94.3 The Wolf

Several events scheduled for the next few weeks have been cancelled by their hosts in an attempt to limit the opportunity for contagion. Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory spoke to this, saying the city itself is not mandating events be cancelled at this time, but rather leaving the decision to those managing the events. Mayor Gregory also notes that the city is staying in communication with health professionals for all the latest information. A list of cancellations and closings can be found on the city of Elizabethtown website.

Governor Andy Beshear gave his recommendation yesterday that all public and private schools in the state of Kentucky prepare to close. Beshear encouraged schools to cease in-person instruction beginning Monday. The alternative suggested is non-traditional learning, which would be over the internet. School districts are doing their best to respond, as several districts have called off school for the next two weeks as well as spring break, including Hardin County Schools. Hardin County Schools will be administering communication for future plans, as well as possible alternative learning methods, via the one call system as well as social media.

Hardin County government is attempting to offer alternatives for renewing vehicle registration for those not wishing to come into the office due to the threat of COVID-19. According to Hardin County Clerk Debbie Donnelly, registration can be renewed online at hccoky.org. Registration can also be mailed to P.O. Box 1030.

Nolin RECC will be closing their lobby temporarily in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. The closure will begin on Monday, March 16, closing the lobby to all non-essential personnel. Members will be able to pay bills, start service, and all other necessary business through the drive-thru, the Nolin SmartHub app, the website, by phone, or the night deposit.

Hardin Memorial Health held a press conference yesterday afternoon to discuss the coronavirus in Kentucky, including symptoms, prevention, and how the disease is spread. According to John Godfrey, Hardin Memorial Health’s Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, there is an incubation period for the virus where symptoms may not appear.  Symptoms may be flu-like at first, with shortness of breath, a cough, and fever. As of right now, there are no known cases of the virus in Hardin County. Public health advice at this stage is as follows: Consult only reliable government agencies such as Centers for Disease Control or the Lincoln Trail District Health Department for information regarding the illness, cover coughs and sneezes- preferably in the elbow- and wash hands well and often. In addition, stay home if sick, except to get medical care.

The Radcliff Police Department arrested several suspects involved in a shoplifting spree at a Radcliff Wal-Mart Tuesday evening. Officers responded to the location of 1165 Walmart Way in regards to three suspects, Teressa Deweese, Amy McGrath, and Susan Pierce, all shoplifting clothing items while in the company of a sixteen-year-old juvenile. The three were actively assisting the minor in the stealing of the clothing, and together the crew had over $100 worth of merchandise on their person, and were attempting to take it to their vehicle, a Volkswagen that had been reported stolen out of Louisville in February. All were arrested and charged with unlawful transaction with a minor, receiving stolen property, and shoplifting. They were lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The House Committee on Education passed legislation yesterday that will mandate financial literacy as a graduation requirement in Kentucky Public High Schools. The bill will require any ninth-grader to complete at least a one-half credit course that meets financial literacy academic standards. 25^th District Representative Jim Duplessis said of the legislation, “The goal of this measure is to educate and empower youth on financial planning methods. By providing financial guidance in a classroom setting, we are teaching students how to make positive financial decisions, but also make them aware of the long term repercussions for poor decisions.” The bill will head to the house floor where it will be considered for passage in the 2020 Regular Session.

The Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, the Leitchfield Police Department, and Kentucky State Police conducted a search warrant at Loflin’s Auto Parts and Repair Center on Monday. According to a release from the Leitchfield Police Department, while executing the warrant, several items were seized including marijuana, methamphetamine, guns, drug paraphernalia, and cash. Roney Loflin, 54, and Carissa Hafford, 21, were charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, while Loflin faces additional charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance. A second search warrant was conducted on a property located on Bloomington Road. More charges are pending in this case.

The United States Census is going to be held on April 1^st, and local officials are reminding citizens why the census is important. Census spokesperson Melissa Harrell-Nepi notes that the census is used to allocate federal funding and to determine Congressional representation in decision making. Citizens will begin getting postcards from the Census Bureau as soon as next week regarding how they can fill out the census, and online response is an option this year.

Work on a bridge project along US 62 at the Hardin-Nelson County line will begin next week. This project, which will begin on Monday, March 16^th, is a complete rebuild, offering a long term solution for a safe route over Rolling Fork River. A full closure option was selected due to foreseen complications that could arise from maintaining one-lane traffic during construction. Motorists will be redirected to Bluegrass Parkway to avoid the area. Signs are in place along the corridor to provide advance notice of the closure. The project has a specified completion date of December 1^st, 2020.

