WQXE News

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Cecilia man Thursday night after he assaulted his girlfriend. According to an arrest warrant, 35-year-old Joseph Goodman physically assaulted the victim on November 11^th and 12^th at a Cecilia residence. Goodman kicked her in the face, causing her to fall and hit her head on a protruding nail, causing minor injury. He also strangled the victim, leaving marks and redness on her neck. Goodman took and broke her phone as she attempted to call 911. He was charged with assault, strangulation, and intimidating a participant in the legal process. He is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

The semi-finals of the Bands of America Grand Nationals took place over the weekend, and the North Hardin High School band placed second in the Class AA division. Despite this, the band did not perform in the finals on Saturday night. North Hardin wishes to thank all those who supported the students and the band throughout the season.

Central Hardin Army JROTC traveled to Molena, Georgia for the Army National Raider Championship. The two-day event consisted of five challenges; cross country rescue, 5K run, rope bridge, a physical team test, and a gauntlet. The Central Hardin male team finished 13^th overall, with a 1^st in the 7^th Brigade. The mixed team competed and was the top Kentucky school. With the teams regular season record of 62-3, plus the previous three years, the seniors have a record of 238-10 over a four year career.

The Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Student Government Association will be hosting an Evening with Sensitive Santa on Friday, December 6^th from 5PM to 8 PM. The event is designed for children with disabilities, autism, or anything else that may make the normal mall Santa experience too difficult for them. Other activities including letter writing and crafts will be provided. Reservations are required, and need to be made by December 2^nd at the latest. To make reservations, or for more information, contact Mary Rigney at marya.rigney@kctcs.edu.

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union and Hardin Memorial Health have teamed up toward a common goal. The $1.5 million investment will go towards supporting military and community health in Radcliff. The ten-year financial commitment and partnership will offer patients near the Wilson Gate of Fort Knox more options due to the expansion of the Radcliff clinic. Patients will have access to more primary care providers, additional patient resources, and the ability to connect military families and patients to community contacts.

The identity of the third body found at a burned Larue County residence earlier this year has been released. As previously reported, Kentucky State Police Post 4 responded to a shooting on River Road in Larue County in July. The bodies of 39-year-old Nicole Murray of New Haven and 33-year-old Brittany Wilson of Louisville, along with newly identified Michael Murray, were discovered during the investigation.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office was involved in a standoff around 8 AM yesterday morning when an individual, identified as  Gary Troutman, barricaded himself in his home. The Sheriff’s Office responded to the home to do a welfare check, when Troutman fired two shots from inside his home. The office requested backup, and Troutman fired one more shot when officials attempted to contact him again. The Kentucky State Police Special Response Team was called, and Troutman eventually gave himself up. He was charged with ten counts of wanton endangerment, and was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 responded to a two-vehicle collision on I-65 yesterday morning around 6 AM. The accident occurred at the 108 mile marker in Bullitt County. A semi-truck driven by Jose Benitez of Miami, FL was in the emergency lane, dealing with an equipment issue. For unknown reasons, a second vehicle driven by Anthony Napier collided with the rear of the truck. Napier was taken to University of Louisville hospital with life threatening injuries. Benitez was uninjured. Portions of Southbound I-65 were temporarily shut down for investigation and cleanup of the scene.

The vote recanvassing requested by Matt Bevin in regards to the November 5^th election took place today at 9 AM. Both candidates and/or their representatives, along with the County Board of Elections and news media could be present in the room during the recanvassing.

Diecks Drive, located off of Dixie Highway near Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, is now open for traffic. A portion of Diecks Drive has been closed for road work since March.

New 18^th District Representative Samara Heavrin already has plans for what she intends to do in her new role. Heavrin lists government accountability and transparency, education, and listening to constituents of the district as some of the most important aspects of her office. Heavrin won the November 5^th election, beating out Democrat Becky Miller. She assumes this new role after previous representative Tim Moore stepped down in September.

Reconstruction is underway on Long Avenue in Elizabethtown. The project started yesterday morning around 7 AM, and according to a post on the Elizabethtown Police Department’s Facebook page, will continue until Sunday, November 27^th. Closures are between Cardinal Drive and Nall Street. Residents on Long Avenue will still have access, but through traffic is being detoured onto Hill Street, then to Nall Street, and back onto Long Avenue.

The City of Elizabethtown will no longer be sending out tax bills for real and tangible property. Starting with the 2019 tax year, residents will now receive only one bill that will include their city and county amounts. Payments will be remitted to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office at 201 Provident Way in Elizabethtown. Those with outstanding tax bills from 2018 and earlier can still pay those bills at the City Office. The City of Elizabethtown will continue to bill and collect franchise and bank share property tax.

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association held its 2019 State Volleyball Tournament this past weekend. The Elizabethtown Lady Panthers were among the 16 teams who competed over the three-day competition. Their coach, Bart Catlett, was recognized as Coach of the Year for the 5^th Region. Freshman Sydney Clark was recognized as First Team All State, and 5^th Region Player of the Year. This is Coach Catlett’s eighth season as head coach of the Lady Panthers.