WQXE News

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect in Hardin County Wednesday, and after the county’s outdoor warning sirens were activated some residents questioned the decision as a Tornado Warning had not been issued.

“It was not a mechanical failure, and it was not an accident,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker. “It ultimately was a choice. There was significant, very active cloud formations moving through the area. We had two law enforcement officers keeping an eye on things. They spotted what they believed was possible to be rotation in the cloud formation.”

Walker said the officers were heard by dispatchers discussing the clouds over radio, and out of an abundance of caution, an experienced shift supervisor at the E-911 center made the decision to activate the sirens. Ultimately, the storm system passed and a tornado was never confirmed.

“That’s not our normal protocol, and in the future, the only time we will activate those outdoor warning sirens will be if there is a Tornado Warning issued by the National Weather Service or it gets activated through the SKYWARN system,” Walker said.

The sirens are tested Tuesdays at noon if the weather at the time is clear. As a reminder, the outdoor sirens are meant to be heard outdoors rather than indoors. Sign up for alerts through your county’s Emergency Management office and follow local media and the National Weather Service for severe weather updates.

The United Way of Central Kentucky’s interim president/CEO will take on the job full-time.

The United Way has named Kirk Chadwick as the organization’s president and CEO, allowing him to transition from the interim role he has held since May.

According to a press release from the United Way, the organization conducted an extensive search for the position, with more than 100 applicants and candidates considered. The United Way reviewed candidates based on “executive leadership, fundraising experience, community involvement, and a commitment to serving the organization’s five-county region.”

Chadwick was president of Fischbach USA prior to his retirement in 2023, and served on the United Way’s board for more than a decade. The board of directors decided Chadwick was the right choice for the job “based on his extensive experience working with UWCK, his executive leadership experience, and a deep understanding of the region and the people UWCK serves.”

Chadwick steps into the role just ahead of the kickoff of the organization’s 25th Annual Campaign, which will take place at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s September Luncheon. Visit www.unitedwayck.org for more information.

The American Red Cross says the ongoing national blood supply crisis deepens “an emergency shortage that threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country.”

“We like to keep at least a three-day supply on hand,” said Red Cross Account Manager Lou Zimmerman. “At one point on Os, we got down to a half-day supply, so basically one-sixth of what we need on hand.”

The Red Cross says blood donations often see a dip in summer, but further strains on the blood supply resulted from a decrease in donations due to extreme heat, poor air quality, and widespread foodborne illnesses.

Zimmerman says the average donation visit takes less than an hour. As an added incentive, donors between now and August 31 will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

“Please come on out and join us,” Zimmerman said. “The blood supply is very low. Like we said, it’s only the second time that the Red Cross has ever declared a blood crisis. All blood types are needed, especially O.”

Visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information on donating or to schedule an appointment. Appointments may also be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or in the Blood Donor app.