tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5809897091391340832024-03-13T14:40:42.307-05:00The Journal-EnterpriseWebster County's Total News Service.Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.comBlogger755125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-23117229718540198532016-08-08T16:23:00.003-05:002016-08-08T16:30:15.410-05:00Madisonville Police Seeking Assistance<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJEOAP-iWY8" width="300"></iframe>Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-64017324294797671722016-08-05T15:00:00.001-05:002016-08-05T15:00:12.326-05:00Dawson Springs Schools under investigation
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The director of investigations divisions of the state Office of Education Accountability confirmed last Friday that the “OEA currently has an open case in the Dawson Springs Independent School District,” according to an emailed letter from Karen Timmel.</div>
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In response to an Open Records request from this newspaper, she wrote that a final report will be released when the investigation is complete. </div>
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The OEA was created in 1990 under the Kentucky Education Reform Act, Timmel said in a phone conversation Friday. It is part of the Legislative Research Commission. </div>
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“One duty is to investigate possible violations of school law,” she said. </div>
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The OEA accepts written complaints and reviews the information. If there’s sufficient information for a case, an investigator is assigned. The investigator goes to the school district and gathers documents and conducts interviews, Timmel said. </div>
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“They came in and spoke with some of our folks,” said Superintendent Lenny Whalen. “... I’m pretty confident there’s going to be nothing of substance, but I don’t know until I see what their report bears out.”</div>
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The gathered information is compared to state statutes. The OEA can resolve the issues or forward to the Kentucky Board of Education if needed. </div>
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“If anything is broken, we will fix it,” Whalen said. “That’s just the way we operate.”</div>
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<b>By Melissa Larimore</b></div>
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Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-83432762459280586262016-08-04T13:48:00.001-05:002016-08-04T13:48:51.243-05:00Pokémon Go go<br />
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<i>Officials concerned with presence </i></div>
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Small digital critters have caused quite a stir in Providence, thanks to their presence on city property. In recent weeks it has become such a problem, in fact, that city officials are looking for a solution.</div>
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The creatures in question are fictional creatures from the new Pokémon Go app, available for free on smartphones. The game requires players to search out such creatures on a GPS map of their area. </div>
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Some places, including a church in Sacramento, Kentucky, have taken advantage of the craze by hosting Pokémon Go hunting parties. The Cincinnati Zoo has even offered a $5 discount to Pokémon Go users.</div>
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Others, such as a number of cemeteries around the county, have had to involve law enforcement to have players removed. The Naples Zoo in Florida has put up signs warning guests not to try and hunt Pokémon in the restricted zoo areas. Also in Florida, a man fired two shots at Pokémon players parked in a car outside his house.</div>
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Providence police and fire officials have been concerned since the game’s launch, stating that there have been a number of near accidents in front of the 911 Dispatch on Willow Street, across from the police station, but the final straw was recently when a local resident experienced a medical emergency.</div>
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It was reported by councilman Keith Ferrall at Monday night’s council meeting that a resident was recently trying to get to the fire department to seek emergency medical attention, but couldn’t because the parking lot was overrun with Pokémon Go players.</div>
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The incident had a happy ending, but concerns over what might have been have city officials worried.</div>
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“Let’s get it moved,” said Mayor Eddie Gooch.</div>
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The area around the Fire Department and Public Library are what is known in the game as a Poké Stop, a location at which players can purchase items needed inside the game world. As the library offers free public WiFi, it regularly draws crowds of players.</div>
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Librarian Misty Ashcraft explained that players can use items in the game to attract more creature to their area. As users often congregate in the vicinity of the fire department and library, there tends to be a lot of Pokémon in that area.</div>
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“We’ve definitely seen an increase in traffic through the library,” she said. “It hasn’t caused us any problems. It’s probably even been good for us.”</div>
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She said there is some concern about the large number of people hanging around the building after hours, but it has yet to cause the library any problems.</div>
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Council members agreed on Monday night that the city needed to contact the programers of Pokémon Go to request having the 911 Dispatch and Fire Department blocked from the game. Due to its proximity to the Library, which is located in the same building, that block will likely knock library users out of playing the game as well.</div>
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Gooch suggested as an alternative the city could unlock the WiFi at the city park near the elementary school. He instructed Fire Chief Brad Curry to look into that possibility. However, as the park is not a Poké Stop, users will likely be frustrated by the decision.</div>
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Anyone having an issue with Pokémon can send requests to have areas blocked by visiting the website: https://support.pokemongo.nianticlabs.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=319928</div>
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City officials want to remind residents that the parking spaces in front of the 911 office are for emergency use only, not for gaming.</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-80858278718588512362016-07-22T11:54:00.000-05:002016-07-27T11:54:52.299-05:00Providence Mayor responds to KCHR claims of racial profiling
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Last week, Providence Mayor Eddie Gooch responded to a letter sent from John J. Johnson, Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, to Amanda E. Gregory, Assistant United States Attorney, that made allegations of racial profiling and the mistreatment of minorities in the city of Providence.</div>
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The letter was sent from Johnson to Gregory late last month, urging the US Attorney’s office to investigate the city of Providence for human rights violations. Although citing alleged racial profiling and other rights violations by the Providence Police Department as the reason for the request, the majority of that letter seemed to deal with comments made by Gooch at a June city council meeting, where he referred to Black Lives Matter as a racist organization.</div>
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In a letter sent from Gooch to Gregory, the longtime Providence Mayor questioned not only the validity of such claims, but Johnson’s motivation behind calling for the investigation.</div>
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“I would like to know when it became the Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights’ job description to explain what the mission statement of the Black Lives Matter group is,” said Gooch.</div>
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He also pointed out a contradiction in Johnson’s letter to Gregory. </div>
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In the opening paragraph Johnson stated “Please be advised that the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has received verbal and written complaints from citizens in Providence, Kentucky, regarding alleged racial profiling, harassment and/or mistreatment of residents by certain city police officers.”</div>
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In the next to last paragraph, however, Johnson wrote, “While no formal complaints have been filed with the Commission, we would be remiss not to express grave concerns over allegations...”</div>
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To Gooch, this seems to be a sign that Johnson is working to create issues where none exist.</div>
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“Would it not be a felony or a crime to lie or make uninvestigated allegations to a Federal Agent, such as yourself?” he asked Gregory in his written response.</div>
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To the mayor, at least, the answer seems clear.</div>
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“This is a ploy by Mr. Johnson,” Gooch wrote. “We have never had racial tensions in Providence. Right now there is a nucleus of about five or six black residents, one or more of whom I suspect Mr. Johnson to be acquainted with, that have brought this issue up.”</div>
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Mayor Gooch referred to data recently presented by Providence Police Chief Brent McDowell that shows the black-to-white arrest and citation ratio in Providence over the last three years.</div>
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That number was 139-41 white to black in 2014, 187-44 in 2015 and 107-30 so far in 2016.</div>
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“The numbers speak for themselves, there is no racial profiling,” Gooch said.</div>
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Gooch not only acknowledge Johnson’s request for an investigation, he welcomed it.</div>
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“As the longest serving Mayor in the history of Providence, I welcome your investigation,” he said. </div>
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“You will have 110% cooperation from any city department head and their staff that you need and access to all records, including police camera videos.”</div>
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Gooch has served as mayor of Providence for 12 and a half years, with another year and a half left on his current term.</div>
