Judge dismisses recount

Security of ballot box called into question

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Fourteen precincts into the recount for the 5th Judicial Circuit 2nd Division Family Court Judge’s position, the proceedings came to a sudden and unexpected halt when the security of one of the ballot boxes was called into question.

“There was a ballot box out of the south Clay precincts that was not locked and the seal was not tight,” said Bart Frazer, attorney for candidate Brandi Frazer. “It was not tight to the point where you could easily have opened the box and have room to put ballots in or take them out.”

Fiscal Court to appoint variance board

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County Fiscal Court met in a brief session on Monday. Up for discussion again was the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood maps that the county approved earlier this year, or more specifically the variance board who will oversee appeals to the flood zones.

According to county attorney Clint Prow, although FEMA requires the creation of the board, it will actually have very limited powers.

School Board hears annual audit

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

On Monday night members of the Webster County School Board heard the results of it’s annual auditor’s report, prepared by Kem, Duguid & Associates of Hopkinsville. The audit covers the period of July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

As of June 30, 2014, the Webster County School District reported $21,027,014 in bonded debt and lease obligations. The largest of those is a 2008 WCHS renovation bond for which the district still owes $8,765,000 and the 2013 middle school bond of $4,650,000.  

Toys for Tots kicks off 28th year of giving to area youths

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Providence Fire Department has undertaken the task of assisting Webster County young people for nearly three decades with it’s Toys for Tots program. The program began in 1987 and is still going strong.

Last year the organization provided toys to a record setting 425 children throughout the county and is hoping to roll that success over to this year. Current estimates are that some 350 children will be in need this holiday season.

Providence Veterans Parade

Created with flickr slideshow.

Locally grown popcorn featured at Kroger

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sometimes deciding which product to purchase at the grocery store can be a difficult task, especially when you approach the shelf and find a half dozen brands of the same item. In most cases you have no idea where the product came from, who packaged it or where it was grown. 

But one brand you will now find on the shelves at Kroger will change that. When you see the display for ‘Kentucky Proud Popcorn’ you’ll also see the faces of two Webster County farm families. That isn’t just a marketing ploy. That is because that popcorn was grown by one of those two familes.

RECOUNT

Leonard files for recount in Family Court Judge's race

by MATT HUGHES

Ben Leonard

J-E News Editor

On November 4, 2014, the three county race for  5th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Division Family Court Judge came down to the wire, with Crittenden County’s Brandi Hagen Rogers defeating Webster County’s Ben Leonard by only fifty votes as the final precincts reported. That outcome will now be questioned in court.

According to Crittenden County Circuit Court Clerk Melissa Guill, on Friday, Ben Leonard filed for a recount in the election proceedings. 

Water Board to review Cost of Service Study, consider increase

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

For most of the last year the Webster County Water District (WCWD) has been discussing the prospect of doing a cost of service study. According to district Superintendent Paul Lashbrook, that study is currently underway and should be completed in time for the December water board meeting.

 The study will be used to clearly define exactly how the district’s operating costs compare to the price of water. It will take into consideration every expenditure, including utilities, chemical costs and payroll. In the end there is a good chance the study will result in an increase of water rates.

J-E welcomes new sales representative

The Journal-Enterprise has hired Todd P’Pool to act as the newspapers new full-time outside sales Account Executive. P’Pool joined the J-E staff last week with a goal of expanding the newspaper’s sales reach, allowing for the addition of new material to the paper’s existing content.

NOW OPEN - 41A blocked north of Nebo

Highway 41A was blocked by an accident one mile north of Nebo, just prior to 8:00 a.m. on Monday.

The road reopened at around 8:15 a.m.

Western Kentucky braces for first snow of the season

       

         The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has given notice that snow and ice preparations are currently being made for snow that has been forecast for the over night hours. Check back for possible school delays/closings tomorrow morning.

           The KYTC District 2 Snow and Ice Operations Center will open at 8 p.m., CST, tonight, to monitor weather conditions and call in crews as required.
          Before crews left work on Friday they loaded trucks with salt and mounted snow plows so they will be ready to roll out quickly as snow develops over the region.
Union County is reporting a mixture of light snow and drizzle at this time with a temperature of 32 degrees.  Pavement temperatures are holding around 40 to 42 degrees, helping to reduce the likelihood of accumulation on road surfaces at this time.  That will change as temperatures drop during the early morning hours.
           The KYTC District 2 Snow and Ice Team has formulated the following attack plan for tonight’s winter weather event:

• Daviess, Hancock, Union, Webster & Henderson Counties will report at 8 p.m. as we are expecting 3-4 inches of snow in these counties beginning around 9 to10 pm. A Winter Weather Warning has been issued for these counties by the National Weather Service.
• Ohio, Muhlenberg, McLean, Hopkins, Caldwell & Christian Counties will report at 11 p.m. as we are expecting snow to begin in these counties between Midnight Sunday & 1 a.m. Monday with 1.5 to 2 inches of snow anticipated by 6 a.m., Monday.

