Darren Doyle, story:
Edmonson County's confirmed COVID-19 cases rose by two today, according to the Barren River District Health Department, bringing Edmonson's total number of confirmed positive cases to 63. In addition, the BRDHD also reported seven new recoveries in the county, which brought that total to 30 recovered cases.

Edmonson County's death reports from the coronavirus have been steady at 11 for over a week with all deaths being reported from Genesis Health, Edmonson Center. No report was given today from their facility.

District wide, there are 1705 total reported cases with 1048 recoveries for a 61% current recovery rate. There have been 42 total deaths reported as a result of coronavirus.

According to the Team Kentucky website, there have been a total of 10,977 cases statewide confirmed to date. There have also been 3,316 recoveries reported in KY with 466 deaths from the virus.

A press release from Governor Andy Beshear's office today provided several tips and updates for KY's fight against COVID-19.

Stay safe this weekend
This week, the Governor reminded Kentuckians that the novel coronavirus is still in our midst and Kentuckians need to take precautions to prevent its spread. The Governor and state health officials are asking all Kentuckians to keep gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

Other guidance includes wearing masks, maintaining social distancing of six feet or more, gathering outside instead of inside, washing hands frequently, covering food and individually wrapping plates.

Pharmacy refills update
​Today, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order that extends previous orders allowing pharmacists to dispense 30-day refills. This order will be in effect until July 7.

Price-gouging update
Today, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order prohibiting price-gouging, extending a previous order. This order will remain in effect for the duration of the state of emergency.

Healthy at Work
To see the state’s full reopening schedule and industry-specific guidance, including updates announced this week, visit healthyatwork.ky.gov.
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“Follow the rules, be healthy at home and be healthy at work,” said Gov. Beshear. “Let’s continue to make sure that we work to defeat this pandemic.”

Darren Doyle, Editor/Owner:
As of today, June 2, 2020, we are reducing the amount of COVID-19 related articles that we plan to publish--as long as the confirmed numbers stay within the same realm as they are now.

The coronavirus pandemic is a very real situation that has claimed the lives of 107,000 in the U.S., with 376K worldwide. Until the last few days, this has been the top news story over the past two and a half months from every single legit news outlet in America, and rightly so.

Here in Edmonson County, the number of confirmed cases has risen much slower than much of the rest of the country and as of today, there have been a total number of 61 confirmed cases in the county, according to the Barren River District Health Department. From those 61 cases, there have been 10 total deaths, (all reported from Genesis Health Care, Edmonson Center) and 21 total recoveries.

According to their most recent report to the Edmonson Voice, Edmonson Center has had 30 residents test positive for COVID-19, along with 4 staff members. We were the first to report their initial confirmed case on April 21, 2020. Over a three-week period, their confirmed resident cases rose to 30 and people began to fear what could happen; however, the virus failed to spread any further within the facility. The fact that they were able to keep this away from the rest of the facility and wiping out half of their population or more is simply amazing and they deserve all the credit for measures taken before and during this virus outbreak.

Locally, 61 confirmed cases out of 12,062 total Edmonson County residents isn't a pandemic. It's a miracle. Simply put, this virus hasn't spread here like it has in other places and we all should be very thankful. That's a rate of one-half of one percent of our local population (.05%). That doesn't mean a pandemic still can't happen, and it certainly doesn't mean that we can go right back to doing everything like we did this time last year. What it means is, we're ready to try easing back into phases of normal life without spreading fear.

With cases increasing one or two a week here, that's not news. At this point, we all know that we must take precautionary measures to stay healthy and to maintain current numbers. As the owner of this company and the editor of what is published day in and day out, it's my responsibility to publish the most important and impactful local news that we have available each day. And the fact that coronavirus isn't the top news story everyday is newsworthy in itself.

We will continue to monitor local numbers from the BRDHD, who have been excellent in providing information as well as statewide numbers from the Governor's office. Unless the numbers change drastically, we plan to reduce our coronavirus-related articles down to about one per week.

