Band qualifies for post season competition

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Wearing karate gi instead of traditional uniforms and marching atop a tatami mat without an evident field commander, the Webster County High School band has changed the way we look at marching bands. The change seems to have paid off as the Trojans finished second overall in competition on Saturday at Hopkins Central and qualified for regional post season competition with their show entitled “Ninja”.

KSP looking for suspect considered 'armed and dangerous'

On September 24, 2014, Kentucky State Police troopers conducted a search warrant of a residence in rural Union County. During the execution of the search warrant, Kentucky State Police detectives and troopers located illegal firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine and methamphetamine trafficking materials and related equipment.

Clay Postmaster to retire

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

On Friday the citizens of Clay will bid farewell to longtime Postmaster Larry Campbell. Campbell, who has been at the Clay Post Office since 1996, will be retiring from the postal service as of Friday, September 26, 2014.

Alliance CEO to Address Kyndle Industry of the Year Event

Joe Craft, CEO of Alliance
Resource Partners

Joe Craft, president and CEO of Alliance Resource Partners, will be the featured speaker at the 2014 Kyndle Industry of the Year Award breakfast, set for 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 at the Henderson Fine Arts Center.

“Joe Craft is certainly one of the most prominent business leaders ever to speak at an event in Henderson County, and we’re very excited he’ll be joining us for the Industry of the Year breakfast,” Kyndle CEO Brad Schneider said. “The coal industry is crucial to the economic vitality of our region, and as CEO of the company that operates River View Coal and several other mines in the Tri-State area, Joe is a uniquely qualified to talk about the current status of large industry in our region and what the future may hold.” 

FEMA threatens to withhold disaster monies if county does not approve flood maps

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

In February Webster County became only the second county in the state of Kentucky to reject updated Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood maps, following the lead of Lyon County Fiscal Court and Lyon County Judge Executive Wade White. On Monday those maps were up for discussion again.

School Board approves bond refinancing, 2014-2015 budget

District will save $5,385 per year for next twelve years

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County School Board members approved a measure on Monday that will save the district approximately $77,177 over the next twelve years by refinancing bonds issued in 2005.

County government working on multiple education projects

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Fiscal Court is currently working on three projects that could potentially effect the future of education for students from Webster County and the surrounding area. But like most government funded projects, first someone has to get the money.

Road work scheduled for Highway 1191 starting Monday

A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) plans milling and paving along KY 1191 in Webster County starting Monday, September 22, 2014.

This milling and paving project runs along the entire length of KY 1191 from KY 283 at mile point 0.0 to KY 2839 at mile point 2.405.

Water District to reseal parking lot

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Water District reviewed bids to reseal their parking lot in Dixon on Thursday. Only two companies submitted bids for the project.

Crowley’s Asphalt Sealing Company of Henderson submitted the winning bid, at $4,285. The other bidder was Hanson, KY based Hanson Sealcoat, who was slightly higher at $4,525.

Onton Hay Days this weekend

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Onton Hay Days has been scheduled to take place on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20.

Event will include:

Friday 19th

5:00 p.m. Food booths open and Car Cruise-In starts.

5:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony.

5:45  p.m. God Squad

6:00 p.m. Game and Craft booths open

7:00 - 9:00 pm. Just Us

9:00 p.m. Car Show awards

Saturday 20th

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast

7:30 - 11:00 a.m. Health Check (fast for 4 hours)

8:00 a.m. 5K Run/Walk

10:00 a.m. Baby Contest

11:15 a.m. Parade line-up

12:00 Parade

1:00 p.m. Kiddie Tractor Pull and Cornhole Tournament (for more info call 270-635-3200 or 270-884-3875)

5:00 p.m. Miss Teen Hay Days & Miss Onton Hay Days

7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Zach Ashby

Clay residents facing one very foul smelling invader

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The city of Clay is facing one very smelly problem.

“I’ve been talked to about a skunk problem,” said Mayor Rick Householder. “People want to know what we can do about it. We’ve even had a lady come to meetings and talk about that in the past, but there is nothing we can do as a city.”

The J-E purchased by Kentucky New Era

The Journal-Enterprise, which has been owned by the Hust family for the past 52 years, is being sold to a family-owned newspaper group in Hopkinsville.

Charlie Hust, managing editor, said the sale to the Kentucky New Era will be effective Oct. 1. 

Clay looks at job bids for new fire department generator

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Clay city council members voted to award a bid on Tuesday night, only to call an emergency session only moments following the conclusion of their meeting to reverse their decision.

