Hardin Memorial Health will be celebrating their 66th anniversary tomorrow, and CEO Dennis Johnson is excited about possibilities for the future of the organization. Johnson notes that Baptist Health will be investing $235 million into the hospital, which will be allow services to be further spread in Central Kentucky. The deal with Baptist Health, which was given the go ahead late last year after many legal troubles, is expected to close by December 1st, 2020.
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The Kentucky State Police Electronic Crime Branch arrested a Hardin County man on charges related to child sexual exploitation. According to a release from the department, John Thomas Coffey Junior was arrested as the result of an undercover internet crimes against children investigation, which began after discovering the suspect communicating with a juvenile online and requesting nude photographs. The investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Fairdale on Wednesday, and seizure of equipment used to facilitate the crime. Coffey is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.
Congressman Brett Guthrie, one of three main legislators to push for the new Army Headquarters that will be stationed at Fort Knox, has spoken about the success of the push, and why Fort Knox was the right choice. Guthrie says the facilities of Fort Knox, including the training space, housing, and medical clinic, are a perfect fit for this headquarters. The attitudes of the community and their willingness to accept the new soldiers also is a plus. Guthrie finished by saying that this headquarters solidifies Fort Knox’s importance to the Army.
At a meeting of Hardin County Fiscal Court held last night, the budget for the Hardin County Road Aid Cooperative Program Agreement was unanimously approved. Judge Executive Harry Berry approved the $1,900,085 budget for this fiscal year. This agreement is between Hardin County, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Transportation Cabinet, and the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid.
An Elizabethtown man was arrested over the weekend by the Elizabethtown Police Department after a domestic argument. The victim stated that after an altercation over the location of a cell phone, Aaron Kissel became abusive. Kissel accused the victim of sitting on the phone and pulled the cover from under her. After not finding the device, the argument started and Kissel allegedly slapped the victim in the face two separate times and punched her in the throat. He then grabbed her by the throat and choked her until she could not breathe. The victim left the room and went to a neighbor’s house for help and called the police. When officers arrived, Kissel denied he had ever hit or made contact with the victim. He was arrested for strangulation and assault, and was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.