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Col. O’Bryan transfers command of Fort Knox to Col. Ricci

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Fort Knox is under new management.

Colonel Lance O’Bryan ended his two-year term as garrison commander of the Army post when he passed the unit’s colors on to the new commander, Colonel Christopher Ricci, during a ceremony at the Waybur Theater Friday.

O’Bryan became emotional as he talked about his time at Fort Knox, and said saying “thank you” was not enough to show his appreciation for his garrison team.

“There will always be challenges, there will always be friction, and not everyone will always be happy, but I can say with the utmost confidence that this team day in and day out puts their best foot forward and makes this installation run,” O’Bryan said. “The garrison team is the foundation of greatness, and make no doubt about it.”

O’Bryan, who is retiring after a 25-year military career, said the support shown by the surrounding community makes the post a special place.

“Fort Knox was my primary choice of installations to command back in 2019,” O’Bryan said. “It was my first choice for a variety of reasons, but front and center was the overwhelming level of support I felt when I was stationed at Fort Knox from 2012 to 2015. I was welcomed from day one, and that has never changed.”

Ricci, who comes to Fort Knox after serving as a battalion commander at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, said he is looking forward to getting to work.

“I look forward to rolling my sleeves up and helping Fort Knox in the wide array of missions taking place on this installation in any way I can,” Ricci said. “Fort Knox is, and always will be, the gold standard.”

Prior to the ceremony, O’Bryan’s wife Angie was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her support of the Fort Knox community. O’Bryan was presented with the Legion of Merit in recognition of his leadership of the post.

Elizabethtown City Council reviews zoning changes, approves Meadow Lane bid

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The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The first reading was held on ordinances for three zoning changes: one for 108 East Memorial Drive from Neighborhood Office to High-Density Residential, one for 1031 Ring Road from Future Development Holding to Regional Commercial, and one for 2800 Rineyville Road from Future Development Holding to Regional Commercial and High-Density Residential. All three ordinances were recommended for approval by the city’s Planning Commission.

Mayor Jeff Gregory issued a proclamation recognizing the month of July as Parks and Recreation Month. The mayor had high praise for the city’s parks facilities and staff.

“Our parks, in my opinion, are some of the finest that we have in the state of Kentucky,” Gregory said. “We have a tremendous Parks and Recreation Department that works extremely hard under good leadership with all of the supervisors and obviously Seth’s (Breitner) ability as director.”

Gregory also praised the city’s lifeguards for their role in saving a pool visitor that had a reported medical issue and went under the water on June 28.

In other meeting news:

  • Mark Malone was reappointed as the city’s search and rescue coordinator, with a term that runs to 2027.
  • A bid by Phillips Brothers Construction Inc. not to exceed $977,700 was approved for phase three of the Meadow Lane project. Councilman Virgil Willoughby said he had been hopeful the work could be started prior to the school year to help limit traffic disruption. The city is working on communicating construction schedules with area schools.
  • The donation of property on Miller Street to the Hardin County Habitat for Humanity for the construction of affordable housing was approved. Utility connection and other construction fees will also be waived for new homes built on the property.

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet July 24.

School Safety Roundtable at Elizabethtown High School Tuesday

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Don’t be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles outside Elizabethtown High School Tuesday.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools is hosting a School Safety Roundtable at the high school Tuesday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“EIS employees will interact with area first responders to go over emergency plans and procedures that are set in place for the 2023-2024 school year,” said EIS Director of Communications Mattie McCoart.

McCoart says the roundtable allows district personnel to discuss realistic procedures with emergency responders in order to ensure the most up to date plans are in place and have been thoroughly reviewed. She also says the roundtable is a good opportunity for the district to meet with school safety partners.

“These partnerships with area first responders are really critical to the safety of students and staff, and our families in the EIS community,” McCoart said. “We’re very thankful to have some top-tier first responders and entities here in our community to help with the safety of our students and staff.”

Elizabethtown High School will not be accessible during the roundtable except for previously scheduled events.

Pedestrian killed in collision with train in Elizabethtown

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Police and railroad personnel are investigating after a man was struck by a train at a crossing in downtown Elizabethtown.

Officer Chris Denham with the Elizabethtown Police Department asked motorists to avoid the area of East Dixie Avenue near Nicholas Street a little before 2 p.m. Monday due to a collision involving a train.

Denham later confirmed that a pedestrian was killed in the collision.

“Sadly the pedestrian, 64-year-old John Duncan of Elizabethtown, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner,” Denham said. “This investigation is ongoing, and being conducted by the EPD in conjunction with authorities from CSX railroad. Our most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Mr. Duncan.”

The investigation around the crossing shut down traffic in the area for several hours.

Alzheimer’s Walk kickoff event Thursday

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The 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s is scheduled for October 14 at the Elizabethtown Nature Park, but the run-up for anybody interested in participating begins Thursday with a kickoff event at the Central Kentucky Community Foundation Building.

“They can come and hear some information about the walk, how to get signed up, get some fundraising ideas,” said Alzheimer’s Walk Committee Chair Debbie Anders. “They can hear from our ambassador family and from our community educator that night, too.”

Anders says the walk is a great opportunity to shine a light on a subject that impacts families in Kentucky and beyond.

“The walk is just a great way for us to not only raise some funds to help support Alzheimer’s research, but also just to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s,” Anders said.

The kickoff begins at 5 p.m. Thursday. Register your team at the event, or if you are unable to attend visit www.alz.org/walk for more information or to register online.