Beech Tree News Network

Once again the Butler County Family Resource and Youth Services Centers and the Morgantown Mission are asking for your help to provide Christmas Toys for Butler County Children.  Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can make their checks to BC FRC Christmas Fund and mail to PO Box 728, Morgantown.  Toy donations can be dropped off at any of the 3 locations or any Toys for Tots box in town.  Last year gifts were provided for 411 children along with food baskets for 18 families.  In the past we have strived to involve the entire community in order to lessen the duplication of services t

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 November 1-18.

Civil Cases:
Beneficial KY, Inc., vs. John Childress
Cecil West vs. Vernita Ingram
Portfolio Recovery Associates vs. Marine Colgate

Family Court:
Commonwealth of KY, Rita Gail Phelps Johnson vs. Brian K. Phelps

UPDATE: As of Tuesday, November 19, 2013, Doug Odle has filed his papers to run for first district magistrate.

UPDATE: As of Friday afternoon the following individuals had also filed their papers to run for elected office: Billy J. Phelps candidate for mayor of Morgantown, Richard V. West candidate for fourth district magistrate, incumbents Butler County Coroner Gerald "Marty" Jones,  and second district magistrate Johnny Tuck.

Early Monday morning Landon Hampton, Beech Tree News Meteorologist, along with two members from Louisville’s National Weather Service, set out for a storm survey in the Huntsville community.  After reports and photos of damage were sent to the NWS Office, they felt the need to conduct a storm survey to determine the cause of the damage. When dealing with storms such as the one on Sunday, there are two main factors that could have caused the destruction…straight-line winds, or a tornado.

UPDATE: The Ingram Brothers' truck was driven by John Stratton of 6435 S. Main Street, Lewisburg, Kentucky.  According to the Butler County Sheriff's Department the truck was preparing to turn left on to Hwy. 106 when the tire dropped off the road and the shoulder gave way.

A line of heavy thunderstorms moved through the region on Sunday, resulting in heavy rain, wind, and a possible tornado touchdown in western Butler County.

The expected traffic impacts for November 18 through November 22 in Butler County are:

·         US231- Widening project continues as installation of culvert pipes, headwalls continue. Paving for a diversion will also begin. Lane restrictions will be from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. from mile point 9 (At the Natcher Parkway overpass) to mile point 11 (Porter Street).

A high speed chase started in Butler County and ended in Muhlenberg County on Saturday morning.  Shortly after midnight, Butler County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Reneer attempted to stop a red Honda in the southbound lane of the Natcher Parkway near the 34 mile marker.  The driver, Emmette Dewayne Whitehead,(DOB 12/13/67), of 211 Sawmill Road, Morgantown, refused to stop the vehicle.

The Morgantown City Council revisited the political sign ordinance and the proposed lease with the Butler County Ambulance service at its regular meeting Thursday night.
 

The Butler County Fiscal Court held a called meeting on Thursday, November 14 at the Butler County Courthouse.  All county magistrates were in attendance.
Larry Blacklock , of Green River Electrical Inspection Service, LLC, informed the court of changes in state regulations concerning electrical inspections.
“A permit will have to be issued for each inspection, we can do that or the county can,” said Blacklock. According to Blacklock the permit will not add additional cost to the consumer.