WULF News

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is looking to help students hit the ground running for the Fall 2024 semester with their Express Enrollment Days.

“Express Enrollment will take place at ECTC on August 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then we’ll be back August 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” said ECTC Director of Marketing and Public Relations Sarah Berkshire. 

Multiple options are available for incoming students.

“We have in-person or virtual appointments available,” Berkshire said. “We are welcoming walk-ins, but it is preferred that you sign up for those in advance. It’s very simple to do. You can just head over to ectc.us/express-enrollment and get signed up.”

Express Enrollment is a one-stop-shop for students, beginning with scheduling classes for the semester.

“Fall classes start August 19 and October 21,” Berkshire said. “We’ve got the two eight-week sessions, so you can pick your classes for both of those. You can also get any questions answered about financial aid or your starting class, getting acquainted on campus. We can take care of all of that Express Enrollment.”

Students do not have to wait for Express Enrollment to get started on registering for the Fall semester. Students are welcome to schedule appointments with an academic advisor, and walk-ins are welcome.

The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The council approved on second reading an ordinance that approves general obligation bonds for city projects.

“This ordinance authorizes the issuance of, not to exceed, $11 million of the city’s general obligation bonds,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the ordinance. “This will be series 2024, to be issued for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, and equipment of a new fire station, a police station expansion, and other public projects.”

The term of the bond repayment is not to exceed 25 years.

The council approved a contract with Congleton-Hacker company of Lexington for construction management services on the outdoor music venue the city is constructing on Commerce Drive in partnership with the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau. City Administrator Ed Poppe said this contract concerns pre-construction services only.

“We will use this construction management firm to work with the design firm and evaluate their design and say ‘Wait a minute, if you used a concrete wall instead of a block wall, you could save this kind of money. You could do these kinds of things.’ And then they will work through the design,” Poppe said.

The council also approved a contract with engineering firm Kimley-Horn for development of a sewer design plan for the Commerce Drive extension in the area of the outdoor music venue. Poppe said the plan is for the project’s design team to give an update to the council sometime in September.

In other meeting news, the council approved a resolution that supports renaming an area highway in memory of former Elizabethtown police officer Billy Edwards and his wife Kathy, who were killed in a motorcycle collision on July 14. 

E-Town Fire Chief Mark Malone, Mayor Jeff Gregory, and Human Resources Manager Barbara Jones were each presented with the Kentucky National Guard’s Service Member Patriot Award, which recognizes an employer’s support of an employee that is serving in the Guard. Elizabethtown firefighter and Sergeant Major Seth Carter nominated the three as a way of showing his appreciation.

“The firefighters took care of my wife, the Army took care of my wife, made sure my kids were okay, all that good stuff, and I felt like it was something that needs to be bestowed upon our great city,” Carter said. “Just like the mayor said, I believe that this is the greatest city, and I believe that the Kentucky Army National Guard and the fire department, they’re two parts of my fabric. They are weaved inside of me and make me who I am.”

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet August 12.

The Elizabethtown Police Department is inviting area residents to get a behind the scenes look at law enforcement with their Citizens Police Academy.

“Our next session of the Citizens Police Academy will begin on September 3,” said EPD Public Information Officer Chris Denham. “This is an eight week program that will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the police department.”

The academy covers multiple topics.

“Attendees will have an opportunity to get an inside look at all of our specialized units such as narcotics, canines, and collision reconstruction, plus hear presentations from our criminal justice partners like judges and prosecutors,” Denham said.

Participants must be 18 years of age or older

“To sign up, contact me, Chris Denham, by calling 270-765-4125 or by email at chris.denham@elizabethtownky.gov,” Denham said.

The application for the Citizens Police Academy can also be found on the EPD’s website.

Voter registration in Kentucky last month saw the largest jump in new voters since 2022.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says Kentucky added 14,502 new voter registrations and removed 5,675 voters from the rolls in the month of July.

Of the voters removed from the rolls, 3,659 were for deceased voters, 817 were for convicted felons, and 494 moved to another state.

The Secretary of State’s Office says Republican registration increased by 6,221 voters in July, and independent or other registrations increased by 3,784 voters, while Democratic registrations decreased by 579 voters. Republican registrations currently make up about 46 percent of the electorate while Democratic registrations make up about 43 percent, with independent or other making up about 11 percent.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith says getting registered is a simple process.

“Registering to vote has never been easier,” Smith said. “The quick and easy way for most folks would be to visit govote.ky.gov. They can do that on the computer or their phone, and they can register to vote that way. They can also call or visit the county clerk’s office. The deadline to register to vote, to participate in the November election is October 7. Don’t wait until the deadline. Go ahead get it done early.”

Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website for more information on voter registration stats.

The Elizabethtown Police Department is warning residents to be wary of an ongoing social media scam.

“There’s a new scam circulating on Facebook where scammers post about free items available for pickup, enticing potential victims with attractive offers,” said EPD Public Information Officer Chris Denham. 

When the victim expresses interest, the scammer claims they moved, and offers to transport the item for a small fee. 

“They request the conversation continue on different apps like WhatsApp, making the transaction seem more personal and trustworthy,” Denham said. “After the victim pays for the supposed courier fee, the scammer disappears and the money and the promised items never arrive.”

Denham said the EPD strongly advises anyone who is completing transactions on social media to use extreme caution, never send money to strangers, or share any of your personal information. 

“If you encounter any suspicious posts or offers, report them immediately to Facebook or whatever social media platform you’re using,” Denham said.

As with other scam attempts, never disclose personal or financial information.