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.

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.

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.

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

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.

 

 

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.”

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.

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

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

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.

(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 …

• Kentucky Department for Public Health’s COVID-19 webpage
• KDE’s COVID-19 webpage
• KDE’s COVID-19 Guidance 2.0 webpage
• Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline: (800) 722-5725

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.

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

(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 …

• Kentucky Department for Public Health’s COVID-19 webpage
• KDE’s COVID-19 webpage
• KDE’s COVID-19 Guidance 2.0 webpage
• Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline: (800) 722-5725

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.

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.

Tuesday, March 2, 2021
From Mike Keltner, Adair Co Emergency Management Director

UPDATED 5:04 P.M.

A statewide tornado drill has been postponed due to flooding in some areas of the commonwealth but Adair EMD Mike Keltner reports that Adair County will still continue with plans for the drill at 9:07 a.m. Wednesday.

ORIGINAL POST

The Statewide Tornado Drill will be conducted Wednesday, March 3 at 9:07 a.m. cst.

The Adair County Outdoor Warning Sirens will be activated at 9:07 a.m. as part of the Statewide Tornado Drill and this will also serve as the monthly siren test.

National Weather Service information:

The Kentucky Weather Preparedness Committee, made up of the WCMs (and acting or assistants) of all the KY-serving WFOs, KYEM, and a few other weather-safety conscious folks, has once again designated this year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week on its traditional dates at the beginning of March.

This year’s Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 1-7 (Monday – Sunday).

The  Statewide Tornado Drill will be conducted WEDNESDAY March 3 at 10:07 AM EST (9:07 AM CST)

For the Tornado Drill, we will be using a TEST Tornado Warning VTEC code to activate the Emergency Alert System, except in the counties served by NWS Wilmington OH, per agreement with Cincinnati area broadcasters. The Test code will NOT activate the Wireless Emergency Alert, but some residents may receive alerts or push notifications through certain third party apps.

Participation at the County or local level is encouraged, within prevailing KYEM and/or CDC guidelines. This is a great opportunity to review and practice your tornado safety plan, whether you are at home, school, or your workplace.

The KET call-in show has been cancelled due to COVID and the stretch of relentless winter weather during the middle of February.

COVID-19 cases decline for seventh straight week, positivity rate declines to 4.84%

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 1, 2021) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 18 industries can increase capacity to 60% as the state completes its seventh straight week of declining COVID-19 cases.

Today, the Governor reported the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since Sept. 28 and the lowest positivity rate since Oct. 18.

“Today, we have more good news than at any time in the pandemic. We’ve never seen what we are seeing now in terms of a downward trend. Previously, we had experienced only three consecutive weeks of declining cases,” said Gov. Beshear. “COVID hospitalizations, ICU admittance and those needing a ventilator have either decreased or stabilized.

“This capacity increase is an initial step where we will watch and see to ensure we don’t see a corresponding increase in cases.”

The following businesses can now increase capacity to 60%:

• Indoor auctions
• Barbershops/cosmetology/hair salons
• Bars and restaurants
• Bowling alleys
• Indoor educational and cultural activities
• Fitness centers
• Funeral and memorial services
• Government offices/agencies
• Massage therapy
• Movie theaters
• Nail salons
• Office-based businesses
• Places of worship (recommendation)
• Retail
• Tanning salons
• Tattoo parlors
• Vehicle and vessel dealerships
• Venues and event spaces

The Governor said he intends to increase child care capacity to regular group size on March 15 if positive trends continue.

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Doses Arriving in Kentucky
Gov. Beshear said the first Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses will be arriving in the state this week and delivered to independent pharmacies.

“The approval of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot, highly effective vaccine adds to the growing weekly supply available to Kentucky that has risen in just over a month from around 57,000 to over 100,000 first doses and growing,” said Gov. Beshear.

“Independent pharmacies have been preparing for months and are eager to play a part in putting this pandemic to an end. Your independent pharmacies are always there to serve and provide for the communities we work in, live in, and go to church in,” said David Figg, chief executive officer of Rice’s Pharmacy in Ohio County. “This vaccine in our pharmacies is another way to ensure access in all corners of the state, even those that may struggle with transportation. We are committed to making sure every dose is utilized, and this Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a great third vaccine in our arsenal. We will not let the commonwealth down.”

