UPDATE: Two Semis Collide on Natcher, One Driver Hospitalized

November 9, 2015, 1:01 pm

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**UPDATE - Nov. 9, 2015, 4:30 p.m.: Due to the amount of debris on the roadway of the William Natcher Parkway, the northbound lanes of the parkway are expected to be closed for another two hours.

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OWENSBORO, Ky. (11/09/15) — A crash involving two tractor trailers sends one driver to the hospital and closes the northbound lanes of the Natcher Parkway.

According to a press release from the Kentucky State Police, around 10 a.m. this morning, Randall Merritt, 64 of Carmi, Ill., was driving south on the William Natcher Parkway around the 62 mile-marker, about 10 miles south of Owensboro. Michael Williams, 57, of Greenfield, Ind., was also on the William Natcher Parkway driving south.

Merritt had just pulled his 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer back onto the parkway after being in a rest location. Merritt said he was driving about 45 miles per hour with his flashers still activated when he noticed Williams coming behind him and not moving over. For an unknown reason, Williams ran into the rear of Merritt's trailer.

William's 2012 Freightliner tractor-trailer then crossed the median and both northbound lanes before striking a bridge overpass support column.

William's had to be extricated from his truck by hydraulic rescue tools. He was transported by Yellow Ambulance to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. Merritt was not injured.

Williams pulls for EMJ Transportation in Linwood, Calif., and was hauling aluminum bars. Merritt pulls for Poshard and Son's, INC in Mount Vernon, Ind. His truck and trailer remained in commission.

The road is now closed due to a large scene requiring a significant clean-up. Commuters are placed on a detour route of KY 69 and U.S. 231. Crews expect at least another 45 minutes to an hour before any northbound lanes reopen.

The Kentucky State Police Commercial Enforcement Division is currently investigating the collision.

Those agencies that assisted the KSP at the scene were Daviess County Fire and EMS;  state highway inspectors; EPA; Yellow Ambulance Service; Ohio County EMA and Daviess County EMA.

Information provided by the Kentucky State Police

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Paul Brewster

November 9, 2015, 2:26 pm

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Paul Brewster, 58, of Beaver Dam, died Friday, Nov. 6, 2015, in Weatherford, Texas. He was born in Vonor, Tenn., to the late Andy Coulton and Goldie Ison Brewster. Paul was an employee at DSSA in Beaver Dam, was an avid gardener and he enjoyed canning, hunting and fishing. Survivors include two daughters, Shelia Cleaver (Charlie Jennings), of Graham, and Eva (Robert) Sailing, of Graham; a sister, Pam Brewster, of Weatherford, Texas; and a brother, Andy Brewster, of Indianapolis, Ind.; five grandchildren, Bobbie, Marina, Austin, Destiny and Katie Jo. Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam. Burial will be in Taylor Mine Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until funeral time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to: bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.

Thilbert L. Finn

November 9, 2015, 7:52 pm

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Thilbert L. Finn, 85, passed away on Nov. 5, 2015, at his home. He was born March 17, 1930, in Beaver Dam, son of the late Mord Finn and Mary Ann Fant Finn. Mr. Finn was a member of Barnes Chapel United Methodist Church for 57 years, worked for Peabody Coal Company at Ken Surface Mine as a powder man, was a member of the United Mine Workers and was a big fan of University of Louisville Basketball. Cpl. T.L. Finn served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Loretta Jean Shultz Finn; brother Archie (Thurmon) Finn, of Teaneck, N.J.; sisters, Rose N. Jones, of Louisville, and Barbara (Len) Bard, of Evansville, Ind., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Barnes Chapel United Methodist Church with Elder Ray Austin officiating and Rev. Ronald Holmes of Asbury United Methodist Church in charge of music. Burial will follow in Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam where Ohio County Honor Guard will perform last rites. Friends may visit at the church from 10:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday. Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to: bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.

