In This Week's County-Wide Issue...

Heart of Kentucky United Way
Garrard County Day of Caring September 23rd

We all have special talents, things we can do to help. Whether it’s reading to children or becoming a mentor, tutoring adults in ESL, serving on non-profit boards, leading financial literacy classes for hard-working families or delivering meals to homebound seniors. Meaningful volunteer opportunities exist each and every day. 

Garrard Band Among The Best In State
Seeking Fourth Straight Trip to Finals

There was a time in the late 80s or early 90s that the Garrard County Marching Band had trouble getting through the National Anthem. That was before Chris Vance took over the Garrard program fresh out of the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1995.

The Good Doctor Of Paint Lick
Honored By His Peers

When Dr. John Belanger started the Paint Lick Family Clinic in 2000, he was operating on nothing but faith that his vision would come true. That vision was affordable health care for those who couldn’t afford insurance in a place he was really and truly needed.

Belanger’s vision first began to take shape in his youth as he and his family drove through rural parts of Kentucky when he saw a sign reading, “WE NEED A DENTIST.” He thought to himself how nice it would be to be in a place he was really needed. Years later after going into medicine and working for the Community Health Center in McKee, near Berea, he landed, inexplicably, in that very place.

Trafficking In Prescription Meds

A 56-year-old Lancaster man remains in custody under  a cash bond of $15,000 following his arrest on Friday, Sept. 11 for trafficking in prescription medications and cocaine.

Meth Labs And Landlords

Much confusion has surrounded the changes of a state law requiring the posting of warning signs on properties in which police have discovered and removed methamphetamine laboratories. Heath Stone of the Garrard County Health Department is organizing a meeting for landlords on October 5 at 6 p.m. at the local health department to clear up any confusion among landlords.

“Putting Feet” To Your Dream

How someone from Silver Bay, Minnesota, a small town on the north shore of Lake Superior, came to make their home in Lancaster is a story about living one’s dream.

Or as Greg Ives, who owns and operates GA Ives & Company Hair Cutting on Richmond Street, says, “I decided to put feet to it.”

Garrard County Public Library: A Big Part Of The Community

The Garrard County Public Library has been a big part of the Garrard County community for years and we are growing by leaps and bounds!

Construction on the new addition to the library, located on the site of the old Firestone building, should be completed sometime in early 2010.  This new addition will be an area for children, including a space specially designed for story hour and other children’s programs. 

Groundbreaking Scheduled For New Judicial Center
September 24 at 3 p.m.

With the groundbreaking for Garrard’s new judicial center scheduled for today and construction slated to begin directly thereafter, the fiscal court took the last procedural actions necessary for the construction to begin.

Chamber Hires New Administrative Assistant

Once removed and back now for the past three years, Amy Cloud, the newly hired administrative assistant for the Garrard County Chamber of Commerce, is very happy to be a part of the community.

Cartersville Business Is Booming
Central Kentucky Sheet Metal Opened In Newly Constructed Location In November 2008

“There’s no ‘I’ in team,” Ronnie Brown, Central Kentucky Sheet Metal’s owner, said in reference to the success of his business. “We’re a team.”

Although Brown’s story is somewhat of a ‘rags to riches’ story in its own right, he is firm in his conviction that his loyal staff has been the driving force behind his success.

Napier Brothers Clothing And Shoes Celebrates 20 Years

Garrard County may be booming with new businesses popping up nearly every week, but one business located in downtown Lancaster stands above the rest as a staple in the community.

Napier Brothers Clothing and Shoes is celebrating 20 years of business in the Lancaster public square starting next Thursday.

Lawyers Find An Office Home In Old Citizens Bank

What the big draw is for lawyers who seem to be opening practices in Lancaster in recent months is pretty simple and straightforward.

“I’ve seen a need for lawyers here,” John Reynolds, one of three lawyers who will share office space in the newly renovated corner building in the northwest quadrant of the Public Square, said. “There’s just not a lot.”

Uncle Tom’s Cabin Replica Still Has Life

When  the brakes were applied in May to the county’s tourism idea to build a replica of the slave cabin described in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1851 novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, those involved were discouraged to say the least.

New High School Taking Shape

According to the general contractor for the new Garrard County High School, Richard Pitman, the construction on the project is coming along great with just six months left before Branscum Construction hands the building over to the school board on April 1, 2010.

MUCH MORE NEWS HERE.....