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Hardin County YMCA one step closer with land gift

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The Central Kentucky Community Foundation moved one step closer to their goal of improving health and well-being in Hardin County with Thursday’s transfer of property at 200 Provident Way for the potential construction of a YMCA.

“We’re just excited to tackle this project,” said CKCF President and CEO Davette Swiney. “We know it’s a big undertaking, but the potential impact it has for our community makes it one that I think we’ve just got to buckle down and find a way to make it happen.”

Swiney says as the foundation discussed the needs of the growing community with area leaders, the YMCA was identified as a hub for services and programs benefiting all ages.

“We started exploring whether the time might be right now for YMCA in Hardin County, and thanks to a gift of land and $3 million we’ve got a great start to see if we can make a YMCA come to fruition here,” Swiney said.

The Provident Way property, which will revert back to the county if the facility is not built by the end of 2027, represents a prime location going forward.

“The value of it really is the sweet spot that it’s in for the community in terms of growth right now and development, but also the proximity that puts to the northern end of our county, and the great traffic flow that exists there with Patriot Parkway and Ring Road coming together to make it as accessible as possible even to folks coming from the southern parts,” Swiney said.

Learn more about the YMCA project by contacting the Central Kentucky Community Foundation or visiting their website.

Registration deadline Monday for Hodgenville Police’s Teen Citizens Police Academy

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Monday is the deadline for area teens to register for the Hodgenville Police Department’s Teen Citizens Police Academy. 

Hodgenville Police Chief James Richardson says the Teen Citizens Police Academy covers all of the same topics as the academy hosted for adults.

“We’ll give them introductions to the officers, and an introduction to our cadets that are in our cadet program,” Richardson said. “We’ll introduce them to the facility, the equipment we use, the process and stuff we go through. Our policies, procedures, we’ll talk about use of force, and all of that culminates with a trip to the Elizabethtown Police Department where they have been gracious enough to allow us to use their use of force simulator.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from their peers as the Teen CPA is hosted by the HPD’s cadets, and the presentations will relate the missions of the police department to issues facing area youth.

“It kind of helps them open their eyes to exactly what it means to be the police, and when they see stuff on the news they can be like ‘Yeah, I’ve been there. I understand what’s going on,’” Richardson said. “Have a little bit better understanding.”

The deadline to register for the Teen CPA is Monday, December 9 at 4 p.m.

“Anybody is welcome to join, ages 15 to 18,” Richardson said. “If they are LaRue County residents, of course they’ll get first dibs, but anybody outside of LaRue County is more than welcome to apply and we’ll take the first 10 to 15 kids we get.”

The application is available at www.hodgenvillepd.com, or contact the HPD for assistance.

AT&T announces coverage expansion with new Hardin County tower

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Representatives from AT&T Kentucky joined government officials from Hardin County and Elizabethtown as the communications company announced the addition of a new cell site southeast of Glendale.

AT&T says the new tower will “enhance Hardin County’s coverage and capacity” and “boost coverage for travelers and businesses in the area of Interstate 65 and U.S. Route 31W.”

The tower also provides a boost for FirstNet, the cellular network exclusive for first responders and public safety officials

“We are big-time, long-time customers of AT&T FirstNet,” said Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson. “They are mission-critical for what we do on a daily basis, and we’re excited to have this expansion in our area that’s going to help us and further our technology into the southern and western parts of the county.”

The expansion goes along with other county goals of improving public safety ahead of anticipated growth in the area, including the recent approval for technology upgrades for Hardin County E911. 

AT&T Kentucky President Carlos Sanchez said the company wants to support those goals.

“AT&T is the company that supports law enforcement and first responders exclusively nationwide, and this tower is very important for us and is going to make a huge difference in coverage and capacity in Hardin County,” Sanchez said.

AT&T says the new tower will include 5G coverage for business and residential use and Band 14 spectrum coverage for FirstNet users.

Former Fort Knox garrison commander receives civilian appointment

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One of five civilians recently appointed as Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army is a familiar face from Fort Knox.

During a ceremony at the Pentagon Tuesday, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth swore in five new civilian aides. Among the appointees is former Fort Knox Garrison Commander Retired Colonel Lance O’Bryan.

According to a release from the U.S. Amy, civilian aides play an important role in building relationships between the Army and the community. They work to advise the secretary on regional issues, support the total Army workforce, and assist with recruiting soldiers and helping them when they transition out of active duty.

The release states that O’Bryan “has an intimate knowledge of installation management and is uniquely familiar with serving soldiers, families, and veterans. He is passionate about issues involving military-connected families.”

O’Bryan said in the release that it is a “distinct honor and privilege” to serve as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Northern Kentucky, and he is honored to continue to serve his country, the Army, and Kentucky.

O’Bryan retired from the Army last summer after the conclusion of his assignment as garrison commander, capping a military career of nearly 26 years.