Good morning, Elizabethtown.

Volunteers are gearing up for Operation Christmas Child as Samaritan’s Purse collects shoebox gifts for children in need from November 17 through 24—local drop-off sites include Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown and churches in nearby towns.

Nominations are now open for ECTC Distinguished Alumni and Lifetime Achievement Awards; the program, now in its 20th year + having honored 162 outstanding former students, will soon recognize top alumni achievements in a planned ceremony.

The Trojans high school marching band is set to perform at the KMEA State Marching Band contest as they wrap up their season this fall.

The well-known group has charmed local audiences with state-level performances and is expected to bring energy to the competition.

Kentucky joins a national campaign this week to urge parents to discuss safe driving with teens during National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs until October 25—an effort led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The state's Transportation Cabinet reported that over the past three years more than 48,000 teen-involved crashes have led to 13,000 injuries and 210 deaths, highlighting the need for following key road safety rules.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $9.1 million transfer from a General Fund appropriation to Medicaid for the Senior Meals program to help older adults avoid hunger, and the Finance Cabinet will review the program to ensure statewide consistency—no cuts were made to the current $10 million allocation. With federal food assistance funding facing delays, the state plans to temporarily cover benefits to prevent service disruptions.

Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane advised residents to keep plastic and polyester costumes away from candles and to use proper outdoor extension cords while decorating for Halloween—he stressed checking wiring, outlets, and ensuring decorations do not block exits to prevent fire hazards.

Farm-City Day 2025

8 AM – 1 PM — Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service — Reservations required — Celebrate the 59th annual Farm-City Day with tours, a luncheon speaker, and awards presentation.