Hopkinsville-Christian County Crime Stoppers continues give out reward money at a faster pace than it is bringing in donations and is using the always popular “wishing well” to bring in money through change donations.

The wells are fun for children because they can watch a coin spiral down into the bottom of the well for several seconds and they also learn about the importance of giving to a good cause.

Crime Stoppers Coordinator Paul Ray says even the smallest donations are critical in these tough economic times.

Officer Ray says every penny received goes to giving rewards to anonymous tipsters who help put wanted fugitives in jail.                       

The wishing well will be in the front lobby our WHOP studios on Dink Embry’s Buttermilk Road for the next few days, with everyone welcome to stop by and donate any change they can spare to Crime Stoppers.

                                                **

08/01/2012/am

The deadline for candidates to file as independents to run for city council and school board is approaching and more races have shaped up.

Filing for the Ward 12 Hopkinsville City Council seat held by Philip Brooks is Derek Patterson, who owns D.T.’s Last Call in the downtown area. Patterson’s filing means there will be at least four city council races contested in the November general election. No one has filed to run in Ward 1, where Cornelia Belle was recently appointed to fill the remainder of the late Fred Atkins’ term.

Three Christian County School Board seats are on the ballot this year and two candidates have filed papers. Filing for the District 1 seat currently held by Sheila Cottrell is Clayton Boyd, while Teresa Moss will run in District 2 which is the seat currently held by Betsy Glover.

The District 4 seat currently held by Linda Keller is also on the ballot this year, but no one has filed papers to run. The deadline to file is August 14^th.

                                                **

08/01/2012/am

It’s always fairly easy to find 12 candidates to fill Hopkinsville City Council, but the smaller incorporated towns are once again having a harder time getting people to file.

Christian County Clerk’s Office Elections Coordinator Melinda Humphries says candidates are needed in Oak Grove, Crofton, Pembroke and Lafayette.

No one has filed to run for city council in Oak Grove, where the top six vote getters are elected. Norma Banks has filed her paperwork for Lafayette, Anthony Durham has in Crofton and Sherry Byerline and Jeanette Aldridge have in Pembroke.

There are six council-members in Crofton and four in Pembroke and four commissioners in Lafayette. All of those elections are non-partisan and the deadline to file is August 14^th.

                                                **

08/01/2012/am

Republican State Senate candidate Whitney Westerfield says he took part in the “Chick-Fil-A” appreciation day to support their leadership’s support of traditional families.

Chief Operations Officer Dan Cathy recently became famous for saying he supported traditional marriage between a man and woman—with some pro-gay groups choosing to boycott the popular fast food chain.

Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and others called for conservatives to eat at Chick-Fil-A on August 1^st, which third district state senate candidate Whitney Westerfield said he did in Clarksville.

A news release from Westerfield says quote: “The union of marriage between one man and one woman is sacred and represents the biblical idea of marriage”. He says he will vote to protect the traditional definition of marriage every time, if elected.

He faces off with incumbent State Senator Joey Pendleton in November.

                                                **

Hopkinsville Police Warrants Officer John Bracey and five other officers spent Tuesday focusing on serving as many warrants and summonses as possible.

A news release says a total of 22 warrants and three summonses were served, resulting in 15 arrests. The charges range from failure to pay fines, failure to appear in court, possession of marijuana, probation violation, assault, harassing communications, theft and contempt of court.

Police say there is a distinct correlation between people wanted on warrants for other crimes and their committing new crimes before being located.

                                                **

08/01/2012/am