Sebree native to make Network Television debut tongiht

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
On Thursday night, television fans across the country will get the chance to see one of Webster County’s own shine when he appears in an episode of ‘The Astronauts’ Wives’ on the ABC network. It will be Sebree-native and Webster County High School graduate Glenn Hobgood’s network television debut. Not bad for a guy who launched his professional acting career only five years ago.

After spending years on the road as a stand-up comedian, appearing under the name of Bubba Saunders, Hobgood hung up his traveling shoes and decided to pursue a career in acting. It was a big career change for a man in his mid-fifties, but one Hobgood had planned ahead for.
“I decided to make a change when it became evident that we were going to stay in  St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana,” Hobgood said.

Sebree sets new sewer rates

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
After much debate, Sebree City Council members passed a measure on Monday night that would create a sewage usage fee for sewer customers who live outside the city limits and use city sewer but not city water. These customers, who until now had paid nothing for that service, will be looking at a bill that will include a $20 per dwelling surcharge, plus 100% of their water usage at the city’s out of town rate.

The out of town rate for Sebree water customers is $24.19 for the first 2,000 gallons and $7.54 per additional thousand gallons. According to a prior report from the Webster County Water District, their average customer uses 4,000 gallons per month. That would make the new sewer rate for the average customer ti $39.27 plus the $20.00 service fee for a total of $59.27 per month.

WC: Behind the Badge

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.

Chief Randy Durbin

Police Chief Randy Durbin is a lifelong Sebree resident who has spent most of his life serving the people in Sebree in one way or another.  For this small town native, working for the betterment of his hometown is the important part.

Sewer increase for Sebree ‘out of town’ customers?

Rates could go up by minimum of $84 per month!

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Water and sewer rate talk dominated the Sebree Council meeting on Monday. The primary source of discussion was the sewer rate for Webster County Water customers outside the city who us Sebree sewer. A proposed increase could see those customers paying an additional minimum of $84.19 per month.

State police catch escapee in Sebree.

Sebree was the epicenter of a man hunt Monday morning, which ended with an escaped convict being taken into custody without incident.

According to the Kentucky State Police, Ronald T. Hardrick, 51, was being transferred from the Henderson County Jail to McLean County by a Henderson County Jail official when he escaped from the vehicle near the Highway 56 overpass near Sebree at approximately 8:04 a.m.

Sebree Council grants JEM sewer rights, raises water rates

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Sebree city council members approved a request on Monday night to grant a request from JEM Development to tap onto the city’s sewer line in the Industrial Park south of town in order to build an apartment complex on 16.426 acres near the compaction center.

City attorney Dorin Luck told the council that Mayor Ozzie O’Nan had asked him to look into the situation due to it’s controversial nature.

Refugees, Tyson and conflicting information???

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Since the public first became aware of JEM’s proposed apartment complex, a lot of information surrounding the project has made it’s way around the county. From quotes credited to a spokeswoman of the International Center of Kentucky cautioning residents about the health risk of Burmese immigrants, to whether or not Tyson Foods has any official involvement in the project, it seems that there is a lot of conflicting information out there. And a lot has been said about “Burmese Refugees”, while nobody really seems to know a lot about them or what the difference is between a refugee and an immigrant.

Much ado about nothing?

Sebree residents don't think so

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Sebree area residents wishing to block the development of an apartment complex in their area met with the Webster County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) last Tuesday night to express their concerns. But their pleas went unheeded, which in the eyes of the law may be the only way things could have gone.

With many among their group carrying signs reading ‘Vote No’, a handful of residents voiced their concern over a proposed apartment building, which is being developed by JEM Development, a company owned and operated by Sebree resident Mark Moser and his wife. Speakers voiced their concerns over various topics, including disease, over crowding at Sebree Elementary School and a lack of transportation. 

I-69 Update

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Tuesday afternoon work crews began blasting in the area around the Sebree Interchange of the Pennyrile Parkway as part of the I-69 upgrade project.

Dumey Contracting, Inc., of Benton, MO, the prime contractor on the $10 million Pennyrile Parkway/KY 56 Interchange reconstruction project, began doing ground work in the area in October, but the nature of the land surrounding the interchange made blasting inevitable.

Sebree water project less than 50% complete

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

After an all too eventful 2014, Sebree Council members held their first session of 2015 on Monday with hopes of a calm year. It was the first official meeting for newly elected council members Jana Forker, Debbie Stull and Billy Smith.

City of Sebree settles with contractor

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree City Council passed a resolution on Monday, December 22, 2014 to enter into a settlement agreement and release with Grimes Construction Company of Paris, KY. Grimes failed to meet the November 15, 2014 deadline to complete the $1.2 million dollar project.

Sebree Council considers litigation against contractor

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree City Council met in a special called meeting on Wednesday night for the purpose of holding a closed session to discuss possible litigation against Grimes Construction Company, INC. of Paris, KY, the firm handling the city’s $1.2 million waterline rehabilitation project.

On May 15, 2014, the city entered into a contract with Grimes to replace 35,000 feet of outdated and often leaky water lines within the city, and replace 160 water meters with new ‘radio read’ meters. The total bid on the project was $1,174,734.50 and was supposed to be completed within six months.

Sebree Council discusses renewal of KU Franchise

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree City Council met in a very breif session on Monday night with only one item on the agenda.

That item is the pending experation of the city’s twenty year franchise agreement with Kentucky Utilities (KU). This is the agreement which allows KU to sell electric power within the city and allows the city to collect tax revenue from that sale.

Sebree Council hears questions about apartment project

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree’s city council meeting on Monday was dominated by talk of a new apartment complex that councilman Mark Moser plans to build a few miles south of the city limits. Council members pointed out numerous times that the council has no control over what the county or councilman Moser does outside the city limits, but the mayor allowed residents to have their say.

Sebree council to allow electronic signs within the city

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree City Council approved two ordinance amendments during the last week that will make it possible for electronic message signs to now be used within the city, although only if they meet very narrow specifications. The move is aimed at granting a request made by the Sebree First Christian Church earlier this year.

Sebree to consider amendment to allow church to place digital sign

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

In April the Sebree Christian Church approached the city of Sebree with a request to install a new digital sign in front of their building. What they discovered was a 16 year old ban on digital sinage that blocked their attempt to place the sign.

Ministry founded by Sebree man honored by Governor

photo provided

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Since being founded in January of 2012, Breaking Bread Ministries has served more than 6,400 meals to people in the Madisonville, Kentucky area, with another 12,000 people receiving groceries. 

Century Aluminum to expand Sebree Smelter

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Century Aluminum Sebree, LLC, announced last Thursday that it would be investing $3 million to create 45 new jobs in an expansion of it’s Sebree aluminum smelter, located right on the Webster-Henderson County line.

The planned expansion comes as part of the company’s new “Premium Products Initiative” which is geared to significantly increase the percentage of molten metal produced to a premium product. Specifically the expansion is aimed at a growing need for premium aluminum billet and rolling slabs for the automotive, aerospace and construction industries.

Governor awards bids for Sebree interstate interchange

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County is now one step closer to getting it’s Interstate 69 shielding as Governor Steve Beshear announced last week the awarding of a contract for improvements needed to bring the Highway 56 interchange near Sebree on the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway up to interstate highway standards.

Moser withdraws motion to rezone Sebree property

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The city of Sebree sent out notice on Monday afternoon that Mark Moser, the owner of JEM Development, had withdrawn a motion to rezone a 6.5 acre lot in the city from manufactured housing to multi-family housing.