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Latest round of state training funds includes two local factories

94.3 The Wolf

Two area factories will receive skills training through the latest approvals from the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the BSSC oversees Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development programs that “help private sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.” The BSSC board in 2024 has approved about $19 million in funds and credits for 104 facilities, resulting in training for more than 42,000 workers.

More than 8,500 workers will receive training through the latest approved funds and credits. Included in the latest approval are more than 2,000 trainees at Metalsa Structural Products in Elizabethtown and 60 trainees at Nationwide Uniform Corporation in Hodgenville.

“Equipping our workforce with the tools they need to thrive is a huge part of our mission to build a better Kentucky, and we’re making great progress thanks to this important support through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “I can attest how important this program is as it’s one of the talking points we have with companies that are looking at Kentucky when we’re talking about not just how to bring them workforce, but ultimately how to train them. This is one of the most popular programs. We’re really proud of it, and it’s certainly benefiting the people of Kentucky.”

More information on the BSSC program can be found on the Cabinet for Economic Development’s website.

Enforcement date for REAL IDs less than six months away

94.3 The Wolf

With the enforcement date now less than six months away, Kentucky officials are reminding all Kentuckians 18 and older to make sure they have upgraded to a REAL ID.

Beginning May 7, 2025, all Kentuckians 18 and older will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to travel domestically and access certain federal facilities such as military bases.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says in order to apply for a REAL ID, residents must visit a driver licensing regional office and present one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security, and two proofs of residency. The KYTC website has a checklist of documents that qualify for each requirement. REAL ID licenses are available for four-year or eight-year credentials.

After the enforcement date, standard licenses will still be valid for driving and as proof of identity, age, and residence for voting and age-restricted purchases. The standard license will also allow access to federal facilities such as VA hospitals.

Visit REALIDKY.com for more information.

One dead, one hospitalized following KY 86 accident

94.3 The Wolf

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Thursday accident that resulted in the death of a Grayson County man.

“At 1:17 p.m. yesterday afternoon, we received a report of a serious accident on KY 86, also known as Hardinsburg Road, in the 15,000 block,” said Hardin County Sheriff John Ward. “A vehicle had run off the roadway just a little bit and overcorrected, losing control and striking a vehicle which was going in the opposite direction head on.”

Ward said the driver of the vehicle that lost control was identified as 20-year-old Andrew Miller of Leitchfield. He was declared dead at the scene. Ward said it appears Miller was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the opposite vehicle was transported to Baptist Health Hardin with serious injuries.

The investigation into the crash by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is ongoing.

Judge denies JCPenney’s injunction request for Towne Mall work

94.3 The Wolf

Attorneys for Penney Property Subholdings LLC, which owns the Elizabethtown JCPenney, and Linnick Investments LLC, which owns the Towne Mall, were back in court Thursday morning to continue a hearing on JCPenney’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt renovations at the mall.

Zachary VanVactor with Stites and Harbison PLLC, representing JCPenney, argued that Linnick Investments owner Tim Aulbach testified that he had not read the store’s lease with the mall but still moved forward with renovation construction, thus breaching the store’s right to review proposed changes to the property. VanVactor asked the court to issue the injunction and require Linnick to send full plans to JCPenney for approval.

Corky Coryell with Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs LLP argued that JCPenney has no ability to prove irreparable harm in the case, and said witnesses called in the case have shown that the renovations are good for the property. Coryell said the injunction would just be the store’s way of blackmailing Linnick into renegotiating their rent agreement.

Hardin Circuit Judge Larry Ashlock denied the motion for an injunction, with Ashlock saying that case law in Kentucky shows injunctions are not issued in breach of contract cases without damages being proven, and in this case damages were not proven.

Man arrested in Meade County after domestic episode, vehicle pursuit

94.3 The Wolf

A police call regarding a domestic incident led to a vehicle pursuit and a man’s arrest. 

Jerry S. Martin of Scottsville faces multiple charges including Attempted Murder of a First Responder, Wanton Endangerment, Fleeing or Evading Police, and Menacing, among other charges, following his arrest Monday.

According to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on Sandy Hill Road at around 1 a.m. on November 4 after receiving a call from a woman who said her ex-boyfriend had shown up and was trying to gain access to the residence while behaving “drunk and belligerent.” When deputies arrived, they made contact with the subject, later identified as Martin, at which time he stepped out of his vehicle, picked up a cinder block, and threw it through the living room window of the home.

The sheriff’s office says Martin ignored commands from officers, returned to his vehicle, and drove through the yard, nearly striking a deputy twice. Deputies lost contact with the vehicle after it left the residence. 

When deputies arrived later to obtain more information, Martin was discovered in his vehicle in a neighboring yard. Martin again fled, attempting to evade police by driving through a cornfield off Owen Loop. Martin abandoned his vehicle near a barn and fled on foot, and was later apprehended following a search with a K9 unit and other law enforcement agencies.

Martin is currently incarcerated in the Meade County Detention Center.

