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WULF News

October 16, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College University Center project has received another large donation. Hardin Memorial Health presented the college with a $100,000 gift to go towards the project. The University Center will be partnering with other universities to bring new nursing programs to ECTC in the future, notably signing an agreement with Spalding University in September. For more information, or to donate to the University Center project, visit ectcforbetterlives.com.

Two Elizabethtown residents have been appointed by Governor Matt Bevin to serve on Kentucky Boards and Commissions. David Wayne Pedigo, an environmental engineer, will now represent industrial operators on the Kentucky Board of Certification of Wastewater System Operators. His term in this position will end August 31, 2023. David Carrier Jarrett will now represent disabled American veterans as a member of the Veterans’ Program Trust Fund until July 15, 2022.

Helping Hand of Hope, which seeks to provide quality of life assistance to those in the community, has appointed a new executive director. Hope Burke will be replacing Gary Bohannon in the role. Burke’s role as community relations director will be mixed in with her new role as executive director.

A traffic stop led to the arrest of a wanted man in Grayson County. According to a release from the Sheriff’s Department, 35-year-old Joshua Garrett was stopped for a busted taillight when it was learned he had three warrants for his arrest out of Muhlenberg County. The K9 unit with the officers alerted them to the presence of narcotics, and over a gram of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Garrett and his passenger, 31-year-old David Maddox, were lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

Two major railroad crossings in Elizabethtown will be closing next month for repairs. Crossings at Nicholas Street near 31W and East Crutcher Street are scheduled for repairs beginning November 11th. Detours will be set up around these locations to alert motorists of the closings.

A West Point gun range received some unexpected publicity Sunday night and Monday morning. Video of a night time gun demonstration at the Knob Creek Gun Range in West Point was aired on World News Tonight and Good Morning America and falsely claimed as battle footage between Syrian Kurds and Turkish forces. ABC released a correction and apology on Monday via Twitter. The Knob Creek Gun Range thanked their patrons on their Facebook page for notifying them of ABC’s error.

October 15, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

A major fire broke out in Hardinsburg yesterday morning around 11 AM. Reports say that an electrical fire began in the fertilizer storage area at the Green Point AG on Highway 261 South. Many roads were shut down as a result of the blaze, and a no-fly zone was requested over the city. Residents were instructed to close all windows and remain indoors. Surrounding businesses were also evacuated.

A detective with the Elizabethtown Police Department has accomplished an incredible feat. Madison Kuklinski completed the ten-week Kentucky Criminalistics Academy. Kuklinski is only the second EPD officer to ever complete this advanced training.

The price of rentals at Pritchard Community Center was discussed with the Elizabethtown City Council at a work session on Monday. Pritchard spokesperson Seth Breitner discussed differing rates for weekday and weekend rentals. Different proposed rates for the meeting rooms were also discussed at the meeting. Breitner noted that all contracts already made under previous rates will be honored.

The Veterans Treatment Court is looking for retired veterans from all branches of the military who would like to be a mentor to service men and women in need. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor should contact Judge Kimberly Schumate via the Kentucky Court of Justice website.

October 14, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

Two vehicle fires caused severe backups on Interstate 65 last night. According to Facebook posts from Central Hardin Fire Department as well as Lebanon Junction Fire and Rescue, the responders first attended to a car fire on I-65 before immediately having to tend to a commercial vehicle catching fire near the same location. Elizabethtown Fire Department and Valley Creek Fire were also noted as being on location. The investigation into the incidents is ongoing.

For the second year in a row, Vine Grove has been voted the Number One Safest City in the state of Kentucky. Mayor Pam Ogden credits a strong police force and sense of community for the success of the city. Vine Grove reported zero violent crimes in the findings reported on safewise.com.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and Hardin Memorial Hospital will be holding a remembrance gathering at Freeman Lake on Tuesday night. This event is non-denominational and will feature music, and testimony from parents. The gathering and service will begin at 6 PM.

The Elizabethtown Police Department currently has openings for 5 new patrol officers. Applications for the positions must be in by the close of business on October 16th. Written assessments for prospective officers will take place on the 19th. Applications can be downloaded on the department’s website, etownpd.org.

October 11, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

The West Point Independent School District has given an update in regards to the progress of their appeal against the Kentucky Board of Education. Interim Superintendent Sally Sugg reports that the West Point Board of Education’s attorney, Mike Owsley, has been in communication with attorneys from the Kentucky Board of Education to set a date for the hearing of the appeal. As of now, the date for that hearing has not been set. As previously reported, the Kentucky Board of Education recommended the state take control of the school district. Sugg notes, however, that the focus of the district remains on the students.