Tractor Supply Company holds grand opening, ribbon cutting

November 10, 2015, 9:34 am

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  [caption id="attachment_31235" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Tractor Supply Company Beaver Dam story manager Nathan Gilbert cutting ribbon at a ceremony provided by the Ohio County Chamber of Commerce Saturday morning.[/caption] The Ohio County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of Tractor Supply Company in Beaver Dam with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday at the store's grand opening. It is located at 152 North Main Street in Beaver Dam and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The store had many specials going on that day as well as door prizes of gift cards, a log splitter and a chainsaw. Tractor Supply Company Beaver Dam can be contacted by phone at (270) 274-6752 or visit their website at: www.tractorsupply.com.

Hartford Police Reports Released – Nov. 10

November 10, 2015, 11:10 am

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The Hartford Police Department released the following reports Tuesday, Nov. 10. Larry J. Blair, 26, of Beaver Dam, was arrested Sept. 16 on a warrant for trafficking controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school. Dairl P. Dockery, Jr., 27, of Hartford, was arrested Sept. 20 on a warrant for burglary third degree and criminal trespassing second degree. Donna J. Murch, 27, of Hartford, was cited Sept. 20 for expired registration plate and failure of owner to maintain insurance. Timothy L. Tarrance, of Horse Branch, was served Sept. 21 with a criminal summons for theft by deception under $500. Jared T. Denson, 32, of Owensboro, was arrested Sept. 21 on three warrants for fourth degree assault, failure to appear and violation of pretrial diversion. Angela M. White, 29, of Auburn, was cited on Sept. 22 for speeding 15 mph over the limit. Harris K. Cecil, 22, of Utica, was arrested Sept. 23 on a warrant for failure to appear. Leah G. Arnold, 29, of Bowling Green, was cited Sept. 24 was cited for expired registration plates and no registration receipt. Kevin W. Holt, 26, of Hartford, was arrested Sept. 24 for trafficking controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school and possession of drug paraphernalia. Pedro F. Lopez, 22, of Madisonville, was arrested Sept. 30 and charged with speeding 23 mph over the limit, possession of an alcohol container in a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs and no operator’s license. Charles D. Hurt, 21, of Beaver Dam, was arrested Oct. 1 on a warrant for violation of parole. Brittany Fulkerson, 34, of Hartford, was cited Oct. 2 for no operator’s license. Charles W. Canfield, 35, of Hartford was cited Oct. 2 for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Preston K. Lambrich, 21, was cited Oct. 3 for possession of marijuana. Terry D. Chinn, 54, of Beaver Dam, was arrested Oct. 5 and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs. Brandon L. Hearld, 21, of Beaver Dam, was arrested Oct. 6 on a warrant for failure to appear and pay fines. Leroy Heflin, 69, of Cromwell, was arrested Oct. 6 on a warrant for fourth degree assault and criminal trespassing. Thomas L. Simpson, 33, of Hartford, was arrested Oct. 8 on a warrant for failure to appear and pay fines. Jackie D. Smith, 54, of Cromwell, was arrested Oct. 9 and charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Ralph M. Warren, Jr., 55, of Beaver Dam, was arrested Oct. 9 and charged with third degree assault of a police officer. Cody J. Swift, 20, of Morgantown, was cited Oct. 10 for no operator’s license and no seatbelt. Patrick D. Hayes, 19, of Hartford, was arrested Oct. 10 and charged with fourth degree domestic assault. Christopher T. Graves, 22, of Owensboro, was cited Oct. 10 for no registration plate, no registration receipt, failure of owner to maintain insurance and failure to register motor vehicle.

