WQXE News

The Elizabethtown City Council amended and addressed new policies for alcohol sale and consumption at public facilities, parks, and events in downtown Elizabethtown at a City Council Meeting on Monday. Facilities such as Pritchard Community Center will have their own sets of requirements in order to serve alcohol, while the State Theater, which is owned and operated by the city, will decide their own criteria. Alcohol can be sold and consumed at the Elizabethtown Sports Park for non-youth events as long as city and state laws are followed, as well as at Freeman Lake during festivals and other events. As for Downtown Events, a lot of the same rules apply in terms of liability insurance requirements. No glass bottles are allowed in designated areas, with only non-breakable cups, bottles, or other containers being permitted. Designated areas must be clearly marked, and areas marked as “kids zones” will not allow alcohol at all. Businesses with existing licenses can sell their own alcohol, but it cannot leave the premises of the business. The designated area can be altered by officials if needed.

With help from private and public contributions, the William Thomason byways, right of way in Leitchfield will be accomplished sooner than expected. The schedule for the project has been trimmed down by six months. The byway will connect U.S. 62 and KY 54 to KY 259 and the Western Kentucky Parkway, allowing trucks to avoid the downtown’s tight turns.

A Louisville man and two juveniles have been charged in connection with multiple thefts from unlocked vehicles in Leitchfield. Money, loose change, two purses, a wallet, and a handgun were some of the items reported to have been taken in the early morning hours of September 4^th. 20-year-old Joshua Grubbs has been charged with theft by unlawful taking, multiple counts of unlawful transaction with a minor, and nine counts of criminal trespass. The two juveniles also received charges of theft by unlawful taking and criminal trespass. Breckinridge County is also charging all three with multiple charges. The investigation is ongoing.

The Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation recognized some employees of Flaget Hospital last week, presenting them with the 2019 Bruce A. Klockars Employee Scholarship Award. Twelve scholarships were given out in a variety of different areas. The fund was established in 2011 by Flaget Hospital employees to honor Bruce Klockars, who served eleven years as president of the hospital.

Nolin RECC will be hosting the 15^th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo this week. The event will feature the best lineworkers from around the state to compete in traditional lineman tasks and skills. The action begins at the Hardin County Fairgrounds on Thursday September 26^th at 9 AM, and continues Friday, with a lineman memorial at 7:30 AM, and team competition starting at 8:30.

A new downtown building is in the process of being built where Newberry’s once stood. A beam signing for the new structure took place Friday afternoon. The new building will feature a restaurant, bar, and residential property.

The Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to a call of smoke at a business over the weekend. According to Deputy Fire Chief Everett Roberts, officials responded to El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant on Saturday after a call from a neighboring business regarding the smell of smoke before the business opened. Upon investigation, it was discovered that there was a pot of beans left cooking on the stove. The scene was cleared in about an hour after the stove was turned off.

The Kentucky Court of Appeals issued a unanimous decision that proper procedure was followed in the sale of Hardin Memorial Health assets to Baptist Health. The court ruled that Dr. Larry Hall, who made the appeal, lacked necessary standing and had “absolutely no evidence” that the process used was done in secret. Under the terms of the proposed partnership, Baptist Health would acquire all assets of HMH, and in return, would commit $235 million over a ten year period to HMH in operating and capital investments.

Bluegrass Cellular is accepting nominations for its revamped Battles in the Bluegrass program. The winner this year will receive a $5,000 prize with the “technology gift”. Nominations can be made by visiting bluegrasscellular.com/battles, and are due by midnight on September 26^th.

The Elizabethtown Police Department has responded to questions regarding fundraising phone calls and letters from the American Police Officers Alliance. Officer John Thomas says this organization is not charitable, and appears to be a political organization with no law enforcement affiliation. This serves as a reminder to be wary of unfamiliar organizations soliciting donations. Solicitations such as this tend to see an increase during the holiday season.

Kentucky State Police are investigating a collision in Bardstown that took the life of one of the victims. According to preliminary investigation, George Froelich, 77, was attempting to exit a parking lot when he pulled into the path of a work van operated by 29-year-old Christopher Sympson. Froelich was transported to Flaget Memorial Hospital following the collision, but was pronounced deceased. Sympson was also transported to a medical facility for non-life threatening injuries. The collision is under investigation.

Drought conditions in Grayson County have led to a full outdoor burn ban in the county until further notice. The executive order was issued by Grayson County Judge Executive Kevin Henderson on Wednesday. Those who are found not adhering to the ban are subject to fines or other punishment.

The property tax rates for the city of Elizabethtown were approved at a meeting of the city council on Monday. The rates, which have been unchanged since 2007, kept the status quo, remaining at 11.6 cents per $100 assessed value.

Officials with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department are seeking to offer a syringe service program in Hardin and surrounding counties. This program would offer sterile syringes and needles to those in need, and also deal with the removal and disposal of the materials. The program would also seek to reduce public health issues including HIV. Currently, the closest harm reduction syringe service program is in Nelson County.

Nolin RECC is sponsoring two veterans for the Honor Flight taking off this weekend. The two sponsored veterans are Mr. Dan Thompson from Hodgenville, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, and Mr. William Hickey from Elizabethtown, who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and later in the Army. The veterans will be taken to see the monuments and battle memorials in Washington, as well as take part in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Families, friends, and supporters are invited to greet the veterans when their flight returns to Bluegrass Airport at 7:30 PM Saturday.