Ag Commissioner Jamie Comer         Mark Luttrull 2012 Farmer of the Year

The annual Agriculture Appreciation Breakfast was held this morning at the Ag. Extension Office, with several local farmers, educators and businesses honored for their contributions to the industry.

The state’s highest ranking official for farming—Agriculture Commissioner Jamie Comer—was the featured speaker and said that while most of the economy is struggling, agriculture is doing as well as it has in decades.

On a not so positive note, Commissioner Comer acknowledged that he ordered an audit of former Commissioner Richie Farmer when he took office in December and said without going into specifics that Kentuckians aren’t going to be pleased when the report is issued.

The winner of the 2012 Farmer of the Year award was Mark Luttrull of the Pembroke-Trenton area, while Security Seed and Chemical was the Agri-Business of the Year.

The 2012 Friend of Agriculture Award winner was Hopkinsville Community College Ag Instructor Jerry Gilliam, with Hokpinsville Community College as a whole receiving the Distinguished Service Award.

Several members of the Christian County Future Farmers of America and 4-H Club were on hand in addition to many local elected officials.

Security Seed won Agri-Business of year, Jerry Gilliam was the Friend of Agriculture and President Dr. Jim Selbe accepted Hopkinsville Community College's Distinguished Service award (left to right). 

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Christian Fiscal Court heard from the State Highway Department regarding plans to pave rural secondary roads this morning, with magistrates and others convincing the state to change the order in which projects will be done.

The number one priority during the upcoming fiscal year will be re-paving Kentucky Highway 345 in south Christian County from the Highway 117 intersection to the 107 intersection—which is a little over three miles.

The second project is 1.3 miles of paving on Kentucky 1026, ending at the intersection with Princeton Road. The state will also pave two miles of Kentucky 107 extending to the Todd County Line and will re-pave Kentucky 695 from Kentucky 345 to the Bypass.

Highway 345 shows up again at number five, with another mile to be re-paved from Brekies Lane to Kentucky 694.

Christian County Judge Executive Steve Tribble says the county normally accepts the order the state places projects in, but was pleased the Highway Department was willing to work with the concerns of county officials this year.

All five projects are still scheduled to be completed, but Judge Tribble says another spike in the cost of oil could possibly cut down on how much work that can be done.

In other business, court approved training incentives for Magistrates Mark Cansler, Terry Bowman and Rudolph Pettus. Animal Shelter Director Irene Grace reported on another record months for animals finding homes last month, with a separate story coming soon on that.

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The man accused of holding up a Hopkinsville Maxfuel Express in January at knife point is back in Christian County.

Extradited from Florida Monday night was 24-year old Uwa Jesuorabo of Tampa, Florida, who is charged with 1^st degree robbery and criminal mischief.

The suspect is accused of using a machete to take money from a clerk on January 3^rd at the Maxfuel on Fort Campbell Boulevard near Wal-Mart. No one was injured in the incident.

The alleged robber was arrested in Florida last month.

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The Hopkinsville Police Department has issued a statement regarding a local fundraiser meant to help on-duty officers.

A news release from HPD says the department wants to inform local citizens that the Christian County Fraternal Order of Police is currently soliciting money by phone to help supplement the cost of bullet proof vests for local law enforcement.

Hopkinsville Police say they don’t want to discourage anyone from making a donation, but do want citizens to know that they do not receive any money or benefits from the F.O.P. fundraisers.

All bullet proof vests worn by Hopkinsville Police officers are purchased through grants and local tax revenue, according to the release.

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A Cadiz man was arrested Saturday afternoon for allegedly pointing a gun at someone during an altercation.

Charged with 2^nd degree wanton endangerment is 27-year old James Mitchell of 1291 Kings Chapel Road. The report from Cadiz Police Officer Chad Grace says Mitchell was involved in altercation on Cunningham Avenue around 2:15pm, when he allegedly pointed a handgun at the other person before leaving.

He was later arrested and lodged in the Christian County Jail.

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