Production halted at Sebree Mine

 County expects to lose as much as 1/3 of funding currently used for county programs

On Friday, Alliance Resource Partners (ARLP) issued WARN notices to employees at Sebree Onton #9 Mine and ceased all production operations at that site. While some employees will be given the opportunity to transfer to other locations, at least 140 miners now find themselves without jobs. But the impact of the closing is expected to stretch much further than just the employees affected by that closing.
County hard hit by loss
Webster County Judge Executive James “Jim” Townsend estimated that the county will see a one third reduction in the amount of LGEA money that comes in from the state due to a loss in coal taxes.

Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 42.455 created the LGEA during the Patton Administration, setting those funds asside for coal counties to improve the quality of life for local residents.
“That money will just go away,” said Townsend. “Those LGEA (Local Government Economic Assistance) dollars fund the senior citizens program, our fire departments, meals on wheels, the Webster County Dog Shelter and even the Sheriff’s Department.”

Vietnam vet urges all to support veterans

A generation of young American men were called upon to serve their country in the jungles of Vietnam, and most of them were never properly thanked for their service. These young men answered that call, many or most against their own wishes, and put their lives on the line for their country and their loved ones. Of those, 58,209 died in combat and another 153,303 were wounded.

The ones who did return came back to, at best, a lukewarm receptions. Veterans returning home from World War II and the Korean War were praised as heroes, complete with welcome home parades. Soldiers that served in Vietnam were portrayed in anti-war culture as psychos, drug addicts and war mongers. Rather than cheering fans, their planes were greeted by protesters with signs.

Inmates ‘walk away’ from Webster County detention center, captured 12 hours later

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
A pair of inmates who would have been out of jail in time for Christmas will not be looking at a longer stay after they “walked away” from the Webster County Detention Center at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Monday, according to the Kentucky State Police.

Patrick Jermaine McGuire, 20, and Jerrino Don Johnson, 24, were being housed in Webster County’s restricted custody center as part of the state approved work release program when they made the decision to escape.

Providence-Webster County Chamber Banquet plans announced

by MATT HUGHES
J-E Editor
When the Providence- Webster County Chamber of Commerce hosts it’s annual Christmas Banquet on Tuesday, November 17, it will be a year of first. This will be the first event held since the chamber changed its name to encompass all of Webster County, and it will be the first time the banquet has been held outside the city limits of Providence. This year’s event will be held in the Webster County Annex on the Dixon Campus of Webster County Schools.

Chamber President Elizabeth Holloman said the decision to move the event from the Providence General Baptist Church, where it has traditionally been held, was not an easy one, but is one that was necessary. According to Holloman, as the event has grown larger through the years, it has eventually outgrown the fellowship hall.

The Chamber has two guest speakers on tap for the event. Jim Ray, the owner of Jim Ray Consulting Services, is a business consultant who specializes in helping smaller companies grow and become strong through business development and analyzing marketing and sales.