The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet wants to let motorists know that crews will be out over the days and weeks to come to remove trees from right-of-ways along roadways following the wind storm. “This is definitely a unique situation. Many times we have these weather events and we can pull resources or shift areas where we need to concentrate more heavily on cleaning up or clearing. But in this case, we had widespread damage over every county in the district. Our resources are spread thin, and it’s gonna take a while to get everything cleaned up,” said spokesperson Chris Jessie. Motorists should remain alert and pay close attention to flaggers in areas where crews are working.
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The Elizabethtown Police Department wants to remind motorists about Kentucky’s Slow Down, Move Over law. “Most people are aware Kentucky law requires that they give way to any emergency vehicle being operated in an emergency response mode. Some however, are not aware that, when possible, they also have a statutory obligation to switch to a lane not adjacent to a stopped emergency safety or service vehicle with activated flashing lights. When switching lanes isn’t possible, motorists at a minimum must slow down when passing. Tragedies happen in a split second.The last thing we want is to have to tell someone’s family member that their loved one won’t be coming home because of a completely avoidable fatal collision. Please remember, slow down and move over,” said spokesperson Chris Denham. Motorists should also stop clear of intersections when an emergency vehicle is approaching and stay there until the vehicle has passed.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is sharing information about their “Check To Protect” campaign. National Vehicle Safety Recall Week is going on through March 12. In partnership with The National Safety Council, the Transportation Cabinet wants drivers to take time to check whether their vehicle is among the 1 in 5 cars and trucks with unrepaired safety recalls currently on the road in Kentucky. “One thing we want folks to realize is that these recalls are not necessarily just about you and your vehicle. Keep in mind when those recalls are issued, they’re serious situations in a lot of cases. The safety of other motorists on the road is definitely at stake. So we want folks to be sure and check, be sure they have those recalls up to date as best as possible,’ said Transportation Cabinet Spokesperson Chris Jessie. Many recalls involve defective parts which could pose life-threatening risks to drivers and passengers. This campaign is to encourage vehicle owners to be proactive in checking their vehicle status when they get it serviced and scheduling those free repairs. To check if your vehicle is subject of a recall, go to CheckToProtect.org
The Hardin County Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon on Wednesday. The keynote speaker at the event was President and CEO of Baptist Health Hardin, Rob Ramey, who provided an overview of the changes that are taking place right now. “I’ve been in Elizabethtown at Baptist Health Hardin for just over two and a half months now. I am excited and looking forward to the future. We’ve got so many neat projects going on right now. We’ve added new technologies, we’ve brought in some new providers as well, just in that short time frame. And we’ve got the large construction project going on behind the hospital. It’s almost $250 million in investment into the medical facilities so that we can continue to advance the care right here,” said Ramey who also gave an update on construction and information about some of the new technology coming. “We are looking to open the new medical pavilion in late 2024. We’ve had the opportunity to continue to plan for the services that are going to go into that facility. We’ve got new operating rooms and cath labs as well as just a new cancer center. Valet services for the patients arriving. So we’re so excited about it. We just have to get through the next eighteen months or so. And we can’t wait to make it a reality for our community.” During the expo portion of the event, dozens of health and human services groups set up to share information about the services they provide the community.
Three Hardin County residents have been indicted on child abuse charges from an incident that took place in January. On January 9, 25 year old Clovis Smith and 23 year old Satrina Layne, both of Rineyville, were taken into custody after they took Smith’s son to the hospital when Smith found the child unresponsive in the home. “Hardin County Department for Community Based Services contacted KSP regarding a five-year-old that was originally brought into Baptist Health Hardin with serious physical injuries. The child was later airlifted to Norton’s Children’s Hospital in Louisville for treatment of what was described as life threatening injuries,” stated Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Scotty Sharp. Smith, Layne and 45 year old Jessica Jackson were all indicted on two counts of 1st degree Criminal Abuse of a Child on February 23. All three are lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center.