Governor awards bids for Sebree interstate interchange

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County is now one step closer to getting it’s Interstate 69 shielding as Governor Steve Beshear announced last week the awarding of a contract for improvements needed to bring the Highway 56 interchange near Sebree on the Breathitt-Pennyrile Parkway up to interstate highway standards.

Kids' Wheels program continues to grow

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

After less than a year in operation, a local charity called ‘Kids’ Wheels’ has really begun to make a difference in the lives of local young people by putting them on their very own bicycle.

Local church to celebrate 200 years of ministry

Event Kick off Saturday, August 2 with meal

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Two hundred years of history will be celebrated at a small country church on the outskirts of Providence over the next two weeks.

Ambulance board okays purchase of new location on US 41A

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Judge Executive Jim Townsend confirmed on Friday that Webster County EMS will eventually have a new home on U.S. 41A south of Dixon.

Clay Kid's Day (VIDEO)

Candidates slow to file as Aug. 12 deadline nears

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

With the filing deadline for non-partisan races in the November general election quickly approaching, the Webster County Clerk’s office has seen a surprising lack of activity. All city council/commission positions, as well as each mayoral positions in the county are up for election this November.

Clay prepares for new Fire Department

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

While Clay officials planned on being in their new fire station almost two months ago, they continue to wait for the building contractor to hand them the keys. 

‘Quilt Trail’ project starting to spread beauty across the county

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Motorist around Webster County have probably noticed several brightly colored quilt block designs hanging on the sides of various buildings, but many of those people still don’t know the story behind those blocks. They also don’t know that blocks just like those have gone up all across the state of Kentucky and throughout many other states as part of Quilt Trails.

Moser withdraws motion to rezone Sebree property

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The city of Sebree sent out notice on Monday afternoon that Mark Moser, the owner of JEM Development, had withdrawn a motion to rezone a 6.5 acre lot in the city from manufactured housing to multi-family housing.

Staff Stuff - 7/16/14 "Just the facts ma'am."

In the words of Joe Friday, "Just the Facts ma'am."

In today’s world, perception means a lot. What other people perceive about you, your ideas or your actions often packs more weight than the truth does. While I can’t say that this is fair or good, it is the reality in which we live.

Turning the ship around: WC Schools begin working towards change

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Last Tuesday night Webster County School District’s administration  officially kicked off the beginning of the school calendar year with a Leadership Summit. The theme for that meeting, and for everything the district does this year, ‘Turning the Ship Around’.

OSHA hands out $69,300 in fines to Providence busines

CORRECTION: The J-E originally reported the fines as $85,000. That number was incorrect, the actual total was $69,300. We apologize for the miscalculation.

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Providence-based S&S Salvage, owned by Tim and Tammy Smith, and Rising Point LLC, which is co-owned by the Smiths, now face a total of $69,300 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Shrinking coal severance funds limit county’s spending ability

Judge Executive Jim Townsend swears in new Dog Warden
Aaron Richmond at Monday's meeting

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Fiscal Court was feeling the burden of shrinking coal severance funds on Monday when magistrates were asked to approve a priority list of projects for Local Government Economic Assistance (LGEA) funds to be used in the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

Cats becoming a hairy problem for Dixon residents

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Mayor Linda Frederick told members of the Dixon Commission on Monday that cat’s were becoming a growing problem in their city, stating that at least four families had lodged complaints with the city.

Middle School progressing on schedule

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Middle School is on track to be opened and ready for students in time for the start of the 2014-2015 school year. According to Middle School principal Cyndi Boggs, everything is currently progressing as planned.

Police Chase suspect gets 15 years in jail

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Tommy R. Branson, 61 of Sebree, appeared before Webster County Circuit on Thursday, July 3, 2014 to face charges from an incident that took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2014. At that time he entered a guilty plea on all charges, reversing the plea he had entered before the Grand Jury.

Water District looks at cost of production numbers

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Water District continues to beat 2013 production numbers. Production has been higher in five of the first six months of the year. The lone drop in production came in April, where production dipped only 193,725 gallons lower than the same period last year.

