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MOAA encourages eligible students to apply for $16,000 in available scholarships

The Fort Knox Area chapter of the Military Officers Association of America encourages eligible students to apply for their merit-based scholarships for graduating seniors.

“Our scholarship is available to graduating seniors attending the local high schools,” said Fort Knox Area MOAA Scholarship Chairman Dick Ardisson. “That would be Fort Knox, Hardin, Meade, and LaRue counties, Elizabethtown Independent, Faith Homeschool, and North Hardin Christian School. So we cover all the high schools in our service area.”

Applicants must be a family member of an active duty, Guard, or reserve military service member; a family member of a 20-year or medically retired or deceased active duty, Guard, or reserve service member; or the grandson or granddaughter of a retired active duty, Guard, or reserve service member. Rank of service member is not a factor.

Ardisson said the available scholarships are a great opportunity.

“We’re giving out $14,500 in scholarships this year, and that includes one for $3,000, one for $2,500, two for $2,000, and two for $1,500, and as we did a couple years ago one of our sister organizations, the Military Order of the World Wars, is also putting up a $1,500 scholarship, so we’ve got a grand total of $16,000 in scholarships available spread across eight scholarships.” Ardisson said.

The deadline to apply for the MOAA scholarships is coming up near the end of this month.

“The scholarship applications were sent to the high school counselors at those high schools that I mentioned early in January, and the suspense date to have them postmarked is the 29th of March,” Ardisson said.

Check with your guidance counselor’s office for more information.

Baptist Health Hardin hosting community overdose simulation for area parents on March 18 at Hardin County PAC

Baptist Health Hardin recently partnered with area law enforcement and first responders to present a live overdose simulation at area high schools which has been seen by more than 7,000 students.

“After the simulation, we then had a panel where education was given to the students, and then after that panel we played a video testimonial because the overdose was based on a Central Hardin student who had graduated and passed back in 2021,” said Baptist Health Hardin Community Health and Wellness Manager Erin Priddy. 

Area parents and community members will get a chance to see the presentation seen by students and talk with a panel at a community overdose simulation set for 6 p.m. on March 18 at the Hardin County Performing Arts Center.

Priddy said the simulation and panel are not just a scare tactic, but an opportunity to show the impact of the situation. Similarly, the presentation for adults on the 18th is a reminder for parents.

“I think it is important for parents to understand,” Priddy said. “I know that a lot of times parents get busy, but this is going to give a lot of information on some things that parents need to look out for, and I think the most important thing is remembering that don’t think your child couldn’t get involved in something like this. Just come out and hear the information and hear what we have to say.”

Baptist Health Hardin says the presentation on the 18th contains content for mature audiences and is intended for adults 18 and over. No advanced registration is required to attend. Contact Baptist Health Hardin for more information.

Kentucky statewide tornado drill Wednesday as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week

The first week of March is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky, an opportunity for residents, schools, and businesses to review plans and prepare for the possibility of severe weather.

“Severe weather can occur at any time of the year and brings a variety of hazards and impacts to Kentucky from tornadoes to flooding and high winds, but this is the perfect time to plan and prepare before severe weather strikes,” said Meteorologist Evan Webb with the National Weather Service in Louisville. 

Part of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the statewide tornado drill, which will take place Wednesday, March 6 at 10:07 a.m. Eastern and 9:07 a.m. Central.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to practice your tornado safety plan, whether you’re at home, school, or work,” said Webb. “If there is a threat of actual severe weather that day the drill will be postponed to a fair weather day so as to not cause confusion, but it is a coordinated statewide test for all of us to collectively have a chance to prepare for severe weather. It’s a chance to practice for a tornado and it’s not as often you get a chance to practice for something like that.”

Residents can find more information on creating safety plans and other tips by visiting the National Weather Service in Louisville’s website.

“We have a link at the top of our page on Kentucky Severe Weather Awareness Week so that folks can go to that page,” Webb said. “You can find a wealth of safety information on how to receive warnings, and on all sorts of different hazards from tornadoes and flooding to lightning, hail, recreational safety like while you’re boating and camping, even beach safety.”

