Hardin County In Focus with Hardin Local & Hardin County Government

When you dial 911 in Hardin County, you don't reach the police — you reach an independent, civilian-run dispatch center that handles every emergency call in the county. In this episode, E-911 Supervisors Michelle Bowen and Tyler Heiser take us inside the restricted-access center for a look at how it all works.Topics covered: how E-911 differs from police dispatch, the agencies they serve (Sheriff, Radcliff PD, Vine Grove PD, EMS, 13 fire departments, and more), the new 10-8 Systems cloud-based CAD connecting multiple agencies in real time, restricted building access and NCIC security, 24/7 shift operations, dispatcher training, Tyler's dual role as E-911 supervisor and Upton Fire Chief, hiring and how to apply, and the PulsePoint app status update.Next week (April 12-18) is National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week.Chapter Timestamps:0:00 - Hardin Local Soundtrack0:59 - Reacting to the New Theme Song2:16 - Welcome & Guest Introductions2:54 - County Announcements (Brian Walker)5:21 - What Is E-911?10:16 - What "Enhanced 911" Actually Means11:28 - New Cloud-Based CAD System (10-8 Systems)13:09 - Audience Q&A: PulsePoint App14:25 - Inside the Center: Security & Restricted Access16:10 - Dispatcher Training & Certification17:29 - The Purple Alien Spaceship Call18:09 - Tyler's Dual Role: E-911 Supervisor + Fire Chief20:25 - The Unsung First Responder21:37 - What Kind of Person Becomes a Dispatcher?23:42 - E-911 Is Hiring — How to Apply26:51 - How to Reach E-911 & Wrap-Up30:36 - Closing & Next Episode PreviewRESOURCES:Non-emergency line: 270-737-5669Jobs: HardinCountyKY.govE-911 info: HardinCountyKY.gov/309/E911-Dispatch-CenterPulsePoint app: Currently being reconnected after new CAD system upgradeCONNECT:Facebook: https://facebook.com/HardinLocalInstagram: https://instagram.com/HardinLocalTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@HardinLocalWebsite: https://hardinlocal.comHardin Local with Hardin County Government is a monthly series connecting residents directly with the departments and people who serve Hardin County, Kentucky. New episodes on the first week of each month.

Your trash hauler changed, the county spent $275,000+ on one ice storm, and there's a new way to be a Litter Hero. In this episode of Hardin Local with Hardin County Government, Phil Taul sits down with Jonathan from Solid Waste, Code Enforcement Officer Wally Skaggs, and County Communications Officer Brian Walker to cover everything Public Works.WHAT'S COVERED:New waste hauler (Unified Disposal Partners) — what changed and what didn'tHow to schedule bulky item pickupRecycling trailer rules (what's accepted and what's NOT)The county landfill — who owns it vs. who runs itLitter Hero program + the 20/20/20 ChallengeFree Document Shred Event (April 1st)Free E-Scrap Recycling Event (April 25th)Deceased Animal Removal ProgramFree Dump Day (May 30th)What Code Enforcement actually doesHow to report code violationsSnow/ice event cost breakdown ($275K+)County job openings and voting infoKEY CONTACTS:Trash/Bulky Pickup: 270-769-0211Trash Email: [email protected] Reporting: Text "litter" to 270-951-0951Text Notifications: Text "Hardin County" to 91896Deceased Animal Removal: 734-1336County Website: HardinCountyKY.govABOUT THIS SERIES:Hardin Local with Hardin County Government is a monthly series connecting Hardin County residents directly with the departments and people who serve them. New episodes air on the first Friday of each month.FOLLOW:Facebook: https://facebook.com/HardinLocalInstagram: https://instagram.com/HardinLocalTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@HardinLocalWebsite: https://hardinlocal.comHardin County Government: https://facebook.com/HardinCountyGovernment

NEW EPISODE — Hardin Local with Hardin County GovernmentMike McNutt, Director of Hardin County Animal Care & Control, sat down with us to talk about a landmark animal cruelty case — the first of its kind successfully prosecuted in Kentucky. 22 counts of animal torture resulting in death. Over $300,000 in costs. And the dogs had to be held as evidence for 2.5 years because Kentucky law treats animals as property.We also talked about:- Why officers can't just take a dog left out in the cold- The TNR program that cut the shelter's cat intake by more than half- How to adopt (and what's included — vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip)- The story of BC, the shelter's 16-year-old permanent residentIf you've ever wondered what your local animal shelter can and can't do — this episode is a must-watch.LOST A PET? Text "Lost" to 270-951-0951WANT TO ADOPT? HardinCountyKY.gov/505/Adoptable-PetsSHELTER PHONE: (270) 769-3428Hours: Mon-Sat, Noon-4PMCHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction1:14 - Welcome & Guest Introductions2:20 - County Updates (Winter Storm, Trash, Jobs)4:14 - Landmark Animal Cruelty Case & Award11:52 - Kentucky Animal Laws17:46 - Can Officers Take a Dog Left in the Cold?22:01 - TNR Program Success Story25:19 - Adoption Process & Fees29:51 - FOHCAS & Community Support32:48 - Meet BC — The Shelter's Permanent Resident36:37 - Contact Info & ClosingFollow Hardin County Government on Facebook for official updates.Follow Friends of Hardin County Animal Shelter (FOHCAS) for shelter support.Follow Hardin Local

Sheriff John Ward joins us to break down what the Hardin County Sheriff's Office actually does beyond patrols and arrests. Discover the constitutional responsibilities most people don't know about, including the office's role in collecting $94 million in county taxes and providing courthouse security.Chapters00:00:05 - Introduction00:02:49 - Constitutional Sheriff Explained00:07:32 - 2025 Statistics & Call Volume00:11:25 - Tax Collection Role00:13:09 - Mobile Tax Collection Program00:20:45 - Therapy Dog & School Programs00:27:23 - Deputy Training Requirements00:30:16 - Kentucky's Unique Jail System00:31:45 - Airport Drug Interdiction00:34:08 - Patrol Operations & Agency Cooperation00:38:44 - Becoming a Deputy00:40:10 - Current Job Openings00:43:46 - County Announcements & 20-20-20 Challenge00:45:34 - Closing & Next EpisodeWe cover 2025 statistics (over 50,000 calls for service), the innovative mobile tax collection program, school resource officers, and the new therapy dog program helping kids in our schools. Sheriff Ward also explains what it takes to become a deputy, current hiring opportunities, and how the office coordinates with other agencies including a special drug interdiction assignment at Louisville International Airport.Whether you're curious about local government, interested in a law enforcement career, or just want to understand the many services the sheriff's office provides to Hardin County residents, this conversation reveals the full scope of one of county government's most multifaceted departments.Hosted by Phil Taul with Hardin County Communications Officer Brian Walker on Jan 9th, 2026.Join us February 6th for our next episode with Hardin County Government.