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CKCAC cuts ribbon on new Elizabethtown headquarters

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Former Central Kentucky Community Action Council Executive Director Hal Goode says the organization’s new headquarters at 708 Westport Road in Elizabethtown is more than just a brick and mortar building.

“It’s a symbol of investment in our people,” Goode said. “It’s a symbol of investment to our children. It is an investment for the future of this area.”

The organization held a ribbon cutting on the building Friday morning in a ceremony that featured multiple local and state officials.

The facility will be home to the multiple organizations that are operated under the Community Action umbrella including Elizabethtown Head Start, Kentucky Works, and Community Collaboration for Children.

Goode said housing the organizations under one roof makes sense when their focus is on improving the community.

“These programs, they build stronger families,” Goode said. “They build communities. When I first came on board as executive director, folks would ask me, ‘well, I’ve heard about Community Action. What do you guys do? You know, I’ve always heard you all were just big charity folks.’ I go, “We are, but we’re not there to give handouts. We’re there to give hand-ups.’”

Among the speakers Friday was Kentucky Lieutenant Governor Jacquline Coleman. She said with Hardin County the epicenter of economic development in the commonwealth, supporting area youth is key to keeping the forward momentum going.

“The most important thing that you are doing in this community to ensure that we just don’t get to announce these things, but we get to see them for generations to come, is to invest in your littlest learners,” Coleman said. “That is going to be the tie that binds for this community and that guarantees the success for generations to come.”

Learn more about the Central Kentucky Community Action Council at www.ckcac.org.

Red Cross urges donations amongst an emergency need for blood

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August is National Wellness Month, and the American Red Cross is encouraging folks to prioritize their personal health and well-being while also helping to save lives amongst an urgent need for blood donations.

“The need for Type O, O-positive and O-negative, is in an emergency need right now,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “Transfusions are happening when needed, but because that is the most common blood type, it is also the most needed, and in an emergency situation, that is what’s going to be transfused until we know that patient’s blood type.”

High school and college students make up 20 to 25 percent of blood donations, but as students head back to school, donating blood may not be top of mind right now, so the Red Cross is looking for others to step up to help maintain the blood supply.

“We are trying to get into our schools here in September and October to try to get things evened out, but right now, we just need to encourage anybody who’s out there who would be willing to come and donate blood,” Ritchie said. “It is a very safe and simple process, and once you do it one time, you always come up with ‘Wow, that’s not bad at all. I’ll continue to do that.’”

Special incentives are available to donors during the month of August.

“We are giving a $15 e-gift card to the merchant of their choice, as well as anyone who completes the donation will get a diabetes A1C testing that will help them to make sure they’re healthy, that their blood sugar is where they need it to be,” Ritchie said.

Visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter your zip code to find blood drives near you.

New website aims to help keep Kentuckians safe from scams

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Kentucky state government is rolling out a new website aimed at protecting Kentuckians from scams.

During his Team Kentucky Update Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear announced the launch of StopScams.ky.gov, along with other initiatives focused on preventing scams through awareness, reporting, and education.

According to a release from the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, the new website “will serve as a one-stop resource on how to spot scams, ways to report, and resources for recovering what was lost should someone fall victim.” Kentuckians will also be able to sign up for scam alerts via email or text in order to stay updated on the latest emerging scams.

The Public Protection Cabinet says their recommended strategy for scams is “Pause, Check, and Protect”. When you are contacted by someone or a company you do not know, pause. Before taking any action, check reliable resources and do your research. Protect your personal information by learning ways to boost your digital security.

Beshear said a 2024 FBI report showed Kentuckians are losing more than $74 million annually to online scammers. Learn more and sign up for alerts at StopScams.ky.gov.

Dirty Dog Bash raises $40K for FOHCAS Snip Spot

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Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter hosted their annual Dirty Dog Bash this past Saturday, and the organization “cleaned up” at the fundraiser.

Nearly 200 guests attended the dinner and participated in a beer and wine bottle pull and both live and silent auctions. The event raised more than $40,000 in support of area homeless animals.

“Our success this year really speaks to the generosity of our community, from our sponsors and donors to volunteers and everyone who attended the Dirty Dog Bash this year,” said FOHCAS board member Sarah Fellows.

That $40,000 is going towards a special cause for the organization.

“Every bit of the proceeds from that are going to be going to our new low-cost spay and neuter clinic, the Snip Spot,” Fellows said. “We are currently in the middle of a capital campaign for the Snip Spot.”

The total start-up cost for the Snip Spot is projected to be $150,000. Visit www.fohcas.org to learn more about the project and how you can contribute.

Carter says Breckinridge County Schools is excited for 2025-2026 school year

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Breckinridge County Schools Superintendent Dr. Nick Carter says a productive summer has him excited for the 2025-2026 school year.

“We’ve had a great summer,” Carter said. “It’s been a busy summer, but the momentum that I feel right now in our district is just amazing. We just wrapped up our opening day breakfast ceremony at Breckinridge County High School, and the staff’s so excited and fired up to be back.”

As BCS gets ready for the first day of school on August 11, Carter is reminding area drivers to be safe around school buses. He encourages any families that have issues with their student’s bus route to inform the district.

“I’m always appreciative of our community,” Carter said. “They’re always so patient with us. It’s a big county. Our buses travel over 4,500 miles a day, and sometimes it takes a few days into the school year before we start really getting it down and making sure that we’re at those bus stops at the same time frame every morning.”

As the school year gets under way, Carter says the district is focusing on instructional efforts as students continue to grow following the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our goal is to take that even another step further and continue to work to address those areas for learning loss, where kids suffered so much learning loss, particularly mathematics during the at-home learning stage of pandemic, so we’re going to be very focused on engagement and instruction,” Carter said.

Visit the Breckinridge County Schools website for more information and follow the district’s social media channels for updates.