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E-Town set to host Christmas parade and tree lighting Friday

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A dazzling display of lights and holiday cheer is set to roll into Downtown Elizabethtown Friday night as the city hosts their annual Light-Up E-Town Parade and Tree Lighting.

“It will step off at 7 p.m., and it’s our backwards parade, so we’ll be coming from St. John Road and Santa will take up the rear of the parade, and he and Mayor Gregory will light the Christmas tree when they come to Downtown E-Town,” said City of Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles.

Festivities downtown begin at 6:15 p.m. on West Dixie Avenue in front of the State Theater with the Light-Up Showcase. Performers from local dance and gymnastics clubs and studios will put their talents on display. Snack vendors will be set up in the State Theater parking lot for folks looking for a sweet treat.

The parade ends with the arrival of E-Town Mayor Jeff Gregory and Santa Claus at the city Christmas tree in Walker Square. Head down to enjoy a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, Christmas carols, and the countdown to the tree lighting.

Find the event page on the Elizabethtown City Events Facebook page or visit wwww.etownevents.com for more information.

KYTC says wait times are down at license offices if you need a Real ID for holiday travel

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State officials are encouraging Kentuckians gearing up to travel this holiday season to secure a Real ID.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says Real ID enforcement took effect on May 7, requiring anyone flying domestically or visiting a military base to present a Real ID-compliant credential such as a valid passport or Real ID driver’s license, permit, or ID card. The KYTC says about 45 percent of Kentuckians have opted for a Real ID.

The KYTC says several customer service improvements were made at driver licensing regional offices across the commonwealth to make it easier to upgrade or renew a license including hiring more full-time staff, a new line management and text check-in system, and “skip the line” tools on the KYTC website. From April to October, the average walk-in customer wait time fell from 49 minutes to 14 minutes.

Real ID requests must be made in person and are issued by mail within 10 to 15 days, so if flying is part of your holiday travel plans don’t delay. Visit drive.ky.gov to find what documents you need to bring to a licensing office, or if you need to renew take the “Skip the Line” quiz to see if you can renew by mail or online.

Cold temperatures and fog could lead to slick surfaces for drivers

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The National Weather Service in Louisville says a band of winter weather brought snowfall along the Ohio River from Owensboro to Cincinnati Monday night into Tuesday, with Kentucky counties in the vicinity of Louisville seeing some significant accumulations.

“We have anywhere from 4 to 2.5-plus inches in that area,” said NWS Louisville Meteorologist Brian Wilkins. 

Wilkins said temperatures should remain consistent with highs in the 30s and lows in the upper teens or lower 20s through the weekend. He said no major precipitation is in the forecast for the next few days, but low-level moisture in the air could result in fogging, which may result in some hazards.

“With temperatures being below freezing, this could generate some slick spots on elevated surfaces,” Wilkins said. “Not overly concerned with it, but be mindful that if you do travel or you’re in an area of fog that with temperatures being below freezing, you could generate slick spots, so just be aware of that.”

A cold front coming in could bring a chance for some snow showers, then after drying out moisture from the south could bring some wintery conditions as the weekend arrives.

“It’s not expected to be anything like we received (Tuesday),” Wilkins said. “Just some light, very light snow early on transitioning to rain, and then we dry out for the rest of the weekend.”

Follow the National Weather Service in Louisville for updates.

Free EMT-B training available through Kentucky Career Center, Baptist Health

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If you are looking to make a career change and serve as a first responder, the Kentucky Career Center and Baptist Health are offering free EMT-B training.

The KCC says through a grant secured by Baptist Health, 30 free EMT-B training slots are available for eligible participants. Baptist Health will cover the costs of the 180-hour course, textbook and national background check fees, and a job fair at the end of training for employment opportunities.

According to the KCC, the deadline to apply for the course is December 20. The course runs January 20 through May 14. Classes are mostly held online with some mandatory in-person classes at the career center.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age, possess a high school diploma or GED, possess an active driver’s license or be able to obtain one, and must not have a felony conviction on their record. Participants must also meet basic EMT eligibility requirements.

Participants who complete the training will be required to cover the cost of the state certification exam, but funds may be available through the KCC’s Career Team or Re-Entry Services. 

Visit the Kentucky Career Center Lincoln Trail at 233 Ring Road in Elizabethtown or visit www.ltcareercenter.org for more information.

Use extra caution as you head out onto snowy roadways

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With Winter Weather Advisories in effect for parts of western and central Kentucky, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is reminding residents to exercise caution when hitting the roadways.

The KYTC offers the following safe driving tips: 

  • Buckle up; put the phone down. 
  • Reduce speed. 
  • Give snowplows plenty of room on the road. 
  • Keep a distance of at least three car lengths from the car in front of you. 
  • Alter travel plans to avoid driving during the peak of weather activity. 
  • Pay attention to weather advisories and allow more time to travel for routine commutes. 
  • Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas. Watch for “black ice” – a thin coating of clear ice that can form on pavement surfaces that may be difficult to see.

Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, and goky.ky.gov for travel conditions and real-time traffic cameras.