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Projected record number of travelers hitting the road for Thanksgiving

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Travel this Thanksgiving is projected to hit record numbers.

AAA is projecting 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home now through Monday, up 1.6 million travelers from last year and setting a new overall record.

According to AAA, Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel compared to others such as Memorial Day and Independence Day. After falling to 56.8 million during the pandemic in 2020, travel each year has seen steady growth, with this year’s forecasted numbers up more than 8 million from 2021.

AAA is projecting at least 73 million will travel by car, up 1.3 million from last year. Those numbers could see an increase due to some air travelers possibly making changes following recent flight cancellations. As travelers prepare to hit the road, AAA is reminding them to fill up the gas tank ahead of travel day, check your battery and tire pressure, and if alcohol will be part of your Thanksgiving plans make arrangements ahead of time to get home safely.

AAA is projecting Wednesday afternoon to be the busiest travel time ahead of the holiday, and travelers should expect busy times throughout the day Sunday. Morning travel is the best time to avoid backups, but check your route home ahead of time in order to see impacts from construction, accidents, and weather.

Visit AAA’s website for more tips and information.

No snow expected for Thanksgiving travelers in Kentucky but cold temperatures in the forecast

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Area residents spending the Thanksgiving holiday in central Kentucky will likely not be seeing snow in the forecast, but after moisture from Tuesday clears the area they will see colder temperatures.

“We’re going to stay pretty cloudy as the system passes to our north with some low-level cloud cover,” said Meteorologist Kyle Wilkins with the National Weather Service in Louisville. “Southern Kentucky will likely stay clear, but clouds will probably extend south through E-Town, and then we stay dry but we have clearing conditions for Thanksgiving and Black Friday coming through with the clearer skies so we are going to see falling temperatures.”

Wilkins says the high on Thursday is going to be near 40, and the high on Friday is in the mid to upper 30s. Thursday night and Friday night temperatures are going to get a bit cooler with lows near 20.

For those traveling, weather may cause travel impacts in the east and northeast, and lake effect weather could push some snow into central Indiana. Travelers on the way home in Kentucky might see some rain Saturday and Sunday, but Wilkins says if the system shifts it could bring some snow.

“On the backside of that later Sunday, we’re going to see falling temperatures again, so it’s possible any remaining moisture will freeze with temperatures going down to the mid 20s Sunday night,” Wilkins said

Keep an eye on the weather forecast. Check with the National Weather Service for updates.

Hardin County Fiscal Court votes down Pearl Hollow land sale

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

The magistrates voted down a resolution concerning the sale of land near the Pearl Hollow landfill.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Ketih Taul said the resolution would have directed the county to pursue the sale of the property to the Kentucky Heritage Land Trust for $500,000. Taul said carveouts in the sold acreage would be made for the landfill, prime farmland, and nearby shooting range facilities.

“I propose that the net proceeds, which would be $500,000, would be used toward some needs that we have in emergency medical service equipment needs and/or county fire service needs in the future,” Taul said.

Several of the magistrates said they felt it was in the county’s best interest to hold onto the land for possible future opportunities. Fourth District Magistrate Fred Clem said decreasing the buffer zone around the landfill has negative impacts on the property.

“We’ve got a $250 million asset in that landfill, and I don’t think anyone that’s serving on this court should want to make a decision that could ultimately diminish the value of the landfill,” Clem said.

In other meeting news, Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said crews made 1,363 responses in October. Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo said dispatchers answered 4,445 calls in October.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet December 9.

Public meeting for KY 44 improvements in Bullitt County coming up

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is seeking public input on improvement plans for KY 44 in Bullitt County

KYTC District Five will host a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at Calvary Christian Church (11829 Hwy 44 E, Mt. Washington, KY 40047) to present preliminary design plans for the KY 44 Roadway Improvements Project. The meeting will be an open house event with no formal presentation.

According to the KYTC, the project focuses on enhancing safety and travel reliability as well as improving traffic operations. The planned project runs between Bardstown Road(U.S. 31E/150) and the Spencer County line.

Interested residents may drop in any time to review the design and recently developed alternatives. KYTC representatives and the engineering design consultant will be available to answer questions. Attendees will be able to complete a survey, which will also be available on the project website through January 12.

The final design phase will begin in early 2026 after the consideration of public feedback. Visit the project website or contact KYTC District Five for more information.