Sen. Mitch McConnell stops in Radcliff to announce transportation grant, emphasize CARES Act

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell made a stop in Radcliff Wednesday afternoon.

The Senate Majority Leader appeared at Boundary Oak Distillery with officials from Hardin County Government, the City of Radcliff, Fort Knox Regional Development, as well as transportation officials. McConnell praised Boundary Oak owner Brent Goodin for his production of hand sanitizer during the early stages of the pandemic.

McConnell also helped to announce a grant of over $2 million for the Transit Authority of Central Kentucky, or TACK. The federal grant was awarded after a competitive application process. TACK Executive Director Glen Arney says that the grant, which was awarded to 96 out of over 200 applicants, will help keep the transportation service updated.

“That will buy us vehicles to keep moving, and we should have those vehicles on the road by spring of 2021,” Arney said in his remarks.

Earlier in the day, McConnell stopped in Hardinsburg at Breckinridge Memorial Hospital, where he met with frontline healthcare workers. McConnell last made an appearance in Hardin County back in May at Hardin Memorial Hospital. 

Hardin Memorial Hospital showing signs of looming change

Hospital officials didn’t wait too long after Tuesday’s last HMH Board of Trustee’s meeting to start the transition to the new Baptist Health Hardin.

Crews were on scene at Hardin Memorial Hospital Wednesday removing signage from the main building, including the iconic “HMH” letters on the corner of the main building.

Officials say signs should be updated to reflect the new ownership by the merger date of September 1st. Hardin Memorial and Baptist Health sped up the merger date back in May.

HCS unveils additional online resources for parents

With just days until the school year starts, Hardin County Schools has released new website resources for parents. The district added health guidelines from the local health department, as well as expectations for the various forms of instruction this year. Officials with the district say the website holds important information for the upcoming year, and that parents should seek out answers to any questions they have.

Hardin County students who had previously opted to will return to in-person on Monday.

Local health department now able to issue citations for mask mandate

Local health departments across the Commonwealth can now issue citations to businesses not enforcing mask mandates. The Lincoln Trail District Health Department says the purpose of the citations are to educate and correct businesses they permit. 

Burgan says that while the first offense is a warning, additional citations bring with them fines, ranging from $50 for the second offense, up to $100 for the fourth and subsequent violations.

The health department received their citations last Friday.

State adds over 600 cases Wednesday

Kentucky continues to see the same level of COVID-19 cases it has for the majority of the last few weeks.

Last night, it was announced that 655 new cases of the virus were present in the Commonwealth, with 40,926 cases total for the state thus far. It is believed that at least 9,331 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus, however there were 12 new deaths last night, bringing the state’s total to 842 Kentuckians lost.

Locally, totals are as follows:

• Hardin: 12 cases
• Marion: 7 cases
• Nelson: 6 cases
• LaRue: 4 cases
• Washington: 2 cases
• Meade: 1 case

New information about human remains in Nelson Co.

New information about the possible human remains found in Nelson County was released yesterday.

Officials with the Louisville FBI field office say the remains are estimated to be that of a female, though they cannot completely rule out the possibility of a male. The subject is likely between the ages of 24 and 82, and height is estimated to be somewhere between 62.6 and 70.9 inches. The FBI says their lab is continuing analysis, now attempting DNA extraction.

The remains were found near a creek on the Nelson/Washington county lines last month.

HCS introduces A/B schedule for entire district

With some students returning to in-person instruction next week, Hardin County Schools has announced a scheduling plan for their return to school. An A/B schedule will be used throughout the district, which will see students coming in at certain, predetermined times for two days a week.

“We certainly understand that this is a big change,” district spokesperson John Wright explained, “our school principals and other school administrators have run their numbers, moved around classrooms, and worked through many situations to ensure that we follow the health at schools guidelines.”

The schedule calls for a phased approach for an eventual return to full in-person instruction. Class dates are divided up by last names. A-K will go to classes in-person Tuesday and Friday, with those L-Z names going Monday and Thursday. Wednesday will be utilized as an “enrichment” day, giving students a chance to catch up on work, and staff the opportunity to clean buildings and classrooms.

The switch to an A/B schedule was originally to be used by high school students upon their return to school. The scheduling change will only affect those students taking part with the return to in-person instruction.

EPD: 1 injured, 1 arrested after weekend shooting

One person was injured and another arrested after a shooting in Elizabethtown over the weekend. 

Elizabethtown Police Officer Chris Denham says officials responded to Nicholas Street on a report of a shooting. When they arrived they found a juvenile male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Denham says that individual was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Shortly after, Denham says investigators took in two suspects.

