers to help take care of them but for some families, that isn’t possible. They may live out of state, for instance. Or they may not be able to provide the level of medical attention that a person needs. This is why the hospice home was much needed in our community.”

The T.J. Community Mission Foundation was established to increase community engagement and advance philanthropy to support the region with exceptional healthcare programs, patient care and technology. The goal of the Foundation is to provide a bridge between medicine and compassion as the heartbeat of a healthy community.

T.J. Regional Health appreciates the opportunity to provide care for those who are at the end stage of their life and knows how fortunate we are to live in a community with so many generous people who have made this dream a true reality.  If you are interested in making a donation to the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home in memory or in honor of someone, please visit tjregionalhealth.org/foundation.

KDE releases new NTI guidance after Gov. Beshear signs HB 208 into law

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(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released a new COVID-19 guidance document on March 9 that details changes and updates to Kentucky’s Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) Program as a result of House Bill (HB) 208 (2021).

On March 4, Gov. Andy Beshear signed HB 208 into law, codifying many of the emergency regulations under which Kentucky’s schools and districts have been operating during the 2020-2021 school year. This new law extends the flexibilities offered under the emergency regulations through the end of the current school year.

The changes to the NTI program under HB 208 do not go into effect until March 29. Districts may continue their current plans until that date.

According to the document, “COVID-19 Considerations for Schools and Districts: HB 208: Changes to Non-Traditional Instruction,” districts must provide each student with access to in-person instruction at least 40% of the week, and each school must be open to some form of in-person instruction at least 80% of the school week, beginning with the first school day on or after March 29.

“Many of our districts are already meeting this requirement through variations of an A/B hybrid model of instruction,” Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass said. “Through this model, students alternate two days per week in the classroom and two days per week remote instruction.”

There are many variations of the A/B model, Glass said. One popular variation is to move the fifth day from Friday to Wednesday. This model allows for deep cleaning in the middle of the week and over the weekend. For more details about how to construct a hybrid schedule, consult KDE’s COVID-19 Guidance 2.0 document.

In addition to mandating in-person learning minimums, HB 208 also caps the number of NTI days available for use. HB 208 grants districts five NTI days for use during the final months of the 2020-2021 school year. NTI days should only be used when all students must work from home. Hybrid schedule days, where some in-person instruction is offered, are not considered NTI days.

KDE is not able to approve additional NTI days and no waiver requests will be accepted. Should a district require more than five days off school after March 29, it must cancel school and extend the school calendar following usual procedures.

For the 2021-2022 school year, districts must return to the usual statutory limitations of no more than 10 NTI days.

As the situation with the pandemic evolves, KDE is creating new guidance documents to meet the needs of Kentucky’s schools and districts. More guidance and resources are available on KDE’s COVID-19 webpage.

 MORE INFO …

Gov. Beshear: 25% of Kentucky Adults Have Received a COVID-19 Vaccine

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Governor reports eighth straight week of declining cases; positivity rate has declined to 4.06%

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 8, 2021) – On Monday, Gov. Beshear announced 834,130 Kentuckians – 25% of Kentucky adults – have now received at least one dose of one of three highly effective COVID-19 vaccines.

Gov. Beshear also announced Kentucky has now seen eight straight weeks of declining COVID-19 cases. Today’s COVID-19 report includes the lowest number of new cases since Sept. 14.

“This is the exact type of trajectory we want to see as we are vaccinating people,” said Gov. Beshear. “This is in many ways a race against time against the variants. If we can continue that downward trajectory while increasing the number of people vaccinated, we can hopefully get to the end of this thing sooner rather than later. The President has made a promise that all adults who want to be vaccinated will be able to get their first shot by at least the end of May.”

The Governor also updated Kentuckians who have suffered due to recent ice storms and record flooding.

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground right now evaluating both events,” said Gov. Beshear. “I have spoken today with our contact in the Biden Administration stressing how critical this is and the importance of individual assistance. To anybody out there who lost their home, had it damaged or the rest, please document every one of those losses.”

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, updated Kentuckians on new guidance for fully vaccinated individuals from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“For adults who are fully vaccinated, the CDC is now saying those individuals within their own homes can gather in small groups with other fully vaccinated adults,” said Dr. Stack. “If vaccinated and unvaccinated people are mixed together in a gathering, generally you should still practice social distancing and wear your masks.

“The other guidance – and this is really important – when you are out in public settings, whether you are vaccinated or not, please wear your masks, social distance, wash your hands and continue to do those behaviors until we get everybody vaccinated, particularly the most vulnerable in society. There has also been no relaxation of the travel guidance by the CDC yet in relation to vaccination status. The new guidance released today is great news overall, but we still have to be careful.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Monday, March 8, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 331
New deaths today: 10
Positivity rate: 4.06%
Total deaths: 4,829
Currently hospitalized: 539
Currently in ICU: 161
Currently on ventilator: 82

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Franklin, Knox, Scott and McCracken. Each county reported at least 10 new cases.

To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.

Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website, vaccine.ky.gov, shows Kentuckians which phase they are in specifically. Individuals can sign up for notifications so state officials can communicate with them when doses become available at new and existing sites. Vaccine.ky.gov also lists regional vaccination partners statewide, so Kentuckians can search their county or region and see how to schedule an appointment.

Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246, has the same features as the website. Kentuckians can get assistance completing the vaccine eligibility questionnaire and scheduling an appointment when doses are available.

Free or reduced-cost transportation to and from vaccine appointments is offered by public transit agencies across the commonwealth. These services are already operating in over 90 counties, covering 75% of all counties across Kentucky. Kentuckians can find transportation services near them by heading to kycovid19.ky.gov for a full list of participating public transit agencies and their phone numbers, or by calling the Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline.

Kentucky Broadband Initiative
Today, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman emphasized that the Beshear-Coleman administration is committed to providing broadband internet connectivity to every single Kentuckian.

“The speed test will remain active for a year and Kentuckians can continue to take it here. But we set an initial deadline of March 1 so that we maintain a sense of urgency – this is a priority for this administration, and we won’t rest until we fulfill our promise,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “With the data from our speed test, we know there are 71 counties where we can move forward with grant funding requests.”

By March 1, 81,089 Kentuckians had taken the speed test, outpacing much larger states that began speed tests six months ago.

GEO Partners called Kentucky “a shining light” and said that the commonwealth “accomplished in six weeks what other states have accomplished in six months. Kentucky has more than double the number of tests as the next highest state.”

“This is another instance of Kentucky leading the way,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “I would like to give a huge thanks to our partners who have made this project a success and all the Kentuckians who took the time out of their day to help their neighbors in need.”

Lt. Gov. Coleman said the state still needs more responses from Boone, Bullitt, Christian and Jefferson counties.

Wholesale Hardwood Interiors to Rebuild with $7.1 Million Investment
Three months ago, disaster struck Wholesale Hardwood Interiors Inc. in Campbellsville, when a fire broke out at the facility resulting in a near total loss. Lt. Gov. Coleman said last week, Gov. Beshear announced the company is moving forward with plans to invest $7.1 million and create 100 full-time jobs, restoring the operation with additional space to accommodate recent and future growth. To learn more, see the full release.

“This special announcement really demonstrates the resiliency of Kentuckians,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.

Recreational Trails Program
Today, Lt. Gov. Coleman announced more than $692,000 from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) has been awarded to improve parks and recreational spaces in 12 communities across the commonwealth.

RTP is a competitive federal program aimed at improving communities and enhancing quality of life.

“Safe, green spaces provide a place for our families to exercise and spend quality time with one another, making them an important part of building a healthier, better Kentucky,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “And as we work to build that better Kentucky, quality outdoor spaces will also help us make Kentucky a world-class tourist destination.”

Lt. Gov. Coleman added that the vast majority of the selected projects are in rural Kentucky.

“As a rural Kentuckian, I know how beautiful our entire state is, and to be able to invest in these areas is so important to me,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.

To learn more about the RTP and the 12 funded projects, see the full release.

More Information
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, information on testing locations, vaccines, contact tracing, school reports and guidance, guidance for health care providers and the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.

Keep your home poison safe by following these simple tips

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Monday, March 8, 2021:

Press Release

Contact:  Melonie Williams

Lake Cumberland District Health Department 606-678-4761 ext 1127

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOPIC: Poison Prevention

POISON PREVENTION

 Across the United States, around 67,500 kids each year are seen because of accidental poisoning. Of these, around 17 children will die according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Around 85% of poisonings occurred at home.

Overall, around 24 million people call poison control centers every year. Although most of these accidental poisonings do not turn out to be serious, it illustrates just how common accidental poisonings in kids actually are.

Keep Your Home Poison Safe by Following These Simple Tips

  • Install safety latches on cupboards for harmful
  • Keep all products in original
  • Keep ashtrays empty and out of the reach of children (better yet, don’t allow smoking in or around your home).
  • Keep alcoholic beverages out of the reach of
  • Program the number for poison control in your cell phone and post it in your house—1- 800-222-1222.

Kitchen

  • Move cleaning products from under the sink to upper shelves or locked
  • Remove medicines including vitamins from countertops, windowsills and open
  • Store all household products away from food

Bathroom

  • Keep all medicines, cosmetics, perfumes, mouthwashes, etc., out of sight and reach of children- or lock them up!
  • Move drain and toilet bowl cleaners, etc., from under the sink to upper shelves of locked cabinets.
  • Dispose of outdated medications

Bedroom

  • Remove medicines from dresser or bedside
  • Keep perfumes, nail polish removers and powders out of reach of
  • Know the names of the plants in your home. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

Laundry Area

  • Keep all bleaches, soap, and detergents, out of reach of children or in a locked
  • If you use detergent packets, be sure they are stored out of

Garage/Basement:

  • Keep insect sprays, weed killers and fertilizers in locked
  • Keep turpentine, paints, antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, rust removers, and motor oils in locked
  • Keep products in their original container with original

