Local Foster parents honored

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Sue and Alan Haynes of Sebree were recently honored by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services for being very special parents. They were named Outstanding Service Recipients for their work as foster parents, something they have been doing since 2009.

“We had just moved to Webster County, when our daughter was in a wreck,” Sue Haynes said. “Her best friend died in that accident. She had wanted to grow up to be a social worker, so we got involved in this in her honor.”

School Board sets SBDM allocations

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

On Monday night, Webster County School Superintendent Rachel Yarbrough and Deputy Assistant Superintendant Georgiann McCord presented school board members with an altered School-Based Decision Making council (SBDM) allocations for the 2015-2016 school year.

SBDM, which consists of a mixture of parent, teacher and administration members at each school, handles the hiring of faculty within their school. Each year the school board presents the council with enough funding for a specific amount of teachers, based on the number of students expected to be enrolled in the fall and the classroom capacity set by the state. That allocation does not include staffing for Special Education classes, which comes from a different allocation.

Murphy appointed to KSBA board

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Webster County will now have a voice in one of the largest groups of elected officials in the commonwealth of Kentucky. 

At the annual Kentucky School Board Association (KSBA) conference last week in Louisville, KSBA president Allen Kennedy appointed Webster County Board Member Venita Murpy to fill a vacancy as Second Region regional chairperson on the Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) Board of Directors.

KSP seek missing Hanson man

The Kentucky State Police is currently attempting to locate a missing person.

Jeremy D. Harris, 36, of Hanson, KY, did not show up for work today. He was last heard from/seen on Tuesday, March 17 at approximately 2 p.m. He was last seen wearing an older, faded camouflage shirt and khaki pants. Mr. Harris' description follows:

* Sex: Male * Race: White

Height: 5'8"

*

* Weight: 185 * Hair: Shaved * Eyes: Brown

Mr. Harris may possibly be operating a 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, red in color, with KY license plate: 391 NSY.

Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Mr. Harris is urged to contact the KSP at 1-270-676-3313 or toll-free in Kentucky, at 1-800-222-5555, or your local law enforcement agency.

Brent McDowell

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Everyday the people of Webster County are served by the members of our various local law enforcement agencies. From the city police departments to the Sheriff’s office and Fish and Wildlife officers, these men put their lives on the line every day so that we can be safe.

During 2015 the J-E will look to honor each of these officers by telling their story in the pages of our newspaper. Please, join us in thanking these officers for what they do.

Chief Brent McDowell

Brent McDowell has been with the Providence Police Department for ten years. Six of those he has served in his current position as the chief of police. 

Providence hears city audit, tables water tower demo talks

by STEVE SHOOTS

J-E Reporter

The City of Providence heard the results of their FY2013 audit Monday night during the regular scheduled meeting.  All members were present, with the exception of Councilman Scott Frederick, to hear results of the annual city audit.

Audit Director Jack Somerville, and Harrison Price, CPA of Myriad CPA Group, presented an overview of the audit which included several highlights:  the City’s assets exceeded its liabilities at the close of the fiscal year by $5,238,490; and the City’s total debt decreased by $508,850.  As stated in the formal report, the basic financial statements present two different views of the City through the use of government-wide statements and fund financial statements.  The report also contains additional information to enhance the understanding of the financial condition of the City.  

Local bull takes honors at KY Farm Bureau Beef Expo

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Most people in Webster County known Jeff Pettit as Chairman of the Webster County School Board, but there is a lot more to Pettit than a lot of people know. He is the CEO of Noash Construction, Inc. (NCI), a wireless communication service, maintenance and construction company he founded in 1998. Pettit and his wife, Michelle, also operate Diamond P Cattle Company,  which specializes in purebred Red Angus seed stock and commercial Red Angus replacement females. Pettit also recently completed a term as Chairman of the Webster County Cattlemens’ Association.

Inmate escapes from Christian County Jail

UPDATE:  The escapee, Russell K. Edwards, was taken into custody by the Hopkinsville Police Department at approximately 4:32 p.m.  Mr. Edwards was located at the Turner Apartments on North Main Street in Hopkinsville.  He was lodged in the Christian County Jail.

