September 16, 2021 Governor Update
Kentucky Doctor on COVID-19: ‘It’s Hard to Tell a 40-Year-Old They’re Going to be Dead Within 24 Hours and There’s Nothing We Can Do’
700 Capitol AvenueFrankfort, KY 40601
Colleague adds: ‘I’ve been in codes not just for people my age, but my kid’s age’
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 16, 2021) – On Thursday during his weekly Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is supporting hospitals in the fight against COVID-19 with expanded personnel and testing assistance, as health care professionals sound the alarm on the delta variant’s threat, even to young Kentuckians.
From March 2020 to May 2021, before the delta variant was dominant in the United States, 74% of COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky were among those 70 and older, and 98% were among those 50 and older. From June 2021 to Sept. 15, 2021, once the delta variant became dominant, the share of younger COVID-19 patients dying increased significantly. During that time, 48% of COVID-19 deaths in Kentucky were among those 70 and older, and 88% were among those 50 and older.
“The No.1 thing that we can do to get through this is to get vaccinated,” said Gov. Beshear. “I think the tough conversations we’re having with those we love who may be hesitant to get the vaccine are making a difference, but we need a lot more of those conversations.”
As of today, Kentucky has 93 total adult ICU beds left. Out of 96 Kentucky hospitals, 66 are experiencing critical staffing shortages.
“Within the last month or so, we’ve been seeing 20-year-olds and 30-year-olds and 50-year-olds come in and within 24 to 48 hours they die,” said Traci Sanchez, MD, King's Daughters Medical Center. “Families are angry. They’re lost. Patients are lost because they know they’re dying. It’s hard to tell someone who is 40 years old that they’re going to be dead within 24 hours and there’s nothing we can do.”
The Governor said more than two dozen hospitals are receiving or soon will receive Kentucky National Guard support. To see a map of all hospitals receiving assistance, click here.
The state is supporting six community testing sites across Kentucky. To see a map, click here.
Nursing students are also supporting more than a dozen hospitals throughout the commonwealth. To see a map of these hospitals, click here.
To see a map that includes Kentucky National Guard, nursing student and testing support, click here.
Three other doctors from King’s Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) in Ashland and the chief executive at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana shared the pain and sudden loss they see families go through every day due to COVID-19.
September 13, 2021 Governor Update
Gov. Beshear: ‘I Am Asking You to Break the Thanksgiving Dinner Rule to Get People Vaccinated’
700 Capitol AvenueFrankfortKY40601
Kentucky third in nation for new daily COVID-19 cases per capita
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 13, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said Kentucky currently ranks third in the nation for the highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases per capita, with a seven-day average of approximately 90 new cases reported per 100,000 people.
“I am asking you to break the Thanksgiving dinner rule and have a tough conversation with those you love and care about who are hesitant to get the vaccine,” said Gov. Beshear. “It won’t be easy. But they are more likely to listen to a friend or family member, and that one conversation could save their life.”
The Governor highlighted a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that found people who were not fully vaccinated this spring and summer were more than 10 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 11 times more likely to die of COVID-19, than those who were fully vaccinated.
“Today, I have 38 COVID patients on my unit. That is every room that we could possibly open and every patient we could possibly take care of,” said Laura Gevedon, RN, shift supervisor for the Pikeville Medical Center COVID unit. “Every patient that we have had say that they regret not getting their COVID-19 vaccine. They wish that they had never listened to anyone who said not to get it. They regret waiting. Get the vaccine and wear a mask.”
She added: “Last week, a man had a BiPAP on and was maxed out on his oxygen, but he was dropping. He told me to take it off and let him die. I told him that he had more fight and we weren’t going to do it. I called his wife and she talked to him convinced him to give it a little while longer. His BiPAP was so loud that his wife couldn’t hear what he was saying, so I asked him what he wanted me to tell her. He wanted me to tell her that he loved her and that he would be on the ventilator by that evening. Two hours later, he was unresponsive so we put him on a ventilator. The next day he passed away. That is my every day.”
“One thing that we have noticed recently is a big influx of COVID-19-positive patients that are younger. The ones that are the sickest are the ones who are unvaccinated,” said Alicia Hume, RN, clinical outcomes specialist at the Medical Center at Bowling Green Emergency Department. “The ones who are vaccinated aren’t getting as sick and typically don’t have to be admitted unless they have some comorbidities or health problems prior to coming in.”
