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.

Boil Water Advisory: Providence customers on Highway 293

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.

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.”

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.

Henderson Police seek burglary suspects

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)

McMain to face grand jury July 12

The murder case of a Morganfield man in the vehicular death of a Sebree teenager will be heard by the Union County Grand Jury.​

​

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.​

​

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.​

​

The court heard from one witness in the hearing, lead investigator for the Kentucky State Police, Detective Chris Baker.​

​

Baker recounted the progress of his investigation into the wreck that occurred at about 2:00 a.m. that Sunday morning. 

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. 

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. 

Both McMain and Wood were transported to Union County Hospital. Wood was pronounced dead, and McMain was transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. 

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. 

Assistant Union County Attorney Julie Wallace objected, asking the relevance of the timing of the interviews, but Heady overruled her. 

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. 

McMain makes first court appearance, pleas innocent

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.

District looks to save money with state funding cuts on the horizon

Money was the big topic of the night at Monday’s Webster County School Board meeting in Dixon.

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.

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.

“Webster County’s preschool allocation, along with all of those in the state, are expected to see a reduction,” she said.

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.

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.

Madisonville North Hopkins Softball Players Pay Tribute to Kaci Wood (From our Media Partner 44News)

by CHELSEA KOERBLER 44News

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.

“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.”

Early Sunday morning, 16-year-old Kaci Wood was killed in a single car accident.

Read more »

Arraignment set for Max McMain

An arraignment date has been set for Max McMain, 19 of Morganfield, who was the driver in a June 4 accident that resulted in the death of Sebree teenager Kaci Wood.

McMain will appear in court Thursday, June 16.


Original Story

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.   

UPDATE: ONE DEAD, ANOTHER HOSPITALIZED AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT IN SEBREE

UPDATE: 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.

Sheriff Frankie Springfield told the J-E that there are no charges being filed in the case at this time.

Sebree Summerfest/ Firecracker Run plans announced

Plan for Sebree Summerfest and the Sebree Firecracker Runs have been announced.

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.

Saturday will feature a full day of entertainment, kicking off with the children’s beauty contest at 9:00 a.m.

Other events include:

Chief Justice Minton sworn in today to 3rd term as chief justice of Kentucky

After eight years as head of the state court system, John D. Minton Jr. will continue in that role as he begins a third term as chief justice of Kentucky today. His fellowSupreme Court justices elected him to another four-year term on Monday and he was sworn in today by Deputy Chief Justice Mary C. Noble at the Capitol in Frankfort.

Driver charged with DUI, kidnapping and murder

The driver in a June 4 accident that resulted in the death of Sebree teenager has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder.

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.

Webster County junior Kaci Wood was killed in the accident Sunday morning around 2 a.m.

Gone Too Soon

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.

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.

Wood, a standout starter for the Webster County Lady Trojans’ softball team, had just finished her sophomore year.

District-wide free meals to continue

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.

CEP eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for  free school meals by offering free meals to all students.

“Where it really helped is with those students whose parents were right on the free and reduced line,” said Food Service Director Valarie Knight.

Former editor was a renaissance man

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.

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.

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.