LOCAL NEWS

Local News: Sept. 20, 2016

UPDATE---21 month old Logain Chumbley was located by volunteer search and rescue members at 8:00 PM EDT approximately 2 miles from his residence.  He was transported to Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville for treatment of minor injuries and precautionary observation. 

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Taylor County Sheriff Dept investigated a two vehicle injury accident that occurred on Old Summersville Rd. The investigation shows that Brittany Taylor was traveling east on Old Summersville Rd. Jarrett Brannen was traveling west. Taylor appeared to have dropped off the edge of the road on the right and appeared to over correct. Taylor crossed the center line and struck Brannen head on. Taylor was overturned and both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the eastbound side. Taylor was pronounced deceased at the scene by Taylor County Coroner, Judy Dabney. Brannen was transported to TRH with non-life threatening injuries by Taylor County EMS. 

Local News: Sept. 15, 2016

Tpr. Jason Warriner is investigating a collision that occurred Wednesday, September 14th at7:33 PM CST on KY 323.  17-year-old Khristopher Thompson, of Greensburg, was operating a northbound 1999 Chevy Tracker on KY 323 when he attempted to pass a 1995 Honda Civic operated by 16-year-old Julian Pickford, of Greensburg.  Thompson's vehicle made contact with the Civic, left the roadway and overturned.  Thompson was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene by the Green County Coroner.  A passenger in Thompson's vehicle, 18-year-old Wesley Whitlow, of Greensburg, was transported to Jane Todd Crawford Hospital for minor injuries.  A second passenger, 17-year-old Robert Ray, of Greensburg, was transported to Jane Todd Crawford Hospital and then flown to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.  

Pickford and passengers were uninjured.  Tpr. Warriner was assisted at the scene by the Summersville Fire Department, Green County EMS and Sheriff's Department.  

 

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Adair County Grand Jury Indictments:

James Burris 474 East 80 Drive Columbia KY Count 1 Possession of a controlled substance first degree first offense (methamphetamine).

Renee J Blackaby 1303 Jamestown Street Columbia KY Count 1 Rape in the Third Degree.

Christopher L Janes 60 Burnett Road Columbia Count 1 Assault in the First Degree.

Dakota J Haggadone Count 1 Sodomy in the First Degree Victim less than 12 years of age, Count 2 persistent felony offender.

Steven R Curry 1341 Charlie Morrison Road Columbia Ky Count 1 Sodomy in the First Degree, Count 2 Rape in the First Degree (victim less than 12 years of age).

Simon Kirkland 1583 Bass Ridge Road Campbellsville KY Count 1 Theft by unlawful taking or disposition $500.00 or more but less than $10,000.00, Count 2 Criminal Mischief 3rd degree, count 3 Burglary in the 2nd degree, Count 4 operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol-1st offense, Count 5 public intoxication(controlled substances).

Ashley Harris (aka Corbin) 1480 Dunnville Road Liberty Count 1 theft by deception.

Thomas C Furkin 3113 Columbia Road Columbia KY Count 1 Carrying a concealed Deadly Weapon,  Count 2 Possession of a controlled substances not in original container (firearms enhanced), count 3 trafficking a controlled substance in the first degree, first offense- (greater than or equal to 10 dosage units opiates) (firearms Enhanced).

Nathaniel T Johnson 718 Mitchell Street Columbia KY Count 1 Possession of Marijuana, count 2 license to be in possession, count 3, speeding (26 miles over limit or greater), Count 4 Fleeing or evading the police in the first degree (motor vehicle), Count 5 Wanton Endangerment 1st degree, Counts: 6 thru 12 Persistent felony offender 2nd degree (7 counts), Count 13 Failure to wear a seat belt, Counts: 14 thru 18 Wanton endangerment 1st degree (police officer) (5 counts)

 

WAIN reminds our listeners that an indictment is a legal accusation and does not prove guilt or innocence.

Local News: Sept. 14

Update: Jessica Warriner was released from Vanderbilt Hospital Monday evening. After returning to Russell County, Warriner was arrested by Chief Deputy Nick Bertram on a warrant charging her with Murder in the death of Chloe Fortenberry. The investigation is continuing. Warriner was processed and lodged in the Russell County Detention Center early this morning. A two vehicle collision at approximately 7:45 p.m. Saturday claimed the life of a child and injured two other persons. RCSO Chief Deputy Nick Bertram’s preliminary investigation determined that Jessica G. Warriner, 26, of Jamestown, was operating a 2001 Honda Civic, attempting to cross KY 379 from French Valley Road to Blair School Road, and in doing so, pulled into the path of a 2006 Dodge truck that was southbound on KY 379, driven by James Gray, 49, of Jamestown, resulting in Gray’s truck colliding with the passenger side of the car. Warriner’s daughter, Chloe Fortenberry, 3, was a passenger in the car. All three were transported by Russell County EMS to the Russell County Hospital. Chloe Fortenberry was airlifted to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville where she died early Sunday morning. Jessica Warriner was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital where she is reported to be in stable condition. James Gray was treated at the Russell County Hospital and later released. The investigation is ongoing by Chief Deputy Nick Bertram. Also responding and assisting at the scene were Deputy Ethan Pike, Russell Springs Police Officers Bobby Pritchard & Nathan Bradshaw and members of the Russell Springs Fire Department.

