Area News

Photo illustration from berries.com Strawberries could help protect your brain from Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from researchers at Rush University in Chicago. They found that a compound in strawberries, pelargonidin may be associated with less neurofibrillary tau tangles in the brain. “Tau tangles are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, which…

More Covid-19 shots as CDC sees all counties at elevated risk Kentucky still has 80 of its 120 counties are at the highest risk level for Covid-19, and the state no longer has any counties at a low level, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk map. Last week, seven were…

Local emergency management director’s guidance for helping eastern Kentucky flood victims.   by Pat Conley/Citizen staff Lloyde Campbell has learned a lot since being named (by Judge-Executive Mike Williams) emergency manager for all of Bourbon County in 2019. He’s already dealt with a global pandemic, a major winter storm, a conflagration which took most of…

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News   The new, easy-to-remember 988 behavioral-health crisis hotline took 220 calls on the first weekend it went live in Kentucky, according to Gov. Andy Beshear, marking a 30% increase over the former 800-272-8255 number, which still works. “Calling or texting this number will connect Kentuckians facing risk of suicide,…

by Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News   With 113 of the state’s 120 counties with an elevated risk from coronavirus on the latest weekly risk map Thursday, it’s no wonder that Gov. Andy Beshear sounded the alarm that “Covid is spreading” and strongly urged the state’s seniors to get booster vaccinations. Beshear noted at least…

Kentucky Health News map shows counties in study; click it to enlarge. By Elizabeth Chapin University of Kentucky The $87 million study to find the best ways to battle the opioid epidemic at the local level in Kentucky is expanding to more communities across the state. The second wave of the University of Kentucky’s HEALing Communities…

By Penn State Health Summer has arrived and with it so have dreams of beach vacations, trips to the waterpark and outdoor activities. After months of winter’s colder temperatures, you’re ready to get outside in search of that warm feel of sun on your skin and the resulting “healthy glow.” Sure, the sun feels good,…

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News   Starting Saturday, July 16, the new behavioral-health crisis hotline number will be 988, much like 911 for medical crises and other emergencies. “It’s substance use, mental health, and suicide — so all of the continuum of care,”  Beck Whipple, suicide-prevention coordinator for the state Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental and…

MARK BURDEN | Bluegrass Narcotic Task Force  The Bluegrass Narcotic Task Force (comprised of members from Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Cynthiana Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, and Paris Police Department) and Kentucky State Police (KSP) performed a multi-county arrest detail focusing on 22 narcotics traffickers. This operation was further supported by Kentucky State Police,…

By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As coronavirus cases continue to tick up in Kentucky, a new Omicron subvariant, reported to be the most transmissible yet, is now dominant in the U.S., and wastewater testing in Louisville confirms that it’s the dominant strain there too. “Viruses are smart,” Dr. Mark Burns, assistant professor of infectious…