A judge in Jefferson Circuit Court has ruled that Attorney General candidate, and former Hardin County Resident, Daniel Cameron meets the requirements to run for Attorney General. This comes after Cameron’s opponent in the race, Greg Stumbo, challenged the amount of practicing attorney experience Cameron possessed. On a post to his Facebook page, Cameron said, “I’m not surprised we won, but I’m thrilled to put this frivolous lawsuit behind us.”

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is introducing a mobile training unit to help serve community businesses. Dean of Workforce Solutions Mike Hazzard says that the unit can be brought to places needing training in the medical, manufacturing, or other fields, and provide the training on site. To inquire about bringing the unit to a business, contact the Office of Workforce Solutions at ECTC.

The Tails and Ta-tas Breast Cancer Awareness 5K will be taking place tomorrow in Downtown Elizabethtown. Registration for the 5K is $25, and will begin at 7 AM in front of the Brown-Pusey House. Following will be a yoga warm-up at 7:30, and the 5K beginning at 8. There will also be an awards ceremony at 9:15. Proceeds for the event will go towards the Hardin Memorial Health Cancer Center.

A Hardin County man has won an Emmy Award. Wes Manakee, who grew up in Sonora and went to high school at Central Hardin, and his team won the award for technical aspects they were part of with ESPN in 2018. Manakee says he sent the statue to his parents so they could hold the award first.

October 10, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at 428 West Dixie Avenue early Thursday morning. Smoke was reported coming from the upstairs apartment. The resident of the apartment tried to extinguish the fire, but had to evacuate. The fire was subdued, but the apartment was heavily damaged. The Red Cross was able to provide temporary lodging for the residents of the apartment. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The Hardin County Veteran’s Treatment Court received a sizeable grant of $500,000 from the Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance. These funds will be used to help assist veterans in the program overcome barriers in their treatment, including transportation and education costs. The money will also be used in planning of future programming.

Despite two inches of rainfall and cooler temperatures, Hardin County has not lifted the burn advisory placed on the county. Chief of Emergency Services Bryce Schumate says that the conditions are still too dry to safely burn. Grayson and Larue counties both lifted their burn bans Tuesday afternoon.

The Elizabethtown Police Department has issued new changes to their policies regarding tattoos on the arm. The department has now allowed long sleeved shirts to be worn year round so to cover up tattoos on the lower arm, which previously immediately disqualified an applicant. Anyone with questions regarding the new changes are encouraged to call the Elizabethtown Police Department.

October 9, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

An Eastview man has been arrested due to charges stemming from a March complaint warrant. According to arrest citations, Kentucky State Police received a call from the mother of the victim, claiming her daughter was being assaulted by Joey Hawkins. Allegedly, Hawkins committed several acts of violence against the victim, then hindered her ability to call 911, pinning her to the ground and attempting to get her phone out of her pocket. Hawkins has been charged with assault, unlawful imprisonment, and intimidating a participant in the legal process. He is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The Elizabethtown Police Department will be holding their open house this Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. The event will feature tours and vehicle displays, as well as food, giveaways, and a chance to talk with officers with EPD. Those interested in applying for a position within the department are encouraged to attend to learn more about the hiring process. There is no cost to attend and the event is open to the public.

The Kentucky Department of Highway Safety is encouraging drivers to put down their phones and buckle their seatbelts in order to save lives. The Buckle Up Phone Down campaign began yesterday. This campaign will hope to help cut down on the more than 50,000 crashes in Kentucky as a result of distracted driving. More information about the campaign can be found at kyhighwaysafety.com.

October 8, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

A Kentucky State Police trooper was struck on I-65 South near mile marker 79 yesterday morning. Trooper Elliott Young was on patrol searching for a reckless driver that was reported to be traveling in the wrong direction. Trooper Elliott’s vehicle collided with another vehicle driven by Shaina Reed of Sunman, Indiana. Both were taken to Hardin Memorial Hospital by Hardin County EMS with non-life threatening injuries. The incident is being investigated by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team.

Another donation has been made towards the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College University Center project. Fischbach USA has announced a donation of $15,000 to support the project’s development. ECTC recently announced partnerships with several Kentucky universities to expand offerings at the college. For more information about the University Center or to donate to the project, visit ectcforbetterlives.com.

