NEWS - SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

Construction Of The New US 27 Making Headway
Expected To Be Completed Now In 2012

The $38.6 million project involving the relocation and widening of US 27 in Garrard County from south of Camp Nelson to 1,500 feet south of KY 34 is making visible headway.

School District’s Scores Slightly Down

With CATS testing gone by a decision of the state General Assembly last spring, replaced by an interim test, the Kentucky Core Content Test will be used until the new state school testing is ready in 2011. With that transition in mind, finding a way to compare scores with previous years is a challenge to say the least.

Tullar Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Buckeye Fire Department

Enters Alford Plea On Marijuana Cultivation Charges

More than three years after the Kentucky State Police searched the area around Kenneth Tullar’s Sugar Creek Road home and a year and a half since it was discovered that he had been taking money from the treasury of the Buckeye Fire Department, the cases are finding closure.

Trafficking And Other Drug Charges Lead Indictments
A Total Of 13 Indictments Returned

Controlled Buy Nets Four Arrests Indictments Follow

Four people arrested just after midnight on Thursday Sept. 10 have been indicted by a Garrard County grand jury. The arrests are the result of an undercover investigation conducted by the Garrard County Drug Task force.

FFA Plans Model Foliage & Grassland Demonstration Area At New High School

The Garrard County FFA has a plan for the back acreage at the new high school until the school system uses it for a bus garage.

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.

Board Office Reports On School District’s Activities

Swine Flu  H1N1

The school system continues to escape the flu symptoms that have been encountered in other areas of the state.  School nurses reported no cases of H1N1 flu as of Sept. 8. This, of course, can change on a daily basis but so far Garrard County schools have been very fortunate.

Two  Garrard  County Students Participate In KSP ‘Drive To Stay Alive’

Garrard County High School students, John Shoemaker and Colby Reik were among twenty-one students throughout the state selected by Kentucky State Police to participate in the ‘Drive to Stay Alive’ program. The program ran from September 13 – 16 and was held at the KSP Training  Academy in Frankfort. 

Adult Education Gears Up For New Classes
Life Changing Opportunities Here In Garrard County At No Charge

With growing economic development in Garrard County, it is an important time to think about the future work force that will be needed to entice even more business to the county and its growing economy.

Garrard County Public Library News Letter

The library is celebrating author Roald Dahl’s Birthday (9-13-09) on September 29, at 3:30 p.m. Enjoy crafts, games and snacks. While you are at the library you can check out one of Dahl’s books, such as James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Bill Of Bill’s Diner Thanks His Customers

After nearly eleven years manning the helm of one of northern Garrard County’s most frequented establishments, Bill Rhodus, owner of Bill’s Diner on US 27, and his wife Debbie have decided to semi-retire and sell or lease the establishment after closing the doors to business on August 30.

Flu Level Raised To 'Widespread' in Kentucky

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week that the influenza (flu) activity level in the state has increased from regional to widespread. Widespread activity is the highest level of flu activity, which indicates increased flu-like activity or flu outbreaks in at least half of the regions in a state. The activity levels for states are tracked weekly as part of the CDC’s national flu surveillance system. This level of flu activity is consistent with other southeastern states that are also currently reporting widespread activity.

ROAR & YMCA Host Afterschool Programs

YMCA

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) after school program, affiliated with United Way, has had great success so far at Lancaster Elementary School.  It is now serving more than ten students (and growing) per day, Monday through Friday, each week. 

ROAR

The ROAR (Reach Onward Academic and Recreational Program) after school program has been highly successful at Garrard Middle School.  It is now serving 40-50 students (and growing) per day Monday through Thursday each week. 

LifeTrack For Medical And Personal Needs Now Available

Charlie Black knows how important information is when moments matter.  He understands how vital it is to have the correct medical information at hand when it counts.

The Garrard County Arts Council Is On The Move

“If you build it, they will come,” a line from the movie Field of Dreams staring Kevin Costner could be the motto of the Garrard County Arts Council in more ways than one.

Yes! There Are Pigs In Garrard County

There has been a trend by the U.S. swine industry toward mega farms and total confinement to raise pigs.  There is one family farm in Garrard County that has gone the opposite direction.