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For better or worse, here is a look at some of the local stories that made big headlines in 2009.
Ice Storm
The year got off to an icy start when an ice storm crippled the county at the end of January.
The storm caused power outages throughout Logan County and the entire state.
The city of Russellville was forced to close its city hall offices one day because of the city-wide power outage caused by the winter ice storm and many residents were without power for days.
Statewide, the Kentucky Public Service Commission estimated that over 607,000 customers were without power as a result of the ice storm. It was the worst storm in Kentucky history when it comes to power outages and will go down in history as Kentucky’s worst natural disaster ever.
"I've been here 37 years and this was my first experience with anything like this," said Larry Wilcutt of the Electric Plant Board.
North Logan was the area most affected by the storm. Many ice-laden trees snapped and broke, often downing power lines or blocking roads in the process.
Volunteers and emergency workers spent many long hours clearing roads and checking on residents trapped in their homes with no power.
Logan County Little Leaguers go to World Series
A group of young baseball players were in the national spotlight when they made it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Penn. The Logan County 11 & 12 Year Old All-Stars won the Little League State
Championship and the Great Lakes Regional Tournament to advance to the Little League World Series. The team went 0-3 in Williamsport - including an opening loss to the California team that wound up winning it all.
The community really got behind the team, raising money to help team members and their families to make the trip to Williamsport and then honoring them with ceremonies and celebrations after they returned home.
New Park
The new proposed recreational park on Armory Drive began to take shape in 2009, but its future was in doubt for a while.
In April, The Russellville City Council voted to stop construction plans on the $1.5 million park. Councilman Lanny McPherson made the motion to stop the park's construction after saying he thought it was the "wrong time" to build the park. He said even though he thought the park was a good idea he was concerned about how much money it may take to build it and how much it may take to maintain it once it is built. He and councilman Jimmy Davenport were both very vocal about the economy and its effects on the city's finances. They both were worried about beginning a project that might dip into the city's already red ink.
The city of Russellville received $1.5 million from the state's Energy and Environmental Protection Cabinet (EPPC) in 2007 taken from the multi-million dollar Rockwell International Corp. settlement. The money was earmarked to build the new park.
Mayor Gene Zick, who has been adamant about building the park, assured the council that the park's construction would not go over the allotted $1.5 million and it would only take $1,000 additional dollars to maintain it each year. Approximately 80 supporters for Russellville's new park showed up at a special called meeting of the city council to express desire for park plans to continue. After hearing from almost all who attended the meeting and being told by Zick that the EEPC would take back the money if the park didn't continue, the council unanimously rescinded its original vote to stop the park for a period of time and gave mayor Zick the authority to move forward with the plans.
Zick and the council are keeping a close eye on spending on the park. As of October, about $710,000 of the allotted $1.5 million had been spent. Zick promised there will not be any debt associated with this capital project and he believes community members and interested parties will donate some items needed for the park.
With cost a major issue in completing the park, the council recently has been debating whether to use artificial turf or grass on the two soccer fields. Artificial turf is very expensive. The council voted no to accept a bid of $457,601 to place artificial turf on the fields. Zick has continued to support turf, but has been directed by the council to look into natural grass and also research the annual maintenance expense of each option.
New Ambulance Service
The Logan County Fiscal Court in January named Com-Care as the county’s new ambulance provider. Based in Ohio County, Com-Care is owned and operated by Jim Duke.
The county had to find a new emergency medical service provider after the previous one, Commonwealth Health Corporation (CHC), gave notification in 2008 that they would be pulling out of the county in June 2009 citing lack of support from the fiscal court.
In Com-Care's bid they agreed to supply the following on a one year agreement for $175,000: two Advanced Life Support (ALS) crews 24 hours a day, seven days a week; one Advanced Life Support (ALS) crew Monday through Friday during regular business hours; one additional on-call crew available within 25 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and two on-call back up ambulances for a total of six in the fleet.
Com-Care has its base of operations in Russellville at the end of Armstrong Street. The company agreed to work hand-in-hand with the county's first responder program.
During the transition to the new provider, the Logan County Fiscal Court spent $205,000 to purchase two new ambulances and one used ambulance for use by the county and Com-Care.
Com-Care officially took over the county's emergency medical services on May 1. May three new ambulances were painted and decaled in blue and white and adorn Logan County EMS.
