WULF News

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 Elizabethtown Police Department captured a wanted man at a local hotel. Officers reported that Brian Walden, 35, who had an arrest warrant for absconding parole, was staying at a Motel 6 in Elizabethtown. Because of a violent encounter an officer had previously with Walden, the Special Response Team was called in. When officers arrived at the Motel 6, Walden surrendered peacefully and without incident. Walden is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

On Wednesday, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear provided an update on the status of his executive order that automatically restored the right to vote to many Kentuckians who were previously denied the right. According to a release from his office, Governor Beshear unveiled a website to help Kentuckians who are unsure determine if they qualify. The website, civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov, features a searchable database where those visiting the site enter a first and last name and date of birth, then their county of conviction or supervision, and then receive a result. If the displayed result is inconclusive, there is an e-mail and phone number to contact for more information. Individuals currently in custody or on supervision will be reviewed for automatic restoration prior to their completion of sentence and told if they qualify. Previously, the Governor had signed an executive order on his third day in office restoring the rights to vote and hold public office to Kentuckians who were convicted of most non-violent crimes who have repaid their debt to society by completing their sentences.

Hardin County Schools is seeking the opinion of Seniors in the district in order to plan for future career fairs. The district is offering a survey where Seniors can weigh in on which career pathways they would like represented so there can be more emphasis placed on fields students want to pursue. These surveys can be found on the Hardin County Schools website under the News and Announcements tab.

Breckinridge County has a new interim Sheriff after the retirement of controversial former Sheriff Todd Pate. Judge Executive Maurice Lucas appointed Billy Richardson in the role on Monday. Judge Lucas says he believes Richardson will bring a youthful energy to the position, and will be a good role model for children in the community. Richardson ran against Pate for the Sheriff position last election losing by only a few votes. Richardson will be on the ballot for the position in the elections this November.

The Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force and the Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement West assisted the United States Postal Service execute a search warrant at 50 Tumbo Road in Hodgenville. According to a press release from the task force, during the execution of the warrant, Harley Spalding, 26, and Zachariah Davis, 25, arrived at the location to claim ownership of a package containing approximately 23 pounds of high-grade marijuana shipped from California. The two were detained, and detectives then went to the residence of Davis, where they found an additional pound of high-grade marijuana, approximately 470 THC vape cartridges, THC vape packaging, and evidence of manufacturing. Davis and Spalding were both arrested and charged with trafficking in marijuana over five pounds and possession of drug paraphernalia. The investigation is ongoing, with additional charges and arrests pending.

As more details come in, the names of the local offenders in the Louisville Metro Police Department human trafficking detail have been released. Amos Brown of Hodgenville and Jeffery Stutts of Eastview were among the seven fathers that separately agreed to meet with a minor in Louisville for illicit activity. The detail, called Operation Bright Light, saw fake ads posted on several escort sites, which the men replied to and made plans. All offenders believed their escort to be sixteen years of age. All seven men are lodged in a Jefferson County jail.

Elizabethtown Parks and Recreation will be partnering with Abound Credit Union to host a financial literacy course this Thursday. The event will start at 6, and will cover credit scores and credit scoring basics. This is the first of four upcoming classes. There is no cost to attend, and the event is open to the public. The event is part of Abound’s new plan to bring widespread financial literacy to the Hardin County community.

Central Hardin High School will be bringing a literary classic to life this weekend with their production of Little Women. The show will be Friday night at 7 and Saturday afternoon at 4. The show will take place at the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center, and tickets are only five dollars.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to an apartment fire on Sunday afternoon at 405 Lexington Avenue. As residents evacuated, the rescue crew quickly found and extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire was believed to be cooking oil that had been ignited. Residents in the upstairs apartments were allowed to return to their homes, while residents of the building’s downstairs apartments were situated with housing arrangements. No one was injured in the incident.

March is Women’s History Month, and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will be celebrating with a series of activities and speakers. The series, which is entitled “She Can, She Will, She Does”, will begin tomorrow March 3^rd with an airing of the movie “Hidden Figures” at 1:30 PM in Room 100 of the Academic Technical Building. There will also be several special guests to the campus throughout the month including Brenna Sherrill on March 18, who will make a presentation called “Difficult Women: The Age of the Anti-Heroine”, Dawne Gee on March 19, who will discuss women breaking the mold in media, and Alma Randolph on March 25 speaking about how one female can make a difference. All these events are free and open to the public.

The coronavirus breakout in parts of the world is causing some people alarm, but Lincoln Trail District Health Department wants members of their service area to know they stand ready for response. In a release from the department, they state that there are no known cases of the coronavirus disease currently in the state of Kentucky. However, local and state public health officials are monitoring and preparing in order to promptly respond should cases come to light. Lincoln Trail notes that they are in constant contact with the Kentucky Department for Public Health for any updates relating to the disease. To date, public health officials in Kentucky have monitored 100 individuals outside of the Lincoln Trail area, with only one requiring tested, and no confirmed case. Health alerts for the Lincoln Trail service area can be found at ltdhd.org.

An event taking place this year will serve to create a mental health community in Elizabethtown. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting the first ever Out of the Darkness Community Walk and fundraiser to be held in Elizabethtown. The venue for the event is Central Hardin High School, and Principal Tim Isaacs, who says he is seeing more and more anxiety and depression amongst teens now, thinks creating a community that is smart about mental health should be a priority. The event will take place on September 19^th. Details on registering an individual or team for the walk will be relayed as soon as it becomes available.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has received a donation to their Advanced Manufacturing Career Skills program. Navy Federal Credit Union announced they would be making a $15,000 donation to the program in order to support transitioning soldiers at ECTC. The career skills program is in collaboration with Fort Knox that allows soldiers to complete certificates in advanced manufacturing to prepare them for high-demand career fields after their Army careers. This gift will help fund tuition and textbook fees so soldiers can participate in the program free of charge. Service members interested in the program should contact the Education Center at Fort Knox.

Varying lane closures will be taking place along US 31W in Hardin County this week. According to a release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, today and Friday will see closures coming into effect between 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Survey crews will be working south of the KY 220 intersection to north of the Blackjack Road intersection in preparation for upcoming projects. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, minimize distractions, and pay close attention to posted signs in the area.