Jones, Hunsaker in dispute over transition phase

For Judge-Executive David Jones, the transition should’ve been easier between him and outgoing Judge-Executive Wayne Hunsaker. Jones, who unseated his longtime political rival and incumbent Hunsaker in last May’s primary, said he was fine with Hunsaker refusing to make time to talk about the county’s unfinished projects and not making keys available so he wouldn’t have to call a locksmith to get into the judge-executive’s office.

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Nurse’s aid indicted for using pain patches belonging to patients

A former nurse’s aid at Beaver Dam Health Care Manor has been indicted for taking pain patches off patients and using them for herself. Rebecca Tucker, 34, has been charged by the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department on five counts of theft of a controlled substance and five counts of abuse/neglect. Deputy Adam Wright said he was called to the nursing home in October after staff noticed pain patches were missing from patients.

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Extreme Renovation:Circuit courtroom getting new look after 26 years

After 26 years of use, the Ohio County Circuit Courtroom is receiving an extreme renovation. For now, sawdust and wooden studs have replaced the jurors’ box and the judge’s bench. Circuit Court Judge Ronnie Dortch, who has presided over the county’s circuit court for 15 years, said everything down to the fake wood paneling, carpet and seats were original from when the circuit courtroom that opened in 1980 on the top floor of the Ohio County Community Center. “(County attorney) Greg Hill was the prime mover on getting the courtroom remodeled,” Dortch said. “He felt attorneys should have a nice courtroom to practice law.”

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Bob Cox appointed judge-executive pro-tem: Cox former mayor of Beaver Dam

David Jones hit the floor running in his new role as Ohio County’s judge-executive. Jones, who defeated Wayne Hunsaker in the May primary and picked up a free ride in the November general election, named himself a new judge-executive pro-tem. Bob Cox, a retired coal miner and who served a combined 20 years as mayor and city commissioner for the City of Beaver Dam, will help Jones in his official duties. Cox said he plans to use his experience and contacts he made while serving as mayor to help any way he can. “I was honored he chose me and I’m looking forward to working with David,” Cox said.

Bob Cox

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Hartford Methodist church hosting annual MLK service

The Hartford United Methodist Church will be hosting an annual Martin Luther King Jr. service next Monday, Jan. 15, at 4 p.m. The service is sponsored by the Hartford UMC and the Harvest House church. The service will also feature a local choir and guest speaker Louis Coleman, a Louisville Civil Rights leader.