WQXE News

The man responsible for the deaths of two local teens and seriously injuring two others was formally sentenced yesterday afternoon in Hardin Circuit Court. According to Hardin County Commonwealth Attorney Shane Young, Shawn Welsh was sentenced to multiple life sentences for the deaths of Jacob Barber and Katarina Peeters, as well as the serious injury of Macie McMillen and Cameron Brown. These sentences will run concurrently. Young says it was the Commonwealth’s recommendation that Welsh spend the rest of his life in prison.

The Elizabethtown Police Department responded to the Kroger on Dolphin Drive Tuesday morning after reports of heavy shoplifting. According to arrest warrants, Kimberly Coffer entered the store with another female and selected over $1500 in merchandise. Upon being stopped by loss prevention, the two fled on foot and jumped into a van, which then drove away. When a traffic stop was made at North Mulberry and Ring Road, officers found approximately eight large trash bags filled with stolen merchandise, as well as logs of locations thefts had occurred with addresses ranging from Illinois to Georgia, and logs detailing total items stolen by person by date. Coffer and her associates are charged with engaging in organized crime, receiving stolen property, and shoplifting.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 is asking for the public’s assistance in gathering information on a suspect in an act of vandalism. Needham Cumberland Presbyterian Church and Smith Chapel United Methodist Church, both on Laruel Ridge Road in Eastview, reported someone breaking in and causing severe property damage. It was discovered that a storage shed next to Needham had been set on fire, and several items had been stolen from both locations. Anyone with information is asked to call KSP Post 4.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 is moving into and operating out of their new location at 820 New Glendale Road today. Calls for service will not be interrupted during this transition. More information about KSP Post 4 can be found at kentuckystatepolice.org.

New Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was inaugurated yesterday in Frankfort, officially taking the position from former Governor Matt Bevin. Beshear defeated Bevin in the November 5^th election, but the results were subjected to a recanvass, which showed no change.

A collision on Interstate 65 left lanes closed for multiple hours last night. According to a post on the Elizabethtown Police Department’s Facebook page, all southbound lanes near Exit 94 were closed while the accident was reconstructed and cleaned up. It was confirmed that there were injuries in the accident, but no further details are available at this time.

The identity of a man killed in a three vehicle collision on Deckard School Road Wednesday morning has been revealed. According to a release from the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, Drew Brandt, 73, of Vine Grove was killed due to blunt force injuries sustained from the accident that shut Deckard School Road down for almost two hours around 9 AM Wednesday morning. The identities of the other two drivers have still not been released.

Helping Hand of Hope is asking for assistance in providing Christmas gifts for teens with a need for the season. Suggested gifts are gift cards for local businesses. Donations can be made by visiting or contacting the Helping Hand of Hope office, or going online to helpinghandofhope.com.

The Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame Classic will be taking place this weekend. The Boys teams will be playing at Central Hardin High School while the girls teams will be playing at North Hardin High School. Games in both locations will be starting at 2 PM. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for students. The tickets will cover both locations.

The city of Radcliff will begin its Christmas celebrations tomorrow with a pancake breakfast with Santa hosted by the Optimist Club of Radcliff. Following that, there will be a craft fair from 10 AM to 4 PM, including an opportunity to do crafts with Mrs. Claus. Then at 6 PM, the Festival of Trees will take place at Colvin Community Center, followed by the lighting of the city Christmas tree.

The heart of Kentucky Men’s Chorus and special guests Linkin Bridge will be performing this Saturday, December 7^th at the Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center. The show will begin at 7 PM, and tickets can be purchased online at thepac.net. Tickets range from $10- $20.

The 6^th Grade Showcase, which will allow classes from various Hardin County Schools to compete against one another, will be taking place this weekend. At least seven schools will be competing in quick recall, mathematics, and other various subjects. The event will be taking place at Saint James Catholic School in Elizabethtown. Registration will start at 9 AM, and the quick recall competition begins at noon.

Radcliff Police have identified the shooter in the death investigation that stemmed from a shooting at Wal-Mart Monday night. According to arrest citations, Kendall Lincoln of Elizabethtown allegedly shot the victim eight times with a .45 caliber handgun. Later, Lincoln admitted to stealing the victims handgun and promethazine after shooting him. The victim died as a result of the shooting, and Lincoln is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Fort Knox has been selected to host one of the Army’s new talent management initiatives called the Battalion Commander Assessment Program. The assessment will utilize a five day series of tests measuring physical and mental fitness for command and potential. The assessment is expected to bring around 800 army officers to the post over a five-to-six week period throughout January and February.

Magnolia Bank has surprised several local non-profit organizations with monetary donations. Six non-profits were up for vote for patrons of Magnolia Bank, and $10,000 was distributed based on the vote results. The six non-profits were the Community Health Clinic, Helping Hand of Hope, Mission Hope for Kids, Warm Blessings, the Kelly Dean Sanders Memorial Fund, and Shepherd’s Pie. The donations were made in honor of the 100^th birthday of Magnolia Bank.