Providence one step closer to closing lawsuit

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Officials with the city of Providence hope to soon bring closure to an issue that has plagued the city for close to ten years, and add another $600,000 back into the city’s bank account.

In October of 1997 the Ohio Casualty  Insurance Company (OCC) issued a surety bond to the City of Providence, in which it agreed to indemnify Providence up to the sum of $300,000 for losses caused by various acts and omissions attributable to then city clerk Sara Stevens.

Fiscal Court going to request removal of guardrails on 874

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

The Webster County Fiscal Court met in regular session on Monday, December 23, 2013 at the courthouse in Dixon.

One item discussed during the road request portion of the meeting was the new bridge the state recently opened on highway 874 near the  community of Lisman.

The new bridge over Fredericks Ditch opened Thursday, September 19, restoring normal traffic flow on KY 874 between KY 279 and KY 1340. According to Webster County Judge Executive Jim Townsend, the new bridge has caused some difficulties for local farmers.

“They put up some guardrails that are not allowing farmers enough room to get to their fields,” he reported. “Some sections of guardrail need to come down.”

Townsend suggested that the state be contacted about relocating part of that guardrail to Clay, where earlier this year city officials requested guardrails at the intersection of 109 and 132.

Dotiki Miners donate money to charity

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Representatives from Webster County Happy Feet recently received a check for $4,000 from coal miners at Webster County Coal (Dotiki Mine), but it was not a traditional check presentation.  Instead of meeting the miner’s in the staging area, Samantha Nall, Casie Corbett and Shirley Hendrix visited with Dotiki miners in their own environment, deep below the surface of Webster County.

“It was amazing!” said Corbett, who works at Independence Bank in Providence.  “I was terrified to go, but I loved it.  They were so good to us and explained everything. It was so neat to see what so many of my customers do on a daily basis.”

Workers at the Alliance Resource Partners owned Dotiki Mine donated the $4,000 themselves.

Happy Feet is an organization that provides athletic shoes, free of charge, to Webster County children in need.

The organization was founded in 2009 by Jerry Baird of Union County, and can be found in several local counties. Thanks to the charitable donations and support of the local communities, Happy Feet began in Webster County during the 2010 school year. 

The Webster County Schools Family Resource and Youth Service Center Directors identify eligible students for the program. A local shoe store has partnered with Happy Feet from the beginning in sizing, selecting various shoes of choice in each size, and delivering the shoes to these chosen students.

Candidates continue to file for May primary election

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

Just under a month remains for the January 28, 2014 filing deadline for candidates wishing to file for public office. All county officers and legislative body members, as well as U.S. Senator U.S. Representatives, State Senator (even-numbered districts), State Representative, Circuit Judges, and District Judges will be on the ballot for the May 20, 2014 primary.

WC Middle School project on schedule for August opening

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

With the first half of the school year now in the books, Webster County administrators are beginning to look ahead to the expected August opening of the Webster County Middle School on the central campus in Dixon.

Currently the future middle school is nothing but the skeleton of a building, separated from the high school only by a temporary wall. Most of the structures walls are bare concrete walls, and water lines and electric wiring are still exposed. But despite the unfinished appearance, everything is where it is supposed to be.

Gas prices to fall on Jan. 1

by Matt Hughes

JE NEWS EDITOR

On January 1, 2014 gas prices will be going down. It wont be a huge drop. In fact the average driver’s wallet might not even notice the decrease.

Kentucky’s “gas tax” on sales of gasoline, diesel and ethanol motor fuels will decrease by 1.5 cents per gallon on New Year’s Day, reflecting a drop in the calculated average wholesale fuel price.

According to the Kentucky Highway and Transportation Cabinent, the decrease would result in a loss to the Kentucky Road Fund of about $45 million on an annualized basis.