A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned numerous indictments. 

Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating a fatal collision involving a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) contract worker that occurred in LaRue Co. Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at approximately 9:00anET, Kentucky State Police Post 4 was requested by LaRue Co. Dispatch to investigate a fatal collision that occurred involving a van and a highway worker near the 3100 block of Old Elizabethtown Road (KY 210). The preliminary investigation reveals that Henry T. James, 74, of Louisville, was operating a 2000 GMC Savana eastbound on Old Elizabethtown Road when he entered a portion of the roadway that was reduced to one lane due to routine maintenance operations. James failed to observe Blake Barnes, 22, of Elizabethtown, a KYTC contracted worker, who was in the eastbound lane of the roadway flagging traffic before he was struck by James. 

Barnes was pronounced deceased at the scene by the LaRue Co. Coroner’s Office. James reported no injuries to officials. 

The affected portion of Old Elizabethtown Road was closed for several hours to allow troopers to reconstruct the collision. KSP was assisted at the scene by the LaRue Co. Sheriff’s Department, LaRue Co. Coroner, LaRue Co. Fire Department, and the LaRue Co. EMS. The collision remains under investigation by reconstructionist Det. Kevin Dreisbach. 

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.  (April 22, 2024) – On April 21, 2024 at approximately 4:12 P.M. EST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 55 in Taylor County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Allen Glen Yates, age 60 of Columbia, was traveling north on KY 55 in a 2002 Ford F-150.  Mr. Yates crossed the centerline of the roadway and entered into the southbound lane of KY 55, colliding in a head-on manner with a 2021 Nissan Rogue traveling south on KY 55.   The Nissan Rogue was operated by Tracy York-Murrell, age 39 of Columbia.

Ms. York-Murrell was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Taylor County Coroner.  A passenger in Ms. York-Murrell’s vehicle, Cameron Murrell, age 33 of Columbia, was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of severe but non-life-threatening injuries.  Mr. Yates was also transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  A passenger in Mr. Yates’ vehicle, Karen Bishop, age 67 of Columbia, was transported to the University of Louisville for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Campbellsville Police Department, Campbellsville Fire Department, Taylor County Fire and EMS, Taylor County Rescue, Taylor County Coroner’s Office, and Kentucky State Highway Department.  The collision remains under investigation by Senior Trooper Brandon Roark.

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The FBI raided an apartment on Apartment Road in Taylor County on Thursday morning, April 18, 2024. 99.9 the Big Dawg has learned a residence occupied by Jacob Jackson was searched with the FBI confiscating computers and at least 40 cell phones. 

Mr. Jackson was taken into custody at the scene. No other details are known about the incident.

A Campbellsville man was injured in a motorcycle accident Wednesday evening at 7:44pm Campbellsville Police told 99.9 The Big Dawg that A 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by 42-year-old Jodie Dotson of Campbellsville was traveling west on Lone Valley Rd, when he entered a curve and lost control.

Dotson was transported to the AIR EVAC Helipad by Campbellsville Taylor County EMS, and was flown to

The U of L Hospital in Louisville for a head injury. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

A Taylor County man was stuck and killed early Friday morning by an auto while walking on New Lebanon road highway 68 just outside of Campbellsville in the area of Krystal Music, Ricky Cox age 42 was struck by a vehicle that left the scene,  Cox was then struck by several other vehicles and pronounced dead at the scene by the Taylor County Coroners office. Big Dawg News has learned that police are looking for the person who struck Cox and evidence has been collected at the scene.

Kentucky State Police Post 15 Columbia is the investigating agency.

LR Petty Funeral Home in Campbellsville is in charge, No funeral, the family chose creamation. 

LIBERTY, Ky.  (March 31, 2024) – On March 31, 2024 at approximately 2:03 P.M. EST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision at the intersection of US 127 and KY 70 in Casey County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Otis Tapscott, age 85 of Liberty, was traveling eastbound on KY 70 in a 2005 Jeep Liberty when he disregarded a stop sign controlling the US 127 and KY 70 intersection.  Mr. Tapscott entered the intersection and collided with a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox traveling southbound on KY 127.  The Chevrolet Equinox was being operated by Teresa Burton, age 56 of Yosemite.  

