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Spring Wildfire Hazard Season in effect now through April 30

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Kentuckians are encouraged to take precautions during Spring Wildfire Hazard Season, which runs now through April 30.

According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, during Spring Wildfire Hazard Season burning is prohibited in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The Energy and Environment Cabinet says the Kentucky Division of Forestry responds to more than 1,000 wildfires annually, with 517 occurring during last year’s Spring Wildfire Hazard Season. Officials say 99 percent of all wildfires in Kentucky are caused by human activity.

“I’ve been on fires where it’s been anything from a flicked cigarette to a farmer,” Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane said. “He’s bushhogging his corn stalk stubble, and he has a bearing overheat, and I’ve actually had where he’ll have little spot fires all throughout his field because he didn’t realize it was catching things on fire as he drove around.”

Forestry officials ask Kentuckians to be knowledgeable of all outdoor burning restrictions, and in addition to Spring Wildfire Hazard Season avoid burning during times of dry, windy conditions. Incorporate “firewise” practices around your home and property.

Visit the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet’s website for more information and safety tips.

Miller excited to help Warm Blessings connect the community

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Monday marked the beginning of a new era for Warm Blessings Community Kitchen as Josh Miller began his first official day as the organization’s executive director.

“I’m feeling good,” Miller said. “I’ve made a lot of connections with a lot of people in the community. I’ve been able to meet with our team and our staff. We’re really excited about going forward., so I’m really excited. It’s been a busy day, but hey, I love it. That’s what we’re here to do, is here to serve.”

Miller said the mission-minded nature of Warm Blessings stood out to him when he applied for the role.

“I love to serve, and I love people,” Miller said. “I grew up serving all of my life, so being able to give back to my community and being able to serve our neighbors in need, that was the draw. I feel like service is a calling, so I’m just answering the call, all my life.”

Miller says the organization is rooted in loving your neighbor and coming together, so he is hoping to attract more community involvement.

“We need volunteers,” Miller said. “We need resources. We just need the support of everybody in Hardin County, and I know we’ll get that. We’re in such a tight-knit community, so I’m just thankful to be a part of Warm Blessings and be a part of this community, as well.”

Miller steps into the executive director role following the death of Dawn Cash, who died at the age of 61 in December.

Learn more about the organization on their website, www.warmblessings.org, or follow the Warm Blessings Community Kitchen Facebook page.

Campbellsville University murder suspect makes court appearance

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The former Campbellsville University student accused of killing another student two years ago was back in court Tuesday.

Charles E. “Zeke” Escalera appeared via Zoom before Taylor Circuit Court Judge Kaelin Reed for a pretrial conference to discuss the defense’s intention to call any expert witness testimony. Attorneys for Escalera said they are still reviewing possible witnesses regarding criminal responsibility, and requested an additional pretrial conference for about 90 days ahead of the scheduled trial date of July 27.

Judge Reed noted that at the previous hearing in the case he found Escalera competent to stand trial, but said an order needed to be added to the record noting as such. The judge said he wanted to ensure the defense has time to explore options and the commonwealth has time to respond while keeping the July trial date. A pretrial conference was scheduled for April 14.

Escalera is accused of murdering Campbellsville University freshman Josiah Kilman in his dorm room at the university. Kilman was found unresponsive shortly after midnight on February 24, 2024, before being pronounced dead at Taylor Regional Hospital. Escalera faces charges of Murder, third degree Burglary, and second degree charges of Burglary and Fleeing or Evading Police.

After initially being held at the Taylor County Detention Center, Escalera was held for some time at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center for evaluation. Escalera’s record on VINELink indicates he was returned to Taylor County on January 22.

One dead after I-65 collision; collision between semis shuts down Bluegrass Parkway for several hours

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Kentucky State Police Post Four is investigating a two-vehicle fatal collision that occurred on Interstate 65 in Hardin County Monday.

According to KSP Post Four, at approximately 9:46 a.m. on February 16 troopers responded to a collision at the 103-mile marker on I-65 North near Lebanon Junction. The preliminary investigation indicates traffic on I-65 North had slowed due to a previous collision near the 106-mile marker. A vehicle operated by 29-year-old Drew Cookenmaster of Hodgenville struck the rear of a northbound tractor-trailer.

Cookenmaster was pronounced dead at the scene by the Hardin County Coroner’s Office. The operator of the tractor-trailer was not injured.

The northbound lanes of I-65 at the Joe Prather Highway exit were closed for approximately three hours to allow for collision reconstruction. The KSP’s investigation remains ongoing.

Meanwhile, the KSP is also investigating a collision on the Bluegrass Parkway that shut the highway down for several hours.

KSP Post Four says at approximately 9:26 p.m. on February 16 troopers responded to a collision near the 7-mile marker. The preliminary investigation indicates two commercial vehicles were traveling east when the operator of the first tractor-trailer, Manual Ostos Paxtian of Moss, Tennessee, attempted to make an illegal u-turn using an emergency turnaround to attempt to travel west. A second eastbound tractor-trailer, operated by Charles Penn of Union Springs, Alabama, attempted to avoid the first vehicle but was unable to do so and struck it.

The KSP says one of the tractor-trailers caught fire and was completely destroyed after the collision. The second tractor-trailer then overturned in the westbound lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway. Paxtian sustained minor injuries and was transported to Baptist Health Hardin for treatment. Penn was not injured in the collision. 

Both eastbound and westbound lanes of the Bluegrass Parkway were closed for several hours as the tractor-trailers were recovered and for roadway cleanup. All lanes were not fully cleared until about 6:30 a.m. on February 17.