Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter have announced that they are offering assistance to those who may need help feeding their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are being accepted at fohcas.org. There must be a real financial need for the assistance, and vouchers for the food will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis based on need. The shelter is currently closed to the public, and is undergoing deep cleaning.
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Cases of COVID-19 continue to grow in the surrounding area, with Grayson County becoming the latest area with a confirmed case. In a statement released yesterday, the Grayson County Health Center confirmed the presence of a positive case of the virus in the community. Officials with the Health Center remind community members to remain calm and to practice social distancing, as well as to stay home if sick. The age and gender of the individual has not yet been released.
In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 198 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. This marked 35 new positive cases, which was less than the previous day’s total. However, with this announcement came sad news, as the fifth death related to COVID-19 was confirmed. The victim, a 75-year-old male from Jefferson County, had underlying health issues. In terms of new steps being taken, Governor Beshear ordered a halt to all residential evictions, expanded unemployment eligibility to the self-employed, independent contractors, and freelance workers, and gave a status update on a potential new way of testing for the virus. Beginning next week, the first drive-thru test facility will be established in the Commonwealth. Hopefully starting on Monday, a single location for a specific group who are showing symptoms will be opened. The Governor says that this is a test concept that, if successful, could lead to several more such facilities opening next week, which would allow for far more testing than before.
Hardin Memorial Health has announced that effective today, visitation at Hardin Memorial Hospital has been suspended, with only essential caregivers allowed to accompany patients for medical appointments or tests. The organization has been progressively restricting access to the hospital and medical office to protect patients from COVID-19. There will be limited exceptions, allowing one healthy visitor, who will be screened prior to visitation, for patients under eighteen, women in labor, end of life patients, hospice patients, dependent patients who require assistance, and outpatient surgery and cath lab patients. These visitors are asked to enter at the main registration and patient pick-up entrance. For more information on Hardin Memorial’s policies and response to COVID-19, visit hmh.net.
The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Shaw Station Road in Leitchfield in an attempt to stop a reckless driver. Officers made contact with the driver, 29-year-old Mercedes Goldsmith of Louisville, who is a repeat offender with the Sheriff’s Office. Goldsmith had several warrants for her arrest, and her vehicle was searched. The inspection led to the discovery of meth, marijuana, and a handgun in the car and on Goldsmith’s person. She also failed sobriety tests conducted by officers. Goldsmith was charged with several traffic violations, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. She was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center. The investigation is ongoing.