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An area organization dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and their children will be closing at the end of the month.
SpringHaven Inc. published a statement Wednesday that states that they will be closing their domestic violence shelter effective June 30, 2026. The statement cites “the loss of funding and inability to secure sufficient resources to sustain shelter and outreach operations” as the reason for the closure.
The statement reads: “Our immediate priority is ensuring that every resident survivor and their children are transitioned safely and thoughtfully to appropriate housing, services, and support systems. We are working closely with community partners to facilitate individualized transition plans and warm hand-offs to receiving agencies and programs.”
The statement states that Barren River Area Safe Space in Bowling Green, the Center for Women and Families in Louisville, Bethany House in Somerset, and Greenhouse 17 in Lexington are among the partner organizations that are prepared to assist. ZeroV, the state domestic violence coalition, stated in a Facebook post they are working with SpringHaven during the transition and are seeking community partners. A full transitional service plan should be available at www.zerov.org by July 1.
Victims of domestic violence can call 1-800-799-7233 for assistance.
The outdoor music venue under construction at Buffalo Lake in Elizabethtown officially has a name.
The City of Elizabethtown and Elizabethtown Tourism on Wednesday announced the venue will be called the SteelGrove Amphitheatre.
“I’m excited about the new announcement for the name SteelGrove for our outdoor concert venue,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory. “We batted around a lot of names and there were many that were good, but for multiple reasons some just didn’t fit like we had hoped, but for the vision that we’ve always had out there, SteelGrove kind of captures the essence of what we were looking for. It is a grove of trees, and it’s going to be wooded out there, and that’s always what we had envisioned with a big, beautiful steel stage that is going to bring the production and bring the concerts and the music to life, so we thought that it was a good fit and we’re really excited about it.”
Elizabethtown Tourism Interim Executive Director Krysta Souleyrette said in a release: “This project represents an exciting new chapter for tourism and quality of life in Elizabethtown. The excitement surrounding this venue continues to grow, and we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors alike when SteelGrove Amphitheater opens in spring 2027.”
The venue is designed to host concerts, festivals, and community events. At a recent city council meeting, Tim Mattingly with Congleton Hacker said construction is about 40 to 45 percent complete. Additional information regarding the logo, programming, booking opportunities, and opening celebrations will be announced at a later time.
The Radcliff City Council met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.
The first reading was held on the city’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and accompanying ordinances. City Attorney Mike Pike read the budget ordinance. For total resources available, under the General Fund the budget has $19,108,450, under Road/LGEA funds the budget has $379,000, and under Stormwater Utility the budget has $1,084,400. For anticipated appropriations, under the General Fund the budget has $19,108,450, under Road/LGEA the budget has $379,000, and under Stormwater Utility the budget has $1,084,400.
The budget will go up for approval during a special called meeting Thursday.
In other meeting news, the council approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Elizabethtown for the development of a law enforcement shooting range on Gaither Station Road. Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall said the project is a product of the strong partnership between the cities, and helps the cities get around scheduling issues at the current range at the Hardin County landfill.
“We compete with every other agency in the state of Kentucky as well as federal agencies for firing and qualifying for firing ranges, and you obviously want your officers to be trained in firing when they have to,” Duvall said. “Obviously, we hope they never do, but if they do, you absolutely want them to be qualified, certified, and making sure that they do everything they need to.”
The Radcliff City Council will next meet for a regularly scheduled meeting July 13.
An area state representative was recognized by the Kentucky Chamber for her support of the commonwealth’s economy.
During the Grayson County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Leadership event this month, Kentucky 18th District State Representative Samara Heavrin was presented with the Kentucky Chamber MVP Award in recognition of her leadership during the 2026 Kentucky General Assembly session.
According to a release from Kentucky Chamber Tuesday, recipients of the MVP Award “demonstrate exceptional leadership for Kentucky’s business community by sponsoring or carrying chamber priority legislation to final passage, leading on critical policy issues, or taking difficult votes in support of a stronger business climate.” The organization says Heavrin went above and beyond to advance policies that “strengthen Kentucky’s economy, support employers, and improve the commonwealth’s competitiveness.”
Kentucky Chamber says Heavrin served as chair of the House Families and Children Committee, and championed House Bill 6 and House Joint Resolution 50, a child care package that “reduces barriers to opening and operating child care centers, strengthens accountability, expands options for working families, and supports the child care workforce.” The Kentucky Chamber worked towards the legislation through their Kentucky Collaborative on Child Care partnership.
Learn more about the award and other initiatives on the Kentucky Chamber website.