WQXE News

Kentucky 1538 in Hardin County will be closed several days this week, starting today, due to construction. A detour from Saint John Road to Ring Road, to Patriot Parkway, and then to Rineyville Road can be used to avoid the closure. The construction is expected to last about two days.

New legislation passed in Kentucky will require public schools to have the national motto, In God We Trust, displayed in a prominent place, such as the cafeteria or main office. State Representative Brandon Reed says this bipartisan effort passed the legislature with a vote of seventy percent. The legislation will go into effect for the upcoming school year.

A Hardin County man has died after a motorcycle wreck last weekend. According to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Christopher C. Blake of Hardin County was travelling on Highway 60 with one other person Sunday afternoon. For unknown reasons, Blake lost control and exited the roadway. Blake overcorrected his bike and re-entered the roadway, eventually hitting the median and being ejected. Blake died at Owensboro health. No other details have been released.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s office has arrested a man in connection with a high speed chase that took place in June. According to arrest records, James Ladnier of Radcliff was seen swerving from lane to lane on US 31 West on June 11^th. When a traffic stop was attempted by the Radcliff Police Department, Ladnier made a hard turn, and began to speed to excess of 90 MPH to evade police. When the suspect reached the Joe Prather Highway, he slammed on his brakes, attempting to disable a cruiser, or injure the officer inside. The pursuit continued until the suspect reached I-65, at which point Kentucky State Police took over. Ladnier is charged with fleeing police, wanton endangerment, and reckless driving, as well as a litany of other charges.

The First Friday Back to School Bash will be taking place in Downtown Hodgenville this Friday at 6 P.M. Various businesses and churches will be giving away school supplies, and the Larue County Food and Nutrition Department will be treating kids 18 and under to dinner. Other attractions will include food trucks, farmer’s market, and live music featuring local artists. More information can be found by calling the Larue County Chamber.

A celebration of the emancipation of African-Americans will be taking place this weekend. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College as well as First Baptist Church will be presenting the second annual Eighth of August Celebration. The event will feature a lunch with homemade dishes as well as food from local eateries, a large variety of vendors, and a church service. The event will take place at the B.T. Bishop Center at 107 Bishop Lane, and will run from 9:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.

A major piece of training equipment will be added to Fort Knox in the coming years. The installation will be adding a digital air-ground integration range. According to Colonel Pat Kaune, the feature helps train air and ground forces simultaneously by simulating high intensity scenarios. Fort Knox will be only the second army installation in the United States to feature the range. The project is expected to take several years to complete, but groundbreaking is scheduled to begin in September.

A Hardin County woman was arrested last week after she deliberately crashed a car. According to arrest records, Sarah Hall was traveling in a car with three other passengers Thursday night when she began screaming and choking the driver of the vehicle. Hall then allegedly grabbed the steering wheel and turned sharply left until the vehicle crashed. Hall then climbed out and began rolling in the road until police arrived. Once consent was given, police conducted a search of Hall’s purse and found a glass pipe and used syringes. Hall was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment, public intoxication, and criminal mischief. She was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Atria Senior Living will be hosting a backpack giveaway event tonight. Spokesperson Robin Reeder says the facility will have a carnival aesthetic to the event, and school supplies will be given away, as well as the backpacks. Bounce houses and food will be available at the event, which will take place at the Atria facility from 6 to 8 P.M.

A more technological approach to first day of school paperwork is being brought to Hardin County Schools. Spokesperson John Wright says this is an attempt to be a little friendlier to the environment, as well as make life easier for parents. Parents are asked to have a parent portal login, which they can get from their child’s school, in order to access the documents online. Questions can be directed to the student services department.

A change of command ceremony will take place tomorrow, as Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Pat Kaune will be relinquishing command to Colonel CJ King. Colonel Kaune spent the last two years as Garrison Commander. The event is open to the public and will take place at the Waybur Theater on Fort Knox.

Governor Matt Bevin signed House Bill 1 into law yesterday afternoon after it passed the Republican-controlled Senate. This bill will provide relief for some pension systems in Kentucky. There could be legal challenges that oppose this law, as critics say it breaks the inviolable contract. The Governor’s signing of the bill signaled the end of the special session.

The Meade County school district will implement free breakfast and lunches to students beginning this upcoming school year. Superintendent John Milay says the district hopes this can take a bit of the burden off of parents and students as the next school year begins. This program will be a year-to-year program.

The Elizabethtown Police Department responded to a domestic assault call on Cobblestone Court Tuesday night. Officer John Thomas reports that Kevin Rood was intoxicated while serving as the sole caretaker for his nine-year-old son. Rood allegedly struck his son several times with an open hand, and then passed out in the floor, leading the child to call 911 in hopes of getting police assistance. Officers had difficulty waking Rood, and when he was alert, he began swearing at officers in front of his neighbors and son. Rood was arrested on multiple charges, including assault and endangering the welfare of a minor.