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Health Matters with Fresh Start: Type 2 Diabetes Screening

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By: Vanessa Flannery, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Fresh Start Health, Grayson

Type 2 diabetes is a common and serious disease in the United States and worldwide. However, it’s thought that one-third of those with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have this serious illness. Because often there are no symptoms with type 2 diabetes, early screening may help people avoid the more serious complications of this disease, including chronic hyperglycemia that’s associated with long-term damage of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels. Persons with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes have a significantly higher risk for stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Individuals with diabetes also have a greater likelihood of abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Who Should Be Screened for Diabetes?

According to the American Diabetes Association, all patients should be screened for diabetes at three-year intervals beginning at age 45, especially people who are overweight or obese. If multiple risk factors are present, screening should be done at an earlier age and more frequently. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults with high blood pressure or high cholesterol be screened for type 2 diabetes (insulin-resistant diabetes) in an effort to reduce cardiovascular disease.

What Are the Diabetes Risk Factors?

Common risk factors for diabetes include:

  • Family history of diabetes (parents or siblings with diabetes)
  • Overweight (a body mass index equal to or greater than 25)
  • Habitual physical inactivity
  • Race/ethnicity (including African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Pacific Islanders)
  • History of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
  • High blood pressure (equal to or greater than 140/90 in adults)
  • Abnormal lipids: HDL cholesterol equal to or less than 35 mg/dL and/or a triglyceride level equal to or greater than 250 mg/dL
  • History of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing more than nine pounds
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome

What Test Is Used to Screen for Diabetes?

The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the hemoglobin A1C test can be used for screening.  Normal fasting blood glucose — or blood sugar — is between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL for people who do not have diabetes. The standard diagnosis of diabetes is made when two separate blood tests show that your fasting blood glucose level is greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL.  The hemoglobin A1c test (also called the glycated hemoglobin test or HbA1c), is an important diabetes blood test used to determine how well your diabetes is being controlled. This diabetes test provides an average of your blood sugar control over a six- to 12-week period and is used in conjunction with home blood sugar monitoring to make adjustments in your diabetes medicines. The HbA1c level can also be used to diagnose diabetes if a value of equal to or greater than 6.5% is found.

What if the Diabetes Screening Test Is Negative?

If the screening test for diabetes is negative, continue to have follow-up screening tests every three years or as recommended by your doctor. However, your doctor may do further screening tests for diabetes if they suspect that you have diabetes or prediabetes and your initial screening result is negative.  In addition, you can lower your chances of getting diabetes by losing weight, keeping your blood pressure and lipids at normal levels, and exercising regularly.

What if the Diabetes Screening Test Is Positive?

If the screening test for diabetes is positive, you may need further testing to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Your provider may prescribe medication, along with a diet, regular exercise regimen, and lifestyle program, to help you manage your blood sugar and prevent serious problems.

Fresh Start Health Centers located at 212 East Third Street in Grayson is accepting new patients and would love to get you screened for Type 2 Diabetes.  Call 606-225-8200 ext. 114 to set up an appointment to be screened.  We look forward to helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Extension Notes: All-weather surfaces can improve livestock mobility

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By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

As an attentive livestock producer, you have probably noticed your animals tend to follow the same paths to get food and water. Over time, these well-traveled paths start to lose their vegetation and erode the topsoil, particularly if they endure heavy traffic from large animals. Erosion not only wears away your topsoil, but it makes it difficult for livestock to continue to effortlessly move along these paths. In wet weather, these paths get slick and muddy and can become treacherous for animals.  

You can help your animals move along these paths by installing all-weather surfaces, such as mechanical concrete. Mechanical concrete uses tires, geotextile fabric and dense-grade aggregate stone to create a sturdy surface for animals to travel. 

Use a backhoe or trackhoe with a 36-inch bucket to create an 8-inch-deep trench down the well-traveled path and cover the trench with nonwoven geotextile fabric. The fabric provides drainage, friction and overall path stability. Next, remove the sidewalls of the tires leaving the tread. Semitruck tires are the best size for this project. Once you install the tires in the path, cover them with dense-grade aggregate rock.  

This pathway should last for many years and will allow your animals to use less energy moving around your farm.  

You can get more information about installing these all-weather surfaces in the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension publication AEN 165: Improving Cow Paths. It is available online at http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/AEN/AEN165/AEN165.pdf or by contacting the Carter County Extension office. 

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.  

Upcoming Extension Events:

  • Beef Quality Care & Assurance Trainings – March 10 @ 6:00 PM & March 15 @ 10:00 AM– Call 474-6686 to register.
  • Private Pesticide Applicator Certification – March 11 @ 2:00 – Call 474-6686 to register.  
  • Hike & Learn – March 18 @ 1:00 – Carter Caves Cascade Cave Flashlight Tour
  • Northeast Area Livestock Association Meeting – March 22 @ 6:00 – Topic: Weed Control to Improve Productivity of Grazed Pastures

Billy Joe Griggs

Mr. Billy Joe Griggs age 54, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022 at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky.

He was born October 25, 1967 a son of the late Lerian and Betty Lou Yarber Griggs.

Billy was a carpenter. He loved talking, trading, ginsenging going out to eat with his family, produce auctions, spending time with family, grandchildren and his special dog, Breezie.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by two brothers, Danny Griggs and Jerry Griggs; two sisters, Rita Curtis and Tammy Sue Griggs; one niece that he thought of as his granddaughter, Brooklyn Rain Sloas.

