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Clerk’s office asks for continued patience as KAVIS roll-out slowly progresses

The new KAVIS software program for Kentucky vehicle registrations debuted this week, and things at the Hardin County Clerk’s Office are slowly but surely coming together after experiencing some bugs with the system earlier in the week.

“The team there at KAVIS is trying to fix those as we go along, but we are experiencing slower transaction times and longer lines at the clerk’s office,” said Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith. “That’s not something we ever want to see. We want folks to be able to come in, do their business, and get right back on the road. Unfortunately, we are just dealing with a system that isn’t perfect.”

He said the clerk’s office has also been communicating with clerk’s offices in other counties on their experiences with the system. Some people may be able to avoid the line and go online to drive.ky.gov, but not everybody.

“If you have back-due taxes on any of your vehicles you may not be able to proceed, or there may be an issue where an old vehicle remains on your record,” Smith said. “You may have sold it a couple of years ago. You;ll need to get that straightened out with the PVA, but we can help point you in the right direction.”

Smith has high praise for his staff and gratitude for the public.

“I’m very, very proud of the clerk’s office staff,” Smith said. “They’re adapting to this very quickly. I want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to the Hardin County Public. They have been very, very patient with us, for the most part, as we work through this.”

Smith is posting updates as they become available to the Hardin County Clerk’s Office’s Facebook page.

Hosparus Health preparing to debut PACE program

Hosparus Health President and CEO David Cook said the company’s new project Care Guide Partners PACE will be a valuable healthcare resource for the community.

“PACE is an acronym that stands for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and it really is all-inclusive,” Cook said. “From covering all of their medical needs to transportation to the adult day, primary care, restorative therapies, socialization, and just fun, so we’re really excited to bring this additional level of support to folks in the community.”

Cook discussed the new program while serving as the keynote speaker for the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s first membership luncheon of the new year. He said the ultimate goal of the program is to help elderly people maintain independence.

“It’s just really a great solution for individuals who are facing serious illness that want to continue to live at home but are struggling to be able to do that and may not have the financial resources necessary to hire in-home support,” Cook said.

Cook said Hosparus is in the final stretch of getting approval from the state and the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which should be completed around the first of March. More information will be made available at that time, but people interested in learning more can still reach out.

“We haven’t launched our website right now, but you can go to the sister organization Hosparus Health, and you can get some information there,” Cook said. “Postings as far as jobs because we’re hiring for some of these positions right now will be available there as well, and you can reach out through the Hosparus Health website with any questions you might have.”

The PACE center will be located at 109 Buffalo Creek Drive in Elizabethtown.

USPS asks public to help letter carriers by clearing snow and ice

National Weather Service Meteorologist Evan Webb says another round of winter weather may be on its way to the area this weekend.

“An unusually strong storm system that’s going to bring rain, strong winds,” Webb said. “It’s possible that another Wind Advisory will be issued at some point late in the week, and then some much colder air behind that system over the weekend.”

With winter weather in the forecast, the U.S. Postal Service is asking customers to help mail carriers by clearing snow and ice from sidewalks, stairs, and mailboxes.

Uneven surfaces, wet pavement, and snow and ice can pose a threat to postal service employees, so maintaining a clear path to the mailbox will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service. Customers that receive curbside delivery should remove snow piles to maintain access to mailboxes.

Additionally, post offices will be closed Monday, January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular operations will resume Tuesday.

Semi slams into cruiser of KSP trooper investigating accident on WKP

A trooper with the Kentucky State Police was investigating an accident on the Western Kentucky Parkway when he had to then investigate a second collision, this time involving his own vehicle.

The KSP says Trooper Scott Wheatley was outside his cruiser on the westbound side of the Western Kentucky Parkway near mile marker 113 in Grayson County Wednesday to investigate a single-vehicle injury collision. While his car was parked in the emergency lane with its emergency lights activated, the cruiser was struck by a semi-tractor trailer also traveling west on the parkway.

The semi suffered minor damage, while the cruiser sustained significant damage. Neither Trooper Wheatley or the semi driver were injured, and traffic on the parkway was not impacted.

Red Cross declares emergency blood shortage

The American Red Cross says the amount of people giving blood has dropped to its lowest point in the last 20 years, and the organization has declared an emergency blood shortage.

The Red Cross says a 40 percent drop in blood donation has created dramatic consequences for an already struggling blood supply, and new blood and platelet donations are needed to ensure lifesaving procedures are able to proceed without delay.

“Our cancer patients use blood on a regular basis,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “Any type of emergency or trauma into our emergency room, we have to make sure the blood is there when the patient gets there, because the need for blood doesn’t stop for any type of disaster.” 

The Red Cross says blood supplies are only available based on the generosity of people willing to roll up a sleeve and contribute. The process for new donors getting started is an easy one.

“They can schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS,” Ritchie said. “They’ll tell them the zip code they live in, and they can get them the blood drive closest to them.”

All who come to give blood during the month of January will be entered into a drawing to win a trip for two to Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas. Visit RedCrossBlood.org for more details.