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John J. Johnson was appointed Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights in 2007. He has also served as the Kentucky president of the NAACP for fourteen years, increasing Kentucky NAACP branches from four to forty-two, and served as an elected member of the NAACP’s national Board of Directors, where he was elected vice presidents. He eventually became the NAACP’s chief executive of operations, where he oversaw the executive office of the President and CEO.</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-70760323152058652592016-07-08T14:23:00.000-05:002016-07-11T14:23:37.708-05:00Human Rights Commission seeks investigation of City
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<i><b>Condemns Mayor Gooch’s opinion of Black Lives Matter</b></i></div>
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On Friday, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KYCHR) issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Western District of Kentucky asking the department to investigate Providence citizens’ allegations of police mistreatment based on race and color. </div>
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“Please be advised that the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights has received verbal and written complaints from citizens of Providence, Ky., regarding alleged racial profiling, harassment and/or mistreatment of residents by certain city police officers,” stated John J. Johnson, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights in a press relese.</div>
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In addition, Executive Director Johnson expressed the commission’s concern about Mayor Eddie Gooch’s response to the citizens’ concerns.</div>
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At the center of Johnson’s argument was Gooch’s reference to the organization Black Lives Matter as a ‘racist’ organization at a recent city council meeting, where numerous citizens had gathered to voice concern over an officially unnamed police officer’s treatment of African Americans.</div>
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At the city council meeting on June 6, 2016, Gooch did state:</div>
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“All lives matter,” to which several members of the audience responded, “No, black lives matter.”</div>
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Without responding to the outburst from the audience, Gooch went on to say, “That is a racist organization, and a racist sign and you will not wear it back in these council chambers.”</div>
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Executive Director Johnson said the mayor’s remarks were troubling to the commission.</div>
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“Mayor Gooch’s statements belie a profound misunderstanding of the “Black Lives Matter” public awareness concept, which arose in response to a growing number of African Americans who had been killed by police officers,” said Johnson. “Certainly all lives matter. But if police are unfairly targeting black citizens for abusive treatment, including death, then no lives will be safe.”</div>
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In his letter to the Department of Justice, Johnson said:</div>
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“The mayor’s interactions with residents at the city council meeting on June 7 and his statements about ‘Black Lives Matter’ do not instill confidence that the civil and constitutional rights of the residents of Providence will be protected.” </div>
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Gooch explained that his statement at the time was really a misunderstanding on his part.</div>
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“I don’t hear very well,” he said. “When Patricia Darnes started addressing the council I thought she was comparing the Providence Police Department to Ferguson, Missouri. I took offense to that because Providence is nothing like that. Just like anyone else, when I’m aggravated, the first thing out of my mouth isn’t always the best thing.”</div>
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Although Gooch says that he regretted the way he responded, he does not apologize.</div>
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“I have the right to my opinion,” he stated. “I do believe that Black Lives Matter is a hate group. When 39 black people were killed by 39 black people in Chicago over Memorial Day weekend, where was Black Lives Matter? They weren’t there protesting. They only protest when a black person is killed by police. That was the point I tried to get across. There is no room for any racist groups in this country.”</div>
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The status of the Black Lives Matter movement is not one that is not likely to be answered in Providence, KY. Since the organization first appeared in the national spotlight, it has been praised by some, while being condemned by others.</div>
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Fox News hosts Bill O’Riely and Elizabeth Hasselbeck have both questioned BLM’s status. Hasselbeck voiced her disgust at chants of “pigs in a blanket, fry them like bacon” by reported Black Lives Matter activists at the Minnesota State Fair last summer following the death of a law enforcement officer.</div>
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At the same time, groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center have begun to label White Lives Matter as a racist movement.</div>
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Ultimately Gooch admitted that he was wrong to tell Darnes not to wear her Black Lives Matter shirt to the council meeting. </div>
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“She has just as much right to her opinion as I do mine,” he said. “I can’t tell her that she can’t wear that shirt and I can’t have her escorted out by police if she does. That would be trampling on her rights.”</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-79819006816878052042016-07-07T08:20:00.001-05:002016-07-07T08:20:15.530-05:00Boil Water Advisory: Providence customers on Highway 293<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The city of Providence has issued a boil water advisory for customers on Highway 293 between Providence and Baldwin Ford Road. The advisory is due to a water main break and is in effect until further notice.Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-26979694882913185882016-07-01T11:52:00.000-05:002016-07-01T11:52:01.553-05:00Gov. Matt Bevin Appoints New County Judge Executive of Webster County
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Gov. Matt Bevin has appointed Stephen R. Henry, of Providence, as County Judge/Executive of Webster Co. to replace James R. Townsend, who has resigned.</div>
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“I am pleased to appoint Mr. Henry as Judge/Executive,” said Gov. Bevin. “His lifelong commitment to serving the citizens of Webster Co. makes him an excellent fit for this important position.”</div>
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A 1986 graduate of Webster County High School, Mr. Henry became the first 911 Coordinator for Webster County while working for the Fiscal Court. In 1994, he began working in the coal mining industry, where he has been a manager for the past 10 years.</div>
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“I’ve known Steve Henry for many years and he will be a strong asset to Webster County,” said State Rep. Jim Gooch. “In welcoming Steve as our new Judge/Executive, I also want to thank outgoing Judge James Townsend for his past service and wish him the best in retirement.”</div>
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Additionally, Mr. Henry has been a member of the Warrior Coal Mine Rescue Team and President of the New Hopewell Cemetery.</div>
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“I am grateful that Governor Bevin has provided me the opportunity to serve my friends and neighbors in Webster County as their new Judge/Executive,” said Mr. Henry. “In the coming months, I will work diligently to give back to the community in which I was raised and grew up.” </div>
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Mr. Henry is a lifelong resident of Webster County. He is the only child of the late Howard and Helen Henry. He and his wife Tracy have been married for 24 years and are the proud parents of two children – Andrew, a recent graduate of Murray State University, and Ashley, a freshman at Brescia University.</div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-61946768983941090252016-06-29T06:00:00.000-05:002016-06-29T06:00:04.386-05:00Patrolman on paid leave as FBI probes allegations of misconduct
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Patrolman Will Dukes Jr, who has been with PPD for just over a year, was placed on paid administrative leave following a complaint filed by Dixon Attorney Amelia Zachary on behalf of Jeffrey W. Littlepage, a suspect arrested by Dukes earlier this year.</div>
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The J-E is currently awaiting details of that complaint.</div>
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“We wanted an outside investigation into the situation,” said Mayor Eddie Gooch. “We felt that was the best and safest way for the city to handle it.”</div>
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Officials say the request for an investigation was passed up to the county attorney’s office, where it was forwarded to the Commonwealth Attorney, the Kentucky Attorney General and eventually the Department of Justice, who dispatched federal investigators.</div>
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“They came down because they want to make sure that Mr. Littlepage’s rights have not been violated,” said Gooch. “I did not speak with them and cannot comment on their investigation.”</div>
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>>>For more information, see this week's (June 29) edition of the J-E.</div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-66562555444955776042016-06-24T16:08:00.001-05:002016-06-24T16:10:22.492-05:00Henderson Police seek burglary suspects<br />
On 6/24/2016 at 3:41 am, four unknown suspects broke the east side door at T&T Drug Store. The suspects entered the business and stole an unknown amount/type of drugs from the business along with a small amount of cash. Security footage from the scene shows the men going through cabinets and shelves while taking various items. (SEE PHOTOS BELOW)<br />
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The men arrived and left in what appears to be a white four door Hyundai Santa Fe with a license plate on the front of the vehicle.<br />
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Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 270-831-1111 or the Henderson Police Department at 270-831-1295. This is an open investigation.<br />
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<br />Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-30049362632796170442016-06-24T07:24:00.001-05:002016-06-24T07:30:16.998-05:00McMain to face grand jury July 12<br />
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The murder case of a Morganfield man in the vehicular death of a Sebree teenager will be heard by the Union County Grand Jury.</div>
