WQXE News
The United Way of Central Kentucky has announced the 10 area organizations that will be receiving a total of $400,000 as 2026 funded partners.
“In Hardin County, we have CASA of the Heartland, Helping Hand of Hope, Warm Blessings Community Kitchen, New Hope Family Life Center, Legal Aid and Salvation Army,” said United Way of Central Kentucky President and CEO Christa Shouse. “In our outside counties, in Grayson County, we have the Grayson County Ministerial Association, Grayson County Alliance which is a food pantry, and Shepherd’s Pie in LaRue County, and I also want to mention that we are funding SpringHaven this year, who serve all five of our counties.”
Shouse said as a downturn in fundraising has been seen in the past few years, the organization has been putting an emphasis on funding basic needs organizations.
“Our pillars are financial stability, health, education, and the meeting of basic needs, and so when we see the downturn in funding and we know what needs are out in the community, we want to focus the money where it’s going to make the biggest impact,” Shouse said.
Shouse says the United Way is proud of its partnerships in the community.
“Those who are supporters, who stand beside us, who volunteer with us, who give their time, treasure and talent to United Way, they’re entrusting their donations and their time to a great organization that cares about our community, how those dollars are invested, and how we can make the best impact with their donations,” Shouse said.
Each funded partner applicant is vetted by the United Way’s Community Investment Team, which then makes its recommendations to the board of directors. Learn more at www.unitedwayck.org.
Independent or other voter registration outpaced Democratic and Republican registration in Kentucky in February.
The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says voter registration saw a net increase of 2,606 voters in the month of February.
According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Republican registration in February increased by 1,174 voters, and independent or other registration increased by 1,643. Democratic registration decreased by 261 voters. Republican registration makes up 48 percent of the state electorate, Democratic registration makes up 41 percent, and independent or other makes up 11 percent.
The Secretary of State’s Office says 4,171 voters were removed from the rolls in February. 3,476 were deceased, 237 moved out of state, and 327 were convicted felons.
Unregistered Kentuckians have until April 20 to register to vote in the primary election. Kentuckians registered prior to January 1 must wait until after the primary to change their party affiliation. You can register or check your registration status by visiting govote.ky.gov, or by contacting your county clerk’s office.
Hardin County Government is reminding residents to use the county recycling trailers properly.
“Piles of pallets have been dumped at our recycling trailers pretty much weekly, most often at the site adjacent to the Hardin County Farmers Market,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker.
Walker said it is clearly posted at each recycling trailer what items are accepted.
“That would be rinsed plastics No. 1 and No. 2, rinsed aluminum cans and tin cans, newspapers, and non-greasy cardboard,” Walker said. “No other items of any kind should ever be left.”
Walker says the dumping of pallets has not been an isolated incident.
“We’re literally hauling away about a truck load, a dump truck load, of garbage every week from all the unapproved items that are left at our trailers,” Walker said. “It’s all illegal dumping and it’s costing taxpayers money. We’re tying up manpower and resources cleaning up the mess.”
Pallets and trash items should be disposed of properly.