Billy is survived by his loving wife of twenty-two years, Regina Paynter Griggs; three sons, Craig (Heather) Paynter of Olive Hill, Kentucky, Trevor (Jennifer) Duncan of Salt Lick, Kentucky and Brady (Amanda) Smith of Sandy Hook, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Ricky, Chance, Kalob and Gordon “Gus”; one brother, Terry Griggs of Owingsville, Kentucky; three sisters, Patty Hostrander of Owingsville, Kentucky, Debbie (Ed) Curtis of Farmers, Kentucky and Susan (Nick) Price of Wellington, Kentucky; one brother in law, Jerry Curtis.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Globe Funeral Chapel at 17277 West Highway US 60 in Olive Hill, Kentucky with Brother Jason Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the 1st Griggs Cemetery in Owingsville, Kentucky.

Friends may visit after 6 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022 and after 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Craig Paynter, Trevor Duncan, Brady Smith, Kalob Paynter, Mark Tackett, Jason Curtis, Jim Counts, Jack Nolen, Greg Nolen, Talmadge Porter, Terry Griggs, Jerry Griggs, John Sergant “Sarge” and Paul Steagall will serve as pallbearers.

Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky is caring for all arrangements for Mr. Billy Joe Griggs.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.globefc.com

Kenneth Brian Boorman

Mr. Kenneth Brian Boorman, age 60, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away January 27, 2022, at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky.

Kenneth was born November 30, 1961, in Columbus, Ohio to Wilma Dene “Williams” Boorman and the late William Joseph Boorman.

Kenneth was a truck driver who enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, anything outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.

In addition to his father, Kenneth is preceded in death by one sister Julie Boorman.

In addition to his mother, Kenneth is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sue Southerland Boorman; four sons, Brian (Britney Fyff) Boorman, Brad (Brittany) Boorman, David (Lindsay) Boorman and Douglas (Chrissy Ellis) Boorman all of Columbus, Ohio; seven grandchildren; one brother, Joe Boorman of Columbus, Ohio; one sister, Beth (Leo) Schmidt of Columbus, Ohio, along with a host of other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

At the family’s request there will be no funeral services at this time for Mr. Kenneth Brian Boorman.

Grayson Funeral Home and Cremation Services is caring for all arrangements for Mr. Kenneth Brian Boorman.

Kentucky State Police investigate shooting in Olive Hill

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Olive Hill – On February 25, 2022, Kentucky State Police received a call of a shooting that occurred on Easterling Cemetery Road in Olive Hill. When Troopers arrived on scene, they determined a male and female subject had been involved in a domestic violence situation and at some point the male subject was shot one time. After being shot, the male subject left the area and went to Olive Hill to seek medical attention. The male subject was originally transported to St. Claire Regional Medical Center but later sent to UK Medical Center. Any and all charges will be presented to the Grand Jury for deliberation. The case remains under investigation by Detective Lawson. The Kentucky State Police was assisted by Olive Hill Police Department and Carter County EMS.

Machining program receives $8K scholarship grant

ASHLAND – The Computerized Manufacturing and Machining (CMM) program at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) has received its third scholarship grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

This year’s grant was for $8,000, bringing the total award the college has received from this foundation to $28,000.

The Gene Haas Foundation’s primary goal is to build skills in the machining industry by providing scholarships for machine technology students.

Scholarships can be used for tuition, books, student’s personal National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) account, cost of individual NIMS credentials and required tools for the program.

“This grant is beneficial for CMM students because it aids in the expenses of their tuition, books and other related expenses,” said Danny Pancake, CMM program coordinator. “The grant allows students to spend the money in a variety of areas including professional memberships, competitions, personal tooling and much more. It also keeps most of them from having to finance their education through student loans or out of pocket. It is also a boost to moral because Haas cares enough about the future of machine tool trades to help encourage students in the program with much needed help.”

There are currently six students at ACTC who are using the scholarship fund. 

Machine tool students are awarded these grants based on availability of funds, need and continued success in the CMM program.

Through classroom instruction, students in the CMM program receive a hands-on experience learning to position work pieces, adjust machines and verify the accuracy of machine functions and producing finished products.

ACTC offers two diplomas and up to five certificates to prepare graduates for machine shop employment. Certificate and diploma credits may be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree in General Occupational/Technical Studies.

The degree and diploma credential programs are four semesters in length. Certificates can be earned in as little as one semester or as many as three, based on pace and the certificate chosen.

Pancake can be reached at danny.pancake@kctcs.edu.

Learn more about the CMM program by visiting https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/computerized-manufacturing-machining.aspx

Governor provides tax relief

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By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

Governor Andy Beshear has signed an executive order providing vehicle tax relief for the next year, and is also suggesting a temporary drop in state sales tax – by one percent.

The governor issued a release last week noting that while Kentucky was experiencing “record-breaking investments and job creation across the commonwealth” with “the best budget outlook in 25 years,” families and small businesses continue to struggle. That includes, the governor noted, “having to pay more for daily essentials… goods, and services.” 

“While this challenge is temporary, inflation has reached a 40-year high – directly due to the effects of a once-in-100-years pandemic that has stretched on for nearly two years,” Beshear wrote. “It is tougher for our families to get by, and it threatens our small businesses if people can’t afford to buy what they’re selling.” 

Because of this, the governor is pushing at least two tax relief efforts. 

The first is an immediate change to vehicle taxes that the governor said should save Kentucky families up to $340 million. That executive order freezes automobile property tax rates at last year’s rate – putting a stop to an expected 40 percent increase related to rising used car values as the supply chain has stalled. 

“In simple terms,” the governor wrote, “under this order, Kentuckians will pay an amount similar to last year if they own the same vehicle in the same condition and are living in the same county,” rather than paying taxes on the inflated value. 

