WQXE News

Traffic in Downtown Louisville will be impacted by Donald Trump’s visit later today. Many downtown streets will be shut down, including Main Street from 2^nd to 5^th, Muhammad Ali Boulevard from 3^rd to 5^th, as well as Jackson, Hancock, and Guthrie streets. Additionally, I-65 will be shut down temporarily following Trump’s arrival at Kentucky National Guard Airport. Trump last visited Louisville in 2017.

The West Point Independent School District has announced the results of their management audit that took place earlier this month. The Kentucky Department of Education released their findings this week, ultimately recommending that the district be placed under state management. The report, which was released earlier this week, outlined deficiencies and leadership flaws within the district, including a strained relationship between former Superintendent Mickey Brangers and the other board members. The district has 30 days to appeal the recommendation, which Board Chairman Eddie Moore says they will do.

A second man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Michael Unseld of Bardstown. Yesterday, the Bardstown Police Department arrested Evan James Lyons and charged him with conspiracy to murder in connection with the crime. Lyons was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. This arrest comes five days after police also arrested Zachary Tate for his alleged role in the crime. No further information is available at this time.

The Elizabethtown Police Department has joined other law enforcement agencies for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which warns against drunk or impaired driving. The campaign started on August 16^th, and will run until September 2^nd. The department hopes this campaign will help make roadways safer during the Labor Day holiday and beyond.  There were over 4700 collisions involving alcohol in Kentucky last year, leading to over 2400 injuries and 87 fatalities.

The financial figures for the impact of Hardin County tourism on the economy of Kentucky were released yesterday. It is projected that Hardin County reportedly had an impact of $282 million towards the economy of the Commonwealth in 2018.  Hardin County keeps over 2600 tourism jobs. Visitors reportedly spent $7.6 billion in the Commonwealth last year.

The Kentucky State Fair had a heightened level of security over the weekend. Kentucky State Police say large groups of juveniles congregated and set off fireworks in different locations Saturday night. Officials say there was no active shooter on the property. There was a single gunshot fired into the air by a male juvenile, but no injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing. State Police say there are no perceived threats to the public or visitors of the state fair.

An arrest has been made in connection with a Bardstown murder that took place in 2016. On August 16^th, 2019 Bardstown Police arrested Robert Zachary Tate for the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld. Unseld was killed on West Stephen Foster Avenue in June of 2016. No further information is available at this time.

The Elizabethtown Police Department is requesting help in finding the suspect in an animal cruelty case. Officers responded to a call from a residence on Crestwood Street Sunday morning. The resident says that he let his min-pin-Chihuahua mix outside, and returned to find it was deceased with trauma to the abdomen. It is believed the dog was shot with a projectile. Anyone with further information in finding the culprit should contact Hardin County Crimestoppers or the Elizabethtown Police Department.

The Hardin County Extension Office has finally moved into their new location. Extension Agent Doug Shepherd says the office would start operating out of the new location starting today. The new location is approximately four times as big as the old location, and will include a catering kitchen, sewing project room, and updated technologies.

Hardin Memorial Health will have big improvements coming to one of their departments, as a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine will be added to the Cardiac Cath Lab. The system will be used by cardiologists during cardiac cath procedures. A portion of the money came from grateful patients Barbara and Joe Clement.

A place for children of all abilities to play will be coming to Elizabethtown. The Central Kentucky Community Foundation released plans to build a sound garden at their new location near the Hardin County Public Library. The garden will be centered around playing using sound and music. The foundation is currently in the process of moving to their new location.

The identities of the two people killed in a wreck on Dixie Avenue yesterday afternoon have been released. The two motorcycle occupants were identified as Richard Mumford of Louisville and Heather Abdel-Rahman. Both were killed due to their injuries after a collision with a pickup truck driven by Arthur Dennis of Vine Grove. The cause of the wreck is still under investigation at this time.

A lawsuit between a Vine Grove police officer and the city of Vine Grove has been settled. According to court documents, the lawsuit, which was brought up by officer Vic Williams, was settled out of court between the two parties. The suit alleged Williams was the subject of racial discrimination when he was passed up for a promotion within the police department in 2016. Williams has been with the department since 2003.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force made several arrests at a residence on Kiper Road in Leitchfield on Tuesday. A search warrant had been obtained after an investigation into the sale of illegal narcotics at the home. The search of the home revealed the presence and trafficking of over eleven grams of meth, as well as the arrest of James Huff, Shannon Payton, Heather Short, Brian Humphrey, and Deanna Miller. Short and Miller were fugitives from other jurisdictions. All were apprehended on multiple drug charges and are lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

The Elizabethtown Police Department made an arrest after a high speed chase Monday. According to Officer Chris Denham, Mardis Taylor was seen driving a motorcycle over the speed limit, and refused to stop when police attempted a traffic stop. Taylor’s motorcycle was then seen to have no license plates. He was met by Kentucky State Police at a later exit, and apprehended. He faces several charges and is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Fort Knox will be hosting a Team Run this weekend. Teams are made up of up to five people and must be registered by the close of business today. The cost is $75 per team, and teams are encouraged to wear their organization’s or unit’s attire for the run.