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Radcliff council discusses medical marijuana, trains, and zoning

94.3 The Wolf

The Radcliff City Council met for a work session Tuesday.

The council discussed a zoning map amendment that would convert 155 Morgan Street from R-7 to Planned Unit Development Zone. Because of the use of a PUD zone, the council will also consider the property’s preliminary site plan and preliminary plats. The plan would convert the former Morgawood Mobile Home Park to 19 single-family units. City Attorney Mike Pike said the plan seems to be a good use for the 1.29 acre site.

“The PUD zone is really the only zone they could utilize to make this type of development happen because of the small size of the homes and whatnot,” Pike said. “It looks like a creative use of the property. It does appear to fit the comp. plan. The Planning Commission was all on board.”

Radcliff Mayor JJ Duvall said a citizen is requesting the city explore implementing a quiet zone train ordinance. That ordinance would bar trains from using their horns when operating in the city during overnight hours. Duvall said the city will explore the possibility of applying for federal funding because more than $500,000 would likely be needed in order to make a quiet zone possible.

“The railway would have to be updated,” Duvall said. “The railroad crossing would have to be updated, from my understanding, and really, if you implement these quiet zones, you obviously have to implement those crossings to meet the standard, to meet the quiet zone regulations.”

Members of the council expressed their support for the city to draft an ordinance that would permit and regulate medical marijuana facilities that would operate in the city after the state medical marijuana law goes into effect. Pike said it is important for local communities to get regulations on the books so that the city has a say.

“You can’t restrict those people’s usage, but what you can do is restrict time, manner, place in terms of all these various cannabis operations, so if you do nothing, then what that means is you’re allowing it,” Pike said.

Some council members had reservations as they still had questions, while others said if use is going to be permitted by the state the city might as well set itself up for potential revenue benefits as well as regulatory control. Duvall said the city will look at potential draft ordinances.

The Radcliff City Council will next meet June 18.

Fiscal Court discusses zoning ordinance amendment to help build more houses

94.3 The Wolf

The Hardin County Fiscal Court met for their first meeting of the month Tuesday.

The court approved the second reading of end-of-fiscal-year amendments for the 2023-2024 county budget. The court also approved the first reading of an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance that would reduce the size of a Rural Residential, or R-2, lot from 3 acres to 1.8 acres. 

“Folks are still building homes out in the county, it’s just we’re consuming more farmland with that 3 acre minimum than we need to,” said Hardin County Planning Director Adam King. “In fact, as busy and bustling as E-Town’s getting, there’s a lot of folks that may want to move from E-Town and move out to the county to kind of have their little slice of heaven or piece of the pie.”

That’s Hardin County Planning Director Adam King. He said recent studies show that 8,811 housing units are projected to be needed by 2025 to accommodate area growth anticipated with the opening of BlueOval SK, and Hardin County is 4,578 housing units short of what is currently needed.

Hardin County Emergency Management Director Joey Scott and Hardin County Coroner Pat Elmore presented certificates of appreciation to members of the Valley Creek Fire Department for their assistance responding to a death investigation that was hampered by a hazardous material spill. Hardin County Sheriff John Ward recognized several officers for rescuing a man from a burning vehicle after a wrong-way collision on the Western Kentucky Parkway in May.

“It’s my distinct honor to have the opportunity to publicly express my gratitude and commend Deputy James “Opie” Sherrard, Deputy Nick Krone, and Lieutenant Taylor Miller for their extraordinary act of bravery and quick thinking that resulted in saving a life,” Ward said.

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet June 25.

Scheduling change in Houck and Lawson hearings approved

94.3 The Wolf

A schedule change has been approved for the upcoming hearings involving the Crystal Rogers investigation suspects.

Brooks Houck, Steven Lawson, and Joseph Lawson were all due back in court Thursday, but now only Steven Lawson will be making an appearance.

According to an order filed with the Nelson Circuit Court Monday, Special Prosecutor Shane Young and defense attorneys representing Brooks Houck are in agreement that the motion to dismiss filed by Steven Lawson’s defense should be argued in court prior to arguments on the special prosecutor’s motion to consolidate the three cases to one trial. The parties further agreed that Houck’s objection to the motion to consolidate should be heard in an individual hearing “based upon the nature of the issues raised.”

The hearing scheduled for Thursday will now only consist of arguments concerning Steven Lawson’s motion to dismiss. The defense for Lawson has maintained that Lawson was promised immunity in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation.

Houck’s objection will now be argued in a hearing scheduled for July 8. Houck’s defense says trying Houck with the Lawsons would take away his ability to cross-examine the Lawsons, and a joint trial would infringe upon Houck’s constitutional rights.

The order excuses Joseph Lawson and Houck from Thursday’s hearing.

Former EIS superintendent Bush remembered for integrity, support of students

94.3 The Wolf

Former Elizabethtown Independent School District Superintendent Kelli Bush is being remembered as “a fierce champion for all students and a servant leader who inspired others by her example and encouragement.”

A statement from the Bush family says Bush died Sunday at the age of 53 due to complications of cancer.

EIS Superintendent Paul Mullins says Bush leaves behind a wonderful legacy.

“It’s with great sadness that we mark the passing of a remarkable educational leader, Kelly Bush, whose passion for all students to be successful and love for the Elizabethtown Independent School District was second to none,” Mullins said.

