Judge Executive signed a proclamation today, recognizing the month of April as "National Child Abuse Prevention Month" in Edmonson County.

Local advocates in child and family protection services were on hand for the signing at the Edmonson County courthouse today.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie visited Green River Lock and Dam #6 today to get an update on the project funded with his help. 

Guthrie supported the Water Resources Development Act, which in part, provides funding for:

•  removing the structure from the river at the earliest feasible time; and
•  making the land available for conservation and public recreation, including river access.

"Everything was put in place and has come together," said Congressman Guthrie. "All these agencies are working together and had this project ready to move forward, and then when it was known that it was a safety concern, it allowed it to be bumped up in priority."

​He also credited Senator Mitch McConnell for also taking interest in the Green River project.

"Senator McConnell has taken big ownership of the Green River area and he's really pushed things from his side of it," he said.

Colonel Chris Beck, District Commander with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, said the project is expected to cost around $800,000, which comes from both the Corps and Fish and Wildlife.

Darren Doyle, story:
Several Edmonson County residents among with thousands of other Medical Center Health patients received a letter this week from Med Center Health that stated a former employee "misused billing information without authorization, for purposes unrelated to work."

We've received several calls, emails, and messages regarding this letter, accompanied by many questions. The letter states that on January 2, 2017, a former Med Center employee obtained certain billing information by creating the appearance that they needed the info for their job duties at Med Center Health. The letter further states that Med Center contacted law enforcement immediately and continued their own investigation.

Med Center said that in August 2014 and February 2015 the individual obtained patient info on an encrypted CD and USB drive, for reasons unrelated to work. This information contained patients' names, addresses, social security numbers, health insurance information, diagnosis and procedure codes and charges for medical services.  However, the letter states that medical records were not included in the breach and remain intact. 

The Medical Center said they are contacting those affected now because law enforcement requested them to delay notification as to not interfere with their investigation.

News Release:
Today, House Bill 13, the Bowling Green Veterans Center Bill, received final passage in the Kentucky General Assembly. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Brownsville, commits $10.5 million in matching state bonding funds for a veteran’s nursing home in Bowling Green, a necessary step for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to begin construction on the much-needed facility.
 
“This is a great day for the veterans of south central Kentucky,” said Rep. Meredith, who has led the charge on the this issue since 2016. “The brave men and women who have selflessly served our country deserve accessible healthcare. This legislation will ensure funds for the facility are matched through the state, and those who have worn the uniform will not be forgotten about. I thank the General Assembly for passing this measure and supporting Kentucky’s veterans, and I look forward to Governor Bevin swiftly signing the bill into law.”    
 
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) conducted a market assessment and feasibility study for the State Veterans’ Nursing Home Program. Upon reviewing the placement of future facilities, KDVA concluded that south central Kentucky was the area most in need of a veteran’s nursing home.
 
House Bill 13 now heads to the Governor to be signed into law. 

​Burton A. Houchin (51) of Brownsville was arrested on this warrant and lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail where he was charged with Burglary 1st Degree.

The investigation is still ongoing and being led by Detective Michael Wathen.  The arrest was made and the warrant served by Master Trooper Mike Hatler.  

Edmonson District Court was held on March 21, 2017. The honorable Judge Joseph B. Hines presiding.

Deanna Miller, Possession of controlled substance, first degree, second offense, drug unspecified. Possession of controlled substance, 3rd degree, drug unspecified. Pleaded not guilty to both charges. Preliminary hearing 3/28/17.

Aaron Miller, Burglary, first degree. Pleaded not guilty. Preliminary hearing 3/28/17.

Jill Parsley Wallingford, Possession of marijuana. Drug paraphernalia-buy/possess. Order county pretrial diversion, tended by county attorney.

Richard Hill, Operating on suspended/revoked license. Careless driving. Pleaded guilty. Court costs and fines $343.

​Michael E Hartenhoff, Speeding 15mph over limit. Agreed order tendered, signed. License to be in possession, proof shown, dismissed. Failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security 1st, proof shown, dismissed.

Angela S. Hartz, Speeding 16mph over limit. Agreed order tendered, signed. Operating vehicle with expired operator's license. Dismissal with proof.

Edmonson District Court was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. The Honorable Judge John M. McCarty presiding.

Jackee L Gable, Alcohol intoxication in a public place-first and second offense. Failed to appear, $250 bench warrant issued.

Daniel W. Pedigo, No/expired registration plates. Proof shown, dismissed. Failure to wear seat belts. Defer 6 months.

