Local News
Health board preparing for third wave of H1N1 virus
The second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic appeared to peak in mid October, the Madison County Board of Health was told Wednesday night, but a third wave could occur in the winter.
While the number of infections has steadily declined since October, the disease still is widespread in Kentucky and hospitalization rates remain high, compared to the rate for seasonal flu, said Jim Rousey, health department director.
Nationwide, 22 million cases of H1N1 flu have been reported, with 100,000 patients hospitalized and about 4,000 deaths attributed to the virus. Secondary bacterial infections were associated with many of the deaths, Rousey said.
If H1N1 infections follow the pattern of past pandemics, including the 1918-19 Spanish flu, then Kentucky and the nation can expect a third, but less numerous, surge of infections to begin about 12 weeks after the second wave peaked, Rousey said.
The first, and mildest, wave of infections peaked in the spring.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” Rousey said.
Because the pandemic probably has not run its course, its still important for people, especially for those in the more vulnerable segments of the population, to be vaccinated, he said.
Health officials fear that the declining number of infections in November will lead people to believe the danger has passed, and they will neglect getting a vaccine.
A little more than a third of the county’s kindergarten through high school students have been vaccinated, Rousey said. Most received vaccinations from in-school clinics, but others came to the health department’s walk-in clinics.
Vaccinated children 9 and under will receive a booster shot next week, he said.
Madison County has received 11,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Most of it has been administered at the school clinics and the public walk-in clinics, but doses have been made available to local pediatric and obstetric practices, pharmacies and the county’s two colleges.
Local medical, law enforcement and firefighting personnel also have been vaccinated.
Free public walk-in clinics have been scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at both health department locations, on North Boggs Lane in Richmond and on Rash Road in Berea.
While the department still strongly encourages targeted populations — age 6 months to 24 years, caregivers for children under 6 months, pregnant women, adults with chronic respiratory illnesses, health-care providers and emergency personnel — to be vaccinated, no one will be turned away from the Dec. 12 clinics, said Christie Green, health department spokesperson.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@
richmondregister.com or
at 624-6622.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
The 2011 convention of the National Junior Classical League will take place July 25-30 at Eastern Kentucky University.
Up to 1,600 high school students from around the country who study Latin or Greek language and history are expected to attend, said Bari Clements, a Latin teacher at Madison Central High School who will co-chair the event with Kathy Elifrits of Covington Latin High School. -
Arts Gala, Pottery Festival kick off autumn activities
A nearly non-stop string of festivals and other fall events starts on Friday.
The Richmond Area Arts Council will get things going on Friday with its 20th annual Arts Gala at the home of Marilyn and Ralph Hacker, beginning at 5 p.m. It will be highlighted by a 6:30 p.m. dinner show with the Cool Waters cowboy band. For tickets, visit www.artsinrichmond.org or call 624-4242.
On Saturday and Sunday, the sixth annual Great American Pottery Festival with eight potters demonstrating their craft will take place in Richmond’s Irvine McDowell Park. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will have their wares for purchase. Although getting a chance to turn mud into a pot or vase is great fun for children of all ages, the annual Kids Fest on Saturday in the park will have loads of other entertainment for youngsters. Both events are free. -
Alford plea for two suspected in Iowa robbery
Two men accused of an Iowa bank robbery pleaded guilty Thursday in Madison Circuit Court to receiving stolen property less than $10,000, a Class D felony.
Both men entered Alford pleas. By entering an Alford plea, a defendant admits that enough evidence exists for prosecutors to convince a jury the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but does not actually admit to performing the crime of which they are accused. -
Delinquent taxpayers given warning to pay
The City of Richmond is giving those who owe delinquent property taxes a chance to pay before their name and owed amount appear in the Richmond Register.
The names of those who owe and how much they owe the city is scheduled to be published as a legal advertisement in the newspaper Saturday, Sept. 25. The deadline to pay before the name and amount are listed is Tuesday, Sept. 21 by 4:30 p.m.
The delinquent taxes being sought are for 2009, and bills for 2010 collections will be mailed out on Oct. 1. -
Hearing delayed for 3 accused of violating graves
A mandatory state furlough day Friday delayed a pretrial conference for three people accused of damaging graves at Richmond Cemetery.
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Voting resumes for playground ‘Refresh’ grant
Supporters of a playground accessible for handicapped children at Lake Reba Park have resumed their effort to win a $25,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.
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Commissioner: No one should take credit for street paving
A recent door-to-door excursion by a Richmond city commissioner was a way to say “Thank You,” rather than take credit for city services, he said.
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Lots of choices on November’s ballot
When Madison Countians go to the polls Nov. 2, there will be plenty of choices to make.
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Hudson to retire from Pattie A. Clay
Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center’s president and chief executive officer will retire next year, the hospital announced Friday.
In 2010, Pattie A. Clay will complete 118 years of providing healthcare for Madison and the surrounding counties. The year 2010 will also mark the sixth and final year that Robert J. Hudson will serve as the hospital’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Hudson will be retiring next spring with 33 total years of service to Pattie A. Clay. -
Richmond man pleads guilty to robbing stores
A Richmond man accused of robbing three check cashing stores in Richmond and Berea, pleaded guilty in Madison Circuit Court on Thursday, as part of a plea agreement.
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EKU to host National Junior Classical League Convention
