Lawrence County Commissioners Hear Updates on Projects

(BEDFORD) – Various paving projects continue throughout Lawrence County.

Highway Superintendent David Holmes was not at the Commissioners meeting on Tuesday morning. In his absence, Commissioner President Dustin Gabhart reported that crews had about two more weeks of scheduled paving to complete.

On Wednesday and Thursday crews will be paving Rabbitsville Road from the Mitchell City limits to Yockey Road. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

On Friday, crews will pave Yockey Road from Meridian Road to State Road 37. The road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.

On Tuesday, crews began the culvert replacement project on Tunnelton Dennison Road between Ditney Ridge Road and Hidden Falls Camp Road. The road will reopen at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Crews continue to mow and cut brush.

Bridge crews are preparing for the yearly bridge inspections and are also patching concrete bridge decks.

Commissioner Rodney Fish praised the crews that worked on the Oolitic Road bridge project.

“It came out very nice.” Fish added. “It was completed two weeks ahead of schedule. It opened up well before school started and I am sure the residents are happy they don’t have to drive to Oolitic to get home at night.”

Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer was also not at the meeting. Instead, she was meeting with officials about the 20th Gathering of the Juggalos Festival which will make its debut July 31-Aug. 3 at the Lawrence County Recreation Park in Springville.

Fans of the rap-rock duo Insane Clown Posse are known as Juggalos. Previous editions of the “Gathering of the Juggalos” have made headlines for fights, arrests, drug overdoses, and attendee deaths.

Lawrence County officials have been working to make sure the event in Lawrence County runs smoothly and safely.

Sheriff Mike Branham reported there were 184 inmates in the jail as of Tuesday morning. Of those, 134 were male, 50 females and nine convicted level six felons.

Sheriff Branham reported that during the third quarter, numbers usually increase.

Jail inspectors completed the annual jail inspection.

“We passed, and I am waiting on the final report,” he added.