Pennyrile Edition WEDNESDAY, January 1, 2020 VA to support service dogs for PTSD stricken veterans by Alexa Black with PTSD for use at qualifying dogs will help in overall reduc- KPI Staff Writer nonprofits. tion of such numbers. Recent Congress mandated back in studies from the Purdue College Though veterans have left 2010 that the VA extensively of Veterinary Medicine and the the battlefield, many are still study the use of service dogs, National Institutes of Health warring from within when and how the potential benefits showed that service dogs do they return to US soil. It has they may be able to provide have a positive effect. been proven that well-trained veterans suffering with men- Pictured is Roxy the Service service dogs can provide sup- tal health problems, PTSD, Dog of North Carolina and is port, peace, and comfort the and various others stemming well known on social media, nightmarish thoughts plaguing from the toils of war. Due to belonging to disabled Iraq war our soldiers that have made an incident years ago, the veteran who sustained mental countless sacrifices. Lawmakers study was suspended, but has and physical injuries in Bagh- and many advocacy groups are since been rekindled, although dad during his deployment of pushing for change after striv- results will not be officially 2006. Upon returning home, the ing for nearly a decade for the released until the year of 2020. veteran received Roxy as his Department of Veteran Affairs While canines alone cannot PTSD Service Dog, fully trained to change its policy on not reim- cure veterans suffering in such to help with daily tasks and pro- bursing service dogs for vet- a way, they may offer them rea- vide comfort when anxiety from erans. This would assist those sonable distraction, help them PTSD sets in. She is often taken suffering from post-traumatic feel secure within a crowd, or to various VA hospitals to help stress disorder, not just physical provide a bond that humans share her abilities and spread disabilities and mobility issues simply cannot. With an incline awareness so many understand among veterans. Recently, the of veteran suicide rates a daily, the importance of service dogs Puppies Assisting Wounded many within government and like her, such as one recently Service Members (PAWS) would advocacy groups are hoping issued to a Kuttawa veteran Internet sensation, Roxie the PTSD Service Dog require that the VA offer $25,000 that the allowance of service months ago. Photo provided vouchers to veterans suffering Story time leads to visit State park closure from fire from Santa at local library by Alexa Black demonstrates to the KPI Staff Writer children that they are animals, specifies what Recently, the Living- type of animal, and ston County Library that they are puppets. hosted Mrs. Retta Ruth She also encourages Folsom of Paducah and sing along and critical “Story Time” partici- thinking.” pant. She entertained Folsom does this often, children by reading traveling from librar- “The Night Before ies and so on in order Christmas” to all in to read to children attendance. Alongside and kindle an interest Lake Cumberland State Resort Park lodge pool Folsom’s visitation, Ol’ in reading, enhance area was damaged in the fire Santa Claus himself their cognitive abilities Photo from Facebook made an appearance with comprehension, before guests, gifting as well as encourage by Alexa Black cottages safely. families there with children’s use of their KPI Staff Writer The local fire de- hard copies of the fea- imagination. partments responded tured book. “A huge thanks to our A section of the to the fire swiftly, “I must say, I believe he friend group,” Dis- Lake Cumberland and the cause of it enjoyed being front and more said. “And a big State Resort Park is still under heavy center to Mrs. Retta’s thank you to both Mrs. lodge was damaged investigation. Howev- story hour, of which Retta and Santa for by fire, smoke and er, the remainder of was all about him of supporting us, and our water Dec. 20, 2019, the park, including course!” Library Di- patrons. It has been park officials stated. the restaurant and rector Tracey Dismore a fantastic year, and The three-floor pool various other rooms kidded. “Her story Marie and I are looking building, including were not affected and hours at the library forward to what 2020 an indoor pool as well remain open to guests. encourage family time, holds for us and our Left is Santa Claus, right is Retta Ruth Folsom as 15 rooms were shut Despite this and a social interaction with patrons, both big and Photo by library director, Tracey Dismore down accordingly previous closure from other children, and small.” after the incident Dec. 22 until Dec. 27, give opportunity to The Livingston County Library Editions and encouraged to attend occurred. There