Last night the Louisville FBI Field Office announced the recovery of a missing Texas child and the arrest of her alleged kidnapper in Elizabethtown. According to a release from the Louisville FBI Field Office, around 10 PM last night, special agents working with Kentucky State Police, as well as the Elizabethtown Police Department, arrested Austen Walker, 21, on a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Walker had an arrest warrant out of Texas on charges of kidnapping. The arrest warrant alleges that on or about May 12, 2020, Walker kidnapped the victim from Grand Saline, Texas.
Police have released the identities of the two men found dead inside of a car in Elizabethtown Wednesday night. According to police, 32-year-old Shawn Fox and 37-year-old Michael Buckner Thomas, both of Hopkinsville, were found deceased when police responded to a call on Patterson Street Wednesday night. A third individual, an unidentified female, was airlifted from the scene to University Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.
A Hardin County man and woman accused of murder will appear in court this morning. As previously reported, Kentucky State Police arrested Jacob Lugmayer and Krystal Erbelding earlier this month after police found Erbelding’s mother, Kathy Erbelding, dead from two gunshot wounds in a home off of Wise Lane in Elizabethtown. Both Erbelding and Lugmayer are charged with murder, abuse of a corpse, and robbery. Lugmayer is also charged with tampering with physical evidence. Both are being held on a $250,000 bond.
In his evening press conference last night, Governor Andy Beshear announced that there are now 7,225 cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Of these cases, 199 were newly confirmed. It is believed that 2,712 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, however there were two new deaths announced on Thursday, bringing the state’s total to 328. Governor Beshear talked about the next steps in easing restrictions in Kentucky, saying that May 22nd will see allowance of gatherings of ten or fewer with guidance to continue to try and social distance. In addition, the travel ban will be lifted on the same day. The Governor noted that if a second spike were to present itself, some of these eased steps may have to be taken again. Also, the Governor announced that the Kentucky Board of Education and Workforce Development Cabinet has been awarded more than $43.7 million from the CARES Act, which will fund the needs of students and schools in Kentucky, including technology and food programs.
Today marks the last day of an unforgettable school year for Hardin County students, and the district is already asking for feedback on the final weeks of instruction. Surveys regarding NTI are available on the Hardin County Schools website for students and parents, and instructors will receive their surveys through district email. NTI was utilitzed by area schools since Governor Beshear urged schools not to return to in person instruction on March 12th.
Meade County has issued a Boil Water Advisory for those who were out of water due to a leak that took place on Wednesday. The Meade County Water District has advised that any water that is to be consumed should be boiled for three minutes beforehand in order to disinfect. The Water District says it will let those affected know when the advisory is lifted.
