Bad Weather

More than 900 families will be able to enjoy Christmas this year, thanks to the volunteers who made the 40th annual Operation Happiness possible. Despite ice and snow, volunteers still made it a priority to come and help hand out food boxes, coats and toys. “We had more people come through because school was out. In years past, maybe Mom or Dad came out, but this year, Mom and Dad and the kids came out. This was probably one of the biggest crowds we’ve had,” said Darren Diguette, Operation Happiness co-chairman.

Bad weather thwarted what could have been a banner year for Kentucky's farm economy, Kentucky Farm Bureau President Marshall Coyle said in a keynote address at the organization's 88th annual meeting. Coyle, a Bath County farmer completing his second year as president of the state's largest farm organization, told Farm Bureau leaders that a spring freeze and summer drought made 2007 difficult for many of the state's farm families. "This year's calamity was especially hard to swallow because strong markets had made this a very promising year for most of our commodities," Coyle said, noting that at the beginning of 2007, agricultural economists were citing the potential for record farm income in Kentucky.

Monday night’s Wilmore City Council meeting has been canceled due to impending severe weather in the Central Kentucky Area. The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for 28 counties in Central Kentucky until 7 p.m. Monday. Strong winds and large amounts of rain are also in the forecast for Monday afternoon and throughout the night. “It looks like this could be with us for a little while, so the mayor’s made a decision to go ahead and cancel (the meeting)

Last month's storms proved that residents don't have to wait until March to prepare themselves for severe weather, Jessamine County Emergency Management Director John Carpenter said. "March is severe weather month, but there's a couple other months in the year that tornado-wise, there's about as much activity that is recorded as there is in March and April," he said. "Anymore, it's just about year-round with the way our weather has changed. " Carpenter ranked flooding as the top weather-related danger the county faces, followed closely by tornados.

More than 100 volunteers turned out Saturday for the River Sweep to help clean up the Kentucky River banks near Fort Boonesborough State Park beach. This was the 20th year the sweep has been conducted. Last year's event was canceled because of bad weather.

Maybe it was just Lincoln County's turn to get a break from bad weather; the past few years have brought ice, rain and tornados that have damaged homes and upset lives. Bad weather, historically bad weather passed north and south of Lincoln County, and with the exception of some uprooted trees and minor property damage the county did fine. The bad weather really started Wednesday afternoon when a strong straight-line wind passed just north of the fairgrounds, toppling swing sets, downing trees and even flipping over a camper in the Sun  Valley development.

Students in Jessamine County, like those in many other counties, have had a few extra days out of school recently, thanks to the string of bad weather which hit Kentucky. But, while they probably enjoyed the unexpected break, it will mean they will have to go to school later into the summer as schools adjust their calendars to make up for the missed days. The Jessamine County School District has missed four days because of snow thus far, but unlike some districts around the state, it has specific days built into the school calendar to accommodate for the possibility of bad weather.

Clark Kiwanis Club The Clark County Kiwanis Club will have its February business meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Breaking Bread Cafe, at People Helping People. Winchester AARP The Winchester AARP, chapter 632, will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Generations Center, 32 Meadow St. Kenny Speakes will provide the program. Members are asked to bring something for the Backpack Program. Dinner will be potluck. If school is canceled that day due to bad weather, the meeting will be canceled.

Central Kentucky Blood Center issued an emergency appeal Tuesday for blood donors after flu and bad weather combined to force the cancellation of five blood drives in one day, a potential loss of more than 260 pints of blood. Additional drives set for later in the week also are threatened. "This is the first time since central Kentucky's severe ice storm in February 2003 that we have had so many blood drives cancelled in one day," said Dan Dickson, director of communications for CKBC.

Our annual 4th of July picnic was cancelled this past weekend due to bad weather. It will be rescheduled with the date to be announced. Youth Camp is set for next week. Bro. James Carrier is asking for donations of soft drinks and bottled waters for camp. Any donations can be left in the church foyer. The Royal Rangers meet every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The program is for children ages 5-10. Bro. Johnny and Sis. Sheila Walls are the children's pastors. Remember our weekly broadcast on the new local radio station, WPBK (102.

