FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 30, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Let’s start the way we always start. It’s by remembering we are going to get through this pandemic and we are going to get through it together,” the Governor said. “There is a better world on the other side of this. For every challenge we face, it’s our job to build that better world and take advantage of the possibilities and the potential that lay in front of us.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. Support for Eastern Kentucky
   Today, Gov. Beshear announced a $7 million grant to support behavioral health services in the Appalachian region.
   
   The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities, a CHFS agency, received the grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in response to natural disasters, including severe flooding and mudslides, which affected the area in 2019. Services supported by the grant will help adults and school-age children.
   
   “This is a recognition of trauma, of how the world around us can impact our mental and emotional health,” the Governor said. “One of the things we can learn from this crisis that we should have learned before is that these services are critical to our overall health. We’re not healthy Kentuckians unless we are physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. And we now have more tools than ever to ensure those around us are getting the help that they need. And let’s remember it’s never wrong to ask for help when you need it.”
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. Business Expands in Leitchfield
   Today, Gov. Beshear announced Busche Industries Co., doing business as Xtreme Fabrication, plans to expand its existing Leitchfield facility with 25 high-paying jobs in the coming years.
   
   “This expansion is a major step forward in creating good-paying jobs and opportunities for the skilled workforce in Grayson County, especially after the recent loss of a major manufacturer in the region,” the Governor said. “Xtreme Fabrication has been a great part of the community over the past 13 years, and the company’s increased presence will help move Leitchfield and the surrounding area forward. I want to thank the Busche family for their commitment to the commonwealth as we work to build a better Kentucky for everyone.”
   
   Xtreme plans to expand in response to its growing customer base with a 7,200-square-foot addition to the existing facility on Salt River Road in Leitchfield. The project would include the purchase and installation of a CNC plasma-cutting machine and traditional CNC machining equipment, and would allow the company to diversify its business and enter markets it does not currently serve.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
3. Voting
   Gov. Beshear continued to encourage all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day.
   
   “This year in Kentucky, there are more options to vote than ever, which means there are fewer excuses to not vote than ever,” said Gov. Beshear.
   
   The deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election is 4 p.m. local time on Oct. 5. Kentucky residents can register by visiting the state’s Online Voter Registration webpage.
   
   The Governor shared a video of First Lady Britainy Beshear delivering her absentee ballot to a drop box.
   
   “There are more ways than ever to vote this year,” she said. “It was so easy to drop off my absentee ballot.”
   
   In addition, more than 190,000 Kentuckians have had their voting rights restored because of the executive order Gov. Beshear signed days after taking office. These Kentuckians, convicted of non-violent and non-sexual felonies, who have repaid their debts to society through completed sentences, can participate fully in our democracy. Visit CivilRightsRestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility.
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky!
   Gov. Beshear continues to stress the importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important action all of us can take to fight COVID-19.
   
   “We’ve got a lot of kids who went back to in-person classes this week,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our kids can wear their masks. We as adults complain about it, but our kids can do it. I can tell you, my kids are willing to do it if it means they get to be back in school. Let’s make sure we are wearing masks in our community.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags. Starting next week, Kentuckians who use the hashtags will receive a #TeamKY mask if their post is featured as part of the Governor’s daily 4 p.m. news conference.

Freedom Award
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday welcomed to the Capitol executives with office equipment and solutions giant Lexmark International and members of the military.

“Today, we have an exciting recognition to announce. It is my great honor as the Governor of Kentucky to congratulate Lexmark International as one of this year’s recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award,” the Governor said. “This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their sustained support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.”

Among those present were Kentucky Adjutant Gen. Hal Lamberton, Col. (R) Phil Miller and Harry Wiley from the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as President and CEO of Lexmark Allen Waugerman, Brig. Gen. David Jenkins, Carl Sullivan and Patrick Brewer from Lexmark International.

“The Kentucky National Guard and Reserves are indispensable assets, and its soldiers are proud members of communities throughout Kentucky. They are our neighbors. They are the people that – outside of COVID – we sit in the bleachers with on Friday and in the pews with on Sunday,” said Gov. Beshear.

“Lexmark has a long history of success and innovation in the Bluegrass, and that clearly extends to the company’s enlightened leadership, which supports its workers and all of our people with a strong military.”

Lexmark has also been named a Military Friendly Ò Employer for the fifth consecutive year, receiving the esteemed Gold designation for 2021. Lexmark’s scores exceeded the Military Friendly standard in all measured categories.

“The active, personal engagement of Lexmark President and CEO Allen Waugerman communicates a philosophy of support at every level, creating a culture that values, respects and considers itself accountable for the readiness and well-being of its Reservist employees,” said Col. (R) Miller, Kentucky state chairman of the Department of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. “I’d like to point out, that in addition to offering National Guard and Reserve members supplemental pay for their time away for military service, the Lexmark leadership team stays in contact and provides mentorship to employees who deploy overseas and they even go the extra mile to check on service member families to make sure they being taken care of.”

“We are honored to receive the Freedom Award from the Secretary of Defense,” said Waugerman. “Lexmark takes great pride in the communities where we live and work and we recognize the sacrifice that our veterans, guardsmen and their families make to support us.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 30, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 68,840 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,004 of which were newly reported Wednesday. One hundred and fifty-four of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 28 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 4 months old.

“Today’s report is a little tough. It’s the first time since March 6 that we’ve had over 1,000 cases in two consecutive days,” the Governor said. “One thousand four cases is a problem and that means we have to be more vigilant.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 4 new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 1,174 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include an 86-year-old man from Bullitt County; a 70-year-old man from Christian County; an 87-year-old man from Fayette County; and a 74-year-old man from Jefferson County.

“We have a number of others that are still going through our process, and sadly we are waiting to get information back, but I think we will see in the coming days that this can impact even younger adults,” the Governor said.

Gov. Beshear urged people to look over and take to heart updated guidance on 10 Steps to Fight COVID-19.

As of Wednesday, there have been at least 1,459,816 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.07%, and at least 11,840 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools also is being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Unemployment Insurance Claims
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday presented and update on the Lost Wages Assistance program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides an additional $400 per week for those who qualify.

“Our first three weeks of payments are already out, already to those individuals. The fourth payment went out last night. The fifth should go out on Oct. 1 and the sixth is going out, if everything goes as planned, on Oct. 5,” the Governor said.

He also said Ernst & Young is continuing to help the state with letters of determination, a final step that has held up some payments.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!!

Due to exposure to COVID-19 of one employee and causing a staffing shortage, the Green River Animal  Shelter will be by appointment only until October 19, 2020. We will still be doing adoptions.  Pictures of animals can be viewed on our Facebook Page. If you want to see an animal in person, please call the shelter and we will work with you to set up a time. If you have questions or concerns, please call the Green River Animal Shelter at 270-385-9655. Please know we take the safety of our staff, visitors, and animals very important.  

Gale B. Cowan

Adair County Judge Executive

VOLUNTEERS are needed to help park vehicles this week at Halcomb's Landing on Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 5:00amCT and again at 3:00pmCT.

PLEASE let the Chamber know what day(s) you will be able to help so I can pass that information on to the event organizers.  They are also needing golf carts for transporting participants to the dock.  

If you have a golf cart that you would be willing to loan, please let the Chamber know ASAP!

From the Russell County Chamber of Commerce:

What a TREMENDOUS honor that BASSMASTER chose Lake Cumberland to host their College/High School Series Fishing Tournament!

Many participants are already here. PLEASE show your hospitality (and patience) when you see them out and about.  

If you'd like to watch this event, they will be leaving HALCOMB'S LANDING at 7:00amCT on October 1-4.  Weigh-ins begin at 3:00pmCT each afternoon. 

The Adair County Fiscal Court held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night.

Jim Lieb with WAVE NEWS spoke to County Judge Exec. Gale Cowan following the meeting... 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 29, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and said the state has reported the second-highest daily total of new cases.

“I said yesterday I believe we’re at the start of a new escalation. We’re certainly seeing that in today’s numbers. That means we’ve got to work harder. This is a war and we’ve won many battles, but we can’t walk away from the battlefield,” the Governor said. “I really need your help. Right now, moving into the fall, has the potential to be the most dangerous time we have seen in Kentucky. But it doesn’t have to be, because we know there is a vaccine in our future, we just have to get to the point where we can prove that it’s effective and deploy it to enough people. Are we willing to do what it takes to protect one another until that point in time? I think the answer is yes, but we’ve got to prove it.”
 

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Tuesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. Business Expands to Mount Vernon
   Lt. Gov. Coleman on Tuesday highlighted Chapin International Inc., a manufacturer of metal compressed air sprayers that plans to locate a production operation in Mount Vernon. The nearly $5.5 million investment will create up to 100 full-time jobs in the coming years.
   
   “The location will manufacture and distribute metal compressed air sprayers for industrial use, agriculture, home and garden and other applications,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “This is a great project located in Rockcastle County, and one that came together incredibly quickly.”
   
   Chapin plans to relocate segments of existing operations in New York and Ohio to a 175,000-square-foot building in the Rockcastle Business Park. The new location will position the company to better serve customers throughout North America.
   
   “Kentucky’s logistical advantages and ideal geographic location were major factors in our ability to bring Chapin to the commonwealth,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “We are at the center of a 34-state distribution area in the eastern U.S., with existing infrastructure necessary for companies to ship products to customers as quickly as possible.”
   
   For more details and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. Voting
   Lt. Gov. Coleman encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day. On Tuesday, she showed that she was taking this advice herself.
   
   “As a former civics teacher, teaching students about the democratic process and elections was one of my favorite topics,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “As we all know, record turnout is expected all across the country for the 2020 General Election.”
   
   The deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election is 4 p.m. local time on Oct. 5. Kentucky residents can register by visiting the state’s Online Voter Registration webpage.
   
   In addition, more than 170,000 Kentuckians have had their voting rights restored because of the executive order Gov. Beshear signed days after taking office. These Kentuckians, convicted of non-violent and non-sexual felonies, who have repaid their debts to society through completed sentences, can participate fully in our democracy. Visit CivilRightsRestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility.
   
   “GoVoteKy.com is the place to find information, like how to request your absentee ballot,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Voting absentee is the safest way to vote this year because of COVID-19. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call your county clerk’s office to request your absentee ballot.”
    
3. PPE
   Lt. Gov. Coleman provided great news on the commonwealth’s ongoing efforts to secure the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for Kentucky’s frontline workers in the battle against COVID-19.
   
   “Two weeks ago, Gov. Beshear and I visited the Department for Public Health warehouse to show the success in securing PPE for frontline workers and other Kentuckians. PPE is a vital part of protecting Kentuckians during this pandemic,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “As of this week, our Department for Public Health warehouse has completed the stockpile. There is enough PPE for a 120-day surge.”
   
   Lt. Gov. Coleman noted that she, Gov. Beshear and others have spared no effort from the start of the pandemic as they worked to secure more PPE.
   
   “He will tell you: He was not sure this day would come,” she said.
   
   The Lieutenant Governor offered thanks and praise for the many companies and countless individuals who have made this effort one of the state’s success stories in the battle against COVID-19.
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky!
   Lt. Gov. Coleman also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “Even our youngest learners are willing to be leaders and to do their part wearing masks in school,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.
   
   She also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags. Starting next week, Kentuckians who use the hashtags will receive a #TeamKY mask if their post is featured as part of the Governor’s daily 4 p.m. news conference.

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 67,856 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,018 of which were newly reported Tuesday. 157 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 27 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

“Today we are reporting our second-highest total of new COVID-19 cases that we have had since March 6,” the Governor said. “We need you to wear a facial covering. This ought to be a wake-up call. We can’t let this thing get out of control again because we’re tired. We know the steps that it takes.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 8 new deaths Tuesday, raising the total to 1,170 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Tuesday include a 93-year-old woman from Bell County; an 86-year-old man from Bullitt County; a 77-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman from Floyd County; a 71-year-old woman from Henderson County; a 68-year-old man from Hickman County; and two women, ages 86 and 87, from Kenton County.

“When we have 1,018 cases it means we’re going to lose more people moving forward. It’s far too many,” said Gov. Beshear.

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 1,446,385 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.24%, and at least 11,792 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Dr. Stack Update
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, offered insights Tuesday into the state of the pandemic and efforts to reopen schools.

Dr. Stack highlighted the state’s new online portal for school COVID-19 reporting.

“The K-12 cases dashboard is a tool for the public,” Dr. Stack said. “For those of you who have children in K-12 schools, you should be able to go to this dashboard, find your school by name and see the data that they’ve reported.”

Dr. Stack also announced a change to the state’s recommendations for schools about what modes of instruction they should employ depending on the positivity rate of the county. Previously, if a school was in the “red zone,” the guidance was that they needed to get back to the “yellow zone” before reopening to in-person instruction.

“The color-coding system to guide schools as to what precautions they should take in a given week is intended to identify when the disease is particularly active in your community – the entire community – so the whole community can come together to do what needs to be done to improve the situation,” Dr. Stack said. “The one change we made today is that if your county goes to red, you no longer have to go all the way back down to yellow to consider resuming in-person instruction.”

Driver’s Licenses
Today, Gov. Beshear announced that he will extend a renewal option for Kentuckians with driver’s licenses that are due to expire.

“This renewed executive order allows people to renew their driver’s license by a drop box or by mail,” the Governor said. “You still have to renew it by one of those fashions through February 2021. Now it doesn’t automatically extend, so make sure that either by that drop box or by mail you get this done.”

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Christian Stanley age 24, of Columbia was arrested by Officer Justice with the Russell Springs Police Department early this morning just before 4 a.m... Stanley was charged with No Lights on Bicycle, Failure to Comply with Bicycle Safety Regulations, Fleeing or Evading Police, 2^nd Degree (on foot) Resisting Arrest, Menacing, Drug Paraphernalia – Buy/Possession, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Meth) and Giving Officer False Identifying Information. Stanley was lodged into the Russell County Detention Center.

Russell County reported 2 new cases on Monday. We had 5 cases released from isolation. We now have 11 active cases with 3 hospitalized: 1 at UK, 1 at Somerset, and 1 at Russell County Hospital. 8 cases are on self-isolation. The new cases are a 37 year old male who is hospitalized and a 47 year old male who is self-isolated.

Adair County reported 4 new COVID19 cases yesterday. We released 2 cases. We have 18 active cases with 17 of those in home isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

• APPROVAL OF FLEX FUND RESOLUTION 
• PERMISSION FOR JUDGE TO SIGN FLEX FUND AGREEMENT
• AIRPORT BOARD-REQUEST FOR FUNDING  
• TEMPORARY WORK EASEMENT-MT. TUSSELL RD.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 28, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“What I hope really sinks in for everybody watching is the word ‘urgency,’” the Governor said. “I believe that since maybe the traditional start of school, we have become more casual in our approach to COVID and our concerns about COVID, and how well we follow those rules and guidelines that are out there. It’s been seven months and most of us have never had to deal with something like this for seven months. But the virus is here and it waits for us to get casual. When we get casual, what we see is alarming trends in the virus. We will get through this, but when we get to the other side, do you want to look back and think, ‘We could have done better,’ when doing better is about saving people’s lives?”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Monday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
   Gov. Beshear spoke Monday about the dedication ceremony he attended Sunday to unveil a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument on the Capitol grounds.
   
   The final Sunday in September is set aside as National Gold Star Family Day, a day to venerate the many brave U.S. military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.
   
   “This year, I was honored to help dedicate the Gold Star Families Monument, which will stand here on the Capitol grounds to educate visitors and further honor the lives of these Kentucky heroes and the families who love them,” the Governor said.
   
   The National Gold Star Registry lists more than 470,000 American military members who died while serving in a time of conflict since the start of World War II.
   
   The registry lists nearly 10,000 Kentuckians among this proud Gold Star fellowship.
   
   “These are Kentucky’s sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. They answered the call. They served and fought for our freedoms,” the Governor said. “These Gold Stars are bestowed with an honor no one seeks for a debt that never can be repaid.”
   
   Gov. Beshear said we should look to the lessons and sacrifices of previous generations as we fight the global coronavirus pandemic.
   
   “Let us draw inspiration and strength from these lives lived with common purpose, sacrifice and love for our commonwealth,” he said. “That’s the essence of what I call Team Kentucky: All of us coming together to serve a better Kentucky, one that works for every one of us.”
    
2. Voting
   Gov. Beshear has been encouraging all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day. On Monday, he showed that he was taking this advice himself, displaying his own mail-in ballot, which can be requested through the GoVoteKy.com website.
   
   “We are now in the midst of this election. Absentee voting is underway. I have my ballot now,” said Gov. Beshear. “Make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Then mail it or drop it in a drop box. And remember, you can register to vote until Oct. 5. You can request an absentee ballot until Oct. 9. After that, early in-person voting begins Oct. 13. But there is no excuse, folks. Voting is a part of who we are as Americans. I want to see a record turnout here in Kentucky.”
   
   The deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election is 4 p.m. local time on Oct. 5. Kentucky residents can register by visiting the state’s Online Voter Registration webpage.
   
   In addition, more than 170,000 Kentuckians have had their voting rights restored because of the executive order Gov. Beshear signed days after taking office. These Kentuckians, convicted of non-violent and non-sexual felonies, who have repaid their debts to society through completed sentences, can participate fully in our democracy. Visit CivilRightsRestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility.
    
3. Biotech Company Expands
   Gov. Beshear shared good economic news Monday that Summit Biosciences Inc., a Lexington-based pharmaceutical company focused on nasal spray medicines, is expanding its operation at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Campus with a more than $19 million investment expected to create up to 78 full-time jobs.
   
   “We need companies like Summit Biosciences more than ever, and I could not be happier to see its tremendous growth in Lexington,” the Governor said. “This company has represented what it means to be part of Team Kentucky during this pandemic, donating personal protective equipment to the local community and working on an urgently needed treatment for coronavirus. Summit Biosciences is a company with a bright future in Kentucky.”
   
   The project has grown significantly since it originally was announced in 2016 as a $7.9 million project that would create 21 jobs.
   
   The expansion – which is nearing completion – brings the company’s footprint to 44,000 square feet with increased manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse space. The additional space will support clinical and commercial production of several new nasal spray medicines, including one for COVID-19.
   
   In May, Atossa Therapeutics Inc., a Seattle-based pharmaceutical company, awarded Summit a contract to accelerate the development of a nasal spray medicine for preventing and/or mitigating a COVID-19 infection. The proposed product is being developed as an at-home, easy-to-administer preventative or treatment option for patients and is among a very limited number of medicines or vaccines that will rely on intranasal delivery.
   
   To view the full news release, click here.
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky!
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags. The Governor said starting next week, Kentuckians who use the hashtags will receive a #TeamKY mask if their post is featured as part of the Governor’s daily 4 p.m. news conference.

Case Information – Monday, Sept. 28
As of 3:00pmCT on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 66,939 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 456 of which were newly reported Monday. 83 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 20 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 6 months old.

“Last week we had almost 5,000 cases in Kentucky – the most we have ever had. Now what we believe that we are seeing, I believe we’re seeing it nationally, is the start of a new escalation,” the Governor said. “As we come toward a fall season and winter, where more people are going to be inside and we know the virus spreads faster, we’ve got to do better than this. We can’t be casual right now.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 5 new deaths Monday, raising the total to 1,162 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Monday include a 56-year-old woman from Fayette County; a 91-year-old woman and two men, ages 93 and 97, from Jefferson County; and an 84-year-old woman from Johnson County.

“Let’s call and check on the families who have lost someone,” said Gov. Beshear. “I lost my friend Alice Sparks at the end of last week. She lived a wonderful life and lived life to its fullest, but she should still be with us.”

As of Monday, there have been at least 1,373,577 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.41%, and at least 11,787 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Case Information – Sunday, Sept. 27
Due to limited reporting on the weekends, some updated information is now available from Sunday, Sept. 27.

As of Sunday, there were 1,365,528 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was at 4.43% and at least 11,771 Kentuckians had recovered from the virus.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Sunday, Sept. 27, click here.

Pandemic Benefits
Today, Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, offered an update on health care and the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.

“As of today, more than 1.6 million Kentuckians have enrolled in Medicaid. That’s a little more than one in three Kentuckians. Especially during a pandemic, it is vitally important for people to have health care coverage,” said Secretary Friedlander. “We have also provided more than 100,000 households with access to food through SNAP benefits. We are the only state that I know of that has proactively reached out to those who have had to apply for unemployment insurance to see if they are also eligible for other benefits.”

He said eligibility for the program still is based on National School Lunch Program participation. For August and September, eligibility also is based on school start dates and instruction method.

Secretary Friedlander said the benefit amounts vary by student and that new cards will be automatically sent out to each child. The cards will be mailed beginning in October, but some children may not receive their cards until the end of November.

