Providence Mayor responds to KCHR claims of racial profiling

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.

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.

Human Rights Commission seeks investigation of City

Condemns Mayor Gooch’s opinion of Black Lives Matter

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. 

“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.

In addition, Executive Director Johnson expressed the commission’s concern about Mayor Eddie Gooch’s response to the citizens’ concerns.

Patrolman on paid leave as FBI probes allegations of misconduct

The city of Providence has suspended one police officer pending an investigation into claims of police misconduct. According to city officials, that investigation is being carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

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.

The J-E is currently awaiting details of that complaint.

Police behavior, race relations questioned at Providence Council Meeting

Cool heads prevailed Monday night at the Providence Council meeting, after a civilized conversation regarding the behavior of a local police officer turned tense.  

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. 

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.   

Traffic stop leads to meth arrest

STAFF REPORT
What started as a routine traffic stop on Monday ended in a methamphetamine bust for Providence Police Cheif Brent McDowell.

According to McDowell, Tuesday morning he received a report that a red pickup truck had been spotted driving off the shoulder of the road. Shortly after the report he spotted the vehicle as it ran onto the sidewalk in front of Hucks.

Providence considers fireworks ordinance, sets tax rate for 2015

by STEVE SHOOTS
J-E Reporter
The Providence City Council met Monday night with all members in attendance.  Mayor Eddie Gooch opened by asking City Attorney Richard Peyton to provide the first reading of Ordinance 2015-6 which will cover the use, sale and display of fireworks within the city.  As Peyton summarized the ordinance, some of the key points identified were: 

•All provisions will be within compliance with KRS rules
•Persons may use fireworks between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. only
•Must be used only by people aged 18 and over
•Annual fee to vendors for the sale of fireworks will be set at $300.00 per location
 

Providence Literary Festival to bring Best Seller to Webster County

Western Kentucky-based horror author Matthew Alan Hughes announced last week that New York Times Best Selling Author Kody Keplinger would be appearing as a special guest at the 2015 Providence Literary Festival, which will be held next Saturday.

The inaugural event, held last September, featured New York Times Best Seller Jay Bonansinga, author of ‘The Walking Dead’ novel series. The festival boasted 21 published west Kentucky-based authors and drew over 250 visitors to the small community of Providence.

Providence Council talks fireworks, uptown parking

Providence City Council met Monday night with all members present.  City Attorney Richard Peyton read a draft proposal regarding the use of consumer fireworks in the city.  Members of the council have been receiving many complaints of fireworks being set off at all hours of the night in the weeks preceding the 4th of July holiday and continuing throughout recent days.  The proposed ordinance, as read would primarily restrict personal use of fireworks to the week of July 4th, as well as New Year’s Eve, and day.  Also included were fees that might be imposed on local vendors of fireworks. 

Snyder appointed as Director of Public Works

by STEVE SHOOTS
J-E Reporter
The Providence City Council met Monday evening with Mayor Eddie Gooch presiding. 
Council Members present were Keith Farrell, Tom Skinner, Doug Hammers, Scott Frederick and Delores Overby.  City Attorney Richard Peyton and Clerk Kay Travis were also present. Absent was Councilwoman Shannon Cole Layton.  

Study finds Providence homeowner's insurance among highest in the state

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
A recent study of homeowner’s insurance conducted by ValuePenguin in 92 Kentucky cities has found Providence to be in the upper half of the most expensive in the state.

Multi-county drug busts leads to the arrest of two suspects in Providence

When a joint task force of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department (HCS), the Madisonville Police Department (MPD) and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) brought down the largest synthetic drug ring in Western Kentucky, the net they cast netted two residents of Providence— Jeremy Jay Oglesby, 42, and Paula D. Oglesby, 35, both of 408 N. Broadway.

Mayor Gooch speaks out about traffic light

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Despite rumors to the contrary, Providence Mayor Eddie Gooch says that the fate of the ‘uptown’ traffic lights are out of the city’s hands.

“The poles do not meet the 2012 standards set by the department of transportation,” Gooch said in an interview on Friday. “Even though a truck brought this to light when it took out the control box last year, this would have come up sooner or later.”

Providence's Director of Public Works to retire

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
After 27 years of working for the city of Providence, David May is ready to give up the title of Director of Public Works and move on to something different.

May, 45, has been the Public Works Director since 2004, but the city has been his primary employer for his entire adult life.

Providence traffic signal not gone yet

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is conducting a study to determine if a traffic signal at the intersection of KY 109/Broadway and KY 120/Main Street in Providence should remain in operation.

Providence native recalls World War II service in book

Seeks to reconnect with local roots

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
John R. Johnson Jr. is a name that might not be familiar to many people left in Webster County, but he remembers his life in the small town of Providence fondly. Fondly enough that his next goal is to complete a book about his life here, growing up in the western Kentucky coalfields.

A letter asking for help contacting people that might remember him  and want to help share info for his book is how I first became acquainted with Mr. Johnson, but it was clear from the start that his story was one that needs to be shared with everyone.

In December of 2013, Johnson published a memoir called “Un-Armed, Un-Armored and Un-Escorted: A World War II C-47 Airborne Troop Carrier Pilot Remembers”.

In honor of Memorial Day and all of the veterans it represents, I would like to share a little bit about a veteran who grew up right here in Webster County.

Coal Festival

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Providence Coal Festival Committee has announced the schedule of events for the 38th Annual Coal Festival, which will kick off Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m.

For years the event was held on the second week of June, but the last few years have seen the date pushed back into May. Although not a popular change for some parents, with schools still is session, it’s a change that was necessary.

“If we want to have rides, we don’t have a choice,” said Coal Festival Committee member Clint Prow. “The company that provides the rides has other places to go in June.”
The schedule of events includes:

Food Bank has served over $850,000

Four-Wheeler to be auctioned

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Through community support and by taking advantage of several state and regional programs, the Providence Community Food Bank has provided over $850,000 worth of food to needy households in Webster County since opening it’s doors in December of 2012.

“Approximately 400 county households are served each month at no cost to them,” volunteer Keith Farrell said in a press release issued on Friday. “Eligible households are.....

For more check out the print version of The J-E today!

Providence parks vandalized

by STEVE SHOOTS
All members of the Providence Town Council were present Monday night for a regularly scheduled meeting. 

Eddie Gooch shared with the council reports he has received of vandalism at the City Park.  In one instance, it was discovered that all of the retaining nuts had been removed from the picnic tables. 

City to down Big Hill tank

by STEVE SHOOTS
 J-E Reporter
Citing reports of a water tower collapse in Shelby County last August, Mayor Eddie Gooch recommended the Council proceed with the demolition of the Big Hill Water Tower byaccepting the lowest bid for the project.  Although the August incident did not result in any injuries, several structures, including a church in the town of Waddy, KY were seriously damaged when the tower fell, releasing 100,000 gallons of water into a neighborhood there.
Mayor Gooch insisted that such a scenario in Providence would likely have a vastly different outcome, and with the spring weather bringing high winds, he asked the Council to proceed. 

WC: Behind the Badge - Alan King

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor

Everyday the people of Webster County are served by the members of our various local law enforcement agencies. From the city police departments to the Sheriff’s office and Fish and Wildlife officers, these men put their lives on the line every day so that we can be safe.
During 2015 the J-E will look to honor each of these officers by telling their story in the pages of our newspaper. Please, join us in thanking these officers for what they do.

Major Alan King