Update on Emergency Response to Record Flooding
Today, the Governor and state officials said the State Emergency Operations Center is activated at Level 3 operations status, supporting the response to severe flooding in some counties after extremely heavy rainfall across the commonwealth – more than six inches in some areas.

“Our first responders have been in harness saving lives throughout the entire weekend. We will be facing the impact of flooding of rivers and tributaries throughout the commonwealth over the next few days,” said Michael Dossett, Director of the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. “The National Guard has been activated with 72 personnel on duty in Barren, Calloway, Johnson, Laurel, Pike and Rockcastle counties, providing support and equipment: 23 high-axle vehicles, two helicopters, six backhoes and six dump trucks to support resource requests.”

In total, 34 cities and counties have declared states of emergency. Four emergency shelters and one warming center has been opened. Swift water rescues were conducted in at least 42 counties.

Water rescues continue today in Eastern Kentucky as crews clear emergency routes of flood debris and landslides.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Monday, March 1, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 509
New deaths today: 15
Positivity rate: 4.84%
Total deaths: 4,652
Currently hospitalized: 719
Currently in ICU: 180
Currently on ventilator: 82

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Boone, Kenton, Laurel and McCracken. Each county reported at least 20 new cases. Jefferson County reported 95.

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

The Governor reminded Kentuckians that starting today, individuals in Phase 1C can sign up for appointments at regional vaccination centers. To learn more about Kentucky’s 410 vaccination sites, visit vaccine.ky.gov or kycovid19.ky.gov/ky-covid-vaccine.

“This week, we have already set a record by vaccinating more than 100,000 Kentuckians in a single week,” said Gov. Beshear. “As of today, we have vaccinated just under 700,000 Kentuckians – 16% of our total population and over 20% of our eligible population.”

Long-Term Care Update
Cabinet for Health and Family Services inspector general Adam Mather said all first doses have been given in the federal long-term care program for residents, staff and contract employees who wished to receive the vaccine. The program is moving toward its maintenance phase.

“Over the course of this week, institutional pharmacies that have enrolled in both the state and federal systems will receive vaccines to administer at long-term care facilities. We are working to enroll the remaining pharmacies and they will be added to the program,” said Mather. “This ensures that new residents, new staff, and reluctant residents and staff will be able to be vaccinated.”

Free or Reduced-Cost Rides to and from COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments
The Governor reminded Kentuckians that public transit agencies across the commonwealth are offering free or reduced-cost transportation to and from vaccine appointments.

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, call the Kentucky COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline, 855-598-2246.

Student Loan Reimbursements for State Veterans Home Nurses
Gov. Beshear said nurses at Kentucky’s state veterans’ homes can now receive up to $40,000 over four years to pay off their student loans. To learn more, see the full release.

“I congratulate KDVA and especially their nursing home staff and administration for not giving up and for finding an incentive that works in the framework of state government so we can provide great service to those who have served our country,” said Gov. Beshear.

Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund
The Governor reminded Kentuckians to apply to the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund for assistance with housing and utility costs. The program is open to individuals in 118 counties (Jefferson and Fayette counties have their own parallel assistance programs). To learn more about eligibility and how to apply, visit teamkyhherf.ky.gov.

Vaccine Water Rescue
Today, Gov. Beshear announced that local officials completed a water rescue of COVID-19 vaccines. The Lee County Health Department lost power and was flooded, but vaccines in the department’s care were saved.

“Last night’s weather flooded the Kentucky River District Health Department causing the power to go out and jeopardizing the COVID-19 vaccines being stored there,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thankfully, the Kentucky River District director, Scott Lockard, and his incredible team, along with the Lee County Emergency Management, conducted a water rescue to keep these vaccines safe for our people. These folks lost a number of vehicles that day, but they did not lose one dose of vaccine.”

COVID-19 Deaths Audit
Today, the Governor announced the state will conduct an audit to ensure every Kentuckian lost to COVID-19 is counted.

