WULF News

Crews restripe stretch of 31W, reduced to 3 lanes

Heads up, motorists. Crews began work this weekend in Elizabethtown, working towards a new lane configuration for Dixie Highway South of public square. Officials say the lane diet plan will see the section from public square to New Glendale Road reconfigured into 3 lanes, down from 4 lanes. 

Kentucky Transportation District Four spokesperson Chris Jessie says the project is the same as was done in 2012 from the public square to St. John Road.

“Welcome Home” event set for tonight at American Legion Post 113

Today is Vietnam Veterans Day, and the local chapter of the American Legion is hosting a welcome home event for those service members later today. 

Post 113 Adjunct Brian Knoch. The event replaces the traditional dinner that is held due to Covid-19. Knoch says those wishing to help can be at the post no later than 5 pm this evening.

NWS confirms tornados in LaRue, Grayson Counties

Last week’s storms did result in two tornado in the region, damaging buildings and property in their path. The National Weather Service sent crews from their Louisville field office to LaRue and Grayson counties to investigate the damage on Friday. From preliminary investigations, crews reported later that day that a suspected EF-1 tornado touched down in LaRue county, as well as an EF-0 tornado in Grayson County. A full, conclusive report is being compiled by officials.

FOHCAS makes donation to Pet Food Pantry

The newly formed Pet Food Pantry in Hardin County received a donation from a like minded organization recently. Friends of the Hardin County Animal Shelter announced a 2,500 dollar donation to the pantry from their own Pet Retention Fund. 

Spokesperson Sarah Fellows says the group’s fund was created during the pandemic with the same goal in mind: allowing owners the ability to feed their pets despite difficult financial situations. The Pet Food Pantry is run through Helping Hand of Hope.

EPD: Stolen vehicle leads to a high-speed pursuit on Interstate

A stolen vehicle led to a high-speed pursuit through Hardin county over the weekend. According to arrest citations, Elizabethtown Police received a call Friday night of a stolen Hummer from East Dixie. An officer traveling northbound on I-65 observed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle fled, traveling at high speeds and weaving in and out of traffic. The vehicle exited the interstate onto Joe Prather highway, where it continued to flee, sometimes traveling in the opposite direction of travel. Kentucky State Police were able to deflate the vehicle tires, with the suspect exiting the vehicle an fleeing on foot. Police apprehended the suspect, Preston Cahill, after a short chase. Cahill was arrested and charged with Wanton Endangerment 1st, Fleeing or Evading police, as well as Criminal Mischief. He was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Officials prepare to reopen Visitor Center at Lincoln Birthplace

Visitors to the Lincoln Birthplace will soon be able to enter the visitor center again. The park announced recently that the visitor center would open for tourists on April 7th, after being closed for several months as crews worked to install fire suppression systems inside of the structure. The building, built in the late 1950’s, houses the park’s gift shop, as well as theater and museum components. The $349,000 project began on January 21st. The system was the first of its kind to be placed in the center.

ECTC to offer virtual and drive through options for graduation

Students with Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will get some sort of graduation ceremonies this year. College officials announced 2 ceremonies planned for this Spring and last fall’s graduating class: a virtual and drive-thru option. 

The ceremony will take place in front of the James Owens building on campus May 10th. The virtual ceremony will take place as well on May 7th.

American Legion moves Vietnam Veterans event to Monday

Covid-19 had already altered their plans, but now, organizers of American Legion Post 113 are having to reschedule their annual tribute to Vietnam Veterans to next Monday. Organizers made the decision yesterday after looking at the forecast. 

The event is set to take place Monday outside the post’s Ring Road location from 6 to 8. 

Police reassure public after reports of strange Amazon packages

It was mysterious seeds last summer. Now, some residents are reporting strange Amazon packages containing online items they didn’t even order. Good news, local authorities say the strange deliveries are harmless. 

Officer John Thomas says residents can report the packages to Amazon if they wish. What to do with the contents is entirely up to the individual.