He said 541,844 Kentucky students were enrolled in the P-EBT program.

“We provided P-EBT benefits to more than 500,000 children in Kentucky in the first phase,” said Secretary Friedlander. “In the second phase, you don’t have to apply. Over 625,000 children are going to receive meals. We will be sending these benefits to you, sometime in the month of October. If you have questions, you can call 855-306-8959 and select the food benefits option for more information about the cards that will come to you in the mail.”

New School Reporting Portal
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman spoke Monday about the new online portal for reporting on COVID-19 for schools.

“Today is Sept. 28, which is the first day that the Governor recommended that in-person classes could resume,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Our schools are asked to self-report Monday through Friday for each day that their schools are in session.”

She said the information is crucial for leaders, parents and other caregivers.

The new dashboard will be available on the main kycovid19.ky.gov website under the Healthy at School section.

Anti-Price Gouging Order
Vowing to protect Kentuckians from unfairly being overcharged for goods or services during the pandemic, Gov. Beshear on Monday again extended his executive order prohibiting price gouging.

Anyone with information about unfair sales or billing practices is encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline at 888-432-9257 or fill out the complaint form online.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

2020 GENERAL ELECTION INFORMATION - IMPORTANT DEADLINES

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE NOV. GENERAL ELECTION:

• October 5th, 2020

REGISTER AT: 

• www.elect.ky.gov until 4:00pmCT on Oct. 5th
• Clerk’s Office, 424 Public Square, Ste 3, Columbia by 4:00pmCT on Oct. 5th

THIS ONLY APPLIES IF YOU ARE WANTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT MAILED INSTEAD OF VOTING IN PERSON....

BY MAIL: DEADLINE IS OCT. 9TH, 2020 TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT    

1. State provided online portal at www.GoVoteKy.com to request your ballot. Deadline for online is Oct.9th at 11:59pmET.
2. You can call our office at 270-384-2801. The deadline to call the office is Oct. 9th at 4:00pmCT.

HOW CAN I RETURN MY BALLOT?

1. Ballot Drop-Off Box located in the Adair County Clerk’s Office, 424 Public Square, Ste 3, Columbia, during normal business hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pmCT and Sat 8:00am-12:00pmCT.
2. Mail - postage paid envelope included.

In-person voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 13th and runs thru Monday, Nov. 2nd from 8am till 4pm and on Saturdays from 8am until 12pm (Noon) in the Adair Annex basment. You may also vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, 2020 from 6am-6pmCT in the Adair Annex basement. This will be the only location!

• Paid Oct. 1st - Nov. 1st, 2020 - 2% discount
• Paid Nov. 1st - Dec. 31st, 2020 -  pay face amount of bill
• Paid Jan. 1st - Jan. 31st, 2021 - 5% penalty 
• Paid Feb. 1st - April 15th, 2021 - 10% penalty in addition to 10% add-on

Michael Salas age 36, of Louisville was taken into custody by Trooper Brumley with the Kentucky State Police just after 12:30 this morning.  He was charged with Speeding 24mph Over the Limit, Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Alcohol, 1^st Aggravated Circumstances and Wanton Endangerment-2^nd Degree.

Russell County reported 1 new case Sunday. The new case is a 25-year-old male who is self-isolated. We had 1 case released from isolation. We now have 14 cases, 12 are on self-isolation and 2 are hospitalized.

Adair County reported no new cases of COVID19 on Sunday. We released 2 cases. We have 16 active cases with 15 of those in home isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 27, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Sunday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“We know we must do better if we want to continue on the path toward regaining the parts of our lives that have been on hold,” the Governor said. “If we want to protect each other and our economy, if we want to get our kids back to school, the message is clear for Team Kentucky: Wear a mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands regularly and avoid crowds.”

Case Information
As of 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Gov. Beshear announced at least 66,491 cases of COVID-19 in the commonwealth, 456 of which were newly reported Sunday. Sixty of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 10 were ages 5 and under. The youngest was just 2 months old.

The Governor announced 3 more deaths Sunday, bringing the state’s death total to 1,157. The deaths reported included a 97-year-old woman from Bell County; an 87-year-old man from Kenton County, and an 81-year-old woman from Fayette County.

“That’s three more Kentucky families who are grieving,” the Governor said. “Let’s continue to light our homes and businesses up green and ring our bells at 10 a.m. to let those in mourning know that they are loved and in our thoughts.”

Due to limited reporting on Sundays, some information will be delayed until Monday.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 26, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Folks, right now we are on pace to have the single highest week in terms of positive cases that we’ve ever had,” said Gov. Beshear. “We simply have to do better. Please wear a mask. Sadly, sometimes I’m seeing less of these out there than more. This will save lives.”

Case Information
As of 3 p.m. Sept. 26, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 66,036 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 973 of which were newly reported Saturday. Of the newly reported cases, 132 were from children age 18 and younger, with 18 age 5 and younger. The youngest was just 2 months old.

The Governor added, “We’ve already lost more than 200,000 Americans. Do your part as Team Kentucky, do your patriotic duty – mask up, Kentucky. It may save the life of someone you know.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported five new deaths Saturday. The total of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 1,154.

“That’s five additional families who are suffering during this time,” said Gov. Beshear.

The deaths reported Saturday include a 67-year-old man from Scott County; an 80-year-old woman from Union County; an 86-year-old woman from Christian County; and two Boyd Countians, including an 88-year-old man and a 101-year-old woman.

As of Saturday, at least 1,354,927 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 4.42%. The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 11,750.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• Adair: A 73-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Clinton: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 14-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 11-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 9-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 30-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 68-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 67-year-old male who is released, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 84-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Taylor: A 37-year-old male who is released, asymptomatic
• Wayne: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 74-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 29-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 3-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 33-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Today’s COVID report is far too many cases and unfortunately far too many people who we’ve lost,” said Gov. Beshear. “This virus has come for us. We have to fight back.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 65,066 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 930 of which were newly reported Friday. One hundred thirty-one of the newly reported cases were from children age 18 and younger, 23 of which were children age 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

“We cannot continue to have days where we have 900-plus cases,” said Gov. Beshear. “Please put on your mask. Please engage in social distancing. The lives and the health of the Kentuckians around us depend on it.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 12 new deaths Friday, raising the total to 1,149 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include an 86-year-old woman from Campbell County; an 85-year-old woman from Fayette County; an 86-year-old man from Fulton County; a 68-year-old woman from Grayson County; a 94-year-old woman and a 92-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 78-year-old man from Madison County; a 79-year-old man from Marshall County; a 74-year-old woman from McCracken County; and two women, ages 62 and 96, and a 73-year-old man from Warren County.

“I’m asking you to do your part as a member of Team Kentucky and your patriotic duty as an American,” said Gov. Beshear.

As of Friday, there have been at least 1,321,987 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.48%, and at least 11,677 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

James Cleary age 53 of Albany, was arrested by Deputy Watson with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office just before midnight. Cleary was charged with Disregarding a Stop Sign, Obstructed Vision and/or Windshield, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License, Operating Motor Vehicle under Influence of Alcohol/Substance 3^rd and Possession of Marijuana.

Adair County reported with 1 new COVID-19 case on Thursday and released 1 case. Adair has 20 active cases, all in home isolation. No cases are in the hospital at this time.

In Russell County, NO new cases reported Thursday. 4 cases were released from isolation. Rusell now has 15 active cases with 13 on self-isolation and 2 hospitalized, 1 at UK and 1 at Somerset.

The Adair County School Board met last night. Thursday was the first day back to school for students. Jim Lieb covered the meeting for 92.7 the WAVE and spoke to Supt. Dr. Stephens.....
 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 24, 2020)– Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Let’s be thinking about what we can do for others at all times during this virus. This is a time that takes more compassion than any in my lifetime, and that’s with every challenge we face right now,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s remember that we’ve got to listen to each other and we’ve got to help each other.”

The Governor also highlighted the news that two Louisville Metro Police Department officers shot last night during protests in Louisville are expected to recover. The Governor noted that he was able to speak directly with one officer and a family member of the other.

“We know that the answer to violence is never violence and we are thinking about those two officers and their families,” said Gov. Beshear last night. “Hopefully we can find ways not just to listen to each other, but to hear. Stay safe. We care about each and every one of you.”

Today, the Governor reiterated: “I want to condemn this act of violence in the most stark terms. It is absolutely wrong. We want to make sure that any type of activity or demonstrations remain nonviolent and peaceful. Just one person can mar something that otherwise is done the right way.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 24, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 64,158 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 745 of which were newly reported Thursday. One hundred and seven of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, 20 of which were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was just 6 days old.

“Again, it seems like we are seeing a larger and larger and larger portion of positive cases being our young people,” said Gov. Beshear.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 13 new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 1,137 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Thursday include a 97-year-old woman from Bell County; an 86-year-old woman from Christian County; a 96-year-old woman from Fayette County; two women, ages 90 and 97, from Jefferson County; an 82-year-old man from Perry County; and four women, ages 62, 84, 89 and 94, and three men, ages 69, 87 and 88, from Warren County.

“The toughest part of today’s report – 13 new deaths. These are 13 individuals whose families will be mourning them. It’s a hard number for any given day; 13 individuals. And not on here is a friend of mine from Northern Kentucky who I just learned about an hour and a half ago had passed away after a multimonth battle with COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s remember this virus is very, very real and it’s still out there. So let’s make sure that we light our homes up green, we ring those bells at 10 a.m. and that we try to reach out to these families who may be needing help.”

As of Thursday, there have been at least 1,301,407 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.57%, and at least 11,570 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Tompkinsville, KY (September 21, 2020)  On September 20th, 2020 at approximately 3:15 PM Kentucky State Police Post 15 responded to a residence on White Oak Ridge Rd in the Fountain Run community in reference to two deceased males being located inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds to the head. The victims are 20 year old Trevor Cleary of Tompkinsville, KY and 19 year old Austin Copas of Fountain Run, KY. Autopsies are scheduled to be performed. This incident remains under investigation by Detective B.J. Burton. KSP was assisted at the scene by Fountain Run PD, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County EMS, and the Monroe County Coroner’s Office. If anyone has any information regarding this incident contact KSP Post 15 at (800) 222-5555.

        *******************UPDATE********************

Kentucky State Police Detective B.J. Burton has obtained arrest warrants on two individuals involved in the double murder that happened on Sunday, Sept. 20th.

Edward Whitledge, 29, of Bakersfield, CA is 6’2” and approximately 188 lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair. Whitledge has an active arrest warrant for two counts of Murder.

Kayla Spivey, age 28 of Hiham, TN is 5’4” and is approximately145 lbs with brown eyes and red hair. Spivey has an active arrest warrant for two counts of Complicity to Commit Murder.

These individuals were last seen driving a 2009 Nissan Altima, black in color, TN license plate # DP68781.

The Kentucky State Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating these individuals who are considered to be armed and dangerous. If anyone has any information regarding their whereabouts we ask that you contact Post 15  at 800.222.5555 or your local law enforcement agency, do not attempt to approach or apprehend.

Burkesville, KY (September 24,2020) On Thursday, September 24th, 2020 29-year-old Christian Parrish of Burkesville, KY was sentenced by the Cumberland County Circuit Court to 10 years in prison on two counts of Reckless Homicide and DUI. Sergeant Adam Likins investigated the fatal collision on May 25, 2019. Parrish was operating under the influence when he crossed the centerline 6 miles east of Burkeville on KY 90 striking another vehicle head-on, taking the lives of a Burkesville couple, Bobby and Barbara Arms of Burkesville.

A stolen vehicle in Adair County has been located in Tennessee near Chattanooga just hours after the theft. 

On September 24th, 2020 the Adair County Sheriffs Office responded to Oxford Place in reference to a stolen vehicle. Josh Kemp of Adair reported his 2016 Nissan Maxima stolen out of his driveway. He also reported that he had property stolen from inside other vehicles in his driveway. The theft occurred during the night or early morning hours. 

Adair County Deputy Padgett entered the vehicle stolen into NCIC and it immediately alerted to a delayed 12 minute hit on the vehicle. At 10:07 a.m., the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Chattanooga had ran the vehicles registration plates. 

Padgett made contact with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch and it was learned Tennessee HighWay Patrol, including the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, was involved in multiple accidents 1/4 mile apart on Highway 111 South. 

Durning this time It appears Tennessee Highway Patrol was in pursuit with another possibie stolen vehicle, a Mercedes Benz. At some point, the 2016 Nissan Maxima was wrecked as units approached it during the pursuit of the Mercedes and flipped numerous times, colliding with trees causing a complete loss of the vehicle. 
   

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 4.59%.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 69 deaths resulting in a 2.6% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.8% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3.1% morality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 13 cases in the hospital. This is 2 more than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33 on 09/02/2020. We have had a total of 225 hospitalizations resulting in a 8.4% hospitalization rate among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 8%. The latest state data shows that 66% of ICU beds and 23% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,673 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 1.28% 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 34 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 3; Clinton: 3; Cumberland: 1; Green: 5; McCreary: 2; Pulaski: 14; Russell: 3; and, Taylor: 3. In all, we have released 89.7% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 9 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 206 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 09/02/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 411.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Schools, Businesses, Family, and Medical Facilities.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 25 today: Cumberland: 1; Green: 1; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 8; Russell: 4; Taylor: 2; and, Wayne: 6. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.01. This means our total case count is projected to double every 71.63 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 08/26/2020 when we added 75 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

• Cumberland: A 39-year-old male who is released, 9/19/20
• Green: A 43-year-old female who is released, 8/31/20
• McCreary: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• McCreary: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• McCreary: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 70-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 65-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 68-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 67-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Wayne: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 32-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 5 months-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 28-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 5-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

We are glad for fewer new cases today than yesterday and for no new deaths. However, we have 2 more hospitalized cases compared to yesterday; and, we have 7 counties now in the “orange-accelerated” new case range. Fortunately, we have no counties in the “red-critical” range of new cases.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,673 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 63,572 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 63,517 statewide plus 55 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

Russell County reported 4 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and released 3 cases from isolation. Russell Co. now has 19 active cases, 16 on self-isolation and 3 hospitalized (1 at UK, 1 at Glasgow, and 1 at Somerset). The new cases are 45, 48, & 50 year old females and a 53 year old male who are all self-isolated.

Adair County reported no new cases yesterday.  3 people were released from care. Adair Co. has 20 active cases, all in home isolation. Adair has no one in the hospital at this time.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 23, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

The Governor also was joined Wednesday by state Rep. Charles Booker and J. Michael Brown, secretary of the Governor’s executive cabinet, to respond to questions about the grand jury report into the shooting death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville.

The Governor acknowledged that he could not control the decision made, but did call for more information to be released and committed to listening, hearing and doing more.

“I am committed to building a more just and equitable commonwealth for our people, and in honor of Breonna Taylor and her family,” Gov. Beshear said. “My prayer is we can work together to achieve a better world, that I can continue to listen, hear and have the courage to do what’s necessary to create justice and move forward, and that all of us – all of us – can come together to move closer to the world Breonna calls us to create.”

To view the full briefing, click here.

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 23, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 63,517 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 796 of which were newly reported Wednesday. One hundred and eleven of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, 24 of which were children ages 5 and under. The youngest were two 2-month-old babies.

“What I’d ask is that everybody, including those who may march today or go into their house of worship, please wear a mask,” the Governor said. “I know you will. This is so important.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 5 new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 1,124 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include a 99-year-old woman from Christian County; a 50-year-old man and two women, ages 81 and 84, from Jefferson County; and an 83-year-old man from Marshall County.

“We’ve already talked about one tragic loss today. And now we’re reporting five more people who we’ve lost to COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s make sure we prevent more tragic losses. I want for us to build a better world.”

As of Wednesday, there have been at least 1,291,548 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.59%, and at least 11,480 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• William Sinclair, 33, of Jamestown, KY was arrested Wednesday afternoon by Jamestown Police for TBUT (Shoplifting) under $500, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
  
  Sinclair was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.
   

• Dustin Shofner, 32, of Campbellsville was arrested by the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office early Tuesday morning for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Drug Unspecified), Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Controlled Substances, Careless Driving, No Registration Plates, No Registration Receipt, and No License in his Possession.
  
  Shofner was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

• Dale Meadows, 54, was arrested by KSP on Wednesday afternoon for Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Drug Unspecified), Trafficking in a Controlled Substance 3rd degree (Drug Unspecified), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Failure to Register Transfer of Motor Vehice, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked License, Possession of Marijuana, Prescription Controlled Substance not in Proper Container, Improper Display of Registration Plate, Menacing, and Failure to Appear.

• On Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 4:17pmET, Campbellsville Police received a call of a possible intoxicated female at Kroger on East Broadway. Officer Josh Patrick responded and came into contact with 34-year-old Lindsey N. Warren of Liberty, KY.  After a brief investigation, Warren was arrested and charged with Public Intoxication, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Methamphetamine). 

• Janice Altman, 46, was arrested Tuesday for Tampering With Physical Evidence and Assault Under Extreme Emotional Disturbance.

• Trena De Masi, 42, arrested by the TCSO early Tuesday morning for Trafficking in Methamphetamine.

Statewide Testing Positivity Rate: 4.52%.

Deaths: We are happy to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 69 deaths resulting in a 2.6% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.8% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3.1% morality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 11 cases in the hospital. This is 2 more than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33 on 09/02/2020. We have had a total of 223 hospitalizations resulting in a 8.4% hospitalization rate among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 8.1%. The latest state data shows that 67% of ICU beds and 24% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,648 cases since the onset of the outbreak. This means that 1.27% 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 42 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Casey: 1; Cumberland: 1; Green: 4; Pulaski: 20; Russell: 8; Taylor: 6; and, Wayne: 2. In all, we have released 89.3% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 4 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 215 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties. On 09/02/2020 we were at our peak number of active cases, 411.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Schools, Businesses, Family, and Medical Facilities.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 38 today: Adair: 8; Casey: 1; Clinton: 4; Cumberland: 1; Green: 3; McCreary: 1; Pulaski: 11; Russell: 4; Taylor: 1; and, Wayne: 4. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.01. This means our total case count is projected to double every 72.66 days. The most new cases we ever added in a single day was on 08/26/2020 when we added 75 cases.

Today’s new cases include:

Adair: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 61-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Adair: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Casey: A 87-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Clinton: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Clinton: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Clinton: A 24-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Clinton: A 2 months-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Cumberland: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
McCreary: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 10-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 93-year-old female who is hospitalized, asymptomatic
Pulaski: A 79-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 67-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 76-year-old female who is released, 8/31/20
Pulaski: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 56-year-old female who is released, unknown
Pulaski: A 57-year-old male who is self-isolated, unknown
Russell: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 72-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 46-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
Russell: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, unknown
Wayne: A 62-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Wayne: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Wayne: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Wayne: A 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

For the last 3 days, our new cases have been on an upward trajectory. We did release a few more cases today, however, than we added new cases. Also, we have no counties presently in the “red-critical” range of community spread. If we have a many more high new case days though, this is all likely to change.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,648 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 62,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 62,731 statewide plus 64 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

An Adair County woman was arrested for driving under the influence early this morning. Wanda White, 54, was arrested by Deputy Staten just after midnight on charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence of Alcohol/Substance-1^st and Failure/Improper Signal.

She was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

Adair County 8 new cases of COVID19 to report yesterday. We had no one released.  We have 23 active cases, all on home isolation. We have no one in the hospital at this time.

Russell County reported 4 new cases Tuesday. We had 8 cases released from isolation. We now have 18 active cases which 15 are on self-isolation and 3 are hospitalized, 1 at UK, 1 at Glasgow and 1 at Somerset. The new cases are 29 and 66 year old males who are self-isolated, a 46 year old male who is hospitalized, and a 72 year old female who is self-isolated.

A vehicle vs. semi accident on Monday sent an Adair Co. woman to a Louisville hospital.

According to the Taylor County Sheriffs Office, the accident occurred at 7:42pmET on Monday on New Columbia Road (Hwy 55).  Annette Leake, 61, of Columbia, KY was attempting to pass a vehicle when she lost control of her 2003 Honda and struck the trailer of a Kenworth semi, being operated by 55-year-old George Croote of Monticello, KY.

Ms. Leake was airlifted from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital. Her passenger, 61-year-old Javier Galvan Arias, was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injures. Mr. Croote was not injured.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 22, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“The tough news is tough news for us as a country: We’ve now lost 200,000 Americans to the coronavirus – 200,000. It’s difficult to comprehend that this virus that pretty much didn’t exist at the beginning of the year, in about six months would take 200,000 Americans,” the Governor said. “I certainly don’t have a challenge in my lifetime where we have lost so many Americans.

“And I can’t think of one in the past that’s occurred that some people denied. This virus is deadly, it’s real and it’s harming and killing us. And on a day when we’ve lost 200,000, and some numbers are going up, we have to understand our fight is still going on.

