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Meade County sees unemployment decrease while rest of Lincoln Trail District sees slight increase

Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District saw another slight uptick in January compared to the year prior.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates rose in 115 counties from January 2023 to January 2024, with the state unemployment average for January 2024 reported at 4.8 percent.

Six counties in the Lincoln Trail District saw unemployment rates in January that were higher than both December 2023 and January 2023. Nelson County’s unemployment rate for January 2024 came in at 4.1 percent, which is even with January 2023. Meade County was one of only three counties in the commonwealth where unemployment fell, going from 5.1 percent last January to 4.9 percent this January.

The unemployment rate for Hardin County in January 2024 was reported at 4.7 percent. That’s an increase from the 4.3 percent rate reported in January 2023 as well as the 3.9 percent rate from December 2023.

Washington County posted the lowest unemployment rate in the district at 3.6 percent, while Grayson County posted the highest rate in the district at 5.7 percent.

Visit the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet online for more information.

Remember to drink responsibly this Saint Patrick’s Day

As folks get ready to put on their green and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day this weekend, officials are reminding Kentuckians: buzzed driving is drunk driving.

“In the wake of the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day holiday, I want to remind those who choose to consume alcohol to please do so responsibly, and have a sober driver in place prior to taking the first sip of their green beverage of choice,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Denham.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says alcohol consumption at Saint Patrick’s Day is higher than average, which means the risk of dangerous situations on roadways is increased. The KYTC says over the past three years 43 crashes due to a drunk driver have been reported across the commonwealth on Saint Patrick’s Day, resulting in 24 injuries and six deaths.

If you are planning on consuming alcohol, always designate a driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. If you have friends that are drinking, take away their keys and help them make arrangements to get home safely. If you think you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Visit the KYTC on the web for more tips and information.

Hardin County Extension Homemakers hosting Spring Bazaar Saturday

The Hardin County Extension Homemakers invite you to their Spring Bazaar, which will be held this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hardin County Extension Office, located at 111 Opportunity Way in Elizabethtown.

More than 40 vendors will be on hand with crafts, gifts, and unique homemade items for sale. Stop in for lunch with soups, sandwiches, and baked goods available. Admission is free, and all proceeds benefit local students.

For more information, contact the extension office at 270-765-4121.

Federal, state, and local officials on hand for ANP ribbon cutting

Several high-profile guests were on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Advanced Nano Products Enertech facility in Elizabethtown Wednesday.

“We’re here to see Advanced Nano Products’s nearly $50 million investment for a facility that will produce parts for EV batteries,” said United States Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. “It’s part of a boom in EV-related investments in Kentucky, and those are part of the massive investments in manufacturing and clean energy being made across the country.”

The secretary credited state incentives along with incentives created by the Inflation Reduction Act with helping to bring the facility to Elizabethtown.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was also on hand for the ceremony. Beshear called Wednesday a banner day, and credited the hard work of local officials.

“When we made the announcements, we were excited,” Beshear said. “We knew it changed everything, but the reality is coming. And Mayor (Jeff Gregory), this right here, this city, this county, is becoming the center of our EV universe. Thank you for all of your work, and everybody, no matter what you did, you played a role.”

Korean Ambassador to the United States Hyundong Cho said the work of local officials to create partnerships with Korean companies makes developments like ANP no surprise.

“It’s not a coincidence that ANP chose to build their plant in Hardin County,” Cho said. “Governor Beshear and your local officials have sought out foreign investment and taken the necessary measures to bring factories and good jobs right here.”

The ANP facility is due to open in May.

Give 270 matching donations to Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland

Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland is looking to raise $21,000 by World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, and local nonprofit Give 270 is looking to help in that effort again. 

Between now and March 21, Give 270 will watch all fundraising donations up to $2,100.

Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland Executive Director Tonya House says the donation match allows generosity to stretch further.

“It means a lot for them actually to do this for the second year in a row, to be able to provide so many resources for our families with that money that we bring in, and we can offer extra programming and things like that, so it’s a really big boost for us to try to meet our goal for the $21,000 that we’re trying to raise,” said House.

The association supports area individuals with Down syndrome and their families, and the fundraiser directly supports those efforts.

“It’ll go towards some activities, social events, programming, things like that,” House said. “Resources for our families and things that we can do, outreach in the community just to advocate for our families and in the community.”

The fundraising deadline is World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, which is celebrated in part by participants rocking their brightly colored mismatched socks. House says the local community has been great at showing support for the association and its efforts.

“World Down Syndrome Day is always well supported with our area schools and businesses rocking their socks and tagging us on social media, so it’s always a busy and fun week to see everybody,” House said.

Learn more about Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland and learn how to donate to the fundraising campaign by finding them on the web or on Facebook and Instagram.