Sen. McConnell promises to fight back against new EPA regulations

Sebree Mining, LLC

With EPA chief Gina McCarthy slated to unveil a proposal for the nation’s first ever carbon emissions limits on existing power plants early next week, an issue that has long simmered on the back burner is likely to reach a boiling point this summer. 

Highway 132 to be closed during daytime starting next week

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans daytime closures along a section of KY 132 in WEBSTER County starting Wednesday, June 4, 2014.

Highway 270 closed in Webster County

KY 270 in western WEBSTER County was closed this morning, Thursday, May 29, 2014. by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) .

Survivor: Zeeann Bumpus

“One person can make a difference”

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Relay for life will be hosting its 2014 event on Saturday, June 14, at Trojan Field in Dixon.

As we prepare for the event, The Journal-Enterprise would like to take an opportunity to honor a few Webster County residents who have won their battle with cancer. Their stories are all different, but each one is an inspiration.

The various cancer survivors I’ve had the privilege of speaking with over the last two years have a variety of stories to tell, and I always let them tell their story the way they want to tell it. This week’s interview didn’t exactly how I expected, but the results were just as inspirational as any others.

Coal Festival underway

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The Providence Coal Festival got underway on Tuesday night and will run through Saturday, May 31, 2014.

Fiscal Court reviews road bids

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster Fiscal Court was in session on Tuesday. Discussion of county roads and road bids for the 2014-2015 fiscal year dominated the meeting.

WCHS's first graduating class to celebrate 50th anniversary

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

This year’s Webster County High School graduates will share something special with graduates of the past. Next Friday’s graduation services will mark the 50th Anniversary of WCHS’s very first graduating class.

Boil Water Advisory

The city of Providence has issued a boil advisory for customers south of stop light at US41A.

Inmate escapes jail custody following medical treatment

        The Kentucky State Police (KSP) reported this morning that at approximately 2:43 a.m. on Memorial Day morning, Webster County inmate, 29-year-old Marcle G. Jenkins escaped custody while at Baptist Health in Madisonville to receive treatment for an injury. He was incarcerated for burglary 1st, possession of burglary tools and fleeing/evading police on foot.

Pleasant Valley Archery Club Celebrates 50th

J-E photos by Matt Hughes.

Darrell Hill, right, was honored as a lifetime member of
PVAC on Sunday in Providence.

Webster students to get business program at ATC

Board approves free meal program for 

all students at Providence and Sebree

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Area Technology Center (ATC) principal Larry Garrity appeared before the school board on Monday to officially present the tech school’s newest program. Starting in the fall of 2014 Webster County students will be able to pursue college credits and certifications in business.

Clay council approves $1.78 million budget for next fiscal year

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

During it’s monthly meeting, members of the Clay City Council addressed the issue of properties that were in violation of the city’s nuisance ordinance. In all there were 20 properties named that needed to be mowed or repaired.

Incumbents dominate at the polls

Leonard wins vote for Family Court position, will face Rogers in November

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Incumbents were victorious in the three contested local races in Tuesday’s primary election, which drew roughly 30% of Webster County’s 9,408 voters.

New administrators named by superintendent of schools

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

As the restructuring of the Webster County School District continues, interim superintendent Pete Galloway announced the appointment of two officials at Monday night’s school board meeting.

FFA Photos

J-E photos by Charlie Hust

Polling places, workers named

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Clerk Valerie Newell has announced polling locations and poll workers for the May 20, 2014 primary election.

County okay’s new motorcycle signs

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Motorcyclists got a nod from the Webster County Fiscal Court on Monday as magistrates voted unanimously to take part in the “Share the Road” initiative.

Water district hears annual audit

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

CPA Mike Overby met with the Webster County Water District board on Thursday to go over their yearly audit.

“Everything seemed to be in order as it always has been in the past,” Overby told board members.

He reported that the district had total assets of $14,710,909 with a total liability of $13,482,561, giving them a yearly net position (formerly called net assets) of $13,482,561.

Archery club turns 50

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

This weekend the Pleasant Valley Archery Club near Providence will celebrate half a century of family oriented fun with a pair of archery shoots. On Saturday league shooting action will get underway at 9:00 a.m., and on Sunday the club will hold it’s 50th Anniversary Shoot, along with a meal.

Slaughters Commission discusses nuisance properties

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Slaughters Commission met for their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday. During the public appeals portion of the meeting, commissioners heard from Sheila Hughes, the custodian of a piece of property in the city. She reported that she recently received a letter from the city asking for the property to be mowed.

KU Unveils Upgraded Outage Map

New updates accommodate changing technology,                 enhance customers’ experience

Since its initial launch in 2010, the Kentucky Utilities Company and Louisville Gas and Electric Company online outage map has become a valuable tool for customers, media, emergency operations and government agencies in providing near real-time outage data. Now, the company is taking the outage map to the next level, launching the next generation of features to keep pace with ever-changing technology.

Highway 143 in Webster to be closed on Thursday

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet plans to close KY 143 in WEBSTER County on Thursday, May 8, 2014. 

Board discusses changing school boundary lines

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Clerk Valerie Newell met with the school board on Monday to discuss redoing board member boundaries.

Fiscal Court holds first reading of 2014-2015 budget

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Fiscal Court met on Monday  to discuss finances for the next fiscal year.

The court approved a three percent across the board raise for salary pools elected officials use to pay their deputies and assistants. They also granted additional increases of $1,500 to Sheriff Frankie Springfield’s department and $2,500 to the county clerk’s office.

BBQ is ‘a family affair’ for the Hobgoods of Sebree

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

For most of us, barbecuing is a symbol of summer, spending time with family and having a good time. For one Sebree area family, it is that and a whole lot more.

Hobbie BBQ is a family business that was started by the Hobgood family on a dare, but quickly turned into something much more. Some might even call it an obsession.

“The owner of Diamond Lake talked us into entering their backyard competition,” said Jerry Hobgood. “As fate would have it, we won first in ribs and fourth with Boston butt.”

Clay to examine future of gas pipe line

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Clay City Council met in a brief session on Monday to open bids for the proposed reconstruction of a problematic gas line creek crossing on Caney Creek.

Board discusses problems with superintedent evaluation system

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County School Board members met with Dale Gray on Monday night for training on how to effectively evaluate a superintendant. Gray is a member of the Hancock County School Board and a trainer for the Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA). 

Under KRS 156.557 school boards are required to evaluate the effectiveness of their superintendent on a yearly basis. The results of that evaluation become public knowledge, which is available to members of the public on request.

Providence Chamber to Meet

The Providence Chamber of Commerce will have a special meeting on Thursday, May 8 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the community center. Kyndle will have a special presentation, and Madisonville-Hopkins County Chamber President Lee Lingo will be on hand.

KHC Facebook photo contest celebrates National Historic Preservation Month

May is National Historic Preservation Month and the Kentucky Heritage Council wants to know, where is your favorite Old Kentucky Home? Show us by entering KHC’s “This is MY Old Kentucky Home” Facebook photo contest for a chance to win an all-expense paid weekend in Bardstown, site of Federal Hill, the house said to have inspired Stephen Foster to write our state song, “My Old Kentucky Home.”