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State highlighting resources for those seeking help during Recovery Month

94.3 The Wolf

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear welcomed officials and recovery advocates to the capitol Monday in observance of Recovery Month. 

The governor held signing ceremonies for three pieces of legislation that support addiction recovery efforts across the commonwealth. 

House Bill 462, which was sponsored by House District 25 Representative Steve Bratcher, “addresses gaps in certification requirements and strengthens the framework for recovery housing, ensuring these facilities provide safe, supportive environments for individuals in recovery.”

The governor also signed Senate Bill 71, which expands access to transportation services for people in recovery residences, and House Bill 505, which expands the Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors and establishes criteria for registration as a “temporary alcohol and drug peer support specialist.”

The governor also recognized the four latest counties that received Recovery Ready Community certifications from the state. When Hardin County received the certification in February, Lincoln Trail District Health Department Social and Community Services Manager Jennifer Osborne said the certification process shows a county what it has and what it needs.

““It gives us a framework to look at what is going on in the community around youth prevention initiatives, substance use prevention initiatives, harm reduction, treatment, recovery support for individuals that are in recovery,” said Osborne. “It gives us an idea of what is already in place in the community and what we might see as opportunities for improvement in a community.”

Information about treatment programs across Kentucky is available at www.findhelpnowky.org.

Law enforcement warns of consequences of school threats

94.3 The Wolf

Law enforcement agencies across the state of Kentucky are continuing to deal with threats made against school districts stemming from social media.

The Elizabethtown Police Department began last week with the arrest of a juvenile that made a threat that was found to be non-credible against T.K. Stone Middle School, and ended the week with the arrest of suspects that were found to have called in a threat to the Ohio State School for the Blind. EPD Public Information Officer Chris Denham says any threat is investigated fully and perpetrators face punishment.

“Our region has been flooded with legitimate as well as non-credible threats to schools over the past couple of weeks,” Dehnam said. “I want to urge all parents and guardians to speak with their children about the seriousness of making threats. It’s not a joke, and these actions carry real consequences including arrest and detention.”

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office says a juvenile was arrested after they made a threat against Grayson County High School, and the Vine Grove Police Department says a juvenile was arrested for making a threat against James T. Alton Middle School. Breckinridge County Schools released a statement to parents advising them to talk with their students about the use of social media platforms such as SnapChat.

Denham says if you hear or see something suspicious, say something.

“If they hear of any rumors or know of any threats, please report them immediately to their law enforcement,” Denham said “Any threats that you’re aware of that are taking place in Hardin County can also be relayed anonymously to Hardin County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-597-8123 or by visiting p3tips.com.”

The Kentucky State Police sent out a release last week reminding residents that any threat to attack a school will be investigated as a charge of Terroristic Threatening, a felony offense.

Benefit event for injured farm volunteer Saturday

94.3 The Wolf

Whispering Dandelion Farm co-owner Carla Albea says the farm couldn’t make it without its volunteers, so they want to support one of their volunteers who was recently injured in an ATV accident.

“That’s Makayla Post, and she’s a young mom, a young single mom with a toddler, and her grandma has had to take off of work to be able to help her and her baby because it’ll be somewhere around Christmas before she’s able to walk correctly again,” Albea said.

The farm will be hosting a benefit day for Makayla Post and her grandmother Betty Post Saturday, September 21 from 2 to 6 p.m. 

“What we’re doing is we’re going to discount admission for a donation, and then we’re also having a bake sale and a silent auction for them,” Albea said.

Albea says the Post family has been a part of the Hardin and LaRue County communities for decades, and the benefit is an opportunity to support two people who have always supported their community.

“Betty and Makayla both have literally raised thousands for March of Dimes, and they’re just great people that would do anything for you regardless of what they’ve got going on in their own lives, so we think that it’s time for the community to give back a little bit,” Albea said.

Visit the Whispering Dandelion Farm Facebook page or website for more information.

Governor encourages drivers to check on car seats

94.3 The Wolf

National Child Passenger Safety Week will be observed across the country from September 15 through 21, and Governor Andy Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to take the basic steps to protect their children when on the road. 

The governor said the state would be joining observation of the week during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday. Beshear said the annual awareness campaign encourages drivers to make sure they are using car seats properly, something the latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show is not always the case.

