The Owensboro Times News By John Kirkpatrick Daviess County Attorney John Burlew has been appointed as the special prosecutor in a Grayson County case involving a Leitchfield police officer accused of using excessive force during a fire emergency. “The County Attorney’s office in Grayson County wanted out because they’re prosecuting a cop in their county,” Burlew said. “It makes sense.” A special prosecutions representative from the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office contacted Burlew and asked if he would take on the case. After agreeing, he was officially appointed as the special prosecutor. “They call you, ask you if you’ll do it, and I said yes,” Burlew said. “I don’t think I’ve ever said no. It’s not the first time I’ve been appointed as a special prosecutor, but this is the most unique case I’ve had.” The case involves Dennis Newton Jr., a Leitchfield police officer indicted on misdemeanor charges, including assault, terroristic threatening, criminal trespassing, and menacing. The charges stem from a June 9, 2024, incident in which Newton is accused of using excessive force against homeowner Lannie Fentress and his adult son, Daron Fentress, while they attempted to extinguish a fire in their home. According to court documents, Newton and other officers arrived on the scene before firefighters and prevented the Fentresses from re-entering their home. Newton reportedly threatened the pair, used a taser multiple times, and struck the elder Fentress in the face, according to documents. Both Fentresses were arrested, but a Grayson County grand jury dismissed all charges against them and instead returned a seven-count indictment against Newton, court documents show. Burlew said he had reviewed much of the evidence, including body camera footage of the incident. Burlew said all Grayson County judges recused themselves from the case, citing potential conflicts of interest. Deborah Shaw, a judge from Hardin County, has been appointed to oversee the proceedings. Newton has been suspended without pay since the charges were filed. He faces two counts of fourth-degree assault, two counts of third-degree terroristic threatening, one count of first-degree criminal trespassing, and two counts of menacing. In addition to the criminal case Burlew is prosecuting, a federal civil rights trial and a separate civil suit stemming from the same incident have been filed. These cases — filed against the City of Leitchfield, Grayson County, and individual officers — allege excessive force, negligence, and constitutional violations. The first pretrial conference was held on December 18, and the next hearing is scheduled for February 17 in Hardin County. “It’s an interesting case, and I intend to prosecute it,” Burlew said. Features Privacy Policy Site by Tanner+West – A Leitchfield plant will cease operation in 2025 According to a report from WNKY News 40 partner K105 Bel Brands USA announced the closure of the Leitchfield plant at 602 West Main St Bel Brands is one of the largest employers in Grayson County The company’s website says Bel Brands employs approximately 300 The report says Bel Brands is offering employees positions at other plants Read more >  Watch WNKY Live – The Leitchfield Fire Department battled a blaze Tuesday evening According to a report by WNKY News 40 partner K105 the Leitchfield Fire and Police Departments Emergency Management responded to a structure fire at approximately 9:50 pm The fire broke out at Auto Smart located at 602 South Main Street Firefighters located heavy smoke coming from the back of the building Fire Chief Roy Hack says firefighters entered the structure and located the fire in a backroom on the bottom floor Firefighters extinguished the blaze an hour later The building was overhauled during a search for hot spots A vehicle in the garage had heat damage and an apartment in the back of the building sustained smoke damage K105 says Hack said the fire originated in the basement but the cause is unknown Leitchfield FD battles blaze at Auto Smart in driving snow Full report > Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLEITCHFIELD (WBKO) – Two Grayson County men have filed a federal lawsuit alleging their civil rights were violated during their arrest at their home while it was on fire Lannie and Daron Fentress were taken into custody by Leitchfield police officers after re-entering their burning home earlier this summer The lawsuit claims the men were “forcibly subdued by multiple uniformed officers during the course of an illegal arrest.” Lannie Fentress instructed his wife to call 911 on June 9 after hearing a loud explosion and smelling smoke inside their Rison Street home attempted to extinguish a fire in the basement while awaiting the fire department’s arrival Multiple Leitchfield officers also arrived and was simply trying to keep his house from burning down,” the lawsuit states Fentress et al v. City of Leitchfield et al by WBKO on Scribd The Fentresses claim officers failed to assist in putting out the fire prompting