Murder charges have been added to the list faced by local men accused in a home invasion in Graves County last week.

Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon told WPSD TV that 24-year old James Kirby and 40-year old Richard Phipps of Hopkinsville are facing one count of murder in addition to attempted murder and two counts of wanton endangerment. 29-year old Edwin Russell of Elkton is charged with complicity to murder.

Police say two of the suspects knocked on the door and shot Richard Jett when he answered. A suspect then allegedly struck Jett with a weapon before shooting his wife Sharon Jett in the back. Richard died Sunday in an area hospital.

Ms. Jett took several more shots to the legs and body, but still managed to shoot Phipps in the side and hand. Russell was the driver who took Kirby and Phipps to the residence, but reportedly drove away when he heard shots fire.

The Elkton man was the connection to the Jett family, as he reportedly once dated their daughter.

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02/20/2012/am

Distinguished guests from state, local and federal government attended this morning’s ribbon cutting of a multi-bed facility to help local veterans get back on their feet.
U.S. Senator Rand Paul told attendees that veterans deserve our help in their time of need, especially after they served our country with honor.

Congressman Ed Whitfield could not attend today’s event, but Michael Pape spoke on his behalf about how veterans suffered so that others would be safe and that they deserve a place to call home.

The Pennyroyal Veterans facility features 55-spacious rooms and officials say while they are living at the center, they will be able to receive mental and substance abuse counseling to help further their road to recovery.
According to a recent survey, it’s estimated that 28-hundred veterans are homeless in Kentucky and Tennessee.

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02/20/2012/MF

A prominent longtime local businessman and Pennyrile Rural Electric Board member has passed away.

Funeral services for 88-year old William “Bill” Claxton of Newstead Rd. will be Tuesday afternoon at 2 at First Baptist Church, Hopkinsville, with visitation to be from 10am until the funeral hour.

Claxton was the manager of Southern States Petroleum Cooperative in Hopkinsville for 38 years and was the supervisor of t he Christian County Conservation District for 40 years.

He served as a director of the Pennyrile Rural Electric Board for 18 years and on the Christian County Water District Board for 12 years.

He was a deacon at First Baptist for 63 years.

Claxton is survived by his wife of 59 years—Nancy—in addition to one son, a brother and sister.

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02/20/2012/am

A third suspect sought for the January 30^th armed robbery of A.C. Automotive on E. 9^th Street has been arrested in Texas.

Hopkinsville Police say their investigation determined 26-year old Christopher Jerome Walker of Clarksville was near San Antonio. The U.S. Marshall’s in Texas assisted and arrested Walker over the weekend in Bexar County.

Walker is lodged in the Bexar County Jail and is charged with 1^st degree robbery. Walker and three other men are accused of holding up A.C. Automotive and then leading police on chase, which included exchange of gunfire between the men and an Oak Grove Police officer. Police continue to search for 23-year old Justin Horstead of Clarksville.

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02/20/2012/am

The teenage pedestrian hit on Riverside Drive last week has succumbed to his injuries.

Clarksville Police Public Information Officer Jim Knoll says 17-year old James Patrick Powers of Clarksville died Sunday morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Powers was flown to the hospital last Tuesday after he reportedly walked into traffic near McGregor Park just before 6pm. 26-year old Justin Norton of Clarksville was unable to avoid striking Powers and police have filed no charges in connection with the incident.

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02/20/2012/am