WQXE News

Several area communities are included in federal funding allotments announced Tuesday by Kentucky Second District Congressman Brett Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell.

According to a release from Guthrie’s office, the final passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 included the final two of 13 total community projects requested by the congressman. The total funding for Guthrie-requested projects is $76.65 million.

Included in Guthrie’s requests are $2 million for improvements for the Green River Valley Water District in Hart County, $2,130,750 for Meade County Water District system upgrades, $1,500,000 for City of Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, $675,000 for New Haven asbestos water line replacement, $750,000 for Bullitt County collection system rehabilitation, $50,000,000 for the Fort Knox ARAC Aviation Support Facility, and $817,491 for Vine Grove water line improvements.

“We have water and sewer in the City of Vine Grove,” Vine Grove Mayor Pam Ogden said. “We own our own, and this is something we’ve been going through and replacing on our own. It is very expensive, very costly, so we applied for this grant with Brett Guthrie’s office and we’ve communicated several times back and forth. This is a grant that he’s sponsored for us. I’m very appreciative, and it actually got approved.”

Meanwhile, McConnell announced $117 million in funding for Kentucky projects as part of 2026 Transportation-Housing and Urban Development appropriations. Included in that funding is $9.25 million for the Elizabethtown Regional Airport, with $9 million “for enabling design work and land acquisition for the new runway once the initial study is complete” and $250,000 for a study to inform future efforts to reorient the airport’s runway.

As plans are made to watch the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks battle in Super Bowl 60 this Sunday, the Kentucky State Police is reminding Kentuckians to plan accordingly if alcohol will be part of their festivities.

The KSP is participating in the nationwide Operation C.A.R.E initiative on February 8 to help keep roadways safe.

According to the KSP, C.A.R.E stands for “Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort”. The nationwide initiative is “designed to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities through proactive enforcement and public education.” As part of the initiative, troopers will be highly visible on interstates, parkways, and local roadways as they monitor for impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seatbelt violations.

The KSP advises football fans add the following tips to their pre-game playbook:

-Make transportation arrangements. If alcohol is going to be involved, use a sober drive, rideshare service, or public transportation.
-Slow down and leave space. Allow extra time and following distance.
-Buckle up. Seatbelts are one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injury in a crash.
-Watch for others on the road. Be alert for impaired drivers, pedestrians, and emergency responders.

If you see a driver you believe may be impaired or is driving recklessly, report them to your nearest KSP post or law enforcement agency.

The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The council approved two municipal orders. The first accepted C and C Portables LLC’s bid for Porta-John services for Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation, valued at $85 per unit. The second authorized the purchase of 501 Commerce Drive for $25,000. Reading from the municipal order, City Attorney Ken Howard said the purchase is part of the city’s efforts to extend Commerce Drive.

“The city has budgeted funds for the expansion and extension of Commerce Drive from Executive Drive to its terminus at Springfield Road, to include the acquisition of additional public street right-of-way and the acquisition of utility and drainage easements,” Howard read.

An ordinance approving the rezoning of 614 through 622 Pear Orchard Road from Suburban Residential (R-2) to Urban Residential (R-3) was approved on its second reading.

Elizabethtown Director of Public Works Don Hill provided an update on the city’s efforts to remove snow and ice from recent winter storms. Hill said the city has used 383 tons of salt and $11,274.91 worth of fuel, and crews have put in 1,682 regular hours and 862 hours of overtime. Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said he was proud of the efforts of the city workers as they dealt with what he described as “four inches of ice welded to asphalt.”

“This has been a challenge,” Gregory said. “They’ve worked tremendously hard at trying to get these roads open. I know all of them aren’t ideal. I was driving around through some of them today, but I will at least say that people can get to where they need to go in the city of Elizabethtown.”

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet February 9.