🌱 Health Dept. To Offer Fentanyl Test Strips + Bridge Renovations

Good morning, friends! It's me, Sean Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Come along to find out everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Not as warm with a t-storm. High: 79 Low: 67.
• Tuesday: Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid. High: 78 Low: 68.

From our sponsor:

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Here are the top four stories today in Bowling Green:

1. Bowling Green Athletic Club held its seventh annual Stuff the Bus Family Fun Run at Chaney's Dairy Barn on Saturday, attracting a record-breaking 200 participants who took part in the Family Fun Run 5K and Glimmer Gallop Kids Run. Seventeen-year-old Tyler Stranger of Scottsville emerged as the winner and received a prize of free Slim Chickens for a year. The event successfully raised approximately $7,000, with all proceeds benefiting Stuff the Bus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing school supplies to children in need. (WBKO)
2. Kentucky has experienced a decrease in overdose deaths, marking the first decline in four years, but the opioid crisis remains an ongoing concern. Gov. Andy Beshear attributes this decline to improved treatment access and recent legislative changes. House Bill 353, signed into law by the governor, decriminalizes fentanyl test strips, allowing individuals in Kentucky to test illegal drugs for the presence of fentanyl. The Barren River District Health Department is expanding its efforts to combat overdoses by offering Narcan and fentanyl test strips to residents across all eight counties they serve starting Jul. 1. (wnky.com)
3. The College Street Pedestrian Bridge, an important historic landmark built during the Civil War, is undergoing renovations to maintain its historic integrity. The boat ramp beneath the bridge is currently closed and will remain so for several weeks. The city has secured a $1.6 million grant to fund the repairs, which include removing lead paint and repainting the bridge to match its original color, following historic guidelines. (wnky.com)
4. The Glasgow Police Department is seeking assistance in finding Ashley and Kelly Sauceda, aged 15 and 16, respectively, who went missing from a residence on Columbia Avenue during the night of Jun. 16. If anyone has information regarding their whereabouts, they are encouraged to contact Officer Josh Hardin at (270) 651-6165 or (279) 651-5151. (WBKO)

Today and tomorrow in Bowling Green:

Monday, June 19

• Vacation Bible School 2023 - Ready, Set, Move! At Broadway UMC (6:30 PM)

Tuesday, June 20

• Wishbone Ash Featuring Argus Live! At Capitol Arts Center (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Bowling Green Police Department (BGPD) is actively recruiting for its upcoming academy class and is seeking individuals who are committed to community service and making a positive impact. The application deadline for BGPD Class 6 is Jul. 12, with later applications considered for future classes. (WBKO)
• Glasgow revived its Scottish roots with the return of the "Glasgow Gaelic Gathering" after a four-year hiatus! The event, which started at Yancey's Gastropub and took place over the weekend, is a precursor to the revival of the Highland Games next year. The gathering offers classes, workshops, and cultural events to celebrate the Scottish Gaels' language and heritage. (WBKO)
• Congratulations to Justin Williams and Sarah Lockwood, residents of Bowling Green, who received $500 scholarships from the Kentucky Rural Letter Carriers' Association Book Fund! Williams is pursuing a master's degree in computer science and engineering, while Lockwood is studying at Southern New Hampshire University. (Bowling Green Daily News)

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.