Darren Doyle, report:
Chalybeate Fire Chief Daniel Johnson has announced that the fall burn ban is now in effect and will remain until December 15, 2017. 

Johnson says that the KY Division of Forestry Division puts the ban into effect twice each year, once in the spring from February 15 thru April 30, as well as in the fall.

Among other regulations, the ban forbids burning of anything outdoors, within 150ft of woodlands or brushlands until AFTER 6pm unless the ground is covered in snow. Other bans may follow as fall proceeds in the event of extremely dry weather. Local government has the authority to announce and enforce such bans in cases of emergency.

All the information is on the submitted flyer below:

Here's another exciting auction from Ken Byrd Realty & Auction featuring a three bedroom, full basement home with 77.51 acres, full of both cropland and woodland. Click the flyer for all the listing info!

On September 23, the Edmonson Voice received a message from Mrs. Bonnie Jaggers, a resident of E. Hack Road in Brownsville, who said her 20lb pet tortoise "Yaga," had gone missing from their home. She asked us to help get the word out so we posted the info on our Facebook page as we've done many times for our readers with missing pets.

The post was shared over 230 times and reached over 14,000 people.

Earlier today, Mrs. Jaggers contacted us and let us know that Yaga had been safely returned and wanted to thank us and our readers. Below is Mrs. Jaggers' message.

To the Edmonson Voice:

Hello, I just wanted to thank you for sharing the story about our missing tortoise. After being missing for over a week she has been found safe and returned home, thanks to you posting the story and people sharing. Thank you so much!
​-Bonnie Jaggers

Mammoth Cave, Ky.  – September 29, 2017 – The Lodge at Mammoth Cave, located at Mammoth Cave National Park in south central Kentucky near Bowling Green, announces the completion of major renovations to its property under the direction of new management from Ortega National Parks, a Santa Fe, N.M.-based family-run company that operates in National Parks and specializes in the retail and hospitality industry.  The renovations were made to the property’s restaurant, café, and gift shops, providing an ambiance that reflects the national park experience.  In addition to these major renovations, the organization is continuing to remodel its guestrooms and cottages for a high-quality guest experience.
 
“The Lodge at Mammoth Cave is excited to announce its new management under Ortega National Parks and the completion of major renovations to the Green River Grill, Spelunker’s Café and our three gift shops,” said Mike Davis, general manager of The Lodge at Mammoth Cave. “The Lodge allows guests to immerse themselves into the beauty of the area as well as easy access to adventure as it is only steps from the cave’s Historic Entrance, providing a place for guests to make lasting memories with family and friends.”

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​The Lodge at Mammoth Cave completed extensive renovations to its three shops, Kentucky Gifts, Cave Gift Store, and Caver’s Camp Store, which all received new fixtures.  Further renovations to Kentucky Gifts include new raised flooring and a widened shop entrance that now resembles the Mammoth Cave entrance.  The shop was also stocked with new merchandise providing new products for visitors.  The Cave Gift Store was also redone with new flooring and replica cave stalactite formations were created to hang over the cash register area of the shop.
 
Renovations were made to the kitchen of the lodge’s Green River Grill, and the restaurant now also includes a buffet breakfast every morning.  The quaint on-site ice cream and coffee shop, Spelunkers Café & Ice Cream Parlor, underwent renovations with the removal of an inner wall to make the shop larger and is designed in the style of a traditional American diner.  As the lodge is a member of the Kentucky Proud Program, both restaurants feature all local products from Kentucky vendors such as Moore’s Family Farm, Chaney’s Dairy Barn, and Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, as well as local farmers Josh Johnson and Terry Davis.  For example, the restaurants serve local certified Angus beef from Moore’s Family Farm in Barren County, Ky., where the cattle are grass fed without artificial hormones.  The ice cream at Spelunkers Café is from Warren County’s Chaney’s Dairy Barn.
 
In addition to the renovations made to the restaurants and gift shops, The Lodge at Mammoth Cave plans to make updates to its guest rooms and cottages.  Many of the amenities have been updated and exterior renovations are still to be completed.  Plans for guest room and cottage interior renovations will be finalized in the upcoming months.
 
Ortega National Parks began management of The Lodge at Mammoth Cave on January 1, 2017.  The company is family run and manages several national park and concession operations.  The company aims to be environmentally friendly, which it has translated into the changes that have been implemented into The Lodge at Mammoth Cave through a number of environmental policies.  Additionally, Ortega National Parks prefers to operate only in culturally or historically significant areas so it can make a difference in their protection and preservation.  The company also values the importance of using local products and ingredients in its restaurants, showcasing the freshness and flavors of the area.
 
As part of Ortega National Park’s mission to go green, The Lodge at Mammoth Cave is taking part in the Night Sky Program in which the LED lights in the visitor center, main parking lot area, and Woodland Cottages will turn on and off at specified times in order to minimize electricity use and allow guests the best view of the starry night sky.  Additionally, lights throughout the property are being updated to LED.  Other conservation projects are to be
implemented in order to make The Lodge at Mammoth Cave more environmentally friendly.

Such projects include water preservation procedures, energy reduction, waste management, sustainable purchasing of onsite products, supplier partnerships that promote sustainable supply chain management, and preservation and protection of park resources.
 
The Lodge at Mammoth Cave immerses its guests into the wonders and beauty of nature, providing education and fun for all ages.  Not only is Mammoth Cave steps away with various guided tours, but the park also offers extensive hiking and biking trails and river activities. 
 
Mammoth Cave became a national park in 1941 and the existing lodging was built from the 1930’s through the 1990’s.  The hotel offers a total of 54 units at different locations including the Woodland Cottages, Hotel Cottages, Sunset Terrace and the Heritage Trail Rooms to accommodate its guests.  Many of these lodging units remain historically significant, but also have modern amenities that are expected by current-day travelers.
 
For more information, please visit http://mammothcavelodge.com/.