Somerset Police say Ryan Hughes, 41, of Waynesburg—the Lancaster chief of police—was cited for DUI after a crash Friday night on North Highway 27 near Cooperative Way.

Officers say Hughes’ vehicle caught fire, and a passerby pulled him out, reporting he smelled strongly of alcohol. Police noted slurred speech, glossy, bloodshot eyes, and the odor of alcohol. Hughes allegedly admitted having “a few drinks” an hour before driving.

The crash caused about $500 in damage to a right?of?way fence. Hughes was taken to the hospital, asked for an attorney, and initially refused a blood test. He later consented after officers obtained a search warrant. Results are pending.

Hughes is charged with DUI and first?degree criminal mischief. He’s scheduled for arraignment on August 10.

Rescue crews were called to the Green River near Soggy Bottoms Campground Saturday after fast?moving water swept a group of boaters off their tubes and rafts. One person was briefly reported missing but was later found, and no injuries were reported.

Officials say at least 40 responders from multiple agencies assisted. Casey County Rescue Squad member Brandon Long says no one in the group was wearing a life jacket and debris in the water made conditions dangerous.

Long says confusion over how many people were missing slowed the response because no one stayed at the campground to give information. He called the incident a teachable moment and urged people to know river conditions, wear life jackets, and tell someone their route before floating.

The rescue happened as Casey County remains under a water shortage emergency, but officials warn that pop?up storms can still cause the river to rise quickly.

A woman asleep in her bed on Slate Branch Road is safe today thanks to her quick?acting dog, who alerted her to a fire starting inside the home.

Jeff Henderson reports from Pulaski County... 

A Liberty man indicted on multiple felony charges has been arrested.

According to arrest records, 31-year-old Cadareel Spight of Liberty was taken into custody Monday evening by the Lexington Police Department on a Pulaski Circuit Court indictment.

Spight is charged with trafficking in cocaine, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia and being a persistent felony offender.

Spight was lodged in the Pulaski County Detention Center on Wednesday, where he remains in custody.

A Liberty man died Wednesday afternoon in an apparent drowning at Lake Cumberland.

Russell County Coroner Mark Coots says 28-year-old Joshua Tyler Wethington was swimming and wading with friends in the Caney Fork Creek section of the lake near the end of Stephens Ridge Road when the incident occurred.

According to Coroner Coots, Wethington's friends told Deputy Coroner Jason Snow they noticed he was in distress moments before he disappeared beneath the surface of the water. Friends were able to recover him, bring him to shore and immediately begin lifesaving efforts.

The 911 call was received at 4:53 Wednesday afternoon. The Russell County Coroner's Office was notified and responded to the scene at 5:20 p.m.

Coroner Coots says Wethington was pronounced dead at the scene. Coots has requested that the Kentucky State Medical Examiner perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.

The incident remains under investigation.

The mayor of Somerset expressed gratitude for everyone who helped make their Independence Day celebration a huge success.

Jeff Henderson reports…

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists that U.S. 127 in Lincoln County is currently reduced to one lane for guardrail replacement.

Work is taking place north U.S. 127 between Carl Russell Street (mile point 4.5) and the Boyle County line (mile point 10.6). Temporary traffic signals are in place for traffic control on both the northbound and southbound approaches during the lane closure.

Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30. The project duration may be adjusted due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

Motorists are reminded to expect delays and are encouraged to allow extra travel time while work is underway.

For Kentucky’s latest traffic and travel information, visit goky.ky.gov or navigate traffic by downloading the free Waze app at www.waze.com. Motorists can also access traffic information for the District 8 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTCDistrict8 and at www.twitter.com/KYTCDistrict8.   

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers responded to a two-vehicle injury collision on KY 70 near Pruitt Lane in Casey County, just before 3:00 P.M. CDT yesterday afternoon.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Ronnie Lee, 69, of Liberty, was traveling south on KY 70 in a 2000 Mazda pickup.  Mr. Brown crossed the centerline and entered the northbound lane of KY 70 into the path of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado traveling north on KY 70, operated by Christina Baker, 38, of Waynesburg.  The vehicles collided in a head-on manner, and the Chevrolet overturned in a ditch along the roadway.

Ronnie Lee was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Casey County Coroner.  Christina Baker, along with an adult passenger and three juvenile passengers, were transported from the scene to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Casey County Sheriff's Office, Casey County Fire/EMS and the Casey County Coroner’s Office.  Senior Trooper Trevor Sagrecy is investigating the collision.

The Casey County Fiscal Court met in special called session last night and enacted water restrictions for customers of East Casey Water. Here’s Judge executive Randy Dial… ((RD))

In addition to the water restrictions, Judge Dial has also issued a burn ban, effective immediately until further notice, for all hours, no outdoor burning at all. 

The City of Liberty has officially declared a state of emergency due to the drought conditions. Mayor, Dr. Sam Haddad… ((SH))

Casey County Judge Executive, Randy Dial says the County will issue a state of emergency mirroring the one just issued by the city of Liberty, and will also include a burn ban… ((RD))

For details on the water restrictions, you may contact Liberty City Hall, or your water provider.

Liberty City Council met in regular session Monday.

Senator Brandon Storm and Representative Daniel Elliott presented the City of Liberty with a check for $12.5 million dollars for a sewer plant expansion project… 

Mayor, Dr. Sam Haddad… 

The latest estimate puts the water level at 15 feet below normal at Lake Liberty. Citizens of Liberty and all of Casey County are asked to please conserve water usage.

The Casey County Board of Education met in regular session last night.

Terry Price was appointed as chairman. Tim Childers was appointed to vice chair.

Mrs. Luann Williams presented ESS & Ell updates, noting that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library mailed over 22,600 books to nearly a thousand children.

Consent items were approved, including travel expenses, field trips, and insurance rate increases.

The financial report highlighted a $15.1 million balance, a $1.5 million net revenue for May, and a $366,000 state allocation. The transportation fund is up, and $330,000 is expected for bus purchases.

The next meeting of the Casey County School Board will be Monday, July 13th.

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 Troopers were requested by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office to respond to a two-vehicle injury collision, just after 2:30 P.M. CDT yesterday afternoon, on the Cumberland Parkway in Russell County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Christopher Austin, 28, of Russell Springs, was traveling west on the Cumberland Parkway in a 2016 Kia Optima.  Mr. Austin left the roadway on the left shoulder and steered his vehicle back onto the roadway.  Upon traveling back on the roadway, Mr. Austin entered the path and collided with a 2020 Jeep Cherokee, operated by Maylon Brown, 60, of Russell Springs, also traveling west on the Cumberland Parkway. 

Maylon Brown was pronounced deceased at the hospital by the Russell County Coroner.  Christopher Austin refused medical treatment at the scene. 

Christopher Austin was arrested and charged with DUI 2nd offense, Vehicular Homicide When Under the Influence of Drugs, Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Degree (Methamphetamine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Reckless Driving.  Mr. Austin was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

KSP Post 15 Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff's Office, Russell County Fire and EMS, Russell County Coroner’s Office and the Kentucky State Highway Department.  Senior Trooper Brandon Roark is investigating the collision.

The Casey County Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting last night.

Superintendent, Barry Lee… 

Liberty City Council met in regular session Monday.

Municipal road aid is slightly down this year. Here’s Mayor, Dr. Sam Haddad… 

The main topic of discussion was water conservation… 

All residents and businesses in Liberty and Casey County are asked to conserve water usage in any way possible.