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Kentucky highway deaths down in 2024

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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said there is still work to be done, but Kentucky highways were statistically safer in 2024.

“We lost fewer people in 2024 on our highways than we did in 2023, so the positive news is that deaths in highway crashes dropped 14 percent last year as compared to 2023,” Beshear said. “Right now, the transportation cabinet believes we are at a 10-year low, and in even more positive news we had 200 fewer injuries.”

The governor discussed the preliminary reports on highway safety during his Team Kentucky Update Thursday. Beshear said an investment in infrastructure improvements across the commonwealth has led to more highway safety projects.

“We’re installing innovative intersections, which are proven to reduce crashes,” Beshear said. “We’re piloting wrong-way crash technology to deter and detect drivers going the wrong way on interstate ramps. We’re administering grant funding for law enforcement campaigns like Click It or Ticket, and just this month we announced the Safe Teen Driving Challenge to encourage more young drivers to travel safely.”

Beshear said he is asking all Kentuckians to do their part to keep the roadways safe.

“Your simple choices can save lives like buckling up, putting the phone down, driving sober, and following the speed limit,” Beshear said.

More information on highway statistics can be found on the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s website.

Hardin County Clerk Smith warns of January vehicle renewal notice issue

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Kentucky drivers with vehicle renewals in January may have forgotten about their due date following an error with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky Department of Revenue.

“On the 14th of this month, I was in a meeting with transportation cabinet officials,” said Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith during last week’s Hardin County Fiscal Court meeting. “We were told on the 14th, two weeks ago, that the notices would go out that following Friday, which is the 17th of January. That turned out to be false information.”

Smith said clerk’s offices were initially informed that the renewal notices were delayed due to mailing issues, but he was informed Tuesday afternoon that the notices still hadn’t been mailed.

Smith encouraged drivers to check their registrations to see if they have a January renewal, and if they do they need to get to the clerk’s office to renew as soon as possible.

“By law, the renewal notices are considered a courtesy notice,” Smith said. “They’re not a legal requirement for you to have that to come in and renew. We have seen a huge drop off in January renewals. We knew this was going on. The state had to know. They monitor the collections on a daily basis. They had to know renewals were down.”

Smith said he will post updates as he gets them to the Hardin County Clerk’s Office Facebook page.

Prosecution cites victim’s rights in Crystal Rogers case filing

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The prosecution in the Crystal Rogers investigation cases wants to ensure the trial for Steven Lawson sees no further delays.

Special Prosecutor Shane Young on Friday filed a notice of victim’s invocation of rights pursuant to Section 26A of the Kentucky Constitution. The notice states that the family of Crystal Rogers is invoking their right to a trial without unreasonable delay, as established in a 2020 amendment to the state constitution that added that the rights to victims of crime “shall be respected and protected by law in a manner no less vigorous than the protections afforded to the accused.”

Attorneys for Lawson asked for his trial, which was due to begin in February, be moved to late summer in order for them to properly review the extensive discovery in the case after they were assigned as public defenders to Lawson in August. Nelson Circuit Judge Charles Simms III continued the trial to May 27. A pre-trial conference in the case is scheduled for February 27.

Construction begins on Elizabethtown outdoor music venue

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The City of Elizabethtown says a major development for the community is ready to move forward.

“We’re excited to announce that we have started construction on the Buffalo Lake corridor, which will include connecting Commerce Drive from Sutton Lane all the way to Springfield Road, and then also clearing out the space that ultimately the outdoor concert venue is going to be located,” said Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory. 

The city asks drivers to avoid the construction zone in the area near Buffalo Lake from Sutton Lane to the dam.

“The trail system out there will be closed for the time being while they’re getting that construction underway, and we’ll continue to update as that evolves,” Gregory said.

The city says the property for the venue was acquired in 2024, and a priority for the project is preserving the natural environment at Buffalo Lake. Over 200 scrub trees will be removed and replaced with 474 indigenous trees which will be part of a tree canopy consisting of more than 600 trees on the property.

The outdoor music venue is a joint project between the city and Elizabethtown Tourism. When completed, the venue will hold space for 4,000 seats and additional space for 6,000 more attendees.

More information on the outdoor music venue project can be found at touretown.com.

EPD warns of speeding in construction zones, vehicle break-ins

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The Elizabethtown Police Department has some alerts for area residents.

The EPD is reminding area drivers to slow down, especially in construction zones.

“We’re receiving numerous complaints about speeders in the St. John Road construction zone, and as a result our officers will be increasing patrols and enforcing the speed limit,” said EPD Public Information Officer Chris Denham. “Just remember, the workers in these zones are someone’s child, parent, or friend, and they too deserve to make it home safely.”

The EPD also says it has also seen an increase in area vehicle thefts. Kia and Hyundai vehicles have reportedly been frequent targets for thieves. Kia and Hyundai owners should check for vehicle recalls meant to increase vehicle safety. The EPD says remember to lock your vehicles and never leave keys or a fob inside your vehicle or in close proximity to a vehicle. Consider using a steering wheel lock or other anti-theft device.

If you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report it to your area law enforcement agency.