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Tpr. Tracy Wilson is investigating a collision that occurred today at approximately 4:25 PM EDT on KY 1649.  29-year-old Amy Gosser, of Liberty, operating a northbound 2005 Chevy when she crossed the center of the roadway and struck a southbound 1996 Chevy Van head on.  The van was operated by 49-year-old Leland Gerhart Sr, of Liberty.  Gosser (belted) and a passenger, 8-year-old Landen Gosser (not belted), of Liberty were both transported to Casey County Hospital where they were treated for non life threatening injuries. Gerhart Sr. and a passenger, 16-year-old June Gerhart (both belted), of Liberty, were also transported to Casey County Hospital and treated for non life threatening injuries.  

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27-year-old Travis S. Slone, of Albany, KY , was arrested today at 6:27 PM CST and charged with murder.  53-year-old James Guffey, of Albany, was at a residence with Slone on Wolf River Dock Road in Clinton County when an altercation occurred that led to Guffey being shot by Slone.  Guffey was transported to the Clinton County Hospital where he was pronounced dead.  Slone was lodged in the Clinton County jail.  Detective Kenny Brown is investigating. 

 

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33-year-old Jonathon Bryant, of Columbia, has been arrested and charged with Assault 1st degree, Wanton Endangerment 1st degree, Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bryant was arrested in the woods behind his residence on Vester Road at 2:36 PM CST without incident.  

Post 15 was contacted at approximately 1:29 PM CST in reference to a shooting on Vester Road near the intersection of KY 206.  The investigation revealed that Bryant and 46-year-old Robbie Burton, of Columbia, had been involved in a verbal altercation which led to Bryant shooting into a vehicle occupied by Burton and another passenger.  Burton was struck multiple times and his passenger was not injured.  Burton was transported by Adair County EMS to TJ Samson Hospital and later transferred to University of Kentucky Medical Center where he remains in stable condition.  Detective Kevin Roberts is investigating.  

Local News: September 2

Jane Reed celebrated her retirement Tuesday afternoon at a ceremony at Adair County Elementary School. 

After more than three decades in the Adair County School system, Jane Reed celebrated her last day at work Wednesday. Although she was a curriculum specialist at Adair County Elementary School at the time of her retirement, Reed spent most of her career at John Adair Middle School where she was a beloved science teacher to an entire generation of Adair County students. 
"Jane Reed is what every teacher--young and old--strives to be," Principal Steve Burton says. "She's an absolutely great teacher and everyone knows that but for those of us who know her well, she's an even better person."
Prior to her last day, several dozen friends, family, and colleagues both past and present gathered at ACES Tuesday afternoon for a celebration in Reed's honor.
Burton attributes Reed's popularity among students and colleagues to her willingness to go the extra mile to offer help. "She's brought students clothes, taken them food, taken them out in the summer--basically been a mother to a lot of kids," Burton says. "Just being around her has made me want to be better--a better principal. In my eyes they don't come any better--she's the top of the mountain."
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September is School Attendance Awareness Month nationwide, and in that spirit the Adair County School District is embracing the opportunity to educate students, parents, and the community about the importance of strong attendance. According to Director of Pupil Personal Robbie Harmon, missed days put students at an incredible disadvantage academically, creating an achievement gap that can be incredibly difficult to close.
"The data shows that missing 10-percent of the school days, or just two or three days a week, translates into lower reading mastery," Harmon explains. "Last year we had more than 50 kids with 30-plus absences. As hard as our teachers work, we can never regroup those days of lost education. I can't overstate how important attendance is."
While absences are clearly an issue that the district has wrestled with for years, Harmon believes there is hope to solve the problem. "This is something we can fix if schools, and students work together on it," he says. "That's why we have all these things going on this month. September 20 is High Attendance Day in our schools and some of our schools are having other attendance-based competitions."
There are other motivating factors that should keep students in school as well. Students with more than seven unexcused absences are subject to truancy charges, and must answer to the County Attorney, District Judge, and a truancy worker about their attendance.
"We never want to end up in court, but our main objective is to get students in school where they can reach their full potential," Harmon says. "Our goal this year is a 95-percent, and that came from District Judge Mike Loy. He said, 'Let's strive for 95." Last year, Adair County students' attendance rate was 94.7-percent. 
To formally recognize September as School Attendance Awareness Month in Columbia and Adair County, Mayor Curtis Hardwickand Judge-Executive Mike Stephens will sign a joint proclamation Tuesday, September 6 in the Courthouse Annex basement at 9 a.m. The public is invited to attend.  
 
