Community Forum – Quicksie 98.3

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks with Jennifer Capps, the Executive Director for the South Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross. March is American Red Cross Month, so the two discuss the history of the organization, what the mission of the Red Cross is, as well as what services it provides. Capps also discusses the organization’s work amidst the pandemic, how the organization is still able to carry on its mission, and how individuals can volunteer.

March 23rd is Diabetes Alert Day, and WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks with Vanessa Patty and Betty Bryan, two diabetes specialists with Baptist Health Hardin, about the annual alert day. The two details the area’s diabetes statistics (which include Hardin, Breckinridge, LaRue, Grayson, and Meade counties), as well as how individuals can assess their risk of diabetes. Finally the two share their thoughts on the effects of Covid-19 on diabetes, and whether or not it could cause more cases in the future.

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks with Price Smith, the board chair for Nolin RECC’s Operation Roundup. Smith talks about the annual program, how funds are raised, and how the organization determines what projects are recipients of the grants. Finally Smith outlines the kind of projects considered for the grants, and what memories he has of past community projects coming to fruition.

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson once again talks with Terrie Burgan, the Public Information Officer of the Lincoln Trail District Health Department, as Kentucky marks its one year anniversary of Covid-19. Terrie details the early days of the pandemic, as well as what preparations were taken to educate the public and raise awareness. Burgan also discusses the strides the health community has taken to combat the virus, as well as what the future holds in terms of the pandemic.

As Black History Month comes to a close, Zach Epperson talks with Brenda Tucker about the Emma Reno Connor Black History Gallery. The two talk about the gallery's history, as well as what can be learned from a visit to the museum.

This month marks the 57th American Heart Month celebrated every February and aimed at raising heart health and awareness of heart disease. This week Zach Epperson talks to 3 employees with Baptist Health Hardin about heart health and how it can be maintained.

This week, Zach Epperson talks with Norma Hatfield, Executive Director of CASA of the Heartland, about how the organization was about to overcome challenges amidst the pandemic. Hatfield talks about how CASA adjusted fundraisers and events in the pandemic, as well as volunteering options for those interested in making an impact.

With winter weather still in the forecast as we continue in the month of February. Snow trucks will still be seen out on the roadway when that inclement weather rolls in. To get an inside look on road crews and how they prepare for weather we talk with Chris Jessie, the public information officer of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 4 as well as Paul Sanders, the chief engineer there for District 4.

The past few weeks we have focused on local organizations that have felt the impact of COVID-19 as people look to them for their services. This morning we speak to Jamie Thomas the Director of Communications and Marketing for Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland to talk about how the organization has been meeting the needs of the people in out community.

This week on Community Forum Zach Epperson talks with Director of Development, Christa Shouse and President and CEO Joe Fowler of United Way of Central Kentucky about 2020, the pandemic and the impact it had on their local organization.

This week Zach Epperson talks with Terie Burgan from the Lincoln Trail District Health Department about the ongoing rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and any questions the public may have about the process.

This morning, Zach Epperson speak with Hardin County native and graduate of John Hardin High School, the 51st Attorney General of the Commonwealth, Daniel Cameron. We will look back at some of the goals and initiatives his office pursued over his first year in office.

This time of year thousands of wreaths appear on head stones across the country solemnly marking the Wreaths Across America event. However due to Covid-19 organizers had to adjust the event locally though it would not stop them from honor veterans this December.

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks virtually with Dawn Cash, the executive-director of Warm Blessings, about how the community kitchen has navigated a COVID-19 world. Cash discusses support from the community throughout the pandemic, as well as how they have seen the number of individuals they serve rise sharply. Finally, Cash talks about the recent conclusion of the No Starve November challenge, and what the monetary and food donations mean to the organization.

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks virtually with Sarah Murphy, a mental health counselor with Hardin County Schools, regarding student mental health. Murphy discusses what trends she has seen emerge as students navigate virtual instruction, in addition to what resources students in the Hardin County school system, as well as surrounding school systems (Meade, LaRue, Breckinridge, Grayson) have at their disposal to help navigate through a very different school year.

WQXE/WULF Lead News Reporter Zach Epperson talks virtually with officer Chris Denham of the Elizabethtown Police Department for an update on the department. Officer Denham talks about some crime updates for citizens to be aware of, as well as the upcoming slate of holiday related programs the department is sponsoring, which include Cram the Cruiser and Shop with a Cop. Officer Denham explains how Shop with a Cop will be different this year in the face of COVID-19.

November is Diabetes awareness month, and this week Zach Epperson speaks with Nurse Practitioner, Vanessa Pattie from Baptist Health Hardin about the disease that affects so many listeners.

This week Zach Epperson talks with Chris Jessie, Public Information Officer, from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, District 4 talks about the recent resurface work on Dixie Highway ahead of their major overhaul this spring.

This week we speak with the Hardin County Clerk, Debbie Donnelly to see how early in-person voting has progressed thus far as well as absentee ballots and what people should know about the general election.

As we enter the 8th month of the Covid-19 Pandemic here in the United States we check in with Terrie Burgan of the Lincoln Trail District Health Department to see how Hardin and surrounding counties are dealing with their fight against Covid-19.