“It shows that 46 percent of car seats are being misused around the United States,” Beshear said. “I mean, think about that. We have car seats to protect our children. I think everyone wants to protect their child when they’re putting them in a car seat. That means we should really think about the fact that so many of them are being misused, and get the information out there.”

Beshear encouraged Kentuckians to talk with a NHTSA-approved expert to make sure their child is using the right seat, and to attend a car seat check up event which is typically hosted by area fire and health departments.

“To find out more about checkup events and car seat resources, visit KentuckyHighwaySafety.com and click the Safety Programs tab,” Beshear said. “Folks, this won’t take you long. It’s a couple of websites and maybe spending a few minutes at a checkup, but if 46 percent of people are misusing car seats, it might be you, and I know you want what’s best for your child.”

Beshear said on the positive side, seat belt use in Kentucky is up 3.4 percent over the last two years, and highway fatalities are down 15 percent from last year.

KSP, GHCNTF among law enforcement grant recipients

94.3 The Wolf

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday that partnerships with law enforcement have helped remove illicit drugs from the streets and helped lead to an approximate 10 percent decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023.

Beshear announced additional support for some of those law enforcement partners.

“Today, we’re furthering that momentum by awarding $1.7 million from the Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant,” Beshear said. “This money is going to 11 law enforcement agencies and drug task forces, and one nonprofit organization.”

Among the recipients is the Kentucky State Police, which will receive $372,828, and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, which will receive $196,307. The KSP funding will go towards expanding efforts in areas with high drug abuse rates, while the narcotics task force funding will go towards identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking operations in their nine-county region.

Beshear said these efforts are necessary for moving the community forward.

“We’re building a new Kentucky home, one where our children are better protected from addiction,” Besheat said. “Lives are being saved from overdoses and the state’s recidivism rate has been reduced.”

Visit the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for more information.

United Way of Central Kentucky kicks off annual fundraising campaign

94.3 The Wolf

The United Way of Central Kentucky celebrated the kickoff of its annual fundraising campaign at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s September luncheon, with United Way President and CEO Christa Shouse delivering the keynotes address and organizations that benefit from United Way support set up at the Pritchard Community Center.

Shouse said the annual campaign is about expanding resources.

“The goal, certainly, is as always to raise more money because there are so many needs out there that we don’t even get to scratch the surface of because the need is that great, but I really want to increase awareness of our presence in the community, what that means, and have more people join up with us, whether they’re giving money or they’re volunteering their time, their expertise, we need all of that,” Shouse said.

Shouse said the organization knows the community is struggling, and while that puts a strain on fundraising it makes community support even more important.

“Through our services and partnering agencies, we’ve seen a 48 percent increase in needs over the year of funding before that, and we’re also seeing fundraising go down, and I think it’s just indicative of the climate we’re in right now,” Shouse said. “People are struggling and we see that, and so we’re here to help make a difference.”

The United Way says services from organizations that rely on United Way support benefited more than 60,000 residents across five counties last year. Shouse said the money raised in the campaign has a direct impact.

“One of the best things that we can boast is that it stays here,” Shouse said. “People want to know where their money goes and I’m here to tell you it stays here, and we’re very open and transparent about what we do with those dollars.”

Visit www.unitedwayck.org or contact the United Way of Central Kentucky to learn more.

Quicksie and Wolf battle for good cause with September 25 blood drive

94.3 The Wolf

The American Red Cross says the need for blood remains dire, so if you are looking to help patients in need and take part in a fun competition, Quicksie and The Wolf have an event you might be interested in.

“It’s the Quicksie Versus The Wolf friendly competition to get people to come in and donate blood,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “We will be at the Pritchard Community Center, and we’re there from 12 to 5 p.m. on September 25, and we encourage everybody in the community to come out and support the drive and help the American Red Cross during this challenging time.”

That’s American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. Participants will be asked during check in which station they wish to support. Ritchie says if you have never given blood before, donating is a safe and simple process.

“You come in, we do a medical history on all donors, always making sure that the person donating is safe to donate,” Ritchie said. “We do their temperature, pulse, blood pressure, make sure their iron count is high enough. The actual donation part of the blood drive takes anywhere from like five to ten minutes, but during this timeframe you have helped three different patients.”

