Beech Tree News Network

In an effort to provide its clients with 24 hour banking services, PBI Bank recently installed an automated teller machine, or ATM, at its Morgantown location on G.L. Smith Street. The brand-new ATM is state-of-the-art and features functions to accommodate all clients including those with visual or hearing impairments. The ATM has Braille, it can verbalize directions for the visually impaired; it also has a headphone jack for those who are hearing impaired.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Department has recovered all stolen items from two recent break-ins.  On July 11th a truck was broken into on the boat ramp at Woodbury.  Again on July 12th another truck was broken into as well at the same location.  Several items were taken along with three firearms.  Deputy Chris Reneer located the stolen items on Sunday.  All items have been recovered.  No arrests have been made at this time. The case will be taken to the Butler Grand Jury. The investigation is ongoing.

J.R. Wilkins officially assumed the duties of Interim Chief-of-Police this morning during a swearing-in ceremony held in the Morgantown City Hall. Mayor Linda Keown swore-in Wilkins during a brief ceremony in front of a small crowd.

The Morgantown City Council hired an interim city police chief at last night’s meeting.  The Council also approved reduced funding for the Boys and Girls Club and discussed the city’s contract with Pizza Zone.
 
After a closed session lasting over an hour, Mayor Linda Keown recommended hiring J. R. Wilkins as Interim Police Chief of the Morgantown Police Department for a term of up to six months.  Wilkins, a retired Bowling Green police officer, was approved on a unanimous roll call vote.  Keown said that Wilkins will meet the MPD on Monday.
 

Governor Steve Beshear announced today that Kentuckians can show their support for veterans with newly available vehicle license plates.

“Kentuckians are proud of our veterans, and many will want to display that message of support in a visible way,” Gov. Beshear said.

The new plates – available even to those who are not veterans themselves – show support for veterans and also raise funds for veterans programs.

Gerald "Marty" Jones, II, of Morgantown, Kentucky was recently installed on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Funeral Home Directors Association.  Jones was installed during the 130th Annual State Convention and Mid-West Regional Funeral Trade Show held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 18-20, 2012.
 
"I am very honored to be selected to serve on the State Board of Directors," said Jones.

Jones, an owner of Jones Funeral Chapel and Butler County Coroner, will serve the Southern District. 

H.A.U.N.T. founder Darla Mueller and crew member Cory Propes presented a check for $2,000 to Shriners Gendal and David Coleman, the co-owners of Coleman Brothers Motors and two of the founding members of the Butler County Shrine Club. H.A.U.N.T. received the money from the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce after parking cars at the Catfish Festival. Mueller and her crew endured temperatures in the 100s during most of the 12+ hours they spend at the festival each day.

The 2012 Green River Catfish Festival came to an end on Saturday night with a brief closing ceremony.  Although no tagged fish were caught, one angler came away with a $250 check from Hocker Family Insurance.  Todd McDaniel won the prize after catching an 8-pound catfish during the tournament.  For years, Hocker Family Insurance has paid out the guaranteed prize to the tournament fisherman who snags the biggest catfish - tag or no tag. 

Butler County Fiscal Court held its regular meeting for July on Monday night. All magistrates were present, but the meeting was moved to the auxiliary court chambers due to a lengthy criminal court session in the main courtroom.

Magistrates voted 5-0 to declare Butler County a Purple Heart County. The resolution means that Butler County supports efforts across the state to recognize Purple Heart veterans. Judge-Executive David Fields reported that a formal announcement is coming from the state indicating when the veterans will be recognized.

Slick road conditions contributed to a two-vehicle collision Monday evening sending one Butler County man to the hospital. The collision occurred at approximately 5:30 pm Monday evening in the south-bound lane of the William Natcher Parkway near mile-marker 34, just south of the Morgantown-Cromwell exit. The wreck left the south-bound lanes of the Natcher shut down for nearly four hours.