Your source for local community news, weekdays at 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9 and Noon.
An Eastern Kentucky man was arrested last week after police recovered over 100 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop.
Trooper Scotty Sharp. The driver, Paul Branham of Paintsville, was released on a partially secured bond last week, and is scheduled for an appearance in Hardin District Court this morning.
While talks on Capitol Hill stalled Friday evening, President Donald Trump took action on pandemic relief, signing 4 orders on Saturday. Most notably, the President reinstated unemployment bonuses, this time $400 per week through the end of the year. However, the relief comes with a catch, as states will be required to contribute 25% of the aid, $100, meaning it will be up to each state to sign off on the contribution. It is unclear at this time if a legal challenge to the President’s orders will happen.
2 National Parks sites in Kentucky will be receiving much needed funding after a new law was enacted last week.
Several billion dollars will now be funneled back into the National Parks system. President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act on Tuesday, paving the way for much needed maintenance for national park sites across the country, including two in the region. Mammoth Cave National Park, located in Cave City, and the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace and Boyhood Home, located outside Hodgenville, are both set to benefit from the new law.
2nd District Representative Brett Guthrie. The legislation called for 6.6 billion dollars to address priority maintenance items in the parks.
The National Park Service is home to more than 400 sites on a combined 84 million acres.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College announced that they are the recipient of the University of Louisville’s Modern Apprenticeship Pathways to Success Program grant.
Chief Advancement Officer Megan Stith. This initiative will include nine programs currently offered by ECTC, with the possibility of future change and expansion. More information can be obtained by contacting Mike Hazzard at ECTC.
During his 30 years on the Elizabethtown City Council, Ron Thomas has gone by many names. Now, “Mayor of the Lake” will forever be one of them.
The fishing dock at Freeman Lake Park was renamed in honor of former Elizabethtown City Council member Ron Thomas Wednesday afternoon. Thomas, who many said was never at a loss for words, clearly was.
“If I want to be remembered in a certain way by Elizabethtown, the lake is one of the things that is dearest to me,” an emotional Thomas said. “I’m truly honored to have my name associated with what is one of the greatest assets the city of Elizabethtown has.”
Councilmembers and former mayors were present for the plaque dedication, including former mayors Pat Durbin, David Wilmoth Jr., and Edna Berger. Berger who served on the council with Thomas and ran for mayor against him, says Thomas was a true public servant, and was never afraid to tell you what he thought.
“He’s going to tell you exactly how it is,” Berger said, “And if you don’t agree with him, too bad. And if he doesn’t agree with you, too bad.”
“You’re going to have to work it out, and over time, you will,” Berger continued.
Councilman Tony Bishop, who served with Thomas for a number of years, said the former council member was all about doing what was best for the community.
“He just loves this city, and he’d do just about anything for it,” Bishop said of his former colleague. “[And] compassion for the people. That’s the two main things: the compassion for the city and the compassion for the people who live here.”
Thomas’ family was present at the event, helping to uncover the plaque, which stand at the foot of the fishing dock.
Thomas retired from the Elizabethtown City Council in 2018.