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The testimony presented in a preliminary hearing Thursday for Maxwell McMain was enough for Union District Court Judge Daniel Heady to send the case to the July 12 convening of the grand jury.</div>
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McMain is charged with murder in the June 5 death of Kaci Wood, a 16-year-old who had just finished her sophomore year at Webster County High School.</div>
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The court heard from one witness in the hearing, lead investigator for the Kentucky State Police, Detective Chris Baker.</div>
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Baker recounted the progress of his investigation into the wreck that occurred at about 2:00 a.m. that Sunday morning. </div>
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According to Baker, KSP responded to the 911 call made at 2:11 a.m., reporting the single-car crash. As the troopers worked the scene, they reported that McMain gave off a strong smell of alcohol, Baker said. The emergency medical technicians on site drew McMain’s blood at about 3 a.m., Baker added. </div>
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Both McMain and Wood were ejected from the vehicle, according to initial reports during the investigation. Neither was wearing a seat belt. A third occupant of the vehicle, Jacob Hood, was wearing his seat belt and was not injured. </div>
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Both McMain and Wood were transported to Union County Hospital. Wood was pronounced dead, and McMain was transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. </div>
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The bulk of the testimony was concerned with interviews conducted by Baker during the course of the investigation. McMain’s attorney, Dax Womack, questioned Baker as to the timing of the interviews following the launch of the inquiry. </div>
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Assistant Union County Attorney Julie Wallace objected, asking the relevance of the timing of the interviews, but Heady overruled her. </div>
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Baker told Womack that he interviewed Hood the afternoon of June 5, about 14 hours after the wreck occurred. According to Baker, Hood told him he was a passenger in the front seat, but that he had fallen asleep before the crash. Baker added that Hood’s injuries were consistent with his statement. </div>
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Womack pressed Baker on whether there was any further evidence that Hood was indeed the passenger. </div>
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Baker responded that Hood had called the detective later in the evening of June 5, and added the three had stopped at a convenience store in Sebree after McMain and Hood had picked up Wood from a cemetery near her home. Baker said the video obtained from the store showed Hood exiting the vehicle from the passenger side, and later returning and getting back in the same seat. During the stop, McMain </div>
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could be seen speaking with someone in the back seat. </div>
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Womack asked if Hood had said they had made any more stops between the convenience store and the site of the wreck, and Baker said Hood did not report any more stops. </div>
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Baker also pointed out that he had obtained the results of McMain’s blood alcohol test and that it registered at 0.116 percent, well above the legal limit. He also said the driving under the influence charge was McMain’s third. He was also charged with DUI in August of 2014 and December of 2015. </div>
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Womack inquired as to whether an autopsy had been conducted on Wood. Baker said he had requested one but that the local coroner had said the state medical examiner’s office had been moved that weekend and no autopsies could be done. Womack asked if a toxicology had been completed on Wood, and Baker said yes but no results were yet available. </div>
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Womack ended the hearing by moving for the wanton endangerment charge to be dropped, as the murder charge covered the same definition of offense. </div>
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Wallace objected to the motion, since the wanton endangerment charge could apply to McMain’s second passenger, Hood. </div>
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Womck then made another attempt to lower the $1 million bond on McMain, but Judge Heady refused the motion, as he considered McMain to still be a danger to himself and others. </div>
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Other that the charges of murder, DUI and wanton endangerment, McMain also faces the offenses of driving on a DUI suspended license and failure to wear a seatbelt.</div>
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Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-53803368827404890242016-06-17T13:11:00.001-05:002016-06-17T13:11:23.799-05:00McMain makes first court appearance, pleas innocent
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Maxwell McMain, 19, of Union County, appeared in Union County court on Thursday, for arraignment in the June 5, 2016 vehicle accident that resulted in the death of Kaci Wood, 16, of Sebree.</div>
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McMain’s attorney entered a not guilty plea on of charges of (wanton) murder, driving under the influence (third offense, aggravated circumstances), driving on a DUI suspended license (second offense, aggravated circumstances), first-degree wanton endangerment and failure to wear a seat belt.</div>
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KRS 507.020 defines wanton murder as follows: Including, but not limited to, the operation of a motor vehicle under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person and thereby causes the death of another person.</div>
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An additional charge of kidnapping was dropped prior to the court appearance after it was determined the case did not meet the statutory requirements.</div>
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Judge Daniel Heady denied a request to lower McMain’s bail from $1,000,000 to $100,000, but granted a request to issue a gag order.</div>
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The order prevents witnesses, court officials, law enforcement and attorneys from speaking with the media or public about the case in an attempt to prevent pretrial prejudice of the local jury pool.</div>
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Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-48420935510004040182016-06-17T12:15:00.000-05:002016-06-17T12:15:12.635-05:00District looks to save money with state funding cuts on the horizon
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After refinancing its 2008 series bonds, the board will be able to save around $510,000 over the next twelve years. Although that only works out to be an average of $40,000 per year, in the current cash strapped position Kentucky schools find themselves in, every dollar counts.</div>
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On the down side, superintendent Dr. Rachel Yarbrough told the board that the district expects to see a cut in the amount of funding they can use for preschool programs in the county.</div>
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“Webster County’s preschool allocation, along with all of those in the state, are expected to see a reduction,” she said.</div>
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According to Yarbrough, last year the district received $404,525 to fund its preschools, but as of right now it appears only $310,576 will be available for the next school year.</div>
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The overall state budget for preschool programs has remained the same, at roughly $90 million. But instead of the total amount being split among all of the districts in Kentucky, $7.5 million has been held in reserve. That amount will be used to fund competitive grants that will be used to develop full day preschool programs.</div>
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“As it stands, Head Start programs are not included as an approved provider (under this grant),” Yarbrough said. “For us that is a huge deal because Headstart is our primary partner for preschool services.”</div>
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She told the board that she fears much of the remaining money will go to larger, more urban areas where schools have more choices for preschool programs, while the rural areas of the state, who have fewer partnership opportunities, will suffer.</div>
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“We’re watching this $7.5 million closely,” Yarbrough said. “Right now we really don’t know how this will go because it has not been clearly defined by the state.”</div>
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She added that the state has promised that guidance on this issue will be forthcoming.</div>
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The district is also looking at some cost cutting measures by possibly switching insurance carriers with the help of Mike Hazelwood with E.M. Ford Insurance. A report and comparison is expected to be presented to the board at its next meeting.</div>
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In other business, Yarbrough told board members that she had met with Providence Mayor Eddie Gooch to discuss the school’s usage of the Providence City Park.</div>
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Unlike other schools in the district who do not have their own, the school in Providence does not have its own park. The school, however, adjoins the city park and the city has always allowed the school’s students full access to its facilities. This is a tradition that goes well back into the days of the Providence Independent School District and has allowed the school to save money by not having to provide playground equipment.</div>
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“I want us to have a mechanism to reimburse them for some of their maintenance cost,” Yarbrough said. “It’s only right that the board of education help cover some of this cost. That’s just what you do when you use someone else’s property.”</div>
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No decision was announced, but Yarbrough will pursue the issue further.</div>
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Food services director Valerie Knight reported that the school had received a $5,000 Lowe’s Tool Box grant. The monies will be used to develop an outdoor cafeteria in the soon to be inclosed outside area between the middle school, high school and annex.</div>
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The area will include picnic tables and a stage area. The plan is to use the area as a reward for students who have good attendance, good grades and good behavior.</div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-61918212538220296212016-06-16T12:17:00.000-05:002016-06-17T12:19:19.317-05:00County employee pay raises debated by officials
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Monday’s meeting of the Webster County Fiscal Court took a rare heated turn on Monday when the issue of raises for county personnel came up.</div>