“It’s going to take as long as it takes, it’s going to be difficult. The fact that we’ve already lost 200,000 ought to tell you how powerful this virus is and make us commit to doing the right things to defeat it. Two hundred thousand. We’ve only got a couple Kentucky cities that are larger than 200,000.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Tuesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. National Voter Registration Day
   Today is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy, observed on the fourth Tuesday of September since 2012. Gov. Beshear recognized the holiday and encouraged all Kentuckians to register on time and make their voices heard in November.
   
   “This ought to remind everyone to register to vote and then make sure to vote,” said Gov. Beshear. “You have more opportunities to vote than ever, so we should be able to set a turnout record this year.”
    
2. Flu Shots
   Gov. Beshear again emphasized that all Kentuckians who are able should receive a seasonal flu shot. Because we are still engaged in a very active fight against the coronavirus, health experts are warning that a bad seasonal flu outbreak might spark a “twindemic” that could overwhelm health care systems.
   
   “I got mine the other day, it really doesn’t hurt and it protects you,” said Gov. Beshear. “It’s perfectly safe to do it.”
    
3. Higher Education Financial Aid Options
   Today, the Governor highlighted financial assistance available for Kentucky students pursuing higher education.
   
   “We want Kentucky students to be preparing for their futures now – whether that’s college or advanced training – so when we emerge from this pandemic, they’ll be ready to take advantage of the opportunities awaiting them,” said Gov. Beshear. “And we want every Kentucky student to access the federal and state assistance available to the greatest extent possible.”
   
   The Governor also encouraged, “If you are in school and experiencing financial difficulty, contact your school’s financial aid office. They can help reassess your financial need, which could result in your aid being increased.”
   
   Students can contact the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) at KHEAA.com or 800-928-8926 for questions about student financial assistance and how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   
   The FAFSA for the 2021-22 school year will become available here on Oct. 1, 2020.
   
   KHEAA administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs. In fiscal year 2020, thanks to proceeds from the Kentucky Lottery, more than $272 million in state scholarships and grants were awarded to Kentucky college students.
   
   Students can also turn to KHEAA’s sister agency, The Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC), Kentucky’s only source for state-based, fixed interest rate, competitive private education loans.
   
   Loans administered by KHESLC help Kentucky students afford college when an unmet need still exists after all scholarships and grants have been exhausted.
   
   KHESLC has also assisted thousands of borrowers with financial hardships during the COVID-19 by offering forbearances, which allow loans to be put on hold for specific amounts of time.
   
   For more information on KHESLC and the resources offered to help education borrowers, visit KHESLC.com.
    
4. National Recovery Month
   Today, Gov. Beshear recognized National Recovery Month, which is held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible.
   
   “You meet some of the hard-working folks helping others through recovery, many of whom have gone through this themselves, dedicating their lives to help other people,” said Gov. Beshear. “You see a little bit of God’s grace right there.”
   
   The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy reports that roughly 22 million people in the United States are in recovery as of today. 
   
   The Kentucky Chamber started the Opioid Response Program for Business, which launched in June 2019, in response to Kentucky employers struggling to navigate the issue of workforce participation and overdose deaths.
   
   “One special story: Rob Perez owns DV8 Kitchen in Lexington where all of his employees are in recovery,” said Gov. Beshear. “He shared his business has seen huge successes including a turnover rate that is 1/3 better than the national average and a longer tenure of employees. And, DV8 was named the 40th best restaurant in America.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 62,731 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 824 of which were newly reported Tuesday. 134 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, 22 of which were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was 6 days old.

“Not only do we have more cases than I’d like today – 824, and 134 are kids under 18 – but our positivity rate is back up over 4%, at 4.52%,” said Gov. Beshear.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 7 new deaths Tuesday, raising the total to 1,119 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Tuesday include an 87-year-old man from Hardin County; a 79-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 56-year-old woman from Marion County; a 69-year-old woman and two men, ages 79 and 90, from McCracken County; and a 92-year-old man from Taylor County.

“Let’s light our homes up green for these seven families. Let’s ring our bells every morning at 10 a.m. To the families it doesn’t matter when during this pandemic their family members passed away, it hurts just the same,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s make sure we show them the respect we have for everybody else.”

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 1,142,031 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.52%, and at least 11,361 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)
As of today, Gov. Beshear announced that Kentucky has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for an additional three weeks of LWA payments. Eligible Kentuckians will receive $400 for the weeks of Aug. 22, Aug. 29, and Sept. 5 for each week a claimant meets the criteria.

Eligibility criteria:

• Individuals who qualify for a weekly benefit of at least $100 per week in unemployment compensation for each week covered by FEMA’s LWA

• Individuals who have self-certified that their employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Payments will be automatically processed for claimants who meet the weekly benefit criteria and have already provided a self-certification. Claimants meeting the weekly benefit requirement who have not yet self-certified will be given an opportunity to provide the required self-certification, and those claimants will receive the benefit so long as FEMA funding remains.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• 29-year-old Nicolette Hare and 40-year-old Jason Hare, both of Russell Springs -  Custodial Interference for knowingly keeping two children from another person. Nicolette Hare also indicted for Assault, 2nd Degree and Criminal Mischief. Jason Hare also indicted for being a Persistent Felony Offender.
• William Sinclair, 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee - Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.
• Jeremy Thomas, 42, of Jamestown, KY - Burglary 3rd Degree for unlawfully entering Mini Indy with the intent to commit a crime; Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st degree (Methamphetamine); and Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd degree (Buprenorphine).
• Tobi Grider, 29, of Jamestown, KY - Flagrant Nonsupport.
• Christopher Bannon, 34, of Indianapolis, Indiana - Flagrant Nonsupport.
• Brian Lynch, 47, of Jamestown, KY - Bail Jumping.
• Anthony Corrado, 27, of Nancy, KY - Bail Jumping.

Today is "NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DAY"! You have until Oct. 5th to register to vote, but why wait? REGISTER TO VOTE TODAY! For details, click on following link: https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/

Russell County 1 new case Monday, a 67 year old female who is hospitalized at TJ Sampson in Glasgow. We had 3 cases released from isolation. We now have 22 active cases which 20 cases are on self-isolation and 2 are hospitalized 1 at UK and 1 at Glasgow.

Adair County 4 new COVID19 cases to report yesterday. We released 2 cases. We have 15 active cases, all in home isolation. We have 0 in the hospital at this time.

The Russell Springs City Council met yesterday morning in special session, mayor Eddie Thomas discuss what took place to WAVE NEWS... 

Last night the Russell County School Board approved the option for student to return to in school classes, Superintendent Michael Ford explains... 

Superintendent Ford also discussed other items on last nights agenda... 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 21, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“We need two things as we go forward fighting COVID,” the Governor said. “We need that strength and endurance knowing that it is going to end and we’ve got to be strong enough to do the right thing until it ends. We also need to have flexibility, knowing that this virus can pop up in an area and absolutely take off.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’

Gov. Beshear on Monday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. Flu shots
   Gov. Beshear began Monday’s news conference by stressing the importance of all Kentuckians who are able receiving a seasonal flu shot do so. Because we are still engaged in a very active fight against the coronavirus, health experts are warning that a bad seasonal flu outbreak might spark a “twindemic” that could overwhelm health care systems.
   
   “This season, more than ever, we need to ensure that every Kentuckian who can gets that flu shot,” the Governor said. “We don’t want to be dealing with COVID-19 and a widespread flu outbreak this season.”
    
2. Voting and Census
   Gov. Beshear again encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day and to fill out a U.S. Census form.
   
   “Remember, you have to register to vote by Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. local time,” the Governor said. “Democrats and Republicans have stepped up this year to come up with a plan to let you vote safely.”
   
   He reminded Kentuckians that if they have concerns about COVID-19, they can go online right now to request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKy.com.
   
   He spoke of the importance of every Kentuckian taking time to fill out a U.S. Census form, stressing the once-per-decade count’s link to funding for schools and child welfare.
   
   “We only have a limited number of days left to fill out the 2020 census. If we don’t fill this out, our dollars go to another state,” said Gov. Beshear.
    
3. Delta Regional Authority Grants
   Today, Gov. Beshear announced $4,755,270 in grants from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) to update infrastructure, expand broadband and health care access, improve economic development opportunities and more in communities across Western Kentucky.
   
   The investments will fund 11 projects that will create or retain 80 jobs, provide workforce training for 433 Kentuckians and will improve the lives of 32,400 families.
   
   “These 11 projects will make a great difference for infrastructure, economic development, health care and education, which are all priorities as we build a brighter, better Kentucky,” the Governor said. “We are grateful to the local leaders who made these projects possible and for DRA’s continued investment in Kentucky.”
   
   The grants will fund projects in Fulton, Henderson, Hopkins, Logan and Todd, Trigg and Webster counties, as well as in Elkton, Greenville, Henderson, Madisonville and Paducah.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags.

Case Information – Monday, Sept. 21
As of 3:00pmCT on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 61,917 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 406 of which were newly reported Monday. 67 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which nine were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 5 months old.

 “Last week, we had our second-highest number of cases by week,” the Governor said. “We really want to see this overall number of cases come down. Our positivity rate is going down, which is great news. But those overall numbers are too high. We’ve got to do what it takes to have fewer new weekly cases.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 1 new death Monday, raising the total to 1,112 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The death reported Monday was a 77-year-old woman from Scott County.

“Thankfully, today we only have one new death to announce,” the Governor said. “But her family is going to be missing her. Let’s light our homes up green and ring those bells just as much when we lose one individual.”

As of Monday, there have been at least 1,131,075 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.77%, and at least 11,283 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Case Information – Sunday, Sept. 20
Due to limited reporting on the weekends, some updated information is now available from Sunday, Sept. 20.

As of Sunday, there were 1,126,235 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was at 3.62% and at least 11,259 Kentuckians had recovered from the virus.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Sunday, Sept. 20, click here.

Lost Wages Assistance
Gov. Beshear announced Monday that Kentucky has applied for three more weeks of Lost Wages Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each week will be paid separately.

“Today, we have applied for three additional weeks of unemployment insurance coverage of the extra $400 a week for those that qualify,” said Gov. Beshear. “If accepted by the federal government, those that qualify for those additional dollars will receive their $400 extra for the weeks of Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5.”

Eligibility criteria for the program:

• Individuals who receive at least $100 per week in unemployment insurance compensation for each week covered by FEMA’s Lost Wages Assistance program; and
• Individuals who have self-certified that they are unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Testing Guidance
Today, Gov. Beshear spoke about changes in the testing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that has caused some confusion.

“If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, you ought to get tested. The CDC has changed their website to stress this again,” the Governor said. “We’ve been providing this guidance the whole time. If you have been exposed, make sure that you get tested.”

To view the CDC’s testing guidance, click here.

Gov. Beshear also continued to encourage Kentuckians to take advantage of the nearly 260 testing locations throughout the commonwealth.

“There are testing locations everywhere,” he said. “Make sure you are getting tested regularly.”

For more information or to find a testing site, click here.

Long-term Care Facilities
Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, provided an update Monday on the state’s long-term care facilities following new guidance from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“To save lives, Gov. Beshear took decisive, swift action in March, issuing an executive order, stopping most visitation in long-term care facilities,” Secretary Friedlander said. “Actions were also taken from the Office of the Inspector General to curb residents’ exposure to the coronavirus. This included limiting providers’, volunteers’, suppliers’ and vendors’ presence in the facilities and aligning residents with a limited number of caregivers.”

He noted that months of fighting the coronavirus have been difficult for residents, employees and friends and families of people residing in our long-term care facilities.

“New guidance is allowing the use of the same COVID-19 county positivity rate information that school districts are using to determine whether in-person learning is recommended,” Secretary Friedlander said. “Long-term care facilities are also using this data to determine the degree to which indoor visitation can take place. As long as no new cases have been confirmed in the previous two weeks, visitation can be expanded to more than end-of-life visits.”

He said restrictions on physical touching and communal dining will be eased, while robust testing of staffers, providers and vendors will continue.

Secretary Friedlander said CMS also has approved use of Civil Monetary Penalty funds to purchase tents for outdoor visitation and/or clear dividers to create physical barriers to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.

“We will continue to monitor this situation closely, as the national case count for COVID-19 is increasing,” Secretary Friedlander said. “With schools reopening and more people mixing, Kentucky may also see an increase.”

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (September 21, 2020): 16 state legislators begin year-long project to provide a framework for state education systems to achieve at the highest level.

Senator Max Wise (R-Campbellsville) has been appointed to the 2020-2021 Cohort of the Legislative International Education Study Group. This select, bipartisan group of legislators and staff will embark on a year-long study of the highest performing countries, provinces, and states in the ways they organize their education systems for successful outcomes for all students.

Through 2021, the study will be focused on policies and practices of world-class education systems, including:

• Rigorous and Adaptive Learning Systems
• Effective Teachers and Principals
• Equitable Foundation of Supports
• Coherent and Aligned Governance

Study Group members will also spend over six months thoroughly examining how other systems have implemented equitable and efficient changes to produce world-class performance. Upon conclusion of the study, they will publish their findings to share with their state legislative colleagues and education policy experts here and abroad.

“I appreciate the opportunity to join this vital study of education policies and best practices across the globe,” said Senator Wise. “During these unprecedented times, education policy remains a top priority in Frankfort and throughout the world. I am eager to begin working with this talented group to examine global education standards and practices, which produce world-class performances. I look forward to providing Kentucky with new policy insights and recommendations for the future of our education system.”  

The Legislative International Education Study Group of 16 state legislators and eight legislative staff members responsible for education in their states who were invited and convened by the National Center on Education and the Economy, the National Conference of State Legislatures and Southern Regional Education Board. This is the second such study group, after the first produced the 2016 report No Time to Lose, the most widely read report ever released by NCSL.

Especially relevant in the time of a global pandemic, the legislators will look through the lens of our current distance learning reality to hear how high-performing systems in other jurisdictions have been positioned to innovate to provide a strong and equitable education to all students. The group will also learn how states in the U.S. have begun implementing systemic education redesign based on the recommendations of No Time to Lose.

During their first (virtual) meeting, the study group:

• Learned how the U.S. compares to top-performing education systems and understand the potential impact on our state economies if we fail to improve.
• Explored and discuss NCEE’s policy framework, which distills 35 years of research into the common policies and practices of top-performing education systems to?achieve equity, excellence and efficiency.
• Discussed challenges with benchmarking other countries and why it is a useful approach. 
• Selected a jurisdiction to further study in a small group through December.

Resources

NCSL Forms International Study Group Aimed at Improving Education

NCSL International Education Study Group Report Released

Russell County had 1 new case Sunday. We had 2 cases released from isolation. We now have 24 active cases which 23 are on self-isolation and 1 is hospitalized at UK. The new case is a 36 year old male who is self-isolated.

Adair County also with 1 new case yesterday. We had 2 cases released from isolation. We now have 24 active cases which 23 are on self-isolation and 1 is hospitalized at UK. The new case is a 36 year old male who is self-isolated.

The Adair County Volunteer Fire Department responded to a residential house fire on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 2878 Fairplay Road. The home was owned by Tony and Veronica Ayala. Upon arrival, the house was totally engulfed in flames. The fire was contained; the origin and cause is undetermined at this time. There were 19 firemen responding and were on the scene for approximately 1.5 hours.  
 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Sunday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather as we enter fall, but with this pandemic as deadly as ever and flu season beginning please take the essential steps to protect you, your loved ones and your community,” said Gov. Beshear. “As we saw Saturday with more than 1,000 cases, COVID-19 remains highly infectious, and we must be vigilant to prevent a spike that will claim even more Kentuckians.”

Case Information
As of 2:00pmCT on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 Gov. Beshear announced at least 61,542 cases in the commonwealth, 439 of which were newly reported Sunday. 68 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 12 were ages 5 and under. The youngest was just 2 months old.

The Governor announced 3 more deaths on Sunday, bringing the death total to 1,111.

“That’s three more Kentucky families who are grieving during this already difficult time,” the Governor said.

The deaths reported Sunday included two Fayette Countians, including a 66-year-old man and a 92-year-old woman; and a 91-year-old man from Boyd County.

Due to limited reporting on Sundays, some information will be delayed until Monday.

“We’re not just preventing the spread of COVID-19. We’re also preventing the spread of the common cold, the flu and other viruses which is very important since they can easily be confused with COVID-19,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health. “Kentucky, let’s keep up the good work.”

Dr. Stack encouraged people to get outside and enjoy the great weather. He offered some tips for those who host a gathering urging hosts to limit gatherings to 10 or fewer people, insist invitees stay home if they aren’t feeling well, require facial coverings, try to spend as much time as possible outdoors and seat guests at least 6 feet apart.

“Remember, you’re the host, and you set the rules,” the commissioner said.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

The Russell County School Board will meet on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020.....

• AGREEMENT WITH RCIDA ON PURCHASE OF PROPERTY ON AIRPORT ROAD
• PROPOSED SALE OF AIRPORT PROPERTY TO RCIDA
• ADJOURN

• Cindy Fox, 45, of Columbia was arrested late Friday night by Columbia Police for Public Intoxication (excludes alcohol) and was served a warrant for another police agency.
• Ricardo Alan Medena, 24, of Mexico was arrested overnight by the ACSO for Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place.
• Austin Joe Patterson, 22, of Greensburg was arrested overnight by the ACSO for DUI (Aggravating Circumstance) and 2nd degree Wanton Endangerment.
• Joseph Hall, 25, of Cincinnati, Ohio was arrested on Saturday night by Columbia Police Dept. Officer Foster on a Fugitive from another State Warrant.
   

• Tammy Humphrey, 62, of Russell Springs was arrested Friday night by RSPD for Harassing Communications and Terroristic Threatening 3rd degree.
• Kenneth Schackow, 57, of Russell Springs was arrested on Friday night by RCSO Deputy Kenny Perkins for DUI, Failure to Produce Insurance Card, and No Registration Plates.
• Justin Woodall, 35, of Jamestown, KY was arrested by Jamestown Police on Friday afternoon for Criminal Trespassing 1st & 2nd degree.

• Melissa Young, 37, of Crab Orchard, KY was arrested on Saturday night by RSPD Officer Pritchard for DUI, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License, and Failure to Appear.

• Johnny Ray Williams, 41, of Cocoa, Florida was arrested Saturday night by RSPD for Public Intoxication (Excludes Alcohol), Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia.

• Baldomero Domingo-Mendez, 31, of Russell Springs, KY was arrested Saturday afternoon by the RCSO for DUI, Possession of an Open Alcoholic Beverage in Motor Vehicle, and No Operators License.

Lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Today's report shows that when we let our guard down, this virus truly spreads. This is everywhere and we must keep our guard up,” said Gov. Beshear. “The only positive news in today's report is our positivity rate is still under 4% at 3.82%.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 61,106 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 1,002 of which were newly reported Saturday. Of the newly reported cases, 145 were from children age 18 and younger, with 29 age 5 and younger. The youngest is just 5 months old.

“Remember, high number of cases lead to a higher number of deaths several weeks down the line,” said the Governor. “Now that our kids are going to be going back to school in many places in some form or fashion, now that we have more sports, let’s make sure that we cut our contacts, wear our masks and socially distance. Let’s do better – everyone around us is depending on it.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 7 new deaths Saturday. The total number of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 1,108.

"That’s 7 additional families who are suffering during this time," said Gov. Beshear.

The deaths reported Saturday include an 82-year-old woman from Lincoln County; a 78-year-old woman from Warren County; an 89-year-old woman from Boyd County; a 76-year-old woman from Martin County; two Jefferson Countians, including a 71-year-old woman and a 91-year-old man; and a 66-year-old woman from Mercer County.

As of Saturday, at least 1,118,855 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 3.82%.
 

The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 11,237.

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said, “The first official day of fall is fast approaching, and the weather that has descended this weekend over Kentucky will cause a lot of us to want to spend time outdoors. If you get outside, please keep following the same advice we’ve given since the pandemic began. Stay at least six feet from others, wear a mask and wash your hands often. As we prepare to begin a new season, let’s recommit to our efforts to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Let’s start the fall season off right, Team Kentucky.”

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

An Adair County Grand Jury has returned several indictments. To read the full list, click on following link:

https://ridingthewave.com/assets/files/Adair-Indictments-SEPT-2020.pdf

• Byron Firkins, 28, of Breeding, KY was arrested by KSP on Friday afternoon for Speeding, Fleeing or Evading Police (in motor vehicle), DUI 4th or Subsequent Offense (Aggravating Circumstance), Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License, Failure to Produce Insurance Card, Wanton Endangerment, and was served a Parole Violation Warrant.  

