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Unemployment across Kentucky counties sees slight increase in May

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Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District saw slight increases in May 2024.

The Kentucky Center for Labor Statistics says unemployment rates in May 2024 increased in 109 counties, decreased in six counties, and stayed the same in five counties.

The state average for unemployment for May was reported at 4.5 percent, up slightly from the 4.4 percent rate reported in April and from the 4.1 percent reported in May 2023. Four counties in the Lincoln Trail District had rates higher than the state average and three counties had rates lower than the state average.

Hardin County tied the state average in May 2024 with an unemployment rate of 4.5 percent. Hardin’s rate had the same slight increases as the state average, going from 4.4 percent in April and 4.1 percent in May 2023.

Breckinridge County had the highest unemployment rate in the district for May at 5.1 percent, while Washington County had the lowest at 3.4 percent.

More information on how the unemployment rate is calculated and more data is available at kystats.ky.gov.

West Point Kids Club hosting Family Fun Day this Saturday

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The West Point Kids Club will be hosting a free Family Fun Day event at the West Point School Yard this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.

“It’s free to all of the kids in town,” said Brittany Miller, one of the volunteers helping to put on the event. “We’re going to have bounce houses and water slides. We’re going to be having food and outdoor games, and some other little surprises that we haven’t really put out there yet. We’re trying to surprise the kids with some extra fun stuff.”

Activities and food for all kids will be free, and while food for adults will carry a cost it is for a good cause.

“For the food, we’re charging $5 for the adult because we’re also going to be doing a back to school program or back to school event at the end of July, beginning of August, so the $5 that we get for every adult meal purchase is going to go towards purchasing back to school supplies to help with that event,” Miller said.

Family Fun Day is part of the kids club’s efforts to support the kids of West Point.

“The West Point Kids Club, they get together from time to time just to do stuff with the kids, just to bring more activities to the kids of West Point,” Miller said.

The West Point Kids Club posts upcoming events to the Community Page of West Point Facebook page.

Fireworks and fun on the schedule for Light Up Irvington Saturday

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Independence Day means fireworks, and area communities are getting ready for their annual fireworks displays.

The City of Irvington will host their second annual Light Up Irvington event this Saturday.

“Light Up Irvington is a huge firework show, and before the fireworks start there’s a festival,” said Irvington Auxiliary Club President Tammy Butler. “We have vendors, we have games for children, we have concessions. This year we have a beer garden. We’ve got a slingshot. It’s like a big water balloon and you do a slingshot trying to hit a bucket. It’s a lot of different activities for the kids to do.”

Light Up Irvington will be held Saturday, June 29 at the Eva Carmen Park on 2nd Street in Irvington. The booths and vendors will open at 4 p.m. Eastern. Fireworks begin at dusk. 

Butler says the event got off to a great start last year and organizers are excited for year two.

“We really have a great time and it’s awesome just to see the community get together and see the smiles on their faces,” Butler said.

Find more information on the City of Irvington Facebook page.

KYTC equipment operators show off skills in ‘Roadeo’ competition

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Equipment operators from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet were able to put their skills on display in district and state competitions and will now represent Kentucky in the regional competition.

14 KYTC operators, including several from the local districts, advanced to represent the commonwealth at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operator’s Safety and Training Conference, which will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, in September. The operators qualified after earning high marks in the state’s conference, or equipment “Roadeo”, a two-day state-level competition that saw heavy equipment operators show their skill on seven obstacle course exercises.

The state Roadeo was held at the Kentucky Horse Park Tuesday and Wednesday with crews competing in courses that tested accuracy, agility, and speed while operating equipment such as graders, dump trucks, and skid steers.

Josh Garmon with KYTC District Four took first place in the tractor truck with lowboy trailer category. Jamie Watkins with District Four won first place in the single axle dump truck category, with Garmon finishing third. Nicholas Howell with District Three won first place in the skid steer category, with District Three’s Paul Gripshover finishing third.

Visit the KYTC on the web for more information.

KFW advises outdoor enthusiasts to help control the spread of invasive aquatic species

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Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to help maintain waterways across the commonwealth by keeping their gear and watercraft clean

KFW says more than 100 aquatic invasive species have been identified in Kentucky, which threatens native flora and fauna by introducing unchecked species with no natural predators or exposing native species to foreign pathogens.

Invasive species that have been identified already in Kentucky include various species of carp, zebra mussels, crayfish, and plants like curly pondweed and Eurasian watermilfoil.

Aquatic invasive species can be spread through sand, mud, dirt, and water, often hitching a ride on boats and gear. Folks participating in outdoor activity can help reduce the spread of invasive species by taking simple actions after visiting a body of water.

Clean your boat, equipment, or gear before you leave. Empty all water-containing devices. Allow boats and equipment to completely dry before visiting another body of water.

KFW is currently revising its State Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan, which outlines the high-priority invasive species and strategies to prevent their spread. Visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website for more information.