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Fatal crash in flooded conditions lands E-Town man in jail

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A Hardin County man is in custody after an alleged OWI crash led to the death of a juvenile.

David Rhodes of Elizabethtown was charged with First Degree Assault and Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol, with additional criminal charges forthcoming, after his arrest Saturday.

According to Kentucky State Police Post Four, in the evening hours on June 27 troopers received a report of a single-vehicle collision near the 860 block of Bewley Hollow road which resulted in an overturned vehicle partially submerged in a flooded creek. The preliminary investigation indicates Rhodes lost control of the vehicle in an area impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding, and the vehicle overturned and entered the flooded creek, trapping Rhodes and two juveniles inside the vehicle.

 First responders entered the creek to rescue the trapped occupants inside the vehicle. All three occupants were successfully removed and life-saving measures were immediately begun.

The three occupants were initially transported to Baptist Health Hardin, where Rhodes and one of the juveniles were treated for minor injuries and released. One of the juveniles sustained life-threatening injuries and was transferred to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, where they were pronounced dead Sunday.

As part of the investigation, Rhodes was determined to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center and is scheduled for a video arraignment hearing Monday morning. KSP Post Four’s investigation is ongoing.

Beshear says four deaths reported across state due to flooding

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Multiple Kentucky counties saw record amounts of rainfall over a short period of time this weekend, and communities are still dealing with flooded roadways and other impacts.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency in 18 counties and cities, including Bullitt, Grayson, and Meade counties and the cities of Brandenburg and Muldraugh. Four deaths have been confirmed, and during an update Sunday Beshear said more than 60 water search and rescue operations have been conducted.

“We’re still in the search and rescue phase, and after we make sure that everyone is safe, we’ll be doing damage assessments in communities because we’re going to be asking for both public assistance and individual assistance from the federal government,” Beshear said.

Beshear reminded drivers to never attempt to cross a flooded roadway, and use caution as you head onto roads after the water recedes.

“Bridges have been wiped out, entire roads have been wiped away, and there is still standing and moving water, and sadly at least one of our deaths was because someone attempted to drive through it,” Beshear said.

Beshear said in order to keep 911 available for imminent emergencies, if you have questions on conditions visit goky.ky.gov or kyem.ky.gov. Updates on road conditions can also be found on social media for Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four and area municipalities.

Progress on I-65 Louisville work allows two miles of roadway to reopen early

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says significant progress has been made on work on Interstate 65 through downtown Louisville, and a two-mile section of the interstate is scheduled to reopen to traffic today.

The KYTC says Southbound I-65 from University Boulevard to I-264/Watterson Expressway is expected to reopen to two lanes of traffic. Four ramps will also be reopening with this section: both on- and off-ramps at Crittenden Drive and the on-ramps from Eastern Parkway and University Boulevard.

I-65 south will remain closed between Jefferson Street and University Boulevard as construction work continues. Through traffic should still use the official signed detour to I-264 west and I-64.

I-65 closed through downtown Louisville on June 1, and the KYTC says crews have been working around the clock to accelerate work on the replacement of three critical bridges. Crews completed demolition work last week, and beams to support the new bridge decks are currently being installed.

The KYTC says the summer closure saved at least a year of additional restrictions on I-65. Learn more about the project at I65CentralCorridor.com and follow KYTC District Five on social media for updates.

Use fireworks safely this Fourth of July weekend

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Independence Day will be celebrated this Saturday, July 4, and if fireworks are part of your celebration, make sure you are using them safely.

Radcliff Deputy Fire Marshal Tommy Crane says the safest, and cheapest, way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a city or organization’s fireworks display.

“There are a lot of them, and I’m sure this year there are probably going to be even more bigger displays and bigger events, so take your family out and enjoy those events, enjoy that time with your family, and let the professionals do it,” Crane said.

If you are purchasing fireworks to light off on your own, make sure kids are kept at a safe distance and only adults are handling the lighting. Check on your state and local laws for fireworks use.

“State law says at a minimum you have to be at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles, groups of people, and also wooded areas,” Crane said. “Make sure you’re staying away from wooded areas, especially because it could be dry that time of year.”

Check your surroundings, and make sure anything that launches in the air takes off from a flat, stable surface. Always have methods of extinguishment nearby.

“It could be a fire extinguisher, water hose, or even a bucket of water,” Crane said. “The other thing is to make sure that, just like we talked about charcoal, make sure that your fireworks are completely cool before you dispose of them.”

Find more fireworks safety tips on the National Safety Council’s website.

Unemployment in Lincoln Trail District sees slight uptick in May

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Unemployment rates in the Lincoln Trail District in May were higher than the previous month and a year prior.

The Kentucky Center for Statistics says unemployment rates increased in 95 counties, decreased in 17, and stayed the same in eight when comparing May 2026 with May 2025.

The state unemployment average for May was 4.8 percent. That’s up from the 4.2 percent average reported in April and the May 2025 average of 4.4 percent.

Hardin County’s unemployment rate for May came in above the state average at 5.6 percent. That is an increase from the April rate of 5.1 percent and an increase from May 2025 when the rate was reported at 4.6 percent.

The unemployment average for the Lincoln Trail District in May was 5.3 percent. Grayson County posted the highest unemployment rate in the district at 6.2 percent. Washington County posted the lowest unemployment rate in the district at 4.2 percent followed by Nelson County at 4.8 percent.

Learn more about how the unemployment rate is calculated and find more labor market information by visiting kystats.ky.gov.