A new program designed to help students and families address the causes of absenteeism and truancy will be introduced in Larue County Schools. The Administrative Office of the Courts is sponsoring the Truancy Diversion Program. Three unexcused absences in a school year will put a student in the beginning stages of the program. The goal is to keep students from reaching six unexcused absences, or habitual truancy, after which charges can be made against them. The program will be tested in Larue County Middle Schools before being extended to others. More information on the attendance policy can be found on the Larue County Schools website.

The location of the American Red Cross office in Elizabethtown has changed. The office, which was previously situated on West Dixie Avenue, now resides on North Dixie Highway near Corvin’s Floor Covering. The Red Cross will be holding drives in this new location as well as at the Towne Mall in Elizabethtown. To locate a local blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org.

An Elizabethtown man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to take an officer to the ground. Officers with the Elizabethtown Police Department attempted a traffic stop on David Baker Saturday evening. Baker became belligerent, attempting to put an officer in a choke hold. Baker later was found to have marijuana on his person, and a handgun in his vehicle. Baker was charged with assault of a police officer, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief, as well as several drug related offences.

The inaugural Heartland Book Festival will be taking place at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College this weekend. There will be over 70 authors participating this Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. There will also be workshops and the ability to purchase books. This is a free event open to everyone. More information can be found at heartlandbookfestival.org.