Lannie Fentress to re-enter the home to address it himself Officers tried blocking him and followed Fentress inside Body camera footage obtained by WBKO Investigates shows Sgt Dennis Newton threatening to hit Daron Fentress with a fire extinguisher The footage also shows officers tasing the Fentresses and restraining them on the basement floor The Fentresses were initially charged with several crimes including a felony assault charge and multiple misdemeanors a Grayson County grand jury returned a no true bill against Lannie Fentress finding insufficient evidence to indict him The lawsuit alleges police had no legal basis to detain the Fentresses or remove them from their property and accuses officers of violating their rights against excessive force and cruel and unusual punishment The Fentresses also claim they were unlawfully assaulted and subjected to negligent actions by the officers and entities involved was reprimanded by the Leitchfield Police Department and required to complete de-escalation training He also faces criminal charges related to the incident The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful personal injuries Defendants named in the lawsuit include the City of Leitchfield Attorney Matthew Baker in Bowling Green is representing the Fentresses Have a story you think we should investigate? Reach out to us here Fentress et al v. City of Leitchfield et al by WBKO on Scribd – A daycare worker in Grayson County is now behind bars According to the Leitchfield Police Department officers were notified on Tuesday of a 1-year-old that was injured at a local daycare LPD says its investigators began looking into the incident due to the injuries having a suspicious nature police say they watched a video showing a daycare worker monitoring a room of small children when the worker approached the child and pulled the child’s hair Police say the child can be heard screaming in the video and the worker can be seen throwing what is believed to be a handful of hair in the trash Police say the child had a bald spot on 6 centimeters of its scalp police say the suspect was brought into LPD on Wednesday where they say she admitted to pulling the child’s hair and removing a substantial amount of it from the child’s head identified as 24-year-old Keshia Cochran of Leitchfield Cochran was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal abuse – One Leitchfield police officer may have helped prevent a crash by intervening with a wrong-way driver on the Western Kentucky Parkway According to WNKY News 40 media partner K105 central dispatch reported a wrong-way driver Thursday at around 5:20 p.m that was traveling east in the westbound lanes near Leitchfield More here. They say LPD officer Brian Jennings responded and made contact with the wrong-way vehicle assistance was provided by other officers and Grayson County deputies to warn oncoming vehicles and temporarily shut down the road section to prevent a collision K105 reports it took about a mile for Jennings to stop the vehicle which was driven by a 78-year-old woman “who had gotten lost and mistakenly entered the parkway in the wrong lane,” according to LPD along with Grayson County sheriff Norman Chaffins EMS transported the driver to Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center LPD was later able to safely reunite the driver with her family members – A suspect in a stolen vehicle investigation remains at large The Leitchfield Police Department says it conducted a search warrant at 502 Salt River Road on Tuesday The search warrant was for a truck that was stolen on January 18 and later located on January 19 LPD says multiple videos and evidence were recovered from the abandoned vehicle During the search of Clark’s residence police say further evidence linking Clark to the crime was discovered The department says Clark will face charges as a result of the investigation Leitchfield Police Department ask those with information on the whereabouts of Clark to contact their station at 270.259.3850 – Five people have been arrested in Bowling Green including a man suspected of stealing firearms from a Leitchfield pawn shop According to the Bowling Green Police Department officers responded Tuesday after being contacted by Lowe’s Asset Protection regarding the presence of 28-year-old Dwane Holschuh of Bowling Green the citation states Holschuh stole six items from the store on April 5 and attempted to sell them on Facebook Marketplace under his name Police say a vehicle in the photos matched one on video leaving Lowe’s Holschuh was taken into custody for the theft and outstanding warrants police say they determined Holschuh was in the company of additional individuals Holschuh is charged with theft by unlawful taking or dispostion shoplifting between $1,000 and $10,000 Robert Petrie faces charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Joshua Powell is charged with trafficking in a controlled substance (methamphetamine greater than 2 grams) – firearm enhanced convicted felon in possession of a handgun