Beech Tree News Network

A stolen vehicle missing for three weeks has been recovered in Bowling Green.
According to Chief Billy Phelps of the Morgantown Police Department a white, 2004 Chevy Pickup stolen from Coleman Brothers Motors in Morgantown in November was found in Bowling Green late last week. The truck was abandoned undamaged in the parking lot of AFNI, near the Great Escape Greenwood Cinema in Bowling Green.

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Citizen Foster Care Review Boards for Breckinridge, Butler and Muhlenberg counties are seeking volunteers to make a difference in the lives of local children in foster care. Volunteers are needed to review cases of children placed in foster care because of abuse, dependency and neglect to ensure these children are placed in safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible.

Volunteers are not required to reside in the county where a board meets.

The Main Street economy of downtown Morgantown got a boost recently with the opening of a new furniture store.  Brad and Tina Smart, residents of the Leonard Oak community, opened A Texas Feeling Rustic Furniture on Black Friday, November 25. 

Smith Funeral Home held a fundraiser  on Sunday, December 4th, with all proceeds going to St Jude Children's Research Hospital.  For a $25.00 donation participants could have Christmas themed photos made by Simply U Photography or have the name of a loved one placed on the Smith Funeral Home Wall of Hope, while others just made donations wanting nothing in return except the satisfaction of knowing they were helping children.
Penni Lee who organized the event says she was very pleased with the results. 

At its November 30, 2011 meeting, the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance unanimously re-elected Craig C. Dilger to serve as its Chairman, marking an unprecedented fifth consecutive term for the Louisville attorney. Registry member David R. Martin was re-elected as Vice-Chairman. 

The Morgantown  City Police have made arrests in an early week break-in at Pizza Zone in Morgantown. According to Officer Andy Gidcumb of the MPD four individuals have been arrested in connection with the burglary. Gidcumb told BTN that thieves used a crowbar to break in to Pizza Zone sometime between 10 and 11:30 on Sunday night. The burglars then used the crowbar to pry out and break into a floor safe. “That told us we were looking for some big guys right there,” said Gidcumb.

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 Circuit Clerk’s and Butler County Clerk's offices and cover November 1 – December 12, 2011.

Civil Cases:
Discover Bank vs. Alisha Cox
Banks Crandell, et al vs. Joey Dockery, et al
Lien Solutions, LLC vs. Phillip B. Phelps, et al
Lien Solutions, LLC vs. John W. Childress, et al
Capital One Bank vs. Sammy E. Naighbors

Butler County Fiscal Court held its final regular session for 2011 on Monday night at the courthouse. All members were present.

The Butler County Board of Education held its monthly meeting Tuesday, December 13, at the Butler County Education Complex.  Anita Cardwell, teacher at Butler County Middle School, was recognized for becoming a National Board Certified Teacher.  Another middle school teacher, Kyllie Doughty, was recognized for achieving her renewal certificate as a National Board Certified Teacher. 

Doug Morris has been named Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department Fireman of the Year.  He received the award based on his contributions to the department throughout the year.

The award was announced Saturday, December 10 at the Morgantown Fire Department annual Christmas awards dinner.  About 60 people were in attendance.