94.3 The Wolf

The Kentucky Department of Education has release assessment data for the state. This data comes from exams taken near the end of the 2018-2019 school year, and Hardin County Schools showed improvement in their results. Lincoln Trail Elementary ranked as a four-star school in the results, and no schools in the district were placed in the “Support and Improvement” categories.

Kentucky State Police Post Four has released the identity of a man who died as a result of a collision on Interstate 65 last week after an accident earlier in the morning caused a massive traffic backup. Trooper Scotty Sharp reports Michael Williams was operating a pickup truck when he failed to see a stopped FedEx semi-truck in front of him, colliding with the rear of the vehicle. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner. I-65 was shut down for nearly twelve hours to allow troopers to reconstruct the collisions. The investigation is ongoing.

The Elizabethtown City Council presented an ordinance relating to alcoholic beverage control at a special meeting of the council on Monday. This ordinance makes clear that alcohol consumption areas must be clearly marked, must not be in a parking area, and must have clear boundaries. The council had previously discussed the specifics of how alcohol would be sold at events and parks, but this was the first reading of this particular ordinance.

An act of kindness was displayed Friday night at the John Hardin High School homecoming game. After being crowned Homecoming King, Yukiah “Yuki” Reyes refused the title, and awarded it to fellow student Matthew Riddle, who Reyes calls “a light at the end of the tunnel”. Matthew is a student with Downs Syndrome, and was very excited to be given the title.

A Nelson County Sheriff’s Lieutenant and his girlfriend were arrested for shoplifting Friday night. The Elizabethtown Police Department launched a theft investigation at Fast Track It in Elizabethtown following a report of Christmas decorations allegedly being stolen. Investigation found Kaelen Matthews, who works for the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department, and Laura Armstrong. Matthews has been suspended without pay pending investigation.

A domestic incident occurred around noon on Friday, September 27^th in the parking lot of North Middle School in Radcliff. This caused the school to go on lockdown for around five minutes. Officials report that one person involved in the altercation fled towards North Hardin High School, which is on the adjacent campus. The “one-call” system was used by both sets of school administrators to alert parents of the situation. Officials say at no time were students ever in danger on either campus.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College held a press conference on Friday in order to sign their first partners for the University Center project, which will serve to provide previously unattainable degrees at the college. These partners for the University Center include Eastern Kentucky University with their criminal justice program, Lindsey Wilson College with their human resources and accounting programs, Spalding University with their nursing program, and Western Kentucky University, who has partnered with the college for many years, and will continue to do so with the center. To donate towards the University Center project, visit ectcforbetterlives.com.

Work to replace the Depot Street Bridge in Bloomfield, which crosses over Simpson Creek in Nelson County, will start this week. Road closure is scheduled to begin tomorrow, and may last up to 75 days. Early notice signs have already been placed and detour signs will be put up to assist motorists. This project is part of Bridging Kentucky, which seeks to increase safety and capacity of bridges throughout the state. For more information about this and other bridge projects, visit bridgingkentucky.com.

70 animals that were once lodged in the Hardin County Animal Shelter found new forever homes over the weekend. The shelter, which was at maximum capacity, held a one time only special that started Thursday and ran through Saturday. The shelter still has pets available and is open Monday through Saturday from noon until 4 PM.

Attorney General Andy Beshear held a press conference yesterday to announce that changes would be made to the Sexual Assault Cold Case Unit that will further aid sexual assault victims. The Attorney General announced yesterday that $1.4 million is being put towards the cold case unit from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Assistance in order to expand the division, and better aid sexual assault victims. The cold case unit was established in 2017 after the Attorney General’s office, in conjunction with the University of Louisville and Kentucky State Police, received $3 million from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Assistance under the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

Visitation for Chris Hulsey, the Meade County Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty, will be held today from noon to 8 PM at Hager Funeral Home. Tomorrow, the funeral service itself will be held at 1 PM in the Meade County High School Gymnasium. As previously reported, Hulsey died shortly after a fight with 50-year-old Terry Gonterman while searching a property in Payneville.

