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The trial for Dustin Caudill, the Elizabethtown man accused of shooting and killing two men and then setting the Henon Lane residence they were in on fire in October 2024, was scheduled to begin next week.
That trial is getting pushed back, however, due to a backlog in pre-trial forensic assessments at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris McCrary told Hardin Circuit Judge Larry Ashlock during what was supposed to be the final pre-trial conference Tuesday that when the commonwealth requested an evaluation of Caudill on April 6 they were told it would be a two to five month wait before Caudill could be evaluated by KCPC. Because the forensic assessment takes approximately 30 days, and KCPC would then need additional time to prepare a report, McCrary said the assessment could not be completed in time for the scheduled June 8 trial start.
Defense attorneys for Caudill said they had prepared to begin the trial on June 8 and their witnesses had made travel arrangements for the trial. Ashlock said that statutes which allow the defense to submit arguments regarding Caudill’s mental health allow for the prosecution to conduct their own evaluation for rebuttal, so he sustained the commonwealth’s motion for a continuance.
The new trial date was scheduled for October 19, but Ashlock said if conflicts with scheduling witnesses arise it can be addressed at a later date. A pre-trial conference to discuss several motions currently under consideration in the case was scheduled for June 16.
Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory told the Elizabethtown City Council that capital project spending factors heavily into the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and city department heads are planning for “anticipated growth due to continued commercial and residential growth.”
“Continuing with the process of providing competitive wages for our employees, we have included a 3 percent increase for all employees to maintain our competitive edge with other employers,” Gregory said. “Once again, no change in the employee contribution for medical insurance coverage is included in this year’s budget.”
Gregory read the city budget message during Monday’s city council meeting.
The Elizabethtown Police Department’s proposed budget is $16.8 million, and the Elizabethtown Fire Department’s proposed budget is $10.5 million. The city is committing $1.85 million for the Public Works Department to conduct resurfacing projects, soft purchases, and restriping, and the Streets Division has included $10.7 million in street projects.
“These projects include the completion of the Commerce Drive Extension, which will be an important link necessary to support Elizabethtown’s outdoor music venue,” Gregory said. “Other projects include Pair Orchard Road Northwest improvements, the Veterans Way/Towne Drive intersection, sidewalk extensions, and numerous smaller street, curb, and gutter projects.”
Gregory also highlighted projects in the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the work of the city’s events staff, the expansion of capacity at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, and stormwater improvements.
“Funds have been allocated in this year’s budget for various sewer work including McCollum Avenue, Sunrise Lane, College Street, U.S. 62, Harvard and Yale drives, and miscellaneous smaller projects,” Gregory said. “Funds have also been allocated to prevent inflow and infiltration of our sewer system.”
The budget will go up for adoption on the budget ordinance’s second reading. The budget ordinance can be found on the city website.
Residents and visitors to the commonwealth this weekend are invited to take advantage of Kentucky’s Free Fishing Weekend.
Running June 6 and 7, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife says Free Fishing Weekend allows anybody to enjoy fishing in waters across Kentucky without purchasing a fishing license or permit. All other regulations such as size limits and the number of fish you are allowed to keep will still apply.
Tips and tricks for beginners can be found on the “Learn to Fish” page on the KFW website. Several communities across Kentucky are offering free fishing events for families, details for which are also available on the web.
The “Fishing” page on fw.ky.gov also includes the Annual Fishing Forecast which will help anglers identify sites across the state where they are most likely to find success on the water. The Fishing in Neighborhoods program offers easily accessible, specially stocked lakes near the state’s population centers.
If you are heading out on the water to do your fishing, remember to wear your life jacket and follow all boating laws and regulations. Visit the KFW website or download the Fish Boat KY app for more information and resources.