Rachel Brantingham is back after two weeks, joined by Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, and Britten & Michele McDowell for one of the biggest weekends Hardin County has seen this spring.

Boot Barn opens in Elizabethtown with FREE live music all three days — Kevin Jaggers performs Friday, March 6 at 4 PM and Sunday, March 8 at Noon; Layla Spring performs Saturday. Heartland Mini Golf opens its season Friday, March 6 from 4–10 PM, featuring a rooftop bar, $2 beers, game yard, and soft serve. Season passes start at $75 individual or $275 for a family of four.

Jon O'Brien covers everything happening in Hardin County March 3–8. Nate Bryan (pre-recorded from his cruise) delivers business news: Baskin-Robbins is moving after 50 years at its current location, a 3rd Papa John's is coming to the east side of E-Town, Pelican Snowballs is searching for a 600–800 sq ft space, Heartland Mini Golf's food truck is rebranded as "Aces," and Nothing Bundt Cakes is hosting a "Buy a Bundt" event Saturday March 7, 9 AM–12:30 PM.

Rachel Brantingham covers the Hardin County housing market: 34 new listings, 23 under contract, 16 closed, 93 avg days on market, 4.9 months inventory (balanced market), avg list price $309,198, avg sold $291,142. Ford plant retooling is building contractor demand.

Britten & Michele McDowell visit Eat at the Spot Caribbean Restaurant at 865 S Dixie Blvd, Radcliff — jerk chicken, curry chicken, green curry, and sweet chili wings. Recommendation: get the jerk chicken.

**CHAPTERS**

0:00:00 - Welcome Back & Introduction

0:00:49 - Meet the Co-Hosts

0:01:43 - How to Stay Connected with Hardin Local

0:02:46 - Sponsor Intro: Heartland Mini Golf

0:04:05 - Special Announcements

0:08:29 - Icebreaker: What Are You Looking Forward to This Spring?

0:13:03 - Heartland Mini Golf Opening Weekend Details

0:15:38 - Hardin County Events Guide: March 3–8

0:30:29 - Kevin Jaggers & Boot Barn Grand Opening (Pre-Recorded)

0:36:15 - Housing Market Update – Rachel Brantingham

0:41:31 - Business News with Nate Bryan (Pre-Recorded)

0:47:03 - The Experienced Eaters: Eat at the Spot Caribbean Restaurant

0:56:51 - Comments, Shoutouts & Closing

0:58:59 - Final CTAs & Sign-Off

All Links & Resources: hardinlocal.com

Welcome back to the Hardin Local Weekly Podcast — your home for everything happening right here in Hardin County, Kentucky!

This week Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, and Nate Bryan are back with a packed episode. Rachel Brantingham and Britten & Michele McDowell will be back next Tuesday — we miss ya'll!

🖋️ BIG EVENT THIS WEEKEND: The E-Town Tattoo & Food Festival takes over the Haycraft in downtown Elizabethtown — February 27th through March 1st! We sit down with Tyler Casey of Triple Crown Tattoos to break down everything you need to know before you show up.

📅 Jon O'Brien runs through a full week of local events — from free duckpin bowling at Social Food Hall to live music all over E-Town, blood drives, poker tournaments, and a father-daughter dance.

🏢 Nate Bryan has the business news: Boot Barn is open at Starlite Center, two new buildings going up on the south side, the big question about the old Movie Palace building, and Radcliff's restaurant scene is officially booming.

⚠️ REMINDER: Hardin Local Election Interview registration closes February 28th. If you're running for office, visit HardinLocal.com to sign up for your free interview!

CHAPTERS

0:00 – Welcome & Introductions

4:19 – Special Announcements: Election Interviews & Local Updates

9:22 – Icebreaker: Facebook Posts You'd Never Say to Someone's Face

14:55 – This Week in Hardin County | Local Events (Feb 24 – Mar 1)

26:45 – Special Guest: Tyler Casey | E-Town Tattoo & Food Festival

38:42 – Nate Bryan's Business Buzz

52:56 – Shoutouts & Closing

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Episode S2026E08 of Hardin Local Weekly — and the original crew is back together!

⏱️ Jump to any segment:

0:00 – Intro & Announcements

11:14 – Business News with Nate

17:53 – Sandie's Story (Blue Oval SK)

41:44 – Events with Jon O'Brien

Special guest Sandie Yarborough joins Phil Taul, Scott Lucas, Jon O'Brien, and Nate Bryan to share her firsthand account as one of the 1,600 Blue Oval SK workers who lost their jobs when the Hardin County battery plant shut down last December. Sandie was recently featured in The New York Times and opens up about what the shutdown was really like, the UAW vote, what laid-off workers are experiencing now, and how she's rebuilding — including launching her own wellness tea business.

Segments this week:

0:00 – Intro, Announcements & Icebreaker

11:14 – Business News with Nate Bryan: General Pho's coming to Radcliff, Guadalajara replacing Tequila House at Lincoln Center, Fuel Fortress taking over the old Joann's space, Kilwins confirmed for E-Town, Sorting Spoon food truck update

17:53 – Special Guest Sandie Yarborough: The Blue Oval SK story from the factory floor — the excitement, the UAW vote, the shocking shutdown, and life after

41:44 – Local Events with Jon O'Brien: Hall of Fame Gala, Live Pro Wrestling in Upton, Spring Fling Craft Fair, North Hardin HS Seussical Jr., intro to beekeeping, and more

Find the New York Times article and all episode links at HardinLocal.com.

This episode is sponsored by TekTel — local technology solutions for business phone systems, cybersecurity, and practical AI tools for growing companies.