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Our positivity rate has now dropped to 3.6%; that is our lowest rate in months,” said Gov. Beshear. “When we asked for people to push off in-person classes in our schools until Sept. 28, it was so we could get our positivity rate down to a safer level.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 60,128 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 777 of which were newly reported Friday. 97 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 14 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

“The choices we make are going to determine how many people we lose going forward,” said Gov. Beshear. “There’s still so much work to do, and Kentucky lives are on the line.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 8 new deaths Friday, raising the total to 1,101 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include an 85-year-old man from Bell County; a 96-year-old man from Christian County; a 96-year-old man from Fayette County; a 90-year-old woman from Greenup County; a 53-year-old man from Hopkins County; a 73-year-old woman from Laurel County; a 78-year-old woman from Pulaski County; and a 91-year-old woman from Scott County.

“This is tough news today,” said Gov. Beshear. “It only took 10 days for us to go from 1,000 deaths to over 1,100. This is why we’re working so hard to keep our case numbers down.”

As of Friday, there have been at least 1,115,105 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.60%, and at least 11,168 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Week in Review
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on CARES Act Funding for Northern Kentucky, Central Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky; Ford’s 2 million mask donation; new guidance on reopening schools; BUILD transportation grants; Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; Opioid Response Funding; new guidance for bars and restaurants; Direct Support Professionals Week; contact tracing; and the First Family highlighting the importance of getting flu shots, visit governor.ky.gov/news.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

The Jamestown City Council had a brief meeting on Thursday night with just a few items on the agenda. 

Mayor Nick Shearer shares with WAVE listeners what took place...
 

Corona Virus Update…

Russell County 3 new cases Thursday. We had 2 cases released from isolation today. We now have 31 active cases which 30 are on self-isolation and 1 is hospitalized at UK. The new cases are a 1 year old female and a 25 year old female and a 19 year old male which are all self-isolated.

Adair County 1 new case if COVID19 to report yesterday. We released 2 cases. We have 13 active cases with 12 in home isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2020)– Gov. Andy Beshear on Thursday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“The end of this, once we survive it, is going to be an opportunity to write our future and write it in a way that we have always dreamed of. We do have to get through COVID, though,” said Gov. Beshear.

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman on Thursday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. CARES Act Funding for Local Governments
   The Lieutenant Governor reminded Kentuckians that today, in collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), Gov. Beshear announced 22 Western Kentucky governments were approved for $14,905,621 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “As a rural Kentuckian, I know that communities big and small are what make Kentucky special,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.
   
   “The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for everyone, and our local governments are no exception,” said Gov. Beshear. “These reimbursements from the CARES Act will help alleviate some of the strain on their budgets and ensure they can provide necessary services to our families.”
   
   DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene expressed appreciation for local governments during unprecedented times.
   
   “We appreciate everything our local governments have done during the pandemic to keep Kentuckians safe,” said Commissioner Keene. “And we are doing everything we can to ensure an efficient reimbursement process so our local governments can continue the fight against COVID-19.”
   
   To read the full release, click here.
    
2. Team Kentucky Fund
   Lt. Gov. Coleman also gave an update on the Team Kentucky Fund (TKF) today. She encouraged Kentuckians, especially from three specific regions, who have suffered financially due to COVID-19 to visit teamkyfund.ky.gov to apply for assistance.
   
   “There are three areas that have pots of money waiting and need applications from Kentuckians who qualify: They are the Owensboro area, the counties that surround Louisville and the Big Sandy area,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “To date, over $900,000 of aid has been given directly to Kentuckians through the TKF.”
   
   Tax-deductible donations to TKF can be made at donate.ky.gov. 100% of donations go directly to Kentuckians.
    
3. Positive Stories from Schools
   Lt. Gov. Coleman shared five positive stories from schools and school districts across the commonwealth and encouraged Kentuckians to share even more of these stories on social media, as the Governor has previously requested.
   
   “I want to highlight a few of the many schools who are working diligently to protect their students, teachers and staff as they transition to in-person instruction,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.
   
   The schools and school districts highlighted today were: East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville (Jessamine County); DuPont Manual High School in Louisville (Jefferson County); Boone County High School in Florence; Henry Clay High School in Lexington (Fayette County); and Burgin Schools in Burgin (Mercer County).
    
4. Kentucky School Boards Association Mask Donation
   Finally, the Lieutenant Governor thanked the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA), which is donating 80,000 cloth masks to Kentucky’s public school students, in partnership with the National School Boards Association and the KSBA Educational Foundation.
   
   “The KSBA’s Team Kentucky spirit is evident with this donation,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.
   
   KSBA will donate the masks directly to the state’s Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs), a division of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The FRYSCs of Kentucky are tasked with reducing barriers to learning relating to student environment, emotions and experiences.
   
   “There is evidence that social and emotional challenges, past and reoccurring trauma and certain family and economic situations can have an impact on student learning and success in school,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “In Kentucky, we are fortunate to have a dedicated place in our educational system that focuses on these barriers to learning as an equally important part of student success.”

Voting Update
Today, the Lieutenant Governor also urged Kentuckians to make a plan for voting in the November general election. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bipartisan state and local election officials have made voting easier than ever before by providing numerous ways Kentuckians can cast their ballot.

“As a mom, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we prepare the future world for our children. Voting does exactly that,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman. “By making your voice heard at the ballot box, you have a say in the direction of your communities, state and country for years to come.”

She introduced Secretary of State Michael Adams and State Board of Elections Executive Director Jared Dearing, who echoed the call for Kentuckians to use one of many voting options.

Secretary Adams offered an update on the state’s plan for upcoming elections. He also encouraged Kentuckians to vote as early as possible and to sign up to be poll workers.

“Gov. Beshear and I agree that the best way to ensure that we have a safe and successful election is to give voters choices,” said Secretary Adams. “And now, you can track your absentee ballot the way you track an Amazon package.”

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. local time. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 9. Visit govoteky.com for more information. Voters can mail in an absentee ballot or bring it back to their county clerk – in person or at a drop box.

Kentuckians can also vote in person at various sites during early voting, which begins on Oct. 13, or on Election Day.

“Every single county in the state is going to have in person, early voting. There’s no appointment needed – just show up and vote,” said Secretary Adams. “All day during business hours, every day, five days a week, and we’ve added Saturday hours. This is going to be the most voter-centric election we’ve ever had in Kentucky’s history.”

Dearing explained exactly how Kentuckians can fill out an absentee ballot.

“Once you apply for an absentee ballot, you’ll be able to check your status at govoteky.com. You’ll receive in the mail a ballot packet with three envelopes: one outer envelope, a middle envelope and an inner envelope called a security envelope,” said Dearing. “You’ll also receive your ballot and ballot instructions. We highly recommend that you read through the ballot instructions first.

“Then you take your ballot out and mark it. Please bubble in everything effectively and correctly. If you make a mistake using a pencil, erase it completely and then bubble in the selection you would like. If you’re using a pen and you mark the wrong choice, bubble in the choice that you do want and then circle that choice to show voter intent.

“Then, you’re going to fold the ballot in half, place it inside the yellow security envelope. Please leave the flap that is on that envelope on. Do not detach that flap. On that flap, you will find a place for you to sign. We recommend that you use a signature that closely represents your driver’s license of voter registration signature.

“Sign and seal that envelope. Then take that yellow envelope and put it in the inner envelope. That inner envelope needs to be sealed and then also signed on the outside in the top left hand corner.

“Then you have multiple options. You can put it in the mail, deliver it to a county clerk’s office or deliver it to your county’s drop box. You can reach out to your county clerk to find out where that box will be.

“Please do not wait until the last day to turn these back in. We highly recommend that you take advantage of the ability to cast your ballot early. That way if you do have a ballot irregularity, we can reach out to you and give you an opportunity to cure whatever that error is and make sure that ballot is counted.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 17, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 59,370 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 628 of which were newly reported Thursday. Seventy-six of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 14 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

“Good news: We are still below 4% in our positivity rate at 3.82%. So again a couple of notes: It means that we have significant testing going on. It means our positivity rate is going down, which is a good thing,” said Gov. Beshear. “But remember, it’s not because we are testing folks that we do better, it’s because of our actions. It’s because of social distancing, it’s because of wearing a mask. We believe that mask mandate is working and without it our numbers and our positivity rate would go up.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 11 new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 1,093 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Thursday include a 70-year-old woman and a 78-year-old man from Daviess County; three men, ages 75, 83 and 93, from Fayette County; an 84-year-old man from Franklin County; a 76-year-old woman from Jackson County; an 82-year-old woman from Jefferson County; two women, ages 77 and 90, from Madison County; and an 83-year-old woman from Webster County.

“They include people who are loved by their communities, by their family, and what we see is we lose people throughout all age ranges,” said Gov. Beshear.

As of Thursday, there have been at least 1,101,279 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.82%, and at least 11,109 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Mary Harville Named Sixth Kentucky Lottery President and CEO
Gov. Beshear has appointed Mary Harville as president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery Corporation. Harville was confirmed by the lottery’s board of directors at a special meeting earlier today. She is the first woman to hold this role in the Lottery’s 31-year history.

Since 2004, Harville has served as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for the Lottery.

“Mary is a homegrown hero here in the commonwealth. She has been involved in just about every iteration of the Lottery since 2004. This is an organization that has created opportunities for so many Kentuckians through their scholarships and every year keeps doing better than the year before,” said Gov. Beshear. “Mary has also broken a glass ceiling here in Kentucky being the first female CEO of our Kentucky Lottery. Mary is blazing this trail and presenting such a great example for the rest of us.”

“I’m honored and deeply grateful to Gov. Beshear and our board for selecting me to serve as the next president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery,” said Harville. “I’m so proud to be part of the great team already in place, which is proven by our record-breaking fiscal year for both sales and return to our state. As a life-long Kentuckian and graduate of a Kentucky university, I am also proud to lead the organization that funds KEES scholarships for Kentucky college students, and my goal is to ensure we continue to provide this much-needed funding.” 
 

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• Adair: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 46-year-old female who is released, still symptomatic
• Cumberland: A 60-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Cumberland: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Cumberland: A 77-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 60-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• McCreary: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 67-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 95-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 22-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

We did have one death today, a 71-year-old female from Green County. However, it is yet to be determined if COVID-19 will be listed as the primary cause of death. Therefore, we list that person as “released” and not “deceased”. Should this change, we will change our numbers and let you, the public, know as soon as possible.

Russell County reported 2 new cases Wednesday; 8 cases were released from isolation. R.C. currently has 30 active cases with 29 on self-isolation and 1 hospitalized. The new cases are a 22 year old female and a 15 year old male.

Adair County reported 2 new COVID19 cases on Wednesday.  3 cases were released. A.C. has 14 active cases with 13 in home-isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

Kenny Sims, 38, of Jamestown was arrest just before 6 a.m. Wednesday morning by Officer Justice with the Russell Springs Police Department. Sims was charged with Contempt of Court and Failure to Appear.

Timothy Lee, 47, of Russell Springs was arrested this morning just before 1:30 a.m. by Officer Cross with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. Lee was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance 1^st Degree, 1^st Offense (Drug Unspecified) and Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2^nd Degree (Drug Unspecified.

Alex Oakes, 33, of Russell Springs was arrested just before Noon yesterday by Trooper Bale with the Kentucky State Police. Oakes was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Trespassing – 3^rd Degree, and Public Intoxication-Controlled Substance (Excludes Alcohol).

Lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Holly Harris, 37, of Burkesville, KY was arrested by Burkesville Police Wednesday morning and charged with Disorderly Conduct, 2^nd Degree and Menacing.

Lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“In general, what we are seeing is we still have higher case numbers than we would like to see, but we don’t at the moment see those accelerating from last week or the week before,” the Governor said. “We see our positivity rate coming down, and that is a good thing.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. CARES Act Funding for Eastern Kentucky
   Today, Gov. Beshear announced 18 Eastern Kentucky governments were approved for $2,789,546 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “Our local governments have been important partners during our fight against COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “They have helped enforce guidelines, share information and keep Kentuckians safe. This funding ensures they can continue to do so while we remain diligent in our fight.”
   
   The governments approved for reimbursement are: Bath, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Knox, Leslie, Menifee, Owsley and Wolfe counties; Barbourville, Camargo, Clay City, Elkhorn City, Grayson, Manchester, Pineville, South Shore and West Liberty.
   
   This funding will be used to reimburse payroll expenses for public safety officials, PPE, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, teleworking equipment and other expenses necessary to combat COVID-19.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. Direct Support Professionals Week
   Today, Gov. Beshear put a spotlight on Direct Support Professionals Week, which began Sept. 13 and runs through Sept. 19.
   
   “Today, we pause to honor the dedication of a very special group of front-line heroes. We recognize the important work direct support professionals, or DPSs, provide every day of the year to Kentuckians with disabilities,” the Governor said. “This year our direct support professionals have been called upon to meet the challenge of COVID-19. DSPs across the commonwealth have made personal sacrifices to both support and protect those they serve.”
   
   He said DSPs have volunteered to move into residential homes to avoid multiple staff coming and going and increasing the risk of coronavirus exposure.
   
   “We extend a sincere thank you to Kentucky’s direct support professionals whose dedication has saved countless lives during this pandemic,” Gov. Beshear said. “We know that with you as part of Team Kentucky, we have a much better chance of all getting through this, and getting through this together.”
    
3. Voting
   Gov. Beshear is encouraging all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day. On Wednesday, he highlighted those whose voting rights have been newly restored.
   
   “Remember you have more ways to vote than ever before,” the Governor said. “If you’re concerned about COVID-19, you can go online right now to request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKy.com.”
   
   More than 170,000 Kentuckians have had their voting rights restored because of the executive order Gov. Beshear signed days after taking office. These Kentuckians, convicted of non-violent and non-sexual felonies, who have repaid their debts to society through completed sentences, can participate fully in our democracy. Visit CivilRightsRestoration.ky.gov to check your eligibility.
   
   The deadline to register online to vote in the 2020 General Election is 4 p.m. local time on Oct. 5. Kentucky residents can register by visiting the state’s Online Voter Registration webpage.
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags.

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 58,764 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 776 of which were newly reported Wednesday. 91 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 13 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 3 months old.

“We continue to see this trend, where more and more kids are testing positive. They are becoming a bigger percentage of our positivity rate for a couple of reasons,” the Governor said. “One, thankfully, kids are being tested more often, and two, they are out doing more. But remember as we are making these decisions, our belief is that kids can transmit this virus as easily as anybody else.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 8 new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 1,082 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include a 49-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man from Christian County; a 66-year-old man from Fayette County; an 84-year-old woman from Greenup County; a 74-year-old man from Jackson County; two men, ages 68 and 83, from Montgomery County; and an 88-year-old man from Union County.

“Remember, COVID-19 doesn’t care about your county line or whether you are rural or urban,” the Governor said.

As of Wednesday, there have been at least 1,090,160 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.89%, and at least 11,043 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Contact Tracing Update
Mark Carter, a former health care industry executive chosen by Gov. Beshear to lead Kentucky’s contact tracing efforts, provided an update Wednesday on the initiative.

He noted that contact tracing information and other material is now available at kycovid19.ky.gov in English, Spanish, Burmese, Somali and Chinese.

“In addition to those materials, we also recommend downloading and sharing the temporary Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility One Pager, which is also available on the website,” Carter said. “This includes important and timely information for residents about who can, and where to, apply for this type of Medicaid assistance.”

He said nearly 400 more workers have been added to the staff since July, including contact tracers, disease investigators, regional team members and social support coordinators.

“This brings our total to 1,240 staff members who are not only trained to trace the spread of COVID-19, but to also help our local communities with the support and resources needed to successfully quarantine and monitor their symptoms,” he said.

Carter again went through process that people can expect if they are determined to have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, including initial contact by their local health departments. He asked that everyone do the right thing and provide the information requested and take the steps suggested to keep themselves and those close to them safe.

“Our public health professionals at the state, regional and local levels are working nonstop to protect you. This is not easy. This is not fun. We are working through this pandemic to save as many Kentuckians as we can,” Carter said. “It’s on all of us to do the right thing – wear your mask, social distance as much as possible, get a test if you feel sick and if you’re asked to quarantine or isolate, do it. If you need help with that, our contact tracing teams are prepared to help you.”

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• Blue Day = Monday/Thursday - Students last name A - I
• Red Day = Tuesday/Friday - Students last name J - Z

• Adair: A 69-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 4-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Adair: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 65-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Cumberland: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Cumberland: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Green: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Green: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Green: A 56-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Green: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 59-year-old female who is released, 9/08/20
• Pulaski: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Russell: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 66-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 65-year-old female who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 64-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 72-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 74-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Taylor: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Wayne: A 21-year-old male who is released, 9/08/20

• Photo identification
• Kentucky certificate of registration or postcard (mailed by Transportation)
• Current proof of Kentucky insurance

Russell County with has 3 new cases, 4 cases released from isolation Tuesday. We now have 36 active cases which 35 are on self-isolation and 1 is hospitalized at UK in Lexington. The new cases are 19 and 66 year old males and a 70 year old female which are all on self-isolation.

Adair County 5 new cases of COVID19 to report yesterday. We released 2 cases. We have 15 active cases with 14 in home isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

A Russell Springs man is facing several charges after being arrested by the Kentucky State Police early this morning.

Just after midnight 19 year old, Brayden Brown was taken into custody by Trooper Begley on charges of Possession of Marijuana, Drug Paraphernalia – Buy Possession, Operating Motor Vehicle under the Influence of a Controlled Substance 1^st, Operating Vehicle on Expired Tags, No Registration Plates and No Registration Receipt. Brown was lodged into the Russell County Detention Center.

Brant Lane age 42, of Columbia was taken into custody by officer Pike with the Columbia Police Department just after 6:30 last evening, on a charge of Trafficking in a Controlled Substance (Meth), 1^st Degree 2^nd or greater offense. He was lodged into the Adair County Regional Jail.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“I will start by telling you one of the most exciting things about our COVID report is that today we are now under a 4% positivity rating,” the Governor said. “That is moving in the right direction at a time when we are giving guidance, especially to school systems, about how to at least get back to a hybrid model starting on Sept. 28.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Tuesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.

1. CARES Act Funding for Central Kentucky
   In collaboration with the Department for Local Government, today, Gov. Beshear announced 20 Central Kentucky governments were approved for $7,009,885 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “Our local governments have been lifelines in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Beshear. “This funding is crucial as we work to restart and rebuild Kentucky’s economy while continuing to keep Kentuckians safe.”
   
   The governments approved for reimbursement are: Bourbon, Clark, Clinton, Marion and Russell counties; Burnside, Graymoor-Devondale, Harrodsburg, Hillview, Lancaster, Mount Washington, New Castle, New Haven, Nicholasville, Paris, Shepardsville, Simpsonville, Versailles, West Buechel and Whitesville.
   
   This funding will be used to reimburse payroll expenses for public safety officials, PPE, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, teleworking equipment and other expenses necessary to combat COVID-19.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. Infrastructure Grants
   Gov. Beshear today announced that Kentucky has been awarded $38.1 million in federal discretionary transportation grants for advancement of much-needed bridge and highway improvements in Logan, Todd and Kenton counties and the City of Corbin.
   
   “This is exciting news for many Kentucky drivers and their families. It also is a great opportunity to make investments in infrastructure that will return a direct and beneficial economic impact in each of these regions and beyond,” the Governor said. “Growing our economy requires continuing investments in the infrastructure that moves our goods and our people.”
   
   The funding is part of the BUILD program – Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development. In this case, BUILD grants leverage matching funds from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the local governments.
   
   In Corbin, $15 million will go toward widening a section of U.S. Highway 25W from two to five lanes. In Logan and Todd counties, $13.5 million will help replace four bridges on U.S. Highway 79. In Kenton County, $9.6 million will improve the Kentucky Highway 536 corridor.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
3. Mask Up Kentucky
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags.
    
4. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
   Also Tuesday, Gov. Beshear highlighted a proclamation he signed declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.
   
   “Today, I want to support and recognize a special group of individuals in Kentucky who are some of the most vulnerable in our fight against COVID-19,” the Governor said.
   
   “That special group is our state’s youngest cancer fighters. This month, and every September, we stand in solidarity with these children and their families during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.”
   
   Gov. Beshear noted that childhood cancer is the top cause of death by disease for kids in Kentucky and the U.S.
   
   “One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States, nearly 15,000 a year. In our state, we rank a staggering fourth in the country of children diagnosed with pediatric brain tumors,” he said. “In Kentucky, we don’t think those numbers are OK.”
   
   Gov. Beshear noted that through the Kentucky Pediatric Cancer Research Fund, the state is able to give all Kentucky children access to less toxic immunotherapy, new treatments and less invasive diagnostic tests. In addition, through the Kentucky Cancer Registry, the state is leading research to determine why more Kentucky children from certain areas of the commonwealth face higher rates of developing brain tumors.
   
