The deadline is quickly approaching on when delinquent Hopkinsville city property tax payers must make good on their debts before their name will be published in the paper.

City Financial Officer Robert Martin says there are a little over 1,100 property owners who have until March 30^th to pay their bill, or their name will appear on the delinquent list in early April in the Kentucky New Era.

Martin says most of the delinquent payers have bills which are relatively small, some as small as 10 or 15 dollars.

The city has collected 99.9% of what it expected to collect in property taxes so far this fiscal year.

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03/21/2012/am

The Christian County Animal Shelter enjoyed a record month for finding homes for animals in January and followed that up with another record month in February.

Animal Shelter Director Irene Grace says 250 animals were adopted or reunited with their owners last month, thanks in large part to the shelter’s Facebook and Petfinder pages online.

Ms. Grace said the shelter also did very well at its adoption event at Tractor Supply last week, where they were joined by Max’s Hope Pet Rescue group that also works to connect needy cats and dogs with loving owners.

Click here to become a fan of the Animal Shelter on Facebook.

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03/21/2012/am

A Hopkinsville woman was cited into court yesterday afternoon after her dog reportedly bit a man on Hazel Street.

The incident happened around 4pm near 2122 Hazel St, according to the police report, which says 41-year old Berlynn Bussell told officers he was in his sister’s yard when a dog came and bit him.

Officer Morgan Lageman writes that Bussell had puncture wounds to his right thigh and that the dog was found in the back of 2118 Hazel.

The dog’s owner, 41-year old Lisa Greenwade of Hopkinsville, was cited for harboring a vicious animal.

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03/21/2012/am

NDMS students were honored for placing in the top ten of the mayor's essay contest.

The Hopkinsville Police Officer who pulled a teen driver from a burning car in Muhlenberg County last week was honored at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting.

Police Chief Guy Howie noted that recognitions often come at the annual HPD awards ceremony, but regretfully said Officer Shannon White Tinsley will soon be leaving the force to take a position with Kentucky State Police.      

Chief Howie read a statement from the father of 16-year old Zach Morris—Dave Morris—who thanked the officer for her bravery last Friday on Kentucky 189 just across the county line.

Officer Tinsley thanked the Mayor, Chief and Council for the award, but attributed to the events to a power higher than herself.

Officer Tinsley has stayed in contact with the Morris family, taking food to them at an Evansville Hospital.

Ten North Drive Middle School students were also recognized for placing in the top ten of Mayor Dan Kemp’s Mayor’s Scholars’ essay contest, with Austin Nabb coming in third, Jonathon Colley second and Lauren Knox the winner.

In other business, Financial officer Robert Martin said the city has an available cash balance of just over 7.7 million dollars—about 1.2 million more than the balance from a year ago.

The city also agreed to re-authorize a 10-year lease agreement regarding Western Hills golf course, with Christian Fiscal Court also a party in that arrangement.

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03/21/2012/am