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American Legion Hardin Post 113 hosting open house Saturday

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American Legion Hardin Post 113 invites everybody to learn more about the American Legion at their open house, happening Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.

“We are hosting an open house event to try and show members of the community and some of the younger active duty and recent vets and their families what American Legion is really about,” said Post 113 Adjunct Drew Chitty. “This event is open to all veterans, sons and daughters of veterans, grandchildren, spouses of veterans. You’ll really be surprised who qualifies as a member.”

He says Post 113 wants the public to see that the Legion isn’t just a place for veterans to sit and talk.

“The American Legion is the largest veterans organization in the world, and Post 113 here in Elizabethtown is the largest American Legion in the state of Kentucky,” Chitty said. “We offer so much more like porch parties, trivia nights, Pictionary, live music, karaoke, special events, dances, dance lessons every week. We have charitable gaming and bingo.”

The open house is also an opportunity for service members and families to connect with services they may not have known were available.

“Whether you served 40 years ago or you just recently got out or you’re still serving, we understand and we will do what we can to help,” Chitty said. “We also have one of the only nine accredited Veteran Service Officers in the state of Kentucky on site that will help with transitioning out of the military or for those who need help with filing or updating their VA benefits, free of charge.”

The open house will be followed by a free comedy show, and Chitty noted while the open house is family-friendly the comedy show is not. American Legion Hardin Post 113 is located at 1251 Ring Road in Elizabethtown.

Man arrested after threat leads to lockdown of three EIS schools

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A threat against a local official led to a soft lockdown at three Elizabethtown Independent School District buildings and a man’s arrest Wednesday.

“Shortly before 12 p.m. (Wednesday) afternoon, we received information indicating that Kelron Decoteau had made a threat against a local judicial official,” said Elizabethtown Police Department Public Information Officer Chris Denham. “We immediately dedicated our full resources to locating and apprehending the suspect.”

The EPD recognized a direct connection with the case to EIS and contacted school officials regarding the potential threat. Helmwood Heights and Morningside elementary schools along with TK Stone Middle School were placed on soft lockdowns shortly before 1 p.m.

“I am pleased to report that shortly before 3 p.m. the suspect was apprehended by troopers from the Kentucky State Police Post 15 in a neighboring county,” Denham said. “He will be charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process and Terroristic Threatening in the Third Degree.”

EIS says as a precaution the district requested extra security at the three schools during student dismissal, which resulted in slower release times than usual and delayed bus routes. The EPD says at no time was the safety of any students or staff in jeopardy.

Fort Knox announces gate closures ahead of Labor Day Weekend; cemeteries open Sunday

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Fort Knox is announcing gate closures ahead of Labor Day weekend.

According to the U.S. Army Fort Knox Facebook page, while the Chaffee Gate will remain open 24/7, the Brandenburg Gate will be closed Friday through Monday and the Wilson Gate will be closed Saturday through Monday. Additionally, the Chaffee Avenue on-ramps to U.S. 31W will be closed Saturday through Monday.

As Fort Knox celebrates Labor Day, an experience typically reserved for Memorial Day weekend will take place Sunday.

“The installation’s long-standing tradition of opening the post’s 121 cemeteries to the public annually has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” said Fort Knox Garrison Commander Colonel Chris Ricci. “Fort Knox is going to open several access points around the installation perimeter, welcoming visitors who wish to pay their respects to friends and family members that are interred here.”

Inclement weather Memorial Day canceled the usual cemetery visit day in May. Visitors are encouraged to pre-register online for their required pass onto Fort Knox. A cultural resources representative will be available at the Fort Knox visitors center to provide cemetery and access point information.

Hardin County Schools announces Distinguished Alumni Award recipients

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Hardin County Schools has announced this year’s recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes five HCS alums who have excelled in their chosen profession or made outstanding contributions to their communities.

The 2024 class of recipients are Central Hardin class of 1994 grad Donna Preston Dennis, North Hardin class of 1985 grad Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Holt, North Hardin class of 1993 grad Lieutenant Colonel Jenohn Leshea Smith, East Hardin class of 1985 grad Gary Valentine, and North Hardin class of 1988 grad Mary (Cooper) Young.

“These five people are a true representation of how our graduates use their curricular, their co-curricular, and their extracurricular experiences to excel in their chosen career fields and in their communities,” said Hardin County Schools Community Relations Specialist John Wright.. “We look forward to honoring them next month. It’s going to be a great celebration.”

The distinguished alumni will be honored at a luncheon on September 26 at the Hardin County Schools Early College and Career Center. Contact HCS for more information.

Annual school safety report shows increased compliance and increased SRO presence

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State officials say Kentucky schools are continuing to make progress towards statewide school safety goals.

The Kentucky Office of the State School Security Marshal on Wednesday released the annual School Safety Risk Assessment Report. According to the report, 1,325 schools across the commonwealth are in compliance with the School Safety and Resiliency Act, a compliance rate of 99.81 percent.

State School Security Marshal Ben Wilcox said in the report that the number of school resource officers assigned to school campuses is 790, a 28 percent increase from last year and a 61 percent increase since House Bill 63 which requires every public school to have a SRO was signed into law.

The State School Security Marshal’s Office compiles the report based on unannounced visits to public schools. This year’s report indicates schools are complying with “mandated access control requirements regarding electronic-locking front doors, surveillance, locked classroom doors, classroom-window coverings, and a threat-assessment team.” Recommendations in the report include education of school staff on social media safety, ensuing up-to-date emergency operations plans, and ensuring training for front office staff on security measures.

Assessments for individual schools are not made public due to safety concerns. Kentuckians are encouraged to report possible threats against school safety to the STOP! Tipline at 1-866-393-6659 or online at safeschools.ky.gov.