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Unemployment rates up in September across Lincoln Trail District

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Unemployment rates across the Lincoln Trail District were up in September from where they were the year prior. 

The Kentucky Center for Labor Statistics says unemployment rates increased in all 120 counties of the commonwealth in September.

The state unemployment average for September 2024 was reported at 4.9 percent. While that is down from the 5.2 percent average from August, it is up from the 4 percent average from September 2023. Four counties in the Lincoln Trail District came in higher than the state average for September while three counties came in below the state average.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for September 2024 tied the state average at 4.9 percent. That’s a slight decrease from August when the rate was reported at 5.1 percent but it is a jump from September 2023 when the rate came in at 3.8 percent.

Breckinridge County has the highest unemployment rate in the Lincoln Trail District for September with a rate of 5.5 percent. Nelson and Washington counties tied for the lowest rates in the region, and tied for the ninth lowest in the state, at 4.2 percent.

Learn more about how the unemployment rate is calculated and find more labor market information by visiting kystats.ky.gov.

Prosecution for Crystal Rogers cases finalizing case file review, hotel accommodations

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Crystal Rogers investigation suspects Steven Lawson and Joseph Lawson were back in the Nelson Circuit Court Friday afternoon for a review hearing.

Attorneys for Steven Lawson confirmed that his former attorney Ted Lavit had turned over the rest of the case file to them. Lavit had been threatened with contempt of court after not turning over the entire case file after he was dismissed by Lawson in August.

Special Prosecutor Shane Young submitted his response to arguments made by attorneys for Joseph Lawson to sever his trial from Steven Lawson and Brooks Houck. Attorneys for Joseph Lawson were prepared to make additional arguments based on similar cases from other states, but Judge Charles Simms III asked them to submit it to the court in writing, which the attorneys said they would Friday evening. Young said he would file a response Monday.

Young also said his office is wrapping up its comparison of case files sent in by the FBI with files sent by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Young said most of the information overlaps, but they are identifying any additional information that has not been seen by the defenses. He said that review should be completed in two weeks and at this time he does not anticipate additional discovery.

Young said hotel accommodations in Warren County, which will be the site of the trial scheduled to begin in February, are being finalized. Simms asked that the hotels for all parties involved be in separate parts of the area in order to keep them separated during the trial, and said part of what ruled out Christian County was all of its hotels are in the same area.

The judge said he would schedule the next review hearing after the prosecution submits their response Monday.

EPD now accepting donations for Shop with a Cop

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With the Christmas season quickly approaching, the Elizabethtown Police Department is gearing up for one of their favorite holiday traditions: the annual Shop with a Cop Program.

“Through this program, we provide clothing and toys to roughly 300 Hardin County children in need, and this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity from our monetary donors,” said EPD Public Information Officer Chris Denham. 

Donations are now being accepted.

“If you would like to donate, you may contact me (Chris Denham) by calling 270-765-4125, or by email at chris.denham@elizabethtownky.gov,” Denham said. “Monetary donations can be dropped off at the Elizabethtown Police Department located at 300 South Mulberry Street, and checks should be made payable to FOP Lodge No. 40, and in the memo line with ‘Shop With A Cop.’”

Donations are tax deductible. Visit the Elizabethtown Police Department Facebook page or contact the EPD for more information.

EHS hires new assistant principal

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Elizabethtown High School added to their administrative team.

Elizabethtown Independent Schools announced Friday that Travis Thompson has been hired as an assistant principal at the school.

According to a release from the school district, Thompson began his education career as a social studies teacher at North Hardin High School in 2013. He then joined the EHS faculty as a social studies teacher in 2014. During his time at EHS, Thompson has served on the school’s Site-Based Decision Making Council and currently serves as the sponsor of the EHS Y Club. He received the 2019 Excel Award, which recognizes the district’s top teacher.

EHS Principal Josh Henderson in the release cited Thompson’s ability to build strong relationships, his deep knowledge of instructional practice, and his commitment to equity and inclusivity.

Thompson will step into his new role on January 1.

Medical Cannabis Editorial from Judge Keith Taul

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Below is the Medical Cannabis Editorial from Hardin County Judge Executive Keith Taul to help our citizens be informed on the importance of voting for this coming up in November.

Hardin County voters will soon decide whether medical cannabis dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and safety compliance facilities will be allowed to operate in the unincorporated area of the county. On June 25th Fiscal Court passed a resolution to place this important decision on the November 5, 2024, General Election ballots. That voting will start as early as October 31st when early voting begins at the Hardin County Clerk’s Main Office (Elizabethtown) and Colvin Community Center (Radcliff).
It’s important to help voters understand the significance of their vote to allow or prohibit medical cannabis facilities to operate in unincorporated Hardin County. This vote does not affect patient accessibility to medical cannabis.
On April 17th Governor Beshear signed HB829 declaring medical cannabis a healthcare necessity. Although established by the state, counties and cities must control the medical cannabis facilities. The medical cannabis program is set up to ensure it is prescribed by authorized physicians for medical conditions only such as cancer, PTSD, MS, muscle spasms, epilepsy, chronic nausea, and chronic pain.
Initially, one dispensary is allowed by state law to operate within a city or county and only four dispensaries will be granted in our Lincoln Trail geographic region of 12 counties. Note that KY is divided into 11 geographic regions and the entire state will only be allowed, initially, to operate 48 dispensaries, 16 cultivators, 10 processors, and no limitation on safety compliance facilities.
Dispensaries will be determined by a lottery draw of eligible operators. If Hardin County voters decide to allow medical cannabis dispensaries in the unincorporated area of the county, potential local operators may not be selected to participate in the program during the initial lottery drawing.
Supply limits exist for patients using the drug which will be monitored by approved physicians. Restrictions also exist on the locations in which dispensaries, cultivators, and processors may locate. For example, these businesses cannot be located within 1,000 feet of schools or day care facilities. In addition, Fiscal Court recently passed an ordinance that requires medical cannabis businesses to operate in I-1 (light industrial) or I-2 (heavy industrial) zones in unincorporated Hardin County, if HC votes to allow medical cannabis facilities.
Both Radcliff and Elizabethtown city councils voted to opt-in by passing ordinances to allow the facilities within the city limits no matter what the outcome of the vote, but they will still vote whether the facilities can be located in the unincorporated areas.
Voters living in Vine Grove and West Point city limits will have 2 votes which could be confusing. These voters decide whether their city opts-in or opts-out separate from the county vote. Their county vote will still help determine the future of facilities out in the county.
Note that school boards must establish policies to permit or prohibit minor registered patients to consume medicinal cannabis at school. Allowing the operation of medical cannabis businesses in Hardin County is an important decision and should be taken seriously. I encourage you to read and learn all you can before casting your vote. For more information on KY’s medical cannabis program visit kymedcan.ky.gov.