Hardin Local Weekly S2026E23: What's Bugging You?
Publix has a date, housing rebounds, a packed events week, and a new food-truck favorite — plus the local pest-control owner who inspired the whole "what's bugging you?" theme.
What We Covered This Week
Some episodes have a theme. This one had a question — and it ran through everything. "What's bugging you, Hardin County?" Rachel Brantingham asked at the top, and the panel spent the next hour answering it literally: tick stories, a mouse loose in an office that had grown adults standing on couches, and one unforgettable account of Britten lint-rolling a houseful of ticks off Mr. McDowell. It was a loose, funny, genuinely fun afternoon of community television.
The question came from our live guest and sponsor, Josh Frenette of the new Lead Pest Control — woven through the show in three parts — but the rest of the episode delivered the substance Hardin County tunes in for: a packed events calendar, a long-awaited Publix update, a rebounding housing market, and a food-truck review that'll make you hungry. Through it all, one ask from the team: subscribe free at HardinLocal.com so the algorithms can't get between us.
In This Episode
A Packed Week in Hardin County
Hardin County This Week — with Jon O'Brien
Jon laid out one of the fuller calendars of the season, led by Malibu Jack's first-ever Family Glow Night on June 11 (buy tickets ahead — and watch for our $50 gift-card giveaway next week). Add free movies on the lawn, Heartland Winds at Freeman Lake, a downtown walking tour, and Saturday's library ladybug release, and there's something every night.
Publix Has a Window
Nate's Business Buzz
Nate finally delivered the date everyone's been waiting on: Publix is expected to open between July and September, per the Herald-Leader. A fresh LoopNet listing also revealed the Shops at Parrott Orchard lineup — HOTWORX, Everbowl, Kilwins, and a newly listed facial bar and nail salon — alongside Green Releaf's opening, the Playhouse's move into the old Cinema 3, and two local closings.
The Rebound Is Real
Hardin County Housing Market — with Rachel Brantingham
Rachel answered last week's open question: the pending dip was seasonal, not structural. With 36 homes under contract this week and just 2.7 months of inventory, the market is tight and seller-leaning — and she made the case for mid-term rentals as the Ford project draws an estimated thousand more contractors to the area.
Contreras Eatz Drops the Mexibachi Bowl
The Experienced Eater — Britten & Michele McDowell
Britten and Michele caught Contreras Eatz on a great night at Food Truck Friday in Vine Grove, reviewing the new build-your-own Mexibachi Bowl, the messy-but-beloved El Elote street corn, and a surprise standout in the jerk chicken tacos ("I think it's got A1 in it"). The whole spread: about $34, and the best Britten's had from them.
"What's Bugging You?" — Meet Lead Pest Control
Live Guest & Sponsor — Josh Frenette
The man behind the show's theme. Josh Frenette grew up here, graduated John Hardin, and after nearly ten years in pest control started his own local, owner-operated company this spring. His promise: when you call, you get him — start to finish. Hardin Local viewers get a free inspection and $50 off an annual plan (270-600-8801, lead-pest.com).
Episode Highlights
"I like to go to the flashlight first before I go to the spray." — Josh Frenette, Owner, Lead Pest Control
"This week answered it. Pending activity rebounded in a huge way." — Rachel Brantingham, Housing Market Host
"It is Green Releaf. Leaf like the leaf, not relief as in ahh." — Nate Bryan, Business News Host
"Oh, that's tasty. That's a hit." — Britten McDowell, The Experienced Eater
"Every week, John, you bring us so many cool events. I'm literally over here checking my calendar as you read." — Rachel Brantingham, Primary Host
