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Clark steps down as executive director of E-Town Tourism

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The Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau will soon be under new leadership.

The ETCB board has announced the resignation of Executive Director Janna Clark, who departs the organization after 17 years of service.

ETCB Board Chair Rene Sullivan said in a release: “Janna’s 17 years of service represent an extraordinary commitment to Elizabethtown and its tourism industry. We are grateful for her leadership, her vision, and the lasting impact she has made on the bureau and the community.”

Elizabethtown Tourism said in the release that during her tenure Clark played a leading role in several major tourism initiatives. Highlights of those achievements include the development and launch of the Elizabethtown Sports Park, the relocating of the tourism office to the David May House in Downtown E-Town, and the beginning of work on the city’s outdoor music venue.

ETCB Marketing Director Krysta Souleyrette will serve as interim executive director while the board begins the search for Clark’s replacement. The board says additional details on the hiring process will be released soon.

Beshear extends gas tax reduction in communities that requested it

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says his executive order creating a state of emergency and reducing the state’s gas tax ten cents was aimed at helping Kentucky families amid rising costs following military action in Iran, and he felt the state was in a position to do so.

“I think government is here to help our people, and this was a choice between further hitting the budget of a family that doesn’t have any savings anymore and is wondering if they can pay the bills, versus hitting the budget of a state that has almost $3 billion in a rainy day fund and can absolutely make up for it,” Beshear said. “This is a rainy day for our families, and I want to make sure that we are there for them.”

Beshear discussed the executive order during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday. He said the order was expected to save Kentuckians $26.8 million over a one month period.

Beshear said state laws that came after the COVID-19 pandemic prevent him from extending a state of emergency more than a month without the request of a mayor or a county judge/executive. The governor announced that effective Thursday the order was extended in communities that requested it.

“33 communities had submitted their request, and I extended the order in those areas,” Beshear said. “In those areas, gas will or should be less expensive than in other areas. The extension will last through June 30.”

Communities that requested an extension include the City of Muldraugh, the City of West Point, and Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government. More information on the executive order can be found on the governor’s website.

Beshear says 2025 was fourth straight record year for state tourism industry

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is touting another successful year for the tourism industry in the commonwealth.

The Governor joined state tourism officials at the Ashbrook Hotel in Frankfort Wednesday to discuss the economic impact the tourism industry had across Kentucky last year, with Beshear stating that 2025 is officially “the best year ever” for Kentucky tourism. 2025 was the fourth straight record year for the industry.

“Last year, tourism generated more than $14.6 billion in economic impact, setting a brand new record while supporting nearly 97,000 Kentucky jobs,” Beshear said. “That means tourism puts food on the table for almost 100,000 of our families while bringing in a ton of money from out of state.”

Beshear’s office says more than 81.1 million travelers visited Kentucky in 2025, spending $10.4 billion across the state, including $2.7 billion in food and beverages and $2.4 billion in lodging.

Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Mike Mangeot said capital investment in tourism helped the industry shift towards domestic visitation after challenges were seen with international travel in 2025.

“When we invest in tourism, we’re supporting jobs, small businesses, and community growth,” Mangeot said. “Every dollar spent by a visitor helps support local shops, restaurants, attractions, and lodging, and those dollars ripple through our economy. Tourism is building pride within our communities. It helps preserve our heritage, fuels innovation, and shines a spotlight on the diverse stories and destinations that make Kentucky truly unique.”

Find more information and view the full tourism economic impact report at www.kentuckytourism.com.

Help against summer blood supply issues by donating with the Red Cross

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The American Red Cross invites area residents to celebrate Independence Day and support patients in need during the summer months by donating blood, including at an upcoming local drive.

“We’re having an Elizabethtown Holiday Hero Blood Drive that is going to be on Thursday, July 2 at Back Home Catering Event Center (444 South Mulberry Street in Elizabethtown) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Lou Zimmerman. 

Zimmerman says the Holiday Hero Blood Drives are important as the summer season is one of the hardest times to collect blood.

“Schools are out and many regular blood drive sponsors pause for the summer, vacations and travel reduce donor availability, and at the same time hospital needs do not slow down, and the Independence Day week creates a critical drop in donations based upon holiday plans and long weekends, which leads to lower turnout,” Zimmerman said.

If you have never donated blood before, the process is a simple one.

“By the time you register and then answer a few questions, it’s probably going to take maybe 45 minutes, shouldn’t take any longer than that,” Zimmerman said. “The actual process of donating blood is probably between five to 15 minutes.”

Blood donors who donate between June 29 and July 12 will receive a Looney Tunes Red Cross t-shirt and a ticket to a Six Flags theme park of their choice, while supplies last.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS for more information or to schedule a donation.