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WQXE News

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Unemployment rates across Kentucky up in August from last year

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While unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District saw slight increases in August 2024 compared to the year prior, the rates across the district are down from the month prior. 

The Kentucky Center for Labor Statistics says unemployment rates increased in all 120 counties in the commonwealth from August 2023 to August 2024.

The state unemployment average for August was reported at 5.1 percent, down some from the 5.4 percent average reported in July and up from the 4.1 percent average reported in August 2023. Four counties in the Lincoln Trail District had rates higher than the state average and three counties had rates lower than the state average.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for August 2024 tied the state average at 5.1 percent. Hardin’s rate is a slight decrease from July 2024 when the rate was 5.4 percent and an increase from the 4 percent rate reported in August 2023.

Breckinridge and Grayson counties tied for the highest unemployment rate in the district for August at 5.7 percent, while Nelson County had the lowest at 4.3 percent.

More information on how the unemployment rate is calculated and more data is available at kystats.ky.gov.

HCS hosts groundbreaking for new West Hardin Middle School building

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Hardin County Schools celebrated the start of a new chapter Thursday.

West Hardin Middle School students were the first to break ground on the new West Hardin building, to be located behind Cecilia Elementary School. The students were joined by the Hardin County Board of Education, school administrators, community and business members, and current and former West Hardin students and staff.

West Hardin Principal Christin Swords said West Hardin has served the district as an elementary, middle, and high school, and community support has maintained the school’s legacy.

“It is not just a building that makes us West Hardin,” Swords said. “It is definitely the people within that building, and we are so grateful that our board members and Superintendent Morgan and our community have this vision to continue West Hardin’s future and add to that next chapter.”

Swords said some of the current students may not attend classes in the new building, but they are excited to be part of the process.

“They keep asking questions, and they’re looking forward to seeing the next step, so we’re excited about including them in this project, not just today but in the building process, and what we can learn from that as well in terms of vision and perseverance through a project, and the commitment that we’re making,” Swords said.

The new West Hardin Middle School, designed by JRA Architects and built by Wehr Construction Inc., is due to open for students in 2026.

Health department continues to investigate Upton water contamination

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The Lincoln Trail District Health Department is continuing to monitor water supplies after an investigation into possible contamination in Upton in August.

According to a release, the health department became aware of suspected water contamination in Big Spring on August 17. Samples collected on August 21 “indicated the presence of coliforms and E. Coli bacterium.” Additional testing was conducted to determine the type of E. Coli present and “indicated the presence of fecal waste from humans and deer.” The test results were shared with the Kentucky Environment and Energy Cabinet.

The health department says based on information from the Environmental Protection Agency bacterial levels in bodies of water can vary and change with rainfall, which makes it difficult to pinpoint the source of the contamination. 

After offering free well water testing to residents in the affected area, the health department has conducted or assisted with 14 tests across 12 locations in Hardin and LaRue counties. Sites from tests taken on August 21 and 27 resulted in E. Coli counts of more than 2,400, but five tests resulted in zero counts.

The health department will continue to work alongside the Environment and Energy Cabinet to test and monitor private water supplies as they work to identify the source of the contamination. If you believe your water supply has been impacted, contact the health department (270-769-0312 for Hardin County and 270-358-8665 for LaRue County), and visit their website for information on well and cistern maintenance.

Heavy rains expected and heavy winds possible with Hurricane Helene

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Hurricane Helene is due to make landfall in Florida Thursday night, with the storm impacting Kentucky on Friday.

“First there will just be a light rain, and then Friday we will get some winds,” said Meteorologist Samantha Michlowitz with the National Weather Service in Louisville. “We are looking at about 30 to 50 miles per hour there for winds on Friday and some pretty heavy rains, then scattered rain chances will last Saturday into Sunday.”

The tropical storm is the second to impact the area this year after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl in july.

“We had one earlier this year that moved through and gave us a good amount of rain, but this time around we’re going to see between 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rain,” Michlowitz said.

Michlowitz says remember to be safe as the storm works its way through.

“If you have anything outside like outdoor decorations or pillows on outdoor furniture, it would probably be best to bring that inside just so that it doesn’t get picked up and thrown,” Michlowitz said. “With rain, just watch out for any ponding. Never drive through any flooded roadways. You never know how deep it is.”

Follow the National Weather Service for more updates on Hurricane Helene’s path.

Organizers watching weather forecast ahead of Saturday’s Heartland Harvest Festival

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Event organizers have an eye on the forecast for Saturday, but they are excited to put on the second annual Heartland Harvest Festival in Downtown Elizabethtown.

“The downtown event begins at 10 a.m. and it will feature craft and commercial vendors,” said Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles. “We will have over 100. There’s a free petting zoo and kids zone, a pumpkin decorating contest, the Great Pumpkin Battle, of course sponsored by WQXE. We’re excited about that. There will be food vendors, and lots more.”

That’s Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles. Music for the festival will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Hardin County Justice Center parking lot.

“The lineup this year includes Big Black Cadillac, which is a funk and soul six-piece cover band based in Bardstown, and then at 5 o’clock, Taylorsville native and country artist J.D. Shelburne will take the stage, and ending out the night as our headliner is chart-topping country singer-songwriter Craig Morgan, and we are super excited to have him,” Pyles said. “That should be at 7.30 p.m.”

Find more information on the City of Elizabethtown Event’s website, and follow their Facebook page and stay tuned to Quicksie and The Wolf for weather-related updates.