State looking hard at area for new gasification plant: 6 will be split between east, west Kentucky

Can Ohio County possibly be in line for a coal gasification plant that would create hundreds of jobs and use a mountain of coal? Nothing is written in stone but the possibility exists, according to a letter recently received by Judge-executive Wayne Hunsaker from Talina Mathews, executive director of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet Office of Energy Policy. In that letter, Hunsaker was asked to participate in the exploratory venture by proposing one or more sites for a proposed site bank of “four to six” locations in Kentucky for potential coal-to-liquids (CTL) and coal-to-gas (CTG) projects. “I really think this is something serious the state is proposing and it makes a lot of sense,” Hunsaker said. “And I can’t think of a better place to have such a facility than right here in Ohio County.”

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Organic food interest spawns local co-op: Group formed 10 years ago

For some health conscious people, the organic food concept may seem like a new fad. But for a small group of Ohio Countians, eating organic foods has been a way of life for years. Helen Funk, a Hartford resident who describes herself as “85 years young,” said eating organic food has “made a difference” in her life. “It’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle,” said Funk who has been eating organic food for at least a decade. “It’s a little higher but it’s better than always paying for prescriptions.”

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Local artist’s ornament featured on state tree

Continuing a holiday tradition for a second year, Kentucky artists have been invited to design Christmas tree ornaments to be displayed at the State Capitol in Frankfort. The ornaments will hang on the County Christmas Tree in the State Reception Room of the Capitol building throughout the holiday season. “The County Christmas Tree captures the creativity of artists from across Kentucky and offers an opportunity for visitors to enjoy our magnificent Capitol during the holidays,” said First Lady Glenna Fletcher, who originated the ornament program in 2005. “We have so many talented artists in Kentucky. This display is a great way to showcase the wealth of artistic ability that exists in each of our counties.”

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Fordsville parade set for Saturday

Generally ranked near the top in the area Christmas parade business, the annual Fordsville Yule parade will be staged Saturday and promoters are expecting another good edition. “We’re hoping for good weather and a good turnout,” said Phyllis Farmer, chairman of the parade. “Hopefully everything else will take care of itself.” The parade will form at Dunaway Lumber Company and make its way through downtown Fordsville starting at 1 p.m. It will disband at the Pilot Gas Company east of town. “We have several units already lined and hopefully there will be several more by parade time,” Farmer said.