   Gov. Beshear welcomed a recorded message from his friend David Turner Jr., a young Kentuckian battling DIPG, a type of brain tumor with no known cure.
   
   Gov. Beshear signed the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month proclamation in David Jr.’s honor.

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 58,000 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 745 of which were newly reported Tuesday. Ninety-five of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 15 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 27 days old.

“While those are more cases than we would like to see based on significant tests and testing that we are continuing on our day-to-day basis, our positivity rate is now under 4% again, just barely,” the Governor said.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 9 new deaths Tuesday, raising the total to 1,074 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Tuesday include a 90-year-old man from Bullitt County; an 83-year-old woman from Hopkins County; two women, ages 65 and 94, and two men, ages 48 and 73, from Jefferson County; a 93-year-old woman from Kenton County; and two men, ages 84 and 88, from Warren County.

“Again we are going to see higher numbers of deaths as we have a higher number of cases,” the Governor said.

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 1,068,026 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 3.97%, and at least 10,962 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Opioid Funding
Gov. Beshear and Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, discussed on Tuesday a $35.4 million federal grant that will support the continued work of the Kentucky Opioid Response Effort (KORE).

The grant money was awarded to the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities and will advance the KORE’s mission. This is a two-year State Opioid Response (SOR) grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“Kentucky is committed to ending the opioid epidemic through establishing a comprehensive, compassionate, and science-based approach to prevention, treatment and recovery services,” the Governor said. “Like many Kentuckians, this issue is personal for me, and I fully understand the devastating impact opioids have on individuals, families, our health care system and economy. SOR federal dollars have given us much needed support to address this epidemic at the community level. It’s making a tremendous difference.”

The key initiatives the funding will help are increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder treatment, reducing unmet treatment needs and overdose deaths and expanding capacity to address stimulant-related deaths.

“Opioid use disorder is not a moral failing. It is a health issue and a highly treatable one when individuals have access to evidence-based services, medication and long-term care,” said Secretary Friedlander. “While addiction is a chronic and complex brain disorder, many Kentuckians are recovering from substance use disorder – every day. With this continued support, we are able to help even more people and communities across the state.”

For more information and to read the full news release on the SOR award, click here.

In addition, the Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) was awarded a $999,999 Innovations in Nutritions Programs and Services grant. This money will help senior centers plan for emergencies and disaster planning.

“The global pandemic has impacted senior centers’ ability to provide meals to those who depend on them,” said Secretary Friedlander. “However, interruptions are more likely to be caused by emergencies of other types, including weather. Seniors who receive what can sometimes be the only meal of the day are greatly impacted if they can’t get food for any reason, whether it’s snow, ice, floods or tornadoes.”

For more information and to read the full news release on the DAIL award, click here.

Bars and Restaurants
Gov. Beshear said Tuesday that the state has slightly eased regulations on bars and restaurants to push back last call and operational hours.

He said restaurants and bars now will be allowed to have last call at 11 p.m. and close at midnight, both an hour later than under previous guidance.

“That was a specific request from those in the restaurant industry. We thought it was reasonable,” the Governor said. “But again let’s make sure that whether you’re in that industry or another industry, with rules and regulations that you are trying to do it right and are not trying to find a way to get around it. That not only hurts you and your facility and the people that come to it, but it hurts everybody around as well.”

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or returned in the Drop-Off Box by 6:00 p.m. CST on Nov 3, 2020

QUESTIONS:  Adair County Clerk’s Office, 270-384-2801 or email: Lisa.Greer@ky.gov

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2020) – In collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced 20 Central Kentucky governments were approved for $7,009,885 in reimbursements from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.

“Our local governments have been lifelines in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Beshear. “This funding is crucial as we work to restart and rebuild Kentucky’s economy while continuing to keep Kentuckians safe.”

“Our rural communities have seen their economies hit especially hard because of COVID-19,” said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. “Gov. Beshear is working with local and federal leaders to ensure all Kentuckians have the resources they need to be healthy and safe. This CARES Act funding is critical so that every Kentucky community can continue offering services upon which our neighbors depend.”

DLG Commissioner Dennis Keene said the reimbursements are essential for local governments.

“Local governments are experiencing decreases in revenue, making this funding critical while we combat COVID-19,” said Commissioner Keene. “Our staff is working diligently to make the process efficient so we can get reimbursements to local governments as quickly as possible.”

Bourbon County
Bourbon County will use $409,003 for signage, sanitizing supplies, PPE, telework equipment and first responder payroll.

Clark County
Clark County will use $687,295 for payroll expenses.

“CARES act funding will serve as much needed boost to county governments across the state, and Clark County taxpayers in particular during these uncertain economic times,” said Clark County Judge/Executive Chris Pace. “We would like to thank all those involved with helping to provide this much needed funding.”

Clinton County
Clinton County will use $233,244 for EMS and sheriff’s department payroll.

Marion County
Marion County will use $559,859 for PPE, protective barriers and EMS, sanitation workers and sheriff’s department payroll.

“Marion County is grateful to have received CARES funding during this pandemic,” said Marion County Judge/Executive David R. Daugherty. “We were able to completely retrofit our government building with barriers that will prevent the viral spread. We also purchased adequate PPE for our workers and resident visitors and have partially funded our sanitation department to assist in the collection of waste. We sincerely thank Gov. Beshear for providing Marion County with this windfall funding. The money was needed during this time of budgetary crisis.”

Russell County
Russell County will use $229,838 for PPE, sanitizing supplies, sheriff’s department payroll and telework equipment.

Burnside
Burnside will use $64,931 for police officer and fire department payroll.

Graymoor-Devondale
Graymoor-Devondale will use $213,203 for sanitizing supplies, telework equipment and first responder payroll.

Harrodsburg
Harrodsburg will use $479,081 for payroll expenses and PPE.

“The CARES Act funds we have received already added to the remaining balance we have just requested will make a major impact on Kentucky’s oldest city and will reduce our COVID-19 shortfall for this fiscal year by about 60 percent,” said Harrodsburg Mayor Art Freeman. “Thank you to Team Kentucky for the more than $600,000 in anticipated assistance and speedy response.”

Hillview
Hillview will use $304,172 for PPE, telework equipment, police department payroll, family medical leave and protective barriers.

“The CARES funding has made it possible to buy equipment which will ensure the safety of our employees and our residents,” said Hillview Mayor James Eadens. “It is now possible for us to stream all our meetings so citizen no longer have to be present to know what our city is doing. We have used funding to construct partitions to keep our employees separate from the public and one another.”

Lancaster
Lancaster will use $149,543 for first responder payroll.

Mount Washington
Mount Washington will use $1,057,384 for food delivery, small business relief and police department payroll.

“On behalf of the City of Mount Washington, I wish to express our sincere thanks for the financial reimbursement being authorized by our Governor and administered by the Department for Local Government through the Coronavirus Relief Fund,” said Mount Washington Mayor Barry Armstrong. “The reimbursements we received for the salaries of our exceptional police officers and for the relief grants we provided to our incredible local small businesses during this difficult time has made a tremendous impact on our ability to continue to serve our community with distinction. The Governor’s staff has been attentive to every request we have made, whether it was impacting the entire community or simply one of its citizens in dire need. We collectively thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

New Castle
New Castle will use $8,888 for payroll expenses.

New Haven
New Haven will use $27,958 for protective barriers, telework equipment and police department payroll.

Nicholasville
Nicholasville will use $34,783 for police overtime.

Paris
Paris will use $709,860 for payroll expenses.

Shepherdsville
Shepherdsville will use $890,417 for PPE, sanitation supplies and police and fire department payroll.

Simpsonville
Simpsonville will use $186,947 for police department payroll.

Versailles
Versailles will use $669,880 for small business relief and fire department payroll.

“The CARES Act reimbursement was critical to keeping our fire department fully functioning during this difficult time as well as helping shore up our struggling small businesses,” said Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott. “I am grateful to Gov. Beshear for making this money available to our local governments and Commissioner Keene and DLG for streamlining the reimbursement process.” 

West Buechel
West Buechel will use $91,968 for police department payroll.

“We greatly appreciate the efforts of Gov. Beshear to secure the CARES Act funding for local governments,” said West Buechel Mayor Brenda Moore. “The funds come at a time of reduced revenue, now spanning over two budget years. These funds will allow us to continue providing quality service to our citizens and business community.”

Whitesville
Whitesville will use $1,631 for PPE and plexiglass barriers.

Since the application was released in May, DLG has received approximately 300 applications from city and county governments across the commonwealth. Two hundred and eight local governments have been approved for reimbursement, totaling more than $106 million.

For additional information and to apply for reimbursement, visit DLG’s website.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov and the state’s response to COVID-19 at kycovid19.ky.gov.

SOMERSET, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2020) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that KY 206 in Adair County will be temporarily closed at mile point 14.7 (Spruce Pine Creek Bridge) tomorrow night, Sept. 16, as crews place a bridge deck overlay.

The closure is expected to begin approximately 7 p.m. CT and will last approximately five hours. The duration of work may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays.

For Kentucky’s latest traffic and travel information, visit goky.ky.gov or navigate traffic by downloading the free Waze app at www.waze.com. Motorists can also access traffic information for the District 8 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8 and at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8.  

There will NOT be a Russell County September Chamber meeting due to the Golf Scramble. The next Chamber meeting will be October 20, 2020 (hopefully this will be an in-person meeting).

Your vote counts! Here are some important dates to remember for voting:

• Oct. 5th at 4:00 pm - Deadline to register to vote
• Oct. 9th - The last day to request a mail-in ballott. You can mail your ballot to PO Box 579, Jamestown, KY 42629 or drop it off at the Clerk's office.
• Oct. 13th - Nov. 2nd - EARLY VOTING - Monday thru Friday 8:00am-4:00pmCT at 3 locations: Russell County Clerk's Office, SKRECC and at the LEVEE Building (directly behind Russell County Courthouse in Jamestown). SATURDAY VOTING WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE RUSSELL COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FROM 8:00-12:00 ONLY.
• Nov. 3rd, 2020 - General Election  SKRECC and the LEVEE Building will be open for in-person voting from 6:00am-6:00pm.  
• Early Voting and Election Day voting results will be announced on the night of November 3rd, 2020. Mail-in absentee vote results will be announced November 6th, 2020 at 4:00 pm. 
   

Russell County reported 3 new cases Monday. We had 5 cases released from isolation. We now have 37 active cases with 36 cases on self-isolation and 1 hospitalized at UK in Lexington. The new cases are 4, 15, and 49 year old females.

Adair County reported 1 new COVID19 case on Monday. We released 2 cases. We have 12 active cases with 11 in home-isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

A Russell County man was taken into custody and charged with leaving the scene of an accident yesterday afternoon.

Ronald McQuery, 36, was arrested by Deputy Nathan Ginn with the Russell County Sheriff’s Office just before 1:30pmCT on Monday afternoon. McQuery was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident-Failure to Render Air or Assistance and Operating a Motor Vehicle under the Influence Alcohol/Drugs .08 – 1^st Offense.

A Lebanon Junction man was arrested and charged with several offenses early this morning in Cumberland County. Jeffrey Reynolds, 23, was taken into custody by Burkesville Officer Stalcup at 1:00 a.m. this morning.  He was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, 1^st Degree, 2^nd Offense, Drug Paraphernalia – Buy-Possession, Careless Driving, Obstructed Vision and/or Windshield, No Registration Plates, No Registration Receipt, Failure to Produce Insurance Card and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. Stalcup was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail. 
 

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 67 deaths resulting in a 2.7% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.9% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3% morality rate at the national level.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 14 cases in the hospital. This is 2 more than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33. We have had a total of 213 hospitalizations resulting in a 8.7% hospitalization rate among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 8.6%. The latest state data shows that 70% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,444 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 50 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 2; Casey: 2; Clinton: 3; Green: 17; McCreary: 5; Pulaski: 14; Russell: 5; Taylor: 1; and, Wayne: 1. In all, we have released 85.8% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 18 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 280 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Long-term Care/Residential Facilities, Businesses, Schools, and Medical Facilities.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 32 today: Adair: 1; Clinton: 2; Green: 2; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 6; Russell: 3; Taylor: 11; and, Wayne: 4. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.014. This means our total case count is projected to double every 49.28 days.

The new cases include:

Adair: A 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Clinton: A 48-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Clinton: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 54-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
McCreary: A 74-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
McCreary: A 39-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
McCreary: A 34-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Pulaski: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 36-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 69-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Pulaski: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 37-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 49-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 4-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 20-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 44-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 73-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 14-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 48-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 61-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Wayne: A 56-year-old male who is released, 8/28/20
Wayne: A 59-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Wayne: A 15-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Wayne: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

The statewide testing positivity rate is 4.17%.

I failed to report yesterday that the Pulaski County death was an 82-year-old female.

The state released metrics today to help schools determine when in-person instruction should and shouldn’t occur. We have adjusted the daily calculations on our main COVID-19 page to include the figures the schools will need for their decision-making process.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,444 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 57,342 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 57,282 statewide plus 60 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

The Russell County Fiscal Court held their regular monthly meeting Monday night.

County Judge Gary Robertson spoke to WAVE News following the meeting...

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“We’ve now conducted over a million COVID tests in Kentucky. That is pretty exciting. I remember when we didn’t have COVID tests, when every day we had to tell you unless you were sick, not to get one,” the Governor said. “That is not where we are in Kentucky right now.”

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Monday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth.
 

1. CARES Act Funding for Northern Kentucky
   Earlier today and in collaboration with the Department for Local Government (DLG), Gov. Beshear announced 12 Northern Kentucky governments have been approved for $3,864,114 in reimbursements from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act for local governments with expenses related to COVID-19.
   
   “Our local governments have been lifelines in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gov. Beshear. “This funding is crucial as we work to restart and rebuild Kentucky’s economy while continuing to keep Kentuckians safe.”
   
   The governments approved for reimbursement are: Henry County, Crestview Hills, Crittenden, Dry Ridge, Elsmere, Falmouth, Fort Wright, La Grange, Lakeside Park, Maysville, Newport and Southgate.
   
   This funding will be used to reimburse payroll expenses for public safety officials, PPE, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, teleworking equipment and other expenses necessary to combat COVID-19.
   
   For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
2. PPE
   Also earlier Monday, Gov. Beshear welcomed the latest large corporate donation of personal protective equipment (PPE), which will bolster the commonwealth’s response to COVID-19.
   
   “Even before this global health crisis arrived in Kentucky more than six months ago, we were working to secure the personal protective equipment needed to keep our people safe,” the Governor said. “The many great companies that do business in the commonwealth have been key partners in these efforts. Today, we’re happy to announce that the Ford Motor Co. has generously donated 2 million masks to the commonwealth, which is among the largest gifts we have received. This donation undoubtedly will help save Kentuckians’ lives.”
   
   First Lady Britainy Beshear joined Gov. Beshear on Monday along with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman; Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Michael E. Dossett at the KDPH warehouse in Frankfort. The team toured the facility where the PPE is housed before it is distributed statewide.
   
   Ford’s donation is just the latest large gift from responsible corporations. Dozens of individuals and smaller businesses have added to the commonwealth’s reserves by bringing donations to their local Kentucky State Police posts. For more information and to view the full news release, click here.
    
3. Voting
   Gov. Beshear again encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day.
   
   “Remember you have more ways to vote than ever before,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you’re concerned about COVID-19, you can go online right now to request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKy.com.”
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags.

Case Information – Monday, Sept. 14
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 14, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 57,282 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 342 of which were newly reported Monday. Fifty-three of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 12 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 1-month-old from Russell County.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 5 new deaths Monday, raising the total to 1,065 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Monday include a 71-year-old woman from Christian County; two men, ages 77 and 80, from Fayette County; an 82-year-old woman from Pulaski County; and a 49-year-old man from Shelby County.

“If you’re a person – whether you’re in the state legislature or at home on your keyboard – that is saying, ‘Oh, but these people are older,’ shame on you. These are children of God, just like everyone else, who deserved more time on this planet,” the Governor said. “Their life is just as important as everybody else’s. The moment that we desensitize ourselves to the fact that even a 90-something-year-old has more time with his or her family, grandkids, maybe great-grandkids, and COVID takes it from them – it’s not acceptable.”

As of Monday, there have been at least 1,020,070 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was 4.17%, and at least 10,918 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Case Information – Sunday, Sept. 13
Due to limited reporting on the weekends, some updated information is now available from Sunday, Sept. 13.

As of Sunday, there were 1,000,590 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was at 4.38% and at least 10,905 Kentuckians had recovered from the virus.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Sunday, Sept. 13, click here.

New Information on Opening Schools

Dr. Stack, Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman and several education officials on Monday offered a number of updates on the state of education in the commonwealth amid the global pandemic.

“This afternoon, we filed an emergency regulation addressing K-12 COVID-19 reporting requirements pursuant to existing statutes,” Dr. Stack said.

Under the new regulation, no later than Monday, Sept. 28, all parents and guardians are required to report to the child’s school within 24 hours if their child tests positive for COVID-19, and all schools must report via a secure website, Monday through Friday, every day school is in session, data related to the coronavirus.

He said the Kentucky Department of Education is sending instructions to schools on how to register with the online portal and report this data.

“Using this data, KDPH will publish an online dashboard,” Dr. Stack said. “The dashboard link will be posted on or before Monday, Sept. 28, on the kycovid19.ky.gov website.

“Publicly reporting this data is a necessary tool to enable students, parents and communities to make informed decisions COVID-19 risk in collaboration with the education and public health communities,” Dr. Stack said.

Dr. Stack said KDPH still will publish its K-12 public health reports, also available on the kycovid19.ky.gov website.

In addition to reporting protocols, Dr. Stack provided updated guidance for schools on a variety of instructional modes.

“Superintendents have requested local control. They have asked us to give them a metric to decide,” Dr. Stack said. “This tool provides the metric and public health guidance attached to it.”

He said the guidance is in effect as long as the state’s positivity rate is less than 6% and the health care system has enough resources. A color-coded map showing incidence rates will provide districts with corresponding guidance. It will be updated every Thursday evening to guide schools for the following week.

Schools in green and yellow areas essentially follow KDE Healthy at Schools guidance. Schools in an orange zone should take enhanced measures, including more aggressive crowd limits, and should consider a variety of factors to determine what mode of instruction they should use.

If a county reaches red, then both in person instruction should be suspended the following week and only remote learning should occur; schools may still use small groups per KDE guidance for special circumstances.

“Let me be clear, that there is not going to be an overall recommendation coming from me or my office post Sept. 28,” Gov. Beshear said. “What’s going to be provided is the information to make a week-by-week decision in our various school districts and counties based on prevalence and what public health experts believe is the right course based on that prevalence.”

Dr. Stack added: “Once a county reaches red, it should return to yellow before resuming in person instruction to allow for disease activity to return to a safer level and to increase the probability of successfully staying open for in person instruction upon reopening.”

In addition, Dr. Stack said the Kentucky High School Athletic Association has published and continues to update its guidance on COVID-19. He said the KDPH is collaborating with officials.

Dr. Lu Young, chair of the Kentucky Board of Education, was on hand Monday to support the new reporting process. “This data about cases in schools is crucial to support families and to support our reopening efforts across the commonwealth. We all need to have a better understanding of the impact of this virus on our kids and school personnel as it plays out in real time,” Dr. Young said. “Equally importantly, we need to use this information to track what is actually happening in our schools and districts on a daily basis as this information may very well help us prevent dangerous outbreaks in our neighborhoods before they ever happen.”

Lt. Gov. Coleman, who also serves as secretary of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, said: “This week, I will be working with the Department of Public Health and KDE to hold town halls with superintendents to teachers and everyone in between. Our goals are to be transparent and communicative, ensure accountability and inclusion and allow every voice to be heard.”

Dr. Houston Barber, superintendent of the Frankfort Independent Schools District, praised the new information.

“As a father of four, I empathize with all Kentuckians about what school looks like today and how you’re navigating that course,” Dr. Barber said. “This tool that has been developed for K-12 is incredible. It allows for districts all across the state to work together with their local health officials and board teams and come up with a strategy that makes sense for their students, their families and their communities.”

Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, president of Kentucky State University, also spoke Monday in favor of the collaboration.

“Every call and request for information we’ve had to the Department of Public Health has been answered. The spirit of cooperation has been seamless and constant as we try to maneuver and respond to the changing dynamics of this pandemic,” Dr. Brown said. “We are excited that the Department of Public Health, in collaboration with CPE, will have a statewide list of all the campus dashboards. We are doing everything possible to give transparent and on time data to keep the public aware of what we are doing to keep our community safe.”

Remembrance
As he has repeatedly has done over the past months, Gov. Beshear on Monday again noted numbers alone cannot convey the depth of losing a family member or friend to the coronavirus. He shared another personal story of the Kentuckians lost in this fight, this time tragically a front-line physician in Kentucky’s COVID-19 battle.

