radioNOVO News for Bowling Green: June 29, 2026

RNN BOWLING GREEN 06/29/26          A BOWLING GREEN MAN IS BEHIND BARS THIS MORNING, ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A DRUNKEN, 15-YEAR OLD GIRL IN MAY, THEN THREATENING TO KILL HER FAMILY AFTER A SOCIAL MEDIA POST CALLED HIM OUT .             THE CASE AGAINST 21-YEAR-OLD JATARIUS SIMMONS WAS REFERRED TO A GRAND JURY ON FRIDAY FOLLOWING A PRELIMINARY HEARING.  HE'S FACING CHARGES INCLUDING FIRST-DEGREE RAPE, SODOMY AND INTIMIDATING A WITNESS. POLICE SAY SIMMONS ADMITTED TO MAKING THREATENING STATEMENTS, BUT DENIED THE ASSAULT.           AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF SERVICE, WARREN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR RONNIE PEARSON WILL RETIRE ON AUGUST FIRST.          FOLLOWING HIS DEPARTURE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WILL MERGE WITH THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO CREATE THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. CURRENT FIRE CHIEF WILLIAM RECTOR WILL LEAD THE UNIFIED DEPARTMENT TO BOOST EFFICIENCY AND RESPONSE COORDINATION.