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Special prosecutor responds to defense filings in Crystal Rogers investigation cases

94.3 The Wolf

Special Prosecutor Shane Young responded to the recent filings made by the suspects charged in the Crystal Rogers investigation.

Attorneys for Brooks Houck filed an objection to the special prosecutor’s motion to try Houck, Steven Lawson, and Joseph Lawson in the same trial, with attorneys for the Lawsons joining the objection. Houck’s attorneys stated that Houck could not get a fair trial as trying the three together would take away his ability to cross-examine the Lawsons.

Special Prosecutor Shane Young said in response: “There is no undue prejudice as a result of defendants pointing fingers at each other, rather our courts have favored joinder in such instances.” Young also says it is important to try the three together in order for the jury to see the prosecution’s argument that the three worked together to cover-up the crimes committed.

Young also responded to the motion to dismiss charges against Steven Lawson due to his claim that he was offered immunity. Young says Lawson was charged because of inconsistencies with his story, and it is ultimately up to his defense to prove in court his immunity argument.

All three suspects are expected back in court for a pre-trial conference on June 13. Meanwhile, Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III is reviewing a motion filed by the prosecutor and the defenses to move the trial out of Nelson County.

Tennessee man dies in wrong way crash on I-65

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A Tennessee man is dead following a wrong-way collision on Interstate 65 near Elizabethtown.

“The Kentucky State Police investigated a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 near Elizabethtown on Wednesday around 10:59 p.m.,” said Sergeant Jason Morris with the Kentucky State Police Commercial Enforcement Division. “The preliminary investigation indicates a 2016 Lexus being operated by 50-year-old Jeffrey Simonton of Clarksville, Tennessee, was traveling north on I-65 in the southbound lanes. A 2019 Volvo truck and semi trailer operated by Alexander Bojov of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was traveling south on Interstate 65.”

Bojov was unable to avoid Simonton’s vehicle and they collided head-on.

“Simonton was ejected from the vehicle and later pronounced dead at the scene by the Hardin County Corner,” Morris said. “Simonton and Bojav were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash, and Bojav was transported to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the crash blocked the southbound lanes of I-65 near mile marker 90 for several hours Thursday morning.

Vine Grove City Hall collecting school supplies for area students in need

94.3 The Wolf

The City of Vine Grove is asking for your help supporting area students.

“We are going to do a back to school bash at our First Friday in August, and we’re going to combine the two and we are collecting school supplies to be given out that night,” said Vine Grove Mayor Pam Ogden.

The city is partnering with several organizations to help support the school supply drive, but donations of any kind are appreciated.

“Anything that kids can use for school, backpacks is going to be the main thing, but we’ll take any supplies, paper, pencils, anything they use in school,” Ogden said. “You can bring it to Vine Grove City Hall and we will disperse it out to the kids.”

Donations are being accepted through August 1. Anybody in need of assistance will be eligible for the school supplies. Contact Vine Grove City Hall for more information.

Local governments among state recycling grant recipients

94.3 The Wolf

Governor Andy Beshear announced the awarding of more than $9 million in recycling program grants this week, and several local governments are among the recipients. 

The funding will support 73 projects across the commonwealth to support the expansion of recycling, the reduction of the amount of solid waste going into landfills, and improved handling of household hazardous waste.

The recycling program awards funds through three programs. Recycling grants provide funds for counties to purchase recycling equipment. Composting grants allow for the purchase of equipment to improve composting and promote creative solutions for solid waste. The household hazardous waste grant gives funds for counties to conduct annual drop-off events for disposal of waste such as chemicals and electronics.

The LaRue County Fiscal Court received about $71,000 and the Meade County Fiscal Court received more than $1 million in recycling grants. The Bullitt County Fiscal Court received about $42,000 and the Hardin County Fiscal Court received about $47,000 in household hazardous waste grants.

The grants are funded through the Kentucky Pride Fund, which is generated by fees for municipal solid waste disposed of at Kentucky landfills. 

Visit the Kentucky Division of Waste Management website for more information.

Be mindful of outdoor burning as summer approaches

94.3 The Wolf

Spring is a popular time for yard cleanup, and as the temperature outside increases and the ground dries more, Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says you should make sure the area around the house is free of debris.

“Make sure you’re pulling limbs, leaves, all that stuff that’s gathered up through the winter months, pull that away from your house, especially if you’re out in a rural area, or you have a lot of trees and things like that around your home,” Crane said “So if it does get dry and there is a lot of, there is a danger of a wildfire or anything that you’ve got that stuff away from your house.”