In the event of severe weather, be sure to follow emergency responders and area media, including Quicksie and The Wolf, to stay up to date on weather conditions.

Fort Knox AER Campaign under way to support military families

Traditionally, those who donate to the Army Emergency Relief Campaign are military-affiliated, which is where the organization’s motto “Soldiers Helping Soldiers” comes from, but all are welcome to contribute to Fort Knox’s AER Campaign which is now under way.

“It’s a program designed to provide financial assistance to soldiers and their family members in a time of need,” said Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Christopher Ricci. “This year’s campaign is set to run from March 1 to June 1.”

The program was established more than 80 years ago and supports soldiers and their families in a variety of ways.

“The Fort Knox AER program alone helped 447 soldiers and their families last year with over $746,000 in assistance,” said Ricci. “That included 206 grants, 224 loans, and 17 grant loan combinations, as well as scholarships totaling $344,000 for more than 100 spouses and children of soldiers.”

Learn more and donate by visiting www.armyemergencyrelief.org.

LaRue and Nelson counties receive state funding for industrial development projects

LaRue and Nelson counties are among 13 Kentucky counties that received state funding for projects that are part of Phase Two of the Kentucky Product Development Initiative.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the matching funds support job growth and economic development by providing funding for local communities to invest in site and building upgrades. The initiative is overseen by the Cabinet for Economic Development.

The City of Hodgenville, on behalf of the LaRue County Fiscal Court and LaRue County Industrial Foundation, received $600,000 to go towards a $1.2 million project to install a sanitary sewer forced main at the recently acquired industrial development site in Upton.

“We’ve been really fortunate and able to get money for both rounds, and round one was property acquisition, round two we asked for a sewer main because you have to have the big three utilities of water, sewer, gas availability,” said LaRue County Judge-Executive and LaRue County Industrial Foundation President Blake Durrett. “We have a good location, so we’re just continuing to build our portfolio there in Upton.”

Durrett says the funding allows LaRue County to create new opportunities while maintaining its rural roots.

“If we can invest in this sewer that will in turn bring us manufacturing and jobs, I think it’s money well spent,” Durrett said. “You know, planting a seed to get greater yield.”

Nelson County also received funding, applied for via the City of Bardstown. $630,000 was approved for a $1.2 million project aimed at extending utilities and existing roadways in the Nelson County Industrial Park.

Learn more about the Kentucky Product Development Initiative at kpdi.ky.gov.

CKCF Scholarship Central deadline Friday

Friday, March 1 at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline to apply for the Central Kentucky Community Foundation’s Scholarship Central.

“It’s available to area high school students, to some current college students, and to even non-traditional students, and it is an application, just one application, that you fill out,” Hahn said. “Based on your answers, you will see a list of eligible scholarships.”

That’s Central Kentucky Community Foundation Communications and Scholarships Coordinator Erin Hahn. 

“You may have to write an additional essay or get a letter of recommendation, but the whole process is very turnkey,” Hahn said. “This year, we have the opportunity of 150 scholarships that we will be awarding and it totals about $350,000.”

The range of scholarships available has increased this year, something made possible by strong community support.

“The amount of money that we are able to give out is given by generous donors in our community,” Hahn said. “Those donors that have had a fervor for education and wanting to pay it forward, and we’re able to do that to invest in the next chapter of their academic lives.”

The application for Scholarship Central is available at www.ckcf4people.org. For assistance, contact the Central Kentucky Community Foundation at 270-737-8393.

Deadline to register for E-Town Parks and Rec’s 1,000 Mile Club Friday

Friday, March 1 is the deadline to register for the City of Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation Department’s annual 1,000 Mile Club.

“This will be our fifth year, and the goal of that club is to promote a healthier lifestyle for members in the community, to encourage them to run, walk, cycle, swim, or paddle 1,000 miles for the 2024 calendar year,” said E-Town Parks and Rec. Programs Coordinator Adam Case.

