In this edition of Thursday Theater, Eric and Jodie motivate their team to victory in the style of the greatest movie coaches of all time.
70 and older vaccine appointments go fast for LTDHD
And just like that, all slots have been filled for vaccines through the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. As reported yesterday, the department had opened vaccinations at 9 am for those 70 and older. But just over an hour later, a notification was sent out that all spots had been filled. Those who did not secure a spot are now asked to keep up to date online.
Details regarding the statewide drive thru vaccination sites are still being discussed at this time.
Hardin Co. road employees likely to see raise after surplus
Some employees with the Hardin county road department will likely see a pay increase in the near future. A renegotiated mowing contract and elimination of vacant positions left the county with a surplus of $164,000. Now officials say they’ll reinvest a majority of that money into their road department workers.
Deputy Judge/Executive Daniel London says the raises will help the department be competitive with hiring, namely recruiting those with CDL licenses. The raise is expected to be confirmed at next week’s fiscal court meeting.
COVID-19 cases for Wednesday
For the fifth straight day, Kentucky officials are reporting the state’s positivity rate remained under 12%. This comes as the state reported 3,433 new cases of the virus from around the state. While the positivity rate remained under the 12% mark, the state continued to see a large amount of new virus related deaths, with 49 confirmed Wednesday. Locally, Hardin county tallied 92 cases, a significant rise from Tuesday and Monday’s totals. Meade confirmed 25, and LaRue announced 7.
Breckinridge Co. health officials in Phase 1B; vaccinating K-12 now
While Lincoln Trail Health officials briefly offered vaccines signups to the public, Breckinridge County Health officials are still focusing their efforts on vaccinating those in high-risk institutions.
Health director Scott Shrewsberry says that the department hopes to offer signups to those 70 and older once they complete the other groups atop Phase 1B.
West Point committee honored for Lewis and Clark auto signs
A local committee is being recognized by a national historical trust. The West Point Revitalization Committee says they were named a special partner for the Lewis and Clark Trust for 2020. Last year, the committee installed signs highlighting the Lewis and Clark Auto Route, the first such along a new 12 hundred mile stretch of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. A member of the expeditions team, John Shields, was from the town of West Point. The expedition stopped in the town over 200 years ago.
Q: A new survey says the majority of Americans would rather have an extra day off work each month, than this…
Heather Jones spoke with Eric and Jodie about this year’s St. Baldrick’s event to raise funds for childhood cancer research. There are more ways than just shaving your head to be a part of this fundraiser.
LTDHD holds online registration for vaccines
Beginning later this morning, residents 70 and older, as well as remaining group a residents can sign up for a covid-19 vaccine through the Lincoln Trail district health department.
Spokesperson Terrie Burgan says the vaccines will be administered off site and not at the Lincoln Trail offices. Burgan says the vaccine schedule is first come first serve. K-12 school personnel vaccines are being handled through their districts.
St. Baldrick’s announces fundraising change for this year’s event
While it will be a different sort if event this year, the annual St. Baldrick’s childhood cancer fundraiser will return to Elizabethtown this year. After having to cancel last year, organizers have adopted a different method of fundraising for this year, encouraging participants to do anything, as long as it raises money for childhood cancer.
Since the events start in 2011, the local chapter has raised over $200,000 for childhood cancer research.
EPD warns businesses of common scam
Elizabethtown police have offered a reminder to local businesses of a common scam that is reoccurring. Officials cautioned businesses about accepting payment for large purchases over the phone.
Officer Chris Denham urges businesses in doubt to ask questions of buyers they feel suspicious. More information can be found by contacting EPD.
COVID-19 cases for Tuesday
2,250 new cases of covid-19 in the state, that according to governor Andy Beshear yesterday. The governor also announced 27 new virus related deaths for Kentucky. So far, the positivity rate remains virtually unchanged, sitting at 11.5% for the state as of Tuesday afternoon. Local counties saw only a moderate amount of cases yesterday. For the first time in recent memory, Hardin county was not near the top of the list of highest reporting counties, announcing only 17 new cases Tuesday. Meade county reported 12 and LaRue reported a single case.
FBI: E’town man arrest in connection to riot at U.S. Capitol
An Elizabethtown man charged in connection to the Capitol riots earlier this month has been arrested. Yesterday, agents with the Louisville FBI field office arrested Michael Sparks at his residence, booking him later that day into the Oldham County detention center. As reported Tuesday, sparks was one of many members of the mob that stormed the Capitol building on January 6th, allegedly being one of the first to enter the building through a shattered glass window. Sparks is one of several Kentucky residents who have been charged in connection to the events in Washington D.C.
Q: These were invented in the early 1900’s for single men who didn’t know how to sew…
Marilyn Ford from Wesbanco Bank, Inc. joins Eric and Jodie to talk about United Way of Central Kentucky’s campaigns that can be done through payroll deduction in your workplace.
