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Fort Knox commissary making adjustments due to government shutdown

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Fort Knox is providing an update on the post’s commissary amid the ongoing government shutdown.

According to a post on the U.S. Army Fort Knox Facebook page, the commissary remains open and is operating under normal hours. Funding is limited, however, and Fort Knox says “if the government shutdown continues, the Defense Commissary Agency may be required to close all commissaries and temporarily furlough employees.”

The DeCA is reducing expenses to extend operations. Fort Knox says customers may experience checkout lines that are longer than usual. Additionally, commissaries are unable to place new orders for paper and plastic bags, so bagging services may be limited, and customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable shopping bags.

Meanwhile, the Fort Knox Natural Resources Branch has reopened the Hunt Control Office to support hunting and fishing activities. The office is open for normal operating hours. Visit knox.isportsman.net for more information on permits, regulations, and season schedules.

Follow the U.S. Army Fort Knox Facebook page for more updates.

Radcliff council approves zoning change for Cedar Oak Drive property

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The Radcliff City Council met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.

The council approved an ordinance that rezones 238 Cedar Oak Drive in Vine Grove from Commercial to Residential-4, which will accommodate the development of a housing subdivision with about 80 housing units. The council had tabled the ordinance in order to hold a second public hearing on the matter after Fort Knox raised concerns with the development’s proximity to the installation. Radcliff Council Member Jerry Brown said the zoning issue was an opportunity for dialogue between the city and Fort Knox to open up.

“You know, partnerships work best when there’s a give and take, and it seems like for the last few years, we had lost that, and I think this is the beginning of us maybe furthering our friendship and becoming closer, at least that’s what I’m hoping,” Brown said.

The council approved a bid from Air Temp of Radcliff for an HVAC system at the Colvin Community Center, valued at $46,850, and a bid from Shed N’ Carport Pro for a storage building for the city’s parks and rec department, valued at $63,604.63. The council also voted to set Trick or Treating in the city for 5 to 8 p.m. on October 31.

Hardin County First District Magistrate Chris Yates spoke during the meeting, with Yates voicing his disapproval for a proposal that would move a 24-hour Hardin County EMS ambulance from Radcliff to White Mills.

“I think the best move is to put the 40-hour ambulance in White Mills, see what numbers come about, and then let the fiscal court try to make a decision come budget time to see if we can fund a 24-hour ambulance up there,” Yates said. “I do not think the right move is to take an ambulance out of the second-largest city in one of the most populated areas in the county away.”

Yates encouraged residents with concerns to voice their opinions at the next Hardin County Town Hall Forum, which will be held in the fiscal courtroom at the county building at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 27.

The Radcliff City Council will next meet November 10.

Donations being accepted for Shop with a Trooper

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Kentucky State Police Post Four is asking those who are able to contribute to their annual Shop with a Trooper program.

“This program is something that we’ve been doing for a long time,” said KSP Post Four Public Information Officer Master Trooper Bryan Washer. “It’s an opportunity to take kids that would never get a Christmas, never get presents, somebody’s shopping for them, and these kids are ones that are referred to us by some of the troopers that are seeing some of the hard cases either late at night or during the day, some of the cases where they just know that these are the kids that need to go shopping with us.”

According to KSP Post Four, 100 percent of all donations go towards giving area children who might not otherwise be able to the chance to celebrate Christmas. Last year, KSP Post Four troopers picked up 133 area children at their homes and took them to their local Walmart, where they received a goody bag filled with hygiene items and treats and then got to go shopping alongside law enforcement officials.

The goal for this year’s program is to raise $250 to $300 per child. KSP Post Four is also hoping to host a special meal for the children. Area businesses, organizations, and community members can contribute by writing a check payable to KSP Post 04 Shop with a Trooper. A link to donate via Venmo and contact information for Washer if you wish to donate in person can be found on the Trooper Washer Facebook page.

Drivers reminded to stop for school buses

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Drivers are reminded to help keep kids safe during National School Bus Safety Week, which runs now through October 24.

The theme for National School Bus Safety Week this year is: “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes.” In addition to serving as a reminder of the importance of following school bus safety laws, the National Association for Pupil Transportation says the week is an opportunity to recognize the transportation directors, drivers, technicians, and trainers who get kids to and from school safely.

In Kentucky, drivers travelling in both directions are required to stop for a school bus when the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended if they are on a two-lane roadway or a two-lane roadway with a center turn lane. Only drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus are required to stop if the bus stops on a four-lane roadway with no median separation, a divided highway with median separation, and a four-lane roadway with a center turn lane.

The penalty for passing a stopped school bus ranges between a $100 and $200 fine and possibly 30 to 60 days in jail for the first offense. The penalty jumps to a $300 to $500 fine and up to six months in jail on subsequent offenses. 

The week is also an opportunity to remind students of safety tips related to getting on and off the school bus. Visit the Kentucky Center for School Safety’s website for more information.

E-Town Council approves natural gas rate increase, revised wastewater deal

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for a regular meeting Monday.

The council approved two ordinances on their second readings. The first amended the city’s ordinance concerning signage on scenic parkways to replace Miles Street with Saint John Road. The second approved amendments to the city’s Natural Gas policies, which includes fee and rate increases.

“I do want you to take away though, just like when we talk about sewer, we’re still lower than just about every other utility around, and that’s after not raising it for several years, so we’re proud of that fact but we also have to be able to keep up with the times and the costs so we can continue to provide that utility and that service,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory.

Gregory said the average increase for customers is about $20.

The council approved two municipal orders. The first authorized a land transfer from the city to Hardin County Habitat for Humanity for property located on Mills Court to be developed for affordable housing. The second approved an amendment to the city’s wastewater treatment agreement with Hardin County Water District No. Two for use of the city’s wastewater infrastructure including the Valley Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The agreement was amended to account for more development in the Glendale Service Area. When asked by Council Member Marty Fulkerson if the system can handle the increased capacity, City Administrator Ed Poppe said the agreement allows the city to take on more while planning for expansion.

“(Elizabethtown Director of Wastewater Treatment) Corey Bond and his team have been working with the consulting firm of JTL Prime for the last six months updating the facilities plan and making sure that’s in line,” Poppe said. “We’ll begin, probably, design work after the first of the year or so.”

During the meeting, Elizabethtown Police Officer Austin Smith was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. EPD Chief Jeremy Thompson said the department has recently seen a lot of retirements, which has allowed for new opportunities.

“Through these opportunities to promote young officers, I just talked about the stability we have as a department, and our hopes are that as we promote very talented young leaders within the department that it continues the continuity of that same stability,” Thompson said.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet October 27.