Providence reports cheap water rates despite increase

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

At their last meeting, the Providence City Council voted to approve the second reading of an ordinance dealing with water rates. The ordinance will increase the standard water bill in the city by approximately $4, and generate an estimated $144,332 in revenue for the city.

“We’ve needed to do this for a least six years. And even though we’re making these adjustments (increase), we’re still below 14 of the 16 water districts in the surrounding area,” Gooch said. “This is the first water rate increase since 2000.”

Fiscal Court votes to down debated tree near Slaughters

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

A tree that Magistrate Chad Townsend estimates to be several hundred years old has been a hot spot of debate in the Slaughters area and in Fiscal Court for the last several months. The Webster County Fiscal Court voted on Monday that it was time for the tree to come down.

Issues with the tree first came to light during a June court meeting when the magistrates were discussing summer paving projects. Several magistrates reported at that time that there were also quite a few dead limbs that hung out over the road.

In July, Judge Executive Jim Townsend had Jailer Terry Elder dispatch a road crew to trim the tree back, but they were not able to remove all of the dead limbs.

“There was one limb that was so high we couldn’t reach it from the truck,” said Townsend. “It’s way up there. That limb definitely has to come down.”

“You’d have to take out part of the tree to get that limb out,” added Elder.

The county has discussed removal of the tree with the property owner on numerous occasions, but they have held firm that they didn’t want it cut down. Other area residents, however, feel differently.