The Elizabethtown Planning and Development Commission reviewed plans for two new convenience stores coming to the area. The development plan with waivers for a QuikTrip to be located at 1800 South Dixie Avenue, which is at the intersection of South Dixie and Lincoln Parkway, was approved in a 3-0 vote. The QuikTrip will have 3 access points – 2 on Lincoln Parkway and 1 from South Dixie – and will take up a majority of the 8.9 acre lot. This store could be the first of the chain to be opened in Kentucky depending on construction. The development plan with one waiver for a Huck’s to be located at 121 Ring Rod, which is at the intersection with Black Branch Road, was approved. The store will have one access point from each roadway and will cover about half of the 7.75 acre lot, allowing for potential development on the other half of the lot at a future time. The Huck’s will likely feature a Godfather’s Pizza and Cluck’s inside its store.
The Planning Commission also held a public hearing on a map amendment request from the City of Elizabethtown to rezone several lots around and including the Pritchard Community Center from a (PNR-2) Planned Neighborhood Residential and (C-3) Regional Commercial to C-5, Downtown Mixed Use. The Commission has recommended the changes be made and that recommendation now heads to the City Council.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced the next two roundabouts that will begin construction this month. Work will begin on the KY 251/Pear Orchard Road intersection on February 21. This intersection will not be closed during the construction but drivers will need to pay attention to signage and prepare for changing traffic patterns within the work zone. Work at this location is to be completed in 45 days so the anticipated end date would be around April 7.
Work will begin on the Dolphin Drive/Josale Drive intersection on February 28. This intersection WILL be closed for a 15 day portion of the construction process which is expected to be done in 30 days. Traffic patterns will be altered so motorists should prepare for that when entering the area. The dates for closure have not been announced as of yet but will be released in advance.
It was also announced that the construction at the intersection at the end of US 31 W Bypass and KY 1136 has been delayed two to three weeks due to a delay in receiving materials. The construction was originally slated to start yesterday.
All construction dates are subject to change, especially over the next few months with weather conditions. Updates will be posted on the Transportation Cabinet District 4 social media accounts.
The Lincoln Trail District Health Department announced a new interactive tool to assess public health and safety. In collaboration with mySidewalk, the Department has customized a Community Health Assessment dashboard to keep the public informed about health and wellness in their communities. The site helps to provide a better understanding of data with more than 60 data points looking at social, economic and environmental factors. The dashboard helps drive local communities goals and strategies and takes the conversation beyond outcomes to why health matters. For more information visit LTDHD.org.
The Elizabethtown City Council met for their work session last night. The Wastewater Department shared that it is currently working with HDR, Inc to conduct a rate study for the city. “Currently the city is undergoing a rate study. We are looking at this with the anticipated growth in the city. The anticipated date this will be completed is early July. We are anticipating that it will have some changes for the residents of the city. It doesn’t mean that rates are going up. It just means that we’re looking at it to see what needs to be done. After we get the rate study back in July, we will review it internally and have a discussion with the council to see when and if rates will change. It doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen right away. It could be next year, it could be a few months after,” said Director of Wastewater Treatment Corey Bond. It has been ten years since the rates were last reviewed.
The City Council also heard from the Elizabethtown Fire Department about refurbishing one of the ladder trucks. “If we ordered an Ariel (ladder truck) in July, it would be here in 2026. So really the advantage of refurbishing this truck is a much shorter delivery date. Like I said, we’ll only be without the truck for six months, whereas otherwise, we’re going to be waiting two years on a new ladder (truck). It’s roughly $1.4 million to refurbish the truck. It’ll have a 2024 title, it gets a brand-new engine, transmission, and chassis,” said Elizabethtown Fire Chief Mark Malone. Chief Malone noted that looking at other companies to purchase a new ladder truck, most companies have a 850 to 900 day lead time due to availability of parts. Chief Malone has been in contact with the Radcliff Fire Department about assisting should a need arise and says they have an agreement.
The City of Elizabethtown Events Program has announced a concert series coming to the new bandstand. “The Lawn Party” will kick off on April 21 at the grand re-opening of the newly renovated bandstand at Freeman Lake Park. Mayor Jeff Gregory will cut the ribbon to officially kick off the event. Each concert will feature on-site food and beverage sales. Parking will start at 5:00 PM and the stage act will begin at 6:00 PM. Seating will be festival style so those attending will need to bring a chair or blanket but outside food and drink will not be permitted. All ages are welcome to attend. To see the dates and artists participating go to etownevents.com
The Leitchfield Police Department and Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force arrested a couple after finding drugs and two small children in their apartment. According to documents, on Wednesday, a search warrant was executed by both agencies at an apartment in Leitchfield and that search revealed around 10 grams of methamphetamine, bags of marijuana, cash and drug paraphernalia. Child Protective Services was called about the two children. Dustin Greer, age 29, and Jasmine Decker, age 22, were arrested and charged with multiple drug related charges and endangering the welfare of a minor. Greer was arrested in August 2019 on drug charges in Grayson County. The couple were lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.
The Fort Knox Garrison held a change of responsibility ceremony on Friday. Command Sergeant Major William Fogle passed the Garrison colors to Command Sergeant Major Sherman Waters, Jr. at Waybur Theater. Fogle served nearly three full decades on active duty, serving in multiple deployments and earning numerous awards and accolades. Fogle is retiring from the Army at this time and he plans to stay in the Fort Knox area with his family. Waters has served over 30 years in military service and is no stranger to Fort Knox as he has served at Human Resources Command and 1st Theater Sustainment Command previously.
The Hardin County Board of Education has selected Charlie Wise to fill the vacant seat for Division 3. “The Hardin County Board of Education voted unanimously, Thursday night, to appoint Charlie Wise to represent Division Three on the Board. He fills the unexpired term of Mr. Tommy Metcalf. Ms. Dawn Johnson, the Chair of our Board, noted that Mr. Wise is passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic about making a difference for students. She shared that he does this for the right reasons, that Mr. Wise is honest, forthright and we’ll always make student centered decisions,” said Hardin County Schools Spokesperson John Wright. Wise has served four times previously on the Board for Division 3. Wise will fill the seat for the rest of the term following the resignation of Tommy Metcalf who was elected to the seat in November but was unable to fill the seat due to a conflict concerning his employment as the fleet manager for the Elizabethtown Police Department.
The Stephensburg Volunteer Fire and Rescue is asking the community to help identify a truck that stole a piece of equipment. On Friday night, the Department posted a video on their Facebook page showing a white truck leaving the premises with the trailer used to haul the UTV used for search and rescues. The Department is offering a reward for the return of the trailer or help positively identifying the person involved. The Department operates solely with volunteers and a small budget. The Department is now searching for another trailer to use until the trailer is hopefully recovered. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Hardin County Sheriff or the Stephensburg Fire and Rescue.
Hardin County School Board of Education held two special meetings this week to interview and appoint a candidate to the vacant seat for Division 3. On December 29, Tommy Metcalf, who was elected in November to the seat, notified Hardin County School Superintendent Teresa Morgan he would not be able to fill the seat due to a conflict concerning his employment as the fleet manager for the Elizabethtown Police Department. On February 7, the Board of Education held a special meeting to interview candidates. Last night, the Board met to discuss appointing one of those candidates to the vacant seat. More information is expected today from that meeting.