ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (August 29th, 2025) – Work is scheduled to begin in September on a project to make improvements between Greensburg and Campbellsville on US 68 in Green and Taylor Counties.

The first portion of the project to be constructed is a roundabout at the intersection of US 68 and KY 61 on the northeast side of Greensburg. This intersection has experienced 32 crashes, 11 injuries and a fatality in the last 5 years alone. The roundabout is expected to reduce the number of serious crashes substantially in addition to improving traffic flow. 

Excavation work is expected to begin September 8th. The initial phase of construction will have little impact on traffic.  The second phase will restrict left turns at the intersection from all approaches and through movements from KY 61 (Hodgenville Road) and KY 3535 (Industrial Park Road), with a 60-day window to complete that portion of the project. The second phase is expected to begin the second half of September through October and into November. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is working with local officials on alternate routes to navigate around these restrictions.  Detailed detour information will be released before moving into the second phase of construction.

The larger portion of the US 68 corridor project to widen and create a 2+1 configuration (similar to US 68 between Campbellsville and Lebanon or KY 55 between Campbellsville and Columbia) will begin next year and includes a roundabout on the Campbellsville end at KY 323/West Main Street.  The completion date of the entire project from Greensburg to Campbellsville is September 1st, 2026.

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Big Dawg Local News with Larry Smith - Friday, August 29, 2025...

BIG DAWG Local News with Larry Smith - Thursday, August 28, 2025...

BIG DAWG Local News with Larry Smith - Wednesday, August 27, 2025...

COLUMBIA, Ky. (August 27, 2025) – On August 26, 2025, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Electronic Crime Branch arrested Austin Beard, 25, on charges related to child sexual abuse material.

Mr. Beard was arrested as the result of an undercover Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The KSP Electronic Crime Branch began the investigation after discovering the suspect sharing images of child sexual exploitation online.

The investigation resulted in a search warrant at a residence in Columbia, KY on August 26, 2025. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to KSP’s forensic laboratory for examination. The investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Beard is currently charged with five counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under eighteen years old (Class-D felonies, punishable by one to five years in prison), five counts of possession of matter portraying a minor in a sexual performance under twelve years old and one count of procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means (Class-C felonies, punishable by five to ten years in prison). Mr. Beard was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.

The Kentucky Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is comprised of more than twenty-six local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The mission of the ICAC Task Force, created by the United States Department of Justice and administrated by the Kentucky State Police, is to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in developing a response to cyber enticement and child sexual abuse material investigations. This support encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, prevention and community education. The ICAC program was developed in response to the increasing number of children and teenagers using the internet, the proliferation of child sexual abuse material, and the heightened online activity of predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

BIG DAWG Local News with Larry Smith - Tuesday, August 26, 2025...

LEBANON, Ky.  (August 23, 2025) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a single-vehicle injury collision on KY 527 (Saint Francis Raywick Road) in Marion County on August 22, 2025, at 5:17 P.M. EST.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Brian Hatt, 51, of Raywick, was traveling north on KY 537 in a Raywick Fire Department 2008 International tanker truck. Mr. Hatt was responding, with the vehicle’s emergency equipment activated, to assist the Loretto Fire Department with a fire incident. The vehicle dropped off the right shoulder of the roadway, causing the edge of the roadway to collapse. Mr. Hatt lost control of the vehicle and crossed the roadway. The vehicle then exited on the left side of the roadway, striking an earth embankment, causing it to overturn. Mr. Hatt was ejected from the vehicle, and a passenger, Leonard Winkler, 58, of Raywick, was entrapped. Mr. Hatt and Mr. Winkler are firefighters with the Raywick Fire Department. 

Brian Hatt was flown by helicopter from the scene and transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Leonard Winkler was also flown by helicopter from the scene and was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital with serious injuries. 

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Marion County Rescue, Marion County EMS, Kentucky State Highway Department and multiple local fire departments. Detective Weston Sullivan and Trooper Josh Smith are investigating the collision.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.  (August 8, 2025) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision at the intersection of Lone Valley Road and Robin Road in Taylor County that occurred on August 8, 2025, at 7:48 A.M. EST.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Wesley Burton, 23, of Campbellsville, was traveling south on Lone Valley Road in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado. Mr. Burton attempted to make a left turn onto Robin Road. Due to limited visibility created by a sharp curve at the intersection, Mr. Burton failed to see an oncoming 2024 Yamaha motorcycle, operated by James Austin, 32, of Campbellsville, traveling north. The vehicles collided in a head-on manner on Lone Valley Road.  

James Austin was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Taylor County Coroner. Wesley Burton was not injured during the collision. 

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office, Campbellsville Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Campbellsville Fire/EMS and the Taylor County Coroner’s Office. Detective Weston Sullivan is investigating the collision.

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against numerous individuals. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

SOMERSET, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2025) – The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed the westbound lanes of the Fishing Creek Bridge on the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Expressway (mile point 84.4) in Pulaski County until further notice after an inspection today revealed damage to the bridge deck.

Eastbound lanes remain open to traffic. 

Signs and barricades are being posted to notify drivers of the bridge's closure. Motorists can use KY 80 as a detour route while the bridge is closed.  

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.