Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Monday, March 30, 2026...

Meeting in a special called session Thursday night,

the Campbellsville Board of Education has named David Petett as the new superintendent of the CISD.

Recipients urged to delete messages and avoid clicking fraudulent links

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2026) - The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is alerting the public to a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from KSP regarding unpaid traffic violations. 

These messages are not legitimate. The texts often include a link and may attempt to create a sense of urgency to prompt immediate payment or action. Recipients are strongly advised not to click on any links and to delete the message immediately. 

KSP emphasizes that it does not contact individuals via text message regarding citations, fines or payments. Any communication requesting payment through a text message should be considered suspicious. 

Reports received today are part of a broader trend observed recently, with multiple complaints involving similar scam messages. These include attempts to impersonate Amazon, the Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and other reputable organizations. KSP urges the public to remain cautious when receiving unexpected or suspicious messages. 

The Team Kentucky Stop Scams initiative was created to help Kentuckians best protect their family from scams by providing information and resources you can trust. To learn how to report a scam, please visit the Team Kentucky Stop Scams website. 

Big Dawg local news for Thursday, March 27, 2026...

Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith for Wednesday March 25, 2026...

Big Dawg local news - Monday, March 23, 2026...

Big Dawg local news for Thursday, March 19, 2026…
 

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

Big Dawg local news - Tuesday, March 17, 2026...

Big Dawg local news - Monday, March 16, 2026...

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Department worked a two vehicle accident Thursday morning at around 7:30 Sheriff Dickie Benningfield told 99.9 The Big Dawg that Donna McClister age 49 of Campbellsville was traveling south on Highway 210 on the bypass when a 2022 Chevy Equinox driven by Amanda Watson age 46 of Columbia turned into the path of the McClister vehicle.

Watson and McClister were both taking to Taylor regional Hospital, the accident investigated by deputy sheriff Robbie VanCleave with the Taylor County Sheriffs Department in Campbellsville.

Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Thursday, March 12, 2026…

On March 10, 2026, at 9:10 A.M. CDT, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a three-vehicle injury collision on KY 88 in Green County.

Big Dawg News has learned that Kaden Melson age 14 of Greensburg was traveling west on KY 88 in a 2009 Subaru Forester.  The juvenile entered a curve and lost control of his vehicle.  The Subaru crossed the center line of the roadway and sideswiped a 2006 GMC bucket truck traveling east on KY 88, operated by Patrick Elmore, 54, of Greensburg.  After making contact with the bucket truck, the Forester then collided with a 2011 Ford F350 traveling east on KY 88.  The F350 operated by Willie Mosier, 31, of Cookeville, TN.  The F350 caught fire shortly after the collision.  Mr. Mosier was able to free himself and exit the vehicle before the fire reached the passenger compartment.

Kaden Melson age 14 was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Green County Coroner.  A passenger in the Forester, Angelo Forsee, 20, of Russell Springs, was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital with serious injuries.  Two other passengers in the Forester, Adrian Crew, 32, of Columbia, and Jacob Mann, 28, of Russell Springs, were transported to the TJ Sampson Hospital for treatment of injuries.  Mr. Elmore and Mr. Mosier did not report any injuries.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Green County Sheriff's Office, Green County Fire/EMS, Summersville Fire Department, Grab Fire Department, and the Green County Coroner’s Office.  Senior Trooper Trevor Sagrecy is investigating the collision.

Big Dawg local news - Tuesday, March 10, 2026...

A Columbia man has been indicted in regards to the murder of his son,  Phillip Bruce Handley was indicted this week by the Adair County grand jury in Columbia.

On January 13, 2026, at 3:02 P.M. CST, KSP Post 15 Troopers responded with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office to a report of a shooting incident.  Troopers and Detectives arrived at a residence on KY 55 South and found Jordan Hadley, 33, of Columbia, seriously injured from an apparent gunshot wound.  Jordan was transported to the TJ Sampson Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Adair County Coroner.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Jordan Hadley and his father, Phillip Bruce Hadley, were involved in a heated altercation.  During the course of the incident, Phillip drew a handgun from his waist and discharged it, striking Jordan and causing fatal injuries.