We strongly encourage everyone to maintain safe practices, follow the recommended guidelines, wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, wear masks if it makes you more comfortable, but please don't scoff at those who don't. Yes, some will act irresponsibly, but that's the case in any other situation, and in any other part of the country.

Are we out of the woods? Who knows, maybe--maybe not, but the truth is, there is no coronavirus pandemic in Edmonson County right now according to the available numbers, and that's a fact. Anyone who says half of one percent of the population sick with a virus is a pandemic is incorrect. The dictionary defines pandemic as "disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or whole world, or an epidemic over a large area."

Again, we are not saying that the virus shouldn't be taken seriously or that it's no longer newsworthy; we are simply saying that according to our local numbers, it's thankfully not the top story right now. Yes, there could be many here carrying the virus and be totally unaware, but we simply aren't seeing increasing numbers of sick people or those losing their lives--again, reasons to be thankful. Continuing to make local COVID-19 stats the top story based on current numbers is irresponsible.

Thanks for making the Edmonson Voice the number one local news source in Edmonson County. Stay connected with us 24/7 so we can keep you connected with your community. Please act responsibly, and stay healthy and safe.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
One local student is hoping to use his newly discovered talents to help Edmonson County Schools. 

Parin (pronounced Pa-REEN) Patel, an 8-year old resident of Chalybeate has recently taken up painting and he's looking to turn his new hobby into a fundraiser for Edmonson County Community Education and the EC Family Resource/Youth Services Centers.

Parin's family own and manage Chalybeate Food Mart on Chalybeate stretch, where the paintings are available at very affordable prices. His father, Manish, explained how Parin discovered his new hobby.

"Kids play so many games on the iPad and phone," said Manish. "Games are okay, but some kids do it all the time and it hurts their brains. We saw Parin using his games so much so we decided to limit his game time and encourage him to use his time for something better."

Manish said once Parin reacted so strongly to Manish removing the iPad from him, he knew it was time to look for other ways for Parin to spend his time. That's when Parin started watching YouTube videos on painting techniques and while his mom helped with a design or two to help get him started, he quickly developed a unique style that easily caught the eye of others.

After seeing how much Parin enjoyed painting, the pieces of art began to pile up and that's when the family had an idea: to sell the paintings and donate the money for some type of charity in Edmonson County.

Chalybeate Food Mart made a substantial donation to last year's Cram the Cruiser event, a local fundraiser that goes to provide school supplies and necessary items to help all Edmonson County students start the year with what's needed. Mr. Patel agreed that the same local cause would be a good beneficiary for Parin's work.

"We thought that Parin could maybe inspire other kids to do something like this," said Manish. "There's nothing wrong with playing games but there is more stuff to do than games all the time."

Parin picked up his favorite painting, which was a blue and purple blend of a night sky with the black outline of trees. 

"I like painting nights and stars," he said as he also described some techniques he used to achieve some of the effects, which included q-tips, toothpicks, and certain ways to manipulate brushes. 

Jamie Carnes, Supervisor of State and Federal Programs for Edmonson County Schools, said local school organizations have not been able to plan any type of event as they normally do because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We just don't know what--if anything--we're going to be able to do this year because of the pandemic, so Parin's efforts are certainly welcomed and appreciated by our programs," he said.

The paintings are various sizes. Currently, there are four 16 x 12s, ($15 each) two 8 x 10s, ($10 ea) and one 5 x 7. The paintings are not likely to last long but more are available at the store. 

You can stop by the store to see in-person or to order one of Parin's unique creations. All proceeds will benefit the school program.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County District Court is set to resume proceedings June 9th for criminal court cases and June 11th for district civil cases.

Edmonson County Attorney Greg Vincent discussed the schedule and how operations are scheduled to work once the court reopens. 