Those who have already paid their 2022 automobile taxes should expect a refund, the governor added. 

While Kentucky law restricts the exemption of vehicle taxes to the general assembly, the Kentucky Senate passed a rare joint resolution granting the governor those powers last month. 

Those freezes on increasing automobile taxes will remain in effect for the next two years. 

The other action the governor is advocating for is a one percent decrease in sales tax. 

His administration, he said, is working with House Democrats to file legislation to temporarily cut the state sales tax from six percent to five percent through June of 2023. 

“This historic sales tax cut will help families until the high U.S. annual inflation rate retreats, which experts predict will fall back to around the two percent range by the end of 2022,” he wrote. 

A reduction in sales tax could decrease tax costs for Kentucky families by as much as 16 percent or more, he said. 

“We are talking about savings on purchases at retailers and restaurants; on building materials and hardware… on clothing… (and) at grocery stores,” for purchases that are not already tax-free. Food and medicine purchases from grocery stores are already tax-free. 

“If we are going to alter our tax structure, let’s do it to address current inflation and in a way that will help out all of our families, regardless of their wealth,” Beshear said. “Let’s do it in a way that will make things cost less and help everyone’s dollar go further.” 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Olive Hill celebrates creativity with Arts Festival

Students from Dancing with Hope studios perform an ensemble piece for the talent show. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

 The Olive Hill Center for Arts & Education recognized student achievements in the visual and performing arts last weekend, with their first annual Arts Festival. In addition to an art show, musical performances, and a dance recital from Dancing With Hope studios, there were also breakout workshops – coinciding with the performances – for adults and children interested in songwriting, photography, and other visual arts. 

The morning workshop and performance sessions were followed by a student talent show, with certificates awarded based on age group. 

In the talent show portion, Lola Frasier and Cailynn Bush were recognized as Best in Middle School for their dance performance. Ty Stinson, who sang and played guitar, was recognized as Best in High School. Sarah Jo Callihan took Best in Show with her solo dance performance. 

In the art show, Julia Riggs was awarded Best in Elementary, Alyssa Suttles Best in Middle School, and Isaiah Fultz took Best in High School. West Carter student Allison Elkin won the Best in Show award for her detailed, photo-realistic graphite and charcoal sketches. 

Grayson

The Grayson Gallery & Art Center finished their annual February Peace & Love Art Show the night before, as part of their Final Friday Art Walk art and entertainment series. Gallery director Dan Click then immediately jumped into plans for the Gallery’s March show, highlighting women in the arts for Women’s History Month. 

Click issued a call for submissions for the gallery’s Ninth Annual Women in the Arts art show and sale – on March 25 at the Grayson Gallery & Art Center. The show will also feature music from the Appalachian Ladies Review, and food catered by female culinary artists. Those who wish to submit visual arts in any medium are encouraged to drop off work from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 and Monday, March 21. Work must be ready to hang, or otherwise display, and should include the artist’s name, title, and price if the art is for sale. If the art is not for sale it should be marked NFS. 

For more information, contact the Grayson Gallery on Facebook or email Dan at graysongallery@gmail.com. 

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

  • Allison Elkin’s sketches took the Best in Show award. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
  • Ty Stinson performs in the student talent show on Saturday at the Olive Hill CFA&E Arts Festival event. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
  • Students from Dancing with Hope studios perform an ensemble piece for the talent show. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)
  • Sarah Jo Callihan (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

Late to the Game(s): Games from Amazone you’ve already paid for (but didn’t know)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

If you didn’t know, your Amazon Prime subscription includes access to a bundle of curated games and in-game assets each month.

Most of these games or assets require you to claim and download the game to play or, in the case of assets, to claim and associate them with the account for the game. For the games you either use a code to claim and download the game from a third-party like GOG.com or Electronic Arts’ Origin game service, or you download the game through the Amazon Games launcher for PC.

Usually these are lesser known, older, and indie games, especially if you have to claim them through the Amazon Gaming portal. But in recent months the Prime games have included some AAA titles; like EA’s Battlefield V, and the Star Wars games Jedi Fallen Order and Star Wars Squadrons. If you miss your window for claiming them, though, you miss out.

Luckily you usually have up to a month to claim these games or assets. And while they aren’t technically free – you pay for Amazon Prime after all – they are a nice perk of the service.

So, what free games does Amazon have on deck for March?

To start with, the latest version of EA’s Madden NFL franchise, Madden NFL 22, is currently available to claim through the end of the month. While it’s nearing the end of that game’s seasonal life-cycle – Madden NFL 23 will be launching later this summer – there is still a chance to have some fun with the current entry before the next season launches. (And no reason you can’t continue playing this game even after the next entry is out, though it may be more difficult to find online matches.)

The rest of the games might not be as high profile, but at least two should be somewhat familiar to hardcore gaming fans.

SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech is the fifth entry in the SteamWorld series, and like the others uses the familiar setting of SteamWorld to bring in a new style of gameplay. The first entry in the series was a tower defense game, but the break-out hit for the franchise, SteamWorld Dig, introduced the game to a broader audience with the popular and familiar platforming action-adventure format on a variety of platforms, including all major consoles and PC. (The first game was for Nintendo DS only). Other entries have explored turn-based strategy (SteamWorld Heist) and a return to the platformer (SteamWorld Dig 2), but the one currently available for Amazon Prime subscribers, Hand of Gilgamech, is a turn-based roleplaying deck-builder.

