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.