94 Second News Update

An event taking place this year will serve to create a mental health community in Elizabethtown. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting the first ever Out of the Darkness Community Walk and fundraiser to be held in Elizabethtown. The venue for the event is Central Hardin High School, and Principal Tim Isaacs, who says he is seeing more and more anxiety and depression amongst teens now, thinks creating a community that is smart about mental health should be a priority. The event will take place on September 19^th. Details on registering an individual or team for the walk will be relayed as soon as it becomes available.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College has received a donation to their Advanced Manufacturing Career Skills program. Navy Federal Credit Union announced they would be making a $15,000 donation to the program in order to support transitioning soldiers at ECTC. The career skills program is in collaboration with Fort Knox that allows soldiers to complete certificates in advanced manufacturing to prepare them for high-demand career fields after their Army careers. This gift will help fund tuition and textbook fees so soldiers can participate in the program free of charge. Service members interested in the program should contact the Education Center at Fort Knox.

Varying lane closures will be taking place along US 31W in Hardin County this week. According to a release from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, today and Friday will see closures coming into effect between 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Survey crews will be working south of the KY 220 intersection to north of the Blackjack Road intersection in preparation for upcoming projects. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, minimize distractions, and pay close attention to posted signs in the area.  

Kentucky State Police Post 4 conducted a traffic stop resulting in a search warrant for a residence in Radcliff. According to a release from the department, a little after midnight on February 22, 2020, troopers conducted a stop on a vehicle being operated by Nicole Lewis of Radcliff. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and cash. Information obtained during the traffic stop lead troopers to conduct a search warrant at a residence located at 120 Oak Ridge Drive in Radcliff. The search of the residence lead to the seizure of marijuana, synthetic marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash. The investigation led to four individuals being arrested on numerous drug related offences. Nicole Lewis, Gerrod McElroy, Vershawn Gregory, and Nadine Colquitt all were transported and lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The Elizabethtown Police Foundation will be presenting a celebration of culture and diversity next month. The Festival of Unity will be taking place at the Historic State Theater on March 28^th from 11 AM to 2 PM. There will be various foods and entertainment from across the world. The event will be followed by a showing of Remember the Titans at the State Theater, complete with free popcorn and soft drink.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will be holding their Beacons of Light celebration this Thursday. The event will be held at ECTC from 5 to 7 PM. The honorees are Sandra Cameron, longtime faculty member of ECTC, as well as her son, new Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Food will be provided by the ECTC Culinary Arts Department.

The Penguin Plunge will be taking place this Saturday, February 29^th. The event will be taking place at Bluegrass Cellular on Ring Road, and funds from the event will go to the Junior Achievement program. For more information or to donate, visit the Junior Achievement website.

The Hardin County Board of Education voted unanimously yesterday night to accept the merger agreement that would bring students from West Point Independent School into the Hardin County School district. The merger will come into effect on July 1^st after the agreement is checked and approved by the Kentucky Department of Education. West Point’s preschool and kindergarten students will attend North Park Elementary School, 1^st through 5^th grade students will attend Vine Grove Elementary School, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students will attend JT Alton Middle School, and students entering 9^th grade will attend North Hardin High School. West Point students who attend Elizabethtown High School may continue to do so through their individual graduation date. There will be times scheduled for students and families who live in West Point to attend events at each school, welcoming them to the district.

After a two month investigation, three suspects in multiple felonies were indicted by the Nelson County Grand Jury. According to a release from the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, Chad Lindsey, Christina Lindsey, and Hunner Lindsey were charged after it was determined that they were forging checks and using a debit or credit card unlawfully. All three suspects were equally involved and charged accordingly. They face several charges including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and criminal possession of a forged instrument. In addition, Hunner Lindsey was indicted on a separate case for theft by unlawful taking of a firearm.

On Thursday, Kentucky’s House of Representatives voted in favor, with 65 yeas to 30 nays, on a bill that would legalize medical cannabis for patients in the state. This marks the first time a bill to legalize medical cannabis has received a full house vote in Kentucky. The bill, House Bill 136, will now proceed to the Senate for consideration. If enacted, Kentucky would join the 33 states that have passed medical cannabis laws.

