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Judge denies Steven Lawson’s immunity claim

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The motion to dismiss filed by the attorney for Crystal Rogers investigation suspect Steven Lawson has been denied.

Lawson faces charges of Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence, but he claimed he was promised immunity in exchange for his cooperation with the investigation, so therefore his charges should be dismissed.

Nelson Circuit Court Judge Charles Simms III denied that motion in an order filed Wednesday.

In the order, Judge Simms says a written immunity agreement was never executed, and while Lawson’s defense provided transcripts of discussions of an immunity agreement, the judge said it was clear that such an agreement was contingent on Lawson being completely truthful, which the judge said the prosecution showed was not the case. The judge also said Lawson’s defense never called any witnesses during a hearing reviewing the immunity claim, instead relying entirely on the transcripts.

In the motion to dismiss, the defense had also requested that should the motion be denied the court then suppress Lawson’s statements to police and his grand jury testimony. While the grand jury testimony request was denied, Judge Simms said Lawson does have the right to suppress his interviews with police. The court will discuss whether Lawson uses the interviews or not in a hearing set for August 8.

Brooks Houck is due back in court Monday as the prosecution will argue to consolidate Houck, Lawson, and Joseph Lawson’s cases into one, which Houck’s defense has filed an objection against.

Officials needed for area middle and high school football games

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The 2024-2025 school year is quickly approaching, and as students get ready to return to their studies and activities organizers are working to make sure events are set to run smoothly.

Michael Moritz is the secretary treasurer for the Mid Kentucky Officials Association. He says the organization is in need of middle and high school football referees.

“Our numbers have been going down over the last few years, and we really are in need of as many people that are willing to be out there on a Friday night or a Thursday night or whatever night of the week it is that they’re playing,” Moritz said.

Mortiz says getting started as an official is an easy process, with those interested needing to purchase their equipment and begin training via training sessions that get started July 13.

“What they need to do is call Andy Strain,” Moritz said. “He’s the KHFAA assigner for our region. His number is 270-272-3205, and you can contact him via phone or you could even just show up on Saturday, July 13th at 9 o’clock at John Hardin High School. That’ll be our first training session for this season for all of the officials.”

Moritz says the sooner you sign up the better in order to get training requirements in and to participate in preseason scrimmages to get ready for game days. He says officiating is a great experience.

“I’ve been doing it for 25 years and it’s been a lot of fun for me, and it’s fun to be out there with the kids on a Friday night in a real tight game, things like that, so it’s been very, very rewarding, and if you have that niche, it can be as rewarding for you as well,” Moritz said.

Contact Andy Strain or visit the KHSAA officiating website for more information.

Voter registrations up again in June

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The number of new voter registrations in Kentucky in June outpaced the number of voters removed from the voting rolls.

The Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office says Kentucky added 9,693 new voter registrations and removed 4,362 voters from the rolls in the month of June.

Of the voters removed from the rolls, 3,030 were for deceased voters, 603 were for convicted felons, and 554 moved to another state.

The Secretary of State’s office says Republican registration increased by 4,947 voters in June, and independent or other registrations increased by 1,502 voters, while Democratic registrations decreased by 1,717 voters. Republican registrations currently make up about 46 percent of the electorate while Democratic registrations make up about 43 percent, with independent or other making up about 10 percent.

Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith says getting registered is a simple process.

“Registering to vote has never been easier,” Smith said. “The quickest and easiest way for most. folks would be to visit govote.ky.gov. They can do that on the computer or their phone and they can register to vote that way. They can also call or visit their county clerk’s office. The deadline to register to vote and participate in the November election is October 7, so don’t wait until the deadline. Go ahead and get it done early.”

Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website for more information on voter registration statistics.

Glendale farmer in the running for Farmer of the Year award

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A Glendale farmer is in the running for Kentucky Farm Bureau’s 2024 Farmer of the Year award.

Richard Preston was named one of three finalists for the honor, which is presented to a Kentucky Farm Bureau member “whose efforts strengthen the state’s agriculture industry and demonstrate service and leadership, both on and off the farm.”

Preston says he wasn’t expecting the nomination, let alone being named a finalist.

“I spend a lot of time doing things that do not necessarily make the most money in farming, like looking for new ways to farm, but I was really excited when my colleagues, my peers, picked me to run in this contest, and then I know the competition was tough but somehow I managed to squeeze into the top three,” Preston said.

Preston is a first generation farmer, managing 3,300 acres of land with his wife Marjorie. After starting out in hogs and crops and transitioning to crops and tobacco, Preston grows corn, soybeans, and wheat, but farming wasn’t his original job when he graduated from Yale with a doctorate in physical chemistry.

“I was a scientist before I was a farmer, but I decided to come back to Kentucky to get away from the big city and everything, and now I live in Glendale and they’re bringing the big city to me, so I guess it’s just funny how things come around to get you, don’t they?” Preston said.

Preston says he is proud to be part of the Hardin County farming community.

“We have a group of excellent farmers,” Preston said. “They’re high up in leadership positions in commodity organizations and Farm Bureau, and just to be recognized in Hardin County gives me a lot of pride.”

Preston has worked as an advisor and mentor in the Crop Observation and Research Education Program and held leadership roles in Hardin County Farm Bureau. He tells future farmers the job is worth the time.

“It’s a great occupation,” Preston said. “I love being outside. It is very stressful and takes a lot of hard work, but if they’re willing to do that, it’s a very rewarding experience.”

Preston and the other finalists will be honored at the KFB Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair on August 21. The winner will be announced October 2 and recognized at December’s annual meeting.

HCS Superintendent Morgan hosting community conversations

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Hardin County Schools Superintendent Teresa Morgan will be hosting three Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent events over the next month and a half.

“It’s a great opportunity for Ms. Morgan to visit with our community stakeholders about the great things taking place in our schools and for her to answer some questions from our community members,” said HCS Community Relations Specialist John Wright.

The first session will be held Tuesday, July 9 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Apostoli Coffee in Radcliff, the second on July 19 at Tony York’s on Main in Glendale, and the third will be at Social on Main in Elizabethtown on August 13.

“It’s just a great time to learn what’s taking place across our district,” Wright said. “Hardin County Schools is a leader in the state in instructional initiatives and technology initiatives, and it’s just a great opportunity to learn more about that and the quality education that the students in our community are receiving.”

All are welcome to attend.

Meanwhile, HCS has announced new start times for some of their schools ahead of the first day of classes on August 7. The district says the changes are by no more than five minutes. You can find a link to the new schedules on the Hardin County Schools Kentucky Facebook page.