Opinion

What does too much stress do to your heart?

Stress in itself is not unhealthy. Stress is just your body’s response to any physical or emotional demand.

But too much unrelieved stress can lower your body’s resistance to disease, contribute to disorders such as stomach ailments and insomnia, and may cause changes in the body’s chemistry that can directly affect your heart health.

The stress response is your body’s physical reaction to a stressful situation.

Are there still people who hare without electricity in Bullitt County a week after the ice storm hit?

Yes.

Will there be residents who may be without power this time next week?

We should hope not.

But despite the many discomforts felt by those left without power, those who helped get life back to normal should be praised.

The electrical crews have been wonderful. No, we still don’t understand when you neighbor has electric but the rest of the block doesn’t.

FRANKFORT – With our thoughts understandably focused on what has been called the most widespread natural disaster in Kentucky’s history, my legislative colleagues and I returned to the Capitol early last week to begin the main portion of the 2009 Regular Session.

We spent our opening days learning more about the recent storm’s damage and the unprecedented response that followed.  It has unfortunately claimed more than two dozen lives so far, and at its peak, more than 760,000 homes were without power.

FRANKFORT - The hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians left without electricity from the winter ice storm that has been gripping the state are strongly encouraged to follow food safety guidelines from the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) to prevent food contamination and related illness.

DPH staff recommends keeping freezers closed to maintain the proper temperature for frozen foods. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours and for 24 hours if the freezer is half full.

FRANKFORT ee" Snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice make for treacherous driving, so the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety is stepping up efforts to aid and educate motorists.

Motorists should always use extra caution when driving in winter weather. But they are reminded that bridges and overpasses are typically most treacherous.

Safety Tips for Travelers during the Snow and Ice Season:

•Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized ee" check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers, and windshield washers.

Winter is upon us, and cold weather is here...so how can you keep your pet happy and healthy during the chilly winter months? Here are some tips to help make sure that your furry friend stays warm:

*Never leave your dog or cat outside in the cold weather. Your companion animal could suffer from frostbite or freeze to death. See your veterinarian immediately if you suspect frostbite or hypothermia.

SHEPHERDSVILLE - The world wasn’t exactly expecting to get off to a good start in 2009.

Knowing this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

It could just be me, but a good number of people seem to have bad attitudes and nasty dispositions lately.

It’s common for many people to feel the holiday blahs come the first of the year. After all the festivities end there’s suddenly nothing to do but return to work and school. Nothing to anticipate except maybe a few football games.