WQXE News

Twin Lakes Skatepark Project Chairman Casey Keown says the nonprofit took major steps towards their goal of a new permanent skatepark facility in Grayson County, including a partnership with Indiana-based design firm Hunger Skateparks.

“We’ve completed our geotechnical survey, and next week we’ll be completing our topographical survey, so we are hoping to have our preliminary design in the near future, and you know, all these things take time and money, so we’re just going to keep pushing,” Keown said.

The skatepark project promotes “Unity Through Community” and as they get closer to the goal they are seeking community partners to sponsor their upcoming Casino Night. 

“Our theme this year is Art in Motion,” Keown said. “It’s a night of celebrating skateboarding as an art form. Obviously, skateboarding is not like your conventional sport, and a lot of times skateboarders get a bad rep because they’re misunderstood.”

The sponsorship is not only a way to support the organization and be featured at the event, but also to be featured on the organization’s social media, which Keown says has seen great growth.

“Just over the last 28 days, we’ve had over 20,000 views,” Keown said. “Our engagement’s up 455 percent, and our follower growth is up 3,000 percent. This is before running any paid ads. This is just organic growth. We’re quickly becoming one of the top pages here in Grayson County.”

Businesses or organizations interested in sponsorship should email Dani Saltsman at dani@twinlakesskatepark.org. Visit the organization’s website or Facebook page for more information including tickets.

Vine Grove Mayor Pam Ogden says in 2025 the city focused on moving Vine Grove forward in a smart, responsible way by “investing in infrastructure, supporting public safety, and working with regional and state partners” to position the city for future growth.

“We invested $5 million in our wastewater treatment plant,” Ogden said. “We are still in the process of that. We purchased a new ladder truck for our fire department. We also ordered a new fire truck to replace the one that burned up in our fire that happened this year.”

Ogden spoke during the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s January Membership Luncheon Wednesday. Ogden said the city installed 16 Flock cameras, hired two full-time firefighters for the first time, and supported a fully-staffed police department with 12 officers.

The city received several grants aimed at infrastructure and beautification efforts, and city staff worked hard to improve the city’s service offerings.

“We had 15 out of 31 employees either attend training or they were certified in their position, so to me, that’s amazing,” Ogden said. “We have eight active subdivisions, 159 single and multi-family units. I’m especially proud of our city staff, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to serve our residents and businesses.”

Ogden said the goal for 2026 is to support local business, encourage thoughtful growth, and preserve quality of life.

“Some of my goals this year include a farmers market upgrade, finishing our wastewater treatment plant which should be finished this year, revitalizing our downtown and supporting the businesses that are moving there, sidewalk improvements, and hopefully we will have an ambulance stored in Vine Grove,” Ogden said.

Follow the Vine Grove City Hall Facebook page for city updates.

Kentucky is looking to help prevent identity theft and deliver modern licensing services.

Kentuckians can now download a Kentucky Mobile ID, a secure digital version of a standard or Real ID driver’s license or ID card. The Mobile ID can be used for air travel at more than 250 airports.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Mobile ID is stored on the user’s smartphone as a valid form of ID locked behind a mobile phone’s unique pin, touch ID, or face ID. Kentuckians with a state license, permit, or ID card can request a digital version through the app. The mobile ID does not replace your physical ID, so continue to carry a hard copy.

To get your Mobile ID, download the Kentucky Mobile ID Verify app from the App Store or Google Play, register the phone number of your device, take a picture of the front and back of your physical ID using your device’s camera, and take a live selfie. 

The Transportation Cabinet says the Mobile ID is the state’s first step before launching driver licensing digital wallet options. More modernization efforts for Kentucky driver licensing will take place this summer. Visit drive.ky.gov/mobile-id for more information.