The Columbia City Council will meet on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 5:00pmCT at City Hall for a Regular Called Meeting. It is open to the public.

AGENDA

CALL TO ORDER 

ROLL CALL

OPENING PRAYER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

1^ST ITEM:  MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF JULY 06, 2026 REGULAR CALLED MEETING. 

2^ND ITEM:  MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION PER KRS 61.810(1) (g). 

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN A PUBLIC AGENCY AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF A BUSINESS ENTITY, AND DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A SPECIFIC PROPOSAL IF OPEN DISCUSSION WOULD JEOPARDIZE THE SITING, RETENTION, & UPGRADING OF THE BUSINESS.

3^RD ITEM:  MOTION TO RESUME REGULAR SESSION.

4^TH ITEM:  OPENING AND POSSIBLE AWARDING OF BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF GAS DEPARTMENT BUILDING.

5^TH ITEM:  OPENING AND POSSIBLE AWARDING OF BIDS FOR ONLINE AUCTION COMPANY.

6^TH ITEM:  APPROVAL TO SURPLUS POLICE PHONE EQUIPMENT. 

7^TH ITEM:  AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR TRABUE HOUSE PROJECT PHASE 1.    

8^TH ITEM:  REQUEST FROM ADAIR COUNTY TOURISM FOR FUNDING.

MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

COUNCIL COMMENTS
 

CITIZENS COMMENTS: LIMIT 3 MINUTES PER CITIZEN OR ORGANIZATION
 

ADJOURN 

The City of Columbia was incredibly pleased to have had an incredible 2026 Back to School Bash. We were able to host over 200 kids, and almost 400 people at our event, and were only able to do so thanks to our incredible sponsors. A special thank you goes out to the Columbia Street Department and Columbia Parks and Recreation Department for setting up the event and working traffic.

Vendors served our community incredibly well by giving away massive amounts of school supplies, food, drinks, candy, and various other things.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to thank Jake Hill, Mark Harris, and Rodney Thompson along with Jimmy McKnight and assistant Billy Pickett, Bob Massey, James Curry, and Lance Burton for an incredible show!

The Air Methods of Kentucky base in Russell County will officially celebrate its opening with a special event on Thursday, Aug. 6 at Russell County Airport in Jamestown. The ceremony will feature comments from Air Methods leaders, local leaders, and Kentucky 15 crew members. Attendees will also have an opportunity to tour the base’s EC130 air ambulance (subject to service availability).

The EC130 is fully equipped with the advanced medical equipment and medications required to function as a flying ICU. The industry-leading flight nurses and paramedics carry blood on board, allowing them to administer this lifesaving resource at a trauma scene or in flight.

Since opening in June, Kentucky 15 has already transported 45 patients across the state. The new based joined Air Methods of Kentucky bases in Bedford, Corydon, Elizabethtown, Glasgow, Mt. Sterling, and Somerset.

Air Methods is dedicated to serving communities across Kentucky and beyond. The company is in-network with most health insurance providers, and the Air Methods patient advocacy program works with all patients, regardless of insurance, to help ensure the affordability of air medical services.

WHAT:
Join the Kentucky 15 crew as they celebrate Air Methods of Kentucky expanding to Russell County. Hear from Air Methods crew and other local leaders (schedule subject to availability) and meet the crews that provide 24/7 critical care at a moment’s notice. Enjoy a light lunch and refreshments and get a first-hand look at the program’s EC130 helicopter (subject to a call into service).

WHEN:
Thursday, Aug. 6
11:30 a.m. to 1:30pmCT

WHERE:         
Kentucky 15 Base

Russell County Airport

630 C Smith Road

Jamestown, KY 42642

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 30, 2026) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced further investment in the state’s site and building development efforts as more than $5.2 million was approved to support future investment and job creation in Adair, Ballard, Clinton, Floyd, Madison, Magoffin, Monroe and Montgomery counties through the Kentucky Product Development Initiative (KPDI).

“Team Kentucky is continuing to invest in site and building development to lay the groundwork for continued economic momentum and future job opportunities,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations to these eight communities. I am excited to see how you will use these investments to create a brighter future for our people.”

The Adair County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Columbia-Adair County Economic Development Authority, is planning to construct a 40,000-square-foot speculative building within its Green River Commerce Park. The project was approved for nearly $1.7 million in state support.