“I am heartbroken that Dr. Rebecca Shadowen has passed away after a four-month battle with COVID-19,” the Governor said. “She was a front-line hero who worked tirelessly to protect the lives of others.”

Dr. Shadowen joined the team at The Medical Center at Bowling Green in 1989. She was a physician leader across Kentucky and across the country for over 30 years.

Before testing positive for COVID-19 herself, Dr. Shadowen shared this message with Bowling Green’s WBKO-TV news, encouraging people to wear masks: “What is the value of a life?” she asked. “And if you could do something to save another’s life, without harming yourself, would you?”

“I’m praying for her family, friends and colleagues,” Gov. Beshear said.

He also asked all Kentuckians to heed Dr. Shadowen’s advice and wear a mask in her honor.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

• Grider Hill Dock in Clinton County (Central Time).
• Waitsboro Recreation Area in Pulaski County (Eastern Time).
• Lake Cumberland Marina (formerly Alligator 2) and Lake Cumberland Recreation Area (formerly Alligator 1) in Russell County (Central Time).
• Conley Bottom Resort in Wayne County (Eastern Time)

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2020) – As highway construction continues into the fall across the Commonwealth, motorists can expect to see orange cones and flashing lights in work zones.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is driving attention to Kentucky’s Work Zone Awareness Week (KYWZAW) – Sept. 13-18 – to encourage motorists to take a vested interest in work zone safety by slowing down and driving without distractions in active work zones.

Work zones are high-risk sites for work crews, but the safety of drivers and their passengers is also on the line. The number of work zone fatalities increased from three in 2018 to eight in 2019. Two of the victims were crew workers. The number of work zone crashes rose 20 percent from 1,042 in 2018 to 1,251 in 2019.

Distracted driving is a leading cause of work zone crashes. Distracted driving behaviors include texting or operating a phone while driving; eating, or applying makeup. Last year, 57 percent of work zone crashes listed distracted driving as a factor.

“National Distracted Driving Awareness Week is coming up in October, so this is the perfect opportunity to remind motorists of the importance of paying attention, not only when driving through work zones, but every time you’re behind the wheel,” said Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Acting Executive Director Jason Siwula. “Your safety, whether working within one of our work zones or just traveling through, is important to us. When you’re behind the wheel, please put your phone down and focus on driving.” 

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) statistics are in line with Kentucky’s work zone fatality numbers that indicate motorists are more at risk in a work zone. According to FHWA, in an average five-day work week, seven motorists and one worker are killed around the nation in work zone crashes.

State and nationwide solidarity to promote work zone safety

To promote safer work zones and to prompt a reduction in the number of preventable crashes, Governor Andy Beshear signed a proclamation declaring April 20-24 Work Zone Safety Week in Kentucky. However, with the current COVID-19 pandemic, Kentucky postponed the state’s awareness week to September.

Behind every high-visibility vest is a person counting on the caution exercised by an unknown driver. Throughout the week, KYTC will share testimonials and post messages on overhead signs to encourage safe driving behaviors.

KYTC invites the public to show support of work zone safety by tweeting photos containing orange or orange graphics to Twitter using #glowky. A new Glow Orange filter has been added on Facebook for participants to change their profile photo to spread awareness.

Thursday offers another opportunity for industry partners and the public to demonstrate they are vested in work zone safety by sporting high-vis vests or gear, taking a photo and posting it on social media using hashtag #vestedinwzsafety.

To help prevent future work zone crashes, the Transportation Cabinet asks drivers to practice three work zone safety tips:
 

1. Pay Attention – Don’t text, eat or perform any other activity while driving.
2. Respect Flaggers – Obey their guidance and watch their direction carefully.
3. Slow Down – Maintain a safe following distance; rear-end collisions are the most common work zone crash.

To read work zone stories and to stay current with KYTC’s 2020 work zone awareness campaign, connect with the Cabinet on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and follow the #kywzaw, #vestedinwzsafety and #glowky conversations. Be sure to visit the KYTC’s new work zone safety webpage.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 14, 2020) – On Monday, Gov. Andy Beshear welcomed one of the state’s latest corporate donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), which will help bolster the commonwealth’s response to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“Even before this global health crisis arrived in Kentucky more than six months ago, we were working to secure the personal protective equipment needed to keep our people safe,” the Governor said. “The many great companies that do business in the commonwealth have been key partners in these efforts. Today, we’re happy to announce that the Ford Motor Co. has generously donated 2 million masks to the commonwealth, which is among the largest gifts we have received. This donation undoubtedly will help save Kentuckians’ lives.”

First Lady Britainy Beshear joined Gov. Beshear on Monday along with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman; Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Kentucky Division of Emergency Management Director Michael E. Dossett at the KDPH warehouse in Frankfort. The team toured the facility where the PPE is housed before it is distributed statewide.

“We know that wearing a mask is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “Your donation of 2,000,000 masks makes sure that groups like front-line health care workers, first responders, teachers and students have what is necessary to stay healthy. This donation has saved the lives of Kentuckians.”

Today’s donation comes as part of an ambitious program launched by Ford, dubbed Project Apollo, that brings together the automaker’s top engineers and members of the United Auto Workers in an effort to produce 100 million masks through 2021. Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, is a longstanding employer and partner in the commonwealth and operates the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

Ford’s donation is just the latest large gift from responsible corporations.

Back in March, Toyota provided 1,827 N95 masks, while Gray Construction and AE Electrical Solutions delivered 50 and 40 masks, respectively.

And just last month, Lexington-based Galls donated 37,500 isolation gowns, with Midland, Michigan-based Dow Chemical Co. adding another 2,000 of these crucially needed, costly and coveted PPE items.

Others that have contributed to Kentucky’s PPE stockpile include Louisville-based Clayton & Crume, Evergreen Point and Flavorcraft Industries Inc.; Bowling Green-based Fruit of the Loom; Hebron-based C.W. Zumbiel Co.; Lexington-based Grogan Healthcare Supplies Inc. and Public Safety Store; Corbin-based Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries.

In addition, North Carolina-based Lowe’s; Gordon Food Service of Chicago, TPG Plastics of Willowbrook, Illinois, and Jacob and Thompson – Worldwide Foam of Elkhart, Indiana, also have contributed to the commonwealth’s PPE stocks. National companies including home goods chain Lowe’s, global distribution company Solutions 2 Go, battery giant Duracell, and furniture chain Ashley HomeStore also have donated PPE to Kentucky.

Dozens of individuals and smaller businesses have added to the commonwealth’s reserves by bringing donations to their local Kentucky State Police posts.

Kentucky’s inventory of crucial PPE, as of Sept. 9:

• Gloves: 7,425,257
• Face shields: 1,261,766
• Surgical masks: 11,279,861
• N95 masks: 930,110
• Gowns: 1,305,556

The Department for Public Health also projects the amount of PPE that might be needed if cases surge in the state. The state currently is showing a healthy supply of face shields, surgical masks and N95 masks. If there is a sharp increase in cases, Kentucky will need more gloves and gowns.  

“COVID-19 has challenged us in many ways and one of those has been the struggle to make sure we have the necessary tools to keep our health care workers and first responders supplied with critical PPE,” said Dr. Stack. “The generosity of private citizens and corporations has been pivotal to overcoming these supply challenges, and today’s donation by Ford of 2 million face masks to support Team Kentucky is yet another example of kindness and the power of coming together to help each other.”

Dr. Stack added, “The donations the state has received for PPE, including today’s donation from Ford, has been a substantial aid in our efforts to help Team Kentucky overcome the coronavirus.”

The inventory is one of Kentucky’s successes in the fight against COVID after struggling, as did many other states and nations, to secure enough PPE for frontline workers early in the pandemic. 

“As we moved through the early months and weeks of the COVID response, the acquisition of PPE became an all out effort from sources within the state, across the nation and externally,” said Emergency Management Director Dossett. “Our distribution efforts to health care facilities and first responders, then turned to an operation to build the commonwealth’s surge capacity in the event of a second phase of the virus. At the end of September, we will have completed our stockpile of that inventory from our vendors. We’re also very grateful to our many corporate partners that have provided donations in that effort.”

Since May, the Department for Local Government has provided more than $106.4 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to local governments to reimburse expenses related to COVID-19, some of which was used to purchase and distribute masks, gloves and other PPE in local communities across the commonwealth.

In addition, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet has awarded more than $2.4 million to public safety agencies in response to COVID-19 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESF). These funds will reimburse expenses in regards to overtime related to fighting COVID-19, purchasing equipment, supplies, training, travel and more.

Of the $2.4 million from the CESF awarded funds, $514,264 is earmarked exclusively for the purchase of PPE.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 Gov. Beshear urges Kentuckians to fulfill their patriotic duty and protect each other by wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, limiting travel, keeping gathering to 10 of fewer and social distancing. 
 

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

A Cumberland County woman was arrested Sunday morning on theft and burglary charges.  41-year-old Rachael Thair was taken into custody by Deputy Daniels of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking (Auto) and Burglary 2^nd Degree. Thair was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

Russell County 1 new case Sunday. The new case is a 1 month old male who is self-isolated. We had no cases released. We now have 39 active cases which 38 are self-isolated and 1 is hospitalized at UK in Lexington.

Adair County 1 new COVID19 case to report from yesterday. We also released 1 case. We have 13 active cases with 12 in home isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

Deaths: We are sad to report 1 new death today from Pulaski. We have experienced a total of 67 deaths resulting in a 2.8% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.9% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3% morality 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 12 cases in the hospital. This is 1 less than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33. We have had a total of 211 hospitalizations resulting in a 8.7% hospitalization rate among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 8.6%. The latest state data shows that 70% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,412 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 36 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 1; Casey: 2; Clinton: 1; Green: 8; McCreary: 6; Pulaski: 10; Taylor: 5; and, Wayne: 3. In all, we have released 84.9% of our total cases.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 13 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 298 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Long-term Care/Residential Facilities, Schools, Businesses, and Medical Facilities.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 24 today: Adair: 1; Casey: 1; Clinton: 2; Green: 3; Pulaski: 4; Russell: 1; Taylor: 8; and, Wayne: 4. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.013. This means our total case count is projected to double every 52.95 days.

The new cases include:

Adair: A 27-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Casey: A 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Clinton: A 89-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Clinton: A 34-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 56-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Green: A 40-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Pulaski: A 52-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 31-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Pulaski: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Russell: A 1 month-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 82-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 12-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Taylor: A 53-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Taylor: A 35-year-old female who is released, 9/08/20
Wayne: A 75-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
Wayne: A 55-year-old female who is released, 9/06/20
Wayne: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
Wayne: A 65-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

It is more and more commonly reported that businesses are becoming relaxed on enforcing the masking guidelines. We really don’t want to have to start issuing fines. Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,412 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 56,989 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 56,945 statewide plus 44 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2020)– Gov. Andy Beshear on Sunday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the commonwealth.

“We’ve seen some troubling increases in the number of positive coronavirus cases across our commonwealth in recent weeks,” the Governor said. “Let’s remember that we’re not powerless in this fight. We wash our hands often and properly. We can keep our gatherings small and make sure we maintain a safe social distance. We can avoid traveling to hotspots. But most of all, we can wear a mask. It’s the best advice from the nation’s top experts and how we protect those we love during this pandemic.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 13, Gov. Beshear reported that there are at least 56,945 cases in Kentucky, 536 of which were newly reported Sunday. Eighty-seven of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 24 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 1-month-old from Barren County.

“Our case numbers often dip during the weekend as not all labs are reporting,” the Governor said. “We can expect higher counts during the week, but the real work we have is to get these numbers to begin really going down.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 3 new deaths Sunday, raising the total to 1,060 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Sunday include a 96-year-old man from Fayette County; a 76-year-old woman from Taylor County; and a 58-year-old man from Warren County.

“These are three of our fellow Kentuckians we’ve lost, and it hurts just as much for their friends, their families and their communities as any that have come before or will be announced in the future,” the Governor said.

“Light up your homes and businesses green tonight to let them know they are not alone in their grief.”

As of Sunday, there have been at least 990,957 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.14%. At least 10,905 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

Due to limited reporting on Sundays, some information will be delayed until Monday.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Week in Review
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, grants for river ports, Kentucky’s flags being flown at half-staff, Kentucky surpassing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, the Governor’s moment of silence remembering those lost on 9/11 and the Governor’s direct address to Kentuckians, visit governor.ky.gov/news.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

No new deaths in 10-county Lake Cumberland District and 24 new COVID-19 cases. To ready entire report, click on link:

https://ridingthewave.com/assets/files/LCDHD-Saturday-Sept-12-2020.pdf

1. Policy #18 Title I Parent Involvement
2. Policy #19 Discipline
3. Policy #21 Homework
4. Policy #22 School-wide literacy
5. Policy #23 Acceleration
6. Policy #24 Writing
7. Alignment with State Standards Policy
8. Policy #10 Technology Use
9. Program Appraisal Policy

     c. Policies for revision and 1st reading:

1. Policy # 1 Curriculum
2. Policy #3 Assignment of student to classes and programs within the school
3. Policy #5 School Schedule
4. Policy #7 Planning and Resolution of issues regarding instructional practices

Late Friday night just past midnight, Columbia Police Officers were called to a vehicle pulled on the shoulder on Burksville Street at the edge of city limits after a Constable had observed the car and called for assistance. 

Upon arrival, the occupants were asleep and slow to wake up. After being awakened, the vehicle operator quickly became irate and combative at the sight of Officers. Suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located inside the vehicle. 

Kaleb Weber, 18, of Indianapolis, Indiana was taken into custody and charged with Ddisorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). 
 

The Columbia Police Department responded to a 2-vehicle injury accident on the Columbia Bypass at the Greensburg Street intersection on Saturday morning. 

The accident occurred when a grey Chevy Captiva, operated by Ralph Foster of Columbia, KY crossed the intersection from HWY 61 and into the direction of travel of a red Ford Explorer, being driven by Melinda Cooney of Louisville, KY who was traveling north on the Bypass, according to witnesses. 

After impact, both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on separate shoulders. Cooney, along with two passengers, were transported by Adair EMS to TJ Health Columbia for treatment of possible injuries. Ralph Foster and a female passenger were later taken by private vehicle to TJ Health to be checked out. 

CPD Officer Adam Cravens investigated the accident. He was assisted on scene by Officer Drew Conn and Deputy Brandon Hitch. The Columbia-Adair Fire Department also responded to the scene.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the commonwealth.

“Make sure you’re protecting your family, yourself and one another,” said Gov. Beshear.

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Saturday, September 12, 2020 Gov. Beshear reported that there are at least 56,415 cases in Kentucky, 721 of which were newly reported Saturday. 81 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 & younger, of which 15 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 6-month-old from Warren County.

“Our positivity rate is down from yesterday but we need to continue to push that number down,” said Gov. Beshear.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 13 new deaths Saturday, raising the total to 1,057 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Saturday include an 89-year-old man from Barren County; an 83-year-old woman from Bell County; two women, ages 80 and 83, and two men, both age 81, from Jefferson County; a 78-year-old woman from Logan County; a 59-year-old woman from Muhlenberg County; a 76-year-old woman from Simpson County; and three women, ages 62, 81 and 93, and a 72-year-old man from Warren County.

“We need you to continue to mask up, stay socially distant and do what it takes to beat COVID-19,” said Gov. Beshear. “This thing is deadly and it’s real so let’s treat it as such.”

As of Saturday, there have been at least 990,957 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.14%. At least 10,872 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

After a recent spike in new daily cases and a daily record for deaths reported Thursday, Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, noted news relating to the wait for a COVID-19 vaccine.

“As we wait for a vaccine, there’s one thing we can do. We can get an immunization that already exists: the flu vaccine. Protecting ourselves against the flu is more important than ever. An influenza outbreak on top of the COVID-19 pandemic could be disastrous this fall and winter. The health care systems upon which Kentuckians rely could be overwhelmed by what some say is a looming ‘twindemic.’”

If Kentuckians don’t follow guidelines, such as social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing, we could be headed into "the worst fall, from a public health perspective, that we've seen in a long time,” Dr. Stack said.

“Flu shots are widely available right now, and this weekend is as good a time as any to see your primary care provider or head to a clinic, drug store or other place offering it,” Dr. Stack said. “In some cases, there’s even no charge, so please, take one for the team. Take one for Team Kentucky.”

1. Larry Baker of Columbia - Wanton Endangerment, Terroristic Threatening and Disorderly Conduct
2. Patrick Rowe of Columbia - Tampering with Physical Evidence and Theft

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 11, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the commonwealth.

“We’ve got to come together and never make one another the enemy,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s step up and meet our challenge. We’re all called to be heroes in our time.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 Gov. Beshear reported that there are at least 55,704 cases in Kentucky, 948 of which were newly reported Friday. One hundred fifty-one of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 24 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 1-month-old from Jefferson County.

“This is the third highest number of positive cases we’ve ever had in a single day,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our positivity rate is also going up.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 9 new deaths Friday, raising the total to 1,044 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include a 67-year-old woman from Barren County; an 85-year-old man from Christian County; a 62-year-old man from Hopkins County; an 82-year-old woman from Lincoln County; a 76-year-old woman from Marion County; a 58-year-old man from Oldham County; a 76-year-old man from Pulaski County; and two women, ages 78 and 82, from Todd County.

“Remember other people’s health and lives are on the line and we need you to do your part,” said Gov. Beshear. “Do your patriotic duty. Wear your mask. Social distance. So little is being asked of us in this crisis. It just takes a little bit to be a hero right now.”

As of Friday, there have been at least 960,430 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.70%. At least 10,822 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Unemployment Help
After Gov. Beshear pushed for the additional help for unemployed Kentucky workers, the Office of Unemployment Insurance on Friday began processing the first week of FEMA’s Lost Wages Program for the weeks of July 26 to Aug. 15. Kentuckians who are eligible will begin receiving those funds in their accounts in the next two to three days.

“COVID-19 has caused the loss of millions of jobs across the nation, and unfortunately Kentucky is no exception,” the Governor said when the state’s application for the aid was accepted. “I am committed to fighting for every dollar to help our people survive this global pandemic and our workforce return to full strength.”

Read more about the unemployment assistance here.

Week in Review
Earlier Friday morning, the Governor held a moment of silence to honor those fallen, and ordered all flags to half-staff to commemorate 9/11.

“Sept. 11 forever changed us all,” Gov. Beshear said. “Today we mourn the thousands of lives lost, and grieve with those in pain, while also celebrating the courage of the day's many heroes. We will never forget, and we lift our people in prayer.”

For more information on this week’s updates, including those on the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, grants for river ports, Kentucky’s flags being flown at half-staff, Kentucky surpassing 1,000 COVID-19 deaths and the Governor’s direct address to Kentuckians, visit governor.ky.gov/news.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Russell County 5 new cases yesterday. We had 5 cases released from isolation. We now have 34 active cases which 31 are on self-isolation and 3 are hospitalized, 1 at VA, 1 at UK and 1 at Russell County Hospital. The new cases are 5, 19, and 27 year old males and 19 and 54 year old females. All on self-isolation.

Adair County NO new cases of COVID19 Thursday. We released 1 case. We have 18 active cases, ALL in home isolation. We have no one in the hospital at this time.

The Russell Co. Chamber of Commerce held its annual Golf Scramble on Thursday. Chamber President Nick Shearer spoke to WAVE NEWS about the successful fundraiser... 
 

Russell Springs city leaders met last night. 

Mayor Eddie Thomas shares with WAVE listeners the action that took place at the meeting... 

• Registered voters should go online to GOVOTEKY.COM---You will be asked to give specific information in order to process your application.
• Call the Adair County Clerks’ Office to request your ballot to be mailed. You will be asked to give specific information in order to process your application.
• Ballots will be mailed beginning in mid-September. The deadline to request an absentee mail ballot, either online or by phone, is October 9th, 2020 (unless you have a medical emergency)!  After this date, mail-in ballots cannot be sent to voters without a medical emergency, so early in-person voting will be the only way to avoid crowds on Election Day.
• Ballots must be received in the ballot dropbox at the County Clerk’s Office located at 424 Public Square, Ste3, in Columbia by 6:00pmCT on Tuesday, November 3rd. Ballots received in the mail and postmarked on or before November 3rd, 2020 will be accepted until November 6th, 2020 and shall be accepted upon receipt by the County Clerk until 6:00pmCT.

Gov. BeShear delivered a direct address to Kentuckians on the state of the pandemic this afternoon at 4:30pmCT, after yesterday marking the solemn milestone of losing more than 1,000 Kentuckians in the global pandemic.