On a separate note, it is important to point out that Kentucky is one of the unhealthiest states in our nation; but, a few healthy lifestyle choices could change this. First, eating normally proportioned helpings of nutritious foods including at least five fruits and vegetables a day can lower weight and reduce heart disease and diabetes. Second, exercising about 30 minutes per day can lower blood pressure. Third, avoiding the use of tobacco products can reduce several types of cancer. Finally, making sure you get your needed preventive screenings can detect diseases early and greatly increase your chances for a positive health outcomes, while receiving your recommended vaccinations can prevent acquiring disease in the first place. Visit our website at www.LCDHD.org and click the “52 Weeks to Health” banner to learn more about each of these areas.

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission and Kentucky Poison Control Center.

https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/382.pdf

KDE releases new guidance on graduation, other spring activities

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(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released a new COVID-19 guidance document on March 8 to assist districts in preparing for traditional spring activities.

The document, “COVID-19 Guidance for Schools and Districts: Considerations for Spring Activities,” acknowledges Kentucky’s decrease in COVID-19 case numbers and increases in opportunities for COVID-19 vaccinations. However, it urges districts to use caution in planning community events as the virus continues to circulate, with the impact of new variants of the virus still unknown.

The document guides schools and districts on how best to handle traditional spring activities like commencement, proms and honors ceremonies, while complying with state and local public health guidelines.

According to the guidance, local education agencies must maintain a delicate balance between appropriately honoring students and managing the challenges created by the pandemic.

“The Kentucky Department of Education encourages districts to engage students and families to determine the best solution for their community,” said Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass.

When planning for spring activities, schools and districts also must continue to adhere to the health and safety expectations outlined in the “Guidance and Safety Expectations and Best Practices for Kentucky Schools (K-12), Updated Dec. 7, 2020.” This includes appropriate social distancing, cloth face coverings, screening, sanitization efforts and contact tracing.

As the situation with the pandemic evolves, KDE is creating new guidance documents to meet the needs of Kentucky’s schools and districts. More guidance and resources are available on KDE’s COVID-19 webpage.

 MORE INFO …

Gov. Beshear Provides Update on COVID-19

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 5, 2021) – On Friday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentucky’s positivity rate has decreased to 4.25%.

“Team Kentucky should be so proud of the progress we’ve made against this virus,” said Gov. Beshear. “We’ve got to keep up our commitment to each other until we reach the finish line – on COVID-19, and in recovering from other emergencies our state has experienced, like the ice storm and record flooding we’ve seen in recent weeks. No matter the challenge, our people come together to get through it.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Friday, March 5, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 920
New deaths today: 22
Positivity rate: 4.25%
Total deaths: 4,754
Currently hospitalized: 606
Currently in ICU: 179
Currently on ventilator: 76

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton and Scott. Each county reported at least 30 new cases.

To see a list of those reported lost to the virus today, click here.

Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website, vaccine.ky.gov, shows Kentuckians which phase they are in specifically. Individuals can sign up for notifications so state officials can communicate with them when doses become available at new and existing sites. Vaccine.ky.gov also lists regional vaccination partners statewide, so Kentuckians can search their county or region and see how to schedule an appointment.

Kentucky’s COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246, has the same features as the website. Kentuckians can get assistance completing the vaccine eligibility questionnaire and scheduling an appointment when doses are available.

Free or reduced-cost transportation to and from vaccine appointments is offered by public transit agencies across the commonwealth. These services are already operating in over 90 counties, covering 75% of all counties across Kentucky. Kentuckians can find transportation services near them by heading to kycovid19.ky.gov for a full list of participating public transit agencies and their phone numbers, or by calling the Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline.

More Information
To view the full daily report, incidence rate map, information on testing locations, vaccines, contact tracing, school reports and guidance, guidance for health care providers and the White House Coronavirus Task Force reports for Kentucky and more, visit kycovid19.ky.gov.

Kentucky State Police Post 15 Monthly Activity Report for February 2021

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Columbia, KY (March 3, 2021) During the month of February 2021, there were 26 traffic accidents investigated by the State Police working in the Post 15 area in the 11 counties of Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Marion, Metcalfe, Monroe, Russell, Taylor and Washington.

There were three fatal collisions during the month of February in the Post 15 area.
Michael Stevens age 50 of Cumberland Co KY was killed on 02/01/2021 in Clinton Co KY.
Alejandro Diaz age 20 of Casey Co KY was killed on 02/02/2021 in Adair Co KY.
Jackie Emberton age 67 of Monroe Co KY was killed on 02/24/2021 in Metcalfe Co KY.

This brings our yearly fatality count to 4 compared with 3 through this same period in 2020.
Statewide fatality count stands at 85 compared with 89 through this same period in 2020.

During the month of February 2021, there were 899 citations written, 188 courtesy notices written, 439 complaints answered, 120 motorists assisted, 46 criminal cases opened and 236 criminal arrests made.