Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court will once again be participating in the $100 Mile Litter Pickup program. This is for non-profit organizations only. Organizations may sign up through the end of March, 2012. Roads will be issued in April. If you would like to sign your non profit group up to participate in this program or if you have questions, please contact Kim at the Judge Executive’s Office in the Courthouse by calling 270-526-3433 during the business hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Firefighters from two counties responded to a brush fire this afternoon in the 1500 block of Huntsville-Silver City Rd on the old Newell Givens property. A small brush fire started by Vernon Hardison, step-son of Givens, got out of control and spread quickly. Approximately five acres burned before firefighters could contain the blaze. Firefighters battled breezy conditions at times when working to contain the fire.

(LEXINGTON, Ky.) – Kentucky’s economic health could be greatly strengthened by implementing a right-to-work policy, Bluegrass Institute vice chairman Warren Rogers told a sold-out crowd at a debate sponsored by the Lexington Forum last Thursday.

Right-to-work guarantees that no person can be compelled to join or pay union dues as a condition of employment.

Althought not as severe as in other parts of Kentucky, a series of storms rolled through Butler County and southcentral Kentucky on Friday causing some damage.  There was sufficient storm damage in the Quality area of Butler County on Friday.  The roof was ripped off a barn on Hwy. 106, hail damage was reported, and trees and power lines were blown down. Locally, no injuries from the storms were reported.

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 County Clerk and Circuit Clerk’s offices and cover February 16 – February 29, 2012.

Civil Cases:
Cavalry Spv I, LLC vs. Judy L. Johnson

Kentucky Housing Corporation vs. Sherry Martin, et al

Bank of America vs. Michael L. Elmore, et al

Agriculture Commissioner James Comer was in Morgantown on Wednesday and joined Butler County Clerk Shirley E. Givens, Butler County 4-H and Butler County High School FFA leaders to announce that proceeds from voluntary donations to the Agricultural Program Trust Fund will be divided equally among 4-H, FFA, and Kentucky Proud.

Kuntry Kitchen prides itself on being a restaurant that you can bring your whole family to, so the owners have made a decision they believe will make their restaurant more family friendly. Out of respect for their customers, beginning Thursday, March 1, Kuntry Kitchen will be a smoke-free environment.

The Butler County Animal Shelter will be providing the residents of Butler County with three opportunities to help control the cat population by getting their cats spayed or neutered in March. Shelter Director Franklin "Puppy Dog" Morris says that the cost will only be $20 and that this is a bargain since this service typically costs over $100. The shelter will take just 15 cats for spaying and neutering on March 14, 21, and 28.

Don Baker (a.k.a. Cousin Don) was found guilty on disorderly conduct charges, but not guilty on assault 4th degree late Friday afternoon on charges stemming from a 2010 altercation with Morgantown Police (MPD) Sergeant Andy Gidcumb. For the guilty verdict, Baker was fined $100 and will also be assessed court costs.

U.S.Representative Brett Guthrie stopped by the Farm Boy restaurant in Morgantown on Thursday afternoon to let people know he will be representing Butler County starting January 1, 2013.  According to Guthrie, the redistricting of the Congressional districts will place Butler County in the second district. Butler County is currently represented by Congressman Ed Whitfield of the First District. Redistricting, done by the Kentucky General Assembly, is required following the U.S. Census.