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The county road department presented a list of three employees for magistrates to consider for raises. </div>
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Two were raises of approximately $0.75 per hour, to bring a pair of employees who had recently earned their CDL to the maximum hourly rate of $15 per hour, while a third was a request to raise another employee $1.50 per hour from $11.50 to $13.00.</div>
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Officials said all three employees had been with the county for three years.</div>
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County Clerk Valerie Newell voiced her concern about how the court has handled payroll issues.</div>
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“I don’t know how you can vote for no raises, but continually grant raises to county employees,” Newell told the magistrates. “I know that, in my office, I can give out raises. And I know the sheriff’s office is in the same situation.”</div>
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Magistrate Tony Felker tried to explain the dilemma.</div>
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“When we bring someone into the road department or the jail, we start them at a lower wage,” he said. “In other departments, such as the clerk’s office, you have to pay them more from the start because you have to hire people with certain skills.”</div>
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Newell went on to say that while the issue might seem clear to the court, it was beginning to cause morale issues in other county departments.</div>
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“I’ve got employees who have been with the county for more than 12 years and I cannot give them a raise,” said Newell. “These people have been here for three years and now they are making more than my people. You have the right to do this, I just don’t think you realize the morale going around because of this.”</div>
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County Treasurer Paul Guinn explained that the money for the road department and the jail come from different funds than those that cover the staff of the clerk’s office, sheriff and 911 dispatch.</div>
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Magistrates approved the two $0.75 raises, but allowed only $0.50 of the requested $1.50 for the third employee.</div>
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In other business, magistrates voted to table a request from the Webster County Conservation District that would allow the organization to levee property taxes in the county.</div>
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The county is legally required either to fund the district, or allow it to use a property tax to fund its activities. In the current fiscal year, the county provided the district with $110,000.</div>
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In the upcoming fiscal year, the conservation district is looking to expand to $150,000 with the new property tax. If the new tax is approved, it is not expected to make a noticeable difference on tax payers’ bills.</div>
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The issue will most likely be addressed at a special called meeting on Thursday, June 23, at 9:00 a.m.</div>
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A project to replace a bridge on Countryside Drive in Dixon has been temporarily halted thanks to new personnel in the state transportation cabinet, according to Guinn. </div>
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For the first time in years, state officials are enforcing a law that requires all contractors be pre-qualified by the state before being awarded building projects.</div>
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The law has existed for years, but it has not been enforced by previous administrations.</div>
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The county has already received bids from two contractors, but must now wait for the state to approve them before either can be awarded.</div>
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Roxie Ray with the Webster County Historic and Genealogical Society briefly addressed the court. During recent research she discovered that Webster County native Lambert Ray Tapp had been killed at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Arizona, but his name was not on the county’s veteran memorial outside the courthouse.</div>
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Magistrates voted unanimously to add his name to the marker.</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-55544972519757620192016-06-10T16:47:00.002-05:002016-06-10T16:48:25.909-05:00Madisonville North Hopkins Softball Players Pay Tribute to Kaci Wood (From our Media Partner 44News)<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXCyG0SXnEE/V1s1SnbTDlI/AAAAAAAADT4/QSrNxFmXX5QwjmVJ6HhXuy124RhEV08PgCLcB/s1600/mnhhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MXCyG0SXnEE/V1s1SnbTDlI/AAAAAAAADT4/QSrNxFmXX5QwjmVJ6HhXuy124RhEV08PgCLcB/s320/mnhhs.jpg" width="320" /></a>by <a href="http://44news.wevv.com/author/ckoerbler/" target="_blank">CHELSEA KOERBLER</a> 44News</div>
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The Madisonville North Hopkins softball team is playing in the KHSAA softball state title games. Kaci Wood never played for the team, she played for Webster County High School. The Lady Maroon players just knew her from softball but at the Lady Maroons game Thursday, they honored Kaci.</div>
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“It really affected this team and thinking that could be one of our players,” said Kaylee Tow, Lady Maroon player. “So we just try to pull together for Webster County and just think of it as a region family and put those rivalries aside for her.”</div>
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Early Sunday morning, 16-year-old Kaci Wood was killed in a single car accident.</div>
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<a href="http://44news.wevv.com/madisonville-north-hopkins-softball-players-pays-tribute-kaci-wood/" target="">Read more »</a></div>
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Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-25943340243666564392016-06-10T13:38:00.002-05:002016-06-10T13:38:54.299-05:00Arraignment set for Max McMainAn arraignment date has been set for Max McMain, <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">19 of Morganfield, who was the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> driver in a June 4 accident that resulted in the death of Sebree teenager Kaci Wood.</span><br />
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<a href="http://journalenterprise.blogspot.com/2016/06/driver-charged-with-dui-kidnapping-and.html" target="_blank">Original Story</a>Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-11666735669533263062016-06-10T11:47:00.000-05:002016-07-05T11:47:58.283-05:00Police behavior, race relations questioned at Providence Council Meeting
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Cool heads prevailed Monday night at the Providence Council meeting, after a civilized conversation regarding the behavior of a local police officer turned tense. </div>
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During the public appeals session of the meeting, Providence resident Mona Simms, representing a group of concerned citizens, respectfully requested the proper method to lodge a formal complaint against the officer. She cited several recent examples of what the group believes to be serious impropriety and unprofessionalism in an unnamed police officer’s methods. </div>
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Simms acknowledged that Providence has always been a caring, diverse community, to the agreement of others in the audience, but said that the recent actions of the officer cannot continue. </div>
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“We feel we are being targeted, we are being harassed, and we feel we have been racially profiled,” Simms stated to the council. “We want to make sure we do this correctly, and it is taken care of. We want the procedure to be transparent, when it begins, ends and what’s going to be done about it.” </div>
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She once again told the council that this has to stop. </div>
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“We do not live in a community where this stuff happens,” said Simms. “We are here as a community, citizens of this town, to request an investigation be done, and we need to know what we have to do to get it.”</div>
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Gooch said he was very well of the complaints, but had believed Simms was going to meet with him at the police station to review recordings. </div>
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“When you came to me at the office, I thought you had wanted me to check on (one of the incidents), and you were going to come back and we were going to go look at the video at the police department of that incident,” Mayor Eddie Gooch recalled. </div>
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Simms recounted a different version.</div>
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“You (Gooch) told her (an alleged victim) to write a formal complaint and she didn’t write it because she didn’t want to have to go through anything else with this policeman,” she stated. “Now, we’re not going to argue back and forth, we want to know what has to be done to file a formal complaint.” </div>
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Gooch explained that each complainant would have to provide a written statement, and file it with the chief of police. This would have to be done by the individual with the complaint, and could not be completed by someone else on their behalf.</div>
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Police Chief Brent McDowell further explained that the letter had to be notarized, adding that if any part of it turned out to be false, anyone who signed that form would be charged with falsifying a report. </div>
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That comment elicited responses from the audience, asking “what if the officer falsified his report?” </div>
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As the audience’s attention was then drawn to McDowell, who was seated among them, Ms. Simms calmed the group with her reminder that they didn’t come here to argue. </div>
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Addressing Simms, Gooch invited her to come in and review the video of one of the incidents.</div>
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“I think the video speaks for itself and you should come look at it,” he said. </div>
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Simms acknowledged that, but said she had seen another video of it as well.</div>
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“They tell us not to get out of the car, that we should drive to the nearest police station. Nowadays it’s not safe for us to get out because we’re subject to get shot. We’re not going to stand by and feel like we’re being profiled and harassed and afraid to go out of our house.” </div>
