On Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at approximately 11:14 AM, Campbellsville Police responded to the area of Daniels Drive off of Blue Hole Road, in reference to a fight in progress. Prior to officers arriving on scene, it was reported that one of the parties involved had been stabbed. On scene, officers located a male identified as Marcus Mathis age 25 of Campbellsville, with multiple stab wounds. Mathis was treated by Campbellsville Taylor County EMS then, flown from the scene to University of Kentucky Hospital by Air Evac 173 for life threatening injuries. Through investigation it was determined that Marthis and Ameion Bridgewater age 24, of Campbellsville got into a physical altercation, which led to Mathis being stabbed. Bridgewater was placed in custody and transported to Taylor County Detention Center where he was lodged and charged with Assault 1st degree. Date: April 29, 2025 Time: 11:14 Location: Daniels Drive, Campbellsville Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police, Kentucky State Police, Taylor County Sheriff office, Campbellsville Taylor-County EMS, Campbellsville Fire and Rescue. 

 

 

Three deputy jailers at the Marion County Detention Center were injured late Monday night, April 28, when an inmate violently attacked staff during an escort.

According to a press release from Marion County Jailer Barry Brady, the incident occurred at 11:37 p.m. when Inmate Roosevelt Davis III was being escorted from the recreation yard to the maximum security housing unit. Without warning, Davis charged Sergeant Jon Mullins, striking him in the face and knocking him backward. He then assaulted Lieutenant Rebecca Streeval, hitting her repeatedly in the face and head. Deputy Stephen Feese was also struck while attempting to assist Lt. Streeval.

 

Deputy Francis Hoeck responded to the scene and deployed his taser, subduing the inmate by 11:38 p.m. The entire incident lasted just over one minute.

 

All three staff members were taken to Spring View Hospital for evaluation. Sgt. Mullins and Deputy Feese were treated and released. Lt. Streeval was stat-flighted to the University of Louisville Hospital for further evaluation due to head injuries.

 

Roosevelt Davis III is currently being held on Washington County charges of murder, attempted murder, and first-degree burglary. As a result of this incident, additional assault charges are being filed through the Marion County Attorney’s Office.

 

gng On Demand spoke with Marion County Jailer Barry Brady and Washington County Jailer Joe Mudd  about the incident. Jailer Brady praised the quick response of his team and emphasized the dangers detention officers face daily. The Washington County Jailer reaffirmed his department’s cooperation in the ongoing investigation.

 

This remains a developing story

99.9 The Big Dawg WVLC

Brad Bottoms with the Kentucky Department of Highways gave details of two new roundabouts at the April Taylor County Fiscal Court meeting.

The Campbellsville to Greensburg project starts at West Main, signal number one, and goes to the signal near Greensburg's McDonald's.

That project includes what we call 2+1, what we've seen going to Lebanon and to Columbia in the last few years, alternating passing lanes and some turn lanes, with those two roundabouts at each end. He said they anticipate the roundabout in Greensburg will be completed before the end of the calendar year. The rest of the project will likely be in 2026.

   

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 26, 2025) – Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Sunday, April 27, in honor of a Taylor County firefighter who died in the line of duty.

“Senior Chief” Charles W. Shaw, age 78, was a retired chief of Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue and was actively serving as a firefighter with the Taylor County Fire Department. He died Sunday, April 20, as a result of injuries sustained in a crash that occurred while responding to a call earlier in the week.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. EDT Sunday in Campbellsville.

Gov. Beshear encourages all individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute. Additional flag status information is available at governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

Frankfort, KY - Unemployment rates rose in 112 counties-- including Adair, Casey, Green, Metcalfe, Russell and Taylor--fell in four (Bath, Bracken, Hopkins and Morgan) counties and stayed the same in four (Carroll, Cumberland, Harrison and Montgomery) counties between March 2024 and March 2025, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
 

County	CLF	EMP	UNEMP	Mar25	Feb25	Mar24
Adair	8,400	7,907	493	5.9%	5.5%	5.6%
Casey	6,236	5,838	398	6.4%	6.2%	5.2%
Cumberland	2,930	2,773	157	5.4%	5.5%	5.4%
Green	4,512	4,232	280	6.2%	6.3%	5.5%
Metcalfe	4,499	4,233	266	5.9%	6.3%	5.2%
Russell	8,631	8,170	461	5.3%	5.3%	5.2%
Taylor	11,268	10,585	683	6.1%	5.7%	5.1%

Woodford County recorded the lowest jobless rate in the commonwealth at 4.2%. It was followed by Shelby County, 4.5%; Fayette County, 4.6%; Oldham and Scott counties, 4.7% each; Harrison, Jessamine, Todd and Washington counties, 4.8% each; and Boone, Kenton and Spencer counties, 4.9% each.

