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HCS Superintendent Morgan hosting community conversations

94.3 The Wolf

Hardin County Schools Superintendent Teresa Morgan will be hosting three Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent events over the next month and a half.

“It’s a great opportunity for Ms. Morgan to visit with our community stakeholders about the great things taking place in our schools and for her to answer some questions from our community members,” said HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright.

The first session will be held Tuesday, July 9 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Apostoli Coffee in Radcliff, the second on July 19 at Tony York’s on Main in Glendale, and the third will be at Social on Main in Elizabethtown on August 13.

“It’s just a great time to learn what’s taking place across our district,” Wright said. “Hardin County Schools is a leader in the state in instructional initiatives and technology initiatives, and it’s just a great opportunity to learn more about that and the quality education that the students in our community are receiving.”

All are welcome to attend.

Meanwhile, HCS has announced new start times for some of their schools ahead of the first day of classes on August 7. The district says the changes are by no more than five minutes. You can find a link to the new schedules on the Hardin County Schools Kentucky Facebook page.

Information update window open for Hardin County Schools families

94.3 The Wolf

The window for Hardin County Schools families to update student information through the Infinite Campus parent portal system is open.

HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright says the district has used the portal system for the last several years.

“This is a great way to cut down on the amount of paperwork that we ask parents to complete near the beginning of the school year,” Wright said. “It streamlines the process. It makes it a whole lot easier. There’s some paperwork that our parents will still have to complete on paper, but this online process makes it a whole lot simpler for everyone.”

The parent portal can be found on the Hardin County Schools website. Getting the portal information updated now will help get the new school year off to a smooth start.

“This is really important because the school needs to have the correct information for each student,” Wright said. “For example, the correct emergency contact information, the correct phone number, or work phone number, or cell phone number for a parent, or maybe a grandparent who may also be able to pick up that child or to serve as an emergency contact for the students.”

Parents who do not have a parent portal log in already set up will need to contact their child’s school to get an initial log in number. Videos with step-by-step instructions on using the portal are available on HCS social media.

“The window closes for that on August 2, so on August 3 be expecting to fill out a lot of paperwork for the beginning of the 24-25 school year,” Wright said.

The first day of class at Hardin County Schools is Wednesday, August 7.

Col. Ricci highlights Fort Knox role and relationships during Chamber breakfast

94.3 The Wolf

Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Christopher Ricci says Fort Knox may have changed shape since the armor days, but the installation remains a “strategic, critical, and high functioning Army base.”

“In fact, we’re currently right in the middle of Cadet Summer Training right now,” Ricci said. “That is the largest annual training event for the Army, so we’ve got over 10,000 cadets from colleges and universities across the country descending on Fort Knox for training across this span of 100 days of summer. Additionally, over 5,000 cadre from across the Army are on post to assist in the training of these cadets.”

Ricci was the featured speaker during the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s June Business at Breakfast event, held Thursday at the Colvin Community Center in Radcliff.

Ricci discussed the command operations that are located at Fort Knox and their relationship to other operations in the Army. The colonel also said Fort Knox’s importance to the Army is evidenced by the construction of the Digital Air-Ground Integration Range, or DAGIR, at Fort Knox’s Yano Range, making it one of only three such ranges in the Army and the only one located east of the Mississippi River.

“DAGIR allows for all manner of tank, gravity fighting vehicle, aviation, mounted, and dismounted training and allows for integration of air and ground unit training simultaneously,” Ricci said “It’s a huge deal for the Department of Defense, the Army, and the greater Fort Knox community. It was a $56 million investment to make this range possible, but it’s been made to ensure our troops are the best trained in the world.”

Ricci said Fort Knox tries its best to alert the surrounding area of training activity and to limit the noise when they can in order to be good neighbors. He closed by recognizing Fort Knox’s gratitude for the support offered by area communities.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have the relationships that we do with all of the leaders in this community, and all the folks that are in this room right now,” Ricci said. “It’s something we don’t take for granted and we look forward to advancing in the years to come. Again, thanks for your time. We hope you know that your positive support to the soldiers, families, and civilians who live, work, and play on Fort Knox is without a doubt appreciated and absolutely contributes to the success of Fort Knox.”

Ricci encouraged anybody interested to visit Fort Knox. Information on the necessary passes can be found on the installation’s website.

