Tomorrow is the due date for little league baseball and softball applications. All forms MUST be postmarked by tomorrow, no exceptions. The forms will not be accepted in any county offices. You can download the form below. 

Mail forms to:
EDMONSON COUNTY BASEBALL/SOFTBALL REGISTRATION
 P.O. Box 93
 Brownsville, KY 42210 

This week's column is a simply a link with some great information on treating mild high blood pressure in an effort to reduce strokes. 

Click here to read.

This column is brought to you each week from your friends at Edmonson Drug Inc. Please visit our Facebook Page for all the latest info and special offers we have available. Have a great and safe weekend!

The family of Bro. Howard Wayne Decker would like to express our deepest and sincerest appreciation for acts of kindness during his untimely death.

Thank you for the many prayers, kind words, cards, food, beautiful flowers and gifts, phone calls and monetary donations.

Thank you for every beautiful song sung in the spirit by Chalybeate United Baptist Church Choir, The Sego Family, Doug Dickson, Katie and Emily, and Bro. Freddie Vertrees. A special thanks to Hannah McCrady for playing the piano for her Uncle. Also to Sherman Glenn Mudd, Robbie Embry, The Caneyville First Responders, and to each pall bearer.

And lastly, thanks to Brothers Jerry Weedman, Garry Watkins, James Jessie, and Richard Minton and all the other preachers, and to Dermitt’s Funeral Home for a blessed service.

Susan, Adam, Jonathan, Katie, the grandchildren, and
Diana and Beulah

Friends and family of Shirley Mae Jaggers are asking for your help. Shirley Mae, a student at ECHS, is currently undergoing cancer treatment in Nashville and the family's expenses continue to rise. Any donations will be greatly appreciated during this difficult time. You can send donations to:

Freddie Wayne Jaggers
PO BOX 112
Sweeden KY 42285

From Family and Friends 

Mammoth Cave Hotel is kicking off Season 2015 by hosting an open house on Wednesday, March 4th from 2:00-4:00 PM in the Main Lobby of the Hotel.   The staff at MCH has worked hard over the winter months to give the hotel lobby, gift shops and dining areas a new look and would like to share their excitement with the community.   

On Saturday, March 7th and Saturday, March 14th, MCH will be presenting a day filled with acoustic music showcasing talented musicians from the area.  The music event will take place each Saturday starting at 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM in the Main Lobby of the Hotel.  March 7th’s lineup will feature artists like the Miller Hayes Band, Rye Davis, 4 Alarm, Laney Meredith, and a host of other local musicians.  

Make plans to visit Mammoth Cave Hotel on March 7th and March 14th and enjoy a showcase of local talented musicians.  (lineup subject to change).   For more information contact Mammoth Cave Hotel at 270-758-2225 or 270-758-2301.

Several churches have cancelled services this weekend due to continued weather conditions. We will update the list as we receive new information. So far, the following churches are cancelled:

Brownsville Missionary Baptist
Union Light 
Chalybeate (no Sunday School, but service will be held at 11am)
Wingfield
Mt. Zion
Bee Spring
Brownsville General Baptist
Ollie
Cedar Hill
Miller Hill (Pleasant Grove)
Hopewell Missionary Baptist
Chalybeate (Saturday Night, no word yet on Sunday)
Otter Gap (Sunday)
Fairview (Saturday)
Hill Grove
Northtown
Jock (no Sunday School, service will be held at 11am)
Pleasant Union Sunday School
Liberty Hill Sunday School

Cleaning Out Your Medicine Cabinet:

Properly Disposing of Expired or Unused Medications

 We all have medicine that needs to be disposed of from time to time. Whether it is expired over the counter items from long years ago or medications left from a recent family member passing on, it’s important to know how to properly dispose of these medications. While there are a select few medications that can be washed down the sink, the majority should be disposed of in a different manner to protect our water supply from being contaminated.  Here are the best ways to properly dispose of your unwanted medications:

Visit Your Local Pharmacy- Many local pharmacies can help assist you in proper drug disposal. Some pharmacies have drop boxes while others can give you valuable information on where to take medications when they are no longer needed. Always start here and check with your pharmacist to find out the proper ways to handle medications and their disposal.

Visit Your Local Law Enforcement Office-  Local law enforcement has stepped up their efforts to help control medications and how they are disposed. Our local Sheriff’s Office has a medication drop box where you can drop off most of your medications. We are very thankful that they offer this valuable resource to our community and is one of the best options for safe disposal.

DEA Drug Take Back Days- The DEA in connection with the Kentucky State Police and Bowling Green Police host Drug Take Back Days several times a year to help collect unwanted medications. At the time of this writing, there have been no dates set for 2015, but we will announce on our Facebook page when these dates are published. During this event, the DEA will take back all of your unwanted medications, even strong pain killers that may be left over from a loved one’s passing.  Since the start of this program, they have removed millions of pounds of unwanted medications and properly disposed of them.

I advise all of our patients that you should clean out your medicine cabinet at least once, if not twice, a year and dispose of unwanted or expired medicines. This will not only help keep you safe from accidentally taking them, but will also make it safer for children and our community. Take advantage of these great options when cleaning up around the house!

