Fredericks Ditch bridge open

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has completed construction of a new bridge on KY 874 near the Lisman community south of Dixon in Webster County.

The new bridge over Fredericks Ditch opened Thursday, September 19, restoring normal traffic flow on KY 874 between KY 279 and KY 1340.  The contractor has some minor guardrail adjustments and other finish work to complete for the project to be finalized.

KYTC District 2 Chief Engineer Kevin McClearn said he is pleased efforts to expedite the bridge replacement project were successful.

Prosecutor selected in Jimmy Frederick assualt case

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Bruce Kuegel, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 6th Judicial Circuit representing Daviess County has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case against Jimmy Lane Frederick.

“It’s not unusual for a special prosecutor to be appointed,” said Kuegel. “It’s really left up to the elected officials to make a decision on conflict of interest. (County Attorney) Clint Prow reported that he had a conflict in this case.”

Webster test scores fall in second year of testing

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) released the results of this year’s Unbridled Learning Assessment tests on Friday, naming Webster County as a district that “Needs Improvement.”

“The overall score for Webster County Schools is a 53.7 with a percentile rank of 42,” said Kim Saalwaechter, Supervisor of Assessment & Accountability for Webster County. “The Needs Improvement Category means our scores fell outside of Proficient or Distinguished categories and did not meet the Annual Measurable Objective (AMO)”

Mooney Corn Maze hayride now wheelchair accessible

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Early October is prime hayride season in Webster County. For many residents this means loading into hay filled wagons and taking to the scenic back roads and farmland of our area, or journeying to a corn maze and pumpkin patch like those at Mooney Farm’s Corn Maze near Dixon.

But for other residents, this  yearly tradition has been impossible. Often children and adults with limited mobility have been unable to get into wagons to make the journey.

“We’ve had field trips here in the past where kids in wheel chairs came, but they had to miss the hay ride,” said Randy Mooney, co-owner of Mooney Farms. “While the rest of their class rode off, they had to stay behind. It never seemed to bother them, but it really bothered me.”

Kentucky launches health benefit exchange

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Tuesday marked the beginning of the next era of health care. It was the first day that Kentuckians could enroll in the state’s health benefit exchange, Kynect.

Kynect is expected to help 640,000 uninsured residents get coverage through private insurance plans or Medicaid, as well as the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP).

“It’s kind of like a big shopping mall,” said Sarah Combs, a certified application counselor with Health First CHC. “Kynect will offer a variety of insurance plans for everyone and, every income range. kynect can help you get coverage even if you have been denied in the past for pre-existing conditions or could not afford coverage.”

College/Career Readiness: A Path to Success at WCHS

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The following is the second in a series of monthly articles from Webster County High School regarding efforts to help students earn the distinction of College and/or Career Ready, which is a key component of the Kentucky Department of Education’s “Unbridled Learning” accountability initiative aimed at producing graduates that are better prepared for the rigor of college-level coursework and the increasing demands of the world of work and a global economy.  This month’s focus is on PLAN/ACT score reports.