Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Opry opened to an enthusiastic and supportive crowd of community members Saturday night at the Butler County High School. County Extension Agent Greg Drake was emcee, entertaining the crowd between songs for the 3 hour long country music showcase. The Opry featured a mix of classic country songs and modern hits from big names like Patsy Cline, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and the Judds.

Butler County has been selected to receive an award of $6,770 in Federal Funds through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Tuesday, March 17, a group of interested citizens came to the Rochester Community Building for a presentation by Seth Wheat, Adventure Tourism Assistant of the Adventure Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. 
Mr. Wheat provided quite a bit of information about the Tourism Cabinet.  Afterwards he took questions from the audience.  After thanking everyone for attending, Wheat shared their program.  Their job is to promote and develop outdoor recreation in Kentucky. 

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 Clerk and Circuit Clerk’s offices and cover February 18- March 18th.
Civil Cases:
Jerry Fleming vs. Donald Chad Belcher
Selene Finance LP vs. Jason Clark
PNC Bank National Association vs. Jeffrey D. Hawkins
Embrace Home Loans, Inc. vs. Fred Schaser
Mirian C. Quibilan vs. Theodore L. Fortner
The Medical Center vs. Nicholas B. Lindsey

911 dispatching, not the operation of the local ambulance service itselft, is the reason for the financial shortfall impacting Butler County EMS. 

“We want to make it clear that the shortfall is in the 911 Dispatch.  The ambulance service is doing fine and runs are up from previous years,” said Brian McKinney, Butler County EMS Director.

McKinney's comments are in reference to the last Butler County Fiscal Court meeting in which the financial status of the Butler County Ambulance Board was a major topic of discussion.  

A one-vehicle accident in Butler County has left an Edmonson County woman dead. The accident happened on Wednesday evening on Highway 185, two miles from the Crossroads. Angela K. Sowders, of Roundhill, Kentucky, was killed in the crash. The wreck occurred when the 2007 Dodge van, which the 54-year-old was driving, left the roadway and hit a line of trees. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Butler County Corner Marty Jones.

The Butler County Stockman’s Association held their second annual livestock sale on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the Eva Hawes Ag. Exposition Center in the Morgantown City Park. The sale was a huge success netting $107,175 for Butler County Farmers. Last year's sale was $64,000.

A Butler County woman is dead following an ATV accident on Saturday afternoon.

The Butler County Board of Education had a meeting on Tuesday, March 10, to discuss several upcoming projects and events for the 2015 school year, and recognize a few standout achievements. Superintendent Scott Howard was in attendance, along with board members Karen Evans, Delbert Johnson, Debbie Hammers, and Charles Price. Amy Hood was absent.
BCMS Student Bodie Hammer was recognized for being a top 15 finalist in the Civic Voting Slogan Contest with a certificate.
Student Alex Rich was recognized as a state Geo-Bee participant for the second year.

A North Butler Elementary student was selected Butler County Winner in the 2014-2015 Grandparent of the Year essay contest sponsored by AARP Kentucky, the Kentucky Retired Teachers, and the Butler County Retired Teachers' Association.  Lucas Johnson, is among thousands of Kentucky fifth graders who participated in the 14th Annual Essay competition for  2014-2015.  Students submitted essays answering why "My Grandparent should be the AARP Kentucky Grandparent of the Year"  to their 5th grade teachers who select the school's winner.  Each participating school winner and school receives recogn