It's hard to believe, but it's that time of the year again. Ground Hog Day, that amusing event that occurs each year on the second day of February, is almost here. According to folklore, the little brown marmot will awake from a long winter nap, come out of his comfortable den, and through sleepy eyes, look around at the landscape.  What he sees will indicate what the weather will be for the next six weeks. If the sun is shining and the groundhog sees his shadow, he will return to the comfort of his den to sleep soundly through six more weeks of bad weather, but if it is cloudy and he doesn't see his shadow, winter will essentially be over and he will remain outside the den to enjoy pleasant weather that is sure to come.

More than 100 volunteers turned out Saturday for the River Sweep to help clean up the Kentucky River banks near Fort Boonesborough State Park beach. This was the 20th year the sweep has been conducted. Last year's event was canceled because of bad weather.

It seems that I am always harping on the subject of disasters, but checking back I have written only two columns since February on problems and solutions when severe weather strikes. Taking my cue from last weekend's tornadoes in the mid-section of the country, I looked for articles on the very basic information needed by families with young children and pets when the sirens wail, warning of traumatic weather. The first thing you need to do now is to make sure you can hear the warning siren in your neighborhood.

The severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that caused heavy damage and several deaths across Kentucky and Indiana March 3 served as a vivid reminder that being prepared before storms hit is crucial. Winchester-Clark County Emergency Management Director Gary Epperson said spring is the prime season for severe weather outbreaks and being prepared for them beforehand many times can mean the difference between life and death. “Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes sometimes without warnings.

Maybe it was just Lincoln County's turn to get a break from bad weather; the past few years have brought ice, rain and tornados that have damaged homes and upset lives. Bad weather, historically bad weather passed north and south of Lincoln County, and with the exception of some uprooted trees and minor property damage the county did fine. The bad weather really started Wednesday afternoon when a strong straight-line wind passed just north of the fairgrounds, toppling swing sets, downing trees and even flipping over a camper in the Sun  Valley development.

Even though the sun was still shining Friday at the Danville/Boyle County Airport and Stuart Powell field was full of onlookers hoping see the liftoff of the 22nd Annual Great American Balloon Race, threatening weather caused organizers to postpone the event until Sunday. Twenty balloonists and their teams had checked in and patiently waited to learn if the race would take place. Incoming weather and surrounding storms were closely watched on a computer until the final decision was made to postpone the race.

Monday night’s Wilmore City Council meeting has been canceled due to impending severe weather in the Central Kentucky Area. The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for 28 counties in Central Kentucky until 7 p.m. Monday. Strong winds and large amounts of rain are also in the forecast for Monday afternoon and throughout the night. “It looks like this could be with us for a little while, so the mayor’s made a decision to go ahead and cancel (the meeting)

The battlefields of Camp Nelson Heritage Park were bustling last Saturday as members of the 8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Company E staged a living history event. Bad weather canceled Sunday’s scheduled activities. Jessamine County Magistrate George Dean, who serves as chairman of the Camp Nelson Foundation, said the Tennessee group contacted Camp Nelson several months back. “They decided that they wanted to put together something this spring,” Dean said. “They must certify themselves on the artillery pieces, and they’re doing some routine camp life event.” Fred London, with the 8th Tennessee said the volunteer infantry group originally organized at Camp Nelson in 1863.

What is the name of the creature that hides from snowflakes? I don’t think it’s the birds. I saw them hard at work this wintry Wednesday morning. They were flitting from feeder to feeder, pretending to be hungry, but really just cheerful at being alive and able to fly. As for the dogs lucky enough to be off the leash, they leave their tracks in the fresh snow, too. They have not forgotten how to play, even though they cannot fly. They want to get off the leash. In this regard, dogs and birds are superior to us: They know that joy of being outside.

More than 900 families will be able to enjoy Christmas this year, thanks to the volunteers who made the 40th annual Operation Happiness possible. Despite ice and snow, volunteers still made it a priority to come and help hand out food boxes, coats and toys. “We had more people come through because school was out. In years past, maybe Mom or Dad came out, but this year, Mom and Dad and the kids came out. This was probably one of the biggest crowds we’ve had,” said Darren Diguette, Operation Happiness co-chairman.