Menu Close

WQXE News

Your source for local community news, weekdays at 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9 and Noon.

Court hears arguments for motion to dismiss filed by Steven Lawson

WQXE News 0 Comments

Crystal Rogers investigation suspect Steven Lawson was back in court Thursday as the court heard arguments on a motion to dismiss the charges against him. 

Steven Lawson faces charges of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence in connection with his involvement in the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers, but Lawson’s defense attorney Ted Lavit has argued those charges should be dismissed based on promises of immunity made in exchange for Lawson’s cooperation with the investigation.

Lavit and Special Prosecutor Shane Young made their arguments to Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III in a hearing Thursday.

Young said the immunity deal was contingent on Lawson being completely honest with investigators, but Young said inconsistencies in Lawson’s statements to law enforcement show that has not been the case. Young said Lawson has made conflicting statements on his relationship with Brooks Houck, his knowledge of Joseph Lawson’s use of his skid steer, and the involvement of Steven Lawson’s now-deceased ex-wife.

Lavit said that Lawson did everything that investigators had asked him to do, and many of the inconsistencies stem from pressure law enforcement was putting on Lawson. Lavit said Lawson’s testimony was obviously useful to the commonwealth because it was used to get grand jury indictments against Houck and Joseph Lawson.

Judge Simms said he would review the arguments and make a ruling soon. The next scheduled hearing in the case is set for July 8, when attorneys for Houck will argue against trying all three suspects in the same trial.

EHMS Beta Club brings home two national championships

WQXE News 0 Comments

The East Hardin Middle School Beta Club is returning from the National Beta Conference in Savannah, Georgia, with some hardware.

The Beta Club raked in 15 total awards recognizing placement in the top 10 in several competitions, and Beta Club sponsor and East Hardin art teacher Molly Hazle said one of the crowning achievements capped an effort the students put into the entire school year.

“Our biggest thing we do, where we have about 90 kids participating, is our very big Large Group Talent performing arts, and that’s supposed to showcase any kind of talent for singing, dancing, or speaking,” Hazle said. “We put on a show about BETA through the ages, and we just got national champions for that.”

The club also won the national championship for the solo/duo/trio competition.

Hazle said she is very proud of a well-deserving group of students.

“The last two years, Group Talent is what we pour our heart into the most, and we were national runner up two years in a row, so this is really rewarding for all of us,” Hazle said. “It was a long time coming. We really wanted that national title.”

The Beta Club asks students to strive for achievement in and out of the classroom.

“It is a service organization, but you also have to make certain grades to stay in,” Hazle said. “We ask our students to maintain all As and Bs throughout the year. They have to do 24 hours of service in their community throughout the year, and the four pillars are “achievement, character, leadership, and service,” so it is for students that embody all four of those pillars.”

Hazle said the club will take all students that are willing to put in the effort, and if interested in joining they can reach out once the new school year begins.

Free pet beds to be given away Tuesday

WQXE News 0 Comments

PAWS Shelter Foundation member Diane Shoffner says Chewy has been one of the biggest supporters of the Hardin County Pet Pantry, and this Tuesday they are bringing a new opportunity to area pet families in need.

“They have a whole trailer truck of pet beds for us, and so we decided to do just a one time event, open to the public and people that are really in need is our preference and that’s what the purpose of it is for, and Chewy’s belief is to get it out there in the community where it can do the most good,” Shoffner said.

The dog beds will be given away at Helping Hand of Hope, located at 6796 South Wilson Road in Elizabethtown, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. or until the beds are gone on June 18.

Shoffner said the Pet Food Pantry was originally established to help families during the pandemic, but as costs have increased so has demand.

“For some people, it takes their cost of living up so much that they can’t afford the rent, and if they can’t afford the rent then they can’t afford the food to feed their dog, and that’s why we’re important to many people,” Shoffner said. “We served over 53,500 pets last year.”

Pet Food Pantry donations, be it products or financial contributions, can be brought to Shoffner at Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions or to Helping Hand of Hope. In the event of rain Tuesday, the dog bed giveaway will be rescheduled.

CASA of the Heartland fundraiser Saturday

WQXE News 0 Comments

CASA of the Heartland will host their annual Farm to Fork dinner Saturday at Highland Sod Farms.

“Farm to Fork is our biggest annual fundraiser,” said CASA of the Heartland Executive Director Michelle Kail. “We partner with several local farms to provide the community with a farm to table dinner. We have a live and silent auction, and also we will have a live band this year, Van Winkle and the Spirits.”

That’s CASA of the Heartland Executive Director Michelle Kail. All of the money raised through the event goes towards the organization’s efforts to provide advocacy for children involved in family court cases through court-appointed special advocates

“We recruit, train and support community volunteers who then are assigned to children who are under petition with the Family Courts for dependency, neglect, and abuse, and our CASA volunteers get to know those children and then help advocate for their best interests within the courtroom,” Kail said.

Learn more about CASA of the Heartland by visiting their website, finding the organization on social media, or by contacting their office.

Elizabethtown mourns death of Council Member Bill Wiseman

WQXE News 0 Comments

The City of Elizabethtown is mourning the loss of an elected official.

The city announced on its Facebook page Tuesday the passing of Councilman Bill Wiseman. Wiseman was serving his first term on the city council, and had previously served as a magistrate on the Hardin County Fiscal Court for district five.

“The City of Elizabethtown and the Hardin County communities lost a great leader in Councilman Bill Wiseman,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory. “Mr. Wiseman was smart and insightful and brought a ton of experience to his leadership positions. He took a common sense approach to government at a time the common sense is less and less common. On a personal level, he was a friend to all and brought out the best of his family, friends, and work colleagues. He was always the same and a joy to be around and spend time with, and he will be missed tremendously by our whole community.”

Wiseman had filed to run for re-election. A graduate of Elizabethtown Catholic High School, Wiseman was a member of several local organizations including the Knights of Columbus and the Elizabethtown Lions Club. He is survived by his wife Patty and two children.