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Steel going up at E-Town outdoor music venue site

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Tim Mattingly with Congleton Hacker told the Elizabethtown City Council during their work session Monday that work on the outdoor music venue is “going as well as it can”.

“As far as just the overall project right now, we’re about 40 percent complete, 45 percent complete, roughly, and everything’s going pretty well,” Mattingly said.

Mattingly said most of the utility work for the project has been laid, and steel is going up on the site.

“We’ve got the steel going in for the rigging structure and the main stage support buildings,” Mattingly said. “Right now that’s probably about 75 percent complete. That’s really one of the most significant parts of the project, so getting that part done is going to be a huge milestone for us.”

Ongoing work includes the retaining walls around the seating area and block work for out buildings on the site.

Mattingly said the project includes nearly 350 tons of steel, of which about 300 goes into the rigging structure on the stage.

“There’s almost 5,000 cubic yards of concrete that’s going to be required for the project,” Mattingly said. “There’s over 35 species of trees, and I know that’s been really important for the local community down here, and we’ll be able to park about 1,700 cars on site once it’s all complete as well.”

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the project is on pace for a completion date in late April or early May 2027.

Former State Senator Dennis Parrett dies at 66

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Area officials are offering their condolences to the family of former State Senator Dennis Parrett, who died Sunday at the age of 66.

“It’s a tremendous loss for our community, and he was just an amazing person, and he was a great public servant,” said Kentucky Tenth District State Senator Matt Deneen, who succeeded Parrett in that seat after Parrett held it from 2011 to 2023. “He led with integrity and honesty in Frankfort and garnered a lot of support from both sides of the aisle, and I’ve always admired him as a person and as a friend.”

During his tenure, Parrett served as minority whip from 2017 until his retirement.

“Many of you knew Dennis well, I’m sure,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory. “He’s been around here all of his life, been involved in the ag community, and he was a staunch veteran supporter, just a fine guy. A three-term state senator that represented Hardin County well. He’s got a beautiful family, a tremendous set of in-laws, and I know that they all miss him and will continue to miss him, just like the rest of us will.”

The Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus said in a social media post: “Senator Parrett served with humility, dedication, and a deep commitment to the people of his district. In Frankfort, he worked to make Kentucky more military-friendly, supported stronger financial literacy education for students, and helped create the bipartisan Sunny Page Program, giving children with disabilities the opportunity to experience state government firsthand.”

Funeral services for Parrett are pending.

Freeman Lake Park summer concert series kicks off Wednesday

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The City of Elizabethtown kicks off their Lawn Party at the Lake Concert Series this week.

The concert series will offer multiple concerts and family-friendly entertainment throughout the summer at the bandstand at Freeman Lake Park. The City of Elizabethtown Events staff says they are excited to bring a great mix of entertainment to the bandstand this summer.

The concert series kicks off Wednesday, June 10 with Lunar Beach House. This six-piece beach and party band will bring the surf boards and the tiki lights along with party favorites from Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys, and more.

Other bands scheduled to appear this summer include The Ultimate Show Band on July 8, Last Call on August 12, and Bourbon Revival on September 9.

All events in the concert series are free. Parking at the lake opens at 5:30 p.m. with shows beginning at 6:30. Seating is festival style and visitors should bring a chair or blanket. Coolers and outside alcohol are not permitted, but food and drink vendors will be on site.

Visit the City of Elizabethtown Events Facebook page or www.etownevents.com for more information.

Hardin County fire companies raise $157K for Crusade for Children

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The local community showed their generosity during the 73rd annual WHAS Crusade for Children.

The Hardin County Fire Chiefs Association says donors contributed $157,591.37 to area fire companies during this year’s campaign, which aims to make life better for children with identified health care, educational, and emotional wellness needs. Area fire companies organized roadblocks and fundraising events, while donors were also able to submit donations.

The top three fundraising fire companies in Hardin County were KY 86 with $32,494.79, Sonora with $21,178.25, and Valley Creek with $17,045.00.

In a post on Facebook, the HCFCA thanked the area firefighters who put in the time and the community members who showed their generosity, stating: “Your kindness and generosity continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of children who depend on these services.”

Learn more and make a donation at www.whascrusade.org.

Take steps to avoid leaving children in hot cars

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As the temperature starts to rise as the summer season rolls on, make sure you take the necessary steps to avoid leaving children in hot cars, a situation that can turn dangerous fast.

“On a warm, humid day, the car temperature can rise 19 degrees in about 10 minutes,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “On a sunny 60 degree day, especially the humidity we have here in Kentucky sometimes, it can be up to 110 degrees in the car.”

If you see a child is alone in a car, make sure the child is truly alone and there isn’t somebody else out of sight in the vehicle, then take action.

“If you see a child alone in a car, get involved,” Crane said. “Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, in distress, get them out of the car, out of that vehicle, as quickly as possible.”

If you are responsible for a child, give yourself reminders to check the backseat so children don’t get left behind such as setting an alert on your phone.

“Maybe put something in the child’s seat like a stuffed animal that you move up to the front seat with you when the child is in the seat and then put it back,” Crane said. “Have somebody call you or text you to remind you, ‘hey did you drop little Johnny off at the daycare?’. Put your lunch box or your briefcase back there in the back seat area with the child so that you have to physically open that door and double check, and then just remember to look before you lock.”

Bryan’s Law, passed in 2000, makes a person liable for Second-Degree Manslaughter or First-Degree Wanton Endangerment if a child under eight dies or suffers serious injury as a result of being left in a car.