October 7, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

A Golden Alert issued on Friday by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department has been cancelled. 79-year-old Donald Heady, who previously had disappeared from his residence Friday morning, was found driving on I-65 near the Bullitt and Jefferson County line. The Sheriff’s Office thanks those who assisted in locating Mr. Heady, and notes that he is now home safe.

A collision took the lives of two people in Nelson County over the weekend. The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office responded to New Haven Road near Balltown Road Saturday afternoon. According to reports, Mark Phelps of Radcliff was travelling south when he attempted to make a left turn into a driveway. Phelps turned into the path of another vehicle driven by Rhonda Johnson of New Hope. Two of Phelps’ passengers were declared deceased at the scene. Phelps and another passenger were taken to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment, while Johnson and her two passengers were transported by private vehicle. The collision is under investigation.

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union won three major awards last week, The institution took home the Alphonse Desjardins Financial Education Award, the Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Member Service Award, and the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. These are statewide awards given out by the Kentucky Credit Union League and Credit Union National Association. More information about the credit union can be found at fortkoxfcu.org.

Reminder that today is the last day to register to vote in the upcoming November elections. Go online to govoteky.com to register. Those interested in absentee voting should inquire to the County Clerk’s Office. Voting locations can be found at hccoky.org.

October 3, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch succeeded in making an arrest earlier this week. Billy Joe Chesser was charged for his alleged crimes against minors. Chesser was arrested as a result of an undercover online crimes against children investigation, and faces ten counts for use of a minor in a sexual performance. The charges facing Chesser could result in ten to twenty years in prison if he is convicted. He is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Two Elizabethtown men have been arrested for their roles in a Radcliff shooting. According to arrest citations, Jordan Morgan and one other assailant were allegedly threatening the use of handguns to commit a robbery. However, the other suspect was shot several times by Paris Bell, who later admitted to discharging the firearm. Projectiles from the weapon were also found to have entered a residence located on Hamilton Street. Morgan is charged with robbery, and Bell is being charged with assault and wanton endangerment. The third party was flown to U of L Hospital with critical injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Kentucky State Police launched a campaign earlier this week that will crack down on aggressive drivers in high crash areas. The Ticketing Aggressive Cars and Trucks (TACT) campaign began on Tuesday. Targeted corridors for this campaign include US-41 in Henderson County, I-75 in Laurel and Kenton Counties, US-23 in Floyd County, and I-65 in Hardin County.

At a meeting of the Elizabethtown City Council, a municipal order was passed to allow for improvements to the sidewalks of an Elizabethtown street. The council received and accepted a bid from Triumph Landscape Construction for sidewalk improvements in the amount of $178,588. The bid came in under the $200,000 appropriated for the project.

The 48th Annual Lincoln Days Festival will be taking place in Downtown Hodgenville this weekend. The festivities start on Friday evening with the Lincoln Days Festival Pageant. More information can be found at lincolndays.org.

October 2, 2019

94.3 The Wolf

The Cecilian Bank announced yesterday that they are expanding due to a merger with Citizens Bank of Hartford. The institution will be adding three new locations to their reach, but the exact terms of the merger are not available at this time.

The Elizabethtown Independent School District has reported improvement from previous years in almost every category in the 2018-2019 assessment data released by the Kentucky Department of Education. Superintendent John Ballard says the district will look into and address the categories that can be improved upon.

The West Point Independent School District is looking towards future improvements following the release of the 2018-2019 school assessment data. Interim superintendent Sally Sugg reiterated that the district is aware of the gaps in education, and are taking steps such as purchasing updated reading, math, and social studies curriculum, and hiring new members of the teaching staff.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a call of an explosion and fire on Waterworks Drive Monday afternoon. Ten firefighters, as well as Hardin County EMS were required in putting out the fire. The cause of the blaze is believed to be ignited mulch from the shredder machine.

There is a full outdoor burn ban in Meade County until further notice. The announcement was made by Judge Executive Gerry Lynn Monday morning. The ban encompasses the burning of leaves, grass, clippings, garbage pits, and bonfires.

Elizabethtown was officially designated a trail town at a ceremony yesterday afternoon. As previously reported, a council consisting of representatives from Greenspace, local businesses, and City Council member Matt Deneen joined together to help put a spotlight on Elizabethtown’s trail system. A full list of Elizabethtown’s trails can be found on the Greenspace website.