Neighboring states like Ohio and Indiana have engaged in audits using death certificates and matching them to reported deaths. Kentucky performed this audit in real time until cases increased in November.

“It will likely take a decade to fully understand and calculate the loss of life and the long-term health impacts of this pandemic,” said Gov. Beshear. “But I am committed to honoring all of those lost by making sure each is counted. We can have no unknown loss and no unknown soldiers.”

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.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 1, 2021) – Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on Sunday evening, Feb. 28, due to extremely heavy rainfall across the commonwealth throughout the weekend. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is activated and monitoring reports from county emergency services agencies.

“By declaring a state of emergency, we can mobilize the state resources needed to support the cities and counties affected by this heavy rainfall,” said Gov. Beshear. “We are acting swiftly to ensure the safety and security of Kentucky families and to get the needed help to our communities.”

The entire commonwealth received heavy rainfall over the weekend and remained in either a flood watch or flood warning until early Monday morning. This morning, a total of 13 counties and cities have declared states of emergency, including Breathitt, Calloway, Casey, Elliott, Estill, Johnson, Knott, Magoffin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties and the cities of Paintsville and Salyersville.

The Kentucky National Guard has been activated and is responding to assist with high water emergencies.

Rounds of heavy rain occurred Sunday night. Most of this additional rainfall is likely to become runoff, leading to the threat of flash flooding. In addition, areal flooding of streams and creeks is likely, along with additional instances of river flooding.

“The impact of extremely heavy rainfall and flash flooding across the commonwealth led to numerous emergency rescues and evacuations in counties from west to east,” said Michael Dossett, director of KYEM. “The Governor’s state of emergency activated the National Guard, and we have been coordinating requests for assistance from counties across the state.”

Dossett added: “We’ve experienced flooding in numerous regions. Please be aware of the presence of emergency responders and use caution near the many closed local and state roadways due to high water.”

Some basic safety tips for flooding awareness:

• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters – TURN AROUND. DON’T DROWN!
• Do not drive over bridges that are above fast-moving floodwaters. Floodwaters can scour foundation material from around the footings and make the bridge unstable.
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning.

For more information about KYEM, visit kyem.ky.gov.

Feb. 25, 2021

FRANKFORT – Legislative leaders have made another adjustment to the calendar for the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2021 Regular Session.

Under the change, the Senate and House of Representatives are now scheduled to convene on March 11 in addition to other previously scheduled days.

Lawmakers are still scheduled to conclude the session on March 30, the last day allowed by the state constitution.

The revised 2021 Regular Session Calendar can be viewed online at: https://legislature.ky.gov/Documents/21RS_Calendar.pdf

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 5.9%.

Deaths: We are sad to report 5 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 357 deaths resulting in a 1.77% mortality rate (about 1 in 56) among known cases. This compares with a 1.13% mortality rate at the state level, and a 1.78% 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 29 cases in the hospital. This is 13 less than what we reported yesterday. We have had a total of 1,109 hospitalizations resulting in a 5.51% hospitalization rate (about 1 in 18) among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 4.71%. The latest data shows that 97.78% of Lake Cumberland’s ICU beds are filled, and 14.52% of ventilator capacity is being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 20,136 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 9.64% of our total population have 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.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 76 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 11; Casey: 4; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 5; Green: 6; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 13; Russell: 8; Taylor: 13; and, Wayne: 10. In all, we have released 96.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking into account deaths and releases, our active cases decreased by 12 more than the new cases we added today. This leaves us with 381 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): Businesses, Family, Schools, and Medical Facilities. Of our active cases, 7% can not be tied back to another known case (community-spread cases).

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 69 today: Adair: 6; Casey: 1; Clinton: 3; Green: 6; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 17; Russell: 5; Taylor: 27; and, Wayne: 1. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.003. This means our total case count is projected to double every 214.59 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 53-year-old female who is released, Resolved;
Adair: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 74-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;
Adair: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic;

​​​​​​​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2021) – In accordance with a proclamation from the White House, Gov. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021, to commemorate the milestone of more than 500,000 American lives lost to COVID-19. The Governor and First Lady will join President and Mrs. Biden and Vice President Harris and Mr. Emhoff in observing a moment of silence tonight at sundown in remembrance of those who have died from the virus.

Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth to join in this tribute. Flag status information is available at https://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

Governor announces regional vaccination sites will open Phase 1C appointments March 1

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 22, 2021) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced COVID-19 cases have declined for six straight weeks in the commonwealth. He also reported the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since Oct. 5.

“The trends are going in a positive direction, perhaps the most positive since the pandemic began,” said Gov. Beshear. “What that means is that we’re doing a good job. Do I think that vaccines are starting to have an impact? Certainly in the long-term care community. Hopefully we’ll see more of it in the overall state. But we’re seeing more people wearing masks, engaging in social distancing, thinking about the number of contacts they have in their day, and it is working.”

The Governor announced that regional vaccination sites will open to Kentuckians in Phase 1C beginning March 1, and he expects other vaccination sites to move into Phase 1C around the same time.

Gov. Beshear encouraged all vaccine sites to continue prioritizing Phase 1A and 1B individuals, even as 1C appointments are made as well. He asked all providers to continue outreach to vulnerable Kentuckians who may have a harder time navigating the vaccine sign-up system.

More than 583,000 Kentuckians have received at least their first dose of the vaccine.

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, updated Kentuckians on the federal pharmacy program for COVID-19 vaccines.

“The good news is, we have wildly expanded our vaccine provider network in a very short time frame,” said Dr. Stack. “As of today, we have 47 independent pharmacies and 77 Walgreens pharmacies across the state participating in this program to help get vaccines to Kentuckians right in their local communities. We are going to continue to move progressively faster, getting closer and closer to where you live.”

Finally, the Governor highlighted a tragic milestone in the nation’s war against COVID-19.

“This country has now lost more than 500,000 Americans to the coronavirus. It is an almost unimaginable loss. While we have good news about the direction things are going, we’re going to emerge from this with a lot of scars inside and out,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s all remember that we’ve got to love one another and be patient with one another through that. While I hope that we are months away from the end of this virus, it’s going to take a little longer to process our collective grief.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 530
New deaths today: 13
Positivity rate: 6.6%
Total deaths: 4,460
Currently hospitalized: 870
Currently in ICU: 243
Currently on ventilator: 119

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Oldham, Campbell and Kenton. Each county reported at least 20 new cases. Jefferson County reported 95.

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

Governor and First Lady Launch Team Kentucky Gallery
On Monday, First Lady Britainy Beshear invited Kentuckians to lend their artistic talents to a new Team Kentucky Gallery, which will be located in a main hall of the state Capitol in Frankfort. The gallery will feature art in six-month installments.

The deadline to submit artwork for the first installment is May 15. For more information, see the full release.

“The Capitol is the peoples’ house, and there is no better place to highlight Kentuckians’ voices represented through art,” said First Lady Beshear. “We want to make sure Kentuckians across the commonwealth see their stories and communities represented. This exhibit is by Team Kentucky, for Team Kentucky, just as it should be.”

$40 Million in Federal Emergency Relief Funding to Non-Public Schools
Today, First Lady Beshear announced that Gov. Beshear has authorized the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) to administer $40,817,799 in emergency assistance to non-public schools for reimbursement of COVID-19 related costs or to provide COVID-19 related services.

The U.S. Department of Education has allocated this funding to Kentucky for emergency assistance that must be directed to non-public schools. All non-public schools may apply to the state for reimbursement or for services through the recently authorized Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund. More information will be available soon on the KDE website.

$4.6 Million in Grants Expand Treatment and Recovery Services for Opioid Use Disorders
Today, First Lady Beshear and Gov. Beshear along with the Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) and the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities announced that a total of $4,645,070 has been awarded to 12 nonprofit organizations throughout the commonwealth. The total grant funding has been distributed among Community Mental Health Centers and Neonatal Abstinence Treatment Programs from the Senate Bill 192 Treatment Grant which is administered by ODCP.