The Ballard County Fiscal Court, in partnership with the city of Wickliffe, will be performing due diligence on a 30-acre site along the Mississippi River. The project was approved this morning for $90,000 in state funding to support the efforts.

Clinton County Industrial Development Authority plans to conduct due diligence for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and geotechnical study. The studies are the preliminary steps to evaluate environmental conditions, subsurface stability and overall site suitability, ensuring informed decision-making prior to any acquisition and subsequent development efforts that align with its mission to promote investment, job creation and sustainable growth in the region. The project was approved for $25,812 in state support.

The Floyd County Fiscal Court is considering purchasing the Allen Rail Site, near Allen, Kentucky. The property is a total of 40 acres, and approximately 30 acres are developable. The project was approved for $1.3 million in state funding to support the acquisition efforts.

The Richmond Industrial Development Corp. is planning to construct an entryway to the property from Duncannon Lane that is sufficient for truck traffic. Duncannon Lane is a two-way divided roadway, and the bulk of this project will focus on turning lanes in both directions but with the hope of using an existing crossover. The project was approved this morning for $398,430 in state support.

The Magoffin County Fiscal Court is planning to acquire land to expand the present Gifford Industrial Park. In 2023, Magoffin County Fiscal Court opened the park adjacent to the Mountain Parkway outside of Salyersville. Within two years, all three lots in the park were under purchase agreement. The county is proposing to purchase and develop a 98.4-acre parcel across the Mountain Parkway from the current park, to double the size of the Gifford Industrial Park and attract additional industry employment. The project was approved for $513,000 in state funding to support the development.

The Monroe County Industrial Development Authority (MC-IDA) recently purchased property north of Tompkinsville along Kentucky Highway 163, Edmonton Road. Its transition from long-term agricultural use to industrial readiness represents a significant opportunity for Monroe County to have a developable site available and attract new private-sector investment. The property, when completed, will offer a large-scale manufacturing site of 20 acres with a single building footprint, along with other small-scale sites for start-ups or local industry needing to expand. The project was approved this morning for $255,000 in state funding.

The Montgomery County Fiscal Court, on behalf of the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County Industrial Authority, is planning to construct roads for the Walters Industrial Park. The project was approved for $960,00 in state support.

Including projects approved last month that use remaining funds, the two rounds of the previous iteration of the initiative have seen 157 approved projects statewide for over $153 million in funding. Including local contributions, these projects have generated nearly $638 million in investments in Kentucky’s sites and buildings portfolio.

To date, 51 companies have located on pilot PDI and KPDI funded sites, totaling over $5.7 billion in capital investment and creating over 7,400 new jobs.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Cabinet for Economic Development and the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED). It provides state support for potential upgrades to sites and buildings across the commonwealth to ensure Kentucky remains a prime location for growing companies across all industry sectors.

Terri Bradshaw, president and CEO of KAED, showed support for the program: “By helping these communities improve and strengthen their industrial sites and buildings, this program allows local leaders to compete for projects that create jobs, attract private investment, and generate long-term opportunity. We are excited to see so many communities receive support through KPDI and look forward to the impact these projects will have for years to come.”

To date, Gov. Beshear and the Kentucky General Assembly have allocated up to $220 million in funding for the initiative.

Site and building development projects are first evaluated by an independent consultant based upon all facets a prospective company would consider, from workforce availability, access to all infrastructure and detailed information on costs associated with development.

Learn more about KPDI at kpdi.ky.gov.

Investment in site development throughout Kentucky furthers what has been the best six-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,300 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $50 billion in announced investments, creating more than 70,000 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history and $29 billion more than the next highest total.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the battery capital of the United States: AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Ford Motor Co.’s $2 billion, 2,200-job commitment in Louisville, as well as its $2 billion, 2,100-job project at the Kentucky 1 plant in Hardin County; Shelbyville Battery Manufacturing’s $712 million investment, creating 1,572 jobs in Shelby County; and Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County, among others.

The Governor announced Kentucky once again set an all-time record for products shipped globally, with $51.6 billion in exports in 2025, representing a 7.65% increase over 2024.

Unemployment rates fell in all 120 counties between December 2024 and December 2025.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund. In 2023, Kentucky recorded over 2 million jobs filled for the first time ever and has stayed above that number ever since.

In addition, Kentucky has secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service.

Earlier this year, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky in the top five nationally and second in the South Central region for economic development projects per capita in its 2025 Governor’s Cup rankings. In June, Area Development magazine awarded the commonwealth a Silver Shovel designation in its 2025 Shovel Awards, which highlight states for attracting high-value investment projects that will create a significant number of new jobs in their communities. 

