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Leitchfield couple revive historic Alexander Hotel and Alice Theatre buildings

94.3 The Wolf

Mandi McKinzie said it was faith and a deep personal connection that led her and her husband Robert to purchase the Alexander Hotel and Alice Theatre in Leitchfield in 2021.

“My husband is from Kansas, but I would tell him about the memories that I had in the building, and it was just a staple in the community when we were young,” McKinzie said. “This is where we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We watched a movie every weekend, and then when my parents got divorced, my dad actually lived in the hotel after that for a while, so this was home, too.”

The buildings opened in 1935, named after the children of the original owners, but the buildings had been vacant since 2013. McKinzie says the last three years have consisted mostly of blood, sweat, and tears, but also joy.

“We went into it with one budget in mind, and that budget doubled,” McKinzie said. “We’ve literally used our retirement money, but we don’t have any regrets because it’s what we know we were supposed to do, and we’ve done it, and we just hope that our community loves it as much as we do.”

The effort that the McKinzies have devoted the time, money, and energy to is coming to fruition. Rooms at the Alexander Hotel are now available for booking on Airbnb, and the first official event at the revived Alice Theatre, a performance by Papa Bear and the Love Den, will take place on May 16.

McKinzie says the efforts were all worth it to be part of a revival in Downtown Leitchfield and to keep the tradition alive for future generations.

“I have two grandbabies, and I want the square, our little historic square, to be as lively as it was when I was a kid growing up, and so that’s my hope, and I think it’s catching fire around here because we have had lots of people investing in our community, especially in the downtown square,” McKinzie said.

The Grayson County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the downtown development on May 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony for Elmore’s Big 7 Furniture at 11 a.m. followed by a ribbon cutting for the hotel and theater at 11:30 a.m. Find the Alexander Hotel and Alice Theatre on Facebook for more information.

Deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot next week

94.3 The Wolf

The deadline to request an absentee mail-in ballot for the May 21 primary election is approaching.

“That portal is available through May 7,” said Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith during the most recent Hardin County Fiscal Court meeting. “You can go to govote.ky.gov. You can feel free to stop by our office or call our elections team. When you call our office, we’ll walk you through govote.ky.gov so you can order and request that absentee ballot.”

After the mail-in portal closes, voters that qualify can take advantage of in-person absentee voting.

“There are six days in which a person who qualifies for the same qualifications for absentee voting can come by the clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,” Smith said. “Those dates are May 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, and 15.”

The same qualifications for a mail-in absentee voting apply to in-person absentee voting, but allow the voter to cast their votes as they would on Election Day.

“Some of those qualifications are if you’ll be out of town or scheduled to work all dates and times of in-person voting,” Smith said. “The law uses the phrase ‘age, illness, and disability.’ Sometimes those words ring a little harsh on our ears. There is no definitive age, illness, or disability. We don’t ask. You just attest to it.”

Smith is also reminding Hardin County residents about the free PropertyCheck program available through the clerk’s office.

“If any document is recorded in our office, you’ll get an email and text alert,” Smith said. “I think a lot of folks are really concerned about identity theft, and there are, growing in other parts of the country, property crimes related to fraudulent filings. It’s not a huge problem, but we want to get ahead of it and not be behind it.”

Contact the clerk’s office or visit their website for more information.

Kentucky drivers reminded to share the road during National Motorcycle and Bike Safety Month

94.3 The Wolf

Kentuckians are being reminded during National Motorcycle and Bike Safety Month to watch out for each other as warmer weather brings more people out on the roadways on two wheels.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety says that in 2023 there were just under 2,000 crashes involving motorcycles and about 350 involving bikes in Kentucky. Those crashes resulted in more than 1,700 injuries and 127 deaths.

Motorcycles and bikes have all of the same rights and regulations as any motor vehicle on the highway, but their smaller size makes them harder for other drivers to see. 

The KYTC is reminding drivers to look twice when driving through any intersection or changing lanes. Drivers should also eliminate distractions, maintain a safe following distance, and leave extra time to signal turns and lane changes.

Motorcycle and bike riders should always wear a DOT-approved helmet along with protective gear and reflective elements. Always obey speed limits and other traffic laws, and position yourself in a visible way.