possession of a defaced firearm and possession of a drug paraphernalia Tyler Rasner is charged with a bench warrant while McKenzie Cooper-King faces multiple active warrants multiple law enforcement sources stated Holschuh was also wanted by Leitchfield police for a burglary at A-Z Pawn Shop and Recycling in Leitchfield on April 14 More here. Holschuh faces state and potentially federal charges in the burglary James was a member of Bethel Fellowship Church and Church of the Broken He loved the Lord and was very involved with church activities He enjoyed playing the drums and lifting weights very forgiving and a wonderful uncle and brother James is survived by his parents: Randall and Elfriede Williams of Radcliff 2 brothers: Matt Williams (Dana) of Mount Washington Funeral services will be held at Bethel Fellowship Church near McDaniels Visitation will begin at 3 PM on Tuesday at the church – A Grayson County man survived his truck being hit by a train in Leitchfield the incident happened Monday afternoon around 4:15 p.m at the railroad crossing at the intersection of Beaver Dam Road (Hwy 62) and Quarry Road More here. Leitchfield police say they learned through an investigation that a Dodge Ram truck was turning onto Quarry Road from Beaver Dam Road an eastbound train hit the back of the truck The truck stopped on the driver’s side next to Quarry Road Firefighters helped the 91-year-old male out of the truck K105 reports the man appeared to have no injuries and initially refused treatment He was later transported by EMS to Owensboro Twin Lakes Medical Center after a relative insisted he go to the hospital They also report the railroad crossing had flashing lights but has no security barrier gates to keep traffic from crossing when a train approaches Linda Gale Cook Embry, age 71 of Leitchfield, passed away Monday, September 16, 2024, at Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center in Leitchfield. She was born on August 15, 1953, in Leitchfield, the daughter of the late Irvin P. Cook and Virginia Harris Baynes. Linda loved going to church singing and worshiping the Lord. She dedicated her heart to the Lord at the age of 12 while attending Camp Joy. She graduated from Clarkson High School in 1972 and worked at Houchen’s until she married and started a family. In her free time, she enjoyed reading her Bible, shopping, going out to eat and spending time with friends and family. Left to honor Linda’s memory are her daughter, Jennifer Embry Webb; two grandsons, Gavin Riley and Dawson Kole Childress; one sister, Diana Overby; one nephew, Brian Overby (Cindy); and one niece, Lisa Meredith (Tommie). Aside from her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Jason Embry; one grandson, Brodie Daniel Embry; one sister, Sonja Gentry; one brother-in-law, Charles Overby, Jr.; and her grandparents who raised her, Vestor and Bessie Harris. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Leitchfield Funeral Home with Bro. Curtis Decker officiating. Burial will be in Eveleigh Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday and again from 9:00 am until service time on Thursday at the funeral home. Share your messages of condolence with the family of Linda Gale Cook Embry and sign her virtual guestbook below. Tribute Archive – A driver reportedly fell asleep before hitting a tractor-trailer on the Western Kentucky Parkway near Leitchfield Monday between the 107 and 108 mile markers on the westbound parkway K105 reports the Leitchfield Police Department Leitchfield Fire Department and EMS responded More here. first responders learned a Leitchfield woman fell asleep while driving a Ford Focus colliding with the back of a Bacon By Gosh-owned tractor-trailer The woman then lost control of the vehicle and overturned into a ditch – A Leitchfield man has been charged with the murder of a missing Illinois woman the Kentucky State Police and the Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office opened a death investigation on Thursday May 27 of 2021 after deputies located a dead woman at 7863 South Highway More here. The remains were later identified as Atwell McCrary was recently indicted by a Breckinridge County grand jury for murder and persistent felony offender He is lodged in the Breckinridge County Detention Center – The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man on charges related to a home invasion Sheriff Norman Chaffins received multiple tips on a person of interest in a home robbery invasion on Monday morning in Grayson County deputies identified the man and the vehicle that was used to leave the scene of the home invasion in the Caneyville area Price also had active warrants in Marion County for first-degree assault The office requested assistance from Kentucky State Police due to Price’s criminal history The agencies surrounded an apartment and arrested Price without incident Law enforcement says the purse stolen in the home invasion was found in the vehicle Price allegedly used to leave the scene of the home invasion Price was served the