Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court met on Monday, January 12, at the Butler County Courthouse.  All magistrates were in attendance: Stevie Givens, Kevin Phelps, Allen Smith, David Whittinghill, and Dillon Bryant.

Morgantown City Council met on Thursday, January 8th at city hall for their regular-scheduled meeting. New business was conducted following yearly reports from many departments.

Morgantown, KY — Butler County Schools will honor its newest class of inductees during the Hall of Fame Class of 2025–26 Induction Ceremony on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Butler County High School.

The evening will begin with a Reception Meet & Greet at 5:00 p.m. in the Butler County High School Library, welcoming inductees, families, and invited guests. The formal

Frankfort, Kentucky (January 14, 2026) – Earlier this week, State Representative Rebecca Raymer filed HB 332, legislation that would increase access and convenience to driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards by allowing local governments or local officials to provide these services - rather than requiring all applicants to travel to regional driver licensing offices.

Beech Tree News provides courthouse statistics on a regular basis. Courthouse information provided in this article is a matter of public record. The following records are from the Butler County Circuit Clerk’s and Butler County Clerk’s offices and covers:

Mayor Billy Phelps gave the following State of the City address during the City Council meeting:

"Tonight, we take time to look honestly at where Morgantown stands and where we are headed. The past year was not defined by one single project or moment, but by steady progress across many areas of our city. Through continued planning, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility, 2025 strengthened the foundation we have spent nearly a decade building.

Simply put, Morgantown is doing well- 

Butler County Coroner Gerald M. "Marty" Jones II recently released statistics from his office for 2025.  

The Butler County Coroner's Office made 39 coroner calls in 2025 and signed 30 provisional death reports for cremation. 

69 calls were made:

30 ruled natural deaths.

30 provisional death reports were signed for cremation in 2025; this decreased by 1, with 31 in 2024.

3 ruled accidental deaths (vehicle-related)

1 ruled a farm-related accident

2 overdose deaths

2 suicides

1 homicide

Dr. Tom Stewart to lead the Chesterton Academy of Bowling Green

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