The grant awards are primarily focused on addressing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome by offering comprehensive residential treatment services to pregnant and parenting women. To learn more, see the full release.

Virginia Moore Access Award
Today, First Lady Beshear also announced a special recognition for Team Kentucky’s primary American Sign Language interpreter, Virginia Moore, who is executive director of the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

“Our very own Virginia Moore has been honored for demonstrating her dedication to advocating for the deaf and hard of hearing community in Kentucky,” said First Lady Beshear. “The award, properly named the Virginia Moore Access Award, is presented by the Kentucky Educators for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing here in Kentucky.”

Indoor Visitation Resumes for Some Long-Term Care Facilities
Today, Gov. Beshear reminded Kentuckians that indoor visitation has resumed for non-Medicare-certified facilities that have been through the vaccination process.

Those facilities include assisted living facilities, personal care homes, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and independent living facilities. They do not include Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities at this time because, for those facilities, the federal government would also need to waive restrictions.

Memorial
“Today, we share the loss of Gladys Bass, who passed away from COVID-19 on Feb. 10 at the age of 94. Her death came just eight weeks after her soulmate and husband of 74 years, Lewis ‘Sonny’ Bass, passed away from the virus,” said Gov. Beshear. “His loss left her heartbroken.

“Gladys was born in Lexington and was the youngest of eight children. She attended the University of Kentucky before meeting Sonny in Cincinnati. It was love at first sight, and they decided to build a beautiful life together.

“She effortlessly managed a busy household while encouraging Sonny throughout his many endeavors in life. When Sonny and his partners started Heritage House Nursing Home in 1961, the predecessor of Humana, you could find Gladys mopping floors, vacuuming or working the front desk to help get their first nursing home open.

“Gladys was the sweetest, most caring and loving woman, the matriarch that kept the foundation of the Bass family strong. Her friends and family always knew how much they were loved.

“Gladys’ loving spirit, beautiful smile and unending patience blessed this world for 94 years, and we are all better for it. She taught her family to love unconditionally, live life to the fullest and eat a piece of chocolate at every meal. We will mask up for Gladys, for Sonny and for every beloved Kentuckian lost to this horrible virus.”

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.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 1,017
New deaths today: 18
Positivity rate: 6.99%
Total deaths: 4,336
Currently hospitalized: 934
Currently in ICU: 259
Currently on ventilator: 128

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton and Boone. Each county reported at least 40 new cases.

WINTER WEATHER UPDATE FOR TODAY:

This is an updated weather announcement for Thursday, February 18th. Due to inclement weather and hazardous conditions, the T.J. Health Pavilion, all Rural Health Clinics and the T.J. Family Medicine Center will be closed today.  As always, T.J. Samson and T.J. Health Columbia remain open 24/7.

Updates, delays, and closures will be posted as more information becomes available. Visit our weather page: T.J. Regional Health and follow us on Facebook and local media the most up-to-date information.

Feb. 18, 2021

Due to inclement weather the Planning and Zoning public hearing scheduled for tonight is rescheduled for next Thursday, February 25 at 6:00 pm. The purpose of the meeting is for a request for a zone change from R1 to C2 for property located at 614 Fairground Street owned by Easton Bryant.  The hearing is open to the public.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said road crews are continuing to work around the clock to clear roads as the state prepares for its third winter storm in eight days, expected to start this evening.

“We have now made it through two winter storms, with a third on the way. I’m happy to be able to say we had a relatively quiet night, but let me stress that – even with a bit of a break in the weather – it’s still important to limit travel,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you must travel, it’s still important to be very careful. Slow down, watch out for snow plows, salt trucks and other emergency vehicles.”

The Governor said the State Emergency Operations Center is currently activated at Level 3, supporting the power outage response and the winter storm recovery. As of Wednesday morning, 44 counties and 24 cities have declared states of emergency.

The Governor said tomorrow, regional vaccination centers will stay open. If it’s too difficult or dangerous for Kentuckians to reach their appointments, Gov. Beshear encouraged them to reschedule using the link in their appointment confirmation email.