Providence Council votes to keep pool open in August

Mayor Gooch says measure not feasible

By CHARLIE HUST

Providence City Council breezed through a short agenda with just four council members on hand during regular session Monday night in the council chambers.

Mayor Eddie Gooch was also absent from the meeting.

Staff Stuff 7-9-14/ Minimum Rage

by Matt Hughes

J-E News Editor

I’m not a financial genius, but I do believe that I have a little bit of common sense. It’s with that in mind that I want to tackle an issue that has been a real hot topic over the last year. Minimum wage.

This is one of those issues that exists in a gray area. Of course I would love to see people make more money, and on the surface raising the minimum wage to $10 per hour will do that. But consider for a moment the domino effect that will have on our society.

Slaughters commissioners discuss ‘Tractor Day’

New festival expected to draw crowds on August 3

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Slaughters city commission met last Tuesday night for their regularly scheduled meeting. Among other items on the agenda was a discussion of ‘Tractor Days’, a new festival the city has planned to hold in conjunction with Independence Bank’s annual Tractor Ride.

Webster schools named finalist for math/science grant

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The Monsanto Fund announced last week that Webster County Schools had been named a finalists for this year’s America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grants. The grant, in the amount of $25,000, gives eligible farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for one of two merit based grants, either $10,000 or $25,000.

Emotions run high as Sebree rezoning ordinance vote delayed by two weeks

 “You are not going to get to talk tonight.” -          Dorin Luck, Sebree City Attorney

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree residents hoping for a conclusion to the debated rezoning of a parcel of land in their community will have to wait at least another two weeks. On Monday night the council met before a capacity crowd in the city council chambers, most of whom signed a list signifying that they wished to address the council, but at the urging of city attorney Dorin Luck, members voted to delay any discussion of the rezoning ordinance until a public hearing can be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 at Sebree Elementary School.

Webster County escapee captured in West Virginia

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

According to Webster County Jailer Terry Elder, escaped inmate Marcle Jenkins, 29 of Kenova, WV, was arrested on Monday by authorities in West Virginia.

Trans American Bike Trail brings cyclist through Webster County

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Hundreds, if not thousands of cyclist pass through Webster County every year, following a path that leads through the county from Wheatcroft to Sebree. Most of the time they are just people most of us see pedaling along the side of the road and never give a second thought. 

Staff Stuff - 7/2/14 Hobby Lobby

I think Monday’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of Hobby Lobby might be one of the most important court rulings in decades, and I think that most people will never even realize it.

Kentucky’s exported soybeans bring value back to state

Farmers Rely on Roads, Rails 

and Rivers to Move Their Crop

Kentucky soybeans are already popular among customers both inside and outside the state, and that popularity is expected to grow. Without improvements to the state’s transportation infrastructure, however, Kentucky soybean farmer Keith Tapp says continued shipments of this lucrative commodity could be threatened. 

Vehicle causes damage to traffic lights in "uptown" Providence

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Providence authorities are looking for information on a driver who damaged traffic lights and took out a fire hydrant  on Wednesday, June 25 between 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Sebree council to hear rezoning ordinance on Monday

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

When Sebree’s city council members meet on Monday night they will be considering an ordinance that will rezone a piece of property on Sellers Street to multi-family residential. That rezoning, which was approved by the planning commission last month, has come under fire from a number of local residents who oppose the development of an apartment complex at that location.

GRADD program to help grandparents who raise grandchildren

Green River Area Development District (GRADD) has announced that they will have financial aid available through the Kentucky Family Caregiver Program (KFCP) during the new fiscal year (which began July 1, 2014). KFCP is designed to assist area grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

Water district $580,000 project get’s high priority

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

A water rehab project for the Webster County Water District (WCWD) was placed third on the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority’s (KIA) loan priority list of drinking water projects for the next fiscal year. Being on the list does not guarantee the district will receive money, but being listed as the third most important project does make it likely that this will happen.

4th of July celebrations in Providence, Sebree planned

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County residents are prepping for this Friday’s 4th of July Celebrations. 

New WCHS assistant principal named

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

On Wednesday, WCHS’s new principal, Tara Howard, released the name of the high school’s new Assistant Principal. Lesia Whitaker brings 24 years of experience with her to the job.