Kentuckians 16 and old eligible for vaccines beginning April 12th

More Kentuckians will soon be able to sign up for a vaccine. State officials made the announcement yesterday that, by April 12th, all Kentuckians 16 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccine if they want to. This comes as just this week, Kentuckians 50 and older were able to sign up themselves, part of an expansion of the phases currently covered by the state. Also announced yesterday, another day of dropping positivity rate, down now to 2.85%. 695 new cases were announced, with 34 coming from Hardin, and Meade county reported a single case.

E’town man sentenced to 10 years in prison following child sex charge

An Elizabethtown man was sentenced this week after being arrested last year of attempted enticement of a minor. According to the U-S Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, Travis Puckett was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the offense. The plea agreement stated that police arrested Puckett last year in an undercover operation, after he communicated with and attempted to meet with an underage teen who was actually a detective part of the operation. Puckett admitted to authorities after his arrest that he had been the person communicating with the supposed 14-year old girl. Puckett will also serve 15 years of supervised release following his prison term.

Community pools plan to reopen this summer

After taking the summer off last season, local communities are ready to open their pools to citizens this summer. Both the City of Radcliff and Elizabethtown recently announced that their pools will open.

Both facilities are planning on opening up Memorial Day weekend.

HCS elementary, middle school students return to full-time instruction Monday

5 day instruction began for elementary and middle school students yesterday. After nearly a year since going full time, district officials say the return will benefit students.

April 12th is the date high school students will return to full-week instruction.

Robley Rex opens vaccine registration to all veterans

A week after open vaccines up to those 40 and older, the Robley Rex VA Medical Center has now opened vaccine signups to veterans of all ages. The organization made the announcement yesterday. Clinic officials still say they are reaching out to veterans in their system by way of VA messaging and phone to schedule vaccination appointments. Veterans can also call the VA vaccine call center to schedule an appointment. More information can be found by going to the Robley Rex VA Medical Center website.

Samantha’s Hugs collects stuffed animals in first Towne Mall event

Over the weekend, residents came together to drop off stuffed animals for a good cause. Samantha’s Hugs, a new local organization collecting stuffed animals for law enforcement, says they collected numerous stuffed animals during their event at the Towne Mall last Saturday.

Organizer Kevin Cox says the event resulted in two vans full of stuffed animals. Cox says the amount will be divided between KSP Post 4 and the Frankfort post. Cox says he hopes a conversation in Frankfort might lead to Samantha’s Hugs going across the state and collecting stuffed animals for local police posts.

Under 300 new Covid-19 cases reported for state Monday

Cases continue to decrease as vaccination increase. That was the message from Governor Andy Beshear during his media briefing yesterday afternoon. Beshear announced only 294 new cases of the virus, as well as a positivity rate of 2.93%, the lowest since the beginning of last July. Beshear says 1.1 million Kentuckians have been vaccinated so far. Of local counties, only Meade county reported a single case of Covid-19.

Vine Grove prepares for year of events

Vine Grove officials are gearing up for a busy 20-21 event season. After Covid-19 cancelled many community favorites, the city is set to host numerous events this year, including some new ones such as an Artisan Market, setting up shop at Optimist Park 4 times this summer and free to vendors.

Mayor Pam Ogden said traditional community favorites, like July 2nd fireworks and First Friday, as well as Veterans Day and Halloween Parade, will take place. A community yard sale is also being planned.

St. James students thank first responders during ‘Day of Service’

First responders in the community were honored by students at St. James yesterday as part of an annual tradition. The middle school students held their annual Day of Service Wednesday, presenting 700 gift bags to police officers, fire fighters, hospital staff, as well as those in emergency services. The items within the baskets were donated by families and friends of St. James School, and included keepsake cards and snacks, among other items. The annual Day of Service is made possible through an endowment established in the memory of former student Tai Le, who died in a car crash in 2018.

United Way gets set to wrap up fundraising campaign

After a year fraught with changes due to the pandemic, United Way of Central Kentucky is preparing to wrap up their annual fundraising campaign. The organization says this year’s fundraiser was important given how many more individuals used services supported by United Way. 

