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Early voting for Kentucky House District 24 and 26 special elections begins Wednesday

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The early voting period begins Wednesday for the special elections to fill vacancies in the Kentucky House of Representatives for District 24, which includes parts of LaRue and Hart counties, and District 26, which includes three precincts in Hardin County.

The House District 24 special election will be contested by Democrat Johnny Pennington, Republican Courtney Gilbert, and independent write-in Craig Astor. Republican Peyton Griffee is unopposed in the House District 26 race.

In-person excused absentee voting for the District 24 race will take place at the Hart and LaRue County Clerk’s offices from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13. Early voting will take place at the clerk’s offices on March 14, 15, and 16. Hardin County will host in-person excused absentee voting and early voting for the District 26 race those same days at the Hardin County Clerk’s Office’s Radcliff location at 101 West Lincoln Trail Boulevard.

On Special Election Day March 19, voters in Hart County can cast ballots at the clerk’s office and the Horse Cave Fire Department. LaRue County Clerk Rhonda Metcalf said in addition to the clerk’s office, voters have several options in LaRue County

“On Election Day, we have our vote center which is at First Baptist Church on Tonieville Road, and then we have at Rolling Fork Christian Church in Lyons Station, and we have Uptown Graphics in Upton, and then we have the Old School Market down in Magnolia,” said Metcalf.

Hardin County voters on special election day can cast ballots at the clerk’s office’s Radcliff location or the West Point School Building.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith said during the most recent Hardin County Fiscal Court meeting that counties have the same obligations for any election no matter what is on the ballot, and many residents take their civic duty to vote very seriously.

“I know that we have voters in those three precincts who have never missed an election,” Smith said. “Every year, I have people on Election Day, they shake my hand, they brag about it. They’re in their 60s and 70s. ‘I’ve never missed an election.’ Let that be your incentive. Keep that streak going and keep voting, and then be ready to vote again in another month in May.”

Check your registration status and find more election information at govote.ky.gov.

MOAA encourages eligible students to apply for $16,000 in available scholarships

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The Fort Knox Area chapter of the Military Officers Association of America encourages eligible students to apply for their merit-based scholarships for graduating seniors.

“Our scholarship is available to graduating seniors attending the local high schools,” said Fort Knox Area MOAA Scholarship Chairman Dick Ardisson. “That would be Fort Knox, Hardin, Meade, and LaRue counties, Elizabethtown Independent, Faith Homeschool, and North Hardin Christian School. So we cover all the high schools in our service area.”

Applicants must be a family member of an active duty, Guard, or reserve military service member; a family member of a 20-year or medically retired or deceased active duty, Guard, or reserve service member; or the grandson or granddaughter of a retired active duty, Guard, or reserve service member. Rank of service member is not a factor.

Ardisson said the available scholarships are a great opportunity.

“We’re giving out $14,500 in scholarships this year, and that includes one for $3,000, one for $2,500, two for $2,000, and two for $1,500, and as we did a couple years ago one of our sister organizations, the Military Order of the World Wars, is also putting up a $1,500 scholarship, so we’ve got a grand total of $16,000 in scholarships available spread across eight scholarships.” Ardisson said.

The deadline to apply for the MOAA scholarships is coming up near the end of this month.

“The scholarship applications were sent to the high school counselors at those high schools that I mentioned early in January, and the suspense date to have them postmarked is the 29th of March,” Ardisson said.

Check with your guidance counselor’s office for more information.

Baptist Health Hardin hosting community overdose simulation for area parents on March 18 at Hardin County PAC

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Baptist Health Hardin recently partnered with area law enforcement and first responders to present a live overdose simulation at area high schools which has been seen by more than 7,000 students.

“After the simulation, we then had a panel where education was given to the students, and then after that panel we played a video testimonial because the overdose was based on a Central Hardin student who had graduated and passed back in 2021,” said Baptist Health Hardin Community Health and Wellness Manager Erin Priddy. 

Area parents and community members will get a chance to see the presentation seen by students and talk with a panel at a community overdose simulation set for 6 p.m. on March 18 at the Hardin County Performing Arts Center.

Priddy said the simulation and panel are not just a scare tactic, but an opportunity to show the impact of the situation. Similarly, the presentation for adults on the 18th is a reminder for parents.

“I think it is important for parents to understand,” Priddy said. “I know that a lot of times parents get busy, but this is going to give a lot of information on some things that parents need to look out for, and I think the most important thing is remembering that don’t think your child couldn’t get involved in something like this. Just come out and hear the information and hear what we have to say.”

Baptist Health Hardin says the presentation on the 18th contains content for mature audiences and is intended for adults 18 and over. No advanced registration is required to attend. Contact Baptist Health Hardin for more information.

Kentucky statewide tornado drill Wednesday as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week

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The first week of March is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kentucky, an opportunity for residents, schools, and businesses to review plans and prepare for the possibility of severe weather.

“Severe weather can occur at any time of the year and brings a variety of hazards and impacts to Kentucky from tornadoes to flooding and high winds, but this is the perfect time to plan and prepare before severe weather strikes,” said Meteorologist Evan Webb with the National Weather Service in Louisville. 

Part of Severe Weather Awareness Week is the statewide tornado drill, which will take place Wednesday, March 6 at 10:07 a.m. Eastern and 9:07 a.m. Central.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to practice your tornado safety plan, whether you’re at home, school, or work,” said Webb. “If there is a threat of actual severe weather that day the drill will be postponed to a fair weather day so as to not cause confusion, but it is a coordinated statewide test for all of us to collectively have a chance to prepare for severe weather. It’s a chance to practice for a tornado and it’s not as often you get a chance to practice for something like that.”

Residents can find more information on creating safety plans and other tips by visiting the National Weather Service in Louisville’s website.

“We have a link at the top of our page on Kentucky Severe Weather Awareness Week so that folks can go to that page,” Webb said. “You can find a wealth of safety information on how to receive warnings, and on all sorts of different hazards from tornadoes and flooding to lightning, hail, recreational safety like while you’re boating and camping, even beach safety.”

In the event of severe weather, be sure to follow emergency responders and area media, including Quicksie and The Wolf, to stay up to date on weather conditions.

Fort Knox AER Campaign under way to support military families

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Traditionally, those who donate to the Army Emergency Relief Campaign are military-affiliated, which is where the organization’s motto “Soldiers Helping Soldiers” comes from, but all are welcome to contribute to Fort Knox’s AER Campaign which is now under way.

“It’s a program designed to provide financial assistance to soldiers and their family members in a time of need,” said Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Christopher Ricci. “This year’s campaign is set to run from March 1 to June 1.”

The program was established more than 80 years ago and supports soldiers and their families in a variety of ways.

“The Fort Knox AER program alone helped 447 soldiers and their families last year with over $746,000 in assistance,” said Ricci. “That included 206 grants, 224 loans, and 17 grant loan combinations, as well as scholarships totaling $344,000 for more than 100 spouses and children of soldiers.”

Learn more and donate by visiting www.armyemergencyrelief.org.