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Radcliff council tables zoning change after objections from Fort Knox

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The Radcliff City Council met for their second meeting of the month Tuesday.

The council approved, on second readings, an amendment to the city’s flood prevention ordinance to match definitions for “significant structures” to updated state definitions in order to maintain compliance, and an amendment to the city’s 2024-2025 budget. 

The council motioned to postpone the second reading of an ordinance rezoning 238 Cedar Oak Drive in Vine Grove from Commercial to Residential-4. Members of the council decided to call for an additional public hearing in order to get more information after Fort Knox Deputy Garrison Commander Jim Bradford said the post has concerns with the property’s proximity to Fort Knox.

“I must clearly state again that Fort Knox is not in favor of zoning changes and the incremental encroachment that impacts readiness to our Army,” Bradford said. “What our letter of concern states and urges is that if the city does approve it, then at a minimum they impose certain conditions on the builder.”

The council approved a zoning change for 2787 Hill Street in Vine Grove from Residential Holding and Residential 2 to just R-2. That property is owned by the same developers as the Cedar Oak Drive property, but is not adjacent to Fort Knox.

The first reading was held on city ad valorem taxes for 2026.

“On each $100 of calendar year 2025 assessed valuation as follows: on real property .129 and personal property .174, including real and personal property of public service companies,” said City Attorney Mike Pike, reading from the ordinance. “On privately owned and registered vehicles and watercraft: .199, and bank deposit tax: .00025 percent.”

The council will likely meet for a special meeting to approve the tax rates.

The council approved the assignment of the city’s trash collection franchise from Green River Waste to Republic Services following the latter’s purchase of the former.

“Republic has asked to step into the shoes of Green River and literally take over the contract at the same rates and same level of service,” Pike said. “They’re just literally pinch hitting and taking the place of Green River. That’s what they’ve asked to do.”

Republic Services will take over the current agreement which runs through the end of 2029.

The Radcliff City Council will next meet October 14.

KSP Post Four participating in escort of Vietnam soldier to Berea Cemetery

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A Kentucky veteran declared killed in action during the Vietnam War will be laid to rest this week.

The Kentucky State Police will provide an escort for the remains of U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Henry Gerald Gish, who will be laid to rest in the Berea Cemetery on Saturday, September 20.

According to the KSP, Gish’s remains will arrive at Louisville Muhammed Ali International Airport Thursday morning. Troopers from KSP Posts Four, Seven, and Eleven will join together to lead the escort to Berea, where Gish will be buried with full military honors.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency says Gish was assigned to a classified radar site in Laos, and on March 11, 1968, his position was attacked and overrun by Vietnamese commandos, forcing them to seek safety on the narrow edge of a steep mountain. Helicopters rescued eight men, but Gish and 10 other Americans were declared killed in action and were unable to be recovered.

After efforts over many years to survey the area, Gish’s remains were recovered as part of two joint recovery operations between mid-January and late March of this year. Gish’s remains were identified in a DPAA laboratory following scientific analysis.

More information on Gish can be found in his obituary from Lakes Funeral Home in Berea and from the DPAA.

E-Town council holds first readings on property tax rates

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first regular meeting of the month Monday.

The first readings were held on three ordinances setting city tax rates for 2025. The rate for all motor vehicles and watercraft will be 11.6 cents per $100 of assessed value and the franchise tax rate for all eligible bank deposits will be .025 percent, both of which are unchanged from last year. The rate for real and personal property will be 10.7 cents per $100 assessed value, which is down from 11 cents last year.

“At least I know going back to 2012, we have not increased any of our property tax rates,” said E-Town Finance Director Jeff Hawkins. “We’ve had some occupational tax increases, some other things, but property tax rates have not gone up. We have been very consistent with our property tax values, and in fact, in the last three or four years, we’ve lowered them twice now.”

Hawkins said the city generates most of its tax revenue from the occupational tax rather than the property tax.

The council approved a municipal order approving the bid from Huron, Ohio-based Breckenridge Kitchen Equipment and Design for the concession equipment for the outdoor music venue project. The $1,626,533 bid was selected from four submitted bids.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet September 22.

KFW targets illegal catfish harvesting with Operation River Raid

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A seven-month investigation by game wardens with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife into illegal commercial catfish harvesting resulted in the serving of multiple search warrants Friday.

Operation River Raid was a coordinated statewide enforcement effort on September 12 during which 10 search warrants were executed “from Paducah to Ashland.” The KSP says: “The investigation focused on individuals and entities suspected of violating state law governing commercial fishing and the sale of wildlife.”

KFW says illegally harvesting wildlife poses a threat to Kentucky’s natural resources, harms the economic stability of local communities, and undermines lawful commercial and recreational fishing operations. KFW Director of Law Enforcement Colonel Jeremy McQueary said Operation River Raid demonstrates the department’s commitment to protecting Kentucky rivers and lakes and the people who use them.

KFW says the investigation remains active and ongoing, and more information including names of the people and operations facing charges will be released at a later date. Members of the public with possible information on illegal fishing activity are encouraged to report that information through the Kentucky Wildlife Tipline at 1-800-25-ALERT or through the KFWLaw app.

All invited to Bernheim Forest for BugFest 2025

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What’s the buzz at Bernheim Forest this weekend? It’s BugFest 2025.

“BugFest is an awesome festival that we have going on at Bernheim this Saturday, September 20,” said Bernheim Forest Marketing and Communications Director Lynette Cox. “It’s a great time to bring the kids out and celebrate insects and the vital ecological services that they provide.”

The family-friendly event will feature educational activities and fun experiences for kids to learn from and enjoy.

“We’re going to have an insect zoo, so we’ll have insects on display in little containers that the kids and parents and other people who join can come and take a look at these bugs and learn a little bit about them,” Cox said. “We’ll have our naturalist there talking about the bugs. We’ll also have other discovery stations at Bernheim as well.”

BugFest will also feature bug-themed crafts, live music, and a bug parade.

“You can come dressed up at BugFest as your own favorite bug,” Cox said. “You’ve got those butterfly wings? Go ahead and bring them, or you can borrow an outfit from our costume tent, and we’re going to set the bug parade up at 1:30.”

BugFest runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday. The event is free although a suggested donation will be accepted at the gates. Visit Bernheim Forest’s website or Facebook page for more information.