WQXE News

With the drop in temperature that comes with winter weather, fire officials are reminding residents to have safety in mind as they heat their homes.

“With space heaters, make sure you’re keeping them three feet away from everything, preferably with a tip-over protection so that if they get knocked over by a child or a pet that they’ll shut off automatically, and make sure you’re plugging those space heaters right into the outlet,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “Don’t plug them into extension cords or power strips.”

Make sure you have wood stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces checked regularly. Keep the intake on your furnace clean and change filters regularly.

You should also make sure you are using a fireplace or wood-burning stove properly.

“Make sure it’s seasoned, dry wood,” Crane said. “Don’t put green wet wood in there, and they will still build up creosote over time. Make sure you’re cleaning them. We recommend having a professional come in and look at it once a year. Just make sure there’s no cracks in the lining and stuff like that, and the pipes are in good shape.”

If you are gearing up to host your family’s holiday celebrations, it’s a good idea to make sure you and your visitors are prepared.

“Make sure they know about your home fire escape plan,” Crane said. “Where are we going if there’s a fire? How do we get out? Because obviously they don’t live with you all the time, so those are things to consider there.”

If you have not done so already, check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

With Christmas less than ten days away, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be careful not to fall for any holiday scams as they wrap up their shopping.

The BBB has released a list of common scams to look out for during the final countdown to christmas.

Be wary of what you see on social media. Misleading ads may tempt you into purchasing an item from a bogus company that will take your money for an item you will never receive or charge you for a free trial you never signed up for. Also be wary of social media posts regarding gift exchanges, which are often a ploy to get participants to share their personal information.

As you travel for the holidays, the BBB says reports of fake toll collection texts are on the rise. A scammer may impersonate a state roadway toll collection service saying you owe a toll fee and provide a link for payment. Never click the link, and if you think you may owe a fee, confirm it through the legitimate tolling agency. 

Another scam getting reported is texts or emails reporting failed shipping attempts on items. Again, never click the link in such a text. Instead, confirm shipping status with the company you ordered an item from or check with the U.S. Postal Service and commercial shipping companies.

If you are unsure about an online retailer, visit the Better Business Bureau on the web to check for reported scams, or to report possible scams you come across.

The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s new president and CEO is a familiar face.

The chamber’s board of directors on Thursday announced that Hardin County Chamber Vice President Kendra Scott has been selected for the position.

Scott says getting the job “is a dream come true,” and completes a journey that began when she covered her first chamber meeting as a reporter in 1993.

“I immediately was greeted by Allene Craddock and Barbara Proffitt, who became my mentors, and I suddenly was wrapped up in the world of chamber and became a volunteer,” Scott said. “Over the years, I’ve served as an ambassador. I’ve served on the board of directors and as the board chair for the Radcliff chamber. I served on the board of the Vine Grove chamber, and so I’ve always just been involved.”

Scott says the future is bright for Hardin County, and the sky’s the limit.

“We have, obviously, as you know, BlueOval SK opening and starting production,” Scott said. “We have our community college expanding. Our chamber is growing. Every single day we get new members. Every single week, every month we are growing, so I don’t think there’s anywhere we can go but up.”

Scott, who has been on the chamber staff since 2020, will step into the position on January 1. She replaces Margy Poorman, who the chamber says is stepping down to “prioritize family responsibilities in her home state of Ohio.”