Gov. Beshear also announced a new initiative, called New Kentucky Home, to increase economic investment, attain and attract talent, and increase tourism across the state.

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at NewKentuckyHome.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026 at approximately 6:20amCT, deputies with the Adair County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4000 block of Highway 55 South in reference to a two-vehicle collision.

The preliminary investigation determined that Dustin McGuffin, who was traveling southbound on Highway 55 South, crossed the centerline into the northbound lane of travel. Shawntae Giftee of Indiana was traveling northbound toward Columbia when she observed McGuffin’s vehicle in her lane. Ms. Giftee sounded her horn multiple times, reduced her speed, and attempted to move into the southbound lane in an effort to avoid a collision. Mr. McGuffin then overcorrected, and the vehicles collided.

Adair EMS and the Adair County Fire Department responded promptly to the scene, providing medical care to those involved and assisting with traffic control and scene safety.

The collision was investigated by Adair County Deputy Emily Wall with assistance from Sergeant Josh Durbin.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists to remain attentive while operating a motor vehicle, avoid distractions, and stay within their designated lane of travel. A momentary lapse in attention can lead to serious or life-threatening consequences.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office extends its appreciation to Adair County EMS, the Adair County Fire Department, and all first responders for their professionalism and assistance during this incident.

The following is a message from R.C. School Supt. Michael Ford that was sent to parents/guardians of RCMS students as well as Russell County School System staff members concerning the hiring of a new Russell County Middle School principal. 

I am pleased to share that Mrs. Sarah Aaron has been selected as the new principal of Russell County Middle School.

Mrs. Aaron currently serves as assistant principal at Russell County Middle School, a position she has held since July 2024. Before becoming assistant principal, she taught mathematics at RCMS for four years. She began her career as a mathematics teacher for Clinton County Schools.

Her background includes experience in instructional leadership, school improvement planning, student services, teacher mentoring, assessment, special education processes, and building strong relationships with students, staff, families, and other stakeholders. Mrs. Aaron has expressed her commitment to building upon the progress RCMS has made in academics, school culture, and climate while ensuring that every decision places students first.

I would like to thank the Russell County Middle School Site-Based Decision Making Council for its dedication and hard work throughout this process and its commitment to a thorough and thoughtful selection process.

As we move forward, I am confident Mrs. Aaron will continue supporting our students, staff, and families while building upon the positive momentum and strong traditions of Russell County Middle School.

A Russell County Grand Jury met on Tuesday and returned indictments against 18 individuals:
 

• Christopher M. Austin of Russell Springs – Murder, DUI, possession of controlled substance 1^st degree and reckless driving.

• Andrew Hosack of Eddyville – Four counts of 3rd degree assault on police officers, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, terroristic threatening, and being a persistent felony offender. The charges stem from a May 30th arrest by the Russell Springs Police Department.

• Jody Bryant and Tracy Bryant, of Russell Springs – Theft by deception involving $1,000 or more and theft by failure to make required disposition of property.

• William J. Galbreath of Russell Springs – Intimidating a participant in the legal process, tampering with a witness, menacing, and being a persistent felony offender.

• Lee Chumbley of Columbia – First-degree bail jumping.

• Danny Prater of Frenchburg – Receiving stolen property and being a persistent felony offender.

• Patricia Norris of Jamestown – Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Crishonda Regine Squire of Campbellsville – 1st degree criminal mischief and 1st degree wanton endangerment.

• Brian Long of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance not in its original container, and possession of a legend drug.

• David B. Carroll of Nancy – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

• Christopher King of Russell Springs – Two counts of 1st degree wanton endangerment, DUI, possession of a controlled substance, possession of an open alcohol container in vehicle, reckless driving, no registration receipt, and failure to produce proof of insurance. The charges stem from an injury collision on East Highway 619 on June 27th.

• Tara Vines of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jeremiah Grider of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana.

• Larry Gillock of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, DUI, and reckless driving.

• Judy Walters of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence, no registration receipt, no insurance, and being a persistent felony offender.

• William Chumbley of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, operating on a suspended license, no insurance, and no registration receipt.

• Heidi Flanagan of Russell Springs – Possession of a controlled substance, bribery of a public servant, failure to produce operator’s license, illegible license plate, no registration plates, and no insurance.

