WQXE News

A Nelson County paramedic has died from injuries he sustained in a crash in Barren County.

Kentucky State Police Post Three says 41-year-old Wesley England of Hardyville died Monday at TriStar Skyline Medical Center.

According to KSP Post Three, at just after noon on May 23 troopers responded to an injury collision on the 500 block of Broadway Street in Cave City. The preliminary investigation indicates that England was operating a truck and was stopped at a traffic light at Broadway Street and U.S. 31W. England’s vehicle then collided with the rear end of a vehicle that was also stopped at the light, pushing it through the intersection. England’s truck continued to accelerate and then collided with an unoccupied vehicle and a light pole.

England was airlifted from the scene to the medical center, where he died 10 days later. The operator of the initial vehicle England’s collided with, Frances Laird of Cave City, was transported to Caverna Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

Nelson County EMS said in a Facebook post: “Wesley wore many hats throughout his remarkable career—serving as a dedicated critical care paramedic, firefighter, and police officer. His unwavering commitment to the emergency services touched countless lives across our communities and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We extend our deepest gratitude for Wesley’s years of service and sacrifice.”

The KSP’s investigation is ongoing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky has new leadership. 

Following his appointment by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Kyle G. Bumgarner was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky by U.S. District Court Chief District Judge Greg N. Stivers Monday.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bumgarner is a graduate of Centre College and the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. Bumgarner practiced law in Bowling Green and served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Kentucky David Bunning.

Bumgarner said in the release: “Our goals cannot be achieved without selfless and heroic work from our federal, state, and local law enforcement officers—particularly those on the front lines—who will receive unwavering support from our office. I accept this role with great enthusiasm and a commitment to making the Western District of Kentucky a safer place for each of us to raise our families and earn a living.”

The U.S. Attorney is “the chief federal law enforcement official in their district, representing the United States in all criminal and civil litigation.” Headquartered in Louisville and with offices in Bowling Green, Paducah, and Owensboro, the office serves 53 counties as well as Fort Knox and Fort Campbell.

The Elizabethtown City Council met for their first meeting of the month Monday.

The first reading was held on the city budget ordinance for fiscal year 2025-2026.

“The budget contains total funds available of $157,969,480, and the total appropriations for expenditures equal to $126,940,521, with an estimated ending fund balance of $31,28,959,” said City Attorney Ken Howard, reading from the budget ordinance.

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory said the budget is a “great budget,” and made note of the expansion of sworn officers at the Elizabethtown Police Department from 55 the year he was elected to 92, which he said is partially because of the department supporting more school resource officers.

“We think it’s really made a difference and continues to make a difference, not only to make the kids safer, but to build a foundation and a friendship and trust level with our police department, and we’ve already seen that paying dividends, unless you all disagree, which I know that you don’t,” Gregory said.

In other meeting news, the council approved a bid from Compass Minerals for road salt. That contract is priced at $122 per ton.

Gregory had high praise for the city’s event staff following this past weekend’s E-Town Block Party.

“I could not believe when I looked out there from the stage how many people were behind the Justice Center and were downtown and enjoying the different establishments that we had and the food trucks,” Gregory said. “As far as I know, we had limited or zero problems down there.”

The Elizabethtown City Council will next meet June 9.