Amber K. Mason, Improper registration plate. Failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security, 2nd or more offense, amended to first. Instructional permit violations. Improper registration plate. Failed to appear, $500 bench warrant issued.

Max A. Holloway, Speeding 25mph over limit. Failed to appear, notice sent to dept. of transportation.

Joey Cash, Driving DUI suspended license-2nd offense. Pleaded not guilty. Pretrial hearing 4/11/17.

Check out the views from the Edmonson Voice SkyCam from the demolition of Green River Dam and Lock #6 removal today.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The demolition and removal of Green River Lock and Dam #6 is underway and the landscape of the area is already quickly changing.

Demolition crews began on Monday, March 28, 2017, and in spite of two inches of rain from last night's thunderstorms, workers and equipment were busy pounding away at sections of the 113 year old structure as pieces flew into the river.

The dam breached sometime around November 25 or 26, 2016 and federal legislation was signed on December 16, deauthorizing the dam from the Corps or Engineer inventory and directing its removal. The legislation was headed up by Congressman Brett Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell.

According to Mike Turner with the Corps of Engineers, who is the project manager for the dam removal, work began yesterday to clear paths and brush down to the dam.

Lee Andrews, the construction manager for U.S. Fish and Wildlife explained the process of the removal.

"Our guys are basically demolishing the top the dam which is around 13 or 14 feet thick and the concrete is falling into the river," he said. "The crews are on the other side of the river (south) and are making themselves a road across. Back in November, the dam partially breached. That's a big safety issue. We're trying to get to the scour hole (breach), plug the scour hole, while at the same time, create a man-made breach on the far side. That way, the river will flow to the other side, away from where the guys are working. Once that happens, we'll dismantle the rest of the dam, bring it all back to this side of the river. Once we do that, we'll punch a hole in the outside lock wall where they can get out of the river and finish taking out the dam."

Andrews said the lock wall will be knocked down, turned into stone and will be the material that will fill up the lock chamber. After that, dirt from the surrounding area will be used to fill holes and create a natural material river bank where local officials have said there could possibly be camping, fishing, and a canoeing and kayaking point of entry and exit.

Officials said that every part of the dam and lock is failing in one form or another. All of it will be broken, pounded up, sloped and re-vegetated. After a ten-year period, its expected that no sign of the dam will be visible in any form. 

Judge Wil Cannon said he was hopeful that the property could be used for county and city recreation in the future, but at this point, that was just conversation.

"There are many possibilities that could come out of this, but until the dam is removed and the project is completed we won't know what those are. We're hopeful that this will be a great benefit for our area," he said.

​Andrews said that if the weather cooperates, the project is expected to be completed in three weeks, however; bad weather could postpone completion into the summer.

Green River Lock and Dam #5 as well as Barren River Lock #1 are also scheduled to be removed this year as well.

Fish and Wildlife officials said they expect the number of canoers and kayakers to double after completion. They estimated 1000 paddle crafts landed at Houchins Ferry last year.

David Phemister, KY State Director of the nature Conservancy said this was a win, win, win.

"This is a win for public safety, it's a win for outdoor recreation and the local economics for Edmonson County and the city of Brownsville, and it's a win for the health of the river."

He was confident that water quality and fishing will also be improved throughout the area surrounding the dam.

The crews removing the dam have experience all over the U.S. with similar projects and have wasted no time in only two days. Over half the dam itself was gone around 11am today. 

Stay connected to EdmonsonVoice.com for video and skyCam footage from today's events.

As we continue to grow, so do our sponsors and we're happy to welcome "Shop At Home Carpets" as the latest addition to our sponsorship team.

Although a huge majority of our sponsors are based here in Edmonson County, our weekly readership has exceeded the entire population here so that means businesses elsewhere want to be part of our great network.

Because we offer our news and info to the public for free, we rely on monthly sponsors and advertising to fund our network, and that's where great folks like Shop At Home Carpets come in to the picture. Look for their ads on EdmonsonVoice.com.

Just like the song says, they'll bring the store to your door, or you can visit their office at 2731 Pioneer Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Give them a call at 270-796-8136, or visit their website by clicking on the ad.

If you'd like information on how to become a sponsor/advertiser with The Edmonson Voice, Edmonson County's number one local news provider, call our office at 270-597-6550. 