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Gooch agreed with her that he didn’t want anyone to feel unsafe in leaving their homes. He again extended his offer for her to come in and review the video so she could see that “there’s two sides to every story”. </div>
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Simms agreed, but added “There’s a whole bunch of stories (about the officer in question), that’s what’s so strange — a whole bunch of “two sides”. There’s a problem somewhere. There’s too much happening for something not to be wrong.” </div>
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Gooch interjected that he wasn’t just getting complaints from the African American community and Simms agreed, citing other complaints Gooch allegedly shared with her.</div>
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“I don’t care what race, creed, color, ethnicity – if he’s doing these things, he needs to be corrected,” she told the mayor. </div>
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Simms closed by informing the council that they would prepare their complaints and submit them, as she took her seat. </div>
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Gooch then asked for any other appeals. A complaint was made by an elderly gentleman concerning his own arrest the previous week. The citizen’s son, US Army Veteran Eldridge Hampton, backed his father by suggesting that mistakes were made during each step in that incident. </div>
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He (alleged) dishonest statements and foul language by the arresting officer that were completely disrespectful and unnecessary. </div>
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Mayor Gooch questioned the elder Hampton about the procedures during the stop, and Hampton answered candidly, emphasizing that he doesn’t drink, do drugs, or even smoke. He reported that all he was offered was a “pencil test” to check his eyes and that at no point was any other field sobriety test offered. He was concerned about being confined for 14 hours without his medication, and felt his life was placed in jeopardy. </div>
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Finally, after asking for additional appeals, resident Patricia Darnes stood to introduce herself but was immediately interrupted by Mayor Gooch who stated ,“Don’t wear that shirt back in this council chamber!” </div>
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Appearing genuinely shocked, Ms. Darnes asked “I can’t wear my shirt?” </div>
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Gooch repeated “Not that shirt, not in this chamber.” </div>
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The shirt worn by Ms. Darnes was a black t-shirt with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” printed on it. </div>
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“All lives matter,” Gooch said, to which several audience members responded to the contrary. “That is a racist organization, and a racist sign and you will not wear it back in these council chambers.” </div>
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Above the growing murmur of the crowd, Darnes plainly stated, “Mayor, I’ll wear my shirt where I want to because it’s freedom of speech.” </div>
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Gooch went on “No, you won’t, or you’ll be escorted out.” </div>
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Darnes suggested he consult with the city attorney, before she continued on to her appeal. She stated the reason she wanted to speak was that she believes there is a need for diversity training in the city. She believes that there are ways people should treat others, and that she’s afraid racism is still alive. She alluded that by Gooch’s statements, it was obvious that such training was needed for the administration. </div>
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Sitting next to Ms. Darnes, resident Myra Belle expressed her shock that the mayor believes the Black Lives Matters movement is a racist organization. </div>
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Gooch again emphasized that “ALL lives matter (to which the audience agreed), but he went on to say that “Black lives only matter when they’re killed by a white police officer – All lives matter!” </div>
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As the exchange between Gooch and the audience grew more heated, once again, Ms. Simms quieted the crowd “We didn’t come here to argue. This is the tension that’s causing what we are having to go through, so we just need to calm down and do what we’re supposed to do.” </div>
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At that point, a final citizen who wished to remain anonymous stood to acknowledge the hard work of the police department, and his gratitude for helping him and the community in the past (to which many in the audience agreed), but that their concern is not with the force as a whole, but with one officer. </div>
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His shared his appreciation for the council by informing them of the steps to take, and asked that the audience do just that. </div>
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Mayor Gooch thanked him for those comments and at that point Gooch made a motion for the council to go into executive session with Chief McDowell and Assistant Chief King to discuss “personnel” matters. Gooch then thanked all participants and closed the regular meeting.</div>
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The council returned with nothing to report from the closed session.</div>
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<i>J-E Staff Report</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-86086490450858830662016-06-10T02:00:00.000-05:002016-06-10T13:42:20.765-05:00UPDATE: ONE DEAD, ANOTHER HOSPITALIZED AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT IN SEBREE<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>UPDATE</b></span>: According to a statement by Webster County Deputy Coroner Todd Vanover, the death of Jose Santos Saravia was due to a self inflicted gunshot would.<br />
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Sheriff Frankie Springfield told the J-E that there are no charges being filed in the case at this time.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">UPDATED</span>: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The names of two individuals involved in a deadly domestic incident in Sebree this morning have been released.</span><br />
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Declared dead at the scene was 48-year-old Jose Santos Saravia.
Vilma Alfaro, the 37-year-old female injured in the incident, was taken to Baptist Health in Madisonville with a head injury. She has since been transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville where she is listed in stable condition</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">ORIGINAL STORY (6/8/16)</span></b><br />
An early morning incident in Sebree Wednesday has left a man dead and a woman hospitalized.</div>
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According to information released by Webster County Sheriff Frankie Springfield, his department responded at approximately 4 a.m. to a domestic call at the 6600 block of St. Rt. 56, which is just west of town.</div>
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After the department discovered the man, Webster County Deputy Coroner Todd Vanover was called. Vanover pronounced the man dead at the scene.</div>
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The woman was transported to an undisclosed hospital, and has since been transferred. She suffered a head injury during the incident, Springfield said.</div>
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It has been confirmed that the man and woman were married.</div>
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Five children were in the home during the incident. Child and Family Services were contacted, and the children were allowed to be taken home by family members who were on the scene. Springfield said relatives lived next door to the house.</div>
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No names have been released, but an announcement is expected as soon as the woman was notified of the man’s death. While no time table has been established as to when that announcement will be made, Springfield believed it could come later today.</div>
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An autopsy is expected to be conducted in Louisville on Thursday.</div>
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We will update this story as more information becomes available.</div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-25137895906131542312016-06-09T11:30:00.000-05:002016-06-09T11:30:04.749-05:00Sebree Summerfest/ Firecracker Run plans announced<br />
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Plan for Sebree Summerfest and the Sebree Firecracker Runs have been announced.</div>
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Summerfest will kickoff on Friday, June 17 with the opening of food booths at 5:30 p.m. The opening ceremonies will follow at 6:00 p.m., featuring prayer by Keith Wilcox and the singing of the National Anthem by Tony Brandy. Singer Carmen Brandy will be the featured musical act from 6:15 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. Barry Russell and the Southern Bulletts Band will wrap up opening night from 8:15 p.m. until 10:15 p.m.</div>
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Saturday will feature a full day of entertainment, kicking off with the children’s beauty contest at 9:00 a.m.</div>
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Other events include:</div>
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•9:00 a.m.—BBQ Chicken Backyard Cook-Off</div>
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•Noon—Food booths open, Parade line up at Sebree Elementary. (Contact Rob Hensley for more information at 270-318-9033)</div>
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•2:30 p.m.—4X4 Truck Show</div>
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•3:30 p.m. Judging</div>
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•5:00 p.m. Cornhole Tournament (Contact Emery Thomas at 270-635-0435)</div>
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•6:00 p.m.—Sebree Idol</div>
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•8:00 p.m. David Lutz Band</div>
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<b>Firecracker Run</b></div>
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The 36th Annual Sebree Firecracker Run will be held on Monday, July 4, at the Sebree Springs Park.</div>
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Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., with activities begining at 7:00 a.m. A men and women’s 10K run will begin at 7:30 a.m. and a 5K run will start at 9:00 a.m. </div>
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Each male and female age group winner will receive a trophy. All children in the fun run will receive a metal. </div>
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Fifty dollars in cash will be given to anyone breaking the 10K and 5K course records. The course records for the men’s 10K is 31:10 and the 5K is 14:38, the women’s 10K is 36:00 and 5K is 17:09.</div>
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Free shirts are given to the first 220 entrants in the 10K and 5K races. </div>
