Hardin Local S2026E07: Valentine's Week, a Hot Market & Jack's Wings

What We Covered This Week

The full crew was back together for the first Valentine's-week show of 2026 — and with the snow finally melting and temperatures climbing toward 60, the energy matched the calendar. "I'm never been so happy to see the snow melt," host Rachel Brantingham said at the top, setting the tone for a fast, fully loaded episode.

The throughline was momentum. Jon O'Brien's events rundown was one of the fullest of the season, with Valentine's Day landing on a Saturday and stacking the weekend with options for couples, families, and friends. Rachel Brantingham's housing numbers showed contracts outpacing new listings even through an icy stretch, with two headline developments for buyers. Nate Bryan returned from time away with a themed "letter P" business segment anchored by a fresh look at the Publix development. And Britten and Michele McDowell brought back a Super Bowl Sunday review of a Radcliff institution.

The show opened on a light note — favorite Super Bowl ads, from the Pepsi polar bear to the Budweiser eagle to a "Cliff Booth" movie trailer — and Phil Taul delivered an important community update: the Hardin Local election interview deadline has been pushed back to February 28th, with sign-ups at tr.ee/HCElections.

Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JWvG93upLI

In This Episode

Hardin County Events: Valentine's Week, February 10–15, 2026

Hardin County This Week — with Jon O'Brien

With Valentine's Day on a Saturday, Jon O'Brien walked through a packed week: Couples Mahjong 101 at The Straight and Narrow, a Fort Knox Valentine's luncheon, cookie decorating, and a Cats & Crochet night lead into a loaded Saturday — a Cupid Shuffle 5K at Freeman Lake, a pet adoption event at Feeders Supply, two parents-nights-out, a Mardi Gras party at the Spot, and live music from The Strayz at Cosmic Golf and 90s R&B star ROME at Phillips Grove. Host Rachel Brantingham added the Red Brick Cottage's Girlfriends Gala & Gowns Mini Gala on Friday.

Hardin County Housing Market Update — February 2026

Hardin County Housing Market — with Rachel Brantingham

Rachel brought the week of February 3–9 from the Heart of Kentucky MLS: 15 new listings, 17 homes under contract, and 12 closings — contracts outpacing listings despite the ice and snow. With 354 active homes and 63 sold in 30 days, inventory sits at about 5.6 months (just under balanced), days on market at 96, and a nearly $50,000 gap between the average list price ($348,556) and sold price ($294,340). Two big updates: first-time homebuyer grant funds are now available, and Kevin Warsh — a lower-rate advocate — is expected to be nominated as the next Fed chair.

Hardin County Business Buzz — The Letter P Edition

Nate's Business Buzz — with Nate Bryan

Back from time away, Nate Bryan ran a themed "Business Briefs, sponsored by the letter P." The headliner was a fresh on-site look at the Publix development off Ring Road — a Publix store, an adjoining strip mall, and four out lots, now projected to open November 2026, with a shifting tenant list from developer Columbia Properties. He also covered Pop's Coin Laundry near Big Lots, a second Pawsh Pet Salon location coming to North Dixie, and Ever After Exchange, a prom-dress consignment shop headed downtown.

The Experienced Eater — Jack's Wings

The Experienced Eater — Britten & Michele McDowell

For their Super Bowl Sunday carry-out, Britten and Michele McDowell ordered 50 wings for $75 from Jack's Wings, the Radcliff food truck Britten calls "an institution." They worked through five sauces — Southern/Sweet Barbecue and Sweet Thai Chili topped the night, the Kentucky Bourbon stood out, and the habanero-loaded Jamaican Jerk lit lips on fire. The wings are huge ("that's not magnified, that's just big"), and the verdict was emphatic: "absolutely top-notch."

Episode Highlights

"Contracts are still outpacing new listings, which tells us that buyer demand is continuing, even as we move through the tail end of the winter." — Rachel, Host and Hardin County Housing Market Expert

"It wasn't planned this way. I was like, okay, I need a theme — it was just that everything got started with the letter P." — Nate, Business Buzz Host, on the Letter P edition

"It is absolutely top-notch. One of my favorites. If you get a chance, you need to find these guys." — Britten, The Experienced Eater, on Jack's Wings

"Valentine's Day on a Saturday — that's a loaded weekend! Something for couples, singles, kids, everybody." — Rachel, Host, on Jon's packed events calendar