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Hardin County Fiscal Court votes down Pearl Hollow land sale

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

The magistrates voted down a resolution concerning the sale of land near the Pearl Hollow landfill.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Ketih Taul said the resolution would have directed the county to pursue the sale of the property to the Kentucky Heritage Land Trust for $500,000. Taul said carveouts in the sold acreage would be made for the landfill, prime farmland, and nearby shooting range facilities.

“I propose that the net proceeds, which would be $500,000, would be used toward some needs that we have in emergency medical service equipment needs and/or county fire service needs in the future,” Taul said.

Several of the magistrates said they felt it was in the county’s best interest to hold onto the land for possible future opportunities. Fourth District Magistrate Fred Clem said decreasing the buffer zone around the landfill has negative impacts on the property.

“We’ve got a $250 million asset in that landfill, and I don’t think anyone that’s serving on this court should want to make a decision that could ultimately diminish the value of the landfill,” Clem said.

In other meeting news, Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said crews made 1,363 responses in October. Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo said dispatchers answered 4,445 calls in October.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet December 9.

Public meeting for KY 44 improvements in Bullitt County coming up

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is seeking public input on improvement plans for KY 44 in Bullitt County

KYTC District Five will host a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at Calvary Christian Church (11829 Hwy 44 E, Mt. Washington, KY 40047) to present preliminary design plans for the KY 44 Roadway Improvements Project. The meeting will be an open house event with no formal presentation.

According to the KYTC, the project focuses on enhancing safety and travel reliability as well as improving traffic operations. The planned project runs between Bardstown Road(U.S. 31E/150) and the Spencer County line.

Interested residents may drop in any time to review the design and recently developed alternatives. KYTC representatives and the engineering design consultant will be available to answer questions. Attendees will be able to complete a survey, which will also be available on the project website through January 12.

The final design phase will begin in early 2026 after the consideration of public feedback. Visit the project website or contact KYTC District Five for more information.

Health officials urge vaccination after third infant death from whooping cough reported

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The Kentucky Department of Public Health on Monday announced the death of a Kentucky infant from pertussis. This marks the third infant death in Kentucky in the past 12 months due to the disease, commonly known as whooping chough.

According to the KDPH, as of November 19 there have been 566 cases of whooping cough in Kentucky, and health officials anticipate that number will climb in the final weeks of the year. The KDPH says it’s the largest spike in cases reported in the commonwealth since 2012.

The KDPH confirmed that none of the three infants who have died due to the disease over the last twelve months were vaccinated, nor were their mothers. Health officials say the best way to prevent whooping cough is by receiving the TDaP or DTaP vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Infants can receive the vaccine at two months, and the vaccine is recommended for women during pregnancy.

Whooping cough vaccination is required for Kentucky school children, however data from the 2024-2025 Kentucky school immunization survey indicates that only 86 percent of kindergartners and 85 percent of seventh graders are up to date on their required pertussis vaccines.

Symptoms of whooping cough typically begin with a runny or congested nose and mild coughing, then after one to two weeks symptoms include rapid, violent coughing fits that may cause the characteristic “whooping” sound, vomiting, or labored breathing. Find more information on the KDPH whooping cough website, and talk with your doctor about vaccination information.