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Hardin County hosting e-scrap collection this Saturday

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Hardin County Government, in partnership with AGC Automotive Americas and Tri-State Escrap, will host their annual E-Scrap collection event this weekend.

Hardin County Director of Solid Waste Stephanie Givens says this weekend’s date is a change from the usual April date.

“It will still be at AGC, which is where it’s always been, but it’s going to be on May 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they have changed a little bit,” Givens said.” They’re going to take TVs and computer monitors again this year, where we did not do that last year.”

Items such as speakers, telephones, circuit boards, media, fluorescent tubes, printers, cameras, and as Givens mentioned televisions and computer monitors will be accepted.

“We had a lot of people that brought them because we had always done it before and then they got turned away, so we were able to get a new vendor to help us with this event and they are going to take all the TVs and monitors again this year, so just load those up, come out and see us on that Saturday, and all of these events are free to the general public,” Givens said.

The event is open to Hardin County residents only. No businesses or organizations are permitted. Residents will stay in their vehicle during the event.

Find the flyer with the complete list of acceptable items on the Hardin County Government Facebook page.

State awards grants for recycling efforts

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Several area municipalities are among the recipients for grants aimed at increasing recycling capacity and reducing waste across Kentucky.

Governor Andy Beshear has announced $6.2 million in funding for 70 projects that will limit contributions to landfills and encourage recycling and reuse. The grant funding comes from the Kentucky Pride Fund, which is generated from the $1.75 fee for each ton of municipal solid waste disposed of in Kentucky landfills.

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, three types of grants are awarded through the program. Recycling grants provide funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment in order to promote sustainable regional recycling infrastructure. Composting grants fund the purchase of equipment to improve composting and promote creative solutions for managing food, lawn, and other organic waste. Household hazardous waste grants provide support for counties to conduct annual drop-off events.

The Meade County Fiscal Court received more than $490,000, the City of Leitchfield received more than $84,000, and the LaRue County Fiscal Court received more than $33,000 in recycling grant funds.

The Bullitt County Fiscal Court received more than $57,000 and the Hardin County Fiscal Court received $40,000 in household hazardous waste grant funds.

Learn more about the grant program and other statewide recycling efforts on the Kentucky Division of Waste Management’s website.

Kentucky chief medical officer encourages parents to talk with doctors about measles vaccine

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Kentucky Chief Medical Officer and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health Dr. Steven Stack says measles used to kill hundreds of children a year in the United States, but with the advent of vaccination the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.

Stack says the disease has made a resurgence, however, “because there are some communities who have chosen not to get vaccinated and because of misinformation.”

“It’s unfortunate because the United States of America may no longer be able to claim that it has eliminated measles, and this means now that vulnerable children and other children who haven’t been immunized are going to be exposed to a disease that could cause them significant harm,” Stack said. “A lot of kids end up being hospitalized for things like pneumonia and dehydration. Thankfully, it doesn’t kill high numbers of people, but if lots of kids get sick, then some portion of them will die from the illness.”

Stack says the best defense against measles is a simple one.

“Two doses of vaccine 97 percent guarantees you will not get measles,” Stack said. “Not just that it’s mild measles. You just will not even get measles if you have two doses of childhood measles vaccine, so it’s really, really important that parents have their child get the MMR immunization as a child along with their other routine immunizations.”

The most recent data for Kentucky kindergartners shows the MMR immunization rate is just under 87 percent. Stack says he encourages parents to talk with their primary care provider to learn more about the vaccine.

“It just troubles me that folks are misleading and confusing the American people about vaccines,” Stack said. “They are incredibly safe. The diseases are far more dangerous if you get them without having been vaccinated, and there’s virtually no risk for most of these vaccines.”

The Lincoln Trail District Health Department offers the MMR vaccine at all of their health centers. Contact the health department or your primary care provider for more information.

Disaster benefits available for residents impacted by April flooding and storms

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Kentucky residents who live or work in one of the 13 counties approved for Individual Assistance following April flooding and storms may now apply for disaster benefits.

Residents in the counties are eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits, with D-SNAP applications being accepted through May 14.

According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, “The D-SNAP program offers short-term food help to individuals and families in counties that receive a Federal Disaster Declaration that includes Individual Assistance.” Residents receiving SNAP or D-SNAP benefits in the approved counties may also purchase hot, prepared food at authorized retailers with their benefits until May 31.

Applicants should call the Department for Community-Based Services at 1-855-306-8959. Applications may also be submitted at a DCBS office, including the Hardin County office at 915 North Mulberry Street in Elizabethtown.

The state is also accepting Disaster Unemployment Assistance from individuals in the 13 counties. According to the governor’s office, “In order to qualify for DUA benefits, claimants in eligible counties must show that their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of the disaster and that they are not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits under state or federal law.”

Individuals should visit the Kentucky Career Center website at kcc.ky.gov to learn more about filing a DUA claim.