Providence native appointed to Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force

Senator Dorsey Ridley, a Providence native, was appointed last week by Governor Steve Beshear to the Kentucky Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force. The 22 member panel, which includes students, will study bullying in schools as well as recommended practices and policies to help foster safer, harassment-free school environments.

“I am honored that Governor Beshear named me to the Bullying Prevention Task Force,” said Senator Ridley. “Sadly, thousands of Kentucky students are victims of bullies – making it necessary to continually address this type of behavior.”

Sebree Mine’s saftey director honored at state competition

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Coal mine safety is something that miners take very seriously, especially in recent years. Chris Williams, the Safety Director at Sebree Mine, was honored at  the Kentucky Mining Institute’s (KMI) 74th Annual Meeting in Lexington, KY.

Miners from nine different states took part in the two day event, which included safety competitions in Rescue, Benchman, Preshift and First Aid.

Sebree council to allow electronic signs within the city

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree City Council approved two ordinance amendments during the last week that will make it possible for electronic message signs to now be used within the city, although only if they meet very narrow specifications. The move is aimed at granting a request made by the Sebree First Christian Church earlier this year.

Fiscal Court grants easement to Sebree Mining LLC

Approves final tax rates

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Fiscal Court approved a thirty year easement on Monday for Sebree Mining LLC, an Alliance Resource Partners owned mine. 

That easement will allow for the construction of a overland ‘gob’ belt between the mine and property the company owns on the opposite side of the Pennyrile Parkway. For the last several years the mine has been relocating gob - a waste product left over when the coal is washed - at a site along the eastern side of the parkway.

Within thirty days of the court’s approval, Alliance expects to start construction on a new belt line. That belt will cross 15 feet above New Steamport Road, go under the Pennyrile Parkway and then cross over Highway 370.

In other business, magistrates voted to declare a house on North Finley in Providence surplus so that it can be auctioned off. In July, Wells Fargo Financial donated the house and property located at 204 North Finley Avenue to the county. At the next court meeting, on Monday, September 22, the county plans to announce an auction date.

The court also approved the final tax rates for the year. Those bills will be mailed out at the end of September or the first of October.

Providence Police get $3,300

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Providence Police Department announced last week that they had been awarded $3,300 from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS).

Webster County’s Historical Society welcomes 'Grandpa Jones'

Webster County’s Historical Society and The Kentucky Humanities Council will present their second annual Kentucky Chautauqua performance at the Dixon Community Center, starting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Dixon continues to struggle with feral cat issue

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Two months after Dixon Commission members first brought the subject up, complaints continue to come into the city office about feral cats.

Severe weather expected during the next two days

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that there is a slight risk of severe storms during the next two days.

Kyndle accepting nominations for its 2014 Industry of the Year Award

Kyndle is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Industry of the Year Award, to be given out at a breakfast set for 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 16 at the Henderson Fine Arts Center.

Poole Harvest Daze this weekend

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Poole Harvest Daze, held annually on the weekend after Labour Day, marks the kickoff of Webster County’s fall festival season. This years event will be held on Friday, September fifth and Saturday, September sixth.

Local groups keeps quilting tradition alive

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The art of quilting has faded from everyday life, but one group of ladies in the community of Onton is keeping that art alive with a weekly quilting session. They’ve also used their passion for quilting to raise over $30,000 for charity.

Missing Classified Section

The J-E apologizes for the inconvenience, but the classified section was left out of this week's paper. To view this week's classifieds, please click on the image above.

Local festival to bring "The Walking Dead" to Providence

Those who attend The Providence Literary Festival on September 13 at the Providence VFW will be a part of history in the making. Not only will they have the chance to meet a NY Times Bestselling Author, they will also have the chance to listen as the author himself presents the world premiere first reading of his book “The Walking Dead: Descent” a month before it is released to the public.

Local WWII hero and POW honored in Madisonville

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The generation that won World War II has long been called ‘the greatest generation’ because the men and women who lived through that era fought, struggled and suffered to overcome adversity and to defeat an enemy like no other we had ever seen.

Last Tuesday night a member of that generation was honored in a ceremony held at the old railroad depot in Madisonville by the Hopkins County Historical Society. He is a man who knows more about suffering and struggles than most of us can ever fathom. He spent 27 months in a German prisoner of war camp that he will never forget.

School Board okay’s four percent tax increase

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County School Board held a special called public hearing on Thursday night to discuss a proposed tax rate increase with the public. Such a hearing is required by law if the board intends to pursue a four percent increase.