Mr. Tapscott was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Casey County Coroner.  A passenger in Ms. Burton’s vehicle, James Burton, age 67 of Liberty, was also pronounced deceased at the scene by the Casey County Coroner.  Ms. Burton was transported to the Casey County Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Casey County Coroner.  Another passenger in Ms. Burton’s vehicle, Jackie Dylan Cooper, age 21 of Liberty, was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital with serious injuries. 

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Casey County Sheriff's Office, Liberty Police Department, Casey County Fire and EMS, Casey County Rescue Squad, and Casey County Coroner.  The collision remains under investigation by Trooper Alex England.

GREENSBURG, Ky.  (March 28, 2024) – On March 28, 2024 at approximately 7:54 A.M. CST, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 68 near the intersection of Marshall Ridge Road in Green County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Kathleen Yoder, age 18 of Greensburg, was traveling westbound on US 68 in a 2013 Toyota Camry and was attempting to make a left-hand turn into her workplace.  Ms. Yoder turned into the path and collided in a head-on manner with a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt traveling eastbound on US 68.  The Chevrolet Cobalt was being operated by Timothy Berry, age 61 of Greensburg.  

Mr. Berry was transported from the scene to Jane Todd Crawford Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.  Mr. Berry was pronounced deceased at the hospital by the Green County Coroner.  Ms. Yoder was not injured during the collision.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Green County Sheriff's Office, Green County Fire and EMS, Green County Rescue Squad, and the Kentucky State Highway Department.  The collision remains under investigation by Senior Trooper Weston Sullivan.

On Monday, March 25, 2024 at approximately 7:17 a.m., Campbellsville Police responded to the intersection of Kentucky Highway 55 and Lone Valley Road in reference to a collision with injuries, Police Chief Shannon Wilson told 99.9 The Big Dawg  that officers responded and determined that a 2003 Ford Ranger operated by 19-year old Luis D. Leon Cadenas of Florida, was traveling eastbound on Lone Valley Road attempting to cross Kentucky 55. Leon Cadenas struck a 2012 GMC Sierra operated by 62-year old Jeffrey W. Campbell of Greensburg. Campbell was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital for non-life threatening injuries, while Leon Cadenas was not injured. 

Ofiicer Adam Black investigated the Monday morning mishap.

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue was dispatched to a report of a working dryer fire Saturday afternoon at Due Dirty Laundry at 206 Nancy Cox Drive in Campbellsville, fire chief Chris Taylor told 99.9 the Big Dawg that upon arrival, firefighters found moderate smoke coming from the structure and flames coming from the dryer with extension to the walls.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, searched for occupants and provided overhaul, the cause of the fire is related to a commercial dryer, the alarmed sounded at 3:51pm.

No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. 

Firefighters Responding: 18

Responding Apparatus: Engine 4, Engine 1, Truck 1, Rescue 1, and Chief

COLUMBIA, Ky. (March 23, 2024) – On the morning of March 23, 2024, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 received a call from Adair County 911 Center for assistance.  Adair County Sheriff’s Department requested investigative assistance regarding a shooting incident at a residence on Old Montpelier Road in Adair County.

Detectives launched an investigation into the incident and determined that Joseph South, age 57 of Columbia, was in the process of being evicted from the residence he was renting from Earl Coffey, age 86 of Columbia.  Mr. South arrived at Mr. Coffey’s residence and fired several rounds from a firearm into the residence.  In the process of the incident, Mr. Coffey suffered fatal injuries from apparent gunshot wounds.  Four other individuals were also in the residence at the time of the incident.

Joseph South was located and detained at the scene by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office.  Detective Dexter Colvin arrested and charged Mr. South with Murder and 4 counts of Wanton Endangerment – 1^st degree.  Mr. South was lodged in the Adair County Jail.

The investigation continues and is being led by Detective Dexter Colvin.  He was assisted by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Adair County EMS, Adair County Coroner’s Office, and other KSP Troopers and Detectives.

