With the end of the year swiftly approaching, some Rowan County officials are sharing how their departments have performed in 2025. That includes environmental services. Rowan County received grant funding from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Waste Management in 2024 for litter abatement. Events like Free Disposal Day and collection events for tire and hazardous waste are hosted regularly to reduce waste dumping in the county.
Tyler Brown, Rowan County’s Director of Environmental Services, said city and county officials are working with the support of grant funding to clean up dump sites and roadsides in Morehead.
“Overall, 27 dump sites on the year, cleaned a total of 558 miles, and we’ve picked up a total of 7,813 bags,” said Brown.
Additionally, Brown said around 90 vehicles participated in October’s Free Disposal Day at the Advanced Disposal Services Landfill.
Department heads also got an update from Animal Control Officer Kim Adams.
Adams said rescues and shelters across the state are struggling to move their animals. She said officials at the Tri-County Animal Shelter are thankful for the help they receive from the student population of Morehead.
“As of right now, we have 17 dogs and 16 cats available for adoption. And we still have lots of volunteers coming in to help, so we appreciate that. A lot of college kids,” said Adams.
Alongside controlling the population, officials said spaying or neutering a pet makes them less likely to fight, and therefore less likely to contract diseases through bites. Vaccinating animals also helps prevent disease.