Menu Close

WQXE News

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves budget adjustment for FEMA funding

WQXE News 0 Comments

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

The first reading was held on an ordinance amending the 2025-2026 county budget. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said the ordinance was related to FEMA Public Assistance.

“Basically, we’ve got expenses now, and we anticipate those to be somewhere a little over $700,000 to repair a couple of roads, and so we need to be able to amend the budget to allow us to be able to pay those,” Taul said.

Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo reported that the E-911 center received 4,170 calls to 911 in December. For 2025 as a whole, the center received 51,220 calls to 911, and dispatched 16,255 EMS and 4,993 fire runs.

Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said during the winter storm from Saturday through Tuesday crews made 109 responses, which he said was lower than expected as more people stayed off the roads as requested. December was the first full month of activity for the new unit stationed at West Hardin Fire and Rescue in White Mills, and the service is proving valuable.

“They made 62 responses, and the average response time for those 62 responses was 16 minutes and 18 seconds,” Peterson said. “That’s a big change from the 45 minute responses we were seeing in that area.”

Taul and the magistrates thanked county employees, along with employees from municipalities and from the state, for the work they put in during the winter storm.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet February 10.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet lifts certain trucking restrictions for storm relief; AG’s Office collecting price gouging reports

WQXE News 0 Comments

As part of the state of emergency issued for the weekend winter storms, Kentucky government has several measures in effect to support residents.

Under an executive order signed by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, the state has temporarily suspended certain restrictions on motor carriers engaged in providing power restoration and transporting gasoline, diesel, propane, and other critical supplies to areas affected by the winter weather.

According to the Transportation Cabinet, the order is effective for 14 days or until the state of emergency is lifted. Restrictions lifted by the order include maximum driving times and weigh station stops. Commercial drivers must comply with safety requirements and have a copy of the order in their truck cab.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office is reminding Kentuckians that the state’s price gouging laws have been activated as part of the state of emergency. According to the Attorney General’s Office, state law defines price gouging as a grossly excessive charge of more than 10 percent of costs prior to the emergency declaration not related to higher costs to the seller. More than 70 reports have been made since the start of the winter storm.

Kentuckians who suspect price gouging should report it on the Attorney General’s Office’s website or by calling 1-888-432-9257. The AG’s Office of Consumer Protection reviews submitted complaints.

Icy road conditions result in delays for Hardin County trash collection

WQXE News 0 Comments

The snow and ice from the weekend winter storms have had many impacts, including on trash collection in Hardin County.

Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker says there were two different incidents involving trash trucks Wednesday.

“One of them slipped off of a pretty steep roadway into a ditch on a county road in an unincorporated area and had to be towed out,” Walker said. “Another situation, it was two different trash companies, one of them being UDP that just bought Platform Waste and services county government roads, and it crashed into another truck. No injuries in any of these instances, but the road to the landfill is just pretty treacherous.”

Due to the incident and conditions, UDP was unable to complete any further trash collection for unincorporated Hardin County Wednesday, and the company will evaluate conditions ahead of further collections.

“If you normally get your trash serviced in unincorporated Hardin County and your trash was not picked up Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, it will not be serviced this week,” Walker said. “If we miss any other days this week, if that happens, we will not service that until next week.”

Due to the severity of the ice event, a one-time exception is being made for county trash customers impacted by the delays.

“Next week, if your bagged trash is outside of the can, it will be picked up,” Walker said. “Please note, it must be bagged, and we will pick that up one time only, next week.”

Walker says the county is not responsible for service disruptions caused by inclement weather, with those decisions made to protect residents, sanitation crews, and equipment.

Reminder for pet owners: ‘If you’re cold, they’re cold’

WQXE News 0 Comments

Cold temperatures can quickly turn dangerous for area residents, but Hardin County Animal Care and Control Director Mike McNutt wants to make sure people remember the same is true for four-legged friends.

“During these code spells that we’re having where our wind chills are minus 10, minus 20, whatever they may be, please bring your animals in,” McNutt said. “If you’re cold, they’re cold. With the exception of a few breeds like your huskies, malamutes, dogs that work out in the code, that’s a little bit different, but for the most part, your everyday dogs need to be inside somehow, some way.”

McNutt says the best option is inside the home with you, but if that’s not feasible, find a way to get them into a garage, shed, or other permanent structure.

“A lot of times, I’ll give a warning,” McNutt said. “This is me officially telling you: bring your animals in. Figure out a way to get your animals out of this inclement weather.”

Normal measures taken to keep outdoor pets warm do not work when conditions get this cold.

“In this weather, straw inside of a dog house is not enough,” McNutt said. “They need more. Heated dog houses maybe, but if at all possible, bring them in with you, just for the time being, until the temperature rises a little bit.”

The American Veterinary Medical Association also reminds residents to try to remember to have their car make noise before starting the engine or pulling away in case feral cats have taken shelter underneath it.

Deadline to apply for Nolin RECC Washington trip February 2

WQXE News 0 Comments

The deadline for students to apply for the Nolin RECC and Kentucky Electric Cooperatives 2026 Washington Youth Tour.

According to the co-op, five high school juniors whose parents or guardians receive electric service from Nolin RECC will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. From June 15 through 20, participating students will tour sites such as the Smithsonian Institution, Arlington National Cemetery, and the U.S. Capitol. Students will also visit with Kentucky’s congressional delegation.

Nolin RECC Communications Manager Sarah Fellows says the co-op is proud to have provided generations of local students with the opportunity to learn more about their government.

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity to local students and feel this is one way we can support future leaders within our own community,” Fellows said.

The deadline to apply is February 2. Find the application and more information at www.nolinrecc.com.