Medical cannabis licensing application period opens Monday

94.3 The Wolf

The application period for Kentucky businesses looking to secure medical cannabis licenses will open Monday.

Governor Andy Beshear said Thursday the application process is six months ahead of schedule as the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program took significant steps to expedite the timeline. Under the terms of the state program, licenses will be issued for five types of medical cannabis business: cultivators, processors, producers, safety compliance facilities, and dispensaries. A series of YouTube webinars, a business licensing application guide, and other materials are available to help applicants at kymedcan.ky.gov.

Area municipalities have been weighing whether or not to opt into the state program or opt out, which would not prevent cardholders from accessing or possessing medical cannabis but would prevent businesses from setting up shop. The Elizabethtown City Council took up action to opt in while the Vine Grove City Council and the Hardin County Fiscal Court voted to put the issue on the November ballot, and the Radcliff City Council is weighing options. Elizabethtown City Council Member Julia Springsteen said the city shouldn’t put an undue burden on patients in need when the program is as regulated as it is.

“There’s a board of eight doctors and two nurses that govern the whole thing,” Springsteen said. “It can’t be near schools, it can’t be advertised that well, and the bottom line is this was passed because sick people need this and it’s proven to help sick people.”

Radcliff City Attorney Mike Pike said it is important for local communities to get regulations on the books so that the city has a say.

“You can’t restrict those people’s usage, but what you can do is restrict time, manner, place in terms of all these various cannabis operations, so if you do nothing, then what that means is you’re allowing it,” Pike said.

Monday is also the launch of the application process for physicians and advanced practice registered nurses seeking authorization to issue medical cannabis certifications.

Unemployment across Kentucky counties sees slight increase in May

94.3 The Wolf

Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District saw slight increases in May 2024.

The Kentucky Center for Labor Statistics says unemployment rates in May 2024 increased in 109 counties, decreased in six counties, and stayed the same in five counties.

The state average for unemployment for May was reported at 4.5 percent, up slightly from the 4.4 percent rate reported in April and from the 4.1 percent reported in May 2023. Four counties in the Lincoln Trail District had rates higher than the state average and three counties had rates lower than the state average.

Hardin County tied the state average in May 2024 with an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. Hardin’s rate had the same slight increases as the state average, going from 4.4 percent in April and 4.1 percent in May 2023.

Breckinridge County had the highest unemployment rate in the district for May at 5.1 percent, while Washington County had the lowest at 3.4 percent.

More information on how the unemployment rate is calculated and more data is available at kystats.ky.gov.

West Point Kids Club hosting Family Fun Day this Saturday

94.3 The Wolf

The West Point Kids Club will be hosting a free Family Fun Day event at the West Point School Yard this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

“It’s free to all of the kids in town,” said Brittany Miller, one of the volunteers helping to put on the event. “We’re going to have bounce houses and water slides. We’re going to be having food and outdoor games, and some other little surprises that we haven’t really put out there yet. We’re trying to surprise the kids with some extra fun stuff.”

Activities and food for all kids will be free, and while food for adults will carry a cost it is for a good cause.

“For the food, we’re charging $5 for the adult because we’re also going to be doing a back to school program or back to school event at the end of July, beginning of August, so the $5 that we get for every adult meal purchase is going to go towards purchasing back to school supplies to help with that event,” Miller said.

Family Fun Day is part of the kids club’s efforts to support the kids of West Point.

“The West Point Kids Club, they get together from time to time just to do stuff with the kids, just to bring more activities to the kids of West Point,” Miller said.

The West Point Kids Club posts upcoming events to the Community Page of West Point Facebook page.

Fireworks and fun on the schedule for Light Up Irvington Saturday

94.3 The Wolf

Independence Day means fireworks, and area communities are getting ready for their annual fireworks displays.

The City of Irvington will host their second annual Light Up Irvington event this Saturday.

“Light Up Irvington is a huge firework show, and before the fireworks start there’s a festival,” said Irvington Auxiliary Club President Tammy Butler. “We have vendors, we have games for children, we have concessions. This year we have a beer garden. We’ve got a slingshot. It’s like a big water balloon and you do a slingshot trying to hit a bucket. It’s a lot of different activities for the kids to do.”

Light Up Irvington will be held Saturday, June 29 at the Eva Carmen Park on 2nd Street in Irvington. The booths and vendors will open at 4 p.m. Eastern. Fireworks begin at dusk. 