United Way spokesperson Hunter Roberts says contributions to the organization can still be made before the March 31st deadline. More information on donating can be found on United Way’s website.

Wednesday’s Covid-19 update

Another decline in the state’s positivity rate yesterday, but Governor Andy Beshear says the case numbers coming in are still not where officials want them to be. Yesterday’s case information included 963 new positives and 27 new deaths, one of which was a 38-year old male from Hardin county. Locally, Hardin was one of the top reporting counties in the state, adding 38 new cases to its total. LaRue county added only 2 new cases.

EPD: Watch out for pedestrians as warmer weather arrives

Sure, it might have been raining today, but spring is here. With that, local law enforcement officials are reminding the public to watch out for pedestrians as more people head outside. 

Officer Chris Denham also reminds drivers that pedestrians are always given the right of way when it comes to sidewalks and crosswalks.

Man arrested following Friday’s homicide in Radcliff

One man has been arrested after a woman was found dead in Radcliff Friday. Police responded to a residence off of Scenic Drive after reports of a possibly deceased individual. Police found the victim, identified later as Angela Dawn Kerr, 27, of Grayson County, lying naked outside of the residence’s rear door. Hardin County EMS confirmed Kerr was deceased. Police say Kerr had suffered multiple gunshots wounds. Police also determined that Kerr’s clothing had been cut off, and that her body had been removed from inside the residence. Later, it was determined that Joseph Meredith had been with Kerr. Detectives later found Meredith walking a short distance  from the residence, in possession of a handgun believed to be used in the shooting. Meredith was arrested and charged with murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and abuse of corpse. He’s being held in the Hardin County Detention Center on a $500,000 cash bond. Meredith was expected in court Monday morning.

State broadens group eligible under phase 1C

Beginning today, Phase 1C of Kentucky’s vaccination plan will include more individuals. State health officials announced the change last week, hoping additional Kentuckians with behavioral or medical health 16 and older will take advantage of the vaccine. 

Kentucky added 445 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday. Locally, Hardin County added only five new cases Sunday, with LaRue adding three and Meade adding one.

Deadline for some to transition to HCS in-person is this afternoon

Elementary and middle school parents can transition their online students back to in-person instruction for next week, but they have until this afternoon to do so. 

The deadline for high school students to transition back to in-person instruction is March 19th. Parents must speak with a building administrator at their child’s school to make the move.

Four juveniles arrested after leading pursuit in stolen car

Four juveniles were arrested after leading police on a high speed chase in a stolen vehicle through Elizabethtown. According to Kentucky State Police, Troopers observed a dodge avenger traveling near the commercial vehicle scale in Elizabethtown last week traveling at 110 miles per hour. At that time, troopers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle continued Southbound on I-65. The pursuit reached speeds of up to 118 miles per hour before the vehicle exited at the Upton exit and re-entered 65 going northbound. Elizabethtown Police were able to slow the vehicle with deflation devices, with the vehicle stopping at the 93 mile marker. Police arrested the four juveniles without further incident. They were later lodged in the Warren County Detention Center.

One month until Tax Day: Professionals say IRS has big task ahead of them

Tax Day is officially a month away. This year, with Covid-19 still present and a new virus relief plan from the federal government just signed, tax officials and accountants say the I-R-S has 3 tasks before them this season. 

CPA Jon Anderson says one change this year at the federal level is that unemployment benefits up to a certain level are tax free, unlike most years. And those stimulus payments you might have gotten? Not taxable income.

Ft. Knox, Hardin Co. Government sign ISA for mowing on post

Fort Knox and Hardin County Government have reached a final “Ground and Mowing Right of Way” contract . The county made the announcement on Friday, saying the Intergovernmental Support Agreement (ISA) will benefit taxpayers, with $200,000 in savings annually, as well as decreasing Fort Knox’s cost by around $100,000 each year. The county, however, will utilize a private contractor to maintain the roughly 1,400 acres covered in the agreement. Hardin County Judge Executive Harry Berry noted this is the fourth intergovernmental support agreement the county has signed with Fort Knox.