Monday marked the first reading of the City of Elizabethtown’s next budget. The City Council met at the Historic State Theater complex Monday evening, where Mayor Jeff Gregory gave his budget recommendation for the fiscal year 2021. Mayor Gregory acknowledged that the recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted budgetary decisions, resulting in a budget that is intended to be more conservative in spending. The budget, which comes in a $60.5 million, is down almost $10 million from this year’s operating budget of $70.1 million. The budget also underscores the impact the tourism industry has faced in the wake of COVID-19, with a lack of revenue coming from places such as the Sports Park, which directly brings in money through restaurant and room taxes. The budget will be read a second and final time in the coming weeks.
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Voting for the 2020 primary election is now open for those wishing to vote in-person. In Hardin County, residents can drive to the Hardin County Government building and call the clerk’s office to request a ballot to vote in person. A secure lockbox will be in front of the government building for ballots to be deposited in. The primary, which was originally scheduled for May, was rescheduled to June in the wake of COVID-19.
In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are 10,046 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of these cases, 131 were confirmed on Sunday, and 214 were confirmed on Monday. The number of those who have recovered from the virus remains at 3,232, however there were eight new deaths announced on Monday, bringing the state’s total to 439. The Governor reminded Kentuckians to light their home, places of business, and places of worship green for compassion; however another event was discussed in a separate press conference last night. In this press conference, Governor Beshear called it “unacceptable” that officers had their body cameras off on Monday morning, and also criticized the timeframe that Breonna Taylor’s family were given for justice. Governor Beshear pledged that, with the Kentucky State Police investigative force that has been brought on to examine the incident, the truth will be revealed, no matter what.
America is back in space. After being scrubbed last Wednesday, Space X and NASA successfully launched the crew Dragon on Saturday, making it the first time since 2011, when NASA retired their space shuttles, that astronauts have entered orbit from American soil. It also marks the first time that astronauts have been launched into orbit in a commercially-built rocket, this time built by Space-X. The two crew members, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, have both previously been to space. The capsule docked at the International Space Station Sunday morning just after 10 AM.
Farmers and producers who have been affected financially by COVID-19 can now apply for assistance. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which was part of the CARES Act, helps to make funds available to farmers and producers who saw their crops, livestock, and other products take a hit financially as COVID-19 began to spread within the U.S. Applications can be made by contacting local farm service agencies. The program is open for applications until August 28th.