Kentucky

‘It’s just a miracle’: Man found alive after 14 days in the Kentucky wilderness

Published

15 hours ago

July 25, 2024

‘It’s just a miracle’: Man found alive after 14 days in the Kentucky wilderness

Scott Hern, a 48-year-old from Ohio, was found alive Saturday after spending 14 days in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest. Rescuers had all but given up hope and were ready for ‘sad news.’

A man was found alive after 14 days in the Kentucky wilderness in what rescuers are calling a miracle for the 48-year-old.

The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team had been actively searching for Scott Hern since July 16, about 10 days after he was last was seen on Tower Rock Trail in southern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest.

Multiple agencies helped look for Hern through “heavy terrain” until Saturday afternoon, when they found a shoe print and evidence of a walking stick “in an area that few travel” near Bell Falls, the Wolfe County team posted on Facebook.

“They continued pushing up the creek when they heard someone yell for help,” the agency said. “The five-person team then worked for some time to locate Scott up a steep embankment below a cliff line.”

The team “couldn’t be happier” to have found Hern after after he was gone for two weeks and went “12 days without any food or water,” the team wrote. “We were persistent in our search, but hope was fading.”

Hern was carried, airlifted and transported to a local hospital. He was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and is currently recovering at home.

‘Best hug of both our lives,’ searcher says

Eric Wolterman, a Wolfe County Search & Rescue team member, took to Facebook to share a few thoughts a day after Hern was rescued.

Wolterman, who doesn’t consider himself a particularly religious person, took some time to say a prayer for “Scott Hern and his family” early Saturday morning.

“To be honest, praying isn’t something that I do too often. We were working on this operation since Tuesday, and most of the team went into the day pretty much with the thought that this was going to be a recovery mission,” Wolterman wrote. “So, I said a prayer knowing the family would probably be getting some very sad news that day.”

They were set to embark on one last search in the hopes of finding Hern.

“We were in the roughest terrain you could imagine and it’s very dangerous for anyone to even be out there,” he said.

Wolterman and his team spent hours cutting through vegetation in the search area, eventually finding a few muddy footprints.

They had stopped to regroup when another team member heard a “faint noise.”

“We paused and we shouted ‘who is that?’ Thinking it was another search team,” he wrote. “I then heard ‘help.’ We took off in the direction. As we got closer (we) asked what his name was and he (said) ‘Scott Hern’ I have never moved faster uphill in my entire life.”

Wolterman was the first to make contact with Hern, introducing himself and reassuring him they were going to get him out.

“He looked at me and said ‘’Thank you so much. Will you give me a hug?’” he wrote. “I got teary-eyed and gave him a big hug. I think it was the best hug of both of our lives.”

Hern is in ‘recovery mode,’ lucky to be alive

Hern is currently recovering from his stint in the wild, with the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team reporting earlier this week that he had begun to consume solid food.

John May, Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team chief, told USA TODAY on Wednesday that Hern is still “extremely weak,” struggling to walk and talk.

“I think he’s still in recovery mode, but he is home now,” May said.

“We were very concerned about his survivability at that point,” May said. “And on Saturday morning, I even met with the family again and said, ‘It’s not looking really good.’ We’ve not found him. We’re two weeks into this.”

May says the likelihood of survivability was “unheard of” since Hern was a fairly new hiker, had little experience and didn’t have many camping supplies with him.

“We didn’t expect to find him alive. We really didn’t,” May said.

Hern’s family was “super appreciative” of all the support received, sharing a picture of Hern on Monday sporting a “big smile.”

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear also extended kudos to the team on Facebook.

“What a remarkable outcome,” Beshear said. First lady Britainy Beshear “and I are praying for a speedy recovery for Mr. Hern. Thank you to the Wolfe County Search & Rescue Team and everyone who assisted in rescue efforts.”

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Kentucky

How long does it take to get through the Kentucky Horse Park? What to know

Published

41 mins ago

July 25, 2024

Press Room

How long does it take to get through the Kentucky Horse Park? What to know

The Kentucky Horse Park, located about an hour and 15 minutes from downtown Louisville in Lexington, might be worth a visit before the end of the season.

Here’s what we know.

Kentucky State Fair 2024: Don’t miss more than 30 free concerts at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair. Here’s the lineup

What happens at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park, which has been “celebrating our relationship with the horse since 1978,” offers various educational and entertaining experiences from live horse shows to guided trail rides to camping opportunities, according to the organization’s website.

