94 Second News Update

A new downtown building is in the process of being built where Newberry’s once stood. A beam signing for the new structure took place Friday afternoon. The new building will feature a restaurant, bar, and residential property.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a call of smoke at a business over the weekend. According to Deputy Fire Chief Everett Roberts, officials responded to El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant on Saturday after a call from a neighboring business regarding the smell of smoke before the business opened. Upon investigation, it was discovered that there was a pot of beans left cooking on the stove. The scene was cleared in about an hour after the stove was turned off.

The Kentucky Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision that proper procedure was followed in the sale of Hardin Memorial Health assets to Baptist Health. The court ruled that Dr. Larry Hall, who made the appeal, lacked necessary standing and had “absolutely no evidence” that the process used was done in secret. Under the terms of the proposed partnership, Baptist Health would acquire all assets of HMH, and in return, would commit $235 million over a ten year period to HMH in operating and capital investments.

Bluegrass Cellular is accepting nominations for its revamped Battles in the Bluegrass program. The winner this year will receive a $5,000 prize with the “technology gift”. Nominations can be made by visiting bluegrasscellular.com/battles, and are due by midnight on September 26^th.

The Elizabethtown Police Department has responded to questions regarding fundraising phone calls and letters from the American Police Officers Alliance. Officer John Thomas says this organization is not charitable, and appears to be a political organization with no law enforcement affiliation. This serves as a reminder to be wary of unfamiliar organizations soliciting donations. Solicitations such as this tend to see an increase during the holiday season.

Kentucky State Police are investigating a collision in Bardstown that took the life of one of the victims. According to preliminary investigation, George Froelich, 77, was attempting to exit a parking lot when he pulled into the path of a work van operated by 29-year-old Christopher Sympson. Froelich was transported to Flaget Memorial Hospital following the collision, but was pronounced deceased. Sympson was also transported to a medical facility for non-life threatening injuries. The collision is under investigation.

Drought conditions in Grayson County have led to a full outdoor burn ban in the county until further notice. The executive order was issued by Grayson County Judge Executive Kevin Henderson on Wednesday. Those who are found not adhering to the ban are subject to fines or other punishment.

The property tax rates for the city of Elizabethtown were approved at a meeting of the city council on Monday. The rates, which have been unchanged since 2007, kept the status quo, remaining at 11.6 cents per $100 assessed value.

Officials with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department are seeking to offer a syringe service program in Hardin and surrounding counties. This program would offer sterile syringes and needles to those in need, and also deal with the removal and disposal of the materials. The program would also seek to reduce public health issues including HIV. Currently, the closest harm reduction syringe service program is in Nelson County.

Nolin RECC is sponsoring two veterans for the Honor Flight taking off this weekend. The two sponsored veterans are Mr. Dan Thompson from Hodgenville, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, and Mr. William Hickey from Elizabethtown, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and later in the Army. The veterans will be taken to see the monuments and battle memorials in Washington, as well as take part in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Families, friends, and supporters are invited to greet the veterans when their flight returns to Bluegrass Airport at 7:30 PM Saturday.

A new program designed to help students and families address the causes of absenteeism and truancy will be introduced in Larue County Schools. The Administrative Office of the Courts is sponsoring the Truancy Diversion Program. Three unexcused absences in a school year will put a student in the beginning stages of the program. The goal is to keep students from reaching six unexcused absences, or habitual truancy, after which charges can be made against them. The program will be tested in Larue County Middle Schools before being extended to others. More information on the attendance policy can be found on the Larue County Schools website.

The location of the American Red Cross office in Elizabethtown has changed. The office, which was previously situated on West Dixie Avenue, now resides on North Dixie Highway near Corvin’s Floor Covering. The Red Cross will be holding drives in this new location as well as at the Towne Mall in Elizabethtown. To locate a local blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org.

An Elizabethtown man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to take an officer to the ground. Officers with the Elizabethtown Police Department attempted a traffic stop on David Baker Saturday evening. Baker became belligerent, attempting to put an officer in a choke hold. Baker later was found to have marijuana on his person, and a handgun in his vehicle. Baker was charged with assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief, as well as several drug related offences.

The inaugural Heartland Book Festival will be taking place at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College this weekend. There will be over 70 authors participating this Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. There will also be workshops and the ability to purchase books. This is a free event open to everyone. More information can be found at heartlandbookfestival.org.

The Elizabethtown Police Department responded to a criminal mischief call at Elizabethtown business The Gray Comb Wednesday morning. Officer Chris Denham reports that preliminary investigation revealed the front door of the establishment shot by what officials believe to be a shotgun. It is believed the destruction took place overnight. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the offender should contact Elizabethtown Police or Hardin County Crimestoppers.

Bernheim Forest will be brining their Bernheim Under Threat Roadshow to Elizabethtown next week. This event will discuss the proposed LG&E natural gas pipeline, as well as the proposed interstate connector, and the dangers they pose to conservation lands. The first stop of the road show will be September 17 from 6 to 7 PM at Bourbon Barrel Tavern, then September 26 at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College with two shows at 4 and 6 PM. According to information on LG&E’s website, the proposed pipeline will allegedly take up only .03% of Bernheim’s total land, and will go through all necessary permit requirements in order to begin construction.

The 5^th Annual Roktoberfest will be taking place in Downtown Elizabethtown tomorrow. The event will feature live music, food trucks, and beer tents. More information can be found on the Roktoberfest 2019 Facebook page.

The Eat My Crust Fun Run will be taking place on Fort Knox at 10 AM tomorrow morning. Runners will get a lot of freebies for participating in the event, as well as a slice of pizza for finishing the race. More information can be found at knox.armymwr.com.  

18^th District of Kentucky Representative Tim Moore has given Governor Matt Bevin his formal resignation. Moore officially resigned on Tuesday afternoon in order to take on a ministry role. Governor Bevin accepted Moore’s resignation, and announced the special election to fill this seat will be held concurrent with the November 5^th elections.

A Louisville man was arrested after harassing his girlfriend at her Elizabethtown home. Officers with the Elizabethtown Police Department apprehended John Wilson Monday afternoon. Wilson had been banned from his girlfriend’s residence, but was there yelling obscenities about a cell phone the two had shared. Wilson had attempted to walk away from police when questioned, and resisted the arrest, wrapping his legs around an officer’s leg, refusing to let go. Wilson was charged with harassment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

The Hardin Memorial Health Foundation Board of Directors has added a new member to their ranks. Angela Ballard was voted into the position earlier this week. Ballard, a resident of Bardstown, is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at HMH Medical Group’s Bardstown Family Medical Center. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Spalding University in Louisville.

The annual Radcliff Days Parade will be taking place this weekend, in collaboration with the Radcliff Cultural Festival. The parade will begin at 10 AM, and will end in the Radcliff Shopping Plaza parking lot. Applications for the parade are still being accepted, and can be found at Radcliff.org. There are expected to be 50-60 entries in this year’s parade.