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Kentucky labor market sees slight increase despite slight unemployment increase

Unemployment in Kentucky saw a slight increase in August. 

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for August was 4.8 percent. That is an increase from the 4.7 percent rate reported in July as well as from August 2023 when the rate was reported at 4.2 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average also came in higher in July than the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor reported at 4.2 percent.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says the state’s civilian labor force, which includes people currently employed and people actively searching for work, saw an increase of just over 7,300 people from July into August, bringing the civilian labor force to about 2,061,000.

The Education and Labor Cabinet says while manufacturing jobs saw an increase in August, companies have been reporting fewer jobs over the last few months. Employment in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector and the leisure and hospitality sector saw slight drops. The mining and logging sectors were mostly unchanged.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics to learn more about labor market information.

Radcliff City Council accepts check for North Logsdon Parkway work

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

An ordinance amending the city budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year was approved on its second reading. Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall previously said the amendment was standard for the end of a fiscal year.

Representatives from QK4, which provides engineering work for the city, presented the council with a $1.85 million check from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, which will be used for stormwater improvements on North Logsdon Parkway. The grant, which includes a 25 percent local match, must be used within three years, and surveying work should begin on the project in four to five weeks.

Council Member Pamela DeRoche reminded the community of this Saturday’s Radcliff Days festival.

“Vendors will start setting up at 2 p.m.,” said DeRoche. “The festival actually starts at 4, and we’ve got 35-plus vendors, I think, that’ll be selling wares on Saturday, and then we’ve got several food trucks.”

The Radcliff Days parade begins at 5 p.m.

“The theme is ‘Dance the Night Away,’ so we will have several dance groups out there,” DeRoche said. “We’ll have a DJ that will be playing music, so if people want to join in on the dancing, they’re welcome to do that as well.”

Visit the City of Radcliff Government Facebook page for details.

The Radcliff City Council will next meet October 7.

Snapchat threat against Breckinridge County Schools under investigation

Breckinridge County Schools responded to a potential threat Wednesday.

“A little bit before noon, a student reported to a school official a Snapchat post, and the Snapchat post was threatening in nature to our school district, so we immediately started putting things in place to ensure the safety of all of our schools in the district,” said BCS Superintendent Dr. Nick Carter. 

The Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office and the Hardinsburg and Irvington police departments expanded their presence at school buildings through dismissal. The sheriff’s office is leading the ongoing investigation into the threat.

“Right now we’re cooperating with the Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation and when we know more, we’ll be sure to communicate more,” Carter said.

Carter last week sent out a message to district parents and guardians advising them to talk with their students about responsible use of social media. Carter says talking with students and keeping a close eye can help keep schools a safe place.

“Unmonitored teenage use of social media platforms is causing disruptions to the school days for students, not just in Breckinridge County but all around the state, and we need the help of all parents and guardians in monitoring their child’s social media platforms,” Carter said.

Follow the Breckinridge County School District Facebook page for updates.

Increased activity means increased noise possible at Fort Knox

Area residents may hear increased activity at Fort Knox for the next few weeks.

“Due to military training at Fort Knox’s new Digital Air Ground Integration Range, or DAGIR, September 18 through October 8, increased noise and vibrations may be experienced during that time,” said Fort Knox Media Relations Officer Kyle Hodges. 

The DAGIR came online in the summer, so more activity can be expected as more units utilize it.

“Exercises involving aircraft maneuvers and weapons firing in daytime and nighttime hours are an important aspect to maintaining critical capabilities and readiness for all units, so we ask for the community’s patience and understanding during this time,” Hodges said.

Follow the U.S. Army Fort Knox Facebook page for updates.

Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland hosting two events

Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland has two events on the calendar this week, beginning with the Birdies and Burgers golf scramble and lunch.

“It’s Thursday, September 19,” said DSAH Executive Director Tonya House. “We have the golf scramble and then the lunch is right after that from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then our Buddy Walk is Saturday, September 21.”

The event will be held at the Heartland Golf Club. Participants in the golf scramble get their lunch included, but all who wish to participate are invited to the lunch and silent auction.

“If you just want to come and have lunch with us, you can buy tickets,” House said. “They’re $30. You can go to our website, dshartland.org, to get those, you can click ‘Support’ and then you’ll see all the options, all the things we have going on. You can get your tickets there, or you could always show up and just say ‘Hey, I want to have lunch.’”

All are also invited to participate in the Buddy Walk Saturday at Elizabethtown High School. Registration is at 9 a.m. with the walk at 10.

“We’re going to do a morning walk this year,” House said. “We will have festivities until noon that day. Bounce houses and face painting, we have Disney princesses coming, we have a DJ, so lots of things scheduled.”

Visit Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland on their website and Facebook page for more information on their mission and the events.