Laurel County News +

04/06/2025

Pretty nasty storm headed towards London. Be safe out there.

03/03/2025

FYI

Two Special Called Council Meetings scheduled. See agendas for details. Agenda 1 Agenda 2 Due to being Special Called Meetings, only items on the agendas may be addressed. Mayor Weddle will not attend these meetings due to a death in his family. Previous ArticleJanuary City Hall Employee of the Mont...

03/02/2025

FYI

Traffic safety checkpoints for March identified:

Sheriff John Root is reporting that: the Laurel County Sheriff's office will be conducting traffic safety checkpoints in Laurel County. These traffic safety checkpoints will be conducted at various locations throughout Laurel County that are experiencing a high rate of traffic crashes resulting injuries or a high traffic volume in an attempt to make Laurel County roads safer for families to travel. These traffic safety checkpoints will be held beginning at 12:01 A.M March 1st, 2025 continuing both day and night through March 31st, 2025, midnight. The Sheriff's office will conduct these traffic safety checkpoints coordinated by Capt. Chris Edwards . The locations we will concentrate on will include:
• Ky 30
• Ky 770
• Ky 192
• Ky 80
• U.S. 25
• Hal Rogers Parkway and Ky 80
• I-75 at the entry/exit ramps at exit 49, exit 41 and exit 29
• Ky 909
• Ky 490
• U.S. 25 E
• Ky 229
• Ky 1956
Ky 363
Ky 1223 at Ky 830
Ky 1376, east and west
Old Way Road
Ky 552
Laurel River Church Road
Philpot Road
Ky 1223
Byrley Road
***Many other locations have been identified and will be utilized in future traffic safety checkpoints in an attempt to make Laurel County roads safer for our families to travel.

**The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.

02/28/2025

Breaking

02/28/2025

We want to take a moment to address some concerns that have been raised about Laurel County News +.

First and foremost, we are an independent news source. We are not affiliated with any other organization or entity—we operate solely as ourselves. While this page may be new, the individuals behind it have a combined 40 years of experience in news and journalism. To those questioning our expertise, rest assured that we have been in this field for quite some time and remain committed to delivering accurate and timely information.

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Regarding the Douglas Harless case, we will report verified information as we receive it. We understand the community’s interest and concerns, and we are committed to keeping the public informed with factual updates.

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We appreciate those who support and engage with us as we continue working to keep Laurel County informed.

02/28/2025

02/27/2025

Mayor Randall Weddle’s press conference scheduled for 2pm today at London City Hall has moved locations due to accommodating the amount of media who plan to attend. Here is the new address.

The Calico
808 South Dixie Street
London, Ky

02/27/2025

Dui 4th offense arrest:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Zach Allen along with Deputy Matt Walker arrested Rachel Moore age 47 of East Bernstadt on Monday night February 24, 2025 at approximately 9:25 PM. The arrest occurred on KY 1376W approximately 6 miles north of London while deputies were conducting a traffic safety checkpoint there. A vehicle that Rachel Moore was operating – a silver Nissan Versa traveled to the checkpoint where deputies noted observing the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from the vehicle. During the resulting investigation the driver was determined to be under the influence and found to have an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle. In addition, it was determined that this individual was wanted on an outstanding bench warrant. Also, deputies determined that this individual had three prior DUI convictions. The driver was taken into custody and transported to London and following the continuing investigation there, deputies attempted to place this individual back in the patrol vehicle where she refused by blocking the door with her foot. During this process, Moore kicked Deputy Allen twice in the chest before finally being completely placed in the patrol vehicle. Rachel Moore was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence – fourth offense; possession of open alcoholic beverage container in motor vehicle prohibited; assault – third-degree – police officer is victim; resisting arrest. In addition, this individual was charged on a Laurel District Court bench warrant of arrest charging failure to appear in court on charges of alcohol intoxication in a public place; contempt of court. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County correctional center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County correctional center.

**The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.

02/27/2025

Wanton endangerment arrest:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Zach Allen arrested Ethan Chitwood age 21 of Whitley City, KY on Tuesday afternoon February 25, 2025 at approximately 2:05 PM. The arrest occurred off KY 490 approximately 4 miles north of London after deputies were dispatched by London – Laurel County 911 Communication Ctr. to a complaint that a male subject walking along the roadway(Ky 490) past a female’s residence allegedly pointed a firearm at her while she was outside her residence during yard work . The suspect was located near the intersection of School Street and KY 490 and an investigation was conducted. The suspect stated that he was pointing a firearm at the victim’s dog and not her in her yard. Deputy Allen located the suspect in possession of a 9MM pistol and upon completing his investigation arrested Ethan Chitwood charging him with wanton endangerment – second-degree. This individual was lodged in the Laurel County correctional center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County correctional center.

**The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.

02/27/2025

Dui arrest; vehicle catches fire,and burns:

Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel Sheriff's Deputy Matt Walker along with shift Sgt. Travis Napier arrested Manishkumar Patel age 44 of London early Wednesday morning February 26, 2025 at approximately 12:10 AM. The arrest occurred on Somerset Road, approximately 2 miles west of London after deputies were dispatched by London – Laurel County 911 Communication Ctr. to a complaint of a vehicle stuck in a ditch there. When deputies arrived at the scene the driver was still in the vehicle and had it in reverse fully accelerating it. Deputies noted the exhaust pipe was glowing red hot. Deputies had to instruct the driver multiple times to exit the vehicle and as he did deputies noted detecting the odor of alcoholic beverages emitting from the driver. As the driver exited the vehicle, the vehicle caught on fire and became fully engulfed in flames within a matter of minutes. An investigation was conducted on the driver who was determined to be under the influence. Manishkumar Patel was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence – first offense and was lodged in the Laurel County correctional center. Photo of accused attached is courtesy of the Laurel County correctional center.

**The views expressed in comments on the Laurel County Sheriff's Office page are those of the comment writers. The accuracy and politeness of comments are not guaranteed and do not represent the views or opinions of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. All posted comments will be monitored and the Laurel County Sheriff's office reserves the right to remove obscenities, off – topic comments, and personal attack.