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New regulations, licensing requirements for tobacco retailers about to hit the books

New regulations for businesses that sell tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products go into effect the first of the year.

The Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet says all businesses engaged in the retail sale of tobacco, nicotine, and vapor products in the commonwealth must be licensed by the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control by January 1.

According to the Public Protection Cabinet, the licensing requirement is the result of Senate Bill 100. The bill also enacts several measures aimed at strengthening enforcement including routine and unannounced compliance checks to ensure retailers are not selling to minors or selling illegal products, greater fines and penalties for violating the law, and a new enforcement team to investigate consumer complaints.

Retailers can find more information and apply for their license on the ABCs Online Licensing Portal.

According to the 2023 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 8.7 percent of Kentucky students self-reported daily vaping and 19.7 percent reported vaping in the past 30 days. The Kentucky Department of Public Health has several programs aimed at educating teens on the dangers of vaping and nicotine products. Kentuckians 17 and under can contact “My Life, My Quit” and adults 18 and older can contact “Quit Now Kentucky” to access resources.

Elizabethtown Qdoba hosting Shop with a Cop fundraiser Thursday evening

There’s still time to support the Elizabethtown Police Department and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office’s annual Shop with a Cop program.

“Every year, our Shop of the Cop program provides essential clothing and a special toy to nearly 300 Hardin County children, but we can’t do it without the support of individuals and businesses throughout Hardin County,” said EPD Public Information Officer John Thomas. “Your donations, big or small, help keep kids warm this winter, and bring a little extra Christmas joy to their hearts. And yes, it is tax deductible.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Elizabethtown Police Department, located at 300 South Mulberry Street. Contact Thomas for more information.

Area residents looking to support the program or are looking for dinner plans Thursday night can swing by the Elizabethtown Qdoba, located at 1570 North Dixie Highway. From 4 to 8 p.m., the restaurant will donate 25 percent of all sales to the program as a way of supporting community families in need. For online orders, locate the QR code posted on the Elizabethtown Police Department Facebook page.

Furever Friends #373

This week we to meet Scout, a 1 year old brindle and white hound weighing 38 pounds, and Maybelline, a 1 year old pittie weighing 50 pounds, 2 dogs looking for new Furever homes.

The Hardin County Animal Shelter is also holding their 9th Annual Howliday Special, now through December 20th. They are offering $25 adult dog adoptions when you bring in a new Children’s toy or gift card valued at around $25 to benefit the foster children served by Benchmark Family Services.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the shelter at 270-769-3428, visit their Facebook page at Hardin County Animal Shelter – Elizabethtown or stop by in person at 220 Peterson Drive in E-town, Monday to Saturday from 12 noon through 4pm. Furever Friends is brought to you by locally veteran-owned, Pet Supplies Plus, at 209 Towne Drive in Elizabethtown.

Radcliff City Council appoints Marsh as fire chief

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

The first reading was held on a zoning amendment for 238 Cedar Oak Drive in Vine Grove.

“The request was for an amendment from Commercial Zone to Residential-Four (High Density, Single Family and Duplex) Zone,” said City Attorney Mike Pike, reading from the ordinance. “The Planning Commission recommended the zone map amendment request be granted as the request was supported by the evidence of record, the city’s comprehensive zoning plan, and applicable law, and the City Council is now enacting an ordinance to change the property zoning.”

That zoning change is for the last parcel of property Silver Gate Properties LLC. is requesting for their development in the Arlington Center subdivision.

The first reading was also held on an ordinance amending the city’s code of ethics.

“The ordinance defines terms and standards of conduct regarding conflicts of interest, receipt of gifts, use of government resources, confidential information, political solicitation, patronage, honoraria, meeting attendance, and other related issues,” said Pike, reading from the ordinance.

The council approved the appointment of Tim Marsh as the city’s fire chief. Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall said Marsh has been with the department for 25 years and has been serving as interim chief for just under six months.

Marsh thanked the council for entrusting him with the safety of the citizens of Radcliff.

“I don’t take it lightly,” Marsh said. “It’s pretty much an honor to do this. I don’t do it alone. I have a great group of employees and staff. Thank you for the extra captain, because having Captain VanderMolen and Captain Green helping me makes the day-to-day stuff a whole lot better, a lot easier. We run a lot smoother.”

The Radcliff City Council will next meet December 8.