Cathy Wright is ‘Living by Grace’

The following in one in a series of articles that will spotlight local cancer survivors during the month leading up to the 2015 Relay for Life, which will be held Saturday, June 13 in Dixon.
by STEVE SHOOTS
J-E Reporter

Cathy Wright of Providence considers herself a normal person. 
“I’m no better than anyone else”, she said.  So when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March 2009, she didn’t ask “Why me?”  Rather, there was no reason she knew of that it shouldn’t be her.  She explains that in so many instances in peoples’ lives, they might cry out first to God and ask why this is happening to them.  But she never did. 

“I just never questioned why,” she stated.

WC Behind the Badge: Scott Starkey

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.

Deputy Roy “Scott” Starkey, a Union County native who grew up in Evansville, began his law enforcement career in the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR), a far stretch from being a road deputy in Webster County. But for Starkey, it’s that personal touch of dealing with people on the street that make the job worthwhile.

From farmer to businessman

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Downtown Market in Slaughters is alive with activity most mornings as farmers drop in for coffee and breakfast before they begin their day’s labor in the field. Located on US 41, just a few hundred feet from Crop Production Services and just a few miles from the bulk of Webster County’s eastern farm land, it’s perfectly located to be a hub in the farming community.

That makes it fitting that the business’s new owner is himself a farmer.
Jacob Joiner, who lives between Sebree and the small community of Onton, has raised tobacco for several years, and intends to continue doing so despite stepping into the business world.

Providence native recalls World War II service in book

Seeks to reconnect with local roots

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
John R. Johnson Jr. is a name that might not be familiar to many people left in Webster County, but he remembers his life in the small town of Providence fondly. Fondly enough that his next goal is to complete a book about his life here, growing up in the western Kentucky coalfields.

A letter asking for help contacting people that might remember him  and want to help share info for his book is how I first became acquainted with Mr. Johnson, but it was clear from the start that his story was one that needs to be shared with everyone.

In December of 2013, Johnson published a memoir called “Un-Armed, Un-Armored and Un-Escorted: A World War II C-47 Airborne Troop Carrier Pilot Remembers”.

In honor of Memorial Day and all of the veterans it represents, I would like to share a little bit about a veteran who grew up right here in Webster County.

Coal Festival

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Providence Coal Festival Committee has announced the schedule of events for the 38th Annual Coal Festival, which will kick off Tuesday, May 26 at 5:00 p.m.

For years the event was held on the second week of June, but the last few years have seen the date pushed back into May. Although not a popular change for some parents, with schools still is session, it’s a change that was necessary.

“If we want to have rides, we don’t have a choice,” said Coal Festival Committee member Clint Prow. “The company that provides the rides has other places to go in June.”
The schedule of events includes:

Judge rules in favor of IDA

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
On May 7, Webster County Circuit Court Judge Rene Williams issued a summery judgement in the case of Leesa Ligett vs. Webster County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), ruling in favor of the IDA.

The suit, which namedthe IDA, as well as board members Steve Whitsell, Mike Farris, Ken Hamick, Herman Hawkins, Jerry Hobgood, Mark Moser and Steve Hendrix, questioned the legality of an IDA meeting held October 21, 2014. At that meeting the board voted to approve the sale of property in the Webster County Industrial Park to JEM Development for the purpose of building an apartment complex.

The suite held that the IDA violated Kentucky Open Records Law by not advertising the location and agenda of the meeting prior to the meeting date. The IDA’s counter was that the meeting was held on their long standing annual meeting date. Kentucky law does not require regularly scheduled meetings, or the content of those meetings, to be advertised.

Ligget’s attorney, James T. Skinner II, will have thirty days from the date of the judges decision to file an appeal, otherwise the judgement will be considered final.

Reach MATT HUGHES
 at 270-667-2068 or
matt@journalenterprise.com

County approves tight 2015-2016 budget

Warns that layoffs could happen next year
by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The 2015-2016 Fiscal Year looks to be a tough one for Webster County Fiscal Court. Magistrates approved the first reading of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, with a caution that the look ahead is not good. That road could include layoffs and major budget cuts over the next twelve months.

“You need to meet with all the department heads and urge them to be very frugal,” County Treasurer Paula Guinn told magistrates.

School board members discuss digital future

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
At Monday night’s Webster County School Board meeting, district officials introduced the first draft of a new Digital Learning Plan. That plan, if approved, will open a new doorway into digital learning in all of Webster County School by putting technology in the hands of students.

2015 Sebree Derby

The 4th Annual Sebree Derby was held on Friday. Click here to see more images of that event......

Food Bank has served over $850,000

Four-Wheeler to be auctioned

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Through community support and by taking advantage of several state and regional programs, the Providence Community Food Bank has provided over $850,000 worth of food to needy households in Webster County since opening it’s doors in December of 2012.

“Approximately 400 county households are served each month at no cost to them,” volunteer Keith Farrell said in a press release issued on Friday. “Eligible households are.....

For more check out the print version of The J-E today!

J-E now available at Family Dollars

New J-E rack in Sebree

Updated outdoor racks
In order to better serve it’s readers, The Journal-Enterprise replaced outdated and sometimes unreliable outside paper racks at three locations across the county with updated equipment earlier this week. An all new rack was also added to the Sebree Family Dollar, now making the J-E available at both Family Dollar stores in the county.

Providence parks vandalized

by STEVE SHOOTS
All members of the Providence Town Council were present Monday night for a regularly scheduled meeting. 

Eddie Gooch shared with the council reports he has received of vandalism at the City Park.  In one instance, it was discovered that all of the retaining nuts had been removed from the picnic tables.