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Hardin County’s Habitat for Humanity held a groundbreaking for their new location on Ring Road yesterday afternoon. Hardin County Deputy Judge Executive Daniel London says the project would not have been possible without a major price decrease on the property from the Islamic Center of Elizabethtown, who owned the land. The Islamic Center lowered the price of the land by $250,000 so Habitat for Humanity could purchase it. The new facility will contain the Re-Store as well as office space.

A member of the Hardin County Board of Education is stepping down. Board Vice Chair Andrea Palmer will vacate the position due to family relocation. District Spokesperson John Wright says the Board has 60 days to fill the vacancy. Applications for the position are available on the district’s website.

The Elizabethtown Police Department has arrested a man for assaulting his girlfriend. Kendrick Johnson was in an argument with his girlfriend when he wrapped his hands around her throat, restricting breathing and presumably cutting off blood circulation. Johnson was charged with strangulation and assault, and was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The Larue County Fair continues today with events such as the dairy show and baby contests. The fair wraps up tomorrow starting with the beef cattle and rabbit shows. Also featured is the Miss Larue County Pre-Teen Pageant and the Miss Teen and Little Mister and Miss Pageants later in the day, as well as the District Youth Talent Show.

The Unity in the Community Back to School Bash will be taking place at Radcliff City Park this weekend. Spokesperson Nichelle Tucker says this is a completely free event for the public. The focus on this year’s event is health and fitness with special guest Savoy, of Savoy’s Fitness in Elizabethtown. For more information or to donate, contact nichelletucker013@gmail.com.  

A Kentuckian will be the new U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. The United States Senate voted to approve Kelly Craft as the new representative to the U.N. Craft, who is originally from Barren County, served as an Ambassador to Canada.

An investigation is underway at Mammoth Cave National Park after a man fired a gun. Officials with the park say that the incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 28^th at the park’s Back Country Campsite. Rangers did make contact with all individuals involved in the situation. Firearms are allowed in national parks, but cannot be fired. Various media sources allege that the man fired the weapon after claiming to see Bigfoot. No other details have been released.

Hardin Memorial Health has been recognized on a nationwide scale in the U.S. News and World Report 2019-2020 Best Hospitals rankings. HMH was ranked highly for its treatment of heart failure and COPD. Several Baptist Health hospitals in Kentucky also ranked well in the report.

The Larue County Fair will open for the 112^th time tonight. The fair, which faced uncertainty in recent months, will take place, but with a few notable changes. Various showcases and agricultural exhibits will still be featured, but the fair will not have a midway this season. The opening night of the fair will feature the 4-H sheep and goat shows, as well as the Miss Larue County Pageant and the Mother of the Year award. As previously reported, the fair was on the brink of cancellation in recent months with the fair board opting to lock the gates and discontinue utilities to the grounds. The fair is the longest continually running fair in the state.

Kentucky 1538 in Hardin County will be closed several days this week, starting today, due to construction. A detour from Saint John Road to Ring Road, to Patriot Parkway, and then to Rineyville Road can be used to avoid the closure. The construction is expected to last about two days.

New legislation passed in Kentucky will require public schools to have the national motto, In God We Trust, displayed in a prominent place, such as the cafeteria or main office. State Representative Brandon Reed says this bipartisan effort passed the legislature with a vote of seventy percent. The legislation will go into effect for the upcoming school year.

A Hardin County man has died after a motorcycle wreck last weekend. According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Christopher C. Blake of Hardin County was travelling on Highway 60 with one other person Sunday afternoon. For unknown reasons, Blake lost control and exited the roadway. Blake overcorrected his bike and re-entered the roadway, eventually hitting the median and being ejected. Blake died at Owensboro health. No other details have been released.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s office has arrested a man in connection with a high speed chase that took place in June. According to arrest records, James Ladnier of Radcliff was seen swerving from lane to lane on US 31 West on June 11^th. When a traffic stop was attempted by the Radcliff Police Department, Ladnier made a hard turn, and began to speed to excess of 90 MPH to evade police. When the suspect reached the Joe Prather Highway, he slammed on his brakes, attempting to disable a cruiser, or injure the officer inside. The pursuit continued until the suspect reached I-65, at which point Kentucky State Police took over. Ladnier is charged with fleeing police, wanton endangerment, and reckless driving, as well as a litany of other charges.

The First Friday Back to School Bash will be taking place in Downtown Hodgenville this Friday at 6 P.M. Various businesses and churches will be giving away school supplies, and the Larue County Food and Nutrition Department will be treating kids 18 and under to dinner. Other attractions will include food trucks, farmer’s market, and live music featuring local artists. More information can be found by calling the Larue County Chamber.

A celebration of the emancipation of African-Americans will be taking place this weekend. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College as well as First Baptist Church will be presenting the second annual Eighth of August Celebration. The event will feature a lunch with homemade dishes as well as food from local eateries, a large variety of vendors, and a church service. The event will take place at the B.T. Bishop Center at 107 Bishop Lane, and will run from 9:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.