Your Family Pharmacist,
Samuel Warnell, Pharm D

Due to the severe winter weather this week, the Edmonson County Parks and Rec is extending the deadline (originally Feb 21) until next Saturday, February 28th. 

All completed applications, with payment, must be mailed in to the P.O. Box listed on the application.  No applications will be accepted at the schools or at any county offices.  If you have any questions regarding Baseball and Softball sign-ups please contact A.B. Webb at 270-597-6623.

You can download the form by clicking below:

Food From the Heart food pick up in Brownsville scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2015 has been cancelled. The weather has caused delayed truck deliveries. Food From the Heart apologizes for the inconvenience.  The next food pantry date is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2015.

Instead of looking for everything in the county that will be closed, your best bet is to assume everything will be closed other than a few retail businesses. Every church service we knew of tonight has been cancelled and all city and county offices will be closed for the remainder of the week. If you need a product or service from a local business, very few will be open so please call them before visiting. Emergency personnel will be on call as always. 

Another two inches of snow fell last night, in addition to the 9-12 inches already on the ground. Road crews worked relentlessly clearing driving routes only to find another mess this morning. 20-30 mph wind gusts created large snow drifts and bitter wind chills today, and according to the forecast, Edmonson County should prepare for some of the coldest temperatures we've seen in years. 

The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning until 11am Thursday. Temps are expected to be anywhere from -5 to -12 tonight, this will create bitterly cold wind chills estimated to be 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Wind chills are expected to be -10 to -20 during the day on Thursday.

If you're not a Wookie,  dress in layers and cover as much exposed skin as possible during the next few days. Check on the elderly as well as livestock and outdoor pets. WRECC urges everyone to reduce their power usage during the bitter cold. Click here for those details.

Edmonson Voice Staff

Several readers sent us their pics of fun in the snow from today. Thanks to all for sharing. Stay safe out there this week. There are still a couple of closings: Edmonson County Schools will remain closed for the rest of the week. The Edmonson County Extension Office class for "Stretching Your Snap Dollars " has been cancelled.  All County and City offices will be open.  The Bank of Edmonson County will be open from 10am to 2pm.  It's likely that several churches will be cancelled, but please check with us tomorrow for confirmation. Please email us any cancellations or info you may have. 

Just last week the Edmonson Voice reported, “Local police are investigating several recent burglaries in the county..”

Seems like we’re seeing more of this, and more often than not when criminals break into a home, one of the first things they look to steal are firearms.  When this happens, 2 disasters happen at once.  First, you’re deprived of your property.  Perhaps it was a family heirloom or your favorite hunting gun. At the very least it was probably valuable and its loss certainly has you upset.  Secondly, your gun is now in the hands of a criminal.  If you think about it long enough, that thought will be more upsetting than losing your property.   Picture the kind of person that breaks into someone else’s home and takes what isn’t theirs without remorse.  What do you suppose that kind of person is going to do with your gun?  He or she is either going to sell it, trade it, (possibly for drugs), or at worst, use it in the commission of another crime.

That being said, it seems clear that we have a responsibility, not only to ourselves, but to everyone in the community to try and store our firearms as safely and securely as possible.  Proper gun storage can also help prevent damage and depreciation of your firearms.  Here are a few suggestions:

Soft-Side and Hard-Side Gun Cases ($10- $150):
Most sporting goods stores have entire aisles dedicated to affordable handgun, rifle, and shotgun cases. The options available range from padded fabric sleeves to rugged foam-lined plastic cases. The primary role of this kind of affordable carry case is to protect guns from physical damage. While they do a good job of preventing dings and scratches, their role as a security device is relatively limited.

Strong Boxes and Metallic Gun Cases ($25 – $350):
In an effort to strike a balance between the security offered by a locking gun cabinet and the portability of a gun case, several companies offer portable strong boxes and metallic gun cases. Metal gun cases usually incorporate a reliable locking system or the means to attach heavy padlocks. Strong boxes, usually intended for handguns, offer mounting systems for permanent attachment to a fixed surface. Some boxes are fitted with quick-opening locking mechanisms, including electronic push-button access and fingerprint scanners.

Locking Steel Gun Cabinets ($150 – $450):
Remember that grand wooden gun display case that your great-uncle had in his den? Looking through the engraved glass panes of the double doors, you could see his beautiful vintage shotgun collection. Sometimes he would retrieve that little brass key to open the doors so you could get a better look. While this kind of locking gun cabinet looks wonderful, it does not offer any truly viable level of safe gun storage, accept against small children. To secure firearms, a locking steel gun cabinet is a more secure choice.

Gun Safes ($500 – $2,500+):
Simply stated, gun safes are the most secure gun storage option available to the average gun owner. Even the basic units have terrific advantages over any of the other gun storage units described so far. A locked safe will definitely prevent a gun from being handled or loaded. The upholstered interior and built-in gun racks will help to protect the finish of the firearms while allowing air to circulate. And, best of all, they are an effective theft deterrent.

