The Casey County Fiscal Court met in a special session Thursday morning.

Under General Business, the Magistrates approved the first reading of a Budget Amendment. Judge Executive, Randy Dial...

Judge Dial reported the delivery of two new tractors for the County Road Department. The tractors were purchased and ordered a little over a year ago.

Under Jail Business, the Court discussed the rising cost of jail medical care and the need to find a cost-effective solution for the future.

The proposed contract from their current provider, Advanced Healthcare, shows a significant price increase compared to the previous year, from nearly $327,000 to just under $470,000, an increase of about $140,000. Concerns were raised about the rising cost and potential for even higher increases next year.

County Attorney, Thomas Weddle, suggested comparing costs with local providers...

The court considered exploring alternative options for jail medical care, including partnering with the local hospital or hiring nurses directly. However, concerns were raised about the cost and feasibility of these options, particularly the potential for exceeding the retainer quoted by the Hospital, which would end up costing more than the current proposal.

The court ultimately decided to table the decision on the medical contract. They will contact Advanced Healthcare to see if they can extend the deadline for acceptance. Additionally, they will explore the feasibility of partnering with local healthcare providers and potentially reconvene for another special meeting if necessary.
 

Human remains found in Taylor County earlier this year have been identified as that of a Casey County man.

The body was found back in March near Green River Lake.

Authorities say the remains have been identified as that of Dennis Davis of Casey County. On March 28th, deputies with the Taylor County Sheriff's Office and Taylor County Coroner's Office were dispatched to a wooded area off of Smith Ridge Road, where a property owner had located the skeletal remains.

The Kentucky State Medical Examiner's Office in Louisville conducted DNA testing, and on Thursday, December 14th, the Coroner confirmed that the remains were those of Dennis Davis of Casey County.

Kentuckians are encouraged to stay weather-aware and practice safe driving behaviors as part of the state braces for winter weather late Monday morning through evening that may impact travel.   

"Kentuckians please be weather aware today," said Gov. Andy Beshear."We need all our families to stay safe on the roadways as snow showers and gusty winds could bring dangerous conditions.”

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for portions of central Kentucky and predicts the combination of falling temperatures, 25-30 mph winds, and brief bursts of snow will create poor driving conditions, especially when temperatures drop below freezing . Snowfall accumulations are predicted to be light and measurable snow is possible along and east of Interstate 75 in the afternoon.  

Snow squalls – sudden, brief but intense bursts of snow coupled with gusty winds- happen rapidly and reduce visibility. If a snow squall warning is issued in your area, motorists are advised to delay travel. If already on the road, slow down, turn on your lights and safely exit the road if possible.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) staff and contracted crews monitor the weather and make region-specific plans to address hazardous conditions.

"We are on high alert monitoring weather conditions and our forces stand ready to respond to rapidly changing conditions as needed," said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. "Please give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and be especially cautious after dark."

More than 1,400 plow trucks are on deck and more than 2,000 staff and crew members are trained and prepped to keep travelers moving.

KYTC maintains most roads, streets and bridges that are part of the State Highway System, including interstates, parkways, and U.S. route designations.

Driver Tips This Winter Season
Safe roadways are a shared responsibility, especially during inclement weather when risks increase. Motorists, too, need to prepare for winter and remain safe by following these tips:

• Travel only when necessary during major snow events.
• Stock vehicles with ice scrapers, jumper cables, blankets, a flashlight, a cell phone charger, non-perishable snacks and a first aid kit should you get stranded on the road.
• Winterize your vehicle. Check your car battery, tire pressure and brakes. Ensure your heater, defroster, headlights and windshield wipers are working properly.
• When snow and/or ice are on roadways, drive slowly no matter what type of vehicle you drive. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in poor weather, so brake early and slowly.
• Pay attention to weather advisories and allow more time to travel for routine commutes.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shaded areas. These are all candidates for developing black ice – a thin coating of hard-to-see clear ice that can form on the pavement surface.
• Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment, and do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
• Know before you go. Download the free WAZE app or visit ky.gov to check traffic conditions before you travel. The map also offers access to select traffic cameras on interstates and parkways.
• Buckle up! Phone down! Eliminate distractions while driving.

Visit snowky.ky.gov for snow and ice resources, like priority route maps, tips and highway district updates.

A Taylor County man arrested during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon.

Casey County Sheriff Chad Weddle stopped a '97 Honda Accord on North Hatfield Road for expired tags.

There was a large dog in the vehicle, so the driver, Kenny Webb, age 30, of Ingram Drive, Campbellsville, was asked to step out of the car.

The arrest citation says Webb had a baggie of meth in his pocket.

Webb stated he found the baggie on the ground and picked it up prior to the traffic stop. He was charged with No Registration Receipt, and Possession of Methamphetamine-1st Degree/2nd Offense and lodged in the Casey County Jail.