Kindergarten registration days planned

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Webster County Schools are set to begin registration for Kindergarten students, the first step on getting children enrolled for the upcoming school year. 

J-E to feature Cats' Pause Tournament Preview

As the sports world gears up for the NCAA Tournament, The Journal-Enterprise will be offering it’s readers a special feature to get them ready for the big dance. Next Wednesday, March 18, 2015, the J-E will include the 2015 edition of ‘The Cats’ Pause NCAA Tournament Preview’, a 34-page booklet that will take a look at the teams and the players that will make-up the tournament field.

IDA files for summary judgement in Ligett suit

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

According to Webster County’s County Attorney, the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has filed a motion in the Fifth Circuit Court in Dixon requesting a summery judgement on the law suit of Leesa Ligett vs. Webster County IDA.

Chasing a dream...

Retired Webster County educator to make film debut

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Dr. E Carolyn Tucker is well known around the county as an educator and school board member. This spring she will be adding movie star to her list of credits when TPT Films releases their latest project, ‘The Colors of Emily’. 

“I’ve always wanted to act,” Tucker said. “Any time I had an opportunity to perform, I took it. I acted in high school in school plays.  Also, I produced, directed, wrote parts for my students - both in my Sunday School classes as well as my students in middle and high school and gifted/talented class.”

I-24 snarl snags hundreds for hours

By Eli Pace
Kentucky New Era

A pair of jackknifed semis turned the westbound lanes of Interstate 24 into a parking lot Wednesday night between Cadiz and Paducah, leaving as many as 400 vehicles stranded at the peak of the pile up as state road crews worked to get traffic flowing again.

Some drivers spent as long as 16 to 17 hours in the standstill before road graders were able to cut open one lane, said Keith Todd, spokesman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Tourism looks ahead to 2015

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Tourism is not the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Webster County, Kentucky. The Providence Tourism Commission has spent the last several years striving to change that mentality, but despite several successful events, a general misunderstanding of the organization’s purpose and abilities still persists.

Updated NWS forecast calls for 8-10" of snow, starting between 3-6 p.m.

KYTC Flooding Update

Highway 138 at Slaughters
J-E photo by Taylor Hayes

Water Over Road Report

  The following report was submitted by Keith Todd, KYTC Public Information Officer. In addition to this list, The J-E has learned that water is also over Highway 138 near the railroad tracks in Slaughters.

KSP: Safe Driving Tips

In the coming hours, the Tri-State will be dealing with some wintery weather, so the KSP is asking motorists to be aware and monitor current weather conditions before travel.  

KSP reports that slippery roads were the contributing factor in 26,427 crashes in 2014.

Sewer increase for Sebree ‘out of town’ customers?

Rates could go up by minimum of $84 per month!

by MATT HUGHES

J-E Editor

Water and sewer rate talk dominated the Sebree Council meeting on Monday. The primary source of discussion was the sewer rate for Webster County Water customers outside the city who us Sebree sewer. A proposed increase could see those customers paying an additional minimum of $84.19 per month.

State police catch escapee in Sebree.

Sebree was the epicenter of a man hunt Monday morning, which ended with an escaped convict being taken into custody without incident.

According to the Kentucky State Police, Ronald T. Hardrick, 51, was being transferred from the Henderson County Jail to McLean County by a Henderson County Jail official when he escaped from the vehicle near the Highway 56 overpass near Sebree at approximately 8:04 a.m.

Free Hunter Education Course

A free Kentucky Hunter Education  and Bowhunter course is scheduled for Saturday, March 14. This is a one-day course starting at 8 a.m. to qualify for a ‘orange card’ and will be held at Pleasant Valley Archery Club on Highway 293, two miles south of Providence.

Authorities Seeking fugitive near Sebree

On Monday, March 2, at approximately 8:04 a.m., the Kentucky State Police Post 2 Madisonville was contacted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Department in reference to an escapee.  The escapee was being transported from the Henderson County Detention Center to Mclean County when he escaped on foot around the KY 56 overpass near Sebree. 
According to the KSP, the prisoner was being transported by the McLean County Jail.