Another key in loss prevention is proper documentation of your firearms.  The ATF website offers a simple form to start a personal firearms log that will help you keep track of the information law enforcement will need to help you recover your guns in the event of theft.  Always report lost or stolen guns to law enforcement immediately.  You can find the form here:
https://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf-files/atf-p-3312-8.pdf
References:
http://www.gunsandammo.com/home-featured/ga-basics-how-to-store-your-gun/#ixzz3Rkli7YUC

Thanks, and be sure to visit us at C & C Firearms in Brownsville. Visit our Facebook Page Here: 

This column is brought to you by C & C Firearms, Brownsville Ky. 270-597-1005.

The Shingles Vaccine: Does it work and do you need it?

I receive several questions from patients each week in regards to the shingles vaccine and whether or not they actually need it. With the Zostavax commercial showing up nearly every time you turn the TV on, it’s hard not to remember the painful stories coming from average Joes to celebrities described in them. So what is shingles and is the vaccine really worth your time and money?

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus lies dormant in the nerves of your spinal cord after you are exposed to the chickenpox virus. Once it becomes activated, the virus travels to the end of the nerve and attacks the area of the body that is controlled by that specific nerve. The skin becomes very sensitive and often blisters and a severe rash develop. Many people have nerve pain long after the rash has healed which can last for months. 99.5% of the American population over the age of 50 are at risk of developing shingles because they were exposed to chickenpox. Most cases of shingles occur in patients over the age of 50, so the vaccine is recommended in people over 50 years old.

Zostavax is a vaccine given under the skin that contains a weakened form of the chickenpox virus. It’s important to understand that Zostavax doesn’t completely eliminate your risk of getting shingles. It does however decrease the chance that you will have a severe case that results in prolonged nerve damage and pain that comes with many cases of shingles. It also will not treat or cure an active case of shingles or any nerve pain from a previous shingles episode.

So why should you get it if it doesn’t totally eliminate your risk of shingles? If you ask anyone who has had shingles in the past, they will likely tell you it is one of the most painful events they have experienced. The skin is so sensitive that even having loose clothing touching the area affected can result in severe pain. Zostavax effectively works and decreases your risk of having prolonged nerve pain and having to be hospitalized for a severe case of shingles. Many prescription insurance plans are now actively covering it and giving patients reasonable co pays so they may receive the vaccine. It also only requires one shot in your lifetime to provide immunity.

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about whether you should receive the vaccine. Talk to other people who have had shingles about what they experienced. Ultimately, a little prevention can save you a lot of pain later in life and is always a great idea.

Your Family Pharmacist,
Samuel Warnell Pharm D

Edmonson County Conservation District Fallen Animal Program

While we hope that none of you lose any livestock this season, the reality is that livestock mortality rates increase in the winter months. Please remember that we do have funds available to assist with the cost of burying large animals using State Guidelines. We will reimburse up to $100.00 with some restrictions, until funds are depleted.

Please bring receipts for lime and cost of burial by the Edmonson County Conservation District Office at 100 Washington Street in Brownsville. If you have any questions about the State Guidelines, please call the office at 270-597-2761.

This Flu Rx May Really Work:
Oseltamivir for influenza (Tamiflu)  may shorten symptom duration and reduce need for antibiotics and hospitalization.
Please click here to read about this drug and how it can help. You can read other similar articles by visiting our Facebook page HERE.  

$100 million Expected to Attract Enrollment of 7.7 Million Acres for Conservation

Lexington, KY, Jan. 28, 2015 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture will make available $100 million this year through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners should submit applications by Feb. 27, 2015 to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding (applications received after that date will be considered for future funding).   This year’s investment may result in the enrollment of up to 7.7 million acres in the program by private landowners.

“CSP is a way of incentivizing farmers, ranchers, and private forest managers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship,” said Tim Bartee of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “By focusing on multiple resource concerns, landowners are able to achieve a sustainable landscape and maintain or increase the productivity of their operations.”

Through CSP, participants take additional conservation steps to improve the resource conditions on their land, including soil, air and habitat quality, water quality and quantity, and energy conservation.

Bartee said CSP producers are conservation leaders, showing how science-based conservation and technological advancements can improve the environment and farming operations at the same time.  For example, Tom Wimpsett from Warren County, Kentucky turned to NRCS in 2011 for assistance.  Through the CSP, Wimpsett received financial and technical assistance to implement water quality and plant resource activities. Through an intensive rotational grazing plan, he is achieving a higher quality and better yielding forage which leads to more productive livestock. His goal is to achieve optimal environmental conditions by maintaining this healthy forage which also protects the soil surface from erosion and reduces risks to ground and surface water quality. 

 “CSP is a great addition to our conservation toolbox for our Landscape Conservation Initiatives, which rally together landowners at the broader level to make conservation improvements that help us tackle our nation’s resource issues,” Bartee said. “Historically, other conservation programs have driven these initiatives, but now with CSP, we’ll be bringing more farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to these efforts.”

Applications should be submitted to local NRCS offices.  As part of the CSP application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete a resource inventory of their land, which will help determine the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities. The applicant's conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.

For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted or the USDA Service Center at 925 Lovers Lane, Bowling Green, KY or phone at 270-843-1111 x 3.