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Live stream: 2015 Fancy Farm Picnic

Water Board member drowns after falling into lake

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
According to authorities, Webster County resident Kenneth Ray Hammack, 67 of Providence, drowned in a lake next to his house on Wednesday night.

Fugitives captured in separate arrests on Monday

After two and a half months, law enforcement authorities have finally arrested a pair of fugitives suspected in a series of crimes across western Kentucky. According to law enforcement, Christopher Adam Sheridan, 31 of Clay, and Brooke Stevens, 34 of Clay, were arrested in separate incidents in two different states on Monday.

The ordeal began in early May when Webster County authorities began seeking Sheridan for a parole violation. Soon after, on May 11, Stevens was arrested in Crittenden County at the scene of a church burglary. Another suspect in the burglary, believed to be Sheridan, managed to evade authorities.

‘Vicious dog’ law might be upsetting to many

Law has been on the books since 2008
by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Dog Warden Aaron Richmond is warning dog owners that many of them are currently in violation of county law. A little known county ordinance requires all ‘vicious dogs’ to be registered, spayed or neutered and kept either in a secured pen or indoors. Owners are also required to have a $100,000 homeowners liability insurance plan. Richmond said that most dog owners have done none of these things.

“The county put this ordinance into effect in 2008,” he explained. “Since then we haven’t had a constant, full-time dog warden in the county, and a lot of new people have moved into the county. Maybe people aren’t even aware of the ordinance. But we can’t just blatantly ignore the ordinance. That’s breaking the law.”

Providence Council talks fireworks, uptown parking

Providence City Council met Monday night with all members present.  City Attorney Richard Peyton read a draft proposal regarding the use of consumer fireworks in the city.  Members of the council have been receiving many complaints of fireworks being set off at all hours of the night in the weeks preceding the 4th of July holiday and continuing throughout recent days.  The proposed ordinance, as read would primarily restrict personal use of fireworks to the week of July 4th, as well as New Year’s Eve, and day.  Also included were fees that might be imposed on local vendors of fireworks. 

Accident leaves two dead, driver charged with DUI and murder

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) charged the driver in a Sunday afternoon fatal car accident with a DUI (1st offense) and 2 counts of Murder.

The initial KSP report states that Christopher S. Duncan, 43 of Dixon, was operating a 1996 Ford Ranger westbound in the eastbound lane of travel on Highway 132 when he met a 2002 Yamaha motorcycle in a curve.  The pickup truck struck the motorcycle head-on, ejecting the operator, Johnathan G. Gray, 24, Utica, and the passenger, Paula M. Hamilton, 26, Livermore.

Work Ready event this Thursday

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Work Ready hopes to take another step forward on Thursday when the group hosts ‘Hot Topics Luncheon: State of the Commonwealth, County and School’, a meeting that hopes to bring together business, political and educational leaders from around the county.

Dollar Store employee arrested for theft of $14,154.16

 CORRECTION: In the print edition the suspected theft, which was reported to have occurred in Sebree, should have been reported at the Dixon Dollar Store.

An employee of the Dollar General Store in Dixon was arrested last week after Dollar General Corporation Loss Prevention discovered that $14,154.16 in cash had gone missing from the store between May 1, 2015 and July 4, 2015.

WC schools celebrate Yarbrough’s first year

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Dr. Rachel Yarbrough, Superintendent of Webster County Schools, officially kicked-off her second year at the helm of her alma mater by holding the second annual District Leadership Summit Meeting on Monday.

Dixon unveils ‘Sensory Park’ model

by STEVE SHOOTS
Dixon City Commissioners met Monday night for the regular scheduled meeting.  Mayor Carolyn Townsend opened the meeting by offering a presentation on behalf of the Parks Board.  Townsend introduced the model for the planned Sensory Park, being hailed as a “Park for All Children”. 

Behind the Badge: Capt. Donald Jones

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.

Captain Donald Jones of the Webster County Sheriff’s Department has dedicated his life to serving and protecting the public, both  from behind the badge and in the back of an ambulance.

Snyder appointed as Director of Public Works

by STEVE SHOOTS
J-E Reporter
The Providence City Council met Monday evening with Mayor Eddie Gooch presiding. 
Council Members present were Keith Farrell, Tom Skinner, Doug Hammers, Scott Frederick and Delores Overby.  City Attorney Richard Peyton and Clerk Kay Travis were also present. Absent was Councilwoman Shannon Cole Layton.  

Study finds Providence homeowner's insurance among highest in the state

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
A recent study of homeowner’s insurance conducted by ValuePenguin in 92 Kentucky cities has found Providence to be in the upper half of the most expensive in the state.

Dangers of synthetic drugs

Last week’s multi-county synthetic drug ring raid brings to light a growing concern in the area. The synthetic marijuana product ‘K2’ was briefly in the news in 2010 when state legislators passed laws banning sales of the product. Until that time it had been commonly available in many convenience stores around the state.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic cannabinoids (which includes K2) are “sold under many names, including K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, and others — and labeled ‘not for human consumption’ — these products contain dried, shredded plant material and chemical additives that are responsible for their psychoactive (mind-altering) effects.”

Multi-county drug busts leads to the arrest of two suspects in Providence

When a joint task force of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department (HCS), the Madisonville Police Department (MPD) and the Kentucky State Police (KSP) brought down the largest synthetic drug ring in Western Kentucky, the net they cast netted two residents of Providence— Jeremy Jay Oglesby, 42, and Paula D. Oglesby, 35, both of 408 N. Broadway.