Gov. Beshear Encourages Kentuckians to Honor Veterans

November 10, 2015, 12:50 pm

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (11/10/15) — In honor of Veterans Day, Gov. Steve Beshear is encouraging Kentuckians to recognize the courage, dedication and sacrifice of our soldiers and veterans.  “Kentucky is home to more than 331,000 living veterans, and each of them deserves our utmost gratitude and respect,” said Gov. Beshear.  “On this Veterans Day, Jane and […]

Crum honored with naming of Wayland Elementary Library Media Center

November 10, 2015, 12:57 pm

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[caption id="attachment_31244" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Pictured L-to-R: Wayland Librarian James Manasco, Wayland Assistant Principal Shawn Bishop, Wayland Principal Alicia Storm and Becca Crum.[/caption] Rebecca "Becca" Crum, a sixth grade student at Wayland Alexander Elementary School in Hartford accumulated the largest number of Accelerated Reader points last year in the entire school. Her reward for doing so was to have the Wayland Library Media Center named after her for the 2015-2016 School Year. Crum's name will be permanently featured on a plaque in the library and a sign will be placed over the entrance for the entire year.

OCHS welcomes veterans for annual celebration

November 11, 2015, 1:13 pm

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[caption id="attachment_31248" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Veterans salute during the presentation of the colors and the singing of the National Anthem.[/caption] Ohio County High School holds many events for students and the public throughout the school year, but its annual Veterans Day celebration is one of the very best. For several years OCHS opens its doors to veterans for a special luncheon for them and their families followed by a special program of recognition. The program is hosted by Lt. Col. Mark Lathem, who is the instructor for the Ohio County JROTC program, and the event is coordinated by the JROTC students. This year the guest speaker was Barton D. Darrell, the president of Kentucky Wesleyan College. [caption id="attachment_31249" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Kentucky Wesleyan College President Barton Darrell speaks to the veterans and students at Ohio County High School.[/caption] While Darrell isn’t a veteran, he used his time at the podium to thank all veterans for their service and to talk about a very good friend of his who is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Lt. Col. Lathem thanked the veterans and their spouses for all they have done for our country, as veterans from each branch of the military were recognized “While you may not want to be thanked or feel you need to be thanked for your service, we thank you for being here so the students can show their appreciation,” Lathem said. The OCHS Choir began the program by singing the National Anthem and the OCHS Band also performed. [caption id="attachment_31250" align="aligncenter" width="582"] The gymnasium at Ohio County High School was at near capacity for the annual Veterans Day program.[/caption]  

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Armstrong Coal Recognized by State, Kentucky Coal Association

November 12, 2015, 11:34 am

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MADISONVILLE, Ky. (11/12/15) – The Kentucky Department for Natural Resources (DNR) and the Kentucky Coal Association (KCA) jointly presented awards to local companies for exemplary mine safety or outstanding reclamation practices on coal mining operations in the Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement’s Madisonville regional area. The Mine Safety Awards were presented to surface and underground mining operations in the Madisonville District. DNR Commissioner Steve Hohmann and KCA President Bill Bissett presented the award for Excellence in Reclamation in the Madisonville Regional Area to Armstrong Coal Company Inc. (permit 892 – 0105) for its 1,218-acre surface coal mining operation located near the community of Centertown in Ohio County. The site is being successfully reclaimed by the company to multiple post mining land uses that include cropland, forestland and pastureland. The company’s outstanding mining and reclamation practices also provide for the restoration of old pre-law mining areas that were having significant off-site environmental impacts because they had not been reclaimed to today’s high standards. The awards for exceptional mine safety in the Madisonville District went to River View Coal LLC for its River View underground mine and Armstrong Coal Company Inc. for its Equality surface mining operation. The Riverview deep mine operation had an annual production in excess of 9,340,000 tons, and employs 643 miners working three shifts. They worked a total of 1,471,568 man hours during the year with 11 reportable accidents. Armstrong Coal Company’s Equality operation had an annual production of 3,909,816 tons and employs 145 miners working three shifts. They worked a total of 369,209 man hours during the year with two reportable accidents. The awards event was held at Madisonville Community and Technical College. Information provided by the Energy and Environment Cabinet 

