WQXE News

The weather this week may not be friendly to outdoor activity, but as the weather gets warmer and you get ready for summer fun be sure you are mindful of fire safety.

Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says make sure grills, especially gas ones, are properly cleaned ahead of use, and use them at a safe distance.

“We recommend if you have a grill at a private residence keep it at least 10 feet away from your buildings, overhangs, anything that if there is a flare-up, if it was on fire, it wouldn’t catch something else on fire,” Crane said.

Similar distancing guidelines are recommended if you are using a fire pit.

“We try to tell people to keep them at least 15 feet away from your buildings and your patio area,” Crane said. “Try to keep at least 15 feet away because it is an open flame.”

If you are doing any outdoor burning, be mindful of regulations in place for Spring Forest Fire Hazard Season, which restricts burning within 150 feet of woodland or brush to between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. now through April 30. Crane also says be mindful of what you are burning.

“Regardless of where you are, the state law prohibits burning garbage, tires, buildings, and stuff like that, so you have to remember what you’re burning,” Crane said. “Basically, branches, brush, and stuff like that is about all that you can burn.”

Contact your local fire jurisdiction ahead of major outdoor burning, and never leave an active fire unattended.

The National Weather Service in Louisville says storm surveys show multiple EF-1 tornadoes touched down around the area Sunday.

“The longest track one actually touched down in Meade County over near the community of Midway and passed near Brandenburg and Otter Creek, came across part of Fort Knox, and went on into Bullitt County,” said NWS Louisville Meteorologist Ron Steve. “We’ve also confirmed another one near Flaherty that went into the Radcliff area, and then one over in Breckinridge County.”

The forecast shows the chance for severe weather and heavy rainfall over the next several days. Steve says gusty conditions during the day Wednesday will give way to thunderstorms, with the first wave hitting around Breckinridge County at around 5 p.m. Central.

“During the evening, we’ll be looking at a line of storms coming through initially, and those storms could be strong or severe with all severe weather hazards in play,” Steve said. “We’re talking about the potential for tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail, so you want to make sure that you have multiple ways to get severe thunderstorm warnings. or tornado warnings, especially with these storms coming through at night time.”

Additional waves of storms are possible Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and with heavy rainfall coming in, Steve says significant flash flooding is possible.

“If it has rained heavily and you don’t have to be out, don’t go out,” Steve said. “If you’re on low ground, think about where you could be on higher ground, and then if you’re out driving don’t drive through flooded roadways because you don’t know how deep the water is.”

Follow the National Weather Service in Louisville for forecast updates and stay tuned to media, including Quicksie and The Wolf, for alerts.

Breckinridge County Schools has confirmed their district calendar for the end of the school year.

“Last Friday afternoon, our school board met and approved an amended calendar where our last day of school for students is Thursday, May 15, and set our graduation ceremony for the class of 2025 to take place on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Tiger Arena on the campus of Breckinridge County High School,” said BCS Superintendent Dr. Nick Carter. 

Carter said state law requires school districts to hit instructional hour and instructional day benchmarks, but factors such as winter weather, flooding in eastern Kentucky, and districts cancelling school during the fall due to a purported social media threat prompted the Kentucky General Assembly to pass House Bill 241.

“I think this year has just been kind of a cumulative effect, and so our General Assembly decided to pass a bill that would give a little bit of calendar relief, and so that provided us enough relief to be able to get our calendar back to what was originally approved for the 24-25 school year,” Carter said.

As the school year winds down, BCS has announced the district will be using ParentSquare for all classroom, school, and group communication. Carter says the platform was initially launched at the middle school and consolidates communication down to one place.

“We have just an app for everything as far as communication, and so what we’re trying to do is develop a one-stop shop for communication in the district so it’s easier for our parents,” Carter said.

District families should be receiving an invitation email or text. Contact the district for more information.