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ECTC announces Nursing program partnership with Kentucky State University

94.3 The Wolf

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is celebrating its latest partnership and the new pathway for students created by that partnership. 

ECTC and Kentucky State University announced a new partnership last week to provide a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which the university says allows graduates of ECTC’s Nursing program to pursue the degree from KSU while receiving in-person support on ECTC’s campus.

The college says students will enroll in the program at KSU, then receive services on ECTC’s campus along with access to the college’s nursing labs and other student services. KSU will be the latest partner at the ECTC Robbins University Center, through which four-year colleges and universities offer high-demand Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs locally.

The college also announced a scholarship for students who apply for the program that will provide a tuition-free opportunity for students eligible for the federal Pell Grant. The ECTC to KSU Pathway Scholarship covers fall and spring tuition to students transfering from ECTC that enroll in at least six credit hours in the BSN program.

ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate said the program provides students with an affordable local option and helps create a critical future workforce for the region.

Spring classes begin January 13 and March 17. Visit kysu.edu for more information on the Nursing program, or contact ECTC’s admissions office for assistance.

Paving crews repairing I-65 spots in Hardin County Sunday and Monday nights

94.3 The Wolf

Paving crews will be making repairs between mile markers 91 and 98 on Interstate 65 in Hardin County Sunday and Monday nights.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says work will begin at 8 p.m. Sunday and continue until 6 a.m. Monday. Work will resume at 8 p.m. Monday and wrap up at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

I-65 northbound will be reduced to one lane Sunday night, and due to proximity to the interchange the northbound on-ramp at Exit 91 from the Western Kentucky Parkway on to I-65 will be closed. The off ramp will remain open. No Exit 91 ramp closures will be required Monday night when work shifts to the southbound lanes.

“This time of year, we’re always subject to weather, so it looks like the forecast is going to cooperate with us real well here Sunday night and Monday night, so we’re trying to get this work squeezed in, need to get these repairs complete here heading into winter and snow and ice, and doing this work at night minimizes the impact to traffic and makes it more safe and efficient for the crew out there too,” said KYTC District Four Public Information Officer Chris Jessie.

Lane closures will be in effect both nights. Drivers should watch for signage, slow down, and use caution when approaching work zones.

Elizabethtown railroad project included in funding award

94.3 The Wolf

A local railway project was included in the awarding of more than $7.5 million in state funding from the Kentucky Short Line Infrastructure Preservation Program announced Thursday.

“These projects will maintain and enhance existing rail lines, make critical upgrades, and create opportunities for industries to thrive in our new Kentucky home,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. 

The program prioritizes projects that enhance existing rail lines to help retain existing, and attract new, rail-served industries.

“Rail is a vital part of economic growth as it connects us to markets,” Beshear said. “It helps move goods efficiently and it creates good jobs for our Kentucky families. These investments will make sure our rail systems are up to date, that they’re safe, and that they’re ready to support all these growing industries.”

Among the awarded funding is $1,352,700 to the Paducah and Louisville Railway for their Elizabethtown crosstie rehab project, through which 20,000 crossties will be replaced along about 20 miles of track including the Elizabethtown branch, Cecilia siding, tank siding, and surrounding mainline track. Track surfaces will also be renewed.

Kentucky unemployment still trending above national average

94.3 The Wolf

Unemployment in Kentucky in October came in just above the state average for September.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for October was 5 percent. That is a slight increase from the 4.9 percent average reported in September as well as from October 2023 when the average was reported at 4.3 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average also came in higher in October than the national unemployment rate, which the U.S Department of Labor reported at 4.1 percent for the second straight month.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says the state’s civilian labor force, which includes people currently employed and people actively searching for work, saw an increase of about 6,000 people from September into October, bringing the civilian labor force to about 2,075,000. It is the eighth month in a row the state labor force has seen an increase.

The manufacturing, educational and health services, and construction sectors saw increases, while the leisure and hospitality sector, the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and the professional and business services sectors saw decreases.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics to learn more about labor market information.