The more than 1,225-acre park has also been home to stellar racehorses like Western Dreamer, the 1997 Pacing Triple Crown Winner; Bold Forbes, the 1976 Kentucky Derby winner; and Forego, an eight-time Eclipse Award winner.

Why is Kentucky Horse Park famous?

The Kentucky Horse Park has been a long-standing part of Kentucky horse racing history through educational, entertaining and engaging methods.

The park is known for its “Hall of Champions,” where accomplished racehorses retire and live out their final days while educating the local community. Horses that die at the park are moved to the “Memorial Walk of Champions,” home to like Be a Bono, Cam Fella and Da Hoss.

The Kentucky Horse Park is also home to the grave sites of Man o’ War, War Admiral and Isaac Burns Murphy.

How long does it take to go through the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park takes about three to five hours to fully experience during the main season. Those adding on extra rides or attractions should plan for more time.

Can you ride a horse at Kentucky Horse Park?

Yes. The Kentucky Horse Park offers both horse trail rides and pony rides.

What is the weight limit for rides at Kentucky Horse Park?

Guests must be 7+ years old, 4 feet tall and weigh less than 150 pounds to do a horseback trail ride. It costs $30 per person with times available at 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Ages 2-12 with a 90-pound weight limit can participate in the pony rides. Three times around the paddock costs $6 with time slots at 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Which American jockey is buried at Kentucky Horse Park?

Isaac Burns Murphy, a three-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey who died in 1896, is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Murphy, who won more than a third of races in his career, had brought home five Latonia Derby wins and four of five of the initial American Derby victories.

After passing, Murphy’s grave remained untouched and abandoned in a Lexington cemetery until his remains were found, exhumed and reburied with Man o’ War at his previous site in 1967. The two were then moved again to their current location before the opening of the Kentucky Horse Park in 1978.

What famous horse is buried in Kentucky?

Man o’ War, with 20 first-place wins and one second-place win in his 1919-20 racing career, was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1957 and is buried at the Kentucky Horse Park. His grave site is marked with a bronze sculpture near the front of the park and he is buried near his most famous son, Triple Crown winner War Admiral, and several other children, as well as the famous jockey Isaac Burns Murphy.

What movie was filmed at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The 1985 family drama movie “Sylvester” was filmed in part at the Kentucky Horse Park.

What champions are at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions includes seven retired racing horses, one of whom was the U.S. Pacing Triple Crown winner in 1997, Western Dreamer.

Where is Secretariat buried?

Secretariat is buried at Claiborne Farm in Paris, not far from Lexington. It is located at 703 Winchester Road.

Where was ‘Seabiscuit’ filmed?

The 2003 movie “Seabiscuit” was filmed in a variety of locations, but the horse was first introduced at Calumet Farm in Lexington.

Is the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington privately owned?

The Kentucky Horse Park is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

What was the old name of the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park had many previous owners and previous names, according to the history of the organization. These included Walnut Hall, Senorita Stud Farm and the Ashland-Wilkes Farm.

What do you do at the Kentucky Horse Park?

The Kentucky Horse Park offers various interactive elements like the American Saddlebred Museum, the International Museum of the Horse, horse shows and meet and greets, trail and pony rides, a gift shop, a cafe and more.

How much does it cost to visit the Kentucky Horse Park?

Admission can be purchased at the visitor center, and the cost varies.

Adult admission (ages 13-61): $22
Senior (ages 62+): $20
Military (with I.D.): $12
Child (ages 6-12): $12
Toddler (ages 5 and below): Free

Tickets purchased during the main season include the next day free except for major holidays and events.

Kentucky Horse Park hours

The Kentucky Horse Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday during its main season, which concludes Nov. 3. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Kentucky Horse Park’s day-to-day schedule

The daily schedule is as follows.

Horse-Drawn Trolley: 10 a.m.
Hall of Champions Show: 10:30 a.m.
Parade of Breeds Show: 11 a.m.
Draft Horse Presentation: 11:45 a.m.
Facts & Fun at the Museum: 12:30 p.m.
Hall of Champions Show: 1:15 p.m.
Parade of Breeds Show: 2 p.m.
Horse-Drawn Trolley: 2:45 p.m.
Hall of Champions Nightcap: 3:30 p.m.

Kentucky Horse Park 2024 event schedule

The current August schedule is as follows.

