Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Jr. has issued an Executive Order establishing a curfew for Hopkins County, effective immediately, that will improve social distancing and decrease the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, in this area.

The curfew is a result of consultation with Health Department officials, area health care services, local law enforcement, and others regarding the quick spread of the disease. On Thursday, March 26, the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Hopkins County. As of Thursday, April 2, three county residents have died from the virus and the Hopkins County Health Department has confirmed 33 cases of COVID-19. Many additional residents are in quarantine or self-imposed isolation.

The provisions of the curfew are:

• Those 18 and younger should not be in public between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or on the way or actively engaged in employment.
• Groups of 10 or more people congregating in any place open to the public are prohibited. This does not prevent unassociated persons from being in a public place, such as a grocery store or outdoor park.

The Executive Order will be enforced by all local law enforcement agencies after all reasonable efforts for voluntary compliance have been exhausted.

On March 16, 2020, Judge-Executive Whitfield declared a State of Emergency in the county due to the impending spread of COVID-19. State law gives the Judge-Executive the authority to declare a curfew during a State of Emergency.

Those with questions should call Hopkins County Government Center at (270) 821-8294.

Until further notice, plastics and cardboard recycling has been suspended at all county convenience centers. The service will resume once COVID-19 restrictions are no longer necessary.

Additionally, residents who are disposing of more than one pickup truckload or equivalent trailer load per day of yard waste such as dead plants, leaves, grass, and limbs should take them to the Barnsley Center at 5697 Old Hopkinsville Road.

For more information, call (270) 383-2711.

Starting March 23, 2020 and until further notice, the Dalton and Ashbyburg convenience centers will only be open for one day each week.

• The Dalton Convenience Center, 2050 Dalton Road, will be open 7 a.m.-4:50 p.m. on Saturdays.
• The Ashbyburg Convenience Center, 785 Onton Road, will be open 7 a.m.-4:50 p.m. on Tuesdays.

All other convenience centers will continue normal days and hours of operation.

For more information, call (270) 821-8294.

During the March 17, 2020 Fiscal Court meeting, Hopkins County Jail Deputy Sara Davis was recognized for five years of service. Pictured, from left: Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Jr., Sara Davis, and Hopkins County Jailer Mike Lewis.

A proclamation was read during the March 3, 2020 meeting of the Hopkins County Fiscal Court declaring the month of March as Literacy Month in Hopkins County. Pictured are Peggy Stirsman of the Celebrate Literacy Hopkins County committee, and Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Jr.

During the March 3, 2020 Fiscal Court meeting, Hopkins County’s head custodian, Phil Cruce, was recognized for 20 years of service to the county. From left: Phil Cruce and Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Jr.

Deputy County Clerk Angela Burden was recognized for 10 years of service to the county during the January 7, 2020 meeting of Hopkins County Fiscal Court. From left: Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield, Jr., Angela Burden, and County Clerk Keenan Cloern.