Gertie Chinn

November 12, 2015, 11:43 am

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Gertie Chinn, 92, of Cromwell, died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015, at Professional Care Health and Rehab in Hartford. She was born in the Sunfish Community of Edmonson County and she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her mother, Livia Lowe Cummings. Survivors include her son, Larry (Linda) Chinn, of Cromwell; a daughter, Patty Chinn, of Falls of Rough; a brother, James Cummings, of Sweden, Ky., and a sister Audrey Hogan, of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren, Jeff (Treva) Chinn, Jennifer (Steven) Fulton, Leslie (Sheila) Chinn, Lyndall Chinn, Nancy Williams and Larry Joe Chinn; 10 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Bro. Gary Hines and Bro. Troy Richards officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Cemetery near Cromwell. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until funeral time on Saturday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to: bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.

Veterans honored with breakfast at Wayland Elementary

November 12, 2015, 12:16 pm

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Wayland Elementary honored veterans from all U.S. military branches for their service at a special breakfast and Veterans Day program held Tuesday morning, Nov. 10. [caption id="attachment_31263" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Roman Schatt, Brady Porter, Doug Martin and Doug Porter.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31272" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Kindergarten singing "Oh, I Love America."[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31271" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Braxton Green singing "God Bless America."[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31270" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Wayland 3rd, 4th and 5th graders singing "You Are Our Heroes."[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31269" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Wayland first and second grade singing "The American Way.”[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31268" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Wayland Veterans Day program special speaker Jeff Renfrow.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31267" align="aligncenter" width="369"] Sandra Roopchan singing the National Anthem.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31266" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Veterans that attended the breakfast and program at Wayland Elementary.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31265" align="aligncenter" width="333"] OCHS JROTC - Posting of Colors.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_31264" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Chris Leach[/caption]

