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Health officials urge vaccination after third infant death from whooping cough reported

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The Kentucky Department of Public Health on Monday announced the death of a Kentucky infant from pertussis. This marks the third infant death in Kentucky in the past 12 months due to the disease, commonly known as whooping chough.

According to the KDPH, as of November 19 there have been 566 cases of whooping cough in Kentucky, and health officials anticipate that number will climb in the final weeks of the year. The KDPH says it’s the largest spike in cases reported in the commonwealth since 2012.

The KDPH confirmed that none of the three infants who have died due to the disease over the last twelve months were vaccinated, nor were their mothers. Health officials say the best way to prevent whooping cough is by receiving the TDaP or DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Infants can receive the vaccine at two months, and the vaccine is recommended for women during pregnancy.

Whooping cough vaccination is required for Kentucky school children, however data from the 2024-2025 Kentucky school immunization survey indicates that only 86 percent of kindergartners and 85 percent of seventh graders are up to date on their required pertussis vaccines.

Symptoms of whooping cough typically begin with a runny or congested nose and mild coughing, then after one to two weeks symptoms include rapid, violent coughing fits that may cause the characteristic “whooping” sound, vomiting, or labored breathing. Find more information on the KDPH whooping cough website, and talk with your doctor about vaccination information.

ECTC graduation rate nearly 20 percent above national average

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Elizabethtown Community and Technical College recently announced new student success rate numbers, and the college says their students continue to see long-term growth in graduation, retention, and course completion rates.

ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate says for 2024-2025, ECTC posted a graduation rate of 58.7 percent, nearly 20 percent higher than the national average for two-year colleges.

“Which is kind of how they measure these things to see that when you bring students in and they’re seeking a degree, are they getting out on time and getting on with their life, and I think this just continues to show that the faculty and staff at ECTC are fully committed to our students and our community, and we’re very, very proud to be at a 58.7 graduation rate,” Pate said.

The graduation rate is up from a 31 percent rate eight years ago, and the fall 2024 course success rate came in at 79.6 percent, up 12 percent. Pate says the numbers show that ECTC is providing what it needs to a diverse student body.

“Our students are in and out,” Pate said. “They all have jobs and lives and families. Whether they’re 18 or 50, there’s a lot going on in their lives as they’re a student. As we look at those other metrics that show that students are passing their courses and they are getting into their intended major sooner rather than later, all of these things matter.”

Pate says the growth of student success is something the college and the community can take pride in.

“It’s really a testament to how we as a community, we as a faculty, and we as a staff of the college really committed to wanting a better future for ourselves and our children, our community members,” Pate said. “That commitment to a better future and then committing to doing this work, those are the things that we should take pride in.”

That success played a part in ECTC being among 200 community colleges invited to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Visit ECTC’s website to learn more.

LTADD sends underwater drone to Nelson County EMA to boost area emergency response

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The Lincoln Trail Area Development District board took steps to support regional emergency management with the transfer of the district’s underwater drone to the Nelson County Emergency Management Agency, along with investments to expand that agency’s existing dive team.

“We have a ROV underwater drone that is basically used for emergency management, for response and recovery, emergency scenarios, to where we can support our region,” said LTADD Community Development Specialist Leslie Ashlock.

The underwater drone is part of a fleet of 10 drones LTADD has acquired through grant funding and private partnerships to support district counties in responding to disasters and emergencies, along with a more high-tech drone used for mapping, GIS, and search and rescue.

Ashlock said supporting the growth of the Nelson County EMA dive team gives LTADD the opportunity to support emergency response across a growing region.

“Nelson County has an additional five individuals that have joined the dive team, so with equipment and with water suits we were able to help them build that out some, so they’ll be able to respond throughout the entire Lincoln Trail region,” Ashlock said.

The region saw high-profile examples of the importance of quick and efficient emergency response with disasters this past February and April.

“As we’re building out this team, it’s going to make us stronger,” Ashlock said. “It’s going to make us be more prepared, and back in April and in February, we had to call in teams from out of state,” Ashlock said. “Hopefully, as we’re building this and we’re training and we’re bringing on more capacity and bodies, we won’t have to do that. We’ll be able to respond within our eight-county region.”

Visit www.ltadd.org for more information.

Hardin County woman wins Kentucky Farm Bureau award

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A Hardin County woman is being recognized by Kentucky Farm Bureau.

Melissa Miller has been named the recipient of KFB’s 2025 Generation Bridge Advocate of the Year Award.

According to KFB, the award honors a Farm Bureau member “who demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication to bridging generations within the organization – creating opportunities for members of all ages to engage, share experiences, and strengthen the future of agriculture.”

Miller is an active member of the Hardin County Farm Bureau Board, and has served on multiple committees for the organization. She is the executive director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, a graduate of KFB’s Leadership Enhancement for Agriculture Development Program, and a former KFB Excellence in Agriculture winner.

KFB says at the county level Miller “helps organize outreach projects, volunteers for community education efforts, and encourages new and longtime members to share ideas and experiences, fostering the intergenerational dialogue that defines Generation Bridge’s mission.”

Learn more about Kentucky Farm Bureau at www.kyfb.com.

Local organizations among domestic violence funding recipients

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Several area organizations were included in the latest round of funding aimed at helping prevent sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and staking in Kentucky.

Governor Andy Beshear on Thursday announced that 29 agencies and organizations across Kentucky would be receiving $2.1 million in federal grant funding through the Violence Against Women Act.

According to a release from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, the funding comes from the federal VAWA Services, Training, Officers, Prosecution (STOP) Formula Grant Program, which allows state agencies to allocate funding for law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service organizations, and state and local courts. The program encourages a focus on projects that serve victims of intimate partner violence.

Area organizations included in the funding announcement include the Baptist Health Hardin Foundation, which received $80,475 for the sexual assault nurse examiner and forensic team program in Elizabethtown, as well as SpringHaven Inc., which received $51,019 to employ a victim advocate to provide outreach services. Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services received $50,000.

More information on the funding program and a complete list of recipients can be found at justice.ky.gov. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs assistance, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or online at www.zerov.org.