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ECTC again named to Metallica Scholars Initiative

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For the sixth straight year, the band that brought you “Master of Puppets” is bringing support for Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students. 

ECTC has once again earned a place in the Metallica Scholars Initiative.

According to a release from the college, the legendary rock band’s All Within My Hands non-profit recently announced the 75 colleges for the seventh year of the program. With a grant of about $3 million, the Metallica Scholars Initiative will benefit nearly 10,000 students from 75 colleges across all 50 states and the territory of Guam.

ECTC says funds from the grant will be used to support students in advanced manufacturing programs. Scholarships will benefit students as they learn about topics including new automation, industrial and robotics technology, electrical technology, welding technology, computerized manufacturing and machining, air conditioning technology, and computer aided drafting and design.

ECTC Technical Division Chair and Professor Tim Cordova said in the release: “Our students take pride in being named Metallica Scholars. It shows them that their hard work is noticed and appreciated. That, along with the scholarship funds, affirms their decision to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing. We’re grateful for this partnership and are honored to be a Metallica Scholars college.” 

Learn more about the initiative at www.allwithinmyhands.org, and visit ECTC on the web to learn more about advanced manufacturing programs.

One dead after U.S. 31W Bypass crash

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One person is dead following a traffic collision in Elizabethtown.

“On Friday, August 15, shortly before 7 p.m., the EPD and other emergency units responded to a serious injury collision at the intersection of the U.S. 31W Bypass and Saint John Road,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer John Thomas. 

The crash involved a Hyundai passenger car and a Nissan SUV.

“The adult female driver and sole occupant of the Hyundai was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Thomas said. “The driver of the Nissan, an adult female, along with two juvenile passengers were transported from the scene with non-life threatening injuries.”

Thomas says the preliminary investigation indicates that the Hyundai was crossing the bypass from eastbound Saint John Road when it was struck by the southbound Nissan. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

EPD Chief Thompson named state’s top police chief

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Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson says he is proud of the growth of the EPD, which during his time as chief is best evidenced by personnel.

“We were right around 52 when Chief Land on his last day, my first day, requested five additional personnel, which was granted, and that was the beginning of the growth, and our current authorized strength is 90 officers,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s leadership of the department was recognized last week when he was presented with the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police Chief of the Year Award.

Thompson credited his team and community for the honor.

“I guess, in one word, it’s just very humbling, and I think it’s more of a testament of all of the teamwork that goes into making this position successful, whether that’s at the EPD, or the mayor, and City Hall, and I think it’s just to me validation that we’re doing things correctly, and that other people are recognizing that,” Thompson said.

Thompson says the EPD is aiming for more growth, beginning with expansions and renovations at 300 South Mulberry Street.

“From a structural standpoint, we’re really looking forward to getting the growth of the building and the additional building out back for these new personnel, and then what we’re going to be doing here in the very near future is sitting down with the leadership team at the EPD and begin working on our next five year plan,” Thompson said.

The EPD said in a post on their Facebook page: “Since joining us in 2019, Chief Thompson has led with remarkable leadership, courage, and wisdom during one of the greatest periods of growth in our department’s and city’s history. We are blessed to have him, and we’re proud of all the work he has done for our community.”

LaRue County missing juveniles arrested in Marshall County

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An incident that began with a report of runaway juveniles and later reportedly included shots fired and the theft of a car ended with two arrests.

According to the LaRue County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the Life Connection alternative school in Sonora Saturday for two separate runaway juvenile incidents. A search of the area revealed two of the four missing juveniles, while the two that were not recovered “were then entered into NICS as missing/runaways.”

Shortly after midnight Sunday, LaRue County 911 received a call from a residence on New Jackson Highway in Magnolia. The caller reported that he had been sitting on his porch when he noticed the dome light was on in his vehicle. A suspect pointed a gun found in the vehicle at the man and told him to get back in the house. The two suspects then fled into a nearby cornfield from where they allegedly fired rounds in the direction of the house. A search of the area did not reveal the suspects, who were later identified as the missing juveniles.

At around 7 a.m. Sunday, a New Jackson Highway resident reported her car was stolen. While investigating, the sheriff’s office was informed by Marshall County Dispatch that the juvenile suspects had been located and arrested.

Unemployment in Kentucky sees slight decline in July

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The unemployment rate in Kentucky continues to trend slightly lower.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says the state unemployment average for July was 4.9 percent. That is unchanged from the month of June, and down slightly from the July 2024 average of 5.1 percent.

Kentucky’s unemployment average for July came in higher than the national unemployment rate, which the U.S. Department of Labor reported at 4.2 percent.

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet says the state’s civilian labor force, which includes people currently employed and people actively searching for work, saw a decrease of 1,385 people from June to July, bringing the civilian labor force to about 2,118,000.

The Education and Labor Cabinet says the Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, Other Services, Construction, Professional and Business Services, Financial Activities, and Information Services sectors saw increases from June to July. Numbers in the Mining and Logging sector were unchanged. The Leisure and Hospitality, Educational and Health Services, Government, and Manufacturing sectors saw decreases.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website for more about unemployment figures and labor market information.