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WQXE News

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Kentuckians urged to not take unnecessary risks as flood recovery continues

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update as communities across the commonwealth continue to see impacts from recent severe weather.

While rain has ceased and water has receded in many areas, several rivers and creeks remain at or above the flood stage. The National Water Prediction Service measured the Ohio River at McAlpine Lower at 67.85 feet Tuesday night, with a crest of 68.4 feet projected for Wednesday evening.

Search and rescue teams have performed 142 rescues and 272 evacuations. The Kentucky State Police has responded to nearly 19,000 calls for service. The governor says four people in four counties have been killed as a result of flooding. Kentuckians are urged to stay alert and watch for high water.

“The biggest concerns that we have right now are cars driving through water, are people going around barricades,” Beshear said. “I just saw a new story about another rescue that had to occur because someone drove around barricades. When you do that, you not only put your life in danger, you put the lives of everybody who’s coming to rescue you in danger.”

The governor reported that just over 2,600 people across the state were without power as of Tuesday morning. About 850 customers are without water, and boil water advisories are in effect for about 4,000 customers.

Kentuckians with non-life-threatening needs may contact the state’s Emergency Management Line at 502-607-6665, and those affected by the storms may reach the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Kentuckians looking to support those in need may donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund, more information on which is available at www.kentucky.gov.

Beshear declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms on April 2, and the White House approved Beshear’s request for an emergency disaster declaration on April 4. LaRue County approved a local state of emergency Tuesday.

Kentucky Shakespeare staging free show at Freeman Lake Park; tickets for Bunny Brunch still available

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“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

In this case, however, the players are Kentucky Shakespeare, and the stage is the bandstand at Freeman Lake Park, which is where kKntucky’s official Shakespeare festival will be visiting for a free performance of Macbeth as part of their spring tour.

The free performance, which is open to all ages, will be staged on Tuesday, April 29. Parking will open at 5:30 p.m. with the performance beginning at 6:30. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs, and seating will be festival style. Food vendors will be on site, and in the event of inclement weather the performance will move to the State Theater.

Ahead of that, the City of Elizabethtown invites you to hop on over for a special Easter event.

“We are having the very first ever Bunny Brunch at the State Theater, and we’re really excited about that,” said Priscilla Scarborough with the city’s events staff. “We have two different sessions available. Folks can come and bring the kiddos, dressed in your Sunday best.”

The event will be held this Saturday, April 12 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

“You will get to visit with Mr. Bunny himself,” Scarborough said. “You will have a professional photo right there on the spot and then have a great brunch. We’re going to have some activities and crafts, and probably maybe the ‘Bunny Hop.’”

Visit www.thestate270.org for ticket information.

Nolin RECC accepting applications for Operation Round-Up grants

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Nolin RECC is accepting applications for grants through their Operation Round-Up program.

“Operation Round-Up is a voluntary program,” said Nolin RECC Communications Manager Sarah Fellows. “Nolin RECC members can choose to round up their bill each month to the nearest dollar. All those nickels and dimes and quarters, really, for an average Nolin member only adds up to about $6 a year, but it makes such a big difference because thousands of Nolin members are choosing to do that.”

The co-op says the average yearly donation for an individual member is about $6, but those donations have provided for more than $415,000 in grants since 2006. Local organizations that have benefited include Project L.E.A.R.N, Wesley Hilltop House, and Knob Creek Conservancy.

Grant applications are accepted and reviewed by the operation round-up board of directors which is made up of local residents. The application can be found at www.nolinrecc.com or can be picked up at the co-op’s office locations.

The deadline to apply is May 1. Contact Nolin RECC at 270-765-6153 for more information.

E-Town council reviews sewer ordinances

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The council approved an ordinance on second reading that repeals and replaces the city’s sewer rates ordinance. The residential rate will increase to $14.46 for the first 2,000 gallons beginning July 1 this year, then will increase year-to-year, eventually landing at $19.52 for the first 2,000 gallons in 2028. Reading the ordinance summary, City Attorney Ken Howard said there are also increases to surcharges for extra strength waste, hauled waste, and other services.

“Also, the connection fees are increased,” Howard read. “For a residential connection fee, a single family house, that will be $1,500. For a multi-family housing that will be $2,000 per building plus $300 per unit.”

The council also approved an ordinance for general obligation bonds for the outdoor music venue on its second reading. The bond was approved at an amount not to exceed $47 million on a term not to exceed 30 years, but the debt will be paid using proceeds from the music venue and other available resources.

“As you all will recall at the first reading, RSA Advisors, the city’s financial advisors, spoke and indicated the city has one of the strongest bond ratings in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and it is not anticipated that a bond tax would be necessary,” Howard said.

Three annexation ordinances were approved on their second readings. 204 Jackie Street will be zoned Urban Residential General (R-4), 320 Pear Orchard Road NW will be zoned Suburban Residential (R-2), and 7019 South Wilson Road will be zoned Regional Commercial (C-3).

The first reading was held on an ordinance that amends the city’s sewer use ordinance.

“Primarily, this ordinance amends the rules and regulations to the traps and interceptors section relating to grease trap installation and requirements,” Howard read from the ordinance summary. “Defined structure for the failure to comply with the regulations has been changed from $200 per monthly occurrence to $300 per monthly occurrence per 500-gallon capacity size of interceptor. Modifications were made to adjust truck discharge permits to be in line with industrial discharge permits.”

The first reading was also held on a zoning amendment ordinance for 475 Hodgenville Road, which would change that property from Regional Commercial (C-3) to Multi-Family Residential (R-6) to accommodate construction of an apartment complex. The Elizabethtown Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the change.

Several municipal orders were approved, including Downtown Redevelopment Grants for 201 North Main Street ($87,098.08) and 218 South Mulberry Street (5,019.46), and a $1,180,400 bid from Dirt Works Unlimited for the French Street sanitary sewer upgrade project.

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory praised the efforts of city officials and employees for their work addressing more than 12 inches of rainfall that came down on the city over a four-day period. Gregory said it wasn’t perfect, but the city’s infrastructure did what it is designed to do.

“I’m really proud,” Gregory said. “We learned a lot. We never claim to be perfect. There’s things that you see when you have a rain event or weather event like this that you know that you can improve on. We’ve taken note of a lot of those things and that’s what we’ll do. We’ll improve on them and get better every time.”

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet April 14.

LTADD accepting donations to help feed first responders

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The Lincoln Trail Area Development District is supporting an effort to support first responders that have been working around the clock on search and rescue missions in the Colesburg and Lebanon Junction area.

“They’re tired, weary, they’re hungry, and one of the things that we’re trying to do now is put together hot meals for them to give them some respite,” said LTADD Executive Director Daniel London. “So out at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, we are funding a food truck to go up to provide hot meals for first responders.”

Russell Tucker with Sonny Boy’s BBQ is organizing the food trucks.

“We’re going to go down there, we’re going to try to give them some pulled pork sandwiches, hamburgers, just kind of give them something warm to put in their belly while they’re doing what the community needs help with,” Tucker said.

LTADD is also working with Central Kentucky Community Action to provide meals for first responders working in the Shepherdsville area. 

“It’s going to be about a cost of, between us and Community Action, probably $2,500 to $3,000 a day to take care of these first responders,” London said. “They take care of us when we need help. They give up their family, their time, even their treasure, and a lot of circumstances to come to our rescue, and this is the least that we can do.”

If you are interested in supporting the effort, LTADD is accepting donations, which can be delivered to their office at 750 South Provident Way in Elizabethtown.