WQXE News

The City of Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation Department is still accepting registrations for its annual Summer Day Camp Program.

“The Summer Day Camp Program, this will be our fourth year running that program,” said E-Town Parks and Rec Programs Coordinator Adam Case. “It’s always our most popular out of the lineup each year, so it usually sells out pretty quickly.”

The program is for kids ages 6 to 11, with six individual weeks throughout the summer, starting the first week of June. 

“We do activities with them all week long such as going to the playgrounds, going to the water park, arts and crafts, games,” Case said. “We have guest speakers, we go on field trips, so it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Case said the remaining summer day camp slots are filling quickly, so if you are interested in registering your child the program costs $115 per week, with scholarships available to those who qualify.

Summertime approaching also means it is almost time for swim lessons.

“All of these swim lessons are $75 a child for the week,” Case said. “That gets you five lessons Monday through Friday at the American Legion Water Park, and we have our certified lifeguards teaching those courses. They’re 30 minute classes. We offer different levels for that.”

More information and registration for parks and recreation programs can be found on the City of Elizabethtown’s website.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife asks that as you head out to enjoy the outdoor recreational offerings of the commonwealth you help to keep wildlife wild.

KFW says you should leave young wildlife undisturbed, even when they appear alone or abandoned, and is reminding property owners to watch for vulnerable wildlife when working on their properties.

Well-meaning people often attempt to rescue a baby animal they believe to be abandoned when in reality the mother is typically nearby. Mothers often leave young in the nest as they hunt or forage for food, or will stay away from the nest in order to lead predators away.

KFW says you can help wild animals by observing them from afar, keeping children and pets away, and checking properties for the presence of young animals before mowing. You also should report an animal you believe to be infected with rabies to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s regional biologist.

Only state-approved wildlife rehabs, such as Nolin River Wildlife, are permitted to care for orphaned or injured wildlife. 

Visit fw.ky.gov for more information.

A report released by the Lincoln Trail Area Development District Monday looks at the potential return-on-investment the area would see with the implementation of a funding model to make childcare more affordable.

“We have over 2,000 parents, mainly females, that want to work but can’t because of childcare,” said LTADD Executive Director Daniel London. “Think of the impact on them personally and professionally, that they want to get involved in the workforce but can’t. We have a chance to help them. That’s huge.”

London was one of several speakers that discussed the impact report during a presentation Monday held at Fischbach USA in Elizabethtown. 

Data compiled by consulting firm TPMA estimates that there are 2,035 work-willing parents in the Lincoln Trail District and Hart County that would rejoin the workforce if affordable childcare options existed. The report estimates the wages of those parents would generate between $863,000 and $1.09 million in local tax revenue.

Kentucky 18th District State Representative Samara Heavrin discussed efforts to create more options for affordable childcare, including House Bill 499 which created the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership, under which the state will match an employer’s childcare benefits. Heavrin said more efforts are being made to make the program more accessible, so employers, local governments, and organizations can work to remove more barriers.

“Educate that this is an issue,” Heavrin said. “Have the conversations. You don’t know it’s an issue until you’re affected by it, most likely. That’s life, right? You don’t know something’s an issue until it comes to you, so educate those around you about this, have the conversations and then have hard conversations. That’s how change is done. We can’t be complacent. We’ve got to keep moving forward, and so have the hard conversations to make it better.”

Following the presentation and a panel discussion with the day’s speakers, a task force consisting of area business, government, education, and community leaders met for their first meeting to discuss issues identified in the study and to identify goals. London said as the area prepares for future expansion, the study presents an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

“We are the only ones in this state at this level of work on this issue,” London said. “You’re part of something special, you’re part of something great, and we can achieve this. We are going to change lives, and a rising tide raises all boats.”

Data from the study estimates that BlueOval SK will employ more than 509 people ages 34 or younger with children ages 5 or younger. The full study can be found on the Lincoln Trail Area Development District’s website.