The injured male was treated for his wounds and is expected to make a full recovery. One of the suspects was released, with the other juvenile arrested and charged with Assault 1st.

ECTC welcomes back students, faculty amidst pandemic

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has begun their fall semester today, one that the college likely never thought it would experience. And as students and staff make their way back to the classroom, officials say steps have been taken to keep those on campus safe.

Interim Chief Academic Officer Darren Powell noted that less people are going to be on campus at one time, partially due to the fact that some classes will be taking place online only.

FBI provides update in Rogers investigation

A location of interest has been announced in the Crystal Rogers investigation. The FBI announced on Friday that those who might have been in the area of Poplar Flatts Road and Farmaway Drive the morning of July 4th, 2015 might be able to provide some information to the case. Officials stressed that those who have security cameras or might have seen anything strange could have useful evidence for the investigation. The FBI took over the five year old case earlier this month.

Ft. Knox releases mobile app

A new app for Fort Knox and other military installations, called Digital Garrison, has been released to the public.

Spokesperson Kyle Hodges says the Post has been working on the app for around a year. The app can be downloaded from the play store or the app store.

Popular Glendale Crossing Festival canceled for 2020

One of the region’s best known festivals has been canceled.

The annual Glendale Crossing Festival announced over the weekend that it was canceling the 2020 edition of the event. Organizers did not single out one reason behind the cancellation, saying that it was due to circumstances beyond their control.

The event, a staple of the area, has been held annually since 1976.

McGrath makes stop in Elizabethtown

U.S. Senate candidate Amy McGrath made a stop in Elizabethtown yesterday. The retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel held a meet and greet with prospective voters at the Elizabethtown Nature Park Tuesday afternoon. McGrath says the chance to get out and see supporters is something she looks forward to.

McGrath won the Democratic primary in June, and faces longtime Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in November’s general election.

Longtime LaRue County official announced retirement

A chapter of LaRue County history will close at the end of this month. Judge-Executive Tommy Turner announced Tuesday morning that he will be retiring at the end of August, bringing his 34-year run as the county’s leader to a close. 

Turner says Governor Beshear will appoint a replacement to serve until the next election, with one of the magistrate to serve in between retirement and appointment, if needed.

Hardin Co. School Board to vote on district’s start options for upcoming school year

Parents and students of Hardin County Schools will know later today what course of action the district will take with the beginning of the school year.

The Board of Education will meet tonight in a special called meeting to discuss whether or not to begin school as planned or to begin the year with NTI on August 24th. On Monday, Governor Beshear had only made a recommendation to postpone in-person instruction, not a mandate.

The virtual meeting can be viewed tonight at 6 p.m., and can be viewed on the Hardin County Schools website.

HCS Students to receive lanyards for masks, ID’s

Whenever students do return to in-person instruction, they’ll have special lanyards waiting for them. Hardin County Schools was gifted with around 17 thousands lanyards Monday, representing students within Central, John, and North’s systems. The items, provided to the school system by an area insurance agency, are beneficial for a student’s new “normal”. 

District spokesperson John Wright also said that elementary school students will receive school ID cards this year, as a way to promote more touch-free options in the district.

‘Blessing Box’ now available for Hardin County community

What started as an idea from one Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputy is now a resource for the community.

Officials with the office have unveiled the Blessing Box, a resource for those in the community who might face various food needs, outside of the Hardin County Government Building. Brooklynne Stillwell, a clerk with the sheriff’s office and a volunteer with the project, says the idea arose from the experiences of Deputy Rusty Johnson.

“He came into contact with people who were in need,” Stillwell says. “He figured that if he could help them out by getting them food… then we should have something central [for everyone].”

Stillwell says the entire process, from idea to finished product, took roughly a month to complete.

“He [Johnson] came to our financial supervisor and said ‘Hey, I’ve seen this this going around!’ It’s been around a month or so since we started working on this.”

The box is stocked with non-perishable items, a way to make sure that the food people are looking for is good at whatever time their need arises. Donations for the box are welcome, keeping in line with non-perishable standards.

Those who wish to donate non-perishable items to the location can do so by placing it inside the box or by dropping them off at the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. An official dedication si expected at a later date.

KSP: Man arrested after troopers discover over 100 lbs of Cocaine, cash

An Eastern Kentucky man was arrested last week after police recovered over 100 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop.

Trooper Scotty Sharp. The driver, Paul Branham of Paintsville, was released on a partially secured bond last week, and is scheduled for an appearance in Hardin District Court this morning.

