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November 15, 2019

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting on New Haven Road around 5:30 yesterday afternoon. According to a press release from the office, officers found 19-year-old Cody Brown with a singe gunshot wound to the arm and abdomen. A second male, Joseph Mattingly, was also on the scene. Initial investigation suggests that while the pair were traveling in a vehicle, a firearm accidentally discharged, striking Brown. Brown was transported to Flaget Memorial Hospital, and eventually transferred to University of Louisville Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

A large donation has been made to Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland through the estates of George and Hazel Luster. The Luster’s contribution is the first estate gift that will be placed into the organizations endowment fund with the Central Kentucky Community Foundation. The donation is in the amount of nearly $70,000.

The recanvassing for the November 5th election took place yesterday morning, and many counties, including Hardin County, reported no change in their counts. Matt Bevin conceded defeat to Attorney General and Governor Elect Andy Beshear last night.

A friendly competition between local businesses serves to benefit Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland. Andy’s Barber Shop and Purple Rose Salon are hosting a food drive. Donations of food or money can be brought to the shops. More information can be found on the Andy’s Barber Shop and Purple Rose Salon Facebook pages.

November 14, 2019

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 5th 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.

November 13, 2019

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union will soon be going through some major changes. The credit union’s name and brand will officially change in February 2020, according to an email sent out to all members on November 9th. All branches will be closed on January 15th, 2020 so employees can meet, celebrate, and prepare for this new change. Fort Knox Federal Credit Union has been serving members of the military as well as the community for 70 years.

The United States Census will be taking place next year, and Hardin County officials are already attempting to get citizens prepared. At a meeting of Hardin County Fiscal Court last night, City Engineer Vickie Meredith shared that there will be three ways to be counted in the census; online, over the phone, or in person. The census happens every ten years, and is used to establish things like state funding and seats in the House of Representatives.

Hardin County Animal Care and Control will be holding a coffee meet-and-greet with local animal welfare staff and volunteers this Friday at Hardin County EMS. The event will take place from 8 AM- 9AM, and will be followed by a full day seminar with guest speakers. Both events are free, but people are asked to register in advance

November 12, 2019

New 18th 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 5th 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 27th. 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 5th Region. Freshman Sydney Clark was recognized as First Team All State, and 5th Region Player of the Year. This is Coach Catlett’s eighth season as head coach of the Lady Panthers.

November 11, 2019

An Elizabethtown woman was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Highgrove Road on Thursday afternoon. According to the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, 31-year-old Samantha Smith was heading west on Highgrove Road when she dropped off the edge of the road, overcorrected, and crossed into the other lane. Smith’s van slid and collided with a semi driven by 60-year-old William Brown of Livingston. Brown was not injured, but Smith was pronounced deceased by the Nelson County Coroner’s Office. The collision is under investigation.

A former girl’s basketball coach was convicted on several sexual assault charges last Friday. According to Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Teresa Logsdon, Corvell Conley, a former AAU basketball coach, was found guilty of third-degree sodomy. The sentence for such a crime is one to five years in prison, and a jury recommended Conley serve four years. Formal sentencing will be on January 14th.

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information in identifying a suspect in an act of violence at a Wooldridge Ferry Road property. Roy Wright of Hardin County found one of his horses shot four times, and another shot in the neck. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to call the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

After serving Hardin County for almost twenty years, Judge Executive Harry Berry announced that he will not be seeking re-election once his current term is completed. Berry first ran for the position in 2002, and has held the office of Judge Executive since. Berry says he is proud of the professionalism and fiscal management that the local government has grown to have over the years.

Improvement work begins today on the bridge over Sandy Creek in Southern Hardin County. Locally known as Cash Road, KY 2800 will be closed at the 3.6 mile marker for up to 45 days. Signs have been posted and motorists are encouraged to use KY 224 and KY 720 to detour around the closed area. This work on the bridge is part of the “Bridging Kentucky program, aimed at improving structures and safety around the state. For more information, visit bridgingkentucky.com.