Crane says check with your local municipalities on collecting limbs or other yard waste. If you plan to burn anything, make sure you check to make sure you are in the clear.

“If you’re deciding to do a controlled burn, make sure you check with your local ordinances,” Crane said. “Check what’s allowed, and make sure you’re checking to make sure that there is no statewide or local prohibition on burning at that time.”

When you head outside to burn, make sure you are only burning approved materials, and you are a safe distance from the house, trees, or other structures.

“Definitely watch the wind conditions,” Crane said. “If you check the weather and it looks like it’s gonna be a breezy or gusty day, hold off and don’t burn. When you are burning though, make sure that you are constantly attending the fire and make sure you have something to put it out, whether it be a small tractor with a bucket or make sure that you’ve got a hose close by, something like that to help put it out.”

More fire safety tips can be found on the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.

Cecilia man convicted for participating in January 6 U.S. Capitol attack

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A former employee of the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office was convicted Tuesday on charges related to his participation in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Joseph Irwin of Cecilia was found guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia of three felony charges, including Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon, and three misdemeanor charges, including Entering and Remaining on the Floor of Congress.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, court documents state that Irwin and co-defendant John Joseph Richter of Port Charlotte, Florida, discussed plans to travel to Washington with the intent to obstruct the certification of the electoral college vote. The two discussed the potential for violence and possible supplies to bring, with both bringing wooden poles with all-black American flags. 

The two men attended the January 6th “Stop the Steal” rally and joined the march to the Capitol, and then joined efforts to breach the building. Irwin broke his pole into two pieces when he “aggressively smashed his pole on the ground in a threatening manner at the police officers.” After breaching the building and eventually making it to the senate floor, the two had fellow rioters take their pictures at senators’ desks while posing with their poles. The two left the Capitol after Metropolitan Police officers eventually directed the rioters out. The release says the two continued to celebrate their participation in the riot, with Irwin keeping his wooden pole in a shadow box.

Irwin was arrested on August 17, 2021. According to the criminal complaint from his arrest, Irwin was identified through an anonymous tip after he was seen in video recorded at the Capitol. Hardin County Sheriff John Ward identified Irwin and confirmed in the complaint that he was a former employee, having left the sheriff’s office in May of 2016.

Sentencing for Irwin is scheduled for August 9. More than 1,400 people have been charged for their participation in the January 6th attack, and the FBI continues to collect tips on other participants.

Games tells city council area growth goes beyond BOSK

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When Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation President Andy Games gave an economic development update to the Elizabethtown City Council Monday, he said the projected economic impact of BlueOval SK has been discussed, but E-Town’s growth goes further.

“I kind of tell people, take BOSK out of the equation, and we here at E-Town have three-quarters of $1 billion worth of investment currently under construction in the park between Whiskey House, Lotte, and Advanced Nano Products or ANP InterTech, so that’s exciting,” Games said.

Games said that growth is not reserved for new development, with existing companies also making strides.

“Flex finished an expansion, Fischbach finished an expansion, WL Plastics finalized their purchase on some land on West Park Road, and there are plans to build another factory for WL Plastics,” Games said. “I’m not sure when that’s going to come on, but they did finalize their land purchase with us. Soudal and Altec, Altec’s always growing, and Soudall is looking at doing an expansion as well.”

With the successes comes some challenges. Games said the industrial foundation has been working with Akebono Brake Corporation after the announcement that they will be closing their Elizabethtown operation.

“They are committed through December 2025,” Games said. “They’re a longstanding partner here with our community, but we are working closely with them as that day comes. I’ve spoken to many of those employees that have called about wanting to know what options are when they get done in December, and I said ‘don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get a job, I promise you.’”

Games said the industrial foundation is working with Akebono on finding a buyer for their building, and the foundation has been working to identify possible properties for future development.

Learn more about the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation on their website.

Hardin County Fiscal Court approves budget, hears updates

94.3 The Wolf

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

The fiscal court approved the county’s 2024-2025 budget ordinance, which was up for its second reading. The ordinance was approved on a 5-4 vote. No further discussion was held on the budget at this meeting, but at the previous reading the magistrates that voted against the budget expressed concern with using funds from the BlueOval SK Pilot Agreement to cover the budget deficit.

Deputy Judge-Executive Vicki Meredith reported on the county’s Public Works Department. Meredith said the county’s monthly shredding events continue to be well-attended with 224 bags shredded so far this year. The county’s recycling program is also well-used, with 30 trailer runs in March and 44 in April. The Hardin County Conservation District presented the county with a check for $5,000 for its dead animal removal program, which Meredith said has seen 76 animals removed so far this year.

