Beech Tree News Network

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is: Avoid being scammed

Financial scams are growing in prevalence and are among the most common crimes today. A recent poll showed that approximately 15% of those who responded to a recent poll say that at least one member of their household has fallen prey to on, with 8% reporting that it has happened to them. And, scammers target both men and women and people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds.

Sometimes, despite other plans, a life takes on a life of its own.  You might say that’s what happened to Butler County couple, Tommy Hines, Sr. and his wife, Gingie Hurst Hines.  Married in 1958, the couple lived in the local area until 1965, when they and their sons moved to Louisiana.  Tommy, who had finished his BS at WKU, received his MS degree in Wildlife at LSU.  Shortly after, he accepted a job with Florida Fish and Wildlife in the Florida Everglades. 

“The Rich Man and Lazarus” (Luke 16:19-31) is an instructional story Jesus told the Pharisees, who were lovers of money” (16:14). It tells of a very wealthy, indulgent man who feasted daily, yet ignored the sick, hungry beggar laying at his front door. In the story, both men die. The beggar, Lazarus, is carried by angels to Abraham’s side, a place of comfort. The rich man ends up in torment, compounded by the fact he can look and see Lazarus. He calls out to Abraham only to learn that it is too late for him to receive mercy, and too late for him to encourage others to seek God.

This week, Vice Network Dark Side of The ‘90’s on the show Cops.

Recently, we have gone through some “little winters.”  These cold snaps are most prevalent in the southern states and might have a different order or a different expected date depending on the location. According to folklore, four basic springtime “winters” are: Redbud, Locust, Dogwood, and Blackberry. Two other “little winters” are Linsey-Woolsey Britches (or Cotton Britches) and Whippoorwill. These cold snaps may occur from March to early June.

-Redbud Winter: Redbud Winter is the first cold snap in spring, occurring in March or April when the redbud trees are in full bloom. 

The story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) is a childhood favorite. How can you not be drawn to a little man who climbs a tree to see Jesus? And then there’s that catchy song. But there are some lessons for grown-ups in the story. Zacchaeus should be remembered as more than just “a wee little man.”    

I’ve told you before that there was never any love lost between Garey’s dad, J.D., and me.  I didn’t like the fact that he was so disrespectful to Garey’s mom, Aggie, and I really didn’t like the fact that he treated the rest of us like we were idiots.

Only one chance to get it right: preparing to launch medical marijuana in Kentucky

Last session, Kentucky joined the majority of other states across the nation in legalizing the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Lawmakers approved SB 47, which established the framework for the state’s medical marijuana program. As the guidelines are being implemented, the state has an opportunity to identify areas that need to be addressed or improved. This session, we passed HB 829, a measure that adds additional provision aimed at ensuring we get the program’s launch right.

Who’s to blame for “realty” tv shows like The Bachelor? Well, in the ‘90’s, MTV launches a new kind of tv.  The network that was already about pushing boundaries would go even farther when they debuted their original reality show called The Real World.  By the end of the 1990’s, the M in MTV stood mostly for mayhem. 

My youngest sister tends to be an “in your face’ sort of person.  She believes that the only path to authenticity is through total revelation of the facts and airing of differences.  As a result, she seems to always be at the center of controversy, especially within our family.