WQXE News

As we head into the holiday season, fire officials remind residents to take time to take precautions to ensure the only thing making spirits bright is the glow of Christmas lights and not a potential fire hazard.

“Make sure that if you’re going to put something outside that it’s rated for outside decorations, for the weather and things like that,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “Make sure your cords are in good condition. If it’s something you’ve been using for a couple years, make sure your extension cords are in good shape, that they’re rated for outdoor use, and make sure that all the cord’s connections are in good shape.”

As you hang up Christmas lights, unlike Clark Griswold don’t use staples to hang up the lights, and be safe on the ladder.

Don’t forget to also check the conditions of cords before plugging in your indoor decorations, and keep cords uncovered and out of regular walking paths. If you plan to have a live tree, plan accordingly

“If you’re using a live tree, make sure you water it well,” Crane said. “Check the needles daily and water it daily. It could use a quart of water a day, depending on the size of the tree. Check the needles. If you brush your hand against the branches and you have a handful of needles, your tree is getting dry, so make sure you’re checking those.”

The U.S. Fire Administration has more holiday safety tips available on its website.

An area school administrator has been appointed to a national board.

Breckinridge County Schools Superintendent Dr. Nick Carter has been appointed to the governing board of the American Association of School Administrators.

“As far as a governing board member of AASA, I’ll be involved periodically in the governing board meetings,” Carter said. “The governing board helps set the legislative agenda and things like that for the American Association of School Administrators.”

Carter currently serves as the past president of the board of directors for the Kentucky Association of School Administrators. As one of only two Kentucky educators serving on the national board, Carter said he is looking forward to the job ahead.

“I’m just really excited to have this opportunity and have an opportunity to work with our federal delegation, representatives and senators, at different times as we continue to have those discussions about the needs of public education,” Carter said.

Carter said his success is a product of the success of Breckinridge County Schools.

“These opportunities are available because I work with incredible people,” Carter said. “There’s nearly 500 wonderful employees in the Breckinridge County School District and a little over 2,700 awesome students, and so I’m truly blessed to be doing what I’m doing, and as long as I’m doing it, I’m going to continue to work hard for the folks in my school district and all public education.”

Carter has served as BCS superintendent since 2017.

Holiday celebrations in the City of Elizabethtown are set to ramp up this weekend with multiple events on the calendar.

City of Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles says the State Theater will host their annual Breakfast with Santa on December 7.

“Tickets include a breakfast, which is delicious, a visit with Santa, a professional photograph, Christmas crafts, and a ticket to the showing of The Polar Express, the movie that day,” Pyles said.

The Polar Express is the kickoff to the State Theater’s Christmas movie series. Pyles says tickets will go fast for these holiday classics.

“Tickets are $3 each and the box office opens one hour before showtime,” Pyles said. “You can find the full list of movies on our site, thestate270.org. The titles include The Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, and White Christmas.”

Don’t forget to come to Downtown Elizabethtown this Friday night for the Light Up E-Town Parade and Tree Lighting. The parade starts at 7 p.m.

“This is what we call a ‘reverse parade,’” Pyles said. “It starts at St. John Road and travels south on Dixie Highway and ends at the square downtown. Something that we’ll do this year, we’ll have some pre-parade performances in front of the State Theater from some local dance troupes. We’ll have snack vendors in the State Theater parking lot as well beforehand for those that want to get together downtown to watch the parade.”

Santa Claus and Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory will light the city’s Christmas tree and host other festivities at Walker Square after the parade.

Find more information on all of the city’s holiday offerings at www.etownevents.com.