WQXE News

The United Way of Central Kentucky invites area organizations to submit proposals for their annual Week of Action Campaign, which is set to run from June 22 through June 26.

According to the UWCK, the week of action is “a snapshot of what UWCK does all year long: mobilizing people around solutions to build stronger communities.” Organizations, schools, and churches from Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, and Meade counties are invited to submit project ideas for consideration.

The United Way says selected projects will receive support through volunteer teams coordinated and mobilized by the United Way, with the teams often made up of employees and team members from local businesses and organizations looking for ways to give back to their communities. Projects approved in the past include landscaping, painting, administrative support, and client-focused tasks.

Applicants should include key details in their project proposal including a description, estimated completion time, and the number of volunteers needed to complete the project. Participating companies or organizations will designate a volunteer team leader.

Submit a project for consideration or sign up to volunteer at www.unitedwayck.org.

A Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation landed two Vine Grove men in jail Thursday on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Nicholas Ray Renfro is charged with 10 counts of Class C Felony Possession of Matter Portraying a Minor in a Sexual Performance Under 12 Years Old and 10 counts of Class C Felony Distribution of Matter Portraying a Minor in a Sexual Performance Under 12 Years Old. Gary Eugene Middleton II is charged with 10 counts of Class C Felony Distribution of Matter Portraying a Minor in a Sexual Performance Under 12 Years Old.

According to the Kentucky State Police Electronic Crimes Branch, Renfro was arrested at approximately 3:30 p.m. on May 21. The KSP began an undercover investigation after discovering Renfro sharing images of child sexual exploitation online. A search warrant was served at a Vine Grove residence and equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to the KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination.

The KSP says Middleton was taken into custody at approximately 10 p.m. on May 21 as a result of an undercover investigation. A search warrant was served at a residence in Vine Grove. Equipment was seized and taken to the KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination.

The KSP’s investigation is ongoing. Renfro and Middleton were lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The Lincoln Trail District Health Department is celebrating after successfully completing the reaccreditation process through the Public Health Accreditation Board.

“We achieved our initial PHAB certification in 2018,” said LTDHD Public Relations Officer Melissa Phillips. “We just went through the reaccreditation process and we found out a couple of days ago that we met all the measures and we will be reaccredited for the next five years.”

Phillips said reaccreditation shows the community that the health department is dedicated to its mission.

“It’s a mark of quality, of trust,” Phillips said. “It shows that we have the capacity to continue to improve and shape our practices to give the best service that we can to the communities that we serve.”

Phillips said she likes to say the Lincoln Trail District Health Department is “not your grandma’s health department” and does more than just vaccinations.

“We also have programs in harm reduction,” Phillips said. “We have programs in maternal and child health. We have all of our environmental health services, so public health is very broad, and we like to say that we touch folks ‘from the cradle to the grave.’”

Find more information on services by visiting www.ltdhd.org or by calling 270-769-1601.