WAVE NEWS reminds listeners that an indictment doesn't express guilt or innocense, only that further court action is necessary.  

Special Called Board Meeting
July 30, 2026 05:00 PM
Adair County Board of Education 1204 Greensburg Street Columbia, KY 42728
 

1. Call to Order

2. Approval of Referral to the Attorney General

3. Adjournment

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 28, 2026) – Today, Team Kentucky announced that following last year’s historic flooding at Green River Lake State Park campground, a phased reopening plan will welcome guests back while continuing long-term recovery efforts. 

“We know how special this campground is to this community and its visitors,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “We’ve worked hard to get it up and running safely after last year’s historic flooding and are excited for it to welcome guests again soon.”  

The campground suffered major infrastructure damage due to the historic rainfall and flooding event that occurred in 2025, leaving much of the park under?water for weeks. A thorough assessment found that the entire electrical system needs to be replaced.  

The campground is scheduled to reopen on Friday, July 31, to primitive and self-contained camping (RVs and campers capable of operating without utility hookups). Approximately 73 campsites will be available and may be booked through ReserveAmerica. Generators will be permitted for self-contained camping units. These sites will remain open through Oct. 31, when the campground will close for the season.  

Restoration and infrastructure projects are scheduled to begin on Nov. 1, 2026. Plans are currently for the campground to reopen in spring 2027.  

Once restoration and renovations are complete, the campground will offer upgraded electrical service at every site, as well as campsite improvements, renovated bathhouses, and better drainage throughout the campground, all aimed at improving the guest experience.  

“We appreciate Gov. Beshear’s leadership and assistance in helping us reopen Green River Lake State Park campground so that folks may enjoy the remainder of the camping season,” said Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet Secretary Lindy Casebier. “We are committed to providing a top-notch New Kentucky Home experience at Kentucky State Parks, and these efforts will benefit community members and visitors alike, along with the economic impact for local tourism.” 

“The Kentucky State Parks team’s goal is to safely restore camping opportunities, set clear expectations for visitors and position the campground for continued improvements following the 2026 camping season,” said Kentucky State Parks Interim Commissioner Mark Kellen. “Rather than keeping the campground closed for the remainder of the season, we believe reopening a portion of the campground is the best path forward for our guests, the local community and the park.” 

Available amenities will include one bathhouse for guest use, campground entrance booth open for check-in and guest assistance, firewood and ice available for sale, miniature golf and fire rings. The campground store will remain closed during this phase.? 

Additionally, the park plans to host its popular Halloween in the Park weekends, providing another opportunity to welcome campers back before the campground closes for the season. Scheduled weekends include Oct. 9–11 and Oct. 16–18. 

Through funding from?House Joint Resolution 76,?the?Green River bathhouse received a $126,642 renovation.?Kentucky State Parks were?allocated?$40 million for campground upgrades, split between the east and west regions. Green River was?allocated?$3.6 million?for campground renovations, but renovation projects were halted due to the flooding. That funding will still be used for upgrades, and electrical updates will be funded through HB6 Utility Infrastructure funding. 

This project demonstrates Team Kentucky’s strong commitment to improving facilities across Kentucky State Parks campgrounds, providing visitors with modern amenities to fit today’s needs.  

For safety purposes, the public is urged to stay off park campground property during the closure and refrain from unauthorized use until the facility is officially open. 

Updates will be provided through the Kentucky State Parks website and official communication channels. 

Kentucky is home to 44 state parks, including 17 resort parks and 13 golf courses. For more information about Kentucky State Parks, visit parks.ky.gov. 

Just after midnight Wednesday, JVFD members were dispatched to the report of a fire on Denmark Ln and Hwy 379.

First arriving units found a modular home fully engulfed in flames. The owner had been awakened by his neighbor and was not injured. The home was a total loss.

Engines 3, and 5, Tankers 2, 4, and 62 responded. JVFD had 12 personnel O/S  for 2½ hours. They were assisted by South KY RECC and the American Red Cross.

At approximately 9:30 PM on Tuesday, Search and Rescue was notified of two overdue kayakers. Several team members responded to the area and located the individuals on land after their kayaks had overturned. Two SAR members were deployed separately to retrieve the kayaks so the pair could be safely transported back to their cabin.

PSA: When you call for help, please stay put. Remaining in one location is critical for a fast and safe response. Moving after calling 911 or SAR can delay rescue efforts, increase risk, and make it significantly harder for teams to locate you—especially at night or in low?visibility conditions. Staying where you are allows responders to reach you quickly and get you home safely.

