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WQXE NEWS

Stephen Foster Story hosting scarecrow trail

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The Stephen Foster Story may not be on stage at the amphitheater, but you’ll find some Halloween fun in its place.

Now through November 15, the community is invited to the inaugural Bardstown Scarecrow Trail, a family-friendly event that has transformed the Stephen Foster Story amphitheater’s driveway “into a vibrant display of creativity and community spirit.”

The drive-through experience features a variety of scarecrows sponsored and created by area businesses, organizations, schools, and artists. The scarecrow trail is open daily until dusk. The trail is open for free, but donations to the Stephen Foster Drama Association are encouraged.

Visitors to the trail between October 6 and November 7 will be able to vote for their favorite scarecrows. Winners will be announced for multiple categories. Visit www.stephenfoster.com/scarecrow for more information.

Take steps to help avoid scam phone calls

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Team Kentucky Stop Scams is offering advice on how to handle unwanted calls. 

The Stop Scams team says the best way to handle an unwanted call is to simply not answer. Once scammers know a number is live, they are encouraged to continue calling the number. Stop Scams says the best method is to let the call ring to voicemail as hitting ignore can also signal that the number is live.

If you do answer a suspicious call, don’t say yes on the phone call, as scammers may record your voice and use it to make it sound like you are responding to other questions or requests. Remember that even if a phone call appears to be coming from your area code it might be a spoofed number. Add important numbers such as your doctor or your child’s school to your phone so you recognize them when they call.

The Stop Scams team says to check your phone’s settings for built-in spam call features. Ask your carrier if they offer call blocking or call labeling services. You can also look into a call screening app.

You can get more information on ongoing scam attempts, report a scam, and sign up for alerts by visiting stopscams.ky.gov.

Animal shelter needs help adopting out large dogs

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Hardin County Animal Care and Control Director Mike McNutt says the shelter is continuing to deal with overpopulation issues, and in particular the need to get large dogs adopted out has substantially grown.

“We’re inundated with big dogs right now,” McNutt said. “When I say big dogs, I mean 40 pounds and up, and all of our kennels are full and they’re just coming in faster than we can move them.”

McNutt says larger dogs require more food and more care, so in addition to the space they need, an overpopulation of larger dogs puts a strain on shelter resources.

McNutt says in addition to encouraging more adoptions, he is also encouraging residents to claim dogs the shelter has picked up.

“We do have strays that are there and nobody is coming forward and claiming, so if you’re missing your dog, please stop by and check and see if we have it and I will work with you on the fees,” McNutt said. “I’ll do anything I can just to make sure we have space for the animals that are in need.”

More large dogs in the shelter means less time and space for other shelter operations.

“By law, strays have to be held for five days, so nothing can be done with them,” McNutt said. “We can’t adopt them out. We can’t spay and neuter them. We can’t do anything until those five days are complete. That’s why I’m asking: if you’ve got a lost pet, please, please come in and claim your pet.”

For current pet owners, the animal shelter is hosting their annual rabies clinic at the Hardin County Fairgrounds this Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Puppies and kittens must be at least 12 weeks old, with dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier. Check the flyer on the animal shelter’s Facebook page for more information.

HCS seeking community members to serve on committee

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Hardin County Schools is seeking three community members to serve on the district’s Local Planning Committee.

“The Local Planning Committee is an advisory committee charged with the development of a four-year District Facilities Plan,” said HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright. “The District Facilities Plan is a document that the Board of Education reviews often to help it determine the need for any construction projects or capital projects. The LPC studies information concerning the district’s buildings, financial information and demographics, and other information at its discretion to develop a plan for addressing the district’s construction needs.”

The committee consists of 20 total members including the superintendent, four parents, four teachers, four building administrators, one district facility director, one central office staff member, one Board of Education member, the local building and zoning official, and the three community members.

Community members interested in applying should visit the Hardin County Schools website and click on News and Announcements for more information.

Man in custody after infant hospitalized with rib injuries

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A Hardin County man is in custody on an abuse charge after a baby was treated for injuries at a hospital.

Austin Webster of Cecilia was charged with Class D Felony Second Degree Criminal Abuse following his arrest Wednesday.

According to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies with the office’s Criminal Investigations Unit received information on a two-month old infant from Hardin County who was being treated at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville with three bilateral healing rib fractures. The mother of the child identified Webster as a possible suspect in an interview with detectives and Child Protective Services.

During an interview with detectives and CPS, Webster said the infant had been experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort and he attempted a technique he had seen on social media in hopes of relieving the child’s symptoms. The sheriff’s office says Webster “further acknowledged that he handled the infant in a rough manner and that his actions likely caused the rib fractures.”

Webster is currently lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center. He is due to appear in Hardin District Court Thursday morning.

The sheriff’s office reminds residents to seek medical guidance from licensed professionals rather than social media.