If you’ve played any of the Magic: The Gathering video games or Blizzard’s HearthStone, you should get the idea pretty quickly. If not, Hand of Gilgamech gives you the opportunity to learn in a charming steam-punk world populated by cute steam-powered robots. It’s a self-contained story too, so you don’t necessarily need to have played the other games in the series to jump in and enjoy this one.

Surviving Mars is a city-builder sim, set on the red planet, from developer Paradox Entertainment. Paradox’s PC strategy game, Stellaris, was an Amazon freebie last month, and fits the pattern for most of the publisher’s titles, but Surviving Mars breaks out of that mold and should appeal to fans of city-builder sims, especially if they like sci-fi settings.

The other four games on offer – Crypto Against All Odds, looK INside, Pesterquest, and The Stillness of the Wind – are somewhat less exciting, but still decently rated and reviewed. Crypto is a hacking based tower defense game, while looK INside and Pesterquest are story based exploration games – a point and click family adventure and “visual novel” respectively – and Stillness is a farming sim with a good Metacritic score.

Amazon has also finally taken the leap to offer access to games from their Luna streaming service to Prime members beginning in March. It’s something I’ve been expecting and hoping would be added since the streaming service was first announced, and is yet another added value for Prime membership.

Until April 1, you can stream the adventure games PHOGS, rated E for Everyone, and Flashback, rated E 10+ through Luna on any PC, tablet, or mobile device. For adult games you can also stream the M for Mature rated action game Devil May Cry 5, or the horror adventure game Observer: System Redux. Those last two are definitely not recommended for children, but are a lot of fun for the grown-ups in your home.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Grayson Tourism plans for Memory Days

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

Memory Days planning is ongoing, through the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce, but Grayson Tourism is doing their part to promote and support the event as well. The group voted in their regular February meeting to sponsor the event at the $5,000 level, and assisting with promotion for the bluegrass music day on Sunday, featuring the band Sideline.

The group also discussed old business relevant to the upcoming event – in particular, the Brown building. Don Combs gave an update on that property, noting they hope to have the patio area next to the building ready in time for the Memory Days event. Getting that area ready for vendors and art shows, however, is still going to take a lot of work, Combs explained. Depending on the amenities they choose to go with, the first step is to prepare the surface for either concrete or gravel surfacing. That would include laying any water lines and drains, or electrical conduit for power hookups, before the surface was laid.

They are also continuing to look at future renovations to the interior space as well. Combs said some of the renovations they are considering could make the building more readily available for Memory Days events and vendors, including local produce and other farm goods.

Tourism also approved a grant request of $1,000 for advertising support for a new summer play series being organized by the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Education and the Grayson Gallery & Art Center. The series will feature five performances of a dinner theatre play, with performances hosted at Carter Caves, the Olive Hill Center for Arts & Education, and a Grayson location that is still to be announced.

The Grayson Tourism advertising grant matches a $1,000 commitment from the Carter County Tourism Commission.

In park news tourism heard pricing quotes on coated metal benches for the park. The park manager’s report indicated his hopes that the board can sell sponsorships for a total of ten benches, at a cost of around $600 each.

Tourism also discussed fencing options for providing a buffer between the park property and surrounding homes. Though no decisions were made on what type of fencing to support at this time, tourism discussed the pros and cons of plank fencing, chain link fencing, and a combination of fencing and hedge plantings for aesthetics and to discourage folks from hopping the fence.

The tourism commission was also informed that the new parking lot at the back end of the park has now been graveled, and heard plans to begin soccer play on the fields at the park this spring.

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Legislative update: 3/2/22

FRANKFORT- Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday following an extended weekend in observance of President’s Day on Monday. We are nearing the two-thirds juncture of the session, and we have yet to hear any updates on the budget, which was drafted and passed in the House and now awaits further action by the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee. Constructing a budget is obligatory and is the most critical item the General Assembly will take up this year. We will likely hear more in the coming weeks as we near the final days of this legislative session. 

I am always excited to see some of our local folks make their way to Frankfort and visit with me. The city of Ashland was well represented in Frankfort this week, with local officials coming to town to discuss economic development, infrastructure, and other significant projects they are working on. Greenup County was also in the People’s House, as Addison Meadows of Greenup Couty, who was FFA legislative page for the day, and her dad, Greenup Mayor Lundie Meadows, joined me on the Senate floor. Always great having our local leaders and young people getting involved in the legislative process.

One of the bills passed in the Senate this week seeks to recover $15 million in incentive funds from the stalled Braidy Industries project. Senate Bill (SB) 48 would recoup taxpayer money designated to help Braidy establish a $1.3 billion, 2.5 million-square-foot aluminum mill in Greenup County near Ashland.

SB 48 directs the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to recover the money via Commonwealth Seed Capital LLC, an independent fund that invests in developing businesses in Kentucky. Furthermore, it requires that the incentive money be returned by the end of 2022, and it would prevent any extensions to the agreement. The measure was amended on the Senate floor to move the effective date from March to mid-July to give additional time to get the funding together.

Five years ago, the Bevin Administration encouraged the General Assembly to pass economic development incentives to attract a new aluminum manufacturing facility to Kentucky. After hearing the proposals from the Bevin Administration and Braidy, the legislature approved with the confidence that they would hold up their end of the deal. However, the ensuing result differed from any economic development incentive Kentucky has ever seen. 

At the time, I was thrilled to see such an investment in our part of the state. Unfortunately, even though Braidy Industries was granted numerous extensions, it has failed to meet any of the deadlines required by law. The legislature held up our end of the deal, and it hurts my heart to see this deal continually fall through the cracks. I am holding on to hope that the project succeeds for our people and region. However, if Braidy does not fulfill its part of the deal, the $15 million in taxpayer dollars needs to be returned. SB 48 passed unanimously on the Senate floor and now goes to the House for further action.

