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Respiratory virus season typically ramps up in October, and the Kentucky Department for Public Health reminds residents to stay home if sick, wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay up to date on vaccinations.

Lincoln Trail District Health Department Public Relations Officer Melissa Phillips says the health department has about 15 vaccinations available through their adult vaccination program, including the main culprits of respiratory virus season.

“Flu, COVID, pneumonia, RSV, but even things like shingles, which some folks have a hard time finding that vaccine,” said Phillips. “Tdap, which has that whooping cough in it, that pertussis, if you’re around babies this time of year.”

Appointments to the health department can be made by phone call only.

“We want you to talk to an adult, especially our senior adults that sometimes have a hard time making those appointments online, and maybe you need more than one service, so we want you to talk to a live person, so you’ll just call the health department in the county that you’re closest to,” Phillips said. “You don’t have to live in that county to receive services from us, but we do cover Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington.”

Contact the health department or your primary care provider for more information on vaccinations.

The Stephen Foster Drama Association invites the community to come out for some free, family-friendly fall fun as the Bardstown Scarecrow Trail returns to the driveway of the Stephen Foster Story Amphitheater for its second year, opening today.

“This year we have over 70 scarecrows on display, which is up from last year, which was our first year of the event, and now that our scarecrows have been created, collected, and displayed, the Scarecrow Trail is open daily until dusk,” said SFDA Executive Artistic Director Johnny Warren.

The trail, which will be open through October 31, features scarecrows created by area businesses, organizations, schools, and artists. The scarecrow trail is free to visit, but donations are accepted to support the mission of the drama association.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to get outside and do something together and celebrate the fall in Bardstown,” Warren said. “There’s also a voting element, so you can vote for your favorite scarecrow, and that’s a competition element among our businesses. Everybody wants to get the most votes for their scarecrow.”

Visit stephenfoster.com/scarecrow after your visit to vote, and follow The Stephen Foster Story on Facebook for updates on the upcoming 2027 season.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is set to host their bi-annual auction of surplus items and confiscated hunting and fishing equipment.

The auction will be held at the KFW headquarters, located at 1 Sportsman’s Lane in Frankfort, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 5. Registration will open two hours before the auction.

KFW says under state law only qualified Kentucky residents may bid on confiscated items, and some items will require a criminal background check. A large selection of boats, boat trailers, and motors are included in the auction items, and titles and registrations will be available the day of.

Confiscated items “are obtained through court order and as the result of a violation of fish and wildlife laws.” Proceeds from the auction are directed into the department’s fish and game fund, which is used for normal operating expenses and wildlife conservation and related recreation programs.

A complete list of available items can be found on the Surplus and Confiscated Items Auction webpage at fw.ky.gov.