Darren Doyle, story:
Parks and Rec Program Administrator Greg Hudson said the park was dealing with some vandalism at HWY 70 park with broken bathroom doors and some field damage that happened Sunday on field 2.  Hudson said that multiple people had tried to play on the field while the ground was far too wet. 
​
Deep footprints, tracks, and pits around home plate will have to be repaired as soon as it's dry enough to do so, according to Hudson.  He also said there was damage at the pitcher's mound. "Most people don't think much about footprints, but we've already been working on the fields as the season had already begun," he said. "These deep footprints dry and they have to be leveled back out. The area around home plate now has huge pits and the mound will need extensive repair. There's a reason we don't allow people on the field when the ground is wet. You can hurt yourself and damage the field."

He said no practices had been scheduled for Sunday, so the field useage came from someone other than a league team.

Hudson said at least for now, Field 2 will be locked from the public's use until further notice. Youth baseball league coaches and their teams under supervision, board members, and Parks and Rec employees will be the only ones with access to the field.

The bathrooms at HWY 70 near field 3 (the hill) have broken bathroom doors and Hudson said someone had used the bathroom in spite of there being no water service at the time. It was an incident that he described as very messy and someone at the park has to clean it up and repair the doors. 

"We hate to keep the public from using our facilities, but if the public abuses them, we have no choice," said Hudson. "We don't have a line in our budget for vandalism. When something like this happens, we have to take funding from somewhere else in order to pay for it, and it's funding we don't have." 

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court held their second meeting of the month today, March 27, 2017 at the Edmonson County Courthouse.

Several county offices gave updates and the court approved a host of bills and reports.

Sheriff's Report: 
Sheriff Shane Doyle reported that his office has recently received a $3000 grant that will be used for traffic patrol overtime during holidays. Doyle said that Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day are all times where officers need to spend more time trying to stop drunk driving, but his office doesn't always have the budget to fund the overtime necessary to complete. The grant comes from the state transportation department of highway safety.

Jailer Report:
Jailer Hank Vincent reported 23 county inmates at Hart County Jail and three on home incarceration. He said his department is experiencing major mechanical problems with one of their transport vehicles. He added they've already spent over $1500 with Greenwood Ford trying to repair the issue and didn't know what else to do except take it back and have them check it again.

​Parks & Rec: 
Program Director Greg Hudson reported Parks and Rec will host a community yard sale this Saturday, April 1, rain or shine, under the horseshoe shelter at Chalybeate Park. Booth spaces are available through the parks for $10 each. He also announced that the annual Parks and Rec Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for April 8th, and the Youth Baseball/Softball league Jamboree will be Saturday, April 22, 9am. 

Soil Conservation Board:
Wayne Thompson, Chairman of the board addressed the court today to discuss how the Edmonson County Conservation Board helps county residents in their annual report. He said producers in EC received over $123K in cost share funding this fiscal year, which was more than double of the previous year.

The office received two grants, one for soil testing, the other was an educational tool called an "Enviroscape," which provides a hands-on, interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of water pollution. He said the office will continue the dead animal bury program, which reimburses a portion of the burial cost of farm animals. Thompson said the tree giveaway will also be continued and will be done sometime in April. He thanked the court for their financial assistance to help their office continue their mission.

County Clerk
County Clerk Kevin Alexander said that the county voting machines were in need of a maintenance routine that would cost around $3,000. While he realized that sounded expensive, he noted that each machine was valued at $10K and proper maintenance was necessary to keep the county from having to invest more down the road.

The court also approved numerous County Clerk fees and tax collection reports, as well as adopting a new county employee handbook, code of ethics, and administrative code.

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10, 2017 at 9am.

Darren Doyle, story:
An area developer spoke at today's fiscal court meeting about having a change made to the minimum 3/4 of an acre requirement for building purposes in Edmonson County.

The current ordinance, EC-97-01, states that the minimum land area for a building lot in Edmonson County must be 3/4 of an acre in order to accommodate proper drainage and septic system requirements. 

Frank Hayes, a property developer, has asked for a change in that requirement to be lessened to 1/2 acre in areas where structures can be placed on the new county sewer system and do not require septic systems with the accompanying drainage.

Judge Executive Wil Cannon said the local health department has advised that 3/4 of an acre is not necessary for drainage if a structure is placed on the sewer system. Cannon said that a new ordinance could be written that would reflect the change.

He also advised the court that provisions would be made in order to ensure new structures falling under the new ordinance would be placed on the sewer system.

The sewer is not available to all parts of the county outside the Brownsville city limits and mainly apply to the Chalybeate area.

