Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, has been elected as the majority floor leader of the Kentucky Senate.  In this position, he will lead the majority party’s legislative agenda and oversee critical Senate functions in the upcoming session. Wise, who represents the 16th Senate District encompassing Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County, expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by his Senate colleagues.

“I am deeply honored to serve as majority floor leader and to have the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues to shape a legislative agenda that delivers real benefits for the people of Kentucky,” said Wise. “We have an ambitious and politically conservative session ahead of us, focused on growing our economy, improving public services, and ensuring that the voices of all our constituents are heard.”

As majority floor leader, Wise will be responsible for coordinating the legislative calendar, guiding major bills through the Senate, and fostering collaboration across the aisle on issues that impact Kentucky communities. Among the priorities for the upcoming session are initiatives to bolster economic development, support educational improvements, and enhance public health and safety measures.

Wise has served in the Senate since 2015. He is known for taking on challenging policy issues and developing meaningful relationships within the Kentucky General Assembly and throughout the commonwealth.

“Our caucus is united and ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities before us,” said Wise. “With this leadership team, we are committed to enacting policies that reflect the needs and values of Kentucky.”

The Senate leadership team members assumed their roles immediately. 

The new session begins on Jan. 7, 2025. 

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Senator Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, represents the 16th Senate District, including Adair, Allen, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Taylor Counties and eastern Warren County. Wise was recently elected to serve as the Senate Majority Floor Leader ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Wise is the Co-chair of the Interim Standing Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment; co-chair of the Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology; and co-chair of the Task Force on School and Campus Security. 

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 70 in Taylor County that occurred on November 21, 2024, at 5:52 A.M. EST.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Larry Wicker, 62, of Elkhorn, was traveling west on KY 70 in a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier when a deer entered the roadway into his path. Mr. Wicker was unable to avoid a collision with the deer. Upon colliding with Mr. Wicker’s vehicle, the deer was thrown airborne and collided with a 2002 Freightliner operated by Rocky Morrison, 75, of Edmonton, traveling east on KY 70. 

Mr. Morrison was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Taylor County Coroner. Mr. Wicker was not injured during the collision.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Taylor County Fire and EMS, Campbellsville Fire and Rescue, Taylor County Coroner’s Office and the Kentucky State Highway Department. Trooper Trevor Sagrecy and Senior Trooper Weston Sullivan continue investigating the collision.

Casey County will receive $250,000 in tobacco settlement funds from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund (KADF), according to a report provided to Representative Elliott and other lawmakers at the November meeting of the legislature’s Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee.

The funding has been approved by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) for the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP), which provides Kentucky agricultural producers with cost-share assistance on practices to allow them to improve and diversify their current farm operations.

“I am pleased to report that Casey County has been approved for $250,000 from the KADF,” said Elliott. “I look forward to seeing how this funding will benefit Casey County’s agricultural industry.”  

Funding is derived from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement Fund, which was created as a result of the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement between four major tobacco product manufacturers and 46 states.

After the settlement, the General Assembly established the guidelines for the distribution and investment of funds received from the settlement. Additionally, the General Assembly created and established the framework for the KADB, which is responsible for distributing a portion of the tobacco settlement funds through the KADF. Originally under the purview of the Office of the Governor, the General Assembly moved the KADB to the Department of Agriculture in 2021 to better serve the mission of the funds. 

For more information about the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee, please visit the Statutory Committee page on legislature.ky.gov.

A Lincoln County woman was arrested on DUI charges Friday.

Around 1:30 PM, Casey County Deputy Tyler Luttrell responded to a call about a woman in a white SUV taking photos at 612 Patterson Road. Upon arrival, the woman, identified as Crystal R. Gadberry, 47, of Kings Mountain, appeared nervous and denied taking pictures, claiming she was waiting for a friend to work on her vehicle.

Noticing her glassy eyes and pinpoint pupils, Luttrell suspected drug use. The caller stated Crystal had been at the location multiple times that day, taking photos. Crystal admitted to using Percocets and marijuana recently. She failed a field sobriety test, showing signs of impairment.

A search of her vehicle revealed 25 Percocet pills in a sandwich bag. Crystal admitted to a pain pill and heroin addiction. She was arrested and charged with DUI-controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance (2nd degree), and lodged in the Casey County Jail.

A fatal accident reported early today in Somerset.

Somerset Police responded to the scene of a reported fatal accident that blocked all north bound lanes on US Highway 27 near Norwood Road in Somerset on this morning.

