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WQXE News

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New online renewal option for boat registrations now available

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Kentuckians gearing up to hit the waterways this summer can take advantage of the state’s new online renewal option for vessel registrations.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says boat owners can skip a trip to their county clerk’s office and stay up to date on their vessel registration by using the new online renewal portal, launched on April 1. The KYTC says the new boat renewal option is part of an expansion to online vehicle registration services aimed at giving customers more convenience following the launch of the Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System in 2024.

According to the KYTC, in order to renew online boat owners will need their Kentucky boat number and the vessel’s title number. Current registration must be active and expire this year in order to be eligible for online renewal. Boat property taxes must be paid at the time of renewal.

Boat registrations expire on April 30 each year, so boat owners are encouraged to renew in April in order to avoid any late fees on property taxes. Make sure you are properly displaying your valid, unexpired registration tag and your vessel’s registration number.

Visit the online registration portal at drive.ky.gov. Renewals may still be made at your county clerk’s office if you prefer.

E-Town Council holds special meeting

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for a special meeting Friday morning.

The council approved a municipal order approving an operations agreement with the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau for the outdoor music venue.

“The city desires to work with community partners on projects that benefits the citizens and partnered with the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau to provide an outdoor music venue located at 600 Commerce Drive by entering into an interlocal agreement dated September 5 of 2025 addressing the land acquisition, design, engineering, financing, and construction of the venue,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the municipal order.

Council Member Marty Fulkerson asked Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson about the impact providing coverage for community rallies has had on the police department.

“As you all know, we’re preparing our current budget for next fiscal year,” Thompson said. “We take into account the planned city events and we factor in that overtime. These events obviously aren’t planned, and for us, it’s beginning to drastically eat away at our overtime budget.”

Thompson said most of the time the rallies have occurred, the organizers have been good at communicating with city officials. He said he is planning on presenting the city with a budget proposal to account for necessary overtime for such rallies.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet for a regular meeting on April 13.

E-Town Parks and Rec hosting Spring Break activities

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The City of Elizabethtown is once again offering their Play in the Park Series for area families looking for something to do with their kids during Spring Break.

“On Monday, we’ll be doing a scavenger hunt out at the Oasis at Freeman Lake,” said Elizabethtown Parks and Rec Programs Coordinator Adam Case. “Tuesday, we’re partnering with the Historic State Theater for their Spring Break Movies. They’re doing those at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Tickets for that are just $1 and they’re selling those in the box office.”

Wednesday’s activity is birdhouse painting at Freeman Lake Park. In addition to another movie at The State Theater, Thursday will see an event co-hosted by Elizabethtown Independent Schools.

“We’ll have the Panther Prowler out,” Case said. “They’re doing sand art butterflies, and I’m very excited. I’m going to do that craft because I want to know all about sand art butterflies, and then Friday we’ll be with our Stormwater Department doing a watershed activity, and then we’re making rainsticks to go along with that.”

With the exception of the $1 tickets for the Spring Break Movie Series, all of the events in the Play in the Park Series are free to participate in.

“We just ask that you register ahead for us at www.etownparks.org,” Case said. “The information sign up sheet is right there along with all the dates and everything.”

Follow the City of Elizabethtown Government Facebook page for more information and updates.

Kentucky voter registration sees March increase

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With the 2026 Primary Election just over a month away, voter registration in Kentucky saw another surge in March.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says voter registration saw a net increase of 4,042 voters in the month of March, with 9,839 new voters added to the rolls.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Republican registration in March increased by 2,526 voters, and independent or other registration increased by 2,071. Democratic registration decreased by 636 voters. Republican registration makes up 48 percent of the state electorate, Democratic registration makes up 41 percent, and independent or other makes up 11 percent.

The Secretary of State’s Office says 5,797 voters were removed from the rolls in March. 4,697 were deceased, 447 moved out of state, and 493 were convicted felons.

Unregistered Kentuckians have until April 20 to register to vote in the primary election. Kentuckians registered prior to January 1 must wait until after the primary to change their party affiliation. You can register or check your registration status by visiting govote.ky.gov, or by contacting your county clerk’s office.

Two charged following theft of explosives from construction site

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Two people are in custody after an investigation into stolen explosives from a Louisville construction site.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky says James Culver and Lasierra Chesher, both of Louisville, were charged by complaint Friday with stealing explosive material, possession of explosive material by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Culver and Chesher allegedly stole approximately 438 pounds of explosives from a construction site off of Old Bardstown Road. Culver allegedly broke the locks securing the explosives and the two transported the explosives to another person’s residence before returning home, where they were later found with a box of blasting caps. Following a tip to law enforcement, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Louisville Metro Police Department approached the two, at which time Culver attempted to flee. After being apprehended, Culver admitted to his involvement in the theft.

After executing a search warrant at Culver and Chesher’s residence, the ATF recovered a .22 caliber rifle along with various caliber ammunition. They also recovered a shockwave exploding target, multiple explosive labels, and instructional materials. Culver was found to be prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Culver faces up to 35 years in prison and Chesher faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges. The ATF and LMPD’s investigation is ongoing.