Elizabethtown man arrest in connection with Jan. 6 riot at Capitol
Another Kentucky resident has been charged after a Pro-Trump mob stormed the United States Capitol building on January 6th, this time an Elizabethtown man.
An criminal complaint filed on Sunday night charges Elizabethtown resident Michael Sparks with obstructing law enforcement, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol Grounds, as well as knowingly entering or remaining any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.
The charges stem from several tips received in the days following the events on Capitol Hill. The first tip, filed on January 7th, alleges that Sparks had been one of the first to enter the Capitol Building. The first tipster described themselves as an acquaintance of Sparks and had overheard his plans to travel to Washington D.C.
The first tipster saw videos and pictures of the incident, identifying Sparks in several of them. One notable instance was the widely-circulated video showing a United States Capitol Police officer leading protesters up a staircase, away from the Senate chamber. Tipster 1 identified Sparks as one of the individuals shown in the video.
2 additional tips were sent in, with the third identifying Sparks in several images, including climbing into the Capitol Building through a shattered window and remaining in a connecting hallway.
Tipster 3 also sent various Facebook posts from Sparks’ account out of concern, in which he referenced the January 6th rally at Ellipse Park, as well as a post claiming that Donald Trump would remain President for an additional term.
At this time, it is unclear if Sparks has been taken into custody by authorities.
Applications for Nolin RECC scholarships now open
Applications are now open for annual Nolin RECC scholarships. This year, the cooperative is offering 8, $1,500 scholarships, as well as the Bob Wade Memorial scholarship, all a part of the co-op’s mission to advance educational initiatives.
Scholarships are open to those 21 years and under who live with a Nolin member. Applications, as well as more information, can be found by going to Nolin RECC’s website.
EPD investigating after Monday robbery
Police are investigating after a robbery in Elizabethtown late Monday morning. Police say it happened at the Fast Pay Day loans located on West Dixie.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to contact police or the Hardin County CrimeStoppers.
COVID-19 cases see slight decline on Monday
Yes, while it might be a Monday, the state of Kentucky continued to see a decrease in Covid-19 cases. Yesterday, the state reported 1,998 new cases of the virus across the Commonwealth, as well as 40 new virus-related deaths. The state’s positivity rate continued to remain steady for the most part, now at 11.6%. Locally, Hardin county tallied only 8 cases Monday, and LaRue added 1. Yesterday’s report did not include any new cases from Meade county.
Ft. Knox changes HPCON level
After an extended period, Fort Knox officials are lowering the post’s health protection code today, down to level Bravo
Previously, officials announced that many community based activities and locations, including Fort Knox schools, would re-open today. More information on reopening schedules can be found on the Fort Knox website.
Q: This is the most common food to be eaten out of its original container…
EABC to play at Sports Park this season
Participants of this year’s Etown Area Baseball Commission will get to play their season at a different facility. It was announced by the city that the annual league would host games at the state-of-the-art Elizabethtown Sports Park at no charge.
The Sports Park had just recently been announced as the location for the TravelBall Select National Championship.
2 men arrested after allegedly trying to pawn stolen gun to owner
Two men were arrested in Elizabethtown Friday after a burglary. According to arrest citations, police investigated a home burglary on the 13th, in which the home owner advised that 3 handguns and some money were stolen. A day later, a man, later identified as Douglas Blanton, brought one of the handguns to a pawn shop where the burglary victim was employed. She contacted police, who detained Blanton. Another man, Kristopher Knick, was questioned by police regarding his involvement in the burglary. Further investigation revealed that Knick had given Blanton information on the residence in order to pay off a drug debts. Both men were arrested and charged with related burglary offenses, with Knick being hit with various drug related offenses. Both were lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.
COVID-19 cases from the weekend
Over 5,400 new cases of Covid-19 from over the weekend here in the Commonwealth. On saturday, officials announced 3,096 cases and 2,362 on Sunday. As of yesterday, the state’s positivity rate has decreased ever so slightly, now down to 11.4%. The state also reported 34 new virus related deaths Sunday afternoon. Local counties continued to add cases over the weekend. In Hardin county, 99 cases combined from this weekend. Meade county reported 30 cases, and LaRue county reported 10.
MLK Day of Service continues with second Feeding American food distribution
Today marked the second food distribution opportunity for Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland. The event was one of 2 hosted by the organization for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Not only were the food distributions important parts of the event; so too were the volunteering opportunities, which Director of Marketing Jamie Thomas says is critical to the organization’s success.
The food distribution ran at the Elizabethtown Sports Park from 9am to 11am.
Flaget Memorial celebrates 70th anniversary
A regional healthcare provider recently celebrated a significant milestone. Flaget Memorial Hospital recently celebrated their 70th anniversary in the Bardstown community. The hospital, which began all the way back in 1951, was established by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth as the region’s first hospital. The hospital has grown since starting out with 9 doctors and a dentist, now boasting more than 300 employees. Another community based hospital, the former Hardin Memorial Hospital, now Baptist Health Hardin, will celebrate their 67th anniversary next month.