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USDA offering emergency loans for farms impacted by summer drought

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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.

Red Cross still encouraging donations amdist national blood supply crisis

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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.

Former KSP Trooper Island director indicted for alleged theft of funds

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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.

Lawyers in Nicholas Houck trial agree on move to Owenton

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The lawyers in the Nicholas Houck Perjury trial have agreed on a new location.

The Nelson Circuit Court Clerk’s Office on Tuesday provided an agreed upon order from the 10th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and Houck’s defense attorney Michael Ferguson, with the sides in agreement to move the November 9 trial to Owenton, KY, located about 80 miles northeast of Bardstown

Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III will need to approve the order. Simms on August 6 gave the prosecution and defense until August 28 to come to an agreement on a new venue. Both Ferguson and Commonwealth’s Attorney Kyle Williamson were optimistic that an agreement could be made, but Williamson expressed concerns with finding a location that could be ready in time for the November 9 trial date.

Houck is charged with Class D Felony Perjury. The indictment indicates the alleged crime occurred between 2015 and 2023. His brother, Brooks Houck, was found guilty for the Murder of Crystal Rogers, who disappeared in July of 2015. Brooks Houck’s 2025 trial was moved out of Bardstown to Bowling Green, KY.

Hardin County Fiscal Court hears updates

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The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

Hardin County Animal Care and Control Director Mike McNutt provided an update on July activity for the animal shelter.

“We adopted 49, which was significantly down,” McNutt said. “We returned 34, which was up.”

The live release rate at the shelter for July was 93 percent, with the cat live release rate at 96 percent. McNutt said animal control responded to 212 complaints, mostly relating to the heat.

Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom said inmates at the Hardin County Detention Center collected 1,304 bags of trash along 118.6 miles of county roads in July, a number that was down as they also assisted at the Hardin County Fair.

“Intake for the month is 456, release is 442, and average daily population is 600, with 561 on the physical count without temporary releases,” Lindblom said.

Hardin County Emergency Management Deputy Director Richard DeWitt said during the previous fiscal year the EMA office issued 53 emergency notifications and responses and staff completed more than 350 hours of training. Recent emergency preparedness efforts included the creation of a supply stockpile for the first 72 hours after a disaster and the placement of mile markers along the Rough River to assist in search and rescue operations.

DeWitt also said the office is working on developing a submission form residents can submit storm damage reports to.

“They can give us a little bit of information, and it comes straight to us, so it helps us get started into looking into areas for damage,” DeWitt said.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet August 25.