Beshear expected to announce mask mandate as COVID cases rise in state
For the second day in a row, the state of Kentucky has seen its second largest day of positive COVID-19 results.
On Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear announced 402 new cases of the virus, which brings the state’s total to just under 18,000 cases. As cases statewide are seeing an uptick, Beshear says he will announce new mandatory steps and precautions during his update today at 4 p.m. A possible mandate on masks in public is expected, as several other states, including Texas and New Jersey, have already made the move.
Locally, 12 new cases were announced by Lincoln Trail District Health Department, bringing their total number to 460. And after several days of high case numbers, Hardin county saw only 2 new cases.
Payroll Protection Program provides boost to area small business
Small business around the region received quite a boost thanks to the Payroll Protection Program.
According to data from the U.S. Small Business Bureau, the area, which includes Elizabethtown, Radcliff, Vine Grove, Hardinsburg, Leitchfield, Hodgenville, and others, saw over $43.6 million in loans under $150,000 to small businesses.
Elizabethtown saw the largest amount of loans provided, with a combined amount of almost $25 million. Leitchfield was second with roughly $6 million, and radcliff was third at $5.18 million. The program is part of the $2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law this spring.
| Elizabethtown | $24,963,054.00 |
| Leithfield | $6,004,700 |
| Radcliff | $5,186,641.00 |
| Hardinsburg | $2,635,440 |
| Hodgenville | $2,335,776.53 |
| Vine Grove | $1,742,494 |
| Upton | $464,558 |
| Sonora | $289,405 |
| White Mills | $27,670 |
Schools officials go over differences in learning options for upcoming year
As a very different looking school year approaches, officials with Hardin County Schools are answering questions about what the difference is between non-traditional instruction (NTI), and the online learning academy.
District spokesperson John Wright says that students taking part in long-term NTI will still be held to same expectations as in-person learning, with short-term NTI consisting mainly of review work from in-person instruction. The online learning academy, Wright says, will keep pace with in-person instruction.
The district says that plans for NTI may change depending on the state of public health and safety.
ECTC offers virtual Pathway to Enrollment event
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will be holding several virtual enrollment events in the coming weeks.
The college opted to host the online events, Pathway to Enrollment, in an attempt to keep both students and staff safe and healthy. Students will signup through an online link and wait in a virtual queue before meeting virtually with an academic advisor. Enrollment begins this coming Monday at 9 a.m.
More information and a link to the enrollment can be found on the ECTC website.
Event aimed at addressing racial inequality begins tonight
RISE, a 7-week virtual series regarding racial issues of the day and in local communities will begin tonight.
Spokesperson Jerisia Lamons says that topics that the series will cover include education, workforce development, criminal justice reform, black owned businesses in Hardin county, and how to be a better ally. Those interested can register online on the events facebook page.
The event is being held virtually and is set to begin tonight at 7 p.m.