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Thursday, Sept.10th, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 54,772 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 805 of which were newly reported Thursday. 122 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 19 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 3-month-old from Fayette County.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 22 new deaths Thursday, raising the total to 1,035 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Thursday include an 84-year-old man from Barren County; an 86-year-old man from Bullitt County; an 81-year-old man from Campbell County; a 76-year-old woman from Daviess County; a 53-year-old woman from Fayette County; a 78-year-old woman from Grayson County; a 101-year-old woman from Green County; a 55-year-old man from Harlan County; five women, ages 70, 73, 82, 86 and 102, and an 80-year-old man from Jefferson County; a 100-year-old woman and a 75-year-old man from Marion County; a 60-year-old man from Monroe County; a 77-year-old man from Nelson County; and two women, ages 83 and 90, and two men, ages 82 and 84, from Warren County.

As of Thursday, there have been at least 943,460 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.14%. At least 10,791 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Tomorrow (Friday), Gov. Andy Beshear will lead Kentuckians in a statewide moment of silence to pay tribute to the victims and honor the survivors of the terror attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.

The moment of silence will begin at 8:46amET to correspond with the moment American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, the first of four intentional plane crashes by hijackers that day. The Governor will provide brief remarks on Facebook and YouTube beginning at 8:40amET.

“We will never forget the horror of that terrible day or the thousands of Americans killed in the crashes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field,” Gov. Beshear said. “But neither will we forget the heroic acts of courage from first responders, health care providers and everyday Americans who came together to help save the injured and prevent further loss. Let’s remember the unity we felt as a nation in those moments and carry some of that same solidarity in our hearts with us as we confront the challenges of today.”

The Governor also has ordered that flags at state office buildings be lowered to half-staff for Patriot Day, in accordance with a proclamation from the White House. Flags are already at half-staff this week in the commonwealth to honor the more than 1,000 Kentuckians who have died of causes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Flag status information is available at https://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

Officers with the Columbia Police Department and Adair Sheriff’s Office responded to Country Place Apartments Wednesday night just after 7PM for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, a male subject was quickly detained and later charged with multiple offenses. 

Matthew Alexander, 22, of Columbia, KY was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail for Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License, Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3^rd degree (Drug Unspecified), and Resisting Arrest.

4 People were lodged in the Russell County Detention Center on Terroristic Threatening and other charges last night in Russell Springs.

1. Cecil Stacy, 29, was taken into custody by Officer Pritchard with the Russell Springs Police Department just after 10:30 last night. He was charged with Terroristic Threatening 3^rd Degree.
2. David Stargle, 35, was arrested by KSP Trooper Harper for Wanton Endagerment-2^nd Degree and Terroristic Threatening 3^rd Degree.
3. James Stacy, 28, was taken into custody by RSPD Officer Justice on the charge of Terrorist Threatening, 3^rd Degree.
4. Bobbie Stargle, 26, was arrested by RSPD Officer Antle and charged with Wanton Endangerment - 2^nd Degree and Terrorist Threatening, 3^rd Degree.

All four individuals are from Russell Springs and were lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

Russell County reported 6 new cases on Wednesday (all are self-isolated). Two cases were released from isolation. There are now 34 active cases in Russell County, 31 are on self-isolation and 3 are hospitalized (1 at the VA in Louisville, 1 at UK Hospital in Lexington and 1 at Russell County Hospital). The new cases include an 8-month-old female and 4 more females ages 20,39,58,71 and 78.

Adair County reported 2 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Two have been released. Russell Co. currently has 19 active cases with 18 in home-isolation and 1 in an area hospital.

Deaths: We are sad to report 2 new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 66 deaths resulting in a 2.9% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.9% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3% morality 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 14 cases in the hospital. This is 6 less than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33. We have had a total of 205 hospitalizations resulting in a 9% hospitalization rate among known cases. The state hospitalization rate is 8.9%. The latest state data shows that 65% of ICU beds and 25% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 53 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 2; Casey: 1; Green: 23; McCreary: 6; Pulaski: 18; Russell: 2; and, Wayne: 1. In all, we have released 84% of our total cases.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,277 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 20 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 298 active cases in our district across 9 of our district’s 10 counties.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Long-term Care/Residential Facilities, Schools, Businesses, and Family.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 35 today: Adair: 2; Clinton: 2; Green: 7; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 7; Russell: 6; Taylor: 5; and, Wayne: 3. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.012. This means our total case count is projected to double every 57.51 days.

The new cases include:

• Adair: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 77-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 26-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 17-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 8-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 3-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Green: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 43-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 24-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 44-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 24-year-old female who is released, 9/02/20
• Pulaski: A 35-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 74-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic 
• Pulaski: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 42-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Russell: A 8 months-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 78-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 58-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 71-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatiRussell: A 39-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 10-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 51-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Taylor: A 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 23-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 47-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 25-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

The 2 deaths we report today are 101-year-old female from Green County who was a nursing home resident, and a 76-year-old male from Pulaski County who was a nursing home resident.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,277 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 54,035 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 53,977 statewide plus 58 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report).
 

Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and marked the solemn milestone of losing more than 1,000 Kentuckians in the global pandemic.

“Tonight and tomorrow’s briefings are going to look a little different, because we’ve hit a tough and unfortunate milestone in Kentucky,” the Governor said.

“We have the painful news that we have now lost over 1,000 Kentuckians – our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sisters, brothers, neighbors – to COVID-19.

“Compared with most other states, that number of casualties is fairly low, and that’s a testament to the people of Kentucky and the actions that they’ve taken, but it’s hard to be proud and excited about this news.

“To honor these individuals and their grieving families, we’re going to have another wreath-laying ceremony tomorrow. It will be an opportunity for those families and all Kentuckians to express the pain and the grief that we feel and to honor the people we’ve lost.”

With Kentucky hitting six months since its first case and surpassing more than 1,000 deaths, Gov. Beshear ordered all flags on state buildings in the commonwealth to fly at half-staff for the next week, and said there will be a wreath-laying by the Kentucky State Police Honor Guard in the Capitol rotunda at 10 a.m. Thursday and he will speak directly to Kentuckians at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

“We’ll spend about 15 minutes talking over this loss, our fight to date and how we must do at least a little bit better to make sure we come out of this crisis with as many of our family members with us as possible, that we come out in a way where we can be proud of what we have done and how we have faced this very difficult disease,” the Governor said.

Gov. Beshear emphasized that the most important action we all can take to fight the coronavirus is to wear a mask. He pointed to the latest report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, which like each of the previous reports, directly states that Kentucky should keep the statewide mask requirement in place.

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said that the death toll should bring home the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis for everyone.

“In the United States of America, in roughly the last six months, more than 190,000 Americans have died from COVID-19. To put that in context, the city of Louisville is about 620,000 or so, so it’s like 30 percent of the city of Louisville has died in the last six months across the country,” Dr. Stack said. “People talk about the numbers, where there are inconsistent or where there are inaccuracies, but deaths are pretty clear. The implications to the United States of America are pretty substantial and profound. Now in Kentucky, today we crossed over a big milestone, with over 1,000 Kentuckians who’ve lost their lives from the coronavirus. And that’s a tragedy and a tragedy for their families. It’s a smaller tragedy than we might otherwise have had had we not taken the steps over the last six months we would have had larger totals like they’ve had in other states and in other areas. So I’m grateful that we’ve had the opportunity to blunt the harm but the harm that’s happened is substantial nonetheless.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 53,977 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 667 of which were newly reported Wednesday. Eighty-eight of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which 16 were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was only 2 months old.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 16 new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 1,013 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Wednesday include a 62-year-old man from Bell County; two men, ages 61 and 77, from Bullitt County; a 92-year-old woman from Calloway County; a 94-year-old woman from Fayette County; a 76-year-old man from Garrard County; four men, ages 50, 66, 79 and 86, and a 70-year-old woman from Jefferson County; a 71-year-old man from Lincoln County; a 90-year-old man from Owen County; an 84-year-old woman from Rowan County; and two men, ages 81 and 87, from Scott County.

“16 new deaths put us over the 1,000 lost number,” the Governor said. “It feels pretty devastating. It doesn’t mean that, given the opponent we are facing, we haven’t done a good job. It just means that we have to recognize how much this hurts those around us.”

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 937,153 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 3.84%. At least 10,725 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Remembrance
As casualties topped 1,000 on Wednesday, Gov. Beshear again noted numbers alone do not accurately reflect the depth of losing a family member or friend to the coronavirus. He shared another personal story of a Kentuckian lost in this fight.

“Yesterday, we lost EJ Mike, a 58-year-old front-line worker. He was a physician’s assistant at Louisville VA Medical Center,” the Governor said. “But more important, he was a loving father to his twin girls, who are only 13. EJ fought hard for 6 weeks at Norton Brownsboro, during which time he was on a ventilator.”

Gov. Beshear said he and his staffers learned of EJ’s loss Tuesday, only an hour after he had passed.

“We spoke to a friend and read online messages from co-workers and loved ones who called EJ an inspiration and an amazing person who always put others before himself,” the Governor said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his two daughters, his family, friends and the community he built at the Louisville VA.”

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2020) – As the commonwealth’s coronavirus death toll topped 1,000, Gov. Andy Beshear directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff for one week as a tribute to all those Kentuckians who have passed away due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019.

“I am ordering that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff for one week beginning tomorrow,” said Gov. Beshear. “Families across Kentucky are hurting as a result of the tragic losses brought by this pandemic. We are lighting our homes and businesses green and ringing our bells daily for these victims, but this is one more way we can show our support for these members of our community as they mourn their loved ones.”

Flags at state office buildings should be lowered to half-staff beginning at sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 10, and remain so until sunset on Wednesday, Sept.16. Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout Kentucky to join in this tribute.

Flag status information is available at https://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

The Campbellsville Police Dept. arrested 2 Taylor County men in connection with the July 21^st shooting death of James Carman that occurred at a residence on Hill Street within the limits of Campbellsville.

21-year-old James Rawlings and 20-year-old Alexander D. Cox, both of Campbellsville, KY were arrested by Campbellsville Police on Tuesday morning at 8:15amET and charged with Murder. Both were lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

Investigating Officer: Det. Sgt. Nelson Bishop

          James Rawlings                                        Alexander Cox

A Columbia man was arrested and charged with DUI and other charges early this morning in Adair County.

Ethan Bernard age 18, of Columbia, was taken into custody by Deputy Staten of the Adair County Sheriff’s Office just after 1:30 a.m. and charged with Reckless Driving, Rear License Not Illuminated, Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol/Substance 1^st. He was lodged into the Adair County Regional Jail. 

Russell County had 6 new cases yesterday. We had 13 cases released from isolation today. We now have 30 active cases which 27 are on self-isolation and 3 are hospitalized. New cases are 9-19-38-50 year old females and 50 year old male. One of 6 new cases was actually a Pulaski County case. 3 hospitalized cases are 1 each at UK, VA in Louisville and Russell County Hospital.

Adair County 5 new cases of COVID19 to report today. We released 4 cases Tuesday.  We have 19 active cases with 16 self-isolated and 3 in area hospitals.

Adair County Fiscal Court met last evening, Jim Liebe for 92.7 the WAVE was there and files this report... 

Deaths: We are sad to report 1 new death today from Taylor. We have experienced a total of 64 deaths resulting in a 2.9% mortality rate among known cases. This compares with a 1.9% mortality rate at the state level, and a 3% morality 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 20 cases in the hospital. This is 1 more than yesterday. The most hospitalizations we have had at any one time was 33. We have had a total of 204 hospitalizations resulting in a 9.1% hospitalization rate among known cases. The latest state data shows that 67% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 50 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 4; Casey: 4; Clinton: 1; Cumberland: 1; Green: 12; McCreary: 3; Pulaski: 5; Russell: 13; Taylor: 5; and, Wayne: 2. In all, we have released 83% of our total cases.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,242 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Active (Current) Cases: We released 24 more cases today than we added new cases. Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 318 active cases in our district across 9 of our district’s 10 counties.

Where are Cases Tied to: The most common areas to which where we are seeing cases tied are (in descending order): Long-term Care/Residential Facilities, Schools, Businesses, and Places of Worship.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 27 today: Adair: 5; Casey: 1; Clinton: 2; Green: 2; McCreary: 4; Pulaski: 6; Russell: 6; and, Taylor: 1. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.015. This means our total case count is projected to double every 47.29 days.

The new cases include:

• Adair: A 30-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Adair: A 3-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Adair: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Adair: A 21-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Adair: A 63-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Casey: A 32-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 16-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• McCreary: A 49-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 22-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• McCreary: A 25-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 45-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 42-year-old female who is released, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 74-year-old male who is hospitalized, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 15-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 50-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 38-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Russell: A 9-year-old female who is released, asymptomatic
• Russell: A 19-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

A close look at the data above would suggest our Pulaski and Russell numbers are off. This is because a case that was mis-assigned to Russell yesterday was moved to Pulaski today.

The death we report is a 76-year-old female from Taylor who wasn’t a nursing home case.

We are happy to report today that for the first time in several weeks, we have one county with no active cases, Cumberland.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,242 cumulative confirmed cases and there have been 53,369 confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 53,319 statewide plus 50 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report).
 

Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

‘The Fast 4 at 4’
Gov. Beshear on Tuesday highlighted a variety of issues of importance to Kentuckians and the commonwealth. 
 

1. Eviction Relief
   Gov. Beshear spoke today about his administration’s latest attempts to help renters and eligible landlords keep people safely in their homes during the pandemic.
   
   “In August, I announced $15 million in federal CARES Act dollars to create a Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund and today I am announcing Kentuckians can now apply for assistance via an online application at teamkyhherf.ky.gov,” the Governor said. “As we continue to wage this battle against COVID-19, we must make sure renters have a home so they can be Healthy at Home, while also safeguarding landlords against undue financial hardship.”
   
   Last week, Gov. Beshear updated the state’s executive order on evictions to reflect the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31.
   
   “The CDC said that it is a public health threat for people to be evicted at this time,” the Governor said. “So the federal government put in place an eviction moratorium. Despite that, we are going to continue to move forward with our Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund and other steps that will provide relief to renters and financial help to landlords. We cannot end this COVID-19 crisis with a financial crisis.”
   
   The state’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund will: a) Serve eligible households in 119 of Kentucky’s 120 counties as Jefferson County is managing its own federally funded eviction relief program; b) Prevent the eviction of Kentucky tenants; and c) Reimburse eligible landlords for missed rent payments and potentially pay some advance rent to keep tenants in their homes.
   
   For those outside of Jefferson County, tenants at risk of eviction and landlords owed back rent are encouraged to visit teamkyhherf.ky.gov to see if you meet the qualifications of this program.
   
   “There are so many opportunities right now for us to solve this issue,” Gov. Beshear said. “With all of these funds available, if everyone acts in good faith, nobody needs to worry about getting kicked out and nobody’s credit needs to get ruined. Everyone can get a little bit of help to get through this.” 
    
2. Riverport Grants
   Gov. Beshear on Tuesday announced $450,000 in grants from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet have been awarded for crucial repairs and equipment needs at five Kentucky riverports, located in Eddyville, Henderson, Louisville, Owensboro and Paducah.
   
   “One of Kentucky’s greatest natural assets is our abundance of waterways,” the Governor said. “Our Kentucky riverports help move the nation’s cargo and create high-wage jobs. It’s essential to keep them modernized and well-maintained so we can continue to build that better Kentucky.”
   
   He noted that the riverports applied for the grants and must match the state’s grant funding with their own.
   
   The grants are going to: a) Owensboro Riverport Authority – $120,082 toward purchase of a front-end loader for daily handling of bulk products. The new loader will replace an unreliable 11-year-old machine; b) Eddyville Riverport and Industrial Development Authority – $109,890 toward repair of erosion of embankment that supports a boat lift near a boat repair bay; c) Henderson County Riverport Authority – $108,000 toward removal and replacement of two 40-year-old, damaged mooring structures called “dolphins” that are essential to operation of the loading docks; d) Louisville-Jefferson County Riverport Authority – $95,792 toward repair of rail line by replacing 1,000 wooden crossties and 49 switch ties; e) Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority – $16,236 toward repair of a loading chute on the conveyor system that moves commodities from the river to the riverport’s sand and gravel yard. 
    
3. Voting
   Gov. Beshear again encouraged all Kentuckians to make a plan to vote, either by mail, in person during early voting or in person on Election Day.
   
   “Remember you have more ways to vote than ever before,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you’re concerned about COVID-19, you can go online right now to request an absentee ballot at GoVoteKy.com.” 
    
4. Mask Up Kentucky
   Gov. Beshear also stressed the continued importance of everyone wearing face coverings, calling it the single most important thing all of us can do to fight COVID-19.
   
   “This is our greatest and most important tool for getting back to everything we want to do,” the Governor said. “Do the right thing: Mask up.”
   
   He also encouraged Kentuckians to spread the word on social media using #MaskUpKY and #MaskUpKentucky hashtags.

Case Information – Tuesday, Sept. 8
As of 3:00pmCT on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 Gov. Beshear said there were at least 53,319 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 273 of which were newly reported Tuesday. 47 of the newly reported cases were from children ages 18 and younger, of which eight were children ages 5 and under.

“Because of labs being closed for the holiday, we should anticipate having large numbers for cases and deaths during the next few days,” the Governor said.

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 1 new death Tuesday, raising the total to 997 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The death reported Tuesday was a 79-year-old man from Lewis County.

“Let’s just remember that as we approach 1,000 deaths related to COVID-19 that these are real people that we love and we care about,” the Governor said. “They are not just numbers, or statistics to use in arguments about if the virus is real or not.”

As of Tuesday, there have been at least 929,212 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 3.91%. At least 10,665 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Case Information – Monday, Sept. 7
Due to limited reporting on the weekends, some updated information is now available from Monday, Sept. 7.

As of Monday, there were 927,819 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was at 4.34% and at least 10,648 Kentuckians had recovered from the virus.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Monday, Sept. 7, click here.

Case Information – Sunday, Sept. 6
Due to limited reporting on the weekends, some updated information is now available from Sunday, Sept. 6.

As of Sunday, there were 926,628 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate was at 4.27% and at least 10,628 Kentuckians had recovered from the virus.

For a detailed look at coronavirus case information from Sunday, Sept. 6, click here.

Remembrance
As he has repeatedly has done over the past months, Gov. Beshear on Tuesday again noted numbers alone cannot convey the depth of losing a family member or friend to the coronavirus. He shared another personal story of the Kentuckians lost in this fight.

“Gaynell Howard of Louisville is one of the beloved Kentuckians lost to the coronavirus. She was 89 years old and loved by her family. She was a mother of two sons, a grandmother to five grandchildren and a great-grandmother to four,” the Governor said. “They described Howard as generous. She never forgot a birthday. She always offered words of encouragement. Her children said she was a great mother – always patient and loving. She loved to read her Bible and always attended services at Eastern Star Baptist Church.”

Gov. Beshear said the last time her family spoke to her was March 9 after Treyton Oak Tower, where Gaynell lived, stopped visits because of the virus. Howard passed away April 13.

“During their last conversation her family told her, ‘We love you,’ and she told them the same,” he said.

More Information
Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 63 deaths resulting in a 2.8% mortality rate among known cases.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 19 cases in the hospital. We have had a total of 202 hospitalizations resulting in a 9.1% hospitalization rate among known cases. The latest state data shows that 67% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 17 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 1; Clinton: 1; Cumberland: 3; Pulaski: 8; Taylor: 1; and, Wayne: 3. In all, we have released 81.7% of our total cases.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,215 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 342 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 14 today: Casey: 1; Clinton: 1; McCreary: 2; Pulaski: 1; Russell: 2; Taylor: 5; and, Wayne: 2. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.015. This means our total case count is projected to double every 45.59 days.

New cases include:

• Casey: 29-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: 71-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: 53-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: 59-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: 31-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: 13-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: 10-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: 54-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: 46-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: 20-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: 47-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

We are glad we released 3 more cases today than we added new cases. However, our hospitalizations increased by 2 to 19. Our current trajectory predicts now that our total cases will double at just over every 45 days. Long-term care, business, and school related are the top three areas with which new cases are currently associated.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,215 Cumulative Confirmed and there have been 53,098 Confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 53,064 statewide plus 34 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2020) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the launch of the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund website, teamkyhherf.ky.gov, where Kentuckians now can visit and apply for assistance.

“As we continue to wage this battle against COVID-19, we must make sure renters have a home so they can be Healthy at Home, while also safeguarding landlords against undue financial hardship,” the Governor said.
 

“When we come out of this global health crisis, we don’t want Kentuckians facing such insurmountable debt from their housing situation that they are unable to recover. This program will provide some much-needed relief to eligible tenants and property owners during these unprecedented times.”

Kentuckians can visit the site to seek information on how to obtain a portion of $15 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money the Governor pledged to support the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. Details of the application of the funds include:

• Eligible landlords can be reimbursed for missed rent payments and receive some advance rent payments to keep tenants in their homes;
• For eligible tenants, the program pays up to 90 percent of past-due rent and may also cover up to two months of future rent;
• For approved applications, payments will be made directly to eligible landlords; and
• Kentuckians may submit applications beginning today, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020.

