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Absentee voting has begun in Kentucky ahead of the May 19th primary election.
Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith says that as of the close of the absentee ballot request window on Tuesday his office had processed 729 requests for mail-in ballots, more than 250 more than the previous presidential election and setting a new record for the county.
Smith is reminding all voters with mail-in ballots that the deadline for the clerk’s office to receive a mail-in absentee ballot is 6 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not matter; the ballot must physically reach the clerk’s office prior to the deadline. If you cannot get the ballot in the mail early enough to arrive on time, secure drop boxes are available at the clerk’s office’s Elizabethtown and Radcliff locations.
In addition to mail-in ballots, in-person excused absentee voting runs weekdays now through May 13.
“These are days that are set aside for any voter who qualifies for an absentee ballot,” Smith said. “They can come into the county clerk’s office and cast their vote in person.”
The in-person no-excuse absentee voting period then follows.
“Early voting begins May 14 and runs through the 15th and 16th,” Smith said. “These three days are available for any voter in Hardin County who wants to come in person to cast their ballot. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We have locations at the Hardin County Clerk’s main office in Elizabethtown and at Colvin Community Center in Radcliff.”
Contact your county clerk’s office or visit govote.ky.gov for more election information.
Uncork and unwind this weekend at the tenth annual E-Town Wine Fest, returning to Freeman Lake Park Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to visit Freeman Lake Park,” said City of Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles. “You can taste several different wines from, I think this year we have 16 different wineries that will be coming to join us. It’s a great event to come if you are a wine connoisseur or if you’re just now getting into wine. You can try some varieties that maybe you’ve seen on the shelf or haven’t even heard of and just get a little sip of those, and find the ones that you like.”
The wine may be the featured attraction, but bourbon and beer options, along with non-alcoholic options, will be on tap, and Pyles says a full evening of entertainment is on the schedule.
“We have two bands that will be headlining the bandstand, which we are super-duper excited about,” Pyles said. “We have a vendor village that will consist of several commercial vendors and craftsters that have anything to do with wine, anything that ladies would love.”
The event is 21 and up only. Regular admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the gate. That gets you 10 tasting tickets. Admission-only tickets are $15. Get your tickets or find more information at www.etownevents.com.
Fire crews in Elizabethtown are returning to their station Thursday after a bite from a brown recluse spider prompted the closing of it last week.
According to a statement from the city, a firefighter received the bite on April 29 and was seen at an occupational health clinic the next day. The firefighter was released after being seen by a medical professional. After discovering the bite came from a brown recluse, shifts at the fire station were moved to another station. The city says: “They have continued to respond to calls throughout the city in a normal response time.”
Professional exterminators treated the fire station with spraying, fogging, and dusting of the entire facility. The exterminators said crews were cleared to return to the station on Wednesday, but waited until Thursday out of an abundance of caution.
The Entomology Department at the University of Kentucky says” “Although brown recluse spider bites are rare, the venom can sometimes cause serious wounds and infestations should be taken seriously.” If you suspect a brown recluse spider bite, apply ice, elevate the affected area, and seek medical attention immediately.
“Oh, brave new world!”
Kentucky Shakespeare’s touring production of The Tempest will be making several area stops this week.
Kentucky Shakespeare says the 2026 Shakespeare in the Parks Tour is visiting a record 46 locations this season as they present what is believed to be The Bard’s final play. The organization says the tragicomedy is “a testament to the redeeming power of love and forgiveness – featuring fools, spirits, monsters, shipwrecks, and magical spells.”
Area performances scheduled for this week include Thursday at Shepherdsville City Park at 6:30 p.m., Friday at the Radcliff City Park amphitheater at 6:30, and Saturday at Bernheim Forest at 1. Later in the month, Kentucky Shakespeare will host a performance at Freeman Lake Park in Elizabethtown on May 22.
All performances of The Tempest are free, with no tickets or reservations required. The show runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Attendees should bring their own chairs or blankets to the performance.
Each location has alternate indoor spaces lined up in the event of inclement weather. Find those locations, and more information, at www.kyshakespeare.com.