Registration for the program is $25, and the program has several incentives.

“We have benchmark prizes along the way throughout the year to keep you motivated, and we send out monthly updates from the club, and then everybody that registers for that will get a free t-shirt just for signing up, so it’s a win-win for us all,” Case said.

The 1,000 Mile Club is also a great opportunity to take advantage of the city’s park offerings.

“Between all of the Greenspace trails that we have and all the parks, there’s endless places to walk, run, and do all of the things,” Case said.

More information and a link to register can be found on the Parks and Recreation page of the city’s website.

‘All-clear’ given after another bomb threat at BlueOval SK

One week after the BlueOval SK construction site was evacuated due to a bomb threat found in a portable toilet, a similar incident forced another evacuation Thursday.

“Originally, we got the call somewhere around 10 o’clock that they had found another bomb threat written inside another Porta-John,” said Chief Deputy David Lee with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

Lee said BlueOval SK decided to evacuate the workers to specific areas on site rather than sending workers home, and the company conducted an internal search of the property. That search resulted in another call to law enforcement.

“Upon their search, they called back and they had found what appeared to be a device, with wiring coming out of the device connected to some sort of machinery item, and by machinery I mean either an air conditioning system or some kind of system inside that they have,” Lee said.

The sheriff’s office and the Kentucky State Police responded at that time. Closer examination of the device in question revealed there was no threat.

“The wiring was Christmas tree lights,” Lee said. “It was decided to remove the device, and it was just lying on Christmas tree lights to mimic a bomb.”

Lee said the plant was then given the “all clear” and operations were returned to normal.

Priority deadline for ECTC scholarships Thursday

Thursday, February 29 is the priority application deadline for Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students to apply for scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year.

“We have over 50 scholarship opportunities, and I think that it’s going to be about $195,000 worth of scholarships, so we have a lot of different opportunities for students,” said ECTC Scholarship Coordinator Chrissie Angell. 

All new and returning students are encouraged to apply via the simplified application process.

“It’s one application, and then the system sorts it and the students are considered for any of those 50 scholarships that they meet the criteria for, so the students don’t really have to go through the list and determine what scholarships they want to apply for,” Angell said. “They don’t have to do 50 different applications. It’s one application.”

New students will need to complete the ECTC admissions application and get an ID number. All applicants will need to complete a FAFSA. The full listing of available scholarships can be found on ECTC’s website.

“There is a wide variance of criteria for them, but there really is something for everyone, whether it’s for a specific degree, or we have a great scholarship that’s for students that are first generation students,” Angell said. “There is a wide range of opportunities for students to apply for scholarships.”

Students or prospective students are welcome to visit ECTC’s financial aid office for assistance.

TK Stone Middle School’s production of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe helmed by two E-Town seniors

Two Elizabethtown High School seniors are directing their first play for TK Stone Middle School. Kate Shirts and Madeline Curtis were asked to take on the project by E-PAC Director Carmen Caldera-Brzoska.

“Ms. C asked us if we would be interested in being senior directors for the middle school show because middle school, their program kind of fell apart after our show got canceled when we were in eighth grade for COVID, and it just never got rebuilt,” said Shirts. “We’re both really busy, so we were like, we can just do one together. We can’t do two separate.”

Before the two could direct a show, they first had to decide what play to do.

“We were supposed to do The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe when we were in eighth grade, so we were looking at scripts and we were like ‘what if we brought it back and did it for our middle schoolers now?’,” Shirts said.

Both students have acted in numerous plays but directing is a new experience for them.

 “There’s just so many things you have to think about, because me and Madeline had talked about and kind of prepared for like the obvious things like what are we going to tell our actors, and how are we going to do notes, and when are we going to block, and what do we want our stage to look like, but then now we’re in tech week and we’re finalizing costumes and lights and all the stuff that I was aware of but I didn’t think about like how much work it was going to be to get it all together.,” Shirts said.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is being performed on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Performing Arts Center, located at TK Stone Middle School on Morningside Drive in Elizabethtown. Tickets are $5.