Martin County recorded the state's highest unemployment rate at 10.9%. It was followed by Magoffin County, 10.3%; Wolfe County, 9.9%; Lewis County, 9.7%; Elliott County, 9.6%; Lawrence and Menifee counties, 8.6% each; Carter County, 8.4%; and Breathitt and Jackson counties, 8.3% 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 5.5% for March 2025, and 4.2% for the nation.

Kentucky's seasonally adjusted March 2025 unemployment rate was released on April 17, 2025, and can be viewed here. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was down to 5.2% in March 2025 compared to 5.3% in February 2025.

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.

 

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Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees votes unanimously to change the name of 122-year-old school.

COLUMBIA, Ky. – Lindsey Wilson College will become Lindsey Wilson University on July 1.

That unanimous decision was made this afternoon by the Lindsey Wilson College Board of Trustees “to reflect the mission, character and direction of this incredible school,” said Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees Chair Denny Howell of Louisville, Kentucky.

“This is an historic day for Lindsey Wilson as it continues a remarkable journey that started more than 120 years ago,” said Howell.

Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr. said the change was necessary because the school is “far more dynamic than it was even 10 years ago.”

Lindsey Wilson’s 2024 fall enrollment was a record 4,147 students, which included students from 49 countries and six continents. Lindsey Wilson operates campuses in six states, and about 60% of its students are enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs. The college is set to award 876 undergraduate and graduate diplomas at its May 2-3 spring commencement weekend. Combined with its winter class of 843 graduates, Lindsey WIlson will graduate a record 1,719 students this academic year.

Luckey, who has served the college for a total of 42 years, said the change is one he has been “wrestling with and even arguing against for at least 25 years.”

“I’ve always been convinced that the best teaching and learning in the world happens at small, private colleges across the United States,” said Luckey, who is the longest-serving college or university president in Kentucky higher education and has been Lindsey Wilson’s eighth president since 1998. “That is why this move does not change our mission, who we serve or what we do, but rather it reflects the dynamic nature of who we have become.”

Broad support for the change

Before the change was considered by the Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees, Luckey discussed the idea with the deans and faculty members of Lindsey Wilson’s six schools, the Lindsey Wilson National Alumni Board and the Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association.

The Alumni Board and Student Government Association both unanimously endorsed the change, and the Lindsey Wilson faculty voted for the change 77 to 2 with 10 abstentions.

School of Arts & Humanities Dean Allison Egnew Smith said the transition from college to university has been a “true partnership between the faculty, administration and trustees.”

"What makes this transition especially meaningful is how it began,” said Smith, who is an English professor. “President Luckey, rather than moving forward in isolation, worked side by side with faculty to collectively foster this transition.”

Smith, who has been a member of the faculty for two decades, said the Lindsey Wilson faculty is more than prepared for the transition.

“While our faculty have always been strong – sacrificing time, energy and personal resources to meet students where they are – we've grown even stronger both in our distinctiveness and our curriculum,” she said. “As a result, what you find today is a group of academics you would find at a major research institution, except our faculty are laser-focused on serving the Lindsey Wilson student. This move to university status reflects not only our collective ambition, but also the deep, sustained commitment of a faculty that never stops showing up for its students.”

Ready for the change

Lindsey Wilson trustee Carrie Farris ’67 said she has been ready for this change “for a long time.”

“I know this will help our admissions representatives, especially when it comes to working with international students who often confuse the term ‘college’ with ‘high school’ because of where they live,” she said. “This move is very good for Lindsey Wilson’s long-term future, as this school will continue to change students’ lives because of faculty and staff who encourage them and provide them a solid foundation to launch successful careers.”

Lindsey Wilson Student Government Association President Zachariah Lawson ’26 said that he and his fellow students are excited about the change, especially after meeting with Luckey earlier this school year to discuss it.

“The mission of this school is not going to change,” said Lawson, an English major from Williamsburg, Kentucky, who will be in the first class to graduate from Lindsey Wilson University. “Lindsey Wilson is still going to be committed to serving ‘every student, every day,’ which is its greatest strength and what is at the heart of Lindsey Wilson.”

Founded in 1903 as a training school for Vanderbilt University, Lindsey Wilson became a junior college in 1923. The school was transformed into a baccalaureate degree-granting college in 1985, and it offered its first graduate program in 1993. The college now offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program.

