Fiscal Court votes to bid material for dog pound

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Webster County Fiscal Court held a lengthy session Monday morning in Dixon.

The court spent a large part of the meeting discussing the new animal shelter and how they could save money. The plan is for county employees to do as much of the work as possible

“We’d like to do this job in segments,” said Judge Executive Jim Townsend.

“The auditor says that if the project exceeds $20,000 we have to bid it all,” said county treasurer Paula Guinn. 

The discussion was centered around using county labor and county provided materials to help cut the overall cost of the project. The catch being that the law would not allow the county to go out and find the cheapest materials.

“They look at the project as a whole, not segment by segment. You can bid your materials separate, but you still have to bid them.”

Nashville recording artist to perform at Providence Chamber Banquet

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Providence Chamber of Commerce announced last week that Nashville recording artist Dave Wilbert had been signed to provide the entertainment for the annual Chamber Banquet to be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Providence General Baptist Church.

“I am from southern Indiana, but I moved to Nashville in 1996 to pursue a music career,” said Wilbert. “I cut one record a few years back and had a music video that appeared on CMT Prime.”

Wilbert also toured with numerous Country Music artists such as Kenny Chesney, Joe Diffie and the Dixie Chicks.

“I make a living a different way now,” Wilbert said. “I do this just for fun. Doing it to make a living just took all of the fun out of making music.”

Chamber President Elizabeth Holloman and her husband Dr. Jon Holloman met Wilbert through a mutual friend. After listening to his CD, she decided that she would try to get him for the banquet.

“I’m bringing a friend named Scott McKinnon with me to play guitar,” said Wilbert. “He was paralyzed several years ago, so he’ll be playing from his wheel chair. Anytime we play together I sit down with him.”

The two will play a mix of country and Christmas music.

Tickets to the banquet can be purchased at Animal House Veterinary Clinic on West Main Street in Providence.

SANTA LETTER TIME

Just a reminder that it's time again to send in your letters to Santa. Santa letters are due in by Friday, December 6, 2013 to allow them time to get to the North Pole before Christmas.

Centuries old tree continues to spark debate for Fiscal Court

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Once again the Webster County Fiscal Court was talking about the tree on Hester Winstead Road on Monday.

The tree first became an issue in June, when the county was looking at paving the Slaughters area road. The tree, which is estimated to be a couple of hundred years old, grows right up to the pavement in the center of a 90 degree corner.

The court had received numerous reports that farm equipment could not fit down the road, and that the tree was a safety hazard because of both dead limbs and it’s location in the corner.

New allegations of mistreatment at Webster County shelter

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Once again allegations of animal neglect at the Webster County Animal Shelter are circulating around the county. The last time, in March of 2010, the rumors came via an anonymous video shot inside the dog pound itself. This time the source is a local animal rescue.

“I have contacted Sheriff Frankie Springfield and the state police regarding an issue that occurred a couple of weeks ago,” said Jessica Graham, the director of  Molly’s Mutts Animal Rescue.

Molly’s Mutts stated that they rescue animals from the Webster County Animal Shelter and other  shelters in the surrounding area before the animals are euthanized.

Graham says that several weeks ago a photo began to circulate on Facebook showing seven dogs that had been found in an area just outside of Providence.

Fire destroys Sebree Auto Parts, closes highway

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

A fire at Sebree Auto Parts  on Saturday morning resulted in US 41 being closed for approximately four and a half hours.

“At 7:36 a.m. a fire was reported at Sebree Auto Parts, 560 US Hwy 41-North  in Sebree, KY,” reported Webster County EMA director Jeremy Moore. “Upon arrival, firefighters reported heavy fire coming from the building.”

Jim Allen Williams, a Sebree fire fighter and member of the Sebree city council was among the first firemen to arrive on the scene.

“When we got here there were starter fluid cans exploding out the front of the building and hitting the fire truck,” Williams said.

Moore said that on first responding fire fighters were concerned with oxygen and acetylene tanks located near the rear of the building, but those were cleared without incident.

Firefighters from six area volunteer fire departments responded to the call. In addition to Sebree, fire trucks from the Poole, Slaughters, Dixon and Robards Fire Departments responded, as well as a few fire fighters from the Cairo fire department.

“Webster County Emergency Management and Kentucky Emergency Response team also responded to assist firefighters in controlling the runoff from the fire in nearby streams,” said Moore.

Sebree Fire Department investigators determined the fire to be accidental in nature, originating near the rear of the structure in the vicinity of a kerosene heater. That heater has been identified as the source of ignition. 

Webster County Ambulance Service and the Webster County Sheriffs Department also assisted at the scene. 

No injuries were reported, but the building was a total loss. The owner of the business was reportedly in the building at the time of the fire, but managed to escape unharmed.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 2:00 p.m. extinguishing hot spots. 

US 41 was reopened at noon on Saturday.

JE photos by Matt Hughes.