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KYTC set to roll out automated speed monitoring in work zones

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Automated speed enforcement is coming to Kentucky state highway work zones.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says House Bill 664, which was signed into law earlier this year, allows the use of automated enforcement devices such as cameras in active work zones in Kentucky to ensure compliance with posted speed limits. The KYTC says the enforcement initiative will better protect motorists and construction crews.

In work zones with automated speed enforcement, cameras will be placed within the work zone and officers will be positioned beyond the work zone in order to safely make traffic stops. The KYTC says: “Tickets will only be issued to drivers in person, based on camera or detector data from inside the work zone. Speeding and traffic violations carry a $500 fine when workers are present.”

Speed cameras will be installed this summer and fall in select work zones, with more locations to be included later. Work zones with automated enforcement cameras will have warning signs with flashing lights to notify drivers.

The KYTC says in 2024 more than 1,200 work zone crashes were recorded in Kentucky, resulting in seven deaths and 298 injuries. Visit www.kentuckyhighwaysafety.com for more information.

Hardin County Fiscal Court holds first August meeting

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

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul discussed the White House’s approval of Public Assistance to assist with recovery from April severe weather.

“That is big news, and good news for the counties involved, including our county, with a lot of expenses associated with the damage that we incurred primarily on two roads and then other expenses associated with that,” Taul said

A resolution approving a task order and disaster aid services agreement with ER Assist Inc. was approved in order to assist with processing FEMA claims.

The court also approved a resolution approving a lease agreement with Stryker. The seven-year agreement valued at about $126,000 a year will cover the replacement of several accessibility devices that are at the end of their service life. 

An amendment to the 2025-2026 county budget was also approved on its second reading.

“This was primarily to pay for our ambulances, so $1.3 million, and library unspent money at $264,000, and a couple other vehicles at $130,000,” Taul said.

In other meeting news, Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom said in July the detention center took in 528 inmates and released 532, with a daily average population of 579. Inmates worked 10,364 hours, including collecting 2,110 bags of trash along 130.4 miles of county roadways.

Hardin County Animal Care and Control Director Mike McNutt said the adoption rate has increased some but the shelter is still dealing with overpopulation, particularly concerning large dogs.

“Last Friday we had 74 dogs that were over 50 pounds and 53 cats,” McNutt said. “Right now, we’re running a special. We’re doing our best to get them adopted, to get them home and to increase our live release rate, which is really important to the staff and the community.”

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet August 26.

Journey tribute band set to take Freeman Lake Park bandstand stage

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The City of Elizabethtown’s 2025 Lawn Party at the Lake concert series continues Wednesday night.

“We have Captured, a Journey tribute band, that will be there this week at the lake,” said Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles during Monday’s city council meeting. “They start at 6:30 p.m. They are fantastic. I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Journey, whether you’re a 16-year-old high school student or someone who’s close to 60.”

All are invited to this free event at the bandstand at Freeman Lake Park.

“We start parking at 5:30,” Pyles said. “Bring your lawn chair. Come on out. We’ve got picnic tables. It is festival-style seating. You can bring a picnic lunch. We just ask that you don’t bring any coolers or alcoholic beverages out there, but it’s a lot of fun.”

The city says approximately 2,000 people attended July’s concert, which featured the Louisville Orchestra.

Visit www.etownevents.com for more information.

KFW details new regulations now in effect

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Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is providing an update on fish and wildlife-related regulation amendments that are now in effect.

According to a release from KFW, One of the amendments which received final legislative approval concerns size limits, daily limits, and possession limits for sport fish taken from Kentucky waters. Included in the amendment is an increase in the permitted size of crappie caught in Nolin River and Rough River lakes, going from nine inches to 10 inches.

Several amendments concerning the operation of commercial foxhound training enclosures were approved, establishing requirements and regulations for those facilities. These amendments also created regulations which concern the possession of wild rabbits.

Amendments to regulations concerning hunting seasons, permits, zones, and requirements for several species were approved. These include regulations concerning elk, deer, migratory birds, and black bears.

An amendment creating provisions for the department to place restrictions for hunting, fishing, trapping, and access for newly acquired or managed lands was also approved.

More information on proposed and recently enacted amendments can be found at fw.ky.gov.

E-Town council hears updates on public works and parks

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for a work session Monday.

City Public Works Director Don Hill gave an annual report on his department. Hill discussed several projects completed in the previous fiscal year including new roofs on the State Theater and the Elizabethtown Police Department’s lobby, grease trap installation for area restaurants, and video inspection of sewer and stormwater lines. Hill said city crews have paved seven miles of roadways so far this year, and are scheduled to complete 12.5 miles.

“Our goal every year is between 12 and 15 miles,” Hill said. “Now, that’s depending on how much money is budgeted, depending on how much money we get from the Road Tax Fund, and depending on what the cost is, and so really the cost drives it more than anything, and so it fluctuates. It’s on a fluctuating index monthly, so we watch the market and we try to plan our paving according to that, try to get the best bang for your city dollars.”

City Parks and Rec Director Seth Breitner provided an update on the American Legion Park project which will include a new pavilion with restrooms, shade structures, a roundabout area for food trucks, and sidewalk improvements.

“Part of that is the area that walks from the main parking lot down to the pool by the pavilion, and then part of the other area that we looked at is a sidewalk that goes from Miles Street, the sidewalk down there, and goes up to the pool house and the pool building,” Breitner said.

Breitner said four bids were submitted to the city for the project, and a recommendation to council will be presented at the next council meeting.

City Events Manager Beth Pyles discussed the annual Heartland Parade, which will step off from the Public Square at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 23.

“It is one of the largest parades in the state of Kentucky,” Pyles said. “We have over a hundred entries this year made up of floats, walkers, fans, dignitaries, just about anybody you can imagine you’ll probably see them on that Saturday.”

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet August 18.