The Somerset Fire Department reported that the roadway will be closed for several hours.
 

No other information was available.

The Casey County Fiscal Court met in regular session Monday.

Judge Executive, Randy Dial announced a grant for Spay-Neuter from the Department of Agrigulture.

LuAnn Williams and Adam Wilson were appointed to the Casey County Extension Board.

Judge Dial told Magistrates that the grant for Emergency Radio upgrades for the County has failed to be approved, but the Court voted to purchase the new equipment anyway...

Under Jail business, a bid to resurface the roof for the Jail was awarded to Superior Industrial Coating for just over $183,000. The money for the repair will come from the remaining ARPA funds.

Casey County Sheriff Chad Weddle gave his departments monthly activity report...

Judge Dial told magistrates that the Lake Cumberland Health Department has requested $60,000 in Opiod Settlement funds from the County in order to continue Drug Sessasion Programs at the Jail. Magistrates approved the request.

The Fiscal Court went into executive session for about 30 minutes to discuss real estate. No action was taken.

The next order of business concerned the sale of the College property. Judge Dial...

That motion was approved.

Judge Dial also commented on county road paving funds...

Audio from the full meeting can be heard below...

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that beginning Monday, November 18, KY 78 in Casey County will be reduced to one lane as crews perform road maintenance.

Work will be performed near the intersection of KY 906 (mile point 9.2). Temporary traffic signals will be in place for the lane closure.  

Work is expected to last four weeks. The start date and duration of work may be adjusted for inclement weather or other unforeseeable delays. Drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra time in reaching their destination.

For Kentucky’s latest traffic and travel information, visit goky.ky.gov or navigate traffic by downloading the free Waze app at www.waze.com. Motorists can also access traffic information for the District 8 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8 and at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8.   

•  Angela Hope Thomas, age 46, of Liberty:  Possession of marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Possession of controlled substance, first degree drug unspecified.
•  Scotty D Luttrell, age 44, of Liberty:  Trafficking methamphetamine first degree over 2G. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Frankie N. May, aka, Frankie N. Bernard, age 41, of Liberty: Trafficking methamphetamine first degree over 2G.
•  Bradley Shane Luttrell, age 41, of Windsor:  No tail lamps. No operator's license, expired registration plates. No insurance. Possession of methamphetamine, first degree, third or subsequent offense, & Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Matthew R Turpin, age 39, of Hustonville:  Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Persistent felony offender, second degree.
•  Curtis R Hendricks, age 60, of Russell Springs:  Trafficking methamphetamine first degree over 2G, persistent felony offender second degree, Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Johnnie Lee Carmicle, age 53, of Liberty:  Possession of methamphetamine, first degree, third or subsequent offense. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Michelle Marie Carmen, age 57, of Liberty:  Possession of methamphetamine, first degree, second offense, possession of marijuana. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Joshua Paul Watson, age 41, of Campbellsville:  Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Possession of controlled substance, third degree.
•  Jordan Tyler Watson, age 37, of Hustonville:  No operator's license. No insurance. DUI Controlled substance, Possession of Methamphetamine, first degree, third or subsequent offense.
•  Christina Denise Duncan, age 44, of Liberty:  Possession of marijuana trafficking methamphetamine, first degree, Second or subsequent offense over 2G Persistent felony offender first degree. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Melissa A Atwood, age 53, of Liberty:  Inadequate muffler disregarding a stop sign. DUI. Possession of an open alcohol container in a motor vehicle. Possession of methamphetamine first degree Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Randy Lee Kane, age 64, of Liberty:  Possession of methamphetamine, first degree. Possession of drug paraphernalia.
•  Joshua T Philpott, age 32, of Elizabethtown:  Trafficking methamphetamine-First degree (less than 2G), Possession of controlled substance-Third degree, Failure to or improper turn signal, Failure to wear seatbelts, DUI-Controlled substance-Second offense (Aggravated circumstance), Possession of a handgun by convicted felon, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and persistent felony offender-first degree.
•  Amanda and Hilborn, age 34, of Eubank:  Possession of methamphetamine-first degree-second offense. Possession of drug paraphernalia, & Public intoxication.
•  Kim Edwin Lawson, age 56, of Liberty:  Driving on a DUI suspended license-second offense-aggravating circumstance, DUI 4th or subsequent offense (aggravating circumstance), persistent felony offender-first degree.
•  David Mejia Mendez, age 25, of Liberty:  Wanton endangerment-First degree. Wanton endangerment-first degree (Discharge of a firearm), Resisting arrest. Terroristic threatening-third degree.

