WQXE News

Kentucky Tenth District State Senator Matt Deneen says one of his goals heading into the 2026 state legislative session was “common sense legislation” that would align the state with federal regulations to make the state eligible for more federal grants and support, including legislation concerning missing persons and death benefits for search and rescue personnel. Deneen also says he focused on education, including a bill concerning the use of 10-seat passenger vans.

“It was really to assist our schools as they transport students to extracurricular activities,” Deneen says. “There’s no need to use a 60-passenger bus using diesel fuel when you can use a 10-passenger van and use unleaded fuel. It saves the district thousands of dollars in transportation.”

Deneen says he is also looking at legislation that did not clear the current session that he hopes to reintroduce in the future, including a bill to give judges better authority in cases where the suspect has absconded on their probation.

“When they come back before the judge, sometimes their probationary time has ended, and the bill that I introduced gives our judges a 60-day window to examine those violations of probation and to hold those folks accountable, and I think that’s another good bill that we can continue to work on,” Deneen says.

Deneen also highlighted the $39 million in funding for road and infrastructure improvements in Hardin County secured in House Bill 900, including $6.5 million for the construction of the Hardin County Emergency Services Center in Glendale.

“We also looked at $2 million for our Hardin County water districts so that they can continue to upgrade their pump stations and also expand their water availability to citizens and to new developments, so those are critical pieces of it, and we also put in $1.1 million for the Lincoln Trail Area Development District in support of child care initiatives as we see our workforce grow,” Deneen says.

Deneen and other state lawmakers will return to Frankfort in June for the start of the 2026 interim calendar.

Hardin County EMS invites area families to come see some of the things first responders do when they arrive on the scene of a serious situation.

“We have the Teddy Bear Clinic,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker. “It’s a program that we offer numerous times each year for civic groups, schools, the Hardin County Public Library, and more. It’s free, but it gives children a hands-on experience, and they can discover how to use the 911 system, basic first aid, and they’re actually shown an ambulance and some basic explanations of equipment used by EMS.”

Walker said the Teddy Bear Clinic also gives children a chance to get over some fear and confusion that a young person might have if they’re placed in an emergency, and said the event “isn’t scary or gory.”

The free event will be held at Hardin County EMS headquarters, located at 170 North Provident Way in Elizabethtown, beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6.

“No registration is needed, but we really encourage your child to bring their favorite stuffed animal, teddy bear, what have you,” Walker said.

Find more information on the Hardin County Government Facebook page or website.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear last week recognized the 16 winners of the 30th Governor’s Service Awards, recognizing exceptional service and dedication to Kentucky communities.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the award ceremony “is a longstanding tradition in the commonwealth that honors community volunteerism and service to others. The annual event is hosted by Serve Kentucky, which administers the state’s AmeriCorps programs, and coincides with National Volunteer Week.”

Several Hardin County residents were among the honorees. Yolande Denise Jackson-Smalls was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Staff Sergeant Jessica Lynn DeLaPaz was presented with the Veteran Volunteer Service Award, and the American Red Cross – Fort Knox was presented with the Nonprofit Service Award.

More information on the awards and a complete list of winners can be found on the Serve Kentucky website, serve.ky.gov.