Luckey said that people who have supported Lindsey Wilson over the years are often imbued with “this irrational passion for this place that just grabs your heart and soul and won’t let go.”

“There is something unique and special that’s part of our institutional DNA and has been since 1903,” Luckey said. “We are a universe of one with an institutional culture that cannot be replicated or duplicated.”

 

JAMESTOWN, Ky.  (April 21, 2025) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a single-vehicle injury collision on Sano Mount Olive Road in Russell County that occurred on April 20, 2025, at 1:14 A.M. CST.

The preliminary investigation revealed that David King, 31, of Columbia, was traveling east on Sano Mount Olive Road in a 2009 Chevrolet HHR when he exited the right side of the roadway and struck a tree. 

A juvenile passenger in Mr. King’s vehicle was transported to the Russell County Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Russell County Coroner. A second juvenile passenger was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital with life-threatening injuries. A third juvenile passenger was transported to the Russell County Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. 

David King was arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide Under the Influence of Alcohol, DUI 3rd Offense, Assault 1st Degree (2 counts), Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree (3 counts), Failure to Wear Seat Belts, and Reckless Driving. Mr. King was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff's Office, Russell Fire/EMS and the Russell County Coroner’s Office. Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is investigating the collision.

 

According to jail records, David King, 31, of Columbia, KY was arrested Sunday morning by KSP for DUI 3rd or greater offense (Aggravating Circumstances), Assault 1st degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st degree, Vehicular Homicide when Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Wear Seatbelt. He was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

 

No other information is available at this time.

 

Editor’s Note: Preliminary March and revised February labor market information are included in this release. March 2025 Unemployment Rate Chart March 2025 Employment Chart FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 17, 2025) — Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted preliminary March 2025 unemployment rate was 5.2%, according to the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS), an agency within the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet. The preliminary March 2025 jobless rate was down 0.1 percentage points from February 2025 and up 0.4 percentage points from one year ago. The U.S. seasonally adjusted jobless rate for March 2025 was 4.2%, which was up 0.1 percentage points from February 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Labor force statistics, including the unemployment rate, are based upon estimates from the Current Population Survey of households. The survey is designed to measure trends in the number of people working and includes jobs in agriculture and individuals who are self-employed. Kentucky’s civilian labor force was 2,117,625 in March 2025, an increase of 2,773 individuals from February 2025. The number of people employed in March increased by 3,111 to 2,006,555 while the number unemployed decreased by 338 to 111,070. “For the past three months, workers have been finding jobs at a faster pace than they are entering the labor market,” said University of Kentucky’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) Director Mike Clark, Ph.D. “This resulted in a slight decrease in the state’s unemployment rate.” In a separate federal survey of business establishments that excludes jobs in agriculture and people who are self-employed, Kentucky’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment increased by 6,300 jobs to 2,053,900 in March 2025 compared to February 2025. Kentucky’s nonfarm employment was up 18,600 jobs or 0.9% compared to March 2024. Nonfarm data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Employment Statistics program. According to the survey, employment increased from February to March for seven of Kentucky’s major nonfarm North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) job sectors in March 2025, decreased for three, and was unchanged for one. The number of positions in the construction sector jumped by 3,500 jobs from February 2025 to March 2025 and was up 7,500 positions or 8% from one year ago. “Kentucky’s construction sector reported two months of strong employment growth—4,200 additional jobs in February and 3,500 additional jobs in March,” said Clark. Employment in Kentucky’s manufacturing sector increased by 2,600 jobs from February 2025 to March 2025. Employment was up by 2,100 jobs in the durable goods manufacturing subsector and 500 jobs in the non-durable goods manufacturing subsector. Kentucky’s manufacturing employment rose by 2,400 positions or 0.9% compared to March 2024. Employment in the leisure and hospitality sector rose by 1,400 jobs in March. Employment in this sector was unchanged from one year ago. The accommodations and food services subsector was up by 1,300 positions from February to March. The arts, entertainment and recreation subsector added 100 jobs in March. The educational and health services sector added 800 positions in March 2025, all of which came from gains in the health care and social assistance subsector. Since last March, this sector has grown by 7,500 jobs or 2.4%. The trade, transportation and utilities sector increased by 100 positions from February to March and was up 1,800 jobs compared to a year ago. Among the subsectors, employment was down 200 jobs in wholesale trade; up 300 positions in retail trade; and unchanged in transportation, warehousing and utilities. The financial activities sector added 100 jobs from February 2025 to March 2025. The finance and insurance subsector gained 200 jobs, but these gains were partially offset by a loss of 100 jobs in the real estate, rental and leasing subsector. This sector had 500 fewer positions compared to March 2024. Employment in Kentucky’s information services sector increased by 100 positions from February to March. The industries in this sector include traditional publishing as well as software publishing; motion pictures and broadcasting; and telecommunications. The number of jobs in this sector dropped by 100 positions from one year ago. In the government sector, employment was unchanged from February 2025 to March 2025. Employment did not change within each of the three government subsectors: federal, state and local. The total number of government jobs rose by 4,100 positions or 1.3% compared to March 2024. The state’s mining and logging sector decreased by 100 jobs in March. This sector had 700 fewer jobs in March 2025 compared to March 2024. The other services sector dropped by 300 jobs from February to March but was 300 positions higher than one year ago. This sector includes repairs and maintenance, personal care services and religious organizations. Kentucky’s professional and business services sector decreased by 1,900 jobs in March 2025. Among the subsectors, employment was up 200 jobs in professional, scientific and technical services; up 100 jobs in management of companies; and down 2,200 jobs in administrative, support and waste management. The sector had 3,700 fewer positions compared to March 2024. “The administrative, support and waste management subsector includes employment services and temporary help services,” said Clark. “While the workers who fill these jobs are reported in this subsector, they are often temporarily assigned to positions in other sectors, such as manufacturing. A decrease in these jobs could occur when employers cut temporary workers from their payrolls. It can also occur when employers make these positions permanent. When this happens, employment in the administrative, support and waste management would decrease, but employment in other sectors would increase.” Civilian labor force statistics include nonmilitary 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. Kentucky’s statewide unemployment rate and employment levels are seasonally adjusted. 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. However, due to the small sample size, county unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. To learn more about Kentucky labor market information, visit http://kystats.ky.gov/KYLMI. (30)