 
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Taylor County Sheriff's Department is investigating a two unit accident occurring on September 1, 2016. Ronnie S. Pittman of Campbellsville was traveling East on Kentucky HWY 70, Liberty Rd. approximately 5 miles east of Campbellsville. James S. Roution of Campbellsville was traveling west on  Kentucky HWY 70, Liberty Rd. approximately 5 miles east of Campbellsville. Pittman crossed the center line and struck Roution head on. Both drivers were transported by CTCEMS to Taylor Regional Hospital for injuries sustained in the accident. Pittman was later transferred to U of L for his injuries. Roution was released from Taylor Regional Hospital. Deputy Branden Wilson was assisted on scene by CTCEMS, CTC Fire/Rescue, Taylor County Volunteer Fire Departmental and the Campbellsville Police Department.
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Kentucky State Police, Post 15, will be conducting safety traffic checkpoints in the Post 15 area which includes Washington, Marion, Taylor, Green, Casey, Russell, Adair, Metcalfe, Monroe, Clinton and Cumberland. Troopers will be checking for impaired drivers, children that are not properly restrained in child safety and informing the public about the use of seat belts. These safety checkpoints will conducted in various locations throughout the Post 15 area that are experiencing a high ratio of vehicular crashes resulting in injury and/or death compared to relatively low safety restraint usage ratio.
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During the month of August 2016, there were 15 traffic accidents investigated by the State Police working in the Post 15 area and in the 11 counties of Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Marion, Metcalfe, Monroe, Russell, Taylor, and Washington.
There were two fatal collisions during the month of August in the Post 15 area.
This brings our yearly fatality count to 21 compared with 21 through this same period in 2015. Statewide fatality count stands at 518 compared with 481 through this same period in 2015. 

During the month of August 2016, there were 953 citations written, 153 courtesy notices written, 1346 vehicles inspected, 716 complaints answered 70 motorists assisted, 56 criminal cases opened and 214 criminal arrest made.
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Adair Co. Sheriff's Department Activity Report for August, 2016:
45 warrants of arrest served
5 criminal cases opened
7 call response reports written
11 domestic abuse cases worked
10 non-injury accidents worked
3 injury accidents worked
27 out of county transports
15 citations written for criminal activity
43 civil process papers served
32 criminal summonses served
11 subpoenas served
632 hours of court security provided
161 vehicle inspections done
10 animal complaints
10 motor assists
526 911 calls 
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The 5th Annual Reach Out for Kosair Kids raised $38,000.00 for Kosair Charities!  

LOCAL NEWS: Sept. 9

On September 8th approximately 3:30 pm Adair County Sheriffs office responded to a three vehicle injury accident about 6 miles North of Columbia on Hwy 55 North. Upon arrival 74 year old Larry Harrah of Campbellsville was stopped in the roadway in his 1999 Chevy suburban due to construction work on the roadway. Witnesses state that a second vehicle stopped behind Harrah being a 2006 Pontiac Grand-am operated by 49 year old Ronald Gadberry of Columbia. Gadberry also had a passenger in his vehicle 22 year old Dillion Burton of Columbia. Witnesses state that a third vehicle a 2006 Hyundai Sonata operated by 21 year old Alisa Johnston of Leitchfield failed to stop in time and struck the Gadberry vehicle causing it to strike the Harrah vehicle. Passenger in the Gadberry vehicle
22 year old Dillon Burton was treated on the scene by Adair County Ems and transported to TJ Hospital of Columbia and later airlifted to University Of Louisville Hospital for injuries sustained. All other victims in the crash refused medical treatment. Deputy Hitch is the investigating officer assisted on the scene by Sheriff Harrison Moss and other emergency personnel.

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Post 15 is asking for help with locating 17-year-old Camryn Hope Cooper from the Caneyville area in Grayson County, KY.  She walked away from Liberty Ranch Rehab in Kings Mountain, KY in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 7th.  

Camryn is a 5'6" white female, weighing 120 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes.  She has a "unalome" tattoo on her left upper forearm, a triangle with eye tattoo on her left lower forearm, a cross tattoo on her abdomen, three black roses on her left shoulder and a stick cross tattoo on her upper back.  

If anyone has any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the Kentucky State Police at 1-800-222-5555, through the KSP App or KSP social media.  Tpr. Mike Woodrum is investigating.  

 

COOPER