LIBERTY, Ky. (January 26, 2024) –The Kentucky State Police Post 15 in Columbia received a call from Bluegrass 911 dispatch on January 25, 2024 at 4:26 P.M EST requesting investigative assistance at the scene of a residential fire in the Bethelridge community of Casey County.

Troopers and Detectives responded to the scene located on KY 837 in the Bethelridge community of Casey County.  Numerous fire departments from Casey, Lincoln, and Pulaski counties also responded to the area to battle the blaze.  The preliminary investigation revealed emergency personnel located Ariel Gordon, age 29 of Lebanon, and Thomas Moss, age 39 of Summersville, deceased inside the residence.  Two juveniles were also located deceased inside of the residence. Ms. Gordon and Mr. Moss, as well as the two juveniles, were sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.  The cause of the fire and the deaths of those involved remains under investigation.

The investigation is being led by Detective Zach Scott. Detective Scott was assisted at the scene by other Kentucky State Police Post 15 personnel, the Kentucky State Fire Marshall, Casey County Coroner, and numerous local fire departments.

Unemployment rates rose in 115 counties between December 2022 and December 2023, fell in Marshall, Trigg and Wolfe counties, and remained the same in Caldwell and Letcher counties, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.    

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 2.8%. It was followed by Caldwell, Marion and Washington counties, 3% each; Anderson, Carroll, Fayette, Scott and Shelby counties, 3.1% each; and Bourbon, Cumberland, Jessamine, Nelson and Oldham counties, 3.2% each.

Magoffin County recorded the state’s highest unemployment rate at 9%. It was followed by Elliott and Martin counties, 8,2% each; Lewis County, 8%; Carter County, 7.2%; Breathitt County, 7.1%; Owsley County, 6.6%; Leslie County, 6.4%; and Greenup and Johnson counties, 6.3% each.

Kentucky’s county unemployment rates and employment levels are not seasonally adjusted because of small sample sizes. Employment statistics undergo sharp fluctuations due to seasonal events such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. Seasonal adjustments eliminate these influences and make it easier to observe statistical trends. The comparable, unadjusted unemployment rate for the state was 3.8% for December 2023, and 3.5% for the nation.

Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted December 2023 unemployment rate was released on Jan. 18, 2024, and can be viewed here.

In that release, Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are adjusted to observe statistical trends by removing seasonal influences such as weather changes, harvests, holidays, and school openings and closings. For more information regarding seasonal fluctuations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics here.

Unemployment statistics are based on estimates and are compiled to measure trends rather than actually to count people working. Civilian labor force statistics include non-military workers and unemployed Kentuckians who are actively seeking work. They do not include unemployed Kentuckians who have not looked for employment within the past four weeks. The data should only be compared to the same month in previous years.

Visit the Kentucky Center for Statistics website to learn more about Kentucky labor market information. 

The 74th Annual Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was held Tuesday January 23, 2024, at Campbellsville High School. Awards were presented in six categories: Everette Lee Citizen of the Year – Dr. Faye Howell Chamber Business of the Year – Primrose on Main (owner Andrea Lawler) Chamber Businesswoman of the Year – Mrs. Kim McKenna (One Cross Community Health) Minority Owned Business of the Year - Brows & Beauty and Good Company (owner Rosemary McCorvey) Educator of the Year – Lynn Kearney (Campbellsville Independent Schools) Chamber Investor of the Year - Commonwealth Building Products (owner David Ellis) VIP Sponsors of the Awards Banquet were Community Trust Bank, Ingersoll-Rand, One Cross Health and Taylor Regional Hospital. The program sponsor was Taylor County Bank. Awards sponsors were Abound Credit Union, Duo Broadband, Greater Campbellsville United, and Squires & Lee Accounting.

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue was requested for a non-emergency checkout at a residence Friday afternoon at 4:17pm. Upon arrival, firefighters found an active fire in the attic area above the bathroom. The on-scene engine company requested a dispatch for a working attic fire. Firefighters found moderate smoke, burning insulation, burnt truss, melted piping and high heat. Firefighters extinguished the fire and provided overhaul. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was related to a bathroom ventilation fan.

Safety Note:  Please remember that bathroom fans should only be used for brief periods of time, such as during a shower. Also, inspect and clean all bathroom exhaust fans as necessary and per the manufacturer’s recommendations and be sure to place on a regular cleaning schedule. 

No School Tuesday & Wednesday in Taylor County.

Campbellsville Independent School is out Tuesday.
No school Tuesday in Green County.
No School in Marion County on Tuesday.

There is NO in-person learning for Taylor County Schools on Tuesday, January 16, AND Wednesday, January 17. Students will complete NTI (Cyber) Days #1 AND #2. Individual schools will be sending out instructions for students.

A decision about Thursday and Friday will be made Wednesday morning according to Supt. Charles Jr, Higdon.

A Hodgenville man was seriously injured last Thursday night in a motorcycle vs pickup truck accident in Adair County, Big Dawg news has learned that 36 year old Shalen Followell was traveling Highway 55-Campbellsville road on a motorcycle when a Ford truck operated by  56 year old Vicki Hatcher of Columbia was pulling from Doc's Market and pulled into the path of Followell. Followell was taken to University of Kentucky Medical Center in critical condition, Hatcher was treated at T.J. Health in Columbia.

The accident was investigated by Columbia Police.

On Saturday, December 23, 2023 at approximately 0008 Hours, Campbellsville Police received a call from the Taylor Regional Emergency Room of an assault victim that had been brought in with serious injuries. Through investigation, officers were able to identify the victim as 21-year-old Justin Nguyen of Campbellsville. Nguyen had been involved in an altercation at Wings Pizza and Things earlier in the evening. Witnesses and video surveillance showed that 26-year-old Mia Seaborne of Campbellsville and 45-year-old Terry Laboyteaux of Campbellsville had assaulted Nguyen. Nguyen was later transported to a Louisville Hospital where he remains in critical condition. Seaborne and Laboyteaux were arrested and charges with Assault, 2^nd Degree. They were taken to the Taylor County Detention Center without further incident. This case remains open and under investigation.