Beech Tree News Network

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.

Beech Tree News Fan of the Month for May Floyd Washer chose to spend his $50 winnings at Dr. Todd Cohron's office. Washer was looking to buy a new set of glasses for his daughter, Leslee. Leslee said she had sat on the previous pair and the frame was being held together by a band-aid.

"We would like to thank both Floyd and Dr. Cohron for participating in our promotion," said Dyer.  "One of the reasons our Facebook promotion has been so popular is because we let the person decide where they want to spend their money locally, instead of us deciding for them."

On July 6, Butler County native Joshua "Josh" Amos, graduated from the Kentucky State Police Academy as a part of the agency's third Law Enforcement Accelerated Program (LEAP,) a condensed course for current police officers who have at least three years of full-time employment with a Kentucky Law Enforcement agency or agencies as a Peace Officer Professional Standards (POPS) certified police officer. Cadet Class 90 completed the 11-week program which began on April 15. 

Local law enforcement officers and emergency personnel were busy overnight with stranded boaters, a high-speed chase, and attempted theft involving a stolen vehicle from Bowling Green.

Twenty-three young ladies competed for the title of Miss Butler County Fair and Miss Catfish on Friday night at the Charles T. Black Park.   Miss Raven Elizabeth Brooks, 18, daughter of Tim and Cindy Brooks of Morgantown was crowned Miss Catfish 2012. (pictured above)

If someone calls and says that you have won a lottery and a new car and then asks you to send them money, don't believe it!  It's a scam, according to Butler County Sheriff Scottie Ward.

Sheriff Ward said his office has be contacted 3-4 times per week over the last three weeks regarding this scam and some of those calling have been cheated out of money.

The Green River Catfish Festival officially got underway yesterday - Wednesday, July 4 - in a day that began with the terrapin race, included opening ceremonies, and wrapped up with a fireworks show.