The man shot Friday on old Lebanon Road in Campbellsville has died, Taylor County Sheriff Dickie Benningfield told 99.9 The Big Dawg News that Patrick Russell age 61 of Campbellsville was prounced deceased Sunday afternoon at 5:30pm at UK Hospital in Lexington.

Russell was shot in the head by Nathaniel Tristan Richerson age 41 of Lexington, his charge will be upgraded to murder.

Richerson is lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

Sgt. Mark Dicken with the Taylor County Sheriffs Dept is investigating.

An arrest was made in Taylor County, KY on Friday, March 15, 2024 in connection to a theft case opened by the Columbia Police Department in January. 
 

The investigation began when a local retailer in Columbia had noticed discrepancies and alerted authorities. The investigation found that throughout 2023, an employee of the business had taken $29,000 in various increments. Findings were presented to a Grand Jury which resulted in an indictment warrant for the individual's arrest. 
 

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office later served the indictment warrant on Nicholas Neville, 32, of Campbellsville, KY charging him with theft by unlawful taking over $10,000 and unlawful access to a computer 1st degree, both felonies. Neville was taken into custody and lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (March 16, 2024) – On March 15, 2024, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 received a call of a possible criminal child abuse that had occurred earlier this week in Russell Springs. A KSP Trooper spoke with an individual in Green County in regards to the safety of his children. 

The Trooper learned that on March 12, 2024, a 10-month-old child had been taken to the Russell County Hospital and transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital by helicopter for treatment of serious injuries. The child’s injuries were reported to the hospital, and the Russell Springs Police Department, to have been sustained after being attacked by an unknown stray dog. Russell County first responders had responded to the area and attempted to locate the stray dog but their efforts were unsuccessful.

On March 15, 2024, Troopers responded to a residence on Bluebird Drive in Russell Springs to speak with the child’s mother, Emily McKinney, and her boyfriend, Joe Johnson. As the investigation progressed, Troopers determined the dog that had attacked the child actually belonged to Ms. McKinney and Mr. Johnson and was not a stray.  Mr. Johnson had concealed the location of the couple’s dog after the incident causing local first responders to use resources searching for a stray dog that did not exist.

As a result of the investigation, Emily McKinney, age 27 of Russell Springs, was arrested and charged with the following charges:

• Criminal Abuse 1^st Degree – Child 12 or Under
• Endangering the Welfare of a Minor
• False Report Which Generates an Emergency Response

Joe Johnson, age 30 of Russell Springs, was also placed under arrest and charged with the following charges:

• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• False Report Which Generates an Emergency Response

Both individuals were lodged in the Russell County Detention Center. The investigation is being conducted and is ongoing by Trooper First Class Clint Bale.

A Lexington man was arrested after shooting his stepfather on Friday afternoon on Old Lebanon Road in Campbellsville.

Taylor County Sheriff Dickie Benningfield told 99.9 The Big Dawg News that Nathaniel Tristan Richerson, 41 of Lexington, is charged with shooting Patrick Russell, 61 of Campbellsville, in the head.

Mr. Russell was taken to the UK Medical Center in Lexington; Richerson was arrested at the scene and charged with attempted murder and lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center. 

The incident occurred just after 1pm Friday afternoon and Sgt. Mark Dicken investigated.

An Adair county man was airlifted after an a three vehicle accident on Campbellsville Road Tuesday afternoon at 4:43pm, sheriff Josh Brockman told 99.9 The Big Dawg News that the collision occurred when Charles Barnes, age 91 of Columbia was operating a 2016 Kia attempted to make a turn from a private drive onto KY55 when he pulled into the path of a 2013 Chevy Cruze operated by Michael Keene, age 63 of Columbia who was traveling south on KY55. 

Keene was unable to avoid contact with Barnes striking Barnes vehicle in Drivers side, Keene’s vehicle then spun into the northbound lane of KY55 where it was struck by a 2015 Nissan being operated by Elmer Yoder,age 32 of Columbia who was traveling north. 