Sheriff Weddle was assisted by Deputy Hannah Lynn.
 

A Liberty man was arrested Saturday after reports to dispatch of a man standing in the road on KY-49.

Deputies with the Casey County Sheriff's Department responded late Friday night at the intersection of KY 1547, however, the man was nowhere to be found. They returned for another call on the man later that night.

Deputy Tyler Luttrell searched the nearby fields and a barn, but found no one.

Driving down KY 49, north toward KY 78, he encountered a man matching the description, identified later as 38-year-old Ronnie D. Johnson.

Johnson stated he fled when he saw the Deputy's cruiser. Kentucky State Police were also out looking for Johnson, due to reports that he was walking around a residence.

Deputy Luttrell noticed signs of impairment and Johnson admitted to taking Suboxone earlier.
Johnson was placed under arrest and taken to the Casey County Jail. He's charged with Public Intoxication (controlled substance).

The Casey County Board of Education met in a regular session last night.

The Board approved a series of payments to Deco Architects Inc. to cover various ongoing construction projects, including renovations to all three elementary schools, and an artificial turf project for athletics. Superintendent, Barry Lee...

Mr. Lee also announced that Liberty Elementary had received a donation of just over $8,000 which will go to ensure students at each school have coats.

The council heard from Mr. Glen Ross, president of MSE Engineering in Lexington concerning the lake expansion project. Mr. Ross was the lead engineer for the first lake project back in the 1970s. Ross told the council a second lake would be a great benefit for water supply and also help alleviate some of the flooding problems for the city. A mini-grant of $8,000 is available, with a $2,000 match from the city, to fund a feasibility study for that project.

The council approved a second reading of an ordinance related to amending the zoning map on Hustonville Street.

The council heard from the Casey County Explorers, a walking group who advised the council that regular maintenance is needed on the two trail bridges. Councilman Chase Dial stated that he had received an estimate for replacing the wood planks with steel at a cost of $17K for both bridges. No action was taken.

Mayor Dr. Sam Haddad told the council that the city has an opportunity to receive a $1 million loan, on a 20-year term, at a rate of 0.75% for sewer. Mayor Haddad...

The council had a tie vote, with Mayor Haddad breaking the tie, voting NO on the loan at this time.

Jennifer Collins addressed the council concerning sewer problems at the Ag Center. Collins told councilmembers this had been an ongoing problem for many years, with overrun causing issues at the ag center. City manager Alan Sparr stated he was aware of the problem and was working with an advisor to develop a plan of action.

Sheriff Bobby Jones reports the arrest of a Somerset man for Receiving Stolen Property stemming from an August 2023 theft investigation at Lakeside Memorial Gardens off W. Hwy 80.

On August 7, 2023, Lakeside Memorial Gardens reported the theft of a John Deere excavator and a John Deere Gator UTV from their property off W. Hwy 80. The equipment was believed to have been stolen between August 4 and August 7.

On December 6, 2023, at approximately 5:00 pm, Deputies Seth Gover and James Pitman responded to the area of 260 N. Hart Rd. in Somerset, KY, on a report of found property, believed to be the stolen items from Lakeside Memorial Gardens. Upon their arrival, they were able to locate the John Deere excavator that was reported stolen.

Through investigation, deputies learned that Christopher Shepherd, 39 years of age, Somerset, KY, was a former employee of Lakeside Memorial Gardens. Shepherd was found walking on N. Hart Rd. by deputies and was questioned about the excavator. Shepherd acknowledged the presence of the excavator and stated he had been using it. Shepherd also advised that he had a John Deere Gator UTV at his residence but claimed he had possessed it for some time. Deputies requested consent from Shepherd to see the Gator UTV and, upon checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the vehicle, believed the VIN plate to be fictitious.

When they requested to see the VIN plate a second time, Shepherd would not let them look.  Detective Branson Patterson obtained a search warrant for Shepherd’s residence on N. Hart Rd., and upon service of the search warrant, they discovered the VIN plate on the Gator UTV was fictitious. When checking the correct VIN, they discovered the Gator UTV was the same one stolen from Lakeside Memorial Gardens.

Shepherd was arrested from the scene and charged with Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or More, Selling or Receiving a Vehicle with Removed or Altered VIN, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Obscuring the Identity of a Machine $500 < $10,000, Drug Paraphernalia-Buy or Possess and a District Court Warrant for Failure to Appear. Shepherd was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center.

This investigation is ongoing by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office.

Casey County Clerk, Casey Davis, says Kentucky is updating the out-dated computer system. That means the system will be down through about the middle of January.

If you need additional information, please call or stop by his office prior to Friday, Dec. 29th.

https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/KAVIS.aspx

Kentucky Farm Bureau President, Mark Haney is retiring.
Jeff Henderson has details...