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Rough River Lake Dam Public Hearing Provides Updates

The United States Army Corps of Engineers held a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss the implementation of interim risk reduction measures at Rough River Lake. The measures include reducing the summer pool water level to 490 feet which is 5 feet below the normal pool along with a delayed fill date of April 1 to reduce stress on the dam. The levels would have to remain in place for the completion of the project which is expected to take six years. The Corps of Engineers wanted to address concerns about the impacts on recreation. Based on data from previous summers with pools at similar levels, the Corps of Engineers stated the impacts should be minimal. Eighteen of twenty-one boat ramps will still be accessible and there should be limited impacts to marinas. North Fork Beach and State Park Beach will be closed but Laurel Branch Public Use Beach will be open. Axtel will remain open to campers of the campground only. All Corps of Engineers managed campgrounds will remain open. As far as private docks, approximately 60% may be impacted. Private dock permit holders will need to coordinate with the project office to determine if a temporary extension or relocation is possible. Additional information can be found on the project website.

Vine Grove City Council Meeting Update

The Vine Grove City Council held its work session and regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. Eric Redmon, Andrew Dale And Derek Dunn, who is the state coordinator for the Professional Disc Golf Association, approached the council about adding a disc golf course at the city park. The group told the council about how the sport of disc golf has grown, especially since the pandemic, and shared how cities around Vine Grove like Brandenburg and Elizabethtown have seen tournaments come to their courses. The courses are fairly inexpensive to set up and maintain. The council said they were open to exploring the idea and referred the group to Public Works Director Chris Mayhew to work out details to bring back to the council. 
The council discussed financing options for a new fire truck. They selected option 4 for $1.3 million with a payment of $145,260.17 annually. The amount that they’re actually going to be paying is $1,253,687.50 with the first payment not being due for fifteen months.”
The council heard a first reading of an ordinance adopting a fee schedule for electric inspections. At the end of March, electrical inspections for Vine Grove will no longer go through the Hardin County Planning and Development Office. The council scheduled a special hearing to have the second reading of the ordinance and to vote on the fees ahead of the contract expiring with the county on March 31. 
Councilwoman Mary Dunn wanted to make sure the city publicized the upcoming Hardin County Comprehensive Plan Open House that will be held at Woodland Elementary on March 29 at 4:30 PM. She also announced that a historical society was being established in Vine Grove. 
The next meeting of the Vine Grove City Council will be the special meeting called to hear and vote on the electric fee schedule on March 20 at 5:30 PM.

Hardin County Animal Shelter At Capacity, Lowers Adoption Fees For Adult Dogs

The Hardin County Animal Shelter is asking for the community’s help to find homes for dogs currently at the shelter. “Right now, we have 72 dogs so we’re going to have a special BC’s Birthday Bash, which everybody knows BC, our shelter, the one that runs the shelter actually, IS turning 11 and to celebrate, all adult dog adoption fees are lowered to just $11. Now, when you think about it, $11 for a dog that is spayed or neutered up to date on their vaccines and everything. We ask that you bring in one of the items off of our wish list which are simple things like dog treats, dog food, blankets. You can go online and look at those different things that we have on our wish list and we will give you the $11 adoption fee,” said Shelter Director Mike McNutt. The shelter is open Monday through Saturday noon until 4 PM. More information including the shelter wish list and pictures of animals available can be found on the Hardin County Animal Shelter Facebook page.

Breckinridge County School Bus In Collision

A Breckinridge County school bus was involved in a collision on Highway 60 this morning. Breckinridge County Schools Superintendent Nick Carter released the following statement following the accident. ”Around 7:20 this morning, one of our school buses was involved in an accident involving two other vehicles. There were six students on board, one driver and one bus monitor. Right now, it does not appear that any of them have any serious injuries. Everyone is being checked out for precautionary reasons, and we are following all of our standard processes and procedures. We’re just, you know, very thankful that it wasn’t worse than what it was. And certainly, our thoughts are with everyone that was involved. And just want to thank all of our local EMS and police and everyone who just responded so quickly to get to the scene to make sure that our students and staff members were okay,” said Superintendent Nick Carter. The accident is still under investigation.