Barnes was treated on scene by Adair EMS and transported to TJ  Samson of Columbia where he was then airlifted by helicopter to University of Louisville.  

A passenger in Keene’s vehicle was treated on scene and then transported to TJ Samson of Columbia for additional treatment.

Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch investigaed the collision and was assisted by Deputy Jason Camfield .  

Agencies responding were Adair County 911 , Adair County Sheriff’s Office , Columbia Police Department, Adair County EMS , Columbia - Adair County Fire .

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue was dispatched to a report of a smoke alarm activation late Sunday afternoon at Jackson Towers, Fire Chief Chris Taylor told 99.9 the Big Dawg news that while en-route to the scene, 911 calls advised that smoke was showing from the 4th floor. Engine company 4 requested an upgrade to a second alarm. Upon arrival, firefighters found moderate smoke on the fourth floor with the fire extinguished by fire suppression system. Moderate smoke still created life safety issues.  Crews immediately began assisting low mobility tenants from the 5 story apartment building. Firefighters physically evacuated 15 tenants from the apartment with the remaining occupants evacuated on their own. 6 of those tenants had to be medically evaluated by Campbellsville Taylor County EMS, only 1 patient was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital with difficulty breathing. 

Of the 52 occupants, 7 apartment units were displaced due to smoke/fire/water damage. Those effected apartments included 1A, 2A, 2C, 3A, 4A, 4B, and 4C. The majority of those tenants went with family to stay overnight and 3 were housed via The American Red Cross. Taylor County Emergency Management, Hometown Connect and American Red Cross coordinated efforts to temporarily take care of tenants' immediate needs while they were displaced. Special Thank You to Auberry Funeral Home and Bethel First Presbyterian Church for allowing us to utilize their neighboring locations to allow tenants a place to shelter from the cold temperatures. 

The alarm sounded at 5:17pm Sunday afternoon.

The cause of the fire is related to the kitchen stove. No firefighters were injured. 

Firefighters Responding: 31

Responding Apparatus: Engine 4, Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 1, Truck 1, Rescue 1, and Chief

Automatic Aid: Taylor County Fire Department

RUSSELL SPRINGS, Ky. (March 7, 2024) – A Detective with Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 in Columbia has made an arrest in an ongoing investigation into the sexual abuse of a child in Russell County. 

An investigation began when a KSP Detective received a report of sexual abuse of a child. It was discovered that David Ray Holderfield, age 54 of Russell Springs, had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a juvenile in Russell County. As a result of the investigation, Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Holderfield.

On March 6, 2024, Mr. Holderfield was arrested in Russell County and charged with Sexual Abuse 1^st Degree, Victim Under 12 Years of Age. Mr. Holderfield was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center and is currently held on a $10,000 cash bond. The case is being investigated by Detective Zach Scott. Additional charges may be forthcoming, as the investigation remains ongoing by Detective Scott.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at approximately 4:20 pm, Campbellsville Police was dispatched to 221 Lincoln Avenue in reference to a deceased male, 69-year old Tommy Pyles, of Campbellsville Campbellsville Police opened an investigation and Mr. Pyles body was taken to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville for an autopsy. The Kentucky Medical Examiner ruled that Mr. Pyles cause of death was from multiple stab wounds. After approximately a 16-month investigation, Campbellsville Police has made the arrest of 38-year old Julian Underwood of Campbellsville.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (March 2, 2024) - A Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Detective has charged a Hart County man for possession of child sexual abuse material. 

A KSP Post 15 Detective received a complaint that Anwar Barbour, age 44 of Camner, was in possession of sexually explicit images and videos of children on his cell phone while living in Taylor County.  Barbour’s phone was seized and sent to the KSP Electronic Crimes Branch where a forensic examination of the phone was completed.  On March 1, 2024, Mr. Barbour was subsequently interviewed and arrested by Detective Dexter Colvin in the limits of Greensburg. 

Anwar Barbour is currently charged with 2 counts of Possessing Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance by a Minor Under the Age of 12.  Mr. Barbour was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center.  The investigation continues and is being led by Detective Colvin.