The Radcliff Police Department arrested a couple after allegations of criminal child abuse were brought forward. According to arrest records, police were made aware by a 6-year-old girl about injuries she had allegedly sustained due to discipline over school work by Perenise Worden. Additionally, Joshua Wordern, the girl’s father, intentionally struck the girl with a wooden back scratcher, leaving an imprint on girl’s back, along with other bruising and swelling. The suspects neglected to seek medical attention for the juvenile. The two were taken in for criminal abuse of a child 12 or under.

The Rineyville Days Festival will be taking place tonight and tomorrow at Rineyville Community Park. The fun starts at 6 PM with the kickoff, featuring food, inflatables, the baby contest, and fireworks. Then, on Saturday, there will be a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 AM followed by a parade at 10. Other attractions on Saturday include the car show at the park. More information can be found on the Rineyville Days Facebook page.

There is a burn ban in effect for all of Hardin County until further notice. Hardin County Judge Executive Harry Berry made the announcement yesterday afternoon. Officials are warning citizens to be careful when operating things such as charcoal grills that still have coals burning, as fires can start easily that way. For more information, or to ask other questions, contact Hardin County Government.

A tip to Hardin County Crime Stoppers has led to yet another arrest. Dominick McKnight was found in Christian County due to an anonymous tip, and was taken into custody regarding a burglary charge. Anyone with tips regarding ongoing cases or new crimes should contact Hardin County Crime Stoppers.

Downhome Days in Big Spring will be taking place this weekend. This years festivities will be taking place over two days, September 28^th and 29^th. Events will include a beauty pageant, and a cornhole tournament, as well as a silent auction and live music on Saturday, and a tug of war and parade on Sunday. In addition, food, face painting, and other vendors will be available.

The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville will host a naturalization ceremony this Friday. Over 100 people are expected to be welcomed as new United States citizens. The event will take place at 11 AM near the base of the stairs leading to the memorial building. More information can be found by contacting the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace.

The Vine Grove Bluegrass Music Festival starts tonight. This year marks the 20^th anniversary for the event. The fun begins with a band scramble and ends on Saturday night with Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder. For more information, visit vinegrovebluegrass.org.  

The Elizabethtown City Council amended and addressed new policies for alcohol sale and consumption at public facilities, parks, and events in downtown Elizabethtown at a City Council Meeting on Monday. Facilities such as Pritchard Community Center will have their own sets of requirements in order to serve alcohol, while the State Theater, which is owned and operated by the city, will decide their own criteria. Alcohol can be sold and consumed at the Elizabethtown Sports Park for non-youth events as long as city and state laws are followed, as well as at Freeman Lake during festivals and other events. As for Downtown Events, a lot of the same rules apply in terms of liability insurance requirements. No glass bottles are allowed in designated areas, with only non-breakable cups, bottles, or other containers being permitted. Designated areas must be clearly marked, and areas marked as “kids zones” will not allow alcohol at all. Businesses with existing licenses can sell their own alcohol, but it cannot leave the premises of the business. The designated area can be altered by officials if needed.

With help from private and public contributions, the William Thomason byways, right of way in Leitchfield will be accomplished sooner than expected. The schedule for the project has been trimmed down by six months. The byway will connect U.S. 62 and KY 54 to KY 259 and the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing trucks to avoid the downtown’s tight turns.

A Louisville man and two juveniles have been charged in connection with multiple thefts from unlocked vehicles in Leitchfield. Money, loose change, two purses, a wallet, and a handgun were some of the items reported to have been taken in the early morning hours of September 4^th. 20-year-old Joshua Grubbs has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, multiple counts of unlawful transaction with a minor, and nine counts of criminal trespass. The two juveniles also received charges of theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass. Breckinridge County is also charging all three with multiple charges. The investigation is ongoing.

The Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation recognized some employees of Flaget Hospital last week, presenting them with the 2019 Bruce A. Klockars Employee Scholarship Award. Twelve scholarships were given out in a variety of different areas. The fund was established in 2011 by Flaget Hospital employees to honor Bruce Klockars, who served eleven years as president of the hospital.

Nolin RECC will be hosting the 15^th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo this week. The event will feature the best lineworkers from around the state to compete in traditional lineman tasks and skills. The action begins at the Hardin County Fairgrounds on Thursday September 26^th at 9 AM, and continues Friday, with a lineman memorial at 7:30 AM, and team competition starting at 8:30.