“The point of this is to try to make sure that deceased farm animals are disposed of properly,” Meredith said. “Often, historically, they could be pulled to the back part of the farm or placed close to a stream or in a sinkhole and that’s just not appropriate, so we really commend all the farmers and property owners throughout Hardin County for working with us on this program.”

County Director of Planning Adam King said so far this year 163 building permits have been issued, 33 new plats have been recorded, and 52 new lots have been recorded. King also said the county’s new comprehensive plan has been well-received.

“We’re really excited about this document,” King said. “We’ve used it now at a few meetings, and it has a lot more meat on everything to justify zone change decisions. I think this document is going to serve us well for years to come.”

King said the comprehensive plan has been submitted for a state planning award.

Several magistrates took a moment to acknowledge the 36th anniversary of the May 14, 1988, Carrollton bus collision, and asked residents to remember the families of the 27 victims.

“We do need to continually remind the young people of the consequences of their decisions,” said Magistrate Fred Clem. “And those families, continue to remember them as well.”

The Hardin County Fiscal Court will next meet May 28.

Elizabethtown City Council meets for special meeting

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown City Council met for a special meeting Monday.

The council approved two zoning map amendments on their second readings. The first changed 1203 and 1205 Saint John Road from R-5 to R-6. The second changed 806 North Miles Street from R-4 to R-5. The first reading was held on a zoning change for 1121 through 1131 Alex Drive from C-3 to R-6, as well as an annexation request for 8.8 acres on South Wilson Road from Hardin County to be zoned C-3. All of these items were recommended for approval by the city’s planning commission.

The council approved a municipal order accepting CIMA Energy’s bid to supply natural gas for the city.

“Now be it ordered that the City of Elizabethtown accepts the bid from CIMA for a two-year contract at a rate of Inside FERC Index plus .2 cents/Dth,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the municipal order.

The council also approved four municipal orders awarding Downtown Redevelopment Grants to four properties.

“Whereas the City of Elizabethtown desires to promote and support the redevelopment of downtown, and whereas the City of Elizabethtown has developed a Downtown Redevelopment Grant program to encourage private property owners to redevelop their properties,” said Howard, reading from the municipal order.

Grants awarding no more than about $43,500 for 220 West Dixie Avenue, about $46,000 for 110 South Main Street, $2,000 for 117 North Main Street, and about $2,600 for 35 Public Square were approved.

Mayor Jeff Gregory and members of the council had high praise for the E-Town Wine Fest which was held at Freeman Lake Park this past Saturday. Council Member Cindy Walker said she arrived shortly before 6 p.m. and saw a strong crowd.

“I was told that over 1,500 tickets at that time had been sold and they were still lining up behind me,” Walker said. “Beth (Pyles) and Priscilla (Scarborough) did an excellent job, the entire staff, the city, the volunteers. It was perfect.”

Extra vendors, a wider footprint, and great weather helped make the event a successful one.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet May 20.

Radcliff City Council meets for special meeting

94.3 The Wolf

The Radcliff City Council met for a special called meeting Monday.

The council approved a $60,000 bid from Helm Construction for HVAC units at the Colvin Community Center. The council also approved a $79,000 bid from Skyler Construction for the roof at Radcliff Fire Station No. 2. That project was re-bid at the request of Council Member Jerry Brown after only one bid was initially received. Brown said he was pleased re-bidding saved the city about $10,000.

“We don’t have the luxury of a really deep budget, so we’re always looking to save money for our Radcliff taxpayers, and by re-bidding we were able to do that,” Brown said. “We saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars.”

Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland Executive Director Charles Dennis came before the council to discuss the organization’s work with 250 partner organizations across 42 counties, including 5 in Radcliff. Dennis said figures on food insecurity are expected to be released this week, which has Feeding America evaluating how to best serve those in need.

“We’re not doing away with the Backpack Program, but we’re going to be shifting to funding what we call a Feeding Kids Fund, and we have piloted a School Pantry Program,” Dennis said. “There are some instances where the need is so great that just a backpack is not going to fill that.”

Radcliff/Fort Knox Convention and Tourism Commission Treasurer Bob Moore discussed the organization’s budget, which he said is higher this year thanks to increased revenue from area hotels. Moore said the advertising budget will be increased for airports and Spotify after strong interest was seen in area attractions.

“Boundary Oak has gotten 300,000 visitors already,” Moore said. “Red Hill Cutlery talks about the turnover there, coming in to see the knife and the museum, and still the largest download of everything we have is Saunders Springs.”

The Radcliff City Council will next meet May 21.