WQXE News

The Hardin County Board of Elections will conduct an official recanvass of the ballots cast in the Eighth Magisterial District Republican primary election Thursday.

“A recanvass allows us to review all of the results that came in on election night, and we’ll be doing that with the candidates or their representatives, and they get to be present for that,” said Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith. “They get to double check our math and make sure everything adds up. A recount would involve recounting the ballots. That can only be ordered by a circuit court judge.”

The recanvass will be conducted at 9 a.m. at 1370 Rogersville Road in Radcliff. Candidates and other interested parties are welcome to attend this public meeting.

The recanvass was requested by candidate Jonathan Breeding, who “filed a timely written request for the recanvass” after the initial tally from the primary showed him trailing incumbent Kenny Muse by two votes.

“If the threshold of an election is determined by 1 percent or less, any candidate involved in that election can request a recanvass, and I don’t blame a candidate who is down by two votes requesting a recanvass,” Smith said. “I will say, I’ve spoken to both candidates, and they have both been absolute gentlemen about this process, and we look forward to having that complete and reassuring everybody that the unofficial results that were announced on election night and that were certified by the Board of Elections are accurate.”

The results of the recanvass will be submitted to the State Board of Elections to become the official return for the race.

Sargeant’s Army CEO and founder Ashley Nevison says the organization, which the University of Louisville sophomore created when she was 12, has supported veterans across all 50 states and Washington D.C.

“We provide outerwear kits to our homeless veterans in the winter time, and then hygiene hope bags to those in need throughout the entire year, so we’re providing hope, kindness, and compassion across our country,” Nevison said.

Sargeant’s Army’s signature event is the No Soldiers Left Behind Project, which aims to distribute outerwear kits across the country each Veterans Day. You can support the effort by attending the inaugural American Heroes Gala, to be held at the University Club of Louisville on Saturday, June 6.

“We’d love to have as many people there, so that’s the biggest way they could support us, and then if they’re not able to come, we are running a promotion where you can sponsor a veteran seat to have them go in your place, and then if that’s not something they want to do they can also just donate to Sargeant’s Army,” Nevison said. “We are a 501C3, so every single donation is a tax deduction.”

Those attending and those not attending may also participate in the event’s silent auction. Nevison says funds from the gala will help the organization reach further.

“For the last two years, we’ve sent a total of 1,700, and this year I want to double that, so we want to send right under 3,000 outdoor kits to veterans in all 50 states,” Nevison said. “We send them to all 50 states every single year, but this year’s goal is to just send even more outdoor kits to hopefully help even more veterans.”

Thursday is the deadline to purchase tickets. Find the link to purchase tickets and more information at www.sargeantsarmy.org or on the Sargeant’s Army Facebook page.

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

The court approved a resolution approving the appointment of Michael Steck as the new Hardin County Road Supervisor.

“This appointment will finish the unexpired four-year term ending this calendar year,” said Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul. “The appointment will be effective May 31, and of course, this is in response to the retirement of Dwight Morgan.”

Taul and the magistrates praised Morgan on his career with the county and expressed their support for Steck stepping into the job.

Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said crews were dispatched on 1,244 total runs in April. Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo said the office answered 4,130 911 calls in April.

Taul discussed the county being awarded a Rubber-Modified Asphalt Program grant from the Kentucky Division of Waste Management.

“One of the reasons that that’s so significant is that’s $162,624 that’s coming our way from the state for us to utilize for asphalt that we wouldn’t otherwise have,” Taul said.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith thanked the staff and poll workers who put in the time during the 2026 Primary Election. Smith also thanked Kentucky Tenth District State Senator Matt Deneen for his assistance connecting Smith to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet after Smith was told Patriot Parkway was scheduled to be closed in front of the county building on Election Day.

“I just felt like he deserved the recognition for that assistance, and the artery was open and people were able to safely get in and out,” Smith said. “Now, those orange barrels and blockades are going to be there for a little while, but it was safe for people to come in and vote on Election Day.”

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet June 9.