Independence Bank named among top banks in the US to work for

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Last week American Banker Magazine released a ranking of the top 28 banks in the United States to work for.

Independence Bank came in 18th on that list.

“This was part of a national survey that was sent out to all banks and completed by their employees,” said Wayne Hughes, the Webster County President of Independence Bank. “It asked employees what they think about their bank.”

Independence Bank, which has two locations in Webster County, opened in 1997 when Farmers & Merchants Bank in McLean County and Providence State Bank in Providence merged under the new name.

“We care about our employees, and this shows that they feel the same about us,” said Hughes. “We think we really have the best employees. They are community and community service oriented.”

Independence Bank  joined  Central Bank (24) based in Lexingon as the only other bank in the Commonwealth to be named to the list.

Sebree Mining named safest in Western Kentucky

Group seeks to honor Carter Nall with new playground

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

A group of Webster County residents are looking to turn a horrible tragedy into a blessing.

Friends and family of three-year-old Carter Nall are looking to create a fitting memorial to a little boy who was lost too young. There will be a playgroundbuilt at the Providence Church of Christ that will not only bear his name, but will also include playground equipment that the family know he would have loved.

“This is for the youth of the church,” said Jill Nall, Carter’s mother. “It’s in memory of Carter, but it’s for the kids.”

Plans for the playground include a play set that looks like a John Deere tractor, and a sandbox made from a tractor tire.

Circuit Court Judge files for re-election

Chief Regional Circuit Court Judge Rene’ Williams has filed for re-election as Circuit Judge for the 5th Judicial Circuit comprised of Crittenden, Union and Webster Counties. Judicial races are non partisan positions that will appear on the November 2014 General Election ballot unless there are three or more candidates vying for the position. Circuit Court is one of “general jurisdiction” hearing felony criminal cases and civil controversies involving $5,000.00 or more.  

FIscal Court

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Webster County Fiscal Court met on Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Dixon. The magistrates handled a short agenda very quickly.

Korean veteran shares memories of first Christmas away from home

Ranes, left, shows Jackie Tyler how
to load a mortar round. 

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

On Halloween, Sebree resident Shirley Ranes celebrated two anniversaries. It marked the sixtieth anniversary of his discharge from the United States Army, and the sixty-first anniversary of the day he entered combat in Korea.

“I was drafted on January 1, 1952,” Ranes said. He went through basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC, qualifying in heavy weapons.

After an eight week furlough, Ranes was moved to Chicago, then to California and finally on to Japan, where he spent three weeks training with the 24th Division of the US Army.

“After training in Japan I was transferred to Korea,” he said. “I landed on Halloween of 1952. That year I spent my very first Christmas away from home.”

WC celebrates Veteran's Day

Photos by Matt Hughes, Charlie Hust and Kristie Dunbar.

Dixon Commission hold brief meeting

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Dixon Commission met in a brief meeting on Monday night with only two items on the agenda.

First, the commission heard from Rod Martin with Hunter Martin Associates, the engineering firm that has been handling the city’s water line rehabilitation project.

County Attorney to seek re-election

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Webster County Attorney William Clint Prow announced on Friday, November 8, 2013 that he had official filed for re-election.

“I am proud of my office’s accomplishments,” he said. “As the contracting official for the local Division of Child Support, my staff has aided many mothers and father in receiving the child support they are rightfully entitled.”

Prow is also the legal adviser of the Webster County Fiscal Court, and the misdemeanor prosecutor for District Court.

“I have been proud to serve the citizens of Webster County as their County Attorney in the past years and would humbly request their continued support in the upcoming election.”