The Columbia Police Department encourages the public to contact the Adair County 911 Dispatch Center by dialing 911 for all emergencies requiring an immediate police response.

For non-emergency police assistance, please contact the Adair County 911 Dispatch Center at (270) 384-6464.

The Columbia Police Department’s main office may be reached at (270) 384-4119. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Columbia Police Department also encourages the public to use the department’s anonymous Crime Tip Line, “Cally’s Line,” to report suspicious activity. Call or text (270) 378-2259 to submit anonymous tips. You may also send photographs and videos that could assist law enforcement with investigations.

“If you see something, say something.” Reporting suspicious activity promptly helps create an official date and time record of the incident and allows law enforcement to respond quickly and effectively when appropriate. Working together, we can help keep our community safe.

Special Called Meeting

We will have a planned power outage Wednesday, July 29th for members living in the Rush Branch Road/Omega Park Road areas of Pulaski County. Crews will be working to replace equipment that was damaged by a semi-truck.

?? Outage Begins: 9:00 a.m. ET Wednesday July 29th
?? Estimated Duration: Approximately 3 hours
???? Members Affected: 521

The outage will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. ET Wednesday morning, July 29th.

Impacted members should have received an automated phone call in recent days. If you are affected and did not receive a call, please contact our office so we can verify your account contact information. 800-264-5112

We appreciate your patience as crews make necessary repairs and improvements to our system.#WeAreSKRECC

• Regular Called Meeting-June 23, 2026

• CONSERVATION DISTRICT TAX RATE PRESENTATION BY DANNY WILKINSON
• STATUS OF FISCAL COURT MINUTES/PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE FOR NEW FISCAL COURT CLERK
• 2026-2027 ADAIR COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE RENT AGREEMENT APPROVAL AND APPROVAL FOR JUDGE TO SIGN
• PERMISSION TO SIGN ROAD SALT BID TO AWARD TO MAGIC OF KENTUCKIANA
• PERMISSION FOR ROBBIE DAVIDSON AND ALLEN TRENT TO PUT UP A SIGN ON THE OLD COURTHOUSE LAWN AROUND AUGUST 1ST PROMOTING THE ADAIR COUNTY FAIR
• PERFECTION GROUP BILL DISCUSSION/APPROVAL
• 911 PART-TIME - NEW HIRE: CHARLES GRANT
• RESOLUTION ADOPTING LARP MOA WITH PERMISSION TO SIGN
• APPROVAL OF LARP AGREEMENT WITH PERMISSION TO SIGN
• SPRING BLACKTOP MONEY DISCUSSION
• FAILED FIRE INSPECTION OF HISTORIC COURTHOUSE
• OCCUPATIONAL TAX PENALTIES DISCUSSION
• ABC ADMINSTRATOR DISCUSSION
• 2026-2027 FLEX AND LARP SUBMISSIONS APPROVAL
• ALLENSCHOOLHOUSE BRIDGE DISCUSSION
• SHERIFF PATROL VEHICLE PURCHASE DISCUSSION
• ROAD DEPARTMENT ISSUES DISCUSSION
• WATER BOARD APPOINTMENT
• PERMISSION TO ACCEPT DONATED SUV WITH CAGE TO CLASS D  FROM THE CITY OF COLUMBIA
• PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE/HIRE TEMPORARY CUSTODIAN

FRANKFORT, KY (July 27, 2026) — Team Kentucky is joining transportation agencies across the eastern U.S. this week to promote a simple message for drivers: “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” before hitting the road. The public awareness campaign, aimed at helping drivers avoid striking low-clearance bridges, runs Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31.

“Checking your vehicle height will help keep everyone on our roads safer,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “Whether you’re a parent driving a moving truck for your kid’s college move-in day, a long-haul trucker, RV adventurer, or hauling a horse trailer to one of Kentucky’s famous racetracks – taking a couple extra minutes to know your vehicle's clearance can prevent serious damage.”

Bridge strikes, that is when an oversized vehicle collides with a low-clearance bridge, don’t just damage vehicles and bridges, but they can impede traffic and put motorists and emergency responders at risk.

That’s why throughout the week, officials encourage operators of commercial trucks, rental vans, RVs, and other large vehicles to double-check their clearance to safely travel under bridges that extend over state and local roads.