Fiscal Court Reorders Coal Severance List Ahead of Shortfall

November 12, 2015, 1:27 pm

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HARTFORD, Ky. (11/12/15) — After being informed of a projected shortfall of $400,000 in coal severance money, the Ohio County Fiscal Court was tasked with reordering its Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Coal Severance Line Item List. Every two years, the fiscal court creates a Coal Severance Line Item List designating how coal severance money from the state will be spent. The state estimates how much coal severance money the county will receive over the two years and the county divides the projected money among a list of projects. Some years, the projected money is short and projects go unfunded. It's likely, according to the state, the county may come up around $400,000 short in projected coal severance money. In fact, the fiscal court had three projects go unfunded on the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Priority List. The county was projected to receive $588,234 in Fiscal Year 2014-2015, but projects for the Centertown/Rosine Internet for $50,000, Ohio County Park Improvements of $48,234 and Dundee Fire Department of $10,000 all went unfunded. To make sure more important projects were funded, the fiscal court decided to reorder the Coal Severance Line Item List for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. The court couldn’t change the project, only the order of the projects. The court had 16 projects totaling $687,546, but according to the state, it is projected to come up around $400,000 short in coal severance money. Because of the predicted shortfall, the court may only have around $300,000 to spend on the 2015-2016 projects. Ohio County Judge-Executive David Johnston was unfazed and believed more money could be found. “I’m more optimistic about what’s coming in because I know some things that’s working with the law makers in trying to get some of the money back to the counties that was inappropriately taken and given to Eastern Kentucky,” Johnston said. “If that develops in time, we might be able to fund more of these.” Fourth District Magistrate Larry Keown was upset the court wasn’t made aware of the coal severance money shortfall before it agreed to blacktop $100,000 worth of road in the Second District. Keown was referring to a line item on the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Priority List for County Wide Road Improvements for $100,000. Apparently the magistrates made a “gentlemen’s agreement” to use the $100,000 to blacktop Stanley Road if Second District Magistrate Jason Bullock gave up a share of road flex funds next year. Bullock’s share would be presumably split between the other four magistrates. Bullock had an idea to split the money for every project in half, so every project would at least get some funding. Not every project would get fully funded, but every project would receive at least half the funding. Keown told Bullock his idea made “good sense,” but the county already spent $100,000 of the County Road Improvements and not $50,000. Johnston took over the meeting and asked the court to begin developing a list of projects to move to the bottom of the list. These projects are not being removed, just reordered. If the all the funding comes in, every project will be funded. If there is a shortfall, those at the bottom will more than likely go unfunded this Fiscal Year. Johnston had a small list of projects to move to the bottom of the list. The first to move down was the Centertown/Rosine Internet for $50,000, which could be funded by Q Wireless next year. Next to move down would be two line items for Ohio County Park Improvements one for $48,234 and one for $14,312, which could wait until the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Priority List. Johnston also thought the line item for the Veteran’s Museum for $10,000 could be moved down the list. After Johnston’s recommendations were placed on the bottom of the list, the court still had $465,000 in projects left for only $300,000 in projected coal severance money. First District Magistrate Sam Small asked if the magistrates were all in agreement the line item for County Road Improvements of $100,000 had to be moved to the top, since the work has already been done. Barnes agreed, but thought the Second District Infrastructure of $50,000 should be moved to the bottom of the list. Johnston agreed the Second District Infrastructure could be moved out of the money, as currently projected, but not to the bottom of the list. Bullock, of course, was not pleased with his project moving down the list. Morphew believed the court needed to fund both the Dundee and Hartford Fire Department line items. Johnston agreed. Small thought funding the fire departments were “critical.” Keown agreed with an earlier recommendation by Morphew, if the court moved OCEDA’s $100,000 down on the list, the court was only around $65,000 away from hitting the projected $300,000 mark. Next, Bullock’s Second District Infrastructure moved down the list and out of the money. The court was $15,000 away from the projected total of $300,000 in coal severance money. Also on the list was a line item for the Sheriff’s Department - Vehicle and Equipment of $25,000. After some discussion, the court agreed to put the Sheriff’s line item as the next project outside the target number of $300,000. If the county gets a little more money, as Johnston expects, Sheriff Tracy Beatty would get $25,000 for a new cruiser. Another line item was for a Jail Vehicle for $30,000, but the Ohio County Detention Center received a Ford pickup truck from the Sheriff’s Department in December. The Jail Vehicle line item was moved to the bottom of the priority list. The court pared the list down to around $285,000, which would fund the first six projects on the list. Those projects are:

1. County Wide Road Improvements — $100,000
2. Dundee Fire Department — $10,000
3. Hartford Fire Department - Improvements/Equipment — $25,000
4. Centertown Area Infrastructure — $50,000
5. Hartford Infrastructure — $50,000
6. Fourth District Infrastructure — $50,000

If more money were to come in, the next item to on the list to be funded would be $25,000 for a sheriff's cruiser. After some discussion about a possible vehicle purchase for the Ohio County EMA, Keown made a motion to approve the reorder of Coal Severance Line Item Resolution 2016-7. Small seconded the motion. The motion passed by a five to one vote with Bullock voting no. To view a PDF of the Revised Coal Severance Line Item List, click here.