A water main break in Taylor County could leave several homes without water for several weeks, according to the City of Campbellsville.

The break happened 20 feet under flooded land on KY70, east of KY76.

"At that point we knew we had a big emergency on our hands at that time," according to Campbellsville Mayor Dennis Benningfield.

Officials told 99.9 the Big dawg News a commercial diver was used to locate a shut-off valve, which was under 15 feet of water. Since this was successful, only residents on Shofner Road could be without water for several weeks.

"It was very muddy and like I said a lot of debris so he couldn't visually see what he was doing he had to more or less feel around but he was able to locate the valve and he shut that valve off," according to Campbellsville City Manager Josh Pedigo.

 

All area's affected by yesterday water outtage is under a boil water advisory until further notice. 

Commercial Structure Fire

319 East Maple Street () 

04-08-2025

 

Call Received 1153

On Scene 1155

Control 1203

Leaving Scene 1251

 

Campbellsville Fire-Rescue was dispatched to a report of a structure fire at the Hope Pregnancy Center located at 319 East Maple Street just before noon on Tuesday, Campbellsville Fire Chief Chris Taylor told 99.9 the Big Dawg News...Upon arrival firefighters found light smoke coming from the eve on Side C of the structure. Firefighters found a small cabinet of fire as it was against a wall heater, firefighters extinguished the fire and provided overhaul.

No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported.

 

Firefighters Responding: 15

Responding Apparatus: Engine 4,  Engine 1, Truck 1 and Squad 1. 

Assisting Agencies:

Campbellsville Taylor County 911 Center

Campbellsville Taylor County EMS

Campbellsville Police

Columbia/Adair County Fire Department was dispatched to 133 Macky Spoon Road on a report of a structure fire Monday just after 1pm.

Upon arrival firefighters found a residential two story structure with heavy fire showing, firefighters made an offensive attack on the fire and quickly contained the fire to the residence, the cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

There was 13 fireman on scene for approximately 3 hours.

There was one patient transported from the scene by Adair County EMS to TJ Health Columbia for minor injuries.

Automatic Aid By:
Breeding Fire Department

Agencies That Assisted:
Adair County E911 Center
Adair County Ambulance Service
Adair County Sheriffs Office
Taylor County RECC
Kentucky Red Cross

 

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against several individuals. An indictment is a formal accusation of a serious crime by a grand jury after reviewing evidence. 

 

 

According to jail records, Elena Bardin, 27, of Columbia, KY was arrested on Wednesday afternoon by KSP for Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Distribution of Obscene Matter to Minors and Sexual Abuse 1st degree. She was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.

 

BIG DAWG News will have more details as they are made available.