Another measure adopted in the Senate this week would effectively change the date to end Kentucky’s COVID-19 state of emergency. Currently, the COVID-19 state of emergency is set to end on April 14, 2022. Under Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 150, the expiration date is moved up to March 7. The date is exactly two years and one day since the state of emergency was first called into effect by Governor Andy Beshear in March 2020. It was adopted by a vote of 28-8 on the Senate floor. It now goes to the House for further consideration.

Bills passed in the Senate this week:

SB 138 requires schools to provide instruction in social studies that aligns with a list of concepts such as “all individuals are created equal” and “Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law,” among several others. It also calls for topics on public policy or social affairs to be taught in an age-appropriate manner for students, and for educators to integrate two dozen core documents from American history into lessons.

On the Senate floor, I acknowledged my support for the civics education portion of the bill because we have lost much of that over the last few decades. I did, however, state my concerns with the legislation. I am leery of the framers and funders of this particular bill, as they are the same groups who tried to dismantle our public education system several years ago. Also, there needs to be some things clarified and taken out before I could be a yes on this bill. SB 138 passed 28-8. I voted no.

SB 80 calls for the state medical examiner’s office to conduct a genetic test when a postmortem examination of someone under 40 does not determine the cause of death. If the genetic test reveals the cause, coroners must note that information on the death certificate. The measure passed in the Senate with unanimous consent.

SB 91 allows vehicle dealers to deliver vehicles purchased on the internet to customers. It passed with unanimous approval.

SB 124 allows a person with a valid Kentucky commercial driver’s license (CDL) or operator’s license that has been expired for less than five years to renew without having to take knowledge and skills tests. SB 124 passed 33-0.

All Senate bills and resolutions passed in the Senate this week now go to the House for further consideration. Committee meetings are becoming more prevalent, and discussion on issues is becoming more prolonged as we enter the last leg of the session. For additional information on bills passed in the Senate and other measures making their way through the process, visit the legislative record online atlegislature.ky.gov.

If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. To share feedback on an issue, you can email me at Robin.Webb@lrc.ky.gov or call the General Assembly Message Line at 1-800-372-7181. Kentuckians with hearing loss can use Kentucky Relay by dialing 711. 

Livestock and grain market report: 2/26/22

Letter to the Editor: Support HB 349

Submitted by Lew Nicholls

The last piece of legislation signed by President John F. Kennedy was the Community Mental Health Act establishing community mental health centers (CMHCs). Kentucky adopted CMHCs as a provider for mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual and developmental disability services in areas that could not afford them. Kentucky adopted a regional model, meaning that certain CMHCs were designated to operate in specific areas. For the citizens in Boyd, Carter, Greenup, Lawrence, Morgan, Elliott, Rowan, Bath, Menifee, and Montgomery Counties, that CMHC is Pathways. Respecting those regional boundaries is important as the state appropriates money for the CMHCs to provide services in their respective regional areas. Additionally, the state allows the CMHCs to charge patients and bill MEDICARE and MEDICAID for these services when appropriate. If Pathways provided services outside its service area, it would divert resources away from its designated service area. Venturing into another CMHC’s area weaken that region’s CMHC’s ability to provide services and generate the necessary revenue to remain viable for the community it serves. 

While state laws and regulations set forth that CMHCs are to serve a designated regional service area, the specific counties of those service areas are not defined. For over 50 years, the CMHCs provided services only in their designated area development districts. Recently, some organizations have started providing services outside of their traditional region, negatively impacting those CMHCs who abide by the legislative intent of the law. 

On January 24, 2022, Representative Dan Bentley (R-Greenup) filed HB 349 bill to fix this problem by requiring all CMHC’s to remain in their assigned areas and by clearly identifying those areas. This was the intent of the Legislature when they set up the regional areas. Please contact your state senator and representative and tell them to support HB 349. 

Lew Nicholls is a retired judge, former legislator and current member of the Pathways, Inc. Board of Directors.

Playing what’s written

person holding drums
Photo by Stephen Niemeier on Pexels.com

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

This past weekend I played bongos for Debbie Baker Harman’s performance of the Bill Laurance song, “Madeleine,” during the Olive Hill Center for Arts and Education’s new Arts Festival event.

She contacted me more than a month in advance – nearly two – to send me a link and ask if I’d be interested. After I gave it a listen, and agreed, she ordered the score. By the time it arrived I’d already been working on some rhythms. When she sent it over we both agreed it was pretty basic and straightforward, and that I’d probably use one or more of the rhythm patterns I’d been improvising over the recording instead. 

But, when we had our first group practice, our first run through didn’t sound that good. It didn’t sound bad, but it just wasn’t clicking. Something wasn’t right. The patterns everyone was playing were at the right tempo, in the right time, but it sounded muddled. Or maybe, I thought, it was just me. Maybe I was losing the beat.

I’ve played percussion for a long time. I didn’t think I was losing the beat. I was sure my foot was tapping in time, and what I was playing fit within the pattern of Debbie’s keys.

I was sure of it.

But what sounded good when someone else was holding down the beat, in the recording, sounded muddy and halting without it.

For the second playthrough – just until I was sure I had the right rhythm – I decided to fall back on the rhythm as written on the page, a series of repeating eight and sixteenth notes.

And, it worked.

It was what the tune needed to drive it forward, and everything clicked into place. (A good thing, too, since we only had one group practice before the event.)  

