Got game?
Scuba school
The area’s newest video game store is stocked with the latest equipment, including justreleased games and old-time favorites.
Despite being landlocked, Kentucky offers a world of opportunity for underwater adventurers like scuba instructor Herb Booth.
Business, A6
Feature, B12
Waiting for next year
The News Standard Meade County's Paper for the People
Friday, May 23, 2008
Meade County, Kentucky
The Greenwave‘s season is at an end, but head coach Daren Snell said the team’s future is bright. Sports, B1
55¢
U.S. Postal Customer Standard Mail Permit No. 5 Postage Paid at Battletown, KY
Volume 2. No. 33
Greer gives update on progress made at Gen. Assembly By Laura Saylor editor@thenewsstandard.com
Jeff Greer (D-Brandenburg) at a recent meeting. Greer was the keynote speaker at the Meade County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon held May 15 at the county extension office. After a lunch catered by Homeplate Family Restau-
Statewide funding cuts may affect the local community, while the Fort Knox expansion is bringing money and investment to the area already, reported State Rep.
rant in Brandenburg, Meade County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paul Poole welcomed Greer to the podium where he discussed progress made at the recent General Assembly, and setbacks that still linger. As the Commonwealth
faces new budget challenges, Greer said one of the major topics discussed was how to increase revenue for the state. The casino gaming incentive was dismissed early, and though the House of Representatives approved a 25 cent increase on cigarette taxes,
the subject was shot down in the Senate. A suggestion to take funds generated from the Kentucky lottery that are applied to state education and instead put the proceeds into the general fund, was also nixed. Greer said attempts to
increase revenue fell short among legislatures, leaving the only option to cut funds. Monies sourced to health, social security and education have been reduced. “I’m not real proud of the
See PROGRESS, A2
Meade Co. likes Clinton For those who gave all... VFW Post to host Memorial Day ceremony THE NEWS STANDARD/JORENA FAULKNER
Winning essayist Carlea Brothers says her mother, Jennifer Patton, makes her feel like, “I am the light of her life.�
Special mom honored with essay, gifts, prizes By Jorena D. Faulkner jorena@thenewsstandard.com “My mom makes me feel like I am the light of her life,â€? wrote fifthgrade student Carlea Brothers about her mother, Jennifer Patton, in an award-winning essay entitled, “I Owe It All to My Mom.â€? During a ceremony held at David T. Wilson Elementary School on May 15, the single mother of three children — 14, 11 and nine — was both shocked and surprised to find that her daughter had entered an essay in the Meade County Public Library’s contest “Why My Mom Deserves a Makeoverâ€? ‌ and had won first place. “There are times as your children grow older that you being to wonder if they absolutely hate you,â€? Patton said. “This kind of confirms it’s not the case.â€? Patton was in tears and visibly shaking as she stepped forward during the gymnasium celebration to accept her award, holding hands with
By Jorena D. Faulkner jorena@thenewsstandard.com Monday marks the 140th anniversary of the first observance of Memorial Day. With Brandenburg’s close proximity to Fort Knox and the county serving as host to a diversely integrated military community spanning several generations, Meade County residents have a multitude of reasons to celebrate this upcoming holiday. The Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Meade County Memorial Post 11404 is slated to host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Meade County Courthouse on Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. “The service will be honoring all veterans,� said Post Commander Wilbur Beasley. “We have to recognize those who have given their lives for this country, support their family members, and do what we can for the community.� The ceremony will cumulate with the placement of a wreath on the monument outside the courthouse. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside the courthouse. Additionally, during the week prior to Memorial Day, members of VFW Post 11404 and their family placed flags on the gravesites of service members in the area in observance of their ultimate sacrifice. Memorial Day — originally called Decoration Day — is traditionally celebrated annually on May 30, but is officially observed the last Monday in May. General John Logan, who was the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially proclaimed the holiday on May 5, 1868, in his General Order No. 11. Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington Na-
tional Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873, and by 1890 it was recognized by all northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died in any war). According to www.usamemorialday.org, Memorial Day is now celebrated in almost every state on the last Monday in May, though several southern states have a separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: Jan. 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis’ birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee. Members of VFW Post 11404 host many events through the year honoring service members, their families and the communities who support them with activities such as fundraisers, celebrations and ceremonies like the Memorial Day event. “Although our goal is to assist veterans, we host many events throughout the year in support of the entire community,� Beasley said. “And we are adding more and more (events) every year.� During Meade County High School’s Honor Night, the organization planned to present a $500 scholarship to a high school senior. Tonight, the post will host a special benefit dance with all proceeds going to the Crusade for Children. The dance will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the post, located at 770 By-Pass Road in Brandenburg. For more information visit the VFW Post Web site at www.vfwwebcom.org/ky/post11404, contact the VFW at 270-422-5184, or contact Post Commander Wilbur Beasley at 270-422-4124.
We remember
See MOM, B12
Staff report
An estimated 43 percent of registered Kentuckian voters and 71 percent of Oregonean voters took to the polls during Tuesday’s primary elections, and cast their votes for presidential, senate and congressional candidates. The Meade County clerk’s office reported 33.8 percent of registered voters participated in the primary locally, with Sen. Hillary Clinton being the landslide favorite over Sen. Barack Obama, 72.3 percent to 22.9 percent respectively. Exit poll results compiled by WHAS 11 reported Obama won in only two counties, and roughly one in five Kentuckians admitted race was a factor in their vote. See page A11 for local results.
See RESULTS, A11
Fire depts. work for Crusade By Laura Saylor editor@thenewsstandard.com Preparing for the annual Crusade for Children is a year-round job for local fire districts, and with this year’s big event scheduled for the beginning of June, Meade County firefighters are working hard to raise money for a good cause. The WHAS Crusade for Children is an annual telethon broadcast by WHAS-TV and WHAS radio in Louisville. The telethon benefits a wide range of children’s charities throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana.
See CRUSADE, A12
Fiscal Court fills county vacancies, prepares budget By Laura Saylor editor@thenewsstandard.com Three vacant job positions were filled, while conflict arose over a toxic clean-up bill that an environmental company is wanting the county to pay. During a special meeting held
Wednesday at the courthouse, Tony Coletta was appointed the new Planning and Zoning Administrator, Laura Haney was appointed the Planning and Zoning Secretary, and Jasper Hardesty was named the Assistant Animal Control Officer. A truck accident on U.S. Highway 1638 that occurred on Feb. 15 left
several gallons of diesel fuel pooling and threatening to spill into Doe Valley Creek. Meade County emergency responders called Evergreen Environmental, a hazardous material remediation group, to help prevent contamination. Evergreen is now asking the county to foot a $17,000 bill for services rendered,
though magistrates feel the county is not liable to cover the costs. The vehicle that hit the semi-truck and caused its gas tank to leak was reported “stolen� by the vehicle owner four days after the accident. Because of the claim, the owner’s insurance company denied paying Evergreen’s costs. County Attorney
Greer Insurance
HOME • AUTO • LIFE • HEALTH • FARM • BUSINESS
)JHI 4U t 1 0 #PY #SBOEFOCVSH ,:
270-422-5100
Margaret Matney recommend the court investigate the situation further since it is full of discrepancies before making a decision to pay or not pay the bill. During a work session, magistrates began reviewing the county’s budget which needs to be prepared by June 10.