Hats Off Day – Rood & Riddle Kentucky Grand Prix: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Kentucky Summer Classic: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, Aug. 4.
International Gay Polo Tournament: All day Thursday, Aug. 1 to Saturday, Aug. 3.
EquineEd: Featuring Wren Blae Zimmerman: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.
USEF Pony Finals: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 11.
Bluegrass Festival Horse Show: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13 to Sunday, Aug. 18.
Central Kentucky Riding For Hope Annual Open Barn Day: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17.
KHJA Show – August: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 25.
Walk to Defeat ALS: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
USEA American Eventing Championships: All day from Tuesday, Aug. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 1.
Bluegrass Classic Dog Show: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Sept. 1.
KHP Foundation Battle in the Saddle: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30.

For more details and additional events, click here.

Kentucky Horse Park location in Lexington

Kentucky Horse Park is located at 4089 Iron Works Parkway in Lexington.

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Kentucky

Suspect in Kentucky shooting caught in another state

Published

8 hours ago

July 25, 2024

Press Room

Suspect in Kentucky shooting caught in another state

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (WKYT) – A suspect in a Kentucky shooting is now in custody after police say he was found in another state.

According to the Georgetown Police Department, the incident involving Kemondrea Garner, known as “Draco,” began on July 15 when officers responded to reports of possible shots fired at the Overlook Apartments on River Chase Path.

Witnesses told police that Garner had shot at another someone and then took off.

Officers weren’t able to find him that night. They later learned that he had active warrants out of East Saint Louis, Illinois.

We’re told, with the help of local police and federal agencies, Garner was later found back in East Saint Louis.

He is facing charges of wanton endangerment, kidnapping and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

Police say Garner is subject to a full extradition warrant from Kentucky.

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Kentucky

What to know about potential Harris VP Andy Beshear, Kentucky Gov. and Vance critic

Published

23 hours ago

July 24, 2024

Press Room

What to know about potential Harris VP Andy Beshear, Kentucky Gov. and Vance critic

Just days after Joe Biden exited the 2024 race on Sunday, Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and speculation about who will join her on the Democratic ticket are in full swing.

Within three days, the vice president secured key endorsements, received more than $100 million in donations and gained widespread support from delegates. With the debate about who will replace Biden all but over, the focus has shifted to discussions about who Harris will select as her running mate.

According to earlier reporting by USA TODAY, the Harris campaign has already requested vetting materials from at least seven Democrats under consideration to be her vice president.

While the campaign has not yet publicly confirmed any potential vice presidential nominees, the conversation about Beshear being a candidate has not stopped. ABC News also reported that the campaign was vetting him.

More: Harris’ VP options: From Josh Shapiro to Mark Kelly, sizing up the slate’s pros and cons

Who is Andy Beshear?

Beshear, 46, was first elected governor of the Bluegrass State in 2018, and his current term ends in 2027. Like Harris, he is a former state attorney general. He served Kentucky in that position from 2016 to 2019.

As a Democrat representing a reliably red state, the governor explained that the party needs a “unifying message” to win in November.

“The message ought to be: I’m in this to build a better life for everyone. Not just Democrats. Not just Republicans,” he said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday.

In 2019, the governor signed an executive order restoring the voting rights of more than 140,000 convicted felons with completed sentences, addressing one of the country’s highest rates of voter disenfranchisement. The order was similar to one his father and former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear issued in 2015, which was promptly rescinded by former Gov. Matt Bevin shortly after he took office the same year.

Will Harris select Beshear for VP?

Beshear said Harris has his “full endorsement” in the presidential race and would do all he could to support her during his MSNBC appearance. When asked if her campaign had reached out to vet him as a potential running mate, he said, “I don’t know how that process is going to work, (but) it’s flattering to be a part of it.

He also criticized former President Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, proving he could be an effective attack dog for the Harris campaign.

“I want the American people to know what a Kentuckian is and what they look like because let me just tell you that JD Vance ain’t from here,” Beshear said.

The VP nominee short-list is believed to include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Cedric Richmond, a former congressman from Louisiana who served as a top aide in the Biden White House and on his campaign.

On Wednesday, comments from the Harris campaign downplayed the VP rumors and said any reporting on developments or updates in Vice President Harris’ running mate search is “premature and speculative.”

Rachel Barber is a 2024 election fellow at USA TODAY, focusing on politics and education. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @rachelbarber_

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