Settling in on the written groove wasn’t nearly as tedious as I thought it might be when I first looked over the sheet music either. I wasn’t doing fancy finger rolls, or anything else especially flashy, but I got into an almost meditative state as I played.

The rhythm itself was nearly automatic.

I was also able to focus more intently on things like dynamics and how where I hit the drumhead impacted the tone and pitch.

With the rhythm automatic, I could focus more on playing softer when Debbie did, to accentuate what she was doing instead of drowning it out. I could give things a more mellow tone when things quieted down, or move out to a sharper tone on the edge of the drum when the energy and volume ramped back up.

I thought playing the part as written would be uninteresting; for the song, but mostly for me.

However, it was anything but.

And, in looking back over the music after the performance, I realized I didn’t play it exactly as written after all. There were multiple measures of rests for the conga part (the part I played on bongo was written for the deeper conga drums) that I didn’t set out. Instead, I continued to clang on – like a little human metronome – so immersed was I in the groove.

In the end, I think we were all happy with the way it came out.

I’m sure if we continued to play, and practice, what we all play would change over time. We’d become comfortable enough in the tune, and with each other, to become a little more playful. A little more experimental.

But before we could do that, we would need to understand the tune. We would need to play what was written on the page. Or something really close to it.

I’d almost forgotten that. It was nice to be reminded of it this weekend.     

Ambulance service discusses plans for KDMC transports

An ambulance with Carter County EMS responds to a call in this file photo. (Photo by Jeremy D. Wells, Carter County Times)

By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times

In his February report to the Carter County EMS Board, ambulance service director Rick Loperfido expressed concerns that a King’s Daughter’s Medical Center (KDMC) plan to place two ambulances at the Urgent Care facility in Grayson could prove detrimental to the county’s service, and have a negative impact on emergency coverage across the county.

Loperfido told the board that his focus over the past month has been on defending the ambulance service against the inevitable losses in finance he believes they will face if the KDMC certificate of need (CON) is approved and a license is granted by Frankfort.

“If this CON application is approved,” Loperfido wrote in his report, it could cost the Carter County Emergency Ambulance Service, “up to $350,000 in lost revenue annually,” from a loss of “up to an estimated 600 runs per year.”

These runs would be the sort that generate income for the ambulance service through insurance and Medicaid reimbursement. But while they would be losing these types of transports to a new KDMC service – if the CON is approved – they would still be required to respond to any emergency call. Even those that do not pay. As an institution funded, in part, through public tax dollars they are required to respond to those emergency calls regardless of an ability to pay. This, Loperfido explained, is why it’s so important that they not lose the few revenue streams they have.

Though Loperfido said there were currently no plans to remove any ambulances from service if KDMC’s CON was approved, the move comes at a time when unpaid calls continue to stress the ambulance service’s budget.

“We are still seeing numerous calls to respond for individuals requiring lift assistance only,” Loperfido wrote in another section of his report. These people, he explained, were folks who didn’t need transport to the hospital, but who had fallen and couldn’t get back up on their own.

They’re also seeing a continual rise in “refusals from being transported, after (patients have) their vital signs checked by our crews,” he said, which are also calls where they have no one to bill.

Loperfido also noted an “increased volume in our response to COVID related responses.”

Loperfido said the services COVID symptom related calls increased, “about five percent last month, from the previous month of December.”

Carter County remains in the “red zone” with more than 62 cases per 100,000 people; nearly double the statewide rate of just over 35, but still well below neighboring Lawrence County, which ranks among the top ten for infection rates with 83 cases per 100,000 according to data from the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

In other action, Loperfido gave updates on vehicle repairs, generator maintenance, and the wait for repairs to the oxygen refill system. He also noted the service passed their annual inspection by KBEMS, with no deficiencies found and all units passing the inspection process.

He also reported on professional development opportunities being provided through a grant from the Kentucky Association of Counties (KACo). That grant, for $2,500, is funding an Emergency Vehicle Operations Class that all employees will be required to attend. The class will be taught on two separate dates to accommodate all employees.  

Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com

Guest Editorial: High electric bill? Here’s the real culprit

smartphone calculator and dollar bills on papers on table top
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com
Author Peter Hille (submitted photo)

Like many folks all over Kentucky, my electric bill last month was a shock. It was one of the highest bills I’ve ever had. In fact, if it wasn’t for the solar panels I installed it would have been my highest bill ever. What happened?

Attorney General Daniel Cameron wrote an op-ed last week blaming the Biden Administration’s green energy policies, but if we dig a little deeper we can see that what really happened has more to do with economics than politics. Mr. Cameron was right about this: our bills went up largely because of the “fuel adjustment” charge on the bill. When utilities have to pay more for the fuel they use to generate electricity, they are allowed to pass that cost on to their customers.

The energy costs used to calculate the fuel adjustment don’t hit the utilities’ billing cycle for two months, so the increased cost on our January bills actually came from a spike in prices last fall. There are a lot of factors that drove up those prices, but the long and short of it is simply supply and demand.

As the US began to produce more natural gas over the past 20 years, the price of gas went down. That encouraged utilities to use more natural gas and less coal. We are well aware of how cheap natural gas affected the coal industry in Kentucky, particularly in 2012 when gas became cheaper than coal for the first time. 

As the US began to produce a surplus of natural gas, we increased our exports and became the largest exporter of liquid natural gas in the world. One result of that shift is that our natural gas prices are now more directly tied to global markets, including the sharp rise in natural gas prices last fall.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we will certainly see more disruption in global energy markets, and we will see further impacts on prices here at home. That’s going to cause real pain for everyday Kentuckians. One thing we can do, and need to do, is reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and increase our use of renewable energy. Kentucky Utilities, East Kentucky Power Cooperative and Duke Energy have all built large solar farms, and that’s a good start. We can accelerate our progress away from fossil fuels by putting more solar panels on the roofs of homes, businesses, schools and nonprofits.

