When Logan Countians recall soon-to-be-departed 2002, chances are most of the memories are going to be "low lights" instead of highlights.
We've been plagued by a multitude of mishaps and negatives during a year that has seen America and Kentucky join Logan County in experiencing a slow economy and the growing threat of war.
We promise that the N-D&L will come up with some positives from the year in the next few days, but for now the following is a review of the rough times we've been experiencing.
Crime and violence
Two young women-- sisters-- are gunned down in a Russellville yard. One of them is the mother of two young children.
Guns are found at Russellville Middle School and students are required to carry clear book bags as a result.
A father still distraught over his daughter's death through domestic violence fakes his own kidnapping, is caught filing a false report and then threatens suicide.
Arrests on drug-related charges appear in virtually every edition of the newspaper.
A man with a Lewisburg address makes national news for allegedly being involved in a couple of kidnappings after escaping from the Hopkins County Jail. One of his alleged victims is still missing.
A businessman who has cleaned up many eyesores in Russellville is arrested twice on charges related to stolen property.
Another prominent businessman is twice accused of sexual abuse charges.
Rumors abound that prominent citizens have been or will be arrested. Sadly, many people believe them.
Government
Russellville City Council has hired an out-of-town attorney to conduct an investigation of one of its agencies, the Electric Plant Board after a former EPB attorney criticized numerous practices of the board.
The complaints follow a public uproar over the EPB's cutting of all trees along one Main Street block. Visitors to Russellville see signs protesting the action for weeks.
Logan Fiscal Court files suit against a business because it will not file an application to operate a solid waste transfer station. Much of the South Union community gets involved in the controversy.
Lewisburg enters 2003 with only one elected councilman, as apathy reigns.
A popular circuit clerk resigns in midterm.
Just as the Logan/Todd Regional Water Commission's supplying of pure, abundant water is about to become a reality, leaders of member governing bodies are questioning the cost.
The state pulls prisoners out of the Logan County Detention Center, taking away a source of revenue for the operation of the costly facility.
Dispatchers at the Logan County Emergency Operations Center threaten to quit if they don't receive immediate raises. A decision is postponed until a consultant can make recommendations. Some do leave for higher-paying jobs.
Logan County's budget problems continue to grow while the reserve fund from the sale of the hospital 17 years earlier are decreasing dramatically.
A popular state senator doesn't get to complete his first term representing Logan County, even though he is unopposed for reelection, because of redistricting. His successor, who is well received, announces that he wants another job and will run for Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture.
The state's budget woes are even worse than the county's, and the effects are being felt in services, jail costs and potential cutbacks to education.
Gov. Paul Patton admits to a two-year extra-marital sexual relationship, causing his administration to lose respect and perhaps effectiveness.
Education
Russellville High School starts the year without a full-time principal, assistant principal or guidance counselor. The chairman of the school board resigns in mid-term and the superintendent announces she will resign at the end of the school year.
A coach is allegedly struck and painfully injured by a student. The coach spends the next six months defending his actions and saving his career.
Health and injuries
A little league baseball player dies as the result of being struck accidentally by a thrown baseball.
A Russellville student-athlete is stricken with life-threatening meningitis. Classmates, teammates and teachers take precautionary vaccinations.
A fast food worker suffers serious burns when the restaurant is struck by a vehicle.
The quarterback of the county's new semi-professional football team dies in an accidental fall at the University of Kentucky.
The beach at Lake Malone State Park is closed temporarily because of pollution.
A retaining pond on the property of the landfill spills over, creating pollution and great concern along Larmon Creek.
Concerns over odors and other conditions at the landfill grow.
Business and industry
As the final remnants of one sewing factory (Red Kap/VF Workwear) leave Russellville and Lewisburg, the other sewing factory, Auburn Hosiery Mill, announced major work force reductions in Auburn and Adairville.
The sewage pipe line between Auburn and Russellville which is expected to spur economic growth is in jeopardy as a result of the hosiery mill's declining production.
Scott's Auburn Mills, which had long billed itself as Logan County's oldest industry, merges with a Hopkinsville firm and closes its Auburn operation.
Ownership of Russellville's two banks on the Public Square moves further out of the county.
The News-Democrat & Leader announces that beginning sometime in 2003 the newspaper will be printed on a new press at a sister paper in Glasgow instead of at the Russellville office.
Tobacco sales became more private with fears that subsidies for growing the county's leading cash crop are in jeopardy.
The economic development commission chief resigns.
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