Latest news with #LaurelCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Laurel County driver in deadly head-on crash enters plea
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — A man charged in connection with a deadly head-on crash in 2023 has pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Court documents show that around 10:15 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2023, Wesley Allen was driving a pickup truck on West KY-192 when he allegedly crossed into the opposite lane and hit Fred Johnson, 64, who was driving a 1996 Honda Civic head-on. Johnson was declared dead at the scene, according to deputies with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. Laurel County driver in deadly head-on crash enters plea Attorney questions indictment of former Ky. sheriff in judge's death, moves to dismiss New mobile resource coming to Kentucky communities in need of healthcare An arrest citation shows Allen was taken to a hospital, where a breathalyzer test allegedly showed that his blood level was twice the legal limit at 0.197. Allen was arrested and faced multiple charges, including murder. But deputies announced on Wednesday, June 4, that the charges were amended to one count of vehicular homicide and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol The recommended sentence is 15 years in prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
London man arrested after allegedly weaving in traffic without headlights, taking deputies on chase
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Laurel County man was arrested Saturday after allegedly recklessly weaving in traffic without any headlights on the Hal Rogers Parkway in the dark and then leading deputies on a chase. According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested 33-year-old Lyle Hammons on Hal Rogers Parkway near the intersection of US 25 in London after a deputy allegedly tried to stop him, but he continued driving eastbound on Hal Rogers Parkway, nearly hitting a police cruiser. Fayette County Public Schools speaks out on $32K ice cream invoice amid tax hike, spending discourse Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul says future FEMA funding could be impacted by cost of 'Big, Beautiful Bill' London man arrested after allegedly weaving in traffic without headlights, taking deputies on chase The department said the vehicle came to an abrupt stop around 7:19 p.m. at the intersection of US 25 in London, and Hammons was arrested. Hammons was charged with reckless driving, wanton endangerment—second degree; disregarding a traffic control device—traffic light; no headlamps; and fleeing or evading police—first degree—motor vehicle. Study shows Kentucky among the poorest states Kentucky's most misspelled word, according to study Drug overdoses see major decline: How Kentucky measures up Hammons was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'It's a war zone': Communities pick up the pieces after deadly Kentucky tornadoes
Two days after deadly tornadoes tore through southern Kentucky, devastated communities are beginning the painful process of picking up the pieces. At least 19 people have died across the state, with 17 fatalities reported in Laurel County, one in Pulaski County and another in Russell County, according to Governor Andy Beshear. Among the dead is Firefighter Major Roger Leslie Leatherman, who was killed while responding to the destruction. Beshear said damage assessments were still being conducted Monday by the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management. "Kentuckians are strong," he continued. "We will make it through this, and we'll make it through this together." "It's a war zone," said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, which is also continuing search and rescue efforts as families return to rubble where their homes once stood. Some residents, like Craig Singleton of London, survived the storm by sheltering in a neighbor's basement. When they emerged, most of their house was gone. "What's most surprising to me is just the amount of destruction," Singleton said. AccuWeather Reporter Ali Reid, who was in London Monday morning reporting on the recovery efforts, told AccuWeather, "The destruction is incredibly overwhelming to see firsthand... Kitchens scattered on front lawns, peoples' bathrooms found blocks aways... Many people saying, it's like a bomb exploded here." Those who lived through it say the tornado was scary, but it was the deadly silent moments after the tornado had passed that were beyond terrifying. "It sounded like 10 freight trains all at one coming after you," London resident Phillip Miller told Reid. "After the noise went away, it got dead silent again. People hollering for help everywhere... There was a feller lying down there. His son was trying to get him to stay awake. His wife was on this end, and she was buried in debris up to her chest.""There's no words to define it. It's just devastating," Miller's wife, Deanna, added. The violent storms collapsed buildings, overturned cars and leveled neighborhoods. The Salvation Army has mobilized disaster teams, and shelters have opened at Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School and Community Christian Church in London. First responders and displaced residents are