Weather Update

• Multiple rounds of wintry weather are likely to impact the region starting Wednesday afternoon through early Friday morning.
• Snow, sleet, freezing rain and a cold rain will be possible across the region.
• The best potential for snow accumulations is expected to be across Central and Eastern Kentucky. Ice accumulations under a quarter inch will be possible across Southern and Eastern Kentucky.
• Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if people are outdoors for extended periods of time, especially in single-digit temperatures.
• Winter storm warnings and advisories have been issued for Kentucky. To learn more, click here.
• Click here to view the National Weather Service forecast provided at 11 a.m. EST.

Power Outages

• There are widespread outages across Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky. As of 8 a.m. EST, there are approximately 96,000 Kentucky customers without power, with numerous counties reporting downed trees.
• Power has been restored to approximately 58,000 customers after outages peaked at more than 154,000.
• Work crews in Eastern Kentucky – especially the Jackson and Pikeville highway districts – are still dealing with falling trees and downed power lines.
• Department of Highways maintenance facilities are still without power in five counties – Boyd, Floyd, Lawrence, Magoffin and Martin.
• One consequence of power outages is that gas pumps can’t operate. Yesterday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) began hauling motor fuel into the area so crews can refuel equipment, and those efforts will continue today.
• Power outages have also impacted traffic signals. Treat any dark signals as a four-way stop.
• Clearing downed trees will be a major task today in impacted areas. Division of Forestry crews are out in high impact areas. Kentucky National Guard teams are on standby to assist the Forestry crews to remove cut debris.
• Kentuckians experiencing a downed power line or power outage should contact their local utility company. If possible, use an alternate source of heat but be aware of the dangers of alternate heat sources and carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills always should be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/co/guidelines.htm for more information.

“During this event, the weather created physical damage to the infrastructure that transmits and delivers the electricity to households. Electric companies must respond safely, swiftly and efficiently to restore service to large numbers of affected customers,” said Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett.

Director Dossett said there are four steps necessary to restore power:

• Assess the extent, locations and severity of damage to the electricity system;
• Provide the physical and human resources required for repairs;
• Prioritize sites/components for repair based on factors including the criticality of the load and the availability of resources to complete the needed repairs;
• Implement the needed repairs and reassess system state.

“As such, households may experience times of intermittent or extended outages as the electric utilities create a safe environment for work to move through the phases of restoration,” said Director Dossett. “Electric utilities are implementing their mutual aid agreements to ensure everyone is working together to have the resources. Utilities are cooperating and some aid is coming from out of state.”

Road Conditions

• KYTC crews are treating and plowing statewide and report most highly traveled priority A routes are passable. Plows are making headway on secondary, lower-volume routes.
• Several areas are severely affected, especially eastern and northeastern counties.
• At this time, Kentucky State Police (KSP) reports no interstate closures. However, the situation is fluid and KSP may have to close an interstate in the event of a collision or additional winter weather that is expected to arrive later this evening.
• All 16 KSP posts located throughout the commonwealth continue to report slick and hazardous road conditions. Beginning Monday evening and into this morning, KSP has responded to multiple vehicle collisions throughout the state with several resulting in fatalities. The hazardous, icy roadway conditions are believed to be a contributing factor.
• Kentuckians should refrain from traveling if at all possible. Please stay home and allow emergency responders to do their work during this winter storm.
• Kentuckians are urged to tune in to local media for information on weather, and visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources and goky.ky.gov to check road conditions.

“Our front-line snow-fighters are still out there: from Lyon to Lawrence, Paducah to Pikeville, Hickman to Harlan, Clinton to Campbell and all parts in between. More than 2,000 employee team members plus contractors across the commonwealth are working hard to keep our people safe,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “I also want to commend the state Division of Forestry, which has provided chainsaw crews to help us clear downed trees in a number of eastern counties. They’ve been a tremendous help. Please limit your travel, drive very carefully and allow extra time to get where you’re going.”

Wellness Support
Kentucky National Guardsmen are currently providing assistance in Boyd, Carter, Crittenden, Elliott, Floyd, Greenup, Jackson, Laurel, Lawrence, Leslie, Magoffin, Menifee, Owsley and Rockcastle counties.