“A navigation device can map the route, but only a driver knows if their vehicle will safely travel under bridges along the way,” said Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Goodman. “Watch for posted clearance signs. If there’s any doubt, don’t guess; pull over and check. Those couple of extra minutes can save hours of cleanup and thousands of dollars in damage.”

KYTC is partnering with the Eastern Transportation Coalition, a partnership of 19 states and D.C., on the “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign to connect public agencies across various modes of travel to increase safety and efficiency. This campaign builds on an innovative New York State Department of Transportation initiative that has served as the vanguard for the multi-state collaborative effort.

The campaign targets all classes of drivers, both CDL and passenger vehicle drivers, operating commercial trucks or leased trucks (delivery and moving box-type trucks), recreational vehicles, and vehicles hauling equipment or livestock trailers with anything mounted on the roof.

Crash data shows that drivers don’t always consider vehicle or load height and related restrictions may vary. For example, a typical 26-foot moving or delivery truck could have a height ranging from 11 feet to 13 1/2 feet.

Kentucky has about 180 bridges posted with vertical clearance lower than the 14-foot federal standard.

The coalition also found that drivers of large vehicles (i.e. over-height/overweight commercial trucks, leased/rental/delivery box trucks) often rely on GPS mapping tools intended for passenger cars that don’t take into account commercial vehicle restrictions like height and weight.

That’s why the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet encourages all drivers to follow these tips:

• Measure vehicle from the ground to its highest point, check door decal or owner’s manual for max height before traveling
• Heed height warning signs before bridges and overpasses – anything with less than 14.5ft vertical clearance is posted
• If hauling equipment or livestock, check trailer and load height, including roof-mounted A/C units
• Don’t rely on consumer GPS apps unless it is specific for commercial vehicles
• Ensure dump truck beds are lowered, or tall equipment is stowed properly before entering highway

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office along with the Russell Springs and Jamestown Police Departments executed a search warrant on Sunday night on Snow Road off of Hales Highway.
 

Arrested at the scene was Christopher Fortenberry, 46, of Russell Springs. Fortenberry was charged with Trafficking in Methamphetamine, Trafficking in Marijuana,Trafficking in a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
 

Also arrested was Melandai Lyn Smith, 37, of Columbia. She was charged with Trafficking in a controlled substance (Methamphetamine), Possession of Marijuana, Illegal possession of a legend drug, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
 

Both subjects were lodged in the Russell County Detention Center. The case is being investigated by Deputy Sheriff Stone Bolin.

The case will be presented to a Russell County Grand Jury.

If anyone suspects Drug Activity in your neighborhood, contact your local law enforcement agencies:
270-343-2191

270-343-3636 or

270-343-3300
 

Deputy Devin Blakey from the Russell County Sheriffs Office performed a traffic stop on Coffey Hill Church Road at 512amCT this morning (Monday). 

Consent was given by the owner to search the vehicle. Upon searching the auto, a crystal-like substance in numerous baggies was located and appeared to be Methamphetamine inside a gold zip-up bag. Also located was a baggie containing a green leafy substance that appeared to be marijuana. The crystal substance weighed  6.4 grams. 
 

Arrested was Branden Hull, 38, of Campbellsville, KY. 

He was charged with the following,

Trafficking in a Controlled Substance, 1st Degree, 1st Offense (Methamphetamine)

Drug Paraphernalia- Buy/ Possession and 

Possession of Marijuana. 

Hull was lodged in the Russell County Detention Center.

A 2015 Honda CRF250L is missing and was last seen in the Jamestown area. A reward is being offered for information leading to its recovery. If you have any information, please contact Pete Bryant at 270-566-1888 or the Jamestown Police Department. 

On Saturday, July 25, 2026 Adair County Deputies responded to 175 Overstreet Road in reference to the location of a wanted fugitive.

Upon arrival, Deputies encountered Christopher “Critter” McClister trying to leave the residence from the back door. Upon seeing deputies, McClister went back inside the residence and tried to hide from them.

Deputies got consent to enter the residence and were able to take McClister into custody without incident. The arrest was made by Adair County Deputy Ricky Shirley with assistance from Deputy Joey Keith.

As of 11:35amCT on Saturday, July 25th, the Russell County Boil Water Advisory for West Highway 80 starting at 1413 W Hwy 80 to the Adair County line, Hwy 1870 to the Adair Co. line and all side roads, has been lifted. You no longer have to boil your water.