           Based on the forecast, we are expecting a wet snow that will plow well.
Motorists are asked to do their part by slowing down and using appropriate caution when they venture out, especially in the morning hours.

KYTC to prepare roads for winter weather this weekend

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 2 crews are gearing up for a developing winter weather event expected to arrive Sunday and continue into Monday.

The weather forecast indicates about a chance of rain moving into the area Sunday afternoon with a switchover to snow during the overnight hours into Monday morning.

Tobacco-ban to affect Webster County courthouse

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Judge Executive Jim Townsend announced at Monday’s Fiscal Court meeting that a state mandated tobacco-ban that goes into effect on November 20 will ban the use of all tobacco products at both the new and old courthouse buildings.

Governor Steve Beshear on September 4, 2014 that he had issued an executive order that will expand the existing smoking ban currently enforced by the state, which prohibits smoking only inside state buildings and vehicles. The new order will ban the use of any tobacco product or e-cigarette and will be enforced in all state vehicles, inside or outside of any state building or in the parking lot of those buildings.

Leftover Turkey Talk

by KATIE ALEXANDER

Extension Agent

Leftover turkey talk 

 The holidays are quickly approaching, and with them, the season of great eating. Soon, you’ll have more turkey and dressing than you’ll know what to do with. 

Local faces to be added to Vietnam Memorial ‘Wall of Faces’

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

It is our tradition at The Journal-Enterprise to sit down every November and interview a local veterans for an article to run the week of Veterans Day, but an email I received last week brought about a surprising change in plans. Because of that email, rather than sitting down with a vet, I had the chance to speak with the family of Sgt. David Jameson and PFC Robert Davis, two Providence men who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.

These are their stories.

The Wall of Faces

Most people are familiar with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which was constructed in 1982 by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF). What many might not be familiar with is The Wall of Faces.

School board discusses future of board attorney position

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Webster County School Board members began discussion on Monday of how to proceed with finding a replacement for Board Attorney Brandi Rogers, who was elected to the 5th Judicial Circuit, 2nd Division Circuit Family Court Judge’s position during last week’s election.

Deer caught in net put down by authorities

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

A deer wandered into the city limits of Clay on Monday, which did not end well for the animal.

According to Webster County Conservation Officer Josh Gunn, witnesses saw the animal running near the city park on Monday when it became entangled in a neat used for batting practice.

Gunn said authorities tried to free the animal, however, the more it struggled the worse it’s antlers became entangled in the net. In the end they had no choice but to put the deer down.

Webster County awarded funds for radio tower project

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

The Delta Regional Authority awarded a $125,000 grant last week to Webster County to pay for a new 180 foot tower that will house all of the county’s emergency radio antennas and repeaters, with the exception of the Providence Police Department.

Gooch reclaims seat in state senate

Rep. Jim Gooch

McConnell carries Webster County

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Locally residents were paying close attention to both the State Representative seat belonging to Providence native Jim Gooch, while across the state all eyes were on the US Senate seat currently held by Senator Mitch McConnell.

Representative Gooch easily reclaimed his seat on Tuesday night against Daviess County Republican Dianne Burns Mackey with a vote of 9,465 to 6,320 Gooch dominated the polls in Webster County, beating his competitor 3,098 to 1,296, taking 70.51 percent of the vote. 

Sebree Council hears questions about apartment project

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Sebree’s city council meeting on Monday was dominated by talk of a new apartment complex that councilman Mark Moser plans to build a few miles south of the city limits. Council members pointed out numerous times that the council has no control over what the county or councilman Moser does outside the city limits, but the mayor allowed residents to have their say.

Rogers prevails in tight Family Court Judge's race

Elder holds on to Jailer's position

by MATT HUGHES

J-E News Editor

Voters turned out in near record numbers on Tuesday night with several highly contested races on the ballot, including State Representative and US Senate. At the local level it was the three county Family Court Judge’s seat and the office of Webster County Jailer that garnered the most attention. In most local elections the incumbents easily dominated.