Guardsmen are assisting with wellness checks, transporting those in need to warming stations and shelters, providing crews to transport medical staff and providing debris removal teams to assist the Kentucky Division of Forestry.

There are currently 23 warming centers open, with another 16 on standby. There are six emergency shelters open, with one on standby.

KSP troopers are also responding to wellness checks and helping Kentuckians as needed. If you need help, please contact a KSP post directly. KSP is requesting Kentuckians only utilize 911 for emergencies.

For additional information on this week’s news updates from Gov. Beshear click here.

Governor, state officials also update Kentuckians on winter storm safety

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2021) – On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on the winter storm that has impacted communities across the commonwealth, as well as the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

“The federal government is once again increasing our vaccine supply. The Biden administration announced today they will send 13.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to states per week, up from 11 million last week,” said Gov. Beshear. “The administration will also double the number of doses sent directly to retail pharmacies. Next week, Kentucky is expected to receive 87,860 vaccine doses.”

The Governor and other state officials also updated Kentuckians on the commonwealth’s winter storm recovery.

The Kentucky Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 3 operations status. The Kentucky National Guard is assisting emergency efforts by providing debris removal teams to help the Kentucky Division of Forestry clear trees, supporting local officials with transport of citizens to warming centers and shelters and providing crews to transport medical staff.

“Kentuckians are doing what we do best – taking care of each other. Under the continuing state of emergency, we have leveraged assistance from our state agencies in providing response and recovery assets and equipment to assist our many East and Southeastern counties heavily impacted by the recent power outage,” said Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett. “At the height of the outage, 154,400 homes were without power. Restoration efforts will be ongoing into the coming week.”

Director Dossett told Kentuckians to be aware that outage numbers rise and fall based on the deactivation of large circuits to repair smaller areas in the outage.

Thirty-two counties and 22 cities in the state have declared states of emergency. Eleven warming centers are open in the commonwealth, with another 18 on standby. Five shelters are open with one on standby.

Director Dossett said a third winter storm in eight days is expected Wednesday evening to Friday morning. Single-digit temperatures are expected. Snow, sleet, freezing rain and cold rain will all be possible across the region.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) Secretary Jim Gray updated Kentuckians on current driving conditions after another winter storm impacted the commonwealth Monday and overnight.

“Hazardous driving conditions are the rule, not the exception. Interstate Highway 65 has been a significant trouble spot today,” said Secretary Gray. “We again ask the public to help protect themselves and our workers by staying off roads if possible. We all need to do our part, and we’ll get through this together.”

The KYTC Division of Equipment and Division of Incident Management are working to truck motor fuel into eastern counties. Salt supply, statewide, is adequate. Secretary Gray said clearing downed trees has been another major task today, especially in Eastern Kentucky.

Snow and ice information is available at snowky.ky.gov and information on road conditions is available on goky.ky.gov.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Gov. Beshear reported the following COVID-19 numbers:

New cases today: 1,255
New deaths today: 27
Positivity rate: 6.58%
Total deaths: 4,318
Currently hospitalized: 935
Currently in ICU: 272
Currently on ventilator: 133

Top counties with the most positive cases today are: Jefferson, Fayette, Kenton, Boone and Hardin. Each county reported at least 50 new cases.

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

The Governor said Kroger regional vaccination sites – at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington would be open Thursday. The Kroger Franklin County regional vaccination site will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 17.

$264 Million Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund Update
On Monday, in partnership with the Kentucky Housing Corporation, Gov. Beshear opened the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund with an additional $264 million to keep Kentuckians safe and housed throughout the pandemic.

Tenants who qualify can apply here for rent and utility assistance to cover their past-due and future bills. If approved, lump sum, direct payments will be made to landlords and utility providers. To learn more about this state program and parallel programs for Jefferson and Fayette counties, see the full release.

As of today, more than 6,400 people have created an account, more than 5,200 have started the application process and 1,780 tenants and more than 900 landlords completed their applications. The total amount requested for rental assistance is more than $3.2 million. The total amount requested for utility assistance is $1.2 million.

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.