The Mountain Association, where I work, has helped dozens of businesses and nonprofits in Eastern Kentucky install solar panels, reducing and stabilizing their energy costs. Along with energy efficiency retrofits that we have supported, our clients are saving more than $1.2 million in energy costs per year. That helps them keep their doors open and save money on their utility bills—savings that can be passed along to their customers. Currently we are offering free solar assessments and energy efficiency audits for businesses, nonprofits and local governments in Eastern Kentucky, and we can also help with finding qualified installers for solar and energy efficiency.

When we get hit with high utility bills, we all want to know what happened. I’m glad the Attorney General shares our concern about rising energy costs for Kentuckians. But it’s important to understand where the blame actually lies, and on that we respectfully disagree with Mr. Cameron’s politicized perspective. Still, there is a political dimension to this that does matter: we need state and federal policies that support the shift away from fossil fuels so that we don’t keep getting hammered by wild swings in the price of oil and gas.

The savings from my solar panels helped offset the cost of the fuel adjustment on my bill, and that was good for me. But on sunny days when my panels were feeding energy back into the grid my neighbors were able to use that excess electricity, and that’s good for everyone, because solar energy fed into the grid doesn’t come with a fuel charge. More clean energy for more Kentuckians is one of the keys to building the brighter future we all want to see.

Peter Hille is the President of the Mountain Association. He can be reached at info@mtassociation.org.

Weekly arrests report: 3/2/22

Handcuffs and wooden gavel. Crime and violence concept.

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Carter County Detention Center over the past week. This list includes local arrests only. It does not include federal inmates being housed at or transported through the detention center.

  • William Savage, 44, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, serving a warrant for parole violation, and for failure to appear, arrested and booked February 21.
  • Charles Burnett, 23, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, serving a warrant for parole violation, and on charges of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance (two grams or more methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, and first degree fleeing or evading police (on foot), arrested and booked February 21.
  • James Burton, 43, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on charges of first degree trafficking in a controlled substance (less than two grams of methamphetamine), and possession of drug paraphernalia, arrested and booked February 21.
  • William Elliott, 45, of Grayson, arrested by Boyd County Jail, on a charge of theft by unlawful taking or disposition – $500 or more but under $10,000, arrested and booked February 22.
  • Natasha McDowell, 28, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked February 22.
  • Barren Barker, 28, of Grayson, arrested by Department of Corrections, on a parole violation for a technical violation, arrested and booked February 22.
  • Patrick Tolliver, 54, of Hitchins, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of third degree criminal trespassing, and third degree criminal mischief, arrested and booked February 23.
  • Greg Flaugher, 37, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on a probation violation for a technical violation, arrested and booked February 23.
  • William Branhom, 49, of Grayson, arrested by Kentucky State Police, on charges of careless driving, failure to wear seat belts, no registration receipt, failure of owner to maintain required insurance, license not in possession, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, third degree possession of a controlled substance – drug unspecified, and possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a motor vehicle, arrested and booked February 23.
  • Anthony Jordan, 44, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on two counts of failure to appear, arrested and booked February 24.
  • Sarah Duke, 30, of Grayson, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, on charges of second degree possession of a controlled substance – drug unspecified, and holding prescription drugs in an improper container, arrested and booked February 25.
  • Scarlett Conn, 43, of Olive Hill, self-surrender, arrested and booked February 25.
  •  Cody Prince, 26, of Carter City, arrested by Carter County Sheriff, for failure to appear, arrested and booked February 25.
  • Johnny Oliver, 51, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked February 26.
  • Ricky Oliver, 53, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear, arrested and booked February 26.
  • Billy Collins, 39, of Grayson, arrested by Grayson PD, on three counts of failure to appear, and a probation violation for a felony offense, arrested and booked February 27.
  • Daniel Eden, 30, of Olive Hill, arrested by Kentucky State Police, for failure to appear on a citation for a misdemeanor, arrested and booked February 27.

All of the charges listed are arrest charges only, and do not indicate an indictment or a conviction for the charges in question. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Information is compiled from publicly available sources, but may not be comprehensive. Individuals who are released or post bail shortly after arrest may not be listed.    

Do we need to revive that old saying of loving America or leaving it?

waving flag of united states of america
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com
By: Keith Kappes
Columnist
Carter County Times

The protests against U. S. involvement in the Vietnam War during the 1960’s and 70’s gave rise to this saying:  America, love it or leave it.

It made a great bumper sticker and tee shirt for those American patriots who were more concerned about folks criticizing the U. S. military than they were about defending our constitutional guarantee of free speech.

Essentially, that expression means if you don’t like how the federal government runs this country then you are free to live elsewhere.

I was reminded of those days last week when I heard asinine statements by certain Washington politicians and Fox News commentators blaming President Biden for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and not Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Soon after the attack began, a former U. S. president who now apparently holds title to the Republican Party went so far as to compliment the Russian dictator as a man of action and someone he admired.

As a student of American and world history, I don’t recall any world leaders in the 1930’s and 40’s saying positive things about Adolf Hitler as he was rising to power with his goal of world domination.

It doesn’t take a genius to see that Putin is trying to resurrect the old Soviet Union by bringing back those 14 small countries which gained independence in 1991 when that police state fell apart.

Ukraine clearly wants to remain a democracy and thousands of soldiers and civilians, some armed only with small bottles filled with gasoline, are fighting and dying to keep their country free.