County Attorney Greg Vincent said he would start the process for a new ordinance, which can take several weeks to complete.

Darren Doyle, story:
Chief District Engineer Joe Plunk of the KY Transportation Cabinet of Bowling Green, District 3, gave a report on the state's proposed budget for maintaining and repairing state roads within Edmonson County for the rural secondary program's 2017-18 fiscal year at today's fiscal court meeting.

The total amount for Edmonson County was $1,156,986.00 that will used on secondary state roads in the county.

Over $352K is budgeted for general routine maintenance and traffic on 88.9 miles of roads in the county.

An additional $310K for resurfacing and drainage work on 3.5 miles of KY 238 (Sunfish School Rd) beginning at at the intersection of KY 185 was included. 

$308K was listed for for resurfacing and drainage work for almost 3 miles of KY 422 (Pig Road) beginning at US 31W as well as $38K for drainage work on a box culvert located on KY 238 near Duvall Cemetery Road.

The remaining amounts were $3,862 for County Judge expenses and almost $143K for flex funds, which are used on county roads.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Area residents near the new Hellervik Gas Plant location are pushing back against the oil company as several citizens in opposition to the plant attended the Edmonson County fiscal court meeting today at the courthouse.

Mr. Jim Brown, field representative for the company, addressed questions at today's meeting from residents who wanted answers.

Steven Miller, son of Steve and Debbie Miller, whose property is next door to the proposed site, spoke on his parents' behalf to both the court and to Mr. Brown.

"When we were here a couple of months ago, there were a couple things we discussed. One, we wanted to have a community meeting with Hellervik and we've heard no response to that," Miller said. "We also asked for the nearest location where we could go see and hear what's going to be brought into our county and community, and we've heard no response to that. We also said we were going to push and petition, and we've done just that, and about a month ago we've uploaded a petition on change.org and it's public, anybody can search it, just go to change.org and search "Hellervik," and in less than a month, over 200 signatures have been acquired on that petition."

He said the breakdown of the signatures were as follows:

• about 62% of the signatures were from Kentucky
• over 50% of signatures were from Edmonson, Warren, and Barren County
• 12 states represented
• 22 countries represented

He did not give an exact amount of signatures out of the 200 that were from Edmonson County only.

Miller continued and said that the group wasn't opposing Hellervik coming to Edmonson County, however; they were adamant about opposing the facility's location anywhere near a residential area. Miller also said the group is asking for proof, data, and documentation that can show there will be no negative effects on the community.

​Specifically, a portion of the the petition says:

​Others in attendance asked if Hellervik would simply buy the remaining property and move the location back into the woods, away from area homes, to which Brown said that is a possibility.

Brown said much of the same things that he's said in regular fiscal court meetings, such as: the federal, state, and EPA regulations that are difficult to follow, make a hazardous operation virtually impossible.

"We've been here for three years," Brown said. "We had a public meeting in August where we showed our plans and we used the local media to promote that and we even had a dinner, and four people showed up."

Brown said Hellervik's plan was to hold an open community meeting to address concerns and answer specific questions about the operation of the plant before construction was completed. ​

Several more specific questions were asked about the plant's operation but Brown said he was not qualified to answer. He did however, say that he would relay the concerns and provide answers to the public. 

Judge Executive Wil Cannon advised that no industrial zoning in Edmonson County allowed Hellervik or any other company to put a business anywhere they chose. He also said anytime any sort of zoning discussion was brought up over the years, the community strongly stood against it because no one wants to be told what they can or can't do with their property.

Cannon spoke to area residents in attendance.

"On behalf of fiscal court, we're concerned with all of your safety concerns. We'd rather have safety than economic growth. But, we're also concerned about economic growth. We want companies to come to Edmonson County, we want people to be hired and work here the county. We want all these good things to happen to our people, but not at the expense of anyone being in an unsafe situation or having property values lowered. I think these are all good questions and I think Hellervik will answer these questions."

Cannon said he felt like it was likely that the plant could moved back further into the woods, but reminded the court and visitors that the decision would be entirely up to Hellervik.

"We are not providing any industrial bonding for the project although it was discussed at one time," he said. "The county has no connection with Hellervik. They're simply a company that wants to come to Edmonson County to do business."

Edmonson Voice Staff Report:
A Bee Spring man is facing felony charges after law enforcement found marijuana, drug trafficking items, and a considerable amount of cash at his residence on Jock Road late last night.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, deputies and the Kentucky State Police responded to the residence of Rodney Shawn Warthan Jr., (35), after receiving multiple drug complaints ​at the property.