Veterans Day events happening throught the area

94.3 The Wolf

Several area communities, schools, and organizations have events planned today through Monday in observance of Veterans Day.

The City of Elizabethtown will host their annual motorcade and Veterans Day ceremony Monday. The motorcade will begin at 10:15 a.m. at American Legion Park on North Miles Street, proceeding to Ring Road and ending at the Elizabethtown Nature Park. Active duty service members and veterans are welcome to line up by 9:45 a.m., while community members are encouraged to line the motorcade route.

The city’s ceremony at the nature park will begin sharply at 11:00 a.m. with the Posting of the Colors to commemorate the signing of the Armistice ending World War I on November 11, 1918. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Cooper from the First Theater Sustainment Command will be the keynote speaker.

G.C. Burkhead Elementary School invites area veterans to participate in their Veterans Day parade. Participating veterans should line up in the school parking lot at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, with the parade beginning at 12:45. G.C. Burkhead students, teachers, and staff will line up to show their support and appreciation.

Murder/Arson suspect waives case to grand jury

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown man charged with Murder and Arson following a late October fire appeared in Hardin District Court Wednesday afternoon.

Dustin Caudill appeared before Judge Kimberly Schumate for a preliminary hearing. Caudill’s attorney, public defender Erin Hartman, said the hearing would not be necessary as Caudill was waiving his case to the Hardin County Grand Jury.

Judge Schumate said Caudill’s case will be reviewed by the grand jury, and should they choose to indict him on any of the felony charges he faces, his case will be moved to the Hardin Circuit Court. The judge said further decisions on bond will be made after the grand jury proceedings.

The Elizabethtown Police Department said Caudill confessed to shooting 41-year-old Blake France of Greenville and 43-year-old Anthony Garrett of Elizabethtown and then setting fire to the Henon Lane residence they were in on October 30. Caudill remains incarcerated at the Hardin County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.

Hunters that help KFW test for CWD can win prizes

94.3 The Wolf

As Kentucky Fish and Wildlife continues to monitor for chronic wasting disease, the agency is offering an incentive to hunters to help with their efforts.

Kentucky hunters that harvest a deer between now and January 20 are invited to submit it to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for sampling, which will enter them in the Shoot for Samples regional giveaway.

KFW says the giveaways will take place across five regions: Bluegrass, Northeast, Southeast, Green River, and Purchase. Hunters will be automatically entered in the contest when they drop off deer heads at CWD sample drop-off sites or send a sample in with a CWD mail-in kit. One winner will be selected from each region with multiple prizes available including gift cards valued between $500 and $1,000.

Submitted samples must come from deer harvested in Kentucky, and regular bag limits and deer hunting regulations apply. Testing for CWD is free.

KFW has ramped up its monitoring for chronic wasting disease after a deer at a farm in Breckinridge County tested positive, prompting the creation of a CWD surveillance zone in Breckinridge, Hardin, and Meade counties. KFW will host a public informational meeting on the surveillance zone and related restrictions at Breckinridge County High School (2019 East Highway 60, Harned) Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale for Elizabethtown Christmas activities

94.3 The Wolf

Tickets are now on sale for the multiple Christmas activities offered by the City of Elizabethtown this holiday season.

“The City of Elizabethtown prides itself in offering events for our residents,” said Elizabethtown Events Manager Beth Pyles. “We have a lot to offer here. You don’t have to go to a big city. I think the festivities that we have here are fantastic, and we just hope that everyone enjoys the magic of the holiday season that we hope to bring to Elizabethtown.”

The city will host their annual Breakfast with Santa on December 7 at the State Theater.

“Tickets include breakfast, which is delicious, a visit with Santa, a professional photograph, Christmas crafts, and a ticket to the showing of Polar Express, the movie that day,” Pyles said.

The Polar Express is the kickoff to the State Theater’s Christmas movie series. Pyles says tickets will go fast for these holiday classics.

“Tickets are $3 each and the box office opens one hour before showtime,” Pyles said. “You can find the full list of movies on our site, thestate270.org. The titles include The Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, and White Christmas.”

Find more information on all of the city’s holiday offerings at etownevents.com.

HCS to host drug overdose presentation Thursday

94.3 The Wolf

Hardin County Schools will be partnering with several area agencies to present an assembly on the dangers of drug overdoses.

“It’ll be an opportunity for our community, our parents, our families to see that obviously drug use and the abuse of it is not the proper thing to do,” said HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright. “It can impact so many lives when things go wrong, and so this will really give people a firsthand look.”

The assembly will be Thursday at 6 p.m. at the HCS Performing Arts Center.

“The simulation is very powerful,” Wright said. “That is why we are saying that only those who are 18 years of age or older can attend. There will be a school version of this that students can see. The one that we are going to show on Thursday evening is a little bit more in your face, and so we are asking folks to be 18 or over to attend that.”

The event is free, however attendees are asked to reserve a ticket at thepac.net.