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Latest round of state training funds includes two local factories

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Two area factories will receive skills training through the latest approvals from the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation.

According to a release from the governor’s office, the BSSC oversees Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development programs that “help private sector businesses establish industry-specific training initiatives.” The BSSC board in 2024 has approved about $19 million in funds and credits for 104 facilities, resulting in training for more than 42,000 workers.

More than 8,500 workers will receive training through the latest approved funds and credits. Included in the latest approval are more than 2,000 trainees at Metalsa Structural Products in Elizabethtown and 60 trainees at Nationwide Uniform Corporation in Hodgenville.

“Equipping our workforce with the tools they need to thrive is a huge part of our mission to build a better Kentucky, and we’re making great progress thanks to this important support through the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update. “I can attest how important this program is as it’s one of the talking points we have with companies that are looking at Kentucky when we’re talking about not just how to bring them workforce, but ultimately how to train them. This is one of the most popular programs. We’re really proud of it, and it’s certainly benefiting the people of Kentucky.”

More information on the BSSC program can be found on the Cabinet for Economic Development’s website.

Enforcement date for REAL IDs less than six months away

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With the enforcement date now less than six months away, Kentucky officials are reminding all Kentuckians 18 and older to make sure they have upgraded to a REAL ID.

Beginning May 7, 2025, all Kentuckians 18 and older will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to travel domestically and access certain federal facilities such as military bases.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says in order to apply for a REAL ID, residents must visit a driver licensing regional office and present one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security, and two proofs of residency. The KYTC website has a checklist of documents that qualify for each requirement. REAL ID licenses are available for four-year or eight-year credentials.

After the enforcement date, standard licenses will still be valid for driving and as proof of identity, age, and residence for voting and age-restricted purchases. The standard license will also allow access to federal facilities such as VA hospitals.

Visit REALIDKY.com for more information.

One dead, one hospitalized following KY 86 accident

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The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Thursday accident that resulted in the death of a Grayson County man.

“At 1:17 p.m. yesterday afternoon, we received a report of a serious accident on KY 86, also known as Hardinsburg Road, in the 15,000 block,” said Hardin County Sheriff John Ward. “A vehicle had run off the roadway just a little bit and overcorrected, losing control and striking a vehicle which was going in the opposite direction head on.”

Ward said the driver of the vehicle that lost control was identified as 20-year-old Andrew Miller of Leitchfield. He was declared dead at the scene. Ward said it appears Miller was not wearing a seat belt. The driver of the opposite vehicle was transported to Baptist Health Hardin with serious injuries.

The investigation into the crash by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is ongoing.

Judge denies JCPenney’s injunction request for Towne Mall work

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Attorneys for Penney Property Subholdings LLC, which owns the Elizabethtown JCPenney, and Linnick Investments LLC, which owns the Towne Mall, were back in court Thursday morning to continue a hearing on JCPenney’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt renovations at the mall.

Zachary VanVactor with Stites and Harbison PLLC, representing JCPenney, argued that Linnick Investments owner Tim Aulbach testified that he had not read the store’s lease with the mall but still moved forward with renovation construction, thus breaching the store’s right to review proposed changes to the property. VanVactor asked the court to issue the injunction and require Linnick to send full plans to JCPenney for approval.

Corky Coryell with Wyatt, Tarrant, and Combs LLP argued that JCPenney has no ability to prove irreparable harm in the case, and said witnesses called in the case have shown that the renovations are good for the property. Coryell said the injunction would just be the store’s way of blackmailing Linnick into renegotiating their rent agreement.

Hardin Circuit Judge Larry Ashlock denied the motion for an injunction, with Ashlock saying that case law in Kentucky shows injunctions are not issued in breach of contract cases without damages being proven, and in this case damages were not proven.

Man arrested in Meade County after domestic episode, vehicle pursuit

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A police call regarding a domestic incident led to a vehicle pursuit and a man’s arrest. 

Jerry S. Martin of Scottsville faces multiple charges including Attempted Murder of a First Responder, Wanton Endangerment, Fleeing or Evading Police, and Menacing, among other charges, following his arrest Monday.

According to the Meade County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on Sandy Hill Road at around 1 a.m. on November 4 after receiving a call from a woman who said her ex-boyfriend had shown up and was trying to gain access to the residence while behaving “drunk and belligerent.” When deputies arrived, they made contact with the subject, later identified as Martin, at which time he stepped out of his vehicle, picked up a cinder block, and threw it through the living room window of the home.

The sheriff’s office says Martin ignored commands from officers, returned to his vehicle, and drove through the yard, nearly striking a deputy twice. Deputies lost contact with the vehicle after it left the residence. 

When deputies arrived later to obtain more information, Martin was discovered in his vehicle in a neighboring yard. Martin again fled, attempting to evade police by driving through a cornfield off Owen Loop. Martin abandoned his vehicle near a barn and fled on foot, and was later apprehended following a search with a K9 unit and other law enforcement agencies.

Martin is currently incarcerated in the Meade County Detention Center.