“In addition to helping take care of patients when we have had such a high influx, I also work with our specialty infusion clinic giving the Regeneron antibody infusions. We have seen a lot of success with this, and the folks who are able to get in to get the infusions are all feeling better,” said Melissa Gilpin, BSN, clinical nurse educator at the Medical Center at Bowling Green Emergency Department. “Unfortunately, we just can’t keep up with the demand. We have so many positive patients come in and we don’t have enough time or space to give them this treatment that could be helpful. We are overwhelmed, and our staff is tired. They are wanting to do the best they can for this community. Get your vaccines, wear your mask and stay safe.”
COVID-19 Case Information Update
Online Payment Option Now Available
The City of Russellville has partnered with Nexbillpay to provide additional payment options for our customers. You now have the option to pay your City water bill on the internet or over the phone with a credit or debit card. Please note the link above under Online Services named Russellville Water - Pay Water Bill. There is also a link to the gateway page in the main menu at the top under SERVICES named MAKE ONLINE PAYMENT. Both links will take you to the gateway page with details about the transaction. The telephone number for making over-the-phone payments is also on that page.
September 9, 2021 Governor Update
Gov. Beshear: More Than 300 Additional Guard Members Will Support Strained Hospitals Across Kentucky
700 Capitol AvenueFrankfort, KY 40601
Governor also recognized nursing students helping health care systems amid COVID-19 surge
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 9, 2021) – On Thursday during his weekly Team Kentucky update, Gov. Andy Beshear said more teams from the Kentucky National Guard will arrive over the next week at strained Kentucky hospitals. Assisting with nonclinical functions within the hospitals to allow hospital staff to focus on patient care, 310 additional Guard members will support 21 hospitals around the commonwealth.
“This shows that every hospital is bursting at the seams, that they desperately need help and that we are a state full of more desperately sick people than we have ever seen,” said Gov. Beshear. “I believe this is the largest deployment of the Guard in this crisis health care situation in our history. Every time we’ve asked, they’ve stepped up and served us so proudly.”
More than 100 Guard members already are assisting at St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Appalachian Regional Healthcare in Hazard, The Medical Center at Bowling Green and Pikeville Medical Center. The additional teams will support:
- T.J. Samson Community Hospital, Glasgow;
- Taylor Regional Hospital, Campbellsville;
- Ohio County Hospital, Hartford;
- Manchester Hospital, Manchester;
- CHI Saint Joseph Health, London;
- Baptist Health Hospital, Corbin;
- Baptist Health Hospital, Elizabethtown;
- Baptist Health Hospital, Lexington;
- Baptist Health Hospital, Louisville;
- Baptist Health Hospital, Paducah;
- Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center, Prestonsburg;
- Tugvalley ARH Regional Medical Center, South Williamson;
- Middlesboro ARH Hospital;
- Harlan ARH Hospital;
- Mercy Health - Lourdes Hospital, Paducah;
- UofL Hospital, Louisville;
- TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital, Bowling Green;
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital, Mount Vernon;
- Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset;
- Kentucky River Medical Center, Jackson; and
- St. Elizabeth Covington Hospital.
Read more: September 9, 2021 Governor Update
Chipper Truck Routes
The chipper truck runs every week of the month.
The map below shows which streets are covered on which day.
Click on the image to view a larger version of the map.
Employement Opportunity: Sewer Maintenance Trainee
The City of Russellville, KY is seeking a Sewer Maintenance Trainee.
This is an entry level position, reporting directly to the supervisor of the I&I Department.
This position will require learning and performing the following duties:
- Checks collection system for Inflow and Infiltration.
- Learning manhole, air release valves and sewer line locations throughout the city.
- Performs minor repair, major repair, and new construction to collection system.
- Routine and non-routine maintenance on submersible and suction lift pump stations.
- Assist with customer relations.
- Operate equipment such as jetter wagon, vac-wagon, backhoe and video equipment.
- Must be able to respond to calls in an emergency situation at all hours.
- On call on a rotation with a pager. Assists other departments and employees as required.
Experience is a plus.
Must pass a medical examination, drug screening, background check and hold a valid driver’s license.
Applications may be printed here or picked up at the Mayor’s office
168 S. Main St. Russellville, KY 42256
Street Department Dumpster Schedule and Hours
Open second Saturday every other month.
| Month | Hours |
| January | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| March | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| May | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| July | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| September | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
| November | 7:00am - 3:00pm |
Public Notice
Effective immediately:
The City of Russellville Water Department can no longer accept change in excess of $5.00 for payment. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We appreciate your understanding.