Butler says the event got off to a great start last year and organizers are excited for year two.

“We really have a great time and it’s awesome just to see the community get together and see the smiles on their faces,” Butler said.

Find more information on the City of Irvington Facebook page.

KYTC equipment operators show off skills in ‘Roadeo’ competition

94.3 The Wolf

Equipment operators from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet were able to put their skills on display in district and state competitions and will now represent Kentucky in the regional competition.

14 KYTC operators, including several from the local districts, advanced to represent the commonwealth at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operator’s Safety and Training Conference, which will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in September. The operators qualified after earning high marks in the state’s conference, or equipment “Roadeo”, a two-day state-level competition that saw heavy equipment operators show their skill on seven obstacle course exercises.

The state Roadeo was held at the Kentucky Horse Park Tuesday and Wednesday with crews competing in courses that tested accuracy, agility, and speed while operating equipment such as graders, dump trucks, and skid steers.

Josh Garmon with KYTC District Four took first place in the tractor truck with lowboy trailer category. Jamie Watkins with District Four won first place in the single axle dump truck category, with Garmon finishing third. Nicholas Howell with District Three won first place in the skid steer category, with District Three’s Paul Gripshover finishing third.

Visit the KYTC on the web for more information.

KFW advises outdoor enthusiasts to help control the spread of invasive aquatic species

94.3 The Wolf

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to help maintain waterways across the commonwealth by keeping their gear and watercraft clean

KFW says more than 100 aquatic invasive species have been identified in Kentucky, which threatens native flora and fauna by introducing unchecked species with no natural predators or exposing native species to foreign pathogens.

Invasive species that have been identified already in Kentucky include various species of carp, zebra mussels, crayfish, and plants like curly pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Aquatic invasive species can be spread through sand, mud, dirt, and water, often hitching a ride on boats and gear. Folks participating in outdoor activity can help reduce the spread of invasive species by taking simple actions after visiting a body of water.

Clean your boat, equipment, or gear before you leave. Empty all water-containing devices. Allow boats and equipment to completely dry before visiting another body of water.

KFW is currently revising its State Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan, which outlines the high-priority invasive species and strategies to prevent their spread. Visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website for more information.

Fiscal court votes to put medical marijuana decision on November ballot

94.3 The Wolf

The decision on medical marijuana facilities for unincorporated Hardin County locations will go to the voters.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court voted down an ordinance that would have prohibited the operation of cannabis businesses in the unincorporated portions of the county and instead passed a resolution to put the issue on the ballot at the next election.

Judge-Executive Keith Taul voted in favor of the prohibiting ordinance, as he felt since other incorporated cities in the county are taking steps to permit the businesses availability will not be an issue, and the county can take its time and let things play out.

“As good as the people are that have come up with this program at Frankfurt, I believe that they are not invincible, and that they have come up with a process that they think will work really well, but it is untested, and so I would prefer that Hardin County opt out for now, see how things are going to go, and then as needed we can come in later,” Taul said.

After the ordinance was voted down 5 to 4, Taul voted in favor of the resolution to put the decision on the ballot as he said giving it to the voters was better than taking no action on the matter. The resolution passed 6 to 3.

District Three Magistrate Patsy Whitehead said giving Hardin County voters a voice on the topic is important, and she said she hopes the voters take advantage of the opportunity.

“Use the next few months to learn all you can about the restrictions placed on medical cannabis,” Whitehead said. “Ask questions. Do your homework. Do your research. Make an educated vote on November 5. Your opinion is important, so let your voice be heard.”

The court also approved an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance that had its second reading. The amendment reduces the minimum size of a Rural Residential or R-2 lot from 3 acres to 1.8 acres.

In other meeting news, the Hardin County Coroner’s Office responded to 93 cases in April, including 8 accidents, and 114 cases in May, including 7 accidents. The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office reported 140 arrests, 284 citations, 50 criminal cases, and 120 warrants issued in April and May.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith said the clerk’s office is excited to open its Radcliff location.

“Tuesday, July 9 is our opening date, the first date will be available to serve you,” Smith said. “When I initially reported this, we thought we were going to be open Tuesdays and Thursdays. For a variety of reasons, we’re going to be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, so we’re starting at three days a week, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.”

July 9 is also the date of the next Hardin County Fiscal Court meeting.