gathering at South Laurel High School for food, warmth and aid. Donations are being accepted at First Baptist Church on West 5th Street. Authorities are urging residents to bring food, blankets and hygiene supplies and to turn in any found valuables to the sheriff's office to help reunite families with what little remains. Some communities are drawing strength from each other. The Kentucky Prime football team helped sift through debris, salvaging what they could. "It's painful, but we're here to help," said team member Brayden Adams. Pastor Michael Casada's church in London was reduced to a shell. "The back of the basement is all that's standing," said his wife, Tracy. "But somehow the piano survived. We're going to try to save it." Governor Beshear, acknowledging the rising toll of extreme weather in the state, said, "This feels like the new normal. But our collective resilience is great." The full scale of the destruction is still unfolding as southern Kentucky enters a long road to recovery-yet again - but residents are hopeful and believe their community will come back stronger than ever. Within hours of the destruction, volunteers were on site clearing debris, offering meals and setting up emergency shelters. The road ahead will be long and difficult, but recovery is well underway. "To see what has been done within, what, 48 hours, it's unreal."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Laurel County tornado victims look toward future as law enforcement cracks down on looters
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Friday night into Saturday was nothing short of a nightmare for people in the path of the tornado that wiped out parts of southern Kentucky. 'It felt like it lasted a million years, but it was probably 30 seconds,' said tornado survivor Julie Rea. Rea and her husband took shelter in their pantry just before the tornado completely leveled their home. It's a sight she said she'll never forget. 'I just threw a couple blankets in, and my husband said, 'Get in now.' And as soon as I got in, I turned around to look at him, and I could see the house coming apart behind him. I could see the wind,' she said, looking back on the horrific scene that unfolded around her. Beshear confirms at least 19 dead after Kentucky storms Rea told FOX 56 that with what's left of the home they raised their now 21-year-old son in, they shouldn't be here, and it's nothing short of a miracle that they survived. 'I grabbed my head, and I remembered my Mamaw always said that if you were scared and didn't have anything to say, just say 'Jesus.' And I just kept saying, 'Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,' over and over. My husband said, 'We didn't climb out. We stood up and walked out.' And that's nothing but the grace of God,' Rea said. The path of the tornado looks like a war zone. Did weather service staffing cuts impact tornado warnings for Kentuckians? Beshear weighs in Among the debris left behind, it's hard to tell what's what. But for looters, it's a gold mine, and law enforcement is cracking down so that the only thing survivors have to focus on is building their lives back. 'We make no bones about it. If we catch you out there looting, you're going to be arrested and taken to jail,' said Deputy Sheriff Gilbert Acciardo, with the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. 'We saturate the area with marked patrol vehicles during the day, and we do also night, but we're also limiting access to those areas at night as well with checkpoints. So, if you don't belong there, we don't let you in.' Acciardo said looting hasn't been much of an issue so far. In fact, the opposite has happened. 'A local minister found this shotgun in the ditch, and you can see it's muddy. It's definitely weathered the storm. And he brought it into us,' said Acciardo, holding the antique rifle that was found in the rubble. 'It looks like a family heirloom, but it's important to someone. That's why they had it. So hopefully we'll be able to get it back to them.' Laurel County fire major killed in line of duty during storms While that item is one that was found, there are still countless items missing, including pets. 'Our cat jumped out of my husband's arms as soon as the tornado was over. We don't care if everything that's left there is bulldozed as long as we can find Rosie,' said Rea. Rea told FOX 56 that Rosie is an 18-pound black cat that is declawed. While she is grateful that she, her husband, her son, and their dog are all OK, she is hopeful that this missing part of her family will be reunited with them soon. They're taking everything one day at a time. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'It's a lot of grief. It's a lot of process. It's a lot of feelings. But we are going to not go quickly. We are going to take our time, and we are going to make sure that we feel everything go through the process and just take care of ourselves before we do anything else,' Rea said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 14 killed, others injured in storms in Kentucky. See latest weather updates
