Menu Close

WQXE NEWS

Elizabethtown City Council approves tax rates

WQXE News 0 Comments

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a special meeting Monday evening.

The council approved, on their second readings, the ordinances that set city taxes for the 2024-2024 fiscal year. The franchise tax rate for all eligible bank deposits is set at .025 percent, the tax rate for real and personal property is set at 11 cents per $100 assessed value, and the tax rate for all motor vehicles and watercraft is set at 11.6 cents per $100 assessed value. Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the tax rates have been consistent.

“Just so we’re clear, we have not raised these percentages, at least in my tenure, and I think quite some time before that,” Gregory said. “I didn’t look up the exact date when they were adjusted last, but it’s been quite some time, so these were made the same as they did last year, in the year before, and so on.”

The council also approved a municipal order approving the application for up to $975,000 in grant submissions on behalf of the Elizabethtown Airport Board. The applications are for several grants through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for the terminal building renovation and expansion at Addington Field.

In other meeting news, SpringHaven Inc. CEO Georgia Hensley gave a report of the domestic violence shelter’s activities. Hensley said policy changes and work to increase reporting led to a jump in domestic violence survivors seeking support from SpringHaven from 379 in 2023 to 1,541 in 2024. Hensley highlighted some of SpingHaven’s initiatives including a court escort program that has rolled out in response to the shooting outside the Hardin County Justice Center and the establishment of a domestic violence intake center.

Elizabethtown Director of Planning Joe Reverman reported on the Planning and Development Department’s activities to this point in 2024. Reverman said 329 building, 501 electrical, and 156 sign permits have been approved, with 598 housing units approved for construction. Reverman said even without anticipated growth related to BlueOval SK, the rate of growth is outpacing the city’s infrastructure investment business model, so the city is exploring goals and initiatives laid out in the city’s comprehensive plan and other strategies.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet in a joint meeting with the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Bureau on September 23.

Quicksie and The Wolf teaming up for 5K in support of SpringHaven Inc.

WQXE News 0 Comments

Quicksie and The Wolf, in partnership with the Swope Family of Dealerships and Central Kentucky Race Management, invite the community to participate in the inaugural Step Out Against Domestic Violence Walk/Run 5k.

“Our stations are always looking for opportunities to try to get involved and help the community where we can,and we knew that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and really we were just brainstorming on a way we could do something to help and the idea of having this 5K run/walk just came about and was born that way,” WQXE/WULF Co-General Manager Todd Bush said.

The 5K will be held Saturday, October 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Freeman Lake Park. Get registered by September 20 for a special bonus.

“There are free t-shirts available to those that register early, so that’s a plus, but even if you can’t register early, even if you show up at the site and register, that’s fine as well,” Bush said. “Any and all participants are welcome no matter when you sign up or even if you just show up that day.”

All proceeds from the 5K will benefit SpringHaven Inc.

“They offer solutions,” Bush said. “They offer hope for survivors of domestic violence, essential services, support to individuals and their families really across this region, and by participating in this event people in the community can make a direct impact in helping survivors rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment.”

Visit wqxe.com or wolf943.com to find the link to runsignup.com to register. A donation link can also be found on RunSignUp if you are unable to participate in the run/walk.

Voter registration continues to climb in Kentucky

WQXE News 0 Comments

Voter registration in Kentucky continues to see big increases ahead of this November’s presidential election.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says Kentucky added 15,239 new voter registrations and removed 3,793 voters from the rolls in the month of August.

Of the registrations removed from the rolls, 2,792 were for deceased voters, 349 were for convicted felons, and 480 were for voters that moved to another state.

The secretary of state’s office says Republican registration increased by 7,345 voters in August, Democratic registrations increased by 1,128 voters, and independent or other registrations increased by 2,973 voters. Republican registrations currently make up about 46 percent of the electorate while Democratic registrations make up about 43 percent and independent or other makes up about 11 percent.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith says getting registered is a simple process.

““Registering to vote has never been easier,” Smith said. “The quick and easy way for most folks would be to visit govote.ky.gov. They can do that on the computer or their phone, and they can register to vote that way. They can also call or visit the county clerk’s office. The deadline to register to vote, to participate in the November election is October 7. Don’t wait until the deadline. Go ahead and get it done early.”

Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website for more information on voter registration stats.

HCS says no threat to students after student brings toy gun to North Hardin

WQXE News 0 Comments

Hardin County Schools says there is no threat to student safety after a student at North Hardin High School brought a toy gun to the building this morning.

“A student arrived at school this morning and told a fellow student that they were in possession of a weapon,” said Hardin County Schools Community Relations Specialist John Wright. “The second student acted extremely responsibly and notified a staff member. That staff member and the administration immediately reached out to our school resource officer, and the SRO found a toy gun in that student’s possession.”

Wright stressed that the student was not in possession of a weapon.

“Obviously, we want to applaud the student who acted responsibly and told an adult and the school administration about what they had heard,” Wright said. “We also want to thank our SRO and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office for always protecting our students and our staff, and this student will, in fact, endure the fullest extent of the law and will be dealt with in accordance with the Hardin County Schools Student Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline.”

Wright says parents should make sure to talk to their kids about making smart choices.

“Please continue to reinforce with your students that if they see something or hear something to say something to an adult, or see something or hear something, anything that would cause them to feel uncomfortable or they feel that would cause them or anyone else harm,” Wright said.

Classes at North Hardin are running on their regular schedules.

Hardin County residents can bring items to landfill for Free Dump Day

WQXE News 0 Comments

Hardin County residents can take advantage of Saturday’s Free Dump Day event at the Pearl Hollow Landfill.

From 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents can bring all waste materials that are not regulated or defined by applicable federal, state, or local laws as hazardous, infectious, biomedical, explosive, toxic, radioactive, volatile, and/or flammable. All loads must be tarped and secured.

The event is for Hardin County residents only. No contractors or commercial businesses are allowed. Regulations apply.

Hardin County government is also reminding residents that trash pick up will be delayed one day from Tuesday through Saturday due to the Labor Day holiday.

The landfill is located at 1620 Audubon Trace in Elizabethtown. Contact the Hardin County Public Works Department at 270-360-9207 for more information.