Bush was a teacher and principal at Morningside Elementary School from 1999 to 2012. She served as EIS assistant superintendent from 2012 to 2020 and as superintendent from 2020 to 2023. Most recently, Bush was grant co-director for the Green River Region Educational Cooperative.

“She was loved by all that knew her,” Mullins said. “Kelly’s hard work and dedication has positively touched many generations of Panthers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family and friends.”

Hardin County Schools Superintendent Terry Morgan also paid tribute to Bush in a statement. Morgan said: “We worked closely together during the pandemic. We acknowledged that we would be competitors when it came to extracurricular activities, however, we also realized the benefits of working together for the betterment of our community. She was famous among her fellow superintendents for her ethical leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence, always prioritizing integrity above all else. We have certainly lost a colleague and a great friend.”

Funeral services for Kelli Bush will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home, with burial to follow in the Lebanon Junction Cemetery. Visitation for Kelli Bush will be Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.

Lindblom named Kentucky Jailers Association board president

94.3 The Wolf

At the 2023 Kentucky Jailers Association Summer Conference, Hardin County Jailer Josh Lindblom was recognized by his peers when he was named the association’s Jailer of the Year.

This year, Lindblom was once again recognized by his fellow jailers at the summer conference as he was named president of the KJA Board of Directors.

“In our association, you actually have the file to run, and of course you have 118 jailers that are allowed to vote,” Lindblom said. “So, you know, it’s pretty humbling to be able to say, hey, you got voted in by the whole state.”

Lindblom says he is looking forward to continuing to advocate for better conditions for jail staff and inmates alike, something he has gained experience with serving on the association’s legislative committee.

“We’ve made stuff available more for the inmates that are in jail so that whenever they get out they’ll be more productive,” Lindblom said “They’ll be able to be better citizens and it shows. Our GED programs or different programs we have in the jails that we put together, it’s really helping folks. It’s really helping folks stay out of jail.”

Lindblom also says the association has focused the last several years on increasing funding for mental health treatment.

“You know, you’ve got folks that have mental health issues that may commit a crime by accident,” Lindblmo said “They don’t need to be warehoused in a jail or a prison. They need help, so that’s one thing we’ve advocated for over the last couple of years.”

Lindblom was elected Hardin County Jailer in 2018.

Radcliff school supply drive runs now through July 16

94.3 The Wolf

The Radcliff Small Business Alliance is hosting a Back to School Supply Drive to support area families in need ahead of the upcoming school year.

“We’re looking for, obviously, school supplies, and this is going to be for our older kids, teenagers, so clothing and hygiene items,” said Radcliff Small Business Alliance Vice President Michelle Mitchell. “We added those two because there’s a growing need for that in our community.”

Items sought for the supply drive include black and white t-shirts, gym shorts (nothing more than three inches above the knee), sweatpants, no-show socks, hygiene items, feminine products, deodorant, brushes and combs, baby wipes, and gift cards.

The supply drive runs now through July 16. Items may be brought to Radcliff Small Business Alliance meetings, or you can bring them to the Colvin Community Center or Vine Grove City Hall. Items will be distributed to area schools at the July 16 meeting.

Contact Mitchell (270-216-0286) or find the Radcliff Small Business Alliance Facebook page for more information.

Battle of the Badges blood drive this Friday

94.3 The Wolf

Area first responders will compete for a good cause this Friday as they co-host the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown.

“This year, Paul Davis has jumped on board to help co-sponsor the event,” said American Red Cross Account Manager Tammy Ritchie. “They will be there that day giving out some goodie bags. We have all kinds of things going on that day, Battle of the Badges t-shirts. Every donor that comes in will receive a $15 e-gift card and they’ll get to choose what place they’d like or what merchant.”

Battle of the Badges is a friendly competition between police, fire, and EMS. As you go in to register for the blood drive, you’ll vote for one of the three entities.

Ritchie says walk-ins will be accepted, but preregistering is easy.

“They can go online and sign up at RedCrossBlood.org,” Ritchie said. “They can put in the zip code, or they can put in BOBElizabethtown for Battle of the Badges Elizabethtown, and that will take you right to the schedule.”

Now is a good time to help the Red Cross stay prepared.

“We just really need the community support,” Ritchie said. “Summer will be here sooner than we think, and the need for blood always goes up during that time of year.”

Visit redcrossblood.org for more information.

Community support allows Elizabethtown Independent Schools Summer Meals Program to resume

94.3 The Wolf

Elizabethtown Independent School District Director of Communications Chuck Jones says it wasn’t looking like the district’s Summer Meals Program would be able to take place, but then the community stepped up.

“We put out a thing that we may not be able to do it,” Jones said. “We kept looking at ways, and we just had a ton of people step up to volunteer and give their time and help us out and allow us to do this.”

Jones also said EIS Food Services Director Marty Adams never gave up on the program.

“She worked tirelessly to make sure that this was possible and she never quit, and that’s a big reason why our summer program is going to go on,” Jones said.

The program is open to all EIS students and runs today through July 26.

“They can come to Morningside Elementary, 7 to 8 a.m. for breakfast, and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, and that’s Monday through Friday,” Jones said.

EIS will also be offering lunches at several mobile locations. Times and sites can be found on the Elizabethtown Independent School District Facebook page. Contact EIS for more information.