Beech Tree News Network

 Butler County Fiscal Court held a called meeting on Monday, July 20, with all magistrates, Chad Tyree, Stevie Givens, Bobby Moore, David Whittinghill, and Johnny Tuck, in attendance.  The meeting was called to order by Judge David Fields.  The court approved the following:

Dear Butler County Schools Families:
It is with great anticipation and excitement that I welcome you back for another school year.  Although the summer break seems to fly by, I am sure parents and students alike are eager to get back to school.  Bus routes are being finalized and if you are have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call the school or the central office.  Our maintenance staff, along with the custodial staffs at each school, have done a wonderful job getting the district and schools ready for the first day.

Former Butler County Sheriff Joe Gaddie changed his plea of not guilty to one of guilty last week but will not be serving any time behind bars.  Gaddie, 66, of Quality, pleaded guilty to second degree criminal abuse (Class D felony, victim under 12-years of age) - a reduction from first degree criminal abuse in which he was previously indicted by a Butler County Grand Jury.  He was arrested April 20 following that indictment on allegations that he had abused a minor.  If that case had gone to trial and Gaddie has been found guilty, he could have been sentenced to ten years in prison.  

A group of local citizens have announced plans to conduct a petition drive for a local option election that would allow alcohol sales in Butler County.  The announcement was made  via a press release provided to Beech Tree News from a newly-formed civic organization - Citizens for a Better Butler County. 
According to the press release, the group cites both economic and cultural benefits should voters decide to allow legal alcohol sales.

After a year-long investigation by Officer James Embry of the Morgantown Police Department and the Butler County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, a Butler County Jury returned a guilty verdict on Thursday, July 16, 2015, in the trial of the Commonwealth of Kentucky vs.

The Bowling Green - Warren County Drug Task Force with assistance from Warren County Sheriff’s Office has arrested:

Robert D. Thomason of 1033 Clarence Odell Road, Bowling Green, KY Age 34
Charged with:

    Trafficking in a controlled substance, 1st Degree, Class C Felony (2 counts)
    Escape, 2nd Degree
    Unlawful Possession of a Meth Precursor
    Resisting Arrest

Job seekers in Butler County now have another source to help them find employment. Spartan Staffing is now servicing Morgantown and Butler County, and will make their debut on Wednesday, July 22nd with a job fair at the Butler County Public Library.
Nina Cain is the General Manager of Spartan’s local office, which is located in Hartford with another office in Owensboro. Cain says Spartan differs from other employment agencies for a number of reasons. For one, Spartan has the power of the TrueBlue, the largest staffing company in the United States.

“God has blessed us.”  Those same words were spoken several times by many different people on Sunday afternoon at the ribbon cutting for the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Pastor Greg Wallace thanked everyone for attending.

The Butler County High School Site-Based Decision Making Council met on Thursday, July 9th at the school library.  Teachers Carissa Poston and Ashley Johnson were absent.   
Mr. O’Driscoll called the meeting to order and welcomed new parent member representative Chris Burden. The council approved the agenda, minutes from the June meeting and the monthly financial report. The school emergency plan was reviewed with no revisions.
Mr. O’Driscoll reviewed the new attendance policy. He stated that the policy is the same as Edmonson County High School. 

The Butler County Fiscal Court held its first regular meeting for July on Monday night. All Court members were present along with a crowd of interested onlookers.

Handling the first agenda item, the magistrates voted 5-0 to authorize County Judge-Executive David Fields to purchase ferry boat parts from the Green County Fiscal Court Road Department. The parts will cost approximately $1,500, and will be used to convert the Reed's Ferry tug to a hydrostatic, paddle-wheel drive system.