Today's News

Callie,  the Kitty…
…seems to be feeling the heat now. She has insisted on going out on these hot days, even running  out between our feet on occasion.
She seemed to prefer relaxing on the shed roof or on the deck, often in the sun. When we tried to get her in the cool house, she refused.
However, yesterday, she came in looking like she had burrowed in the dirt, something she had never done before. Her face, chest, and both front legs and feet were dirty.

Temperatures moderated somewhat compared to previous weeks, while the rainfall total once again fell below average. Statewide temperatures averaged 72.8 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal.
Precipitation totaled 0.28 inches, 0.63 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture was unchanged from last week, with 72 percent very short, 23 percent short and 5 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 80 percent very short, 17 percent short and 3 percent adequate.

Billowing dust plumes follow farmers’ trucks as they drive the parched gravel roads near Vandalia. And the crops lining those roads clearly illustrate the toll taken by the worst drought in decades.

Fayette County’s ongoing issues with its finances were discussed for a couple of reasons at Tuesday’s county board meeting.
During a finance committee report, board Chairman Steve Knebel said the county continues to struggle with the challenge of meeting payroll without dipping into funds generated through the sale of the county’s coal rights.
County Treasurer Rose Hoover told the board that the county did not have to take monies from the capital improvement fund for payroll at the end of July.