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Kentucky unemployment in February sees decline

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February unemployment in Kentucky is down slightly from the previous month and year. 

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for February was 4.2 percent. That is down from the 4.3 percent average reported in January, and down .6 percent from the February 2025 average of 4.8 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average for February came in under the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor says at 4.4 percent is up from the 4.2 percent rate reported in February 2025.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says the state’s civilian labor force, which includes people currently employed and people actively searching for work, saw a decrease of 5,874 people from January to February, bringing the total civilian labor force to 2,108,665 people.

The Educational and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Government sectors saw increases from January to February. Numbers for the Mining and Logging Sector were stable and numbers for the Information Services Sector were unchanged. The Other Services, Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services, Manufacturing, Construction, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities sectors saw decreases.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website, kystats.ky.gov, for more about unemployment figures and labor market information.

Interim CKCAC Community Services/HEAP director officially appointed to position

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A familiar face has been appointed as the Central Kentucky Community Action Council’s Community Services/HEAP director.

Samantha “Sam” Ross, who has been serving in the position on an interim basis, was promoted to permanently take over the position, which oversees the Community Services Block Grant and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“Coming from the Weatherization Assistance Program, I have seen how the services our agency offers impact the communities we serve,” Ross said.

The council said in a release that Ross “demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the agency’s mission during her interim tenure.”

“I am excited to continue cultivating relationships with local assistance partners and help strengthen the resource network here in central Kentucky to empower our clients,” Ross said. “Community is important to me, and empowering vulnerable populations is a passion close to my heart.”

CKCAC Executive Director Bryan Conover said he is excited to see Ross step into the position.

“Her experience within our agency, combined with her passion for our clients, makes her the ideal leader to guide our community services and LIHEAP programs moving forward,” Conover said.

Ross takes over leadership of LIHEAP while the application period for the program’s spring subsidy is open. Applications for LIHEAP are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s electric vendor. Receiving assistance through other LIHEAP cycles does not affect eligibility. The deadline to apply is May 22, or when funds run out. Visit your local Community Action office to begin an application. Call 270-692-2136 or visit www.ckcac.org for more information.

ECTC’S Toy Box Theatre invites community to final show

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Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s Toy Box Theatre is set to take its final bow.

The theatre company, helmed by retiring Communication and Theatre Professor Katrina Eicher, will present Seuss-A-Rama, a collection of stories by Dr. Seuss, at the ECTC Science Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The cast consists of college students enrolled in the theatre class to gain performance experience and to reach out to the community. Many area elementary schools will see daytime performances of the production. All are welcome to attend the Tuesday evening performance. Tickets are $2, with children three and under free.

According to a release from ECTC, Toy Box Theatre was established in 1998 and is presenting its 26th production. Eicher says more than 11,800 people have enjoyed one of the company’s performances. She says the goal of the company is to encourage imagination in young audiences and show that with imagination, you can make theatre magic anywhere with anything.

Eicher is encouraging former actors, audience members, and supporters to come out to the final show. Contact Eicher at 270-706-8536 or katrina.eicher@kctcs.edu for more information.

Hardin County hosting e-scrap recycling event for residents

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Hardin County residents are encouraged to participate in the annual E-Scrap Recycling event this weekend.

“That is this Saturday the 25, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it’s at the AGC Automotive America’s Plant,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker. “It’s for Hardin County residents only. You’ll need to show an ID when you pull in. Please don’t get out of your car. You just pull up and the folks from AGC, Tri-State E-Scrap, and we’re getting some help from the folks at Altech, they are going to be there to unload your stuff.”

A full list of items that can and cannot be brought to the event is available on the flyer posted to the Hardin County Government Facebook page.

“Some of the things you can bring in are computers, printers, scanners, monitors, old televisions, various types of media including discs and hard drives, and yes, we’re taking batteries and fluorescent bulbs and light bulbs,” Walker said.

Walker said the county will be hosting its annual household hazardous waste disposal event this fall. Contact the Hardin County Public Works office for more information.

John Hardin FFA hosting food truck benefit for Warm Blessings

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John Hardin High School FFA Chapter Vice President Madison Carter told the Quicksie morning show that each year their teacher challenges them to find an issue in the community, and then to come up with a solution.

“This Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. we have food trucks coming to the Bluegrass Middle School bus parking lot, and either the food trucks paid $75 to set up for the day or 10 percent of their earnings for the day go to Warm Blessings,” Carter said. “We also are receiving donations, canned food donations or money donations, and it’s all going to go back to Warm Blessings.”

John Hardin FFA Chapter President Lauren Bowman said the students felt the event, called “Spring into Action: Food Trucks for Food Insecurity”, would make the most impact by donating the proceeds to Warm Blessings.

“We did our research, and we found that they give out and help the most in our community, because one in seven adults and one in five students are food insecure, so doing our research and finding that out we learned that they give the most help,” Bowman said.

The students are expecting about a dozen food trucks will be on hand for the event. Bluegrass Middle School is located at 170 W.A. Jenkins Road in Elizabethtown. Visit the John Hardin Agricultural Education/FFA Facebook page for more information.