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Closure of U.S. 62 bridge over Cedar Creek delayed

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UPDATE: KYTC District Four says due subcontractor scheduling issues the start of the project has been delayed to Monday, March 3.

A bridge along U.S. 62 in Nelson County will be closed for a superstructure project set to begin Monday.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four says the U.S. 62 bridge over Cedar Creek will be fully closed with work to be completed within 90 days. The bridge is located about 9.4 miles east of the Hardin-Nelson county line.

“The bridge over Cedar Creek is one of those structures that doesn’t look like it’s all that complicated because it’s relatively short and you can’t really see the superstructures as you drive across it, but it’s like any other bridge,” said KYTC District Four Public Information Officer Chris Jessie. “It has all those components, and what you can’t see below the bridge deck is what we’re working on replacing there, and crews have 90 days to get that work done and get the road reopened here as we head through spring.”

Galusha Contracting LLC was awarded the contract for the bridge project last November with a bid of about $525,000. A signed detour is posted along state routes on both sides of the bridge.

Follow KYTC District Four on social media for any project updates.

KFW advises coyote sightings more likely during mating season

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The weather outside may be cold, but the scene amongst the Kentucky coyote population is red hot as winter mating season means increased sightings in rural and urban areas.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says winter mating season for coyotes runs through March, which means coyotes will be roaming rural and urban areas as they search for mates, establish territories, and raise pups in the late spring and early summer. Coyotes are usually timid and wary of people, but encounters with people and pets may arise as they go about foraging, protecting dens, and feeding pups.

KFW reminds residents to never feed coyotes. They are opportunistic and may take advantage of an easy meal if you leave food waste such as grease traps, garbage, or compost piles unattended. Sick, injured, or inexperienced coyotes may sniff out human food sources, leading to conflicts.

If you see a coyote, never approach it. KFW says try to scare the animal away by shouting, clapping your hands, stomping your feet, and making yourself appear bigger. Keep scaring the coyote until it is out of sight.

Coyotes may establish dens in hollow trees or logs, rock crevices, brush piles, abandoned groundhog burrows, or abandoned buildings and junk piles. Most coyotes do not cause conflict, but if necessary contact a licensed nuisance wildlife operator. More information is available on the KFW website.

Slick roads and dangerous conditions expected as temperatures across Kentucky remain low

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Another winter storm system brought 2 to 8 inches of snow across much of Kentucky, and frigid temperatures in the forecast the rest of the week combined with the remaining impacts of weekend flooding means the cleanup is not an easy one as plowing gives way to salt treatments.

“With these temperatures expected to be very cold the next few days, especially at night, effectiveness of those treatments will become limited,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four Public Information Officer Chris Jessie. “Our main routes will likely be in good shape. Those lower volume routes, though, may be partially covered for a few days here, especially in shaded areas.”

Any additional snowfall for the area was projected at one inch or less, but Meteorologist John Gordon with the National Weather Service in Louisville says the frigid temperatures are likely here the rest of the week.

“Temperatures will be in the teens,” Gordon said. “Wind chill is in the teens. It’s just kind of an ugly time. There is good news, though, because we’ll be in the 40s by Sunday, Sunday and Monday, so we have to suffer a little but there will be some rejoicing at the end of the week.”

During his update on the storms Wednesday morning, Governor Andy Beshear advised anybody in need to seek assistance to get out of the cold. The governor also reminded residents to never drive around a barrier that is blocking a flooded roadway.

“I think we had a number of rescues yesterday, almost all of them were people driving around barriers,” Beshear said. “You drive around the barrier, your car gets swept away, it threatens your life, but it also threatens the life of every person out there trying to rescue you in these really cold conditions.”

Up-to-date information on resources available for Kentuckians impacted by the flooding and winter storm is available on the governor’s website.

Undergraduate enrollment at Kentucky colleges sees increase

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College undergraduate enrollment is up across the commonwealth. 

According to a report from the Council on Postsecondary Education, from Fall 2023 to Fall 2024 undergraduate enrollment at the Kentucky Community and Technical College System increased by 6.8 percent, public universities saw a 3.9 percent increase, and private institutions affiliated with the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities saw a 3.7 percent increase. 

The CPE says enrollment also increased among targeted populations. Enrollment among underrepresented minority students increased 13.3 percent at KCTCS campuses and 7.9 percent at public universities. Enrollment for low-income students increased 7.5 percent at KCTCS schools and 7 percent at public universities, the first gains in four years.

High school dual credit enrollment increased, which the CPE says is associated with higher college-going rates and better academic performance. A rise in non-traditional student enrollment, meaning students ages 25 to 64, saw a 9.7 percent increase at KCTCS schools and 8.4 percent at public universities, which the CPE says is critical for meeting Kentucky’s educational attainment goal of 60 percent by 2030.

The full report is available on the CPE website.

Hardin County Quick Response Team warns of another spike in overdoses

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The Hardin County Quick Response Team says another spike in overdoses has been seen in the area.

According to the QRT, three known overdoses were reported within 24 hours this week. The QRT encourages anybody who is currently struggling with substance use disorder, or knows somebody who is, to reach out to the Quick Response Team.

“Whether it’s housing, or you need to get your driver’s license, or maybe you need to try to find a job, or you need a car, or you need tattoo removal, or you need an outfit to go to court in, or you need clothes, or a job resume to try to get a job, or something as simple as a food bank, and the list can go on and on and on,” said Hardin County Chief Deputy Coroner and Quick Response Team Supervisor Shana Norton.

The QRT recently hosted its first training event for residents interested in joining the team, and an additional training event is in the works.

“This is obviously a new thing for all of us, and we want to just be able to have those that want to be a part of it kind of prepared, so that way when we do call our team and we have to go out and knock on doors, people that are wanting to join the team will be able to know what to expect,” Norton said.

Visit the Quick Response Team – Hardin County Facebook page to get connected with the QRT.