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Property tax collection under way for Kentucky residents

2024 property tax bills in Kentucky are now due and payable.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office says there are several options available for residents to pay their property taxes.  Bills were sent out in postcard format, but you can find copies of your tax bill on the sheriff’s office’s website.

“We started collecting taxes on November 1, and have been really busy because taxpayers can receive the 2 percent discount during the month of November,” said Hardin County Sheriff John Ward. 

Taxes paid in December are paid at face value. Taxes paid in January have a five percent penalty, and the penalty goes to 21 percent after January 31st.

In addition to paying taxes online, by mail, in person at the sheriff’s office, or via the secure drop box at the sheriff’s office, the sheriff’s office began mobile tax collection this past Saturday and continues it Monday.

“We’ll also be collecting taxes on November 11 at the Radcliff Fire Department from 9 to 11 a.m., the Vine Grove Fire Department from 11:30 to 1 p.m., and at West Point City Hall from 1:30 to 3 p.m.,” Ward said.

Contact the sheriff’s office for assistance or more information.

FOHCAS distributing outdoor cat shelters this Saturday

Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter will once again be offering free shelters to area residents looking to take care of outdoor cats this winter.

“We are doing that in conjunction with Eurotrol,” said FOHCAS Board Member Sarah Fellows. “It’s a local company that has the styrofoam shipping containers, and they offer those to us once they’re done. They’re clean, and they’re just the perfect outdoor shelter for those community or feral cats that you may be feeding, but they don’t have any kind of good shelter for the winter, especially during harsh weather.”

FOHCAS board members will be distributing the shelters on a first come, first served basis this Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Behind the Hardin County Animal Shelter, located at 220 Peterson Drive.

“That’s the cul-de-sac behind the Hardin County Animal Shelter, so if you pull into Headquarters Drive that runs right beside the animal shelter, you’ll pass their parking lot,” Fellows said. “You will not go into their parking lot. It’s a very short street. It leads to a cul-de-sac, and we’ll be down at the end of that cul-de-sac passing those out until they’re gone.”

The limit is two shelters per car. The shelters are free but donations will be accepted.

Latest round of state training funds includes two local factories

Two area factories will receive skills training through the latest approvals from the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the BSSC oversees Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development programs that “help private sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.” The BSSC board in 2024 has approved about $19 million in funds and credits for 104 facilities, resulting in training for more than 42,000 workers.

More than 8,500 workers will receive training through the latest approved funds and credits. Included in the latest approval are more than 2,000 trainees at Metalsa Structural Products in Elizabethtown and 60 trainees at Nationwide Uniform Corporation in Hodgenville.

“Equipping our workforce with the tools they need to thrive is a huge part of our mission to build a better Kentucky, and we’re making great progress thanks to this important support through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “I can attest how important this program is as it’s one of the talking points we have with companies that are looking at Kentucky when we’re talking about not just how to bring them workforce, but ultimately how to train them. This is one of the most popular programs. We’re really proud of it, and it’s certainly benefiting the people of Kentucky.”

More information on the BSSC program can be found on the Cabinet for Economic Development’s website.

Enforcement date for REAL IDs less than six months away

With the enforcement date now less than six months away, Kentucky officials are reminding all Kentuckians 18 and older to make sure they have upgraded to a REAL ID.

Beginning May 7, 2025, all Kentuckians 18 and older will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to travel domestically and access certain federal facilities such as military bases.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says in order to apply for a REAL ID, residents must visit a driver licensing regional office and present one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security, and two proofs of residency. The KYTC website has a checklist of documents that qualify for each requirement. REAL ID licenses are available for four-year or eight-year credentials.

After the enforcement date, standard licenses will still be valid for driving and as proof of identity, age, and residence for voting and age-restricted purchases. The standard license will also allow access to federal facilities such as VA hospitals.

Visit REALIDKY.com for more information.

One dead, one hospitalized following KY 86 accident

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Thursday accident that resulted in the death of a Grayson County man.

“At 1:17 p.m. yesterday afternoon, we received a report of a serious accident on KY 86, also known as Hardinsburg Road, in the 15,000 block,” said Hardin County Sheriff John Ward. “A vehicle had run off the roadway just a little bit and overcorrected, losing control and striking a vehicle which was going in the opposite direction head on.”

Ward said the driver of the vehicle that lost control was identified as 20-year-old Andrew Miller of Leitchfield. He was declared dead at the scene. Ward said it appears Miller was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the opposite vehicle was transported to Baptist Health Hardin with serious injuries.

The investigation into the crash by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is ongoing.