The importance of safety involving motorcycles got a stark reminder this week following the death of Kentucky State Police Post Two Trooper Johnathan Johnson of Bowling Green. Johnson was off-duty and traveling south on Nashville Road on a motorcycle Tuesday when a driver made a left-hand turn into Johnson’s path, resulting in a crash. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Warren County Coroner’s Office. The KSP says the investigation into the crash is ongoing, and funeral arrangements for Trooper Johnson are pending.

Andy Games named Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation president and COO

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation is under new leadership, but it is a familiar face.

The foundation’s board of directors has announced the promotion of Vice President Andy Games to president and COO, which was finalized by a vote of the board Tuesday. Games has served as vice president since 2021.

Games said he is looking forward to continuing to push for new opportunities for the region with the foundation’s partners.

“It’s exciting, there’s a ton of growth,” Games said. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’ve got such a great group of city and county officials, and to be able to work alongside them every day is an honor, so it’s been a joy and it will be a joy to continue that.”

Games replaces his father Rick Games, who will now serve as vice president. Andy Games said it was an honor to work alongside his dad during a very busy time.

“To experience what he’s done for the last 23 years, you know, he’s done great things and expanded our parks,” Games said. “He’s led the foundation well, and he’s got big shoes and he’s left big shoes to fill.”

The vice president position was created in 2021 amid widespread growth in the area including the announcement of BlueOval SK. Games said he is happy to see those projects moving closer to the finish line.

“My biggest goal right now is all the construction that we currently have going on, assisting and helping them continue their path to opening the doors and creating all those new jobs that have already been announced, and those are getting closer,” Games said.

Games is also a board member for the Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland as well as Elizabethtown Community and Technical College.

E-Town Parks and Rec accepting registrations for Summer Day Camp and swim lessons

94.3 The Wolf

The City of Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation Department is still accepting registrations for its annual Summer Day Camp Program.

“The Summer Day Camp Program, this will be our fourth year running that program,” said E-Town Parks and Rec Programs Coordinator Adam Case. “It’s always our most popular out of the lineup each year, so it usually sells out pretty quickly.”

The program is for kids ages 6 to 11, with six individual weeks throughout the summer, starting the first week of June. 

“We do activities with them all week long such as going to the playgrounds, going to the water park, arts and crafts, games,” Case said. “We have guest speakers, we go on field trips, so it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Case said the remaining summer day camp slots are filling quickly, so if you are interested in registering your child the program costs $115 per week, with scholarships available to those who qualify.

Summertime approaching also means it is almost time for swim lessons.

“All of these swim lessons are $75 a child for the week,” Case said. “That gets you five lessons Monday through Friday at the American Legion Water Park, and we have our certified lifeguards teaching those courses. They’re 30 minute classes. We offer different levels for that.”

More information and registration for parks and recreation programs can be found on the City of Elizabethtown’s website.

ECTC and Abound celebrate Spelling Bowl winners

94.3 The Wolf

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is announcing the results of the 57th annual North Central Kentucky Spelling Bowl, which was sponsored by Abound Credit Union and hosted at ECTC on April 19. Students from schools in 12 counties competed across three age ranges.

The Primary Match was for students in first and second grade. Harrison Baker of Heartland Elementary took home first place, followed by Theo Crawford from Bardstown Elementary in second and Ellen Watt from Helmwood Elementary in third.

The Elementary Match was for students in grades three through five. First place went to Leah Gray from Heartland Elementary followed by Winnye Curley from Saint James Catholic School in second and Aurora Schroeder of Rineyville Elementary in third.

The Middle School match was for students in grades six through eight. John Madrid of Saint James Catholic School came in first place followed by Maddox Clark of Marion County Middle School in second and Melody Nunn of Green County Middle School in third.

KFW says to keep wildlife wild and leave animal rescue to the pros

94.3 The Wolf

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife asks that as you head out to enjoy the outdoor recreational offerings of the commonwealth you help to keep wildlife wild.

KFW says you should leave young wildlife undisturbed, even when they appear alone or abandoned, and is reminding property owners to watch for vulnerable wildlife when working on their properties.

Well-meaning people often attempt to rescue a baby animal they believe to be abandoned when in reality the mother is typically nearby. Mothers often leave young in the nest as they hunt or forage for food, or will stay away from the nest in order to lead predators away.

KFW says you can help wild animals by observing them from afar, keeping children and pets away, and checking properties for the presence of young animals before mowing. You also should report an animal you believe to be infected with rabies to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s regional biologist.