Pres. Trump signs four orders on pandemic relief

While talks on Capitol Hill stalled Friday evening, President Donald Trump took action on pandemic relief, signing 4 orders on Saturday. Most notably, the President reinstated unemployment bonuses, this time $400 per week through the end of the year. However, the relief comes with a catch, as states will be required to contribute 25% of the aid, $100, meaning it will be up to each state to sign off on the contribution. It is unclear at this time if a legal challenge to the President’s orders will happen.

Regional sites in the National Parks system set to receive overdue maintenance funds

2 National Parks sites in Kentucky will be receiving much needed funding after a new law was enacted last week.

Several billion dollars will now be funneled back into the National Parks system. President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act on Tuesday, paving the way for much needed maintenance for national park sites across the country, including two in the region. Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Cave City, and the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace and Boyhood Home, located outside Hodgenville, are both set to benefit from the new law.

2nd District Representative Brett Guthrie. The legislation called for 6.6 billion dollars to address priority maintenance items in the parks.

The National Park Service is home to more than 400 sites on a combined 84 million acres.

ECTC awarded grant from UofL

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College announced that they are the recipient of the University of Louisville’s Modern Apprenticeship Pathways to Success Program grant. 

Chief Advancement Officer Megan Stith. This initiative will include nine programs currently offered by ECTC, with the possibility of future change and expansion. More information can be obtained by contacting Mike Hazzard at ECTC.

Attorney General: Report suspicious PPE

First it was mysterious seeds, now it’s unsolicited Personal Protection Equipment. Jake Richardson explains more about the mysterious packages that some Kentuckians have received through the mail.

Elizabethtown City Council: Wifi for students; police department presented with award

The Elizabethtown Police Department was recognized for their excellence at last night’s City Council meeting. Chief Jeremy Thompson was presented with a plaque from the Kentucky League of Cities after the department’s policies and procedures audit once again came back 100%. Kentucky League of Cities liaison Mark Filburn said he’s asked often about the department’s performance, and said the reason behind it is simple:

“The standard stays high, the leadership stays excellent, and the support from the community is always there.”

In addition to the award presentation, the council also announced that Wi-Fi hotspots would soon be set up in locations around the community to assist students in their online instruction for the upcoming school year. Councilman Marty Fulkerson, who initially brought up the idea, said the service is a way to bridge the gap between students who might have the right devices but no internet access. 

“You can have all the computers you want, but if you can’t connect to  that Google Classroom, the kids still can’t learn,” he said. 

The service will start once the school years for both Hardin County and Elizabethtown Independent Schools begin.

Hodgenville PD asking public’s help in gathering their history

The Hodgenville Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with a special project that will serve to chronicle the department’s history.

Hodgenville Police Chief James Richardson says the idea to gather information regarding the police department’s history came from the department having no photos of Chief John Cox, who had recently passed away.

Richardson says this will go a long way in honoring the department and the officers that have served it. I’m Jake Richardson.

Submissions to the Police Department can be made via their Facebook page, or by emailing Chief Richardson directly at policechief@cityofhodgenville.com.

Hardin County Schools releases “draft” of their Reopening Plan

Hardin County Schools has released a draft of their reopening plan to the public. Information regarding the upcoming school year is now available on the district’s website. District spokesperson John Wright says that the document isn’t final just yet.

Wright says that while the district is planning on only the two instruction models, the use of NTI learning could be implemented at any point.

FDA warns against using certain types of hand sanitizers

The next time you use your bottle of hand sanitizer, you might want to check the label on the back. The FDA released a list on Friday of over 100 hand sanitizers that should not be used, for two different reasons.

Lincoln Trail Health spokesperson Terrie Burgan says individuals can go to the health department’s website to see the full list of sanitizers the FDA recommends to not use.

Meade County man arrested after fleeing on stolen motorcycle

A Meade County man was arrested Sunday after allegedly fleeing from police on a stolen motorcycle.

On Sunday night, police were called to the area of West Lincoln Trail Boulevard in reference to a reported stolen motorcycle. A Radcliff Police officer located the motorcycle on the roadway near North Wilson Road, where the driver, Jason Poole, was operating it. When officers attempted a traffic stop, Poole fled with a passenger, who attempted to get off, towards Dixie Highway, eventually crashing and fleeing on foot through several parking lots. While being placed under arrest, officers located a metal shim and screwdriver in his pocket, fashioned into the shape of a key.

Poole was charged with Fleeing or Evading, Receiving Stolen Property, as well as Unlawful Imprisonment, among other charges. He was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.