You can find information and sign up for the Quicksie Versus Wolf Blood Drive at www.redcrossblood.org, by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor app, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves closing of road

94.3 The Wolf

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

A public hearing was held for a request to close a portion of a roadway.

“A request has been made by property owner Stephen Bush to close a platted undeveloped 60-foot right of way for a future street at the end of Christine Way in Concord Heights between Lots 11 and 12,” said Hardin County Attorney Jenny Oldham as she conducted the public hearing.

The request received a favorable recommendation from the county’s plan commision, and the fiscal court approved a resolution granting the closing.

Brandon Thompson with the Hardin County Extension Office presented the office’s proposed property tax rate for the new fiscal year. The extension office elected to adopt the compensating rate, which will see a personal property rate at 2.43 cents per $100 assessed value (down slightly from 2023), while the real property rate of 1.8 cents and the motor vehicle and watercraft rate of 1.46 cents per $100 assessed value remain the same from last year.

Hardin County Public Works Director Stephanie Givens reported that to date 352 bags from 324 vehicles have been collected at the county’s shredding events, an increase of 100 more bags and 86 more vehicles from this point last year. The next shredding event is October 1. Givens said 524 cars brought materials to the county’s household hazardous waste disposal event on August 17.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul issued a proclamation recognizing September 10 as Meighan Cable Day in recognition of Cable’s efforts at the Mrs. America 2024 pageant. Cable said she was proud to represent Hardin County and serve as Mrs. Kentucky, and to work with Baptist Health Hardin on support for grieving mothers.

“As a mother to miscarriages and our sweet daughter, Ellie, who passed in July of 2019, it’s very important for me as a person and for other women in this county to be cared for, to be seen, and to be honoring a space for them as they go back for postpartum care,” Cable said.

The Hardin County Fiscal court will next meet September 24.

Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland observing Hunger Action Month in September

94.3 The Wolf

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul issued a proclamation at Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s Volunteer Center Tuesday recognizing the month of September as Hunger Action Month, encouraging residents to support the organization’s efforts to combat food insecurity through volunteer shifts, social media shares, and donations.

FAKH says data shows more than 176,000 people in the organization’s 42-county service area are struggling with food insecurity, and FAKH Executive Director Charles Dennis says the organization and families are feeling the strain.

“Data that we reference told us that compared to January 2021, the average household in Kentucky is spending $140 more a month on food,” Dennis said. “Cumulatively, the average household in Kentucky has spent $3,555 more on food due to inflation since January of 2021.”

FAKH celebrated two major shows of support during the event. Darden Foods donated a new truck to the organization, and Aetna Better Health of Kentucky CEO Paige Franklin was on hand to announce a donation.

“Through a new $250,000 gift to Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, we, in partnership with you all, will be able to distribute roughly 16,000 nutritious meals per month for the next 12 months,” Franklin said.

Visit Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland on the web for more information on the impact of food insecurity and volunteer opportunities.

ECTC cuts ribbon on Robbins University Center

94.3 The Wolf

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Robbins University Center during their Pancakes with the Provost event Tuesday.

According to ECTC, the Robbins Center will allow “four-year colleges and universities to offer high-demand bachelor’s and master’s degrees locally.” Students will complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree at ECTC and then transfer to a four-year partner that offers classes and support services at the Robbins Center.

ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate said several recent projects have focused on supporting a strong workforce, but this focuses on allowing local students to thrive closer to home.

“What we’ve really got is a population problem,” Pate said. “If we had more people who lived here, we wouldn’t have a workforce problem, so this university center concept really became more of an effort to keep local talent local, to support not just our community but our places of employment.”

The center is named for Dr. Robert and Rita Robbins, who made a $1 million donation to ECTC in 2018. Rita Robbins said the center will support area students and the need for continuing education.

“We hope this center will be an inviting place for people to gather, develop relationships, and pay it forward,” Robbins said. “When you walk through these doors, change happens. You don’t walk out the same way.”

ECTC has partnerships for the Robbins Center with Western Kentucky University, Lindsey Wilson College, and Campbellsville University, and plans to announce additional partnerships “as early as this fall.”