Carter County clean up dumpster will be on the WEST END this week and open Wednesday through Friday (9/9 - 9/11) 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Autumn’s rolling in and Olive Hill is getting ready to celebrate — mark your calendars for the 9th Annual “It’s Fall Y’all!” Vendor & Craft Festival at the historic Olive Hill Depot. That’s Saturday, October 4th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Railroad Street.

This is a true hometown day out — organizers promise a wide variety of vendors and handmade crafts, plenty of local food, live music, family activities and even inflatables for the kids. It’s the kind of fall festival that brings neighbors together, supports local makers, and fills the depot grounds with great smells, good tunes, and small-town energy.

Best of all: 100% of the profits from the festival will go toward restoring Olive Hill’s caboose, a project that will preserve a piece of our railroad heritage right here in Trail Town. So when you shop and eat at the festival you’re not just enjoying a perfect fall day — you’re helping keep our history alive.

Want to be a vendor or make a donation? Head to olivehilltrailtown.com or stop by the Olive Hill Welcome Center to sign up or get more details. Organizers say more announcements are coming, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for the latest.

We’ll see you at the depot on October 4th — bring a friend, bring the family, and come help Olive Hill celebrate fall the local way.

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Farmers across Eastern Kentucky, here’s a chance to showcase the quality of your hay and learn more about what it can mean for your livestock and your bottom line. The East Kentucky Hay Contest is now underway, and entries are being accepted — but don’t wait too long, because samples must be collected by October 1st.

This contest, sponsored by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, isn’t just about bragging rights. It’s about helping farmers get the most out of their hay crop. Every entry will receive a free nutritional analysis and feed ration evaluation. That means you’ll get real data showing how your hay stacks up when it comes to protein, energy, and overall nutrition.

Better hay means better performance from your animals, lower feed costs, and stronger forage stands for years to come. It’s information that can make a real difference on your farm — and yes, there are awards and recognition for the top entries too!

The contest is open to producers throughout the region, and it’s completely free to enter. All you have to do is collect your samples by October 1st and sign up by calling the Carter County Extension Office at 606-474-6686. You can also find details online at carter.ca.uky.edu/anr.

That’s the East Kentucky Hay Contest — a chance to highlight your hard work, get valuable feedback, and maybe even take home some bragging rights, all while improving your operation. Don’t miss it!

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Anglers, get your gear ready — the East Carter Baseball Team is hosting their 2nd Annual Fall Fish Off on Saturday, October 11th at Grayson Lake Marina.

Registration opens at 5:30 AM with live well checks, and boats will blast off at 7:00 AM or safe light, fishing through 3:00 PM with weigh-in immediately following.

The entry fee is $100 per boat with a two-person maximum. Cash prizes are guaranteed, with payouts for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus a Big Fish award. Last year’s event handed out over $2,500 in winnings, and this year promises to be just as exciting.

Participants who pre-register will also receive an extra door prize ticket. In addition to the competition, there will be food, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle throughout the day, making it a fun event for both anglers and supporters.

Proceeds from the Fish Off benefit the East Carter Baseball program, so every cast helps support local student athletes.

To pre-register or get more information, call or text Connor Robinson at 606-316-2726.

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The Carter County Clean-Up campaign continues this week, with crews operating on the West end of the county. Dumpsters will be available for public use at the county maintenance garage along US 60, and clean-up personnel will be on hand to help unload items each day from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, today through Friday.

As a reminder, the list of items not accepted has been updated. Crews will not collect refrigerators, deep freezers, televisions, household garbage, paint, tires, or batteries. And all materials brought to the site must be bagged or boxed — no loose items will be accepted. The County Clean-Up runs on a rotating schedule, alternating between the East and West ends of Carter County every two weeks. After this week’s collection, dumpsters are scheduled to return to the Grayson maintenance garage along US 60 from October 1st through the 3rd.

This valuable community service is made possible by the Carter County Solid Waste Department, who continue to support these efforts to keep our neighborhoods clean, safe, and beautiful.

Again, dumpsters are open today through Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, at the West end site in Olive Hill.