Recently the City Council of Elizabethtown approved the cities new comprehensive plan entitled “Envision Elizabethtown: 2040”. The plan covers the steps the city can take over the next twenty years to continue to grow and develop. To talk more about this plan Zach Epperson talks with Aaron Hawkins, the city planner.

Hurricane Sally was devastating for residents in the Golf knocking out power and utilities for thousands of residents. Recently Nolin RECC along with co-ops from around our reagent took crews to Alabama to restore services. Zach Epperson speaks with man from our area that assisted with the recovery efforts, Josh Hess and Ryan Ray.

It is a topic that has been talked about a lot recently, in the Elizabethtown area. The number of car thefts have gone up especially this summer. Zach Epperson talks with officer Chris Denham about car thefts and ways to prevent these crimes and what residents need to know.

COVID has produced a unique election season and made it difficult to meet the candidates running to represent you. That’s why Quicksie 98.3, 94.3 The Wolf, and The State Theater have teamed up to bring you this Political Forum. It’s an opportunity to get to know the candidates running for City Council of Elizabethtown, Radcliff, and Vine Grove.




https://archive.org/download/2020-city-council-political-forum/Political_Forum.mp3

On this week’s Community Forum, WQXE News Reporter Zach Epperson sits down with 2nd District Representative Brett Guthrie. The two discuss Guthrie’s recent trip to Elizabethtown Community and Technical College with U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, as well as the latest on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the House’s recent passage of Guthrie’s bill, H.R. 7909.

On this week’s Community Forum Zach Epperson talks with Glen MacPherson, former board member for Helping Hand, about his involvement with the Wall Against Hunger project, which just celebrated it’s 10th anniversary. Glen reflects back on the project, his inspiration for it, how it was constructed, and how he feels it helped bring the community together, while also helping those face food insecurities.

This week on Community Forum Zach Epperson talks with Doug Frederick about Katrina 15 years later. Doug Fredrick is a survivor of the hurricane, living in Louisiana in 2005. Doug talks about is experience and the impact Katrina had on our community.

The Lions Club is one of the world’s largest service organizations with over 1.4 members around the world. There is one located in Elizabethtown but this branch also does work outside the city boundaries. The club is having their first major fundraiser this weekend, their annual BBQ chicken dinner which provided an opportunity for Zach Epperson to talk with club members about what the club does in the community and their history.

This week we wrap up our series on plans to reopen area schools by speaking with Hardin County Superintendent Teresa Morgan and what the school district plans to do to keep staff and students safe.

This week on Community Forum we continue talking with area superintendents about returning to school amid COVID-19 pandemic. Today we speak with Grayson County Superintendent Doug Robinson.

This week on Community Forum we continue our interviews with local superintendent on the return to school. We speak with David Raleigh, superintendent of LaRue County Schools.

This week we continue to talk with superintendents from our area school districts to see how they are handling the upcoming school year. We speak with the new superintendent of the Mead County School System, Dr. Mark Martin.

This week we continue our talks with local superintendents about how a return to school looks for their school district. Zach Epperson speaks with the soon to be new superintendent of Elizabethtown Independent School District, Kelly Bush.

This year going back to school will be one of the most difficult in recent memory for students and staff alike as thy find themselves returning to instruction amidst a pandemic, the likes of which we haven’t seen in over 100 years. For the next several weeks we will be talking with superintendents from our area school districts to hear from them about how their districts plan to return to school. To start off our multi week series we talked with Nick Carter, superintendent of Breckenridge County Schools.

This week Zach Epperson speaks with Joe Fowler, the president and CEO of the United Way of Central Kentucky about their Equality Survey. The survey was designed to help the organization better understand the needs and struggles of those they serve.

This week on Community Forum as cases of COVID-19 see a slight rising, Zach Epperson speaks Terie Burgan from the Lincoln Train District Health Department to get a status update of cases, treatments and testing.

This week on Community Forum Zach Epperson and Terrie Morgan address questions surrounding the merger of West Point Schools with Hardin County Schools.

This week on Community Forum we wrap up the series on the community and the police with John Thomas and Chris Denham from the Elizabethtown Police Department. This weeks focus is on community outreach.

This week on Community Forum Zach Epperson speaks with officers Chris Denham and Chris Elam of the Elizabethtown Police Department on the use of force.

This is our final COVID-19 Update with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. Many thanks to our friends at the Health Department for continually keeping the public up to date on critical information during these times!

This week on Community Forum, Zach Epperson sits down with Officer John Thomas of the Elizabethtown Police Department to begin a multi-week series on police and the community. This week, Officer Thomas explains the basics of a traffic stop, how they are conducted, and what the public should know about the process.

This week on Community Forum Zach Epperson talks with Hardin County Clerk Debbie Donnelly about Kentucky’s Primary Election Day, how COVID-19 has affected the election process and what this means for our community.

This is your COVID 19 status update with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department

Eric Cornish speaks with Tommy Crane, Deputy Fire Marshal with the Radcliff Fire Department, about spring cleaning and fire safety.

This week on Community Forum we hear the story of a local resident who has battled COVID-19. Zack Epperson also gives an update on local and statewide COVID-19 statistics.

This is your COVID 19 status update with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department