Community Forum – Quicksie 98.3

With Farmers Markets across the area beginning to reopen this week we have Larry Thomas a local grower in Hardin County, Member of the Hardin County Farmers Market and Hardin County Reginal Farmers Market Association, to talk about Famers Markets and their importance.

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.