WULF News

Registration is open to vote in the November 5 general election, and Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith says getting registered is a simple process.

“Registering to vote has never been easier,” Smith said. “The quickest and easiest 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 their county clerk’s office. The deadline to register to vote and participate in the November election is October 7, so don’t wait until the deadline. Go ahead and get it done early.”

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says in the 10 days voter registration was open in May after the primary election, 5,723 voters were removed from the voter rolls. More than 4,800 removed voters were deceased, 451 moved out of state, and 350 were convicted of felonies.

5,496 new voters got registered in May. Republican registration increased by 1,410 voters and independent or other registrations increased by 915. Democratic registrations decreased by 2,552 voters.

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

Kentucky was one of only eight states that saw a decrease in the number of drug overdose deaths last year.

The governor’s office has released information on the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, which reported 1,984 overdose deaths last year, down 9.8 percent from 2022 and the second year in a row the state has seen a decrease.

Lincoln Trail District Health Department Harm Reduction Manager Jennifer Osborne said progress was also seen in Hardin County.

“It was 50 in 2022 and in 2023 it was 38, so that is a significant decrease for Hardin County, and that is something definitely to celebrate as far as the decrease goes,” Osborne said. “Obviously 38 individuals who die from a preventable death, which is a fatal drug overdose, that means we still have work to do. That’s 38 too many.”

Osborne said increased access to naloxone, which is used to reverse the effects of an overdose, was one of the health department’s major initiatives at combating overdose deaths. The health department also partnered with the Hardin County Coroner’s Office to establish an Overdose Fatality Review Team which looks at similarities between fatal overdoses and brings in multiple community resources to review the details.

“That’s everybody from treatment programs to our healthcare system to law enforcement, the justice system,” Osborne said. “It’s all of these individuals and agencies coming together to look and see if there are any gaps? Is there any way for us to improve upon services so that we can reduce the number of people that are dying from a drug overdose?”

Osborne says the county is still looking at establishing an overdose quick response team and a syringe service program, both of which were recommended when the county was designated a Recovery Ready Community this past January. Area residents looking for recovery resources can go online to findhelpnowky.org or contact the KY Help Call Center at 1-833-859-4357.

The full overdose fatality report can be found on the governor’s website.

Quicksie and The Wolf, along with the Heart of Kentucky Association of Realtors, are excited to invite the community out to Freeman Lake Park this Saturday for the 28th annual Children’s Fair.

“It’s so wonderful because it’s all free,” said realtor Lydia Drexler, who co-founded the Children’s Fair with Quicksie co-founder Maryilyn Evans. “Everything is free. The booths are free for people to come in, and every sponsor that we have has something free for all the children from ages 1 to 12.”

More than 50 community businesses and organizations will be participating. The Children’s Fair features games, face painting, balloon art, and a bicycle giveaway. Mascot Idol will also be held featuring a variety of characters including DJ Tiger and Wolfie.

“We’re very excited for the community,” Drexler said. “We have Mickey and Minnie Mouse, they will be there. We have many mascots, and we just want you to come out and check them all out.”

The Children’s Fair will be held Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ernie Williams Pavilion at Freeman Lake Park. Parking is free.

Local and state officials are warning area residents to be aware of ongoing scam attempts. 

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office says some Abound Credit Union customers have reported calls from a scammer spoofing their number to appear as if they are calling from an Abound office. The scammer then reportedly tells the customer about fraudulent charges on their card and the need to issue them a new card, at which time the scammer tries to ask for the customer’s card information.

The sheriff’s office says if you have provided information to a caller that said they were from Abound, contact Abound Credit Union immediately. Hardin County Sheriff John Ward says never give out information over the phone to an unverified source.

“When you get a call and you don’t think it’s right, you’re probably correct,” Ward said. “Don’t give them any information. Just hang up.”

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Department of Insurance is continuing to remind residents that suffered recent storm damage to be wary of scam attempts. Always verify a contractor’s background before signing paperwork, never agree to pay for work until it is complete, and check with your insurance provider before agreeing to any work. If you suspect fraud, report it on the Department of Insurance’s website.

Two annual Elizabethtown summer staples kick off tonight: the Charles W. Logsdon Historic Downtown Elizabethtown Walking Tour and Tavern in the Garden at the Brown-Pusey House.

“Of course, we’re open June, July, August, September, and it’s 6 p.m.to 9 p.m. every Thursday night in the Cunningham Garden, which is absolutely beautiful,” said Edna Berger with the Brown-Pusey House. “We thank the Ladies Club for that.”

Enjoy live music and a great atmosphere in the garden of one of Downtown E-Town’s historic gems.

“When you come down on Thursday, we have food trucks and music and all your old friends there and new friends,” Berger said.

Visit the Brown-Pusey House website or Facebook page for more information.

The downtown walking tour gets started every Thursday at 7 p.m. at 40 Public Square, under the Cannonball. Participants will meet “the colorful characters whose enthusiasm, talent, and morals helped shape the Elizabethtown you see today.” The walking tour is free, and comfortable shoes are recommended. Visit the Elizabethtown City Events Facebook page for more information.