The Kentucky House Education Committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday which could someday expand the Books for Brains program implemented in Trigg County across the state.

The program, which provides age appropriate books to children from birth to five years old free of charge to the families, began as a charitable effort of country music superstar Dolly Parton. It has expanded across the region and legislation sponsor Representative John Tilley says the Trigg Rotary Club and other civic organizations have funded it there.

Representative Tilley says the long-term results of the program will be higher test scores and more well-rounded students.

Budget constraints prevent the General Assembly from taking the program statewide right now, but Representative Tilley and the committee hope private agencies in other counties can mimic what has been done in Trigg County and that more can be done when the state comes out of the recession.

The Trigg County program has provided over 23,000 books to children since August of 2008.

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02/22/2012/am

The Todd County School System will begin its pre-school screenings early next month.

A news release from Tracey Shifflett says the Todd County School system will conduct pre-school screenings and registration for three and four year old children at South Todd Elementary School from 8am until noon on Friday March 2^nd.

It will be the last screening for this school year, according to Ms. Shifflett, who says children who are within six months of turning three may be screened for entry during the current school year.

Any child who turned five on or before October 1^st is kindergarten eligible and can not attend preschool. Screenings for the 2012-2013 school year will be held in May. Parents wanting to schedule an appointment should contact Ms. Shifflett at 265-2436.

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02/22/2012/am

A single-vehicle wreck between Pembroke and Oak Grove this morning injured one.

The incident happened around 6:40 this morning at the intersection of KY 115 and Pruett Lane, with a 21-year old man sustaining only minor injuries after the vehicle he was in struck a power pole and flipped onto its side.

Pennyrile Rural Electric has been called to the scene to assess the damage to the pole and the man was being treated for a possible broken finger.

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02/22/2012

A two-vehicle wreck on the bypass near Heritage Christian Academy yesterday afternoon injured both drivers.

The incident happened around 3:30, according to the report from Hopkinsville Police, which says 18-year old Tabitha Nixon of Herndon was attempting to turn left across the eastbound lanes and into the entrance of Heritage Christian Academy.

Ms. Nixon turned into the path of 60-year old James Burke of Hopkinsville, who said there was a tractor trailer in the left turn lane next to him which may have kept her from seeing him.

Both drivers sustained injuries in the incident, though the report only lists Ms. Nixon as having been taken to Jennie Stuart Medical Center for her injuries.            

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02/21/2012/am