At least 14 people have died and others were injured in storms that struck Kentucky overnight. The Laurel County Sheriff's Office has reported nine deaths in its eastern Kentucky community, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear reported at least 14 total. Others have been reported injured in Louisville, with information continuing to roll in. "Kentucky, we are waking up to the news of multiple fatalities from last night's storms," Beshear posted on social media. "Please pray for those impacted. We will update as soon as we have more information." Here is the latest information from around Louisville and Kentucky. Beshear said in a social media post that power outages are down to around 83,000. Earlier, he shared that more than 100,000 Kentucky residents were without power as of Saturday morning. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Louisville is still recovering from power outages and storm also said, 'there were no life threatening injuries resulting from the storm that we are aware of at this time.' Several Republican state senators issued a joint statement on the deadly storms and damages in Laurel and Pulaski Brandon Storm, who represents Laurel County, Sen. Rick Girdler, who represents Pulaski County, and Senate President Robert Stivers said in the statement, 'this is one of the hardest days our communities and region have faced. … Sadly, we expect the loss to grow as search and rescue efforts continue.''The destruction in Laurel and Pulaski counties is overwhelming, but so is the strength of the people who call this place home', the statement continued. 'Neighbors are already showing up to help one another, and first responders continue working around the clock.' Somerset Mayor Alan Keck issued a state of emergency for the city after last night's severe storms. According to a post on Facebook, a tornado and storm 'hit the area of Parker's Mill Road' and possibly other areas in the city between Friday night and Saturday morning. The 'damage is extensive and the loss of life occurred,' the post stated, but the extent of the damage was not fully known. According to another post from South Kentucky RECC, a rural elective cooperative in southern Kentucky, the agency's Somerset facilities 'took a major hit,' and it asked people to avoid the area as they assess damage. Beshear shared in a social media post on Facebook that he will be traveling to London, Kentucky to assess damage from last night's severe weather. Beshear, who declared a state of emergency ahead of the storms, also said more than 100,000 are without power, and five counties have declared a state of emergency. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, meanwhile, is reporting 'minimal roadway impacts,' he said. He also thanked Kentucky Emergency Management, first responders and others for the response to the storms and keeping Kentuckians informed and safe. To report a power outage to LG&E and KU, text OUTAGE to 4LGEKU (454358). The company will use the number you text from to find the location where power is out, according to its website. You will need to verify your address when reporting the outage. For outage updates, text STATUS to the same number above. The National Weather Service reported possible tornadoes in Pulaski and Laurel counties in southeastern Kentucky. According to a storm report from May 16, a trained spotter reported a tornado in Somerset, while "likely tornado damage" was shown at the London-Corbin Airport. Meteorologist Jim Caldwell shared video on social media of what appears to be a tornado near Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park and the airport in London. Beshear shared in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that at least 14 people died from the overnight storms. 'This number is expected to grow as we receive more information,' Beshear said. 'Please pray for all of our affected families." Over 45,000 Kentucky residents across LG&E and KU's service area are without power following severe storms and weather from Friday night and early Saturday morning. In Laurel County, where the local sheriff's office reported a tornado tore across the area just before midnight, around 1,900 customers are without power. Meanwhile, more than 28,000 costumers are without power in Jefferson County. A full list of outages can be found on the LG&E and KU's outage map. A tree collapsed "across the center" of a home in the 1500 block of Wurtele Avenue in Louisville late Friday night, injuring two adults and two young children, according to a press release from the Louisville Fire Department. The occupants had been trapped in the house but were successfully rescued and transported to a local hospital with "what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries," the release stated. A tornado tore across Laurel County just before midnight, according to the county's Sheriff John Root. At least nine individuals are confirmed dead and "numerous others" sustained severe injuries, according to a statement posted on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office social media from Root. A search is ongoing for survivors, per an update at 5:43 a.m. A relief station has already been set up at South Laurel High School gym, according to Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown. The station has supplies for victims of the tornado, as well as food for victims and first responders. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky weather updates: 14 killed, others injured in storms