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For a run form, contact Bob Hardison at P.O. Box 156, Sebree, KY 42455 or email at fbcsebree@bellsouth.net.</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-28682987129016119782016-06-09T09:30:00.000-05:002016-06-09T11:41:30.578-05:00Chief Justice Minton sworn in today to 3rd term as chief justice of Kentucky<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">After eight years as head of the state court system, <a href="http://courts.ky.gov/courts/supreme/Pages/minton.aspx" style="color: #598fde; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">John D. Minton Jr.</a><span style="color: black;"> will continue in that role as he begins a third term as chief justice of Kentucky today. His fellow</span><a href="http://courts.ky.gov/courts/supreme/Pages/supremecourt.aspx" style="color: #598fde; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Supreme Court</a><span style="color: black;"> justices </span>elected him to another four-year term on <span style="color: black;">Monday</span> and he was sworn in today by Deputy Chief Justice Mary C. Noble at the Capitol in Frankfort.<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Supreme Court<span style="color: black;"> re-elected Chief Justice Minton for a third term because of his excellent judicial temperament, his dedicated work ethic and the national recognition he will bring the Kentucky Court of Justice through his upcoming service as president of the Conference of Chief Justices,” </span>Deputy Chief Justice <span style="color: black;">Noble</span> said. <span style="color: black;">“</span>As chief justice, <span style="color: black;">he has initiated many projects for the betterment of the court system. These include revising legal rules of practice, developing an electronic court filing system and </span>making<span style="color: black;"> Judicial Branch</span> salaries competitive <span style="color: black;">with the other branches of government, which the entire</span>Supreme Court<span style="color: black;"> supports.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chief Justice Minton said </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">much has transpired in the last eight years to make the Judicial Branch stronger, leaner and better prepared to meet the changing demands on the state court system. “<span style="color: black;">It’s been a privilege to lead the courts during these challenging times. I’m honored to be elected by </span>my <span style="color: black;">colleagues to serve a third term as chief justice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m excited to see how our upgrades in court technology are transforming </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the way the<span style="color: black;"> courts do business</span>,” he said. “<span style="color: black;">With our new eFiling program, Kentucky attorneys can now file court documents in any of the 120 counties without having to make a trip to the courthouse. We’ve also undertaken our first-ever judicial workload study to determine how to be more efficient in applying judicial resources to the workload in various jurisdictions</span>.<span style="color: black;"> These and many other improvements are possible because we have court personnel, justices, judges and circuit court clerks who are committed to enhancing how we serve the public and are not satisfied with the status quo</span>. <span style="color: black;">I’m proud of their efforts and look forward to continue </span>to work<span style="color: black;"> with them to further strengthen Kentucky courts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m also proud of the partnership we’ve forged with the Executive and Legislative branches these last few years,” he</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> said.<span style="color: black;"> “I believe we’ve managed to achieve that elusive balance of good government – maintaining the separation of powers without compromising the power of collaboration.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chief Justice Minton became Kentucky’s fifth chief justice in June 2008 and was chosen by his colleagues for a second term as chief justice in June 2012. The chief justice serves as the administrative head of the state</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: black;">court system and is responsible for its operation. He was </span>elected to serve on the Supreme Court in <span style="color: black;">2006</span> and was re-elected in 2014 for a second eight-year term.<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seminal Changes During Minton Administration</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Kentucky court system has been transformed in many areas during Chief Justice Minton’s two terms as chief justice. The Great Recession had plunged the country into a financial crisis when he began serving as chief justice in 2008. Faced with </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">significant<span style="color: black;"> cuts to the Judicial Branch budget, he steered the state court system through Kentucky’s worst economic downturn in decades by cutting programs, streamlining the organizational structure of the Administrative Office of the Courts and creating efficiencies at all four levels of the court system.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He managed to keep the Judicial Branch within its appropriated budget while also focusing on his two main goals: investing in the people who operate the courts and in the court technology that can cut costs and deliver better service. He has overseen a sweeping KYeCourts technology initiative and the implementation of eFiling statewide.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He created </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the Judicial Branch <span style="color: black;">Compensation Commission to determine how to make the </span>court system’s<span style="color: black;"> salary structure more fair and competitive with the other branches of state government</span>. The commission’s work <span style="color: black;">resulted in the first overhaul </span>in decades <span style="color: black;">of the salary structure for non-elected court personnel</span> and salary improvements for the elected circuit court clerks.<span style="color: black;"> He is currently seeking to i</span>ncrease<span style="color: black;"> the salaries of Kentucky’s elected judges, whose compensation lags well behind many other states.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Under his leadership, the AOC has conducted a groundbreaking study to measure judicial caseloads as the basis to address workload imbalances among jurisdictions and provide</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: black;">data for a comprehensive judicial redistricting plan.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">During his tenure, the Supreme Court has adopted the state’s first uniform family law rules and Juvenile Court rules to </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ensure that family and juvenile law is applied consistently in all <span style="color: black;">120 counties. He formed the Kentucky Access to Justice Commission to improve access to civil legal aid for those who cannot afford legal representation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />Chief Justice Minton has </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">also <span style="color: black;">joined forces with the Executive and Legislative branches to reform Kentucky’s juvenile justice system and overhaul its penal code to curb prison costs and improve public safety.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Professional Background</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><span style="color: black;">Prior to being elected to the <a href="http://courts.ky.gov/resources/publicationsresources/Publications/P109KYSCCOAJudicialDistrictsMap85x14_211web.pdf" style="color: #598fde; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">2nd Supreme Court District</a> in 2006, Chief Justice Minton was a circuit judge from 1992 to 2003 and a Kentucky Court of Appeals judge from 2003 to 2006. He was in private practice for 15 years before taking the bench. He holds degrees from Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky College of Law.</span><span style="color: blue;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He is president-elect and a member of the board of directors for the national Conference of Chief Justices. He is also a member of the board of directors for the National Center for State Courts. He previously served on the board of </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the<span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Council of State Governments and is a 2010 alumnus of the CSG’s prestigious Toll Fellowship Program, one of the nation’s top leadership development programs for state government officials.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Kentucky Bar Association gave him </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">the <span style="color: black;">Outstanding Judge Award in 2003 and he was named Distinguished Jurist in 2012 by the University of Kentucky College of Law Alumni Association. He was inducted into the Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2013.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">He and his wife, Susan Page Minton, a Bowling Green native, have two children</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Supreme Court of Kentucky</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Supreme Court is the state court of last resort and the final interpreter of Kentucky law. Seven justices sit on the Supreme Court and all seven justices rule on appeals that come before the court. The justices are elected from seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. A chief justice, chosen for a four-year term by his or her fellow justices, is the administrative head of the state’s court system and is responsible for its operation.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Administrative Office of the Courts</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort is the operations arm for the state court system. The AOC supports the activities of </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">nearly <span style="color: black;">3,</span>40<span style="color: black;">0 employees and 403 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC executes the Judicial Branch budget and works closely with the chief justice to ensure the Kentucky Court of Justice fulfills its statutory duties as stated in the Kentucky Constitution.</span></span></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-34806657526915885812016-06-08T20:35:00.000-05:002016-06-08T21:32:39.731-05:00Driver charged with DUI, kidnapping and murderThe driver in a June 4 accident that resulted in the death of Sebree teenager has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder.<br />
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Maxwell McMain, 19 of Morganfield, was taken into custody just after 5 p.m. this evening at his home, soon after his release from Deaconess Hospital in Evansville. McMain suffered injuries in the accident after being ejected from the SUV he was driving.<br />
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Webster County junior Kaci Wood was killed in the accident Sunday morning around 2 a.m.<br />
