WQXE NEWS

Construction delays on the Western Bardstown Connector means a Nelson County road closure remains in effect.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District Four says work on the Western Bardstown Bypass, which will connect U.S. 62 to KY 54 in Nelson County, has been progressing, but complications in utility relocation and other factors have delayed the anticipated reopening of Templin Avenue near the construction zone.

According to the KYTC, Templin Avenue was closed in the spring with a goal of having the road reopened in time for the start of the school year. Current contractor schedules now have Templin Avenue reopening around the first week of September.

Because of additional congestion that comes with school traffic, the KYTC is advising drivers of additional impacts to traffic around the construction zone. The KYTC said in a release: “Construction project impacts to traffic are often amplified with the beginning of a new school year but can subside as drivers and school personnel become more familiar to routine beyond the first few days.”

Drivers are encouraged to be patient, use extra caution, and pay close attention to work zone signage when traveling through work zones. Follow KYTC District Four on social media for project updates.

Steven Lawson has been formally sentenced for his role in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

A jury at the Warren County Justice Center on May 30 found Lawson guilty of Class B Felony Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Class D Felony Tampering with Physical Evidence following a four-day trial.

During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III issued a sentence in conformity with the jury’s recommendation of a total sentence of 17 years in prison. Lawson was sentenced to 17 years on the Conspiracy charge and five years on the Tampering charge, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

During the hearing, Rogers’s uncle Mike Ballard said he was there to see Lawson off before a long prison sentence, and that he would do everything he can to make sure Lawson never gets parole. Ballard said “In July of 2015, you made a choice to be a part of planning the murder of my niece Crystal Rogers. You could have prevented all of this from happening if you had just gone to the police and done the right thing. If you had done that I believe Crystal would still be here today, and so would my brother Tommy Ballard.” He implored Lawson to think of Rogers’s children and said “If you do one right thing in your life, this is the thing to do: let them know where their mom is.”

Lawson will have 30 days after the sentencing judgement is entered by the circuit court clerk’s office to file for an appeal.

Joseph Lawson, who was found guilty of the same charges as his father, and Brooks Houck, who was found guilty of Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence, will be sentenced in Nelson Circuit Court on August 21.

Rumpke Waste and Recycling is reminding customers to be careful when disposing of certain items. 

Rumpke said in an email to customers that the company has experienced more than a dozen fires in the past month, and ”almost all of these events were caused by lithium-ion batteries improperly placed in the trash and recycling.”

The company is reminding customers that batteries are not accepted in trash and recycling programs. This includes lithium-ion batteries which are found in products such as electronics, small appliances and power tools, portable devices, and more.

Rumpke says batteries should never be placed in a curbside container as they can easily ignite or explode when compacted in a truck. The company also says not to place empty propane tanks in the trash, as they should be returned to stores to be disposed of or refilled.

Many electronic and hardware stores collect batteries, and local governments often host collection events such as Hardin County’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on August 9. Customers with questions on collection regulations should contact Rumpke.