Beech Tree News Network

UPDATE: On Monday September 24, 2012, members of the Morgantown Police Department made three arrests in reference to the burglary that occurred at Charley Biggs restaurant that was reported on September 16, 2012.

The Morgantown City Council’s called meeting last night may have been short, but it had impact when Mayor Linda Keown addressed the status of the Morgantown Police Department.  Keown read a statement to the Council and audience with the stated intent to “put to rest” the issue of the MPD.  Keown said the option of contracting the city police work to the Sheriff’s Department needed studying and held up a folder several inches thick to represent the information collected so far.  Keown stressed the security of the community is the priority but also listed several financial problems the city f

The Butler County Board of Education released the agenda for a called meeting on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and according to item three, the board will be asked to consider the withdrawal of Superintendent Scott Howard's resignation. 

The Butler County Board of Education will meet in special session on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 5:30 PM at the Butler County Education Complex.

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 Circuit Clerk’s offices and cover August 24- September 12, 2012.

Civil  Cases:

Embry & Watts PLLC vs. Gettie Daymon West

Embry & Watts PLLC vs. Vernon and Lisa Oaks

Kentucky State Police Capt. Brandon Hammers (center), a resident of Lancaster and native of Rochester, received his promotion certificate from Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown (left) and KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer (right). Hammers was promoted to captain on Aug. 16 and will remain assigned to the KSP Aircraft Branch in Frankfort as commander. An 18-year veteran of the agency, Hammers is a 1988 graduate of Butler Co. High School and a 1991 graduate of Western Kentucky University. He is the son of Horace and Sue Hammers of Rochester, Ky.

University of Pikeville-Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine formally welcomed members of the Class of 2016 during a traditional White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, September 15, at 2 p.m. at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville. Ashton Fields and Josh Tyree, both of Butler County, received their white coats.  Ashton is the daughter of Greg and Michelle Fields. Josh is the son of Ronnie and Linda Tyree.

UPDATE: Officer Taulbee had been dispatched to the scene of a possible attempted break-in of an apartment according to Hodgenville Mayor Terry Cruse.
It’s unclear what led to Taulbee’s pursuit of a silver Nissan Altima, driven by Jason Alvis, 29, of Hodgenville.
According to Kentucky State Police, the vehicles were eastbound on Ky. 210 when Taulbee lost control of his cruiser about 3:43 a.m.

Graves Gilbert Clinic announced today that contract negotiations with Anthem Insurance have come to a standstill. The Clinic has successfully negotiated contracts with all other major insurance companies and can’t understand why Anthem has refused to agree to fair terms, as well. Patients insured through Anthem are encouraged to contact their agents and human resources representatives to promote an agreement, as well.

Butler County Fiscal Court held a called meeting on Thursday, September 13, at 2:30pm.  Magistrates Stevie Givens, David Whittinghill, Chad Tyree, and Johnny Tuck were in attendance.  The first item on the agenda was a discussion of the Rochester Ferry House. Chad Tyree provided a picture of the ferry house and a list of improvements that needed to be done to the house.

“The house needs gutters, windows, and the electric service needs to be upgraded,” said Tyree.

Installation of software and cameras for Kentucky’s new driver’s license will require a one-day suspension of license-issuing activity in the
Butler County Circuit Court Clerk’s office on Wednesday, September 19.

Other operations of the Circuit Clerk’s office are not affected, and the office will be open all day. Driver’s licensing operations will resume the following day, and the new license will be available to Butler County residents.