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WQXE News

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New U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky appointed

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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.

E-Town council hosts first reading of 2025-2026 budget ordinance

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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.

One dead after Meade County crash

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The Kentucky State Police is investigating a fatal collision which occurred in Meade County Saturday night.

KSP Post Four says at about 11:15 p.m. on May 31 the Meade County Sheriff’s Office requested troopers investigate a two-vehicle collision near the 4100 block of KY 144/Payneville Road.

The KSP says the preliminary investigation indicates that 20-year-old Robert Eldridge of Battletown was driving west on Payneville Road when he attempted to pass another vehicle. Eldridge’s car then struck an eastbound vehicle operated by John Kaw of Louisville.

Eldridge was pronounced dead at the scene by the Meade County Coroner’s Office. Kaw and a passenger in Eldridge’s vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries and were flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment.

The KSP says the affected portion of Payneville Road was closed for several hours for accident reconstruction. The investigation of the collision remains ongoing.

KYTC gearing up for resurfacing and bridge deck work in the area

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Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four crews and contractors are gearing up for work on several area projects.

KYTC District Four says preparation work gets under way June 9 for asphalt resurfacing on an 11-mile stretch of the Bluegrass Parkway. Work will take place between mile markers 24 and 35. The KYTC says traffic will be reduced to one lane in varying configurations as the work progresses. Work will begin with barrier wall setting at bridge locations along the stretch. Work is to be completed by November 1.

Meanwhile, work has begun on a series of bridge projects in Hardin County to replace bridge deck driving surfaces. 

KY 1375 is reduced to one lane at the bridge over the Nolin River, with that project due to be completed by June 20.

KY 84 is reduced to one lane at the bridge over the Western Kentucky Parkway. That work is scheduled to be completed by June 13. When completed, crews will shift to work on KY 210 for the bridge over Middle Creek.

Varying lane closures will be in place on KY 361 for work on the bridge over U.S. 31W near Fort Knox. That work should be completed by July 7.

Motorists are urged to use caution and minimize distractions when approaching and driving through work zones. Slow down and pay attention to signage and flaggers.

Follow KYTC District Four on social media for project updates.

Jury finds Steven Lawson guilty

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The first suspect tried in the Crystal Rogers investigation has been found guilty of both the charges he faced.

After about 2 hours and 20 minutes of deliberation Friday, a jury of nine women and three men at the Warren County Justice Center found Steven Lawson guilty of Class B Felony Conspiracy to Commit Murder, which carries a term of 10 to 20 years in prison, and Class D Felony Tampering with Physical Evidence, which carries a term of 1 to 5 years in prison.

During the sentencing hearing that followed the announcement of the verdict, defense attorney Darren Wolff asked the jury to show mercy on Lawson, stating that no evidence of murder was presented in the trial. Wolff requested a concurrent sentence of 11 years.

Special Prosecutor Shane Young said Lawson was “all in” on the conspiracy and had several opportunities to help the Ballard family find closure in the decade that followed Rogers’s disappearance. Young said: “Don’t take pity on him. Don’t take mercy on him. He took those kids’ mother away from them.” Young asked the jury to “give him everything you can because he gave diddle to them.”

After about 20 minutes of further deliberation, the jury recommended a concurrent sentence of 17 years. A sentencing hearing in Nelson Circuit Court was scheduled for August 6.

Lawson’s son Joseph, who faces the same charges as his father, and Brooks Houck, who is charged with Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence, will go to trial in Warren County on June 24.