are the park’s New Year’s build on vocabulary Public Library offers several free programs and help out in any currently no reported Eve Bash was held and language. She al- multiple public com- for all ages, as well as way that they are able, injuries following just as planned, where ways uses her puppets puters, free WiFi and several free programs for education and stim- the fire, and multiple guests rang in the new to educate the chil- printing, Kentucky in order to enhance ulating minds remains guests in three rooms year in "Lake Cumber- dren. For example, she Unbound, Ancestry the community. All are top priority. nearby were moved to land" style. Vehicle pursuit leads to drug confiscation KPI Staff Report KY registration plate and pick Wedding dropped off up order for his registration Beri L. Sheely, 38, of At 3:19 pm on December plate. He also had a receipt Morganfield at a resi- 25 of 2019, the Lyon County pursuant to his failure to dence in Eddyville prior Sheriff was on patrols on KY maintain liability insurance, to the initial traffic 93 South when he spotted a and Wedding was discovered stop. Eddyville Police 2004 Mini-Cooper with a reg- to be without a valid opera- Department located the istration violation operating tor’s license due to expiration female and brought her southbound at Port Authority in August. to the Sheriff ’s Office Road. While attempting to halt However, upon searching for questioning regard- the vehicle, the driver con- further, investigators discov- ing the many items of tinued South on KY 93 before ered suspected marijuana, contraband found within turning down KY 720 West and Methamphetamine and Legend the vehicle. Sheely was eventually stopping the vehi- Drugs in the vehicle, along arrested and found to cle. The driver was listed as with various other items of possess counterfeit cur- Ronald Wedding, 49, of Mor- paraphernalia. A counterfeit rency. ganfield KY, and was operating $100 bill was also located. It Beri L. Sheely and Ronald Wedding mugshots the vehicle with a “cancelled” was then revealed that Mr. Photos provided WEDNESDAY, January 1, 2020 2 COMMUNITY JANUARY The Livingston County Tourist Com- mission held its meet- ing in January 2019 at the Livingston County Public Library. Dis- cussed at the meeting was the bike and trail system located at Exit 31 near Grand Rivers and how it can be bet- ter utilized for walkers and bikers. It was noted the trail system is also Beacon Dragway hosted this years “Night of Fire” an attraction for tour- Andrea Stinson (left) and Crystal McDonald pre- ists who can choose to pare for the Grand Opening of Bomb Diggity Diner spend an extra day in in Smithland. the area exploring the trail along with other The Cabin Pizza that is area attractions. Livingston County already open. Also, Nic- Constable Joey Craw- kell’s Landing Restau- North and South ford recently complet- rant, and T. Lawson’s Livingston Elementa- ed over 50 hours of Restaurant. ry Schools encourage training through the community members Kentucky Constable Andrea Stinson (left) and businesses to come Association. Crawford and Crystal McDonald together and partic- was elected last No- prepare for the Grand ipate in The Great vember as the District Opening of Bomb Digg- Kindness Challenge, 4 Constable of Living- ity Diner in Smithland. scheduled for Feb. ston County. The new eatery is set to 11-15, 2019. The Great open on Friday. Stinson Kindness Challenge is Flooding threatens owns the restaurant a positive, proactive Smithland, closes and said it will feature kindness initiative, county roads. Crews in traditional menu items, reaching millions of Smithland fill sandbags such as burgers, fries students and families in February 2019 in and milkshakes. She every year. anticipation of more also indicated it will rainfall aggravating feature a few items on On Jan. 19, 2019, Liv- the already existing the menu that will set In order from left to right: Bobby Curry, Pat Spoden, Daniel Newcomb, Rick ingston County Schools flooding. it apart from others. Shanklin, David Elliot, and Jerome Mansfield. archery coaches Ales- Students help local cia Wilson and Wesley emergency managment APRIL component of the Na- Allen Wilson, Amelia The Transportation Shuecraft traveled officials sandbag along tional Youth Prepared- Wilson, Field Represen- Committee will include with their teams to the Riverfront Drive in Dominique Wood, an ness Initiative, MyPI tative for Congressman Franklin Walker, Klay Graves County New Smithland last week. Extension Agent for National, a partnership James Comer, and Southern, Ronnie Year Tournament and 4-H Youth Development of 27 states and two Kimberly Fondaw, Alz- Walker and Stephanie 3-D Challenge State MARCH in Livingston County, U.S. territories. heimer’s Ambassador Smith. They will cover Qualifier.