We remind our listeners, an indictment is only a legal accusation, not an indicator of guilt.

A Liberty man was arrested on Burglary charges after police say he entered a home through a window.

Just after 6:30 PM on Wednesday, Casey County Deputy Tyler Luttrell received a call from Sheriff Chad Weddle about Gary Chadwell being at 569 KY 80, where he wasn't supposed to be.

Deputies Austin Harris and Billy Duncan joined Luttrell at the scene. Both doors were locked, but a neighbor indicated Chadwell had entered through a window.

Deputy Luttrell found an unlocked window, called out to Chadwell, who was inside, and had him exit. Chadwell claimed he had only just arrived and was unaware he couldn't be there. A check with dispatch revealed an active Parole Violation Warrant for Chadwell.

Gary M. Chadwell, 62, of Liberty, was arrested and charged with Burglary (2nd Degree) and transported to Casey County Jail.

He was also served with an oustanding warrant for 2nd Offense Methamphetamine Possession-1st Degree.

The Casey County Board of Education met in regular session last night.
Superintendent, Barry Lee...

Monday is Veteran's Day.

There will be a community ceremony at the Veteran's Wall in Liberty at 11am.

The public is encouraged to attend.

A Liberty man was arrested last weekend following a single-vehicle accident.

Around 7:45 PM on Saturday, Casey County Deputy Austin Harris was dispatched to the scene about five miles west of Liberty on KY 1547. Upon arrival, he found Timothy L. McCauley, 44, of Liberty, sitting in the grass. Timothy declined EMS assistance and explained that his truck made a noise as he entered a curve, causing it to continue going straight and flip, destroying a plank fence.
 

EMS arrived and Timothy agreed to be checked, but later declined treatment. He admitted to smoking marijuana earlier that day and failed the HGN test but refused the balance test due to knee issues.

Timothy was arrested and transported to Casey County Jail on charges of No Insurance (2nd Offense), Driving with Expired Operator's License, No Registration Receipt, and Criminal Mischief (1st Degree).

The Casey County Rebel Football Team travels to Louisville tonight for play-off action.
Athletics Director Victor Black...

Shortly after 9 PM on Friday, Deputy Austin Harris with the Casey County Sheriff's Office observed a 2008 Mercury Sable on South KY501 with an unreadable, non-illuminated license plate. The vehicle turned onto Trace Fork Rd., and Deputy Harris initiated a traffic stop at the top of the hill.

The driver, Stanley L. Durham, 56, of Liberty, and the passenger, George A. Murphy, 53, of Dunnville, were identified. While running their information, Deputy Harris deployed K9 Nitro, who alerted to the presence of drugs. A search revealed a marijuana joint on George, a plastic cigarette case containing a single pill and a crystal-like substance between the driver's seat and center console, and a plastic container with more crystal-like substance.

Stanley denied ownership of the items, claiming the pill was Gabapentin. George admitted to using meth the previous day. Both men were arrested and transported to Casey County Jail.

Stanley was charged with Rear License Not Illuminated, Rear License Not Legible, Trafficking Methamphetamine (1st Degree, over 2 grams), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Registration Receipt, Inadequate Muffler, and Prescription Controlled Substance Not in Proper Container.

George was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamine (1st Degree, 3rd Offense), and Possession of Marijuana.

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on US 68, near the intersection of Jessietown Road in Marion County, that occurred on November 2, 2024, at 6:20 P.M. EDT.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Erick Garcia, 20, of Lebanon, was traveling west on US 68 in a 2005 Dodge Ram when he crossed the centerline of the roadway, entered the eastbound lane and dropped off the roadway. Mr. Garcia steered his vehicle back into the eastbound lane and collided head-on with a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox operated by Roy Wright, 75, of Lebanon, traveling east on US 68.

A passenger in Mr. Wright’s vehicle, Deborah Wright, 72, of Lebanon, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Marion County Coroner. Roy Wright was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Fayette County Coroner. 

Erick Garcia was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide, Assault 1st Degree, DUI 1st Offense, Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, and other traffic offenses. Mr. Garcia was lodged in the Marion County Detention Center.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Fire and EMS, Marion County Rescue Squad and Marion County Coroner. Senior Trooper Brandon Roark continues the investigation of the collision.

It's election day and the polls are open until 6pm this evening.

Here's Casey County Clerk, Casey Davis...

We'll have live coverage of election returns tonight from the Casey County Courthouse starting right after the polls close.