Great American Smoke-Out

     The American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout will be held Thursday, Nov. 21. The event encourages smokers to quit smoking, or make a plan to quit smoking, that day.
     In Kentucky, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.2 percent of adults are cigarette smokers, second highest in the nation. The Kentucky Tobacco and Cessation Program reports that each year more than 8,000 Kentuckians die of illnesses caused by tobacco use.

Water District to cut costs thanks to “miracle additive”

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Webster County Water District held it’s monthly meeting at the County Water Plant in Onton Thursday morning.

Water district superintendant Paul Lashbrook reported to the board that the plant was preparing to start using a ‘miracle additive” in the water treatment process. This chemical can drastically cut the amount of certain other chemicals that go into the water treatment process, saving the county more than $35,000 per year.

“The increases of our electric rates have us working to save money every way we can,” he said. “I believe we owe it to our customers to run as lean as we can and keep our costs down.”

Clay council closer to drafting business license ordinance

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

A proposed business license was once again a hot topic for the Clay council on Tuesday, November 12, 2013. 

The idea was first introduced in May after the city was visited by a group of suspicious women who went door-to-door trying to sell magazines. When city clerk Juliana Rhye requested the women’s presence at the city building, only a few of the women answered the call, and according to Rhye, the only one willing to present a photo ID gave her a fake one.

Reports from residents said that the women asked for credit card information and insisted on coming into houses, even if the home owner wasn’t interested in buying anything.

School Board reviews auditor’s report

CORRECTION: The original story read that CPA Mike Overby commended Brandi Rogers the school board attorney, the credit actually was intended for Brandi Burnette, our Treasurer.

Board members confront superintendant about 

the creation of a new position at Dixon Elementary

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Monday night the Webster County School board heard the annual independent auditors report, which, according to Michael L. Overby, CPA, was filed on time for the first time in three years.

“You need to commend Brandi (Burnette),” Overby said. “She has worked very hard on this. When she took the board attorney’s position, I thought she might be overwhelmed, but she has done a good job.”

Providence Council holds quick meeting

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Providence city council buzzed through another quick meeting on Monday night.

The council approved the second reading of an ordinance to redo the recently introduced bucket brigade and charitable solicitation ordinance. The original ordinance stated that solicitation could only be held on Sunday, a fact pointed out by councilman Keith Ferrill.

At the previous meeting Mayor Eddie Gooch, along with the entire council, stated that the intent of the ordinance was not to hamper fund-raising efforts by local civic groups, school organizations and charities.