Nelson County asks state to name Woodlawn Road bridge approaches for Crystal Rogers and Tommy Ballard

County Judge Chip led Nelson County Fiscal Court in adopting two companion resolutions on Feb. 17 asking State Sen. Jimmy Higdon and State Rep. Candy Massaroni to prefile joint resolutions to name the westbound and eastbound approaches to Bridge 090B00086 on Woodlawn Road in memory of Crystal Rogers and Tommy Ballard.

Judge Chip read the text of the first resolution and said the court sought to "increase awareness of the tragedy brought upon the Ballard family" by Crystal Rogers' disappearance and to memorialize her life. On a motion to name the westbound approach the Crystal Rogers Memorial Bridge, the court voted in the affirmative and the motion carried.

The court then considered the companion resolution to name the eastbound approach the Tommy Ballard Memorial Bridge. Commissioner Adam moved the motion and it was seconded; the court again voted in favor and the motion carried.

Members of the Ballard family were in the courtroom. A family representative thanked the court "to every one of you" for the support and said the family appreciated the step toward official recognition. Court discussion noted the requested bridge names must proceed through a state-level process; Judge Chip said plaques and signage would follow after any legislative action and suggested July as a likely month for signs to be installed if the state process moves on schedule.

Why this matters: The resolutions formally request that state lawmakers introduce legislation to name the approaches; the county’s vote does not itself change signage or law but signals local backing to the Ballard family and the community.

Next steps: The judge and staff will forward the court’s request to the named legislators for their consideration and the state process will determine whether and when the signs are installed.