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Helping Hand of Hope in need of support

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As area residents continue to deal with the impact of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, Helping Hand of Hope is asking for donations for their transient/homeless program, which executive director Hope Burke says is almost out of funding.

“As we all know, with the weather, temperatures, and things like that, there have been a lot of people that we have had to work with like the police department and Room in the Inn,” Burke said. “We put people in hotels that are displaced, and with that it’s not a cheap thing to do.”

Support is also needed for the Client Select Food Pantry after a busy week.

“There’s a lot of our neighbors that are stuck inside of their house because their apartment complexes are still covered with a lot of ice, and so we ended up doing 65 food boxes in one day just for families that were either senior citizens or had kids and different things like that, so it depleted a lot of our items that we have,” Burke said.

Burke says at a time where many residents are in vulnerable situations, any support is appreciated.

“We know that a lot of people, they’re just one paycheck from something happening, and now with these colder temperatures it could be even with your electric bill,” Burke said.

Non-perishable food items can be taken to the organization’s office, located at 6796 South Wilson Road in Elizabethtown. Visit www.helpinghandofhope.org to find the link to donate or an address to mail a donation.

LTADD encourages area residents to check on senior citizens amidst winter weather

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As cold weather continues and residents are restricted by snow and ice, the Lincoln Trail Area Development District is asking residents to check on senior citizens who may be “weather-bound”.

“It’s important to remember that isolation isn’t just a sad feeling; it’s a legitimate health risk,” said LTADD Community Aging and Social Engagement Division Director Sue Greenwell. “Prolonged social withdrawal can negatively impact physical and mental health by contributing to issues such as increased anxiety and cognitive decline. When the community stops moving, our seniors often feel the silence most acutely.”

LTADD says to watch for subtle red flags including changes in routine such as not making usual trips to the mailbox or grocery store, “radio silence” such as missing appointments or failing to return phone calls, or direct cues such as mentioning they haven’t spoken to anyone in a few days.

Small actions such as a simple check-in, offering practical support like a ride or a meal, encouraging connection, or connecting seniors to professional resources can go a long way.

Visit www.ltadd.org/services/aging or call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 270-737-6082 for more information.

December unemployment in Kentucky sees slight decrease

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December unemployment in Kentucky is down slightly from the previous month and year. 

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for December was 4.5 percent. That is down from the 4.7 percent average reported in November, and down .8 percent from the December 2024 average of 5.3 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average for December came in just above the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor reported at 4.4 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 1,732 people from November to December, bringing the total civilian labor force to 2,117,499 people.

The Education and Labor Cabinet says the Professional and Business Services, Financial Activities, Construction, and Educational and Health Services sectors saw increases in December. The Other Services, Mining and Logging, Information Services, Government, Leisure and Hospitality, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Manufacturing sectors saw decreases.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website for more about unemployment figures and labor market information.

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves budget adjustment for FEMA funding

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

The first reading was held on an ordinance amending the 2025-2026 county budget. Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith Taul said the ordinance was related to FEMA Public Assistance.

“Basically, we’ve got expenses now, and we anticipate those to be somewhere a little over $700,000 to repair a couple of roads, and so we need to be able to amend the budget to allow us to be able to pay those,” Taul said.

Hardin County E-911 Director Mike Leo reported that the E-911 center received 4,170 calls to 911 in December. For 2025 as a whole, the center received 51,220 calls to 911, and dispatched 16,255 EMS and 4,993 fire runs.

Hardin County EMS Director Mark Peterson said during the winter storm from Saturday through Tuesday crews made 109 responses, which he said was lower than expected as more people stayed off the roads as requested. December was the first full month of activity for the new unit stationed at West Hardin Fire and Rescue in White Mills, and the service is proving valuable.

“They made 62 responses, and the average response time for those 62 responses was 16 minutes and 18 seconds,” Peterson said. “That’s a big change from the 45 minute responses we were seeing in that area.”

Taul and the magistrates thanked county employees, along with employees from municipalities and from the state, for the work they put in during the winter storm.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet February 10.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet lifts certain trucking restrictions for storm relief; AG’s Office collecting price gouging reports

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As part of the state of emergency issued for the weekend winter storms, Kentucky government has several measures in effect to support residents.

Under an executive order signed by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, the state has temporarily suspended certain restrictions on motor carriers engaged in providing power restoration and transporting gasoline, diesel, propane, and other critical supplies to areas affected by the winter weather.

According to the Transportation Cabinet, the order is effective for 14 days or until the state of emergency is lifted. Restrictions lifted by the order include maximum driving times and weigh station stops. Commercial drivers must comply with safety requirements and have a copy of the order in their truck cab.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office is reminding Kentuckians that the state’s price gouging laws have been activated as part of the state of emergency. According to the Attorney General’s Office, state law defines price gouging as a grossly excessive charge of more than 10 percent of costs prior to the emergency declaration not related to higher costs to the seller. More than 70 reports have been made since the start of the winter storm.

Kentuckians who suspect price gouging should report it on the Attorney General’s Office’s website or by calling 1-888-432-9257. The AG’s Office of Consumer Protection reviews submitted complaints.