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According to a release from Kentucky State Police, McMain was arrested without incident and transported to the Union County Detention Center where he is being held on $1 million bond.<br />
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The case is a rare situation. The kidnapping charge is a Class A felony stemming from Kentucky Revised Statute Subsection F which provides for the charge when a perpetrator deprives "the parents or guardian of the custody of a minor, when they person taking the minor is not a person exercising custodial control or supervision of the minor and when minor suffered death."<br />
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McMain is also charged with a third DUI and driving on a DUI suspended license, both of which are become more serious charges since a death occurred during the commission of the crimes. He also faces a charge of 1st degree wanton endangerment and failure to wear a seatbelt.<br />
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This story will be updated as more information becomes available.<br />
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Read The Journal-Enterprise's full account in next Wednesday's edition.Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-68516074669293533092016-06-08T08:54:00.001-05:002016-06-08T08:54:39.930-05:00Gone Too Soon
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A number “8” with angel’s wings floated across many Facebook pages Sunday as Webster County mourned the loss of a life taken far too soon.</div>
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Now, many have changed their profile pictures as a tribute to 16-year-old Kaci Wood, who was tragically killed in an early morning accident Sunday in Union County.</div>
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Wood, a standout starter for the Webster County Lady Trojans’ softball team, had just finished her sophomore year.</div>
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Styrofoam cups trace the number “8” in the fence outside the WCHS softball field, and flowers and baloons are placed around it.</div>
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Monday evening, a large crowd gathered at the field, and another smaller one at Sebree Springs Park, to release a myriad rainbow of baloons into the sky in memory of Wood.</div>
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One commenter said those released in Sebree seemed to all float toward the Wood home there.</div>
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In a show of solidarity with their usual Sixth District rivals, Union County High School lit their school sign with the Webster County insignia and the message, “You’re In Our Prayers.”</div>
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After making the high school available for those students who needed grief counseling Sunday, school officials have decided to offer additional sessions. Students may come to grief counseling Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m, beginning next week (June 15) and ending on July 27.</div>
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A community is mourning the best it can in the wake of a tragedy that seems to happen all too often.</div>
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According to a report released by the Kentucky State Police, Wood died after a one-vehicle accident just after 2 a.m. outside Morganfield. She was pronounced dead at Union County Hospital.</div>
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The accident occured at the 1500 block of St. Rt. 492 just outside Morganfield.</div>
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KSP are still investigating the cause of the accident, but have said the Dodge Durango in which Wood was a passenger overturned multiple times. She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was ejected from the SUV.</div>
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Troopers investigating the crash said a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver, Maxwell McMain, 19 of Morganfield, lost control of the vehicle for an unknown reason. Eventually, the SUV flipped several times.</div>
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According to the report, McMain also was not wearing a seatbelt, and is reported to be in stable condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN.</div>
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A second passenger, Jacob Hood, 20 of Morganfield, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the wreck.</div>
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The investigation is ongoing, and no cause has been ruled out, the report stated.</div>
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A memorial scholarship has been established in Wood’s name. Contributions can be sent to Kaci Wood Scholarship Fund, C/O Sebree Deposit Bank, P.O. Box 96, Sebree, Kentucky, 42455.</div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-11034714313521373672016-05-27T22:32:00.000-05:002016-05-27T22:32:05.105-05:00Road to be open for Memorial Day Weekend<br />
Highway 283 has reopened at the Knoblick Creek Bridge in Webster County. It will be open to normal traffic flow through the Memorial Day holiday weekend.<br />
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The contractor will return sometime next week to pave along this section as weather allows.<br />
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<br />Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-10929503045650232682016-05-26T10:08:00.001-05:002016-05-26T10:08:28.948-05:00District-wide free meals to continue<br />
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The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, proved to be a success in Webster County Schools in the 2015-16 school year. The program, which made free breakfast and lunches available to all Webster County students, has produced an increase in the number of meals eaten by students.</div>
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CEP eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for free school meals by offering free meals to all students.</div>
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“Where it really helped is with those students whose parents were right on the free and reduced line,” said Food Service Director Valarie Knight.</div>
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School Board members voted, on Monday, to continue the program for the upcoming school year. </div>
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One provision, however, the cost of adult meals needed to be adjusted to meet what the USDA was reimbursing the school for student meals.</div>
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“All our kids eat free, but adults have to pay,” Knight explained. “Currently the price for adults is less that what the government pays for students. That’s not good.”</div>
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To bring the two numbers together, the price of breakfast will be increased from $2.00 to $2.50 and the price of lunch will go from $3.00 to $3.50.</div>
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Also on Monday, following a round of interviews with lawyers interested in being the district’s attorney, the board opted to officially hire Roy Massey IV. Massey came aboard to fulfill the unexpired contract of Brandi Rogers after she was elected as Family Court Judge.</div>
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The contract will be with Frazer & Massey Law Firm in Marion, with Roy Massey being the designated representative for Webster County Schools. In the event Massey was unable to represent the board, the firm could still provide legal assistance to the district.</div>
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In other business, representatives of the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) were on hand Monday night to recognize Providence educator Rachel Wingo. Wingo has been accepted to a program that offers training to aspiring principals. It also helps to pay up to 85 percent of tuition for classes needed to make the move from educator to administrator.</div>
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“We are dedicated to developing people in Webster County Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Rachel Yarbrough. Ms. Wingo is such a high quality educator everyday. We can go to her class any time or any day and see that.”</div>
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Providence Principal Greg Bowls added that Wingo was much more than just an excellent teacher.</div>
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“Day in and day out you can go by her class room and see the great things she is doing,” Bowls said. “But it isn’t just the things in her classroom. Her impact extends out into the community as well.”</div>
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Wingo and other participants in the GRREC recently attended administrator training at Harvard University.</div>
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Contracts were awarded to various vendors, including:</div>
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•Lifetouch - School pictures</div>
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•Custodial Supplies - Kenway</div>
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•Pest Management - West Kentucky Pest Control</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-51847288742055615882016-05-26T10:06:00.001-05:002016-05-26T10:06:31.426-05:00Former editor was a renaissance man
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Fred Bradley, who passed away on Friday at the age of 85, will be remembered for many things. Being a former editor of The Journal-Enterprise would be among the least of those. Bradley fit the definition of a ‘renaissance man’ so closely that one might even believe the word was created just for him. His various accomplishments would make for an interesting and almost unbelievable novel.</div>
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Bradley was among the first people to cross the twin bridges between Evansville and Henderson. His father, James Lamar (J.L.) Bradley, had taken his pregnant wife across the Ohio River via a ferry in 1931, but by the time their new baby was released from the hospital, the first of the two bridges was open.</div>
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The proud parents could have had no idea when they passed fledgling Dade Park (renamed Ellis Park in 1954) in the shadows of the new bridge, just how big an impact that horse track would have on the life of their new son.</div>
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J.L. Bradley took over operation of The Journal-Enterprise while his son was still a baby. Young Fred would grow up surrounded by printing presses and reporters.</div>
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In 1949, Bradley was the valadictorian of Providence High School, where he was also captain of the football team. After high school Bradley went to the UK School of Journalism. Following his college graduation, his father got sick and called a 21-year-old Fred home to serve as Editor of The Journal-Enterprise.</div>
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“I loved the paper life,” Bradley said in an interview in 2012. “We had a good paper. I was real proud of it then and I still am.”</div>