Those gasoline bombs are known as “Molotov cocktails”. Ironically, they were named for a former Soviet foreign minister during World War II.

Putin sent his troops to occupy the Crimea in 2014 and annexed that part of Ukraine, basically without interference from any other nation. It appears he is using the same strategy for the rest of Ukraine.

Invading another sovereign nation is a violation of international law and that makes the Russian leader a war criminal…just like Hitler.

Extension Notes: 10 things you should know about cockroaches

close up shot of a cockroach
Photo by Erik Karits on Pexels.com
By: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Agent

Cockroaches are one of the most common pests to infest homes and apartments. They get into homes by hitching a ride on items such as grocery bags, food cartons and furniture and by using their flat, brownish bodies to slip in through crevices and cracks in buildings. While large cockroaches may seem the most frightening, it is the smaller ones that pose the biggest concern to human health.  

Here are 10 things you should know about cockroaches:

  1. Roommates – Cockroaches and humans have lived together for thousands of years, and it is unlikely to change any time soon.  
  2. There are more than 4,500 species of cockroaches.  However, only a handful cause problems to humans. The most troublesome is the German cockroach, which is only about 0.5 inches long and is the one most commonly found indoors.
  3. Scavengers – Cockroaches LOVE any and all food. They will feed on whatever they can find including human food and pet food. They love to hide in warm, moist areas and are attracted to places with poor sanitation practices and food preparation areas.   Bathrooms and kitchens are their favorite hiding spots.
  4. Two main groups – Cockroaches are generally grouped based on if they live inside or outside of the home. The species that live outside are often larger (e.g., American Cockroach), while the indoor species tend to be smaller (e.g., German cockroach). While the larger roaches can be more frightening to people, the smaller species cause most of the human health problems.
  5. Health importance-disease transmission – Due to their ability to easily move between food/food preparation surfaces and waste bins, cockroaches can easily spread many diseases including leprosy, salmonella, dysentery, E. coli, urinary tract infections, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
  6. Health importance-allergies and asthma- Cockroaches produce a suite of potent allergens to which many people are sensitive. These allergens can lead to the development of asthma and cause asthma attacks when not properly mitigated. About a quarter of the population is allergic to cockroaches.
  7. Cockroach management is tricky. Since they are mostly nocturnal, you may not see cockroaches until a significant infestation exists. However, it is possible to eliminate cockroaches with proper identification and use of the correct products. Commercially available cockroach baits are very effective at controlling the pests, but it is often best to call a pest control professional.
  8. Early detection makes management easier.  Knowing the preferred locations of where cockroaches like to hide; warm, dark, moist areas, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, will help in early detection. Often one of the first places you will find them is around and behind the refrigerator.
  9. Sanitation is important. Since they are scavengers, if there isn’t enough food for them to eat then they will be easier to control. You can reduce your risk of getting cockroaches by keeping food in secure containers, cleaning up immediately after meals and picking up pet food. 
  10. Despite all of this, some cockroaches can make great pets.  The Madagascar hissing cockroach is a large cockroach that is often kept as a pet. They are easy to maintain, quiet, do not pose a threat to human health and do not take up much space.

More information about cockroaches is available in the University of Kentucky Department of Entomology’s ENTFACT 614. It is available online at https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef614 or by contacting the Carter County office of the UK Cooperative Extension Service.  Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

Upcoming Events:

  • Extension Building Committee, Extension Council & District Board Meetings – March 7 @ 9:00 AM
  • Little Sandy Beekeepers Association – March 8 @ 6:00 PM
  • Beef Quality Care & Assurance Trainings – March 10 @ 6:00 PM & March 15 @ 10:00 AM– Call 474-6686 to register.
  • Private Pesticide Applicator Certification – March 11 @ 2:00 – Call 474-6686 to register.  

Vernon Middleton

Mr. Vernon Middleton age 70 of Olive Hill, Kentucky passed away Monday February 28, 2022 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

He was born Sunday, March 4, 1951 in Carter County, Kentucky, the seventh son to the late Samuel Ballard Middleton and Gracie Mae Burton Middleton.

Vernon retired from American Steel Foundry in Alliance, Ohio. He came back home to Kentucky to do his dream job, farming. Vernon loved hunting, fishing, traveling, in which he drove through and enjoyed 48 states with his family, singing George Jones and actually sounded like him. He brought much joy to the community as Santa Claus. Vernon loved camping trips and most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and the pride and joy of his life, his children.

In addition to his parents, Vernon is preceded in death by five brothers, Earcil Middleton, Paul Middleton and three infant brothers; two sisters, Deloris Davis and one infant sister.

Vernon is survived by his wife, the love of his life of 49 ½ years, Bonnie McGlone Middleton of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one son, Samuel Dwey Middleton of Olive Hill, Kentucky; one daughter, Vanessa Middleton of Olive Hill, Kentucky; two brothers, Rufus Middleton of Olive Hill, Kentucky and Argus (Maxine) Middleton of Mansfield, Ohio; two sisters, Lorene (Willard) Thomas of Homeworth, Ohio and Pauline Witherspoon of Alliance, Ohio, along with a host of other family members and friends who will sadly mourn his passing.

Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, March 4th, 2022 at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway, US-60, Olive Hill, KY 41164 with Brother Jack Vernatter and Brother Bobby Day Officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunnyside Cemetery in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

Friends may visit after 11 a.m. Friday, March 4th, 2022 at Globe Funeral Chapel, 17277 West Highway, US-60, Olive Hill, KY 41164.

Nephews will serve as pallbearers.

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