Officials from Hardin County Schools and West Point Independent Schools have created a schedule of “Getting To Know You” type events that will introduce West Point students, families, and staff to Hardin County Schools students and staff. The first of these events will take place tomorrow when administrative teams from North Park Elementary, Vine Grove Elementary, and James T. Alton Middle School, which are the three Hardin County Schools that Elementary and Middle School aged children from West Point will continue to continue to communicate with families about specific times and other logistical information. A full schedule of events can be found on the Hardin County Schools website.

Hardin County Schools, in the wake of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state of Kentucky, have been following information and guidance provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Kentucky Department of Public Health, and the Lincoln Trail District Health Department. While there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Hardin County, the school district is monitoring the health and attendance of students and staff, and is working to keep soap dispensers and hand sanitizers fully stocked. Students will also review proper hand-washing procedures with school nurses.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 troopers conducted a traffic stop early Monday morning that led to three arrests. Bobby Lee Casey of Kalamazoo, Michigan was stopped near the 108 mile marker on I-65 around 2:15 AM. A search of the vehicle resulted in locating over six pounds of suspected methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle along with marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Casey and two passengers, Tori Freeman, 24, and Stacy Williams, 19, were charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. Casey was also charged with DUI and reckless driving. All three suspects were lodged in the Bullitt County jail.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office made two drug related arrests over the weekend, also removing reckless drivers from the road. According to a press release from the department, the first arrest came on Friday, March 6^th when officers responded to reports of a male subject, later identified as Leonard Miller, 52, of Leitchfield, passed out at the wheel at a department store. While officers were en route, the subject left and stopped at a convenience store. A sobriety test was administered, and Miller failed. Investigation revealed oxycontin pills and paraphernalia on Miller’s person. The second arrest came on Saturday, March 7^th after Clint Clauss, 35 of Leitchfield, was found doing 81 in a 55 mile-per-hour zone. Clauss sped away from officers, but was eventually stopped and was found to be driving on a suspended license, as well as having no tags or insurance. He failed the field sobriety test, and admitted to smoking meth earlier in the day. Both subjects were charged with numerous drug and vehicle related offences and were lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has released their annual report, helping to identify the impact that the college has on the community as a whole. According to the report, ECTC has 9,252 credit enrollments and 1,698 dual credit enrollments with over 2,100 credentials rewarded. The report states that 1 out of every 69 jobs in the ECTC service area is supported by the activities of ECTC and its students. The report also touted the University Center project coming to the college, which will see ECTC partnering with four-year universities to bring Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in subjects such as criminal justice and information technology. More information on the project can be found at ectcforbetterlives.com.

Lane closures begin this week as contractors start work on intersection improvements along US 31W between Elizabethtown and Radcliff. Designed to improve safety, these projects will eliminate some high-risk traffic movements which commonly resulted in collisions. According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the intersections of US 31W at KY 220, KY 434 and Blackjack Road will feature new “R-cut” traffic patterns. Construction will begin at KY 434 and then proceed to KY 220 and Blackjack road. Signs are posted for advance notice of changing lane configuration, and motorists are advised to pay close attention, limit speed, and minimize distractions while driving in the area.

The Lincoln Trail District Health Department distributed several press releases over the weekend as the coronavirus disease progressed into the state of Kentucky. A case of the disease was discovered in the Commonwealth for the first time on Friday in Lexington, and since then, several more cases have come to light. Lincoln Trail wants to remind their service area that the Health Department is in constant contact with the Kentucky Department for Public Health for any updates, and that a hotline for the coronavirus has been established at 1-800-722-5725. The department also notes that they have established procedures to prevent, identify, and contain negative impacts associated with communicable diseases.

Last Thursday, the Leitchfield Police Department received a report of a hit and run. According to a release from the department, the incident occurred at the intersection of William Thompson Byway and South Main Street. The vehicle, a white Chevrolet pickup truck, matched the description of a vehicle that was reported in an earlier incident in which the driver had been in a verbal altercation with road workers at another location. An officer observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver fled. The vehicle continued onto public square and then struck an oncoming vehicle. He continued on to South Main Street, and struck several more vehicles at a stop light, then several more parked vehicles in the lot of a business. The driver, Christopher Bell of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence, fleeing or evading police, wanton endangerment, resisting arrest, and careless driving, with additional charges pending.

Hosparus Health will be hosting a tea and auction at Pritchard Community Center later this month. The event will take place on March 21^st from 2-4 PM. The money from the event will go to the various programs Hosparus sponsors including Courageous Kids and grief counseling. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children eleven and under. Seating is limited.