On Friday, Gov. Beshear, who has taken repeated steps to keep people from being evicted at the height of the pandemic, updated the state’s executive order on evictions to reflect the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31.

Under the CDC order, a tenant who signs and submits a declaration to his or her landlord about the inability to timely pay rent cannot be evicted. However, the declaration is required in order to prevent an eviction.

Like the Governor’s prior executive orders on evictions, the CDC order does not relieve anyone of the obligation to pay rent or comply with any other obligation under a tenancy, lease or similar contract. The CDC order allows landlords to charge and collect fees, penalties and interest for failure to timely pay rent, but prohibits evictions for nonpayment or late payment of such fees, penalties or interest.

The Governor also reminded Kentuckians of other programs helping Kentuckians pay rent, including the Team Kentucky Fund and the Louisville/Jefferson County Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund.

The Kentucky Supreme Court has issued the following orders (2020-59 and 2020-64) establishing the Jefferson County Eviction Diversion Pilot Project and the procedure for eviction proceedings in courts. Until the Court issues a new order, these are controlling.

Kentuckians seeking legal assistance can contact the Kentucky COVID-19 Legal Helpline or call toll-free: 833-540-0342. The service is sponsored by Kentucky’s Access to Justice Commission and the four Kentucky civil legal aid programs, AppalReD Legal Aid, Kentucky Legal Aid, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass and Legal Aid Society.

Lawyers who want to volunteer to provide direct legal assistance to Kentuckians in need during the pandemic can visit Together Lawyers Can.

On March 25, Gov. Beshear initially suspended evictions as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

More Information
More information about eligibility and how to apply is available at teamkyhherf.ky.gov.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and summaries of the Governor’s news conferences at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Terri Garner, 38, Russell Springs was arrested by RCSO on Monday morning for Disregarding a Traffic Control Device, Driving on a DUI Suspended License, Careless Driving, Public Intoxication, Failure to Produce Insurance and No Registration Receipt. She was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

News Release from R,C. Sheriff Derek Polston....

Tomkinsville, KY (September 7, 2020) - On Sunday, September 6th, 2020 at approximately 9:30pmCT, KSP Trooper Allen Shirley was on routine patrol on KY 163 in Monroe county when he initiated a traffic stop on a 2008 Chevy Cobalt for a traffic violation. When Tpr. Shirley activated his blue lights, the driver of the Cobalt accelerated refusing to stop. The driver fled for several miles before turning on Lee Humes Rd in Metcalfe County where he lost control in a curve. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot but was apprehended by Tpr. Shirley.
 

The driver, identified as 20-year-old Adam Cisneros of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee was airlifted from the scene to the University of Louisville Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Cisneros was charged with speeding 26 > MPH over the speed limit, fleeing or evading police 1st degree (motor vehicle), fleeing or evading police 2nd degree (on foot), wanton endangerment 1st degree-police officer, reckless driving, resisting arrest, failure to or improper signal, and failure to produce insurance card.
 

Tpr. Shirley was assisted by Tpr. Ricky Cross, Deputy Jared Steele, Tompkinsville P.D. Officers Aaron white and Ricky Shirley, Metcalfe Fire and EMS. 
 

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 7, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Monday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“I hope everyone is enjoying the Labor Day holiday weekend, and doing it as safely as possible,” the Governor said. “On Labor Day, we celebrate the people who have worked so hard to make this state and country great – their work has made all our enterprises succeed and organized labor’s fight for fair working conditions has elevated workers everywhere. This year more than ever, I’m thinking about all the nurses, doctors and other hospital support staffers and other frontline workers who have helped us during this pandemic. We also need to remember the thousands of teachers, administrators and others working to educate our children in these trying times. I hope you’ll join me on this Labor Day in thanking all of the essential workers who are sacrificing for the common good.

Remember, the best way to show people you care about them is to mask up, keep social distance, keep gatherings to 10 people or fewer and follow the other guidelines to keep us safe.”

Case Information
As of 2 p.m. Sept. 7, Gov. Beshear announced at least 53,064 cases in the commonwealth, 291 of which were newly reported Monday. Fifty-two of the newly reported cases were from children age 18 and younger, seven of which were ages 5 and under. The youngest was just 1 month old.

“We’re seeing a dip in the number of newly reported cases today, as we often do on weekends,” the Governor said. “Unfortunately we’ve set back-to-back records in the number of new coronavirus cases in just the last two weeks. We have to do better.”

The Governor announced no new deaths on Monday, leaving the total at 996 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

“I’ll take any day we’re not announcing new deaths, but we know this is only due to less reporting because of the long holiday weekend,” the Governor said. “We’ve lost nearly 1,000 of our fellow Kentuckians to this deadly virus. When we see rising cases like the last couple weeks, we know more deaths follow cases by a couple weeks. Let’s recommit to seeing fewer cases and deaths here.”

Due to limited reporting on Sundays and today’s federal Labor Day holiday, some information will be delayed until Tuesday.

Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Department for Public Health, praised Kentuckians for their commitment to blunting further spread of the coronavirus.

“Citizens of our commonwealth are demonstrating this concern for others by wearing face coverings when going out in public, keeping a social distance of at least six feet and thorough hand-washing,” Dr. Stack said.
 

“What troubles me is what we might see in two or three weeks and beyond if people don’t follow guidance, including limiting crowds to 10 people or under and congregating less frequently.”

Dr. Stack referred to a report provided each week from the White House to each state and territory. The Aug. 30 document identified 14 “red” counties, where the highest number of new cases were observed. (The report, usually posted on Mondays, is delayed this week until Tuesday due to Labor Day).

“We need to look at the 106 other counties as ‘smoldering,’” Dr. Stack said. “Just because we don’t live, work or visit a red county doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. All it takes is one event that brings a lot of people together to cause an outbreak and become a ‘red’ county. COVID-19 has a spectrum of impacts ranging from the inconvenience of quarantine to more severe consequences such as prolonged illness for many, hospitalization for some and death for the most vulnerable.”

As of Monday, at least 927,819 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 4.34%. The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 10,648.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Deaths: We are happy to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 63 deaths resulting in a 2.9% mortality rate among known cases.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 17 cases in the hospital. We have had a total of 200 hospitalizations resulting in a 9.1% hospitalization rate among known cases. The latest state data shows that 67% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 51 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 1; Casey: 1; Clinton: 2; Green: 9; McCreary: 5; Pulaski: 28; Russell: 1; and, Taylor: 4. In all, we have released 81.5% of our total cases.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,201 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 345 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 15 today: Casey: 3; Clinton: 1; Green: 3; Pulaski: 4; Russell: 1; Taylor: 2; and, Wayne: 1. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.017. This means our total case count is projected to double every 42.11 days.

New cases include:

• Casey: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Casey: A 78-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Casey: A 23-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Clinton: A 70-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 11-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 55-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 45-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 80-year-old male who is released, expired
• Pulaski: A 51-year-old female who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 63-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 19-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Russell: A 5-year-old female who is released, asymptomatic
• Taylor: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 41-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Wayne: A 37-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

One of our COVID-19 cases from Pulaski did die today, but we are unsure if COVID-19 will be listed as the primary cause of death. We will pass this along as soon as we find out.

We are very happy to report that we released 36 more cases today than we added new cases. Also, our hospitalizations decreased by 1 to 17. Our growth rate is slowing. Our current trajectory predicts now that our total cases will double at just over every 42 days.

Please, let’s all continue to do our part in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,201 Cumulative Confirmed and there have been 52,808 Confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 52,774 statewide plus 34 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report).
 

Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

Corona Virus Update 9-7-20

Russell County 1 new case yesterday, a 5 year old female who is self-isolated. We had 1 case released from isolation. We have 35 active cases which 32 cases are on self-isolation and 3 are hospitalized, 1 at UK in Lexington, 1 at VA in Louisville and 1 at Russell County Hospital.

Adair County No new cases of COVID 19 to report Sunday. We released 1 from isolation. We have 19 active cases with 16 in home isolation and 3 in area hospitals.

A Columbia man was taken into custody just after 2 a.m. this morning on possession of marijuana and other charges. Jeremy Boutwell, 23, was arrested by Officer Pritchard with the Russell Springs Police Department on charges of Possession of Marijuana, One Headlight, No Registration Plate, No Registration Receipt, and No Operators-Moped License. He was lodged into the Russell County Detention Center. 

Cassie Torres, 31, of Somerset, KY was arrested by Jerry Wine with the Russell County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday morning for Operating on a Suspended or Revoked Operators License.

Wesley Davis, 35, of Columbia, KY was arrested by Officer Dean with the Columbia Police Department Sunday evening. Davis was charged with Assault, 4^th Degree (Domestic Violence) No Visible Injury, Resisting Arrest, Menacing and Terroristic Threatening, 3^rd Degree.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 6, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Sunday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“The first positive case of COVID-19 in the commonwealth was announced six months ago today, in Harrison County,” the Governor said. “This week we recorded 4,742 new coronavirus cases. Last week we had 4,503. That means we’ve set a record for the number of weekly new cases for the second consecutive week. We’re facing the challenge of our lifetimes and we must do better. These past six months have been devastating for so many Kentucky families. These months also will be remembered as a time when Kentuckians lived up to our reputation as compassionate, resolute and resilient people who take care of one another.”

Case Information
As of 1:00pmCT on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 Gov. Beshear announced at least 52,774 cases in the commonwealth, 313 of which were newly reported Sunday. 43 of the newly reported cases were from children age 18 and younger, of which two were ages 5 and under. The youngest was just 27 days old.

“We’re seeing a dip in the number of new reported cases today, as we often do on weekends. Let’s remember that while we believe we’ve managed to hit a plateau in the growth of cases, what we really need is to have that number go down in a sustained way.”

The Governor announced 3 more deaths on Sunday, bringing the death total to 996.

“We’ve lost nearly 1,000 Kentuckians to the coronavirus. We can’t become numb to this,” the Governor said. “Today’s reported death toll is much lower than several days this week, but these still are three individuals whose families and friends are devastated and grieving. Let’s care for them and respect their grief by redoubling our efforts to keep each other safe.”

The deaths reported Sunday included a 75-year-old woman from Harlan County; an 81-year-old woman from Lewis County; and an 86-year-old man from Fayette County.

Due to limited reporting on Sundays and the federal Labor Day holiday on Monday, some information will be delayed until Tuesday.

“Pleasant weather across Kentucky and a holiday weekend may result in more cases reported. We’ll know in two to three weeks,” said Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

“It’s important to be resolute and learn from experience. Please don’t jam sidewalks, restaurants and bars with masks hanging below your chins. Don’t gather in groups larger than 10 and, if you see a larger crowd, stay away,” Dr. Stack said. “As the governor noted, cases are on the rise, and we have to do better. The choices Kentuckians make this weekend and every day will determine whether the phased reopening of our economy succeeds or fails. The choices Kentuckians make will also determine how many Kentuckians get hurt or die in the months ahead. With COVID-19 at its current elevated rates, the risk that any person we come into contact with is a carrier of the coronavirus is much higher.”

Dr. Stack encourages everyone to stay Healthy at Home whenever possible; wear a face covering whenever in public; remain at least six feet apart from anyone with whom you don’t live; and wash your hands often.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

Deaths: We are pleased to report no new deaths today. We have experienced a total of 63 deaths resulting in a 2.9% mortality rate among known cases.

Hospitalizations: We presently have 18 cases in the hospital. We have had a total of 199 hospitalizations resulting in a 9.1% hospitalization rate among known cases. The latest state data shows that 69% of ICU beds and 26% of ventilator capacity are being utilized.

Released (Not contagious) Cases: We released 29 cases today from isolation. Released cases include: Adair: 1; Casey: 1; Cumberland: 2; Green: 9; McCreary: 4; Pulaski: 10; and, Taylor: 2. In all, we have released 79.7% of our total cases.

Total (Cumulative) Cases: The Lake Cumberland District has experienced a total of 2,186 cases since the onset of the outbreak.

Active (Current) Cases: Taking all things into account, this leaves us with 381 active cases in our district across all 10 of our district’s 10 counties.

New Cases: We report that our total case count has increased by 17 today: Green: 6; McCreary: 1; Pulaski: 8; and, Taylor: 2. Our current new case growth rate is: 1.018. This means our total case count is projected to double every 38.25 days.

NEW CASES INCLUDE:

• Green: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 18-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 87-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 52-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 18-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Green: A 17-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• McCreary: A 50-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 35-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 26-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 42-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 36-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 64-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 75-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Pulaski: A 62-year-old male who is self-isolated, asymptomatic
• Pulaski: A 68-year-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 38-year-old male who is self-isolated, still symptomatic
• Taylor: A 1 month-old female who is self-isolated, still symptomatic

First, we only report 17 new cases today (I remember when 3 cases in one day seemed overwhelming). We are also glad to report no new deaths. Our hospitalizations went up by one to 18, but is significantly lower than our all-time high of 32.

Too often it seems we are only able to report bad news. There are some good (at least moderately good) things to report this week. While the state had its worse week since the onset of the outbreak as far as new cases, ours, after two weeks of sharp increase, decreased this week. Last week we added 267 new cases, this week, 258. While compared to last Saturday, we have 5 additional active cases (381 versus 376), today’s active count of 381 is 29 below our high on Wednesday of 410. Let’s hope the good news carries over into next week.

I was asked by one of the physicians on my Board this week about several groups, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recommending schools go back to in-person instruction. I responded that I knew there are many things to consider and that there isn’t any easy answers. No matter if we at the health department think a return to in-person instruction is a good idea or not, we continue to work diligently with all area schools to review their sports and re-opening plans and to give input on how they can reduce the risk of spreading the disease. Of course, nothing can eliminate all risk. Even with many schools not yet having face-to-faces sessions, we still have 36 current cases tied back to school-age children, or faculty/staff of schools, or of kids in college.

I guess the question is, “How much ‘normal’ can we achieve during the COVID-19 pandemic without breaking the health-care system”? I don’t have the answer to that. Regardless, until there is a vaccine, I do know some ways we can slow the spread. We should all do our part to slow the spread of this disease by wearing our face coverings, avoiding crowds (especially in confined spaces), social distancing when around others, increasing our hand hygiene, increasing our general sanitation, and by avoiding the touching of our faces.

The Lake Cumberland area has experienced 2,186 Cumulative Confirmed Cases (1% of our area’s total population) and there have been 52,503 Confirmed COVID-19 cases across all 120 Kentucky Counties as of today (this includes 52,464 statewide plus 39 recently reported cases in Lake Cumberland not in the Governor’s/Department for Public Health’s daily report). Regardless of the confirmed case count for any Lake Cumberland County, we believe COVID-19 to be widespread. The LCDHD is working tirelessly, including nights and weekends, to identify and contact all those with whom any positive case may have come into close contact, and to follow-up daily with positive cases. Additionally, we are striving diligently to follow-up on business-related complaints regarding noncompliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.

For more statistics and local data go to LCDHD COVID-19 Information.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

“This Derby day is very different for many reasons,” said Gov. Beshear. “Kentuckians are battling inequities, injustice and a global health pandemic brought on by COVID-19. For those who make your voice heard today, we are continuing to listen. For Kentuckians gathering today or over the holiday weekend, I ask you to please do so safely.”

Case Information
As of 4 p.m. Sept. 5, Gov. Beshear said there were at least 52,464 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 790 of which were newly reported Saturday. Ninety-eight of the newly reported cases were from children age 18 and younger, with 12 age 5 and younger. The youngest is just three months old.

“Now that the weekend is here, it is critical that Kentuckians take the steps necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Beshear said. “While our positivity rate is lower at 4.22%, we still have nearly 800 new cases. We need everyone to keep gatherings to less than 10 people, wash your hands frequently, social distance and wear a mask.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported six new deaths Saturday. The total number of Kentuckians now lost to the virus is 993.

“We have sadly lost 6 more Kentuckians,” Gov. Beshear said. “Please light your homes and places of business up green tonight to show compassion for these Kentuckians and their families.”

The deaths reported Saturday include a 77-year-old man from Bell County; a 67-year-old man from Madison County; a 68-year-old woman from Marion County; a 72-year-old man from Nelson County; an 80-year-old man from Scott County; and a 59-year-old man from Todd County.

As of Saturday, at least 930,374 tests had been administered. The COVID-19 testing positive rate, based on a seven-day rolling average, taking into account total positive tests reported by laboratories divided by total tests reported by labs, stood at 4.22%.
 

The number of Kentuckians who are known to have recovered was at least 10,613.

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.

Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Beshear and his administration at governor.ky.gov, kycovid19.ky.gov and the Governor’s official social media accounts Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Kentuckians can also access translated COVID-19 information and daily summaries of the Governor’s news conference at teamkentuckytranslations.com.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 4, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday updated Kentuckians on the state’s continuing efforts to fight the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in the commonwealth.

“I know this is a big weekend: Derby weekend, even though it’s September, and Labor Day weekend,” said Gov. Beshear. “Traditionally, we’d get together with a lot of people over this weekend. This year, I need you to do it a little differently. Just this one time, probably in your entire life, please keep your gatherings small, 10 people or fewer.”

Case Information
As of 3:00pmCT on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020 Gov. Beshear reported that there are at least 51,677 cases in Kentucky, 809 of which were newly reported Friday. 98 of the newly reported cases were from children age 18 and younger, of which eight were children ages 5 and under. The youngest was a 2-month-old baby from Jefferson County.

“We’re trying to keep our businesses open and get our economy to bounce back. We’re going to get our kids back in school later this month. We’re trying to get high school sports up and going and keep them going,” said Gov. Beshear. “So we really need you to help us on all the other things like wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and social distancing.”

Unfortunately, Gov. Beshear reported 11 new deaths Friday, raising the total to 987 Kentuckians lost to the virus.

The deaths reported Friday include a 61-year-old man from Barren County; 88-year-old woman from Carroll County; an 82-year-old man from Clinton County; an 82-year-old woman from Hardin County; two men, ages 72 and 77, from Jefferson County; a 77-year-old woman from Kenton County; a 67-year-old woman from Marion County; a 75-year-old man from Owsley County; a 79-year-old woman from Rockcastle County; and a 64-year-old woman from Warren County.

“I know how much we all want to see our families and friends for this holiday, but for one year, we need to prioritize making sure every person we care about is around to celebrate with us next year,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have already lost so many Kentuckians, and I don’t want that loss to be even greater. It will be if we have a spike in cases.”

As of Friday, there have been at least 910,697 coronavirus tests performed in Kentucky. The positivity rate currently stands at 4.70%. At least 10,587 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus. 

For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here. To see all recent daily reports, click here.

Information about COVID-19 and schools is also being made available. To view the reports, click here for K-12 and here for colleges and universities.

Evictions Executive Order Updated
Today, Gov. Beshear, who has taken repeated steps to keep people from being evicted at the height of the pandemic, updated the state’s executive order on evictions to reflect the Center for Disease Control’s moratorium on residential evictions through Dec. 31.

Under the CDC order, a tenant who signs and submits a declaration to his or her landlord about the inability to timely pay rent cannot be evicted. However, the declaration is required in order to prevent an eviction.

Like the Governor’s prior executive orders on evictions, the CDC order does not relieve anyone of the obligation to pay rent or comply with any other obligation under a tenancy, lease or similar contract. The CDC order allows landlords to charge and collect fees, penalties and interest for failure to timely pay rent, but prohibits evictions for nonpayment or late payment of such fees, penalties or interest.

Under the Governor’s executive order, the CDC order applies in Kentucky through the end of the year and helps keep Kentuckians Healthy at Home. The commonwealth’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, which includes $15 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, will still provide relief for some eligible tenants and landlords. More details will be announced on Tuesday.

Face Coverings Mandate Extended
Today, Gov. Beshear extended the commonwealth’s mandate for face coverings in some situations for another 30 days, citing the mandate’s success in slowing the spread of COVID-19. To read the new executive order, click here.

Pharmacy Refills Update
Today, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order that extends previous orders allowing pharmacists to dispense 30-day refills. The current executive order is set to expire Sunday at midnight, the new order will be effective for 30 days beginning September 6.

Week in Review
For more information on this week’s updates, including those on Overdose Awareness Day, voting, the state’s travel advisory, COVID-19 testing, funding for access roads, an enhanced victim notification system (VINE), child care guidelines, poll worker recruitment, the 2020 census, unemployment claims, Kentucky State Parks recognized as “Best in Kentucky,” grants for Eastern Kentucky communities, Wilde Brands, the Tompkinsville Bypass opening, airport improvement grants, the Kentucky Derby and a COVID-19 vaccine timeline, visit governor.ky.gov/news.