Following his check presentation to the Carnegie Library Foundation this morning, Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson was the guest speaker at the Pennyrile Area Development District meeting this afternoon.

Lieutenant Governor Abramson told area officials who attended the meeting that in order for a community to look attractive for business prospects, an area has to have a skilled work force.

Aside from having a skilled work force, Lieutenant Governor Abramson says education is key to the economic success of a community.

Lieutenant Governor Abramson says the quality of life in a community also plays a factor on whether or not a business is established in a community and he believes the Pennyrile region has the bench marks to attract more businesses in the area.
                                                           **

Officials with the Fraternal Order of Police Hopkinsville Lodge 12 will be hosting their annual police memorial service this week to honor fallen officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Fraternal Order of Police member, Quentin Stone says it’s important to honor and remember officers who answered the call of duty and who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Stone says the annual memorial service is also a way for fellow law enforcement agents and the community to thank family members of a fallen officer and to show appreciation to current officers for their sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

The memorial service will be held Thursday at the Police Memorial Park on West 1^st Street between the Municipal Building and the Police Department.

In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Christian County Justice Center, located on West 9^th Street, which is across from the County Jail.
                                                           **

Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson at the Historical Society

A ceremony was held this morning at the Christian County Historical Society, where Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson presented a half million dollar federal block grant check to the Carnegie Library Foundation.

The money will be used to restore the library built in 1912 to its former glory, according to foundation chair Jim Coursey, who says it will serve as a sort of architecture museum and tutoring center.

Periodic lectures on architecture will be held in addition to the tutoring and Lieutenant Governor Abramson commended the board and others for taking the initiative to restore the facility.

Official local historian William Turner serves as vice chair of the foundation board and also commented on the magnitude and importance of the project. State Senator Joey Pendleton, Representatives John Tilley and Brent Yonts and Magistrates Terry Bowman, Mark Cansler and Tom Jones were also in attendance.

                                                            **

05/14/2012/am

Clarksville Police are investigating a case of severe vandalism at a church.

Officers responded to Madison Street Church of Christ Sunday morning when Joel Ragland of the church found significant damage when he arrived. The main office window was damaged and the suspect or suspects had ransacked numerous offices and damaged three doors.

The perpetrator used a fire extinguisher to bust out a glass door to the main office and all office doors were kicked in. Several pieces of unopened mail were also destroyed.

The investigation continues and no suspects are listed on the report.

                                                **

05/14/2012/am

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of two hunting dogs from over the weekend.

The two brown and white Walker Coon Hounds were stolen sometime between 8 and 5 Friday from 4175 Gilkey Lane, according to the report, which lists the owner as 17-year old Cody Gresham of that address.

Gresham said the animals were in their kennel when he left for school, but gone when his brother checked on them later in the day. A suspect is listed on the report and the investigation continues.

                                                            **

05/14/2012/am