Phillip Bruce Hadley, 56, of Columbia, was arrested and charged with Murder.  He was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.

KSP Post 15 was assisted by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Police Department, Adair County EMS, and the Adair County Coroner’s Office.  Detective BJ Burton is conducting the investigation.

The Taylor County Sheriffs Department investigated an incident last night that resulted in a Mt. Sterling man being arrested.

18-year-old Anderson Smith is charged with burglarizing a home on Saloma Road in Campbellsville, Smith fled the scene, losing control of a stolen vehicle and colliding with two park cars at the dugout at the Trace Creek Ball Park in Campbellsville,  one adult and one juvenile were taken to Taylor Regional Hospital.

Smith was arrested at the scene charged with 19 counts of wanton endangerment, criminal mischief, burglary, DUI, no operators license and auto theft.

The arrest was made by deputy Alex Brunelle with the Taylor County Sheriffs Department and assisted by Campbellsville City Police and Kentucky State Police the incident occurred at 6 PM Monday evening in Campbellsville.

Big Dawg local news with Larry Smith - Monday, March 9, 2026...

The Taylor County Board of Education has filled two vacant seats, 

Donna Williams was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by TJ Raikes,  David Hall is Chairman of the Taylor County School Board and told 99.9 the Big Dawg that "Williams will provide our team with the inside knowledge and perspective gleaned from years experienced as a former teacher and administrator and as a current Grandmother to students within our district".

Mr Cameron Gaines was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by Misty Hafley, Hall said "Gaines will bring energy & ideas as both a local businessman & parent who has younger children at multiple locations.  We know he will be able to make and convey observations of activities & daily routines that only the parents of current students have".  

Both Williams and Gaines will be formally confirmed at Monday nights school board meeting.

Big Dawg local news - Thursday, March 5, 2026...

Big Dawg local news - Wednesday March 4, 2026...

On March 2, 2026, Adair County Sheriff Gary Roy received a burglary report with property stolen at 2548 Sano Road. 

A preliminary investigation of security camera footage by Sheriff Gary Roy and Deputy Derek Padgett identified the suspect as Benjamin L Harmon, 38, of Columbia, Kentucky.

During the investigation Deputy Derek Padgett determined Benjamin Harmon had made approximately three separate trips to 2548 Sano Road, entered a building, and removed property. Subsequently, Deputy Padgett used this information to obtain an Adair County Warrant of Arrest for Benjamin L Harmon for the following charges:

3 counts- Burglary, 3rd Degree 

3 counts- Criminal Trespassing- 3rd Degree 

Theft by Unlawful Taking $1,000<$10.000

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office had multiple deputies patrolling in the Sano Community of Adair County throughout the day in an effort to locate Harmon. At approximately 10:18pm, deputies observed Harmon traveling in a silver GMC Canyon on Christine Road. Deputies then initiated a traffic stop and made contact with Harmon. During the traffic stop, Harmon refused to follow commands and exit his vehicle. Due to the refusal to cooperate, Harmon had to be forcibly removed from his vehicle in order to be taken into custody. Deputy Josh Durbin executed two warrants of arrest along with the following additional charges:

•Resisting Arrest 

•Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

•Possession of Control Substance 1st      Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)

Deputy Josh Durbin was assisted on scene by Deputy Brandon Hitch and CPD Officer Trevor Foster. 

“This arrest is a direct result of the relentless efforts by our Deputies to investigate and solve burglaries and thefts in our community," said Sheriff Gary Roy.

Sent from my iPhone

t approximately 0645, Green County fire and rescue units were dispatched to a structure fire on Miller Road on the Green/Taylor County line. Upon arrival, units encountered a single-wide mobile home fully engulfed in flames, firefighters successfully gained control of the fire and extinguished it without incident or injury.

The response and extinguishing efforts lasted approximately two hours. Assistance was provided by the Summersville fire department, Campbellsville fire department, Taylor County fire department, Green County EMS, Green County E911, and Taylor County RECC.