94.3 The Wolf

The West Point Independent Schools Board of Education voted unanimously last night to sign the merger agreement with the Hardin County School District. Several topics of discussion regarding the merger were gone over last night, including where West Point’s students will go. Kindergarten students will attend North Park Elementary, first through fifth grades will attend Vine Grove Elementary, and sixth through eighth grade will attend J.T. Alton Middle School. High school age children will attend North Hardin High School, however, those still attending Elizabethtown High School will still be allowed to attend there. Also discussed was where the staff of West Point would end up, and Dr. Sally Sugg, interim superintendent, ensured that Hardin County Schools would attempt to find a place for all tenured staff in the same schools that the children from West Point would be attending. Should Hardin County agree to the merger agreement at their board meeting on Thursday night, the effective date of the merger would be scheduled for July 1^st.

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office has determined the cause of death in a case regarding a female located in a field. According to a release from the department, the body of Mary Teresa Ball of Bardstown was found in a field off of Sullivan Lane in Bardstown on December 26^th. The cause of death determined by the office of the Chief Medical Examiners has been ruled suicide by an overdose of an over-the-counter sleeping medication. This closes the case, and no charges are expected to be filed by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Superintendent of Elizabethtown Independent Schools, Jon Ballard announced his retirement last night. Ballard says after 33 years with the district, the last seven being as superintendent, he felt it was time to move on in his life, and let someone else come in to help advance the school. Ballard also says the thing he is proudest of in his time as superintendent is providing opportunities, be they academic or athletic, for students.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Officers Chase and Nicole McKeown, with the Elizabethtown Police Department were recognized for their efforts in thwarting a robbery at a Louisville restaurant. The two officers were off duty and dining at Raisin’ Canes in Louisville when a masked robber, later identified as Justin Carter of Louisville, walked into the location and brandished a handgun to the cashier. The officers pulled their off-duty pistols and chased the suspect out of the store and to the back of a nearby house, where they held him until Louisville Metro Police arrived. The case is still open and under investigation.

Today marks the opening of the former Fort Knox Federal Credit Union under a new name. The credit union will be opening their doors as Abound Credit Union. This is the second time the name of the credit union has been changed, with the first change occurring in 1960.

A former Hardin County Schools teacher, principal, and associate superintendent has been asked to once again take on a role for the district. Bobby Lewis is set to return to Hardin County School as the interim Chief Support Officer. Lewis will lead the district’s student services and human resources department for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. After retiring in 2015, Lewis spent nearly an entire school year as interim principal at GC Burkhead Elementary School in 2016, and came back to serve as interim principal at Vine Grove Elementary School in 2017. He replaces Chris Bauer, who retired as the Chief Support Officer on February 14, 2020.

Governor Andy Beshear announced yesterday that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is officially the nation’s leading exporter of whiskey, including bourbon and rye, according to 2019 export reports. Beshear made the announcement while filling the sixteen-millionth barrel of Jim Beam at the American Stillhouse in Clermont. Kentucky sent over $485 million in whiskey exports in 2019 and it is considered to be a booming industry in many Kentucky communities, including Elizabethtown which has been advertised as being Bourbon’s Backyard.

A Louisville man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to rob a fast food restaurant. According to media sources, Louisville Metro Police Department say Justin Carter came to Raising Canes at 1250 Bardstown Road and showed his gun to the employee, demanding cash. Two off-duty Elizabethtown Police Officers who were inside the restaurant confronted Carter, who then dropped his gun and ran. The officers followed him to Beechwood Avenue nearby, where he was taken into custody. Carter is a convicted felon, whose gun was stolen from Jeffersontown Police. He faces charges of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, receiving stolen property, and robbery.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a garage fire at 509 Nicholas Street last Friday at 8:41 AM. The fire occurred when the home owner was working on a motorcycle in the garage. As gasoline was being drained from the bike, flammable vapors were ignited by a near-by kerosene heater. Flames flashed back, causing the motorcycle to catch fire. Fortunately, the neighbor across the street saw the fire and rushed over with a fire extinguisher to put the fire out before arrival of fire units. The quick action of the neighbor prevented damage to anything but the motorcycle. The garage and attic areas were checked for fire extension, and the scene was cleared around 9 AM.

The Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office has found the man wanted in connection with a murder investigation. As previously reported, Anthony Wayne Allen was wanted after the victim, Robert Wendell Bailey, was found to have sustained life-threatening injuries from an assault that took place last week. Bailey would later pass away from his injuries. According to a release from the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Allen was found in Evansville, Indiana where he surrendered without incident.

The Math Counts competition, which was coordinated by heads and representatives from different city of Elizabethtown departments, took place last Saturday at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. The results are as follows: The team that finished first overall was the East Hardin Middle School team, followed by the Larue County Middle School team in second place. Both will move on to state competition. Individually, Jordan Stull from Stuart Pepper Middle School finished first overall, while Zachary Townsend of East Hardin Middle School took home second place, and Paul Slack from Stuart Pepper finished third.

A business owner of an Elizabethtown staple has passed away. According to obituaries, Roy Eugene Rich, 86, died in his home last Saturday. Rich, an active member of Severns Valley Baptist Church, was also the owner of Etown Exterminating, and was the past president of the Kentucky Pest Management Association, where he served on the Board of Directors for more than 35 years. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Severns Valley Baptist Church New Worship Center Building Fund.

A retired member of the Elizabethtown Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office passed away February 13^th after a battle with cancer. According to his obituary, Joe Lynn Jackson, born March 8, 1940, served 32 years with the Elizabethtown Police Department, and an additional 15 with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Jackson served as a mentor to many young officers, often saying he had the best job in the world. Visitation services for Jackson will be held today from 2 to 8 PM at Manakee Funeral Home, and will continue tomorrow from 9 to 11 AM.

Several events at West Point Independent School District have had to be rescheduled due to today’s absence. Students will have work to complete in order for the day to count as a school day, and the Valentine’s Day party scheduled for today has been moved to Tuesday, February 18^th. Today’s absence was due to widespread illness among students and staff, as well as continued plumbing issues.

The Department for Public Health has suggested safety guidelines following severe flooding and water run-off events from recent rainfall across the state. Safety protocols include never entering flood waters unless escaping immediate danger, as well as being up to date on tetanus vaccination to avoid illness, staying clear of downed powerlines, and using all proper safety equipment when cleaning up a home after a flood. The department recommends that doors and windows be open while cleaning affected areas, and throwing away perishable food that has be stored at above 40 degrees for more than two hours. Governor Andy Beshear assured citizens his administration would support them saying, “We will use every resource available to us to ensure Kentuckians affected by these devastating floods can have a safe and expedient recovery.”

Several gates at Fort Knox will be closed for the President’s Day holiday. The Brandenburg entrance, as well as outbound lanes will be closed today February 14^th as well as Monday, February 17^th. The Wilson Road entrance will be closed on Monday as well, but open today. The Chaffee Gate will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Congressman Brett Guthrie, one of three main legislators to push for the new Army Headquarters that will be stationed at Fort Knox, has spoken about the success of the push, and why Fort Knox was the right choice. Guthrie says the facilities of Fort Knox, including the training space, housing, and medical clinic, are a perfect fit for this headquarters. The attitudes of the community and their willingness to accept the new soldiers also is a plus. Guthrie finished by saying that this headquarters solidifies Fort Knox’s importance to the Army.

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested a Hardin County man on charges related to child sexual exploitation. According to a release from the department, John Thomas Coffey Junior was arrested as the result of an undercover internet crimes against children investigation, which began after discovering the suspect communicating with a juvenile online and requesting nude photographs. The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Fairdale on Wednesday, and seizure of equipment used to facilitate the crime. Coffey is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Hardin Memorial Health will be celebrating their 66^th anniversary tomorrow, and CEO Dennis Johnson is excited about possibilities for the future of the organization. Johnson notes that Baptist Health will be investing $235 million into the hospital, which will be allow services to be further spread in Central Kentucky. The deal with Baptist Health, which was given the go ahead late last year after many legal troubles, is expected to close by December 1^st, 2020.