As the drought continues, more discouraging news follows and this time the news comes from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet department.
            Two area counties have been added to a list of twenty-seven total where a water shortage watch has been declared.
            Webster and Crittenden counties are under the watch where drought conditions have the potential to threaten the normal availability of drinking water supply sources.  The Kentucky Division of Water studies rainfall amounts, reservoir levels, stream flows, the Palmer Drought Index and the Drought Monitor when determining drought status.
            Almost the entire region now is listed in the Extreme Drought status.
            According to a release from the National Weather Service, and, as of July 4, most, if not all counties in the area, are still under burn bans.
            Paducah reports that their rainfall totals are 14.01 inches below normal.  In Evansville the number is 12.60 inches below normal.