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Hardin Co. School Board to vote on district’s start options for upcoming school year

Parents and students of Hardin County Schools will know later today what course of action the district will take with the beginning of the school year.

The Board of Education will meet tonight in a special called meeting to discuss whether or not to begin school as planned or to begin the year with NTI on August 24th. On Monday, Governor Beshear had only made a recommendation to postpone in-person instruction, not a mandate.

The virtual meeting can be viewed tonight at 6 p.m., and can be viewed on the Hardin County Schools website.

HCS Students to receive lanyards for masks, ID’s

Whenever students do return to in-person instruction, they’ll have special lanyards waiting for them. Hardin County Schools was gifted with around 17 thousands lanyards Monday, representing students within Central, John, and North’s systems. The items, provided to the school system by an area insurance agency, are beneficial for a student’s new “normal”. 

District spokesperson John Wright also said that elementary school students will receive school ID cards this year, as a way to promote more touch-free options in the district.

‘Blessing Box’ now available for Hardin County community

Photo: Tim Thomas (Facebook)

What started as an idea from one Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy is now a resource for the community.

Officials with the office have unveiled the Blessing Box, a resource for those in the community who might face various food needs, outside of the Hardin County Government Building. Brooklynne Stillwell, a clerk with the sheriff’s office and a volunteer with the project, says the idea arose from the experiences of Deputy Rusty Johnson.

“He came into contact with people who were in need,” Stillwell says. “He figured that if he could help them out by getting them food… then we should have something central [for everyone].”

Stillwell says the entire process, from idea to finished product, took roughly a month to complete.

“He [Johnson] came to our financial supervisor and said ‘Hey, I’ve seen this this going around!’ It’s been around a month or so since we started working on this.”

The box is stocked with non-perishable items, a way to make sure that the food people are looking for is good at whatever time their need arises. Donations for the box are welcome, keeping in line with non-perishable standards.

Those who wish to donate non-perishable items to the location can do so by placing it inside the box or by dropping them off at the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. An official dedication si expected at a later date.

Traveling carnival provided Healthy at Work plan, health department says

Kissel Entertainment’s Carnival Midway set up in the parking lot of the closed Sears in Elizabethtown

It’s almost an annual occurrence.

A traveling fair sets up shop at the Towne Mall in Elizabethtown for a few days each the summer. But this seemingly ordinary event has been met with criticism from residents in a year where many attractions have shut down due to health and safety concerns. But health officials say they approved the business’ health and safety plan for operation. 

Lincoln Trail Health Environmental Director Bryan Carroll says the company outlined plans for sanitation of what was referred to as “major touch” area, as well as social distancing. The carnival will operate until August 16th.

Beshear recommends September 28th as a return to in-person instruction

Many have been waiting on the announcement for weeks, but Governor Andy Beshear finally made his recommendation last night regarding in-person instruction for schools this fall. Beshear said that, while the ultimate goal should be a return to face-to-face teaching, schools aren’t ready for that just yet.

Also announced at last night’s press conference was that bars and restaurants would once again be allowed to operate at 50% capacity. However, they will have to do so with a last call for drinks at 10 p.m., and will have to close by 11 p.m.