Ohio County Times

County agrees to buy land for sports complex

The Ohio County Fiscal Court made a surprising move last Tuesday during its regular meeting by approving the purchase of farmland at the entrance of the Ohio County Park on Highway 69 North. Park Director David Johnston approached the Fiscal Court to buy 52 acres from Mike and Dale Westerfield for the development of a sports complex. After about a 10 minute discussion, the Fiscal Court approved 4-2, with Second District Magistrate Jason Bullock and Fourth District Magistrate Larry Keown voting against the resolution, to allow Johnston to pursue a loan to secure the property. Bullock, whose district covers Beaver Dam, called the decision by the Fiscal Court “rushed” and disagreed with the placement of the county’s sports complex. “It’s going to be built near a chicken house and baseball is a summer sport,” Bullock said. “This is a lot of money for smell.”

Gov. Ernie Fletcher speaks to a small crowd on Monday in front of the Ohio County Community Center. Behind Fletcher is running mate Robbie Rudolph and wife, Lisa Rudolph.

Fletcher makes final campaign visit

“Can’t Keep a Good Man Down,” rang from big speakers as Gov. Ernie Fletcher made his way to the podium, greeting local supporters and a handful of county officials. Fletcher paid a visit to Hartford on Monday during one of his last campaign stops before the May 22 primary. A small crowd gathered around a podium outside the Ohio County Community Center to listen to Fletcher speak about his progress over the past four years, and his intentions for the upcoming elections. The rally opened with Kenny Bishop singing “My Old Kentucky Home,” and a few motivational words from Ralph Hacker, the “voice” of the University of Kentucky Wildcats.

Strawberry Festival set for May 25-28

This year’s annual Strawberry Festival is set to kick off Memorial Day weekend, with activities starting May 25 and ending on Monday, May 28. According to Les Johnson, who is one of the event’s chief organizers, the celebration is an Ohio County tradition. “In the 1930s and 40s Ohio County was a large strawberry producing county and the farmers would bring their strawberries into Beaver Dam and ship them by rail. Downtown Beaver Dam would be packed with people,” Johnson said.

Tribunal upholds firing of teacher

Following four days of hearings earlier this month, a tribunal upheld the school system’s decision to fire veteran Ohio County High School PE teacher Bruce Raley after going “chest to chest” with a student over a banana. Raley, who taught at OCHS for over 27 years, was also a former head football coach. John F. Stewart, one of two attorneys representing Raley, indicated Tuesday that an appeal would be forthcoming. “We have not yet received an official report from the tribunal,” Stewart said. “But we are seriously considering an appeal.”

Unmarked grave of Navy vet receiving headstone

A veteran of the U.S. Navy whose body was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in McHenry since 1931 will be honored with a monument this weekend at Render Memorial Cemetery this weekend. According to his records, Jesse Smith died at the U.S. Veterans Hospital at Outwood, near Dawson Springs, on Oct. 24, 1931, at 30 years old, to tuberculosis, which he contracted while in the Navy. A ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday by the Ohio County Genealogical Society to dedicate a monument for him. “None of us knew Jesse Smith, this young sailor who for 75 years has been without a stone marking his grave,” said genealogical society President Shirley Watson Smith. “It is about time we do something about that.”

Nathan Edge

Carla Edge

Restaurant co-owner accused of selling meth:Wife also charged

The co-owner of a Beaver Dam restaurant and his wife have been charged by the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department for trafficking methamphetamine along with other charges. Nathan Edge, 27, co-owner of Lil’ Stevies Pizza, was arrested with Carla Edge, 27, at their Hartford home on Madison Street on May 1. According to Sheriff’s Det. Norman “Shorty” Payton, officers had been watching the business and the home for months. “We received our information from a confidential informant,” Payton said. Sheriff’s deputies raided the home a few months back but didn’t find Nathan Edge. “We believe he was there then but he was hiding under the floor,” Payton said.