Ohio County Times

A site next to Gipe Automotive on the southern edge of Hartford has been proposed for a complex that would include a paid fire department, the county’s 911 center and EMS. The property is owned by Junior Thompson.

The future of firefighting has always pointed toward the creation of a paid department in Ohio County. And for years, there have only been whispers of combining the Hartford and Beaver Dam departments. But louder talks have been waged among county officials about this notion. According to Larry Bevil, the president of the Ohio County Fire Association, he met some time ago with Hartford and Beaver Dam mayors, former Judge-Executive Wayne Hunsaker and Beaver Dam fire Chief Chris Shephard to discuss the possibility of a paid unit. “We had one meeting but nothing else ever came of it,” Bevil said. “I haven’t heard any more from the mayors about it.”

Engineer breaks down costs of Horse Branch sewer system: Lagoon will run $243,000

The Ohio County Board of Education was again filled to capacity last Thursday for its regular meeting. Although the agenda was littered with various topics, it was the ongoing Horse Branch issue that drew most of the attention. The crowd was there to hear the hard numbers put together by Baccus Oliver of Marcum Engineering who the school system has hired to oversee the septic system process. At its last special called meeting, Oliver recommended a lagoon sewer system to replace Horse Branch’s leaky septic tanks. He gave an estimated cost of $245,000 to construct the lagoon system. Oliver returned with a drawing of how the lagoon system would be laid out and a break down of costs. “We are proposing that you tell KDE (Kentucky Department of Education) that you need to set up a fund of $243,000,” Oliver said.

Wells Scholarship open to former grads

The Wells Scholarship Fund enjoyed a record number of applications last fall and those closely associated with the fund are hoping that trend continues. “The deadline for applying for the fall semester is April 16 and we’re hoping those eligible for scholarship assistance will step forward and take advantage of the wonderful opportunity being afforded them,” said Kellie Rowe, guidance counselor at Ohio County High and coordinator of the fund. The fund, started by the late Glen Wells, originally was open to only graduating seniors at OCHS but now has been expanded to include those eligible who graduated 30 or 40 years ago. “This is the second year the fund has been made available to past graduates and those who have been out of school for several years and are eligible are encouraged to send in their applications,” Rowe said.

Hartford creating plans for bicentennial

The city of Hartford is getting a major head start on its 2008 bicentennial celebration. Hartford, originally established in 1808, is honoring the occasion with a celebration on Feb. 3, 2008. Hartford has appointed a committee to organize and promote the event titled Hartford Bicentennial Inc. The committee will be in charge of celebratory proceedings. Organizers of the afternoon events will be Mayor Charlotte Hendricks and Frank Martin. The afternoon events will conclude with a community wide worship service organized by Darrell Cordrey, pastor of Hartford Christian Church. In addition to this special event, a week long history and civic lesson will be held June 30 through July 4.