Officials said there was strong odor of marijuana coming from an open door at the home and a search warrant was obtained for the property.

​Inside the home, officers reportedly found several items of drug paraphernalia, items indicating drug trafficking, and a large amount of processed marijuana, some of which had been flushed into the master bathroom toilet.  Apparently the marijuana clogged the toilet and was still visible.

Officers also seized $26,222 in cash.  In addition to the cash and drugs, several thousand dollars worth of electronics and vehicles were also seized.  Deputies arrested Warthan and charged him with:

• Trafficking in Marijuana less than 8 oz., 2nd offense 
• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• Delivering/Manufacturing Drug Paraphernalia. 

He was lodged in the Hart County Jail.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

Kentucky State Police have released more information regarding yesterday's shooting victim who traveled to a residence on Jock Road.

KSP said the shooting occurred at 626 Meredith Ridge Rd. in Annetta. According to KSP, Tonya M. Johnson (42) of that address, was shot at the residence and left and drove to the residence at 2399 Jock Road. She was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center where she was later released.

Troopers and Detectives were able to locate and arrest Tommy G. Hayes (65), also of the Meredith Rd. address. He was lodged in the Grayson Co. Detention Center and charged with Carrying A Concealed Weapon By Prior Deadly Weapon Offender.

The case is still under investigation by Det. Bryan Washer and more charges are expected.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Officials say arson is to blame for the loss of a mobile home around 8:30pm Monday night on Segal Road, right next door to another mobile home that burned a couple weeks ago. Both properties are owned by Tana Hunt, who lives in Bowling Green, according to Bear Creek Fire Chief J.T. Carroll.

Officials said that the property was used as a rental by the owner but no one was living there at the time. 

Property caretaker John Meredith said there had been no electric or water service for a long period. 

Chief Carroll said that according to the neighbors, the structure went up in flames in a sudden burst, but no one was immediately seen around the area.

The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office was also on scene and is investigating the incident as arson.

"With what we see here, we are treating this as an arson case," said Sheriff Shane Doyle. "With no electric, no one living here, and the sudden burst of flames, those are enough to see that something isn't right. In addition, we don't think the property next door that recently burned is a coincidence."

Doyle also said that two appliances had been moved out of the trailer and were sitting in the front yard, something he said was suspicious.

In addition to Bear Creek, the Kyrock, Brownsville, and Lincoln Fire Departments also responded to the scene. The structure was a total loss and was on the ground in a matter of minutes.

The investigation is being led by Detective Wally Ritter of the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office. 

If you have any information about this incident, the Sheriff's Office encourages you to contact them directly at 270-597-2157. Sheriff Doyle said those providing info can remain anonymous.

​No injuries were reported during the incident.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:​
Emergency personnel were dispatched to 2399 Jock Road in Bee Spring around 2pm today to another gunshot victim call, the second in Edmonson County within a 36 hour period.

According to scanner traffic and eyewitness accounts, the victim was identified as Tonya Johnson, 42, from Grayson County. She suffered two apparent gunshot wounds, one to the face/cheek area and one in an area near one of her knees.

According to reports at the scene, the victim said she was shot during an altercation in Grayson County by a male subject whose name wasn't available, and drove to the residence on Jock Road, the reason for which was not immediately known. 

The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office first made contact with the victim at the residence and requested assistance from Kentucky State Police. Radio traffic indicated that there was a considerable amount of blood in a white Chevrolet sedan driven by the victim and in the residence.

She was transported to the hospital via Edmonson EMS. Officials reported that she was later transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville where her condition is unknown.

The case is currently under investigation by KSP Post 4 out of Elizabethtown. Officials reported around 5pm that a suspect in the shooting was in custody.

Kentucky State Police Post 4 had no further information available at this time.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

​Ferry may be closed 7am-5pm Tuesday and Wednesday
 
The Federal Highways Administration will collect core samples from the Green River ferry approach ramps on March 21-22, which may require closing the ferry service.
 
The ferry will operate each day from 6:00-7:00 a.m., and after 5:00 p.m.
 
“Positioning of the soil-boring equipment may block the ramps and shut down ferry operations,” said Facility Manager Steve Kovar.  “However, the work might be done in a way that would allow us to run the ferry.  We wanted to give the public a heads up about the possible closure.”
 
