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More voter new registrations submitted in February

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Independent or other voter registration outpaced Democratic and Republican registration in Kentucky in February.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says voter registration saw a net increase of 2,606 voters in the month of February.

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, Republican registration in February increased by 1,174 voters, and independent or other registration increased by 1,643. Democratic registration decreased by 261 voters. Republican registration makes up 48 percent of the state electorate, Democratic registration makes up 41 percent, and independent or other makes up 11 percent.

The Secretary of State’s Office says 4,171 voters were removed from the rolls in February. 3,476 were deceased, 237 moved out of state, and 327 were convicted felons.

Unregistered Kentuckians have until April 20 to register to vote in the primary election. Kentuckians registered prior to January 1 must wait until after the primary to change their party affiliation. You can register or check your registration status by visiting govote.ky.gov, or by contacting your county clerk’s office.

Hardin County Government reminding residents to use recycling trailers properly

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Hardin County Government is reminding residents to use the county recycling trailers properly.

“Piles of pallets have been dumped at our recycling trailers pretty much weekly, most often at the site adjacent to the Hardin County Farmers Market,” said Hardin County Government Communications Officer Brian Walker. 

Walker said it is clearly posted at each recycling trailer what items are accepted.

“That would be rinsed plastics No. 1 and No. 2, rinsed aluminum cans and tin cans, newspapers, and non-greasy cardboard,” Walker said. “No other items of any kind should ever be left.”

Walker says the dumping of pallets has not been an isolated incident.

“We’re literally hauling away about a truck load, a dump truck load, of garbage every week from all the unapproved items that are left at our trailers,” Walker said. “It’s all illegal dumping and it’s costing taxpayers money. We’re tying up manpower and resources cleaning up the mess.”

Pallets and trash items should be disposed of properly.

Daylight Savings time begins Sunday

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It is time once again to spring forward.

Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 8, meaning at 2 a.m. clocks will jump to 3 a.m. Daylight Savings Time runs through November 1.

As you reset the clocks on your stove and microwave, Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says this is also a good time to check on your smoke detectors.

“Make sure that they are 10 years old or newer,” Crane says. “Check if the batteries need to be replaced. Make sure you change those batteries out at least once a year, and if they’re a sealed battery, just make sure you’re checking them to make sure they’re still in date. Check your smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors. Make sure they’re working.”

Crane says checking those detectors at the start and end of Daylight Savings Time should be the bare minimum.

“Try to do it on a monthly basis if you can, but definitely check them when you change the time,” Crane says. “Change those batteries, and just make sure they’re clean so that way you’ve got that protection.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says if you struggle with the bi-annual adjustment, try going to bed earlier the night before the switch, and go outside early on Sunday to help regulate your routine. Get plenty of sleep Sunday night to adjust before the work week.

Kentucky taxpayers should be aware of federal changes coming April 1

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The Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet is alerting Kentuckians to the possible impact federal changes could have for anybody who files their taxes between April 1 and April 15.

Governor Andy Beshear said during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update that federal changes at the United States Postal Service mean the postmark on your mailed tax return may no longer match the day you dropped it off at your post office. As the postmark date is used to determine timely filing, the delayed postmarking could trigger penalties or interest for taxpayers.

Beshear said there are a few options available to avoid issues.

“You can file electronically to avoid any concern about it at all,” Beshear said. “In general, we encourage electronic filing because you’ll get your refunds faster. You can also mail early, at least a few days before the deadline. You can request a manual postmark at the post office, or you can use certified or registered mail for proof of mailing.”

Beshear also said new national requirements for fraud prevention will go into effect on April 1, and to receive your refund by direct deposit the name on your tax return must exactly match the name on your bank account.

“Otherwise, a paper check will be mailed,” Beshear said. “So if Andrew is on one of mine, but Andy is on the other, they could not, under this new tool for fraud prevention which is a requirement from the federal government, do a direct deposit.”

Visit the Kentucky Department of Revenue’s website for more information and taxpayer resources.

Watch out for scams concerning America 250 coins, tax season

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Local and state officials are reminding Kentuckians to be wary of several ongoing scam attempts.

In their latest newsletter, the Kentucky Stop Scams team says with the United States semiquincentennial coming up this summer, the U.S. Mint is unveiling new designs for the dime, quarter, and half dollar, along with special collectible coins and medals. On the heels of this, scammers are attempting to take advantage and are putting phony items on the market.

The Stop Scams team says if you plan on purchasing commemorative coins or medals, buy directly from the U.S. Mint. via their website. The Mint is the only authorized seller of 250th anniversary coins. Avoid purchasing products from resellers such as Facebook Marketplace, as deals that are “too good to be true” probably are just that. Check products before purchase, as coins from the Mint will be clearly labeled for their contents.

The Stop Scams team says another commonly reported scam right now involves tax season. Scammers are posing as IRS agents or tax professionals, advertising too good to be true refund offers, and sending out emails that contain phishing or malicious links. Never click a suspicious link, and never give out your personal information without verifying who you are giving it to. 

Visit www.irs.gov for more information on tax scams and fraud, and visit stopscams.ky.gov for more information or to sign up for alerts on ongoing scams.