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Central Kentucky Community Foundation, Hardin County Schools partner for new grant fundraising program

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Hardin County Schools and the Central Kentucky Community Foundation are announcing the launch of a new grant catalog, Let’s Fund HCS, to help fund innovative educational projects.

In a video posted to the HCEC-TV YouTube channel, CKCF President and CEO Davette Swiney said the fundraising program is a new opportunity for community support.

“We’re excited for this partnership to give our community a chance to help support some new initiatives going on in our classrooms to help students have the experience they need to transition into the real world from some project-based learning,” Swiney said.

HCS says Let’s Fund HCS is an effort to create opportunities for more students to experience the benefits of project-based learning. These projects often require equipment or supplies that classrooms do not have access to through the district’s general classroom fund.

HCS Director of Innovation Brandy New said 12 teacher applications were selected for the catalog.

“Teachers over the past few weeks have submitted ideas,” New said. “We’ve looked at those. We’ve made sure that they align with the curriculum and what needs to get done. Principals have seen those and vetted them, and now they’re ready for the public to see.”

The district says project-based learning encourages students to engage in hands-on, collaborative projects that deepen understanding and support critical thinking skills.

HCS Superintendent Terry Morgan said the program connects educators, students, parents, and the community.

“This was asked for by the community, so we know that you are a great community and willing to support these great endeavors happening in our classrooms,” Morgan said.

Find a link to the Let’s Fund HCS page on the Central Kentucky Community Foundation’s website.

Local officials remind residents to adhere to outdoor burning laws as crews continue fighting wildfires

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Hardin County officials are reminding residents to adhere to Kentucky’s Fall Fire Hazard Season burn restrictions.

State law states that during Fire Hazard Seasons it is against the law to burn a fire or any flammable material within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless the ground is covered in snow. The statute is intended to prevent forest fires by limiting outdoor burning to times where conditions are less likely to spread out of control.

The reminder comes as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency for numerous wildfires across the commonwealth, with the Kentucky Division of Forestry reporting 16 active fires, 36 contained fires, and 76 controlled fires at the time of an update Monday afternoon. Kentucky Emergency Management says drought conditions have increased threats for wildfires statewide, and weather forecasts predict the potential for additional fires.

More information on wildfire prevention is available on the Kentucky Emergency Management website.

ECTC accepting nominations for Beacon of Hope awards

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Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is accepting nominations for the 2024 Beacon of Hope awards, which the college says honor African Americans in ECTC’s 10-county service area for “their successes, exemplary service to professions and communities, and their commitment to servant leadership and equity.”

Criteria that will be considered include: 

  • A demonstrated high level of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; 
  • Serving as an inspiration and role model for the local community; 
  • A high level of excellence in their field of expertise; 
  • Community involvement and volunteerism; 
  • Past awards, achievements, and accolades.

Nominations must be submitted by January 16, and the awards will be presented in a ceremony on February 23. Find the nomination form and more information on the ECTC website.

LTADD cuts ribbon on new Elizabethtown office to promote area growth

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Elected officials, business leaders, and community members from across the Lincoln Trail region were on hand Thursday as the Lincoln Trail Area Development District cut the ribbon on their new office space located at 750 South Provident Way in Elizabethtown.

LTADD Executive Director Daniel London said the goal of the new office space is to allow the organization to provide better service to the eight-county region as new opportunities come to the area.

“We have an economic development tidal wave coming our way, and it’s our choice whether it’s a soft landing or a hard landing, and we are working feverishly here at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District in prioritizing and working through the projects across the district to make sure this is a soft landing,” London said.

London was joined by State Representative Brandon Reed and State Senator Matt Deneen during the ceremony to announce LTADD’s legislative priorities for 2024, which London said represent goals and initiatives meant to benefit the entire region.

“All of these priorities together are approximately $900 million across our eight counties,” London said. “That’s just the priorities. If you look at everything else that is needed, it’s about $1.2 billion.”

The priorities are broken down into four categories: transportation, regional resources/utilities, social and human capital, and treatment and public protection. London highlighted projects such as roadway improvements related to growth expected from BlueOval SK, the expansion of wastewater services in Hardin County and the expansion of gas lines into Hart and LaRue counties, and a housing study to better assess inventory and requirements, among other projects.

Senator Deneen praised the leadership of LTADD in preparing the region for success.

“Progress can be found at the crossroads of patience and planning,” Deneen said. “Nobody does it better than LTADD. They bring all of the parties together. They have a vision. They lead us in the direction for success. They give us that roadmap.”

Visit LTADD’s website for more information.

Elizabethtown gearing up for holiday events

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The City of Elizabethtown is doing its part to help spread holiday cheer with several events coming up later this month.

Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles says the city is looking forward to welcoming more than 60,000 people to Freeman Lake Park for the annual Christmas in the Park lights display.

“This will be our 33rd annual Christmas in the Park,” Pyles said. “It will be open daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. beginning Wednesday, November 22, which is the night before Thanksgiving, and it runs until January 1, 2024. It is free to drive through the park and see all of the light displays provided by our local community partners. Donations are welcome and are accepted at the end of the route.”

The annual Christmas Parade and Light Up Downtown event will be held on Friday, December 1, with the parade getting under way at 7 p.m.

“It starts at St. John Road, so we kind of call it the reverse parade from the Heartland Festival,” Pyles said. “We start at St. John Road and we come downtown. We end at the square. Once we get to Walker Square, where our city Christmas Tree will be located, the mayor will read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’”

Other upcoming holiday events include Breakfast with Santa and movies at the State Theater. For ticket information and a full calendar of events, visit the events tab on the city’s website.