Beech Tree News Network

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.

Betty Farris, First Vice-Chair of the Kentucky Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, made a special trip to the state capitol in Frankfort on February 22 to present Representative C.B. Embry, Jr. with a basket of Kentucky-made products in recognition of “Food Check-Out Day.”

Kentucky Farm Bureau hosts this event each year in mid-February to mark the date when the average American has earned enough income to meet his or her annual cost of food – about 10 percent of a person’s disposable income, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon on Thursday, February 23 at the Butler County Extension Service office. Chamber President Jamie Chaney welcomed all of those in attendance including the visitors. The meal was catered by the Eastern Star of Banock Chapter #531.

Fire destroyed a barn and its contents Wednesday morning.  Firefighters from the Morgantown, 4th District, and 5th District volunteer fire departments were dispatched a little after 7:00 a.m. to 149 Bodge Bratcher Road, off Old Ethel School Road to the property of Dianna Cardwell.  When fire units arrived, the barn was engulfed and already on the ground.  A tractor was inside the barn and exploded during the fire.

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 Butler County Circuit Clerk’s offices and cover February 1 – February 15, 2012.

Family Court:
Jamie Delen Morgan vs. John Christopher Morgan

Jackee Lea Gable vs. Michael Allen Hudson

Charlette Ann Woodcock vs. Joshua Laron Woodcock

Sylvia Moreland vs. Joshua Peterson

Butler County Sheriff’s Deputies Heath West and Chris Reneer, working on a tip, arrested Douglas R. Smith  (DOB 12/30/76) on drug charges Tuesday, February 21st.  Smith, of 139 Boys Camp Road, Morgantown, gave deputies consent to search his home. The search resulted in two felony charges for Smith.  He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, first degree, first offense and possession of anhydrous ammonia knowingly with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.  Smith was lodged in the Butler County Jail.  Additional charges are pending.

At 5:41 Sunday night, Butler County Dispatch received a call reporting a two vehicle collision near 8775 Brownsville Road just past the 4th District Fire Department. According to officials, a 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager driven by Glen Mason collided with a 2002 Honda Accord occupied by two female juveniles. Mason, a 4th District Volunteer Fireman, was en route to the fire at 316 Brownsville Road of a commercial building owned by Evergreen, Inc. (a.k.a. Green River Equipment Leasing).

Scores of volunteer firemen from across Butler County rushed to 316 Brownsville Road earlier this afternoon between 5:30 and 6 p.m. to battle a dangerous fire that, if not contained, may have threatened the Warren RECC substation complex at Aberdeen.  According to surveillance cameras at the site, the first smoke was seen at approximately 5:05 p.m.  As firemen converged on the scene and fought the blaze, several loud explosions were heard as unknown items in the building were consumed and as the building itself collapsed.