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An emergency designation from the United States Department of Agriculture means emergency support is available for farmers impacted by severe drought.
The USDA issued the natural disaster designation for counties that suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of D2 (Severe) for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional). Primary counties eligible include Breckinridge, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, and Nelson. Contiguous counties that are also eligible include Bullitt, Grayson, and Meade.
The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers through emergency loans. The USDA says the loans can be used to meet recovery needs “including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts.”
The FSA will review loans based on “the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability”. Contact your local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov to access resources to determine program or loan options.
The American Red Cross says the ongoing national blood supply crisis deepens “an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.”
“We like to keep at least a three-day supply on hand,” said Red Cross Account Manager Lou Zimmerman. “At one point on Os, we got down to a half-day supply, so basically one-sixth of what we need on hand.”
The Red Cross says blood donations often see a dip in summer, but further strains on the blood supply resulted from a decrease in donations due to extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses.
Zimmerman says the average donation visit takes less than an hour. As an added incentive, donors between now and August 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.
“Please come on out and join us,” Zimmerman said. “The blood supply is very low. Like we said, it’s only the second time that the Red Cross has ever declared a blood crisis. All blood types are needed, especially O.”
Visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information on donating or to schedule an appointment. Appointments may also be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or in the Blood Donor app.
A former Kentucky State Police Post Four trooper who was in charge of Trooper Island is accused of stealing funds from the youth camp located on Dale Hollow Lake.
According to an indictment from Clinton Circuit Court, Jonathan M. Biven was indicted by a grand jury on August 6 on a charge of Class C Felony Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition, more than $10,000 but less than $1 million.
The indictment alleges that Biven “unlawfully took or exercised control over revenue and or monies, the movable property of Trooper Island with the intent to deprive the owner thereof.” The indictment states the alleged theft took place between January 1, 2019, and September 30, 2024.
Biven retired from the KSP after 21.5 years at the end of September 2024. He is currently employed as a public safety officer at Muhammed Ali International Airport in Louisville, and the Louisville Regional Airport Authority said in a statement Biven has been placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.
Biven is scheduled to appear for an arraignment hearing in Clinton Circuit Court on September 10. A class c felony carries a potential prison term of five to 10 years.
This week we meet Spaz, a 1 year old female brown tiger stripe that has bright yellow eyes and Mister Marshal, a 2 year old yellow lab mix weighing 50 pounds, 2 pets looking for new Furever homes. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the shelter at 270-769-3428, visit their Facebook page at Hardin County Animal Shelter – Elizabethtown or stop by in person at 220 Peterson Drive in E-town. Furever Friends is brought to you by locally veteran-owned, Pet Supplies Plus, at 209 Towne Drive in Elizabethtown.
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