OCMonitor.com joins SurfKy News Group

November 12, 2015, 1:46 pm

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SurfKY News has announced the addition of Lee and Dustin Bratcher to the SurfKY family, as well as adding Ohio County to the SurfKY coverage area. The Bratchers operated the Ohio County Monitor in Beaver Dam for over three years and will now bring their knowledge and experience to SurfKy News to better cover the Third Region. "We are excited to have Lee and Dustin on board with SurfKY News Group," said SurfKY President Ron Sanders. "Their unique understanding of Ohio County news as well as the enhancement of our coverage in McLean and Muhlenberg counties, will be a boost to our news offerings. We're sure readers are going to be delighted with the addition." Muhlenberg, Ohio, Daviess and McLean County residents, businesses, government agencies, schools and law enforcement can submit news and announcements to SurfKY News for publication by sending to lee@surfky.com or dustin@surfky.com. The Bratchers want their loyal Ohio County readers to expect little changes in the quality of their news and how they get it. “We feel like joining forces with SurfKY is a win/win proposition,” Lee Bratcher said. “Our Ohio County readers will continue to get quality news from inside and outside the county and we’ll have a chance to help SurfKY broaden its readership.” In making the transition, Ohio County Monitor readers won’t have much they have to do in order to continue to get their news. “If you have already have a bookmark to OCMonitor.com, it will automatically direct you to the SurfKY Ohio County page when you click it, once we make the transition,” Dustin Bratcher said. “Also, when we start posting stories to the OCMonitor.com Facebook and Twitter pages, the links will automatically take you to the right place.” Friday, Nov. 13, will be the last day OCMonitor.com will be updated with stories and posts. On Monday, Nov. 16, the OCMonitor.com domain will be automatically forwarded to the Ohio County section of the SurfKy website. Lee and Dustin appreciate everyone who played a part in making the Ohio County Monitor a success. From the readers to the advertisers, they made it possible for local news to be made available online to the people of Ohio County. Click here to visit the Ohio County section of SurfKy.com.

USDA Reminds Dairy Producers of Nov. 20 Deadline

November 12, 2015, 3:00 pm

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WASHINGTON D.C. (11/12/15) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today announced that almost half of all dairy farms in America have made their annual elections for 2016 coverage under the Margin Protection Program, and reminded producers who have not yet enrolled that they have until Nov. 20, to select coverage.

Established by the 2014 Farm Bill, the program provides financial assistance to dairy producers when the margin – the difference between feed costs and the price of milk – falls below the coverage level selected by the applicant.

“This safety net is not automatic, so producers must visit their local FSA office to enroll before Nov. 20,” said Dolcini. “Despite the best forecasts, the dairy industry is cyclical and markets can change quickly. This program is like any insurance product, where investing in a policy today will protect against catastrophic economic consequences tomorrow.”

FSA estimates that based on current participation rates, had the program existed before the 2014 Farm Bill, producers in 2009 would have invested $73 million in premiums and received $1.44 billion in financial protection during that historically weak market period.

Enrolled dairy operations must pay a $100 administrative fee annually to receive basic catastrophic coverage. Greater levels of margin protection are available for a higher premium, and provide expanded coverage based on historic dairy production. Once enrolled, producers can change their levels of coverage each year. Dairy producers are encouraged to review protection options online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or by visiting their local FSA county office. The nearest FSA county office can be found at http://offices.usda.gov.

The Margin Protection Program for dairy was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for taxpayers. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