Please check the ferry information telephone line, 270-758-2166, for updates on ferry status.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

Darren Doyle, story:
Kentucky State Police have reported that they responded to a residence on Rocky Hill School Road yesterday by request of the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office at approx. 4:16 am in reference to a male subject that had been shot after unlawfully entering a home.

According to a statement from KSP, the preliminary investigation indicated that two adult male subjects went to the residence on Rocky Hill School Road to confront a juvenile male. While at the residence, they gained entry unlawfully into the residence where they had a confrontation with the 17 year old juvenile. At this point the juvenile retrieved a shotgun and fired it at one of the male subjects, striking him in the abdomen.

According to the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, another juvenile present was involved in the confrontation but not the shooting.

​The adult male subjects left the scene prior to law enforcement arrival but were later located at the Medical Center in Bowling Green.  The subject that received the gunshot wound was admitted and was listed in critical, but stable condition.  The other male, 28 year old Aaron Miller of Brownsville, was subsequently arrested and lodged in the Hart County Jail where he was charged with Burglary 1st Degree.

The investigation is still ongoing and being led by Detective Michael Wathen.  He was assisted by Detective Josh Amos of KSP Post 3 and the Edmonson County Sheriff’s Department.  

Darren Doyle, story:
A Louisville man faces multiple felonies after leading local law enforcement on a high speed chase right through Brownsville and southern Edmonson County with speeds in excess of over 100 miles per hour.​

According the Brownsville City Police, last night around 8:30 PM, Officer Dustin Harvey of the BPD conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South Main Street and Brownsville Road in the city limits on a white, 2015 Chevrolet that had been traveling between 65-70 MPH  in a 45 MPH zone.  Officials said the officer made contact with the driver, Jeremy Roe, (40) of Louisville. As the officer returned to his cruiser during the stop, officials said that Roe took off from the stop in an attempt to elude police.

​Officials said the high speed chase immediately ensued and Roe's vehicle was seen forcing cars to take immediate action to avoid collision on Brownsville Rd, KY-259, and KY-101.   The chase went into Warren County as the vehicle attempted to go off road at the intersection of KY-101 and 31W.

Official reports said the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot, but was shortly apprehended by Officer Harvey.   In addition to Officer Harvey, the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office and KSP arrived shortly thereafter and assisted with the scene, as well as members of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Roe, the driver, was found to have an outstanding warrant from Indiana for resisting arrest. He was charged with:

• Speeding
• Fleeing or evading police first degree (motor vehicle)
• Fleeing or evading police first degree (on foot)
• Disregarding stop sign
• Failure or improper signal
• Driving on suspended or revoked license
• Wanton endangerment first degree
• Wanton endangerment first degree (police officer)​

​He was also served the warrant out of Indiana. Roe was transported and lodged in the Hart County Jail. 

A statement from the BPD said, "The Brownsville City Police would like to thank all first responders for their assistance. On behalf of The Brownsville City Police Department we would also like to encourage Edmonson County motorists to safely pull off the roadway when approached by an emergency vehicle, if the area is safe and secure to do so. It is both the Brownsville City Police and Edmonson County Sheriff’s goal to make our roadways safe for all to travel on."

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.

Did you miss anything this week? Check out the top stories in Edmonson County over the past seven days. Thanks for making us Edmonson County's number one source for local news and info.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Properly working smoke detectors were credited for saving the home of Virginia Kay Duvall in Windyville early this morning as firefighters responded to the residence around 3AM. 

The home was filled with heavy smoke that came from the crawl space, which set of the smoke detectors. Mrs. Duvall said she was quickly awakened, called 911, and firefighters were able to respond quickly and locate the source.

The house had a large crawl space on one end, with over five feet of headroom that Duvall used for storage. Insulation and the stored items smoldered, as the intense heat crept up the exterior wall, melting the siding from the home. Firefighters were forced to cut through the home's exterior to gain access to the heat source.

Firefighters on scene said it appeared that the fire started in the hvac unit but that could not be confirmed. One fireman discussed the importance of properly working smoke detectors and he estimated that the home would have been fully involved in just a few minutes.

Mrs. Duvall said she was glad to have the working smoke detectors.

"It's the only thing that saved us," she said.

Responding to the incident were the Bear Creek, Brownsville, and Lincoln Fire Departments. Individual members from other departments were also on scene. 

The house suffered smoke, water, and heat damage, but was saved. No injuries were reported.

​*Comments without a first and last name and an email address are not published. All comments are subject for review and must adhere to the Edmonson Voice commenting policy which is posted on this site.