Education
It was the end of an era in January when the old Russellville Middle School was torn down. With seventh and eighth graders in a new wing at the high school, sixth graders at the elementary school and no state funds to repair the historic building, the Russellville school board agreed that the building should be demolished.
The newest portion of the school was not torn down and is now the district’s technology center.
The Russellville Independent School District was left looking for a new superintendent once again when Roger Cook announced he would be leaving. Cook had served as superintendent for four years.
In August, the school board hired Leon Smith as the new superintendent. Smith, who had been serving as principal of Washington County High School, said he believes Russellville schools have a lot going for them and he is excited about being part of the district.
In the Logan County School District, plans for a new Logan County K-8 school on Franklin Road were put on hold because of concerns about the budget. The school was set to open in 2010. The new school was being built to alleviate overcrowding at Auburn and Olmstead schools. The district is currently working on a new facilities plan and will likely keep the new school.
In November, Barrett Nelson, who served as principal of Lewisburg School for five years, resigned from that position and is now working as a teacher at the alternative school. In a memo to superintendent Marshall Kemp dated Nov. 19, Nelson tendered his resignation effective immediately and requested an immediate transfer to the position of teacher in the alternative school. Nelson also offered his resignation as an employee of the Logan County School District effective June 30 2010.
Officials would not offer any explanation for the resignation. Associate superintendent Janet Hurt has been filling in as acting principal.
Trials and arrests
A former Logan County High School teacher was charged with unlawful transaction with a minor, second degree; possession of matter portraying sex performance by a minor; use of a minor under 18 in a sexual performance; promoting a sexual performance by a minor under the age of 18 and distributing obscene material to minors, first offense.
In December, Don Ricardo Rodgers of Bowling Green, pled guilty in circuit court to two charges involving improper contact with a student. Rodgers, who taught social studies for nine years at LCHS, pled guilty to use of a minor under 18 in a sexual performance and distribution of obscene material to a minor.
In court, Rodgers replied to the charges by saying, "I take responsibility for enticing a minor to send a nude picture of herself to me" and "I sent via computer a nude picture of myself to the victim."
The alleged contact occurred at the end of the 2007-2008 school year and was made through emails, pictures and text messages, according to a police report. The victim was 16 at the time.
Final sentencing was set for Feb. 12, 2010.
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A Logan County jury convicted Russell Glenn Farmer for sexually abusing his daughter, Ashley Farmer, who is now a Russellville police officer.
Farmer, 45, was found guilty of one count each of - first degree sodomy with a victim less than 12 years of age, first degree sexual abuse with a victim less than 12 years of age, first degree rape and incest.
Farmer received the maximum sentence by a jury for first-degree sodomy, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and incest against his daughter. He received 20 years for first-degree sodomy and first-degree rape, 10 years for incest and five years for first-degree sexual abuse. The jury recommended that Farmer serve concurrent sentences totaling 20 years on the sodomy, rape and sexual abuse convictions, and a 10-year sentence for incest which is to be served afterward. According to Commonwealth Attorney Gail Guiling, Farmer will have to serve at least 19 years of his 30-year sentence before he is eligible for parole.
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Former Logan County Magistrate Kerry Kenady was arrested in July after a woman who rented a home from him filed a complaint saying she was threatened by him.
Local attorney Stuart Wheeler entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Kenady who was charged with second degree burglary, first degree trespassing and harassment.
According to Stephanie Rosser, Kenady had been repeatedly engaged in conduct which alarmed and annoyed her. She claimed that Kenady had been abusing the right of access to her home at least five times a week for the past eight or nine months for no legitimate reason and has made unwanted sexual advances towards her.
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Local pastor Jody Lusk, 35, was indicted in September by a Logan County Grand Jury on six counts of second degree rape by engaging in sexual intercourse with another person less than 14 years of age and six counts of committing second degree sodomy by engaging in deviate sexual intercourse with another person who was less than 14 years of age. Lusk, who was the pastor at the Auburn Church of Christ, tried to fake his abduction and run away with the young teen.
Lusk turned himself in two days later after taking the girl out of state. Lusk admitted he and the 14-year-old loved each other and had planned on running away together until his conscience got the best of him and he returned the girl to her home.
Lusk said he was not going to fight the charges against him because he deserved them.