Tour of BlueOval SK facilities has Beshear excited for Kentucky’s future

94.3 The Wolf

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he has been at announcements, groundbreakings, and ribbon cuttings for the BlueOval SK Battery Park as well as the ECTC BlueOval SK Training Center, so getting to see those facilities starting operations is a testament to the commonwealth’s commitment to the future.

“It is really exciting to know that the batteries of the future are going to be produced right here in Kentucky and, as I got to tour the training facility today, to see people whose lives are being changed, to see how excited they are to be a part of this industry, and knowing that this is going to be an industry in operation for decades to come,” Beshear said.

The governor toured the training facility and the battery park during a visit to the site Wednesday with company officials. Beshear said BlueOval remains the catalyst for Kentucky’s bid to be a leader in the EV industry, and the facilities are evidence of what collaboration between industry, government, and education can look like.

“The training is technical, it’s new, it takes a lot of work, so it’s exciting to see both the teachers that are helping to provide the training as well as everybody working to pick it up so they can do their jobs safely and, we hope, better than anywhere else in the United States,” Beshear said.

BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams said the governor’s visit comes on the heels of an important milestone as employees began moving into the Kentucky One plant on Tuesday.

“We were able to do it successfully, bring our employees in, and now we’re just getting ready to start building those samples in our plant and then validate those samples so that we can be prepared for that launch and the start of production in 2025,” Adams said.

About 750 of the expected 5,000 employees that will call the battery park home are now on the job.

Law enforcement warns of increase in break-in attempts

94.3 The Wolf

Area law enforcement is warning residents to take precautions as they see an uptick in break-in attempts.

The Radcliff Police Department says they responded to multiple car break-ins and one theft Tuesday morning among reports from other jurisdictions of similar crimes.

“We would like to remind everyone to lock your vehicles, make sure that you don’t leave valuables in the vehicle, including but not limited to firearms or gifts or anything like that,” said Captain Willie Wells with the Radcliff Police Department. “This is a crime that doesn’t have to happen. You don’t have to be a victim. This is something that you can do, precautions that you could take to make sure that you are not a victim of a theft simply by locking your vehicle and not leaving valuables in it.”

Contact area law enforcement if you see suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following a Monday morning home robbery. 

The sheriff’s office says a woman living on Shrewsbury Road in Caneyville told 911 dispatchers a male subject entered her home, threatened her with a gun, and demanded money before fleeing the scene with her purse.

Tips received led to the development of Richard L. Price of Caneyville as a suspect. Multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated to take Price into custody at a Grayson County apartment complex.

In addition to first degree charges of Robbery, Wanton Endangerment, and Identity Theft, Price was found to have active warrants out of Marion County for Assault, Robbery, and failure to pay child support. Price was lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

Cadet Command general says organizational structure may change but mission remains the same

94.3 The Wolf

Brigadier General Maurice Barnett told members of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce during the November Chamber Luncheon that as the Cadet Command prepares to become a subordinate unit under the new three-star command that will be created out of the expansion of the Army Recruiting Command, the neighboring community continues to play a part in Fort Knox’s success.

“We’ve been here for over 100 years, and that longevity and continued strength, because ‘Strength Starts Here,’ comes from your community support, and these incredible partnerships,” Barnett said. “We’re grateful and blessed to be able to rely on each one of you.”

The commanding general of the Cadet Command said the community can support recruitment on the local level by helping to tell the Army’s story.

“There’s a wealth of talent and leadership opportunities surrounding this great community, and you as stakeholders, we need your support to spread the word about what service in the Army can do for someone’s life,” Barnett said.

Barnett said the Cadet Command remains engaged as an organization by partnering with more than 900 colleges and universities to produce more than 5,000 second lieutenants for the total army every year. More than 10,000 cadets come to Fort Knox each summer for training.

Radcliff council reviews bids for garbage services

94.3 The Wolf

The Radcliff City Council met to discuss garbage franchise bids for the city during a work session Tuesday evening.

Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall said Waste Management has held the city’s garbage franchise for more than 20 years, but he was pleased to see five companies submit bids.

“The last time we had a bid for this, we didn’t have quite as many bidders, and so we want to thank each of the companies that did put a bid in because it’s nice to know that we have people that are looking at our community and see opportunities that are here,” Duvall said.

Members of the council expressed their support for the bid from Green River Waste, not only based on pricing but because the company would operate a local office as part of their contract. Council Member Jerry Brown said service companies maintaining a local presence is a priority to him.

“I’ve promised my constituents that anytime we consider a franchise bid that I would, if not insist, at least ask for a local office, and with one company ready to provide that, my recommendation is, or my leaning is, toward Green River Waste,” Brown said.

Members of the council said they were prepared to begin the process of awarding the bid at the next regular council meeting on November 19.

Elizabethtown council hears annexation request for solar project

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a work session Tuesday evening.

Representatives from Lightsource BP made themselves available for questions from council as the organization prepares to submit an annexation request from the city for 950 acres north of Hayden School Road near the Elizabethtown airport that would be used for a solar installation. Lightsource BP Director of Development Jack Steele said the property would be leased from the current landowners for 40 years. When asked why the company was asking the city to annex the property rather than going through county government, Steele said similar projects have run into difficulties, and the company feels like the project fits in with that part of the city.

“It really feels and makes a lot of sense for it to be in the city of E-Town,” Steele said. “There’s a lot of compatibility there. It offers an opportunity to act as a buffer to the airport and act as a transition zone from city industrial development out into more agricultural and residential uses.”

Steele said the project will generate $4 million in property taxes while also showing direct support for the community.

“It represents a significant infrastructure investment in grid resiliency and electric infrastructure in this local community that feeds the industrial park, homes here, and helps support a lot of the growth that I know you and others are invested in bringing into this community,” Steele said.

Later in the meeting, Trina Martin with Hardin County Citizens for Responsible Solar asked the council to take another look at what Lightsource BP has presented. Martin said in addition to an increased fire hazard, she had concerns with the appraisals the company has presented, which she said has been seen in other solar proposals.

“There will be an impact on property values, and their report, if you look at it closely, compares apples and oranges,” Martin said. “You can’t compare a four bedroom, three bathroom house, and determine a value by using a two bedroom, one bathroom house.”

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the council would take Lightsource BP’s proposal under advisement.

In other meeting news, City Engineer Michael Page said most of the sidewalk improvements on the North Main Street project are complete, but the city has identified additional improvements such as to retaining walls, so the city will be requesting a project cost increase from the current total of $487,000 to a total not to exceed $620,000. City Stormwater Director Rita Davis said she will be asking the council to approve a bid from Dirt Works Unlimited for a project to correct erosion on Keeneland Drive. Davis said the bid is more than $300,000 under the engineering estimate for the project.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet November 18.

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves 911 fee increase

94.3 The Wolf

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

An ordinance approving fee increases for enhanced 911 services in the county was approved on its second reading. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said the increase is necessary to cover for increased demand in the county.

“This is a 911 fee increase from $50.58 to $65.58, which is a $15 increase,” Taul said. “This will take effect next year, on 2025 tax bills.”

Hardin County Public Works Director Stephanie Givens reported on her office’s activities. Following the November free shredding event, the county has collected 497 bags from 452 cars year to date. The next shredding event will be December 2, and free shredding bags are available at the county public works office.

Givens said 39 recycling trailer runs were made in September and 40 were made in October, with 55 tons collected in September and 67 in October. Givens said an increase in website searches for the location of the trailers was seen going from October into November.

“From October 5 through November 5, that’s about 1,276 people that have researched to find out what is the closest trailer to the location where they were, so the trailers are definitely much appreciated,” Givens said. “We’re getting lots of volumes through those trailers. A lot of people like those trailers.”

Givens reminded the public that the recycling trailer that was located at the Elizabethtown Lions Club has been moved to 808 North Mulberry Street, across the street from Gatti’s Pizza.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet November 26.