94.3 The Wolf

Samantha’s Hugs to accept stuffed animals Saturday

A local family is turning their tragedy into the opportunity to put a smile on the face of children who need it most. After losing their daughter Samantha in December, parents Kevin and Betty Cox, didn’t know what to do with their daughter’s stuffed animals, until they learned about a program through Kentucky State Police. 

As part of their mission, Samantha’s Hugs will be taking new or gently used stuffed animals tomorrow in the J.C. Penny parking lot at Towne Mall from 1-3 p.m.

Vaccine appointments for the “disproportionately affected” to take place soon

Local health officials will be offering 3 vaccination sites in the coming days and weeks. Lincoln Trail Health will set up at Warm Blessings March 23rd and April 1st, Sign of the Dove Church in Radcliff March 26th, and First Baptist Church April 9th. Officials say the hope is to provide better access for those disproportionately affected, including people of color, minority groups, and those who may lack financial security. More information on signups can be found on the Lincoln Trail District Health Department website.

Beshear: Bars and restaurants can stay open later

Due to declining positivity rates, Governor Andy Beshear announced yesterday that the curfew for bars and restaurants across the state has been extended. Now, those establishments can operate until midnight, with doors closing at 1 a-m. 

785 new cases reported yesterday, along with a positivity rate of 3.23%. Locally, Hardin county added 25 new cases to its total. LaRue and Meade county announced 3 each.

ECTC offers Covid-19 relief grants to qualifying students

Over 17 hundred students at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College were offered grants this week as part of funds from Coronavirus relief efforts. Around 1,740 students were offered 600 dollar grants from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 2, through December’s Covid-19 relief plan from the federal government. The college says students started to receive refunds this week and will continue until all funds have been provided to eligible students. Awards through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 2 are decided based on a student’s FAFSA. This is just the latest example of Covid-19 relief for students of the college. Last year ECTC launched their Student Emergency Assistance Fund. 19 donors have given a total of 18 thousand dollars.

BHH to host Saturday appointment scheduling

Tomorrow, Baptist Health Hardin will be offering another chance to schedule appointments for a Covid-19 vaccine. The healthcare provider announced this week that residents who fall under the provider’s current vaccination timeline can call to schedule an appointment tomorrow, from 9 am to 2 pm. Officials with the hospital say the one-time opportunity makes it easier for residents to schedule an appointment outside of traditional work hours when they might not be free to call. More information can be found on the Baptist Health Hardin website.

Vine Grove prepares for year of events

Vine Grove officials are gearing up for a busy 20-21 event season. After Covid-19 cancelled many community favorites, the city is set to host numerous events this year, including some new ones such as an Artisan Market, setting up shop at Optimist Park 4 times this summer and free to vendors.

Mayor Pam Ogden said traditional community favorites, like July 2nd fireworks and First Friday, as well as Veterans Day and Halloween Parade, will take place. A community yard sale is also being planned.

St. James students thank first responders during ‘Day of Service’

First responders in the community were honored by students at St. James yesterday as part of an annual tradition. The middle school students held their annual Day of Service Wednesday, presenting 700 gift bags to police officers, fire fighters, hospital staff, as well as those in emergency services. The items within the baskets were donated by families and friends of St. James School, and included keepsake cards and snacks, among other items. The annual Day of Service is made possible through an endowment established in the memory of former student Tai Le, who died in a car crash in 2018.

United Way gets set to wrap up fundraising campaign

After a year fraught with changes due to the pandemic, United Way of Central Kentucky is preparing to wrap up their annual fundraising campaign. The organization says this year’s fundraiser was important given how many more individuals used services supported by United Way. 

United Way spokesperson Hunter Roberts says contributions to the organization can still be made before the March 31st deadline. More information on donating can be found on United Way’s website.

Wednesday’s Covid-19 update

Another decline in the state’s positivity rate yesterday, but Governor Andy Beshear says the case numbers coming in are still not where officials want them to be. Yesterday’s case information included 963 new positives and 27 new deaths, one of which was a 38-year old male from Hardin county. Locally, Hardin was one of the top reporting counties in the state, adding 38 new cases to its total. LaRue county added only 2 new cases.

EPD: Watch out for pedestrians as warmer weather arrives

Sure, it might have been raining today, but spring is here. With that, local law enforcement officials are reminding the public to watch out for pedestrians as more people head outside. 

Officer Chris Denham also reminds drivers that pedestrians are always given the right of way when it comes to sidewalks and crosswalks.