Menu Close

WQXE NEWS

Deneen named chair of Kentucky Senate VMAPP Committee

WQXE News 0 Comments

Kentucky Tenth District State Senator Matt Deneen has received his committee assignments ahead of the upcoming Kentucky General Assembly legislative session. 

Deneen has been appointed the chairman of the Kentucky Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee.

According to a release from Deneen’s office, the committee will focus on issues such as veteran health care, employment opportunities for returning service members, and public safety initiatives. Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said in the release that Deneen’s “passion for serving our veterans and his dedication to public safety make him the perfect choice to chair this committee.”

Deneen said in the release that he is committed to ensuring veterans are supported by the general assembly and have their voices heard, and the committee will “work towards policies that honor their sacrifices and enhance the quality of life for all military families in Kentucky.”

In addition to his chair assignment on the VMAPP Committee, Deneen was selected to co-chair the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Committee. He will also serve on the Agriculture, Judiciary, Families and Children, and Budget Preparation and Submission committees.

Deneen has represented the Tenth District, which includes all of Hardin County and a portion of Jefferson County, in the State Senate since 2023.

Keep your home fire safe as you make things merry and bright

WQXE News 0 Comments

As you celebrate holiday cheer this December, don’t forget to keep fire safety in mind when decorating.

“Try not to block your exits, like a doorway or something with your tree,” said Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane. “Obviously, we like to put our trees in front of the windows so that everybody driving by can see them, things like that, but try to make sure your main exits are not blocked.”

Be sure to also make sure larger decorations and outdoor decorations are not potentially blocking possible exits.

Fire officials recommend using candle warmers rather than open flames, but if you do light a candle use caution.

“If you are using a candle with an open flame, make sure you keep it about 12 inches from anything else,” Crane said. “Keep it on a stable surface away from pets and kids where they can knock them down.”

If you have not done so already, make sure to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Three dead following Bluegrass Parkway accident

WQXE News 0 Comments

A multi-vehicle accident on the Bluegrass Parkway resulted in multiple fatalities.

“At approximately 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, deputies were dispatched to the 6 mile marker of the Bluegrass Parkway Westbound in regards to a motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment,” said Hardin County Sheriff John Ward.

The sheriff’s office’s investigation of the accident indicates four vehicles were involved.

“The Unit One vehicle struck Unit Two in the eastbound lanes of travel, lost control of the vehicle, exited the roadway, crossed the median, went airborne, and ultimately struck Unit Three head on in the westbound lanes of travel,” Ward said. “Unit Three then struck Unit Four in the front passenger side.”

The driver of Unit One, 30-year-old Shirley Fuqua of Elizabethtown, was pronounced dead at the scene, as were the driver and passenger of Unit Three, 58-year-old Leslie Parson and 55-year-old William Parson, both of Bowling Green. The drivers of Unit Two and Unit Four were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Reconstruction Unit’s investigation of the crash is ongoing. The Bluegrass Parkway was closed at the scene of the accident for more than three hours.

HCS energy projects expected to save money and carbon emissions

WQXE News 0 Comments

Hardin County Schools announced a collaboration with Trane Technologies Thursday that the district hopes will be a long-term commitment to saving energy and costs.

District officials were joined by officials from Trane to discuss three major projects: the installation of geothermal HVAC units at Lakewood Elementary School and New Highland Elementary School, the installation of more than 15,000 LED light fixtures at 16 district facilities, and the installation of solar panels on the roofs of 12 district buildings.

HCS Chief Operations Officer John Stith said the partnership with Trane makes these projects different from a typical buildings project that would have been bonded out.

“This is a ‘guaranteed energy savings project’ that we’re doing with our good friends from Trane, so the big difference there is a lot of the work that we’re doing with Trane, that work is going to then pay for the project, so it’s really cool” Stith said. “If you’re a finance guy like me, when you’re getting paid for it, your ears perk up.”

Trane Energy Engineer Adam Plumley says students in the district will be able to learn about the energy projects as they are built and as they generate energy, with online dashboards detailing their output. The projects improve critical infrastructure and learning environments in the district while achieving other goals.

“Saving $280,000-plus for energy savings for the district,” Plumley said. “It’s also 900 metric tons of carbon equivalent that we’re reducing in their carbon footprint. We’re leveraging tax credit dollars that the school district should see somewhere down the line from doing these renewable technologies, and then, finally, the STEM opportunities.”

Trane says the geothermal HVAC units create a carbon footprint reduction equivalent to saving 200,000 miles driven in a car. The LED lights will have energy savings equivalent to saving 63,000 gallons of gas. The solar panels will have the energy savings equivalent to the annual output of 50 homes.

More information on the collaboration is available on the HCS website.

Hardin County YMCA one step closer with land gift

WQXE News 0 Comments

The Central Kentucky Community Foundation moved one step closer to their goal of improving health and well-being in Hardin County with Thursday’s transfer of property at 200 Provident Way for the potential construction of a YMCA.

“We’re just excited to tackle this project,” said CKCF President and CEO Davette Swiney. “We know it’s a big undertaking, but the potential impact it has for our community makes it one that I think we’ve just got to buckle down and find a way to make it happen.”

Swiney says as the foundation discussed the needs of the growing community with area leaders, the YMCA was identified as a hub for services and programs benefiting all ages.

“We started exploring whether the time might be right now for YMCA in Hardin County, and thanks to a gift of land and $3 million we’ve got a great start to see if we can make a YMCA come to fruition here,” Swiney said.

The Provident Way property, which will revert back to the county if the facility is not built by the end of 2027, represents a prime location going forward.

“The value of it really is the sweet spot that it’s in for the community in terms of growth right now and development, but also the proximity that puts to the northern end of our county, and the great traffic flow that exists there with Patriot Parkway and Ring Road coming together to make it as accessible as possible even to folks coming from the southern parts,” Swiney said.

Learn more about the YMCA project by contacting the Central Kentucky Community Foundation or visiting their website.