WQXE News

The Kentucky State Fair had a heightened level of security over the weekend. Kentucky State Police say large groups of juveniles congregated and set off fireworks in different locations Saturday night. Officials say there was no active shooter on the property. There was a single gunshot fired into the air by a male juvenile, but no injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing. State Police say there are no perceived threats to the public or visitors of the state fair.

An arrest has been made in connection with a Bardstown murder that took place in 2016. On August 16^th, 2019 Bardstown Police arrested Robert Zachary Tate for the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld. Unseld was killed on West Stephen Foster Avenue in June of 2016. No further information is available at this time.

The Elizabethtown Police Department is requesting help in finding the suspect in an animal cruelty case. Officers responded to a call from a residence on Crestwood Street Sunday morning. The resident says that he let his min-pin-Chihuahua mix outside, and returned to find it was deceased with trauma to the abdomen. It is believed the dog was shot with a projectile. Anyone with further information in finding the culprit should contact Hardin County Crimestoppers or the Elizabethtown Police Department.

The Hardin County Extension Office has finally moved into their new location. Extension Agent Doug Shepherd says the office would start operating out of the new location starting today. The new location is approximately four times as big as the old location, and will include a catering kitchen, sewing project room, and updated technologies.

Hardin Memorial Health will have big improvements coming to one of their departments, as a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine will be added to the Cardiac Cath Lab. The system will be used by cardiologists during cardiac cath procedures. A portion of the money came from grateful patients Barbara and Joe Clement.

A place for children of all abilities to play will be coming to Elizabethtown. The Central Kentucky Community Foundation released plans to build a sound garden at their new location near the Hardin County Public Library. The garden will be centered around playing using sound and music. The foundation is currently in the process of moving to their new location.

The identities of the two people killed in a wreck on Dixie Avenue yesterday afternoon have been released. The two motorcycle occupants were identified as Richard Mumford of Louisville and Heather Abdel-Rahman. Both were killed due to their injuries after a collision with a pickup truck driven by Arthur Dennis of Vine Grove. The cause of the wreck is still under investigation at this time.

A lawsuit between a Vine Grove police officer and the city of Vine Grove has been settled. According to court documents, the lawsuit, which was brought up by officer Vic Williams, was settled out of court between the two parties. The suit alleged Williams was the subject of racial discrimination when he was passed up for a promotion within the police department in 2016. Williams has been with the department since 2003.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office and the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force made several arrests at a residence on Kiper Road in Leitchfield on Tuesday. A search warrant had been obtained after an investigation into the sale of illegal narcotics at the home. The search of the home revealed the presence and trafficking of over eleven grams of meth, as well as the arrest of James Huff, Shannon Payton, Heather Short, Brian Humphrey, and Deanna Miller. Short and Miller were fugitives from other jurisdictions. All were apprehended on multiple drug charges and are lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.

The Elizabethtown Police Department made an arrest after a high speed chase Monday. According to Officer Chris Denham, Mardis Taylor was seen driving a motorcycle over the speed limit, and refused to stop when police attempted a traffic stop. Taylor’s motorcycle was then seen to have no license plates. He was met by Kentucky State Police at a later exit, and apprehended. He faces several charges and is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.

Fort Knox will be hosting a Team Run this weekend. Teams are made up of up to five people and must be registered by the close of business today. The cost is $75 per team, and teams are encouraged to wear their organization’s or unit’s attire for the run.

Mayor Jeff Gregory awarded a Hardin County teenager the honor of Outstanding Citizen of the City of Elizabethtown. J.T. Bryant, who helped save a family in a Nicholas Ridge home fire, received the honor at a City Council meeting on Monday. Bryant was out for a drive when he saw smoke emanating from the direction of the home. Upon seeing that the home was on fire, he began banging on the door of the home, attempting to wake the family. The family’s dog began to bark, waking the rest of the household, and allowing them to get out of the house in time. The entire family made it out unharmed. Bryant will be heading off to college later this week.

A Louisville man was arrested Saturday morning for threatening his girlfriend at Ruby Tuesday’s in Elizabethtown. The Elizabethtown Police Department reports that Neil Nelson threatened to shoot his girlfriend in the face at the establishment, then left. Police found Nelson behind Cracker Barrel, and asked him to put his hands where they could be seen. Nelson hid behind a car, and was seen reaching for his waistband. He was then held at gunpoint until backup arrived. It was later discovered that Nelson’s gun was loaded and one bullet was in the chamber. He was charged with terroristic threatening, menacing, and possession of a handgun by convicted felon, among other offences.

A vehicle fire caused the Bluegrass Parkway to be shutdown late Sunday night. The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office responded to mile marker 11 where a semi-truck driver reportedly had a blowout causing him to lose control. The truck hit the concrete barrier, damaging the fuel tank, which caused the fire. The parkway was shut down for several hours, but no injuries were reported.

A graduation ceremony for potential future Army leader will be taking place this weekend. Cadet Summer Training is coming to a close, and the graduation ceremonies will take place on August 16^th and 18^th from 9-10 AM. Both graduations will take place at Brooks Field.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will be holding an express enrollment event over the next few days. ECTC President and CEO Dr. Juston Pate says that someone will be there at all times to help prospective students get signed up for classes with this simplified process. The event continues today and tomorrow from 9 AM to 6 PM.