KSP Warns Motorists of Increased Deer Activity

November 13, 2015, 9:13 am

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HENDERSON, Ky. (11/13/15) — The Kentucky State Police is urging all motorists to be aware of the increased dangers posed by deer wandering onto roadways during November and December. “Two factors combine to boost the chances that motorists may encounter these animals during this time of the year: mating season and hunting season” says KSP Sgt. Michael Webb. “This results in increased movement that presents hazards to deer, vehicles and drivers.” Nationally, about 1.6 million vehicle-deer collisions occur each year, resulting in about 150 deaths and $3.6 billion in damage. The national average cost-per-claim is $4,135. “A collision with a deer can cause extensive vehicle damage such as a crushed front end or punctured radiator to severe hood, windshield and roof damage,” says Webb. “The human costs can be very serious as well.” In 2014, Kentucky recorded 3,092 vehicle-deer collisions, an increase of 128 crashes compared to 2013 statistics. Three people were killed and 115 injured. During the past five years, Boone County led the state in deer collisions with an average of 148 per year. Hopkins County posted 122 followed by Jefferson County with 103, Campbell County with 97 and Hardin County with 96. According to State Farm Insurance Company, Kentucky is ranked 14th in the country for the most deer collisions. The odds that drivers in the state will hit a deer are one in 113. To avoid becoming a statistic, KSP offers the following defensive driving tips for motorists to reduce their chances of hitting a deer: ●Be extra cautious in the early morning and evening hours. Deer are most active during these low-light periods when motorists see worst and reaction time is slow. ●Stay alert when driving through a known deer-crossing zone. If you see one deer, look for more. They often travel in herds. ●Drive at a moderate speed, especially on roads bordering woodlands, parklands, golf courses and streams. However, remember that many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities. ●Use high beam headlights if there is no oncoming traffic. High beams will reflect in the eyes of deer on or near the roadway, providing increased driver reaction time. ●Upon seeing a deer, immediately slow down. Do not swerve -- this could confuse the deer about where to run. It could also cause you to lose control and hit a tree or another car. It is generally safer to hit the deer rather than running off the road or risking injury to other motorists. ●Deer are often unpredictable, especially when faced with blinding headlights, loud horns and fast-moving vehicles. Don't expect them to stay where they are. They can dart in front of you at the last moment, stop in the middle of the road, cross quickly and return to the road or even move toward an approaching vehicle. ●Deer whistles on cars provide little help and blowing the car horn doesn't always solve the problem. Blowing the horn may cause them to move, but not necessarily in the direction you want. ●Always wear your safety belt. Historically, most people injured or killed in deer/auto collisions were not properly restrained. Information provided by the Kentucky State Police

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Denton Ray ‘Dennie’ Harder

November 13, 2015, 3:45 pm

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Denton Ray "Dennie" Harder, 47, of Dundee, passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Louisville. He was born May 18, 1968, in Owensboro to Glenn and Peg Harder of Dundee. He was a member of East Fork Baptist Church and N.R.A. He was preceded in death by two nieces, Ashley Lanham-Gilmore and Holly Harrison; and one great-nephew, Cory Beavin. In addition to his parents, survivors include his two children, Dustin Kelley and Sara Beth Kelley, both of Nebo; five sisters, Janice (Don) Greer and Pam Wilkerson, of Owensboro, Robin (Rick) Hawley, of Clarksville, Tenn., Lisa (Chris) Baxley, of Louisville, and Trisha Givens, of Dundee; one brother, Robert (Georganne) Lanham, of Caneyville; 15 nieces and nephews, 28 great-nieces and -nephews and five great-great-nieces and -nephews. Funeral services are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Geary Funeral Home, Fordsville with burial in Haynes Cemetery in Fordsville. Visitation is after 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Billy Gene Himes

February 17, 2017, 8:39 am

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Billy Gene Himes, 83, formerly of Beaver Dam, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at his home. He was born in McHenry, Ky., on June 24, 1933, son of the late Owen Ford and Wilma Irene Gray Himes. Bill was a member of Park Avenue Baptist Church in Madisonville, ...

KSP forms new unit dedicated to officer-involved shooting investigations

February 17, 2017, 10:38 am

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — With increasing public interest and media attention throughout the U.S. regarding the use of deadly force by law enforcement agencies, the Kentucky State Police announced today the recent formation of a new unit designed to add experience, expertise, and transparency to investigations of officer-involved shootings in the ...

Gov. Bevin ceremonially signs historic right-to-work legislation

February 17, 2017, 10:43 am

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FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Matt Bevin ceremonially signed House Bill 1, which provides right-to-work guarantees to all Kentucky workers, in a midday gathering with legislators, economic developers and business advocates from across the state. This historic new law protects employees in the Commonwealth from being forced to pay union dues ...

KSP to Raffle Jeep for Trooper Island

February 17, 2017, 11:07 am

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Frankfort, Ky. — To support its Trooper Island Camp for underprivileged children, the Kentucky State Police is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a new 2017 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Winter Edition 4×4, an iconic U.S. brand that shares the same heritage as the vehicle American GIs rode to ...