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Hardin County Superintendent Morgan named Superintendent of the Year

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An area school administrator is being recognized.

The Kentucky Association of School Administrators has named Hardin County Schools Superintendent Terrie Morgan as the 2024 Superintendent of the Year.

Morgan, who has been with HCS since 1989 and has been superintendent since 2016, was presented with the honor during the closing ceremonies of the KASA’s annual Leadership Institute.

Morgan said receiving the honor is “truly humbling.”

“I know at KASA you see and hear about all the great things going on in each individual district,” Morgan said. “For us to receive this knowing all of the great things that are happening across the state in public schools, it’s just humbling to receive this award.”

According to the KASA, the award recognizes and honor’s superintendents for the contributions they make every day advocating for public education, children, and the future. The award selection is based on a superintendent’s talent and vision in leadership for learning, communication, professionalism, and community involvement.

Morgan said the programming created by the HCS faculty and staff make it possible, along with strong community partners.

“We have such incredible community members who work with us to say ‘this is what our community is in need of, and this is how you can prepare students so that they can be very successful when they enter the workforce,’” Morgan said. “That doesn’t start in high school. That starts all the way back at those youngest years from preschool forward.”

As part of the award, a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a member of the Hardin County Schools Class of 2024, courtesy of American Fidelity Insurance Company.

Hardin County Pet Food Pantry in need of donations

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Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions owner Diane Shoffner says she realized the need for the Hardin County Pet Food Pantry during the global pandemic.

“I was watching TV during COVID, and they were having cars lined up for food and I thought ‘you know what? They not only need food for themselves but they need food for their pets,’” Shoffner said.

A call to Feeding America led her to Helping Hand of Hope, which approved hosting the Pet Food Pantry at their headquarters at 6796 South Wilson Road in Elizabethtown. Pet owners who register with Helping Hand of Hope may receive one free bag of dog food per month.

“It goes to people that have dogs that are underprivileged that don’t have as much finance to buy their food and that kind of thing, just like they come there for their food for themselves,” Shoffner said.”

The Hardin County Animal Shelter has been battling surging animal populations all summer. Director Mike McNutt says high demand both in and out of the shelter is straining the Pet Food Pantry’s resources.

“Last year the Pet Food Pantry distributed 85,000 pounds of food to those in need,” McNutt said. “This year they’ve already done 75,000 pounds, so that is on the rise. If you are able to donate to the Pet Food Pantry, it would be a wonderful way to help those in our community.”

Shoffner is worried animals may become a casualty of rising prices, which will in turn increase the demand on the shelter. 

“The people that need our food the most, they’ve had their rent increased, and they can’t afford more money on their rent plus to continue to feed the dogs,” Shoffner said. “If they can’t feed their dogs, then what happens is they’ll turn them in to the shelter or they’ll just turn them out.”

You can support the Pet Food Pantry by taking donations of dog or cat food, or financial contributions, to Helping Hand of Hope or Sam Russell’s, located at 1104 Tunnel Hill Road. Find more information on the PAWS Shelter Foundation Inc. Facebook page.

Area unemployment up slightly in June, but down slightly from a year ago

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Area unemployment saw a slight uptick in June, but is slightly less than where it was a year ago.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says unemployment rose in 53 counties, dropped in 47, and stayed the same in 20 from June 2022 to June 2023.

The June unemployment rate for the Lincoln Trail Region was reported at 4.3 percent. That’s up from 3.8 percent in May, but down slightly from the 4.5 percent rate reported in June 2022.

Hardin County’s Unemployment rate was reported at 4.5 percent for June. That’s up from 3.9 percent in May and down from 4.6 percent in June 2022.

Breckinridge County had the highest unemployment rate in the region for June, coming in at 5.2 percent. Nelson County came in with the lowest rate in the region at 3.6 percent.

More information on unemployment data can be found at www.kystats.ky.gov.