"Criminal district court cases will resume on Tuesday, June 9th. This includes traffic violations, misdemeanor charges, and juvenile criminal cases," he said. "Civil district court cases will resume on Thursday, June 11th, which include small claims, lawsuits less than $4,000, and probate cases."

He also discussed the restrictions and limitations that will be utilized and enforced in the courthouse during this reopening phase, which include the following:

• Only one designated entrance into the courthouse, which will be on the south side, facing the sheriff's office
• Only a few will be allowed to enter the building at a time: those scheduled to appear in court will be given a time block to appear
• There will be assigned seating in the courtroom in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines
• Only one designated exit from the courthouse, which will be on the north side, facing Main Cross Street
• A mask MUST be worn while in the courthouse--a mask will be provided at no cost to those entering the courthouse without one
• Anyone fearful of illness that still do not feel comfortable meeting in person must call the Edmonson County Circuit Clerk's Office to arrange possible internet connectivity to conduct court business
• Other offices inside the courthouse will be closed to the public during court session days (Judge Exec, PVA, etc.) - They will still be accessible to the public via telephone, internet, and fax

COURT PROCEEDING DATES:

• Criminal District Court: June 9th, 23rd, July 14th, 28th
• Civil District Court: June 11th, July 23rd

Darren Doyle, story:
The KSP Driver Testing Branch announced today that it will resume permit testing in select counties where the required CDC/Healthy at Work guidelines can be adhered to. In an effort to ensure the safety of permit applicants and staff, we have implemented a registration process where everyone will be required to schedule a specific date for their permit test. KSP will begin taking appointments, by phone, on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. ​

It's important to note that these tests for Edmonson County residents will be administered in Barren County, not Edmonson. 

"Written tests will be on Thursdays in Barren County beginning June 11," said Edmonson Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges. "People will need to call our office to make an appointment to get a test card prior to testing in my office. When they get their card we will give them info about contacting Barren County to set up time. This is for CDL testing, too."

KSP also said today that an announcement would be expected later about driver testing resuming sometime in July.

Darren Doyle, story:
The Administrative Office of the Courts announced on Friday that circuit court clerks statewide may resume limited driver’s license services pursuant to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Order 112204, which includes the local office of Edmonson County Circuit Court Clerk Tanya Hodges.
 
The changes start June 1, 2020, and provide the following:

• Individuals with a driver’s license, permit or ID card that expired or was lost between March 1-June 30, 2020, who wish to obtain a renewal or reissuance must apply through a remote application process.
• Individuals with a driver’s license, permit or ID card that expired or was lost before March 1, 2020, must obtain new credentials, which will be issued through an in-person visit to an Office of Circuit Court Clerk.

 
Driver’s license services were suspended March 18 when Gov. Andy Beshear closed in-person government services due to the pandemic and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray issued an official order giving citizens a 90-day extension to maintain the validity of licenses that expired during office closures.
 
​"Citizens who have a lost or stolen drivers license/ID or ones that expired between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and do not require additional testing can access a form online at drive.ky.gov --fill it out, mail to me with money and I will print and mail license/ID to them," said Clerk Hodges.  "I will also be taking appointments for all other drivers license/IDs for Mondays and Thursdays. People can schedule appointments beginning Monday, June 1 and call anytime to make appointments. The first actual appointment will be on June 8, the second day of appointments June 11 and so on."
 
Hodges said the reasoning behind appointments are currently allowed on certain days only is to follow the Ky Supreme Court guidelines.

"My office is so small that only two people can be at my counter at once to be in compliance. The entrance to the courtroom is also parallel to the entrance to my office so people aren't allowed to stop in for license on court dates and remain in compliance."  
 
Hodges also added that many county residents don't realize the circuit clerk's office is a state office and must follow the orders of the Ky Supreme Court. Often times the local office may not be able to operate like other local county offices. 

You can call the Edmonson County Circuit Clerk's Office at 270-597-2584. Other helpful tips are published below:

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