Only state-approved wildlife rehabs, such as Nolin River Wildlife, are permitted to care for orphaned or injured wildlife. 

Visit fw.ky.gov for more information.

Study estimates more than 2,000 area parents would return to work with affordable childcare

94.3 The Wolf

A report released by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District Monday looks at the potential return-on-investment the area would see with the implementation of a funding model to make childcare more affordable.

“We have over 2,000 parents, mainly females, that want to work but can’t because of childcare,” said LTADD Executive Director Daniel London. “Think of the impact on them personally and professionally, that they want to get involved in the workforce but can’t. We have a chance to help them. That’s huge.”

London was one of several speakers that discussed the impact report during a presentation Monday held at Fischbach USA in Elizabethtown. 

Data compiled by consulting firm TPMA estimates that there are 2,035 work-willing parents in the Lincoln Trail District and Hart County that would rejoin the workforce if affordable childcare options existed. The report estimates the wages of those parents would generate between $863,000 and $1.09 million in local tax revenue.

Kentucky 18th District State Representative Samara Heavrin discussed efforts to create more options for affordable childcare, including House Bill 499 which created the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership, under which the state will match an employer’s childcare benefits. Heavrin said more efforts are being made to make the program more accessible, so employers, local governments, and organizations can work to remove more barriers.

“Educate that this is an issue,” Heavrin said. “Have the conversations. You don’t know it’s an issue until you’re affected by it, most likely. That’s life, right? You don’t know something’s an issue until it comes to you, so educate those around you about this, have the conversations and then have hard conversations. That’s how change is done. We can’t be complacent. We’ve got to keep moving forward, and so have the hard conversations to make it better.”

Following the presentation and a panel discussion with the day’s speakers, a task force consisting of area business, government, education, and community leaders met for their first meeting to discuss issues identified in the study and to identify goals. London said as the area prepares for future expansion, the study presents an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

“We are the only ones in this state at this level of work on this issue,” London said. “You’re part of something special, you’re part of something great, and we can achieve this. We are going to change lives, and a rising tide raises all boats.”

Data from the study estimates that BlueOval SK will employ more than 509 people ages 34 or younger with children ages 5 or younger. The full study can be found on the Lincoln Trail Area Development District’s website.

Hardin County unemployment average under state average for 2023

94.3 The Wolf

Unemployment rates for 2023 in the Lincoln Trail District landed mostly where they were in 2022.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says annual unemployment averages in 2023 went up in 80 counties, went down in 22 counties, and stayed the same in 18 counties compared to 2022.

Hardin County’s unemployment average for 2023 was 4.1 percent. That’s a slight decrease from the 4.2 percent average for 2022. Hardin County’s combined labor force in 2023 was 47,422 people, an increase of about 600 from the year before.

The unemployment average for the Lincoln Trail District also decreased from 4.2 percent to 4.1 percent from 2022 to 2023. Breckinridge County had the highest unemployment average in the district at 4.9 percent, while Washington County had the lowest average in the district, and tied for the second lowest average in the state, at 3.3 percent. Six of the eight Lincoln Trail District counties reported lower average rates.

The statewide unemployment average for 2023 was 4.2 percent, while the national unemployment average was 3.6 percent.

Learn more about the Kentucky labor market by visiting the Kentucky Center for Statistics online.

Family Scholar House distributing 5,000 pounds of food to ECTC students and members of the public Tuesday

94.3 The Wolf

More than 5,000 pounds of food will be distributed to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students as well as members of the public during a pop-up event Tuesday. 

“Family Scholar House at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is hosting a free food and clothing pop-up shop,” said ECTC Director of Marketing and Communications Sarah Brkshire. “It’s going to start at 10 a.m. The 10 a.m. time is for current ECTC students and then from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. anyone in the community is welcome to come by our Elizabethtown campus and take part in that. It’s going to be in the Academic Technical Building.”

Attendees are asked to bring their own bags and coolers for items.

The Family Scholar House is part of the ECTC Student Success Hub which provides a variety of services to support students in and out of the classroom.

“Events like this pop up are just one of the ways that they really help support that mission, and we’re very thankful that they’ve got the resources to not only help current students, but to open it up to community members as well,” Berkshire said.

Items Tuesday are available while supplies last. Contact the Student Success Hub at 270-706-8432 or Family Scholar House at 270-706-8835 (or via email at FSHElizabethtown@familyscholarhouse.org) for more information.