Lusk was appointed a public defender who entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Entering the plea is standard during the arraignment process. According to the Commonwealth Attorney's office, Lusk can change the plea at anytime himself or ask for a speedy trial.
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Cameron J. Mason, 22 of Adairville, was arraigned in a Logan Circuit Court Thursday on an extortion charge for holding a 25-year-old Macaw bird (Ziggy) for ransom and for first degree criminal mischief pertaining to the bird's shooting. The bird later died. The second defendant in the case, Le'Var L. Mason, 21, wasn't able to appear in court due to his incarceration in another county.
According to the bird-owner's mother, Iris Doty, the bird got loose in Adairville in May.
Doty reported when she left to go back home she let it be known she was offering $100 reward for the safe return of Ziggy. Doty said she was called by Le'Var Mason who informed her he had the bird. He told her she could not get the bird back without paying $1,000. Doty said she told Mason she didn't have that kind of money but $200 was offered and he accepted.
The bird was returned but was very ill said Doty who claims after a veterinary visit and x-rays that the bird was shot with a pellet gun and was in need of emergency surgery in Lexington. The bird later died on the way.
The bird was valued at between $2,500 and $3,000.
Humane Society
The Logan County Humane Society had a good year, reporting that because of the continuing support of Logan County's Judge Executive and magistrates and a dedicated volunteer base they are within reach of becoming a no-kill shelter for dogs.
The Humane Society also received good news when Logan County's Fiscal Court unanimously agreed to move forward with building a new animal shelter to be located on Morgantown Road behind the recycling center.
A stone house house is being remodeled to fit the needs of the shelter and will feature office space and indoor/outdoor kennels. The shelter has been run by the Logan County Humane Society for the past 20 years.
Business and Industry
The year started off with the closing of the Goody’s store in Russellville just three months after it opened. All Goody’s stores nationwide closed.
Meanwhile, several new businesses opened throughout the county. In Russellville, some of those include Mega Mart (which is made up of Mega Beauty Supply and General Store, Baby World and Visionaries Salon and Spa), Ski Daddy's, and Red Tree.
A long-time area grocery was forced to close for a while after a fire in June caused extensive damage. Russellville’s Piggly Wiggly was damaged by an electrical fire but has since been remodeled and reopened in November.
Dream Riders
The Dreamriders organization moved one step closer to fulfilling a dream when fiscal court agreed to financially support the Dreamriders building project. The court agreed to allot up to $200,000 for the project, which is going to impact the community in many ways.
Dreamriders is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic recreation for disabled children. The organization, lead by Sue Sharp, has been tirelessly trying to obtain funding to build a 200- by 125-foot indoor arena complete with classrooms and restroom facilities located next to the new Logan County Extension Office on the 68-80 Bypass, Dreamriders will be partnering with the Logan County Extension District who has offered to allow the complex to be built on the district property as well handle all the scheduling of events, monthly utilities and general maintenance.
The arena can also be used for numerous other events such as barrel racing, cattle shows, rodeos, tractor shows, flee markets, benefits, etc.
New Extension Office
The new Logan County Extension Office hosted its first big event in February with annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner taking place at the facility, located on the US 68-80 Bypass.
Ag Agent Chris Milam said the new building is a great asset to not only the Extension but to the whole community.
The building includes a meeting area which features a large room which can be divided into three separate rooms, a lobby and a professional kitchen.
The meeting room can be used for many events and can be rented for private functions. The lobby area features a large stone fireplace surrounded by chairs and couches. The kitchen features a huge professional refrigerator, a double stove and plenty of room for food preparation.
The office portion of the building houses all the Extension Services workers and also contains room for public use and meetings.
Plans for the new building have been in the works for several years. The property was purchased in 2002 and when site plans were done they included the Extension Complex and Office.
The Extension Complex, which is home to the Logan County Farmers' Market, opened in the spring
Adairville
Adairville lost one of its most famous and beloved citizens when Bernice C. Dickerson died on Jan. 6, 2009, at the age of 95. Ms. Bernice served 22 years on the Adairville City Council and was known state wide as the oldest black elected official in the state of Kentucky. She was also a homemaker and worked for many years as a nutritionist with the Logan County Extension Office.
In other news in Adairville, long-time city clerk Becky Tinch retired at the end of June. She had served the city in that position for 27 years.
Sharon Head was hired as the new city clerk.
