Traffic stop leads to meth arrest

STAFF REPORT
What started as a routine traffic stop on Monday ended in a methamphetamine bust for Providence Police Cheif Brent McDowell.

According to McDowell, Tuesday morning he received a report that a red pickup truck had been spotted driving off the shoulder of the road. Shortly after the report he spotted the vehicle as it ran onto the sidewalk in front of Hucks.

Circuit Court Clerk announces retirement

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Webster County Circuit Court Clerk Amy Villines announced her retirement last week, following 35 years of service to the residents of Webster County.

Villines went to work as a deputy clerk in 1980, soon after marrying her husband Larry and moving to Dixon.

K2C continues to bring in funds

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Webster County Kids to College (K2C) continues to garner support and finances from the community. Last week the Webster County Bar Association (WCBA) made a donation of $1,000 to the organization, which is still in the fund raising stages.

“This is the first gift of what the Webster County Bar Association hopes to be many future gifts to WCK2C,” said Circuit Court Judge Rene Williams.

Providence considers fireworks ordinance, sets tax rate for 2015

by STEVE SHOOTS
J-E Reporter
The Providence City Council met Monday night with all members in attendance.  Mayor Eddie Gooch opened by asking City Attorney Richard Peyton to provide the first reading of Ordinance 2015-6 which will cover the use, sale and display of fireworks within the city.  As Peyton summarized the ordinance, some of the key points identified were: 

•All provisions will be within compliance with KRS rules
•Persons may use fireworks between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. only
•Must be used only by people aged 18 and over
•Annual fee to vendors for the sale of fireworks will be set at $300.00 per location
 

Clay city council looks to increase taxes, save money on water

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Clay council members will attempt to offset a tight budget by approving a four percent increase to city taxes for 2015. The increase, if approved at a special called meeting later this month, will move the tax rate from 2.86 cents per $100 of assessed property value to 3 cents per $100.

For a property valued at $100,000, that increase will amount to $14 a year.
With the city already struggling with a tight 2015-2016 budget, another problem the city faces is delinquent taxes. Over the last several years the council has taken steps to collect on old debts, getting city attorney Ben Leonard in the pursuit of much needed funding.
Director of Public Works Paul Stone told the council that city workers had recently discovered a leak that had troubled the city’s water department for years.
“For years we have been using 145 to 155,000 gallons a day,” Stone reported. “We’ve had a thirty percent water loss for years. That’s a little over a million gallons a month.”

School Board will not seek tax rate increase

Tax hearing to be August 27 at 5:30 p.m.
by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
On Monday night, members of the Webster County School board took their first look at the tax rates for 2015. Although they did not vote on the rates at that meeting, they indicated that for the first time in at least five years they will not seek to raise taxes.

Taxing entities must submit their tax rates to the state by the first of September every year. Their options are to reduce tax rates, increase tax rates or take the compensating rate, keep the same rate or take the compensating rate, which means the actual rate is adjusted in order to bring in the same amount of money as the previous year.

Elder nominated for prestigious Acorn Award

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Many people around Webster County know Loretta Elder, if not personally, then through her family. Many know her as the wife of Jailer Terry Elder. To other she has been known a mother, grandmother, aunt or sister. Now Elder has been recognized for her own accomplishments after Madisonville Community College  (MCC)announced that she has been nominated for the 2015 Acorn Award sponsored by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)

The Acorn Award, which has been given out since 1992, is designed to enhance the quality of higher education by recognizing ‘inspired teachers’ in Kentucky’s colleges and Universities who provide strong service and commitment to their students.

Gov. Beshear’s Statement on Jefferson Davis Statue

“The Historic Properties Advisory Commission by law has control over the statues in the Rotunda of the State Capitol, and recently I asked the Commission to review the appropriateness of the Jefferson Davis statue remaining in the Rotunda," Beshear said in a statement on Wednesday.

Providence Literary Festival to bring Best Seller to Webster County

Western Kentucky-based horror author Matthew Alan Hughes announced last week that New York Times Best Selling Author Kody Keplinger would be appearing as a special guest at the 2015 Providence Literary Festival, which will be held next Saturday.

The inaugural event, held last September, featured New York Times Best Seller Jay Bonansinga, author of ‘The Walking Dead’ novel series. The festival boasted 21 published west Kentucky-based authors and drew over 250 visitors to the small community of Providence.

Sebree native to make Network Television debut tongiht

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
On Thursday night, television fans across the country will get the chance to see one of Webster County’s own shine when he appears in an episode of ‘The Astronauts’ Wives’ on the ABC network. It will be Sebree-native and Webster County High School graduate Glenn Hobgood’s network television debut. Not bad for a guy who launched his professional acting career only five years ago.

After spending years on the road as a stand-up comedian, appearing under the name of Bubba Saunders, Hobgood hung up his traveling shoes and decided to pursue a career in acting. It was a big career change for a man in his mid-fifties, but one Hobgood had planned ahead for.
“I decided to make a change when it became evident that we were going to stay in  St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana,” Hobgood said.

Special Publications

Check out our new 'Special Publications' Page! See the current issue of Health Beat, as well as back issues of Health Beat, WC Ag Families and the 2015 Graduation Edition!


Click here!

WC: Behind the Bade - Deputy Cory Patmore

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.

Kentucky’s Graduation Rate Among Tops In Nation

The latest numbers on the graduation rate are out from the United States Department of Education, and Kentucky is among the leaders nationwide.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Kentucky’s 86 percent graduation rate in the 2012-13 school year is fourth highest in the United States. Only nine states have a higher rate and six are tied with Kentucky. The national graduation rate is 81 percent.
“This data reflects ongoing efforts that have been underway to keep students in school so they have a better opportunity to become college/career-ready,” said Commissioner Terry Holliday.

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