First confirmed reports of the flu in Kentucky

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

On Monday the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) reported the first two positive influenza cases. One of those was in Henderson County, our neighbors to the north.

Influenza seasons are unpredictable, and often begin spreading as early as October. With two confirmed cases already, it seems the flu is already knocking on the door.

“Our medical sales rep said that they did not produce as many vaccines this year as normal because they do not expect this year to be that bad,” said Michelle Quisenbery, APRN, NP-C, from Cornerstone Family Health in Madisonville. “But it’s really unpredictable. I think a lot of people may get vaccinated just because last year’s flu season was so bad.”

Fiscal Court recieves nearly $1.4 million in taxes forom Alliance

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Representatives of Alliance Resource Partners hand delivered their property tax checks to the Webster County Fiscal Court on Monday,  along with a message.

Webster County slowly, quietly being invaded

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Although most people don’t know it yet, Kentucky has  been invaded. This creature, called an “Indian Monster” by King George II, King of England in 1728, is armor plated comes equipped with strong claws. It’s scientific name is Dasypus novemcinctus, but you would know it as an armadillo. The nine-banded armadillo to be more exact.

In May, Dr. Mike Siebert, DC, was leaving his driveway on Buntin Schoolhouse Rd between Manitou and Hanson, KY, when he spotted the body of an armadillo next to his driveway.

“There really isn’t much to tell,” Siebert said. “I was going down my driveway and there it was. It was probably about the size of a full grown opossum.” 

He quickly snapped a photo and posted it to Facebook.

“When I took ecology in college, our zoology professor told us this would happen,” said Siebert. “I’ve never laughed so hard at anyone in my life.”

On June 3, Caldwell County resident Roy Massey Jr. and his son spotted the body of an armadillo on the Clear Creek Bridge on 293, near the Webster County line.

Man with local ties overcomes odds, competes on Quad Rugby team

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

A spinal injury left Chuck Melton paralyzed, but that hasn’t held him back. In fact, he is probably more active than most people with full mobility.

“On August 16, 2008 I dove into a lake and hit the bottom,” Melton said. This resulted in a C7 injury to his spinal cord that left him unable to walk and with limited use of his arms and hands.

“I was really weak and unmotivated for several years after my accident,” Melton said. But a friend he had made in the hospital changed that. He had invited Melton to join his Quad Rugby team numerous times over a two or three year period, and finally one day Melton agreed.

Weather leads to Trick-or-Treat changes (UPDATED 10-30-13 @ 8:30pm)

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

With a 100% chance for percipitation on Thursday, and a 50% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening hours, community leaders around Webster County have taken a hard look at scheduled Trick-or-Treating hours and begun to make decisions.

As of 10:00 a.m. this morning, Oct. 30, 2013, the cities of Dixon, Clay, Slaughters and Sebree have all officially moved Trick-or-Treat hours from Halloween to the following day, Nov. 1, 2013, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Providence remains the only community in Webster County that plans to stick with normal Trick-or-Treat hours. Those hours are on Halloween from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
"Providence will have Halloween as scheduled Thursday night, there is a slight chance that the time scheduled it will not be raining," Providence Police Chief Brent McDowell wrote on Facebook. "Due to senior night at Webster County Football & other activities we feel that with a chance of it not raining at the time scheduled we would have Halloween as scheduled. We will look at the weather again in the morning and if it looks like there is a higher risk of ...storms & radar shows the storms will hit when Halloween has been scheduled then it will be moved to Friday but that will be determined tomorrow (Halloween Day). As with any weather common sense needs to be used & if it's storming it will be scheduled for Friday but once again that will be determined tomorrow after looking at all the weather that could or could not come. We would like to thank everyone for their patience with us as we figure out what to do & when & keep everyone's safety in mind. Thank You"

Madisonville, in Hopkins County, has also moved their trick-or-treating to Friday afternoon. 

Check back here for any further changes. Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 is expected to be sunny with a high near 67.

Area communities schedule events for the upcoming Holiday Season

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

With the holiday season quickly approaching, Webster County communities are making plans for their  annual holiday festivities.

The first event of the year will be the Sebree Elementary Veterans Day Parade on Friday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m.

Clay will host a Veterans Day celebration starting at 1:00 p.m. in Monday, Novermber 11, 2013 in downtown Clay.

On Thursday December 5, 2013, the Providence Chamber of Commerce will hosts its annual Christmas Banquet and Awards Ceremony at the Providence General Baptist Church.

The Clay Christmas parade will be held on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 6:00 p.m., with the Dixon parade to be held the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m.

Providence’s yearly Christmas parade will be a week later this year than normal, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. Cookies and Hot Chocolate with Santa will follow at the Providence Council Chamber.

Virtual Dementia Tour makes stop in Webster County

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Anyone who has ever had a family member with dementia or Alzheimer’s knows the difficulties that come along with caring for them. It’s hard to escape the frustration of feeling like they are not listening to you, or the embarrassment that comes from loud and often vulgar outburst.

Caring for someone with these and other problems requires a lot of patience and a little understanding. That is why researchers developed the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT), which was in Webster County on Wednesday, October 23, 2013.