Board approves new facilities plan

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Much of the Webster County School Board’s meeting on Monday revolved around expenses. From cutting the cost of bussing, to looking at the budget, finances were at the forefront.

The board approved a new Webster County School District Facilities Plan, with a price tag of around $23.8 million. Although not entirely binding, that plan is designed to serve as a road map moving forward, assessing the district’s building and construction needs.
The largest single project on the plan was a major renovation of Providence Elementary School, which will cost approximately $4.9 million. That project would include renovated restrooms, remodeling of the ‘well’ area, roof replacement, new bleachers and gym lighting, and new HVAC equipment.

The listing notes that the school site is too small.

Loretta Elder honored for lifelong dedication to nursing

Monday was a big day for Webster County resident Loretta Elder. In the morning she was elected to the Kentucky Nurses Association (KNA) Board of Directors, and in the afternoon she was named the recipient of the 2015 Acorn Award sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE).

Elder is a Professor in Madisonville Community and Technical College’s Integrated Nursing Program.  She has been elected to the position of Clinical Practice Staff Nurse of the Professional and Nursing Practice and Advocacy Cabinet on the KNA Board for a two-year terms beginning October 2, 2015.  She holds a Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) degree from the University of Southern Indiana, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Murray State University, and completed for Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree from MCC.  She is credentialed as a Certified Nurse Educator in addition to her Registered Nurse Licensure.

Long time editor/publisher to step down from position at The J-E

Departure ends Hust Family’s 53 year involvement with the J-E

Staff Report
This week the staff of The Journal-Enterprise bids a fond farewell to longtime publisher and editor of the newspaper, Charlie Hust, who has been active in the J-E almost non-stop since his family acquired the paper in 1962 when he was six years old.

“I’ve worked at The J-E since I was six years old when my dad and mom (Edd and Sue Hust) purchased it in 1962, so I’ve grown up in this business,” Hust said in a previous statement. “I came back to the business after graduating from college in 1980 and have been working full-time ever since. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have been able to work in a family business with my mom and dad all these years. It’s been an honor to carry on their legacy after their retirement. The entire Hust family is very appreciative of all the people in this community and the surrounding area for their support of the newspaper.”

Drunk driver indicted for double murder

Staff Report
When the Webster County Grand Jury met earlier this month, it passed down an indictment on Christopher S. Duncan, 43 of Dixon.

Constable arrested following second sexual assault claim

Staff Report
Just over a week after being arrested on sexual assault charges, Webster County Constable Dennis Shelton has been arrested following a second accusation of same crime.

According to the Kentucky State Police Shelton has been charged with Sexual Abuse 1st Degree and Burglary 1st Degree after conducting an investigation.

Statement from Alliance Coal on the death of Sebree Miner

“We are saddened to report that a miner at Sebree Mining, LLC’s Onton Mine was fatally injured in an accident that occurred on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at approximately 2:00 a.m. CDT. The miner has been identified as Rickey Thorpe, Jr., age 29, of Dawson Springs, Kentucky.  Mr. Thorpe and a fellow Onton Mine employee were performing maintenance work on a piece of mining equipment underground when an unexpected movement of the equipment resulted in fatal injuries to Mr. Thorpe.  Appropriate governmental agencies were notified and investigations of the accident by the agencies and Sebree Mining are ongoing.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Thorpe family.  Sebree Mining asks that you join us in extending support to Mr. Thorpe’s family and his fellow Onton miners during this extremely difficult time.”

David Ross, the Vice President of Operations for Sebree Mining, LLC—Onton #9 Mine.

Mining Fatality in Sebree UPDATE

UPDATE
by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
The Division of Mine Safety has release the name of the miner killed in this morning's accident at Sebree Mine.

29-year-old Rickey Thorpe, of Dawson Springs, and another employee were performing maintenance work on a continuous miner when the equipment fell, killing Thorpe.

Investigators with the Kentucky Division of Mine Safety are on-site investigating the accident and have closed the mine until further notice.

Alliance miners from Sebree Mine reassigned to other locations

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Employees at Alliance Resource Partners’ (ARLP’s) Sebree Mine learned on Friday that a number of employees at the Webster County operation, which ARLP has owned since 2012, would be reassigned to other mines in the area.

On Monday, Sebree Mining LLC General Manager Dan Durham confirmed those reports.
“It’s our way of adjusting to the present condition of the coal market,” Durham said. “In a way it’s a big deal, but it’s really not.”

Durham confirmed that approximately 50 full time miners were offered positions at other mines in the area.

Vandals Target Cemetery

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Cullen Cemetery just outside of Providence is a place of beauty and peace, with grave stones dating back over a hundred years. But in recent weeks the little cemetery has become the target of vandals.

“These weren’t all done at the same time,” said local resident Stan Nall, pointing out two markers that he said he knew were knocked down more than a week apart. “That one belongs to my friend Willie Brown. The one next to it is his father’s.”
In all more than a half dozen gravestones have been turned over, with the oldest dating back to 1891.

Dog Shelter to team up with Pet Smart

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Dog Warden Aaron Richmond told the Webster County Fiscal Court last week that the dog shelter will soon be teaming up with PetSmart Charities’ Rescue Waggin’, a national transport program that transfers homeless dogs and puppies from communities with high dog populations and high euthanasia numbers to communities with exceptional adoption rates.

Capstone Learning Center now open for business at WCHS

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
Monday marked the official launch of Webster County’s new Capstone Learning Center (CLC), a 21st Century Learning Center created by a grant from the US Department of Education. CLC is designed to provide Webster County High School students access to enrichment activities that fall outside the normal scope of school-based programs.
A lesser discussed side of CLC is that it will entirely erase the need for summer school programs. Rather than having to attend make up classes during summer break, students can participate intercession sessions or attend for daily academic help.

Elder joins Owensboro Health provider team

One Health, a branch of Owensboro Health, recently announced that it had expanded it’s operation to include Webster County. Nurse Practitioner Regina Elder has joined the Owensboro Health system, offering clinic and primary care services to the people of Webster County from One Health Dixon, located in the same facility that once house Elder’s Hometown Care Family Health Clinic.