The Adairville City Council spent much time discussing the possibility of a new Crossroads IGA locating in town and took the steps necessary for this to happen.
Auburn
Throughout the year, the Auburn City Council discussed how to alleviate the traffic problems around the Auburn School.
The council voted to ban parking on College Street across from the school saying cars parked there created a traffic and safety problem.
Another problem at the school was traffic backing up on Hill Street beside the school during drop off and pick up time. Area residents complained that they often had a hard time getting in and out of their homes because of the traffic. They were also concerned that if there were an emergency, an emergency vehicle could not get down the street because of all the cars.
In the fall, the school restructured the path drivers use when dropping off and picking up students, moving more cars onto school property and taking them off of the street.
Toward the end of the summer, Auburn opened its new skate park at the Auburn Park. The city had been working on getting a skate park for some time and as soon as the park opened, area youth were out and trying out the new equipment.
Lewisburg
Lewisburg has a new city hall on Main Street which housed city offices and the water department. The new offices offer a drive-through window for customer convenience.
The move to the new facility occurred at the end of October, but has been anticipated for years. The old city hall building was in bad shape.
The city purchased the property in June for $215,000, which includes the building city hall is now located, several storage units and a 12,000 square foot skating rink to be used as a community/recreation center eventually.
The city will also continue to rent out the storage units which will generate a continuing stream of additional funding for the city. "It's really a win win purchase," said Sweeney.
The new city hall has 2,000 square feet of office space including offices for the mayor and the chief of police, the clerk and water department.
Earlier in the year, in June, Lewisburg mayor Ken Whitson faced charges in a shooting incident. Whitson was arrested and charged with first degree assault for allegedly shooting Larry Lee in the leg during an altercation. Lee was also arrested and charged with criminal mischief first degree for allegedly striking Whitson’s truck. All charges were amended to misdemeanors before being dismissed by Judge Sue Carol Browning. Both men were given two years probation.
No fishing
Russellville mayor Gene Zick’s dream of having a fishing hole at Memorial Park ended when the Russellville council voted in October to fill in the large hole at the entrance to the park.
The hole was to be a fish pond/storm water basin according to Zick, who began the project without bringing it before the council.
Councilman Doug Nash said the project has become a blunder and he is tired of it being an "eye sore" in the community.
The proposed pond project began in early 2008 when Zick needed backfill dirt for the new park to be located on Armory Drive. Zick took the soil from the entrance of the city/county park and came up with the idea of constructing a fishing pond for kids in its place. The project came to a halt after council members found out Zick's plans and expressed their concerns involving safety and funds to complete the project.
A year later in April 2009, the rain filled mud hole received a verbal complaint filed by former Russellville Code Enforcement Officer Bill Decker against the city of Russellville for violating its property maintenance ordinance as well as many other ordinances he says were being broken regarding the pond. Decker, who worked seven years for the city claimed the proposed fish pond was a safety hazard as well as a nuisance citing lack of appropriate protection, which could result in a drowning, as well as standing water which breeds mosquitoes. Because of the complaint, Zick put up fencing and signs warning people not to enter.
The hole was filled in in November.
Road named in fallen soldier's honor
In October, Logan County's fiscal court unveiled the new sign designating old Lewisburg Road as Cpl. Josh Moore Memorial. Fiscal court passed a resolution to name the stretch of road after Moore, who became Logan County's first casualty in the Iraq War during the spring of 2007.
Moore was killed May 30, 2007 when the Humvee he was driving in southern Baghdad ran over an improvised explosive devise. He was in his second deployment to Iraq after enlisting in the United States Army when he graduated from Logan County High School in 2005.
Logan man dies from swing flu
In November, the swine flu has claimed its first victim in Logan County. According to the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Barren River District Health Department are reporting that the first H1N1 influenza-associated death in Logan County was a male in his 50's with underlying medical conditions.
Several H1N1 vaccination clinics have been held in the county and many people have received the vaccine. Schools have been extra careful about preventing the spread of the disease.
Water rates going up for most in Logan
In December, news of possible water rate increases began to spread. Beginning in March, most people in Logan County will be seeing an increase to their water bills because the Logan Todd Regional Water Commission (LTRWC) voted to increase the price of its water 44 cents per 1,000 gallons.
Logan County's individual water districts have been deciding decide what to do about their own rates and most are passing the increase on to their customers.
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