Beech Tree News Network

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its first luncheon of 2014 at the Butler County Extension Service office on Thursday, January 23.  Chamber President James Runion welcomed all who attended the dinner; the meal was sponsored by Morgantown Bank & Trust and catered by Green River Catering.

More than $560 million was delivered in federal fiscal year 2013 by USDA Rural Development to achieve homeownership and complete home repairs for over 5,200 rural Kentucky families. USDA Rural Development oversees a $2.6 billion housing portfolio in Kentucky of single family home loans that have maintained low delinquency rates. There is funding available for Fiscal Year 2014 and applications are being accepted.

Members and guests of the monthly chamber luncheon on Thursday were introduced to the new chaplain of Morgantown Care and Rehab by Shirley Allen, Director of Volunteer Services.  Rev. Derek Cain started his position as full time chaplain in January. He replaces Bro. Jim McDaniel who serves as pastor of Richland Baptist in south Butler.

A Butler County man has been arrested on drug charges after a shooting incident on Thursday evening.

Jeffrey Garrett Geary, 19, of 140 Lazy 4K Lane, was taken into custody by Butler County Sheriff's Deputy Trey Flener after law enforcement responded to a call of shots being fired into a house on Lazy 4K Lane on the North Side.

Hopkins County native and former Madisonville Mayor Wiliam “Will” Cox, Jr.(D) filed his candidacy papers today at the State Capitol in Frankfort for the sixth-district of the Kentucky State Senate. The 6th District is comprised of Butler, Hopkins, Muhlenberg and Ohio counties and is currently represented by Senator Jerry Rhoads, who recently announced his retirement at the end of the current term. The election will take place on November 4th, 2014.

Butler County Middle School has released names of students with perfect attendance and its honor roll for the 2nd Nine Weeks grading period.  Students were recognized for both all "A" and "A/B" honor rolls.  
"We're proud of our students for their academic achievement and attendance this school year," said Robert Tuck, Butler County Middle School principal.  "We also appreciate the support of parents, which is essential to student success."   

UPDATE:  An arrest has been made in the early-morning fire on Hub Phelps Road.  Allen Wayne Woodcock (10-18-71) has been arrested and lodged in the Butler County Jail.  Woodcock has been charged with arson (second degree).  Butler County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Reneer made the arrest.     

UPDATE:  According to law enforcement officers and Arson Investigator Charlie Tomes, the fire has been determined to be arson.  An arrest is pending.  Stay connected to Beech Tree News for updates.  

The Butler County Board of Education recognized many middle and high school band students and quickly dispatched routine business at their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at the Butler County Education Complex.
 

The Morgantown City Council spent its Thursday night meeting at the Butler County Education Complex on the State of the City, an update on the city website, and the running of concession stands at the city park.  The meeting was a special called meeting due to the water damage at the Eva J. Hawes Ag Expo and Community Building which changed both the meeting date and location.
 

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 December 26- January 15.
Civil Cases:
Morgantown Bank &Trust vs. David Richmond
Tamara L. Demott vs. Barry Fox
Family Court:
Jerry L. Cannon vs. Sherri D. Cannon
Randy L. Havens vs. Amanda M. Havens
Mary Eve McGuire vs. Tony Lavon McGuire