Change expected next week

County boasts top 911 system

It could be as early as next week when Ohio County finds itself with the most updated 911 dispatch system of any county in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

All the county needs is a return letter of acceptance from the Federal Communications Commission and it will switch over from an analog system to a digital and computer-aided dispatch system.

“We had the technology, the money to pay for it and it was the right thing to do,” said Judge-Executive David Johnston. “There was no need in waiting when we could be the first in the state to make it happen.”

Sheriff David Thompson said the $50,000 price tag for the switchover is one of the best bargains the county could ever hope for.

“Logan County had been trying to go digital with its 911 system and has spent three times the amount we spent,” the sheriff said. “All of our changeover equipment, including new mobile and hand-held radios for our deputies was paid for out of the $50,000.”

Johnston said the cities of Hartford, Beaver Dam and Centertown already have bought into the new system and have purchased their own equipment that will allow them to tie in.....READ MORE

Sheriff’s deputies Rodney McMillin, left, and Chet Gentry stand next to two of the cruisers in the new fleet of cars recently outfitted and repainted for the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department. The cars, acquired from the Missouri State Police, were purchased for $103,000. All are later models than the ones previously driven by the force and all have approximately 50,000 miles on them. Three new vehicles were purchased for the department at a cost of $21,000 each. Treg Ward photo

County woman in need of kidney

Kelly Graham felt pretty good about things in general when a second cousin stepped forward and offered a much-needed kidney. Tests were conducted, the donor’s organ was deemed acceptable and a date for the transplant surgery was set.

Then came another round of disappointment. One week prior to the transfer, a University of Kentucky Transplant Center surgeon decided the donor’s kidney would last only five to 10 years and cancelled the surgery. It was a devastating development for the victim, the family, and the donor.

Graham was placed back on the National Donor List and now is facing the possibility of another long wait...... READ MORE

Redistricing plan attached

Rhoads knocks Republicans

State Senator Jerry Rhoads currently represents Ohio, Muhlenberg and Hopkins Counties in the Kentucky General Assembly and he wants it to stay that way.

But what Rhoads wants is not what the senator is going to get, according to the recent redistricting plan approved by State Senate Republicans.

Under the new plan, Rhoads will lose Ohio and Muhlenberg Counties and pick up Henderson, McLean and Webster Counties.

“I spent 10 years building up relationships in Ohio County and am extremely disappointed that the county is being removed from my district,” Rhoads said Tuesday while attending the ongoing session of the Kentucky General Assembly. “Rep. Tommy Thompson and I worked very well together representing Ohio County and it’s always good when two legislators can work together and remain on the same page.”

The Hopkins County Democrat placed the blame solely on Senate Republicans, claiming “they want to get rid of as many Democrats as they can.”

Ohio County now will be linked with Daviess County in the 8th Senatorial District and Rhoads claims the populations of those two counties exceeds the maximum population numbers allowed under law.

“The numbers in those two counties exceed what the constitution allows for in a single district and I’m not sure the Republicans are not opening themselves up for a constitutional challenge,” Rhoads said.

Rhoads was equally upset over losing Muhlenberg County and expressed that displeasure in the Muhlenberg County Leader-News.

“Let’s face it, without Muhlenberg County, I wouldn’t be here,” said Rhoads, who lost in his home county of Hopkins, but carried Muhlenberg in the last state senatorial election. “I have said over and over that the folks in Muhlenberg County put me back in office and I won’t ever forget that.”..... READ MORE

Superintendent search underway

Phil Eason, the consultant hired to assist the Ohio County Board of Education in its search for a new superintendent, is looking for a parent to serve on the selection, or screening, committee.

That parent eventually will join two teachers, one classified employee, one school board member and one school principal in the selection of candidate names to be presented to the board for consideration.

“The time commitment of committee members includes a minimum of two evening meetings, as well as time to check candidate references,” Eason said.

Eason, with Leadership Strategies Group out of Bowling Green, was hired at a base salary of $6,000 and an overall salary not to exceed $10,000. Part of his job will be to meet with various groups prior to the appointment of the selection committee.

The superintendent search process gets underway Thursday (July 26) when the position is officially posted and advertised. The screening committee member nomination process will take place from Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.

The screening committee election will take place from Feb. 7 to Feb. 9 and the actual screening committee will be established on Feb. 10.

School system employees will be surveyed between Feb. 14 and Feb. 17, and the school board is scheduled too develop a position criteria on Feb. 23........READ MORE

Subscriptions are for online viewing, to subscribe by mail, please call 270-298-7100

Please Log in to Read Online