warrants and is also charged with first-degree robbery Chaffins says more charges are expected as the case is presented to a grand jury Price is being held on a $290,000 cash bond and is lodged at the Grayson County Detention Center – A Leitchfield man is charged with attempted murder after a shooting incident a woman arrived at the Leitchfield Police Department at 7:37 pm Wednesday Police say her vehicle appeared to have buckshot damage The woman told police that she had been in a domestic incident with Guy M After the woman was able to leave the residence officers allege Schmitzerle fired a shotgun at the woman’s vehicle driver’s side door in an attempt to kill the woman Kentucky State Police went to the residence where Schmitzerle complied Police say Schmitzerle admitted to shooting at the woman’s vehicle Schmitzerle is charged with Murder-Domestic Violence (Attempt) Schmitzerle is lodged at the Grayson County Detention Center By Ryan Richardson Two people are facing charges for an incident where one suspect shot at a victim and a second suspect drove a vehicle at them Friday night on Leitchfield Road, according to the Owensboro Police Department. According to OPD, at approximately 8 p.m. Friday, patrol officers responded to multiple reports of a firearm discharge in the 1400 block of Leitchfield Road. Upon arriving at the scene, patrol officers found numerous shell casings and identified potential suspects after interviewing witnesses and victims, a release from OPD says. Authorities said the suspects were located a short time later in the 3100 block of Harness Loop and transported to OPD for interviews with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division. According to OPD, detectives determined that 27-year-old Brian Mays retrieved a firearm following a disturbance on Leitchfield Road and began shooting toward a male victim, “grazing the victim’s clothing with a bullet.” The release says 22-year-old Emma Shelton was driving the getaway vehicle and accelerated toward the victim at a high rate of speed, forcing the victim to jump out of the way to avoid being struck. Mays was arrested and charged with first-degree wanton endangerment (discharge of a firearm) and Shelton was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment. highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems Share LinkA Historic Public Square Building Is Now Kentucky’s Best New SteakhousePublished Jul 30 town squares played important roles in the history of many Kentucky cities; they were places where people gathered to discuss important issues I love visiting places that were instrumental in Kentucky's history Some historic public squares in Kentucky still exist which just underwent an impressive rejuvenation A historic building in Leitchfield's public square has just been transformed into an upscale steakhouse called Steak & Stone Steak & Stone opened in May 2024 at 80 Public Square in Leitchfield The Alexander Hotel KY / Google ReviewsThe property is in the historic Alexander Building The Alexander Hotel and Alice Theatre are nearby and have also undergone extensive renovations and many of its dishes and drinks reflect this motif RTFM / Google ReviewsSteak & Stone is also a Kentucky Proud business and focuses on buying local and quality ingredients The restaurant serves a variety of appetizers including a generously sized Bavarian pretzel Managment / FacebookThe menu features classic and specialty pizzas, including a white pizza and a chicken alfredo pizza. Doesn't the pizza look out of this world? Management / FacebookThe restaurant serves specialty cocktails The Secretariat Mule is another bourbon cocktail made with bourbon Terry Branson and Nathan Ball are the co-owners of Steak & Stone Management / FacebookThey were inspired by family members "Stay connected to the vine," reflects their dedication to their heritage and work For additional details, visit Steak & Stone's website and Facebook page Have you seen the newly renovated public square in Leitchfield Is there another historic public square that you enjoy visiting Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasNorthern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubscribe... Enjoy your own private fishing pond and then head to one of Missouri's underrated fishing spots with a stay at this cozy cabin. Thanks for subscribing. We’ll see you in your inbox! Update (2:02 p.m.) — The train is now moving. According to OPD, the intersections affected by this should be open very soon. Part of West 11th Street near Locust Street will temporarily remain closed to remove the semi-truck. A train has collided with a semi-truck at Locust Avenue and 11th Street, blocking multiple roads from Locust Street to Leitchfield Road. According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, no one was injured. Officials are unsure how long the area will remain closed.  Both the Owensboro Fire Department and Owensboro Police Department have responded to the scene. Drivers are advised to avoid the area until further notice.