The West Point Independent Schools Board of Education voted unanimously last night to sign the merger agreement with the Hardin County School District. Several topics of discussion regarding the merger were gone over last night, including where West Point’s students will go. Kindergarten students will attend North Park Elementary, first through fifth grades will attend Vine Grove Elementary, and sixth through eighth grade will attend J.T. Alton Middle School. High school age children will attend North Hardin High School, however, those still attending Elizabethtown High School will still be allowed to attend there. Also discussed was where the staff of West Point would end up, and Dr. Sally Sugg, interim superintendent, ensured that Hardin County Schools would attempt to find a place for all tenured staff in the same schools that the children from West Point would be attending. Should Hardin County agree to the merger agreement at their board meeting on Thursday night, the effective date of the merger would be scheduled for July 1^st.

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office has determined the cause of death in a case regarding a female located in a field. According to a release from the department, the body of Mary Teresa Ball of Bardstown was found in a field off of Sullivan Lane in Bardstown on December 26^th. The cause of death determined by the office of the Chief Medical Examiners has been ruled suicide by an overdose of an over-the-counter sleeping medication. This closes the case, and no charges are expected to be filed by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Superintendent of Elizabethtown Independent Schools, Jon Ballard announced his retirement last night. Ballard says after 33 years with the district, the last seven being as superintendent, he felt it was time to move on in his life, and let someone else come in to help advance the school. Ballard also says the thing he is proudest of in his time as superintendent is providing opportunities, be they academic or athletic, for students.

At a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Officers Chase and Nicole McKeown, with the Elizabethtown Police Department were recognized for their efforts in thwarting a robbery at a Louisville restaurant. The two officers were off duty and dining at Raisin’ Canes in Louisville when a masked robber, later identified as Justin Carter of Louisville, walked into the location and brandished a handgun to the cashier. The officers pulled their off-duty pistols and chased the suspect out of the store and to the back of a nearby house, where they held him until Louisville Metro Police arrived. The case is still open and under investigation.

A Louisville man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to rob a fast food restaurant. According to media sources, Louisville Metro Police Department say Justin Carter came to Raising Canes at 1250 Bardstown Road and showed his gun to the employee, demanding cash. Two off-duty Elizabethtown Police Officers who were inside the restaurant confronted Carter, who then dropped his gun and ran. The officers followed him to Beechwood Avenue nearby, where he was taken into custody. Carter is a convicted felon, whose gun was stolen from Jeffersontown Police. He faces charges of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, receiving stolen property, and robbery.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a garage fire at 509 Nicholas Street last Friday at 8:41 AM. The fire occurred when the home owner was working on a motorcycle in the garage. As gasoline was being drained from the bike, flammable vapors were ignited by a near-by kerosene heater. Flames flashed back, causing the motorcycle to catch fire. Fortunately, the neighbor across the street saw the fire and rushed over with a fire extinguisher to put the fire out before arrival of fire units. The quick action of the neighbor prevented damage to anything but the motorcycle. The garage and attic areas were checked for fire extension, and the scene was cleared around 9 AM.

The Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office has found the man wanted in connection with a murder investigation. As previously reported, Anthony Wayne Allen was wanted after the victim, Robert Wendell Bailey, was found to have sustained life-threatening injuries from an assault that took place last week. Bailey would later pass away from his injuries. According to a release from the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, Allen was found in Evansville, Indiana where he surrendered without incident.

The Math Counts competition, which was coordinated by heads and representatives from different city of Elizabethtown departments, took place last Saturday at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. The results are as follows: The team that finished first overall was the East Hardin Middle School team, followed by the Larue County Middle School team in second place. Both will move on to state competition. Individually, Jordan Stull from Stuart Pepper Middle School finished first overall, while Zachary Townsend of East Hardin Middle School took home second place, and Paul Slack from Stuart Pepper finished third.

A business owner of an Elizabethtown staple has passed away. According to obituaries, Roy Eugene Rich, 86, died in his home last Saturday. Rich, an active member of Severns Valley Baptist Church, was also the owner of Etown Exterminating, and was the past president of the Kentucky Pest Management Association, where he served on the Board of Directors for more than 35 years. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Severns Valley Baptist Church New Worship Center Building Fund.

A retired member of the Elizabethtown Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office passed away February 13^th after a battle with cancer. According to his obituary, Joe Lynn Jackson, born March 8, 1940, served 32 years with the Elizabethtown Police Department, and an additional 15 with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, Jackson served as a mentor to many young officers, often saying he had the best job in the world. Visitation services for Jackson will be held today from 2 to 8 PM at Manakee Funeral Home, and will continue tomorrow from 9 to 11 AM.