WQXE News

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect in Hardin County Wednesday, and after the county’s outdoor warning sirens were activated some residents questioned the decision as a Tornado Warning had not been issued.

“It was not a mechanical failure, and it was not an accident,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker. “It ultimately was a choice. There was significant, very active cloud formations moving through the area. We had two law enforcement officers keeping an eye on things. They spotted what they believed was possible to be rotation in the cloud formation.”

Walker said the officers were heard by dispatchers discussing the clouds over radio, and out of an abundance of caution, an experienced shift supervisor at the E-911 center made the decision to activate the sirens. Ultimately, the storm system passed and a tornado was never confirmed.

“That’s not our normal protocol, and in the future, the only time we will activate those outdoor warning sirens will be if there is a Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service or it gets activated through the SKYWARN system,” Walker said.

The sirens are tested Tuesdays at noon if the weather at the time is clear. As a reminder, the outdoor sirens are meant to be heard outdoors rather than indoors. Sign up for alerts through your county’s Emergency Management office and follow local media and the National Weather Service for severe weather updates.

The United Way of Central Kentucky’s interim president/CEO will take on the job full-time.

The United Way has named Kirk Chadwick as the organization’s president and CEO, allowing him to transition from the interim role he has held since May.

According to a press release from the United Way, the organization conducted an extensive search for the position, with more than 100 applicants and candidates considered. The United Way reviewed candidates based on “executive leadership, fundraising experience, community involvement, and a commitment to serving the organization’s five-county region.”

Chadwick was president of Fischbach USA prior to his retirement in 2023, and served on the United Way’s board for more than a decade. The board of directors decided Chadwick was the right choice for the job “based on his extensive experience working with UWCK, his executive leadership experience, and a deep understanding of the region and the people UWCK serves.”

Chadwick steps into the role just ahead of the kickoff of the organization’s 25th Annual Campaign, which will take place at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s September Luncheon. Visit www.unitedwayck.org for more information.

An emergency designation from the United States Department of Agriculture means emergency support is available for farmers impacted by severe drought.

The USDA issued the natural disaster designation for counties that suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of D2 (Severe) for eight or more consecutive weeks or D3 (Extreme) or D4 (Exceptional). Primary counties eligible include Breckinridge, Hardin, Hart, LaRue, and Nelson. Contiguous counties that are also eligible include Bullitt, Grayson, and Meade.

The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers through emergency loans. The USDA says the loans can be used to meet recovery needs “including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts.”

The FSA will review loans based on “the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability”. Contact your local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov to access resources to determine program or loan options.