Gov. Matt Bevin Appoints New County Judge Executive of Webster County

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.

“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.”

County employee pay raises debated by officials

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.

The county road department presented a list of three employees for magistrates to consider for raises. 

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.

Webster Schools un-stage graduations

In response to a mother’s request for a ramp, school officials remove stages

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.

So her mother, Sarah Humphrey, approached the school about the possibility.

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.

But according to Humphrey, what started as a simple request turned into a mess.

“I never asked for special treatment,” Humphrey said. “I wanted inclusion, not an exception.”

Production halted at Sebree Mine

 County expects to lose as much as 1/3 of funding currently used for county programs

On Friday, Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) issued WARN notices to employees at Sebree Onton #9 Mine and ceased all production operations at that site. While some employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to other locations, at least 140 miners now find themselves without jobs. But the impact of the closing is expected to stretch much further than just the employees affected by that closing.
County hard hit by loss
Webster County Judge Executive James “Jim” Townsend estimated that the county will see a one third reduction in the amount of LGEA money that comes in from the state due to a loss in coal taxes.

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 42.455 created the LGEA during the Patton Administration, setting those funds asside for coal counties to improve the quality of life for local residents.
“That money will just go away,” said Townsend. “Those LGEA (Local Government Economic Assistance) dollars fund the senior citizens program, our fire departments, meals on wheels, the Webster County Dog Shelter and even the Sheriff’s Department.”

Inmates ‘walk away’ from Webster County detention center, captured 12 hours later

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
A pair of inmates who would have been out of jail in time for Christmas will not be looking at a longer stay after they “walked away” from the Webster County Detention Center at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Monday, according to the Kentucky State Police.

Patrick Jermaine McGuire, 20, and Jerrino Don Johnson, 24, were being housed in Webster County’s restricted custody center as part of the state approved work release program when they made the decision to escape.

New rendering plant promises high paying jobs at 4 Star Park

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
More than a decade after the last new industry opened it’s doors in 4 Star Park, north of Sebree on US 41, the industrial park looks to soon be the home to a new employer.
AgRenew Partners LLC, which was incorporated earlier this year, plans a 15,000-square-foot, $4.5 million dollar animal byproduct processing facility. The plant will turn these byproducts into a bone meal product for use in the pet food industry and oil for oleochemicals.

Robards Mayor David Sellers visited with the Webster County Fiscal Court on Monday to express the concern of his constituent who live just across the county line in Henderson County.

County to reallocate money for 911 tower

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Fiscal Court is beginning to feel the crunch of an already tight 2015-16 budget. On Monday, when presented with bids for a proposed 911 radio tower, magistrates found themselves approximately $55,000 short of the funds needed to complete the project. Due to the importance of the project, however, the decision was made to use funds that had already been earmarked for road improvements.

“I think more people would benefit from using the money for the tower than would if we used it somewhere else,” said Magistrate Jerry ‘Poogie’ Brown.

Internet troubles worry county officials

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Recently the Webster County government chose to switch internet and phone services from AT&T to Time Warner, a move that was promised to be both smooth and much more cost efficient for the county, but some elected officials aren’t happy with the result. In fact, jailer Terry Elder is afraid problems with internet services at the jail will result in some major and possibly costly issues for the county, which is already operating on a tight budget.

“Our internet goes down constantly,” he told the court on Monday morning. “We’ve called them and they’ve tried hard to fix our problem, but I don’t see anything else to do but switch back to AT&T.”

The two main problems Elder says the jail has experienced are losing contact with the Kentuckty Department of Corrections, which communicates information on inmates, and VINELink. VINELink is the official website for Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE), the company that notifies victims when an inmate charged in their crime is released from jail.

Constable arrested following second sexual assault claim

Staff Report
Just over a week after being arrested on sexual assault charges, Webster County Constable Dennis Shelton has been arrested following a second accusation of same crime.

According to the Kentucky State Police Shelton has been charged with Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and Burglary 1st Degree after conducting an investigation.

Dog Shelter to team up with Pet Smart

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Dog Warden Aaron Richmond told the Webster County Fiscal Court last week that the dog shelter will soon be teaming up with PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin’, a national transport program that transfers homeless dogs and puppies from communities with high dog populations and high euthanasia numbers to communities with exceptional adoption rates.

Circuit Court Clerk announces retirement

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Circuit Court Clerk Amy Villines announced her retirement last week, following 35 years of service to the residents of Webster County.

Villines went to work as a deputy clerk in 1980, soon after marrying her husband Larry and moving to Dixon.

K2C continues to bring in funds

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Webster County Kids to College (K2C) continues to garner support and finances from the community. Last week the Webster County Bar Association (WCBA) made a donation of $1,000 to the organization, which is still in the fund raising stages.

“This is the first gift of what the Webster County Bar Association hopes to be many future gifts to WCK2C,” said Circuit Court Judge Rene Williams.

WC: Behind the Bade - Deputy Cory Patmore

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.

Water Board member drowns after falling into lake

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
According to authorities, Webster County resident Kenneth Ray Hammack, 67 of Providence, drowned in a lake next to his house on Wednesday night.

‘Vicious dog’ law might be upsetting to many

Law has been on the books since 2008
by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Dog Warden Aaron Richmond is warning dog owners that many of them are currently in violation of county law. A little known county ordinance requires all ‘vicious dogs’ to be registered, spayed or neutered and kept either in a secured pen or indoors. Owners are also required to have a $100,000 homeowners liability insurance plan. Richmond said that most dog owners have done none of these things.

“The county put this ordinance into effect in 2008,” he explained. “Since then we haven’t had a constant, full-time dog warden in the county, and a lot of new people have moved into the county. Maybe people aren’t even aware of the ordinance. But we can’t just blatantly ignore the ordinance. That’s breaking the law.”

Work Ready event this Thursday

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Work Ready hopes to take another step forward on Thursday when the group hosts ‘Hot Topics Luncheon: State of the Commonwealth, County and School’, a meeting that hopes to bring together business, political and educational leaders from around the county.

Behind the Badge: Capt. Donald Jones

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.

Captain Donald Jones of the Webster County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated his life to serving and protecting the public, both  from behind the badge and in the back of an ambulance.

Money issues continue to surface for upcoming fiscal year

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
With the new fiscal year only a week away, Webster County officials take a bleak look at the services they are going to be able to provide during 2015-2016. One of the worst hit areas is road paving, which the county will be able to do very little of during the coming year.

Recently the county was visited by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Bridge inspector. The result of that inspection will lead to the construction of three new bridges in the county. Those bridges will take a bulk of the county’s road funds, leaving very little to focus on repaving roads.

Palmer named Volunteer of the Year

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
On Friday, Chip Palmer, a Providence minster and Director of the Providence Community Food Bank, was named Webster County’s Volunteer of the Year at an awards banquet held in Henderson by the the Kentucky Network for Development, Leadership and Engagement (Kyndle).

Fiscal Court hears plea over JEM Development deal

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Sebree area resident Lissa Liggett might have lost a battle, but she isn’t ready to admit defeat in her war against the Webster County Industrial Development Authority and JEM Development.