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Eventually J.L.’s health improved and he returned to work. Instead of continuing a career in journalism, Fred entered the Air Force. He spent 38 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, eventually rising to the rank of brigadier general.</div>
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Of all the things he did, Fred said flying was his favorite.</div>
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Flying the F-86, he accumulated 8,000 hours of flying time, serving in both Korea and Vietnam as a photo reconnaissance pilot.</div>
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The military service paid for Bradley to go back to UK, where the second time around he earned a law degree.</div>
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Following his second college graduation he spent time as a county judge and as the attorney for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. He also raced stock cars, owned a trucking company, started a successful law practice, served as a county judge in Frankfort and then as a Kentucky state senator.</div>
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But what Fred Bradley was best known for is horses. Fast horses. Among them Brass Hat, a now retired multimillionaire, and Groupie Doll, the first horse to win the $1 million Filly & Mare Sprint at the Breeder’s Cup twice.</div>
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Fred’s love of horses started with his father. When they were running the newspaper he said they would go to Dade Park every day of the 26 day meet.</div>
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“It was the only time the paper didn’t get out promptly,” he joked after winning the Breeder’s Cup the first time.</div>
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But he credited former Providence businessman Huley Hudson for getting him started as an owner.</div>
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“I spent one winter going to his farm every day, learning about horses,” Bradley recalled. “He was a really good man.”</div>
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Bradley’s first horse cost him $2,000, more than he paid for the 320 acre Indian Ridge farm he eventually turned into a championship breeding facility.</div>
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In 1996, while at the Keeneland September yearling sale, Fred Bradley paid $5,000 for a Dixie Brass filly he named Brassy. Although the young horse was unraced, Bradley bred her with Prized, a horse that had won the 1989 Breeders’ Cup Turf in his first start on grass. That paring produced Brass Hat.</div>
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Trained by Bradley’s son, William “Buff” Bradley, Brass Hat went on to claim over two million dollars in prizes before being retired, and the Bradley empire was founded.</div>
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“It takes one good horse to pay for the rest of the horses,” he said with a laugh during the interview. At that time he had 28 horses housed at Churchill Downs, including Groupie Doll.</div>
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In recent years, failing health, due to an injury and illness, led Bradley to cut back on the number of horses in his stables.</div>
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His funeral will be held Wednesday at Church of the Ascension in Frankfort. See obituary on Page A3.</div>
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<i>Reach MATT HUGHES</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068 or </i></div>
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<i>matt@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-580989709139134083.post-40036325123421406722016-05-20T08:27:00.000-05:002016-05-20T08:27:09.004-05:00Webster Schools un-stage graduations<br />
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<i>In response to a mother’s request for a ramp, school officials remove stages</i></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKel7FtX4Dc/Vz2_XTcdcKI/AAAAAAAADRs/bHdR0qUcopQI7Dqx5y1fmT0KgZesCqwIACLcB/s1600/Abby%2B%2526%2BFamily.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKel7FtX4Dc/Vz2_XTcdcKI/AAAAAAAADRs/bHdR0qUcopQI7Dqx5y1fmT0KgZesCqwIACLcB/s320/Abby%2B%2526%2BFamily.tif" width="236" /></a></div>
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When Abby Baskett began to prepare for her middle school graduation this year, she told her mother she wanted to go across the stage with her classmates.</div>
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So her mother, Sarah Humphrey, approached the school about the possibility.</div>
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Abby is one of two students in the middle school class of 2016 who is confined to a wheelchair. She has been a part of the class from day one, and Humphrey said her daughter wanted to graduate the same way as her friends.</div>
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But according to Humphrey, what started as a simple request turned into a mess.</div>
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“I never asked for special treatment,” Humphrey said. “I wanted inclusion, not an exception.”</div>
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According to Humphrey, during a visit to the middle school earlier this year, she addressed her daughter’s desire with school principal Cyndi Boggs.</div>
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Humphrey said she was told to make sure that was exactly what Abby wanted. If it was, then the school would make it happen, Humphrey recalled.</div>
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Not long after that conversation, Humphrey said Abby sent Boggs an email expressing her wishes. </div>
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Additionally, the two discussed it in the hallway at school a few days later.</div>
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So Humphrey believed a ramp would be brought in to accommodate Abby and her classmate.</div>
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“We found out Wednesday evening there was no ramp,” Humprey said.</div>
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Unhappy with a situation she believed settled, Humphrey posted her frustration to her friends on Facebook that evening. </div>
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“Mrs. Boggs called me about 9:00 that night,” said Humphrey.</div>
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Humphrey said Boggs did not recall the earlier conversation about Abby’s desire to cross the stage.</div>
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Boggs said she wasn’t sure accommodations could be made before graduation, but would check, said Humphrey.</div>
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The middle school awards day was held the next morning, and Humphrey drove her daughter to school and planned to return for the presentations.</div>
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But when she dropped Abby off, an aide who came to assist Abby informed Humphrey that Boggs wanted to meet with her in the high school gymnasium.</div>
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According to Humphrey, when she arrived in the gym, she was met by Boggs and district Superintendent Dr. Rachel Yarbrough.</div>
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“Dr. Yarbrough said there absolutely would be no ramp,” Humphrey said. “They had their minds made up before they even met with me. Dr. Yarbrough told me that I was focused on a negative instead of celebrating Abby.”</div>
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According to Humphrey, the two children in wheelchairs were on opposite ends of the front row. She said a solution that the district proposed was that the first row remain on the floor to receive their diplomas, and the rest of the students would cross the stage.</div>
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Humphrey refused.</div>
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The Americans With Disabilities Act, a federal law enacted in 1990, states that public services, including schools, “cannot deny services to people with disabilities or deny participation in programs or activities that are available to people without disabilities.”</div>
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In the case of graduation, however one student receives a diploma is the same way all of them must. If students ascend a stage, are handed a diploma, then descend to the floor, then no student may be made to do otherwise.</div>
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That has not been the case for Webster County graduations in the past. When faced with the situation in the past, the wheelchair-bound students have remained on the floor to receive their diplomas while all others crossed the stage.</div>
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An almost identical situation occurred last year in Lincoln County, North Carolina. School officials there were concerned the ramp available was not sturdy enough. They presented the same solution to the parents in the case, but the family wanted their daughter to be able to cross the stage with her classmates. The school principal and a teacher volunteered the use of personal ramps.</div>
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In Webster County’s case, the district’s ultimate solution was to remove stages from all graduations in the county.</div>
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In a phone call on Friday, Boggs said she thought the district’s decision was sending a ‘positive message’ to all Webster County students and thought the issue had been settled prior to 8th Grade graduation. She referred all further questions to Yarbrough.</div>
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“We did not use the stage for eighth grade and high school graduations this year, and we will not be using one at other graduations in the future,” Yarbrough said. “All graduations will be held at ground level, eliminating any issue with kids being able to cross the stage.”</div>
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As to why the district would opt to eliminate the stage rather than adding a ramp, there was no answer. Officials feel their solution was the best and most positive one available.</div>
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“I was told it was never questioned before,” Humphrey said. “But it’s not the 1950s anymore. We don’t hide kids with disabilities way.”</div>
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Some voiced displeasure with the district’s decision to take the stages out of the middle and high school gyms. Humphrey said she never asked that it be done. </div>
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“It was blown way out of proportion,” she said. “No one had a problem when I couldn’t see my child.”</div>
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<i>Reach MORGAN McKINLEY</i></div>
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<i> at 270-667-2068</i></div>
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<i>mmckinley@journalenterprise.com</i></div>
Matt Hugheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09012811062998373487noreply@blogger.com0