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KSP, GHCNTF among law enforcement grant recipients

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday that partnerships with law enforcement have helped remove illicit drugs from the streets and helped lead to an approximate 10 percent decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023.

Beshear announced additional support for some of those law enforcement partners.

“Today, we’re furthering that momentum by awarding $1.7 million from the Federal Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant,” Beshear said. “This money is going to 11 law enforcement agencies and drug task forces, and one nonprofit organization.”

Among the recipients is the Kentucky State Police, which will receive $372,828, and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, which will receive $196,307. The KSP funding will go towards expanding efforts in areas with high drug abuse rates, while the narcotics task force funding will go towards identifying, disrupting, and dismantling drug trafficking operations in their nine-county region.

Beshear said these efforts are necessary for moving the community forward.

“We’re building a new Kentucky home, one where our children are better protected from addiction,” Besheat said. “Lives are being saved from overdoses and the state’s recidivism rate has been reduced.”

Visit the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet for more information.

United Way of Central Kentucky kicks off annual fundraising campaign

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The United Way of Central Kentucky celebrated the kickoff of its annual fundraising campaign at the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce’s September luncheon, with United Way President and CEO Christa Shouse delivering the keynotes address and organizations that benefit from United Way support set up at the Pritchard Community Center.

Shouse said the annual campaign is about expanding resources.

“The goal, certainly, is as always to raise more money because there are so many needs out there that we don’t even get to scratch the surface of because the need is that great, but I really want to increase awareness of our presence in the community, what that means, and have more people join up with us, whether they’re giving money or they’re volunteering their time, their expertise, we need all of that,” Shouse said.

Shouse said the organization knows the community is struggling, and while that puts a strain on fundraising it makes community support even more important.

“Through our services and partnering agencies, we’ve seen a 48 percent increase in needs over the year of funding before that, and we’re also seeing fundraising go down, and I think it’s just indicative of the climate we’re in right now,” Shouse said. “People are struggling and we see that, and so we’re here to help make a difference.”

The United Way says services from organizations that rely on United Way support benefited more than 60,000 residents across five counties last year. Shouse said the money raised in the campaign has a direct impact.

“One of the best things that we can boast is that it stays here,” Shouse said. “People want to know where their money goes and I’m here to tell you it stays here, and we’re very open and transparent about what we do with those dollars.”

Visit www.unitedwayck.org or contact the United Way of Central Kentucky to learn more.

Quicksie and Wolf battle for good cause with September 25 blood drive

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The American Red Cross says the need for blood remains dire, so if you are looking to help patients in need and take part in a fun competition, Quicksie and The Wolf have an event you might be interested in.

“It’s the Quicksie Versus The Wolf friendly competition to get people to come in and donate blood,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “We will be at the Pritchard Community Center, and we’re there from 12 to 5 p.m. on September 25, and we encourage everybody in the community to come out and support the drive and help the American Red Cross during this challenging time.”

That’s American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. Participants will be asked during check in which station they wish to support. Ritchie says if you have never given blood before, donating is a safe and simple process.

“You come in, we do a medical history on all donors, always making sure that the person donating is safe to donate,” Ritchie said. “We do their temperature, pulse, blood pressure, make sure their iron count is high enough. The actual donation part of the blood drive takes anywhere from like five to ten minutes, but during this timeframe you have helped three different patients.”

You can find information and sign up for the Quicksie Versus Wolf Blood Drive at www.redcrossblood.org, by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor app, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves closing of road

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The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

A public hearing was held for a request to close a portion of a roadway.

“A request has been made by property owner Stephen Bush to close a platted undeveloped 60-foot right of way for a future street at the end of Christine Way in Concord Heights between Lots 11 and 12,” said Hardin County Attorney Jenny Oldham as she conducted the public hearing.

The request received a favorable recommendation from the county’s plan commision, and the fiscal court approved a resolution granting the closing.

Brandon Thompson with the Hardin County Extension Office presented the office’s proposed property tax rate for the new fiscal year. The extension office elected to adopt the compensating rate, which will see a personal property rate at 2.43 cents per $100 assessed value (down slightly from 2023), while the real property rate of 1.8 cents and the motor vehicle and watercraft rate of 1.46 cents per $100 assessed value remain the same from last year.

Hardin County Public Works Director Stephanie Givens reported that to date 352 bags from 324 vehicles have been collected at the county’s shredding events, an increase of 100 more bags and 86 more vehicles from this point last year. The next shredding event is October 1. Givens said 524 cars brought materials to the county’s household hazardous waste disposal event on August 17.

Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul issued a proclamation recognizing September 10 as Meighan Cable Day in recognition of Cable’s efforts at the Mrs. America 2024 pageant. Cable said she was proud to represent Hardin County and serve as Mrs. Kentucky, and to work with Baptist Health Hardin on support for grieving mothers.

“As a mother to miscarriages and our sweet daughter, Ellie, who passed in July of 2019, it’s very important for me as a person and for other women in this county to be cared for, to be seen, and to be honoring a space for them as they go back for postpartum care,” Cable said.

The Hardin County Fiscal court will next meet September 24.

Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland observing Hunger Action Month in September

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Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul issued a proclamation at Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s Volunteer Center Tuesday recognizing the month of September as Hunger Action Month, encouraging residents to support the organization’s efforts to combat food insecurity through volunteer shifts, social media shares, and donations.

FAKH says data shows more than 176,000 people in the organization’s 42-county service area are struggling with food insecurity, and FAKH Executive Director Charles Dennis says the organization and families are feeling the strain.

“Data that we reference told us that compared to January 2021, the average household in Kentucky is spending $140 more a month on food,” Dennis said. “Cumulatively, the average household in Kentucky has spent $3,555 more on food due to inflation since January of 2021.”

FAKH celebrated two major shows of support during the event. Darden Foods donated a new truck to the organization, and Aetna Better Health of Kentucky CEO Paige Franklin was on hand to announce a donation.

“Through a new $250,000 gift to Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, we, in partnership with you all, will be able to distribute roughly 16,000 nutritious meals per month for the next 12 months,” Franklin said.

Visit Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland on the web for more information on the impact of food insecurity and volunteer opportunities.